Christ within You, post number 2396

In this post we will look into our relationship with our LORD and Father by Their Faith and Grace in the New Covenant or law of love, within our being. For the promise was not to man as a man but to Christ that would be in mankind. I shall draw from Genesis 12, 17, 21:12, with Abram who became Abraham; Isaiah 41:8, Acts 3:25, Romans 4:13, 16 Galatians 3:16 and Heb 2:16 and the link of the blood and altar of Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 13:10, not to leave out the Genesis 1:26-28's image and likeness that is to say, Christ within all of humanity. We are looking at the "seed" of promise. Watch for the subheadings. While reading this post see if you can find the four areas of the Law that Grace provides the answer for as being completed and if there are more such areas. Then we shall look at my e-Sword studies program and what Pastor Hoekstra shares therein.

Genesis 12:1-4, 15:1, 17:1, 3, 5; 1Chron. 1:27 and Neh. 9:7; Isaiah 41:8, 10 Now the LORD had said to Abram, 'Get out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless you, and curse him that curses you: in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.' So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him....Gen. 15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward.'....Gen.17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, 'I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be perfect'....And Abram fell on his face: and GOD talked with him, saying, 'Neither shall your name any more be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; For a father of many nations have I made you'....1Chron. 1:27 Abram; the same is Abraham....Neh. 9:7  You are the LORD the God, Who choose Abram, and brought him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham....Isa 41:8  But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham My friend.... 

Jesus as Christ is speaking this in: Matthew 22:32  'I am the GOD of Abraham, and the GOD of Isaac, and the GOD of Jacob? GOD is not the God of the dead, but of the living.'

We're on our way to Acts 3 but before we get there here are a few more references: John 8:33, 37, 39-40, 56-58  They answered Jesus with, in John 8:33, "We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how say you, "You shall be made free?"....'I know that you of Abraham's seed; But you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.'... They answered and said Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a man that has told you the truth, which I have heard of GOD: this did not Abraham do....Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad.' Then said the Jews to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and how is it that you say that you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, 'Verily, verily, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.'

Acts 3:13, 25; 13:26  The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son Jesus; Whom you delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go....You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which GOD made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed shall all the kindred's of the earth be blessed.'....Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears (reverences, honors) GOD, to you is the word of this salvation sent. {Leterally; "Come Out From Among Them!"}

Romans 4:1-3, 9, 12-13, 16  What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he had whereof to glory; But not before GOD. For what say the scripture? Abraham believed GOD, and it was counted to him for righteousness....then came this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness....And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith...Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by Grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; Not to that only which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham; Who is the father of us all, (who enter the salvation of Christ.) 

Galatians 3:1-9, 10-14, 15-29  O foolish Galatians (today's christians), who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh (the works required by the Mosaic Law and man's religions)? Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministers to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed GOD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that GOD would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, 'In you shall all nations be blessed.' So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith:

Galatians 3:10-14  For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of GOD, it is evident: for, 'The just shall live by faith.' (Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17, and Heb 10:38) And the law is not of faith: but, "The man that does them shall live in them." Christ having redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree (Deu. 21:23; Jos. 10:26-27)." That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 

The Law vs the Promise:

Galatians 3:15-29  Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man dis-annulls, or adds thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He said not, to seeds, as of many; But rather as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ (Gen. 1:26-28, Leviticus 17:11 and Hebrews 13:10, the life in the blood and the altar of our Covenant of which they who serve the temple [the flesh of man] have no part.). And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of GOD in Christ, the Mosaic Law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot dis-annul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of this Law, it is no more of promise: but GOD gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serves the Mosaic Law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; It was ordained by angels (religious messengers) in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but GOD is One (being in total agreement El-o-hiym, Gen. 1:1). Is the law then against the promises of GOD? GOD forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Mosaic Law. But the scripture having concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe Him. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up from the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. For after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For we are all the children of GOD by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. In Whom; There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for all are one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Now for Hebrews 2 and 3:

Warning Against Neglecting Salvation:

Hebrews 2:1-4, 5-3:6, 7-19  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels (messengers) was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; Which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard Him; GOD also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will? 

