SUPERIORITY: ARE YOU IN OR OUT?

               

NEW BOOK COMING SOON!

SUPERIORITY: OUT OF THE DARKNESS

“…you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB)

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God’s people have been bought out of the DARKNESS. Darkness is the absence of light. The absence of LIGHT is also death. DEATH is a result of SIN. “…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).

 “…All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

However “…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).

God’s people are those who are NO longer in the DARKNESS, but who have COME to the LIGHT by faith in Jesus Christ. “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

To come “out of the darkness” is to come out of a “sinful” condition that brings forth death. “…you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

A sinful condition is TOTAL separation from the Light. “…Your INIQUITIES 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).

God is Light, God is Holy, and God is Spirit. “… God is LIGHT…” (1 John 1:5 NASB). “… [God is] … HOLY...” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

LIGHT is the LIFE that comes through Jesus Christ; the WORD of truth.  “… Jesus saith … I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “… Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world …” (John 8:12 NASB). “…the life was the Light of men…” (JOHN 1:3 NASB).

LIGHT is LIFE that is received through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. “…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 IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… [God is] … HOLY...” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  “… God is LIGHT…” (1 John 1:5 NASB).

“… He who has the Son has life…” (1 John 5:12 KJV). “… Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am …the Light of life…” (John 8:12 NASB).  “… he (or she) who follows Me will not walk in the darkness…” (John 8:12 NASB).

“…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

“… Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:7-11 NASB).

God’s people have come “out of the darkness” by coming from the midst of those who are “STILL” in darkness. “… Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God … by the Spirit of our God…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NLT).

The DEEDS of DARKNESS are the deeds of the FLESH. “ … The deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

“… Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness…” (Ephesians 5:7-11 NASB). “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

 “…Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB). “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

God’s people have been called “out of the darkness” and they are now the LIGHT of the world by faith in Jesus. You will KNOW them by the FRUIT. “… Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; …” (John 8:12 NASB). And therefore, “… You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14 NASB). “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).

The indwelling HOLY SPIRIT of LIGHT is WHAT brings God’s people “out of the DARKNESS.” “… God is LIGHT…” (1 John 1:5 NASB). “… [God is] … HOLY...” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

DARKNESS and LIGHT won’t MIX together, because they are like OIL and WATER. “…And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; God hath said ‘I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people …” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).

ONLY Jesus can miraculously enable the HOLY God (LIGHT) and SINFUL mankind (DARK) to MIX together as ONE. “…There ... [is] … …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).“…He that is joined (MIXED) unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE Spirit… [with the HOLY God]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).  “…What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate…” (Mark 10:9 NASB). “…Let no one split apart what God has joined together…” (Mark 10:9 NLT).   

Thus God’s people were called OUT of the DARKNESS. “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).Therefore,  “…Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

^“… [You] … are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; And I will be their God, and they shall be My people. “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “ And do not touch what is unclean…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB).

“…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB). God’s people have been CALLED into LIGHT, which is HOLINESS. God is a HOLY. God wants his people to be just like Him. “…Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy…” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV).

The indwelling Holy Spirit restores the LIGHT to his people which SETS them APART for HIS purpose by making them an actual living TEMPLE of God. “… you yourselves are God’s temple … and … God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB).

God’s people are not ONLY to come “out of the darkness” of sin, but from the midst of sinful people. “…come out from their midst and be separate …” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB). “…Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers…” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

“…what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). God’s SPIRIT will NOT and can NOT MIX together with SIN.

God’s indwelling Holy SPIRIT of LIGHT within the believer will NOT MIX together with sin either. “…Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB).  “…Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “…what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

God’s people are ALWAYS in the presence of God’s LIGHT. “…I will dwell in them and walk among them…” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB). “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

God separated LIGHT from DARKNESS in the beginning of creation. “… God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness…” (Genesis 1:4 NASB).

