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     One God, truth, and way, He’s singular, visited with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, wrote the commandments for people’s good on tablets of stone for Moses’ deliverance to His chosen people, He and He alone is the only eternal absolute. He came in the flesh, overcame temptations, did deeds proving Himself to be the Son of God, and inspired His apostle Paul to write; (2Cor 11:4; For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough.)

     In the flesh, the many teach a Jesus other than the One His apostles proclaimed, and as manifested to be in the Holy Scriptures. Naïve fleshly nature we inherited prefers looking to credentials rather than Jesus’ word, and prayerfully searching the Holy Scriptures to prove all things. Jesus said; (Mark 13:5-6; Watch out that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and they will mislead many.) Divided teachers are misleading nations, religions and individuals.

    To worship Jesus in sincerity of spirit, and truth is to believe IN His total inspired word as transcribed through Moses, His prophets, apostles and Himself. His church is founded likewise, and to them He had Paul write.

    (Ephesians 2:19-22; So then you, are no longer foreigners and non-citizens, but you are fellow citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, because you have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the Cornerstone. In Him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.)

     Called believers are gifted with knowing faith in our Creator’s inspired original words. He came to sacrifice Himself, by the will of God the Father, to remit sins, and make Believers fellow citizens. His Church foundation is as described at Ephesians 2, and (He’s the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, for all things in heaven, on earth were created by Him. All things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, principalities or powers – all things were created through Him and for Him. He Himself is before all things and all things are held together in Him. He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that He Himself may become first in all things. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in the Son, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself by making peace through the blood of His cross – through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Colossians 1:15-20)

   Three witnesses prophesied. See John 1:1-5 and Heb 1:1-4.

    Worshiping images of any kind is an abomination to Creator Jesus and God the father. Jesus re-created this earth, making it habitable again before Adam’s creation, and again after the Noah day flood. Creator Jesus made Adam in the image of Himself and God the Father. As the Lord God He communed with, and made perpetual promises to Abraham, Isaac and, Jacob’s descendents are their heirs. The same Lord God came as the Messiah, prophesied through His prophets, and called twelve apostles, revealed God the Father through His deeds, willingly died a sacrificial death, was resurrected, and ascended as promised. He’s going to return, as king of kings and Lord of Lords.

     Jesus revealed the following to Peter and he to believers for their understanding.

    (2Peter 3:7; But by the same Word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the ‘day of judgment’ and destruction of the ungodly.)

    He’s the God of Love. His plan is that; ‘ultimately all unrepentant persons will be destroyed at the last day judgment.’ Repentant persons of His choosing, from all ages will see the glorious benefit of His Way, when deceiver ‘Satan’ is bound. (That is, many will turn from the ways that seemed right to themselves in their previous lives.) When seeing God’s Way in action, ‘many people will love Him for His holiness and righteousness.’ Many will be gifted to recognize truths. See 1Kings 4:29-34.

Consider Solomon’s insight.

     (Ecclesiastics 9:4-12; But whoever is among the living has hope; a live dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die, but the dead do not know anything; they have no further reward – and even the memory of them disappears. What they loved, as well as what they hated and envied, perished long ago, and they no longer have a part in anything that happens on earth.

    Life is Brief, so Cherish its Joys. Go, eat your food with joy, and drink your wine with a happy heart, because God has already approved your works. Let your clothes always be white, and do not spare precious ointment on your head. Enjoy life with your beloved wife during all the days of your fleeting life that God has given you on earth during all your fleeting days; for that is your reward in life and in your burdensome work on earth.

    Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.

    Again, I observed this on the earth: the race is not always won by the swiftest, the battle is not always won by the strongest; prosperity does not always belong to those who are the wisest, wealth does not always belong to those who are the most discerning, nor does success always come to those with the most knowledge - for time and chance may overcome them all.

    Surely, no one knows his appointed time! Like fish that are caught in a deadly net, and like birds that are caught in a snare - just like them, all people are ensnared at an unfortunate time that falls upon them suddenly.)

        God gifted Solomon with superior fleshly knowledge and understanding beyond others of his time. World leaders of that day came and consulted him. Accidents do happen regardless of life styles, and to blame our Creator God for things that may not go our way in this physical life is preposterous, because God is allowing people go the way that seems right to themselves. However, God does protect, and intervene for His chosen people, according to His purposes and planning. These things aren’t normally shared in detail, however, God’s plans, and promises for His Elect’s future are certain. Heirs with Abraham are destined to be co-rulers with Jesus in His millennial kingdom. Length and quality of life on this earth are God’s prerogative until He plans differently. We don’t have the promise of a tomorrow in our current physical bodies. His Word teaches ‘be ready for this life’s end, by yielding to and seeking His Ways.’ People in this age that are led to believe IN Jesus are God’s Elect and will be in His First Resurrection.

Jesus revealed and had John write.

    (Revelations 20:4-6; Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These had not worshiped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.) This is the First Resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who takes part in the First Resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God, ‘of Christ’ and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.)

    These words from Jesus aren’t parables as were parable given to the Pharisees about ‘Lazarus and the rich man.’ Jesus’ promises include a First Resurrection for this age’s Believers, a Second Death to the ungodly, thus, more than one Resurrection!

    Most Christendom denominations teach ‘immortality at birth’ and an immediate, ‘after death judgment’ (a hell - heaven doctrine) that twist Jesus’ revelations to John to make it fit their preferred doctrine, and Satan’s lie. (This crosses into the realm of, ‘cause and effect.’ HOW SO? Jesus taught, ‘immortality is only gifted through Himself.’ Believing that people are born immortal at birth is a hindrance to emotional maturity, and leads to other false teachings. Examine Satan’s lie, Eve’s response and how deceived.

    (Gen 3:1-7; Now the serpent was more shrewd than any of the wild animals that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Is it really true that God said, ‘You must not eat from any tree of the orchard’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit from the trees of the orchard; but concerning the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the orchard God said, ‘You must not eat from it, and you must not touch it, or else you will die.’ The serpent said to the woman, “Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.)

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     Heavenly Father: thanks for revealing Yourself through Your Son Jesus, and Your inspired printed Word. May many be called and led to seek Your Way, is our prayer in Jesus’ holy name. AMEN.

     Jesus said to His apostles; (John 15:20-24; Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than His master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed My word, they will obey yours too. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin. The one who hates Me hates My Father too. If I had not performed among them the miraculous deeds that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen the deeds and have hated both Me and My Father.)

     People never had an excuse for not acknowledging God, but after Jesus’ deeds, ‘no one can now excuse their not believing in God.’ Jesus inspired Paul to write; (Rom 1:20; For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.)

   Satan’s deception may give some people excuses, but since Jesus came manifesting God the Father and did provable deeds all are without excuse. It’s not in the nature of spirit led Christians to boast about anything; except gifted knowledge of God the Father and God the Son’s message. After Jesus’ 72 disciples returned from their mission boasting of their power through His name; Jesus told them, (1) rejoice that your names are written in heaven, and (2) that you know Me and the Father by revelation.

    (Luke 10:17-20; Then the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name! So Jesus said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.

    (Luke 10:21-22; On that same occasion Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, I praise You Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. All things have been given to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal Him.)

    No amount of schooling or education helps people understand spiritual matters. So, we should rejoice when we understand these revealed truths. Denominational minded people are prone to be prideful of memberships, growth percentages, property holding and ability to influence. Even in Abraham, Isaac and Jacob’s day, divisionary Satan was influencing the mixing of paganism with the Lord God’s Way. Before Jesus came in the flesh, Satan was influencing, causing evolving traditions etc. People began imagining gods in the sky, worshiping images, and making ruling kings out to be supernatural. Jesus’ apostle Paul was giving the revelation.

   (2Cor 11:3-4; But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough!) AND at, (2Cor 11:13-15, For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.)

    Now after all Jesus’ deeds, His manifesting Himself as the Son of God with undeniable proofs, people have no excuse for their divisionary thinking.

