What does it mean to be rooted in Christ?

INTRODUCTION

The plight if the tree in Jesus’ parable is a sad one and I was led to write on being rooted in Christ.  The tree or spirit in the parable was a hard one and did not allow the word of God to dwell there. A word search for rooted showed that the word occurred eight times in scripture.  However, rhizoō (G`4492), is the Greek word related to the parable and  occurs only in the following texts:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving (Col 2: 7).

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love  (Eph 3: 16, 17)

Rhizoo  means that the believer is established, firm and fixed in Christ. This  comes by the word of God being received and continuously obeyed by the believer. It was through the word that Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego stood firm in their time of testing, God confirming His word with signs following.

There are some other key words in these text. They are built up, stablished, abounding, the faith, strengthened in the inner man,  Christ dwell, grounded. These are the charactersitics of a strong spirit.  Let us examine the word abounding to obtain further understanding of the  writer’s meaning. Perisseuō (G 4052) is the Greek for  abounding and is also used as follows:

• abound in truth of God (Rom 3: 7)
• abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost (Rom 15: 13)
• abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15: 58)
• abound in liberality  (2 Cor 8 :2)
• abound in faith, knowledge (2 Cor 9:
• abound in joy (Phil 1: 26)
• abound in love (1 Thes 3: 12)
• abound in pleasing God (1 Thess 4: 1)

THE TREE ON THE ROCK/STONY PLACE WAS NOT DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE TRUTH/WORD OF GOD

Jesus also used the word Petra ( G4073)  or “rock” in the parable as a synonym for the stony place/ground:

And some fell upon a rock (PETRA); and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away  (Lk 8: 6,13).

We need to examine the usage of this word in another parable in order to determine its exact meaning in the parable of the sower. Jesus also used petra to speak about the rock on which a wise man builds his house for maximum security in any wind storm. However, this house did not fall because it was built on the rock:

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it (Mt 7: 24-27).

We learnt from the comparison in this parable that anyone who builds on the rock is someone who hears and obeys the word of the Lord.  Luke reported that the winds beat vehemently on this house but it remained because it was built on the rock (Lk 6 48).  The person in the parable of the sower did not build on the sand, but on the rock or truth or teachings of Christ.  However, he/she does not have the word deep in the spirit and is not a strong believer (is easily swayed by and will fall to the  influences that the Lord spoke about).

Let us examine anther scripture in which petra is used.  Jesus used it in Matthew 16:  13-19 to refer to His church being founded on the infallible truth or Word that He is the Christ the Son of the living God:

13 ¶ When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 

 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, ^aElias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

15 He saith unto them, But whom say ^aye that I am?

  16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the ^aChrist, the ^bSon of the ^cliving God.

 

  17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon ^aBar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not ^brevealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this ^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not ^dprevail against it.

 19 And I will ^agive unto thee the ^bkeys of the ^ckingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt ^dbind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

 

HOW CAN THE TREE BECOME ROOTED IN CHRIST?

 

The only way for a believer to grow in  Christ is to grow in the word of God. The word of God strengthens the inner man or the spirit. Jesus explained that the tree on stony ground withered in the heat of the sun because it lacked root (Mt 13: 5, 6).  The word of God provides all of the nutrients and moisture for strengthening of the inner man.

As ministers of the gospel therefore, we need to provide an environment saturated with the word of God for all new believers, taking this  risk factor into consideration. The Lord told me to write that we need to instruct the new believer that persecutions and trials will come because of the gospel. We therefore need to provide a strong support system in the body of Christ for the preservation of the little ones.

REFERENCES

 

http://scriptures.lds.org/matt/16/19http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4073&t=KJV 

 

Comparison between Jesus’ parable and a tree system

INTRODUCTION

In order to fully understand the parable in relation to  the stony places in which the seed fell, I will refer to the growth of trees.  This is because the parable is not only about the spiritual condition of the spirit into which the word of God is sown, but it is also about sowing and reaping and the conditions for healthy growth of a tree.  Let us therefore examine the parallels:

THE ROOT

Most tree roots are located in the top 6 to 24 inches of the soil and occupy an area two to four times the diameter of the tree crown.

