Should Not Perish

John 3:16 (ESV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

All sin demands a sacrifice of life because it separates us from the life of God. 

We all have sinned. 

God has sacrificed the life of His flesh for all who will come to His life in the Spirit. The Spirit will conceive Christ in those hearts reborn in the life of His presence. Those who do not choose His life for their own will find their own life will be required to pay the price for atonement. 

Becoming

Jesus has provided the way to God. Not just His presence, but to sit beside Him on His throne. He is saving a place for all who would come. We come by walking in His way. Let the word become your flesh. 

Write My Name

Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)

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.

The body of Christ gathers in the name of Jesus. 

The bride of Christ will receive His name. 

The Name

Acts 5:41 (ESV)

Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

This is the “name” all over-comers will receive in full when they come face to face with Jesus. It stands for His authority and character, for the fullness of His life. 

g3686. ὄνομα onoma; from a presumed derivative of the base of 1097 (compare 3685); a “name” (literally or figuratively) (authority, character): — called, (+ sur-)name(-d). Olive Tree Enhanced Strong’s Dictionary 

The Same

Acts 2:24 (ESV)

God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Romans 8:11 (ESV)

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

John 10:17-18 (ESV)

17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

Who raised Jesus from the dead? God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is three who is one God. 

Who will raise us up from the dead? The same. 

Big Difference

There is a difference in thinking about God and experiencing Him. 

And They Knew

Genesis 3:7 (ESV)

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Adam did not have the knowledge of good and evil when he ate of the forbidden fruit. Once his eyes were opened and he knew the difference, sin entered his world. 

As children we do not sin. The innocence of a child precludes the accountability for sin. That is why the kingdom of heaven belongs to the children. Our innocence is restored as children of God by the grace and blood of Jesus. We sin, but it’s remembered no more. 

We are restored to the innocence of Adam before his fall from an intimate relationship with God. If we overcome the world of our flesh, we will eat from the tree of life. 

Alive To God

Jesus is the only begotten Son because His Holy Spirit entered the flesh of man which became alive to God. 

We are the sons of God because His  Holy Spirit enters our flesh to make our spirits alive to God. 

It is the Holy Spirit who unites with God and each other in the living temple of heaven and earth. 

My Own New Name

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)

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.

Sharing His name reflects the intimacy that only comes when two become one. The overcomer is part of the bride of Christ. They are selected for the wedding feast and the consummation of the new creation. 

Exodus 23:20-21 (ESV)

20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.

Are Filled

Moses was filled with the Holy Spirit and the Red Sea parted to make a way. You are filled with the Holy Spirit. Which way do you want to go?

He has made a way and is the way. 

Life And Death

Life and death has less to with our mortal bodies, but our relationship to God. 

No Division

1 Corinthians 12:22-26 (ESV)

22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

All who are in the body of Christ are beloved by God. His love and delight extends to all who answer His call to righteousness and life. It is a love which covers every believer to make them one with Him. Though we have different parts and functions in the body of Christ, there is no division in His love for those who have become one with Him. 

My Name Is In Him

Exodus 23:20-21 (ESV)

20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him.

Jesus the Son is the angel of the Lord who only speaks the word of God. He is the one who leads us and who will judge us. He will share His name with those who overcome the world. 

Listen To Him

Acts 3:22-23 (ESV)

22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

The word of Christ is powerful and definitive. Be sure to listen to what the Spirit says. 

His Servant

Acts 3:13-14 (ESV)

13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

The Greek for servant here comes from a word which implies a child chastened in learning obedience through his stripes of correction. In this case He is the Son who bore our stripes as His own, paying the price for our disobedience. 

Is Seen

The light of God is seen by the knowledge of good and evil. 

He Will Separate

Matthew 25:31-33 (ESV)

The Final Judgment

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

A hallmark of creation has always been the separation of light and darkness, which is analogous to the separation between the sheep and the goats in the New Testament . They speak of the same thing. The creation of man in the image of God is about the separation of man from the dead to the living in Christ. He is the light of the world that shines into the darkness of mankind. 