The HOLY SPIRIT of LIGHT separates God’s people FROM “DARKNESS. “… you yourselves are God’s temple … and … God’s Spirit dwells in you?...” (1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB).

OIL and WATER doesn’t MIX and neither does LIGHT and DARKNESS; holiness or sin. “…what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). Therefore, “…Ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should BE MINE. …” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV). “…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB).

God’s wants you to be separated by staying “out of darkness” and being set apart for the SAKE of sustaining HOLINESS. “…come out from their midst and be separate …” (2 Corinthians 6:13-17 NASB).  “…be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).

The indwelling HOLY Spirit of LIGHT helps you overcome the effect of sin. Overcoming the effect of sin is how coming “out of the darkness” is truly experienced. “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world …the Light of life…” (John 8:12 NASB).

“….If the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV). “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… God is LIGHT…” (1 John 1:5 NASB). “… [God is] … HOLY...” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).

Therefore, holiness, the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT, is relevant to the believer’s true freedom from the effect of sin. “… Jesus (the WORD) again spoke to them, saying, “I am … the Light of life…” (John 8:12 NASB). “… Jesus saith … I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…The truth (Jesus, the WORD) shall MAKE YOU FREE…” (JOHN 8:32 KJV). “…Thy word (Jesus) is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV). “….If the Son (Jesus, the WORD) sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV).

 You can live “IN” the LIGHT. “… Jesus … [said] …“I am the Light of the world …” (John 8:12 NASB). “….Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).You can live free from the effect of sin. “…You were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light...” (Ephesians 5:8 NASB).

You can live holy. You can live a Spirit led life. “For it is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT) which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).

God’s people can do all things, because of the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT empowers them. “…Now …God of peace, … equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he WORK IN US what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“…you are … called … out of darkness  …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB). And the indwelling HOLY Spirit of LIGHT is within you. “… Jesus … [said] …“I am the Light of the world …” (John 8:12 NASB).  “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “…if Christ be in you…” (Romans 8:10 KJV). “…if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you…” (Romans 8:11 KJV).  ^“…Christ liveth in me…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…until Christ be formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell in them…” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).

Therefore, “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). Whenever you start acting like or thinking that sin still has power over you, remember you are “out of the darkness.” “…Your word (Jesus) is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path…” (Psalm 119:105 NASB). “… Jesus … the Light of life…” (John 8:12 NASB).

Sometimes you get weak, emotionally, physically, and mentally in the journey. Let God’s grace sustains you in those moments. “… [God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for [his indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT, which is his] power  … made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

There is no PERFECTION just because you are “IN” Christ, but there is ALWAYS the support of indwelling faith. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is … faith…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL [indwelling FAITH]…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives [indwelling FAITH]…” (John 6:63 NASB).

As long as you use your God-given faith and trust in the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT you can do ALL THINGS.  However, “….Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT]… you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… [You] can do all things through Christ (the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT) which strengtheneth [you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…[HIS]… power is made perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).  

When you get weak and weary, God shows out by INFUSING you with his indwelling strength. “… I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong..” (2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV). God’s “…grace [becomes] … sufficient for [you]…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

In Hebrews 11 it says that by faith… “… [God’s people came]… OUT OF WEAKNESS … [and] …WERE MADE STRONG….” (Hebrews 11:33-34 KJV).

There is no legitimate excuse for NOT living free from the effect of sin. God didn’t leave it up to you. He gave you the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT and therefore he gave you everything you needed to STAY “out of darkness.” “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory BY Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). “….The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…God will generously PROVIDE all … [the FAITH] … you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

 “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto us ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “… [God, through Christ]… freely give us all things?...” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's [in Christ]…” (1 Corinthians 3 KJV).

If the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT is really within you, it cannot be hidden unless it is eclipse by an ongoing, entrenching lifestyle of sin. The indwelling Holy Spirit IS “…the invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world …CLEARLY SEEN, being understood by the things that are made …so that [you] are without excuse…” (Romans 1:20 KJV).

