Chapter 4 (Part 5)
Christians and “Concrete” Mind-set "The Fear Root"

I will now launch into an area I have been familiar with for over 30 years; the mind-set of my Christian friends. I understand quite clearly that that 30 year journey was necessary in order for me to be able to present this material from a point of view of intimate knowledge of it. 

The first thing Christians will be required to “break” is exactly that “mind-set.” That the “osmosis beliefs” we espouse can be looked at without a loss of “faith” or commitment to our relationship with God. We tend to feel that a departure from “established beliefs” is a departure from “faith.” We tend to imagine that inquiry and change in “beliefs” is an abandonment of our relationship with God. On the contrary! When we question our “beliefs” and, when they prove unfounded and we have the courage to change them, it moves us into a more realistic and viable relationship with our God. When we see Him as He actually is, it is even a more awesome and productive relationship and we come to a place where we can be realistically used by Him to impact our world and reveal Him to it. 

The irrational “fear” of anything outside the scope of what we have been taught that is imbedded into “Christian thinking” comes from the source of fear, our adversary the devil!  If we believe that “God has not given us a spirit of fear,” then that “fear” of confrontation with “Truth” must not be from God! I see “fear” as the opposite force of “faith.” This is an important issue; one we need to understand. 

Let’s examine the “Fear Root…” 

“THE FEAR ROOT”

DEFINE: LOVE, FAITH, FEAR

(from the dictionary)

LOVE:  BOTH A VERB AND A NOUN INDICATING THAT ACTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH LOVE…”a passionate feeling of desire and attraction…an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion…somebody who is loved….a strong liking for or pleasure gained from something…something that elicits deep interest and enthusiasm in somebody…in Christian belief, the mercy, grace, and charity shown by God to humanity…& the worship and adoration of God” 

FAITH: “belief in, devotion to, or trust in (3 STEPS) somebody or something, especially without logical proof… belief in and devotion to God…strongly held set of beliefs or principles… allegiance or loyalty to somebody or something” 

FEAR:  ALSO A NOUN AND A VERB INDICATING ACTION IS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FEELING, TOO…”an unpleasant feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by the presence or anticipation of danger… (WE ARE GOING TO EXAMINE “DANGER” IN REGARD TO “LOVE”) a concern about something that threatens to bring bad news or results” 

THE BASIS FOR LOVE, FAITH, AND FEAR

BEFORE WE CAN EXAMINE THESE ASPECTS OF OUR BEING, WE SHOULD DETERMINE THAT WE HAVE THEM AND WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

LET’S GO BACK AND ESTABLISH THE BASIS OF WHAT WE ARE AND WHAT GOD WANTS FROM US, SINCE HE TOOK THE TIME AND EFFORT TO CREATE US!

GOD TOOK THE TIME AND EFFORT TO TELL US AN IMPORTANT FACT ON WHICH ALL OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IS BASED…WE ARE CREATED IN HIS “IMAGE” AND THEREFORE WITH HIS NATURE AND MANY OF HIS ABILITIES.

GOD CREATED A “BEING” CAPABLE OF REFLECTING HIS NATURE, WHICH IS “LOVE,” BACK TO HIM AND OPERATING WITH THAT NATURE IN THE EARTH WITH HIM. HE CREATED A BEING CAPABLE OF ACTUALLY RELATING TO HIM ON THE LEVEL OF LOVE AND INTELLECT; ONE THAT COULD LITERALLY TALK WITH HIM ON HIS LEVEL; COMMUNICATING WITH HIM AND INTERACTING WITH HIM. 

HEBREW: צֶלֶם “IMAGE” (FROM: STRONG’S CONCORDENCE)

TRANSLITERATION: TSELEM    

PART OF SPEECH: MASCULINE NOUN          

ROOT WORD (ETYMOLOGY): FROM AN UNUSED ROOT MEANING TO SHADE            

BIBLICAL USAGE:

1) IMAGE

A) IMAGES (OF TUMOURS, MICE, HEATHEN GODS)

B) IMAGE, LIKENESS (OF RESEMBLANCE) 

UNTIL OUR SOUL ACCEPTS OUR CONSTRUCTION IN THE “IMAGE: OF GOD AS BEING NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT “REAL;” THERE IS NO BASIS FOR INTERACTING WITH GOD. 

WHERE DOES “FEAR” COME FROM?

IF WE CAN IDENTIFY ITS ROOT, THEN CAN WE PULL IT UP?  

WHEN WE BEGIN TO EXAMINE WHERE “FEAR” COMES FROM WE FIND OUT THAT OUR DESIRE TO BE LOVED AND ACCEPTED IS AT THE VERY ROOT OF WHAT “FEAR” IS. AND THIS MAKES SENSE, AS “LOVE” IS THE VERY CORE OF WHAT AND WHO WE ARE! IN OTHER WORDS, THINGS THAT THREATEN OUR “LOVE” ARE THE ROOT OF THE FEELINGS OF FEAR THAT WE HAVE. 

WHEN GOD MADE US “IN HIS IMAGE,” HE ALSO SHARED WITH US AND PLACED WITHIN US THE CORE OF HIS BEING…WE CALL IT “LOVE.”

LOVE REACHS IN AND REACHES OUT

LOVE NOT ONLY REACHES OUT IN THE ACTIONS OF LOVE, IT ALSO REACHES IN TO THE VERY HEART OF WHAT AND WHO WE ARE….WHICH IS, AGAIN, “LOVE.” 

WHEN THAT “LOVE” IS THREATENED, OR OUR SOUL THINKS IT IS, THEN WE BECOME CONCERNED THAT IT MAY BE WITHDRAWN, OR WITHHELD FROM US.

THIS CAUSES US TO ATTEMPT TO PROTECT THE “LOVE” WE GET FROM OTHERS, AND TO TAKE WHAT OUR SOUL DETERMINES ARE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO ASSURE THAT IT KEEPS ON FLOWING TOWARDS US. WE ARE CONSTRUCTED AROUND THE CORE OF “LOVE” AFTER ALL, AND WE NEED TO BE “LOVED” IN ORDER TO THRIVE. 

BY THE SAME MEANS, WHEN OUR SOUL DETERMINES THAT THE LOVE WE GIVE IS REJECTED AND SPURNED, IT LASHES OUT AGAINST THE ONE IT DETERMINES IS WITHHOLDING THE LOVE WE DESIRE. THIS IS TOWARDS PEOPLE AND TOWARDS GOD, AS WELL. 

FAITH COMES FROM THE CENTER OF OUR BEING, FROM THE VERY NATURE WE ARE CONSTRUCTED WITH, AND, THEREFORE FROM…“LOVE.”

SO OUR FAITH IS BASED IN “LOVE” TOO. AND THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE CORE OF US, TOO, IS THE NATURE OF THE GOD WHO CREATED US….LOVE. 

AT ITS ROOT, “FEAR” IS A DIRECT ATTACK AGAINST “LOVE.”

