DIVORCING GOD: THE TRANSFORMATION OF "HIS" COURTSHIP!

DIVORCING GOD: THE  COURTSHIP: 

TRANSFORMATION

“… The Light which … enlightens (or which gives revelation knowledge of god, the holy spirit to)  every ...[REDEEMED]...man (woman)…” (John 1:19 NASB). “.. A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “...And this is life eternal, that they might know [have intimate, revelation knowledge of] thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent...” (John 17:3 KJV). “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind...[through revelation knowledge]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV).   

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God, the Holy Spirit, personally PURSUED “every” REDEEMED person. He also personally CHOOSE each one of them and DREW them to LOVE (himself) and RESTORED them to BACK into a covenant relationship with him.

Next, God, the Holy Spirit begins to WOO them, through COURTSHIP, into a DEEPER intimacy with HIM by revealing himself to them.

The REDEEMED - by accepting his PLAN of SALVATION and willfully choosing to enter into the covenant relationship with HIM again through Jesus Christ –  has already been CHANGED. “Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

The REDEEMED has CHANGED already, but the COURTSHIP with God, the Holy Spirit, will begin to TRANSFORM them as well.

To CHANGE means there is something DIFFERENT about you. To TRANSFORM means that what is DIFFERENT about you has BEGUN to VISIBLY ALTER your appearance and/or your character.

The CHANGE came when the indwelling Holy Spirit took residence in  your heart where the WORD was planted there like a seed within the earth.

YOU CHANGED because the indwelling Holy Spirit, in seed form, was SENT to dwell within your HEART. “…If any man (woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “... The old life is gone...” (2 Corinthians 5:14-18 NLT).

 “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…I  will put a new spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). “…The Lord (JESUS) is that [indwelling] ...Spirit…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

YOU will TRANSFORM because of the indwelling Holy Spirit was planted, within the heart, like a seed and it will start to GROW. “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…The seed that fell on good soil ...  [will]... produce ” (Matthew 13: 18-23 NLT).

When the WORD SEED grows it will PRODUCE spiritual FRUIT that works “IN” and “through” the REDEEMED. “…The seed that fell on good soil ...  [will]... produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted... ” (Matthew 13: 18-23 NLT). "....The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).“…God ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his (the REDEEMED)… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

“…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (TRANSFORMATION)…” (John 3:6 NLT).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…The Lord (the Word, the SEED) is that Spirit (too)…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the Word and the SEED) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…[You] CAN DO all things (TRANSFORM) THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [or EMPOWERS you]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).  

“…the Father that dwelleth in … [you through the SEED], he doeth the works (of TRANSFORMING you)…” (John 14:10 KJV). ^“…God …works in you … TO ACT (TO actually become TRANSFORMED) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “ … God … equip you (with the indwelling Holy Spirit or) with everything good for doing his will (transforming you into the image of Christ) …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [you cannot]... do nothing [you cannot be TRANSFORMED]…” (John 15:5 NIV).

During the COURTSHIP, God, the Holy Spirit, begins to REVEAL himself to you, through Jesus Christ, his WORD.“...Jesus’] name is [also] ... called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “... [THE WORD]... is a light to reveal God to the nations...” (Luke 2:32 NLT). Jesus, the Word is “.. A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “... the light (the word) makes everything visible.. (Ephesians 5:19 NLT).

 “…THE WORDS  ...they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Word was God … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

 Jesus was a specially created human vessel, but the WORDS he SPOKE were SPIRIT. Jesus’ mouth (HUMAN), but God’s WORDS (DIVINE). “… I and my Father are ONE…” (John 10:30 KJV).

JESUS is The WORD of GOD. “…… his name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). The WORD of God is SPIRIT. “…THE WORDS ... they ARE SPIRIT …” (John 6:63 KJV). God is Spirit. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

God is Spirit and Jesus, the Word, is Spirit too. “… I and my Father are ONE…” (John 10:30 KJV). “…THERE ARE THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father (God’s thoughts), the Word,  (God’s words) and the Holy [Spirit] (God’s actions): and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 John 5:6-8 KJV).

God’s WORD expresses his thoughts and empowers “all” his actions. “…Then God SAID, “Let there be light”; AND THERE WAS LIGHT…” (Genesis 1:3 NASB). OR: Then God expressed his thoughts in Words by saying “Let there be light” and THERE WAS LIGHT (Genesis 1:3 paraphrased).

The words, not the human vessel, are SPIRIT. The Word of God is “NOT” human. . “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT …” (John 6:63 KJV). “…God 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).

“… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…the Father , the Word, and the Holy [Spirit]: and THESE THREE ARE ONE.…” (1 John 5:6-8 KJV).“… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

 “…The Light (the Word, the Seed) which … enlightens (or which gives revelation knowledge of god, the holy spirit to)  every ...[REDEEMED]...man (woman)…” (John 1:19 NASB). “... A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB).

The TRANSFORMATION comes when the indwelling Holy Spirit (also the WORD) that took residence in the heart of the redeemed and was planted there - like a seed within the earth - BEGINS to GROW.

During the COURTSHIP, there is something DIFFERENT about the REDEEMED, but it has not become VISIBLY yet.

A PARABLE ABOUT SEEDS: “...A farmer went out to plant some seeds.  As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!  Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand. ”His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?” He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets^[a] of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them. That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them...” (Matthew 13:1-18 NLT).

THE EXPLANATION: “… Now listen to the explanation of the parable about the farmer planting seeds:  The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Matthew 13: 18-23 NLT).

God has a COURTSHIP with all the REDEEMED, but he can only BUILD a covenant relationship with those who truly RECEIVE his LOVE, which is embodied in the SEED.

The SEED grows whenever God talks to the REDEEMED and they LISTEN. “...To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge...For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes— so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them...” (Matthew 13:1-18 NLT).

The REDEEMED listens and MEDITATES on the WORD to activate growth. “... [The REDEEMED] ...delight is in the [Word]... of the LORD, And in His [Word]... he meditates day and night...” (Psalm 1:2 NASB). “...This book of the [Word]... shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success...” (Joshua 1:8 NASB).

“... I will meditate on Your [Word]... And regard Your ways...” (Psalm 119:16 NASB). “...O how I love Your [Word]...! It is my meditation all the day...” (Psalm 119:97 NASB).

The REDEEM listens, meditates, and MATURES the SEED, within them, through the Word. “…The [word] 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).  “…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made,..” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…All things [COME] into being through Him (the WORD of GOD), and apart from [the WORD] nothing [COMES] into being that [WILL] come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

Spending TIME, with God, the Holy Spirit, DURING the COURTSHIP, TRANSFORMS the REDEEMED through a process of revelation knowledge that REVEALS who HE is to them in the covenant relationship.

As God, the Holy Spirit, REVEALS himself, during the COURTSHIP, the REDEEMED’s FAITH in HIM, produced by indwelling Holy Spirit (also the SEED) becomes STRONGER and STRONGER. “…Faith cometh by hearing … THE WORD of God...” (Roman 10:17 KJV).“… [He strengthens you]…according to the POWER that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “… God  … work[s] … in … [you] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…[you are]… strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within YOU through the Holy Spirit or the SEED]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

 Spending TIME, with God, the Holy Spirit, DURING the COURTSHIP, TRANSFORMS the REDEEMED through a process of revelation knowledge that BUILDS TRUST and DEPENDENCY upon who HE is to them in the covenant relationship.

As God, the Holy Spirit, REVEALS himself, during the COURTSHIP, the REDEEMED’s HOLINESS, produced by indwelling Holy Spirit (also the SEED), cleanses them more and more enabling to WALK in their FREEDOM from sin. “… I AM HOLY (free & sin apart from sin)…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).“…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “...[Jesus] ... gave up his life for  [the redeemed to make them] ... holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s Word (Jesus)...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “... One of the soldiers with a spear pierced [Jesus’]... side, and forthwith came there out blood (spiritual life) and water (cleansing Holy Spirit). …” (John 19:31-37 KJV). “...If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free (from sin), you SHALL be free (from sin) indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).

“…I can do ALL THINGS through Christ (the Word of God) which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). .“…it is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit or the SEED) which worketh in [me]… both to will (to WANT to be holy) and to do (to actually BE holy)...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “….Apart from Me (Jesus, the Word, the SEED), you can do nothing (you cannot be HOLY)…” (John 15:5 NIV).

