I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU
GOD CHOOSING YOU, PART 2
“....God chose us (every one of us)... in Christ before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4)
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God’s HOLY nature and mankind’s sinful nature can’t reconcile without Jesus. Why? “[Because]…the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would” (Galatians 5:17).
The sinful nature is A “sinful” nature. “… sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies…” (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV).
The sinful nature is identified through acts of …“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,” (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV).
In addition, the human heart is also defiled by the sinful nature with “….evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies…” (Matthew 15:19 KJV).
You may read this list of sins and think they don’t apply to you, because you don’t do any of “these” sins. However, the bible says, “…who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am pure from my sin?...” (Proverbs 20:9 KJV).
SIN is “not” just a collection of behaviors based on what you do or don’t do; sin is a symptom of what YOU ARE; a sinful nature.
“...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 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. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by [the sinful NATURE]? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Sin, therefore, is the symptom of an INNATE CONDITION of the sinful nature. Every male and female is born with one. "…That which is born of the flesh is flesh…” (John 3:6 KJV).
This sinful nature was inherited from Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve could ONLY reproduce what they had become, FLESH, because they were SEPARTED from God, the Holy Spirit. Thus, “… all have sinned (all have this nature), and come short of the glory of God (all come short of God’s indwelling presence)…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).
“,,, [Therefore,] ...through one man sin entered (physical life without the indwelling Holy Spirit entered) into the world, and [spiritual] ...death through sin, and so [spiritual] death passed to all men [and women], for that all sinned (all have been born with a sinful nature]—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling holy LIGHT)—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT).
“... When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought [spiritual] ... death, so [spiritual] ... death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned (everyone is born with merely a sinful nature) ... But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought [spiritual] death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ [who brought spiritual LIFE (God’s indwelling Holy Spirit). And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God (being reconciled to God, restored to his Holy Spirit, and MADE WHOLE again), even though [mankind (the world)]... are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused [spiritual] ... death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness (spiritual life and reconciliation to God), for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ (the Word)...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).
“...If we say that we have no sin (no sinful nature), we deceive ourselves and the truth (God’s indwelling Holy Spirit) is not in us...” (1 John 1:8 KJV). “...Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye (a sinful nature) also do good, who are accustomed to do evil...” (Jeremiah 13:23 KJV).
“…The sinful nature wants to do evil ....so you are not FREE to carry out your good intentions. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
“…The sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).
“… there is none righteous; no not one:” (Romans 3:10 KJV).
Many people have decided “…there is no God…” and “…they are corrupt, they have done abominable works [and] there is none who doeth good...” (Psalms 14:1 KJV).
God’s HOLY nature CAN’T mix with a SINFUL nature. “…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness...?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV).
There is a BARRIER or SEPARATION, between God and mankind, made by sinful nature. This separation is like a CHASM between the natural realm and the supernatural realm.
It creates a gulf for sinful mankind, which keeps them from reaching the HOLY God and they cannot have a “covenant union” with HIM. “... And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
This chasm separates mankind from God, cuts them off from him, permanently, and because they are in two different realms, he can’t even accept them, hear them, or look upon them with any kind of favor. “… [God, the Holy Spirit] can not look on wickedness with favor…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “… [God, the Holy Spirit’s]... eyes are too pure to approve (accept) evil…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “…Because of YOUR SINS, [God, the Holy Spirit has] … turned away and can… not listen anymore [because he is in the spiritual realm and YOU are not]…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).
HOLINESS simply can NOT bond, MIX, UNITE, or be yoked together with SIN on ANY level (big or small). SIN creates a REAL separation just like OIL and WATER does. “…Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). “... And besides all this, between us and you [there is] a great chasm (barrier) …” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
The fruit of the SPIRIT or CHARACTER of God is identified with “...holiness...” “…righteousness…” “…peace…” “…truth…” “…pure thoughts…” ..spiritual life….” “…purity…” “…spiritual riches….”….light….” “….Holy love…” “…stability…” “….sovereignty…” “….goodness…” “….wisdom…” “...omniscient....omnipresent…” …cleanliness…” “…mercy…” “…grace…” “…forgiveness….” “...faithfulness…” “…Holy Spirit’s working power…” “…joy…” “…justice…” “…majestic beauty…”
The angels in heaven call out to one another saying, “….holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is filled with his glory… (Isaiah 6:3 KJV).
The bible tells us, “…..O Lord… for thou ONLY art holy….” (Revelations 15:4 KJV).
God is totally separated from sin, evil, and darkness. God “only” has a propensity for holiness. “… what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).
God tells his people DO not “...be … unequally yoked...” (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV). YET,…GOD CHOSE YOU. “…the things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV).
The bible says: "...You did not choose me but I chose you....” (John 15:16 ASV). God is the Chooser. “...So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“… [God, the Holy Spirit SENT the] … …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).
Paul said: “...For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Romans 7:18-20 KJV).
“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN?…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots [the sinful nature]? then may ye also do good, who are accustomed to do evil (Jeremiah 13:23 KJV).
