YEARS PASS AND GOD "STILL" CHOOSES ME. I "STILL" CHOOSE TO SERVE HIM
“…that they might KNOW…..the only true God and Jesus Christ…” (John 17:3)
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Why didn’t God FORCE Satan to STOP lying and MAKE Eve STOP listening to the SERPENT? Because God had GIFTED them with human will so they could make CHOICES.
God said: “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
“...After his likeness...” means mankind was MADE or CREATED with similar qualities or abilities as God, the Holy Spirit. One of those qualities was a “will” which gave them the God-given privilege to make choices and decisions.
The God-given privilege to make choices and decisions provides mankind with the prerogative to use his or her human will to choose the life they want. “…[YOU choose]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
In addition, human will enables mankind to “DO” whatever they choose to DO; within their limited “sphere of power. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose LIFE (which is found in Jesus, the LIVING Word)…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Jesus said… I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…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). “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily …the HEART of the sons of men (mankind) is fully set in them to [continue to] DO evil [by choice]….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).
“...What do you have (like human will) that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 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 (or choices)...” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
A CHOICE is a course of action that is selected among two or more options. A CHOICE is not something that is FORCED upon the human “will,” but something that is a voluntary action of the human will. God said: “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
God is a FREE Spirit and is not limited by anything or anyone. God does whatever he CHOOSES to do and whatever he PLEASES. “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “… Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT). God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
God created mankind with a measure of freedom as well. God didn’t want robots. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
Mankind’s human will enables them to choose, decide, or do as they please, which was part of being LIKE God, the Holy Spirit. “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Human will was a GOOD and DIVINE gift of God given to Adam and Eve, who needed to make choices, decisions, and do whatever they pleased with the dominion they’d been given upon earth. “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
“...God blessed them and said to them, “...Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it ...RULE OVER (have dominion over).... Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food ...And it was so...” (Genesis 1:28-31 KJV).
“…A man (woman) can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him (her (from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). SO “…What do you have (including a human will) that God hasn’t given you?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…. This command (to willfully choose to lay down his(Jesus’ life) I (Jesus) received from my Father...” (John 10:17-18 KJV).
Without God’s Holy Spirit the human will has NO true freedom or liberty to CHOOSE “God’s” holy and righteous ways. “...Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sin nature). I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me (within my sin nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…The sinful nature is always hostile to God …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...[The SINFUL NATURE]... never did obey God’s (HOLY) laws, and it never will…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants ...so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…The sinful nature wants to do ... the opposite of what the Spirit wants …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…[god, the holy spirit]... is GOOD…” (Psalm 107:1 KJV). “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin...[because of the sinful nature] ...I want to do what is good, but I don’t...” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not…” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). “...there is “NONE” good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “… [ALL (every human being) have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to do good is) as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). “... APART FROM [the Holy Spirit]... [mankind]... can do nothing [good] …” (John 15:1-11 NASB). “… [they]... are not free to carry out...[their]... good intentions. … ” (Galatians 5 NLT).
Mankind is not basically good, but is BASICALLY a sinful nature. Sorry, but it’s true. The SINFUL NATURE has SIN embedded within its very fiber and it only has an inclination for SIN; not righteousness. “…The sinful nature wants to do ... the opposite of what the Spirit wants …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…The sinful nature wants to do evil … ” (Galatians 5 NLT). “….When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
ONLY the Holy Spirit PRODUCES spiritual fruit and the sinful nature PRODUCES evil fruit. "…Offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks ...the evil man, out of his evil treasure, brings forth evil things..." (Matthew 12:34-35). “…The sinful nature wants to do evil … …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “...The trouble is with ...[mankind, they are]... all too human, a slave to sin...[because of the sinful nature] ...[they]...want to do what is good, but [they]...don’t...” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… [they were]... born ...[sinners]... (because they were born without the indwelling holy spirit)….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
The SINFUL NATURE is PROOF that mankind can NOT become GOOD simply by DOING something GOOD. Every human being is BORN with a SINFUL NATURE and has SINFUL proclivities. “….I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “...These wicked people are born sinners; even from birth they have lied and gone their own way...” (Psalm 58:3 NLT). “... The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies...” (Psalms 58:3 KJV).
Adam and Eve PASSED this SINFUL NATURE on to their children and all of mankind. “…SIN IS the transgression of the [God’s holy]...law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “...sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men, for that all sinned—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “...all have sinned (all have a sin nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
Adam and Eve and ALL of their descendants were BORN without the Holy SPIRIT. "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit…” (John 3:6 KJV).
