I am looking at what the Bible calls, "light" which we have seen is in Christ Jesus and those who have His ontological essence of His Divine revelation within. And is dated back to the beginning of Genesis 1:1, back where we find that light pushes out all form of darkness in which is found chaos and lawlessness. And since Genesis 3's record, I could include satan's sin nature. That separated man from GOD in what is called death. Jesus, in His first administration brought into play a transformation or spiritual change available for all mankind, which is known within him. But the way remains if you will, in darkness to him. Why? Because man in his natural condition is dead to GOD, with the ability to do great evils to himself and others. And because GOD in His Wisdom chose to make use of the simple things, such as proclaiming His revelation, to bring light to mans receptive soul, as the earth is watered by rain, mans soul is watered and even feed by His word. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and then I will turn to a fuller revelation with the guidance of the LORD in all things. This fuller revelation stretched on into the New Ages, which lay ahead in spirit form. And I will again make use of the ESV translation for this effort of good works ordained by GOD.
"A Precious Promise of God's Completing Work"
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)
"Now, we return to the category we are calling "precious promises." (2Peter 1:4). Here we have a priceless one concerning GOD's commitment to complete the wonderful work of salvation that He began at our new birth. When He give to us of His Holy Spirit through Christ Jesus. Then because it took the three as One, which is in the beginning, Genesis 1:1, where the term GOD is means in Hebrew Elohim (Father, Son and Spirit) or more simply but Christ. As it includes Him as the Creator within the first verse.
If our faith is in Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior, GOD has started a tremendous saving work on our behalf: "He Who has begun a good work in you." Being restored within us as seen in Genesis 1:26-27 a spirit. And then in mans creation where this spirit is breathed into the form made by GOD (Christ's hands) of Genesis 2 and then woman is taken from mans side a figure of our being married or restored to GOD (a singular unit of being One the revelation of this Gospel), an again Christ as in the beginning.
He has made us new creatures in His Son. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a New Creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become New" (2Corinthians 5:17). "New," being a new form, He has supplied us with immeasurable heavenly resources. "Blessed be GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in (through) Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). What a grand work has been started in us. Yet, GOD's saving work is "so Great a Salvation" (Hebrews 2:3). Thus, whatever He has already accomplished within us is only a part of the whole. Wherever we are in this glorious process, there is some completing work that GOD desires to do. He wants to bring into our understanding, our character, and our daily experience more of that which is fully ours in Christ, as HE works His work through Christ in us.
Furthermore, our GOD wants us to be confident concerning this matter: "Being confident of this very thing." As noted in our previous meditation, GOD does not want people living in self-confidence. That misplaced trust is just another form of pride. This does not mean that we Christians are to be without confidence in our lives. It does mean that all of our confidence is to be placed in the LORD. "And we have such trust [confidence] through Christ toward GOD" (2Corinthians 3:4). Our LORD wants us to have strong assurance in Him that He will complete this work in us. The bring of many sons (proper English grammar, in the male gender is used) to maturity. (Hebrews 6:1)
Also remember, this saving work of GOD is done within our lives: "He Who has begun a good work in you will complete it." The LORD has established an eternal position for us with Him in heavenly places: "and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6). Yet, He wants to effect a godly walk for us here on earth. "Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called" (Ephesians 4:1). This walk is not based upon human theories or theology of behavior modification. Our Lord Himself develops this in and through our hearts. "Now may the GOD of Peace . . . make you complete in every good work to do His Will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight" (Hebrews 13:20-21).
Fuller revelation:
John 13:1-11 "Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved (they were the beginning, of their bring many sons to GOD through His Spirit, words in) them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from GOD and was going back to GOD, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, do you wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." For He knew who was to betray Him; that was why He said, "Not all of you are clean."
John 16:12-15 (Jesus is speaking) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you."
1Corinthians 13:8-13 "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for (this is mere human) knowledge, it will pass away. (Why? Because it gives way to a more superior Knowledge, through Christ the anointed Prophet.) For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Saturday, August 20, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
As the title of this blog reveals, there are within the context of scripture mysteries or secret things that belong to GOD. Belong to, or it could be stated this way, are held within GOD. This all is familiar grounds for those who have found this blog and may have been dogging its trail with me. I am about to look again at the revelations of divine things held as being in the light. Where light is wisdom and understanding of the hidden things that are GOD's. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. And then with the help of the LORD from within me I will use the ESV translation and look once again at Divine Revelation, to see the light that is there in.
""Unpopular" Promises Regarding Pride and Humility"
"Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)
"In returning to our category of "unpopular" promises, we now consider a pair that contrasts pride and humility. Basically, these promises guarantee grievous results for those who chose the path of pride, a path of lease resistance while assuring abundant blessings for those willing to walk in humility. In a proud world (and, far too often, a proud church world), these promises are definitely "unpopular."
The way of the world is self-exaltation. Babylon is an example of this truth. Babylon was one of the mightiest kingdoms of ancient history. GOD allowed them to rise to worldwide power. He even used them to chastise His own rebellious people, Israel. Yet, the LORD warned them of the end to which their pride would lead them. "I was angry with My people; I have . . . given them into your hand. You showed them no mercy . . . you . . . who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me' . . . Therefore evil shall come upon you . . . And trouble shall fall upon you . . . And desolation shall come upon you suddenly" (Isaiah 47:6, 8, and 11). Even mighty Babylon could not prevent this promised end. "Whoever exalts himself will be abased." If kingdoms powerful enough to dominate their era could not negate this promise, how much less can any individual person (whether in the world or in the church world) avoid this sober end for all who walk in pride?
Many of those who would scoff at this warning against pride, also disdain its corollary: "he who humbles himself will be exalted." Many religious and irreligious people alike hate to accept that humility is GOD's path of promised blessing. To them, humility is weakness and foolishness. They are convinced that self-confidence and self-assertion will gain whatever is desired. They refuse to accept that humility will lead to blessing. Nevertheless, humility is what pleases the LORD. David, a man of great intimacy with GOD, understood this truth. "The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O GOD, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). GOD delights in those who come before Him admitting the greatness of their need. GOD is not looking for "mighty Babylons." He is looking for humble and broken hearts. Jesus clearly taught such Truth. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . . . Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:3, 5).
