Continuing on with the Spiritual Health being restored to mankind bring man back to the status of a Genesis 2 man again as Promised Adam in Genesis 3:15 and Abram in 12:3. In Genesis 12:3 those who will come to trusting faith in GOD as Abram did will be as Abraham counted by GOD as possessing GODS Righteousness. Now for a look at Pastors Hoekstra's writing on Grace and mans flesh choice to walk in the spirit of remain earthy and walking in the flesh. And as has become my usual standard I will use the ESV translation and will also edit things as the LORD the Spirit leads.
"More on the Crucial Choice: Flesh or Spirit"
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." (Galatians 6:7-8)
"One of the unchangeable aspects of being a Christian is that GOD offers only two choices for all of the issues that we will encounter day by day; namely, "live according to the flesh" or "live according to the Spirit." (Romans 8:5). Also, the consequences accompanying these options are inevitable, because of the certainties of sowing and reaping. "Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." When an apple seed is planted, an apple tree is the only possible plant that can result. Whatever category of seed is put into the ground, that is the only type of crop that can ever be reaped. (John 12:24)
Our present passage reveals that these agricultural absolutes apply just as certainly to the planting of spiritual seeds in our lives. We only have two types of seeds to plant ("flesh" or "Spirit"), leading to only two types of harvest ("corruption" or "Everlasting Life").
The first set of seeds and harvest offers an ominous warning. "He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption." The seeds in view here are words, deeds, and attitudes that would range from self-service to self-sufficiency. The harvest predicted from these carnal seeds is described as" corruption." This speaks of destruction and decay. For a person whose entire life is only characterized by sowing "to his flesh," this destruction will be eternal. This would depict one who never planted any seed of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a one would die in sin and guilt, separated from GOD for eternity. For a born again believer, who persistently or intermittently yields to carnal temptations, this would warn of subsequent loss of spiritual vitality and fruitfulness on earth now, plus loss of heavenly blessings later.
The second set of seeds and harvest extends an encouraging expectation. "But he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap Everlasting Life." The seeds referred to here are words, deeds, and attitudes that result from our humbly depending upon the Spirit of GOD to work in and through us. This brings an increasing Spiritual Crop described as "Everlasting Life." This would be similar to Jesus' statement: "I have come that they may have Life, and that they may have it more Abundantly" (John 10:10). This Promises fullness of Life now, and great rewards in glory later."
Mans Conversion from sinner to righteousness:
The Divine Law the Agent,
Psalm 19:7-14 "The law of the LORD (Jehovah) is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."
Joyful Believers used as Instruments,
Psalm 51:10-13 "Create in me a clean heart, O GOD, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your Salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You."
Essential to Entrance into GOD's kingdom,
Matthew 18:1-6 "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. "Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."
Prepares for Christian service,
Luke 22:31-35 (Jesus is speaking) "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." Peter said to Him, "LORD, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death." Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know Me."
Enjoined upon all men,
Acts 3:17-26 (Peter is speaking) "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what GOD foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that HIS Christ would suffer, HE thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the LORD, and that HE may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which GOD spoke by the mouth of HIS Holy prophets long ago. Moses said, 'The LORD GOD Will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to Him in whatever He tells you. And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to this Prophet will be destroyed from the people.' And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that GOD made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' GOD, having raised up His servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.""
The Supreme Task of the Church,
James 5:17-18, 19-20 "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the Truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."The LORD showed something during the night that surprised me. He said that those who keep Jesus as Jesus, are working the works of the flesh. Because Jesus came as a man of flesh to destroy the works of mans flesh. He rose as the Christ the anointed one to become One within those who call upon Him as Christ the Spirit. GOD is Spirit and those who worship GOD worship GOD in spirit and Truth or Spirit of Christ Who is Truth. The use of the small "s" in spirit is our spirit restored to GOD as seen in the Genesis 2:1-3. Where spiritual man rested with GOD before man was formed of the dirt of this earth which became flesh only after the spirit of mans was breathed by GOD into the image and likeness of HIS Unseen being in 2:6-7, the first Adam. This is known as the Regeneration or Regenesis of mankind.
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