LOVE--LAW--FAITH

LOVE: Luke 6:27-36 -- the power of love
Mathew 7:12 and Galatians 5:14 -- the quality of love
Romans 13:8-10 -- love is a debt to my neighbor
love is an attitude towards my neighbor
1 Timothy 1:4-11 -- the heart of love [good conscience, pure heart, unfeigned faith]: the vain jangling of the law [having turned from love]: the righteous use of the law [for the lawless and disobedient]
1 Thessalonians 4:9/10 -- love taught to us by GOD -- needs to increase more and more
1 Thessalonians 3:12/13 -- increase in love >>> blamelessness -- accomplished by GOD


LAW: Galatians 3:19-29 -- "the schoolmaster" NOT, 'the life giver', which brings us to CHRIST
so we could be justified by faith>>>making us children of GOD and seed of Abraham -- which was promised by GOD (see Divine Nature).
Romans 7:10-14 -- the magnifier
Hebrews 7:16 -- it's carnal

FAITH: 1 Timothy 1:4 "...godly edifying" is in faith - If you want to build someone up teach them, admonish them to believe - trust - have faith in___. We do not build a brother up by throwing law at them .... we do build a brother up demonstrating faith in our own lives and by loving them .... and that is not a 'tough love' as todays man likes to say .... love is gentle and kind, it bears and endures everything, it believes all things and it thinks no evil, concerns itself with your concerns is not self centered, (1 Cor. 13):: hardly sounds like tough love to me, rather sounds compassionate, giving, understanding, selfless.
In this text in Timothy we see a direct correlation between love, that purely and simply trusts, -- and, "godly edifying", which is found in faith (and not law). He states that the love of 1 Tim.1:5 is the rest of the commandment, which actually starts by saying what not to teach, and what to teach.

WHAT NOT TO TEACH;
no other doctrine
no fables
no endless genealogies
This generates questions, not godly edifying
*
*
*
WHAT TO TEACH:
love: out of a pure heart;
from a good conscience;
from faith unfeigned
This generates godly edifying
*
*
*

Those who have turned from this commandment of 1 Timothy are those who desire to be teachers of the law; and they do not understand what they are teaching and whereof they teach. They are vainly jangling on and on .... about what? They know not! This is in direct conflict of the principle of LOVING someone to their edification - to the building up of them. It may sound corney the way I stated it but simply put if I'm teaching law and not love and faith I am vainly rambling on and on about what I know not and where it came from I do not understand.

Perhaps a few definitions of words used thus far:

1. "unfeigned" = 'undissembled', ie. sincere; 'it's not not sincere'
(a double negative emphasizing the sincerity of the faith)
not tainted with doubt and hypocrisy.

2. "lawfully": to parcel out according to or in agreement with the law (list of rules):
I.E. using the law the way it was intended to be used not in way or the way it was NOT intended.

This poses a seriously important principle, which is, the law has an intended use and an unintended use. HOW ARE YOU AND I USING IT? and WHAT IS THAT INTENDED USE?

3. righteous man: "equitable" (in character or in act);
by implication, holy (either absolute holiness, or relative holiness)
"innocent"; example 2 Chronicles 19:2/3 , I mean no harm - no ill - only fairness
This is the heart and this is the character of love. cf. Psalm 7:10

The law is not intended for this person>>>the righteous man. If you or I or anyone else imposes law on a man whose heart intends that which is equitable to all, that is to say, a righteous heart, then the law is being used by you or I unlawfully. This principle cannot go unnoticed nor unheeded, for to use the law unlawfully is to destroy innocents - to destroy the which harbors no guile. Remember the definition of righteous? "innocent" [holy, either absolute holiness or relative holiness]. It is the intent of the heart where innocents is found and it is there one must look for righteousness else one will discern evil and weal the law against it, when in fact there is no evil there at all. It is about the pure intent of the heart verses the impure satisfying of the carnal mind. The law was intended for; the lawless, disobedient ('unruly'), ungodly, sinners,unholy,and profane, murderers of fathers and of mothers, man-slayers, whore-mongers, those that defile themselves with mankind, men-stealers (kidnappers), perjured persons, and anything contrary to sound doctrine: All these in need of JESUS CHRIST; when a person accepts JESUS as LORD and Savior then the Spirit comes into the heart and begins conforming the heart to the image of CHRIST: Hence, the filling/fruit of the Spirit (being, love joy, peace, gentleness, etc. Gal.5), sanctification, atonement/justification; all these oppose the preceding list of law 'needers', and all these need not the law any longer, hence all these regenerated persons live not by law but by love/faith.
In affect and actuality, the filling of the Spirit >>> the fruit of the Spirit which is in part love, and love fulfills the law. None of this will take place without the faith in JESUS CHRIST, and His propitiation (1 John 1) on my behalf, and the continued faith (belief) in what GOD says - This therefore by affect makes me righteous and fills me with the love of and love for the LORD GOD and my neighbor. Love for the LORD GOD our Father spawns the love for neighbor (1John 4/5) which works no ill towards my neighbor (romans 13) and thereby the fulfillment of the law takes place of it's own accord - the very nature of love - and I am in no need of law.: Law which was given as a schoolmaster to lead me to CHRIST (Galatians 3) I need no longer the schoolmaster (which was there at the cross - (Colossians 2 and Ephesians 2) - NOW I CAN LOVE.

Let us examine 1 Thesselonians 3:11/12
1. "...the LORD make you" .... not we make ourselves
2. "make me abound" .... not a little but abundance - lots of
3. abound in love ... what abounds in me? LOVE
TO WHAT END? WHY?
1. He may establish....He establishes - not me
2. establish my heart...It is a case of the heart - What's in my heart?
3. unblameable in holiness....it's holiness in my heart .

It is GOD establishing my heart
with a love that abounds for Him and others,
and the end result is a heart that is holy -
innocent and pure in heart BUT not necessarily in flesh
(the carnal mind - see Romans 8).