The Author and Founder of Salvation:

Hebrews 2:5-18 For to the angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that You art mindful of him? or the son of man, that You visited Him? You having made Him a little lower than the angels; You crowned Him with glory and honor, and did set Him over the works of Your hands: You having put all things in subjection under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; That He being Christ, the author the of Grace of GOD should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain (author) of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare Your [Christ] name to My brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise to You. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which GOD has given Me. For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (mans corrupted mindset acquired in Genesis 3 and warned of in Gen. 2); And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Himself (this He did during the OT times) the nature of angels (messengers); But He took on Himself as Christ, the promised seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to GOD, to make reconciliation (atone) for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself having suffered being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted. 

Jesus Greater Than Moses:

Hebrews 3:1-6, 7-19  Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He Who has built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by some man; But He that built all things is GOD. Moreover Moses truly was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ is a son over His own house; Whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

 A Rest for the People of God:

Hebrews 3:7-19  Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost said, 'To day if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always error in their heart; And they have not known My ways. So I swore in My wrath (My deep burning Love, violent compassion, They shall not enter into My rest.' Numbers 14:20-23, 25, 27-30, 35) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living, Loving GOD. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end; While it is said, 'To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.' For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom swore He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 

From here I will share the thoughts of Pastor Hoekstra from my e-Sword Bible study program:

Living by Grace: Humility and Faith vs the Mosaic Law

GOD resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble . . . through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. (James 4:6 and Romans 5:2)

How does a believer of Jesus Christ access the ongoing, sanctifying grace of GOD for daily godliness? It is accessed the same way that the initial, justifying grace of GOD was acquired - - by humility and faith. We were justified, declared righteous in God's sight, when we humbly trusted the Lord Jesus. We humbly agreed with the Lord's account of our guilty condition. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God . . . For the wages of sin is death" (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). We also put our trust in Christ concerning His offer of life (based upon His death and resurrection on our behalf). "But the gift of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Thereby we partook of the justifying Grace of GOD, through humility and faith.This is how the Lord wants us to continue to relate to Him for sanctifying Grace.

Our God wants us to walk in humility, because grace is what we need for growth in godly living. Remember this great truth of Grace: "But grow in the grace . . . of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2Peter 3:18). If we are unwilling to walk in humility, we will not enjoy this wondrous sanctifying impact of Grace, because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." When we live by self-sufficiency, the requirement of the Mosaic Law and man's religions, GOD resists us. When we function in humility, GOD gives us grace for living.

Our God also wants us to walk in our measure of faith, because faith accesses Grace. "Through Whom [Christ, the Gen. 1:26-28 secret] also we have access by Jesus' faith into this Grace in which we stand." We now stand in a kingdom that offers "Grace upon grace" (John 1:16). Abundant Grace is available for every step we are to take. This Grace is partaken of by faith. Whenever we trust in the Lord Jesus concerning any issue of life, we are reaching by faith into GOD'S unlimited resources of Grace, by which we are enabled to live effectively.

Hereby we see that living by Grace involves two relational realities: humility and faith. We do not produce either. Neither are of works. Humility admits we cannot do the work (of being holy, loving, perfect). Faith relies upon the work of another, the Lord Jesus Christ. They are both relational realities, since they become real in our lives through a growing relationship with the Lord. The more we get to know the Lord Jesus Christ, to that degree humility and faith will become realities in our lives.

O LORD, You are my salvation, from justification throughout a lifetime of sanctification. Forgive me for underestimating my need for You. Forgive me concerning the self-sufficient, self-confident ways by which I have often lived. I humble myself before You. I want to live by trust and confidence in You. I long to live by Your Grace, not by my best efforts. Help me to know You, that humility and faith might develop in my life, Amen.