Roots usually do not grow deeper than 3 to 7 feet

Roots obtain water, oxygen and minerals from soil

In winter, it is a store-house for essential food reserves needed by the tree to produce spring foliage.

Roots also anchor the portion of the tree above ground. It is important to keep the portion above ground healthy to ensure an adequate food supply for the roots to continue their important functions.

Tree root systems consist of large perennial roots and smaller, short-lived feeder roots

Feeder roots, although averaging only 1/16 inch in diameter, constitute the major portion of the root system’s surface area

These smaller roots grow outward and predominantly upward from the large roots near the soil surface, where minerals, water and oxygen are relatively abundant.

THE SOIL IN WHICH A TREE GROWS

• Most active tree roots are in the top 3 feet of soil; the majority are in the top 12 inches
• Tree roots develop and survive where there is adequate oxygen and moisture
• Roots will not grow in dry soil
• Soil compaction affects tree growth. Soil compaction is the reduction in air pockets resulting from soil particles being packed together.
• In general, soil compaction increases as the depth increases and there is a corresponding decrease in the availability of water, minerals, oxygen and soil temperature. As a result, soil compaction restricts water and oxygen uptake by roots.
• However, there are instances in which compacted soil (hardpans) can occur near the surface with corresponding restriction in growth.
• Soil compaction , and is associated with roads, parking lots, foot traffic, construction machinery, livestock, poor soil preparation, and a host of other factors.
• More importantly, roots are closer to the soil surface  when the soil is more compacted or poorly drained.  This is the condition of the spirit in the parable
• Other causes of root problems include over- and underwatering, improper fertilization, and competition between roots. Underwatering means that insufficient water is available for proper root development, while underfertilization results in a lack of the minerals essential to maintain a healthy tree.

METHODS FOR KEEPING THE ROOT HEALTHY

• Since the root is the life of the tree, the gardener should provide a  healthy root environment. This  consists of adequate growing space for the root system, well-conditioned soil 16 inches to 24 inches deep, and sufficient water and oxygen.
• Injurious factors such as soil compaction, soil depth changes, mechanical injury, and improper watering and fertilization techniques should be avoided.
• A tree with a structurally weakened root system can become a dangerous liability, particularly during severe wind storms.

APPLICATION TO JESUS’ PARABLE

I hope that you are already beginning to see the relationship between root and soil function and Jesus’ teaching. Let us review:

Some  fell upon stonyplaces, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth

But he that received the seed into stony   places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it (Mt 13: 5, 20)

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (Mk 4: 5, 16, 17) .

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away  (Lk 8: 6,13).

The stony ground that Jesus spoke of in the parable is an area of  compacted soil.  He told us that the compacted area was near to the surface, shallow and lacked moisture, so that the tree or spirit did not even become rooted in God. 

The moisture refers to the word of God.  This individual does not dwell in an environment that is optimal for growth and remains spiritually inept. This person withers spiritually when the environment becomes adverse, lacking the stamina of spirit to endure.

Read more in the upcoming post

REFERENCES

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/text/tree_anatomy.html

http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/Garden/02926.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root

http://www.persecution.com/

Which group of hearers did Jesus describe as the stony places/rocks?

INTRODUCTION

Jesus continued the parable of the sower, using the analogy to reveal  another spiritual condition of the human heart and  its response to His word. He said that the word or seed fell into stony places, stony ground and rock  when it was preached:

Some  fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth

But he that received the seed into stonyplaces, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it (Mt 13: 5, 20)

And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth:

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness

And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecutionariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended (Mk 4: 5, 16, 17) .

And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

They on the rock [are they], which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away  (Lk 8: 6,13).