“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
God’s CHOOSES mankind, SAVES mankind, and GIVES them a new identity. “….But ye are...[NOW]... a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” (1 Peter 2:9 KJV).
You are “….a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).
“…For [NOW] all the promises of God “in” him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us...” (2 Corinthians 1:20 KJV).
“…old things are passed away, behold all things are new…” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV).
When the lost and spiritually dead soul is mixed with the ingredients of God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness, salvation, cleansing power of his Word, Holy love, and the indwelling SPIRIT they become NEW CREATIONS! “….[Their]... life is [now] hid with Christ in God….” (Colossians 3:3 KJV).
“...Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn’t, and doesn’t, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn’t been so weak, we wouldn’t have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him...” (Romans 5:8 MSG).
Also “…This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God...” (1John 4:10 MSG).
“…..God so loved … [mankind] that he gave his ONLY…” (John 3:16 KJV).
“….he [Jesus] …humbled himself and became obedient unto death – even the death of the cross….” (Philippians 2:8 KJV).
“…[God said:]... my righteous servant (Jesus) ... [made]... it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he...[bore]... 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).
“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (SAVES, RESTORES, and reconciles mankind to God, the Holy Spirit, AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).
Thus, God urges, his people, to “….give [HIM their]....heart[s]….. present [their]... bodies…keep [God’s] commandments…..abide in [God’s]... love… [so] that [God’s]... joy might remain [within them]… [and tells his people to] grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (Proverbs 23:26, Romans 12:1, John 14:15, John 15:10-11 and 2 Peter 3:18 KJV).
When God’s people are baptized it signifies they are reconciled to God, restored to his indwelling Holy Spirit, made whole, again, “in” Christ, are committed to living a new life, are made holy, are dead to sin, and are a “new creation.”
“...Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness life...” (Romans 6:4 KJV).
When God chooses mankind, it is up to mankind to ACCEPT HIM through their own choosing. Paul said, “……those who received (accept) his Word were baptized….” (Acts 2:41 KJV). “….walk in the newness of life….” (Romans 6:4 KJV).
Baptism doesn’t save you, but accepting Jesus as Savior does. The entrance into the “covenant unity” relationship with God comes through faith, “…ye are saved through faith…” (Ephesian 2:8-9 KJV).
”… ye [are]…saved by grace through faith…it is the GIFT of God…” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV). “…Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly. Along with faith … that are [“through” the power of the WORD of GOD]…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV).
Faith is amanah in Hebrew which means support or fixed provision. It is a NEW WAY to “SEE” or your NEW spiritual eyesight. That’s why “…..God hath dealt to every [one of us] the measure of faith.” (Roman 12:3 KJV). “…faith (spiritual sight) cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV) and that the Word of God “….is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth…’ (Romans 1:16 KJV).
Salvation means, according to Strong’s concordance, redemption, or deliverance from sin, its effects and its consequences.
If the gospel, the Word, Jesus is the power of God unto salvation, it is God’s way of bringing, reconciling, and restoring MANKIND to himself.
“…faith is the substance (reality) of things hoped for, the evidence (Proof) of things not seen...” (Hebrew 11:1 KJV).
“…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “...For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast...”(EPHESIANS 2:8-9 KJV).
“…..God hath dealt to every [one of us] the measure of faith....” (Roman 12:3 KJV). “...Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith (the measure of faith, the fruit of faith, the indwelling faith, etc.)... of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me...” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).
Let’s take a LOOK at gifted faith:
1. FAITH COMES – WHEN IT HEARS JESUS (THE WORD).
2. FAITH IS SUBSTANCE –THE REALITY OF (what empowers the creative working power of God’s SPIRIT to DO what his WORD says to DO.
3. FAITH IS EVIDENCE – PROOF (the guarantee that God’s powerful working SPIRIT WILL DO whatever the WORD of God tells it to DO).
4. FAITH IS A GIFT FROM GOD (a gift from God).
5. FAITH DOES NOT ORIGINATE FROM HUMANITY NOR IS IT HUMAN EFFORT.
6. FAITH (gifted faith) AND WORKS (God’s working SPIRIT) ARE A TEAM.
“… Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18 KJV).
The book of Hebrews demonstrates that faith is always teamed up with a powerful work of God. The powerful works of God in this chapter is CLEARLY SEEN.
Read the entire chapter eleven of Hebrews to see how faith and Godly works team up together. Here are some excerpts, from Hebrews, chapter 11, on faith and Godly works.
BY FAITH ABEL OFFERED UP…..
BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED….
BY FAITH NOAH WAS MOVED WITH FEAR (REVERANCE)……
BY FAITH ABRAHAM OBEYED AND WENT OUT…
BY FAITH ABRAHAM OFFERED UP ISAAC ….
BY FAITH SARA RECEIVED STRENGTH TO CONCEIVE…
BY FAITH MOSES WAS HID FOR THREE MONTHS…
BY FAITH THEY PASSED THROUGH THE RED SEA...
BY FAITH THE WALLS OF JERICHO FELL DOWN...
