Thank you, really lovely article! No one can know what Jesus' doctrine and the word actually is except they get it direct from the one & only custodian & by His spirit. It is not to come secondhand, but each for himself must receive it from the Holy spirit. The father & the spirit is the only authority Jesus ever recognised & whoever attempts to set forth His gospel from any other standpoint is in the letter & not the spirit. Gods holy spirit is the outpouring of activity of the living word that brings into us & our spirit life & truth.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus tells those seeking, asking, knocking and by His word how to approach learning of God. It sets the conditions many may read and never truly grasp or comprehend. It says we must become “spiritual” (1 Cor 3:1) and God is the true Teacher as is the Holy spirit that will guide into all truth (Jn 6:45, John 16:13,Mt 23:8,10). Many know lots about God & about Jesus but do not know Him personally, nor had a personal encounter with him. The spiritual truths of God are only understood through and by His spirit. Not just through our grey matter of consciousness.
But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor 2:12-14
First Corinthians 2 contains some of the clearest explanations spelling out that God’s truth is received and known in the spirit and not first in the carnal mind – the brain, or emotions apart from the spirit. The mind and emotions, as part of a whole person, do of course grasp and contemplate truth. They are meant to work in harmony with the spirit. But they are to serve the spirit. We are warned & encouraged not to “quench” the Spirit.
The Bible is given by inspiration of God for our learning, but its Author requires one come on His terms, and with the right attitude of heart. Learning Gods truths is nothing like ordinary learning. Take for instance the authors of medical school textbooks are just human beings and could not know why someone wants to understand their books. But the Author of the Bible & His word is living and alive and not just dead black ink on white paper. Heavenly father is the all-knowing God. He monitors our deepest thoughts while we read and knows us better than we do. He cares a lot about our motives of heart. The Bible says this in no uncertain terms. But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; The whole purpose of learning about God is so we may know Him and serve Him in spirit and truth with no ulterior motives. As we read He works upon our hearts and minds. He separates our carnal flesh from the things of the spirit, renewing our minds in Him through the washing of the water of his word & spirit. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:12-13
God knows who these people are. He is kind & patient with those who He knows want to agree with Him and come to Him on His terms.
And Jesus said His sheep know His voice and do not heed a stranger. If one does not know Jesus’ voice, he or she is not where they need to be. Jesus says one cannot “see” or “enter” the kingdom of God unless he or she is born again. This has not stopped those who do not know this miraculous experience from talking about the things of Christianity and God. But you must be born again to see what God would have you know.
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:2-3
One must be converted and become as a little child. Even if a person is old in this life, he or she must become humble, & be willing to be humbled by God and to be repented, which means changing ones mind into coming into agreement with God's ways of thinking and his mind. Jesus said, or they “will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
It follows that a little child as described is to also to be teachable and know a whole new life is ahead that he or she knows nothing yet about. This is a life in Christ, in the Spirit, learning the ways and means of God’s eternal kingdom.
Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
When Jesus talks of losing our life, He means the life of our personal desires and pursuits and all our self serving will that serves us above God's will. A variation of this verse is in all four gospels! (John 12:25, Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24,17:33, Mark 8:35) Jesus said those who will follow him must count the cost and pick up their cross and follow him continually.
Jesus Christ assumes anyone who calls him or herself “Christian” is a “disciple” and covenanting with Him~Life for Life. Entering into his blood covenant. He expects absolute subjection, submission surrender, and obedience which are an outflow of a love He plants in them. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:16-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14
God counsels the wicked to forsake their evil ways and the unrighteous to forsake their thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-7)
This can apply even to one called a Christian who is wrong in heart or motives, or who is in a state of unrepentant habitual sin.
Inasmuch as any person dwells in and operates from his or her fallen mind, & flesh this scripture passage applies to them. God says His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. No one can judge against Him – alleging He is unfair, or not good. This is more preposterous than an ant trying to tell a human being its business. God has all sovereign right to set the terms of a life in Him. He made us. He alone is good. He requires us to be submissive and want only to hear from Him.
To enter into covenant with Jesus Christ & father in Heaven & to be Holy spirit infilled and indwelt is as entering into a marriage. It is supposed to be an intimate union of love, agreement, growth in intimacy trust, the lifeblood of unceasing communication and dependability. A separation from the ungodly degenerate world, no longer conformed to the patterns of this world, but being transformed. The New Testament or Covenant declares Christians who are in Christ Jesus are to be as a woman engaged betrothed and awaiting to be married to the One she loves. May the grace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you in abundance.
Thanks Hepzipah for taking the time to thoughtfully comment and read many of my posts.
We obviously have a great deal in common in our understanding, and it is gratifying to have such in depth comments. Most people read but don't even "like" a post, which is quite amazing, but I just put things up knowing that someone will appreciate it, and thankyou for doing so.
Up until now I have not been controversial in what I have said, although my posts on the birth of Christ at Xmass were a bit confronting I suppose.
The next post should be interesting as it flies in the face of conventional Christian views on our heart and what God expects of us. So I will look forward to your, as usual, deep and considered Biblical perspective on this next post, which should be up on Wed.
May the wisdom and courage of the love of God guide you in your life.
Well done!
