YOU ARE MADE IN "HIS" IMAGE; HE IS "NOT" MADE IN YOURS!

 THESE THREE – THE FATHER, THE WORD, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT – AND THEY ARE “ONE.” (PART 2)

“…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and THESE THREE ARE ONE  “…THERE IS NO GOD, BUT ONE…” (1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV).

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God distinctly SAYS that the DIVINE nature is “NOT” human. The DIVINE NATURE is NOTHING like SINFUL NATURE. “…God (the holy spirit) is not human “…God is Spirit …Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV & John 4:24 KJV).

Mankind uses TITLES and LABELS to understand God and conform the DIVINE NATURE into an image familiar to themselves, but he is NOTHING like SINFUL NATURE. “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine … my ways are higher  … my thoughts higher…” (Isaiah 55:5-9 NLT).

Mankind did NOT create God. God CREATED mankind and they were originally CREATED in the IMAGE of the DIVINE NATURE which is HOLY! “….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..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 (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

God sent JESUS, THE HOLY WORD, to RESTORE mankind BACK to WHOLENESS, which MUST include the DIVINE NATURE. “… I said, “O Lord, be gracious to me; Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You...” (Psalms 41:4 NASB). “… I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 30:17 NASB).

God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD (the WORD of God) is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “….He (the WORD OF GOD) restoreth my soul….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…I (God, the holy spirit) will restore…” (Jeremiah 30:17 KJV).  God is a “…restorer of thy life…” (Ruth 4:15 KJV). “…the Holy Spirit gives birth to (or restores) SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (RESTORES)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

It is important to NOTE God DOES INTRODUCE the DIVINE NATURE using human characteristics. In addition, the DIVINE NATURE has NO human limitations. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…. [Yet], YOU THOUGHT  I, (God, the HOLY SPIRIT) was EXACTLY like you….” (Psalms 50:21 NIV).

God is NOT like HUMANS. HUMANS were CREATED in the image of the DIVINE NATURE “not” the other way around. “….let us make man in “our” image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his “own” image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God …breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).

God introduces the DIVINE NATURE as SPIRIT when he SAID: “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

God, the SPIRIT, exhibits HOLY, SOVEREIGN THOUGHTS/WORDS, SOVEREIGN ACTIONS/divine will, SOVEREIGN WISDOM/intellect, and SOVEREIGN PASSIONS/emotions. “…… I am God, and there is NONE like me…" (Isaiah 46:9-10 KJV).  ). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).    “… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “There is none HOLY as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).   

Humans exhibit SINFUL minds/thoughts/words, SINFUL actions/human will, SINFUL intellect/wisdom, and SINFUL passions/emotions. “…The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin … I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… We know … that the whole world lies under the power  (BONDAGE, DICTATORSHIP) of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

God is naturally SPIRIT and humans are naturally SINFUL. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…I am all too human, a slave to sin.. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

God, the SPIRIT could NOT communicate with SINFUL man; nor could God, the Spirit, have a relationship with SINFUL man. Thus, the Holy Spirit separated from man. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… [SINFUL mankind’s] … iniquities …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

God, the Spirit and SINFUL mankind are SO DIFFERENT there is a CHASM between THEM. “…between us (the spiritual world) and you  (the natural world) [there is] a great chasm (barrier) [that] has been set in place…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

God’s HOLY passion against the SIN that separates the relationship between God, the SPIRIT and SINFUL mankind is EVIDENT throughout scripture.“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… [Their] … iniquities …separated [them]… from God… “… you … FORGOT ME….” (Isaiah 59:2 & Hosea 13:6 NLT). “… [and] for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).  “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).   “… MUCH GOOD … [was destroyed]…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).“… [Their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…and SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

Mankind was “…separated from the [HOLY] LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the [Holy] SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). Before you are SAVED and RESTORED, “…YOU… [are] DEAD in your … sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). “…YOU [are] dead in your sins and ... [IT IS]…God [the Holy Spirit] [that MAKES] you ALIVE [through] Christ (the WORD OF GOD).  [God, the Holy Spirit forgives and cleanses you from]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God, the HOLY SPIRIT, makes “… [you]… ALIVE! … [You]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were]…. DEAD and [you have been MADE]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

 “….YOU (the SINFUL nature YOU) USED TO LIVE in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying (dominated by) the devil—the commander of the [sinful] powers (influences) in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God (or follow his instructions and guidelines). All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations (effects) of our sinful nature. ….just like everyone else…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

God is SPIRIT. God is a SPIRITUAL being or existence. God, the SPIRIT is TOTALLY separated and SET APART from SIN and SINFUL mankind.  THE SPIRIT CAN’T – not by CHOICE- MIX or FELLOWSHIP with SIN at ALL!!

