“We have this treasure (Christ) in earthen vessels (human bodies), that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; ...that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our body, ...manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Cor. 4:7,10,11)
The new creation is filled with a treasure which is active and divine in its nature. Since its principal characteristic is love this presence flows through the new man with a power which overcomes death and guarantees an overflow of life in the vessel. A torrent is created that will make its influence known in everything in its vicinity. Those who are midst in this river of life know that the power is not of themselves. Every desire of imitation is quenched when the living water manifests its invisibility in human flesh. Garden life is again restored in its simplicity and perfection in a beloved creature who finds that this is the eternity embedded in its heart. Christ as us is a blossoming flowerbed of diversity. The inner law of life far surpasses any outer law of death. Human notions such as motivation and examples, which stir the flesh, are declared obsolete when the real thing manifests itself – the very manifestation of Christ in us as us.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Blind, but now seeing
“And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Do you see anything?" And he looked up and said, "I see men, but they look like trees, walking." Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.” (Mark 8:22-25)
When you have a desire to see dear ones saved you pray to your heavenly Father and He will send Jesus to them. Jesus will take the hand of the blind person and lead him to a place where He can manifest Himself and endow the gift of regeneration unto him.
In the beginning the new creation will behold the newness of his being with childish eyes. He will have an understanding that his sins are forgiven, and that something has happened within. His spiritual sight will, however, be blurred, and this will be manifested through his aptness to follow the habits of the old man attempting to make himself presentable to God by his own works.
But it is Jesus who does everything, and who will ask the new man when his resources are exhausted; “Do you see anything?”, that is, do you appreciate that you are a new creation whose old man died on the cross with me? When I say died, I mean both those parts of you that you found repulsive and those parts in which you were proud. Do you know that both your “evil” and your “good” are nothing? Do you know that I am here to live in you through you as you? Do you know that I am the only One who can live the Christian life? Do you know that you also are resurrected with me to take part in my resurrection life?
It is now that Jesus put the final touch on His work in that person’s life. He opens his eyes so that he can behold clearly the beauty of the union life with Christ and enjoy his life as a perfect manifestation of the invisible God.
We have all gone from spiritual blindness to an intermediate position where things are a bit blurred, and from here we are firmly steered to the final revelation where we with increasingly clarity behold the magnificence of God’s plan. We are perfectly saved also in our state of childishness when we strive in our ignorance, but as our consciousnesses are renewed to the image of Christ we are transformed from glory to glory.
Notice that it is Jesus who is the doer. The man merely follows along, puts his trust in Jesus and answers a simple question. Obviously, the blind man could have refused Jesus’ offer to lead him out of the village, that is, his old self and old life. He could have lied to Jesus and retorted that his present sight was adequate, or perfectly suitable for his kind of life; that he was satisfied with his condition.
The spit symbolizes Jesus’ life now imparted to the man. In John 9:6 we find that Jesus spat on the ground and made mud that he smeared on the eyes of a man who was born blind, which is a common human condition, spiritually speaking. God formed man from dust of the ground (Gen 2:7), so when Jesus mixes His salvia with the dust this is a powerful image of the union life.
When you have a desire to see dear ones saved you pray to your heavenly Father and He will send Jesus to them. Jesus will take the hand of the blind person and lead him to a place where He can manifest Himself and endow the gift of regeneration unto him.
In the beginning the new creation will behold the newness of his being with childish eyes. He will have an understanding that his sins are forgiven, and that something has happened within. His spiritual sight will, however, be blurred, and this will be manifested through his aptness to follow the habits of the old man attempting to make himself presentable to God by his own works.
But it is Jesus who does everything, and who will ask the new man when his resources are exhausted; “Do you see anything?”, that is, do you appreciate that you are a new creation whose old man died on the cross with me? When I say died, I mean both those parts of you that you found repulsive and those parts in which you were proud. Do you know that both your “evil” and your “good” are nothing? Do you know that I am here to live in you through you as you? Do you know that I am the only One who can live the Christian life? Do you know that you also are resurrected with me to take part in my resurrection life?
It is now that Jesus put the final touch on His work in that person’s life. He opens his eyes so that he can behold clearly the beauty of the union life with Christ and enjoy his life as a perfect manifestation of the invisible God.
We have all gone from spiritual blindness to an intermediate position where things are a bit blurred, and from here we are firmly steered to the final revelation where we with increasingly clarity behold the magnificence of God’s plan. We are perfectly saved also in our state of childishness when we strive in our ignorance, but as our consciousnesses are renewed to the image of Christ we are transformed from glory to glory.
Notice that it is Jesus who is the doer. The man merely follows along, puts his trust in Jesus and answers a simple question. Obviously, the blind man could have refused Jesus’ offer to lead him out of the village, that is, his old self and old life. He could have lied to Jesus and retorted that his present sight was adequate, or perfectly suitable for his kind of life; that he was satisfied with his condition.
The spit symbolizes Jesus’ life now imparted to the man. In John 9:6 we find that Jesus spat on the ground and made mud that he smeared on the eyes of a man who was born blind, which is a common human condition, spiritually speaking. God formed man from dust of the ground (Gen 2:7), so when Jesus mixes His salvia with the dust this is a powerful image of the union life.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Vantage Point
To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. (Tit 1:15)
The meaning of this verse can only be fully appreciated from a union perspective with the cross as the focal point. The regeneration involves a change of spirits. The old man died at the cross, and in the resurrection with Christ the new creation is mystically formed. The old master, that is, sin is cast out. Man is now a temple for God, a sacred place where the Spirit dwells.