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE STONY HEART

I will highlight what Jesus said about this individual:

•  they hear the word and receive it joyfully
• they lack depth of earth
• as a result, the roots grow in shallow soil
• they spring up quickly because of the lack of soil
• they are short lived
• Apostle Luke said that the tree withered away as soon as it sprang up,  because it lacked moisture
• they immediately become offended in times of persecution or affliction due to their faith
• they fall away in these times of temptation

More next time and have a blessed day!

The spirit by the wayside is the religious sceptic

INTRODUCTION

Jesus taught us in the parable of the sower that the Word is preached and falls by the way side:

And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not,then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side (Mt 13: 4, 19)

as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.

And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts (Mark 4: 4, 15)

A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (Lk 8: 4, 12).

SCRIPTURAL USES OF THE TERM WAYSIDE

In order to understand this truth more fully, I explored the usage of the word “wayside” in the Greek language.  Hodos (G3598) is the Greek word for way and wayside.  It is used to mean a literal way, road, but  also denotes a belief system or way of life:

• way of the Lord, which is straight and not crooked. It is the way of God in truth   (Mt 3: 3; Mt 22: 16)
• the way that leads to life. It is full of joy and the presence of  God  (Mt 7: 14; Acts 2: 29)
• way that leads to destruction (Mt 7: 13)
• Paul persecuted the saints who were “of this way” (Acts 9: 2)
• the right ways of the Lord (Acts 13: 10)
• God permitted nations to walk in their own ways in the past/do what they felt like (Acts 14: 16)
• way of salvation (Acts 16: 17)
• the way of the Lord is contrasted with the baptism of John, which was the only doctrine that some of the believers knew. They had not heard of  Jesus dying on the cross (Acts 18: 25, 26)
• wayside (Mt 3: 4, 19; Mt 20: 30). There are two uses here for wayside, one being a literal wayside/by the roadside and the  other meaning people who are onlookers.
• way of righteousness (Mt 21: 32)
• highways. In  this parable, guests invited to a feast did not attend, so the  Lord told His servants to go into the highways and bring anyone who will come. This represents the nations to whom we must preach the gospel  (Mt 22: 9)
• a man healed of blindness followed Jesus in the way/His teachings (Mk 10: 52)
• way of peace (Lk 1: 76)
• rough ways which God would make smooth (Lk 3: 5) 
• way to heaven (Jn 14: 4-6)

INTERPRETATION OF THE TEACHING OF THE WAYSIDE

Based on the scriptural usage of the term, I can confidently conclude that those hearing the gospel by the wayside are not walking in the ways of the Lord.   More specifically, they seem to be  religious, holding to a particular religious belief or maybe even several. Jesus said “I am the way”, but these may believe other gods or in the case of  others,  do not  believe that Jesus is the Messiah.  This group of people doubt that Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation and would argue that there are many ways to God.  They argue that you can be saved as long as you believe in a supreme being and would term themselves as “spiritual”.

Jesus therefore calls  them spirits that are by the wayside, because they do not adhere  to His way. Their false religious convictions are so strong that they are unable to understand the truth of the gospel.  The doubt in these spirits is so strong that satan comes and IMMEDIATELY snatches away the word.  Jesus shows us that this  person who is extremely susceptible to satanic influences so strong that the word is trodden down and fowls of the air devour the word.  Since they are by the wayside, they are on another way – of spiritual lies which leads to hell’s destruction, is rough and  has no joy and peace. 

As I sat at lunch, the Lord gave me another interpretation. He reminded me that He is “the way the truth and the Life” and  said that anyone who is not in His way is considered to be by the wayside (out of the way). In fact, Apostle Paul talked about those who are ignorant and out  of the way (Hebrews 5: 2).  A comparison of the parable of the sower with John 15 shows that those who are not in the Lord’s way are disconnected from Him.  As a result, these spirits are also dry, not receiving the nurture, watering and life provided by the Lord.

