THE
COVENANT RELATIONSHIP #2
YOUR SOURCE FOR ACCEPTANCE and VALIDATION
“…[God]…hath made us accepted in the beloved...” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).
*
Self-acceptance and self-validation MAY be two of the MOST crippling and hard to fulfill needs or human desires people struggle with, privately. “….human desire (regarding the need to be accepted and validated) is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT). Therefore, “… [God’s people]… are NEVER SATISFIED (with human acceptance and/or validation)...” (HABAKKUK 2:5 NLT).
In one’s formative years being approved of and recognized as worthy ALWAYS comes from CAREGIVERS, but if those NEEDS are never met, you’ll spend a lifetime seeking acceptance and validation from ANY kind of environment (healthy or unhealthy).“… [God, the Holy Spirit] … will supply all [your need for acceptance and validation]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God, the Holy Spirit, ALONE will]… satisfy …and refresh everyone …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing (can’t find satisfying acceptance and validation)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
When the CONFORMED person is MADE WHOLE, RESTORED, and RECONCILED to God, the Holy Spirit, they are NEW CREATION. “…Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “… all things are … [MADE] … NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…I will put a new spirit in [my people] …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT).
New Creations are FREE from ALL past rejections and invalidations, but LIVING in and EXPERIENCING that FREEDOM is an ACTIVE process of sanctification that involves the will that enables the CONFORMED person to CHOOSE to renew their own mindsets. “…if the Son (Jesus Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit)…shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed.” (John 8:36 KJV). “…the will of God (his heart’s desire, his choice, what he wants, etc.), [is]…your SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “ ... in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
“…Christ ….loved the church, and GAVE himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word (of god)….” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY (cleanse) you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “….ye are SANCTIFIED (cleaned) …in the name of the Lord Jesus (the Word), and by the SPIRIT (living water) of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).
The active process of sanctification, through God’s Word, washes away past habitual/familiar lifestyles through DAILY repetition and practicing new behaviors and mindsets.“...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION (cleansing power) by the Spirit (God’s LIVING WATER) and faith (trust and dependency) in the truth (Jesus)…” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NASB).
Daily repetition and practicing new behaviors and mindsets work together through a stimulus and response system too. Remember a stimulus is something that happens in the CONFORMED person’s environment. A response is the way the CONFORMED person reacts to that stimulus.
The RESPONSE is the way certain behaviors and mindsets are produced.
For instance if the STIMULUS is the WORD of GOD, the RESPONSE “will” be EMPOWERED by indwelling Holy Spirit to produce new behaviors and mindsets witnessed by spiritual fruit. “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God...” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, [FAITH], gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “...This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves…” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT).
If this stimulus and response dynamic is repeated and strengthened, empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, over a LONG period of time, new behaviors and mindsets witnessed by spiritual fruit will transform the old CONFORMED person INTO the image of Jesus Christ.“…the will of God ...[his people’s]...SANCTIFICATION …” (1 Thessalonians 4:3 NASB). “ ... in the PROCESS of TIME ...[sanctification]....” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).
The old CONFORMED person’s transformation will eradicate the old habitual lifestyle of self-rejection and self-invalidation. “…old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
This PROCESS of sanctification and transformation happens through daily routine practices. The old CONFORMED person is watching, God, through Jesus (his Word) accept and validate them, which they begin to imitate and will start accepting and validating themselves. Jesus said: "...I and my Father are one..." (John 10:30 KJV). “…what [Jesus SAW]... the Father doing … these the Son also doeth in like manner” (John 5:19 ASV) and he boasted that “….the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that he himself doeth...” (John 5:20 ASV). “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “...not My will, but Yours be done..." (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
The old CONFORMED person watches how God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, his living Word begins to accept them into his life and family, He validates them by showing them they were so valuable and worthy to him he purposely sent his Son to save them. “...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ...” (Philippians 1:6 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
The old CONFORMED person does NOT evaluate themselves BY the past or unmet needs or desires, but self-improvement is BASED upon living out the NEW life they’ve ALREADY been given through Jesus Christ.