From the moment of rebirth man is in God and God is in the flesh of man. In God there is no law. He is His own law, which is love. In Him everything is pure, in Him there is no variation or shadow due to change. In Him the believer’s mind and consciousness is renewed in accordance to the glory of God’s image.
The unbeliever’s focal point will always be himself. Whether he is good or he is evil, he is a container of sin following the prince of power of the air. For this person nothing is pure, and besides there is only one who is good – the Father – the instigator of our faith.
What a joy there is in the Father’s heart when one of His precious sons is led to the vantage point and the son in joyful awe gaze at the purity he now is joined together in and has been since the point of origin – the regeneration. In struggle, in temptation, in suffering and enduring mockery the consciousness has been brought from glory to glory until it reconciles its human condition with divinity.
The meaning of this verse can only be fully appreciated from a union perspective with the cross as the focal point. The regeneration involves a change of spirits. The old man died at the cross, and in the resurrection with Christ the new creation is mystically formed. The old master, that is, sin is cast out. Man is now a temple for God, a sacred place where the Spirit dwells.
From the moment of rebirth man is in God and God is in the flesh of man. In God there is no law. He is His own law, which is love. In Him everything is pure, in Him there is no variation or shadow due to change. In Him the believer’s mind and consciousness is renewed in accordance to the glory of God’s image.
The unbeliever’s focal point will always be himself. Whether he is good or he is evil, he is a container of sin following the prince of power of the air. For this person nothing is pure, and besides there is only one who is good – the Father – the instigator of our faith.
What a joy there is in the Father’s heart when one of His precious sons is led to the vantage point and the son in joyful awe gaze at the purity he now is joined together in and has been since the point of origin – the regeneration. In struggle, in temptation, in suffering and enduring mockery the consciousness has been brought from glory to glory until it reconciles its human condition with divinity.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Teacher
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.” (1 Cor 2:12)
God’s desire is for us to understand the marvelous gifts He of His own free council has decided to unconditionally dispense on His daughters and sons. To make sure that His desire comes to pass He has given man His Spirit.
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27)
The Holy Spirit is here to teach us about all things (John 14:26). In fact His ability to convince us about the truth, that is, what our Father has freely given us, is so persuasive that we really don’t need any additional teachers.
What many have discovered, however, is that the Spirit is also thrilled to use writings and teachings from others of God’s precious new creations to convince about righteousness. When He advances His proofs of the truth the timing is always perfect in accordance with the maturity of the recipient.
When John writes that we don’t need anyone to teach us he obviously is pertaining to the fact that the Holy Spirit is our only teacher, and that it is His inner testimony which has precedence. As we grow in knowledge to Him we are better disposed to discern His inner encouraging voice which goes against condemnation and self effort.
His principal teaching is that we remain in Christ, because He is the truth. He is the light which dispels the darkness of self-sustenance; the lie that is in opposition to the free gift of abundant life.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Ef 1:16-21)
God’s desire is for us to understand the marvelous gifts He of His own free council has decided to unconditionally dispense on His daughters and sons. To make sure that His desire comes to pass He has given man His Spirit.
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” (1 John 2:27)
The Holy Spirit is here to teach us about all things (John 14:26). In fact His ability to convince us about the truth, that is, what our Father has freely given us, is so persuasive that we really don’t need any additional teachers.
What many have discovered, however, is that the Spirit is also thrilled to use writings and teachings from others of God’s precious new creations to convince about righteousness. When He advances His proofs of the truth the timing is always perfect in accordance with the maturity of the recipient.
When John writes that we don’t need anyone to teach us he obviously is pertaining to the fact that the Holy Spirit is our only teacher, and that it is His inner testimony which has precedence. As we grow in knowledge to Him we are better disposed to discern His inner encouraging voice which goes against condemnation and self effort.
His principal teaching is that we remain in Christ, because He is the truth. He is the light which dispels the darkness of self-sustenance; the lie that is in opposition to the free gift of abundant life.
“I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Ef 1:16-21)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Bronze Mirrors
We find several instances of burnt offerings before Moses was commissioned to structure and systematize the ceremony into a religious activity. The burnt offering was principally employed as sin atonement. We can find a lot of information regarding the purpose of this ritual in other sources.
The interesting part right now is the peculiarity which occurred while constructing the altar, an oddity which was not included in the original recipe Moses received from God (Exod 27:1-8).
“He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.” (Exodus 38:8)
In ancient times mirrors were made from bronze. In this context they symbolize our independence (When we in this context utilizes the word independence we mean the false self-syndrome, that is, the sentiment that we are not containers of either sin or God's Spirit, but independent entities.); the mirrors cast back our own image. We either have a conceited image of ourselves or we find our defects in the mirror. No matter how we behold our image is not a correct reflection of us. Something is lacking, namely our union with Christ.
