HOPE: SOMETIMES TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS HAVE A "HIGHER" PURPOSE

                                  

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CHAPTER 7 HOPE: I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

“…Jesus said unto to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live...” (John 11:25 KJV).

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Jesus made a profound statement when he said, “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV). Martha, based on her level of faith, believes in the resurrection and views it ONLY as a future experience.

Jesus is the “resurrection” for the future and the present. Jesus is the “life” for the future and the present. “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV).

Resurrection “IS” the RAISING from the DEAD.  RAISING from the DEAD is also a RESTORAL to LIFE. How is someone raised from the DEAD and RESTORED to LIFE? “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV).

Resurrection is the RAISING from the DEAD. Lazarus is a visual example of being RAISED from the DEAD. “…Lazarus COME FORTH …” (John 11:43-43 KJV). “…Arise from the DEAD…” (Ephesians 5:14 NASB). “…he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV). “…this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live…'" (Luke 15:32 NASB).  

Every believer has been resurrected from the DEAD. “…The wages (result, outcome, conclusion, etc) of sin is death…” (Romans 6:34 NASB). “…You were DEAD in trepasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 NASB). “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…YOU… were DEAD in YOUR transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). “…YOU were DEAD in your sins …” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…alienated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 KJV). “…You were dead in your transgressions ….He made you alive together with Him, …” (Colossians 2:13 KJV).

RAISING from the DEAD is also a RESTORAL to spiritual LIFE. Lazarus is a visual example of being RESTORED to LIFE. “…he  (Lazarus),,,came forth…” (John 11:42-43 KJV). “…….He …[was]…made … alive together with …[Christ], …” (Colossians 2:13 KJV). “…He that is joined (made ALIVE) unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

Every believer has been RESTORED to spiritual LIFE. “…you were dead, but now you have NEW LIFE. …” (Romans 6 NLT). God “….made [you]… ALIVE with Christ … …” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [Y]OUR … HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB).

Lazarus was physically DEAD like you were spiritually DEAD. “…Lazarus was dead…” (John 11:14 KJV).

Lazarus was separated from physical life like you were separated from spiritual life. “…he had lain in the grave four days already….he stinketh….” (John 11:17, 39 KJV).

Being separated from spiritual life is being detached, separated, or alienated from God. “…alienated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 KJV).  “…you were dead …[and] ….He made you alive  …” (Colossians 2:13 KJV).

How did YOU become alienated or separated from God?  “…Through one man sin entered into the world, and …passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

God is HOLY and he made man HOLY. “… One sinner… [however]… destroy[ed]… much good..” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

NOW, every human being on earth is guilty of sin. “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). Therefore, every person is deserving of death, which is eternal separation from God.  “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

What is sin and why do I deserve death or eternal separation from God? Sin is when God gives a command and mankind violates it God said, “…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou  SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Adam and Eve violated God’s commandment and that is what is called SIN. For example: “….She took some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

God told THEM: “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof “THOU SHALT SURELY DIE”…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…and SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). Sin separates you from God. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  

“…THOU SHALT SURELY DIE”…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). This was a spiritual DEATH. “…sin entered … and DEATH…and … [death]… passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

“…Your (ALL MEN) INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God, and YOUR SINS have hid his face from you, that he will not hear…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God. Because of YOUR SINS, he has turned away and will not listen anymore…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

SIN is violation of God’s Holy commandments (big or small). “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

Violation of God’s Holy commandments separates you from Him. “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God. …” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

In Exodus chapter 20 God gave his people his holy laws? “…And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's…” (Exodus 20:1-17 KJV). “…SIN is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV).

God’s HOLY law reveals SIN. Paul said, “…I had not known SIN, but by the law: for I had not known LUST, except the law had said, THOU SHALT NOT COVET…” (Romans 7:7 KJV). “…It was the law that showed me my sin. I would never have known that coveting is wrong if the law had not said, “You must not covet.” (Romans 7:7 NLT).

Sin is not about people’s opinion of what you are doing, or their judgement of you, or their negative treatment of you, or people’s acceptance of your sinful lifestyle, or your own acceptance of your sinful lifestyle; it is about your personal violation of God’s Holy Law. “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).

What is sin AGAIN?  “…ALL unrighteousness IS SIN…” (1 John 5:17 KJV).  “…ALL wicked actions ARE SIN…” (1 John 5:17 NLT). “…WHOsoever committeth SIN transgresseth also the law: for SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…EVERYONE WHO SINS is breaking God’s law, for ALL SIN is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

SIN IS BREAKING or VIOLATING GOD’S HOLY LAW.

Keeping a few of God’s laws and breaking or violating others is THE SAME as breaking them all.  “…For WHOSOEVER shall keep the whole law, and YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law…” (James 2:10-11 KJV).

SIN against God’s Holy law always begins in the house of heart, where the mind also resides. “…For it is from within, out of a person’s HEART, that EVIL THOUGHTS come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.… All these evils come from INSIDE, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 NIV). The heart “…is deceitful ABOVE ALL THINGS and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).  “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

Mankind is often fooled by outward appearances, but God is NOT. God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).