A NEW CREATION focuses on BECOMING who they ALREADY are by RENEWING their mindsets. Self-rejection and self-invalidation leads to a DIMINISHED spiritual life through a continuation of self-condemnations. There is no CONDEMNATION in Christ. “…There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV). “…There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. ….” (John 3:18 NLT). “….For by your [own]…words you will be justified (made right), and by your [own]...words you will be condemned (made wrong)…” (Matthew 12:37 NASB).
There is absolutely, “….none that doeth good, no, not [even] ONE” (Romans 3:12 KJV). You and every single person on earth “… [have become]…..unclean and [their] righteousnesses (so-called perfection) are as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). “….there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not?” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). NO human being is perfect!!!
Thus, God’s people NO LONGER need to seek this approval or validation through their surrounding environments, especially from individuals who are finite and possibly LACKING themselves. “… [ALL have become]….. unclean and [their] righteousnesses (so-called perfection) are as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
“….there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not?” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). NO human being is perfect!!! According to current statistics, 85-90% of the world’s population is affected by rejection and invalidation.
For God’s people, they are accepted and validated by HIM. “…This is my beloved Son: ….” (Mark 9:6 KJV). “...[Thus, God]…hath made [YOU (his people)]… accepted in the beloved...” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). So, “…BE CONFORMED TO the IMAGE of His Son…” (Romans 8:29). “…BEAR the IMAGE of the heavenly man…” (1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV). HOW? “… [by faith]…we all ...are BEING TRANSFORMED into his IMAGE …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).
God’s people set goals to be LIKE JESUS by being CONFORMED to HIS IMAGE. “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “...In this world we are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...Be … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ (the god image)…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).
“… BE…TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND …” (Romans 12:2 KJV). What you think affects your image. “…as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (PROVERBS 23:7 KJV).
“….[God’s people willingly choose to] ...PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 3:14 KJV). “...Therefore, [God’s people], be all the more diligent to make certain about HIS CALLING and choosing you; for as long as you PRACTICE these things, you will never stumble…” (2 Peter 1:10 NASB).
SO, “…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). “…until Christ be formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19 KJV). “…until we …become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14 NIV).
God’s people are EQUIPPED with EVERYTHING the need to DO God’s will upon earth “IN” Jesus. “…the Father that dwelleth in … [his peole through the Jesus], he doeth the works (of TRANSFORMING you)…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…God …works in [his people] … TO ACT (TO actually become TRANSFORMED) in order to fulfill his good purpose…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “ … God … equip [his people with the indwelling Holy Spirit and]... with everything good for doing his will (transforming into the image of Christ) …” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [they cannot]... do nothing [his people cannot be TRANSFORMED]…” (John 15:5 NIV). “….For IN HIM [his people]... live, and move, and have [their] being (identity, acceptance, validation, etc.) …[they]... are …his offspring….” (ACTS 17:28 KJV).
God’s people are ALREADY accepted and validated through Jesus Christ, who has made them into NEW CREATIONS. “…if any man (woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). His people no longer has to strive, beg, or struggle for acceptance and validation. “….all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). God’s people are ALREADY WHOLE and LACKING nothing. “…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).
“….IN HIM [God’s people]... …have [their] being (identity, acceptance, validation, etc.) ….” (ACTS 17:28 KJV). “…It shall be done to you (experienced)... according to your faith (according to your trust and dependency upon what God has already DONE for you)…" (Matthew 9:29 NASB).
When the old CONFORMED person is SAVED the habitual/familiar lifestyle NO LONGER applies to their NEW CREATION. However, if they don’t begin to RENEW their mindset, and allow God’s Word to help them change the conversation, in their MINDS, they will continue to BEHAVE the same as always. “….For by your [own]...words you will be justified (made right in your behavior and mind), and by your [own]...words you will be condemned (stay wrong/dysfunctional in your behavior and mind]…” (Matthew 12:37 NASB). 85-90% of the world’s population is affected by self-rejection and self-invalidation.
