STUDYING THE BIBLE
IN ORDER TO BE LIKE JESUS
IS IMPORTANT IN A THE FALLEN WORLD
“...We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV). “...Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; With hard labor you shall eat from it All the days of your life...” (Genesis 3:17-19 NASB).
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All of mankind exists in a fallen world, which means they live in a world that has fallen into spiritual and moral decade and depravity. The reason it is called a “fallen” world is because it LOST its former GLORY and has descended into a LESSOR more DARKER condition. “…In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth …” (Genesis 1:1-3 KJV). “...God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1 NASB).
However, “...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.” The woman was convinced (persuaded). 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).
“…The woman was convinced (persuaded). 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).
God WARNED them: “…in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). Adam and Eve CHOOSE to eat it anyway. “…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “… [They immediately] … separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).
“…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT).
The GOOD world, at that time, included Adam and Eve, the planet, and the BLESSED living situations, internal and external. “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).They and ALL those who have come after them, live in the fallen world and constantly suffer with the effects and consequences of its sinful realities. “… [They had] … separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV).
“….God saw every thing he had made……and, behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The fruit of the Spirit is goodness…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). “… there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV). “….Apart from Me (God, the Holy Spirit, who is the SOURCE of GOOD) … [they could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
So mankind struggle, today, with the effects and consequences of a fallen world on a daily basis. It is witnessed through mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and financial heartaches and pains, losses, injustices, inhumanities, lies, discords, troubles, and multiple natural disasters.
The effects and consequences of the fallen world are experienced by one person or another every day and is commonplace. “….it was very good…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). This was NOT God’s original plan. EVERYTHING was ONCE “VERY” GOOD. “...God blessed them (Adam and Eve), saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, …God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good…” (Genesis 1 NASB). “...The Lord God took the man (Adam) and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it...” (Genesis 2:15 NIV).
To work the land meant that one of the duties of Adam was to take care for God’s world. Adam was blessed and given special dominion skills, from God, to do this kind of work. “...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).
But, Adam GAVE or yielded his God-given dominion, of the world, over to the EVIL ONE when he became his servant. “…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).
The WHOLE world, in which mankind lives, is a FALLEN world and is NOW under the dominion of the EVIL ONE. “...We know that we are God’s children, and that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
After mankind GAVE or yielded his God-given dominion OVER to the EVIL ONE, the whole world FELL under a CURSE. “...Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; With hard labor you shall eat from it All the days of your life...” (Genesis 3:17-19 NASB).
Without God, the Holy Spirit, the whole world, is FALLEN and dysfunctional. Equity of provision is misappropriated and the concentration of resources has become discriminatory against some, but not others. Did God create evil? YES, but NOT in the way you might think he did. “...I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things...” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).
Evil is not necessarily or exclusively a person, or thing, or even something tangible at all; it is the absence of God. Just like darkness is the absence of light and cold is the absence of heat. God’s JUSTICE is the opposite of unrighteousness. Evil is the absence of God.
At one time, Adam and Eve lived in the presence of God until they CHOSE “SIN,” which CREATED his absence within them and within the world they lived in.
God takes full responsibility for creating evil since he created MANKIND and he gave them human WILL. “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (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).
“….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). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
God created mankind with the ABILITY to exercise human will. They can CHOOSE to go their OWN way, but they can’t CHOOSE the consequences. Adam and Eve’s choices separated them from God’s presence. “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated (or they became absent) [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). The absence of light is darkness; the absence of God is evil. “… I …create evil…” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).
Evil is the absence of good. If good is not present, it CREATES evil, which is the absence of good or God. “…I… create evil: I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated (made them absent) [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). The absence of one thing creates the presence of another. If God, who is LIFE, GOODNESS, and JUSTICE, is not presence; it CREATES DEATH, EVIL, and INJUSTICE. “…I… create evil: I the Lord do all these things…” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).
Mankind REAPS death, darkness, injustice, that they themselves, on their own volition, has SOWN. They often judge God when it is their OWN choices that have resulted in destruction, decade, and depravity. “...Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he(she) will also reap. For the one who sows to his (her) own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit...” (Galatians 6:7-8 NASB). “...You have plowed wickedness, you have harvested injustice, You have eaten the fruit of lies. Because you have trusted in your way, in your many warriors...” (Hosea 10:13 NASB). “...So they shall eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own schemes...” (Proverbs 1:31 NASB). “...One who sows injustice will reap disaster, And the rod of his fury will perish...” (Proverbs 22:8 NASB).
