"…Do you want to get well...?" (John 5:6 MSG).
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Before you start reading this book, I wanted to say I believe EVERY child of God can be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ, by the renewing of their mind/heart with revelation knowledge (the LIVING Word). “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind...[through the revelation knowledge of God’s truth, which is Jesus, the LIGHT of the world]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV).
Jesus said: “… I am (jesus, the word of god, who is) the light... (the revelation knowledge of God) ...of the world..." (John 9:5, 8:12 KJV).“... [the word, Jesus]... is a light to reveal God to the nations...” (Luke 2:32 NLT).
“... [Jesus is]....A Light of revelation...” (LUKE 2:32 NASB). “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). In this world, God’s people are also, “… the light of the world (WITNESSES of HIS revelation knowledge)..." (Matthew 5:14 KJV).
God’s people are“…the Light which … [is empowered to]...[enlighten] every man (woman)…” (John 1:19 NASB). “…. [They]... now have this light shining in [their] hearts ...This makes it clear that [their] great power is from God, not from [them]selves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
“...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Being MADE into a NEW CREATION means that God has prepared and equipped you with EVERYTHING you’ll ever NEED to be transformed into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ, HIS LIVING Word. “...old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep (God, the Holy Spirit), equip you with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
“…The Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “ …[you]…have this treasure (the WORD, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, etc.) in [your]…earthen vessel(within the heart)...” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV). “… His (Jesus’) name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into our hearts...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…THE WORDS ... they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…It is God(the Holy Spirit) who worketh IN YOU (your heart), both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…Christ (the Word, the indwelling Spirit, the LIGHT) liveth in [you] …” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
The indwelling Holy Spirit, the Word, the LIGHT, the GOOD seed EMPOWERS God’s people to “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).“…[God’s people]... can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [them to do it]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
There is NO DOUBT God’s people are NEW CREATIONS equipped with EVERYTHING they need to become transformed into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ. Well, what is the problem? The problem is that transformation is a CHOICE of the human will. “…choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you (MAKE A WILLFUL CHOICE) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
“… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “Jesus (the LIVING Word of God, the indwelling Spirit, the LIGHT, God’s working POWER) saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
The human will CAN create problems with transforming into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, when “…there was no king in Israel (RULE or LAW within their hearts): every man (woman) did that which was right in his (her) own eyes...” (Judges 21:25 KJV).
God’s people often, willfully, followed their OWN stubborn choices. “…But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But 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).
So the question for God’s people is NOT can you transform into the IMAGE of Christ, but “Do you want to be transformed?” “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
If you are a NEW CREATION aren’t you already TRANSFORMED? Yes. “...old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Thus, God sent forth the spiritual seed (Jesus), and it is SOWN into your heart. However, in order to transform, the SEED needs to be watered so it can GROW. “… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into [y]our hearts...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD …The (spiritual) seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in [THE] HEARTS [of God’s people]... (symbolic of the ground; earth)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).
One of the GREATEST seeds ever sown into the EARTH was Jesus, the WORD OF God. Even GREATER is that seed was sown into the earth of the human heart. Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God (the spiritual seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “ …We have this treasure (this spiritual seed) “in” earthen (human) vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).
Jesus is the “spiritual SEED” and when the earth (also the human heart) receives and accepts the SEED, the SEED WILL always produce a fruitful crop when properly WATERED with LIVING WATER. “…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 our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…” (Galatians 5:22 NLT).
The SEED is WATERED by the HOLY SPIRIT, so it can GROW and produce fruit that empowers transformation. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). God, the Holy Spirit represents a type of water and is referred to as a “...spring of living water...” (Jeremiah 2:13 KJV).
The bible says, “....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit produces ...(spiritual) fruit in [the lives of HIS people when the SEED is watered]….” (Galatians 5 NLT).“…God ...the … HOLY SPIRIT ... is the SOURCE of ...[LIVING WATER]…it is …God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of ...[HIS people]... The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s [working] power (to produce spiritual fruit) THROUGH each of [his people, when they water the “seed”] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…the Father … he doeth the works...[of cultivating and producing spiritual fruit]…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“...Do you want to be transformed?...” may seem like a ridiculous question, until you or someone else starts LOOKING for spiritual fruit and can’t find any.“...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into our hearts...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD …The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS (the ground; earth)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).
