For the past few days I have been looking into our being in GODS sight Saints. And what is required by GOD to be called by HIM a Saint. With today's post I will lay this study to rest as I look into Godliness and the exhortations concerning it. But first a look at Pastor Hoekstra and Grace as found in the person of our LORD and how we acquire Grace and Truth in all Righteousness. And as has become my standard I will pull from the ESV translation and when the LORD gives me utterance I will break in and share what HE says.
"Living in Christ, Christ Living in Us"
"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him... At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." (John 6:56 and 14:20)
"In our verses, we again see the extent of the Intimate Relationship that the New Covenant of Grace provides. An astounding intimacy is declared in these words: "abides in Me, and I in him." We have not merely come near to Christ, nor has He simply drawn close to us. Rather, we live in Him, and He lives in us! We live by being in Christ (by being related to Him, by being united to Him, by drawing our spiritual life from Him). Moreover, He lives in us and desires to express His life through us. There is a mans religion out there that falsely teaches that when one partakes of the wine and a wafer of bread that the LORD is in these elements and becomes one with those who receive these material elements, this as we see here is a false doctrine of man. It also might be noted that from this same religion many other denominations have sprung. Man by being dependent on these elements along it wrong as it removes our dependency on the Spirit of the Living and Life imparting word of GOD. That being so proves that GOD is not within it because GOD is One within HIS own Body of One, in Divine Spiritual Relationship.
This unique arrangement for spiritual intimacy is experienced by the one "who eats My flesh and drinks My blood." Although the language sounds strange to the natural mind, the picture is common, that of eating and drinking to find life-giving nourishment. The unusual aspect is that the source of the nutrition is a person. Earlier in Jesus' discourse, He had indicated what this process encompassed. "I am the bread of Life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35). Eating and drinking of Jesus' flesh and blood involves simply coming to Him in faith. When we come to Jesus, we are counting upon Who He was (His person, His flesh, the Son of GOD becoming a man). When we believe in Jesus, we are also relying upon what He did (His work, His blood poured out for us upon the cross). As we relate to Jesus in this manner, we are finding our spiritual sustenance in Him. Thus, we abide in Him and He in us.
Of course, the Holy Spirit would participate fully in this process. "At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." Jesus was leaving His disciples soon, to return to the Father. So, He comforted them: "I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:18-19). On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured forth or given in fullness and power. Now, the Spirit would make the very life of Jesus available to all of His followers. As they trust in Him, Christ would live in and through their lives."
Godliness,
1Timothy 2:1-7 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of GOD our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. For there is One GOD, and there is One Mediator between GOD and men, the man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony (witness) given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in Faith and Truth."
1Timothy 4:6-10 and 6:3 "If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the Living GOD, Who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe."
1Timothy 6:3-10 "If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our LORD Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the Truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the Faith and pierced themselves with many pangs."
Titus 2:11-14, 15 and 2Peter 1:3 "For the Grace of GOD has appeared, bringing Redemption and Salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great GOD and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works (of selfless Love).
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
2Peter 1:1-11 "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the Righteousness of our GOD and Savior Jesus Christ: May Grace and Peace be multiplied to you in the Knowledge of GOD and of Jesus our LORD. His Divine Power (Authority) has granted to us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness, through the Knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which HE has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become Partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with (selfless) love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the Knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the Eternal Kingdom of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ."
2Peter 3:11-13 "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of Holiness and Godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of GOD, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to His Promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which Righteousness Dwells."
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