God created man in his image. Image is supposed to be a carbon copy. “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). As the bible informs, God “…does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [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).
Thus, God gave mankind human will. “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Mankind was created, with a human will, in order to make choices and decisions Adam FREELY made multiple choices before “THE FALL.” “…The Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man “CHOSE” A NAME for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. …..She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man…” (Genesis 2:19-20, 23 NLT).
Part of being created in God’s image is the ability to exercise the human will and make choices. “… choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
The ability to make righteous or JUST choices, however, becomes challenging and limiting WITHOUT the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. “…I want to do what is right, but 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. …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “….apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).
God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus FREES and RESCUES the human will from being dominated by SIN? “… Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “….apart from Me (the Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…[You] … can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth [you] …” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
If you are NOT choosing LIFE, which is God’s WAY: you are CHOOSING DEATH. “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).
Adam and Eve, willfully, picked between two choices: LIFE and DEATH. “….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). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you … they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you LIFE and death … choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).
God MADE each of his people with a human will to CHOOSE to live as you please. “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). They are FREED to CHOOSE life or death. “… I have set before you life and death, … therefore choose life …” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “… Choose [for yourselves]this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
Without God, the Holy Spirit, the CHOICES are only DEATH. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
Mankind often judge God, instead of themselves, when their OWN choices result in death, darkness, evil, injustice, etc,. “… Choose ...[for yourselves] …” (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).
Yet God’s absence in their lives, their families, communities, societies, and countries is a decision of their very own choosing and CREATES evil in ALL those entities and places. “…I (my absence)… create evil: I the Lord do all these things…” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).
In the Old Testament, when “…there was no king (absence of a King) in Israel: every man (woman) did that which was right in his (her) own eyes” (Judges 21:25 KJV)…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily …the HEART of the sons (daughters) of men is fully set in them … to do evil (choose death) ….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV). “… [they]... FORFEIT the grace that could be theirs…" (Jonah 2:8 NIV). “…THIS IS THE CONDEMNATION, that light is come into the world, and MEN LOVED DARKNESS RATHER THAN LIGHT, because THEIR DEEDS (choices) WERE EVIL. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved…” (John 3:18-20 KJV).
“…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt (disrespect)?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted (choosing death), following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts (choices). They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires (choices)…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…He who trusts in his own heart is a fool…” (Proverbs 28:26 NASB).The heart “…is deceitful ABOVE ALL THINGS and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). “…For it is from within, out of a person’s HEART, that EVIL THOUGHTS (choices) come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.… All these evils come from INSIDE, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 NIV).
Satan exercised his OWN will and was kicked out of heaven. He made a choice (choose death) to do what HE wanted to do. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! …For you said to yourself, ‘I will (I choose)…” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will (I choose to) ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will (I choose to) preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will (I choose to) climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
Satan, “the shining star, son of the morning” was cast out of heaven and separated from the presence of God (Revelation 12:4, 9; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12).
Satan exercised his WILL and made an independent choice: “… [I choose to]…climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High…’ ” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).
When God said “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” the POTENTIAL for evil pointed to the ability of mankind to exercise human will and CHOOSE life or death (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). Instead, “…through one man sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).
Once you have raised your children and they become adults, the POTENTIAL for a bad life verses a good life rests on their ability to use their human will to make decent, equitable, sound, and ethical choices. “ … the deeds (CHOICES) 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 …” (Galatians 5:20-22 NASB). “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“….For from WITHIN, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful DESIRES (emotions, passions), envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from WITHIN; they are what defile you…” All of mankind exercise their OWN human wills and make their OWN CHOICES.
Mankind judge God for creating them with human will to make their OWN choices. Nonetheless, they “… Choose ...[for yourselves] …” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
God did not make mankind a robot nor does he FORCE them to do what he wants them to do. Instead, the loving God said “….let us make man (woman) … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “...Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV).
