Servias Ministries Blog

From Servant to Son

Although we all began as servants, being living souls, we have an opportunity to become His children by our hearts receiving God’s Word and conceiving His intent. As many as received him gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12). His Word in us is what Paul in Colossians 1:27 refers to as, “Christ in you the hope of glory.” Therefore we must consider that the man which is the “image of God” is God’s intent (or nature) maturing within us until “our hope of glory” manifests and is recognized by the Father, compelling Him to thunder these seven words, “This is my beloved son, hear him” (Luke 9:35, Revelation 10:3). This expectation has been in the Father’s bosom before the world began, even as Paul states in 2 Timothy 1:9; (God) Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Jesus, as the Son of man, prayed for this fulfillment of glory in John 17:5; And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. He didn’t stop there but prayed the same for us in verse 24; Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. That glory He is referring to is Christ, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…(Hebrews 1:3) is the intent God has predetermined us to become.

Christ, whom upon the fall of Adam, became the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8) and subjected himself to God’s acceptable will for man’s salvation, which Hebrews 2:9-15 affirms; But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Though Adam failed to obey the commandment; “thou shalt not eat of it,” Jesus responded in obedience to the commandment; “thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Where Adam failed in the garden, Jesus triumphed, as He prayed, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done (Matthew 26:42). Jesus being the son of man obeyed, for that was his consummation as a man. However, He was without sin and therefore His death was unjust. Through His obedience He overturned the condemnation of man. For because it was unjust for Jesus to die it became just for man to live.

Even as Romans 5:18-19 explains, Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Jesus, becoming the son of man, endured the condemnation of the cross that we might become the sons of God. Jesus embraced mankind in their death for mankind to embrace Jesus in His righteousness. Together they descended unto death, together they are raised unto life. In embracing His cross we shall also embrace His life.

Paul writes of this in Romans 6:4-10; Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man (Adam’s nature) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Therefore in Adam is the descent of man and in Christ is man’s ascent. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive (1Corinthians 15:22). This descent, death and resurrection is God’s acceptable will at work in and for us to conform us from a living soul unto a life giving spirit. In the same way that heaven and earth was created an image of God’s intention, before overcoming its state of being without form and void, the image that man is ordained to fulfill still remains within the Father’s bosom until those called overcome their state of corruption and death through God’s grace. Then God shall recognize this corporate body and declare, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.” Upon which the Standard shall be set and the age of Tabernacles shall begin.

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth (Hosea 6:1-3).

Deeds of the Spirit

In Genesis 2:7 it states that, “Man became a living soul.” This living soul, called Adam, was incapable of expressing the image of God without first conceiving God’s Word and bringing it to maturity by the inspiration of the Spirit. God’s Word can be acted upon without inspiration, but it will not fulfill the Father’s intent without it being initiated by His Spirit in us. The Father’s intent is love which is expressed in a deed, but its not the deed that originates life but rather its intent. For an example, people may do good deeds without having good intentions. Unfortunately many deeds are done to establish one’s own sense of self righteousness rather than for the recipient’s benefit. The recipient might receive temporary relief, but a relationship is not established if the deed was not done from love. Basically, God is not pleased by our works but rather our intent within our works. Our government supplies assistance to the poorest among us yet there is no positive change in their life because there is no relationship developed. Relationships effect behavior. We love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 1:19). Our behavior (nature to do) is a result of our desire to have a relationship with the one effected by our deeds.

Love’s master plan sent His Son to die on a cross, forgiving our sins by paying for them himself and restoring His relationship with mankind, with the hope that in due season man would awaken to and respond to His love in the obedience of faith inspired by his restoration. Our heavenly Father is Love and Love is the purpose of Him giving us His Word. Therefore it is the Love of God that is to be experienced rather than just imitating a command. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love (1 John 4:8).