BY FAITH KINGDOMS WERE SUBDUED, RIGHTEOUSNESS WAS WORKED, PEOPLE OBTAINED PROMISES, THEY STOPPED THE MOUTH OF LIONS, QUENCHED THE VIOLENCE OF FIRE, ESCAPED THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, OUT OF WEAKNESS WAS MADE STRONG, WAXED VALIENT IN FIGHT, TURNED TO FLIGHT THE ARMIES OF THE ALIENS, WOMEN RECEIVED THEIR DEAD RAISED TO LIFE AGAIN: AND OTHERS WERE TORTURED, NOT ACCEPTING DELIVERANCE, THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION.
NONE of these would have happened if it wasn’t for the GIFT of faith and the powerful WORKS of God. “..Ye see then how that by works (done by the working SPIRIT) a man (woman) is justified, and not by faith only...” (James 2:24 KJN).
The GIFT of faith comes, grows, is exercised, or manifested by hearing the gospel. The gospel is “…the [Word of God is what FUELS the working]... POWER of God [to MIRACULOUSLY “SAVE].... everyone that believeth…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).
When gifted faith hears the Word (Jesus, the speaking SPIRIT) it grows and produces more faith which empowers God’s people with expectant hope in God’s powerful working SPIRIT to DO the works. “… God … work[s] … in … [his people] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within his people]… he doeth the works…”(John 14:10 KJV).
.“…It is …God [the indwelling Holy Spirit] ... who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH [his people] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...the Holy Spirit produces [spiritual]...fruit in [the]... lives...[of his people] …” (Galatians 5 NLT).
Faith is the eyesight or vision for New Creations. The struggle with the NEW identity comes from NOT using the “measure of faith” to SEE the WAY more clearly. “… Jesus opened a new and life-giving way ... into the Most Holy Place…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). “...Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the way; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
The “measure of faith” is activated when God’s people “hear” the Word of God, which EMPOWERS them to SEE into the spiritual realm.
God’s people can’t conjure gifted faith up, or force it, or increase it through self-effort, or positive-think your way to it. “…..God hath dealt to every [one of us] the measure of faith....” (Roman 12:3 KJV). “…Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “...it is the gift of God ...”(EPHESIANS 2:8-9 KJV).
God’s “measure of faith” works in God’s people when they “…[HEAR the WORD and LET] the Word of Christ dwell in [them]... richly…” (Philippians 2:13; Colossian 3:16 KJV).
To enjoy all the BENEFITS, FAVORS, BLESSINGS, and GIFTS bestowed upon them, God’s people choose to LEARN how to USE their “measure of faith” by habitually “hearing the Word of God.”
All of God’s CHOSEN people have been GIFTED with a “measure of faith” to enable them to SEE with their NEW EYES as NEW CREATIONS in Christ!
God who is SPIRIT gives GIFTS that are SPIRIT too. They must be used for the SPIRITUAL LIFE new creations have been given. When God CHOOSES a man or woman and they ACCEPT him, they become SPIRITUAL beings!!
NEW CREATIONS learn about the TRUTHS of being “chosen “in” Christ “...before the foundation of the world...” (Ephesians 1:4).
They LEARN that “...[nothing] shall be able to “separate [them]... from the love of God, which is “in” Christ…” (Romans 8:38-39). They also learn that “... [God’s people] have redemption…… [and] the forgiveness of sins…“ in” Christ (Ephesians 1:7). In addition, they are “...are sinless before God...” “in” Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). And last, but not least, “...[God’s people are’....the righteousness of God…” “in” Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Even further, they are new creatures “in” Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17); they are children of God by faith “in” Christ (Galatians 3:26); they are seated in heavenly places while on earth “in” Christ (Ephesians 2:6); God’s promises are yes and amen, to them, “in” Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20); they are sanctified “in” Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2); All their needs are supplied “in” Christ (Philippians 4:19); God’s peace will keep their hearts and minds “in” Christ (Philippians 4:7); they have eternal life “in” Christ (Romans 6:23); and they are made spiritually alive “in” Christ (1 Corinthians 15:22).
The benefits, favors, blessings, and gifts to those who are CHOSEN by God “IN” Christ go on and on and are boundless.
By being “chosen” by God through Christ, people are put into a position with all the rights and privileges of a “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, again.
God chooses every one of his people, ON PURPOSE, with the intention of NEVER leaving them or forsaking them EVER!"...You did not choose me but I chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name he may give to you...” (John 15:16 ASV). God is the Chooser.
“…I AM WITH [my chosen people]... ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
…Behold, I AM WITH… [my chosen people] … and … I WILL NOT LEAVE [them] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “… Behold, I am with … [my chosen people] and will keep … [them] whithersoever [they]… goest…I will not leave [them] ..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).
“… The LORD thy God …will not fail [his chosen people], nor forsake the[m]…” (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV).
“...God chose [his people]... in Christ before the foundation of the world...” (Ephesians 1:4).
“…[God’s people]... are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that [they]... should shew forth the praises of him who hath called [them]... out of darkness into his marvellous light…(1 Peter 2:9 KJV). “…God has said “Never will “I” leave [my chosen people ]; never will “I” forsake [them]…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “...[God, the Holy Spirit]... remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).
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