The false mirrors of man are thus melted and amalgamated into the basin which most likely is a type of God who burnt His only begotten son as a burnt offering for our sins. Christ has become our sin atonement, he is our burnt offering. He is now our true mirror – the only one who reflects a perfect image of our being. The melting into God provides us with a beautiful picture of the union; every atom is rearranged and blended in the melting process until it becomes a perfect mix. When the mixture set it is forever molded together. It is impossible to separate the two, they are forever one.
A mirror also represents introspection, which is considered a necessity in many faith systems to facilitate change of behavior. Most are familiar with introspection as a sure path to condemnation. To ensure that our gaze is upward the mirrors are melted and done away with. It is the upward gaze which enables man to behold the free gift of perfection in Christ.
The interesting part right now is the peculiarity which occurred while constructing the altar, an oddity which was not included in the original recipe Moses received from God (Exod 27:1-8).
“He made the basin of bronze and its stand of bronze, from the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered in the entrance of the tent of meeting.” (Exodus 38:8)
In ancient times mirrors were made from bronze. In this context they symbolize our independence (When we in this context utilizes the word independence we mean the false self-syndrome, that is, the sentiment that we are not containers of either sin or God's Spirit, but independent entities.); the mirrors cast back our own image. We either have a conceited image of ourselves or we find our defects in the mirror. No matter how we behold our image is not a correct reflection of us. Something is lacking, namely our union with Christ.
The false mirrors of man are thus melted and amalgamated into the basin which most likely is a type of God who burnt His only begotten son as a burnt offering for our sins. Christ has become our sin atonement, he is our burnt offering. He is now our true mirror – the only one who reflects a perfect image of our being. The melting into God provides us with a beautiful picture of the union; every atom is rearranged and blended in the melting process until it becomes a perfect mix. When the mixture set it is forever molded together. It is impossible to separate the two, they are forever one.
A mirror also represents introspection, which is considered a necessity in many faith systems to facilitate change of behavior. Most are familiar with introspection as a sure path to condemnation. To ensure that our gaze is upward the mirrors are melted and done away with. It is the upward gaze which enables man to behold the free gift of perfection in Christ.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Everything means Everything
I hope you are ready to join me on a little faith journey. My idea is to present a string of thoughts which manifested in my mind today. The conclusion encouraged me immensely, and I hope the text will have the same effect on you.
God is love. It isn’t something He has, it is something He is. At the outset of our walk as new creations we find it difficult to reconcile life’s many facets with His love. As we grow we come to understand that we receive His love through faith, more often than as an experience. Then the Holy Spirit establishes this as a truth in the innermost corners of our being – and His love becomes knowledge. We have all experienced that His love can also be manifested in tribulations and sufferings leading us to a deeper sense of His all encompassing love.
An undisputable fact is that as new creations we are in Christ. If we are in Christ and He is love, then we also are love, simply because His sap flows into the branches. This goes beyond feelings and appearances, because it is a spiritual truth. Let us not in this part of the account begin to contrast evil and good, because there exist no such thing in our being. In Christ we do the truth and we do what is right, which basically is being in Him and let His life flow in us.
The next step is to acknowledge that everything works together for good for those who love God. Regarding our love towards Him; this is not either a question of feelings; it is a plain fact that we love Him because He loved us first. When we strive to please Him we do not easily recognize His love; that is true. However, those who have entered His rest bask and revel in His unconditional love.
He is the one who works everything for good. His highest good is Himself. When we behold our actions, attitudes and behavior and judge them according to our perceptions of good and evil, which is a heritage from the fall, we often feel that we fall short. That is not the truth, however. The truth is that He uses everything – everything plainly means everything – to advance His good.
If we have disappointed someone, which we occasionally do, God employs that to work forth His good in that situation. Disappointments and other things which are not so pleasant have the inherent power to lead people to the end of themselves and thus solely rely on God. In other words God’s love in us may cause tribulations for others so they can experience His highest good - Himself.
Seems odd, doesn’t it? Not exactly what we have been previously taught. This is of course just a marred and simple illustration, but I hope it gets the point across. I am not saying now that we should dispense tribulations on others as we please, just that those things inadvertently occur, and when they do they are also an opportunity for our Father.
The conclusion is: Rest from your own seemingly failures and rest in Him. When you do the sap flows unstrained and you are everything you are, a perfect mirror of Him.
God is love. It isn’t something He has, it is something He is. At the outset of our walk as new creations we find it difficult to reconcile life’s many facets with His love. As we grow we come to understand that we receive His love through faith, more often than as an experience. Then the Holy Spirit establishes this as a truth in the innermost corners of our being – and His love becomes knowledge. We have all experienced that His love can also be manifested in tribulations and sufferings leading us to a deeper sense of His all encompassing love.
An undisputable fact is that as new creations we are in Christ. If we are in Christ and He is love, then we also are love, simply because His sap flows into the branches. This goes beyond feelings and appearances, because it is a spiritual truth. Let us not in this part of the account begin to contrast evil and good, because there exist no such thing in our being. In Christ we do the truth and we do what is right, which basically is being in Him and let His life flow in us.
The next step is to acknowledge that everything works together for good for those who love God. Regarding our love towards Him; this is not either a question of feelings; it is a plain fact that we love Him because He loved us first. When we strive to please Him we do not easily recognize His love; that is true. However, those who have entered His rest bask and revel in His unconditional love.
