WHAT GOD DESIRERS FOR YOU

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

(Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV).

“In the beginning God”. . .

In Genesis chapter one, God began with creating the earth and adapting it for man. When God had the earth ready, He “formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). When God created man, and placed him upon the earth, He created him with his spirit uppermost. Man was spirit, soul, and body, reflecting the image of God.

And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

When Adam and Eve were Cast Out of The Garden their punishments were pronounced. They lost the privilege of living in Eden because God drove them out of the garden. The most important thing that Adam and Eve lost was their likeness to their Creator. (Genesis 3:22-24).

THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FALL

• Spiritual Death: Fallen from their Triune Image
• Physical Death: Age becomes a factor
• Sin and Separation: Eternal Judgment
• Paradise Lost: Earth was forfeited to Satan

Even though we lost our image of God in the garden we are still destined to be like Him. He is the only “pattern” we must follow.  And because he really lives his life in us, we too can “walk even as He walked,” “do as He done,” “love as He loved,” “forgive as He forgave,” and “have this mind which was also in Christ Jesus.” It is because He became like us that we are identified with Him and we can become like Him.

“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly”

(1 Corinthians 15:49).

The Redeemer Cometh

Fallen man through the sin (eating the forbidden fruit) committed in the garden gave up the world to Satan. Man’s broken relationship with God caused our image and likeness of God to no longer reflect His glory. We are unable to fellowship with God in this fallen state. This separation from God keeps us from experiencing the original purpose, promises, and plans of God.

However, God still loved mankind and always wanted a meaningful, loving relationship with us. But sin was in the way. Thus, God devised a plan of redemption to pardon the sins of those who would like to return to fellowship with Him. This plan involved God manifesting His love for man by sending His Only Begotten Son into the world to take man’s sin and die in his place. Thus, redeeming man from sin. Also, Christ is the only one who can redeem the ‘Title Deed’ to the earth back from Satan.

Even as man exercised his free choice to leave God so now must man use his free choice to come back into fellowship with Him. Through Jesus, the Messiah, the way back to God is possible; man can experience the real divine intention for his existence.

So, God sent His Son as the redeemer for mankind. The redeemer would pay the price of our debt owed due to our fallen state, thus releasing us through the process of redemption. For example, we see recovery for slaves during Old Testament times, freedom for people put in debtor prison by someone paying a ransom price for their redemption.

The redemptive work of Christ on the Cross brings deliverance through His death, from the guilt and power of sin. Redemption in a spiritual sense is the work of Christ in “redeeming” men “from all iniquity,” “lawlessness,” and the “bondage of self-will,” which rejects the will of God. The whole Gospel deals with God being just when He justifies the ungodly. Those of us receiving His grace and mercy.

JESUS’ REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE IS THREEFOLD

1. He came to redeem humanity from their sins, so they would be worthy to fellowship with a Holy God again and live a resurrected life.
2. To restore His image and likeness in us through the transformation and born-again conversion; thus, inheriting eternal life.
3. To redeem the world back from Satan, reclaiming the ‘Title Deed’ lost in the Garden of Eden.

THE MAKING OF AN IMAGE

GOD IS TRIUNE, (three in one) He is God the Father, God the Son and, God the Holy Spirit. He is three individuals and one at the same time.  Water is a fitting example; it is liquid, vapor, and solid ice, all being separate in form, but still one; depending on its function.

Similarly, the typical pattern of prayer and worship involves the unique roles of each member of the Trinity:

• We address our prayers to the Father (the Source)
• We pray in the name of Jesus Christ (the Mediator)
• We pray with the power of the Holy Spirit (the Enabler).

The fall reversed Adams’ triune nature, becoming the body, soul, and Spirit.  His appetite and allegiance changed, seeking body appetites first, soulish things second, and spiritual things last; if at all. When you are within the proper trinity (triune nature), you are Spirit, soul, and body.  Your soul (the conscience), guides your Spirit, and your body follows peacefully.

In your fallen state, (body, soul, and Spirit), the conscience, self-will, and inner man exist trapped between the body and the Spirit.  They battle one another, the body dictating to the conscience, the Spirit crying out. The Spirit can only be confused, making for incomprehensible sins and actions.

When we are born again of the Spirit, God breathes spiritual life into our fallen nature, reversing our triune environment to its original state, and we become alive to God in Spirit and Truth. If we are to believe the Whole-Truth about Jesus’ work, we must believe in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

Jesus’ shed blood has obtained eternal forgiveness for us. But, as Adam and Eve had to put on their coats, we must put on Christ. “For through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:11-14).

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).

GOD’S ETERNAL PLAN FOR SALVATION

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

Jesus Spilt His Blood on The Cross for Our Salvation. If We Get a Splinter Picking Up Our Cross, It Will not Kill Us.