Can you see the agreement here? Grace satisfies the Law's demands, how, by which ones?

Grace, satisfies the Hear O' Israel, the LORD our GOD is One LORD.

Grace, satisfies, be perfect as I am perfect. 

Grace, satisfies, be Holy as I am Holy.

Grace, satisfies, the requirement for self works.

Grace, satisfies, the love your neighbor as you love yourself.

How by the richness of His Grace, Ephesians 1:7 and abundance of Grace, Romans 5:17...with the gift of righteousness and renewal of the mind, Romans 12:1-2. I Will put the new law on their hearts and in their minds. Jeremiah 31:33. It is good that the heart is established by Grace, Hebrews 13:9.

Christ within You, post number 2395

Today, I want to draw our attention to Titus 2:11-13 of 11-14 where we find this:  For the Grace of GOD that brought salvation by appearing to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our Savior* Jesus Christ (GOD); Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem (provide the healing of Isaiah 53:5) to all of humanity from all iniquity, and purify to Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

*Greek G4992 in the Strong's which states this: sōtērion  so-tay'-ree-on   Neuter of the same as G4991 as (properly concrete) noun; defender or (by implication) deference: - salvation. [G4991: sōtēria  so-tay-ree'-ah Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): - deliver, health; G4990: sōtēr  so-tare'   From G4982; a deliverer, that is, God or Christ: - savior; G4982: sōzō  sode'-zo   From a primary word σῶς sōs̄ (contraction for the obsolete σάος saos, “safe”); to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - to heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.] 

Now for Isaiah 53:5-6: For He (Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was laid upon Christ; And with [by] Christ's stripes we are healed*. For we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Christ the iniquity of us all. *H7495: râphâ' râphâh  raw-faw', raw-faw'  Of a primitive root; properly to mend (by stitching), that is, (figuratively) to cure: - cure, (cause to) heal, physician, repair, X thoroughly, make whole. [this being the Genesis 2 of mans origin and identity healed, restored to is original state or condition of identity. In the Grace of our original innocence.] This being the Gospel of Grace and Grace being the New Covenant vs the Old Covenant of the Mosaic Law of self works condemnation.

Now for the thought of the day written by Robert Hoekstra in my e-Sword Bible Study helps program, with a little editing done by me. Now for this study:

For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:11-13)

Time and again, we have considered the connection between Grace and justification. "Being justified freely by His Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus...In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His Grace" (Rom. 3:24 and Eph. 1:7). Now, we have an opportunity to ponder once more the relationship between Grace and sanctification. "For the Grace of GOD that brings salvation has appeared to all men." It is GOD'S Grace that brings salvation to mankind. For nearly 2,000 years, that saving Grace of the Lord has been offered to humanity through the preaching of the gospel. This particular verse now adds another function to the work of Grace. "For the Grace of GOD [is] teaching us."

The Grace of GOD not only redeemed the souls of all who believe; It also works in believer's lives to teach and instruct them. GOD'S Grace, working through His word ("The word of His Grace"—Acts 20:32), instructs and shapes our thinking (Rom. 12:1-2) and living: "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age." It is the Will of our Heavenly Father that His children turn away from that which is worldly and spiritually compromising. He wants us to walk in godliness, in Christ-likeness. GOD works this into our hearts by His Grace.

GOD'S Grace also develops expectant lives, eager to have the Lord Jesus return for His people: "Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ."

The Grace of GOD impacting our hearts through His word by His Spirit is His divine means to bring about such transformation [G3339] (salvation, [Rom. 12:1-2, G3339; metamorphoō]) in us. To view sanctification as something we can produce through our own performance (that is, by Law) is akin to overlooking GOD'S Grace and underestimating the provisions of the cross of Christ. "I do not set aside the Grace of GOD; For if righteousness comes through the Mosaic Law, then Christ died in vain" (Gal. 2:21).