The Light Of Conception

A flash of light has been observed and recorded at the moment of conception of a baby. This is when the sperm of man finds union with egg of woman. Life begins. 

A flash of life is present when a man sees the light of God and chooses to be reborn into the life of God. Thus the new and enduring life of a new son of God is conceived, which begins at conception and will never end. 

Scientists Just Captured The Flash of Light That Sparks When a Sperm Meets an Egg

On The Rock

Exodus 17:6 (ESV)

Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Who was it that stood on the rock at Horeb? It wasn’t God the Father or the Holy Spirit, yet it was God. Then it has to be the Son because He is God. 

Striking the rock foreshadows Christ struck down for our sin and the living water of life which flows from His side and into the desert of man. 

He was with us before He entered the flesh of man as Emanuel. 

Born And Reborn

When we are born and draw our first creaturely breath, we embark on a life of experience and being that is beautiful and though as brief as a flower that buds, blooms, fades and falls to the earth. 

When we are reborn with the life that comes with the breath of God, we embark in a life of experience and being that is beyond beautiful and as eternal as our Father who has no end. 

We will return to earth from the heights of heaven as a new creation that combines heaven and earth into one which is being one with the Son of God. 

The Living And The Dead

1 Peter 4:5-6 (ESV)

5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

The dead are dead. Those who are living without the breath of God giving life to their souls are dead to Him, regardless of whether they walk on the earth or rest in it’s dust. 

Those who are dead in Christ or live in Him are alive to God. The breath of life never leaves them, even when they draw the last creaturely breath of man. His breath of life is eternal and our communion with Him endures forever. 

Spirit Of The Law

Romans 2:14 (ESV)

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Jesus changed the law from something we do into something we are. The Spirit of the law becomes the Holy Spirit in our hearts, transforming us into His image from within. 

Cure For That

Every person has a terminal illness called mortality. 

Jesus has a cure for that. 

Mutually Encouraged

Romans 1:11-12 (ESV)

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.

Our spiritual gifts find fruition in the presence of each other, which is the body of Christ. He is where we are. He is present when we gather in His name and the fruit of His Spirit flourishes in our midst. It edifies the fruit within and without every believer. 

Uncreated Glory

“Rather, apostolic authority is vested in those who not only saw Christ, but who received a particular vision of Him, namely of Jesus Christ in His uncreated glory. This is what three of the apostles witnessed on Mount Tabor, this is what all of them witnessed in Christ’s death and Resurrection, and finally this is what St. Paul witnessed on the road to Damascus.” Religion Of The Apostles, Stephen de Young 

If Jesus is now in His uncreated glory which includes the union of heaven and earth and we will be like Him, then it can be said we will be changed in a likewise manner to share in His uncreated glory. 

Our Witness

Romans 1:8-10 (ESV)

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you.

The faith of the church in Rome is known in all the world because it is real. It expresses the inner reality of the kingdom of heaven that comes from obedience in the faith. It is a changed and changing life. 

God is our witness even as we give witness to him. His witness takes place within us as we feel His presence and we perceive signs of His work in us. Our witness of Him begins within and flows to each one around us. We become part of His word in the world. 

A Heart Of Flesh

The heart is not a machine that can be set on cruise control or a thermostat to choose a desired temperature. It does not hum along at a steady and predictable speed. Terrain and traffic are just two of the many variables that impact our progress. Passion and steadfastness can vary with our mood and emotions. 

Yet it is the heart our Lord chooses to inhabit and transform into His image. His Spirit is the power that makes both possible. 

Accountable To God

Romans 3:19-20 (ESV)

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

The law is the physical equivalent of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil as foreshadowed in the garden of Eden. It is that knowledge that allows us to choose between the two. 

Adam was like a child in that he did not know and was easily deceived by the serpent. Mankind has now reached the age of accountability, for the law teaches us the difference and the difference between the light and the darkness. 

Work Of Love

Obedience to the Lord is a work of love. If it’s not, then it has no eternal value. 

According To His Works

Romans 2:6-8 (ESV)

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

“Works” is not automatically a bad word in Scripture. While it is true our works cannot bring us salvation, it is equally true we will be judged “according to his works.” Our works is seeking the fruit of His Spirit in obedience to the Lord as we become one with the firstfruits of creation. The body of Christ. 