Divine Revelation,
Daniel 2:17-23 "Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the GOD of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the GOD of heaven. Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of GOD forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. For He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light (understanding) dwells with Him. To You, O GOD of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Amos 3:1-8 "Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities (today this includes all of mankind since the transformation of this Age). "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? "For the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets (the one who brings forth the inner fruit). The lion has roared; who will not fear? The LORD GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy (that which comes from the inside of man, a knowledge not known by the 5 senses)?"
John 15:12-17 and Romans 16:25-27 (Jesus is speaking) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit (the inner fruit of Amos 3:7) should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in (through) My name (Me), HE may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."
Romans 16:25-27 "To Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my (revelation of His Will in His) gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long Ages, but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the Eternal GOD, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise GOD be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! The Amen."
1Corinthians 2:6-13 "Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of GOD, which GOD decreed before the Ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this Age understood this (this, being the Age of Israel only), for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love Him"— these things GOD has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of GOD. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from GOD that we might understand the things freely given us by GOD. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
Ephesians 1:3-14; Ephesians 3:1-13 and Colossians 1:24-2:5 "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ (this being a qualifier for what is stated next) with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as HE chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love HE predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His (plan and purpose of)Will, to the praise of His glorious Grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His Grace, which HE lavishes upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His Will, according to His purpose, which HE set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him Who works all things according to the counsel of His Will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of my stewardship of GOD's Grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the Gift of GOD's Grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light (their understanding) for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for (past dispensations or seasons of stewardship) Ages in GOD Who created all things, so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of GOD might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that HE has realized in Christ Jesus our LORD, in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."
Colossians 1:24-2:5 "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word (the Will of revelation, wisdom and understanding) of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for Ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that HE powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of GOD's mystery, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ."
""Unpopular" Promises Regarding Pride and Humility"
"Whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)
"In returning to our category of "unpopular" promises, we now consider a pair that contrasts pride and humility. Basically, these promises guarantee grievous results for those who chose the path of pride, a path of lease resistance while assuring abundant blessings for those willing to walk in humility. In a proud world (and, far too often, a proud church world), these promises are definitely "unpopular."
The way of the world is self-exaltation. Babylon is an example of this truth. Babylon was one of the mightiest kingdoms of ancient history. GOD allowed them to rise to worldwide power. He even used them to chastise His own rebellious people, Israel. Yet, the LORD warned them of the end to which their pride would lead them. "I was angry with My people; I have . . . given them into your hand. You showed them no mercy . . . you . . . who say in your heart, 'I am, and there is no one else besides me' . . . Therefore evil shall come upon you . . . And trouble shall fall upon you . . . And desolation shall come upon you suddenly" (Isaiah 47:6, 8, and 11). Even mighty Babylon could not prevent this promised end. "Whoever exalts himself will be abased." If kingdoms powerful enough to dominate their era could not negate this promise, how much less can any individual person (whether in the world or in the church world) avoid this sober end for all who walk in pride?
Many of those who would scoff at this warning against pride, also disdain its corollary: "he who humbles himself will be exalted." Many religious and irreligious people alike hate to accept that humility is GOD's path of promised blessing. To them, humility is weakness and foolishness. They are convinced that self-confidence and self-assertion will gain whatever is desired. They refuse to accept that humility will lead to blessing. Nevertheless, humility is what pleases the LORD. David, a man of great intimacy with GOD, understood this truth. "The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart — These, O GOD, You will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). GOD delights in those who come before Him admitting the greatness of their need. GOD is not looking for "mighty Babylons." He is looking for humble and broken hearts. Jesus clearly taught such Truth. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . . . Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:3, 5).
Divine Revelation,
Daniel 2:17-23 "Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, and told them to seek mercy from the GOD of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. The mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the GOD of heaven. Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of GOD forever and ever, to Whom belong wisdom and might. For He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light (understanding) dwells with Him. To You, O GOD of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter."
Amos 3:1-8 "Hear this word that the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel, against the whole family that I brought up out of the land of Egypt: "You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities (today this includes all of mankind since the transformation of this Age). "Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet? Does a lion roar in the forest, when he has no prey? Does a young lion cry out from his den, if he has taken nothing? Does a bird fall in a snare on the earth, when there is no trap for it? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when it has taken nothing? Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? "For the LORD GOD does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets (the one who brings forth the inner fruit). The lion has roared; who will not fear? The LORD GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy (that which comes from the inside of man, a knowledge not known by the 5 senses)?"
John 15:12-17 and Romans 16:25-27 (Jesus is speaking) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit (the inner fruit of Amos 3:7) should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in (through) My name (Me), HE may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."
Romans 16:25-27 "To Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my (revelation of His Will in His) gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long Ages, but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the Eternal GOD, to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise GOD be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! The Amen."
1Corinthians 2:6-13 "Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of GOD, which GOD decreed before the Ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this Age understood this (this, being the Age of Israel only), for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love Him"— these things GOD has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of GOD. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of GOD except the Spirit of GOD. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit Who is from GOD that we might understand the things freely given us by GOD. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual."
Ephesians 1:3-14; Ephesians 3:1-13 and Colossians 1:24-2:5 "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ (this being a qualifier for what is stated next) with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as HE chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love HE predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His (plan and purpose of)Will, to the praise of His glorious Grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His Grace, which HE lavishes upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of His Will, according to His purpose, which HE set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him Who works all things according to the counsel of His Will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also, when you heard the word of Truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory."
Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of my stewardship of GOD's Grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the Gift of GOD's Grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light (their understanding) for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for (past dispensations or seasons of stewardship) Ages in GOD Who created all things, so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of GOD might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that HE has realized in Christ Jesus our LORD, in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."
Colossians 1:24-2:5 "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of His body, that is, the Church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from GOD that was given to me for you, to make the word (the Will of revelation, wisdom and understanding) of GOD fully known, the mystery hidden for Ages and generations but now revealed to His saints. To them GOD chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all His energy that HE powerfully works within me. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of GOD's mystery, which is Christ, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ."