Being a NEW CREATION means God has SOWN the “spiritual SEED” into the human heart, but HIS people FREELY “choose” to water it, so it will GROW and PRODUCE spiritual fruit.
God KNOWS he has SOWN a GOOD SEED and he is CONFIDENT, if watered, it will NO DOUBT produce.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING BIBLE STORY: “…When the ground (which is symbolic for the human heart) soaks up the falling rain (which is symbolic for the LIVING WATER or the Holy Spirit) and bears a good crop (fruit of the Spirit) for the farmer (symbol for God), it has God’s blessing. …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). HOWEVER, “.... if a field (also symbolic for the human heart) bear (produces) thorns and thistles [or a bad crop, instead], it is useless. The farmer (symbolic for God) will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The rain represents God, the Holy Spirit who is also called a “...spring of living water...” (Jeremiah 2:13 KJV). The bible says, “....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV).
God, the spring of LIVING of WATER, seen through the rain, falls upon the ground (or the human heart), where GOOD SEED (Jesus, the WORD) has been planted. “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD … …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “……The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the GOOD seed) “INTO” ...[their].. HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS (the ground; earth)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).
In addition, Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God (the “good” seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “ …God’s people have this treasure (this GOOD seed) “in” earthen vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).
When properly WATERED by the LIVING WATER, Jesus, the good seed, will always produce a good crop “...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [HIS people’s]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…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).
“…When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
The same rain fell upon the ground, which produced thorn and thistles. God is HOLY and righteous, but he is STILL an equal opportunity God. “... I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike...” (Matthew 5:44-45 NLT). “...[God, the Holy Spirit]... sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust... (Matthew 5:45 KJV).
It is God’s prerogative to demonstrate HIS MERCY to ANYONE he chooses, even the UNJUST or the EVIL. God has the sovereign right to do what he wants. “…If the Lord will...” (James 4:16 KJV). “... God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
Fortunate for the undeserving, “...HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “..come boldly unto the throne of GRACE ...[and]...obtain mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV). God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “...[Thankfully]... it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
The ground represents the human heart. The human heart can RECEIVE the rain, or reject it, or hardened to the point of becoming impenetrable. It is THAT kind of heart that will produce thorns and thistles. “…Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled…” (Hebrews 3:15 NLT).
A hardened heart is SO compacted by sin and darkness it leaves NO ROOM for anything else to come in. “... "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS..." (Hebrews 4:7 NASB).
A person willfully and voluntarily CHOOSES to stubbornly keep the water OUT, which eventually dries up the heart until it hardens just like the ground. “... the people replied, “…We will continue to live as WE WANT TO, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They KEPT DOING WHATEVER THEY WANTED, following the stubborn desires of their [OWN] evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “...But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
When the RAIN falls, the hardened heart will not receive God, the LIVING water’s gracious love, refreshing, and care for them, through the rain. Thus, they cannot and will not produce GOOD crops, but will, instead, become USELESS. “….Apart from [God, the LIVING water’s love, refreshment, and care]… [the just or the unjust will not and cannot]...do nothing (or produce anything worthwhile)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT).
