“DO YOU NOT KNOW YOURSELVES, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS IN YOU”?

In Romans 8:29 scripture declares saints are predestined to be conformed to the image... the nature of The Son, predestined by God Himself. Image is translated from the Greek word eikon which means “to be like”, and assumes a prototype, that which it not merely resembles but from which it is drawn. Thus, the reflection of the sun on the water is eikon, as is the reflection of The Son on God’s children.

 “For we have become Partakers of Christ”:  “Partakers of His promise ...  Partakers of the heavenly calling ... Partakers of the inheritance ... Partakers of the Holy Spirit ... Partakers of the root and fatness ... Partakers of His holiness ... Partakers of the sufferings ... Partakers of the divine nature.” Partakers of Christ will exhibit the nature of Christ including the virtuous fruit of the indwelling Spirit and the personal attributes of the Beatitudes:

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The word “Fruit” is singular: The fruit of the Holy Spirit is like an orange with 9 segments, a virtuous unity that can be separated into specific virtues. Love is the first and primary virtue out of which all the other virtues flow. Self-control, submission of Self to the Lordship of Jesus, is the disciplining virtue which makes the transforming work of the Holy Spirit possible. Love and Self-control are the end caps to this divine array of God’s nature. 

The Beatitudes, Jesus’ manifesto, is an intriguing, counterintuitive, and no doubt shocking descriptive narrative on the “kinds” of people that are blessed, fortunate, and to be envied in the Kingdom of God, literally the personal attributes of Kingdom people: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. The beatitudes provide a window into the kind of life God wants His people to live - what life in the Kingdom of God should look like. 

 “Until Christ is formed in you”: The Holy Spirit manifesting The Son in the Father’s children. The nature of Christ produces the works of Christ. Our transformation is the number one thing on God's to do list. "As He is so are we in this world". Christ “is” the fullness of the Godhead bodily. “So are we”: This is our destiny... At least it should be! This is why we are admonished to examine and test ourselves: “Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you”? Good Question! And, this “knowing” is qualified as an ongoing exponential process in the Greek: Do you not yourselves realize and know, thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience, that Jesus Christ is in you....

Christians are not normal people with a certain religious preference; they are radically principled participants in a high commitment endeavor… at least they should be.  The Christian life is not an imitation of Christ; it is a participation in Christ. Exceedingly great and precious promises have been given to us “that through these we may be partakers of the divine nature.” We must transcend the natural realm, immersing ourselves in the supernatural nature dwelling within. We must experience the power of this indwelling life, the resurrected Christ-life, and, relinquishing our own Self-life, becoming ever more fully possessed of His divine life.

“CHRIST IN YOU, THE (ONLY) HOPE OF GLORY”

(Rom. 8:29; Heb. 3:14; Eph. 3:6; Heb 3:1; Col. 1:12; Heb. 12:10; Heb. 6:4, 2 peter 1:4; 2 Cor. 1:7; Rom. 11:17; Gal. 5:22-23; Matt. 5:3-12; 1 cor. 13; Gal. 4:19; 1 Jn. 4:17; 2 Cor. 13:5; 2 Peter 1:4; Col. 1:27)

THE PROVISIONS OF GOD (For The Road Less Traveled)

The Lord gives WISDOM willingly, wholeheartedly, and abundantly to those who ask. The only condition on this promise is the request must be made in faith with no wavering, hesitation or doubting. Saints, we all need wisdom all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (James 1:5-8)

The lord gives DIRECTION, making straight and plain the pathway of His children. There are three conditions on this promise: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Do not lean on... rely on, your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him. Saints, we all need direction, all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The Lord gives STRENGTH... Grace under pressure, to help in our times of need. The only condition on this promise is that we approach God’s throne of Grace fearlessly and confidently and boldly, since we have a great High Priest who has already ascended through the heavens, and is now seated at the right hand of Father God. Saints, we all need strength, all of the time... so... what are you waiting for? (Hebrews 4:16)

Wisdom, Direction, and Strength energize the Spirit led life and must be cultivated. These provisions will foster an attitude of absolute faith -- though He slay me trust – and fearless boldness as we acknowledge God in every aspect of life, refusing to rely on our own strength, understanding and abilities. Our dependence on our Father must be absolute (not qualified or diminished in any way), unconditional (not subject to any conditions), unreserved (complete and without reservations), unequivocal (leaving no doubt), categorical (explicit and direct) and indisputable (unable to be challenged or denied).Herein lies the road less traveled… the road our Savior walked!