For instance, during the COURTSHIP, the REDEEMED willfully start to trust in God and to depend upon his indwelling Holy Spirit (Seed). They voluntarily cooperate with or follow his instructions about HOW to live FREE from SIN. HE TELLS the REDEEMED through HIS WORD: “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Otherwise, “….you [will become] ... slaves of the one you obey (follow)…” (Romans 6:16 NIV). “…The sinful nature is always hostile to God (therefore, the old mindset, affected by the sinful nature, is also hostile to God). It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature (through the old mindset) can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “… (Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the [indwelling Holy] ... Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God (reunited with God, the Holy Spirit). The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do (through the dictates of your old mindset) what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit (the indwelling Holy Spirit) you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…The sinful nature is always hostile to God . …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“..[The sinful nature]... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“...those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“...you (my redeemed ones) are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… (Christ lives within you)... The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“… The [indwelling Holy] ... Spirit gives you (the REDEEMED) life because you have been made right with God (reunited with God, the Holy Spirit). …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit (the indwelling Holy Spirit or SEED) you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) are children of God…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by (the old mindset which is affected and polluted by) SIN? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (the indwelling Holy Spirit or the SEED)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… Jesus (the WORD of GOD) …came and SPAKE, unto them saying, “All POWER is given unto me (the word) IN heaven and earth…” (Matthew 28:18 KJV). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (through the WORD)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…If the Son (the word) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed (without a doubt!!)…” (John 8:36 KJV).

“...Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever....”  (1 Peter 1:23 KJV).

Spending TIME, with God, the Holy Spirit, DURING the COURTSHIP, TRANSFORMS the REDEEMED through a process of revelation knowledge that BUILDS their TRUST in and DEPENDENCY upon who HE is, to them, in the covenant relationship. It also EMPOWERS them to willfully and voluntarily cooperate with or follow his instructions.

As God, the Holy Spirit, REVEALS himself, during the COURTSHIP, the REDEEMED concedes to entrust themselves to HIS LOVE, his GRACE, his GUIDANCE, and his indwelling Holy Spirit, the incorruptible SEED that ALWAYS, without fail, works for them.

During a human COURTSHIP, a couple working on building a relationship, with one another, will have a chance to witness the condition of each other’s hearts and determine if the love between is REAL or SUPERFICIAL.

In the STORY of the parable, the SEED is the Word. A SEED is something that is planted and has the CAPABILITY to GROW and DEVELOP. The GROUND must RECEIVE the SEED that is PLANTED. When the GROUND receives the SEED, with the PROPER care, what it PRODUCES will  soon become VISIBLY.

During the spiritual COURTSHIP, God, the Holy Spirit, God is LOOKING at the HEART of the REDEEMED. He DESIRES a SINCERE covenant relationship with HIS PEOPLE. “...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). God zooms in on the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

During the COURTSHIP, with the REDEEMED, God clearly SEES the hardened heart, the unrepentant heart, and the heart filled with worldly priorities. The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

In order to move on to the ENGAGEMENT phase of the covenant relationship, God, the Holy Spirit, is looking for the willing heart that chooses to listen to his word, to understand it, and receive it.

A true COURTSHIP, between God and the REDEEMED, means a man or woman has RECEIVED God’s WORD and it is IMPLANTED within their HEARTS. “…[Choose to]…receive the word implanted, which is able to SAVE YOUR SOULS….” (James 1:21 NASB).

When the word is IMPLANTED, that REDEEMED man or woman “will” represent a true COURTSHIP between themselves and God, the Holy Spirit. The REDEEMED will START to “….WORK OUT [their]… own salvation …” empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit...” (Philippians 2:12 KJV).  

They will begin to:  “…[willfully choose to put]… aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness….” (James 1:21 NASB).

 They will “…[choose to] …throw off [their]... old sinful nature and [their]... former way of life…” (Ephesians 4:22 NIV). “…[They will] ... [choose to]…put off falsehood and speak truthfully to [their] neighbor…” (Ephesians 4:25 NLT).  “….[They will choose to]…let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from [them], with all malice…” (Ephesians 4:31 KJV).

“….[The redeemed will]... also [choose to]…put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of [their]...mouth….” (Colossians 3:8  KJV).

“… [And they will choose to lay] … aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings…” (1 Peter 2:1 KJV).

Why will the REDEEMED make these kind of TRANSFORMATIONS. Because they have FALLEN in love with God, the Holy Spirit. “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind…” (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV). “…‘We’ve given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

The REDEEMED want to ABIDE with him, follow him, be like his word (Jesus), and desire nothing upon earth more than HIM. “…Abide in Me, and I in you…” (John 15:4-6 NASB). “…If you love me, you will keep my commandments…” (John 14:15). “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth..” (Psalm 73:25 NASB)

HOW? “… [The body of the REDEEMED becomes]... the temple of the Holy Ghost (the SEED) which is in [them]…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “ …The Spirit of God (the SEED) dwelleth in [the REDEEMED]…” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a NEW creature …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… All things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).    “…[The REDEEMED]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

During the COURTSHIP, when the REDEEMED chooses to trust, depend upon, and cooperate with God, the Holy Spirit, it is time to take the covenant relationship to the NEXT level.“…Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart...”(Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “...I will betroth you to Me forever’...” (Hosea 2:14-23 NLT).