God GRACE is CLEARLY upon those who choose to receive and soak up his love, refreshment, and care. Yet, those who have hardened their hearts, have cut themselves off from God’s Grace, through their own choices, and will no longer be USEFUL for God’s purposes. “…it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). "… You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
“...If a man (woman) abide not in me, he (she) is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
A good crop is the result of the ground or human heart that chooses to trust in and depend upon God, the LIVING water to DO the cultivating and the producing-of-fruit work “IN” them (their hearts) and “THROUGH” them (their actions). “...There are many ways in which God works in [the lives of his people], but it is ....God (the LIVING water) who does the work in and through all of ...his...[people]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “……the [HOLY] SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power (to cultivate and produce spiritual fruit) THROUGH each of [his people] … … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…It is God which worketh IN [his people] both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…That great Shepherd of the sheep, equip [his people] with everything good for doing his will, and may he work “IN [them]” what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father … doeth the works (of cultivating and producing spiritual fruit in and through HIS people)…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“…When the ground soaks up the falling rain (it is trusting and depending upon the rain to cultivate it and enable it to produce) and [enable it to bear]...a good crop (become USEFUL) for the farmer (God), it (the ground that soaks up the rain that) has God’s blessing (serves his purpose)…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “God [the LIVING water] … worketh in [his people]…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…theFather [the LIVING water] ...that dwelleth in… [the hearts of his people through the GOOD seed], he doeth the works (of cultivating (transforming) the NEW CREATION and producing spiritual fruit)…” (John 14:10 KJV). The apostle said: “… I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law (without soaking up the LIVING water) could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ (the good seed that gives or restores spiritual life and produces spiritual fruit) to die…” (Galatians 5:4 NLT).
“…God [the LIVING water] ...does the work IN AND THROUGH all of [THOSE] who are [truly] his [people]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). "....The [good seed watered by the LIVING water ]...produces this kind of fruit in [y]our lives …” (Galatians 5 NLT) “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE (first, by planting Jesus, the good seed into his people’s hearts and second by his people choosing to water the seed with the LIVING water)…” (John 3:6 NLT).
“… His name (Jesus) is...called The Word of God (the “good” seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…THE WORDS (the SEEDS) .... they ARE SPIRIT[ual]…” (John 6:63 KJV). Thus, “…The Lord (the Word, the spiritual seed) is that Spirit (too)…” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
“… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into [the] hearts [of his people]...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD …The seed (Jesus) is the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in THEIR HEARTS (the ground; earth)…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the WORD, the good seed) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
“…[God’s people] CAN DO all things (display God’s fruit, and do righteous works) THROUGH Christ which strengtheneth [them]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). “….Apart from [the good seed and being watered by the LIVING water]… [God’s people cannot]...do nothing [spiritually fruitful]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “… …The seed is the WORD OF GOD (and is also a spiritual seed) …” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV). “....I (God, the Holy Spirit) will pour my Spirit upon THY SEED...” (Isaiah 44:3 KJV).
The thorns and thistles represent what a human heart, hardened by the ongoing PRACTICE of SIN will BECOME. Cutting yourself OFF or shutting OUT the LIVING water is a CHOICE. “…[You have, by choice,]… been cut off from Christ! (the good seed and the LIVING water) …” (Galatians 5:4 NLT). “…if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “... Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he (God) taketh away ...If a man (woman) abide not in me, he (she) is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
Removing unfruitful branches, useless patches of ground, or the salt-less is not God, the LIVING water’s choice, he doesn’t want them to perish. “….[Jesus (the Word) CAME (to earth, into your hearts, etc.) because God is], NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that ALL should come to (enduring, everlasting, etc.) repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).
God KNOWS, without a doubt, the GOOD seed he planted within the human heart, WILL produce, but the ground must CHOOSE to soak in, accept, absorb, trust and depend upon the LIVING WATER to cultivate and enable it to produce.
WHY? "… You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
WHY? Without the FRUIT, the branch is NO “…longer good for anything, except to be thrown out...” (Matthew 5:13 NASB). It is no longer relevant. It serves NO purpose in the service of God. “...If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned....” (John 15:1-10 KJV).
WHY? God has made his people, the SALT. Salt serves, at least, two flavors, it preserves and it flavors. "… You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
It preserves by keeping things from rot and decay. It flavors by changing the taste of things. Salt is relevant when it is serving its purpose. "… You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
Salt in Matthew 5:13 is an analogy referring to God’s people, the church body, or believers. They have ALL been given a purpose of reconciling the world BACK to God, the Holy Spirit. “…God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (salt and light). …” (2 Corinthians 5:18 NIV). "… You are the salt of the earth…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
They have also been given the purpose of producing spiritual fruit that will reveal HOLY conduct which has the POWER to change the flavor of human morality to holy morality upon the earth. “…ye shall be holy (not just moral) unto me: for I the Lord am holy…” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV).