If you are a repentant believer, Salvation MADE you brand new. “… Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are BECOME NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

God provides his indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT (Christ IN you), which is so gloriously, bright, majestic, holy, and full of pure light it can be “clearly seen.” "…No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house…” (Luke 11:33 NASB).

You provide the vessel (lamp), God provides his glorious Spirit (Christ IN you), and it should be “clearly seen.” However, if God’s glorious Spirit is NOT “clearly seen,” through your life, what’s the problem?

I studied a lunar eclipse. A lunar eclipse takes place when the earth, because of its position, blocks or cuts off the BRIGHT light of the sun and the moon.

In addition, it’s amazing that the earth can even block or cut off the BRIGHT light of the sun. Especially, since the sun is so much larger than the earth. It would take over a million earth masses put together to match the size of the sun, yet the earth can BLOCK OR CUT OF its 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!” (Matthew 6:23 KJV).

“…The light of the body is the eye. …” (Matthew 6:22 KJV). Light, in this verse, means the mind. “…The light of the body is the eye. …If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, [eclipsed by the carnal, unrenewed mind], how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 KJV).

Imagine the LIGHT (mind) within you shining through the eyes, so you can see your way and give light to others as well. “…Ye ARE THE LIGHT of the world…and giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men…” (Matthew 5:14-15 KJV).

God called YOU “…out of darkness into his marvellous light...” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “…If any man be in Christ, he is a NEW creature: …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… [You NOW]… have the MIND of Christ (the WORD)…” (1 Corinthians 2:16 KJV). “…Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM THE LIGHT of the world: he that FOLLOWETH me SHALL NOT walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life…” (John 8:12 KJV).

The new light within you can be blocked or cut-off or eclipsed by a mass of thoughts from the old carnal, unrenewed mind. Imagine YOUR thoughts from the old carnal, unrenewed mind becoming a mass like the earth.

A mass is a group of individual parts (like your individual thoughts) that come together to form a BIG unified or solid body. The individual thoughts, such as doubt, adultery, fear, disobedience, etc., come together to form a BIG solid dark mass.

The actual physical brain is said to be gray or white matter, which means it takes up space and has mass too.

“…If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, [eclipsed by the carnal, unrenewed mind], how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 KJV). “…The invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world is…clearly seen…” (Romans 1:20 KJV). If the glorious Spirit of God/LIGHT through Christ is within you and is not “clearly seen” what is blocking the light? “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

God’s “…radiance [from his Holy Spirit of LIGHT]… is like the sunlight…” (Habakkuk 3:4.NASB). Jesus, “…the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).

No sin or darkness or carnality blocked the glorious LIGHT/RADIANCE of God’s Holy Spirit from SHINING in Christ. “…The invisible [Spirit]…from the creation of the world is…CLEARLY SEEN…” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath SEEN ME HATH SEE the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” (John 14:9 KJV). “The Son is the RADIANCE of God’s glory and the EXACT representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).

“…The light of the body is the eye. …” (Matthew 6:22 KJV). The eye gives you the ability to see by projecting the light of truth from within. Remember, the light is the mind. “…If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, [eclipsed by the carnal, unrenewed mind], how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23 KJV).

You are “…to be conformed to the image of his Son…” SO  your LIGHT from within will shine through. (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).  “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). To renew means to restore.

If God’s people are still living an ongoing, entrenching life of sin or impurity, especially after receiving the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT they are NOT choosing to restore their mind. “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

It would have been better if he or she hadn’t known the holy commandments of LIGHT at all. “...For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them…” (2 Peter 2:20-22 KJV).

“… [IF]... after [having] … escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, [you]… are entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb. The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire…” (2 Peter 2:20-22 KJV).

Righteous living is a sign of your RESPECT and HONOR for the presence of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit of LIGHT. “…God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).

“…you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light …” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB)