TRANSFORMING LOVE: YOU ARE "MADE" HOLY, PART 1

 

GOD MAKES YOU HOLY THROUGH DISCIPLINE, Part 1

 

“…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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After God chooses you, draws you, loves you, changes your identity, speaks to you, becomes Lord; he will also make you holy. Like healthy earthy parents discipline their children, God disciplines his. “...If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV). “….For whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH…” (Proverbs 3:12 KJV).   “...He careth for you (his people)...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

 

God disciplines his people out of love and concern for them and to ensure they share in his holiness.  Therefore, God disciplines his children so “…that [they] might be partakers of his holiness….” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV). “…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “…KEEP ALL my decrees BY putting them into PRACTICE, for I am the Lord who makes you holy…” (Leviticus 20:8 NLT).

Therefore, God, the Holy Spirit’s, discipline or correction is not pleasant for the child of God, but it’s beneficial. “… [God allows corrections]…for [their] profit...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV). “…No chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (trained) thereby...” (Hebrews 12:11 KJV). 

Godly discipline or correction is usually heartbreaking, painful, and unpleasant, but, “… afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (disciplined) thereby...” (Hebrews 12:11 KJV).

TRAINING to be HOLY like God, the Holy Spirit, is HOLY is the surefire way to know who the ONE TRUE GOD is at the core of his DIVINE being. “…I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “There is none holy as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…You are very GREAT…” (Psalm 104:1-2 NASB).

God, the Holy Spirit’s discipline is a discipline of HOLY love toward his children. “...If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all...” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV).  “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...He careth for [his people]...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).

God loves his children deeply. He “WILL” discipline them for their benefit. “… [God allows corrections]…for [his people’s] profit...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV).

God’s discipline is not a punishment because it feels restrictive, or harmful because its heartbreaking or painful, but it is a correction. “…For our light affliction …[disciplines or corrections], …which is but for a moment, worketh for [God’s people]... a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV). The devil “…intend[s] to harm…[God’s people, but]…God intend[s] it for good…” Genesis 50:20 NIV). “…the plans [God has]…for [his people]…. plans to prosper [them] and not to harm [them]...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). “….for whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH……” (Proverbs 3:12 KJV).

Everything God does or allows is for his people good and says “…all things work for good to them that love God…..  (Romans 8:28 KJV). “… [God allows corrections]…for [his people’s] profit...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV).  “...blessed is the man whom God disciplines…” (Job 5:17). 

God’s people are told NOT “…to despise the discipline of the [God]…” (Job 5:17 NIV).

God doesn’t want his people to be condemned along with the rest of the world. Therefore God will correct them through discipline for their HOLY good. “...Nevertheless, when [God’s people]... are judged (corrected) in this way by the Lord, [they] are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world...” (1 Corinthians 11:32).

ORIGINALLY, God’s people were MADE “IN” the image of God, whose image is SPIRIT and is HOLY. Thus, the Holy Spirit. God said: “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he (God, the Holy Spirit) them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).  

“…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).“...and ...[God, the Holy Spirit]....breathed into his(her) nostrils the breath of life (His “own” Holy Spirit)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“...and man (woman) became a living soul…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). Together, with God, the soul becomes HOLY through God, the HOLY SPIRIT.

“…[His people’s]... INIQUITIES [will SEPARATE them from],,, God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).  Without an atonement, there “WOULD” ALWAYS remain an uncrossable GULF, ABYSS, or CHASM between sinful natured mankind (oil) and HOLY natured God (water).

“... And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (GULF, ABYSS) 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).

God wanted his people BACK. So he made a plan. “…God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,,,” (John 3:16 KJV). “…[God, the Holy Spirit]... delivered him  (Jesus) up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to [himself (back to love)] …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

Coming BACK to God through the “covenant unity” relationship, by faith in Jesus, not only directs the lost and spiritual dead soul to HIS love, but reconciles them to HIS Holy Spirit. “...He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

BECOMING reconciled with God, the Holy Spirit, is TRANSFORMING. You become united by love, the “perfect bond of unity.” You become connected by the “...one spirit...” restoration with God through Jesus. You become a “...new creation...” in Christ. You become a “...a living soul...” because you are “...whole” again (body, soul, and Spirit).

“…May God himself, … make you holy and whole, put you together … [again]—spirit, soul, and body …” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

The original God IMAGE returns. In Genesis God said: “…in his OWN image…..male and female created he (God, the Holy Spirit) them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).  “...and ...[God, the Holy Spirit]....breathed into his(her) nostrils the breath of life (His “own” Spirit)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV). “...and man (woman) became a living soul…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

“…the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to [himself (back to love)] …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).

“…[God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).   “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). 

God said: “…I will put (breathe) a new spirit “in” [my people]  …” (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT). SO, “…God … sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [their] HEARTS…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “...Therefore if any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…He (she) that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT [with God, the Holy Spirit again]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

“…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE …” (John 3:6 NLT). “….Apart from [Jesus], [God’s people] can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…Jesus Christ maketh the[m] whole…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).

The wonderful thing about being a “WHOLE” again is that God’s people are “…accepted in the beloved…” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

 “...Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ… (Romans 13:14 KJV). “...[Because “IN”]... Christ, he(she) is a new creature...” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). God said this about Jesus, “…this is my BELOVED Son, in whom I am well pleased…” Matthew 3:17 KJV).

The scripture says his people are accepted “IN” the beloved (which is Jesus) and not “OUT” of the beloved. God’s people are “…accepted in the beloved (IN Jesus Christ)…” (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

God’s people have become “NEW CREATIONS” and are now “… in the beloved…” Without Jesus they are lost and spiritually dead souls; unaccepted by God. “….Apart from [Jesus, the lost and spiritually dead soul] can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). However, “…in the beloved…” they are NOW accepted (Ephesians 1:6 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE makes lost and spiritually dead souls NEW CREATIONS. “...old things are passed away; behold, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME (MADE) NEW…” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE sends sent forth his SON, the spiritual seed (Jesus), and the spiritual seed is SOWN into your heart. “… God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (HIS WORD) into [y]our hearts...” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).  “…The sower (God) SOWETH THE WORD …The (spiritual) seed (Jesus) is [also]... the WORD OF GOD ….. THE WORD …was sown in [THE] HEARTS [of God’s redeemed people]…” (Mark 4:14-15 & Luke 8:11 KJV).

 “… His name (Jesus’ name) is [also] called The Word of God (the spiritual seed)…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “ …[God’s people] have this treasure  (this spiritual seed) “in” earthen (human) vessels…” (2 Corinthians 4:6-7 KJV).  They are made holy and pleasing to God, through the spiritual seed (the indwelling Holy Spirit) planted within their hearts. Thus, have become “…accepted in the beloved…”

God’s tells NEW CREATIONS to “…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV). Then God tells NEW CREATIONS HOW to be conformed to the image of his Son. “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind….” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

To conform means to imitate and obey God’s WORD. Renewing the MIND, with God’s WORD, puts spiritual information within the heart. OUT OF the HEART will come “spiritual thoughts” that will empower transformed behavior that imitates Jesus’ behavior.

Discipline is important for becoming Christ-like. God encourages his people to be zealous, eager, earnest about repenting from wrong behavior. “...Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent...” (Revelation 3:19 NASB). “...Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent...” (Revelations 3:19 NIV).  “...The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!...” (Revelations 3:19 MSG).

Repentance means God’s people turn from their wicked ways by completely changing directions. The way God’s people change directions is by RENEWING their minds (thought life). They RENEW their minds (thought life) by putting NEW INFORMATION in their HEARTS. “...But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart… For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander...” (Matthew 15:18-19 NIV). “…out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks...” (Luke 6:45 RSV).“...[Therefore,]... be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God...” (Romans 12:2 KJV).

God’s people may NOT like discipline. God’s MAIN focus is their holiness. God desires for his people to be HOLY or FREE from sin, just like he is HOLY and FREE from ALL SIN.  “…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “…KEEP ALL my decrees BY putting them into PRACTICE, for I am the Lord who makes you holy…” (Leviticus 20:8 NLT).

Lessons through discipline are not easy or pleasant, but God disciplines every single child without exception. God knows that discipline is a guaranteed road to holiness and obedience. You “…are being made free from sin…. Your fruit unto holiness…” (Romans 6:22 KJV).

He also knows that discipline includes some level of suffering. Jesus learned obedience through the things he suffered also “..Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things he suffered…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV).