Dear LORD Jesus, my great GOD and Savior, I want to live in eager anticipation of Your return. Meanwhile, I desire to please You by growing in godliness, holiness and in applied righteousness. Thank You for Your long-suffering (mercy or compassionate) love, patiently teaching me by Your Grace—the Grace that I sometimes neglect, attempting to produce all of these realities by the striving of my flesh in the Jewish Law of Moses. From such vanity I turn to hope in You, LORD Jesus, Amen.

Now this could well be my last post. Only the LORD of lords and Spirit of spirit's knows this. So just who is Christ and who is the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost? Of what benefit is Grace?

Christ within You, post number 2394

So by way of review what are the four ways or areas that Grace perfects humanity by His faith within our being?

Before we get into our studies of Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews, allow me to say this. Jesus as the son of man of Genesis 1:26-28, took on man's humanity (Genesis 2:7) for the purpose of creating a link as humanity's kinsmen redeemer (Ruth 2:20, Rom. 9:3 and 16:7) would justify and sanctify humanity as the Son of GOD, this hidden in the first chapter of the Genesis narrative. Now for Jeremiah 31 which reads as follows: Jer 31:31-34 "Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I (Mat. 26:28, Mark 14:24, Luke 24:11, 1Cor. 11:25, 2Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6-13) will make a New Covenant with  the house of Israel, and with (Jer. 50:4-5; Gal. 6:16, Phil. 3:3) the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; Which Covenant they broke, although I was an husband (this hidden in the title or word, LORD) to them, says the LORD: For this shall be the covenant (Jer. 32:40) that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; And will be their GOD (John 20:17, Rev. 21:3, and 7), and they shall be My people. And they shall teach (1Thes. 4:9, Heb. 5:12, 1John 2:27) no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, "Know (1Chron. 28:9, and John 17:3) the LORD:" for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will (Mic. 7:8; Acts 10:43, 13:38-39, Eph. 1:7 and Heb. 8:12 and 10:17-18, with 13:10) remember their sin no more." 

As we can now see GOD promised a New Covenant of Grace though it was not at that time named as such. In Romans 11:26-27 we find this: Rom 11:25-28 For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits; That blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, "There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer (kinsmen redeemer), and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is My Covenant with them, when I shall take away their sins." Now will this take place when the LORD Jesus returns for Israel? Meanwhile the families of GOD, this includes Jews and Gentiles, of all nations of humanity as one people has invigorated the New Covenant by His blood (Luke 22:20).

Can you see the astounding three-fold provisions of this New Covenant for all who will but believe? The first, is forgiveness of sins. "For I will forgive their iniquities, and their sin I will remember no more," The second, is the availability of a true relationship; "They all shall know Me." form the least to the greatest among humanity. The third, there is the internal workings of GOD enabling and changing people's lives from the inner core of humanity's being; "I will put My new law in their minds and write in on their hearts."

I am deliberately trying to keep this short by breaking it up into smaller studies where possible. In our next study we shall look at the Hebrews records, as the new and living way, once we've lad the ground work for it.

Christ within You, post number 2393

Yeshua....Jesus Christ came as the Lion of the tribe of Judah awakens the sheep to become Lions as His followers. To evangelize the world into His kingdom as free born sons. There is one if not more occasions that the book of Isaiah was read before the priests and the people, one such occasion is in Matthew 4:14 which is Isaiah 9:1-2 of 1-7 which reads: Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first He lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them has the light shined. You have multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before You according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of their burden, and the staff on their shoulders, the rod of their own oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; But this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government will be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government (kingdom, NT Covenant of Grace) and Peace, there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Then we come to Matthew 8:17 and the words again of Isaiah in 53:4-5 of 1-12 which reads:  Who has believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For He (they) shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: they have no form nor comeliness; And when we shall see them, there is no beauty that we should desire them. They are the despised and rejected of men; They are men of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from them as we did Him; they are despised, and we didn't esteemed them nor Him. Surely they have borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem them nor Him as stricken, smitten of GOD, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, they were bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was laid upon them as it was upon Him; and by His stripes we are healed [H7495; repair, X thoroughly, make whole.]. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth. For He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? For He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of His people was He stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; Because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He having put Him to grief: when You shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. He shall see of the travail of their soul, and they shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall His righteous servant be justified among many; For He has born their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong; Because they have poured out their soul unto death: and they were numbered with the transgressors; Yet He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