IT"S IN THE HEART
IT"S LOVE
and
IT"S WHAT MAKES ME HOLY ---
NOT LAW!!
AND HE,
GOD, the LORD, our FATHER
is the one who puts it there!!!

Love in the heart - in abundance - brings about holiness in the heart
and,
"out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" - Matthew 12
and
as a man "thinks in his heart, so is he" - Proverbs 23

NOTE: it is all about the heart...It's love in the heart....It's holiness in the heart...It's the work of GOD in the heart... It' as a man thinks in the heart... It's the issues of life in the heart... and it is the heart that is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17) --- HERE IN THE HEART IS WHERE THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE TAKES PLACE _ IT IS NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD THAT WE ARE FIGHTING ---

1 Thessolonians 4:9/10 --- GOD teaches us to love
This is quite self explanatory and needs no expounding. It says what it says. It means what it says. It is simple and concise. THEN, there ought not be any room for debate nor neglect here -- GOD teaches His people to love, and encourages, admonishes, beseeches us to increasing that love --- IE. bigger hearts for others - loving more and more our brothers and sisters in the LORD,,, our neighbors. Reaching beyond our own little community.
NOTE: >>The 1st and great commandment is to love the LORD our GOD with all our hearts' minds' souls' and strength; the 2nd is like unto it "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang everything (law and prophets). The Word of God hangs on love. But we see that love is not of us but of GOD - It's His doing - He loves and teaches us to do likewise.
So what does all this academic knowledge tell me? It tells me that love is something GOD produces in my heart. It is not the result of me exercising my will to dominate my carnal being (my outward appearance) and conforming it to some law. It is a fruit (or the fruit) of the Spirit in me. The issues of life are in the heart not the flesh. To achieve holiness must be through the heart by love and that is not my doing. I must trust the LORD GOD to bring it about in me.
(Job 23). Israel made the sacrifices but their heart was "far from" GOD and He did not accept that. If it is not from the heart it is NOT! And He alone knows the heart, and He only can change it. (Jeremiah 17: Psalm 139: Deuteronomy 30)

The method and means to holiness IS love in the heart for and by GOD.
1st Timothy 1:4-11...1st Thessalonians 3:12&13...1st Thessalonians 4:9&10
Love fulfills the law...Romans 13

The method and means to knowing the depth and height and breadth and length of GOD, is love for Him. Ephesians 3.. Love passes knowledge

Without love a person,
is nothing,

profits nothing,
and is a harsh sound to the ear.
1 Corinthians 13
*

GOD is love.
1 John 4
*
GOD, via the Holy Spirit, sheds love in our hearts
Romans 5
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Love is the fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5
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Love is not a respecter of persons
James 2
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Love works no ill toward it's neighbor
Romans 13
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Love is the greatest thing abiding in this world
1 Corinthians 13

Some characteristics of love:
a. does good to those who hate me...Luke 6
b. blesses them that curse me...Matthew 5
c. prays for them that despietfully use me...Matthew 5
d. when one hits me on the cheek I turn to them the other cheek...Luke 6
e. he that steals my things is offered more of my things...Luke 6 :25-
f. he that asks from me gets from me...Luke 6:25-

I would say that although verses 20-26 preclude and seem to speak of something different then verses 27-36 they are not excluded from the train of thought - that is to say that love extends beyond my circle of friend, associations and acceptance, to those who would be my enemies (by their choice, by their personal convictions and beliefs). But does, in fact, 20-26 go with 27-36?? Well, there is the statement "But I say unto you which hear...", which connects these two sets of verses, that's an indication they do.
SO, let's look at what is stated by our LORD previous to His admonition of verses 27-36.
GOD pronounces woes to two distinctly different groups of people;

BLESSINGS******** vs.********* WOES
**************************************************
the poor ___________________the rich
the hungry now ________________the full
the sorrowful now ______________the laughing
the hated ____________________the well spoken of
the reproached
the outcast for Jesus' sake

