CHOICES: THE CREATION OF CHOICE

     

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CHOICES: THE CREATION OF CHOICE

“…THERE ARE THREE …. the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “…THERE IS NO GOD, BUT ONE…” (1 CORINTHIANS 8:4 KJV). God “…does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

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“….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). I am never trying to debate established doctrine, but I am trying to challenge you to look at new perspectives as a way to further encourage your understanding of God.

In the beginning, God made YOU after his likeness in several ways. He gave you his SPIRIT. He gave you a WILL to do as you CHOOSE or PLEASE. He gave you a SOUL which included a mind capable of receiving downloads of WORDS from God that were meant to INFLUENCE, DIRECT, and EMPOWER your LIFE with abundant, loving GOODNESS.

How is that in God’s likeness? First, he gave you his Spirit. “…And the LORD 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 (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

Second, God gave you a will, although on a much, much smaller scale than his sovereign will. God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “… Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT).  “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

 Third, God gave you a SOUL which included a mind capable of receiving downloads of WORDS from God that were meant to INFLUENCE, DIRECT, and EMPOWER your LIFE with abundant, loving GOODNESS. For example: “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB).

“…Then God SAID (God downloaded (commanded) the words to Jesus ), “Let there be light” (Jesus spoke his words); AND THERE WAS LIGHT (The Holy Spirit abundantly and lovingly did what God downloaded (commanded) and Jesus spoke)…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB). “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

The Holy Spirit DOES what Jesus SPEAKS and God downloads or COMMANDS. “…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “…THERE ARE THREE …. the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV). “…The only begotten (created) Son (WORD), which is in the bosom (secret, intimate place) of the Father, he hath declared (explained, revealed) him…” (John 1:18 KJV).

God originally downloaded (commanded) WORDS to Jesus (also his MOUTHpiece) that influenced and empowered the creation of the entire universe. “…In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth…” (Genesis 1:1 KJV). “…In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

“….Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. …God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light….God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” ^…God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” …God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. …God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.  …God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.”  …God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind.  …God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. ^…God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds…” (Genesis 1 KJV).

“…the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are CLEARLY SEEN…” (Romans 1:20 KJV). Do you “SEE” the POWERFUL influence of God’s WORD today? “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

No matter what else changes, evolves, alters, transforms; God’s WORD will STAND forever!  “…My counsel (WORD)… SHALL stand, and I will do all my pleasure…” (Isaiah 46:10 KJV). “…MY WORD  … SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV). 

From the beginning, mankind was created after God’s likeness, which included a human WILL. “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

Everything God created was GOOD, even human WILL. “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

Thus, human WILL “IS” finite and DEAD ALONE, but INVINCIBLE and ALIVE with the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).

We don’t know how long the GOOD relationship between Adam, Eve, and God lasted BEFORE the UNION was SEPARATED.  “…And the LORD 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 (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).  “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

However long it lasted Adam and Eve freely and voluntarily choose, on their OWN volition (will), to remain in the relationship with God and God with them. Mankind STILL has this CHOICE to this VERY day. “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may LIVE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever…” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

Human WILL is invincible and alive with the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, but it is DEADLY without. “…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).“…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

What happens when human WILL ACTS independently of the HOLY SPIRIT? Before the very first ACT of human will, God downloaded some WORDS to Adam and Eve: “…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 …[or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

However Satan, who can’t download spiritual words, but can upload carnal LIES; came along SAYING:  “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).

 “…The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

The exercise of the woman’s human WILL was MAJOR. She voluntarily and willingly chose independent of God’s downloaded WORDS to her. “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT … [or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).  It was CATATROPHIC. “… she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

Her CHOICE ALTERED her path. Her CHOICE KILLED her UNION with God. “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Human WILL CHOOSE willingly and voluntarily. However, mankind DIED - the ONLY death that really matters - at “THAT” very moment as God’s WORD HAD downloaded (or commanded). … Thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

 “… [Their] … iniquities (as a result of their independent human will) … [immediately] … separated [them]… from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his (or her) own lust (human will or what YOU want or choose), and enticed. Then when lust (human will or what YOU wanted or chose) hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

 THAT day “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

 “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed] … MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “… [They were] …separated … from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). They were NOW “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…Through … [Adam and Eve] … sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

God knew he loved Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve really believed they loved God too, until they were tested. “…If you love me, you will KEEP my commandments…” (John 14:15).

This is the KEY to using the human will to CHOOSE, even when it comes to LOVING God. “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t….I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Thus, “…The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

 “…So 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).  IMMEDIATELY, Adam, Eve, and ALL of mankind became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

God downloads (commands) his WORD. Jesus Speaks his commands, and the Holy Spirit does what God commands and Jesus speaks. “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).  “… [They immediately] … separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).

 “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

God, the INDWELLING Holy Spirit SEPARATED from mankind. Mankind DIES, JUST AS GOD SAID, the only DEATH that matters. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (Body) … [but] … the breath of life (Spirit) … [separated] … and man became a … [dead] … soul (Soul) …” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).  “… MUCH GOOD … [was destroyed]…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

Mankind USED his or her HUMAN will to CHOSE death - the opposite of God who is LIFE -  in the beginning. They can use their HUMAN WILL to choose LIFE again RIGHT NOW. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19). God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).  “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

When HUMAN WILL was first CREATED, along with everything else, it was VERY GOOD. What MADE human will GOOD was its connection with the Holy Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is ... goodness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…Renew my life with your goodness…” (Psalms 119:40 NASB).