In the next few days we shall look at Jeremiah 31, and Hebrews to get a clear picture of our present state and conditions within the New Covenant of promise and how it effects all of humanity, not just Israel as referenced.

Christ within You, post number 2392

I will again call upon my e-Sword program and the thoughts of Pastor Hoekstra contained therein. As an aid in this study of GOD'S Plan, and where needed by the Holy Spirit edit the material presented.

Righteousness through Christ in Sanctification:

For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh (our humanity), on account of sin (the lose of the knowledge of our origin and true identity, this the effects of Genesis 3's record which cursed all of humanity): He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled (this the same fulfilling spoken of by the Lord of Mat. 5:17's fulfill G4137, to make replete, to make abundantly filled,,,ie. to over fill [now who's the beneficiary of this action, humanity]) in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Rom. 8:3-4)

How wonderful it is to be "justified freely by His Grace" (Rom. 3:24). Yet, what disappointment and discouragement awaits us, if we do not learn that GOD desires to sanctify us freely by His Grace and Truth as well. This plan of GOD, as we should expect, hinges upon the, 'it is finished' work of Jesus Christ.

In matters of justification, as well as sanctification, the Law has a weakness. This weakness is that natural human resources, the flesh of man, cannot live up to the standards of GOD. These we described in 2391. Thus, to accomplish what the Law could never accomplish the Father sent His Son to accomplish on humanity's behalf. "For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, GOD did by sending His own Son."

Jesus came as a man and died on the cross to eradicate the consequences of sin's consciousness. This death of Christ provided justification for all who would believe the Lord Jesus. Yet, the next verse reveals that through His sacrificial death on the cross progressive, practical sanctification is available day by day through faith in the Lord. "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

The word "walk" makes Rom. 8:4 a verse on sanctification, not justification. Justification takes place with the first moment of faith in Christ. Sanctification continues step by step, day by day, throughout the life of all that believer.

Think of this grand truth. God's Grace provides the way "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us." Remember, that heavenly demand is "be holy," be like Christ. This transformation of life takes place daily in the life of any believer who does "not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." If we renounce the natural resources of man and trust in the Lord Jesus step by step through life, His Holy Spirit accomplishes His sanctifying work in us by the gift of Grace of GOD. 

Law and Grace, Old Covenant and New Covenant:

The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant . . . For the law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ . . . This cup is the New Covenant in My blood. (Deu. 9:11; John 1:17; and Luke 22:20)

In our studies of the Law and Grace, we have also been considering (though not yet mentioning) the principal characteristics of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. When the Lord wrote the message of His law upon stone tablets for Moses, He was prescribing the terms of the Old Covenant. "The LORD gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant." When Jesus came into the world to die on the cross, the Lord was establishing the New Covenant. "This cup is the New Covenant in My blood." The blood of the testator, the Spiritual mediator, in effect cancelled the OT Mosaic Law of condemnation that was weak as it had no means of redemption let alone salvation within it.

These two covenants of Law and Grace present one of the major contrasting themes in the word of GOD. "For the Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ..." Understanding the differences between these two covenants is of utmost importance for living the Christ life as GOD intends, all of humanity.

GOD'S law tells us that He desires holiness to characterize the way we live. Only GOD'S Grace can provide such righteousness in our lives. GOD'S law tells us that He wants Christlike love to permeate our attitudes and relationships. Only GOD'S Grace can develop such love in us. GOD'S law tells us that He desires the perfections of the Father to be growing in us. Only GOD'S Grace is sufficient to carry out such a process of transformation.

