GOD'S LOVE IS THE "AGENT" OF TRANSFORMATION!

                

TRANSFORMING LOVE

“…not by works…” (Ephesians 2:9). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

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I have been concerned with the integrity of the Christian faith for a while and whether it will maintain its impact or relevancy in the 21^st century."… [God’s people were meant to become]... the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless …It is no longer good for anything…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).

So many people have used Christianity inappropriately and have paired it with personal agendas or used it for ill-gotten gains. “…If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person IS A LIAR and is not living in the truth…” (1 John 2:4 NLT).  “…If we “SAY” that we have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (without the show of spiritual fruit), WE LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV).  “… the deeds of the flesh are evident…” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

Almost every Christian term or service or activity or righteous work have had some kind of scandal or negative behavior tied to it. “…hypocrites ...This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but [their] heart is far from me...” (Mark 7:6 KJV).   “… [THEY] LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV). “…He (Jesus) knew what was in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “...hypocrites! for [God’s people] make clean the outside of the cup (with religious appearance and doings) and of the platter, but within (in their hearts) they are full of extortion and excess...” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV).

Some Christian leaders would have the world think that politically the greatest commandments for God’s people are merely concerned with homosexuality and abortion whether than the two most important ones regarding loving God and loving others, which dates back to the law of Moses?” “...Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments...” (Matthew 22:36-40 NLT).  

“...What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things...” (Matthew 23:23 NLT).

Therefore, God’s people often express, through their actions, a Christian faith that mainly FOCUSES on the laws of the land that impact other people’s behavior whether than the laws of God that were given to FOCUS on THEIR own behaviors.  “...Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men...” (Acts 5:29 KJV). 

“…What shall it profit a man (woman), if he(she) shall gain the whole world (fool other humans with outward hypocrisy), and lose his (her) own soul?...” (Mark 8:36 KJV). “…[God knows] ...what ...[is]... in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…[The] ...Lord (God), which knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT). “… [their] heart is far from me...” (Mark 7:6 KJV).   

God’s people (his true disciples) are NOT more supportive of adhering to a political agenda, than they are of a righteous one. “…If you love me, you will (not might, maybe, sometimes, when I feel like it, or occasional, etc.) keep my commandments…” (John 14:15). However, “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “… The people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

“…Ye shall know [God’s people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…He(she) who ABIDES in Me (the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit) and I in him (her), he(she) bears much fruit  … ” (John 15:1-11 NASB). "…My Father is glorified (his presence, goodness, and working power is made known) by this, that...[HIS PEOPLE]... bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My disciples (MY PEOPLE)...” (John 15:8 NIV).

How will the Christian faith transform society if those within the Christian faith are not transformed themselves? “…my people would not listen to me...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and [YOU]… ARE NOT SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV). “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and TURN FROM their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “… And  …“If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?...” (1 Peter 4:18 NLT).

How did Jesus, the LIVING word, CHANGE society? Jesus’ righteous works and spiritual fruit drew the LOST, OPPRESSED, and NEEDY to God. “...the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing...” (Luke 9:11 KJV). “...And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed...” (Mark 6:56 KJV). “...Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there...” (Matthew 19:2 KJV). “...the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all...” (Luke 6:19 KJV).

“… God  … work[ed] … in … [Jesus] … what is pleasing to him [God, the Holy Spirit]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within JESUS]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“...[Jesus] ... went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; [HOW WAS HE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS?]... GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).

(WHAT ELSE WAS JESUS, THE LIVING WORD, EMPOWERED, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, able TO DO?) “…[HE WAS] ... anointed (empowered) to preach the gospel to the poor; ... 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).

 The ANOINTED (Holy Spirit empowered) works and display of spiritual fruit came through Jesus, but were PRODUCED by God, the Holy Spirit. He DOES the WORK. “…Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and POWER (the indwelling Holy

Spirit), performed great wonders and signs among the people…” (Acts 6:8 NIV).

 “…God did extraordinary MIRACLES (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) through Paul…” (Acts 19:11 NIV).

“…I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and MIRACLES (the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…” (2 Corinthians 12:12 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of [those].. who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s [power and fruit]... THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

Everybody doesn’t experience these works. WHY?  “ ... because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good ....” (Romans 2:5-13 NLT).

In addition, how will God’s people be transformed if they are more concerned with “doing” Christianity whether than truly “becoming” Christ-like? “... the Jews (or God’s people), who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.  For merely listening to the [HOLY] law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the [HOLY] law that makes us right in his sight...” (Romans 2:5-13 NLT).