BEING a sinner is not WHAT you do or don’t do; it is WHAT you are BY NATURE!
“...I was born a sinner ….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to ...sin (through the sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…the wages of sin (the end result) is [spiritual] death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…[Now]... all have sinned (all have been born with a sinful nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV). “…all have ... come short of the glory of God (all are born WITHOUT the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
“...so ...[spiritual]... death passed to all men...“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “...all have sinned (all have been born with a sinful nature)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
From generation to generation, descendant to descendant, and year after year the sinful nature has been passed down to all of mankind. “…the wages of sin (the end result) is [spiritual] death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
True “FREEDOM” and “LIBERTY” of WILL is witnessed through “SOVEREIGN WILL,” which is a holy, unique characteristic of God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE who truly does WHATEVER he chooses and pleases. “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “… Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT). God “…does whatever pleases him…” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
When God’s Holy Spirit of freedom and liberty are reunited with HIS people, they are FREE to choose and do as they please again. “…you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [sin, bondage, and imprisonment through the sinful nature]?....” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...If the Son (the indwelling Spirit) therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).
“...Now the Lord (Jesus, the Word, the GOOD seed, the LIGHT, the indwelling, etc.,) is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).
I will not pretend to understand all the doctrine and theories on “free will” but I am offering another perspective. The term “free will” may refer to one’s freedom to do as they choose and please in the natural realm, but they cannot choose holiness or righteous which comes from the supernatural realm. “...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to ...sin (through the sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [sin, bondage, and imprisonment through the sinful nature]?....” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “….Apart from [Jesus]... [you]… can do nothing (you cannot become FREE to choose holiness and righteous)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
I am not promoting or demoting doctrine for or against free will, I am just suggesting a new perspective on how that FREEDOM is truly experienced. “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).
Every human being HAS human will and it is a FREE will within the natural realm, but not in the supernatural realm. I don’t believe the human will is FULLY and WHOLLY FREE until it has REUNITED with the indwelling Holy Spirit. “…you are not free to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
You are God’s creation. “Free will” was originally a gift from God. Remember, mankind’s human will enabled them to choose, decide, or do as they please, which was part of being LIKE God, the Holy Spirit. “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Human will was also a GOOD and DIVINE gift of God given, originally, to Adam and Eve, who needed to make choices, decisions, and do whatever they pleased with the dominion they’d been given upon earth. “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…A man (woman) can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him (her (from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV). “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). SO “…What do you have (including a human will) that God hasn’t given you?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…. This command (to willfully choose to lay down his(Jesus’ life) I (Jesus) received from my Father...” (John 10:17-18 KJV).
God originally created mankind to experience freedom in ALL areas, but he put HOLY standards in place to protect them and keep them safe.
Eve became convinced, through the LIES of Satan, that God’s holy CHARACTER was questionable. “... I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent...” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT).
She BROKE faith with God when she chose to stop trusting in and depending upon the Holy Spirit’s WORD or truth. She willfully made an independent CHOICE against his LOVING instructions.“…The woman [became] ... convinced (THROUGH SOUND – listening to the Devil’s LIES) [to eat from the tree, anyway]... She saw (SIGHT) that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked (LUST of the EYES) delicious (TASTE), and she wanted (LUST of the FLESH) the wisdom (PRIDE of LIFE) it would give her. So she took (TOUCH) some of the fruit and ate it (TASTE)...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “….She [choose to take] (human will) ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
In the beginning Adam and Eve HAD “free” will. They could choose to do right. They could choose to be good and they were not slaves or in bondage to the flesh nature/human vessel. However, they were created after God’s likeness, which included a human WILL. “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
EVERYTHING God created was GOOD, even human WILL. “….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
Human WILL “IS” finite without the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).
Human will was created to BE empowered by the Holy Spirit. “…it is God(the Holy Spirit) which worketh in [his people] … to will ...” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).
The human will works BEST when connected with and empowered by the Holy Spirit. “…May … God … equip you with everything good for doing his will …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…may he work in … [you] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).
The Holy Spirit EMPOWERS righteous choices. “….Apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
The flesh nature is IMPOTENT when it comes to righteous choices and behaviors. “ … I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Eve used her human will to make an unrighteous choice that was independent of God’s instructions. “…The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
“...The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
“…So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
“…Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? ….” (Romans 6:16 NLT).