He is the one who works everything for good. His highest good is Himself. When we behold our actions, attitudes and behavior and judge them according to our perceptions of good and evil, which is a heritage from the fall, we often feel that we fall short. That is not the truth, however. The truth is that He uses everything – everything plainly means everything – to advance His good.
If we have disappointed someone, which we occasionally do, God employs that to work forth His good in that situation. Disappointments and other things which are not so pleasant have the inherent power to lead people to the end of themselves and thus solely rely on God. In other words God’s love in us may cause tribulations for others so they can experience His highest good - Himself.
Seems odd, doesn’t it? Not exactly what we have been previously taught. This is of course just a marred and simple illustration, but I hope it gets the point across. I am not saying now that we should dispense tribulations on others as we please, just that those things inadvertently occur, and when they do they are also an opportunity for our Father.
The conclusion is: Rest from your own seemingly failures and rest in Him. When you do the sap flows unstrained and you are everything you are, a perfect mirror of Him.
Monday, January 18, 2010
No consciousness about sin
“Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins?” (Hebr 10:2)
The implications of this verse are very exciting. The author is discussing the superiority of the new covenant compared to the one which is now obsolete. In the old covenant they made annual sacrifices for sin. This system upheld people’s consciousness of sin. The supreme news is that since Jesus is sacrificed once and for all the worshipper can through faith enter a consciousness of no sin.
This consciousness is oblivious when it comes to terms such as trespasses, iniquity and sin pertaining to its own life. It doesn’t acknowledge those concepts any longer, and it certainly isn’t going to discuss those subjects, except that it has an idea that there still are people who are in sin due to unbelief, that is, they haven’t accepted Christ. Because this consciousness is so thrilled in its state of innocence it desires others to share this marvelous life as well.
If you still are trapped in 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” please read the brilliant book “Safe and Sound” by Paul Anderson Walsh who without a shadow of doubt proves that 1 John was written to a mixed congregation of born again Christians and Gnostics. Paul discusses the matter extensively and shows that this verse is addressed to the Gnostics, and that any other conclusion is both unscriptural and illogical.
We can thus confidently assert that 1 John 1:9 pertains to the Gnostics and it demonstrates to them how easy it is to be born again and thus be partakers of a genuine divine nature. This relation becomes more pronounced when we understand that Gnostics believe that they are already without sin and that salvation comes through knowledge.
To be unconscious of sin also denotes a mindset which is free from self effort, self improvement, own works and self reliance. “Why would I involve myself in futile activities like that when He has already made me perfect and fulfilled the commandments in me?”, this person would answer any opponent.
Unconsciousness of sin equals a holy lifestyle! It even pertains to having the mind of Christ!
The implications of this verse are very exciting. The author is discussing the superiority of the new covenant compared to the one which is now obsolete. In the old covenant they made annual sacrifices for sin. This system upheld people’s consciousness of sin. The supreme news is that since Jesus is sacrificed once and for all the worshipper can through faith enter a consciousness of no sin.
This consciousness is oblivious when it comes to terms such as trespasses, iniquity and sin pertaining to its own life. It doesn’t acknowledge those concepts any longer, and it certainly isn’t going to discuss those subjects, except that it has an idea that there still are people who are in sin due to unbelief, that is, they haven’t accepted Christ. Because this consciousness is so thrilled in its state of innocence it desires others to share this marvelous life as well.
If you still are trapped in 1 John 1:9; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” please read the brilliant book “Safe and Sound” by Paul Anderson Walsh who without a shadow of doubt proves that 1 John was written to a mixed congregation of born again Christians and Gnostics. Paul discusses the matter extensively and shows that this verse is addressed to the Gnostics, and that any other conclusion is both unscriptural and illogical.
We can thus confidently assert that 1 John 1:9 pertains to the Gnostics and it demonstrates to them how easy it is to be born again and thus be partakers of a genuine divine nature. This relation becomes more pronounced when we understand that Gnostics believe that they are already without sin and that salvation comes through knowledge.
To be unconscious of sin also denotes a mindset which is free from self effort, self improvement, own works and self reliance. “Why would I involve myself in futile activities like that when He has already made me perfect and fulfilled the commandments in me?”, this person would answer any opponent.
Unconsciousness of sin equals a holy lifestyle! It even pertains to having the mind of Christ!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
In the Well
I came to be thinking about Joseph and his colorful life the other day. Particularly his well experience came to mind. It might be that I am a bit slow, but it suddenly struck me that many, if not most of us have had our well experiences. We have endured rejection, slander, envy and malice. Usually a helping hand has come by and helped us out of the well. However, to our dismay we find that our tribulations haven’t ceased.
Even though our time in the well has taught us to be more careful in our associations (and other perhaps more important lessons) we have nonetheless met others who have disappointed us gravely, something which has caused us to go through periods which have been as bleak as dungeons. People have meant it for evil, but as time passes we find that God has meant it for good. In retrospect we almost shudder when we think about the glory we would have missed or where we would have been hadn’t it been for those seasons, notably when we find that we now are promoted to be next to God.