The law of GOD is the what; The Grace of GOD is the How. The law of GOD reveals sin; The Grace of GOD forgives sin. The law of GOD indicates man's problem; The Grace of GOD provides all GOD'S remedy. The law of GOD demands performance by man; The Grace of GOD offers provision from GOD.

The law of God is the standard; The Grace of GOD is the means. The law of GOD is the spiritual measuring rod that evaluates lives; The Grace of GOD is the nurturing resource that produces spiritual life. The law of GOD tells us of the character of GOD; The Grace of GOD reproduces that character in us. The law of GOD is the effect GOD wants to see; The Grace of GOD is the cause that brings forth that effect.

LORD God of Truth, help me to rightly divide (understand) Your Truth. Enlighten my spiritual understanding that I might increasingly grasp the differences between Law and Grace. Show me the full implications of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.Your word impresses me with the enormous significance of these issues. Thank You for Your patience concerning my negligence or confusion on these matters. O LORD, I earnestly desire to live a righteous and holy life. Teach me the path of humble dependency upon Your glorious Grace, through Jesus, my LORD and my life, the great Amen.

I pray for clarity of understanding for all who read this. Thank You for such clarity of mind.

Christ within You, post number 2391

Okay, so far what have we learned of the Lord Jesus? The answer can be summed up in the following; Every human being ever created needs the redemption price paid for them. "For there is no difference; For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Why and how, by the conscientiousness of their need for redemption of the sin conspicuousness buried deep within them. Now, for all who believe the Lord Jesus, the righteousness of GOD is imputed to them, that is to say, it is credited as a gift to their heavenly account. Thereby, the LORD God justifies humanity "freely by His Grace." The ascended LORD declares humanity righteous in GOD'S sight by giving humanity "the righteousness of GOD which is through His faith." Okay, now for the e-Sword programs and Pastor Hoekstra's thoughts on this, taking us back to Mat. 5:17's statements as we looked at them in 2390.

Righteousness through Christ in Justification

But now the righteousness of GOD apart from the law is revealed, it being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of GOD which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and in all who believe. For there is no difference; For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD, being justified freely by His Grace (Rom. 3:21-24)

The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law of GOD for humanity is by justifying humanity "freely by His Grace." He did and does this by offering humanity "the righteousness of GOD which is through faith."

In the gospels Jesus Christ, "is and was the righteousness of GOD apart from the law is revealed." It is the same righteousness that is spoken of in the law, that is, "being witnessed by the Law." However, in the law righteousness is an impossible standard being imposed on all of humanity. In the gospels, it is a gracious gift being offered. And it is this gift that is not tolerated by any of mans many religious systems that are based upon the Genesis 3 record, as the poison of an asp under the tongue of man there after. As the convictions of the law within humanity as we brought out in 2390, 2389, 2388a and b.

This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior (kinsmen redeemer) and LORD in which the kinsmen redeemer is hidden. This gift is, of course, frees the recipients, this being salvation's coming out from among, them. This being the message heard by Abram and by his actions of doing so became Abraham. A friend of GOD. Yet, it was made available at great cost to the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy humanity back from the slave market of sin and death, these the snares used against humanity in Genesis 3 by covert action of deception a lie.This being the standards of man's religions, the catching of heel, world wide as a propaganda mechanism of fear and intimidation, superstitions, by the use of meths, legends "religious holiday's" and buying of penitence as a tithe offering to the local religious institutions and funding it's many programs, not brought about by GOD'S direction but mans.

Father of Glory, what marvelous gift is Your Grace - - what marvelous Grace! Such a thorough provision is supplied by Your Grace. Through the work of Jesus, my risen LORD, the law is fulfilled. Its holy demands are met on humanity's behalf. Our failure before Your law is fully covered by Your Grace. Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the penalty for my inherited sins. My desire to grow in the righteous life that You lived, and that the law describes, is fully available by Your Grace. O LORD, this is Grace upon grace. For this I praise You, and I rejoice with expectation. LORD Jesus, by faith I now look to You to be my life, light and love this day. LORD, inhabit my heart and shape my attitudes, my words, my relationships, and my deeds, I pray in Your mighty name, the forever Amen.