Will Clothe

God clothed Adam and Eve with animal skins when they were ejected from Eden. 

God will clothe those in the body of Christ with immortal flesh like His when we fully enter His presence. 

The Work Of Your Hands

Psalms 138:7-8 (ESV)

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

and your right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.

Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Jesus is the right hand of God reaching into creation to deliver us out of the world and into the kingdom of heaven. It is the will of the Lord that we join Him in His love and life. It is our will that says yes or no. 

The final work of creation is man in the image of God. Without the Spirit of God, we are merely empty vessels made to receive the living waters from His throne. His purpose for our lives is complete when we are filled to overflowing. We will then be like Him. 

The Work Of The Law

Romans 2:12-16 (ESV)

12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

For those under the Law, the Law condemns. For those not under the Law, their conscience takes over in accusing and excusing. Righteousness becomes a much more personal thing and the secrets of the heart, not just actions and rule following, are the basis of God’s judgment. 

The Law does not disappear, but is fulfilled in the hearts of men according to the gospel. What was engraved on stone is now written in hearts of flesh. Our interaction with the law is now very personal because we are in Christ and He is within us. We do not merely read His word, for we have the word within. 

Clearly Perceived

Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Attributes of a Creator are universally on display.  The imprint of His eternal power and divine nature are wordlessly evident in the world around us. 

Our eyes are opened to the knowledge of good and evil, for this is necessary for the purpose of God. The wise seek the good and the light of truth. The foolish enter the darkness of their hearts, thinking themselves wise as they become more so fools in the futility of their thinking. They run with the beasts of the field. 

Obedience Of Faith

Romans 1:5 (ESV)

through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

Faith brings us to the place where we can begin to walk in the obedience of faith. Faith without obedience produces little fruit on the tree of life and is in danger of being removed. The fruit of the Spirit fashions us into the image of God. 

We are to be obedient for the sake of His name among the nations. If we overcome the world through obedience to His word, we will receive His name and be like Him. 

In Power

Romans 1:4 (NIV)

and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jesus entered our flesh which He sacrificed to open the way for us to follow Him to His throne. The “Spirit of holiness” is the power that enables all flesh to be resurrected from the dead into the life of God. The flesh of man united with the Spirit of God is the ultimate work of creation. In this way there will be many sons of God. 

If I Tell You

Luke 22:67-71 (ESV)

67 “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

Jesus spoke the word of God through the flesh of His own lips, offering the salvation for man. 

The Jews heard His words through the flesh of their own ears and rejected them, thereby condemning themselves.

What we do with the word will mean everything. 

It Is Enough

Luke 22:37-38 (ESV)

37 For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” 38 And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

Jesus was made sin to take away our sin. He became one of us where we are so that we could become one with Him where He is. 

A matter is confirmed when there are two witnesses. The disciples have seen the word of Scripture fulfilled in the flesh of Jesus. 

“It is enough.”

The Harvest Heart

2 Corinthians 9:10 (ESV)

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

The heart of the harvest is the fruit of our righteousness, our hearts bearing the fruit of the Spirit. This is what is meant when God told Adam to be fruitful and multiply. We each are called to work the ground of our earth in obedience to our faith. To do so to the ends of the earth is to overcome our world. 

The seed is the word of God and the bread of life is the Holy Spirit. 

In That Day

Isaiah 19:23-25 (ESV)

23 In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.

24 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”

The work of God in the world and with Israel His inheritance is not over. The story of the people of the Book has been written, but not fulfilled. That day is yet to come, while we watch and wait with great expectation. 

Our Witness

Romans 1:8-9 (ESV)

Longing to Go to Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 

The faith of the church in Rome is known in all the world because it is real. It expresses the inner reality of the kingdom of heaven that comes from obedience in the faith. It is a changed and changing life. 

God is our witness even as we give witness to him. His witness takes place within us as we feel His presence and we see signs of His presence. Our witness of Him begins within and flows to each one around us. We become part of His word in the world