So this is you or I - we're poor, hungry,sorrowful,hated,reproached, cast out; and what does He say we ought concern ourself with in the face of this circumstance of life? LOVE, and do we love? our enemy? - those who are rich, full, laughing,well spoken of, casting us out, reproaching us? [Love has no boundary - it is no respecter of persons (James). Real love, true love, agape' love, covers all sin, sees no evil, thinks no evil, does not differentiate one person from another - the lovely and the unlovely alike are recipient to the act of 'love unconditional'.]
AND
WHAT OR WHOM CAN BE THAT?
WHO CAN LOVE SUCH A WAY as GOD who commended His love to us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5)?
How can, I by the nature of my heart, be this?
If I consider the characteristics of love in 1st Corinthians 13; which are,
long-suffering, kind, not envious (even of those who are rich, laughing, full, and well spoken of), does not promote itself, is not arrogant, does not behave unseemly, does not seek it's own, not easily provoked (even when reproached and unjustly cast aside), thinks no evil (how tough is that? -- we are prone to judge others behavior, motives, and thoughts), does not rejoice in iniquity (again, we are prone to judge the heart, it's condition and motives, in our brother and/or neighbor), does rejoice in the truth, bears all things (even the reproaches and misuse of others to our person; even the rejection and threatening by others toward us), believes all things (sounds like I trust and am not suspicious of you), hopes all things ( always knows it will be better), endures all things (does it ever give up???), Never Fails (NEVER is a BIG word and a l o n g time). HOW in the world - How on GOD'S green earth can I possibly be that??
How can I possibly conform myself to that kind of a person???? How can I possibly treat others, from my heart, as I would that they treat me (Matthew 7)? - How will this, on which the law and the prophets hang (Matthew 7, and Galatians 5), be me? How will this love (which fulfills the law-Romans 13) be in my heart for GOD and my neighbor? (Matthew22)
The thing that comes first to my mind in regards to the texts of scripture afore mentioned is that there is a direct connection between love, and, the law and the prophets. The law & prophets "hang" on love. The word hang used here is the same word found in Acts28:4 when the "venomous beast", or viper, hung on the Apostle Paul's hand. The viper had come "out of the heat" of the fire and latched onto Paul's hand and hung there. The law and the prophets hang on love; with their jaws they have bitten unto love and hang there only to fall to the ground if love is removed. The viper is just a snake slithering around on the ground with no threat, no aggression, no noticeable behavior until it latches onto someone with it's venomous teeth; then it becomes a force to reckon with. It is a beast with a very pointed and direct interaction with it's victim. Love is the strength of the law and the prophets: They have no meaning, no power, no substance without love, (1 Corinthians 13).
"Love is the fulfilling of the law" according to Romans 13:8-10: In fact, the statements made there include the statement that 'any and all commandment' "are briefly comprehended in this one saying, namely, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." The fulfilling of the law is not accomplished by trying to fulfill the law: It is accomplished by love. The law is all summed up in one word, love.
The word 'comprehend' comes from a word which means "to make a point", "to strike on the head". In other words to put it in todays slang, "you hit the nail on the head" or "you nailed it". When I talk about fulfilling the law and I say I love my neighbor just like I love myself, I have hit the nail on the head; I have stated the law in it's entirety. If I could love, unconditionally, my neighbor the law would be fulfilled - the whole law. It is loving your neighbor as you love yourself - it is doing to my neighbor the way I would like my neighbor to do me.
When GOD says in Luke 6
"...pray for them that despitefully use you.",
"...do good to them that hate you.",
"...bless them that curse you.",
He is saying, love them; do to them the way you want them to do to you. This is what the law and the prophets are about. It's all about how we treat one another. It's all about what is in my heart regarding GOD and regarding my neighbor: No matter what He or my neighbor does to me I still love them. THIS IS NOT love that becomes real by me following the 'rules of love', or a formula, or a check list of things love does and does not do. This is a love that is in me, which by it's very nature acts such and such away - it is the way love acts. That is why GOD states "love is the fulfilling of the law"; because IT (LOVE) fulfills not I. He does not say 'If I love I fulfill the law' - love is doing the fulfilling.
AND GOD IS LOVE, and THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE. GOD filling me up with Himself, fills me up with His love and hence through me loves you (I.E. my neighbor). His nature living inside my heart, living through me, expressing Himself through me. I do not do the loving and expressing; rather You, my heavenly Father, loves through me; I'm merely the vessel you do it in, through, and/or with me.

This concludes this first essay on love, law, and faith; Much much more is to be seen in GOD'S Word regarding love and we shall see that as this blog continues to grow, FOUNDATIONAL (located on the ...MISSION'S web site), is completed, and THE BIG PICTURE, which is a thorough study of the Word - cover to cover - and which FOUNDATIONAL introduces, is published on line. So keep coming back. and remember, this is my heart put on paper as GOD through His Spirit (using the Word) has taught me of Himself and I in turn sharing it with you in a form that hopefully challenges and stimulates you to study His Word for yourself.

'ELECTION', FOR WHO?

A. The election according to grace
romans 11

We are elected purely based on His graciousness and not one i-oda of my works.
And if GOD does not demonstrate to us His grace then He is left unsatisfied in His desire to demonstrate His true character and heart - that which man was created for by Him in the first place. If "election" is or was for the express purpose of choosing some people to be with Him in His kingdom then the GOD who makes the claim of being GOD is in fact and has to be in fact, a fraud. For the GOD of scripture - The GOD who had scripture penned - The GOD whom scripture is the revelation of - Is by His very nature jealous of being known, and of being known for who He really is - His character, His nature, His heart, His ability(s)/capability(s). And so we want to look at the 'election' of man by man's Creator - it's character/nature, and it's relationship to GOD and man.

1. If it is by grace, then it is no more works:
otherwise
grace is no more grace

BUT

2. If it be of works, then it is no more grace:
otherwise
work is no more work

A key phrase is "no more": It is either works or grace, there is no such thing as grace + a little (or a lot) of works ><>< "no more" is nothing of the other: It is either one or the other - works or grace - All of one and none of the other. "No More"

Grace is only grace if there are no works involved;
LIKEWISE,
works is only works if there is no grace involved

These are two very distinctly different items:
Works is of the flesh>
Grace is of the Spirit>
There is no union taking place between these two.
There's no melting together of the two.
Spirit and flesh are like water and oil they just do not mix.
Works and grace just do not mix.
It cannot be a combination of GOD'S graciousness and my 'good' deeds (works).
IF it is grace, it is NO MORE works.
(note: Spirit is referring to the Spirit of GOD)

Israel - the children of Jacob - the Jew - the Hebrew people, were and are a nation which GOD raised up for Himself. >>>> They ARE His chosen people - purely out of a sense or character of grace - graciousness.
He (GOD) created man - the human race.
Out of that (this - our) human race He chose a particular people - a people whom He raised up into a nation. They came out of the loins of Abraham (Genesis 12-21) ;
In Sarah and Abraham's union was brought forth from a dead womb a child, whose son, Jacob, bore 12 brothers. These 12 grew into a multitude known as Israel - the Jewish nation - GOD'S elect (or chosen) according to the flesh.