Christ within You, post number 2390

Okay, we are now facing what the Lord Jesus Christ meant when He stated this as recorded by Matthew in chapter 5 verse 17 here's what the KJV states: "'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but* to fulfill.'"  Remember that in Matthew, He also gave to those who would accept His yoke of learning, of who or what, of Him. Not man's religion but rather "of Him." So now what is meant by this phrase, "to fulfill" what does the Strong's Greek have to say in the G4137 assigned to it, then I shall call upon Pastor Hoekstra for some more insight from my e-Sword program. We have looked at Romans 3:31, 10:4 and Galatians 3:17-24 among many others to overflowing Grace and the abundance of His Life restored within our original identity by His stripes we are the healed of the LORD, this seen in Gal. 2:19-21, For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto GOD. For I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; Yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of GOD (the fulfilling of Mat. 5:17), Who loves me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the Grace of GOD: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ died humanity's death in vain.

The Strong's Greek G4137: plēroō  play-ro'-o  From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a   net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply. [G4134: plērēs  play'-race From G4130; replete, or covered over; by analogy complete: - full. G4130: plēthō  play'-tho,  pleh'-o,  A prolonged form of a primary word πλέω pleō (which appears only as an alternate in certain tenses and in the reduplicated form of πίμπλημι pimplēmi to “fill” (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply]); specifically to fulfill (time): - accomplish, full (. . . come), furnish.]

Now for a look at Pastor Hoekstra's thoughts with a little editing by the Holy Spirit, Christ within me and you; The ultimate ability of the law of GOD is its capacity to tutor people to Christ. "The law was our tutor to bring Humanity to Christ." This was the plan of GOD to use His law to inform humanity about our need for Christ. Remember the summaries of the law of GOD: "be holy, be loving, be perfect." The law deeply ingrained within our being says to us , "be holy." This described in Leviticus 17:11 where it states this; "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul." For the law requires all to be loving, and when we are not loving it speaks; "You need Christ." For the law insists that we are to be perfect as our Father is perfect. Again, "you need Christ." In this way the law functions as our tutor (schoolmaster or child-trainer) instructing humanity of their need for what only Christ can provide, His Grace!

Once we respond to the law's tutoring work, we are no longer under the rule of the tutor's controlling. For we have placed our trust or our measure of faith in Christ and we are no longer under the law's influence, "for after faith has come, humanity is no longer under a tutor." Once we were told by the law to be holy, now instead we look to Christ for our holiness. "But of Him we are all in Christ Yeshua....Jesus, Who has become for us....."righteousness and sanctification." (1Cor. 1:30)

Again, as we were once told by the law to be loving, now we look to the Spirit of Christ for all the love that our lives requires. "But the fruit of the eternal Spirit is love" (Gal. 5:22)

And again, once we were told by the law to be perfect, now we look to Christ for all of the perfection of the perfecting process. "Being confident of this every good thing, that He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it (the fulfilling) until the day of the LORD Christ." (Phip. 1:6) Where we find G2005 for complete: epiteleō  ep-ee-tel-eh'-o  From G1909 and G5055; to fulfill further (or completely), that is, execute; by implication to terminate, undergo: - accomplish, do, finish, (make) (perfect), perform (X -ance). Remember G4137, G4134, and G4130 in our first look at Mat. 5:17.

Now for the cross references to the one word connection the word, "but*," Mat. 3:15; Psa. 40:6-8; Isa. 42:21; Rom. 8:4; Gal. 4:4-5; Col. 2:16-17; and Heb. 10:3-12.

From here we can jump to Romans 3:21-24 where we find our being justified by His Grace once again.