Friday, August 19, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
I know that sometime along the way of doing this blog, that I have stated that for me, my quest to learn the Bible started in darkness not knowing or understanding this the worlds best selling book. And that at the age of 19, the evening after my active enlistment in the Air Force and stating the sinners prayer, that I told the LORD that I could not make heads or tails out of what the Bible was saying. This took place on September 16th, 1966. In the autumn of 1971 the LORD appeared to me and called me into His work (as seen in 2Timothy 4:1-4,5) but I relaxed in Him or waited on Him. For me life moved along on its natural course until Mach of 1985, when my family and I receive the Holy Spirit of GOD. That was a life changer for us all. My kids were all in school by that time, so they had limited knowledge of Jesus and the things of GOD. As we were attending a mainline church then and because even though we were in church there was not any growth of revelation. We were part of the world as all of us begin. Now with all that said I will look at Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace. And then I will look into the things of GOD which I have looked at over the years as the title of this blog brings to light. I will with the LORD's help and the use of the ESV translation share on this subject again.
"A Precious Promise of God's Provision"
"By which (Grace and Knowledge) have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises . . . And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (2Peter 1:4 and Philippians 4:19)
"Many of this worlds churches take the last passage here an use it to raise tithes and offering in there churches not realizing that Paul is speaking of these spiritual things first and foremost. In our recent meditations, we have looked at two differing categories of promises: "exceedingly great and precious promises" and that they remain "unpopular" promises. Both play a vital role in GOD's plan and purposes or put another way, doing His Will. The first category of promises brings encouragement, comfort, and hope. The second category warns, convicts, and awakens. When received in our soul and spirit, when it has been awakened by the callous shells removal in the circumcision of the heart. Both types are equally certain of fulfillment. Both types are to be heeded and embraced. For awhile now, let's alternately consider promises from these two categories.
Our present verses contain a promise of the first type. "And my GOD shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The context of this promise concerns material provisions. "Now you Philippians know . . . no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities" (Philippians 4:15-16). The saints at the church in Philippi regularly gave of their financial resources that the Apostle Paul might concentrate on ministering the gospel. "Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18). Their recent gifts left Paul abundantly supplied. This generosity was also a pleasing spiritual sacrifice in the eyes of the LORD.
As He did with Paul, the LORD promises to meet the physical needs of all of His children. We can rely on His promised care for us. We do not need to worry or fret. "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matthew 6:31-32). Our faithful and loving Father is fully aware of our material needs, and He has committed Himself to supplying them. "But seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly Father wants us to give our attention to seeking after Him, not after our needs. He wants us to be on a quest to know Him. He desires that we seek after His holy rule and His righteous ways. Then He will be faithful to "supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." He may typically use a paycheck to fulfill His promise, but He will supply our needs. Even if we are flat on our backs and unable to work, GOD is our faithful source."
Secret Things belong to GOD,
Deuteronomy 29:22-28, 29 "The next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of this land and the sicknesses with which the LORD has made it sick— the whole land burned out with brimstone and salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout, an overthrown like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and wrath— all the nations will say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?' Then people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which HE made with them when HE brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods whom they had not known and whom HE had not allotted to them. Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, bringing upon it all the curses written in this book, and the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger and fury and great wrath, and cast them out into other lands, as they are this day.'
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Psalm 25:1-3 "To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my GOD, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous."
Daniel 12:5-13 "Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. Someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" And I heard the man clothed in linen, Who was above the waters of the stream; He raised His right hand and His left hand toward heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my LORD, what shall be the outcome of these things?" He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end (of its appointment after which). Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.(this took place on the entry of Jesus on the back of a colt into Jerusalem, to the very day and He was thereafter taken away) Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."
Mark 13:28-32, 33-37 (Jesus is speaking) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Therefore be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the Master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest He come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
Revelation 5:1-5 "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that HE can open the scroll and its seven seals."
Revelation 10:1-7 "I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. When the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of GOD would be fulfilled, just as HE announced to His servants the prophets."
"A Precious Promise of God's Provision"
"By which (Grace and Knowledge) have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises . . . And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (2Peter 1:4 and Philippians 4:19)
"Many of this worlds churches take the last passage here an use it to raise tithes and offering in there churches not realizing that Paul is speaking of these spiritual things first and foremost. In our recent meditations, we have looked at two differing categories of promises: "exceedingly great and precious promises" and that they remain "unpopular" promises. Both play a vital role in GOD's plan and purposes or put another way, doing His Will. The first category of promises brings encouragement, comfort, and hope. The second category warns, convicts, and awakens. When received in our soul and spirit, when it has been awakened by the callous shells removal in the circumcision of the heart. Both types are equally certain of fulfillment. Both types are to be heeded and embraced. For awhile now, let's alternately consider promises from these two categories.
Our present verses contain a promise of the first type. "And my GOD shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The context of this promise concerns material provisions. "Now you Philippians know . . . no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities" (Philippians 4:15-16). The saints at the church in Philippi regularly gave of their financial resources that the Apostle Paul might concentrate on ministering the gospel. "Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God" (Philippians 4:18). Their recent gifts left Paul abundantly supplied. This generosity was also a pleasing spiritual sacrifice in the eyes of the LORD.
As He did with Paul, the LORD promises to meet the physical needs of all of His children. We can rely on His promised care for us. We do not need to worry or fret. "Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things" (Matthew 6:31-32). Our faithful and loving Father is fully aware of our material needs, and He has committed Himself to supplying them. "But seek first the kingdom of GOD and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). Our heavenly Father wants us to give our attention to seeking after Him, not after our needs. He wants us to be on a quest to know Him. He desires that we seek after His holy rule and His righteous ways. Then He will be faithful to "supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." He may typically use a paycheck to fulfill His promise, but He will supply our needs. Even if we are flat on our backs and unable to work, GOD is our faithful source."