ATTACKS AGAINST LOVE, OR WHAT OUR SOUL DETERMINES ARE “ATTACKS,” CAUSE “FEAR.” EVEN THE LIES OF OUR ENEMY ABOUT “LOVE,” GOD’S OR OTHER’S, CAN BE THE BASIS OUR SOUL DETERMINES AS AN “ATTACK.” EVEN THOUGH IT IS A LIE AND NOT TRUE! 

FAITH AND FEAR

WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT “FEAR” IS THE OPPOSITE FORCE OF “FAITH.”

“FAITH” BELIEVES, BASICALLY, IN THE LOVE OF GOD TOWARDS US AND HIS ABILITY TO PERFORM WHAT WE KNOW BELONGS TO US BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR US…BUT THAT WE DON’T HAVE IN OUR HANDS YET.

IF WE TAKE OUT THE LOVE OF GOD FOR YOU AND I, THEN “FAITH” IS COMPLETELY DEFLATED AND BECOMES UNABLE TO FUNCTION! FAITH RELIES ON GOD’S LOVE TOWARDS AND FOR US AS IT’S FOUNDATION.  

WHAT FEAR CAUSES

FEAR CAUSES REACTION IN EVERY PART OF OUR BEING. IN THE SPIRITUAL IT NEGATES FAITH…IN THE SOUL IT CAUSES CONFUSION, STIRS UP EMOTIONS, AND CHALLENGES THE FREE WILL…IN THE BODY IT CAUSES “FIGHT OR FLIGHT” REACTIONS THAT SURGE OUR ADRENELIN AND CAN ULTIMATELY DAMAGE THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF THE BODY IF LEFT UNDEALT WITH. 

FAITH HAS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT; IT UNDERGIRDS THE SPIRIT MAN AND REASSURES IT; IT BRINGS PEACE, CALMS OUR EMOTIONS, AND CONFRONTS OUR FREE WILL WITH TRUTH…IT BRINGS PEACE AND COMFORT TO THE SOUL AND TO THE PHYSICAL MAN. FAITH REASSURES US OF GOD’S CONTINUING LOVE AND THE POWER OF THAT LOVE TO BRING CHANGE INTO US AND INTO OUR SITUATIONS AND CIRCUMSTANCES. IT IS ONLY THE LOVE OF GOD THAT CHANGES US FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND MAKES US VESSELS OF SERVICE AND VESSELS OF HONOR FOR OUR LOVING FATHER! 

WHAT THE DEVIL KNOWS

THE DEVIL’S MOST POWERFUL AND LOUDEST “LIE” IS “GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU!” IF GOD DOES NOT LOVE YOU THEN EVERYTHING IN THE WORD OF GOD BECOMES POWERLESS!

WHEN HE LIES AND SAYS “GOD IS NOT COMING THROUGH FOR YOU THIS TIME,” IT IS AN ATTACK AGAINST THE LOVE OF GOD FOR YOU…AND AN ATTEMPT TO GET YOU TO BACK OFF FROM THAT LOVE! BECAUSE WE ARE GIVEN “FREE WILL” WE CONSTANTLY MAINTAIN THE ABILITY TO REJECT THE LOVE OF GOD FOR US. THE SAME WITH HEALING, WITH PROSPERITY, WITH PEACE; WHEN WE DENY THAT GOD LOVES US, THAN ALL THESE THINGS BECOME UNOBTAINABLE BY FAITH! 

I HAVE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT “PLANTING” DOUBT OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US IS THE PRIMARY TOOL USED BY OUR ENEMY TO TRY AND DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN US AND GOD. IT IS HIS “LIE” THAT WE ARE NOT LOVABLE (WORTHY TO BE LOVED) THAT STIRS UP DOUBT WHICH THEN TURNS TO FEAR IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. THAT FEAR THEN DRIVES OUT FAITH. 

GETTING “SAVED”

WHEN WE COME BACK INTO “RELATIONSHIP” WITH GOD, WE CALL IT “SAVED,” BECAUSE WE SUDDENLY REALIZED AND ACCEPTED THAT GOD DID LOVE US AFTER ALL! THIS DESPITE THE LIES OF THE ENEMY, AND OUR OWN UNRENEWED SOUL’S VOICE, THAT IT COULD NOT POSSIBLY BE THAT GOD COULD LOVE SUCH AN IMPERFECT BEING (AS JUDGED BY OUR SOUL) ….BUT WE FOUND OUT HE DOES! AND WHEN WE DID, HE RUSHED BACK INTO OUR LIVES WITH HIS PRESENCE AND HIS WORD LIKE A MIGHTY WIND! IN THE UPPER ROOM ON PENTECOST THE SAME THING HAPPENED! HE, WITH HIS SPIRIT, INHABITED US AGAIN BECAUSE WE ACCEPTED HIS LOVE FOR US!

EVEN WHILE WE WERE PARALIZED BY THE FEAR OF NOT BEING LOVED BY GOD, HIS LOVE BROKE THROUGH THAT FEAR AND WE ACCEPTED HIS ASSURANCE OF LOVING US! 

PROBING & PUSHING

IN EARTHLY RELATIONSHIPS WE CONSTANTLY “TEST,” OFTEN WITHOUT REALIZING IT, THE “LOVE” RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE. AS SECURE AS WE SPIRITUALLY KNOW THEY ARE, OUR SOUL STILL “PUSHS” ON THEM TO BE SURE THEY WILL STAND…SOMETIMES WE GO TO UNHEALTHY LEVELS BY EVEN PUTTING ASIDE THE ACTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LOVE AND CONFRONTING THOSE WE LOVE WITH CHALLENGES TO SEE IF THEY DO TRULY “LOVE” US; AGAIN, OFTEN WITH OUT CONSIOUSLY REALIZING THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING! 

WE GET INTO “SHOUTING MATCHES” AND ACCUSE FOLKS WE LOVE OF EVEN NOT LOVING US JUST TO HEAR WE ARE LOVED…SOMETIMES WE “PUSH” SO HARD THAT WE GET REACTIONS WE DON’T WANT! I NOTICED THIS TENDENCY WHEN MY RIGHT EYE WAS LOSING VISION… DESPITE THE FACT THAT I KNEW MY EYE COULD SEE LITTLE…MY SOUL KEPT CHECKING THE FACTS … I WOULD CLOSE MY LEFT EYE AND “CHECK” HOW MUCH MY RIGHT EYE COULD ACTUALLY SEE…MY SOUL NEEDED NATURAL CONFIRMATION OF A FACT I ALREADY KNEW WAS REAL! SOMETIMES, WHEN WE HAVE A “BOBO,” WE’LL TOUCH IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE TO SEE HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY HURTS; WHEN WE ALREADY KNOW THAT ACTION WILL CAUSE IT TO HURT MORE! 

IT IS THE “NEED” FOR OUR SOUL TO CONFIRM WHAT IT THINKS IT ALREADY KNOWS WITH SENSORY INPUT AND CONFIRMATION. 

“SALVATION” IS OVERCOMING THE FEAR WE HAD OF GOD NOT LOVING US.