IMMEDIATELY, Adam, Eve, and ALL of mankind became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).
“… [NOW] … the whole world lies under the power of the evil one…” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
It started here: GOD SAID: “…of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: BUT of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT …[or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
Satan SAID: “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV).
THE REASON THE WOMAN MADE AN INDEPENDENT CHOICE AGAINST GOD’S INSTRUCTION. “…The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
EVE CHOSE. She voluntarily and willfully chose independent of God’s WORDS. “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT … [or] … thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
“… she took some of the fruit and ate it. …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
Eve’s CHOICE ALTERED
her path. Her CHOICE KILLED her “covenant
unity”
with God, the Holy Spirit. Her human
will was NO LONGER free. She was NOW a slave to SATAN through the flesh
nature. Her “GOOD” had departed. “… ONE sinner
destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…”
(Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).
“…the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB). “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man (woman), but the end thereof are the ways of DEATH...” (Proverbs 14:20 KJV).
Adam and Eve DIED spiritually - the ONLY death that really matters - at “THAT” very moment (when they ate the apple) as God’s WORD HAD SAID they would. “… Thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
“… [Adam and Eve’s] … iniquities (as a result of the independent acts of their human wills, choose the way of spiritual death) … [and they were immediately] … separated… from God (the Holy Spirit)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
“…Every man (or woman) is tempted, when … [they are] … drawn away of his (her) own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).
THAT day “…Sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…The wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).
“…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed] … MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “… [They were] …separated … from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
They were NOW “…DEAD in trespasses and sin…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…Through … [Adam and Eve] … sin entered into the world, and (spiritual) DEATH through sin, and so (spiritual) DEATH passed to all men (women)—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
NOW “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).
“… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
God is the Holy Spirit of love and he remains faithful to his responsibility, as Caregiver, towards his people anyway. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...[GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT]...careth for [his people]...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “...God is faithful [to them]...” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV). “… he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
“…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). Love’s only agenda is love. God’s love stays powerfully, potent for you no matter what you do or how you respond to his commands. “… [God’s] love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…[Nothing]…shall be able to separate [his people]… 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). “…[God has] loved [his people]...with an EVERLASTING love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). A “…Love …[that] … never FAILS….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).
God’s kind of love relinquishes any expectation of love in return from you. God will never force his commands on you, but will allow you to voluntarily follow after them. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (follow, respond to, etc)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “… he remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
One misunderstanding of God’s kind of love is that many, mistakenly, believe that God doesn’t desire or long for their love in return, but that’s not true. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, …” (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV). “…For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...” (Romans 15:4 KJV). “...The most important commandment (inspired of God, the Holy Spirit) 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....” (Matthew 22:36-40 NLT).
“…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths...” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).
God wants your love and your trust; not your religious practices. “...I’m after love that lasts, not more religion. I want you to know God, not go to more prayer meetings. You broke the covenant—just like Adam! You broke faith with me—ungrateful wretches!...” (Hosea 6:6 NLT). “... For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings...” (Hosea 6:6 KJV).
Just like with Israel, he “…did not set His love upon you nor choose you….” for any of your particular qualities, abilities, outward appearances, or performances, “…but because [He] loved you…..” Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
God, of course, wants your love in return (It simply means that God’s love is not demanding, nor does it expect, or force you to love him in return, but patiently desires for you to freely love Him on your own volition). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). However, “…[you choose] this day whom ye will serve (follow, respond to, love, etc)….”
This kind of Godly love is easily taken for granted and abused, yet it remains faithful. “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...[GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT]...careth for [his people]...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “...God is faithful [to them]...” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV). “… he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
“…the righteous CRY and Lord the heareth and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles…” (Psalms 34:17 KJV). “…Again and again [God] rescued them…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
“… Their enemies (personal SINS that oppress them or people oppressors) [would crush] them and [bring] them under their cruel power. Again and again [God] rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
“….O … God, what can we say after all of this? …ONCE AGAIN we have ABANDONED your commands!...” (Ezra 9:10 NLT).
God is love, but his people are not. God, the Holy Spirit, makes a faithful, loving commitment with his people, but they don’t always make one to HIM. “...O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, ...my strength, in whom I will trust ... so shall I be saved from mine enemies …” (Psalms 18:1-3 KJV). “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles...” (Psalms 34:6 KJV).