Secret Things belong to GOD,
Deuteronomy 29:22-28, 29 "The next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of this land and the sicknesses with which the LORD has made it sick— the whole land burned out with brimstone and salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout, an overthrown like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in His anger and wrath— all the nations will say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land? What caused the heat of this great anger?' Then people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers, which HE made with them when HE brought them out of the land of Egypt, and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods whom they had not known and whom HE had not allotted to them. Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, bringing upon it all the curses written in this book, and the LORD uprooted them from their land in anger and fury and great wrath, and cast them out into other lands, as they are this day.'
"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Psalm 25:1-3 "To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my GOD, in You I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for You shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous."
Daniel 12:5-13 "Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. Someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?" And I heard the man clothed in linen, Who was above the waters of the stream; He raised His right hand and His left hand toward heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, "O my LORD, what shall be the outcome of these things?" He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end (of its appointment after which). Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.(this took place on the entry of Jesus on the back of a colt into Jerusalem, to the very day and He was thereafter taken away) Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days."
Mark 13:28-32, 33-37 (Jesus is speaking) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Therefore be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the Master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest He come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."
Revelation 5:1-5 "Then I saw in the right hand of Him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?" And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that HE can open the scroll and its seven seals."
Revelation 10:1-7 "I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders sounded. When the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down." The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven and swore by Him Who lives forever and ever, Who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay, but that in the days of the trumpet call to be sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of GOD would be fulfilled, just as HE announced to His servants the prophets."
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
How many of you have ever felt overwhelmed in every day affairs of life? Who many have been overcome by GOD with His revelation that HE wonts to get through the eye of the needle of your heart to your brain? That is the place that I am in at this moment, there is just so much that we as humans can absorb like a sponge. For years an I mean years I held onto what was told me as a youngster in Sunday school by a teacher and then our pastor, that we cannot understand or comprehend the things of GOD. Today I know this to be a fallacy an a fallacious error because those people did not have the Spirit by faith. Today I wont to look into Knowledge with held for a moment or to. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and then with the LORD's direct I will use the ESV translation for my study.
"Another "Unpopular" Promise of Sin's Consequences"
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50)
"Here are some more "unpopular" promises from Jesus. This series of promises intensifies the warning He gave in our previous meditation concerning the consequences of sin. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your (satan sin nature of) sins" (John 8:24). Our present verses reveal by promise the absolute certainty of, and dreadful extent of, sin's consequences. Yes man when he remains tied, held back by satan's sin nature while in this world and wants to ignore eternity and deny accountability, these are for them unpopular promises. They remain in fear of death, a supper station of having no knowledge of the LORD. For man with His Spirit is blind and yes even stupid in heart and mind being left to his own devices being lost in darkness of soul.
All who die in the guilt of sin will definitely be judged one day. This is an absolute certainty. A day of accountability is coming. "So it will be at the end of the Age (a dispensation). The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just." Those who die before this day will also face judgment. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). The place of final judgment for the unsaved will be the great white throne. "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it... And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God... And the dead (the unredeemed dead) were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books... they were judged, each one according to his works... Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).
This absolutely certain judgment also has a dreadful extent. It is eternal. Sin is a spiritual crime against GOD. The true and living GOD is eternal. He is the great "I AM" (Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58). Therefore, the consequences of sin are also eternal. Thus, all unbelievers are as those who are lost will be "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone... And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). The ultimate torment of hell will be separation from GOD's presence for eternity. "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2Thessalonians 1:9). Why because they refused the Son of man, Who was GOD incarnate.
The absolute certainty of, and the dreadful extent of, the consequences of sins denial make earlier promises we have examined all the more critical. "For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of GOD is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our LORD... And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (Romans 6:23 and John 10:28).
Knowledge withheld from man:
Because Perilous,
Genesis 2:15-17 and Deuteronomy 29:29 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely (acquire spiritual darkness of soul or) die."
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of His law."
Inability to Apprehend Truth,
John 13:1-11 "Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from GOD and was going back to GOD, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed (receives His words as truth) does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." For He knew who was to betray Him; that was why He said, "Not all of you are clean."
Human Weakness Necessitates,
John 16:12-15 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He Will guide you into all the truth, for He Will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He Will speak, and He Will declare to you the things that are to come. He Will glorify Me, for He Will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He Will take what is Mine and declare it to you."
Earthy Limitations Fetter,
1Corinthians 13:8-13 "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Gradual Revelation, the Divine Plan,
Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of GOD's Grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery (Deuteronomy 29:29, in the secret things of GOD) was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promises in Christ Jesus through His Gospel. Of this Gospel I was made a minister according to the Gift of GOD's Grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this Grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in GOD, Who created all things, so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our LORD, in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."
To give Opportunity for Faith,
1John 3:1-3 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of GOD; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it does not know Him. Beloved, we are GOD's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when HE appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as HE is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as HE is pure."
"Another "Unpopular" Promise of Sin's Consequences"
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50)
"Here are some more "unpopular" promises from Jesus. This series of promises intensifies the warning He gave in our previous meditation concerning the consequences of sin. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your (satan sin nature of) sins" (John 8:24). Our present verses reveal by promise the absolute certainty of, and dreadful extent of, sin's consequences. Yes man when he remains tied, held back by satan's sin nature while in this world and wants to ignore eternity and deny accountability, these are for them unpopular promises. They remain in fear of death, a supper station of having no knowledge of the LORD. For man with His Spirit is blind and yes even stupid in heart and mind being left to his own devices being lost in darkness of soul.
All who die in the guilt of sin will definitely be judged one day. This is an absolute certainty. A day of accountability is coming. "So it will be at the end of the Age (a dispensation). The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just." Those who die before this day will also face judgment. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). The place of final judgment for the unsaved will be the great white throne. "Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it... And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God... And the dead (the unredeemed dead) were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books... they were judged, each one according to his works... Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire" (Revelation 20:11-15).