Even though our time in the well has taught us to be more careful in our associations (and other perhaps more important lessons) we have nonetheless met others who have disappointed us gravely, something which has caused us to go through periods which have been as bleak as dungeons. People have meant it for evil, but as time passes we find that God has meant it for good. In retrospect we almost shudder when we think about the glory we would have missed or where we would have been hadn’t it been for those seasons, notably when we find that we now are promoted to be next to God.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Perfect from Infancy to Maturity
John claims that the Christian walk is characterized by three stages; children, young men and fathers (1 John 2:13). When Jesus walked this earth he went through the common human seasons; infancy, childhood, adolescence and maturity. In every stage of his earthly life he was found without sin (Hebr 4:15).
John also asserts that we can have boldness on the day of judgment “because as he (Jesus) is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) Moreover, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews states; “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Both verses encompass the same truth, our perfection in Christ.
In addition, John alludes to our union life – the mystery revealed – Christ in us living as us (Col 1:27), when he writes that as he is so are we. God's master plan is to regenerate man so that humanity and divinity is perfectly amalgamated into one being, which is both us and Him and where it is impossible to discern between the two. A perfect union.
Paul corroborates with John’s stages when he differentiates between what kind of food the Christian is able to digest in 1 Cor 3:2; “Everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Meat, however, is for the mature.
What we can infer from this is that Jesus' different stages in life symbolize the different stages the Christian goes through as a new creation. If Jesus was perfect from infancy to maturity it is not far stretched to assert that this also applies to our grace walk. For most believers this calls for a leap of faith.
When established in this amazing truth our entire outlook will be altered, and how we view our sisters and brothers who still are unskillful in the word of righteousness will be revolutionized. This truth empowers us as well to accept and love ourselves as perfect in Him.
This perfection concerns body, soul and spirit. We are compelled to assume that this perfection applies to all of our human entities on account of Jesus who was the son of man coming in the flesh. If we limit this perfection to only the spiritual realm we are unwittingly limiting Jesus' perfect sacrifice, and we are standing on the threshold of Gnosticism.
John also asserts that we can have boldness on the day of judgment “because as he (Jesus) is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) Moreover, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews states; “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” Both verses encompass the same truth, our perfection in Christ.
In addition, John alludes to our union life – the mystery revealed – Christ in us living as us (Col 1:27), when he writes that as he is so are we. God's master plan is to regenerate man so that humanity and divinity is perfectly amalgamated into one being, which is both us and Him and where it is impossible to discern between the two. A perfect union.
Paul corroborates with John’s stages when he differentiates between what kind of food the Christian is able to digest in 1 Cor 3:2; “Everyone who uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” Meat, however, is for the mature.
What we can infer from this is that Jesus' different stages in life symbolize the different stages the Christian goes through as a new creation. If Jesus was perfect from infancy to maturity it is not far stretched to assert that this also applies to our grace walk. For most believers this calls for a leap of faith.
When established in this amazing truth our entire outlook will be altered, and how we view our sisters and brothers who still are unskillful in the word of righteousness will be revolutionized. This truth empowers us as well to accept and love ourselves as perfect in Him.
This perfection concerns body, soul and spirit. We are compelled to assume that this perfection applies to all of our human entities on account of Jesus who was the son of man coming in the flesh. If we limit this perfection to only the spiritual realm we are unwittingly limiting Jesus' perfect sacrifice, and we are standing on the threshold of Gnosticism.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Enticement
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Phil 2:5-7)
Adam and Eve’s temptation was to be like God. They fell. Jesus temptation was to be like God. He didn’t fall. We are tempted in the same manner as He was. Even though we, as new creations, are in the form of God, we are almost daily enticed by the imposter to return to the tree of good and evil and behold and judge life by appearance and strive to better ourselves to be like God. Pleasing to God is, however, to walk in faith in the likeness of men appreciating that we are once and for all perfected though one sacrifice.
Adam and Eve’s temptation was to be like God. They fell. Jesus temptation was to be like God. He didn’t fall. We are tempted in the same manner as He was. Even though we, as new creations, are in the form of God, we are almost daily enticed by the imposter to return to the tree of good and evil and behold and judge life by appearance and strive to better ourselves to be like God. Pleasing to God is, however, to walk in faith in the likeness of men appreciating that we are once and for all perfected though one sacrifice.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Law and Striving
I feel so sorry for those who still believe they need to keep the law, or say something similar to; “This year I will continue to strive to better myself”. If you are to keep the law you cannot pick and choose. You must obey all the commandments, and if you break one you have broken them all. God demands perfection.
If your will is to better yourself you obviously regard yourself as an independent entity in this universe. What you really are saying is that you are going to ascend to the most high and become like God. That was the Serpent’s mistake.
One of the concepts which are used in the Scripture to describe our human condition is containers. We either contain sin (the devil) or we contain the Spirit of God. What we never must assume is that we are independent units.
If Jesus, who was a perfect image of us, could do nothing outside His Father, neither can we. A container is designed to receive, so that is what we do. We receive, and God gives and gives and gives. Our only hope thus in achieving the perfection God demands is to die from our self-effort (the flesh) and by faith receive our perfection from the resurrected Christ in whom we now continue to live.