    In Paul’s day, people with credentials from educational institutions were claiming to be God called apostles, boasting and deceiving the many naïve. In every age people who want to be thought of as being good, are prone to be religious, and flock to these type deceivers. Most never studied or read Jesus’ profound Words through Paul preserved for our learning.

    (2Cor 11:16-33; I say again, let no one think that I am a fool. But if you do, then at least accept me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would.

    Instead it is, as it were, foolishness. Since many are boasting according to human standards, I too will boast. For since you are so wise, you put up with fools gladly. For you put up with someone making slaves of you, if someone exploits you, if someone takes advantage of you, if someone behaves arrogantly toward you, if someone strikes you in the face. (To my disgrace I must say that we were too weak for that!) But whatever anyone else dares to boast about (I am speaking foolishly) I also dare to boast about the same thing.

     Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking like I am out of my mind!) I am even more so: with much greater labors, with far more imprisonments, with more severe beatings, facing death many times. Five times I received from the Jews forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with a rod. Once I received a stoning. Three times I suffered shipwreck. A night and a day I spent adrift in the open sea. I have been on journeys many times, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from my own countrymen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wilderness, in dangers at sea, in dangers from false brothers, in hard work and toil, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, many times without food, in cold and without enough clothing. Apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forever, know I am not lying. In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to arrest me, but I was let down in a rope-basket through a window in the city wall, and escaped his hands.) Read this historical account at ‘Acts of the Apostles,’ 9th chapter.

     (2Corinthians 12:1-10; It is necessary to go on boasting. Though it is not profitable, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, (God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, (God knows) was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such an individual I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except about my weaknesses. For even if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I would be telling the truth, but I refrain from this so that no one may regard me beyond what he sees in me or what he hears from me, even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But He said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.)

      Some of Paul’s gifted understandings were about how the temple services, ‘as given to Moses and Aaron’ related to the foreshadowing of God’s planning. Study the book of Hebrews while asking for discernment.

THIRD HEAVEN.

     A heavenly throne is out there. Study Revelations 4: much of what’s revealed to ‘John by Jesus in the book of Revelations’ may have been revealed to Paul. SUCH knowledge, and understanding could make a fleshly human arrogant, but Paul understood the Lord’s meaning in His saying; ‘My grace is enough for you.’ God taught Paul to totally dependent on Him. Paul will be in the first resurrection, and Believers look forward to meeting this one, ‘in whom God made great in His View.’

    (2Cor 12:11-12; I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison to those super apostles, even though I am nothing. Indeed, the signs of an apostle were performed among you with great perseverance by signs and wonders and powerful deeds.)

     JESUS gave His apostles powers through Himself. See Acts 28: & Luke’s account of the miracles Jesus did through Paul on the island of Malta while in route to Rome.

    (2Cor 12:13-21; For how were you treated worse than the other churches, except that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this injustice! Look, for the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you, because I do not want your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. Now I will most gladly spend, and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less? But be that as it may, I have not burdened you. Yet because I was a crafty person, I took you in by deceit! I have not taken advantage of you through anyone I have sent to you, have I? I urged Titus to visit you and I sent our brother along with him. Titus did not take advantage of you, did he? Did we not conduct ourselves in the same spirit? Did we not behave in the same way? Have you been thinking all this time that we have been defending ourselves to you? We are speaking in Christ before God, and everything we do, dear friends, is to build you up. For I am afraid that somehow when I come I will not find you what I wish, and you will find me not what you wish. I am afraid that somehow there may be quarreling, jealousy, intense anger, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced.)

      At one point Paul is boastful of the Corinthians, telling the church at Macedonia of their overcoming and complementing them on their freewill offerings for the church at Jerusalem. Now, Paul is expressing his fear that many have gone backward spiritually. This can happen in God’s churches, if and when unbelievers are allowed to gain leadership positions. See Revelations 2: Jesus’ admonition to the seven churches.

    (2Cor 13:1-10; This is the third time I am coming to visit you. By the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter will be established. I said before when I was present the second time and now, though absent, I say again to those who sinned previously and to all the rest, that if I come again, I will not spare anyone, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak toward you but is powerful among you. For indeed HE was crucified by reason of weakness, but He lives because of God’s power. For, we also are weak in Him, but we will live together with Him, because of God’s power toward you. Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you – unless, indeed, you fail the test! And I hope that you will realize that we have not failed the test! Now we pray to God that you may not do anything wrong, not so that we may appear to have passed the test, but so that you may do what is right even if we may appear to have failed the test. For, we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the sake of the truth. For we rejoice whenever we are weak, but you are strong. And we pray for this: that you may become fully qualified. Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!)

    Jesus was purposely weak in the flesh, but powerful in spirit. He allowed His own crucifixion. As He was being arrested He said to Peter, (Put your sword back in its place. For, all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot call on My Father, and that He would send Me more than twelve legions of angels right now? How then would the scriptures that say it must happen this way be fulfilled? Matt 26:52-54)

    It takes strength to turn the other cheek. Paul exercised weakness rather than to arrogantly lord over people.

    (2Cor 13:11-13; Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, set things right, be encouraged, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the Saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.)

    The gospel about Jesus was proclaimed through Abraham, Moses, David, all His prophets and His apostles. His messages, promises and planning for the future are foreshadowed through His holy Sabbaths, and sure. His is the only way of life. Through Jesus is the only way to immortality.

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     People created in God’s image and likeness have the ability to create, plan, and think logically, until it comes to spirituality. We can debate what we think logical to someone who isn’t a called believer, from now to eternity, and not persuade. Jesus tells us why.  After the Jewish leaders ask Him to tell them plainly Jesus replied, (John 10:25-30; I told you and you do not believe. The deeds I do in My Father’s name testify about Me. But you refuse to believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish; no one will snatch them from My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one can snatch them from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are One.)

     When people know they understand God’s truth it’s incumbent to proclaim it, unashamed and boldly. God knows the heart, and that of the deceiver, whose tools are clever speech, promoters of feel good fleshly works, such as charities that promote this world’s system of things, honoring one another rather than God. When the above message isn’t proclaimed it’s because there is no light in them.

    Evolving Christendom has many roots in organized religion. Divisions and wars are its result, people doing what seemed right to their inherited from Adam nature. The Apostate Jesus’ brother ‘Jude’ saw unfolding and wrote about began to mystify the world more when governmental councils organized. Learned individuals tampered with God’s calendar, set dates for Jesus’ birth and resurrection. A major contribution was the See of Alexandria, who established early Christendom theology, and dogma, attesting that the first three Ecumenical Councils in modern Christendom history was headed by Egyptian patriarchs.

     The Council of Nicaea (325) was presided over by the so called, ‘Saint Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria’ with the so called ‘Saint Hosius of Cordoba.’ The most prominent figure was the future ‘Patriarch of Alexandria Athanasius’ playing the major role in the formulation of the (NICENE CREED recited in most so called Christian churches of differing denominations.) One of the council’s decisions was to entrust the ‘Patriarch of Alexandria’ to calculate and announce the exact date of Jesus’ resurrection. Later (381 AD) the ‘Council of Constantinople’ presided over by ‘Patriarch Timothy of Alexandria’ while Council of Ephesus (431AD) was presided over by ‘Cyril of Alexandria.’  This so called Christianity kept evolving to appease various pagan cultures.

      In 451 AD, following the Council of Chalcedon, the Alexandria church was divided into two branches. People accepted the terms of the Council became known as Melkcites. Those not accepting were labeled Monophysites and later Jacobites after ‘Jacob Baradaeus.’ A majority of Egyptians belonged to the Miaphysite branch, which led to their persecution by the Byzantines in Egypt.

    Today the so called ‘Coptic Christians’ are divided into two or more sects scattered throughout the Middle East, Egypt and Sudan particularly. Each of these have their own, so called Pope.