This absolutely certain judgment also has a dreadful extent. It is eternal. Sin is a spiritual crime against GOD. The true and living GOD is eternal. He is the great "I AM" (Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58). Therefore, the consequences of sin are also eternal. Thus, all unbelievers are as those who are lost will be "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone... And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10). The ultimate torment of hell will be separation from GOD's presence for eternity. "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord" (2Thessalonians 1:9). Why because they refused the Son of man, Who was GOD incarnate.
The absolute certainty of, and the dreadful extent of, the consequences of sins denial make earlier promises we have examined all the more critical. "For the wages of sin is death, but the Gift of GOD is Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our LORD... And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (Romans 6:23 and John 10:28).
Knowledge withheld from man:
Because Perilous,
Genesis 2:15-17 and Deuteronomy 29:29 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely (acquire spiritual darkness of soul or) die."
Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of His law."
Inability to Apprehend Truth,
John 13:1-11 "Before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from GOD and was going back to GOD, rose from supper. He laid aside His outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand." Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "The one who has bathed (receives His words as truth) does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you." For He knew who was to betray Him; that was why He said, "Not all of you are clean."
Human Weakness Necessitates,
John 16:12-15 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, He Will guide you into all the truth, for He Will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He Will speak, and He Will declare to you the things that are to come. He Will glorify Me, for He Will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He Will take what is Mine and declare it to you."
Earthy Limitations Fetter,
1Corinthians 13:8-13 "Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Gradual Revelation, the Divine Plan,
Ephesians 3:1-13 "For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of GOD's Grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery (Deuteronomy 29:29, in the secret things of GOD) was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promises in Christ Jesus through His Gospel. Of this Gospel I was made a minister according to the Gift of GOD's Grace, which was given me by the working of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this Grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in GOD, Who created all things, so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our LORD, in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory."
To give Opportunity for Faith,
1John 3:1-3 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of GOD; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it does not know Him. Beloved, we are GOD's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when HE appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as HE is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as HE is pure."
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Christ Centered)
Back on the 1st of August I shared the biblical meanings and the definition of Salvation. With todays post I will look at another area where one of the words used is to be saved and quite possibly redemption will also be used. As Salvation and Redemption have been used many times interchangeably by the different Bible translators. In each case we, when we look more closely into the revelation of Christ. Find that we where, are healed (restored to a living healing of spirit). And all that He is we become. For we are in always more liberated than when we first began. Because as with the Old Testament "LORD or LORD God" we find that these terms all mean One, One in personage. At various times and in various ways the LORD revealed His many Titles that fit each of the needs of that place and time for the person that He was speaking to or often through, as His record clearly shows. You know, at times it may seem as if we are just going around the old mulberry tree and spinning our wheels as if lost in the sea of GOD's Eternal Revelation of Himself as our Christ. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace in the Personage of the LORD. Then on with my look into Salvation through LORD of all help.
"The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises"
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your (satan's-sin nature of self for self) sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)
"Generally speaking, GOD's promises are "popular" with many people. When most of the LORD's promises are read or taught, people are delighted. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed... Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (John 8:36; Matthew 11:28; and 4:19). Promises like these are so often received with favor, because they are so encouraging. They are embraced with approval, because they are so comforting. On the other hand, some of GOD's promises are definitely "unpopular" with certain segments of humanity. This type of promise is scorned or rejected, because of its convicting or sobering character. Nevertheless, these promises that are not always well-received have great importance in GOD's plan.
One such promise is given two-fold in our present verse. "You will die in your sins... you will die in your sins." In a tolerant world that wants to deny the reality of sin or that we actually are satan's sin nature people, and its consequences actually belong to us, this is an unpopular promise. Yet, the promise is true nonetheless. Sin brought man into spiritual death. From the beginning, this has been the case. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (Genesis 2:16-17). This Truth was restated by the prophets of Israel. "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20 ). It was also repeated by the apostles in the early church. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Since everyone has this satan-sin all have sinned, this warning by promise that Jesus gave applies to us all. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
To escape the inevitable consequences of satan's sin nature of sin, one must trust in Christ Jesus as the promised, divine Savior. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." This statement ("I am He") hints of Jesus' deity. Shortly thereafter, He openly declares that He is GOD, the Son. "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). Here, Jesus applies to Himself the same name that GOD revealed to Moses. "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Exodus 3:14). Thus, this important promise by Jesus warns that only faith in Him as the divine Savior will deliver a person from the certain consequences of sin."
Salvation by,
Acts 15:6-11 "The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them His Holy Spirit just as HE did to us, and HE made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting GOD to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
Romans 3:21-26 "Now the righteousness of GOD has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of GOD through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned (being participant's of satan's sin) and fall short of the glory of GOD, and we are justified by His Grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom GOD put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This is to show GOD's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance HE had passed (Genesis 31:52 and again in Exodus 12:13) over former sins. It was to show His Righteousness at the present time, so that HE might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Romans 5:15-17 "The free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the Grace of GOD and the free gift of His Grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounds for many. The free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, upon all, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."
Romans 11:1-10 and Ephesians 2:1-10 "I (Paul) ask, then, has GOD rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. GOD has not rejected His people whom HE foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel? Saying, "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what was GOD's reply to him? "I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be Grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "GOD gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." (in Isaiah 29:10 from Deuteronomy 29:4; Mark 4:11-12 and Luke 8:10) And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." (in Psalm 69:22-23; Isaiah 8:13-14)
Ephesians 2:1-10 "You are dead (separated from GOD) in the trespasses and sins in which you walk, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But now GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by (through His) Grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming Ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of His Grace in kindness toward us (who are actively) in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved ( healed, being restored spiritually ) through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Titus 2:11-14, 15 "The Grace of GOD has appeared, bringing 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.
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
Titus 3:1-11 "Remind them (those spoken of above) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of GOD our Savior appeared, HE saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom HE poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His Grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed GOD may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
"The Importance of God's "Unpopular" Promises"
"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your (satan's-sin nature of self for self) sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (John 8:24)
"Generally speaking, GOD's promises are "popular" with many people. When most of the LORD's promises are read or taught, people are delighted. "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed... Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest... Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (John 8:36; Matthew 11:28; and 4:19). Promises like these are so often received with favor, because they are so encouraging. They are embraced with approval, because they are so comforting. On the other hand, some of GOD's promises are definitely "unpopular" with certain segments of humanity. This type of promise is scorned or rejected, because of its convicting or sobering character. Nevertheless, these promises that are not always well-received have great importance in GOD's plan.
