INDWELLING SPIRIT: THE TWO-PARTY COVENANT
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“… He that is joined unto the
Lord is ONE Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).
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Companionship and
relationship is SO
important to God; God NEVER
leaves his children, male or female, ALONE! “…God has said “Never will
I leave you ( in PRESENCE or Spiritually); never will I
forsake (EMOTIONALLY) you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20
NIV). “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “… The LORD thy
God …will not fail (leave) thee, nor forsake thee…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV). “…Behold,
I am with … [you]
and will keep … [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
The relationship with
God reflects one of a two-party covenant where sharing and mutual cooperation
is regularly encouraged. “…God is
faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
(two-party covenant relationship) … [with]…
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord …”
(1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
In the two-party covenant
one party SUBMITS to whoever is recognized as the HEAD or authority in the
relationship. “…the HEAD
of EVERY
man (believer) is Christ ...”
(1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV). “…Christ is the
HEAD
of the church (believers)…” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV).
In the two-party covenant
relationship between God, the indwelling Spirit and the believer; God is the
HEAD. “…the
HEAD of EVERY
man (believer) is Christ ...”
(1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV).
God is the HOLY Head of the two-party covenant
relationship and will lovingly requests mutual holiness from his companion (believer).
“…be holy, because I am holy…”
(1 Peter 1:16 KJV). And he will request; “...be…
imitators of [Jesus]…”
(Hebrews
12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV).
This mutual holiness is
“foundational” for sustaining, and maintaining the covenant relational
connection.
“…I AM THE VINE AND YE ARE THE BRANCHES…”
(JOHN 15:1, 5 NIV). “…Abide in Me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB). “…Apart from Me you can do nothing…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
God demonstrates in
this two-party covenant relationship, with the believer, that he respects their
created, God-given individuality, but encourages ongoing, submission, sacrifice,
and voluntary cooperation for the benefit of the continual covenant relational connection. “…Choose
LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19
KJV). “…Jesus said… I am the
LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV).
In the relationship
with God, the believer is ALWAYS connected and identified as part of a two-party
covenant relationship based on the ONE SPIRIT UNION with the indwelling Holy
Spirit. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…[with
Jesus and the Father] …” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
The believer is UNITED to a two-party covenant
relationship with the Lord through the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…He that is joined
unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…”
(1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
The believer NOW SHARES in God’s Spiritual
LIFE, goals, and purposes instead of their OWN. “…It is
God which worketh IN YOU
both to will and to do …” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
The focus is NO LONGER on self, but what’s
best for the two-party covenant relationship and respect for the HEADship. “…Christ is the
HEAD…” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV). “… Not My will, but Yours be done…"
(Luke 22:42-43 NIV). “…‘[I’ve]… given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).
There are THREE absolute, immutable WAYS
in which God, the HEAD, bonds, connects, and sustains the two-party covenant relationship
with the believer … FOREVER. : “… [I will] … never leave nor forsake you…”
(Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
1.
God BONDS,
the believer, to the two-party covenant relationship with him through immutable
LOVE. “…love,
which is the perfect BOND of
unity...”
(Colossians 3:14 NASB). “….[Nothing]…shall
be able to separate [you]… from the love of God which is “in” Christ Jesus our Lord…”
(Romans 8:38-39 KJV). “….the…faithful
love of the Lord, never ends...!”(Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT).
2.
God CONNECTS,
the believer, to the two-party covenant relationship with him through his
immutable INDWELLING SPIRIT.“…He
that is joined (connected) unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…Christ [is]…in
you
…” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
3.
God SUSTAINS,
the believer, within the two-party covenant relationship with him through his immutable
AMAZING GRACES. “…God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV). “…My GRACE is sufficient for thee: for my strength is
made perfect in weakness...” (2
Corinthians 12:9 KJV). “...Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of GRACE
… and find GRACE to help in time of
need…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
In the two-party covenant relationship,
God ALWAYS
behaves with GRACE, MERCY, HONOR, and everlasting LOVE toward the believer. “…Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
God is the HEAD or authority and as a demonstration
of HIS absolute commitment to the covenant relationship his TRUSTING behavior
is consistent. “…I
am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “
In the two-party covenant
relationship with God, the believer is NEVER left ALONE to face life by themselves.