The person to, fairly, judge is yourself for the CHOICES you personally make that effect your life and the life of others. “…EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, EXCEPT YE BE REPROBATES (sinners)?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
Wherever God is absence from the CHOICES you make for your life, family community, or society there will be death, darkness, evil, and injustice, but YOU CHOOSE. “…Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches … apart from Me you can do nothing…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).
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). “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “...I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things...” (Isaiah 45:7 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 FALLEN world is PROOF of mankind’s original SEPARATION from God, the Holy Spirit. Mankind’s estrangement from HIM ended in spiritual death, separation from HIM, living in a FALLEN world, put enmity between HIM and mankind, created rebellion and evil, and made it INPOSSIBLE to be reconciled or restored to God again.
God is a God of JUSTICE, which means he is JUST, so he sent Jesus. God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus CAME to reconciled and restored the FALLEN people and FALLEN world to HIMSELF. “...the crowds learned about it and followed him (Jesus). He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing...” (Luke 9:11 KJV). “...And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed...” (Mark 6:56 KJV). “...Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there...” (Matthew 19:2 KJV). “...the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all...” (Luke 6:19 KJV).
“… God … work[ed] … in … [Jesus] … what is pleasing to him [God, the Holy Spirit]…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father... [that DWELLS within JESUS]… he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“...[Jesus] ... went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; (HOW WAS HE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS?)... GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV).
(WHAT ELSE WAS JESUS, THE LIVING WORD, EMPOWERED, BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, able TO DO?) “…[HE WAS] ... anointed (empowered) to preach the gospel to the poor; ... to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus and his people, did the WORK of restoring and reconciled the FALLEN back to HIMSELF. “…Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and POWER (the indwelling Holy Spirit), performed great wonders and signs among the people…” (Acts 6:8 NIV).
“…God did extraordinary MIRACLES (by the indwelling Holy Spirit) through Paul…” (Acts 19:11 NIV).
“…I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and MIRACLES (the WORK of the Holy Spirit)…” (2 Corinthians 12:12 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in [you], he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).
“…God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of [those].. who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s [power and fruit]... THROUGH each of us …… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
“...HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV). “..come boldly unto the throne of GRACE ...[and] ... obtain mercy…” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).
God is“... RICH IN MERCY…” (Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV). (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “…Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (James 2:13 NASB). “...[Thankfully]... it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
Who God’s people BECOME, through Jesus, empowers them to DO SAME works of reconciled and restoring the FALLEN to God like Jesus DID. Jesus “CAME DOWN’ to do God’s will. “... he (JESUS) ... came down from heaven...” (John 3:13 KJV Jesus CAME “…to give His life a ransom for many...” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…Christ ... suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV).
The Holy Spirit empowered and anointed Jesus to go about DOING good and HEALING the oppressed. “…God anointed (empowered) Jesus of Nazareth (HOW?) with the Holy Ghost and WITH POWER: (WHAT DID JESUS, THE WORD OF GOD, DO?) [HE] ... went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; [HOW WAS HE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS?]... GOD WAS WITH HIM…” (Acts 10:38-39 KJV). (WHAT ELSE WAS JESUS, THE WORD, ANOINTED TO DO?) “…[HE WAS] ... anointed (empowered) to preach the gospel to the poor; ... to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord…” (John 4:16-21 KJV).
God’s people are to BE like Jesus by doing the works of restoring and reconciling the FALLEN world BACK to God, the Holy Spirit. “…In this world [God’s people] are like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...Be … imitators of [Jesus, the Word of God]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ (the word of god)…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT).
“…be conformed to the image of his Son…” (ROMANS 8:29 KJV).“…Ye shall know [those being conformed to his image]… by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV).
Jesus said: “… the works which the Father has given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent Me...” (John 5:36 KJV). “...For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him who sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV). "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work...” (John 4:34 NLT). Again, Jesus did “…not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 KJV).
God is a God of JUSTICE and so are HIS people WHO are sent to earth to BE his WITNESSES. “...Verily, verily, I say unto you, He (she) that believeth on me (God the Holy Spirit, through Jesus), the works that I do (Jesus did) shall he (she) do also; and greater works than these shall he (she) do; because I go unto my Father...” (John 14:1 KJV).
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