    The point of the above is; understanding spiritual matters is a mystery to all, except those God calls. Rituals and divisions are authored by Satan, the divisionary god of this age. Jesus gave this understanding to His apostle Paul, and to each person called to be one of His followers.

     (Colossians 1:25-29; I became a servant of the church according to the stewardship from God – given to me for you – in order to complete the word of God, that is, the mystery that has been kept hidden from ages and generations, but has now been revealed to His Saints. God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim Him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to His power that powerfully works in me.)

    There is no wide division between called out People. The mystery of God’s spirit living in us is that, ‘we are One with Him.’ So how can two individuals be One? The goal is to be One as ‘God the Father and God the Son are One in nature, spirit and purpose.’ God’s church is, ‘ONE with Jesus,’ as in being His bride. As being married to. God’s church is His chosen people; ‘chosen to be heirs with faithful Abraham.’ Holy scriptures define God’s church as Jesus’ bride, and each individual gifted with, ‘the desire and effort to be at ONE with Him.’ Not a building nor organization of pompous men.

     We need to consider our inherited fleshly natures’ desires. What defines who people are? Would any human’s fleshly mind define it accurately? Our belief defines us as Believers IN God or ‘as unbelievers.’ A Believer is defined as, ‘one to whom God reveals Himself,’ and ‘gives His spirit to.’ Christians believe God as He’s manifested in Holy Scripture. Unbeliever is one yielding to their own intellect to discern from within themselves. Believers have no confidence in their intellectual fleshly minds. Only from God’s revelations, not from one’s own imagination. Erroneous beliefs are from folks making up imaginary gods to fit fleshly opinions, so the many religions.

    Likewise it’s how superstitions evolve, but there is absolutes with God, regarding life style and practices. We should question many things. Should people not consider the origin of belief systems? Does what’s believed matter? Do beliefs enslave or set people free? Are people merely products of cultures, depending on where and when we grow up? Who has authority to say what’s right, wrong, good and evil? How are societies effected by entertainment, advertisement and what’s educationally taught? What shapes many toward being conservative and others big governmental dependency? People are in bondage to culture divisions. Politicians and advertisers have learned about shaping thinking. The bottom line, each is either led by this world’s demonic system of things, or by God’s gifted spirit of a sound mind.

     Consider the difference in animalistic and Godly love. Animalistic concern for others only reach to, ‘me, mine and ours,’ Godly love concerns itself with personal and individual compassion for others. Its God gifted with insight, understand, this world’s direction and the cause. Despises demonic divisions and has compassion for people’s hurt because of it. Natural human love is fleshly, as inherited from Adam. Godly love is spiritually inherited though Jesus’ faith imputed to the mind, reaches out to the world, and desires Jesus’ kingdom soon being established with His peace on earth.

     Regardless of origin, humanly speaking, people choose to believe according to what has been disseminated to their minds through parental, cultural examples and this world’s evolving educational systems. Only exception is God’s intervention, merciful calling, revealing Himself and opening understandings. This understanding reveals the result of our inherited sin nature, and a desire to turn from having lived the way that seemed right to our inherited from Adam nature. It contributes to nations against nations, self righteous customs, practices, division, arguments, divorce and crime.

     Last study revealed things Paul was fearful of finding in God’s church at Corinth when he returned. Because we’re made in the image of our Creator, we should desire proof as to what His will is for our thinking and way of living, but that would be leaning toward worshiping our Creator rather than our own intellect. That would be making God‘s Way superior to what seems right to our fleshly inherited nature. Obstacles to that understanding include this world’s so called higher education system, teaching theory that says, there are no truths, no absolutes and no one belief is superior to another. But, there are absolutes. Holy Scripture as originally inscribed teach, ‘prove all things, hold fast to what is good.’ Paul wrote to the Thessalonians.

    (1Thess 5:15-22; See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Always rejoice, constantly pray, in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt. But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.)

     This thinking doesn’t come from within Paul’s fleshly nature, but from above. Human logic teaches that people need a nature change in order to live as Paul suggested. Self disseminated education rejects Jesus’ teachings. People naturally want to, pay back evil with more evil.

   (Romans 8:5-17; For, those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, this person does not belong to Him. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is your life because of righteousness. Moreover if the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the One who raised Christ from the dead will also make your mortal bodies alive through His Spirit who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh, (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. For, you did not receive the spirit of slavery leading again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit its self bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children. And if children, then heirs (namely, heirs of God and also fellow heirs with Christ) – if indeed we suffer with Him so we may also be glorified with Him.)

      The divisionary demonic spirit in the world questions God’s existence and which imaginary Christ Jesus to believe. You’d think common sense would teach, there is only one Jesus, who communed with Noah, Abraham, Moses, and His apostles. Since the days of the apostles unbelievers have been teaching a Jesus of their particular imagination and naïve folks believe without questioning and proving to themselves.

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    According to John 15:18-27; If the messenger’s message and life style practices are popular in communities, they aren’t representative of Jesus’ Truth. The condoning of various life style practices and doctrines because they are popular, or aren’t burdensome is from a fictional Jesus; not the Son of God. To His apostles Jesus said; (If the world hates you, be aware that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed My word, they will obey yours too. But they will do all these things to you on account of My name, because they do not know the One who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin. The one who hates me hates My Father too. If I had not performed among them the miraculous deeds that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen the deeds and have hated both Me and My Father. Now this happened to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without reason.’ When the Advocate comes, whom I will send you from the Father, ‘the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the Father,’ it will testify about Me, and you also will testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.)

    The practice of sin is a fleshly pleasure, has been since creation, and causes folks to compare themselves among themselves. Israel was looking to other gods before and after the Lord Jesus dispersed them to pagan practicing nations. In Hebrews’ faith chapter it’s written of Moses; (By faith, when Moses was born, his parents hid him for three months, because they saw the child was beautiful and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. By faith, when he grew up, Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be ill-treated with the people of God than to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasure. He regarded abuse suffered for Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for his eyes were fixed on the reward. By faith he left Egypt without fearing the king’s anger, for he persevered as though he could see the One who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood, so that the One who destroyed the firstborn would not touch them.) See Heb 11:23, and Exodus 12:7-13.

    Review John 15:13-27 to discern why the called have no excuse for being disobedient. Additionally, recipients of the Holy Spirit have God’s spiritual guidance.

    Some identify the Holy Spirit as Advocate, ‘Helper’ or ‘Counselor.’ The Greek word is, ‘Paraclete’ suggesting a helper rank with God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit testifies about Jesus. (Net Bible Translators attempt to clarify; taking a stance, admitting that an exact English word is difficult. No single English word has exactly the same range of meaning as the Greek word most translate, ‘Comforter’ as used by the older English versions, as Wycliffe. In today’s English, ‘comforter’ suggests a quilt, or a sympathetic mourner at a funeral. ‘Counselor’ is adequate also, but translators believe it too broad, ‘in contexts as would be, ‘a marriage counselor’ or ‘a camp counselor.’ Helper or Assistant can also be used to identify the Holy Spirit, but a subordinate rank isn‘t adequate. (Advocate, chosen by Net Bible translators, has a more forensic overtone than the Greek suggest.) (In today’s English, ‘advocate’ is someone who advocates or supports a position or viewpoint, and since this is what the Greek word ‘Paraclete’ does for preaching The Word, advocate is selected in spite of some drawbacks.) Holy Spirit is a better rendering than either of the above. (Holy Spirit imputed to the mind is a nature change, changing one’s thinking from fleshly to spiritual, and makes each recipient, one with God the Father and God the Son.)  ……What better comfort  than that?

An advocate wasn’t gifted on Pentecost.  ….   Salaried preachers?