SATAN’S ROLE

Satan, fowls of the air (demons  and other predators) play a leading role in the destruction of this spirit. I hear the Lord telling me that satan has a lot at stake and will do any thing to hold this spirit in his dominion.  This is why he engineers the devouring and trampling of the word in this spirit so that they would not be saved.  

TWO  EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE

In Acts 13: 6-12, a sorcerer called Elymas used magic arts to withstand Paul’s preaching to  Governor Sergius Paulus. The scriptures say that he did in order to ” turn away the deputy from the faith” (Acts 13: 8).   This is a perfect  example of one person trying to snatch the word out of another’s heart.  The occult  presents  powerful opposition to the word of  God and doubters may fall away prey to its  influence.

Apostle  Paul spent three months preaching in the Jewish synagogue at Ephesus, but some were hardened by unbelief and spoke evil of the way of the Lord, seeking to turn away the multitudes (Acts 19: 8, 9). They tried to tread down or stamp out the effect of  the Apostle’s preaching. In fact, the resistance was so strong that Apostle Paul could not make headway and left the location to teach in another.   This shows us that the word of God can be stamped out by strong religious opposition.

You may be able to find others.  Now that I have been clearly taught this truth, I am better able to understand why it is so difficult to preach the gospel to the religious sceptic. Jesus’ own life showed that it can be very difficult - they were the ones who had Him crucified. Let us pray for the dominion of the devil to be broken in these spirits.

Which group of believers are you a part of?

1. INTRODUCTION

The Lord told me this week that this post is  about “the haves and the have nots in the kingdom of God”.  These words may sound strange, but Jesus told the disciples:

those who are open to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But to those who are not listening, even what they have will be taken away from them  (Matt 13: 12).

We know now that He was not referring to the natural ear, but to the ear of the spirit.  There are many people who hear and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but even devils believe and tremble (James 2: 19). Are the devils going to heaven? Are they saved?  Many people enter the Kingdom but do not remain, as we see in the parable of the sower. Jesus said that everyone who says Lord, Lord will not enter His kingdom. In other words, you will be refused if you are not born again.

We saw that many people followed Jesus and were taught the parables. However, He  explained the meanings only  to the 12 disciples and expected them to be able to interpret other parables as they grew in understanding.  Jesus revealed clearly in the parable of the sower that the word will be preached and received initially by some people.  Some of them may be lost because of the condition of their spirits.

We need  to understand that the  human spirit receives the word of God under certain conditions. This will help us to develop strategies to meet the needs of those who are at risk, in order to help them to escape the eternal flames of hell.    

2. KEY TO THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Jesus showed us that there are four groups of people who hear and receive the word of God.  However, all of them do not endure to the end to be saved. He gave us a  key to the parable of the sower and I will share it as a reminder: 

• sower = person who preaches/teaches the word
• seed = word of God/word of the kingdom (Mt 13: 19)
• wayside, stony place/rock, thorns, good ground = place into which the word is sowed which is the human spirit. These terms also describe the  condition of the human spirit and its short and long term response to the word of God.
• those by the wayside= curious onlookers, doubters, religious sceptics.
• stony ground/rock= a hard spirit
• thorns = spirit is wounded and bleeding
• good ground = spirit that receives and practices the word. They become  life long disciples of the Lord in spite of afflictions, persecutions and other conditions faced by all of the other short term believers.

In the upcoming posts I will write in detail about the human spirit and its response to the word of God.

Blessings and have a great day!

True believers will see the kingdom of God

1.INTRODUCTION

In the previous post I explored the meaning of Jesus’ words when He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see (Eidon) the kingdom of God” (Jn 3: 3).  Eidon that means to perceive, whose English translation is “to recognize, discern, envision, or understand” (dictionary.com).  I was led to write on what I consider to be one of the most profound revelations about spiritual perception. The text is found in Matthew 13,  which opened with Jesus teaching the multitudes about the parable of the sower and the seed. The disciples were puzzled and this discussion ensued:

Who hath ears to hear, let him hear

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know (ginosko) the mysteries (mysterion)  of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given

For whosoever hath (EARS TO HEAR), to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them].

Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower (Matt 13: 9-18).

2. TEACHINGS I RECEIVED ON THIS TEXT

In order to fully understand the text, I was shown that Jesus’ response was also based on the context in which the question was made. He had just completed a teaching on four types of responses to the Word of God which is the same as the condition of the human spirit when the Word of God is spoken. However, I will explore this fully in another post. What ever the condition of the spirit, however, Jesus still maintains that we cannot see the kingdom of God without spiritual rebirth.

As I read Matthew 13 in the early morning of Saturday 15th August, Jesus asked me why did He permit the disciples and not the crowd to understand the secrets that He was speaking about.  He answered His question by saying that the crowds followed of of curiosity and while the disciples believed that He was the Christ. By revealing the mysteries to the disciples, Jesus showed us that they  had been born again by believing and that they were permitted to see (eidon) the kingdom of heaven/God.  He told me that He was confirming His statement in John 3: 3 (“Except a man be born again, he cannot see (Eidon) the kingdom of God”).

Jesus and I then had a discussion related to why it is commonly believed that the disciples were not born again. One of the common rationales for this belief is that they had not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit until He had been resurrected. We then had a laugh because Jesus showed me:

• The boys did not need to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit since He the Holy Spirit dwelt with them in bodily form and was their teacher and Comforter. I spoke about this partially in the previous post and you can read more in John 14.
• Jesus chose the 12 out of the many disciples who followed Him. Why would He have chosen to teach unbelievers the secrets of the kingdom of heaven? In essence, we would be saying that He lied about the criteria for receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven if  we hold to the belief that the disciples were not born again.
• Why did He then give them power over the kingdom of darkness if they had not been born again? He sent them out and they came back rejoicing that even the demons were subject to them. He dryly told them to rejoice more over the fact that their names were written in heaven (there are many false apostles and prophets casting out devils):

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name  

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight (Lk 10: 17-21).

• Jesus also asked me whether or not Abraham and David were born again. I dare you to say no. Didn’t He walk and talk with Abraham? Didn’t He visit David? Why did David speak of the Lord being mindful of him and visiting him (Ps 8: 4). Jesus  told me that we have been speaking things that we do not know  and worshipping a God we do not know, like the woman of Samaria.
• As I continued to discuss the text with the Lord, He asked me about the words “for whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath”. “Hath what?” the Lord asked.  I am receiving new information even as I write. Keeping the context of the sower, the human spirit  and its reception to the  word in mind, this is answered in several ways:

 - Only those who have obedient spirits to the word of God will be saved and see the kingdom of God. All four groups in the parable heard and received the word, but only those who obeyed and added to the word brought forth fruit in abundance. 

- only those who have eternal life will receive the mysteries of the kingdom in abundance (like the disciples). Those who are spiritually dead or inert will not hear the voice of the Lord. We need to set our spirits on high alert to God to receive the things that He has in store for those who truly love Him.  Ezekiel’s prophecy shows that those who are spiritually dead to God cannot hear His voice (Eze 37)

- only those whose spirits are hearing will receive the mysteries in abundance. The prophet said that he was awakened daily to be taught the word of God and that as a result, he had more understanding than the experts. He was not rebellious, like those who refused to hear and obey  (Isa 50: 4,5)

 

3. IS YOUR SPIRIT FAT, BLIND , DEAF AND SICK?

Jesus referred to Isaiah’s prophecy to show the disciples that God had been calling Israel, just like He calls to us His church. He lamented that the people did not believe the word of God because of their spiritual condition. Their spirits were gross (G3975 – pachynō = fat), deaf, blind and sick. In this condition, they were unable to hear and understand what God was saying, even when prophets were sent to them.  This is a terrible state to be in. My prayer is that those of us who believe would set  our spirits on Him and put away the diet that makes us spiritually dead to His voice.

I will continue to write more in teh upcoming post. God bless until. 