The heart is drawn away and enticed by desires to violate God’s law. “…Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

King David’s heart was drawn away and enticed by his OWN desires (lust, wantonness, covertness). He violated God’s HOLY law. “…In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered that she was pregnant, she sent David a message, saying, “I’m pregnant.” Then David sent word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” So Joab sent him to David. When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. Then he told Uriah, “Go on home and relax.” David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. But Uriah didn’t go home. He slept that night at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. When David heard that Uriah had not gone home, he summoned him and asked, “What’s the matter? Why didn’t you go home last night after being away for so long?” Uriah replied, “The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and my master’s men are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I would never do such a thing.” “Well, stay here today,” David told him, “and tomorrow you may return to the army.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. Then David invited him to dinner and got him drunk. But even then he couldn’t get Uriah to go home to his wife. Again he slept at the palace entrance with the king’s palace guard. So the next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.”  So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall where he knew the enemy’s strongest men were fighting. And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers. Then Joab sent a battle report to David. He told his messenger, “Report all the news of the battle to the king.  But he might get angry and ask, ‘Why did the troops go so close to the city? Didn’t they know there would be shooting from the walls? Wasn’t Abimelech son of Gideon killed at Thebez by a woman who threw a millstone down on him from the wall? Why would you get so close to the wall?’ Then tell him, ‘Uriah the Hittite was killed, too.’” So the messenger went to Jerusalem and gave a complete report to David. “The enemy came out against us in the open fields,” he said. “And as we chased them back to the city gate, the archers on the wall shot arrows at us. Some of the king’s men were killed, including Uriah the Hittite.”“Well, tell Joab not to be discouraged,” David said. “The sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow! Fight harder next time, and conquer the city!” When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was displeased with what David had done…” (2 Samuel 11 KJV).

Which HOLY laws did King David violate from Exodus chapter 20? “…And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ….Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's…” (Exodus 20:1-17 KJV).

“…It is from within, out of a person’s HEART, that EVIL THOUGHTS come—… murder, adultery, greed, malice, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.… All these evils come from INSIDE, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 NIV).

King David did NOT look away when he saw Bathsheba taking a bath, but he lusted for her, sent for her, and then slept with her. “…As he looked out over the city, he NOTICED a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David SENT messengers TO GET HER; and when she came to the palace, HE SLEPT WITH HER….” (2 Samuel 11:2-4 NLT).

“…WHOsoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her ALREADY in his heart” (Matthew 5:28 KJV).

King David’s lust gave birth to adultery and then it grew to also include murder. “…The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab, “Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed.”  … And when the enemy soldiers came out of the city to fight, Uriah the Hittite was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers. … When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. …” (2 Samuel 11 KJV). “… one sinner destroy[ed]… much good…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

“…The Lord was displeased with what David had done…” (2 Samuel 11 KJV).

King David did not justify his sin before God or cover it up, or try to normalize it, but he acknowledged it. King David said, “…For thou art Not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity…” (Psalms 5:4-5 KJV). “… the thing that David had done displeased the Lord…” (2 Samuel 11:27 KJV).

Yet, King David cried out to the Lord. “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).

King David acknowledged his SINS and whom he had sinned against. He came to recognize he had violated God’s Holy laws. He saw his transgressions in light of God’s Holy ways. “…For I acknowledge my transgressions (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).

King David repented from his sins. “Create in me a clean heart, O God… Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart…” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV).

We ALL have access to God’s GRACE and MERCY to repent from sin. “…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 KJV). "…Therefore REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).

God HATES Sin and “…workers of iniquity…” (Psalms 5:5 KJV). “…The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: THOU HATEST “ALL” WORKERS OF INIQUITY…” (Psalms 5:5 KJV).

The foolish are those who violate God’s holy law. The foolish are those who will “…not stand in” God’s sight, but will be driven eternally from his presence.“…The foolish shall not stand in thy sight…” (Psalms 5:5 KJV).

“…THOU HATEST “ALL” WORKERS OF INIQUITY…” (Psalms 5:5 KJV). Workers of iniquity are those who have given themselves over to an entrenching, ongoing lifestyle of sin.

Workers of iniquity are not always those who are blatant with their wicked deeds, but may be those who appear very religious. “…Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).

The Word says God “…hatest ALL workers of iniquity…” In studying the word “hate” I found many explanations and biblical definitions, but only one caught my attention. Biblical Hebrew expresses love and hate not necessarily as opposites, but as amounts. For instance I might love you “more” and love someone else “less.”

From this perspective, when loving one person MORE and another person LESS it may “appear” as if love and hate are opposites when in fact they are not. “…Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect (he rejected it or hated it)…” (Genesis 4:3-5 KJV).

This may also be looked upon as favoritism, to the degree, that the one who is loved less, feels “hated,” or “unloved, or “treated unfairly.” “…And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, SIN lieth at the door…” (Genesis 4:5-7 KJV).

Cain’s sacrifice was rejected or hated because it was the sacrifice from a transgressor of the HOLY law. “…If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, SIN lieth at the door…” (Genesis 4:5-7 KJV).