Christians have mega churches, mega preachers, mega-colleges, national and international ministry or renown, and yet fail to demonstrate a mega-personal transformation. “…The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and [YOU (God’s people)]… ARE...[“still”]... NOT SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV).

Too many of God’s people think a sign of transformation is a form of human entertainment, religious doings or deeds, or dramatic antics. “... outwardly ... [you] ... appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites...” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV). “... except [the] righteousness [of God’s people] shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (worldly, fleshly, or carnal righteousness), [Those claiming to be God’s people] shall [not] enter into the kingdom of heaven...” (Matthew 5:10 KJV).

Finding a truly transformed person is like looking for that proverbial needle in a haystack. “…hypocrites ...This people honoureth me with [their] lips, but [their] heart is far from me...” (Mark 7:6 KJV).   “…If [God’s people] “SAY” that [they] have fellowship with him, and WALK IN DARKNESS (hypocrisy, phoniness, etc.), [THEY] LIE, and DO NOT THE TRUTH…” (1 John 1:6 KJV). “...hypocrites! for [God’s people] make clean the outside of the cup (religious appearance) and of the platter, but within (in their hearts) they are full of extortion and excess...” (Matthew 23:13-33 KJV).

“Jesus saith…I am THE WAY…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the WAY; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV). “…THE WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are FEW who find it…” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB).

 Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not talking about you. I am talking about the other ones.

 God says, “… I know all the things you do ....You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars...“But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first!  Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches…” (Revelation 2:2-5 NLT).

“...Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments...” (Matthew 22:36-40 NLT).  

Thus, the bible says “... Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ (the LIVING Word, the LIGHT, the indwelling Holy Spirit, etc.,) is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith...” (2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT).

There are many, who claim to be God’s people and can SPEAK with the greatest eloquence among mankind or angels, but without God it’s JUST clatter and noise. “...If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love (God is LOVE), I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).

There are many, who claim to be God’s people and have demonstrated great faith to the degree of moving mountains, but without God it means nothing. “...if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing (apart from his Spirit, you can do nothing)....” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB). “...apart from [GOD] nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “... APART FROM [God]... you can do nothing  …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).

There are many, who claim to be God’s people whose gift of prophesy has impacted people’s lives across the globe, but without God, its meaningless. “...If I have the gift of prophecy ...but do not have love, I am nothing.  ...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB). ).“... APART FROM [God]... you can do nothing  …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).

There are many, who claim to be God’s people whose generosity is a matchless sacrifice, but without God, it is pointless. “...if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).“…Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied ...cast out devils... and DONE many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

GOD IS LOOKING “DIRECTLY” AT the HEART of HIS people!! “...God sees not as man (woman) sees, for man (woman) looks at the outward appearance (the DOING), but the LORD looks at the heart (the BEING)…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man (woman) of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man (woman), proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).

The heart, without God, the Holy Spirit, and ALL that it contains “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

It is God and God alone that can CREATE, within HIS people, through Jesus, his LIVING Word, a CLEAN heart. “Create in me a clean heart, O God… Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. …” (Psalms 51:10-19 KJV). “....Now ye (God’s people) are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you (through Jesus, his LIVING Word)...” (John 15:1-10 KJV). 

“...[God’s people can stay] .... holy and clean, washed by the cleansing [power]...of God’s Word ...” (Ephesians 5:26 KJV). “…[God’s people]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ (the Word of God) which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…He (Jesus, god’s word) will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).

Therefore, even though, some, who claim to be God’s people can actually cast out devils and DO all kinds of wonderful, miraculous DEEDS, there is something missing in the frenzy of all these activities....KNOWING and INCLUDING GOD. “... Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV). 

“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

It is very clear that Christian “doings” can BECOME a serious stumbling block. God’s people are to “DO”, but, without God, “DOING” is meaningless, doesn’t profit anything, and amounts to nothing. “...[If people who claim to be God’s people DO,]...but do not have love, [they] have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB). “...[If people who claim to be God’s people DO,]...but do not have love, [they are actually doing]... nothing....” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).“...[If people who claim to be God’s people DO,]...but do not have love, it profits [or earns them] nothing...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).