God said, in the VERY beginning, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul...” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). When “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
Now mankind has a PROBLEM being good to themselves and sometimes others too. “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to [self-rejection and self-invalidation]. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it,... [and]... I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t ,,,I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want (WILL) to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong ... Oh, what a miserable person I am!…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
God’s people NO LONGER have to around self-rejecting and self-invalidating. WHY? “…[God]…hath made [his people]… accepted in the beloved...” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). Jesus is God’s “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17). “….IN HIM [God’s people] …have [their] being (identity, acceptance, validation, etc.) ….” (ACTS 17:28 KJV). “….old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Christ liveth in [them]…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
When God made mankind he said “… it was very good….” What happened? “…through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “….God saw every thing he had made…was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). “… one sinner destroy[ed]… much good…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). The devil took the opportunity“… to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” mankind’s acceptance and validation from God, the Holy Spirit. (John 10:10 KJV).
“….God saw every thing he had made…was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).
How did the devil steal, kill, and destroy mankind’s acceptance and validation? God required “ONE” thing from his “…very good…” creation: He SAID to them: “….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; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17).
“… [But]… the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall NOT surely die…” (Genesis 3:1 KJV).
As you can see “… the devil …was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NLT).
The devil is a liar and came into Adam and Eve’s life “… to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” them (John 10:10 KJV). He destroyed them with his LYING tongue (Proverbs 11:9 NIV).
God DID NOT say not to “touch” the tree nor did he call it the “tree in the midst of the garden.” However, Eve replied in this manner to the lying devil “…but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, 'Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:3 KJV). What God actually said was, “….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; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
The lying mouth of the devil (serpent) changed God’s Word from - “….thou SHALT surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17) to - “…Ye shall NOT surely die…” Mankind’s image and likeness of God drastically changed. “...With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors...” (Proverbs 11:9 NIV).
“… AT THAT MOMENT their eyes were opened (opened to an existence without God, the Holy Spirit)…Then the Lord God asked…“What have you done? …“ (Genesis 3 NLT). Did they die?
Yes. They immediately as God said and became spiritually “…dead in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). “…through one man sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “… one sinner destroy[ed]… much good...” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).
“….For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned…” (Matthew 12:37 NASB). The devil’s words revealed he was a liar from the very beginning and hated God’s truth.“… the devil …was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NLT).
God says you will know HIS people by their spiritual fruit. “…Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). Spiritual fruit won’t lie and will always tell the truth, because it is produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The devil’s words were false and proved to be wrong. “… the devil …was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NLT).
The devil’s own words condemned him as a liar. “…by your [own]…words you will be condemned…” (Matthew 12:37 NASB). “… the devil …was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth…” (John 8:44 NLT). Satan’s words proved and confirmed him is “…the Father of lies…”
The bible says: “...With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors...” (Proverbs 11:9 NIV). “.... The loose tongue of the godless spreads destruction...” (Proverbs 11:9 MSG). “…the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart… “…[it is] …out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 RSV). “...A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of…” (Luke 6:45 NIV). He is “…the Father of lies…”
The devil’s LIES were the STIMULUS in the environment and the RESPONSE made Eve REACT by eating the fruit. Sinful behavior began. “…... SIN (violation against God’s holy instruction) entered into the world—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
“…And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat…” (Genesis 3:6 KJV).
This verse is a good example of the stimulus and response dynamics, which started with listening to the DYSFUNCTIONAL words of a LIAR.