“…It was by faith that Abel brought A MORE ACCEPTABLE OFFERING  than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that HE WAS A RIGHTEOUS MAN, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith…” (Hebrews 11 NLT).

This contrast is about the amount of love, which may not be total hate for the person who is loved LESS, but may appear that way. God does HIGHLY favor his obedient children over those who are not his or are not obedient children. However, “…He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust…” (Matthew 5:45 KJV).

Nonetheless, God “…hatest ALL workers of iniquity…” (Psalms 5:5 KJV). His FAVOR is HIGHLY reduced toward “workers of iniquity.”(Psalms 5:5 KJV) “… if you do not obey the Lord your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, ALL THESE CURSES WILL COME ON YOU and overtake you…” (Deuteronomy 28:15 KJV).

“…And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And ALL THESE BLESSING SHALL COME ON THEE, and overtake thee…” (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 KJV).

God’s greatest BLESSINGS and FAVOR is toward his own people; his own children who are “accepted in the beloved.” “… [God]…hath made us ACCEPTED in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). “…DEPART FROM ME, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).

Does God want people to perish or be separated from him? God “….is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should PERISH, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).

God has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). There is “… [No]….greater love…than this…” (John 15:13 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

Why will people perish? “…He that believeth on him is not condemned: but HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because HE HATH NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved…” (John 3:18-20 KJV).

“…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

“…Choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).  Sin is CHOOSING to violate God’s Holy Laws. “…ALL HAVE SINNED and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “…There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV). “…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “… [your own] … iniquities (sin) …separated [YOU]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

Most likely, if you are separated from God; you are choosing to VIOLATE his Holy laws. “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

The call to SALVATION is also a call to return to God’s original WHOLENESS. “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (Spirit); and man became a living (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

However, “…God is Spirit…” (John 4:24 NIV) and therefore, “… iniquities …separate… [you]… from… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

Mankind became SEPARATED from GOD. They LOST the SPIRIT and LIFE. They could not, can not, and will not get it back without God’s help. “…Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou… Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory…” (Job 40:9-10 KJV). “…Do you have an arm like God, And can you … “Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity clothe yourself, And with honor and majesty…” (Job 40:9-10 NASB).

They became “…dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). AND “….Apart from …[God’s Spirit], [you can]… do nothing (in regard to spiritual LIFE)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).  “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV).

 Sin SEPARATES you from God by detaching you from the HOLY SPIRIT and LIFE. And the original image is destroyed. “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). When “….God saw every thing he had made…[he said], it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). However, “… One sinner destroy[ed]… much good..” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

“…The…Lord God asked [Eve]…“What have you done? …“ …” (Genesis 3 NLT She “…separated [them]… from [their]… God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Through one man sin entered into the world, and …passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

Originally man had a physical body, the Spirit, and a “LIVING soul. After they violated God’s law, they ONLY had a physical body and a “DEAD” soul.”

The SPIRIT and LIFE had become detached or separated from them. “…THOU SHALT SURELY DIE… [spiritually] …”…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). Thus, “…sin entered … and DEATH…and … [death]… passed to all men…” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

Spiritual DEATH totally decomposed the spiritual LIFE, from mankind, just like Lazarus physical death had begun to decompose of his physical life. “…by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days…” (John 11:39 KJV). “…he had lain in The grave four days already…” (John 11;17 KJV).

Physical death begins the decomposition of the body and it is a gradual degradation of “that” body that culminates to eternal separation of “that” body from “that” soul. “…Lazarus is dead…” (John 11:14 KJV).

Spiritual death is the detachment of the SPIRIT from the soul and body, which has resulted in eternal (DEATH) separation of that soul and body from God. “…The wages (result, outcome, conclusion, etc) of sin is death…” YOU are “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).

Separation from the body or separation from the SPIRIT is DEATH. “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (that leads to eternal DEATH and separated from God)? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). Jesus said, “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV).

Can you SEE another HIGHER purpose for Lazarus’ DEATH? “….To the intent, you may BELIEVE….” (John 11:15 KJV). “… that they may believe that thou hast sent me…” (John 11:41-42 KJV). “…That whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV).

From the beginning of Lazarus’ sickness, to his death, through Martha and Mary’s grief and disappointment, and Lazarus’ eventual resurrection; God had a GREATER purpose in mind. Jesus SAID, “…The sickness is NOT unto death, but for the glory of God…” (John 11:4 KJV).

“…Jesus said … "Did I not say to you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?" (John 11:40 KJV). “…believe the works…” (John 10:38 NIV).

Lazarus’ resurrection and return to life “IS” a LOVING and VISUAL manifestation of what God has done and will do for YOU and ALL of mankind. “…whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). “…YOU were dead in your sins and ... [NOW]…God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….made [you]… ALIVE with Christ …when [you]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV).

“…he that was dead came forth…” (John 11:43-43 KJV). HOW? Jesus said, “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV). “…He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life..." (John 3:36 NASB).

Like Lazarus. “…YOU were dead ...God made you ALIVE with Christ. …” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “… I am the resurrection, and the life...” (John 11:25 KJV).