EVEN WITH GOD, MANY OF US HAD AN INCORRECT PICTURE OF GOD THAT CAUSED US TO “FEAR” HIM BEFORE WE REALIZED THAT HE REALLY DID AND DOES LOVE US, EVEN DESPITE THE OFTEN INSINCERE WAY WE RELATE TO HIM. WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THE LOVE PUSHED OUT FEAR AND WE CAME BACK INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD…WE GOT “SAVED.” 

EVEN AFTER WE ALLOW HIM BACK IN OUR LIVES, WE SOMETIMES ALLOW SIN IN, AND THEN QUESTION HIS CONTINUING TO LOVE US (WHEN HE DOES!) AND WE TEST HIS LOVE FOR US WITH “REPENTENCE” AND FIND OUT HE ACCEPTS US, LOVES US, REGARDLESS OF OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND FAULTS.

DESPITE GOD’S PROVEN LOVE FOR US, WE STILL TEST IT AGAIN AND AGAIN!

WHAT WE CALL “GRACE” IS THE ACTIVITY OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US! 

CAN WE FINALLY SETTLE THAT GOD LOVES US?

SETTLE IT TO A DEGREE THAT WON’T BE THREATENED BY OUR OWN FAULTS AND SHORTCOMINGS? 

IF WE CAN ESTABLISH THAT AS “FACT” IN OUR “SOUL” (OUR SPIRIT ALREADY KNOWS AND ACCEPTS THAT AS REAL) THEN MUCH OF THE STRUGGLE WE HAVE WITH GOD AND WITH OTHER FOLKS WOULD SUBSIDE! EVEN IN OUR CLOSEST LOVE RELATIONSHIPS, THERE WOULD COME A STABLITIY BECAUSE THE PRIMARY RELATIONSHIP, THE ONE WE HAVE WITH GOD, WOULD NO LONGER BE A BATTLE GROUND FOR OUR ENEMY! HE WOULD BE UNABLE TO THREATEN US WITH THE LOSS OF GOD’S LOVE ANY LONGER!

AND BECAUSE THAT IS SETTLED, THEN WE CAN REACH OUT FROM THAT SECURITY TO BRING THE SAME STABILTY TO HUMAN LOVE RELATIONSHIPS. 

WHAT WOULD CONVINCE OUR SOULS, WHICH OPERATE IN THE NATURAL REALM AND ONLY WANT TO ACCEPT “PERCEPTUAL” THINGS AS REAL; THAT THE LOVE RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE WITH GOD IS “CONCRETE?” AND CAN WE THEN TAKE THAT “SECURITY” AND APPLY THAT IN THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE IN THE EARTH?

LET’S TRY AND ANSWER THAT QUESTION…IT IS OBVIOULY PIVITOL FOR OUR CHRISTIAN WALK AND OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOD AND RELATIONSHIPS IN THE EARTH! 

CONVINCING THE SOUL

THE SOUL ONLY WANTS TO OPERATE WITH THINGS THAT THE FIVE SENSES CAN CONFIRM; THINGS WE CAN SEE, HEAR, TOUCH, TASTE, AND SMELL. WE CANNOT CHANGE THAT; HOWEVER WE CAN PROVIDE “EVIDENCE” THAT WILL CAUSE THE SOUL TO ADJUST ITS ACCEPTANCE OF WHAT IS “REAL.” 

MANY OF THE THINGS, IF NOT ALL, THAT WE CHOOSE TO “DO” REFLECT OUR DEEP DESIRE TO BE “LOVED;” WE WANT TO BE LOVED BY GOD AND BY THE PEOPLE AROUND US; IT IS PART OF THE VERY NATURE OF WHAT “LOVE” IS! PART OF LOVE ‘S NATURE IS ITS DESIRE TO BE “RECIPROCATED”…“GIVEN BACK.” 

THE POSSIBILITY OF NOT HAVING THAT LOVE MOTIVATES MANY OF OUR ACTIONS AND WORDS. WE DO NOT WANT TO LOSE THE LOVE OF GOD OR THE LOVE OF PEOPLE AROUND US. THE POSSIBILITY OF THE LOSS OF THE LOVE OF GOD AND THE PEOPLE WE LOVE, OR WANT TO LOVE, MAKE US RESPONSIVE TO THE “LIES” OF OUR ENEMY. 

WE, IN OUR SPIRIT AND INTELLECTUALLY, CAN KNOW THAT WE CANNOT LOSE THE LOVE OF GOD, IT IS NOT AN “EARNED” LOVE, BUT A “GIVEN” LOVE; NONETHELESS THE DEVIL WILL WHISPER IN OUR EAR CONTINUALLY ABOUT OUR FAULTS AND FAILINGS; ABOUT OUR NOT “DESERVING” THE LOVE OF GOD; REGARDLESS OF THE “FACT” IT IS NOT A MATTER OF “DESERVING.”

WE CANNOT EARN THE LOVE OF GOD. IT IS GIVEN BY HIM WITH NO “STRINGS” ATTACHED! 

OUR SOUL DOES NOT WANT TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE, AGAIN, IT IS LOOKING FOR SENSORY EVIDENCE…AND SENSORY EVIDENCE IS NOT FORTHCOMING BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH A “SPIRITUAL” MATTER…SPIRITUAL THINGS ARE RECEIVED BY “FAITH” NOT BY THE “SENSES.” 

BECAUSE THAT IS SO, WE NEED TO GRAB ON AND HOLD FAST TO THE SPIRITUAL THAT GOD ALLOWS TO “SLOP OVER” INTO THE NATURAL.

WE ARE GOING TO MENTION THOSE AND TRY TO RAISE OUR AWARENESS OF HOW PRECIOUS AND IMPORTANT THOSE SPIRITUAL THINGS ARE TO OUR SOUL…OUR MIND, WILL, AND EMOTIONS. 

THE “COMFORT” OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT COMES AS WE SUBMIT AND IMMERSE OURSELVES INTO “SPIRITUAL” THINGS…AND THIS REQUIRES A SUBMISSION OF OUR WILL, MIND, AND EMOTIONS TO GOD. GOD CANNOT “TOUCH” THOSE THINGS THAT WE CHOOSE TO “RESERVE” WITH OUR FREE WILL!

THE ROOT OF FEAR IS THE PRECIEVED, POTENTIAL, LOSS OF LOVE.

THAT “LOSS” MAY NOT BE REAL, BUT OUR SOUL INTERPETS IT AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF THE LOSS OF LOVE. 

MY WIFE LOVES ME’  YET THE ENEMY CONTINUALLY TELLS ME THAT I DO NOT DESERVE THAT LOVE, AND THAT THAT LOVE IS IN CONSTANT DANGER OF BEING WITHDRAWN. THAT IS A LIE. BUT MY SOUL CONTIUALLY “PROBES” TO RE-ASSURE ITSELF THAT THAT LOVE CONTINUES. IT WANTS CONTINUAL SENSORY MANIFESTATION OF THAT LOVE FROM MY WIFE TO RE-ASSURE ME THAT HER LOVE CONTINUES. UNTIL I GET PAST THAT NEED OF MY SOUL AND JUST ACCEFT THAT LOVE THAT IS OFFERED, I WILL BE TORMENTED BY THE “ENEMY OF MY SOUL!” I DO NOT DESERVE MY WIFE’S LOVE…BUT SHE HAS CHOSEN TO GIVE IT. LOVE CAN ONLY BE GIVEN, NEVER EARNED. 