Man’s Purpose

In his created state, Adam’s life came from his exterior rather than his interior. Man exists because he is loved of his Creator, but God’s intention is for man to exist as “Love” which is the image of God. As long as the Word of God remains on the exterior, man remains a servant, and God’s word remains a law, but upon hearing the Word of God as a promise, the Word and His Spirit is received in the heart and man begins his development as a son. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people (Hebrews 8:10). Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:3 affirms such an inner work; Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. This is the word made flesh.

This transition from a servant to a son is only due to the redemptive work that was provided by Christ Jesus. Prior to that, man’s sin conscience kept him in fear of condemnation upon hearing God’s word. Therein he stopped his ears from hearing and closed his eyes from perceiving due to such fear. However, To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:19). In acknowledging our reconciliation, the fear is gone and our eyes and ears are now opened.

A servant can obey his master but he remains independent of knowing his intentions, therefore a servant must be told what to do, but a son having his father’s intent or nature within him knows what to do. A servant, being absent of knowing his master’s inspiration, observes the commandment through the flesh, but a son knows the intent of the commandment through the Spirit. We are to progress from the servitude of the law unto the leading of the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:14).

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (Romans 13:10). Love is the intent of the law which cannot be fulfilled without the initiation of the Spirit. Being obedient to the law is not the same as fulfilling the law. Obedience is a container, love is the filler. Without the filler the container is pointless. A law needs a nature to be fulfilled, but a nature doesn’t need a law to live. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves (Romans 2:14). You cannot observe the law and be led by the spirit, but you can be led by the spirit and fulfill the law.

Paul strived to convince the Galatians of this important perspective in Galatians 5:18; But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Also Galatians 2:19 He bluntly declares; For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. Paul counted himself dead to the law that he might be free to live by the spirit. Rom 7:1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? Rom 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Ordained by His Word

As for Jude 1:4; For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. The ordination of all men is contained in the word of God and not in man. It is His word that is ordained to perform His will in the earth. Men who hear and are obedient to His word are ordained to be glorified in it. Those who refuse to hear and are disobedient to His word are ordained to destruction. Man’s response to the word determines what he’s ordained to become. If this were not so, Christ’s admonish to hear would be pointless.

Therefore its the hearing of wisdom that leads us to Christ and the refusing to hear that keeps us under condemnation. Even as it is stated in Matthew 13:15-16, For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

The wicked and the righteous are both framed by the same Word of God. Whether men hear and receive God’s Word or they close their ears in resistance determines what vessel they become. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil (Proverbs 16:4).  Although the LORD made the wicked man, He did so by introducing him to His Word. In the turning of his back to God’s Word the wicked man’s heart began and continued in the hardening process. By God’s good will was man created upright and by His acceptable will he became wicked. Whether upright or wicked, God takes credit for both, for His word is the source of all things; I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things (Isaiah 45:7).

Deuteronomy 30:19 states, I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Yet because of our carnal nature we all failed to choose life and instead pursued our own way unto death, even as Paul stated in Romans 7:10, And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.

From Soul to Spirit

Man, created as a living soul, is sustained by the Word of God in the same manner as the rest of creation (Hebrews 1:3). God’s intent however is for man to become a self-sustained son of the living God, even as John 5:26 speaks of; For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself. That life was administered to Adam hidden within the commandment. That life is the nature of the intent in which the commandment was given. That intent was for man to consent to a relationship with the Almighty using his free will that was given him by the commandment. Yet Adam through his disobedience resisted it’s conception and started down the path of corruption leading to destruction. The Word of God is His Seed and contains the Life of His intent, which is His nature or His Spirit.

1 Corinthians 15:47 declares; “The first man is of the earth, earthy.” Romans 7:14 states that the law is spiritual. Paul tells us in 1Corinthians 2:14; “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are  spiritually discerned.” Adam subjected man to a natural carnal state, which blinded him to the things of the spirit. Christ, However came to transfer mankind into a spiritual state. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (John 5:24). The commandment was a covenant that provided the means to initiate man’s will and establish a relationship between God and man. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

The commandment is the Truth and the intent contained therein is the Spirit (or nature) that empowers one to perform it. Adam, being a living soul, lacked his own internal inspiration (nature) to fulfill the commandment (truth). Yet that nature he lacked was given within the very commandment Adam rejected. Therefore God’s relationship with man remained a relationship between the Creator and His creation rather than between Father and Son.