One such promise is given two-fold in our present verse. "You will die in your sins... you will die in your sins." In a tolerant world that wants to deny the reality of sin or that we actually are satan's sin nature people, and its consequences actually belong to us, this is an unpopular promise. Yet, the promise is true nonetheless. Sin brought man into spiritual death. From the beginning, this has been the case. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, 'Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" (Genesis 2:16-17). This Truth was restated by the prophets of Israel. "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:20 ). It was also repeated by the apostles in the early church. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). Since everyone has this satan-sin all have sinned, this warning by promise that Jesus gave applies to us all. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
To escape the inevitable consequences of satan's sin nature of sin, one must trust in Christ Jesus as the promised, divine Savior. "If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." This statement ("I am He") hints of Jesus' deity. Shortly thereafter, He openly declares that He is GOD, the Son. "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). Here, Jesus applies to Himself the same name that GOD revealed to Moses. "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Exodus 3:14). Thus, this important promise by Jesus warns that only faith in Him as the divine Savior will deliver a person from the certain consequences of sin."
Salvation by,
Acts 15:6-11 "The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them His Holy Spirit just as HE did to us, and HE made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting GOD to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."
Romans 3:21-26 "Now the righteousness of GOD has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of GOD through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned (being participant's of satan's sin) and fall short of the glory of GOD, and we are justified by His Grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom GOD put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This is to show GOD's righteousness, because in His divine forbearance HE had passed (Genesis 31:52 and again in Exodus 12:13) over former sins. It was to show His Righteousness at the present time, so that HE might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus."
Romans 5:15-17 "The free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the Grace of GOD and the free gift of His Grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounds for many. The free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, upon all, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."
Romans 11:1-10 and Ephesians 2:1-10 "I (Paul) ask, then, has GOD rejected His people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. GOD has not rejected His people whom HE foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel? Saying, "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have demolished Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what was GOD's reply to him? "I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be Grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, "GOD gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." (in Isaiah 29:10 from Deuteronomy 29:4; Mark 4:11-12 and Luke 8:10) And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." (in Psalm 69:22-23; Isaiah 8:13-14)
Ephesians 2:1-10 "You are dead (separated from GOD) in the trespasses and sins in which you walk, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But now GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loves us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by (through His) Grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming Ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of His Grace in kindness toward us (who are actively) in Christ Jesus. For by Grace you have been saved ( healed, being restored spiritually ) through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
Titus 2:11-14, 15 "The Grace of GOD has appeared, bringing 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.
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."
Titus 3:1-11 "Remind them (those spoken of above) to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of GOD our Savior appeared, HE saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Whom HE poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His Grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed GOD may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned."
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Divine Teacher)
In yesterdays posting I looked at the Characteristics of the words of Christ, today I wont to look into the promises to those who find and keep His word. By storing them in their heart. Not in memorization as taught by churches and well meaning religious leaders. That does not have the same impact that GOD wonts for us all. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and the conflict of Grace vs Law. Then with the LORD's help and the use of the ESV translation I look into my targeted subject.
'Truth to Deliver Us from the Law"
"The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives . . . But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:1, 6)
"In the word of GOD, the LORD has promised truths which brings spiritual liberation. "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). We have considered such truths that set people free from the bondage of satan's sin nature to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of liberating truth: truth to deliver us from the curse of the law.
This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19). Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come (in other word this effects "all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before God"), because of their satan sin of self for self sin nature. This guilty condition would persist for a lifetime, if GOD did not supply an antidote or remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives." However, this condition need not persist, because the LORD's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believe Him. The new creature is then in Christ and now stands justified by faith in Christ (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared not guilty, pronounced righteous in Christ) by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28). These deeds can be in the form of a self imposed church attendance and even church membership as taught by many of them.
All of God's children, this phrase has the sound of truth but it is not at all true. As those who actually choose GOD and His Christ are the only actual children of His spiritual recreation. All others are held in bondage under satan's sin of self for self sin nature, even while they claim to be born again. By now this should be quite apparent, especially to you who have experienced Christ's revelation within you. Because it is GOD's people who have experienced these liberating truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before God in heaven). However, many of God's people are unaware of the need to be delivered out from under the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). Yet, the word of GOD addresses this matter repeatedly. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Yes, understanding the truth of being delivered from the law determines whether we will struggle daily in bondage to law performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of GOD." Now remember that I said that memorization was of no profit to us? It is purely a works of man self for self sin nature as it tries to justify us in our own evil nature. When I encounter a pastor or any other person who quotes scripture endlessly without regard, I know that they are among the deceived of the world. It is the Spirit within our spirit Who gives to us utterance this is not being of ourselves. There is a world of difference. And you know it! This is discerning of Spirit by spirit.
Promises to Those who Keep Christ's words:
Luke 2:41 "Jesus with His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And He said to them, "Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?" But they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart."
Eternal Life,
John 8:48-59 "The Jews answered Him, "Are we not right in saying that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. Yet I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks it, and HE is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of Whom you say, 'He is our God.' But you have not known Him. I know Him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."( "the I am" of Exodus 3:14) So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple."
The Abiding Comforter,
John 14:15-17 (Jesus is speaking) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and HE Will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
Divine Fellowship,
John 14:18-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent me."
Divine Disclosure,
John 17:6-19 (Jesus is speaking) "I have manifested Your name to the people Whom You gave Me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in Truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name (Christ), which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as we are One. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the Truth; Your word is Truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent (set) them (into) in the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in Truth."
Assurance,
1John 2:3-11 "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says "I know Him" but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the Truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of GOD is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
Access to GOD,
Revelation 3:7, 8-13 (the Spirit Christ is speaking and if you have a red letter addition of the Bible these words are in Red) "'The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one will shut, Who shuts and no one opens.