It is not natural for you to be holy and God knows you need supernatural training in holiness. “...No chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable FRUIT of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby...” (Hebrews 12:11 KJV). “…KEEP ALL my decrees BY putting them into PRACTICE, for I am the Lord who makes you holy…” (Leviticus 20:8 NLT).

God’s way of discipline won’t seem pleasant during the process, but it is always about HIS love for his people and concern for their good. So, “...now no chastening (discipline) for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised (trained) thereby...” (Hebrews 12:11 KJV).  

Just like a caterpillar may go through a painful metamorphous yet yield the butterfly, so God’s people, too, must experience a similar journey yielding the image of Jesus Christ. “….all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose…”(ROMANS 8:28 KJV). “…be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29 KJV).

You are not a caterpillar, but I am using a caterpillar as a model only. When a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, it settles to a safe place, called a cocoon.

Many times when God’s people are going through a transformation period it involves some trial or tribulation they may have to settle into, like a cocoon, for a while.

God allows his children to be put into a place similar to a cocoon while transformation occurs. This cocoon, for God’s people, always includes the additional safety of being “in” Christ. During transformation the caterpillar dies to his or her old self and changes into a butterfly. During God’s transformation periods God’s people will also die to the old self and change, through the enablement of the Holy Spirt, into the “new creature” (2 Corinthians 2:17KJV).

The caterpillar only goes through the transformation process once, but God’s children experience ongoing transformation processes until Christ is FORMED in them. “…GROW to maturity…” (2 Corinthians 13:11 NLT). “..[God’s people are]... all … changed into the same image [of Christ] from glory to glory …” (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV). “…until Christ be formed in you…” (Galatians 4:19 KJV).

In order for the caterpillar to shed its old self, most of the old body must die through a process called histolysis.  

Histolysis eradicates most of the caterpillar’s old self, leaving a “wee remnant,” and that “wee remnant” is used to build the new body.

For God’s people, histolysis is discipline for this book. Discipline intends to eradicate all of the old sinful nature (like the shell of a seed), leaving the NEW CREATION; alive and FREE.

God uses the spiritual seed or indwelling Holy Spirit within the heart, to build the NEW CREATION.

When God plants the “spiritual seed,” within the HEARTS of his people and they water it with the LIVING WATER (his WORD) it produces spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit gives the NEW CREATION an opportunity to GROW, DEVELOP, and TRANSFORM into the IMAGE of Jesus Christ (the spiritual seed that was planted within their heart).  

This is how God, the Holy Spirit enables his people to actually become what you already are; a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Transformation is a very vulnerable time for the caterpillar and God’s people. Therefore, the cocoon (trials and tribulations for God’s people) guarantees one kind of safety or security, but not from the caterpillar’s own internal will or issues or sicknesses.

Even in the cocoon, the caterpillar could die in the process or abort the process. God’s people can also choose with their human will “life or death” during the transformation process. “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Jesus said… I am the LIFE…..” (John 11:25 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

“...Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? ...” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG). “…The faithful followers of the Lord … keep their promises (to God) even when it hurts…” (Psalm 15:4 NLT).  “…‘[I’ve]… given up everything to follow you…” (Mark 10:28-31 NLT).

Transformation is a very vulnerable time for God’s people too.. “...Anyone who won’t [choose to] ... shoulder his (her) own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple...” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG).  “...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).

God’s people are guaranteed to be safe “in” Christ. However, their  own personal issues can cause them, on their own volition, to,“….[fall] away…” “…sin willfully…” “…again [become] entangled [with the world]…” “…[fall] away from grace…” or commit a “…sin unto death….” (Hebrews 6:4-8, Hebrews 10:25-31, 2 Peter 2:20, Galatians 5:4, 1 John 5:16-1 KJV).

God does his part to keep you safe “in” Christ and remains faithful to his people no matter whether they DO or NOT. “... For in the day of trouble he will keep [his people]... safe in his dwelling; he will hide [them]... in the shelter of his sacred tent and set [them]... high upon a rock...” (Psalm 27:5 NIV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “… he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

 

Yet, his people can CHOOSE to do his will or follow their human will own at any time. Jesus said, “...Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity...” (Matthew 7:21-23KJV).

God’s people can voluntarily or willfully CHOOSE to stray. “...Brethren, if any of you do err (stray) from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins...: (James 5:19-20 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, has NEVER left or forsaken his people, but they have OFTEN forgotten about and abandoned him. “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).