THE TOOL OF THE ENEMY IS TO PRESENT US “LIES” AND DISTORTIONS THAT OUR SOUL SEES AS A POTENTIAL LOSS OF THE LOVE IT CRAVES AND NEEDS. 

LISTEN NOW…HE USES THE SAME TACTICS AND THE SAME LIES TO TRY AND DRIVE A WEDGE BETWEEN US AND OUR GOD! HE INSERTES THE “LIE” OF THE LOSS OR WITHDRAWL OF GOD’S LOVE, AND THAT BECOMES FEAR WHICH ATTACKS FAITH! 

THE LOVE OF GOD FOR YOU IS UNCHANGING AND UNMOVEABLE BY ANY FORCE, NATURAL OR SPIRITUAL! GOD HAS CHOSEN TO LOVE US BECAUSE WE ARE CREATED IN HIS IMAGE…AND HE LOVES HIMSELF! THE REFLECTION OF HIMSELF HE PLACED IN US AT CREATION COMPELS HIM TO LOVE US! 

HOW CAN OUR SOUL “PERCEIVE” THIS THROUGH THE SENSES?

THE SOUL IS THE MIND, THE WILL, AND THE EMOTIONS. 

1. BEHOLDING THE GRANDURE AND SCOPE OF THE NATURAL REALITY THAT SURROUNDS IT; ALL OF WHICH CONFRIM TO THE SENSES THE REALITY OF A CREATOR AND GOD. (EYES, EARS, TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE) 

2. TAKING IN THROUGH THE “SENSE GATES” (EYES, EARS, NOSE, TASTE, TOUCH) THE WORD, WHICH CONFIRMS WHAT THE SENSES PRECEIVE IN THE NATURAL REALITY. THE WORD ALSO FEEDS THE SOUL SPIRITUAL “KNOWLDEGE.”

THIS IS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE “MIND.” THE “MIND” IS THE INTELLECTUAL STOREHOUSE OF KNOWLEDGE AND PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR JUDGEMENTS OF THE WILL AND REACTIONS OF THE EMOTIONS. 

3. PERMITTING THE “SENSE GATES” TO INTERACT WITH THE SPIRITUAL REALM IN THE “ANOINTING” (THE TANGIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD CONFIRMED BY THE SENSES) THROUGH THE EYES, EARS, TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE 

FINALLY, AND IN CLOSING, LET ME DEFINE “BITTERNESS.”

“BITTERNESS” IS THE HOPE FOR LOVE ABANDONED BY YOUR SOUL. 

End of excerpt from “The Fear Root.” You might want to go back and read that, and my observations on the “Anointing,” again! 

Fear makes us un-teachable and in-tolerant

If we recognize and take “fear” out of the equation, then we can again become “teachable.” The “fear” of change is not only re-enforced by the enemy of our souls, who rummages around in that realm of our being (“soul”), but by violent social pressure from folks who profess “love” but refuse to walk in the manifestations and actions of it. 

“Tolerance” among “Christians” is almost non-existent. Much of it stems from fear and the loss of being able to look at items associated with the Word through any other eyes then the ones clouded by tradition, doctrine (some incorrect), and emotion…all those are in the “soul” realm; relationship with God is in the “spirit” realm. “Christians” cannot become “teachable” until they deal with their own closed minds and their attitude that they “know it all!” You can well image how I had to struggle with this area in my own life!

Next :“New Beliefs?”

Chapter 4 (Part 4)
The Love of God

I want to quote from a message I preached to talk about that “Love.” 

“MEASURING THE LOVE OF GOD”

HAVE WE MADE IT TOO SMALL?

Much of the issue we have with “doctrine” and “beliefs” has to do with how we see the operation of God towards us and others; is He the God of the flyswatter? Or…the God of Love?

1 John 4:16 (KJV) ¹⁶and we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 

While we hold ourselves to a high standard in the operation of the “actions of love” as we perceive them, do we also realize God acts the same way in love because that is His Character?  

Because it is such a core issue, “God is love,” let’s again look at how “love” acts. We have a concise description of the “actions of love” from the Rabbi Paul in First Corinthians…

Amplified Translation:

1 Cor 4-8 “Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious or boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.

Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong). 

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening.) Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.)….” 

Applying the actions of love to God

 “Love endures long and is patient and kind;”

All of us know this is the character of God; He waited 30 years for me to return to fellowship with Him! He will wait until the last moments of your life, if that’s what it takes, to forgive you and receive you back! God’s kindness towards us is manifested in His “Grace.” He extends “unmerited favor” even to those who don’t know Him yet to give them an opportunity to get to know Him! 

“Love never is envious or boils over with jealousy,”

When we “boil over with jealousy” we get into the area of “pride” and make the developed character of God in us bigger than it is.

“Envy” is looking at what others have, and “coveting” it, right now, for us.

“Envy” and “jealousy” are the operational tools of every advertiser…”why don’t you have this right now!?” They are tools of our enemy (the devil) also.

God does not want or need any of the petty things we have! They are His and he gave them to us to be stewards over. 

“Is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.”

Since God owns all the “glory” and all the power that exists, He has no need to, and does not, boast! But also, God does not “show off” and has no need to do so! He is as He is! 

“It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride);”

Being “conceited” comes from us thinking we are something “better” than those around us. Since God is the “highest” we are amazed that he does not present himself as “the man!” Rather He “woos” us to draw us to Himself; he presents Himself as one to “love.” God is amazing! 

“It is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.”

While God is not required to show us any good manners, and can indeed act any way He wants, nonetheless, He presents Himself to us in a gentle manner; again, “wooing” us rather than demanding our “love” and obedience. We have heard the Spirit of God described as a “gentleman;” and it is. God acts that way towards us because of the “image” of God in us. 

(God’s love for us) “does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking;”

This is an aspect of the love of God that is beyond the ability of our souls to comprehend. God “requests” our relationship with Him and our obedience to Him. He does that because of His nature in us and our “free will.” In effect, because of the way He created us…it’s up to us, not Him! 

“It is not touchy or fretful or resentful;”

Because of God’s love nature, we can’t “aggravate” God! The message of the gospel is that God is not angry with us, but rather that He wants relationship with us! He refuses to treat us the way we deserve! 

“It takes no account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong).” 

Thank God! If the love nature of God did not stand in the way, we would all be fried on the spot!

Even before we came back into relationship with Him, already His Grace preserved us and His Love wooed us! His desire to come back into relationship with us caused Him to overlook our blatant rejection of Him and continually attempt to draw us back to Him. 

“It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.”

God hates sin, but loves the sinner! How often have we heard that but not realized it was His “Love” that caused Him to act that way!

When we come back into fellowship with Him then “right and truth prevail” once more in our lives! 