This is a picture of what is happening when a person excepts JESUS CHRIST. The impossible happens. Out of the womb of a spiritually dead human race is "born again", spiritually, a child of GOD:
This is allowed to take place,,,can only take place,,,and the mechanism or biology of how this takes place IS;
because, or by means of...JESUS becoming a man and shedding His blood on the cross and three days latter raising from the dead - all after living 33 years on this earth as a man and as GOD in perfect fulfillment of the law - i.e sinless!!
Through this means GOD had made a way for the spiritually dead to become alive - reborn. Just as Sarah's dead womb was impregnated with a living child - Issac. Just as the virgin Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit with JESUS -son of man
-Son of GOD
He is where the physical and the spiritual meet
He is where the faith and works meet
He is where grace and works meet
He did the works so you and I could have the grace
* * *
It must be noted: The plan was to raise up a spiritual nation; to adopt sons and daughters; to have a kingdom of GOD; to have a church.
The method of accomplishing that was to raise up a physical nation (a 'chosen' people, or "elect" people) for GOD'S very own:
Give them the revelation of Himself ( i.e. His oracles, and His mighty deeds) to the whole of mankind:
Out of them give birth to an only (the only) begotten Son - JESUS;
Nail Him to a cross after He lived an absolutely perfectly sinless life (Fulfilled the Law in every respect);
And thus providing Righteousness, Reconciliation, Redemption, Atonement, and Adoption for ALL mankind - (GOD is not willing that any should perish but that all might come unto repentance."
2Peter 3....."Whosoever will call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." Romans 10.....
"For GOD so loved the world that He gave...that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish." John 3....)
That they could be fit to be His sons and daughters
His children....His chosen....His elect....His kingdom....His church....the body of CHRIST....the bride of CHRIST.

ALL THIS TO DEMONSTRATE

to the principalities and powers in heavenly places His "manifold wisdom"!!!! (Ephesians 3)

* * *

ELECTION is about Him being glorified

it is not

about me being elected.

His grace, His demonstration of it, His will in action.

SEE GOD --not man (self)
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*************
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*************
********
B. Election according to foreknowledge
Romans 11

"God has not cast away His people which He foreknew." 11:2

"For whom He did foreknow,
He also did predestinate...
Moreover whom He did predestinate them He also called,
and whom He called them He also justified..." Rms. 8

For some ungodly reason man has seemed to (or chosen to) overlook the "foreknowledge" of GOD. The very fact that GOD can look down the road of the future and see the every, and very thoughts and deeds of man does not seem to be a factor in the thinking of those who would choose to think GOD has denied them a choice having deliberately and/or aimlessly, and/or carelessly chosen you, me and not them; for no apparent, but mere arbitrary reason. Why? Tell me why does it say "Whom He foreknew He predestinated..... and called.....and justified....and glorified, and yet we will say (we being the such as calvanists) that GOD arbitrarily choses some and not others, and that we virtually have no say in the matter. Foreknowledge is not equal to tyranny over my will. I have a choice (but He must draw me, john 6). In Joshua is written, "Chose you this day whom you will serve" (ch.24). When we speak of "election" and bring foreknowledge into the picture we are unable to neglect the fact that 'the will of man' and 'sovereignty of GOD' are meeting face to face here.It would seem (at this point) that 'foreknowledge' is the link between man's will and GOD'S sovereignty. He makes a choice that will fulfill His purpose, but it is based on (at least in part) on the foreknowledge He has of what we will chose and/or do, and/or think.

GOD'S 'foreknowledge' >>> man being 'predestined' >>> man being 'called' >>> man being 'justified'.

This is not difficult! It is so simple a child can understand. The only way GOD chooses anyone is because He knows already before He chooses, what the answer to His call will be. WHOM HE FOREKNEW HE PREDESTINED; I mean it is hard to know what to say or whether I should say anything to expound this statement of Romans; God has stated it so clearly I can't imagine I, nor any other man, could be more clear than He. There is no arbitrary picking going on with or by GOD....He elects you because He knows you will accept. You are still doing the choosing and He is still doing the calling.
He offers a free gift to ANYONE & EVERYONE, but you can only have it if you accept it...It is a gift provided by GOD for every human being and received by or given to only those who accept it - reach out and take it from the out-stretched hand of GOD. You're 'elected' by GOD, predestined by GOD, called by GOD, and justified by GOD BECAUSE He knew ahead of time that when He came to the door and offered it to you you would reach out and take (accept) it! - He knew ahead of time that you would believe. How simple is this so-called doctrine of election???
You can not earn it; It is simply offered from a heart of pure graciousness
You must be called to it; you will not of your own accord seek it.
You are called to it because it is known you will accept it.
You were called - you accepted, therefore you are justified by Him.

If I come to your door and offer you a free gift, and you say "I don't believe anything is free, go on get" and so I get; who did not get the free gift? You. Why? Because I did not avail you to it? No because you did not receive it. Suppose I know ahead of time that you will not receive it so I skip coming to your door and go on to the next door, making my free offer, did I in fact reject you and choose your neighbor?

The calvanistic camp of thinking would have one believe that GOD chooses some and not others, and they would omit the fact that He is choosing those He knows will accept. There is no irresistable grace at work here...
GOD knew before I was born that when He came knocking at the door of my heart I would open the door and receive Him, SO, He came knockin'!!!
This neither negates my GOD given right to choose (the same right I might add that He - GOD, has) nor does it negate His sovereignty as GOD - He gets to choose, as GOD, whom He wants, and no human power nor heavenly power can stop nor contest it - He does that choosing by a criteria that He sets, a criteria that is equitable for ALL; a criteria that shows no favoritism nor partiality; a criteria that is so simple; will you accept if I call - I know you will so I'm calling you; OR I know you won't so I am not calling you.

It is NOT that, you are accepting, because, GOD is calling.
It IS that, GOD is calling, because, you are accepting.

C. Election according to the purpose
Romans 9

The seed of Abraham:
a. with Hagar, Ishmael (child of the flesh)
b. with Sarah, Issac (child of promise)

Israelites = to whom pertains:

* the adoption - the glory
* the covenants
* the giving of the law
* the service
* the promise

FIRST: To be an Israelite you had to be a child of promise - I.E. you were offspring of Issac - Issac was the son of Abraham and his wife Sarah - who was past child bearing years - Issac was a miracle baby: a child conceived in a dead womb, (a womb unable to produce a child); Issac was a promise FROM GOD and brought to fulfillment by GOD. He (Issac) was the result of GOD'S work, not man's: Whereas Ishmael was the work of man's so-called wisdom and power (effort) - the work of man, by man, to accomplish what GOD had promised.
Ishmael was the effort of carnal man, the flesh.
Ishmael was the result of man's logic;
Issac was the result of GOD'S promise:
Ishmael was the product of man's work;
Issac was the product of faith (believing GOD and trusting GOD), without man's logic.

