TRANSFORMING LOVE
GOD MAKES YOU HOLY THROUGH DISCIPLINE, Part 6
“…WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH (DISCIPLINES)…” (HEBREW 12:6 KJV).
“…be ye holy, for I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV).
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The relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, is NOT simply about what God does within the “covenant unity” to stay SEALED to his people, but it is also about what his people choose to DO to stay ABIDING “in” HIM.
The problem is NOT God. “…God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship (bondship) of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord…” (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). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
It’s a “covenant unity” relationship between God, the Holy Spirit, and his people. A relationship is between at least two people. If the problem is NOT God, the Holy Spirit, then WHO is it? “…I AM (god is]... WITH [my people]... ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).
Nonetheless, “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “... who then ..[CHOSE TO] ... turn away from God …” (Hebrews 6:4-8 NLT). “...Take heed, BRETHREN (God’s people), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “...If ye (God’s people) ...[CHOOSE TO] .... continue in the faith ... and be not moved away (BE NOT DEPARTED) from the hope of the gospel [God will KEEP you from falling] ...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV).
The PRACTICE of sin STILL SEPARATES people from God, the Holy Spirit. “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). . “…Your INIQUITIES … separated … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
“…what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? [NONE]... And what communion hath light with darkness? [NONE]...And what concord hath Christ (the Word of TRUTH) with Belial (the DEVIL or Father of LIES)? [NONE]... Or what part hath he that believeth (depends upon God) with an infidel (one who doesn’t depend upon God)? [NONE]...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).
“... Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).
The soul LEFT ALONE without God, the Holy Spirit is in a WORST condition than being LEFT ALONE without the physical presence of a significant loved one. “... Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…SALVATION is found in no one else, …” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NASB).
God “….is ... NOT WILLING that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9 KJV).
“... This is the will (CHOICE, or HEART’S DESIRE) of Him who sent Me (Jesus, his WORD), that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will (CHOICE or HEART’S DESIRE) of My Father, that everyone who beholds (observes, FOLLOWS after) the Son (Jesus, the WORD) and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day...” (John 6:39-40 NASB). “... Now unto HIM (Jesus Christ, the WORD of God) that is ABLE to KEEP [his people]... from falling (away), and to present [them]... faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy...” (Jude 1:24 KJV).
The relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus is the FREE gift of salvation to his people. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved through… FAITH (through dependence upon God’s WORD); and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE [FREE]... GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).
Every lost and spiritually dead soul willfully CHOOSES to receive God’s WORD (Jesus) or not. “…receive the word implanted….” (James 1:21 NASB). “…As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (daughters) of God, even to them that believe on (trust in and depend upon) his name…” (John 1:12).
Once a lost and spiritually dead soul becomes a NEW CREATION in Christ, they will eventually begin to display spiritual fruit. “…Ye shall know [God’s transformed people]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “…He (she) who ABIDES in Me and I in him (her), he (she) bears much fruit …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).
Spiritual fruit is how the indwelling Holy Spirit DISPLAYS the “covenant unity” relationship SHARED with EACH of his people. "…My Father is glorified by this, that “YOU” (his people) bear much fruit, and so PROVE to be My (God’s) disciples” (John 15:8 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit’s, role in the “covenant unity” relationship is SOLID and IMMUTABLE. “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
Though God, the Holy Spirit, NEVER CHANGES and REMAINS forever FAITHFUL to who he is and who he promises to be to his people, they have a human will. “...Remain in me, and I will remain in you...” (John 15:4). “...Abide in me and I in you...” (John 15:4 KJV). “…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).
The human will can “…choose this day [and every]... day whom [it]...will serve…” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…..a man’s (woman’s) heart deviseth (plans) his (her) way…” (Proverbs 16:9 KJV). “…If any man (woman) will do his will….” (John 7:17 KJV). “….if any man (woman) hear my voice, and open the door…” (Revelation 3:20 KJV). “…But as many as received him…” (John 1:12 KJV). “…. if thou shalt confess with thy mouth...” …come after me….” Mark 8:34 KJV). “….repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions…” (Ezekiel 18:30 KJV).
“…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
These scripture clearly tells God’s people that a man or woman willfully chooses or plans his or her OWN path. The bible also says, “…[They CHOOSE to]...put off concerning the former conversation the old man (woman), which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of [their] mind; And that [they choose to]... put on the new man (woman), which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.…” (Ephesians 4:22-24 KJV).
God’s people CHOOSE to “...put off.. the old man...” “…be renewed in the spirit of [their] mind…” and “...put on the new man (woman)...” THEY also, "…. walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God…" (Colossians 1:9-10 KJV).
Gods people have everything they need that pertains to LIFE and GODLINESS. “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto [HIS people]... ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “…[God]...will supply all [HIS people’s]... NEED…” (John 12:32 KJV). ). “...He careth for [them].,,” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “…God is the one who provides...[for his people] …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all [his people]...need (through his Word)…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT).
God told Adam about the tree of life. “….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).
Adam had human will and could make A CHOICE, but he was FOREWARNED about the consequences.“….in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). It was Adam’s decision, but the CONSEQUENCES were not.
God, the Holy Spirit, has SET his people FREE from the bondage of sin and they can FREELY make a choice between right and wrong, righteousness and unrighteousness, or obedience and disobedience.
God, sets a righteous PATH for his people and it is up to them to CHOOSE that PATH.“… 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 revelation knowledge of God, the Holy Spirit) saith…I am ...the life…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (obey, follow, etc.)….” (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 when it comes to making CHOICES. “…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).
Following the RIGHT PATH will lead to a HOLY LIFE. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve (obey, follow, etc.)….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, purposefully delivered, his people, from sin’s penalty, cleansed them from sin’s filth, and enlightened them with his powerful truth so they could CHOOSE to LIVE HOLY. "...Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him..." (1 John 3:6 KJV).
The CHOICE to obey is a CHOICE to LIVE HOLY and SET APART for God’s purposes. Knowing ABOUT holiness and EXPERIENCING holiness is TWO difference things. “...Therefore [God’s people]... ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which [they] have heard, lest at any time [they] should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall [God’s people] escape, if [they]... neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto [them by those]... that heard [Jesus, God’s WORD]; God also bearing [his people]... witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?...” (Hebrew 2:1-4 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, MAKES his people HOLY, through SALVATION through Jesus Christ. STAYING HOLY requires THEY live by faith and by working OUR their OWN salvation. “work out your own salvation...” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). God helps. The “….work of God, [is] that [his people]... believe on him [Jesus, his WORD]... whom he hath sent…"(John 6:29 KJV).
Working out YOUR OWN salvation means to serve God and his righteousness through obedience. Every time God’s people obey they are working by serving God. Apostle Paul felt like Jesus about salvation, “...Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved..” (Romans 10:1 KJV). Paul desired and prayed that Israel would be SAVED. Eternal life is BOTH a destination and an “enduring journey” where Jesus is the WAY into the HOLY PLACE. “… 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).
Jesus demonstrates that a covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is one of intimate knowledge of one another. Getting to KNOW God, through Jesus, his LIVING Word, is an experience with eternal life. “...This is eternal life (destination) that they might know thee (journey), the only True God and Jesus Christ, whom God has sent…” (John 17:3 KJV).
Because God, the Holy Spirit, NEVER, changes his people have SALVATION and can NOT lose it. Human will, however, makes it possible, for them, to CHOOSE, on their OWN volition, to DEPART from their salvation. “... IN LATTER TIMES “SOME” SHALL DEPART FROM the FAITH!!!!...” (1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJV). “...Take heed, BRETHREN (fellow believers), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God...” (Hebrews 3:12 KJV). “... For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them...” (2 Peter 5:4 KJV). “...If ye [choose] ... continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard...” (Colossians 1:22-23 KJV). “... [so]...be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage...” (Galatians 5:1 KJV).
“...For if, after they (redeemed people) have escaped ... they (redeemed people) are again entangled in them (their former practice of a sinful lifestyles) ... it would be better for them (redeemed people) not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment ... 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).
Therefore, SALVATION is “ALWAYS” God’s people’s to have “IF” they choose it. God is FAITHFUL that PROMISES. However, God’s people, “….work out [their] own salvation…” (Philippians 2:12 KJV). AND “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” (WILL) ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL (WILL) BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).
Jesus OPENED the WAY “INTO” the MOST HOLY PLACE (heaven, eternal life). “… Jesus opened a new and life-giving way ... into the Most Holy Place…” (Hebrews 10:19-20 NLT). It is a destination and a journey. God’s people choose to stay on the path, which shows them the WAY. “...Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…"This is the way; WALK in it…" Isaiah 30:21 NIV).
While God’s people are on their way INTO the most HOLY PLACE they are to WORK out their OWN SALVATION. “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “...Grow in the GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… Amen” (2 Timothy 3:18 NIV).
“…abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine…” (John 15:4 KJV). “…In this world [god’s people]... are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...Be … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV).
“… [Therefore, on the journey, God’s people are]… all … are changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).
For the very beginning, God, the Holy Spirit, desired to make mankind in HIS IMAGE. God is SPIRIT. God is HOLY. God is the HOLY SPIRIT. “….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 (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (HOLY SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). God “IS” the HOLY SPIRIT. God tells his people: “…ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy…” (Leviticus 20:26 KJV).
“…ye are 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).
God’s HOLY people, not ONLY accept Christ into their HEARTS, but they FOLLOW and IMITATE his IMAGE while in the world or upon earth. “..Jesus’ ...[was]... the EXACT representation of his being (HOLY nature)…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…In this world [God’s people]... are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). They are to “...Be[come] … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).
God’s people “…[present their] bodies [in service to God, the Holy Spirit]...” (Romans 12:1 KJV).
God’s people choose to go to HIS WORD, so that they may FOLLOW his commandments. “...[Yet,]....“[his people]... will not come to me (Jesus, God’s Word) that [they]... might have [a HOLY, spiritual]... life...” (John 5:40 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit is a FORGIVING God, which means HE is MERCIFUL because he withholds FAIR and JUST punishment from mankind for their many transgressions against HIM. “…The Lord God, [IS] merciful …” (Exodus 34:6 KJV).
God is a MERCIFUL God and will take his people BACK no matter how LOST they’ve become. He is like the welcoming Father was to the prodigal son and the Shepherd toward the lost sheep (Luke 15:22-24 and Luke 15:5-6). “…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB).
God, the Holy Spirit, says: "… I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel..." (Malachi 2:16 NASB). “...BUT, the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years...” (Genesis 6:3 KJV).
“…[Eventually,]...GOD GAVE THEM OVER to a reprobate mind to do those things which are convenient...being filled with all unrighteousness...” (Romans 1:28 KJV).
“…, …[In the Old Testament, his people said:]...we will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…[God said:]... my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
Through it ALL, God, the Holy Spirit, will remain UNCONDITIONALLY loving, kind, graceful, merciful, and faithful to HIS “covenant unity” commitment to his people and will NEVER change. “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
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