Anybody can “DO” or imitate Christian works. “’Master,’ Said John, ‘we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not ONE OF US,’ ‘Do not stop him,’ Jesus said, ‘for whoever is not against you is for you...’” (Luke 9:49-50 NIV).  People can support the CAUSE, but not the PERSON behind the CAUSE

Therefore, just because a person “DOES” Christian works similar or the same as God’s people DO, it does not mean THEY are ONE OF God’s people. “...because he (she) is not ONE OF US...’” (Luke 9:49-50 NIV). “...Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers DOES "NOT' BELONG TO GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT). “…those who do not have the [indwelling Holy]... Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.….” (Romans 8:8-11 NLT).

Your Christian works alone do not determine that you are ONE OF God’s people, but, unfortunately, many people think it does. Nonetheless, WORKS, alone, does not count as a guarantee, shoe-in to heaven. “... Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not ...done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV). 

People, knowingly or unknowingly, THINK, their deeds (DOINGS) will make them worthy, deserving, or help them earn a SPOT in God’s kingdom. SALVATION is a free gift and DOINGS are acts of grateful obedience for the FREE gift. “... God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God ... through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT). 

 “…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “…[salvation]… IS THE GIFT OF GOD (the Holy Spirit)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). 

“…[God’s people ARE] ... Saved by grace (unmerited favor) through faith (trust in & dependency upon god)… NOT OF [them]SELVES ... not of works (doings OF THE flesh), that no man (woman) should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

 None of God’s people WORKED for SALVATION, nor do they WORK to keep their SALVATION “…He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT). “...to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus...” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).“…God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them...” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  

“... It is God (the indwelling Holy Spirit) which worketh in [HIS people] both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip [his people] with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [them, through the indwelling Holy Spirit]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

God’s people were SAVED by God’s GRACE through FAITH (trusting in and depending upon God’s plan of Salvation). “…IT IS (Salvation) THE GIFT OF GOD (the Holy Spirit)…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “... Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV).

 “…A man (woman) can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).

 “... [The WORD, the GOOD seed, the LIGHT, the working POWER, etc.,]... came down from heaven (to dwell within the hearts of God’s people)...” (John 6:42 KJV). 39 KJV). “...By the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).God’s people WALK and LIVE by faith (by trusting in and depending upon God’s empowering Holy Spirit). 

“…[God’s people]... can do ALL THINGS through Christ (the Word of God) which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…He (Jesus, god’s word) will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).“… [God’s people are]...equip with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “...[God works “in” and “through” his people].... … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ (his Word, his LIGHT, his working POWER, etc.,)…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

None of God’s people EARN or DESERVE the gifts and blessings, but THEY come from the unmerited GRACE and FAVOR of God’s unconditional love for EACH of them. “... Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…A man (woman) can receive nothing [spiritual], except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “… “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is [spiritually] good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). “...By the GRACE of God I am what I am…” (1 Corinthians 15:10 NIV).

Here is how the belief of DOING could become a deception. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23 KJV).

God’s people have read the following scriptures many times, but are continually remiss in keeping the two MOST importance commandments in God’s Word: loving God and loving others.

“...Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments...” (Matthew 22:36-40 NLT).  

“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

 THUS, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 ASV).

Love transforms you in THREE important ways, LOVE (GOD), SAVES your soul, LOVE empowers your obedience to God’s commandments, and LOVE inspires your genuine concern for others.

 “ ... Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

“…If you love me, you will (not might, maybe, sometimes, when I feel like it, or occasional, etc.) keep my commandments…” (John 14:15).

 “...I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other...” (John 13:34 NLT).

God does care about what you are DOING, but he cares MORE about the heart which MOTIVATES you to DO it. “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man (woman) looks at the outward appearance (DOING), but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (BEING)…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).

 Who you BECOME, through Jesus, empowers what you DO for the GLORY of God like Jesus DID. Jesus “IS” the WORD of God. The Word of God CAME DOWN’ to do God’s will. “... he (JESUS) ... came down from heaven...” (John 3:13 KJV Jesus CAME “…to give His life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…Christ ... suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

What else did “Jesus” do?  The Holy Spirit empowered and anointed Jesus to go about DOING good and HEALING the oppressed. “…God anointed (empowered) Jesus of Nazareth (HOW?) with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER:  (WHAT DID JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, DO?) [HE] ... went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; [HOW WAS HE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS?]... GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV). 

(WHAT ELSE WAS JESUS, THE WORD, ANOINTED TO DO?) “…[HE WAS] ... anointed (empowered) to preach the gospel to the poor; ... 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).

WHO SHOULD GOD’S PEOPLE BECOME LIKE IN THEIR ACTIONS? “…In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...Be … imitators of [Jesus, the Word of God]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ (the word of god)…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).

“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).“…Ye shall know [those being conformed to his image]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).