Out of Issac comes two sons: Jacob and Esau
BEFORE they are born
GOD elects one to love and one to hate:
(note: before they were even born, they had done neither good nor evil, in that state of being is when GOD elects to love one (Jacob) and hate the other (Esau).)

GOD states here in verse 11 that election stands according to what GOD promises, NOT according to works. We ought note that in 2 Peter 1 we see that through the promises of GOD we partake of the divine nature. Here in Romans 9 we are being given the example of that in the articulation, by GOD, of His relationship with Israel. We see that the only way to be a child of GOD was according to what He promised, not what man did. To be a child of GOD is to partake of His divine nature - an indulgence of man that could only be through what He promised. One had to be Abraham's seed - you had to come out of the loins of Issac, Abraham's seed and GOD'S promise to Sarah/Abraham. The product of faith in the promise of GOD: A faith that did not entail the (carnal) wisdom of Abraham and Sarah which produced the seemingly witty decision to put Abraham and Sarah's maid, Hagar, together to get the child (son) GOD had promised:
No, the promise was made by GOD, and the promise was fulfilled by GOD: And therein lies the truth of our faith, and that truth is that we partake of the divine nature through the promises of GOD; no other way.

SECOND, election is done in accordance with a purpose. GOD is seeking to get something accomplished; It is not random selection, it is deliberate and purposeful choosing in order that a certain purpose - i.e. goal - be accomplished.

"...that the purpose of GOD
according to election might stand
not of works but of Him that calls..." vs. 11

"I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion..." vs. 15

"So then it is not of him that wills
nor him that runs,
but of GOD that shows mercy." vs. 16

"For the scripture says unto Pharoah,
even for this same purpose have I raised you up
that I might show my power in thee,
and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth." vs. 17

In short the purpose of GOD is to receive the rightfully deserved glory that is His by virtue of His very existence and His handiwork as Creator. GOD wants to be known and acknowledged as GOD. He wants to be glorified. He wants to reveal Himself and be seen and loved and known for who He is.
* * * * * * *
GOD'S election is based in what He decides is; and will or will not, should or should not be based in any effort of mine. HE HAS A RIGHT; HE HAS A WILL; HE ALONE HAS THE POWER (AUTHORITY) TO EXERCISE THAT RIGHT AND WILL: HE INTENDS FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THAT HE CAN, WILL, HAS AND IS DOING SO; AND WILL CONTINUE TO EXERCISE HIS RIGHT, AS GOD AND CREATOR, TO DO WHAT HE PLEASES.
Hence, such things as, 'If you want to know GOD and partake of His divine nature, it will only be through (by) trusting His promise and trusting Him to keep that promise: NOT, by my works He does - Therefore or therein He gets the glory - If Ishmael (the son of Abraham and Hagar the maid) and descendants were GOD'S children then Abraham & Sarah could take the credit for being so wise and sly in getting GOD'S Word (promise) fulfilled by what seemed logical.
GOD DOES life so that He alone gets glory.

It is at this point of supposition that I must tread lightly, for herein is a doorway to error. If I seek to prove my supposition (as stated in previous paragraph) to be right I am in danger of twisting scripture to make it support my belief in my heart that GOD'S very purpose in creating the heavens and earth, and man was to glorify Himself. That is to say, to bring attention to His very being and existence, To be lifted up, To be acknowledged and known for who He is. I believe and understand that this statement in Romans 9:11 refers to that fact, that GOD'S purpose is, at least in part, to be glorified in life; "...the purpose of GOD according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calls... that I might show my power and my name might be declared throughout ALL the earth."

Election is based in GOD
Not
in man's works

This to me eludes to the fact (or 'supposition') that GOD seeks SOLE glory -
Election has to do with that - GOD elects so that He alone gets the glory or recognition for what has happened: And the real life example, on this earth, that He gives is Jacob and Esau: Neither one having done good nor evil, both unborn at the time GOD did the choosing to love one and hate the other. None of their (neither Jacob nor Esau) effort - works, good or bad - was the deciding factor at that point in time. And so He legitimately makes the statement in 9:15 "I will have... on whom I will..." [this is an OT quote from Exodus 33] and is followed by the statement "Therefore it is not of him that wills...nor...runs, but of GOD that shows..."

I would say,
GOD seemingly (at least seemingly) wants His mercy - His merciful nature - to be known:
If I can earn anything from GOD then I will NOT note His mercy.
BUT if I cannot earn anything from GOD, and He simply gives to me without my merit,
then, I will see that GOD is merciful;

If in fact GOD desires to be known, then His merciful nature can only be known if in fact He shows mercy. THEREFORE, election is based on what He wants and does, That way He can show mercy and get glorified for doing so. And He does so with absolute equity - He already knows ahead of time the willful choice of man. His grace (and mercy) is for all who will have it.
* * * * *
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek:
For the same LORD over all
is rich unto all
that call upon Him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD
shall be saved." 10:12/13
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After completing this posting on 'election' I read a passage in Jeremiah 18 which I think has relevance to our discussion of 'election'. I am going to write it out and challenge you to read and contemplate it's content in light of our topic. Please note that this is being quoted from the TANAKH which is a translation of the old Testament by a Jewish rabbi from the dead sea scrolls many years ago.

"The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD;
'Go down to the house of a potter,
and there I will impart my words unto you.'
So I went down to the house of a potter,
and found him working at the wheel.
And if the vessel he was making was spoiled,
as happens to clay in the potter's hands,
he would make it unto another vessel,
such as the potter saw fit to make it.
Then the word of the LORD came to me:
'O house of Israel,
can I not deal with you like this potter?- says the LORD.
Just like clay in the hands of the potter,
so are you in my hands, O house of Israel!
At one moment I may decree that a nation or kingdom
shall be uprooted and pulled down and destroyed;
but if that nation against which I made the decree
turns back from it's wickedness,
I change my mind concerning
the punishment I planned to bring on it.
At another moment I may decree
that a nation or a kingdom
shall be built and planted;
but if it does what is displeasing to me
and does not obey me,
then I change my mind
concerning the good I planned to bestow upon it.
And now say to the men of Judah
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem:
Thus said the LORD;
I am devising disaster for you and laying plans against you.
Turn back, each of you, from your wicked ways,
and mend your ways and your actions!
But they will say, It is no use.
We will keep on following our plans;
each of us will act in the willfulness of his evil heart."