What can make human will WHOLE again and RESTORE it to God, the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT? Who can return mankind's will BACK to God’s original, created “image” and “likeness” that was ONCE so VERY good? “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “…And the LORD 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 (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in you. I …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT).

Therefore, “…May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

God WANTED “YOU” back in UNION with him (HOLY SPIRIT). Thus, “... 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).

GOD downloaded his WORDS of LOVE to YOU through JESUS’ and the Holy Spirit makes it possible for you to be restored to the UNION with God. The FATHER’s (God) WORD (Jesus) is POWER (Holy Spirit) and they are ONE. “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father (GOD), the Word (JESUS), and the Holy Ghost (POWER): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 JOHN 5:6-8 KJV).

 “…God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16 KJV). “…God ….GAVE his only begotten (specially created) Son…” (John 3:16 KJV).   “…NOT that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV).

The PROOF of God’s LOVE is this: “…not that we loved God, but that he loved us and SENT HIS SON to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

GOD “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but DELIVERED him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). ^“…God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by “SENDING” Christ to die for us WHILE we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…There is no GREATER LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

God’s LOVE is enough to COVER over ALL that separates YOU from him. “…Love COVERETH a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV).

God’s LOVE is enough to forgive every single sin, big or small and cleanse (FREE) you from them all of them just to bring you to HIM again. “…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).

God’s LOVE is enough to ERASE and ERADICATE your record of wrongs and NEVER remember them again. “…love …keeps NO RECORD of wrongs. …” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…For I will … remember their sins NO MORE…" (Hebrews 8:12 NIV).   

God’s LOVE, for YOU, is enough to last your WHOLE life and ALL eternity. He has “….loved [you]...with an EVERLASTING love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). A “…Love …[that] … never FAILS….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

God’s LOVE, for you, is so GREAT that he created a begotten SON; to be a living sacrifice in order to bring you BACK to him. “…Christ also hath once SUFFERED for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might BRING US … [back] … to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

God’s LOVE, for you, NEVER weans, wavers, or is faithless. “… The … FAITHFUL love of the Lord, [for you], NEVER ENDS...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).

However, all of this requires you to exercise your human will by CHOOSING to RECEIVE God’s provision for RESTORING you, which is SALVATION through Jesus Christ, the SAVIOR.

HOW do you GET the INDWELLING SPIRIT back and become RESTORED to the original, created “image” and “likeness” of God or WHOLENESS? CHOOSE to: “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…For WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made UNTO SALVATION…” (Romans 10:10 KJV).  “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV).

“…Christ hath REDEEMED us … That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on … [US] … through Jesus Christ; that WE MIGHT receive the promise of the Spirit through faith…” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).

“… AS MANY as received him (JESUS), to them GAVE HE … [BACK] … POWER (INDWELLING SPIRIT) TO BECOME THE “SONS” OF GOD (children of God) … [AGAIN]… …” (John 1:12 KJV).  “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR]… HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).

 “…God, in his grace, freely MAKES US RIGHT in his sight…” (Romans 3:21-26 NLT). “…I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth …I DELIGHT in these things…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “…HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV).

“…God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were STILL sinners…” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT).  “… [His] … GRACE is sufficient for [you]...” (2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).  “…For God SO LOVED the world, that he GAVE…” (John 3:16 KJV). “…NOT THAT WE LOVED, God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…God ….GAVE his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV).   

“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13 :8 NIV). GOD’S “…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).  

 “… [Nothing] … will be able to separate … [you] … from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). God, through Christ, has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “….CONTINUE IN MY LOVE….” (JOHN 15:9 KJV).  “…Love … the perfect BOND of UNITY...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB).

The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT is God. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT is PROOF of a restored soul. “….He restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…I will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT).

The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT is PROOF of a restored UNION with God. “…The believers were filled WITH … the … [INDWELLING] … Holy Spirit…” (Acts 13:51-52 NLT). “…He [or she]… that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT….” (1 Corinthians 6:17).

“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [because] … all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT).

Therefore, “…May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together …[again]… —spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

You may EXIST, you may be physically ALIVE, and you may be BREATHING, but you can ONLY be spiritually DEAD or ALIVE!!! “…the body without (apart from the indwelling Spirit) the spirit is dead!!!…” (James 2:26 KJV).

“….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). He gave you his Spirit. “…[He] … breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

Remember, God gave you a human will, although on a much, much smaller scale than his sovereign will. God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).

God gave you a SOUL which included a mind capable of receiving downloads of WORDS from God that were meant to INFLUENCE, DIRECT, and EMPOWER your LIFE with abundant, loving GOODNESS. “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned. In keeping them there is great reward …” (Psalm 19:7-11 NASB).

“…THE WORDS (from Jesus, downloaded from God) THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT… and they are LIFE….” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) OR “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).