The LIES made Eve SEE something, which made her WANT it or LUST for it, even though God, the Holy Spirit had given her EVERYTHING she NEEDED. “….the woman SAW that the tree was good for food…” (Genesis 3:6). “… For everything in the world—….the lust of the eyes—….comes not from the Father but from the world…” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
The tree evidently, was pleasant to gaze upon. “….and …it was pleasant to the eyes…” (Genesis 3:6). In addition, it possessed the power to make her prudent. “…a tree to be desired to make one wise...” (Genesis 3:6). “….when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, IT BRINGS FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:15 NASB). “…for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
The devil comes into YOUR surrounding environments, spreads HIS LIES and diminishes God’s TRUTHS. “...With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors...” (Proverbs 11:9 NIV). “… the devil …was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. …” (John 8:44 NLT). God told Eve if she ate the fruit she would surely dies, but the LYING devil said: “...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 3:5 NLT).
Satan’s lies destroyed Adam and Eve’s spiritual life when “…... SIN entered into the world—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
Eve demonstrates how responding to the surrounding environments, full of LIES, can destroy how people behave. “.. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes NOT from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
Not only does Eve eat the fruit, but she gives it to her husband also. “…and although they know the ordinance of God …those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them…” (Romans 1:32 NASB). In this case, Eve KNEW the truth, but after being convinced by lies, she chose to have her way and followed the devil. “...they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NIV).
“...With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors...” (Proverbs 11:9 NIV). The “covenant unity” between God’s Holy Spirit and Adam and Eve’s soul was destroyed. That’s WHY the devil came into the environment. He came “… to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).
The heart stores information (lies or truth). When needed, the heart will send the information it chooses to the mind in order to direct one’s behavior. That’s why the heart and its “stored” information “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it?…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). “...For from within, out of the heart of man (woman), proceed evil thoughts… wickedness, [self-rejection, self-invalidation, etc.,]… All these evil things come from within...” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
Therefore: whatever the old CONFORMED person did, whoever they were, whatever their mistakes, however long they did wrong; whoever they wronged, whatever they’re guilty of, regardless of life’s rejections or invalidations, and in spite of their many, many, many flaws and shortcomings; God’s GRACE is sufficient. God’s “…grace is sufficient for you…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB). “…Where sin increased, [GOD’S]…grace abounded all the more…” (Romans 5:20 NASB). His “…love covereth a multitude of sins…” (Proverbs 10:12, 1 Peter 4:8 ASV). GOD’S “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “….old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“… [God] …hath made [HIS redeemed people]… accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). Jesus is God’s “beloved Son” (Matthew 3:17). “….IN HIM [God’s people] …have [their] being (identity, acceptance, validation, etc.,) ….” (ACTS 17:28 KJV).
The old CONFORMED person may feel like Paul did when they are first saved: “...The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I CAN’T...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
Nonetheless, God has made each of his REDEEMED children “...alive together with [Christ]…” (Colossians 2:13 ASV). “…[They are part of]… a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people …[and God]… hath called [his people] out of darkness (out of ALL lies) into his marvellous light (into his truth)....” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV).“...Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ, he (she) is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“…If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former CONVERSATION the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind…” (Ephesians 4:21-23 KJV). “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:1 KJV). AND “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).
“…To be conformed to the image of his Son...” “KNOW” Christ is “IN” YOU (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…Jesus Christ is in you…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ in you, …” (Colossians 1:27 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV). “…if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you…” (Romans 8:11 KJV). You can say, “…Christ liveth in me…” (Galatians 2:20 KJV). “…Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you…” (1 Corinthians 6:19 KJV). “...Therefore if any man (woman) be in Christ [and Christ “IN” them], he (she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“…We (God’s people) all ...are BEING TRANSFORMED into his IMAGE …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). God’s people can, by faith, “…BEAR the IMAGE of the heavenly man…” (1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV).
Therefore, RIGHT NOW, AT THIS MOMENT, “...[God]…hath made [YOU]… accepted in the beloved...” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV). “... [God, the Holy Spirit] ...chose ...[you] ...” (Ephesians 1:11 NLT). “...God ...[chose YOU]... to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth...” (Deuteronomy 7:6). GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, THROUGH JESUS IS YOUR SOURCE OF ACCEPTANCE and VALIDATION.
“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the … HOLY SPIRIT … is the source of [EVERYTHING]. …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
No comments:
Post a Comment