I would challenge you to read the ensuing comments of our LORD in this chapter. One comment I would make and that is, The will of man and the sovereignty of GOD are both obvious to me in this passage, as is the fact that GOD can and will choose to do what He deems best, and, He will do so equitably and justly, and with mercy and grace.

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The DIVINE NATURE

IN HIS IMAGE

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2nd Peter 1:1-4 (read this)


"...the knowledge of GOD..."

leads us (or shows us)

"...all things that pertain to life and godliness..."

within these things are

"...exceeding great and precious promises..."

the fulfillment of which makes us

"...partakers of the divine nature."

It should be noted here that the divine nature - of GOD -
is put in our hearts--------------
and manifested in our lives------ i.e. being made in the image of CHRIST
BY
the promises of GOD (faith in)
NOT BY
the exercise of my (mans") will power
AND,
It would appear to me that if He makes me promises I must trust that word of promise and in so doing I escape judgment - find myself declared righteous, according to the blood of JESUS CHRIST - and realize the indwelling of His Spirit; i.e. partaking of divine nature...
But I must know the promises and therefore must find knowledge of GOD. I dare say it is an experiential knowledge: That is to say, I read and study His Word and watch as that word becomes alive - real in my life and the life around me.
It is not academic knowledge, it is real life knowledge being understood as GOD understands it: And that understanding for man is found in what GOD has said (i.e. revealed) of Himself in and/or through His written Word - Which I would declare to be the revelation of Himself on paper - the written word. I think what I am trying to say is that certainly knowing the facts of GODS' Word is important but if that knowledge does not becoming understanding it is mere academics and of no real value...But when one experiences the facts it becomes more than academic knowledge it becomes understanding (and even wisdom may spring forth).
An example of this is in the response GOD had to Abraham when he willingly laid Issac on the alter to sacrifice him to GOD; and the LORDS' reply to that action was "...for now I know that you fear GOD seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son." Genesis 22.. GOD knew ahead of time what Abraham would do when commanded by the ALMIGHTY to sacrifice this his promised son - However when Abraham did it GOD experienced the fear of Him Abraham had. Hence, the word knowledge, or knowing becomes an experiential knowing.

THIS IS
all a question of faith - It is based on faith - it is revealed only through faith -
Belief is absolutely essential!!
AND to that faith GOD would see added
virtue >+
knowledge >+
temperance >+
patience >+
godliness >+
brotherly kindness >+
love

Are there promises concerning these characteristics being added to our hearts and lives that make us "partakers of the divine nature" - GODS' nature? Perhaps put another way, 'Are these characteristics describing the very nature and "image" of JESUS which GOD has stated He "predestinated us to be conformed to (romans 8)??
AND does He do the conforming, or when He says "Besides all this add to your faith...", is He expecting me (us) to be the potter and exercise our will and power to conform ourselves to this image, or with theses characteristics??

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Let us divert for a moment and see how in fact "virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and godliness, and love" actually get into our lives (heart and soul). Let us see if it is in fact the work of my effort OR is it the work of another - such as the Holy Spirit.
A text that comes to mind is in Galatians 5 where it speaks of "the fruith" of the _Spirit being
love
goodness
faith
temperance
longsuffering
etc. etc. etc.

POINT A> 2nd Peter lists the characteristics we are told to add to our faith, and several of these characteristics are considered fruit of the Holy Spirit - i.e. things HE - the SPIRIT - produces!! What are they again? temperance, love, goodness and even faith.

POINT B> We also know according to James 1 that patience is a result of our faith being tried: AND who tries our faith? Is it we ourselves? No, not us!! Who put Job to the test? And what of Job did GOD say in James 5? "...consider the patience of Job"

So it seems as though of the six characteristics we are admonished to add to our faith at least three of them are added by means other than our efforts - will power - They seem to be molded into my live by means outside of myself. Even the faith we begin with is a fruit of the Spirit and seemingly not something I muster up inside of me.
So how do I understand this imperative - this commandment, to "...add to your..."; or any other commandment in the OT or NT? If GOD tells me to do something and then shows me elsewhere in scripture that it is not me that does it then when I read a commandment (an imperative) what am I to understand that GOD is saying to me?
Consider the statement of Romans 9, "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of GOD that shows mercy." Please take note of the context of this statement, it is conjunction with a dissertation that speaks to the fact that GOD is "the potter" and we are "the clay".
My conclusive questions are then, 1. Is He telling me to do ____?
OR
2. Is He telling me 'this is how life works?'

I think when I read a commandment, that it is either 1. or 2.. It may be neither. But certainly there is cause to raise these 2 questions: For undoubtedly when you read and study GODS' Word you are confronted with an abundance of commandment, and you will find those commandments get fulfilled in some way; and very often that way is other than an act of my strength in exercising my will power.

THE BIG QUESTION!
Do I make it happen?
Do I have the (a) responsibility?
Is GOD expecting me to make myself be____?

In other words we are asking, Where oh GOD does your sovereignty and my will meet?
A question to ponder for awhile and deal with at a latter time.
Do you have any thoughts?