     When teaching for a salary, parishioners must be pleased. Called by God teachers recognize, truth is miraculously gifted through the imputation of His Holy Spirit, and mindful that formal education can be a liability. For the most part salaried, seminary trained teachers must support a denominational doctrine, and the system of things condoned. (For example; ‘to speak out against the spiritual effects of overly indulging in popular sports could be detrimental to their vocation.’) Remember Satan couldn’t be the god of this age, if his deceptions weren’t loved by this world, and people captivated by his many worldly system of things, but not much longer. God’s Sabbaths do foreshadow His coming ‘millennial Sabbath.’

     (Revelations 20:1-3; Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. He seized the dragon – the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan – and tied him up for a thousand years. The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

      Afterward this earth is to be filled with the knowledge of God. Jesus set the stage for this understanding when He gave His parable about a wedding feast. Restudy Matthew 22:13-14) Understanding this parable teaches how to pray for the world at large.

    When our Creator, ‘the Lord and Savior Jesus’ rested on the seventh day, He looked back, reflected and thought it good. Commanding His people keep the same and that each follower take up His ambassadorial mission.

    (2Cor 11:3-4; But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough.)

    When we understand God’s truth it’s incumbent that we proclaim it. It’s a shame to do otherwise. God knows our hearts and knows the deceiver’s tools are clever speech and is the promoter of fleshly works. Jesus was putting this truth out through His prophets, long before through His apostles.

    (Isaiah 8:19-22; They will say to you, “Seek oracles at the pits used to conjure up underworld spirits, from the magicians who chirp and mutter incantations. Should people not seek oracles from their gods, by asking the dead about the destiny of the living?” Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened. They will pass through the land destitute and starving. Their hunger will make them angry, and they will curse their king and their God as they look upward. When one looks out over the land, he sees distress and darkness, gloom and anxiety, darkness and people forced from the land.

       (Isa 8:23; The gloom will be dispelled for those who were anxious. In earlier times He humiliated the land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali; but now He brings honor to the way of the sea, the region beyond the Jordan, and Galilee of the nations. (Isa 9:1-5; The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness. You, have enlarged the nation; You give them great joy. They rejoice in Your presence as harvesters rejoice; as warriors celebrate when they divide up the plunder. For their, oppressive yoke and the club that strikes their shoulders, the cudgel the oppressor uses on them, You have shattered, as in the day of Midian’s defeat. Indeed every boot that marches and shakes the earth and every garment dragged through blood is used as fuel for the fire.)

      (Isaiah 9:6-7; For a child has been born to us, a Son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Extraordinary Strategist, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion will be vast and He will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The Lord’s intense devotion to His people will accomplish this.)

    These things are what God’s Sabbaths foreshadow.

           Idolatry takes on many forms, the simplicity of image worship, scientific advancement or demonically twisting God’s Word. Long ago Jacob’s father in law ‘Laban’ used figurine gods for worship. In this, our so called enlightened age, people still use and care for figurines gods in worshipful fashion. Some wear images around their neck and carry then in their pocket. There’s a different figurine god people pray to for almost anything one could wish or hope for. Others carefully take care of various seasonal decorative figurines that depict pagan seasons.

    In the book of Genesis, we have the account of Jacob’s favorite wife, ‘Rachel’ stealing her daddy’s gods. When Jacob left with all his belongings, Laban was mad about the situation, but Jacob’s God warned Laban to be careful, how he would speak to Jacob. He caught and questioned Jacob about his sudden departure, then accused him of taking his gods.

    (Gen 31:34-35; Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel’s saddle and sat on them.) Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. Rachel said to her father, ‘Don’t be angry, my lord. I cannot stand up in your presence because I am having my period.’ Laban searched thoroughly, but did not find the idols.)

    Planet, sun, denominational or figurine worship is idolatry. When people advertise healing services, attempt to conjure up or duplicate the Pentecost miracle and teach a changing Jesus, differing His manifesting Himself to be, it’s idolatry. 

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     God’s called recognize His miraculously gifted way, don’t love this world’s system of things, traditions etc, minds are yielded to truth. Some attempt to worship God in secret, ashamed to speak of their understanding so as not to be ostracized. Courage is needed to speak of unconditional love for God’s way, while associating with unbelieving people. Followers of Jesus are spirit led to know, Satan’s deceptions are loved by his followers, and captivated by this world system of things. God is allowing Satan to be the ‘god of this world’ until Jesus’ second coming. These revelations were gifted by Jesus to John.

      (Rev 20:1-3; Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. He seized the dragon – the ancient serpent; who is the devil and Satan, and tied him up for a thousand years. The angel then threw him into the abyss, locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.) Then this earth will be filled with the knowledge of God.

     (Jesus set the stage for this understanding when He gave His parable about a wedding feast. Many friends of the bride groom were invited, but each had other more important traditions to do and practice. So he went out and invited strangers, to His feast. One of these didn’t know why he was invited. Then the bride groom said to his attendants, ‘Tie him up hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!’ For, many are called, but few are chosen. Matt 22:13-14)

     The bride groom represents Jesus’ friends the Israelites, and strangers, ‘non-Israelites.’  Understanding this truth gives knowledge about how to pray for unbelievers, and fellow Believers. Pray that each grow to love God more than this world’s system.

    In every age people attempt to fit God into their fleshly way of thinking, invent gods, set aside times, and customs to honor them; demonically led to ignore God’s Word, that characterizing God the Father and God the Son, things to love, and things to be hated. We looked at Isaiah 43: in a previous study, which characterizes our Creator, His love for people made in His image, by giving His righteous laws for good.

      When God rested on the seventh day, He looked back at His creation, reflected, and thought it good for people to look back, reflect on creation and rest. Followers of Jesus are spirit led to reflect on and consider why we are made in God’s image? Others don’t of their own accord; ‘in part because they don’t believe IN God, as Creator, Re-creator and Sustainer.’

     God is allowing Satan to blind the world, distorted His Word regarding creation and preplanning. Distort how and why the Son of God would sacrifice Himself, shed His blood for the remission of sins, so people through Him could inherit eternal life. Demonstrating, and proving Jesus’ love for His people was each apostle’s, and each Believer’s ambassadorial mission.

     (2Cor 10:1-5; Now I, Paul, appeal to you personally by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (I who am meek when present among you, but am full of courage toward you when away!) now I ask that when I am present I may not have to be bold with the confidence that (I expect) I will dare to use against some who consider us to be behaving according to human standards. For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.)

     This is the mission of every called out believer in every age! Why? People can’t worship our Creator God in spirit and truth, while loving Satan’s worldly traditions which camouflage God’s truth!

     (2Cor 10:6-11; We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again. Just as he belongs to Christ, so too do we. For if I boast somewhat more about our authority that the Lord gave us for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of doing so. I do not want to seem as though I am trying to terrify you with my letters, because some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account.” Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.)

      Jesus gave these authorities to His apostles only. Today Jesus is opening doors for our sharing the same.

      (2Cor 10:12; For we would not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who recommend themselves. But when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.) We need to be aware of people’s opinions that come from denominational training.

     (2Cor 10:13-18; But we will not boast beyond certain limits, but will confine our boasting according to the limits of the work to which God has appointed us, that reaches even as far as you. For we were not overextending ourselves, as though we did not reach as far as you, because we were the first to reach as far as you with the gospel about Christ.  Nor do we boast beyond certain limits in the work done by others, but we hope that as your faith continues to grow, our work may be greatly expanded among you according to our limits, so that we may preach the gospel in the regions that lie beyond you, and not boast of work already done in another person’s area. But the one who boasts must boast in the Lord. For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.)

      Jesus’ personal message and that through His apostles must be revealed in order to be recognized, and people who’re teaching falsehoods. Paul had his assignment; ‘an apostle to the Gentiles.’ His may have been the most difficult. When Paul was first called, Jesus communicated to His servant Ananias, when telling him to go and anoint Paul.

     (But Ananias replied, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your Saints in Jerusalem, and here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call on Your Name!” But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is My chosen instrument to carry My Name before Gentiles, kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My Name. Acts 9:13-16)

     Read the accounts of Paul’s suffering in, Acts of the Apostles.