“Love bears up under anything and everything that comes,”

The Love of God is rock solid towards his creation “Man.” His Love for us did not waiver when we were running away from Him and doing “our own thing.” Because of what is in us, the “image” of Himself, His desire to come back into our lives never ceases. His love nature in us causes Him to “woo” us until the last moment of rejection by our free will. 

“Is ever ready to believe the best of every person,”

Love, in us and in God, always “sees” beyond the moment and the actions before it. God always desires that we “come home” to fellowship with Him again. When we were cursing God and rejecting Him, He loved us patiently. Even when we know Him, and refuse His commands and directions, His love never waivers and He hopes we will return to obedience.

God’s love for us is…” fadeless under all circumstances” and it endures everything (without weakening.)” Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end.)….” 

How real is our love?

Recently, with a change in my beliefs, I had an opportunity to see how “love” acted in the lives of people around me whom I had taught “love” and loved. I was disappointed how their “love” acted towards me. Some of them were no longer “patient and kind.” No longer “believed the best;” were “resentful,” were “rude,” insisted on their own “rights and way,” and displayed “themselves haughtily.” Some flat out did not “love” me anymore; their love faded out and was no more. That made me very sad. Some of them I had spent 20 years teaching “love actions” to! 

On the other hand, many continued to display their love for me…I wonder if those are the more genuine reflectors of the love of God?

Our love is to reach far out beyond our beliefs, like God’s love does! 

Have we underestimated God’s love?

By trying to “dictate” how God operates we tend to limit the love of God for other folks; we certainly limit it in their eyes and soul (and in our own) and often drive folks away rather than draw them to our God. 

We have no idea of how great is the Love of God towards His most unique and special creation, Man. Just as we “love” ourselves because of what we see in ourselves…so God loves us because in each of us He sees Himself.

God will go to any means allowed by his covenant with Man (his Word) to draw to Him and reclaim fellowship with any human being who desires it. He desires that “all be saved;” all come back to the kind of relationship enjoyed by Adam and Eve in the garden.

1 Tim. 2:4 ⁴Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

“Saved” is not a formula, it is a Relationship! 

He cannot be the “God of the box;” our feeble attempts to classify how He expects us to “act” are always going to be restrictive (limiting) of the true nature of His Love.

Sometimes we “dictate” to others, often to ourselves as well, a form and formula that defines who will, and who will not, have relationship with the God of Love. We need to stop that! 

In Romans Paul indicates…
Rom. 10:13 ¹³for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

“Lord” = (Greek) “supreme in authority; god, lord, master.” 

We better be careful when we assert “there is only one way to get to God!” And condemn to hell those who will not do it the way we believe. More and more, as we learn how love acts and incorporate it into our lives; we show the accurate character of God to folks around us…we become effective and true ambassadors for our God! 

Sing the song! Live the love life!

At a “Louisiana Outpouring” meeting in 2011, we were taught a song about the Love of God compared with the love of Man. Even in singing and acting out that song, I did not truly grasp how little I understood about the largeness of the Love of God!

(We crouched down and made a small space between our fingers to indicate the love of Man; we stood on a chair and spread our arms wise to indicate how large the love of God was for us!) 

That concludes my quote from the message on the “Measuring the Love of God.”

A more mature understanding of the Love of God should wipe out the “fear,” from osmosis beliefs (author’s note: we’ll discuss those osmosis beliefs in a moment) that make us shy strongly away from other beliefs, religions, and churches. Just the fact we are “afraid” to listen to others beliefs underscores the insecurity most Christians have because of a lack of understanding of what it is they actually “believe.” More on this later…

Next: Christians and “Concrete” Mind-set

Chapter 4 (Part 3)
The “Anointing”

In March of 2012 Reform Rabbi Barry Weinstein asked me to try and describe what I meant by the “Anointing” I have experienced in church services and in ministry for the past 30 or so years, and insist that I will not abandon. I found it very difficult to come up with “English” words to describe a “spiritual experience”! 

I finally settled on the “tangible feeling” of God’s Presence, not only in my spirit man, but also in my soul man; and even in and on my physical man. A “tangible sensation” of knowing that God was drawing close to us as we were drawing close to Him. My friends in the “Outpouring Movement” in Louisiana called it the “Glory.” Jews call it the “Kabob.” There is as physical “heaviness” associated with it; an assurance that the Maker is Present in the midst of us. It is the process of God “loving” on us as He had Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. How is that possible? Let’s look…. 

I understand that we are “created” “in the image of God (Gen. 1) as a three part being; one unit impacted by three “parts” that can be dissected, to a degree, but are totally integrated in their actions. Kenneth Hagin described it as: “I am a spirit, I have a soul, I live in a body.” My understanding of that is that the spirit and soul are interrelated and dwell within a “tent” we call a “body.”  

When we depart this Earth the spirit and soul are temporarily, and reluctantly, separated from the physical body; but, as they were designed to be together for eternity, they will be reunited in the future; the body, spirit, and soul are designed and destined to live for eternity as a unit, operating in conjunction with God to complete, and enjoy, Man’s original assignment to fill the Earth and the Universe with the beauty and reality enjoyed in the Garden of Eden. Thus, in “Heaven” or however you see the “hereafter,” the spirit and soul will continue to function together; we will “know” folks already there we had contact with in the Earth, we will retain our “memories,” however only the good ones as “every tear will be wiped away,” and will function and operate and enjoy God and each other forever. We will be busy for eternity discovering God and the depths His Word and working with God to complete the original task assigned to Man. To accomplish that we will eventually be reunited with a “glorified,” or perfected, physical body free of the restraints imposed on it by Adam’s “sin” in the Garden. 

Because Man is “created in the image of God.” he is empowered to interact with God and has many of the abilities and attributes of God…because only “like beings” can fellowship with each other. We can interact with other people because we share those abilities in common; we can “connect,” interact, and serve God on the same basis.

Man, created in the image of God, is designed and enabled to live with and under the “Anointing.” That is the actual physical Presence of the Creator with His creation, Man. It was that way in the Garden of Eden; the Word tells us that God came and walked and talked with Adam and Eve “in the cool of the evening.” Jewish sages tell that God Himself would braid Eve’s hair; their relationship was that close and intimate! 

Obviously, at the choice of our Creator, inside Man is the ability to communicate and interact in actual fellowship with the Creator! That makes Man the only creation that has that awesome privilege! The living reality of that kind of relationship was and remains entirely the choice of Man because Man is gifted by the Creator with “Free Will;” nothing else God has created is enabled or allowed to make “choices;” everything else created is totally subject to God’s Will. “Free Will” enables “Man” to make choices in everything he does; no other creation can boast that! Or suffer the consequences of it! 

Let’s take a side trip and talk a little more about “free will…”

Free Will is the gift of God to the apex of His creation, “Man.” Free Will is required in “Man” because Man is an independent spirit being, created, ultimately, to return the Love of God placed in him back to God. Love that is not returned freely is not “love.” It is duty, or coercion, and God deliberately did not make us “robots,” programmed to say “I love God.” One of the qualities of Love is that it desires to have that love returned…and it can only be returned by an independent, “free,” being that shares common qualities and abilities. Our choice to “freely” love God causes us to be available for His “Anointing!” 