God alone “…. delivered [his people] ... out of all [THEIR] ... trouble…” (Psalms 54:7 KJV). Yet, they have a HISTORY of abandoning him. After Egypt, God’s people went into bondage over and over again. “….They ABANDONED the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods …” (Judges 2:12 NLT).
“…Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually ABANDONED ME and followed other gods…” (1 Samuel 8:8 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord to serve Baal …” (Judges 2:13 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). “… [They] became proud and FORGOT [God]….” (Hosea 13:6 NLT). “…Does a young woman forget her jewelry, or a bride her wedding dress? Yet for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).
God is AWESOME and REUNITES, through Jesus, with his people, and with untold benefits. He empowers them to live a blessed life, and promises an unchanging, everlasting love. However, his people CHOOSE to abide - OR NOT - in the “covenant unity” relationship with HIM. “…Again and again [God] rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
“...For if, after they (THOSE FREED FROM SIN) have escaped ... they (THOSE FREED FROM SIN) are AGAIN entangled in them (their former sinful lifestyle practices) ... it would be better for them (THOSE FREED FROM SIN) not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment ... It has happened to them (THOSE FREED FROM SIN) according to the true proverb, “A DOG RETURNS TO ITS OWN VOMIT,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire...” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB). “... EVERYONE (NO EXCEPTIONS) who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ... the one who practices sin is of the devil ... No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
“…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ (the Word of TRUTH) with Belial (the DEVIL or Father of LIES)? Or what part hath he that believeth (depends upon God) with an infidel (one who doesn’t depend upon God)?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit is committed and faithful to the “covenant unity” relationship, but not ALL his people are. “... They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear...” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT). “...They will reject the truth and chase after myths...” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT).
They have OFTEN, throughout biblical history, committed APOSTASY. They CHOSE to abandon previously held beliefs(vows) and have decided to rebel against the covenant relationship.“...dear brothers and sisters (god’s people). Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God...” (Hebrews 3:12-13 NLT).
“...God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it...” (Hebrews 4:1 NLT).
“…For years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord to serve Baal (other objects of faith)…” (Judges 2:13 NLT). “…Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually ABANDONED ME and followed other gods (other objects of faith)…” (1 Samuel 8:8 NLT). “…For my people have ABANDONED ME and offered sacrifices to pagan gods (other objects of faith)…” (2 Kings 22:17 NLT).
God, the Holy Spirit, NEVER wants to forsake or abandon the “covenant unity” relationship with HIS people. However, God, the Holy Spirit concedes, respectfully, to his people’s willful and voluntary CHOICE, through human will, to leave HIM. "… I hate divorce (APOSTASY)," says the LORD, the God of Israel..." (Malachi 2:16 NASB). “…[Yet]...GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind to do those things which are convenient...being filled with all unrighteousness...” (Romans 1:28 KJV). “…, …We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “… my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
God’s people have the prerogative of human will and can willfully CHOOSE to depart from God, the Holy Spirit, but God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE, doesn’t depart from his people “…I am with you always, to the very end (whatever that end may be)…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV). God will “…Never leave nor forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). “…Behold, I am with … [you] and will keep … [you]... whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
Nonetheless, God, the Holy Spirit, concedes, to his people’s CHOICE to leave or depart from HIM. “...The Lord said, My [Holy]...Spirit shall not always strive with man (woman…” (Genesis 6:3 KJV). “…They DID NOT like to [choose to] retain God in their knowledge (MINDS, hearts), GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind (wicked, unrepentant mind)…” (Romans 1:28 KJV). “...God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them...” (Romans 1:24 NASB). “...God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper...” (Romans 1:28 NASB). “....I gave them over to worthless decrees and regulations that would not lead to life...” (Ezekiel 20:25 NLT). “...It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire...” (2 Peter 2:20-23 NASB).
God’s people have a CHOICE and are NEVER forced to STAY in the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV). “....I gave them over ...” (Ezekiel 20:25 NLT)
Understand however, “… I will remove thy candlestick (the indwelling light) out of his place…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV). “… the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…” (Hebrews 4:12 KJV). “…you have been cut off from Christ! …” (Galatians 5:4 NLT).“…You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 5:4 NLT).
The bible says if you are married to someone who is NOT believing STAY committed to them. However, “...if the unbelieving one leaves, let him (her) leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called.. [his people]... to peace. For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?...” (1 Corinthians 7:15-16 NASB).