    (2Cor 11:1-2; I wish that you would be patient with me in a little foolishness, but indeed you are being patient with me! For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy, because I promised you in marriage to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.)

     Fleshly jealousy is self serving, godly jealousy is from within the gifted desire to build up. A Believer IN, a Christian’s life is as being married to Jesus. That is as ‘living as one with Jesus.’ Believers are as one flesh and one mind with Jesus, as He intends a Husband and wives marriages to be.

    (2Cor 11:3-4; But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus different from the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it well enough!)

     The denominations all say, ‘there’s one Jesus while teaching different perceptions of a different Jesus!’ NOT ONLY is it possible to believe lies but, it’s  possible to be yielded to harmful spirits, and a Jesus differing from the deity revealed by Abraham, Moses and His apostles. Jesus characterized Himself as the Son of God, looked to God the Father, and had no thought of usurping the Father’s authority. Jesus inspired John and Paul to characterize Himself as Re-creator, Creator, Sustainer, Deliverer, Mediator, coming king of kings, and the one in whom all things consist. (Re-study John 1:1-5, Colossians 1:15-20 and Heb 1)

     (2Cor 11:5-15; For I consider myself not at all inferior to those super-apostles. And even if I am unskilled in speaking, yet I am certainly not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in everything in every way. Or did I commit a sin by humbling myself so that you could be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you free of charge? I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so that I could serve you! When I was with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia fully supplied my needs. I kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! And what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may eliminate any opportunity for those who want a CHANCE to be regarded as our equals in the things they boast about. For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions.)

     When understanding God’s truth it’s incumbent that we proclaim it, unashamed and boldly. It’s sinful to do otherwise. God knows our hearts. Deceiver’s tools are clever speech, promoters of fleshly works, as in charities that promote this world’s system of things and do not build up honor toward God. If they don’t teach this message it is because there is no light in them.

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    As commanded, Moses took tablets of stone up before the Lord: he was on the mountain 40 days and nights. (Exodus 34:29-35; Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand — when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.

    When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to approach him. But Moses called to them, so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke to them. After this all the Israelites approached, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken to him on Mount Sinai.

    When Moses finished speaking with them, he would put a veil on his face. But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. Then he would come out and tell the Israelites what he had been commanded. When the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with the LORD.

    Paul understood, explained the new covenant’s spiritual righteousness.  

     Called out recipients of Jesus’ New Covenant are gifted with an outlook change, resulting in repentance: that’s being, ‘born from above.’ Jesus’ Holy Spirit of truth produces His righteousness, not our own, and not like Moses’. The Israelites’ minds were not spiritually opened; gifted recipients of God’s spirit have open minds to understand His Way. Paul explains.

    (2Cor 3:10-14; For, indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it. For if what was made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory? Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective. But their minds were closed, for to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read.)

    Law keepers who think keeping  the law is righteousness are still blinded.

    Who closed their minds for His purpose? Review verse 14. The veil has not been removed because, only in Christ is understanding that takes the veil away is given.

    (2Cor 3:15-18; But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.) And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.)

     God does the UNVEILING! He gives, opens minds to a love of His Way. Paul explained to the Romans and recipients of God’s spirit.

    (Romans 11:25-27; For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.) See Isaiah 59:20-21, Jeremiah 31:33-34. Israel’s deliverance is future and more miraculous than before.

     By God’s grace, repentance is given, minds are opened and sinners saved in this age. By His prophesied grace He will yet deliver Israel! Many Non-Israelites will also be delivered and have their ungodliness removed.

     (2Cor 4:1-2; Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.)

     There’s glory in attempting to be a good person in the flesh, but only through God’s gifted spirit, are people able to worship in spirit and truth. Only then can people begin to see themselves in His light, and yield to His transforming grace, so people can put on the image of Jesus.

    (2Cor 4:3-6; But even if our gospel is VEILED, it is veiled ONLY to those who are perishing, among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would NOT see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. For, we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.) OUR CREATOR IS THE ALL KNOWING!

      Even as God is allowing the god of this age ‘Satan’ to partially blind, it’s ultimately for His purpose and people’s good. From the foundation of the world God chose Abraham, Moses, David, His prophets, apostles, and each Believer. God’s good news ‘the gospel’ includes the fact that He is righteous, all His Ways are holy and good. His kingdom will be established in spite of, ‘the god of this age, and mankind’s resistance.’

    (2Cor 4:7-18; But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. For, we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death, for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak.” We do so because we know that the One who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into His presence. For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.) Our need is Jesus’ faith in us!

The ‘Feast of Tabernacles’ foreshadow what Paul is about to explain.

    (2 Corinthians 5:1-4; For, we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.)

     Our physical body is the earthly house, ‘tent’ made physical, and mortal. Our eternal house is spirit, ‘eternal life.’ The Israelites were commanded to live in temporary booths for eight days during God’s seventh month to remind them, ‘their physical lives were temporary.’  

    (2Cor 5:5; Now the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.)

    God’s fathering, ‘our being begotten by His spirit’ is defined as ‘being “born from above’, and is a down payment on what’s to be. God is preparing His people on His Potter’s wheel, ‘at least occasionally.’

    Jesus predicted the divisions in the world. He knew the distortions of His word. His apostles saw the apostasy taking place. Paul and Jesus’ brother Jude revealed it.

     Historians tell us, Charlemagne’s crowning made the Byzantine Emperor redundant, and relations between the East and the West deteriorated until a formal split occurred between Orthodox and Roman Catholics in 1054. The schism was gradual over centuries; political and religion was the cause. In the 400’s AD, the Roman Empire split westward making its capital Rome and the Eastern Orthodox split eastward making its capital Constantinople - Istanbul Turkey, situated in the northwest of the country on the Bosporus.

      The divider and deceiver, Satan, was and is the architect of splits, whether they’re among protestant factions, Judaism, Moslem etc. His purpose is to cause chaos in the world. All religious groups claim to have God’s approval, but Roman and Orthodox Catholics claim to represent Jesus Christ‘s kingdom on earth. Details of that split aren‘t important.

      Since the two Catholic groups have so much influence on professing Christians, it might be good to consider their differences in this present age. The Orthodox use the Judean Calendar, celebrate Christmas on January 7 and allow priest to marry. In countries where they dominate religiously, homosexuality is a crime. Romans use the Gregorian calendar, name and set lengths of calendar months for various rulers, name days after pagan gods and celebrate Christmas on December 25, and don’t allow priest to marry. Human behavior is more condoning.

      Orthodox Christians in Russia or Greece, celebrate a different date for Easter and thanks to Gregory XIII; the addition of Easter eggs. In 1582, the pope instituted a new calendar for all Catholics.

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        Paul sometimes gave personal commentary, ‘saying ‘I’m not giving as a command.’ Churches of God can only give Jesus, His prophets and apostles words as church doctrine and commands.

    (2Cor 7;8-16 I am not saying this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the eagerness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although He was rich, He became poor for your sakes, so that you by His poverty could become rich. So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give, to finish what you started, so that just as you wanted to do it eagerly, you can also complete it according to your means. For if the eagerness is present, the gift itself is acceptable according to whatever one has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not say this so there would be relief for others and suffering for you, but as a matter of equality. At the present time, your abundance will meet their need, so that one day their abundance may also meet your need, and thus there may be equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.) (Quote from Exodus 16:18)

     Paul is sharing God’s principle of helping one another. Spirit led believers look out for one another. The Lord God Jesus provided manna for Israelites on their way to the promised lands, and He provides for His people today. Remember the Sabbath command too, ‘when command the people gathering twice as much food on the sixth day for the Sabbath, and the manna didn’t spoil as before, on the Sabbath.  