The Presence of God in our midst (the “Anointing”) causes reactions in our entire being…spirit, soul, and body. While we can move into that “presence” individually, its effect is more felt in the corporate setting. For some 30 years, whenever I had the honor of being with brothers and sisters in a corporate setting, a church service, a convention, or a meeting where God was invited and welcomed, the “Anointing” was there! I have become “greedy” to enjoy and live under that “Anointing!” After all, I was, and you are, “designed” to live there! 

As I move among my new Jewish friends, attend their services and fellowship with them, I have yet to experience the “Anointing.” I believe it exists somewhere in all the different “branches” of Judaism, but I desire to find it! It is a part of their heritage (See the dedication of Solomon’s Temple) that seems to have “leaked out” during the centuries. 

This commonness with our Creator is the basis for the “Anointing.” We were designed to, and did, interact in the Garden of Eden with God. Man’s “sin” curtailed that intimate relationship on the choice, not of God, but of Man!  

All this based in the Nature of God, the core component of which we call “Love,”

Next: The Love of God

Chapter 4 (Part 2)
Have “Christians” Gone Too Far? 

The Struggle of “Christians”

Are “Christians” able to reconcile new beliefs and ideas they are exposed to, to their existing “Christianity?” It is very, very difficult.  

I am not sure that without a “clean” break from “Christianity” that we can step over into a new set of “beliefs.” Actually only two major “beliefs” were changed in my thinking…but they impacted my ties with “Christianity” dramatically! When I changed “beliefs” after many years of preaching the old ones, one of my most faithful church members came to me and reminded me that part of my teaching was to be very careful what we allowed into our “sense gates;” and that they chose not to allow these “new” beliefs into their “sense gates” and they could not fellowship with me any longer. Broke my heart! 

After the closing of the Haven Church, I was very disillusioned with “Christians” in general…I placed some things on Facebook that allowed me to release some of that (in hindsight I was “venting”…probably should not have)…one item underscored what I was now seeing in “Christians.” Here is the quote…

Ostrich Believers

Burying our head in the sand and digging in our feet will only “blind” us to “truth!”

Yet this is the reaction of almost every Believer when their “beliefs” are challenged! They refuse to examine any “challenge” to their “beliefs,” dig in their feet and refuse to be moved…even by “truth!” While we are to guard our “sense gates” from misinformation and lies, we are to allow “truth” in; even when it totally turns our world upside down. “Truth” sets us “free” according to the Rabbi Jesus’ words. 

We need to separate “Belief” from “Faith.” “Beliefs” are in the soul, “Faith” resides in the spirit man. We often change our “beliefs,” because they exist in our mind, emotions, and will (the soul man). Take for example, how you “believe” the things about your wonderful spouse(s) a few years after you actually get to know them! “Beliefs” change but love and faith does not! Our “beliefs” about God and how He operates can change, and do, but our “faith” in Him does not change unless we reject Him. 

Why are we so afraid to look at our beliefs? Why does our soul man (mind, emotions, will) want to act like an ostrich? Because most of our “beliefs” came by “osmosis.”  

Since I was very young (some 60 years ago) I wondered about some of the tenants of the religion I was raised in, Roman Catholic. Some “doctrines” and “beliefs” just didn’t go down “right” inside of me. I never understood that this was the beginning stirrings of a search for “truth” that would consume my life.

I was meditating on that matter one day and began to understand that most of my beliefs, as well as yours, came by “osmosis.” “Osmosis” is the process of a cell absorbing the nutrients around it in order to grow. No matter what the cell is surrounded with, good, bad, or ugly, it absorbs a portion of that and makes it a part of itself. Just the fact that it is “surrounded” assures that our soul will eventually soak into itself a portion of the “beliefs” it is surrounded with. 

We never seem to question these beliefs. They are simply a part of our soul makeup that we accept without question or scrutiny. What we believe seems rock-solid and when anyone questions those “beliefs” we react in fear and unbelief of the “new” beliefs. We have a “soul” reaction that overwhelms the jump in our spirit man and the voice of the Spirit of God inside us that says “Look!” In many ways we are in “fear” (negative faith) and refuse to even consider that we might have been wrong. Our soul says “Run,” and we do, while our spirit dies a little because we have refused to even look. (“Beliefs” are in the soul and are subject to change; “Faith and Love” are in the spirit man and are not subject to change.) 

All “fear” is from our Enemy and is designed and used to keep us from “truth!” “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind!” The first thing I do when “fear” stirs inside me is…look again! I don’t run away and hide; I confront the source of “fear” knowing its author! That’s why so many folks run away from a restored relationship with God…fear drives them away from “truth!” 

So are you another “ostrich” Believer? I was until I got into my 60’s…I would ostracize, dismiss, criticize, ignore, and avoid anyone who did not “believe” exactly as I had been taught to “believe.” Then I discovered what “Love” requires in actions and found out that Love never acted that way! And neither does God! I discovered that I was operating in “judgment,” and setting myself up to be “judged!” That I was not operating in the actions of love, but of fear! So I turned are ran after “truth;” I finally had the courage to follow the command to “study and show myself approved!” To “rightly divide the Word of Truth!” To have the courage to look at my “beliefs” and learn to ignore the “torpedoes” and stand up for “Truth” and integrity…despite the natural costs. 

How about you?

End of excerpt from “Ostrich Believers.” 

Most of us operate only from “osmosis beliefs” and reject and repel anything to the contrary, “truth” or not. 

The command to “study” is largely ignored in “Christian” circles because we feel we already know the “truth,” and we accept anything that comes from a pulpit we trust as “truth.” Not all of it is! “Study” is not a command to the clergy; it is a command to all those in pursuit of God. As a “Christian” I felt very little compulsion to “study.” Even as a pastor. If I had, I would have discovered “truth” long ago…but I thought I already “had it” and was closed to learning more. My mistake!  

Now I sense I cannot “study” enough in order to “catch up.”  But God knew…I have found most of the things I taught as a “pastor” and teacher are dead-on with “truth.” And I am not afraid to change those that are not any longer. (I hesitated for a long time in sharing my “new” beliefs because I saw clearly what it would do to the ministry I was involved in. I believe many other prominent ministers have seen “truth” but hold back in order to continue the many good things they have underway and see no way to move into a new venue or “season” without destroying what I believe God has done in and with their lives.) 

So can the good things in Christian beliefs be melded with the “truth” that comes from our Jewish roots? Until it happens there will be a void and a lack of power in Christians. Until we become “teachable” as we did when we came back into relationship with God, we will continue to deny ourselves the next level that will bring the enemy under our feet to be presented to God. That next level will come when we “prove” ourselves capable of the unity, and power that comes from unity, with those around us. We must put doors in the walls we have built around our “beliefs!” Our Jewish Brothers and Sisters, by the way, heavily believe in “Study!” 