Adam fell from his calling to be a son by his disobedience. Therefore Christ Jesus was sent to redeem man through His obedience to His Father’s will. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19). Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9). Whereas Adam failed in disobedience to God, we can overcome by our obedience to Christ, Who restored our calling to become sons.

Although the way man has chosen is contrary to God’s Truth, God is sustaining him by His mercy during this time of His acceptable will, until His perfect will is revealed, “Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). How could man be the image of an immortal and incorruptible God without first overcoming corruption and mortality? Such an endeavor is impossible for man to achieve, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10).

Therefore this task has not been subjected to man’s ability to accomplish but upon God’s impossibility to lie. For God who cannot lie has promised before the world began everlasting life (Titus 1:2). And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:3). For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known (1 Corinthians 13:12).

Beloved, 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure (1 John 3:2-3). For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest (Hebrews 8:10-11). This is worth stating again; this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ (John 17:3).

The Dawn Upon Us

When the Standard of Truth is revealed to this world, then there will be a transition from God’s acceptable will into His perfect will. In this coming age there will be nowhere to hide from the Truth, for the Truth will dwell among the nations of this world as the corporate body of Christ, His firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23). For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them (Revelation 9:6). For the knowledge of the Lord is not death but Life eternal.

There will be no more need for the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or teachers in this coming age called Tabernacles. For unto the angels (messengers) hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak (Hebrews 2:5). For the Lord will be present within His saints who illuminates His visitation upon the world. Even as stated in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; WHEN HE SHALL COME TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day.

Peter described in 2 Peter 3:10, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. This will be the baptism of fire which John spoke of in Matthew 3:11. For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). This is when those who know not God come to know Him in a sudden manner. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The Apostle Paul refers to this same purifying fire (truth) in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Fire consists of heat, fuel and oxygen which is the spirit (oxygen) administrating truth (heat) to the flesh (fuel) or in other words, God visiting His people.

Being Formed

Man’s response to the truth is categorize by Paul as being formed into vessels, recorded in 2Timothy 2:20, But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Also in Romans 9:21 he writes; Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? God’s word of truth, by which He created all things, forms man into one of these two vessels. Being of the same lump (Adam), both need correction unto righteousness. The one vessel’s heart is broken and the other’s is destroyed. Based upon ears to hear, the honorable vessel repents unto obedience and the dishonorable vessel is hardened unto disobedience.  Each vessel fulfills its designed purpose. Their purpose is to testify of the truth. In obedience or disobedience the truth is verified of its integrity. The honorable vessel proves the blessing of abiding in the truth and the dishonorable vessel proves the curse of being in contrast to it. Both confirm the truth is true. Each of us have chosen how we respond to God’s Word and thereby are formed into the corresponding vessel. Thus the warning from Jesus in Matthew 11:15, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Interaction Between the Vessels

As each group continues to mature in their calling, God uses them to temper and perfect each other unto the fulfillment of their “glory and honor” or their “indignation and wrath” (Romans 2:7-8). The dishonorable vessels prompt the honorable vessels to continue seeking the apprehension of truth by their oppression and persecution. Wherein the honorable vessels bring that truth to light in the earth for the reproof and demise of the dishonorable vessels. As truth is revealed through God’s honorable vessels, the self-preserving nature of man resists the truth by hardening his heart. For instance, God confronted Pharaoh with His word to let His people go, but Pharaoh did not have ears to hear therefore his heart became hardened. Pharaoh’s response caused tension to build between the truth and his own will resulting in the progressive destruction of Egypt. As his resistance continued so did the plagues.

