THE GOD IMAGE:
“….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 (HIS Spirit
or His IMAGE); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
“….let us make man in our image,
after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
“…God
is not human (he is not a body, he is not a
self, or the flesh, or a soul)…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…”
(John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you (and dwelt in Adam
and Eve)…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“…abide
in me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4 KJV).
*
When God(SPIRIT) is reunited with the soul
it means that God is WITH you.
He is with his people. The bible says he
is “WITH US,” which means God will be an active participant or presence in your
life.
You are “IN” his presence and his presence
is also “within” you. “… His name Immanuel,”
which translated means, “God with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). The
bible says Immanuel
means GOD is with you. “…Behold, I AM WITH…
[YOU] and
… I WILL NOT
LEAVE [YOU] …."
(Genesis 28:15 ASV).
Jesus says: “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"
(Matthew 28:20 NIV). “…God
has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
How is Immanuel WITH
YOU? “…Christ in you (SPIRIT) …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the
SPIRIT of God dwell[s] in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
“… “God ...[is]...with us
(YOU)…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB).
Obviously, an intimate,
covenant relationship is important to God; God NEVER
leaves his children, male or female, ALONE! “… His name Immanuel,”
which translated means, “God with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB).
“…God has
said “Never will I leave you (without my PRESENCE); never will I
forsake 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).
This
is God’s commitment and loyalty to you. “…[Immanuel] … is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (covenant
relationship) … [with]… his Son Jesus Christ our Lord …” (1
Corinthians 1:9 KJV).
Immanuel
is
WITH YOU and takes FULL responsibility of HEADSHIP or AUTHORITY in the
relationship. “…the
HEAD of EVERY
man (woman) (believer) is Christ ...”
(1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV). “…Christ is the
HEAD
of the church (believers)…” (Ephesians 5:23 KJV).
Immanuel
is
WITH YOU and as HEAD he establishes a foundation for the covenant relationship. “…be
holy, because I am holy…”
(1 Peter 1:16 KJV). He will lead the way. “...be
… imitators of [Jesus]…”
(Hebrews
12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV).
God encourages you to
stick with him and trust him as HEAD. “…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 is WITH YOU by
choice and he wants you to be WITH HIM by choice. “…“God with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…Choose (spiritual) LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Jesus said… I am the (spiritual) LIFE…..”
(John 11:25 KJV).
“…“God with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). God commits himself to you through the ONE
SPIRIT UNION. “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…[with
God, the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, again] …” (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).
There are THREE absolute, immutable WAYS
in which God PROMISES to be WITH YOUFOREVER. “…“God with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). “… [I
will] … never leave
nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
1.
God BONDS
to the believer 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
to the believer 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 relationship with the believer through his immutable AMAZING GRACES. “…In him
(Jesus) ALL THINGS (the covenant relationship) …hold together…”
(Colossians 1:7 NIV). “… [Jesus is]…sustaining ALL
THINGS (the covenant relationship)… by his powerful
word…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “….Apart from Me (Jehovah Immanuel), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). “…God is able to make all GRACE
abound toward you; that ye,
always having
all sufficiency in all things…” (2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV).
God’s
LOVE never alters. God’s ATTACHMENT never loosens. God’s GRACES never cease. “…God...[is]... with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…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).
No matter what YOU do; He will NEVER leave
YOU alone. .“…God
with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…If we are unfaithful, he remains
faithful, for he cannot deny
who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
“… The … FAITHFUL
love of the Lord, [for you], NEVER ENDS...!”(Lamentations
3:22-23 NLT). “…I am with you always,
to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
“…God
with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). God
will BE there to SHARE every challenge, defeat, victory, heartbreak, delight,
belief, doubt, strength, weakness, and routine days; whether you acknowledge
him or not. God will “…never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
God
knows and has said: “…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).
Therefore, “…I
AM WITH… [YOU] and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). Though God is WITH YOU
always; your 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 to STAY in the covenant relationship with God or LEAVE - 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
commitment to the covenant relationship is ALWAYS by CHOICE just like God’s
commitment is by choice. “…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).
“…God...[is]...with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB).
Every biblical promise is God’s commitment
to you; not necessarily YOUR commitment to him. STAYING in the covenant
relationship with God is a CHOICE. “…Choose
you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
God lovingly respects
the believer’s right to choose their OWN way. “…God..[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…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 EXERCISES his or her human will and does whatever he or she PLEASES. “…Choose you
this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
The believer also
CHOOSES his or her OWN way, often, without regard to God’s PRESENCE. “…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will
these people treat me (my PRESENCE) with contempt (disrespect)?”
(Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…My people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they wanted, following
the stubborn desires of their evil hearts (own agendas)…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
Regardless of what you
do, God NEVER changes his position. “…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…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).
God has ENDURED the unfaithfulness and
abandonment of his people for years!! Biblical history informs
us that God’s people repeatedly abandoned him and the covenant relationship. “…They ABANDONED ME
and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…The Lord
replies, “This has happened because my people have ABANDONED MY INSTRUCTIONS; they have refused to obey what I said….”