 “…what fellowship  (COMMON GROUND) hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion  (COMMON GROUND) hath light with darkness? And what concord (COMMON GROUND) hath Christ with Belial? Or what part (COMMON GROUND) hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

Even though, God, the SPIRIT can be described using human characteristics IF it helps you to understand the DIVINE NATURE better, remember MOST of the time THOSE descriptions LIMIT who GOD really is! “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…. [Yet], YOU THOUGHt i, (God, the HOLY SPIRIT) was EXACTLY like you….” (Psalms 50:21 NIV).

The bottom line is that God, the SPIRIT wanted to communicate DIVINE LOVE to mankind by expressing HOLY thoughts, HOLY words, and HOLY actions to YOU. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son, [in order to express DIVINE LOVE] 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).  “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).). “…not that we loved God, but that [god] loved us...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…herein is love, not that we loved God, but that [God] loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).   “…There is no greater LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT).

Using the term “HE” to describe God, the SPIRIT, does not LIMIT God to gender, but is ONLY used, here in this book and often other places, as what is called an anthropomorphism, which means it is only used to help communicate, explain, or understand who God, the SPIRIT is better.

However, to avoid LIMITING God to the anthropomorphism “HE” it is important to KEEP in mind that mankind (male & female) is MADE in God’s image and NOT the other way around.“….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).

The IMAGE of God, the SPIRIT would NOT contain ANY human characteristics. Thus the IMAGE has to REFER to SPIRIT ONLY! “…“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…And the LORD God …breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (the SPIRIT image) and man became a living (existing) soul…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “…by the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV). 

God, however, REVEALS, the DIVINE NATURE through HUMANS. “…[God] the HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each …[SAVED human] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).  

God, the SPIRIT, sent JESUS in HUMAN form, or a HUMAN vessel to SPEAK the HOLY WORD and CONFIRM it through POWERFUL demonstrations. “…God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).

“…The Spirit of the Lord [was].. upon [Jesus], because he hath anointed [him]… to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent [him]… to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).

Another reason “HE” may be preferred as an anthropomorphism is because the scriptures and Jesus both addressed God as “FATHER.” "I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY … no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” (John 14 6 KJV). The bible says, “…that they may ALL BE ONE; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may BE IN US, so that the world may believe that You sent Me…” (John 17:21-23 NASB).

We understand FATHER in human terms as a masculine term that refers to a human male presence.

However, God, the SPIRIT, as FATHER takes on a spiritual meaning which refers to a deep, intimately intrinsic Caregiver who is a DIVINE presence.

ALL DIVINE ACTIONS are meant to express DIVINE LOVE and reveal the DIVINE NATURE as YOUR God, the HOLY SPIRIT.“….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God (the god who is love)…” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…[God is ALSO]…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

There is always an ongoing, theological DEBATE over the GENDER of God, but the IMPORTANT objective is the DIVINE NATURE. Regardless of the anthropomorphism, such as “HE,” that is often used, God, the Holy Spirit SHOULD “NOT” be LIMITED to human, male gender, characteristics. God is HOLY and so are the DIVINE thoughts, words, and actions, which REVEAL WHO GOD TRULY IS at the CORE (HOLY)! “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  “… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever,…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am  the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I, the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).   “...The lord is GOOD…” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…  I, the Lord, am your healer…” (Exodus 15:26). “… I (my thoughts) AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “… I (my words) AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  “… I (my actions) AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).

God, the HOLY SPIRIT desires for you to know the DIVINE NATURE , because God LOVES YOU!  “…God … …[really LOVES you] …  and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for [y]our sins…” (1 John 4:10 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…This is REAL LOVE—NOT that we loved God…” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “…THIS IS LOVE: NOT that we loved God, but that he… [really]… loved us …” (1 John 4:10 NIV). “…THIS IS LOVE: NOT that we loved God, but that he …[really] … loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 4:10 NIV).

God, the HOLY SPIRIT desires for you to know the DIVINE POWER through the DIVINE ACTIONS, also because God LOVES YOU!  “…I’ve also done it… so you will know that I am the Lord (the holy spirit)…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “….I the LORD (the word)am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer…” (Isaiah 49:26 KJV). “… [He has CONFIRMED his WORD or] done [CERTAIN MIRACLES] … so you will know that [He is] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold …[YOUR SAVIOR].…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

God, the Holy Spirit, CONFIRMS the DIVINE NATURE through the WORD and the ACTIONS, which demonstrates God “IS” the SOURCE that brings EVERYTHING into EXISTENCE. “…  THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE WAS FORMED at God’s [WORD & powerful ACTIONS] …” (Hebrews 11:3 NLT).“… what we now SEE (ALL EXISTENCE) did not come from anything that can be SEEN (but by the WORD & WORK of the “INVISIBLE” Holy Spirit)…” (Hebrews 11:3 NLT). “….Then you will know that [he is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold…[YOUR SAVIOR]…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

God, the Holy Spirit, starts WORKING, EVERY single time the WORD of God (unspoken and spoken) is HEARD “SPEAKING.”

