Today I was asking God to reveal to me why I was unable to walk in faith and believe that there is only one power (God) which is good—and respond to appearances with righteous judgment rather than the thoughts of criticism, judgment and condemnation that I had experienced over the weekend.
Continue reading “Thy Faith”
Flesh
Our first response to the word “flesh”
is usually negative. We remember Paul’s list of the works of the flesh
(which we want no part of) and his conclusion that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God
(Galatians 5:19 (KJV):21). He tells us that flesh and blood
(which he refers to as corruption
) cannot inherit the kingdom of God
(1Corinthians 15:50) and goes on to say that if we walk after the flesh
rather than after the Spirit
(Romans 8:1,4-5) we shall die,
but if, through the Spirit, we mortify the deeds of the body
we shall live
(Romans 8:13). He readily acknowledges that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing
(Romans 7:18).
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:1-8 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
This Is Life Eternal
Jesus defined it for us —or told us how it is to be obtained:
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Who or What Is Christ?
On at least two occasions, Peter identified Jesus as Christ, the Son of the living God
(Matthew 16:13; John 6:69). And Jesus Himself prayed that we would know the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent
(v 3).
Why Jesus Came
In the beginning, God
(Genesis 1:1). Whatever God became conscious of came into visibility. That is what we call creation.
And it was very good
(Genesis 1:31). God became conscious of a universe unlike Himself inhabited by creatures unlike Himself, although begotten out of Himself. Then He became conscious of a being like Himself (in His image and likeness) which came into visibility and was also very good; and to that image (man) God gave dominion over all the rest of creation (Genesis 1:26).
Word Made Flesh
We know that the Word was in the beginning with God and that the Word is God. (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.) Therefore it cannot be a black book filled with letters and words.
The Kingdom of Heaven
We cannot even see
it until we are born again
–or passed from death unto life. (John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.)