“…I am with you always, to the very end…"(Matthew
28:20 NIV). God will “…never
leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
Believers have God to
SHARE ideas, defeats, victories, heartbreak, delights, belief, doubts, strengths,
weaknesses, and regular days with. The bible says “…Two are better than one because they have a good
return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. …”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB). “…I AM WITH… [YOU] and …I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
In the two-party covenant
relationship between God and the believer, personal freedom is NEVER
compromised. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing:
therefore…[you]… choose life…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
The believer REMAINS
free to CHOOSE the relationship with God or NOT - without judgment,
condemnation, or shame. “…There is now no condemnation for those who are
in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV). “…There is no judgment against anyone who believes in
him. ….” (John 3:18 NLT). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
The believer’s level of
cooperation and commitment to the covenant relationship is by CHOICE only. “…Choose you
this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
However, “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
In spite of the
benefits and limitations of individualistic and collective societies; the
two-party covenant community with God embodies the positive parts of both
individualism (autonomy of self or choice) and collectivism (dependence on a group
or cooperation).
The two-party covenant relationship
with God was meant to reflect a mutual, voluntary, loving interdependence and yet
respect the believer’s individual rights to choose their OWN way. . “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV). YET, “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
The believer often
selfishly EXPLOITS his or her individualism and does what he or she PLEASES and
CHOOSES without regard to God. “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will
these people treat me (The Head) with contempt (disrespect)?”
(Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…My people would not listen to me
(The HEAD). They kept doing whatever they
wanted, following the stubborn desires
of their evil hearts (autonomy of self or own choices)…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God NEVER changes his
position in the two-party covenant relationship. “…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). “…he remains faithful…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
The believer, however, can
CHOOSE, at liberty, what position he or she wants to take; even if it hurts God’s
heart, is completely unfair, creates conflict, or separation in the two-party covenant
relationship. “…The people replied …We will
continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires
(autonomy of self or own choices)…”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
In the two-party covenant
relationship with God, believers are heavily impacted by the ideology or
influence of individualism (especially in the WEST). “…The people replied …We will continue to live as we
want to
(autonomy of self or own choices)…”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
Heavily autonomous
people usually have a hard time cooperating, sacrificing, submitting, or
humbling themselves to the HEADSHIP of the two-party covenant relationship. “…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). “…We
will continue to
live as we want to … following our own evil
desires …” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…”
(Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
In the two-party covenant
relationship with God the believer DOES NOT
lose his or her personal freedoms to make their OWN choices. “… I have set before you
life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
The two-party covenant relationship
is God’s idea and he says in his Word: “…Two are better than one …”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB).
The two-party covenant relationship
with God provides for and is a set-up for an abundant LIFE for the believer. “…That
they might have life … more
abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).
The believer ENJOYS safety,
a refuge, a protector, more than enough provisions, stability, a Savior, a
healthy environment, the riches of God’s glory, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
“…God is the one
who provides
…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13
KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians
4:19 NASB). “…I am come that THEY MIGHT have life, and
that THEY MIGHT have it more abundantly…”
(John 10:10 KJV).
The two-party covenant relationship
with God elevates the believer’s life and existence by filling them with his
benevolent kindnesses. “…How great is [God’s benevolent kindness],
which [He lays] up for them that fear [Him]… [or] for them that take refuge in
[Him]…” (Psalm 31:19-20 KJV). “….He is good [deeply caring]... “ALL”
the time (1 Chronicles 16:34, Ezra 3:11, and Psalm 107). “...Casting all your care upon
him; for he careth for you…” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).
The two-party relationship
with God supports the believer and makes him or her functional, healthy,
balanced, and wholesome over time. “…May God himself, the God who makes
everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—The One who called
you is completely dependable. If he
said it, he’ll do it!”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…He was beaten so we could be WHOLE. He was whipped so we could be HEALED…” (Isaiah 53:5 NLT). “….Jesus Christ maketh thee WHOLE…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).
God enables them to
grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord while making them stronger,
happier, and productive. “…That
great Shepherd of the sheep,
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).
