We are drawing to the close of this section of our studies, I will miss doing them as they are all that I have to look forward to each day. I especially enjoy my early morning times with my LORD and then rising to do these posts. One thing I noted is that we have not touched the word "salvation" and its meaning for us of the re-birthing that is afforded in redemption's operation. Both words have much the same meaning when looked at in a dictionary or Strong's word study breakdown. Point of fact I have heard many use them interchangeably over the years which has caused me many difficulties. Okay, lets get into our subject matter shall we?
1John 5:18-20, 21 "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; But he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen." (KJV)
1John 5:18-20, 21 "We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols." (ESV)
1John 5:18-20, 21 "What was made absolutely [1]clear [in the incarnate Christ] is that whoever is begotten of GOD cannot be a [2]distorted image of GOD! Likeness begets likeness. Jesus did not come to reveal the "otherness" of GOD, but his likeness in human form. There is nothing wrong with humanity's design, neither with their salvation [G4982 sozo, means to be made whole, complete]! To [1]see one's true revealed and now redeemed genesis in GOD, is to treasure the person we really are by his divine engineering and to remain [4]unstained in your thoughts by [3]the "I am not-tree system." The [3]idea that I am not the expression of his image and likeness can no longer [4]attach itself to my thoughts, neither do I allow it to ignite its destructive cycle of self-righteousness or depression on me! The system of this world is based on a mentality of separation, which is marked by [3]hardships annoyances and labors! It becomes an all consuming and most exhausting lifestyle of having to prove oneself in every relationship and a futile striving for recognition; With its inevitable results of disappointments, condemnations, rejections and pretenses. ( John begins the 3 sentences in verse 18, 19 and 20 with the verb [1] oidamen, which is a Perfect Active tense of [1, G1492] eido, to see, to observe, to pay attention to, to perceive, to know as an eye-witness [this relates back to our word salvation, sozo meaning healed restored to health as in re-birthing wherein our perception is restored to that of Genesis 2]. The Perfect Indicative Active tense denotes an action which is perfected or completed in the past, but the effects of which are regarded as continuing into the present. A distorted image is what the word [2, G264 from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313] hamartia suggests; is from (G1) ha, negative and (G3313) meros, portion or form; thus to be without form. The word, [3, G4190] poneros, is often translated wicked one or evil one, refers to the tree of knowledge of good and evil [poneros, Hebrew H7451 from H7489 râ‛a‛, to distort, afflict, cause harm] which is the fruit of a lost fellowship, identity, value and innocence. Through hardships, labors and announces humanity has strived for generations in vain, to redeem themselves from their own judgment and their illusions of separation. This concludes in a judgment based on performance. Which is the opposite to an opinion of approval based on value! The word, [4, G680 reflexive of G681] haptomai, means to fasten itself to, or to cling to something; is from (G681) hapto, to kindle a fire; to ignite.
If there is indeed nothing wrong with humanity's design or redemption, there can only be one problem, we are thinking wrong! Look at Isaiah 55:8-9, "Your thoughts are not my thoughts, therefore your ways are not my ways!" also at Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope." Isaiah 55:9-10, "Just like the rain and the snow bridges the distance between heaven and earth and cancels the drought, so shall my word be, it shall cancel distance and drought and saturate the earth (flesh); every nook and cranny of human life shall be filled in the Incarnation! The word became flesh and indwells us! In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, GOD has brought final closure to the rule of life lost in the "I am not Tree-system." The idea of GOD'S absence as well as every definition of distance and separation were cancelled. Jesus is GOD'S mind made up about you-manity! He is not more Emmanuel to the Jew than what he is to the Gentile world. Look at John 1:14, Suddenly the invisible eternal Word takes on visible form-the Incarnation on display in human life as in a mirror! In him, and now confirmed in us! The most accurate tangible display of GOD'S eternal thought finds expression in human life! The Word became a human being; we are his address; he resides in us! He captivates our gaze! The glory we see there is not a religious replica; he is the authentic begotten Son. The glory (that we lost through Adam) returned in fullness! Only grace can communicate truth in such complete context!) We know that we have our origin in GOD; yet the whole world [1]lies trapped in the blindfold-mode of a lost identity; intoxicated by the ponderous system of a futile mentality of hardships, labors and annoyances! (The word, [1, G2749] keimai, means to lie prostrate, outstretched; buried.) This is what has become distinctly clear to us: the [1]coming of the Son of GOD is GOD'S mission accomplished! he is the incarnate Christ. The moment all of Scripture pointed to has arrived! The Son is [1]present! In him GOD has given us the greatest gift, [2]a mind whereby we may know who is true! Humanity is fully included and located in him, in his Son Jesus Christ; this means that whatever Jesus is as Son, we are! This is the true GOD; this is the life of the ages! (The word, [1, G2240] heko, means to have come, to have arrived, to be present. John uses the word, [2, G1271 from G1223 and G3563 nous, intellect, with the base of G1097 ginōskō, to know ] diaoian, deep thought; with (G1223) dia, to know together with; an entwining of thought; the mind of Christ.
Jesus said, you will know the truth as it is unveiled in me, and that will set you free!
The culmination of the gospel according to John is summed up in these verses: John 14:20, "In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me and I am in you!" Also 1John 2:7-8, "what is true of him, is equally true of us." 1John 4:17, "As he is, so are we in this world! Our lives are mirrored in him." as well as here in 1John 5:20)
This defeats every image of our imagination that could possibly complete with the authentic likeness of our design! Darling children, distance yourselves from every substitute image, which is what idolatry is all about! (The word eidolon, is often translated idol, refers to image or likeness.
In Isaiah 40:18-21 we find: "To whom then will you liken GOD, or what likeness compares with him? The idol? a workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silever chains. He who is impoverished chooses for an offering wood that will not rot; he seeks out a skilful craftsman to set up an image that will not move. Have you not known? have you not heard? has it not told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundation of the earth? Remember your beginning! You are GOD'S idea - the Engineer of the Universe imagined you!" Genesis 1:26-27; Colossians 1:15, 2:9-10.
In Acts 17:28-31, "For 'In him we live and move and have our being;' As even some of your poets have said. "For we are indeed his offspring." Being then GOD'S offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of human origin. The times of ignorance GOD overlooked, but now he compels all of humanity everywhere to awaken to their redeemed identity and innocence!
Idolatry is a projection of an image of one's own making. Idolatry is the crux of religion-it is expensive business since your idol is like a slot machine at the casino! It remains hungry and it is wired to bite and bankrupt you!) (The Mirror, with editing.)
This for now closes our studies, that is until the LORD gives me a new assignment. May He continue to richly bless you and yours in his wisdom and knowledge of him.
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