 

References

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3466&t=KJV  (link to mysteries)

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3466&t=KJV (Kingdom of God/heaven)

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3775&t=KJV  (hearing with the spirit)

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3850&t=KJV  (parables)

Jesus said that you cannot “see” the kingdom of God without a reborn spirit

1. INTRODUCTION

In the previous posts I delved into the spiritual rebirth as well as the truth that Jesus is God, since this is key to our spiritual rebirth.  I would like to return to John 3 and explore what Jesus meant when He responded to a question asked by Nicodemus:

 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

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 (John 3: 1-3).

2.  JESUS SAID THAT NOONE  CAN INTERPRET THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHOUT A SPIRITUAL REBIRTH

It  is significant that the chapter began with an introduction to  Nicodemus’ religious affiliation, his social standing and the timing of his question. He was supposed to be knowledgeable about scriptures and appeared to have said the right thing to the Lord. However,  Jesus’ response was  cryptic and apparently irrelevant to the  statement which implied that Jesus was only a teacher.  In other words, Nicodemus had missed the truth that Jesus was God.

Jesus said that no one could see or Eidon  (Strong’s 1492)  the kingdom of God except he was spiritually reborn.  Eidon  means to perceive. In other words, Jesus really meant that no one can perceive, understand or receive spiritual revelation about the kingdom of God without a spiritual rebirth.  The Lord’s tongue was also  in His cheek, because Nicodemus really put his big foot in his mouth, revealing that the eyes of his spirit were really blind to the secrets of the kingdom of heaven:

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.

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? (Jn 3: 3-4).

Obviously not! How dumb can we become?!!!  Jesus had spoken about a spiritual mystery, and we too, like Nicodemus, are blind to truth right under our noses.  Nicodemus possessed a PhD in Moses’ law and was a member of  an elite religious sect, yet this did not qualify him to understand things of the kingdom of heaven.  Theological degrees do not qualify us to do so either.

3. TWO USES OF EIDON

These words spoken by the Lord Himself will help us to add to our understanding of the word eidon:

And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive (Eidon):

For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see (Eidon)with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them (Mt 13: 14-15).

4.  EXAMPLES SHOWING THAT PEOPLE ARE UNABLE TO SEE WITHOUT SPIRITUAL REBIRTH

I read through the book of John and was fascinated by the numerous examples of spiritual blindness about the things of the kingdom of heaven. Here are some of them:

• In John 4: 10-14, the Samaritan woman did not understand what Jesus meant when He spoke about “living water”.
• The Jews became highly offended and many disciples turned back when Jesus told them they needed to partake of  His flesh and blood. Was He asking them to become cannibals? No, He spoke of partaking of his teachings and ministry (Jn 6: 53-56)
• The Jews went to the extreme of calling Jesus a sinner because He had healed a blind man on the sabbath day, even casting out the healed man because he said that Jesus was Christ (Jn 9).  They died in their sins because of unbelief.

5.  JESUS SHOWED A PARALLEL BETWEEN SPIRITUAL  AND PHYSICAL BLINDNESS AND THE RECEIVING OF SIGHT

I will use the example of the healed blind man man to draw a parallel between physical and spiritual blindness and the  receipt of physical and spiritual vision. Here are highlights from John 9:

• the man had been born blind. We were born in sin which places scales over our spiritual eyes, preventing us from receiving the mysteries of the kingdom of God
• Jesus sent the man to wash in water, symbolic of the washing that we receive from the word of God for spiritual cleansing
• the man’s features changed when he began to see. He looked so different that his neighbours argued vigourously about his identity. We too become transformed when the spirit is reborn
• The man had such a testimony about his transformation that he allowed the Pharisees to throw him out of the synagogue.
• He confessed his belief verbally to the Lord became a grateful worshipper.

Apostle Paul wrote beautifully about spiritual sight:

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Cor 2: 8-9).

Blessings!