(JEREMIAH 9:13 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they
turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). “…he remains faithful…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
Thus, the modern-day
believer CHOOSES, at liberty, what commitment he or she wants to take in the
relationship with God through Christ. “…The people replied …We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires (own
evil choices)…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…They …
[too abandon] … the Lord… [and]
… turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). YET,
“…he remains faithful…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT).
God’s people are
CHOOSING their OWN way to this very day. “…The people replied …We will continue to live as we want to (we will continue to choose
and go our own way)…”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
Believers are CHOOSING
to follow after the ways of the world and are becoming spiritually weakened. “…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).
God is WITH THEM
through Jesus Christ and REMAINS faithful.
God’s people DO NOT lose their
personal freedom, through human will, 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 covenant
relationship is God’s idea and he says in his Word: “…Two
are better than one
…” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB).
“IN” the covenant
relationship, God provides for his people and has set them up to have an
abundant LIFE. “…That they might have life … more
abundantly…” (John 10:10 KJV).
However, his people
CHOOSE to ENJOY abundant life, safety, refuge, protection, more than enough
provisions, stability, the Savior, a healthy environment, the riches of God’s
glory, or 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).
ONLY within the
covenant relationship with God is the believer’s life elevated and filled 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 [and 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). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….”
(Joshua 24:15 KJV).
ONLY within the
covenant relationship with God are God’s people supported. Being “in” the
covenant relationship with God through Christ, they are made functional, healthy,
balanced, and whole. “…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).
ONLY within the covenant
relationship with God are God’s people equipped to do his will. “…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).
ONLY within the
covenant relationship with God are God’s people enabled to be strong and
spiritually empowered. “… [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).
God EXPLAINS, in his
word, how the outcome from a healthy relationship with two commitment people is
better. “…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).
The covenant relationship
with God promotes how mutual cooperation with him ADDS an EXTRA blessing when HE is there
HELPING you DO the tasks you’ve been given in life. “…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).
Your human will is necessary, because
it is a witness of the personal, voluntary commitment YOU have made to the
covenant relationship with God, which also serves to prove the CHOICE you’ve
made to abide with God or NOT. “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).
Sin separated God from
mankind, as witnessed with Adam and Eve, so an atoning sacrifice was needed. “ … [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).
God CHOSE to voluntarily and willfully
demonstrate his LOVE for mankind 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). “… 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)..
After God established a
“plan of salvation” to restore the covenant relationship with mankind he made
VOWS and PROMISES to NEVER leave them ALONE again. “…God has said “NEVER will
I leave you; NEVER will I forsake you …”
(Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am with you always, to the very end of the age…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
God is FOREVER “BONDED” to you by his
PLEDGE of LOVE. “…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…(HIS)love ... is the perfect BOND of unity...”
(Colossians 3:14 NASB).
God is FOREVER
“CONNECTED” to you by his PLEDGE of indwelling SPIRIT. “…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…The Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).
God
is FOREVER “SUSTAINING” the “bond”
and “connection” with HIS people by
his AMAZING GRACE. “…God...[is]....
with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…In him
(Jesus) ALL THINGS (the covenant relationship)…hold together…”
(Colossians 1:7 NIV). “… [Jesus is]…sustaining ALL
THINGS (the covenant relationship)… by his powerful
word…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “…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 commitment to
you through his constant PRESENCE and by his PRODUCTION of SPIRITUAL FRUIT in YOUR LIFE!! “…“God..[is]...with us…”
(Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…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 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). “…The Holy Spirit produces this
kind of fruit in our lives (the lives of HIS people)…”
(Galatians 5 NLT). “…Apart from [the covenant relationship with God, you] can do nothing….”
(John 15:5 KJV).
Immanuel means “…God...[is]...with
us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…God has said “Never will
I leave you; never will I
forsake 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).
“…
I change NOT…”
(Malachi 3:6 KJV).
He is Jehovah immanuel!!!
However, the abiding presence of THE
SPIRIT IS A BLESSING FOR THE SOUL.
WHEN THE SOUL IS REUNITED WITH THE
SPIRIT, IT IS NO LONGER LEFT TO ITSELF, BUT BECOMES a new creation with the god
image. “… those who were once
enlightened—those who have
experienced the good things of heaven and shared
in the Holy Spirit, who
have tasted the
goodness of the Word of God and the power of the age to come …”
(Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
ALL will remain WELL WITH THE SOUL as
long as “that” soul chooses to stay abiding with God, the holy spirit (the god
image). “…Apart from
[SPIRIT, the God IMAGE, you] can do nothing….” (John 15:5 KJV). “…abide
in me, and I in you…”
(John 15:4 KJV).
“... it
is this Good News that saves you IF'
you continue to believe the message...” (1 Corinthians NLT). “... continue in the
faith... grounded and settled...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV). “...be not moved away ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).
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