"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I Will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I Will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I Will write on him the name of My GOD, and the name of the city of My GOD, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My GOD out of heaven, and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
'Truth to Deliver Us from the Law"
"The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives . . . But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." (Romans 7:1, 6)
"In the word of GOD, the LORD has promised truths which brings spiritual liberation. "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). We have considered such truths that set people free from the bondage of satan's sin nature to sin, from bondage to the fear of death, and from bondage to the influence of the evil one. Now, we will look at another category of liberating truth: truth to deliver us from the curse of the law.
This issue pertains to everyone initially, because we all begin under bondage to the law. "Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19). Everyone who has ever lived, is living now, or will live in the days to come (in other word this effects "all the world") is initially held in a state of condemnation ("guilty before God"), because of their satan sin of self for self sin nature. This guilty condition would persist for a lifetime, if GOD did not supply an antidote or remedy. "The law has dominion over a man as long as he lives." However, this condition need not persist, because the LORD's word proclaims liberating truth for this drastic need. "But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by." The person we were at physical birth died on the cross with Christ, when we believe Him. The new creature is then in Christ and now stands justified by faith in Christ (not by law performance). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared not guilty, pronounced righteous in Christ) by faith apart from the deeds of the law" (Romans 3:28). These deeds can be in the form of a self imposed church attendance and even church membership as taught by many of them.
All of God's children, this phrase has the sound of truth but it is not at all true. As those who actually choose GOD and His Christ are the only actual children of His spiritual recreation. All others are held in bondage under satan's sin of self for self sin nature, even while they claim to be born again. By now this should be quite apparent, especially to you who have experienced Christ's revelation within you. Because it is GOD's people who have experienced these liberating truths, as they apply to justification (our eternal righteous standing before God in heaven). However, many of God's people are unaware of the need to be delivered out from under the bondage of the law concerning sanctification (our daily growth in personal, practical godliness on earth). Yet, the word of GOD addresses this matter repeatedly. Here, in one of our primary verses for meditation, we see these truths given a sanctification implication. "Now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter." Yes, understanding the truth of being delivered from the law determines whether we will struggle daily in bondage to law performance, or live freely by the ongoing, fresh work of the Spirit of GOD." Now remember that I said that memorization was of no profit to us? It is purely a works of man self for self sin nature as it tries to justify us in our own evil nature. When I encounter a pastor or any other person who quotes scripture endlessly without regard, I know that they are among the deceived of the world. It is the Spirit within our spirit Who gives to us utterance this is not being of ourselves. There is a world of difference. And you know it! This is discerning of Spirit by spirit.
Promises to Those who Keep Christ's words:
Luke 2:41 "Jesus with His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up according to custom. And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day's journey, but then they began to search for him among their relatives and acquaintances, and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, searching for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to Him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress." And He said to them, "Why were you looking for Me? Did you not know that I must be in My Father's house?" But they did not understand the saying that He spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart."
Eternal Life,
John 8:48-59 "The Jews answered Him, "Are we not right in saying that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?" Jesus answered, "I do not have a demon, but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. Yet I do not seek My own glory; there is One who seeks it, and HE is the judge. Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word, he will never see death." The Jews said to Him, "Now we know that You have a demon! Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, 'If anyone keeps my word, he will never taste death.' Are You greater than our father Abraham, who died? And the prophets died! Who do you make yourself out to be?" Jesus answered, "If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is My Father who glorifies Me, of Whom you say, 'He is our God.' But you have not known Him. I know Him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His word. Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see My day. He saw it and was glad." So the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."( "the I am" of Exodus 3:14) So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple."
The Abiding Comforter,
John 14:15-17 (Jesus is speaking) "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and HE Will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."
Divine Fellowship,
John 14:18-24 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not Mine but the Father's Who sent me."
Divine Disclosure,
John 17:6-19 (Jesus is speaking) "I have manifested Your name to the people Whom You gave Me out of the world. Yours they were, and You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Now they know that everything that You have given Me is from You. For I have given them the words that You gave Me, and they have received them and have come to know in Truth that I came from You; and they have believed that You sent Me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. All Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name (Christ), which You have given Me, that they may be one, even as we are One. While I was with them, I kept them in Your name, which You have given Me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Now I am coming to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the Truth; Your word is Truth. As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent (set) them (into) in the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in Truth."
Assurance,
1John 2:3-11 "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says "I know Him" but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the Truth is not in him, but whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of GOD is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
Access to GOD,
Revelation 3:7, 8-13 (the Spirit Christ is speaking and if you have a red letter addition of the Bible these words are in Red) "'The words of the Holy One, the True One, Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one will shut, Who shuts and no one opens.
"'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept My word about patient endurance, I Will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I Will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I Will write on him the name of My GOD, and the name of the city of My GOD, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from My GOD out of heaven, and My own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"
Monday, August 15, 2016
Discovering the Great and Precious Promises of GOD (Divine Teacher)
The Lord Jesus Christ while He was in His ministry to Israel as Promised of Him went about preparing this Nation for the transformation that GOD through GOD in Him was about to pull off. First for Israel and then the world of many nations. As seen in the promise given to Abram in Genesis 12:3. Which GOD later confirmed by way of an Oath between Himself and Abraham. But as was by now the habit of Israel, they had no part of it. They wonted what they wonted and expected a man to be their King to set them free from Roman occupation and then to Rule. The enemy within them blinded them from their own self for self sin of satan's of nature in sin. This was fostered by their religious and thro lacking spiritual leaders. They did not see themselves as sinners with the dogs of the gentiles but sadly they were and in many ways even worse. GOD in Jesus spoke of these things and more in parables because He was under restrictions or restraints of the Law and the Prophets. After His ascension He set the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth to reveal the secret things of GOD (Deuteronomy 29:29) which were keep from Israel because of their callousness of heart in the deadness of spirit which held them and the world. The book of Acts reveals the transformation of GOD's working once restored within receptive man. Now for Pastor Hoekstra and his teaching on Grace and GOD's activities in redeemed man as the receptor of the words of Christ. Then with the use of the ESV translation and my LORD I will look at the Characteristics of Christ's words.