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SO, these things, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, love
all being added to my faith, are abounding in my life: That is to say,
I am very moral, have a lot of self - control and endurance; I am godly and quite kind to my brother; and, GODS' love fills my heart:::
This abundance makes my knowledge of my LORD JESUS CHRIST, fruitful knowledge. I have not a mere academic knowledge that can shout doctrine and theology, and quote verses; I have a fruitful and non barren knowledge. A knowledge that has or does benefit someone.
It is almost as if the virtue, the knowledge, the temperance ... the love are fertilizer that stimulates the fruit bearing life within or without. In either case the knowledge of my LORD will not be barren but rather fruitful if these things abound in me.
AND this brings me right back to virtually the same question which we just addressed, 'How do these things become abundant in my life? GOD'S not only talking about having these characteristics in my life, but having an abundance of these characteristics. And quite frankly when I look at this list of traits it looks to big a task for me to ADD these all in abundance to my life.
IF
I took this statement concerning the fruitfulness of the knowledge of CHRIST (vs. 8) and understand it to say that gaining much knowledge will produce this fruit then there is hope in my heart for these characteristics to enter into me and to become abundant in me. For I believe the more I study GODS" written word for the purpose of knowing Him intimately then the more of His heart He will reveal to me (Prov. 2:1-15), and I will find myself becoming more like Him (1 John 3:2). If GOD is virtuous, knowledgeble, self controlled, patient, godly, kind and loving then I would be being conformed to His image (the image of CHRIST); Hence my knowledge of JESUS CHRIST is experiential and has become fruitful.
THIS IS what I think happens and THIS IS what I think (believe) He is teaching in this passage. The knowing of GOD, being personal, being intimate, and being experiential knowledge will undoubtedly lead to a filling of my heart ans soul with Him, or of Him, which will innately result in a fruitfulness that is abundant with His virtue, knowledge, self control, endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
This is not and understanding that has come from just this passage of scripture in 2nd Peter 1, but rather this understanding is based on the immediate context in light of how it weaves into the whole picture of GODS" Word.

THE MYSTERY

note: this blog is a means for its' author to express - share - his heart for his Savior with you and to point the reader to the ...MISSION web site where teaching from the Word - or guided study in the Word is available and service to and for the members of the church and the people of its' community is made possible. visit our web site at www.spiritoflifemissioninc.org
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DIVISION - UNITY - "A PLAN"
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We are looking at what GOD has recorded in the letter He had written to the saints at Ephesus and to the faithful in CHRIST JESUS. Specifically something He stated in chapter 2 that grabbed my attention this week: "Wherefore remember, that you being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time you were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world:..." ( Ephesians 23:11/12 through 3:20) I am going to write this basically the way I notated my time this week sitting at the table with my Fathers' word in hand and His Spirit guiding me into truth (In effect it is the heart felt relationship I have with the LORD). BEGIN;

Circumcision - the JEW (in the flesh - made by hands)
>"the law of commandments"
ie. the 1st oracles of GOD (Rms. 2)
(given them by GOD)

Uncircumcision - the GENTILE (in the flesh - made by hands)
> aliens from the commonwealth of Israel
> without CHRIST
> strangers from the covenants of promise

"Were afar off
BUT NOW
made nigh by the blood of CHRIST"

CHRIST made both one.
HOW?
broke down the middle wall of partition:
which is the "enemy":
which is the "law of commandments"
that are contained in "ordinances".

The cross
___ reconciled both Jew and Gentile
___ made both one body
___ of the twain made one man
___ gave access to both, by one Spirit, unto GOD

Making them (the Gentiles) members of the household of GOD, (fellow citizens with the Jews) the Jews and Gentiles now being one man, one body, one household of faith are as one building "fitly framed together": JESUS CHRIST being the chief cornerstone.

one cornerstone
one building
one habitation of GOD
one holy temple
one body of CHRIST
one church

The cross of JESUS tore down the walls of division by taking away - abolishing - the "law of commandments". One might say that 'law' brings division.
We do not live by a book of rules. The law of commandments was replaced by "the law of the Spirit of life in CHRIST JESUS" (Rms. 8). The "law of commandments" is the "law of sin and death." (Rms.7)

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S I D E B A R
A. the law of the "Spirit of life", is in CHRIST romans 8
B. the law of "sin and death", is in 'my members' romans 7
C. the law of "commandments", is in 'ordinances' ephesians 2

pros and cons:
for A. Romans 7/8
-freedom from the law of sin & death
-freedom from condemnation >>> life

for B. Romans 7/8
- captivity to the doing of evil when I would do good
- sin in my members >>> death

for C. Ephesians 2
- brings division
- lack of peace
- it is the enemy - it is a wall between peoples
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You made a covenant with Abraham which was for the whole world, the whole of mankind.

1st You introduce yourself to Israel (the direct descendants of Abraham) - you give them your law - of commandments -(your oracles: you deliver them in mighty ways from the "iron furnace". I.E. You make a awesome display of your power - "the power of GOD".
You make your presence known AND you chose a nation, which you yourself raise up, through whom to make your presence known: Thus making Israel a rather special people.

2nd You send JESUS into the world - your Son - your "only begotten" Son - you in the flesh. He dies for all mans' sin. In so doing He abolishes the "law of commandments", and by such a mean the door is open for all mankind (each individual) to become GODS" special, chosen, children, sons & daughters, fellow citizens of your household. This is accomplished by your Spirit.
It is a spiritual union - a spiritual kingdom - a spiritual household - a spiritual family; the same spirit in every family member.

IT IS NOT
physical - flesh - natural
IT IS NOT
a kingdom or household built with hands nor governed by laws.

IT IS
a habitation for GOD.
GOD, who is spirit.