Let’s shift thoughts and talk about the result of pursuing God and the results of that; talk about my deep conviction that the “Anointing” I have experienced for 30 years was something real and something of God!

Next: The “Anointing”

 Chapter 4 (Part 1) 
IN THE “IMAGE” OF GOD

(Author’s Note: Pardon the capitalization of some of these “sharing’s”…I used that to make my messages easier for me to read in a church service. All bible references are KJV unless noted. One more thing…some of these messages were presented before the “change” in my viewpoint of God and Christianity…they have “Christian” elements, which I was then preaching. Nonetheless the concepts they embody reflect “truth” and I ask you to forgive me if some things sound “Christian” and take into account that I was “blind” to many areas of “truth” at that time.) 

THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTS TO BREAK INTO YOUR THINKING TODAY AND CHALLENGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE WONDERFUL POTENTIAL THAT IS INSIDE YOU! 

UNDERSTAND WHAT IS “IN” US BETTER

UNTIL WE BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS THAT GOD CREATED INTO US BETTER WITH OUR “SOUL” (SPIRIT, SOUL, BODY), WE CANNOT WALK ON THE HIGHER LEVEL THE WORD (Author’s note: When I say “Word” I am generally speaking of the Old and New Testaments familiar to Christians) TALKS ABOUT OR ATTAIN THE “REST” THE WORD TALKS ABOUT. THAT “REST” IS BASED IN THE ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE OF KNOWING WHO YOU ARE IN GOD. 

Heb. 4:3-11 ³ For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. ⁴For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. ⁵And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. ⁶Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (THEY DID NOT MIX “FAITH” WITH THE WORD!) ⁷Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. ⁸For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. ⁹There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. ¹⁰For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

¹¹Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

WHAT IS IN US, AS CREATED BEINGS THAT WOULD QUALIFY US FOR THIS “REST” THAT THE WORD TALKS ABOUT?  

WE NEED AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THE WORD SAYS THESE THINGS, AND THE BASIS FOR THEM; UNTIL WE DO WE WILL BE LIMITED IN OUR ACTIONS AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS THE “BODY” OF GOD IN THE EARTH.

HOW DO WE POSSIBLY “QUALIFY?”

THE WORD SPEAKS SOME VERY STRONG THINGS ABOUT US; THINGS THAT OUR SOUL HAS GREAT TROUBLE ACCEPTING.

LET ME SHARE A FEW EXAMPLES…

IN EPHESIANS 1, 2 & 3 THE WORD TALKS ABOUT YOU, AFTER YOUR “SALVATION,” AS BEING SEATED IN, AND WITH THE AUTHORITY OF, “HEAVENLY PLACES…”

IN EPHESIANS 2 PAUL STATES…

Eph. 2:6 ⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (THAT’S “AUTHORITY!”) 

THE WORD, TALKS ABOUT OUR ABILITY TO PRESENT THE DEVIL, TOTALLY DEFEATED, TO GOD FOR HIS USE AS A “FOOTSTOOL!”

NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND WITH THE DEVIL JUST KICKING US HOWEVER HE WANTS TO!

Heb. 10:12-13 ¹²But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; ¹³From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 

THE WORD TALKS ABOUT A “GLORIOUS CHURCH,” WHICH INDICATES THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THAT CHURCH WILL BE “GLORIOUS” AS WELL.

USUALLY WE DON’T FEEL VERY “GLORIOUS!”

Eph. 5:27 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

THEN, IN MARK 16, RABBI JESUS COMMANDS US TO GO OUT AND SPREAD THE GOSPEL AND CARRY OUT THE ACTIONS OF THE GOSPEL IN THE WORLD.

Mark 16:15-18 ¹⁵And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁷And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

WHAT MAKES US CAPABLE OF ALL THAT?

EVEN HARDER TO GRASP….THE WORD TALKS ABOUT GOD ACTUALLY LIVING INSIDE OUR BORN-AGAIN SPIRIT, THAT WE ARE “TEMPLES”…

2 Cor. 6:16 …..ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

THE WORD SAYS GOD PLANS TO MOVE HIS HEADQUARTERS TO EARTH…. WHEN WE LOOK AROUND OUR WORLD TODAY, IT IS HARD TO FIND A REASON FOR GOD TO WANT TO DO THAT!

Rev. 21:2-3 ²And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ³And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

WHAT IS IN THIS CREATION, “MAN,” THAT GOD WOULD LITERALLY MOVE HIS HEADQUARTERS TO EARTH TO BE CLOSE TO THEM?

WE ONLY HAVE A “HINT”

I PROPOSE TO YOU, FROM THESE INDICATIONS IN THE SCRIPTURES, THAT THERE ARE GREAT DEPTHS INSIDE EACH OF US THAT WE HAVE ONLY A “HINT” OF UNDERSTANDING ABOUT. 

I PROPOSE THAT UNTIL WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, GRASP THAT, AND BEGIN TO DIG INTO THOSE TRUTHS, THAT WE CAN REMAIN DEFEATED, POOR, AND STRUGGLING; WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US, AND THE WORD, PROCLAIM WE ARE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF THE KING OF HEAVEN, AUTHORIZED TO MOVE ON HIS BEHALF IN THE EARTH!  

THAT WE ARE AMBASSADORS OF THE CREATOR, WORKING WITH HIM IN THE EARTH!

2 Cor. 5:20 ²⁰Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

THAT WE ARE TO BE PREPARING THE WAY FOR THE RETURN OF GOD, AND PREPARING OURSELVES TO “RULE AND REIGN” WITH HIM FOR THE MILLENIUM AND WORK WITH HIM FOR ETERNITY!

Rev. 20:6 ⁶Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 

WHAT PART OF GOD’S “IMAGE” IN US DO WE HAVE TROUBLE WITH??

…PRETTY MUCH EVERY PART! 

ACTUALLY, THOSE “HINTS” FROM THE WORD ARE PRETTY PLAIN!

THE WORD STATES THAT WE ARE CREATED IN THE “IMAGE” OF GOD; NOT GOD, BUT VERY MUCH LIKE HIM. 

LISTEN! THAT BEING NECESSARY IF GOD WAS TO CREATE A BEING ENABLED TO RELATE AND FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM; A BEING CAPABLE OF EXPANDING GOD’S “FAMILY” AND A REPOSITORY FOR HIS OWN MAJOR QUALITY, WHICH THE WORD SAYS IS “LOVE.”

THE SOUL HAS TROUBLE WITH GRASPING THE DESIRE OF GOD TO SHARE HIS LOVE WITH A BEING WHICH THE SOUL SEES AS VERY IMPERFECT; CERTAINLY NOT “WORTHY” OF THE ATTENTIONS OF THE CREATOR! 

NEVERTHELESS, WE COULD NOT HOLD THE “QUALITIES” OF GOD, THE “ABILITIES” OF GOD UNLESS WE WERE “CONSTRUCTED” TO BE ABLE TO HOLD AND HANDLE THOSE QUALITIES AND ABILTIES!

WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EVEN TALK TO OR RELATE TO GOD UNLESS IN US WAS MUCH OF WHAT HE IS! ONLY LIKE BEINGS CAN FELLOWSHIP!