The Law's principal task is to expose self effort as futile and void, and to expose our wretchedness. To use an image from the Old Testament; the law is our desert experience which God utilizes to lead us to the Jordan River, which we cross by a leap of faith in order to enter the Promised Land which is Christ.
What do you prefer: The limitations of the desert or the abundance in the Promised Land? May The Holy Spirit be blessed in His mighty work in leading people from bondage to freedom!
If your will is to better yourself you obviously regard yourself as an independent entity in this universe. What you really are saying is that you are going to ascend to the most high and become like God. That was the Serpent’s mistake.
One of the concepts which are used in the Scripture to describe our human condition is containers. We either contain sin (the devil) or we contain the Spirit of God. What we never must assume is that we are independent units.
If Jesus, who was a perfect image of us, could do nothing outside His Father, neither can we. A container is designed to receive, so that is what we do. We receive, and God gives and gives and gives. Our only hope thus in achieving the perfection God demands is to die from our self-effort (the flesh) and by faith receive our perfection from the resurrected Christ in whom we now continue to live.
The Law's principal task is to expose self effort as futile and void, and to expose our wretchedness. To use an image from the Old Testament; the law is our desert experience which God utilizes to lead us to the Jordan River, which we cross by a leap of faith in order to enter the Promised Land which is Christ.
What do you prefer: The limitations of the desert or the abundance in the Promised Land? May The Holy Spirit be blessed in His mighty work in leading people from bondage to freedom!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The Short Version
It was late in the evening. I had been a Christian for several years already. I still didn’t completely trust in God; I wasn’t completely assured that He was love. I doubted that He was completely in control and that He wanted my best. So to pray “May your will be manifested in my life” and “Lead me closer to your heart” that evening was a leap of faith in those early days of my walk. I can recall that I was terrified that God would lead me into suffering, or that He would let some sort of tribulation come my way. I wasn’t ready for any Gethsemane experience, and I was certain if that would be the case I would plead: remove this cup from me.
However, God took my prayer very seriously, and confident that He could lead me perfectly through everything I feared He began His works in me. Let me be completely honest; all my worst nightmares came through. When my preconceived notions about how the Christian life should be lived were sufficiently shaken He could begin teaching me that I was dead to the law, that I was perfect in Christ and that my salvation was secure. When my desert experience came to a conclusion He led me to the Jordan River which He lured me across. Repeatedly He has encouraged me to take leaps of faith further and further into the Promised Land. This fall He has opened my eyes to the mystery, Christ in us. In everything He has turned out to be more than faithful.
In order to heal me from my many personal issues He first had to crush me. He led me into situation after situation which challenges I tried to conquer in my own powers. It wasn’t until I came to the end of myself and all my resources were exhausted that He could establish Christ in me as my new identity. During the dark nights there were times the excruciating pain rendered me with a wish to die. God has, however, revealed that I was already dead, and that I am now leading the glorious resurrection life of Christ. A week ago God showed me that Jesus was perfectly capable of vicariously living as me in pain and suffering, and through that revelation a new outlook was created in me, and darkness turned to light.
There was a long period of my life where I fought against difficulties perceiving them as the works of the devil. I believed that the Christian was predestined to prosperity. I dreaded to read passages which dealt with suffering, and I even rationalized them as experiences meant for the first Christians. Despite all this, God continued telling me that He would give me treasures hidden in the darkness. I thought He meant secrets hidden in the scriptures. He meant treasures hidden in suffering. Now He is establishing me in joy whatsoever circumstance I encounter, because He is all in all.
He has more than answered my prayer that evening. To my astonishment I can now say that I appreciate He has been finding it worthwhile to perform this huge job in me. I also find it important to note that it hasn’t been suffering all the way. There have been long periods of calm and peace, filled with joy and happiness and occasional daily challenges which I by and by have learned to return to Him. What I remember most clearly from this journey, are all those moments when He has spoken directly to me about things He has wanted to share about His character and who I am in Him, and all those times when He has embraced me with His love and held me tight. Together we have gone from victory to victory, and He has taught me how to reign in life.
I have lost count of how many times my Father has led me to this passage:
Isaiah 45
1 "This is what the LORD says to his anointed,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
so that gates will not be shut:
2 I will go before you
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (2 Cor 2:14)
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. (2 Tim 2:12)
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. (Rom 5:17)
However, God took my prayer very seriously, and confident that He could lead me perfectly through everything I feared He began His works in me. Let me be completely honest; all my worst nightmares came through. When my preconceived notions about how the Christian life should be lived were sufficiently shaken He could begin teaching me that I was dead to the law, that I was perfect in Christ and that my salvation was secure. When my desert experience came to a conclusion He led me to the Jordan River which He lured me across. Repeatedly He has encouraged me to take leaps of faith further and further into the Promised Land. This fall He has opened my eyes to the mystery, Christ in us. In everything He has turned out to be more than faithful.
In order to heal me from my many personal issues He first had to crush me. He led me into situation after situation which challenges I tried to conquer in my own powers. It wasn’t until I came to the end of myself and all my resources were exhausted that He could establish Christ in me as my new identity. During the dark nights there were times the excruciating pain rendered me with a wish to die. God has, however, revealed that I was already dead, and that I am now leading the glorious resurrection life of Christ. A week ago God showed me that Jesus was perfectly capable of vicariously living as me in pain and suffering, and through that revelation a new outlook was created in me, and darkness turned to light.