As truth is revealed so is our accountability to it. If the truth is not honored, we are honoring a lie and thereby subjected unto the curse of upholding futility. Many blame God for their problems but they fail to understand these issues come from their heart’s response to the truth. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).  God used Pharaoh’s resistance to multiply His signs and wonders which forever engraved an impression in the minds of the Israelites, as well as the Egyptians and the nations of Canaan. This was needful to build confidence in the hearts of Israel (and fear in their enemies) for their journey and tasks that were before them.  For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth (Romans 9:17).

The Destiny of God’s Truth

The hardening of the heart causes the need for more truth to be revealed, which the honorable vessels continue to press into and manifest as they walk and stand in it, causing even further hardening of the heart for the dishonorable vessels to maintain their way. Even as Paul states in Romans 5:20, Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Even as John 1:17 affirms; For the law was given by Moses (that the offense might abound), but grace and truth (did much more abound) came by Jesus Christ. As the Truth is increasingly revealed by grace, the dishonorable vessels will eventually come to acknowledge God, even as the Egyptians did.

Whether broken or destroyed correction is done. For we all have a truth threshold. This “truth threshold” is like an auto-ignition temperature of various kinds of material. Each material has its own temperature with which it is ignited. Some material takes less heat for it to ignite than others. It is the same with men, who differ in the amount of truth needed for their own conversion. Consider truth as heat, For our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). As the truth is increasingly revealed in and through the honorable vessels, the truth threshold in each person is eventually met. This variation of different thresholds is seen in the response of the disciples to the resurrection of Jesus; For the “beloved disciple” believed immediately (John 20:8), whereas Peter wondered (Luke 24:12) and Thomas refused to believe until he could see and touch Him (John 20:25). Yet eventually each threshold was met as the truth intensified. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God (Romans 14:11).

Have Ears to Hear

All things whether visible or invisible are formed by the Word of God.  Yet how that Word is received determines whether man’s heart is hardened against or conformed unto the image of Christ.  Jesus says in John 6:45, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” Those that don’t come to Jesus refused to hear and be taught of the Father. The Father speaks to us through His creation and teaches us upon our pondering of it. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse (Romans 1:20).  Therefore when Jesus said in verse 44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him,” He is in no way referring that the Father randomly chooses some out of the population to come to Christ and others not. For God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Creation is an overwhelming testimony of our Creator, and those who hear and are taught by His testimony are drawn unto His Son.

The Father provides repentance as a gift (Act 11:18, 2Timothy 2:25) which is administered to man by the truth. It is man’s responsibility to consent and respond to it’s call. The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore repentance is a gift from God to all, yet must be received by man upon its revelation. For this reason Jesus says in Matthew 13:9, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Kemper wrote:

In Genesis 1:26 it states; And 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 crept upon the earth. Let it be considered, is God mortal or corruptible? No, God is the Existing One, He has no beginning or end and He cannot lie. He is immortal and incorruptible. Was Adam, even before his fall, immortal or incorruptible? No, or else he wouldn’t have fallen and become subject to death and corruption. Did Adam exercise  dominion over the serpent? No, but the image of God would have and not fell from his first estate. So maybe Adam, although created upright, wasn’t the man God was referring to as the “image of God.” At least not yet. For man to be the image of God he would have to become incorruptible and immortal. So even as heaven and earth existed as an image produced from the intent of God before overcoming its formless and void state by His Word, the image that God intends man to become still exists within the foreknowledge of God until the completed work of His Word in man reveals that predetermined image.

The Father’s Word (Jesus) was sent not only to restore man to his Creator but also to wrought within him that image the Father has ordained him to become. God’s Word, functioning as a sword, both severs man’s heart from that which does not conform to such foreknowledge and pierces it for the implanting of the nature of Christ, Who is the express image of God (Hebrews 1:3). For the Word of God is also the incorruptible seed (1 Peter 1:23) that contains His nature. Even as 2 Peter 1:4 states; Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises (God’s Word): that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. His Word contains His divine nature and circumcises the heart, removing the lusts of this world and giving us hope of things to come.