Thanks Jim
Thank you, really lovely article! No one can know what Jesus' doctrine and the word actually is except they get it direct from the one & only custodian & by His spirit. It is not to come secondhand, but each for himself must receive it from the Holy spirit. The father & the spirit is the only authority Jesus ever recognised & whoever attempts to set forth His gospel from any other standpoint is in the letter & not the spirit. Gods holy spirit is the outpouring of activity of the living word that brings into us & our spirit life & truth.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Jesus tells those seeking, asking, knocking and by His word how to approach learning of God. It sets the conditions many may read and never truly grasp or comprehend. It says we must become “spiritual” (1 Cor 3:1) and God is the true Teacher as is the Holy spirit that will guide into all truth (Jn 6:45, John 16:13,Mt 23:8,10). Many know lots about God & about Jesus but do not know Him personally, nor had a personal encounter with him. The spiritual truths of God are only understood through and by His spirit. Not just through our grey matter of consciousness.
But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Cor 2:12-14
First Corinthians 2 contains some of the clearest explanations spelling out that God’s truth is received and known in the spirit and not first in the carnal mind – the brain, or emotions apart from the spirit. The mind and emotions, as part of a whole person, do of course grasp and contemplate truth. They are meant to work in harmony with the spirit. But they are to serve the spirit. We are warned & encouraged not to “quench” the Spirit.
The Bible is given by inspiration of God for our learning, but its Author requires one come on His terms, and with the right attitude of heart. Learning Gods truths is nothing like ordinary learning. Take for instance the authors of medical school textbooks are just human beings and could not know why someone wants to understand their books. But the Author of the Bible & His word is living and alive and not just dead black ink on white paper. Heavenly father is the all-knowing God. He monitors our deepest thoughts while we read and knows us better than we do. He cares a lot about our motives of heart. The Bible says this in no uncertain terms. But God has revealed them [the things of God] to us through His Spirit.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:10-13; The whole purpose of learning about God is so we may know Him and serve Him in spirit and truth with no ulterior motives. As we read He works upon our hearts and minds. He separates our carnal flesh from the things of the spirit, renewing our minds in Him through the washing of the water of his word & spirit. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Heb 4:12-13
God knows who these people are. He is kind & patient with those who He knows want to agree with Him and come to Him on His terms.
And Jesus said His sheep know His voice and do not heed a stranger. If one does not know Jesus’ voice, he or she is not where they need to be. Jesus says one cannot “see” or “enter” the kingdom of God unless he or she is born again. This has not stopped those who do not know this miraculous experience from talking about the things of Christianity and God. But you must be born again to see what God would have you know.
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 18:2-3
One must be converted and become as a little child. Even if a person is old in this life, he or she must become humble, & be willing to be humbled by God and to be repented, which means changing ones mind into coming into agreement with God's ways of thinking and his mind. Jesus said, or they “will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”
It follows that a little child as described is to also to be teachable and know a whole new life is ahead that he or she knows nothing yet about. This is a life in Christ, in the Spirit, learning the ways and means of God’s eternal kingdom.
Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
When Jesus talks of losing our life, He means the life of our personal desires and pursuits and all our self serving will that serves us above God's will. A variation of this verse is in all four gospels! (John 12:25, Matthew 16:25, Luke 9:24,17:33, Mark 8:35) Jesus said those who will follow him must count the cost and pick up their cross and follow him continually.
Jesus Christ assumes anyone who calls him or herself “Christian” is a “disciple” and covenanting with Him~Life for Life. Entering into his blood covenant. He expects absolute subjection, submission surrender, and obedience which are an outflow of a love He plants in them. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. Gal 5:16-18 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14
God counsels the wicked to forsake their evil ways and the unrighteous to forsake their thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-7)
This can apply even to one called a Christian who is wrong in heart or motives, or who is in a state of unrepentant habitual sin.
Inasmuch as any person dwells in and operates from his or her fallen mind, & flesh this scripture passage applies to them. God says His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our ways. No one can judge against Him – alleging He is unfair, or not good. This is more preposterous than an ant trying to tell a human being its business. God has all sovereign right to set the terms of a life in Him. He made us. He alone is good. He requires us to be submissive and want only to hear from Him.
To enter into covenant with Jesus Christ & father in Heaven & to be Holy spirit infilled and indwelt is as entering into a marriage. It is supposed to be an intimate union of love, agreement, growth in intimacy trust, the lifeblood of unceasing communication and dependability. A separation from the ungodly degenerate world, no longer conformed to the patterns of this world, but being transformed. The New Testament or Covenant declares Christians who are in Christ Jesus are to be as a woman engaged betrothed and awaiting to be married to the One she loves. May the grace and blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you in abundance.
Thanks Hepzipah for taking the time to thoughtfully comment and read many of my posts.
We obviously have a great deal in common in our understanding, and it is gratifying to have such in depth comments. Most people read but don't even "like" a post, which is quite amazing, but I just put things up knowing that someone will appreciate it, and thankyou for doing so.
Up until now I have not been controversial in what I have said, although my posts on the birth of Christ at Xmass were a bit confronting I suppose.
The next post should be interesting as it flies in the face of conventional Christian views on our heart and what God expects of us. So I will look forward to your, as usual, deep and considered Biblical perspective on this next post, which should be up on Wed.
May the wisdom and courage of the love of God guide you in your life.