Thus, God, the Holy Spirit, WORKS in TOTAL covenant agreement with God’s WORD (spoken or unspoken). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). God is HOLY. “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

Therefore, “…All things came into being through Him (God, the WORD & God, the Holy Spirit), and apart from Him (God, the Word & God, the Holy Spirit) nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).“…BY THE WORD  (also God, the HOLY SPIRIT) of the Lord [ALL THINGS CAME or WILL COME INTO BEING]…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

 “… BY FAITH  (by depending upon God, the Spirit) we understand that …what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen (the WORD & God, the HOLY SPIRIT).” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…In the beginning God created  (through God, the WORD & God, the HOLY SPIRIT) the heaven and the earth …” (Genesis 1:1, 31 KJV).

God is SPIRIT and “WORKS” through human flesh, but is NOT human. “…God (the holy spirit) is not human “…God is Spirit …Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV & John 4:24 KJV) “…Not one of all the LORD's good promises … failed; every one was fulfilled (by the work of the holy spirit)…” (Joshua 21:45 NIV). “…My counsel (WORD)… SHALL stand, and I will do  (through the WORK of the Holy Spirit) all my pleasure…” (Isaiah 46:10 KJV).

God’s DIVINE WORDS (unspoken and spoken) became DIVINE ACTIONS. “…. All things came into being through Him (his THOUGHTS, WORD, & ACTIONS), and apart from Him (God’s THOUGHTS, WORD, & ACTIONS) nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “…these three agree (thoughts, word, & actions) in one (god, the holy Spirit)…” (1 John 5:8 KJV).

As we said before, when the THOUGHTS of God, the WORD of God, and the ACTIONS of God are in AGREEMENT “all things” come into being through the POWER of God, the SPIRIT. “…these three agree (thoughts, word, & actions) in one (god, the holy Spirit)…” (1 John 5:8 KJV).

REALITY, EXISTENCE, BEING, or CREATION all begin with God, the WORD (unspoken and spoken), and are CONFIRMED through God, the SPIRIT. “…these three agree (thoughts, word, & actions) in one (god, the holy Spirit)…” (1 John 5:8 KJV).

The BLESSING of “THIS” truth is that God, the HOLY SPIRIT works “IN” and “THROUGH” human vessels CONFIRMING his WORD by REVOLUTIONIZING and TRANSFORMING their ENTIRE lives“…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).

 “…It is God [the holy spirit] who works in you…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…God [the Holy Spirit] of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep… work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ (God, the word)…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The God [the Holy Spirit] of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s] you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God, the Holy Spirit] grant[s]… [true believers]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit (his indwelling holy spirit) in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…God [the indwelling Holy Spirit] … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his …[God, the] HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“… Jesus saith unto him …I am (Jesus, the Word of God) in the Father (God, the HOLY SPIRIT), and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

You can trust, God, the HOLY SPIRIT’s, WORDS and ACTIONS with all your heart! “… my word … that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish  (by the actions of the holy spirit) that which I please, and it shall prosper (by the actions of the holy spirit) in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

Thus, “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into [the human]… heart … the things which God hath prepared for [those who depend upon the WORD & the ACTIONS of God, the Holy Spirit]....” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV). “…he  (god, the holy spirit) doeth the works (actions)…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“… [God, the Holy Spirit] is able TO DO (through the POWER of DIVINE ACTIONS) exceeding abundantly ABOVE all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “…he (god, the holy spirit) doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

WHO IS GOD, THE SPIRIT? “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “ ... All things came into being (existence) through  [God, the Holy Spirit]…” (John 1:3 NASB).   “…I am the Lord (god, the thoughts, words, and actions) [and the]… God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

THEREFORE, “…Trust in (depend upon) the Lord (the word of god) with all thine heart … In all thy ways acknowledge him (the Word of God), and he (the Word of God) shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…The LORD (the Word of God) will accomplish (through the ACTIONS of the POWERFUL Holy Spirit)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB).

God, the Holy Spirit, without a DOUBT, CONFIRMS his DIVINE nature and DIVINE POWER through his DIVINE ACTIONS! “…so you will know that [HE “IS”] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Then you will know that [he is] the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

“…[God]…the invisible [Holy Spirit]…from the creation of the world is …clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made  (by the ACTIONS of the POWERFUL HOLY SPIRIT]…” (Romans 1:20 KJV). “…What we now SEE did not come from anything that can be SEEN (the actions of the Powerful holy spirit)…” (Hebrews 11 NLT). “…he (god, the holy spirit) doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…I am (the WORD of God) in the Father (God, the Holy Spirit), and the Father (God, the Holy Spirit) in me (the Word of God)…. the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father (God, the Holy Spirit) that dwelleth in me (The Word of God), he doeth the works [through the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT]…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…The Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost …THESE THREE ARE ONE  …” (1 John 5:7 KJV). “… these three agree in one…” (1 John 5:8 KJV). “....Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3 KJV).

“…If two (words & actions) of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven…” (Matthew 18:19 KJV). “…he (god, the holy spirit) doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).