God’s Acceptable Will

Creation through Adam was subjected to vanity (Romans 8:20), who being confronted with the tree of knowledge of good and evil was given the command not to eat of it lest he die. This dilemma, presented to Adam by the Almighty, instigated his will and introduced an avenue for either truth or corruption to be conceived. Without the commandment Adam wouldn’t have a free will and without a free will man couldn’t become the image of God. With his will, man became a sovereign steward over his intents, thoughts, words and deeds. Instead of agreeing with the will of God, he chose to pursue the establishment of his own way refusing to obey and conceive the incorruptible seed (God’s Word, the seed to sonship).

This introduction to the commandment, exercising man’s will, was the beginning of what is called God’s “acceptable will.” Although man exercised his will in a manner contrary to the will of God, God honored and allowed it as being acceptable until He could work His perfect will. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly (not by man’s will but God’s), but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope (Romans 8:20). God’s hope and purpose in doing this was for man to overcome sin and death by and through Christ, thus becoming the incorruptible and immortal Image of God.

Paul refers to this purpose in 2Timothy 1:9, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. In Genesis 1:31, God beheld everything that He had made and acknowledged it as very good. Yet, His creation would have to be subjected to a time of proving to become His perfected and incorruptible creation. This period of proving is referred to by Paul in Romans 12:2 as God’s acceptable will; And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The manifestation of God’s creation is His good will, but it must survive His acceptable will before its proven to be His perfect will. God’s good will created man as a living soul. Yet, God’s perfect will is for man to become a begotten son of God, Who is a life giving spirit (1  Corinthians 15:45). During God’s acceptable will, sin and death is to be overcome through Christ and His cross. During this age, God has consented to the will of man and given him over to the pursuit of his own desires. Even as Proverbs 1:31 states, Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. As a result, man experiences afflictions, trials, temptations, and tribulations which are produced by his disobedience to the Truth which is God’s will. Even as the Spirit says in Jeremiah 2:19, Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know  therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.

The Fire of Truth

Even while abiding in the obedience to God’s Word we still have loved ones, acquaintances, friends and enemies that continue to stir up the waters of chaos, wherein is found the opportunity to exercise our faith, and mature our Christ-given nature. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7). This agitation is necessary to remove that which doesn’t conform to Christ and to exercise that which does.  The Truth is the standard that remains incorruptible and undefiled.

Like fire, the truth purifies what it touches. For, By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil (Proverbs 16:6). For anything to exist it must be tried in the fire of Truth. Man’s way is contrary to the truth and is therefore destroyed upon exposure to it. This visitation with the truth is a cleansing wherein the unlearned fear but the wise embrace. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you (1 Peter 1:12). For, ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). The fiery trial is a result of the visitation the truth has with our deception. Without it there would be no correction.

Kemper wrote:

The Pursuit of Perdition

Man’s unwillingness to acknowledging God as his creator begins the pursuit of his own way. Man’s way is rooted in self-preservation, placing him on a path of destruction. Proverbs 1:29-31states, For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. Paul confirms this scripture in Romans 1:26-28; For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.

In Romans 1:20 Paul says man is without excuse. The Father with His Word and His Spirit has created heaven and earth with all their host, including man. If man refuses to acknowledge His maker against such obvious evidence there is nothing else available in this physical realm to convert him to pursue the truth.  With each denial of the Spirit’s conviction, man’s heart becomes increasingly hardened to the knowledge of the truth. “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Truth) shall not be forgiven unto men” (Matthew 12:31).

When the Spirit of truth is rejected by man he is left to rely on the spirit of this world. If the truth is not received the only alternative are lies. This denial of the truth begins the development of the son of perdition. Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Love of the Truth

The “love of the truth” is the primary ignition source of spiritual awareness. The love of the truth begins one’s own relationship with the Father, the Origin of Truth. Remember Jesus is the way the TRUTH and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him. Those that try to develop a relationship with God without first having a love of the truth, rely on other men and institutions to satisfy their sense of fellowship. Man’s religion and traditions provide no life. Institutions such as religion and church traditions are only legitimate if they hold the believer accountable for their own spiritual relationship with Christ Jesus and refrain from being a replacement for such. They should be useful in providing direction to the source without being the source.