The two-party covenant relationship
with God enables the believer to experience overall well-being. “… [God] … grant[s]… you, according to the
riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians
3:16 KJV).
The two-party relationship
with God makes the believer want to share their well-being with others. They
will desire to offer equal access God, to others, by leading them to the
covenant relationship too. “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to “SHARE” WITH OTHERS…”
(2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
In the two-party covenant
relationship God HIGHLY demonstrates how the well-being of BOTH parties is better
than the well-being of just one of the parties. “…Two
are better than one … if two
lie down together they keep warm, but how can
one be warm alone? …”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB).
Team effort promotes
the ideology that a mutual cooperation accomplishes a double-fold success when
there is more than one individual doing the task. “…God …works in you TO WILL and TO ACT in order to fulfill his good purpose…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “….apart from Me (JESUS), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…I can do
ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Individualism is needed
in a two-party community with God too, especially when it activates the personal,
voluntary, commitment of the believer, which serves to prove his or her CHOICE
to abide with God. “Jesus
saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
(John 14:6 KJV). “…choose LIFE…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Abide in Me…”
(John 15:4-6 NASB).
In the two-party covenant
relationship, God’s SOLE focus is to LOVE the believer. “… Herein is love, 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 demonstrated his
unselfish LOVE for the believer by sending his Son. “…God
SO LOVED the world that HE GAVE HIS “ONLY” BEGOTTEN SON…” (John 3:16 KJV). “…Herein is love...”
(1 John 4:10 KJV). “…THIS IS LOVE …[HE]…SENT HIS SON ...” (1 John 4:10 NIV).
The two-party covenant relationship
is NOT about selfishness at all, but about the UNSELISH love God has for LOST
sinners. “…THIS IS LOVE …[HE]…SENT HIS SON AS AN ATONING “SACRIFICE” FOR OUR SINS….” (1
John 4:10 NIV). “…Christ also died
for sins ONCE FOR ALL, THE
JUST FOR THE UNJUST…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…GOD SHOWED HIS GREAT [SACRIFICAL]…LOVE for us
by SENDING CHRIST TO DIE FOR US WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT).
Through the two-party covenant
relationship God VOWS or PROMISES to NEVER leave them ALONE. “…God has said “NEVER will I leave you (physically); NEVER will I forsake you (emotionally)…”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
In
the beginning, God decided it is
NOT good for man to be ALONE. “…It is not good that
the man should be alone…”
(Genesis 2:18 KJV). Evidently,
it is NOT good for woman to be alone either since she became God’s CHOICE of
companionship. “…I(GOD)
will make …a helpmeet for
him (YOU)”…” (Genesis 2:18 KJV).
God says to his
companions (believers); “…I am with you always, to the very end of the age…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
In the beginning, God
created a two-party covenant relationship between a male and female. “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female
created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….let
us make man in our image, after our likeness…”
(Genesis 1:26 KJV). “.. For this reason a man shall leave his father
and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh…” (Genesis 2:24 NASB).
The two-party covenant
relationship with Adam and Eve was LIKE – the SPIRITUAL two-party, covenant
relationship he had with EACH of them. “…..God
created man in his own image…..male and
female
created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….after our likeness…”
(Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Every SAVED person is God
“IN” a two-party covenant relationship
with God. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
He is FOREVER “BONDED” to you by his
PLEDGE of LOVE. “…love,
which is the perfect BOND of
unity...”
(Colossians 3:14 NASB).
He is FOREVER “CONNECTED”
to you by his PLEDGE of indwelling SPIRIT. “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
He
is FOREVER “SUSTAINING” you by his PLEDGE of AMAZING GRACE. “…God
is able to make all GRACE abound
toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
He is FOREVER “PROVING” his PRESENCE with
you by his PLEDGE of FRUIT BEARING in YOUR LIFE!! “…He who ABIDES in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit … ” (John
15:1-11 NASB). "…My
Father is glorified by this, that “YOU” bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My
disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
“…Ye shall know [those
in the two-party covenant relationship with God]… 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). “…Apart
from [the two-party
covenant relationship with God, you] can do nothing….” (John 15:5 KJV).
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