The Cross of Christ is the most urgent message this world will ever hear. Jesus died on the CROSS for WHOSOEVER would in faith believe and receive the gift of salvation. Jesus’ past workings on the Cross fulfills His promise to anyone today who will respond to it. Therefore, faith is believing God’s Word and acting upon it.

Salvation is summed up by Paul here in Romans, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

THE THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION

Salvation is instant from the spiritual side, but on the human side, it has three dimensions.  First is justification, (forgiveness) second is sanctification, (setting ourselves apart), and third is glorification (new heavenly bodies), which is at our union with Christ.

Past Aspect – frees us from the PENALTY of sin

• Predestination – Salvation has happened in the past (justified).

Present Aspect – frees us from the POWERof sin

• It is happening in the present (sanctification).

Future Aspect – frees us from the PRESENCEof sin

• Will happen in the FUTURE (glorification).

Spiritually speaking all three aspects took place simultaneously in God’s mind. For whom He foreknew He also predestined them who would come to this saving faith. Thus, a predetermined conclusion. IT IS FINISHED!

Physically speaking we are to set ourselves apart from the world and put on the mind of Christ – To persevere toward our high calling in Christ Jesus. We still sin and must ask for forgiveness; we still have a thought life and must bring our thoughts under control. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

So, salvation has happened in the past (justified), is happening in the present (sanctified), and will occur in the future (glorified). We need to have complete confidence in our salvation. There is no room for uncertainty about its adequacy or the durability of its protection. If our salvation hinges on anything but the finished work of Christ on the Cross, we are in deep trouble.

The process of sanctification reveals His image as we put off the old life and put on the new.

Do not let Satan discourage you or rob you of the anticipation of the hope that makes you committed. We are free from the tyranny of a life mastered by the flesh that we might walk in fellowship with God through the Spirit.

LET’S CHASE THE ELEPHANT OUT OF THE ROOM

The Unpardonable Sin is Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit. The longer you sin, the easier it is to reject Christ. That is the road to the unpardonable sin. Continual rejection of the call of the Spirit will leave you hard and calloused. Eventually, as you continue the path of denial, it will be too late. You will die without Jesus, and pardon will be impossible. If you care and worry about if you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, then He is still working on you. You have not committed the unpardonable sin. If you do not care, who knows?

The UNPARDONABLE SINis the rejection of the Holy Spirit’s Testimony concerning Jesus Christ, the Messiah, Lord, and Savior of the World. If we repent of our sins and receive Christ Jesus, we will inherit Eternal Life. Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s Testimony concerning Christ will separate us from God for all Eternity.

This Unpardonable Sin can only become a Forgivable Sin up to our last breath on earth. If our final words are asking for forgiveness, then we have made a death-bed confession, and God will receive us into His Kingdom. Remember, the First Fruit of Jesus’ Labor was the one thief on the Cross that confessed and entered Paradise with Him that very day. 

The free choice is ours to make, to faithfully believe, and receive unto salvation or reject and deny unto eternal damnation. Remember, God does not send anyone to hell; we make that decision alone. There are NO-DO-OVERS once we have left this earth.

THE MERCIES OF GOD

The Mercies of God provides the following:

• Justification from the guilt and penalty of sin
• Adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ
• Placed under grace, not law
• Giving the Holy Spirit to live within
• Promise of help in all affliction
• Assurance of a standing in God’s election
• Confidence of coming glory
• Confidence of no separation from the love of God
• Confidence in God’s continued faithfulness

We must believe that these Divine mercies have persuasive powers over our wills. Past, present, and future decision making must be submitted to God as we present our bodies a living sacrifice.

Spiritually speaking, our bodies (our entire being) spirit, soul, flesh, and mind are brought to God’s altar. When we give the body to God, the soul and spirit goes with it.

God wants you, not just your works. You may do all kinds of work for God, but never give Him yourself. The body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. Keeping it in God’s will as a living sacrifice keeps the body where it should be.

The sacrifice is living because it is brought alive to God’s will through our surrendering, the sacrifice is living because it stays alive as we live out His will as an ongoing commitment. (Romans 12:2)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Notice we first apply this scripture and then we understand His will.

WHAT GOD DESIRERS FOR YOU

TO BE THE IMAGE BEARER OF GOD: “So, God created man in His image; in the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

TO BE CONFORMED TO THE CHARACTER OF CHRIST: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS:  . . . And that you put on the new man according to God, in true righteousness and holiness…” (Ephesians 4:24).

TO LET GOD BE THE TRUE KING OF YOUR HEART: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

TO BRING GLORY TO GOD: “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7).

Finally – Control Your Thinking and Let God’s Image Shine Bright For All To See!

II Corinthians 10:3-5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”