The Apostle John put it this way in 1 John 2:27, But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Hear what the Spirit is saying through John. You shall abide in Christ EVEN AS you are taught by the anointing (the Spirit) IN you. If you’re not being taught by the Spirit from within you’re not abiding in Christ. Moreover, in John 16:13, Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Men of God can be used as resources of revelation for the body of Christ, but the Holy Spirit is the discerner that bears witness to any truth from such. The love for the truth is the love for the Lord. This is what Jesus recognized in Mary when she had left Martha to serve alone. Martha complained… “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

The truth is the “one thing” Mary chose, the standard by which all things are measured. The truth abides alone. There is no alternative to it and it does not change. Our perception of it might change, but the truth doesn’t. It has no rivals. There is no need to defend it. “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:8).

Truth welcomes trials of its integrity and attacks upon its unity, for its desire is to be verified within the heart of those who love it.  The lover of truth is the elect of God, whom is referred to in Matthew 24:24, For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. This reveals that those who are not the elect will be deceived, and if you are not deceived, you are the elect. The lover of truth welcomes alternative perspectives in the hope of verifying what is known and possibly revealing anything amiss. The truth is a standard without which the world will not be judged, condemned or destroyed. Truth must be present for lies to cower and darkness to scatter. Truth is the fire of God, it destroys all that doesn’t correspond to the Word of the Father’s intent.

God’s intent is love, for God is love. To walk in truth one must walk in love. And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).

The acknowledgment of God as creator is the first step in walking in truth. Acknowledging God is referred to as “the fear of the Lord” in scripture. This first step is recorded in Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Unfortunately many have stumbled at this first step and initiated the pursuit of their own way of which leads to destruction. On the other hand, those who acknowledge God have taken their first step in subjecting themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit conforming them to the image the Father intended them to become.

Kemper wrote:

The Trinity of the Godhead

God’s creation introduces this invisible God (Colossians 1:15) to us.  Paul tells us in Romans 1:20; “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.” The source of His eternal power is His integrity, and the “Godhead” refers to Jehovah’s intent being manifested through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As the Father, Jehovah’s intent imagined creation, as the Son (God’s Word) He defined and communicated it, and as the Holy Spirit He glorified His intent by bringing creation into manifestation.

Jehovah expresses Himself as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within Their three diverse functions. These are referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. There is the gift, administration and the operation but its all done by, through and because of Jehovah’s intent of Love.

The Godhead consisting of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is similar in concept to a thought, word and deed. The Father would be considered the thought, the Son the word and the Spirit the deed. An intent is imagined within a thought and is communicated through its word and is manifested by its deed. Each component, whether its a thought, word or deed, contains the complete intent of the initiator. The deed is the fulfillment of the word which is the description of a thought initiated with an intent. Even so it is with the Godhead. The thought originates from the Father which is defined by the Son and is manifested by the Holy Spirit, all fulfilling God’s intent. In fact, His intent is who He is, God is a Spirit (John 4:24) manifesting Himself in Life, Love and Light.

The gift of the Holy Spirit testifies of the Son who said, “When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26). The administration of the Son reveals the Father; “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him” (John 14:7). The operation of it all originates from the Father, who is the husbandman, of which the fruit returns to in thanksgiving; And when all things shall be subdued unto him (the Son), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28). Though the Son submits to the Father (for the Son is of the Father) He is the fullness of the Father being saturated with His nature. The nature is the intent of Jehovah expressed through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Therein creation was made by God from that which existed not, until it existed as an image or thought of His intent. Then it was formed by His Word and manifested by His Spirit fulfilling His purpose.