"Truth to Set Us Free from the Enemy's Bondage"
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . that they may know the truth . . . and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him." (John 8:31-32 and 2Timothy 2:25-26)
"As followers of Jesus Christ, it is so important that we abide in His word. We are called to live in the word of the Lord that we might know His truth. Then, as we are embracing GOD's Truth, we are impacted by its liberating power. "The Truth shall make you free." Bondage from the enemy is one fundamental area where people are in need of spiritual liberation. For all are born in satan's sin nature.
The entire realm of unbelieving humanity lies under the binding influence of the evil one, in bondage to satan's sin nature. "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1John 5:19). Even those unbelievers who do not accept the truths of GOD about Satan and sin, are nonetheless captivated by him. Consequently, we are to humbly reach out to them with the truth: "in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if GOD perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the Truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Paul was sent forth to proclaim the Gospel Truth that offers freedom from such bondage: "to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to GOD" (Acts 26:18). The testimony of all who believe the Truth of this Gospel is this: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13).
The problem of Satan's binding, hindering, restricting influence is not ended at Redemption nor when in Salvation. Many saints (though headed for heaven) are still bound in areas of their thinking and behaving. They are still influenced by the enemy's lies and satan's sin nature. They cannot make the liberating confession of Paul and his missionary team: "we are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices" (2Corinthians 2:11). Ignorance of the enemy's tactics will persist in the lives of those who do not know (or will not yield to) GOD's liberating Truth. On the other hand, all who are willing to embrace these Truths of GOD's word will increasingly enjoy freedom from the enemy's lies. They will grow in understanding of, and reliance upon, the victorious purposes of Jesus' coming to this earth. "For this purpose the Son of GOD was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1John 3:8).
Characteristics of Christ's words:
Imperishable,
Mark 13:28-32 (Jesus is speaking) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Gracious,
Luke 4:16-30 "Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." After reading this He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" Hearing this He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to Me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard You did at Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well." Then He said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." (He was telling them to their faces that because of their callousness of heart these people were not healed and neither will you be.) When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. Then they rose up and drove Him out of the town and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went away."
Mighty,Luke 4:31-37 "Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And He was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Ha! What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of GOD." To this Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" These reports about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region."
Spiritual,
John 6:60-65 "When many of His disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" Jesus, knowing this in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives Life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) Because of this He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted Him by the Father."
Life-Giving,
John 6:66-71 "After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of GOD." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." He spoke this of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray Him."
Incomparable,
John 7:45-53 "The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." [They went each to his own house.]
Words of Judgment,
John 12:44-50 "Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. For I know that His commandment is Eternal Life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me."
Divine,
John 14:18-24 and 1Timothy 6:3-10 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and WE Will come into him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's Who sent Me."
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."
"Truth to Set Us Free from the Enemy's Bondage"
"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free . . . that they may know the truth . . . and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him." (John 8:31-32 and 2Timothy 2:25-26)
"As followers of Jesus Christ, it is so important that we abide in His word. We are called to live in the word of the Lord that we might know His truth. Then, as we are embracing GOD's Truth, we are impacted by its liberating power. "The Truth shall make you free." Bondage from the enemy is one fundamental area where people are in need of spiritual liberation. For all are born in satan's sin nature.
The entire realm of unbelieving humanity lies under the binding influence of the evil one, in bondage to satan's sin nature. "The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1John 5:19). Even those unbelievers who do not accept the truths of GOD about Satan and sin, are nonetheless captivated by him. Consequently, we are to humbly reach out to them with the truth: "in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if GOD perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the Truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." Paul was sent forth to proclaim the Gospel Truth that offers freedom from such bondage: "to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to GOD" (Acts 26:18). The testimony of all who believe the Truth of this Gospel is this: "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Colossians 1:13).
The problem of Satan's binding, hindering, restricting influence is not ended at Redemption nor when in Salvation. Many saints (though headed for heaven) are still bound in areas of their thinking and behaving. They are still influenced by the enemy's lies and satan's sin nature. They cannot make the liberating confession of Paul and his missionary team: "we are not ignorant of [Satan's] devices" (2Corinthians 2:11). Ignorance of the enemy's tactics will persist in the lives of those who do not know (or will not yield to) GOD's liberating Truth. On the other hand, all who are willing to embrace these Truths of GOD's word will increasingly enjoy freedom from the enemy's lies. They will grow in understanding of, and reliance upon, the victorious purposes of Jesus' coming to this earth. "For this purpose the Son of GOD was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1John 3:8).
Characteristics of Christ's words:
Imperishable,
Mark 13:28-32 (Jesus is speaking) "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that He is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."
Gracious,
Luke 4:16-30 "Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." After reading this He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" Hearing this He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to Me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard You did at Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well." Then He said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." (He was telling them to their faces that because of their callousness of heart these people were not healed and neither will you be.) When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. Then they rose up and drove Him out of the town and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw Him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, He went away."
Mighty,Luke 4:31-37 "Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And He was teaching them on the Sabbath, and they were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority. Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, "Ha! What have You to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of GOD." To this Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" These reports about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region."
Spiritual,
John 6:60-65 "When many of His disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?" Jesus, knowing this in Himself that His disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, "Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives Life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe." (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray Him.) Because of this He said, "This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted Him by the Father."
Life-Giving,
John 6:66-71 "After this many of His disciples turned back and no longer walked with Him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that You are the Holy One of GOD." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil." He spoke this of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray Him."
Incomparable,
John 7:45-53 "The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?" The officers answered, "No one ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to Him before, and who was one of them, said to them, "Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?" They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee." [They went each to his own house.]
Words of Judgment,
John 12:44-50 "Jesus cried out and said, "Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects Me and does not receive My words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. For I know that His commandment is Eternal Life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me."
Divine,
John 14:18-24 and 1Timothy 6:3-10 (Jesus is speaking) "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. Whoever has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and WE Will come into him and make our home with him. Whoever does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's Who sent Me."
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."
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