    (2Cor 8:16-22; But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you, because he not only accepted our request, but since he was very eager, he is coming to you of his own accord. And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his work in spreading the gospel. In addition, this brother has also been chosen by the churches as our traveling companion as we administer this generous gift to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show our readiness to help. We did this as a precaution so that no one should blame us in regard to this generous gift we are administering. For, we are concerned about what is right not only before the Lord but also before men. And we are sending with them our brother whom we have tested many times and found eager in many matters, but who now is much more eager than ever because of the great confidence he has in you.)

    Brother accompanying Titus isn’t named here. Paul is careful to display honesty before the church, not to lord over, thus saying companions of Titus came of their own accord.

    (2Cor 8:23-24; If there is any question about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; if there is any question about our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. Therefore show them openly before the churches the proof of your love and of our pride in you.) Part of Paul’s mission was to collect and distribute food and money for the less fortunate.

     (2Cor 9:1-4; For, it is not necessary for me to write you about this service to the Saints, because I know your eagerness to help. I keep boasting to the Macedonians about this eagerness of yours, that Achaia has been ready to give since last year, and your zeal to participate has stirred up most of them. But I am sending these brothers so that our boasting about you may not be empty in this case, so that you may be ready just as I kept telling them. For if any of the Macedonians should come with me and find that you are not ready to give, we would be humiliated (not to mention you) by this confidence we had in you.)

     There are references to these collections in ‘Acts of the Apostles’ and in Paul’s first letter. Let‘s review a portion of his first letter.

    (1Corinthians 16:1-4; With regard to the collection for the saints, please follow the directions that I gave to the churches of Galatia. On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside some income and save it to the extent that God has blessed you, so that a collection will not have to be made when I come. Then, when I arrive, I will send those whom you approve with letters of explanation to carry your gift to Jerusalem. And if it seems advisable that I should go also, they will go with me.) Collecting on the first day was so physical work of food collecting not be on the Sabbath, had nothing to do with a Sabbath change.

    (2Cor 9:5-15; Therefore I thought it necessary to urge these brothers to go to you in advance and to arrange ahead of time the generous contribution you had promised, so this may be ready as a generous gift and not as something you feel forced to do. My point is this, the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. Just as it is written, “He has scattered widely, He has given to the poor; His righteousness remains forever. (Quote from Ps 111:9)

     Now God who provides seed for the sower and bread for food will provide and multiply your supply of seed and will cause the harvest of your righteousness to grow.  You will be enriched in every way so that you may be generous on every occasion, which is producing through us thanksgiving to God, because the service of this ministry is not only providing for the needs of the Saints but is also overflowing with many thanks to God. Through the evidence of this service they will glorify God because of your obedience to your confession in the gospel of Christ and the generosity of your sharing with them and with everyone. And in their prayers on your behalf they long for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown to you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!)

    To know the Provider is gifted. Paul is treating this Corinthian church of God as a set aside people. The Saints at Jerusalem were experiencing hard times, and the Saints at Corinth were being blessed more abundantly with material things. Paul recognized this was a test of faith for the Corinthians. They needed to know their Provider and learn to share. When we’re blessed with abundance, we should look around for folks in need, particularly people of like mind.

Reconsider Paul the man.

     Paul called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees, a denominationalist, and not believing what he’d heard about Jesus. Didn’t think it possible that a man could walk on water, instantly create aged wine, recreate food feeding thousands, and thought it ludicrous that a man who’d been dead four days could be resurrected to live physically again. Jesus saw Paul as a vessel, to point people to Him and His truth Way.

     Study Acts 9: Within a few hours after Paul was blinded, Jesus revealed Himself, transformed Paul’s mind from unbelief to a belief in Him, and made him an apostle. Jesus the Messiah was gifted to Paul’s understanding. The deity Paul was attempting to persecute spoke to him, and compelled him to teach Jesus as the Son of God, reveal His attributes, characteristics, and deeds. Paul taught that Jesus was all in all; the One who recreated this earth, from being without shape, empty, and in darkness to the perfection he saw. The One who created Adam in His image, likeness, came to do the deeds of, and reveal God the Father. The One revealing what’s, right, wrong, good and evil. One commanding Adam and Eve not to partake of certain fruit from a certain tree less they die. One identifying Satan as god of this age, Himself sent from above, to become our Mediator before the Father and return as king of kings. Paul was to be a witness to all these things, and much more. Study Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-5, and Hebrews 1.

    Jesus taught that He is Lord of the Sabbath, which foreshadows His millennial kingdom’s rest from demonic bondage, His giving repentance, and His gifted spirit making people at one with Himself. Revealed, had John and Paul write about future resurrections, New Jerusalem’s coming down with God the Father, and all then being subjected to the Father.

     We aren’t setting dates, or predicting times but it’s likely, ‘the six day work week represents six thousand years of mankind’s attempt to govern himself, the seventh day Sabbath representing Jesus’ rule on earth, bringing peace, prosperity, and relief from Satan’s temptations.’ It appears we’re near the end of the sixth day, and close to the beginning of Jesus’ millennial Sabbath. A rest from our own selfish works and Satan‘s interference.    

       At close of Paul’s 2^nd letter to God’s church at Corinth, he is pointing out that we aren’t adequate from within ourselves, our adequacy is from God. God makes us adequate to serve through His life giving spirit. Attempting to live by the letter of the law, and from within our inherited fleshly nature kills. Spiritually living in Christ Jesus is to love His Way that gives eternal life.) Review 2Cor 3:4-6.

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  Churches of God today must mimic Jesus’ apostles teaching by not giving occasion for anyone to take personal offence. Any offence given should be from Jesus’ messaging through His apostles and prophets. Paul taught it.

  (2Cor 6:3-10; We do not give anyone an occasion for taking an offense in anything, so that no fault may be found with our ministry. But as God’s servants, we have commended ourselves in every way, with great endurance, in persecutions, in difficulties, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in riots, in troubles, in sleepless nights, in hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by benevolence, by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by truthful teaching, by the power of God, with weapons of righteousness both for the right hand and for the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and praise; regarded as impostors, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well-known; as dying and yet – see! – we continue to live; as those who are scourged and yet not executed; as sorrowful, but always rejoicing, as poor, but making many rich, as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.)

    If anyone could boast about keeping the faith Paul could, giving no credit to the flesh. To the Galatians and all believers Paul confessed, as all should be able, ‘he lived by grace, as fleshly dead, and Christ in him.

    (Galatians 2:20-21; I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ LIVES in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing.)

    Our gifted righteousness is only through Jesus Christ living within. No amount of doing, pledging, or making membership with an assembly can change people’s inherited nature. A necessary change to inherit eternal life and His kingdom.  

    (2Cor 6:11-13; We have spoken freely to you Corinthians; our heart has been opened wide to you. Our affection for you is not restricted, but you are restricted in your affections for us. Now as a fair exchange – I speak as to my children – open wide your hearts to us also.)

    Paul shared his sinful past, particularly his persecuting God’s Way people. Sharing his conversion experience, and is a good witness for us. (Detailing past sins isn’t necessary for opening wide one’s mistakes, in order to display genuine love.)

    (2Cor 6:14-18; Do not become partners with those who do not believe, for what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship does light have with darkness? And what agreement does Christ have with Beliar, or what does a believer share in common with an unbeliever? And what mutual agreement does the temple of God have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God, just as God said, “I will live in them and will walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” Therefore “come out from their midst, and be separate,” says the Lord, “and touch no unclean thing, and I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the All-Powerful Lord.) See Lev 26:12, Jer 32:38, Isa 52:11, Ezek 20:41, 2 Sam 7:14, & Isaiah 43:6

    Believers IN Jesus are called to be His ambassadors. Christians can’t communicate within religious assemblies of deceived people, because there’s nothing in common. (Witnessing against is by not associating in their worship.) Doing what seems right to the fleshly mind is idolatry. Only God has the authority to say, what’s spiritually right, wrong, good and evil.