It was never in GODS' heart and mind that He 'offer Himself to the Jew and since they rejected Him He went to the Gentile'. It was always in His scheme of things that all men be adopted as sons: The Jew first then the Gentile was the mechanism, if you will, by which GOD offered Himself as a Father to all mankind - all men everywhere.
THE ULTIMATE, DRIVING DESIRE in GODS" heart was by this whole action (labeled 1st, and 2nd in above notations)
of, or in, or with the human race would lead to the church, and in so doing be a demonstration of His "manifold wisdom". note Eph. 3:9-_.
That is to say in effect GOD was and is saying "look at me, look at the plan I devised and how I worked it and brought about its' reality." AND TO WHOM was this demonstration?
"the principalities
and powers in heavenly places"

WE AS HUMANS SOMEHOW THINK THAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT US - WITH THAT THINKING COMES greed, self-centeredness, rebellion, rejection (of GOD and Jesus), disbelief - unbelief.
LIFE STARTS AND STOPS WITH US? NOT HARDLY

We are a demonstration of GODS" manifold wisdom. THAT MAKES US SPECIAL!! ALL OF US - ALL MEN WHO WILL ACCEPT HIM ON HIS TERMS

What are His terms? Faith in JESUS CHRIST - life death and resurrection on my behalf; and the fact that He is LORD; ie. GOD in flesh.
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GOD had a plan,
created
brought about the church

EARTHLY; That the Gentiles should bee "fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in CHRIST by the gospel: eph. 3:6

HEAVENLY;"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be know
by the church
the manifold wisdom of GOD; eph. 3:10

NOTE: The church is the instrument, or rather the sculpture, not made by hands, but indeed fashioned by the hand of GOD Almighty (THE POTTER),; this sculpture demonstrates how utterly wise our heavenly Father is!! He is not saying here that His "manifold wisdom" be seen by us,
but rather "us", we, are the demonstration of that "manifold wisdom"

I must be careful to avoid redundancy, but also I am compelled to express the utter delight that swells within my heart and would burst it asunder with joy over the extreme wisdom of GOD that this passage of eph 2:11 - 3:22 has revealed to my heart; by the express effort of the "rabbi", the "Master" : Heart to heart >> graciously, relentlessly, persistently and tenderly in the person of His Spirit .

And it does no desist, for not only has He expressed repeatedly, the oneness of this 'family', this 'household' of GOD, this 'building fitly framed together' for a 'habitation of GOD' grown into a 'holy temple', BUT, He has admonished us to a love in CHRIST that "surpasses knowledge" - eph. 3:19 - and by which we "might comprehend "the breadth"
"the length"
"the depth"
and "the height
of this love CHRIST HAS for me, and thereby be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD
THEREBY ___ THEREBY WHAT???
an experiential knowledge of the hiegth, the breadth, the length, and the depth of CHRIST' love - NOT academic knowledge,,BUT a love/faith that is rooted (it is grown like trees in dirt) and grounded (solid in it) in my heart for Him and from Him. ooooo! that is what its' all about. THAT passes knowledge - that fills a man with GODS" FULLNESS!!!

I must at this time cease to write more, for the ecstatic and overwhelming vision of what He has stated in this afore mentioned scripture, has so consumed my heart with excitement over the vision of Him it presents to the eyes of my heart, that I must muse upon the sight for some amt. of time before I can move forward with this dissertation that seeks to lay down upon the pulp of trees the words that would strive to convey the depths of my heart in the regards of my Father.

Is He able to do exceeding abundantly above what we could ask or think? eph. 3:22
Ohh ya! this very passage 'we have expounded', we have ' shared', GOD has revealed of Himself

has in and of itself given me a vision, a closeness to His heart, that I neither ever imagined possible nor ever dreamed existed. It absolutely enamors me with Him, to Him, and for Him.
Oh how I pray, how I desire
that ALL men, everywhere, would know experience that at "His right hand are pleasures forevermore. Pleasure beyond the wildest dream. Pleasure in the Spirit of the heart and soul that are so rich, full, and consuming that the things of earth truly do grow dim - do indeed lose their value.
No happening - No circumstances - No loss -- No grieve - No person - No thing - can possibly overshadow the pleasure of knowing intimately GOD.
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KEYWORD/PHRASE SUMMATION

There was a DIVISION:
1. circumcision and uncircumcision
2. aliens form the commonwealth
3. strangers from the covenants
4. no hope and without GOD
5. afar off
6. middle wall of partition
7. the enemy ... even "the law of commandments"
8. strangers and foreigners

Then came UNITY:
1. to make ... of twain one ... peace
2. broken down the middle wall...
3. made nigh
4. ...reconcile both...in one body
5. slain the enemy
6. ...both access by one Spirit
7. fellow citizens
8. in whom all the building fitly framed together
9. of the household of GOD
10. builded together for a habitation...through the Spirit
11. of whomm the whole family of heaven & earth is named

This was PLANNED:
1. mystery
2. not known
3. now made known
4. The Gentiles should be fellow heirs
5. fellowship of the mystery
6. has been hid in GOD from the beginning of the world
7. to the intent
8. ...might be known by...
9. according to the eternal purpose which He purposed

UNDERSTANDING this PURPOSE?PLAN
1. being rooted & grounded in love
2. may be able to comprehend
3. what is the breadth, the length, the depth, the height
4. and to know the love of CHRIST
5. which passes knowledge

The RESULT
1. being filled with the fullness of GOD
2. see that He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all...
3. see that, that same power is in us


Since GOD created man He has been working a plan that would demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; That plan has been being staged by Him throughout the course of history; no thing, no event, no person in this earthly life and on this earth was happen stance, everyone and everything has, is, and will serve the purpose and plan of GOD to demonstrate His "manifold wisdom"; a mystery only now, after the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST, has been revealed to the human race: A plan that involved a time of division and the bringing about of unity - a oneness, a reconciliation to..., a unifying of through..., a bringing together all that are in.......by the very sacrifice of JESUS, in whom the purpose and plan of GOD resides, and has been, and is, and will be, fulfilled. The only way to understand this Mystery is to know the love of CHRIST: For love passes knowledge: It is not an academic knowledge that is needed here, it is a love GOD has for us and we have for Him that brings about the understanding and the fullness of GOD in us. When this understanding gets into ones heart they will know that GOD is able to do far beyond what one could possibly imagine in this finite mind. One will realize that the power that resides in us is the same power that conceived and brought to fruition this most divine plan that He (GOD) only could create and orchestrate.

This study has been founded in Ephesians 2:11 thru 3:22