We will look at Galatians chapter 1 verses 1-16. In these verses Paul provides the Galatians with very in-depth insight into God the Father, the resurrection, the gospel of Christ, another gospel, the revelation of Christ and His Son. These sixteen verses are loaded with the mystery and power of desensitization to the person of Christ. Most of us have read these verses for many years. But today we want to review them verses by verses and allow our teacher God the Holy Spirit refresh and renew our minds. So, let’s take it from the top and see what the Spirit is saying.
We have been sharing with you these past few fellowships about our body and soul outer identity, what we have called the “box-suitcase” identity. We have also talked to you about our “spirit-soul”, our inner man true-identity. We have also discussed, how the IOU of Christ reveals the real person we were birthed by God to be and live spiritually. Our problem with living who we are as another person in Christ is hindered heavily by our box identities and suitcase (soul) thinking (things we’ve stuffed and stored for decades). Several months ago, I read an article from a study done in 1975 at Stanford University and other researchers.
“And here our dependence on other minds reinforces the problem. If your position on, say, (any subject) is baseless and I rely on it, then my opinion is also baseless. When I talk to Tom and he decides he agrees with me, his opinion is also baseless, but now that the three of us concur we feel that much more smug about our views. If we all now dismiss as unconvincing any information that contradicts our opinion, you get, well, organizational theology, institutional doctrine and denominational or non-denominational belief systems.”
Can you believe that, some or our beliefs may be baseless spiritually. “Our information comes directly from our pastor and he’s been preaching for many years. Plus he knows the Bible better than anybody I know. Ask anyone in our church and they’ll you the same thing. After all the Bible says “there’s nothing new under the sun”. We already have everything we need to know right here and now! So, there’s nothing you can say that will change my mind. I know what I believe and why I believe it.” Do you know someone like that? Have you heard things like or similar to that? Then you may know why the truth or facts cannot change someone’s mind or set them free to live as a new creation. Hey, maybe that sounds like you!?!? Let’s talk about it…
The message this week is on a word Jesus said that many don’t understand and can’t receive. He said: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” Mat 5:17-18
As we read in our intro verses, we can see that these words which are spoken by the Lord Jesus are some of the most misunderstood and confusing words we have in the Bible today. To the casual and unskilled reader (that would be almost everyone including Bible College and Seminary graduates and students) these words means the law is still intact for the believer and non-believer to follow. They are key words for our salvation and pattern to live by. I find very few preachers and Bible teachers who don’t use these words to defend their beliefs concerning God’s use the law today as He did in Jesus’ day. Even though He spoke these powerful words before the cross. Their value extends beyond to God’s purpose, intent and plan for all of humankind and not just the group who heard those words.
The theology of “since” the foundation of the world or before the world began
All our knowledge and theology on this passage is built around the idea that Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of man. Man had fallen into sin and there no was way for him to be forgiven. Unless, God did something to help man become free from his sin. So, God gave man the “Law of God” to lead him back into the way God wanted him (man) to live. But man, disobeyed God’s law and violated His commandments and deserved death. Again, God had to do something. So, this time, God had to send His only begotten Son to die on the cross as a sinless sacrifice for the sins of man in a fallen world. Which in part is correct. A small part. This idea has been the driving force behind almost all of the gospel we have heard preached unto this day. All of which is rooted and grounded in a knowledge of “since” the foundation of world. This is the knowledge says that man is unworthy, undeserving, and never please God.So, let’s talk about it.
The message this week is question of “Why can’t love cast out fear?” The depth of this subject can seem endless. But it’s not. Our knowledge and understanding is the problem and the issue when it comes to love. Most of our foundation concerning love comes from basically two places. Really just two places? You might say. No, it’s only one place. But we need to see what two are used to keep us from the power of love.
The IOU debt of love
There are three Greek words used for “love”
-Eros: physical; bodily, and biological “The Box”
-Phileos: feelings, emotional, psychological “The Suitcase”
-Agape: a person, God is Love, “Spirit of God”
Only two of the words are used in the Bible. As humans, we find our foundation and ongoing knowledge and understanding of love comes from the first two words listed above. Why the those two? Because they were where we learned and found our union, oneness and identity of love. This would be the expression of the love which most of know and live. Now, let’s look at the two places which support our foundation of love that cannot cast out fear. Let’s talk about it!
This week we will continue to discuss what is “walking in the Spirit”? And, is it the same as “the revelation of Christ”? The term “walking or walk in the Spirit” has become something very religiously subjective. In some circles it is someone who appears to be mature concerning to Bible. Or, someone who appears to be very good at praying. Or, maybe someone who’s a pastor or Sunday School teacher. Maybe a deacon or church elder, or overseer. Or, maybe someone who’s been at a specific church body or fellowship for an extended period of time. And, let’s not forget to include those who have been saved the longest on that list. Hey, maybe those who shout the loudest, fast the longest, quote the most verses from the Bible. Those who have served, volunteered, gave the most money or did hospital and nursing home visits. This list could go on and on but that’s enough. All of these things can be of great value and service to others, but none of them are a foundation for “walking in the Spirit”. Walking in the Spirit is not a “work” for God. It is a work of God in the fellowship of the mystery. So, what about the revelation of Christ? Does knowing Christ lives in me mean I am “walking in the Spirit”? What about knowing Christ as my life? Surely this mean I know what it means to walk in the Spirit. Doesn’t it? How much of that is just spiritual information revealed to us? And how much is meaningful revelation knowledge in us? Look at christian landscape around us today. Every belief, every profession, every declaration of faith produces what many call a christian. I’m not saying some are not truly birthed by God. Being birthed from above. The literal meaning of being born again. Sadly, no one knows the person of Christ. And few, very few knows anything about who they are as new creation sons of God. The power of becoming another person inside the “box” is not realized because of this ongoing “box-life” thinking. Living daily as the “box” carrying a suitcase full and over flowing with far too many of yesterday’s experiences and “box-life” identities. Can anyone “walk in the Spirit” and in the “box” at the same time? No!