ENERGIZING THE SPIRIT LED LIFE

“FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY”

Most saints will never have a large national or worldwide ministry.  Our callings, though unique in content, are very similar in scope. First and foremost we are called into Christlikeness, the progressive life-long heart surgery of God’s Spirit whereby we put off our Self-nature, and put on the nature of Christ. This process involves, by necessity, the death of Self on the cross of Christ and submission to the Lordship of Christ. As we grow in grace in the knowledge and understanding of our Lord we are changed in degrees of glory, becoming more like Him and less like Self, who is the usurper of God’s rightful throne.  

God places in each of us unique mixtures of natural talents and spiritual giftings – suited to our uniqueness as individuals -- to enable us to help those we meet along our journey home to God. In a real sense our life is our ministry, as we feel the tug of God’s heart and respond to the physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual needs of others. We become what we behold, extending grace and mercy to others as God has extended them to us, loving the unlovable with the agape love we have beheld in our Lord. Our faith will be stretched by the sacrifices of our heart, and our faith will be tested again and again to come forth approved as pure gold. Love, Obedience, Passion, and Sacrifice become the foundation stones of our ministry... our life, bringing a twinkle to our loving Daddy’s eyes.

It won’t be easy to transform sin stained cripples into beacons of light in a dark and dying world, nothing of real value ever is easy. All God needs and wants is our willingness... or our willingness to be made willing, and He will do the rest.  Our job, our ministry and goal, is to become the best Bondservant – the best Love-slave -- on the planet, totally dependent on our Savior, marching to the rhythms of His heartis heart.. Most saints will never have a large national or worldwide ministry. And considering the way many mega-ministries are bowing to the altar of culture, this is a good thing. The Body of Christ is not, after all, a church building, denomination, movement, or mega-ministry, but rather all the “called out ones ... members individually” who have washed their robes of flesh in the sacred blood of Jesus. It is these individual members who received the Great Commission to “go and make disciples.”

My heart’s desire is to be what God has called me to be, and do what God has called me to do, with passion and joy, above all wearing the cloak of love that others might see Christ in me. I pray this is your desire likewise. And if you don’t know what your ministry is... well, you are just not listening. The ministry road begins with a heart willing to change...

"PREDESTINED TO BE CONFORMED 
TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON" 

"FOR THE WORK OF MINISTRY"

BOUGHT BY GOD

Three times New Testament scripture declares we were “bought” by the Lord, twice followed by a command, and once with a warning:

* “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1 Cor. 6:20)

* “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” (1 Cor. 7:23)

* “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.” (2 Peter 2:1)

The Greek word agorazo, translated “bought”, means to purchase something, and is also translated redeem -- with the sense to buy out of – as seen in Rev. 5:9 where the Lord is said to have “redeemed us to God by your blood.” The consequence of someone having been bought is that the buyer has the right of possession. In Christ’s redemptive work on the cross He offered Himself for us as due satisfaction to the Law’s demands, freeing us from our liability to pay the penalty for our sin. Christ, the Lamb of God, has bought us for God with His blood. And, having paid the ultimate price, He binds us to Himself. 

Saints, we were purchased with a preciousness of ultimate value – the Blood of Jesus – paid for by Christ and made His very own. We are called to honor God and bring glory to Him in and with our body, never submitting in bondage to men or the world’s ways, but considering ourselves slaves to Christ. Beware of false prophets and teachers – slaves of corruption overcome by the lusts of the flesh – who  “even deny the Lord who bought them”, for swift destruction follows them.

“FOR YOU WERE BOUGHT AT A PRICE...”

DOCTRINE

The Word of God, the Bible, is the only supernatural source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of mankind’s current and future role as key players in God’s creation. God’s inspired word is conclusive and incontrovertible, a treasure of freeing truth and practical principles waiting to liberate and empower whosoever will pursue it in diligent study. Hear the Apostle Paul’s exhortation on “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”:

“Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine … Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth … For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 2:15; Heb. 4:12; Eph. 6:17)

Paul’s instructions to “be diligent” … “a worker” … “rightly dividing”, a command in the Greek, calls us well beyond a casual approach to scripture. This is conscientious toiling study which handles the word of God skillfully producing clear accurate straightforward truth. Our tenets of faith must be based on sound scriptural exegesis. New Testament doctrine must be substantiated by two or three New Testament scriptures interpreted literally, within the context, and in full harmony with other scriptures. A common interpretive mistake, and the focus of this study, is the misapplication of Old Testament passages to create New Testament doctrine.