The Holy Spirit of Jesus lived in a body of flesh

I dealt with the issue of Jesus living in a body of flesh in the previous post. This time, however, I would like to emphasize that He was Holy Spirit, Holy God dwelling in flesh.  What? Jesus is Holy Spirit? Yes He is indeed.  What or who else can He be?

Here are a few ways in which the Bible teaches  the truth that Jesus is Holy Spirit:

1. He  is  God and God is holy.  Isaiah was told that He is the Mighty God, Everlasting Father 
2. He was in the beginning – the Word who was God and with God
3. Chief Prince Gabriel told Mary that Jesus was the holy thing that would grow in her  womb
4. Scriptures teach that He was tempted by sin but remained sinless
5. In John 10: 8-10, Jesus held a very interesting discussion related to Phillip’s question as to who was the Father?  Jesus answered Phillip in a mystery and  I had missed the answer for years:

Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father?

Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works

Believe me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake (John 14: 8-11).

Jesus’ response to Phillip was three  fold:

a. Phillip, how can you ask that question when I  (Jesus with the name and role Father) have been with you all this time?

b. When He told Phillip, “I am in  the Father, and the Father in me?” He really meant that His Spirit, living in His body, was the Spirit of the Father.

c. Each member of the  God family is called Father – originator of all things. 

d. There is absolutely no confusion in Jesus addressing  the other members of the God family as  Father. This is one name by which they are known.

Current Christian teaching holds that only one member  of the God Family is called the Holy Spirit. However, Jesus  referred to Himself as the Holy Spirit:

 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever

Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you (Jn 14: 16-18).

Again, Jesus taught that He was Holy Spirit in a mystery:

a.  By referring to Another Comforter, we clearly understand that when Jesus was on earth, He was God the Holy Spirit present with the disciples.

b.  In fact, Jesus told the disciples that they knew the Comforter, who is also called  Spirit of truth and that He dwelled with them (JN 14: 17). 

c. In Jn 14: 18,  Jesus then told the disciples  He would return again in Spirit as the comforter,  even though He was  leaving earth adn would not be physically present.

I  would like to emphasize that the key to clearing up the confusion is to understand:

• there is one God family, Creator of all things
• there are three people who make up the family called God
• the members of the  God family are ONE because they agree in purpose
• they are One because they are equally the same in spirit.
• any name that is ascribed to one is ascribed to all (except that Jesus was designated as the One who would be born in the earth as  a Child and live and die to reconcile us to God)

Why is it important for us to believe that Jesus was Holy Spirit living in flesh? We will not receive eternal life if we do not believe.  His fascinating discourse in John 3 is key in the message of salvation. Jesus said that He had come down from heaven and spoke to us  about heavenly things  (Jn  3: 12, 13).  Salvation is a mystery of the Kingdom of heaven.  The question is whether or not we will believe Jesus God and be saved.

I hope you will believe. Blessings and have a great day!

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/10/07/jesus-in-the-old-testament/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/jesus-is-the-holy-spirit/

Jesus was begotten because He took on human flesh/was born as a human

Scriptures teach us that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, using Yalad   to render the word begotten, meaning to bare, beget,  bring forth a child. Now how can that be? Apostle John said that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1: 14). This appearance of  a member of the God family in the earth through the womb is such a great mystery that  we continue to marvel about, like the  Apostle Paul:

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory (1 Tim 3: 16)

Phaneroō (G5319) is the Greek word for manifest.  It means that Jesus was  made manifest or visible. Although previously hidden or unknown, He was recognised and  thoroughly understood. This link will provide further edification:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5319&t=KJV

I cannot fully explain this marvel, but will reference some truths:

1. God became flesh and blood, just like us (Hebrews 2: 14)
2. A human body was prepared for His spirit to dwell in (Hebrews 10: 5). Didn’t God prepare a body for Adam then put his spirit into it? What’s new? The difference is that this time, God was entering a body of flesh!
3. He took on a human and not a spiritual body  (Hebrews 2: 16)  which can become invisible/appear in visions, change appearance, go through walls, appear and disappear, ascend and descend to heaven (Matthew 16: 12; Jn 20: 14-16; John 20: 19).  I spoke in the previous post about the God family appearing to Abraham in the form of men (Gen 18). Jesus also appeared in fire in human form (Daniel 3: 25).   Angels possess spiritual bodies with all of these characteristics.
4. Apostle Paul wrote that although He was in the form of God, He took upon Him the form of a servant and became of no reputation.  He laid off  some of His  glory when He dwelt among us! (Phil 2: 6-8)
5.  Since He put on a human and not  a spiritual body,  Jesus  experienced the hunger, fatigue, pains, sufferings and death that humans go through, becoming compassionate to us. This is why He is called the Great High Priest  (Heb 2: 17)
6. Although He lived in a body of flesh, Jesus lived a sinless life and never sinned.  He was tempted, on many occasions  by the devil, but overcame by the Word (He is the Living Word) - Heb 2: 18. 
7. It took the power of God to work this miracle, just as the conception of a human spirit in a body is a miracle.

Blessings and more to come next time!

Why is Jesus called the only begotten Son of God?

1. INTRODUCTION

In  the previous post, I showed that Jesus  taught us  that we must believe that He  is the only begotten Son of  God in order to be receive a rebirth of the spirit.  I’ve written previously to explain that before the world began,  the God family conceived a plan for  our  deliverance from the kingdom of sin/darkness  and corresponding transformation of the spirit to become like God.

In order to fulfill the plan, the  three members of the God family  promised that  Jesus,  dearly beloved member of the  family, would enter the earth through the womb of  a woman and be born as a child. He would then teach us about God and heaven and give His life in order to pay the penalty for sins, for which we deserved eternal damnation and separation from God.

2. JESUS TOOK ON THE BODY OF FLESH/A HUMAN, BUT HIS SPIRIT REMAINED HOLY GOD

Many people struggle with the simple truth that Jesus took on the body of a human while remaining God in character. This is really a simple truth to understand. To fully grasp it, we need to become aware that God  is a spiritual being and can appear in human form.  I will not speak here about the characteristics of the spiritual being/body, but have written about it.

God helps us to understand this truth by appearing to people in human form thoughout history.  Abraham,  one of God’s best friends, was privileged to have the God family visit him in human form on numerous occasions:

• Jesus visited as Melchizedek (more on  Melchizedek in the list on the right hand)
• The three membeers of the God family appeared to him in the plains of Mamre to reveal the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God  just  whispered to me that Abraham’s experience is one of the most outstanding  examples in which the members of  God family took on a body of  flesh and appeared to people.  The links are referrenced below.

Jesus told the Jews that Abraham would rejoice every time He visited.  When Jesus told that to the Jews, they nearly went crazy, telling Him that He could not have ever, ever seen Abraham. He was not even fifty years old, they argued:

” Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”

“You are not yet fifty years old,” the Jews said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”  

At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds (John 8: 56-59).

Can you imagine how relieved Abraham was when he saw Melchizedek appear? He was pursuing five armies with under 400 men, trying to recapture the  rebellious, cantankerous Lot!  Jesus appeared on time to help his friend in the day of battle. 

These appearances were for short, specific time periods. However, the God  family decided that the only way for the human race to overcome the distance (emotional and spiritual) between God and man was to send an Ambassador from the God family to live among us. This is why scriptures say that “… the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1: 14).

 I will follow up with more explanations in the upcoming post.

Links:

 http://pppministries.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=65&message=1

http://thelordsangels.wordpress.com/2008/02/26/one-god-family-three-persons/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/12/16/abraham-saw-god-live-and-direct/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/abraham-knew-all-three-members-of-the-god-family/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/jesus-was-prop…the-son-of-god/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/09/20/more-on-jesus-is-the-father-son-and-holy-ghost/

http://pppministries.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/jesus-is-the-holy-spirit/