     Almighty God: Thank You for the knowledge, ‘we can only worship You in spirit and truth when You’re revealed to our minds.’ Make us mindful, ‘when we love You, it’s because You first loved us.’ Thanks for creating a Jesus likeness in each believer, revealing Your saving plan, which is gifting the desire and effort to be at one with You. AMEN.

    In Paul’s letters to the Corinthians he pulled no punches about the fact that God is all in all, and knew us from the beginning. Consider too; Jesus’ Words to Israel through Isaiah, regarding His control, future plans, and revealing that Christians are spiritual Israelites.

    (Isaiah 43:1-6; Now this is what the Lord says, the One who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you. I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel your Deliverer. I have handed over Egypt as a ransom price, Ethiopia and Seba, in place of you. Since you are precious, special in My sight, and I love you, I will hand over people in place of you, nations in place of your life. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. From the east I will bring your descendants; from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, ‘Hand them over!’ and to the south, ‘Don’t hold any back!’ Bring My sons from distant lands, and My daughters from the remote regions of the earth, everyone who belongs to Me, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed – yes, whom I made!)

    Read the above twice and ask ‘am I included?’

    Our Creator has always known His people! His promises to Abraham include all who are led to Believe IN Jesus. (Gal 3:29; If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s descendants, and heirs according to the promise.) Now Paul gets personal with God’s church at Corinth.

     (2Cor 7:1-10; Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God. Make room for us in your hearts; we have wronged no one, we have ruined no one, we have exploited no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I told you before that you are in our hearts so that we die together and live together with you. I have great confidence in you; I take great pride on your behalf. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in the midst of all our suffering. For even when we came into Macedonia, our body had no rest at all, but we were troubled in every way – struggles from the outside, fears from within. But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. We were encouraged not only by his arrival, but also by the encouragement you gave him, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your deep concern for me, so that I rejoiced more than ever. For even if I made you sad by my letter, I do not regret having written it (even though I did regret it, for I see that my letter made you sad, though only for a short time). Now I rejoice, not because you were made sad, but because you were made sad to the point of repentance. For you were made sad as God intended, so that you were not harmed in any way by us. For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.)

     WORLDLY sadness is of the flesh, mostly emotional over personal cares and losses. Sadness comes for many things that amount to nothing. To be sad over sin, and repent is of great value. The congregation at Corinth, becomes our example. They removed the pagan conduct surrounding them.

    (2Cor 7:11-16; For see, this very thing, this sadness is as God intended, has produced IN YOU; what eagerness, what defense of yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what deep concern, what punishment! In everything you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. So then, even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong, or on account of the one who was wronged, but to reveal to you your eagerness on our behalf before God. Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit. For if I have boasted to him about anything concerning you, I have not been embarrassed by you, but just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting to Titus about you has proved true as well. And his affection for you is much greater when he remembers the obedience of you all, how you welcomed him with fear and trembling. I rejoice because in everything I am fully confident in you.)

     Corinthian’s fear was not a fear of Titus or Paul; but a respect for the messages Jesus gave through His servants. (Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7) Moral knowledge, and godly traditional values taught by parents are good, but to live them out of respect for God’s Way is better.

    (2Cor 8:1-7; Now we make known to you, brothers and sisters, the grace of God given to the churches of Macedonia, that during a severe ordeal of suffering, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their generosity. For I testify, they gave according to their means and beyond their means. They did so voluntarily, begging us with great earnestness for the blessing and fellowship of helping the Saints. And they did this not just as we had hoped, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Thus we urged Titus that, just as he had previously begun this work, so also he should complete this act of kindness for you. But as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, and in all eagerness and in the love from us that is in you – make sure that you excel in this act of kindness too.)

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     (The focus of Jesus’ good news is, (1) a new covenant after the death of THE Testator, for the called, selected, believers. (Heb 9:14-17; How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth.) KJ translation. (2) Promises to those made are perpetual.  See Isaiah 22:, 35:, 51:-53:, & 65. Jeremiah 31: & Amos 9:11-15, for starters. (3) God is family and through God the Son is eternal life. (4) Jesus is going to return and be the King of Kings on planet earth. (5) Demise of Satan, and all evil is certain.) Jesus, His prophets and each apostle revealed these things in principle.

    (2Cor 5:6-10; Therefore we are always full of courage, and we know that as long as we are alive here on earth we are absent from the Lord – for we live by faith, not by sight. Thus we are full of courage and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So then whether we are alive or away, we make it our ambition to please Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.)

      About this faith let’s read Heb 11;1-2; Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. For by it, the people of old received God’s commendation.) By it we desire to please God. It’s gifted to those called to Love Jesus as He manifest Himself in Holy Scripture.

    Jesus’ Word, ‘in the world but not of the world’ is alive in true Believers. When exposed to paganism during the equinox celebratory season, few take time to discover the origin of the customs they practice. Initially the shortest day of the year was celebrated by sun worshipers, who thought their prayers caused days to be lengthen again. When organized religion began using Jesus’ name to consolidate and recruit various pagan factions, they ingeniously fictionalize Jesus’ birth date to coincide with the winter equinox. Few realize the divisionary degree of their practices on the cause of wars. Both major Catholic groups and their protesting counter parts, chose differing dates to celebrate a fictitious birth date for Jesus. In the USA and Eastern nations, Orthodox Catholics use the Judean Calendar and celebrate Christmas on about January 7; while Roman Catholics in western nations using the Roman calendar, celebrate December 25. (Followers of Jesus, are in the world but not of this world’s practices, and are vexed in spirit by this world’s celebratory practices.

    As Lord of the Sabbaths, (See Matt 12:8) Jesus celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in His 7^th month, 15^th through 22^nd, and on that eighth day, ‘the the seventh of seven annual Sabbaths (Last Great Day.) He stood up and shouted out, (If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me, and let the one who believes IN Me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’ Now Jesus said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed IN Him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) See John 7:37-39, Isaiah 44:3, 55:1, 58:11, and Zechariah 14:8.

The apostles’ letters were to God’s Church.

    People called to follow Jesus, ‘assemblies known as The Churches of God.’ People Paul served were in large parts non-Israelites who came out of pagan cultures as they heard and believed the good news about Jesus. Before believing IN, these were much like folks all around us. Denominationalist were demonically led to worship carved images, statutes, tradition, make gods of the heavenly bodies, look to signs, and constantly changing times and customs. Seemingly Abraham’s God and our Savior Jesus Christ had not been proclaimed in the city of Corinth before Paul.

    Understand, ‘until Jesus is revealed, people worship what seems right. Paul’s and our mission is to, make our Creator God known.

    (2Cor 5:11-16; Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade people, but we are well known to God, and I hope we are well known to your consciences too. We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may be able to answer those who take pride in outward appearance and not in what is in the heart. For if we are out of our minds, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, ‘that Christ died for all; therefore all have died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised.’ So then, from now on we acknowledge no one from an outward human point of view. Even though we have known Christ from such a human point of view, now we do not know Him in that way any longer.)

    From within our inherited fleshly nature, we naturally look to personalities as Paul admits they did, rather than the message when Jesus was in the flesh. No real problem until Jesus’ message is revealed to the mind. WHEN His message is revealed, ‘the called obey based on Jesus’ love.’

    (2Cor 5:17; So then, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away – look, what is new has come!)

    HOW can a person be a new creation, unless, ‘born again?’ Then old desires pass away and new desires are yielded to. See John 3:3 & 7.

    (2Cor 5:18-19; And all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and He has given us the message of reconciliation.)

     God the Father made the first move, when He reconciled us to Himself through, and by revealing Jesus. Note the past tense. WHAT does that make us; who are reconciled?

    (2Cor 5:20-21; Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God!’ God made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God.)