There was a long period of my life where I fought against difficulties perceiving them as the works of the devil. I believed that the Christian was predestined to prosperity. I dreaded to read passages which dealt with suffering, and I even rationalized them as experiences meant for the first Christians. Despite all this, God continued telling me that He would give me treasures hidden in the darkness. I thought He meant secrets hidden in the scriptures. He meant treasures hidden in suffering. Now He is establishing me in joy whatsoever circumstance I encounter, because He is all in all.
He has more than answered my prayer that evening. To my astonishment I can now say that I appreciate He has been finding it worthwhile to perform this huge job in me. I also find it important to note that it hasn’t been suffering all the way. There have been long periods of calm and peace, filled with joy and happiness and occasional daily challenges which I by and by have learned to return to Him. What I remember most clearly from this journey, are all those moments when He has spoken directly to me about things He has wanted to share about His character and who I am in Him, and all those times when He has embraced me with His love and held me tight. Together we have gone from victory to victory, and He has taught me how to reign in life.
I have lost count of how many times my Father has led me to this passage:
Isaiah 45
1 "This is what the LORD says to his anointed,
to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
so that gates will not be shut:
2 I will go before you
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.
3 I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.
8 "You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. (2 Cor 2:14)
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. (2 Tim 2:12)
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. (Rom 5:17)
Friday, January 8, 2010
My father and Father
In March two years will have passed since my father died. He had cancer in the esophagus. It took nine months from he received the diagnosis till he passed away. He was not a Christian. There wasn’t a single work in his life that was carried out in God. He wasn’t a particularly good father, and an even lousier husband. My father smoked, and was addicted to pills and alcohol.
Several times during his sickness I urged him to accept Christ, but to no avail. However, two days before he died a priest came to visit him and the clergyman led my father to salvation. Those who were present recall the moment as holy and glorious. God’s presence was tangible, they told me.
Lately, I have been pondering his passing away and it strikes me how far God’s grace goes. This was a man who was in sin until two days before he left this temporal world. He had no idea about regular Christian terms such as holiness, righteousness or the renewing of the mind. Despite all his, he is now dressed in God’s glory.
As God has revealed more of the mystery, Christ in us, and also opened my eyes to the glorious truth that Christ is all in all, new light has been cast on my father’s life. He was God’s vessel to mould, amongst other things, me. God used his life to drive me into my heavenly Father’s arms. My earthly father’s conduct also taught me my first lessons about suffering. He was one of the factors which caused the depression – my dark nights of the soul - which altered the course of my life five years ago.
My father was God’s gift to me, because “All things come to me from my Father’s hand” (Matt 11:27). It pleased God to demonstrate His love towards me through all this, and when my father’s life had accomplished God’s purposes it pleased God to regenerate his spirit and take him home. “But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.” (Micah 4:12)
My awareness in recognizing that God is in all my life’s circumstances has increased considerable lately. This is a mighty work of the Holy Spirit in me. It enables me to recognize that my father caused me to die, and from my death and resurrection in Christ his new life sprang forth.
Several times during his sickness I urged him to accept Christ, but to no avail. However, two days before he died a priest came to visit him and the clergyman led my father to salvation. Those who were present recall the moment as holy and glorious. God’s presence was tangible, they told me.
Lately, I have been pondering his passing away and it strikes me how far God’s grace goes. This was a man who was in sin until two days before he left this temporal world. He had no idea about regular Christian terms such as holiness, righteousness or the renewing of the mind. Despite all his, he is now dressed in God’s glory.
As God has revealed more of the mystery, Christ in us, and also opened my eyes to the glorious truth that Christ is all in all, new light has been cast on my father’s life. He was God’s vessel to mould, amongst other things, me. God used his life to drive me into my heavenly Father’s arms. My earthly father’s conduct also taught me my first lessons about suffering. He was one of the factors which caused the depression – my dark nights of the soul - which altered the course of my life five years ago.
My father was God’s gift to me, because “All things come to me from my Father’s hand” (Matt 11:27). It pleased God to demonstrate His love towards me through all this, and when my father’s life had accomplished God’s purposes it pleased God to regenerate his spirit and take him home. “But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.” (Micah 4:12)
My awareness in recognizing that God is in all my life’s circumstances has increased considerable lately. This is a mighty work of the Holy Spirit in me. It enables me to recognize that my father caused me to die, and from my death and resurrection in Christ his new life sprang forth.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Single Eye
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matt 6:22-23)
This is a very intriguing passage, and its implications are indeed fascinating. To be single eyed is to have an understanding that Christ fills all in all with His fullness (Ef 1:23). It is to have an awareness that nothing exists outside God, and that He is upholding everything with His word.
According to God evil is thus defined as having a double vision, which is a belief system that erroneously states that the creation can operate independent of its Creator. This plainly implies that everything man does with a mindset that believes it can work outside God is evil in God’s eyes, notwithstanding it is good or bad in our eyes.
It is then quite clear that everything that springs forth from faith is light. In this context these verses become full of meaning: For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3:20-22)
To do the truth is to lead a life in the light. To be in the light implies that we through faith, the single eye, believe we are perfect in Him, and that Christ lives as us. By this, for many difficult, leap of faith we are no longer in fear of judgment or an easy prey for condemnation, because we are completely safe in Him when we understand that He lives His life through us.