Similarly, God, the Holy Spirit, concedes to his people’s willful CHOICE to depart from him, yet he REMAINS faithful to his covenant promises (vows) to them. “…If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE remains UNCONDITIONALLY faithful toward his people. “…[Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
God, the Holy Spirit, will NEVER let his covenant partner perish or let anyone SNATCH them out of his hands as long as THEY abide in him within the “covenant unity” relationship. “...I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me...” (John 10:28 NLT).
“…they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
God’s people choose to “...Remain in me (Jesus), and I will remain in you...” (John 15:4). “...Abide in me and I in you...” (John 15:4 KJV). God PREFERS to STAY TOGETHER, in the covenant unity with HIS PEOPLE.
However, “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). …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 15:6 KJV).
God’s FAITHFUL and LOVING role in the covenant relationship with the believer is UNCONDITIONAL, but the redeemed; his people’s ROLE is “NOT.” “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “...[My Word to you].... is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
However, “…Choose you (through human will) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin…” (Psalm 106:39-43 NLT).
Every vow and promise God makes, to his people, is SOLID. “…MY WORD … that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).
God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB). “…He has granted to [his people]… His precious and magnificent promises…” (2 Peter 1:4 NASB). “…As many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes …also … Amen …” (2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB). “…Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made … failed; all came to pass…” (Joshua 21:45 NASB).
BUT, because of HUMAN WILL, his people’s vows and promises to HIM are NOT SOLID. “…My people would not listen to me. They kept (CHOOSING TO DO) ...whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “… The people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to (CHOOSE TO) live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…Thus saith the Lord; ‘Cursed be the MAN (or woman) ... whose HEART (WILLFULLY, by choice) departeth from the Lord…” (Jeremiah 17:5 KJV).
In addition, “…[GOD’S PEOPLE]... broke [THEIR] ... covenant [WITH HIm, BY CHOICE,], though I loved them as a...[righteous]... husband loves his wife,” says the Lord…” (Jeremiah 31:32 NASB).
IF YOU “DON’T’ LISTEN, THE BIBLE SAYS: “… to ... those who were once enlightened— AND THEN TURN AWAY…” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “… repent and DO the first works (CHOOSING to ABIDE, in the covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit)…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).
“…Choose you (through human will) this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey...” (Romans 6:16 KJV).
“...we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. 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).
“... REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “ ... Return ... to the Lord ... [your] ... God... [AND HE] ... will heal [your] ... apostasy ....” (Hosea 14:1-4 NLT).
“... I forewarn you ... those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
“…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye...[ALSO (the redeemed; his covenant people)]... shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit of Love is the faithful Caregiver to his people. His people are to choose, willfully, to be his faithful dependents who trust in and depend upon HIM.
God, the Holy Spirit takes FULL responsibility for the CARE of his people, but they CHOOSE to trust in and depend upon HIS CARE. “... You, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he (Jesus) reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his (God’s) sight (THE NEXT VERSE REQUIRES HUMAN WILL OR HUMAN CHOICE) “If” ye (CHOOSE TO) continue in the faith (trusting & depending) grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister [God will totally take care of you and all your needs]...” (Colossians 1:21-23 KJV). “... Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters (god’s people)...” (Hebrews 3:12 NLT). “...Take heed, brethren (God’s children), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, (THE NEXT VERSE REQUIRES HUMAN WILL OR HUMAN CHOICE) “if” we (CHOOSE TO) hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end...” (Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV). .“...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” ENDURE (THROUGH HUMAN WILL OR HUMAN CHOICE) UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
You cannot love God until you know “HOW” he loves you. “...We love, because HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). God “…SPARED NOT his own Son, but delivered him up FOR US ALL…” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…God SHOWED HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater love…” (John 15:13 NLT). God, the Holy Spirit, has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV).
“…HE CHOSE [his people]... in Him before the foundation of the world…” (Ephesians 1:4 NLT). "…You did not choose [God, the Holy Spirit]... but [god, the holy spirit]... chose you, and appointed you “bear” [spiritual]...fruit…” (John 15:16 ASV). “…ye are a chosen generation…” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “…God ....chose Abram …and made a covenant with him…” (Nehemiah 9:7-8 NASB). “..thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth...” (Deuteronomy 7:6). ““... you are a chosen people…” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV). “…The God of our fathers hath chosen thee…” (Acts 22:14 KJV).
It doesn’t happened by MAGIC! To enjoy the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE, all his people need to DO is trust in and depend upon his CARE. Like it or not, IT’S A CHOICE. “…[You Choose] this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
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