When God’s people do NOT serve their purpose they lose their ability to reconcile men to God or influence holy morality. "… if the salt has become tasteless…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
In addition, God’s people are also considered to be a LIGHT of TRUTH to the world, but if that LIGHT can’t be SEEN it can’t lead anyone out of darkness nor can it influence the enlightenment of others. “…The Light which … enlightens every man…” (John 1:19 NASB). “…. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).
If God’s people have NO distinctive qualities they LOSE their uniqueness, relevancy, and purpose. "… You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless …It is no longer good for anything…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
God’s people also become USELESS for the purposes of God upon the earth. “…The God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep …work in us (empowering) what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…Apart from Me (Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit), [YOU can] do nothing [spiritually relevant]…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“ … It is the same God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
“…The flesh (the ground without the help of the LIVING water) profiteth nothing…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Human effort (the ground with the help of the LIVING water) accomplishes nothing….” (John 6:63 NLT). “…If I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love (God is LOVE the LIVING water), IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING…” (1 Corinthians 13:2-3 ASV)."… if the salt has become tasteless … It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out…” (Matthew 5:13 NASB).
If God’s people LOSE their distinctive quality, which IS the Good seed, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIVING water, God’s working power, etc., how will they serve God’s purpose, of reconciliation, upon earth? “….Apart from Me (the Good seed, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIGHT, the LIVING Word, etc.,), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…It is impossible to please God without (trusting in and depending upon God, which is) FAITH…” (Hebrews 11:6 NLT). "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh (born from JUST the ground is ground); and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (born of the good seed is good crop)…” (John 3:6 KJV). “…The seed that fell on good soil ... [will]... produce a harvest... ” (Matthew 13: 18-23 NLT).
What spiritual fruit can God’s people PRODUCE without the GOOD seed or being watered by the LIVING Water? “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Without the Good seed, the indwelling Holy Spirit, the LIVING Word, the LIGHT, etc., what distinctive qualities does God’s people have from any other group of religious people? “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Thus, God’s people become good for nothing in regard to the purposes he SENT them to earth TO DO (Matthew
5:13). “…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). "… [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).
God’s people were sent for the DIVINVE PURPOSE of being a LIGHT to the world. "…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:16 NASB).
As we close, this chapter, think about this: if Jesus thought to ask the man at Bethesda did he wish to get well, when it seemed obvious he needed healing, the question had a purpose.
“Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:1-6 MSG).
The purpose of the question was not for Jesus, but for the man at the pool of Bethesda, a 38 year resident. The question is also for each of God’s people: “Do you want to get well [or do you want to transform]?”
God’s people can get so accustomed and complacent about sinful practices; overt or covert; they may become doubtful or even comfortable with the possibility or the choice of “NOT” transforming, “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God’s people can also become so full of excuses about their current sinful practicing condition, they don’t even WANT to transform. “...But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).
There are many who run towards the call of salvation, but flee from the responsibility to transform. “… GROW (develop, transform) in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV). “… [change, transform]… into the SAME IMAGE …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).) “…[the]…image of HIS SON...” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…[into the]…fullness of CHRIST…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).
Transformation is a healthy transition to a wholesome and holy lifestyle where God’s people are conformed to the image of Jesus. “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV).
However like Jesus asked the man at Bethesda, “Do you want to get well?” “...DO YOU WANT TO TRANSFORM OR CONFORM?
The bible says: “…Be conformed to the image of his Son...” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). Keep conforming “…until we …become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV). “… [With the help of the GOOD seed and the LIVING water, God’s people]… are changed (transformed, conformed, etc.) into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).
God’s people must answer the question for themselves. A practice of sin, big or small, is still sin and is STILL breaking God’s holy instructions. “... Everyone (no exceptions) who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him (ABIDE WITH HIM) will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him ... [or] who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous....” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).
If the answer is yes and you want to conform to the IMAGE of Jesus, then like the man at Bethesda, “…rise, take up thy bed, and walk...” into the TRANSFORMING LOVE” OF GOD (experienced through the GOOD seed and the LIVING water). …” (John 5:8)
Godspeed,
Dr. Pensacola
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