    What’s an ambassador’s duty? To know the Ways and characteristics of the one being represented. God is making His plea to us as we study His Word. We pass the plea on as His ambassadors. Living Jesus’ Way, putting on His righteousness, becomes our way. As ambassadors for Christ, we need to understand the depth of His love. We need to know that Jesus was with His Father, recreating this earth and created Adam. (Review Colossians 1:15-20, John 1:1-5 and Heb 1:1-4.)

    Jesus’ loved us back then, knew the sacrifice He’d make in reconciling us, and the world to His Father, through that love, we know He loved us first. His Love for us is beyond our natural understanding.

    (2Cor 6:1-2; Now because we are fellow workers, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says, “I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation!) (Quote Isa 49:8)

    It’s time to ask of ourselves; ‘do I truly understand who Jesus is?’ When we know we understand, it’s time to acknowledge, it’s because He revealed Himself. We can’t understand or know Jesus spiritually from within intellect, our goodness, nor another’s understanding. Some may understand, ‘it’s by grace, and put off genuine repentance.’ PAUL explained to the Ephesians Church of God people.

    (Eph 2:4-10; But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! – and He raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, to demonstrate in the coming ages the surpassing wealth of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is NOT from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is NOT from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His workmanship, having been CREATED in Christ Jesus for good works that God PREPARED BEFOREHAND so we may do them.) Note the past tense.

     When people believe, ‘it’s God’s workmanship.’ Calling and mercy belongs to God! We cannot praise ourselves for our understanding, boast or give credit to another individual, because all truth, regardless of where it comes emits from God. Paul shared the same through Timothy.

    (2Tim 1:9-10; He is the One who saved us and CALLED us with a holy calling, not based on OUR works but on His own PURPOSE and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus BEFORE TIME BEGAN, but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought LIFE and immortality to light through the gospel!)

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     How much like Paul’s conversion was ours? Was beyond his peers, attuned to the law, and called himself a Pharisee of Pharisees. Paul was a denominationalist, not believing what he’d heard about Jesus. Didn’t think it possible that a man could walk on water, create aged wine from water, recreate food, feeding thousands, and thought it ludicrous that a man who’d been dead four days could be resurrected to live a physical life again. But, the Son of God ‘Jesus’ saw Paul as a vessel, to point people to Him and His truth Way.

     Study Acts 9: Within a few hours after Paul was blinded, Jesus revealed Himself, transformed Paul from unbelief to, ‘a belief in Jesus & apostle.’ Prophecies about the Messiah’s coming were understood, the deity Paul was attempting to persecute spoke to him. Paul was then compelled to teach Jesus as the Son of God, reveal His attributes, characteristics, and deeds.

     Taught that Jesus was all in all; the One who recreated this earth, from without shape, empty, and in darkness to the perfection he saw. The One who created Adam in His image, likeness, came to do the deeds of, and reveal God the Father. The One revealing what’s, right, wrong, good and evil. One commanding Adam and Eve not to partake of certain fruit from a certain tree less they die. One identifying Satan as god of this age, Himself sent from above, to become our Mediator before the Father and return as king of kings. Paul was to be a witness to all these things, and much more.

     Jesus inspired His apostle John to describe His deity at John 1:1-5, inspired His apostle Paul to describe His deity at Colossians 1:15-20, and the Hebrews writer at Heb 1: and beyond. Jesus taught that He is Lord of the Sabbath, which foreshadows His millennial kingdom’s rest from demonic bondage, giving repentance, and His spirit to make His people at one with Himself. Telling of future resurrections, New Jerusalem’s coming down with God the Father, and all then being subject to the Father. (We aren’t setting dates, predicting times; but it’s likely that the six days for work represents this time before Jesus’ return, the seventh day Sabbath, Jesus’ rule on earth, bringing peace, prosperity, and relief from Satan’s temptations. It appears, that we’re near the end of the sixth day, and the beginning of Jesus’ millennial Sabbath. Rest from our own selfish works and Satan‘s interference.    

       At close of our last study in Paul’s 2^nd letter to God’s church at Corinth, he is pointing out that we aren’t adequate from within ourselves, our adequacy is from God. God makes us adequate to serve through His life giving spirit. Attempting to live by the letter of the law, and from within our inherited fleshly nature kills. Spiritually living in Christ Jesus is to love His Way that gives life.) Review 2Cor 3:4-6.

    (2Corinthians 3:7-9; But if the ministry that produced death – carved in letters on stone tablets – came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective,) how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be? For if there was glory in the ministry that produced condemnation, how much more does the ministry that produces righteousness excel in glory!) Believers are gifted with an outlook change, resulting in repentance, in being ‘born from above.’ Jesus’ spirit produces His righteousness, not our own, and not like Moses’ glory.

    (2Cor 3:10-14; For indeed, what had been glorious now has no glory because of the tremendously greater glory of what replaced it. For if what was made ineffective came with glory, how much more has what remains come in glory! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we behave with great boldness, and not like Moses who used to put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from staring at the result of the glory that was made ineffective. But their minds were closed, for to this very day, the same veil remains when they hear the old covenant read.)

     Who closed their minds for His purpose? Review verse 14. The veil has not been removed because, only in Christ is understanding given, so the veil it taken away.)

    (2Cor 3:15-18; But until this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds, but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. (Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is present, there is freedom.) And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.)

     God does the UNVEILING! Gives the Believing, so Jesus’ words are sown in our hearts. He gives a love for His Way. Paul explained to the Romans and we called.

      (Romans 11:25-27; For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion; he will remove ungodliness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.) See Isaiah 59:20-21. & Jeremiah 31:33-34. Israel’s deliverance is future and miraculous.

       By God’s grace, repentance is given, minds are opened and sinners saved in this age. By His prophesied grace He will yet save Israel! Non-Israelites will also be chosen and have ungodliness removed.

     (2Cor 4:1-2; Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as God has shown us mercy, we do not become discouraged. But we have rejected shameful hidden deeds, not behaving with deceptiveness or distorting the word of God, but by open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience before God.)

     There is some glory in attempting to be a good person in the flesh, but only through God’s gifted spirit, are we able to worship in spirit and truth. Only then can we begin to see ourselves in His light, and yield to His transformation of our putting on the image of Jesus.

    (2Cor 4:3-6; But even if our gospel is VEILED, it is veiled ONLY to those who are perishing, among whom the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe so they would NOT see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. For, we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.) OUR CREATOR IS THE ALL KNOWING!

      Even as God is allowing the god of this age ‘Satan’ to partially blind, it’s ultimately for His purpose and our good. From the foundation of the world God chose Abraham, Moses, David, His apostles, and each Believer. God’s good news ‘the gospel’ includes the fact that He is righteous, all His Ways are holy and good. His kingdom will be established in spite of, ‘the god of this age, and mankind’s resistance.

    (2Cor 4:7-18; But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed, always carrying around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our body. For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body. As a result, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, “I believed; therefore I spoke,” we also believe, therefore we also speak. We do so because we know that the One who raised up Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus and will bring us with you into His presence. For all these things are for your sake, so that the grace that is including more and more people may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God. Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.) Our need is Jesus’ faith in us!)

The Feast of tabernacles is a foreshadowing of what Paul is about to explain.

    (2 Corinthians 5:1-4; For we know that if our earthly house, the tent we live in, is dismantled, we have a building from God, a house not built by human hands, that is eternal in the heavens. For in this earthly house we groan, because we desire to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed, after we have put on our heavenly house, we will not be found naked. For we groan while we are in this tent, since we are weighed down, because we do not want to be unclothed, but clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.)

       Our physical body is the earthly house, made physical, and mortal. Our eternal house is spirit - eternal life. The Israelites were commanded to live in temporary booths during God’s seventh month, for eight days, reminding that their lives were temporary.   

    (2Cor 5:5; Now the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.)

    God’s fathering, ‘our being begotten by His spirit’ is defined as ‘being “born from above’, and is a down payment on what is to be. God is preparing His people on His Potter’s wheel, ‘at least occasionally.’