Those who live outside this truth will have this overwhelming desire to hide from God, because outside Him they can never achieve perfection. Since God demands perfection they are found wanting in all areas of life, and they know it. On this ground they do not come to the light, because they are afraid that their works should be exposed as void.
It is in this light that we come to understand what the flesh is. The flesh denotes man’s efforts to make himself presentable to God. Everyone who attempts to live by the law is hence in the flesh.
The most edifying aspect with having a single eye is that it constitutes a way of life which is more about right being than right doing. Surprisingly to man, right being facilitates right doing in God’s eyes. Right being facilitates works which are carried out in God. We have entered God’s rest.
This is a very intriguing passage, and its implications are indeed fascinating. To be single eyed is to have an understanding that Christ fills all in all with His fullness (Ef 1:23). It is to have an awareness that nothing exists outside God, and that He is upholding everything with His word.
According to God evil is thus defined as having a double vision, which is a belief system that erroneously states that the creation can operate independent of its Creator. This plainly implies that everything man does with a mindset that believes it can work outside God is evil in God’s eyes, notwithstanding it is good or bad in our eyes.
It is then quite clear that everything that springs forth from faith is light. In this context these verses become full of meaning: For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3:20-22)
To do the truth is to lead a life in the light. To be in the light implies that we through faith, the single eye, believe we are perfect in Him, and that Christ lives as us. By this, for many difficult, leap of faith we are no longer in fear of judgment or an easy prey for condemnation, because we are completely safe in Him when we understand that He lives His life through us.
Those who live outside this truth will have this overwhelming desire to hide from God, because outside Him they can never achieve perfection. Since God demands perfection they are found wanting in all areas of life, and they know it. On this ground they do not come to the light, because they are afraid that their works should be exposed as void.
It is in this light that we come to understand what the flesh is. The flesh denotes man’s efforts to make himself presentable to God. Everyone who attempts to live by the law is hence in the flesh.
The most edifying aspect with having a single eye is that it constitutes a way of life which is more about right being than right doing. Surprisingly to man, right being facilitates right doing in God’s eyes. Right being facilitates works which are carried out in God. We have entered God’s rest.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Illumination
Have you ever wondered why the Holy Spirit must illuminate the word for us? The unregenerate spirit cannot understand the Bible because he follows the spirit of the ruler of the kingdom of the air. This spirit, Satan, is a liar and he veils the scripture in falsehood. The Bible thus comes out as condemning and lifeless, and under this spirit’s influence God’s love letter is transformed into a receipt for self effort.
When the Holy Spirit begins His work in the new creation He will turn upside down every preconceived notion we have, which means everything. This is a process which can take some time, because the lies are so entrenched in our minds. The Holy Spirit finds great pleasure in convincing God’s saints about the truth, because of the joy and the liberty His beloved ones experience when He leads them to the green pastures of life.
There are, however, those who harden their hearts, who stiff-necked refuse to humble themselves and let go of the lie that they can operate as independent selves. They prefer the old system of legalism due to the fact that it provides them with the opportunity to boast. They are those who are having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
It’s a fascinating journey as the Holy Spirit unravels the precious truths about who we are now, what Jesus has done and is still doing in us. The sensation of utter awe when He endows us with glimpses of God’s master plan is beyond words. It is thrilling when He encourages us to take leaps of faith. When He secures us in our salvation and shows us the depths of God’s love our whole being is transformed into light.
When the Holy Spirit begins His work in the new creation He will turn upside down every preconceived notion we have, which means everything. This is a process which can take some time, because the lies are so entrenched in our minds. The Holy Spirit finds great pleasure in convincing God’s saints about the truth, because of the joy and the liberty His beloved ones experience when He leads them to the green pastures of life.
There are, however, those who harden their hearts, who stiff-necked refuse to humble themselves and let go of the lie that they can operate as independent selves. They prefer the old system of legalism due to the fact that it provides them with the opportunity to boast. They are those who are having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.
It’s a fascinating journey as the Holy Spirit unravels the precious truths about who we are now, what Jesus has done and is still doing in us. The sensation of utter awe when He endows us with glimpses of God’s master plan is beyond words. It is thrilling when He encourages us to take leaps of faith. When He secures us in our salvation and shows us the depths of God’s love our whole being is transformed into light.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Easy Yoke
Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Personal experiences have given this verse a different and even more profound meaning than what it has conveyed before in my grace walk. Jesus has experienced every affliction, tribulation and hardship we will ever endure in this life. When we by faith accept that He lives as us we come to acknowledge that He is perfectly capable of going through those periods as us, in us. We just let go in faith and leave the reins to Him who also was perfected through what He suffered. Our sufferings are made lighter and their often paralyzing power is powdered when He undergoes them as us. We simply abide in Him.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Lukewarm
To be lukewarm is to have settled for the compromise which states that God is satisfied as long as I try to do my best, which is nothing else that a little bit of me and a little bit of Him. This person has not allowed the law to bring him to the end of himself where he desperately cries out: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?“ He has never given up. He has never come to realize that without Christ he can do nothing.
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