Paul said,
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. … But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:18, 23-24
If many who profess Jesus Christ would learn what to means “walk in the Spirit” and come to the “revelation Christ” in sonship, the answer of why are we here would fade or fall away. Let’s talk about it….
This week we will discuss something that I’ve been talking to the Father about. The subject of what is “walking in the Spirit”? And, is it the same as “the revelation of Christ”? The term “walking or walk in the Spirit” has become something very religiously subjective. In some circles it is someone who appears to be mature concerning to Bible. Or, someone who appears to be very good at praying. Or, maybe someone who’s a pastor or Sunday School teacher. Maybe a deacon or church elder, or overseer. Or, maybe someone who’s been at a specific church body or fellowship for an extended period of time. And, less not forget to include those who have been saved the longest on that list. Hey, maybe those who shout the loudest, fast the longest, quote the most verses from the Bible. Those who have served, volunteered, gave the most money or did hospital and nursing home visits. This list could go on and on but that’s enough. All of these things can be of great value and service to others, but none of them are a foundation for “walking in the Spirit”. Walking in the Spirit is not a “work” for God. It is a work of God in the fellowship of the mystery. So, what about the revelation of Christ? Does knowing Christ lives me mean I am “walking in the Spirit”? What about knowing Christ as my life? Surly this mean I know what it means to walk in the Spirit. Doesn’t it? How much of that is just spiritual information revealed to us? And how much is meaningful revelation knowledge in us? Look at christian landscape around us today. Every belief, every profession, every declaration of faith produces what many call a christian. I’m not saying some are not truly birthed by God. Being birthed from above. The literal meaning of being born again. Sadly, no one knows the person of Christ. And few, very few knows anything about who they are as new creation sons of God. The power of becoming another person inside the “box” is not realized because of this ongoing “bow-life” thinking. Living daily as the “box” carrying a suitcase full and over flowing with far too many of yesterday’s experiences and “box-life” identities. Can anyone “walk in the Spirit” and in the “box” at the same time? No!
Paul said,”For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. … But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Rom 7:18, 23-24
If many who profess Jesus Christ would learn what to means “walk in the Spirit” and come to the “revelation Christ” in sonship, the answer of why are we here would fade or fall away. Let’s talk about it….
This week I want to wrap up my three week teaching on Union, Oneness and Identity with the teaching titled The Transitive Property of Identity. The most important statement said in the Bible is found in John 3:1-8 “Truly, truly, I say to you, except anyone be born from above, he is not able to see the kingdom of God.” Jesus uses the analogy of child birth when making this statement. It identifies the plan and intent of God and is the most descriptive analogy of Oneness and Identity known. It is time to take a stand and proclaim the greatest revelation in the ‘Mystery of God’ You will never know your Identity until you understand Oneness and you will never understand Oneness until you have Union with Christ. Once you have seen this revelation, you will never be the same. Please let me open my heart and share what the Father has shown me.
This week in Sunday Fellowship we will take a look at Ephesians chapter 5 where many perceive the church as the bride or wife of Christ. The most prolific place in the New Testament to find out about the church and the body of Christ is in Ephesians chapter 5 verses 22-33. Here Paul tells us something that is missed and misunderstood until this very day! Even when reading these verses, many still can’t understand what Paul is saying concerning Christ and the Church. It is a mystery and must be revealed. Maybe if he started with verses 32 and 33, then added the other verses, we could better grasp this mystery. Although “mystery” means outside of human sense. So, let’s try to read these verses, putting the last first and the first last. Wow! That’s interesting. Those verses would start by saying “this is a great mystery”. What is this great mystery concerning Christ and the Church? He’s about to explain something spiritual with something physical which they can understand. And he’s about to do it without the use of blood relationships. Imagine that. To be related and have a unique relationship without blood being the source. That’s why Paul calls it a mystery!
We are going to continue discussing “Desensitization to the Blood of Jesus and New Covenant.” As I stated last week, I received a text message last week from my good brother in Christ Co-Pastor David Griffin which read:
“Those who claim that we are free from the ceremonial law but are still guided by the moral law want Jesus for his blood but not for his life”
Although David said those words were not originally from him, they ring very true. Sadly millions upon millions of people have received and bought into the lie and illusion that God salvaged a part of the law from Christ’s death on the cross. So much has been written about the blood of Jesus and the new covenant, it is really unbelievable. One area of the law that wasn’t covered in the statement above was the judicial law. This too was done away in the death of Christ. Of course no part of the law survived His death and none of it was raised in His life. I know that may shock and surprise and maybe upset some. Far too many of born again believers have never heard about the gospel being a mystery. Many have never been taught that every believer is a minister of the gospel. Not the Baptist gospel, the Methodist gospel, Pentecostal gospel, nondenominational gospel but the gospel of the mystery of Christ in you as your only life! Your gospel of becoming a new creation or another person. There is a new knowledge and understanding of the blood of Christ and the new covenant. Unfortunately many believers are desensitized to the person of Christ and lack the revelation of the mystery which is in Christ.This has made the blood of Jesus and the New Covenant misunderstood through box-life thinking and box-life living. The new creation race Sons of God are trapped in something which is not theirs! So, let’s continue to examine what this means.