The world’s system says you worked; so you earn by doing, deserve by doing, or are worthy of rewards by doing. “... Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV).

“... [If’... you are boasting about your own pretentious plans ... all such boasting is evil” (James 4:15-16 NLT).

“...God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God ...through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT). “…, my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “… [He sent the ] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

”…  ye [are]…saved by grace through faith…it is the GIFT of God…” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV).

“… [SALVATION]... IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man (woman) should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

However, God’s system says SALVATION and the process of BEING SAVED comes through the finished work of Christ on the cross. “… I la[id]... down my life... [FOR YOU] …” (John 10:17-18 KJV). “...[Jesus]... said, It is finished…” (John 19:28-30 KJV). “…[Jesus] ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “...God’s free gift ...[comes] ...through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).

“…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto [HIS people]... ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “…[God]...will supply all [HIS people’s]... NEED…” (John 12:32 KJV). ). “...He careth for [them].,,” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is the one who provides...[for his people] …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).  “…God will generously PROVIDE all [his people]...need (through his Word)…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).

All God’s people NEED is already theirs by faith (by trusting in and depending upon God). “...The just (God’s redeemed people)... shall live by faith (by trusting in and depending upon God)...” (Hebrews 10:38 KJV).

 Even the DOING of God’s people is EMPOWERED or ENABLED by the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, the Word, the working POWER, etc,. THE BIBLE says: “...‘What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said unto them, ‘This is the work of God, that ye believe (that you are empowered to trust in and depend) on Him...(the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, the Word, the working POWER, etc.,) whom he (God) hath sent.” (John 6:28-29 KJV).  

“…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” OUR HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his Spirit as PROOF that ...he [dwells]…in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “…Jesus Christ...(the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, the Word, the working POWER, etc.,)  is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

The covenant relationship (the YADA) with God, the Holy Spirit, will reverse the world system where DOING takes a BACKSEAT to BECOMING through transformation and conforming into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ(the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, the Word, the working POWER, etc.,). “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

YADA has many meanings, but for this book we will use the Hebrew definition “know” or “enter into covenant with” God.

I’m adding that YADA is also a spiritual “oneness” with God that is unique to God, and the deepest intimacy you can ever experience.  “…he (she) that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

An unique, intimate, covenant “Oneness” happens when God joins our spirit (or soul) with his Spirit “...his Spirit joins with our spirit(our soul) to affirm that we are God’s children...” (Romans 8:16).

Once joined, Spirit and soul (spirit) become “one spirit” within a covenant relationship. “…he (she) that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [with God again]...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

There is no greater intimacy than this. “…he (she) ...is ONE spirit… [with God again]...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…The Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  .“… [God sent the ] …one … who can [REUNITE] God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus (WHO comes to DWELL WITHIN)…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “...[God’s people are]... reconciled to God by the death of his Son...” (Romans 5:10 KJV).

The YADA relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, begins by faith or by trusting and depending upon God. It also ENDURES by faith.

“…the POWER of God unto salvation (the power of God to reunite or become ONE SPIRIT) with)... everyone that believeth (trusts in or depends upon JESUS, his plan of salvation)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).   “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV). “... [God’s people] ... are kept by the (indwelling) POWER of God through faith (through trusting in and depending upon him) unto salvation ...” (1 Peter 1:5 KJV).

God’s people are EMPOWERED to “DO” HIS will and “BECOME” like Jesus by FAITH or by trusting in and depending upon his indwelling Holy Spirit. “… apart from [God, the indwelling Holy Spirit[, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… [God’s people] … can do all things through Christ (the Word, the LIGHT, the working POWER, the indwelling Spirit, etc.,) which strengtheneth … [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “…It is God who works in [HIS “own” people]… to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose...” (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

What this implies is that God’s people can come to know HIM and experience HIM, personally, through the YADA relationship. “... [jesus, the word, planted as].... a light [within the heart]  to reveal God ...” (Luke 2:32 NLT). “... A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “…He (Jesus, the Word) has revealed God to us…” (John 1:18 NLT). “… For the Lord (Jesus, the Word) ...reveals [God’s]... thoughts to mankind…” (Amos 4:13 NLT).

WHY? “…so [his people]... will know that [HE “IS”] the Lord (the word, the light of truth, the working power, the indwelling spirit, the living water, etc.,)…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Then [his people] will know that [he is] the Lord [their]... God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).

The DOING is transformed when it is empowered by the INDWELLING Holy Spirit, which gives the DOING meaning, profitability, and divine purpose.