Care must be taken in carrying over Old Testament scriptures to substantiate New Testament doctrine: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” (Heb. 1:1-2). The Old Testament records God speaking to us in times past by the Law and the Prophets, and the New Testament records God speaking to us by His Son… the revelation of the Son. It is therefore contextually correct to interpret Hebrews 1:1 and 2 as directly referencing the Old Covenant of The Law – The Old Testament (the Old Will), and the New Covenant of Grace – The New Testament (the New Will) respectively, since the broad context of the whole book of Hebrews is the comparison of these two covenants and the replacement of the lesser, the Old Testament Mosaic Covenant of the Law, with the greater, the New Testament Covenant of Grace. Aside from the wisdom books, Psalms and Proverbs, and a very small amount of end time prophetic scriptures, the Old Testament is historical in nature, valuable for “types and shadows” of New Testament doctrine, and understanding the nature of God through His dealings with Israel His chosen people.

The foundation of each covenant is a book, and in each book it is God speaking. The primary reason there are two books is to define these two uniquely different covenants, which are people and time specific: In Genesis 12 God splits mankind into two groups of people, Jews and Gentiles, and makes covenant, the Mosaic Covenant of the Law, with the Jews which lasts until the cross.  Since John the Baptist (Lk. 16:16) God’s covenant has been with “whosoever will”, a Covenant of Grace mediated by Jesus, through which Jews and Gentiles are one people. It is, therefore, essential the foundational scriptures for doctrine under the New Covenant of Grace be found in the “New Will”, the New Testament.

The New Testament is God speaking forth the revelation of His Son.  The prophets spoke as mere mouthpieces, but when the Son spoke it was God Himself speaking, and in a sense it is God being revealed By His Son in and through the Son’s life, the Son’s message, the Son’s redemptive work and the Son’s  return to establish His (i.e., God’s) eternal Kingdom. The New Testament reveals to mankind God’s redemptive plan established before the foundations of the world with the foreordained sacrifice of the Son of His love, that we, the “us” of Hebrews 1:2, might be partakers of salvation and know eternal fellowship with God through His Covenant of Grace –Indescribable Grace.

THE REVELATION OF THE SON

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

Unconditional love is love without conditions, love freely given, an act of the feelings irrespective of one’s will. “For God so loved the world”: Unconditional love originated with God who demonstrated the willingness to love His creation without preconditions when “He gave His only begotten Son” to die for the sins of mankind. So we – you and I and every person that will ever walk planet earth -- know beyond any doubt that God loves us unconditionally. Unconditional love can, likewise, be expressed between people.

It is important to understand true unconditional love separates the object of love from his or her behavior. God’s unconditional love for us does not condone our behavior or demand our obedience. Ditto our love for other people: In particular, our unconditional love for other people does not demand or require that we accept, condone or enable behaviors and lifestyles we find morally or otherwise objectionable. We love a cute, playful little puppy and make him a part of the family. When he urinates on the floor we do not stop loving him, but we do set about to modify his objectionable behavior through training. The problem is some puppies are harder to train than others, requiring discipline, and some never learn. Ditto people! The world would have us believe we must accept, condone and enable a person’s objectionable behavior in order to love them unconditionally. This is a lie directed at separating people – in particular Christians – from their moral compass, the Word of God.  

We live in a time when relational issues affect so many Christian parents and grandparents who find their integrity as Christians under assault by relatives and friends who seek to force acceptance and support for their ungodly lifestyle under the guise of unconditional love. “If you really love me unconditionally you will accept me as I am.” But this is the world’s way to love unconditionally: The Bible warns not to be conformed to the ways of the world. (Rom. 12:1-2) Saints, if we really love someone unconditionally we will be true to our convictions and truthful to them about the consequences of their choices, even if we know they will reject the message and the messenger. We must love them unconditionally while holding them accountable for their bad choices, allowing them to reap what they have sown without intervention, as hard as this may be. Unconditional love is tough love that stays the course, holding lost loved ones up in prayer continually, that they might find their way out of the moral fog that clouds their mind and find their way into the marvelous light of Christ’s love. God expects nothing less of His blood bought saints.

There is a post condition to God’s unconditional love, we must one and all accept the gift of saving grace released to mankind in His ultimate act of unconditional love… the Cross of Christ. Those of us who accept will bask eternally in His unconditional love in the paradise God has personally prepared for us. Those of us who don’t accept will spend eternity in unending torment separated from God’s unconditional love -- a choice of our own choosing – even though God will continue throughout eternity to love us unconditionally. Such is the unconditional love of God…

TOUGH LOVE IN ACTION