THE WORD STATES IT PLAINLY…BUT WE HAVE TROUBLE WITH OUR SOUL SEEING AND ACCEPTING THAT TRUTH!

Gen. 1:26-27 ²⁶And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 

IT’S NOT OUR SPIRIT THAT HAS TROUBLE WITH ALL THAT, IT’S OUR SOUL…OUR MIND, OUR WILL, OUR EMOTIONS. WHY?

BECAUSE WE MUST BELIEVE THESE THINGS BY “FAITH,” WHICH DOES NOT PRESENT THE SENSORY EVIDENCE THE SOUL DESIRES TO OPERATE WITH, THE SOUL STAYS ON “TILT” IN SPIRITUAL AREAS.

OUR SOUL MUST BE OVERRULED BY THE SPIRIT MAN TO FUNCTION IN SPIRITUAL REALMS.

WE NEED TO “STUDY” TO BRING OUR SOUL TO THE PLACE OF BEING CAPABLE OF BEING “OVERRULED.” 

“STUDY” TO GROW IN THAT TRUTH

2 Tim. 2:15 ¹⁵ Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

WE CAN BE PRESENTED THIS FACT FROM THE WORD, ABOUT OUR “IMAGE,” BUT NEVER GROW FROM IT OR WALK IN IT WITHOUT THE “STUDY” REQUIRED TO GET THE KNOWEDGE IN OUR SOUL AND THE FAITH IN OUR SPIRIT! 

IT TAKES EFFORT AND ENERGY ON OUR PART, IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY DISTRACTING WORLD, TO FOCUS AND GROW IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE “IN THE IMAGE” OF OUR CREATOR. 

THE BENEFITS OF THAT ARE WITHOUT BOUNDRY BECAUSE THAT “STUDY” AND UNDERSTANDING WILL ENABLE US TO “WALK” IN THE ABILITIES AND QUALITIES THAT ALREADY EXIST IN US!

OUALITIES THAT WERE “CREATED” INTO US, AND THEN ACCESSED BY OUR “SALVATION,” OUR RE-CONNECTION TO GOD! 

GOD HAS MADE AVAILABLE TO US HIS WORD AND HIS SPIRIT TO ENABLE US TO WALK IN THE FULLNESS HE CREATED US FOR….NOT JUST IN HEAVEN…BUT HERE IN THE EARTH! TO ENABLE US AS INDIVIDUALS AND THE CHURCH AS A BODY TO FULFILL ITS DESTINY TO BE THE “GLORIOUS CHURCH.” 

CAN I EVEN UNDERSTAND THE “IMAGE” IN ME?

WE ARE EQUIPPED TO!

WE CAN GRASP AND WALK IN THE “IMAGE” OF GOD THAT LIVES INSIDE US! 

WE HAVE THE “MIND” OF CHRIST;

1 Cor. 2:16…..But we have the mind of Christ. 

GOD DOES NOT “WITHHOLD” KNOWLEDGE FROM US, JUST AS WE DON’T HOLD BACK KNOWLEDGE FROM OUR CHILDREN. EACH INDIVIDUAL HAS ACCESS TO THE COMPLETE “OWNER’S MANUAL” WE CALL THE “WORD.” 

WE HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN US AS A TEACHER AND US IN HIM!

1 Cor. 6:17 ¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 

WE CAN LITERALLY COMMUNICATE WITH THE CREATOR THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE SAME WAY THAT ADAM AND EVE DID AT THE BEGINNING OF CREATION WHEN THEY WALKED TOGETHER IN THE “COOL OF THE EVENING.” 

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

IT’S NOT A “PROBLEM.”

IT’S A LACK OF CARRYING OUT OUR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION TO GOD.  

IT’S BEING SUCKED BACK INTO THE THINGS OUR UNRENEWED SOUL IDENTIFIES AS MORE IMPORTANT AND FOCUSING ON THOSE THINGS RATHER THAN THE RENEWAL OF THE SOUL. IT’S BECOMING RE-PREOCCUPIED WITH THE THINGS OF THE WORLD TO THE EXTENT THAT THE WORD CANNOT BEAR THE FRUIT IT IS DESIGNED TO…

Luke 8:11-15 ¹¹Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. ¹²Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. ¹³They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. ¹⁴And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ¹⁵But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. 

IT’S A MATTER OF US YIELDING TO A NOISY WORLD AND NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR THE “STILL SMALL VOICE!” 

THE DEVIL CERTAINLY DOES NOT WANT US TO EVEN THINK THAT WE MIGHT BE CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF THE CREATOR…THAT KNOWLEDGE SPELLS “BAD NEWS” FOR HIM AND HIS PLANS; THAT UNDERSTANDING SEALS HIS FINAL END AND THE RETURN OF THE LORD! 

WHAT CAN I DO TO UNDERSTAND THE “IMAGE” WITHIN ME?

1. TELL YOUR SCEPTICAL SOUL, “I AM CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD BECAUSE THE WORD SAYS SO!”

UNTIL WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT A TRUTH, IT CANNOT BECOME RELEVANT IN OUR LIVES (“SALVATION” AS AN EXAMPLE); YOU CAN DICTATE TO YOUR SOUL FROM YOUR SPIRIT MAN AS YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR SPIRIT WITH FAITH.

EXPECT TO STOP BEING RULED BY YOUR BODY OR YOUR UNRENEWED SOUL! 

2. TAKE “TIME BY THE THROAT” BY TAKING “DOMINION” THAT BELONGS TO YOU, OVER YOUR ALLOTTED 24 HOURS IN EACH DAY. 

PLAN, AND EXECUTE THE PLAN, TO SPEND SOME OF YOUR TIME TALKING TO GOD AND STUDING HIS WORD; TO PRAYING IN THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ACCESSING THE TEACHER WITHIN YOU TO INCREASING YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH OF THE WORD ABOUT THE “IMAGE” THAT EXISITS WITHIN YOU AND HOW TO USE IT! 

3. EXERCISE THE IMAGE BY USING IT BOLDLY AS YOU BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND ITS POWER AND REALM OF AUTHORITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW THE POWER OF THE WORDS YOU SPEAK, NOW SEE THE VERY SPIRIT OF GOD PLACED WITHIN YOU AS SPEAKING OUT THOSE WORDS IN AGREEMENT WITH YOUR SPIRIT AND SOUL!

AS YOU SEE THE “IMAGE” OF GOD GROWING IN YOU, BEGIN TO ACT LIKE YOU SEE RABBI JESUS ACTING IN THE GOSPELS….SPEAK TO THE THINGS OF THE DEVIL YOU COME ACROSS AND THROW THEM OUT! 

LET ME WRAP THIS UP BY GIVING YOU WHAT THE WORD HAS AS THE “FINAL” WORD ON OUR “IMAGE.” ARE WE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD? LISTEN TO THE WORD ITSELF…        

1 John 3:2 ²Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 

That concludes the excerpt from “In the Image of God.”

Next:  Have “Christians” Gone Too Far?