Seven Amazing Days

According to Genesis, creation was completed within seven days. This timeframe seems so ridiculous and contrary to our current radiocarbon dating it requires an explanation. Thankfully scripture has not forsaken us, but has provided clues of such; In Genesis 1:3-5 it states, And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

The first day God did not established light, but RATHER God’s creation of light established the first day. For the light came into being before it was called a Day. In Ephesians 5:13 Paul tells us; “for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” Therefore the manifestation of God’s spoken intent is light and “God called the light Day.” So no matter how long it took for His Word to become manifest as a physical expression of His intent, that manifestation was regarded as a day.  Even if each one of those seven manifestations (seven days) took only a few hours, or a thousand years or even millions of years, it doesn’t matter. What matters is God called each of those manifestations a “day” because the manifestation of God’s intent is light and God called the light day.  So then, the “day” was the manifestation of God’s spoken intent rather than the period of time it took for it to manifest. Moreover the sun, moon and the stars which were created to measure time were made on the fourth day. The universe can be trillions of years old, but in God’s mind it took seven days to create because there was seven manifestations pertaining to creation.

Acknowledging Truth

Regardless of these explanations, the fact is, creation exists. It is a work of God. Jesus said in John 14:11, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” Creation is God introducing Himself to us. Therefore creation, being the work of the Father through His Son Jesus Christ and brought into manifestation by the power of the Holy Spirit, testifies of the glory of the Godhead.  When Moses asked to see the glory of God, God showed him His backside. This was the LORD revealing Himself to Moses in creation.  For God was showing Moses His past accomplishments which were the seven days of creation. Moses recorded this revelation in Genesis for us to read that we might participate in the same fellowship the Father had with him (1 John 1:3).

The existence of creation is undeniable evidence of our Creator.  Creation is sustained by it’s acknowledgement of God and His Word.  As Hebrews 1:3 plainly affirms Christ is “upholding all things by the word of his power.” Creation was not self-created and the universe is not God. If that was so, it would not have a beginning nor a creator.  Such an idea denies the very source of life that sustains it, which is God and His intent.

The only member of this harmonious existence, called creation, that is gullible enough to attempt to establish such a claim is man. Man who was entrusted with the stewardship of the earth has subjected it to corruption because of such a mindset. What God has created He blessed and when man chose to function outside of God’s principles he wandered outside of that blessing and into something that is unsustainable. This failure to conform to the truth leaves outer darkness, chaos and nonexistence as the only alternatives. The Apostle Paul gives a short summary of man’s denial of his Creator in Romans 1:18-25;

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

My friend Kemper wrote:

Our experience with God begins with Him revealing to us some fundamental truths as an anchor to our understanding. God’s intent is for us to know Him that we may have a relationship with Him and with each other. John wrote of this in 1 John 1:3-4, That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. With this in mind God begins His fellowship with us by recording in Genesis 1:1; In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. The creation of heaven and earth was not only created in the beginning, the creation of heaven and earth was the beginning. Since there was a beginning, there must have been an initiator of it. Therefore, verse one of Genesis tributes that initiator as God who created creation.

As Genesis continues it appears that verse two should have preceded verse one for it states; And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. It is hard to imagine that the Lord would be the origin for such chaos. Yet it plainly says that God created the heaven and earth which was formless and void. However, it should be concluded that creation was created and existed as a thought or imagination of God’s intent and remained formless and void until God formed it with His words and filled it with His purpose. Creation was created and complete within the Almighty God before he spoke His word.

Something From Nothing

Although creation was formless and void and not yet manifested in a physical state, it was considered created. This principle of creation is important to understand. By faith, creation came into existence as an imagination of God’s intent and by faith He was inspired to speak it into the manifestation of a physical state with His word. The Apostle Paul in Romans 4:17 records that God, “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” This means that creation was created out of nothing, because that is what “be not” is. God spoke into existence that which did not exist. If creation wasn’t  created from nothing it would not have a beginning, nor would it be considered created, but rather invented (or altered) from an existing substance.

Creation remained hidden within God until He revealed it by His word. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:3). So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it (Isaiah 55:11). God declared “that which was not” into existence, manifesting His intended design by His word, being empowered with the integrity of His nature. God, who cannot lie, spoke the truth, but truth is only truth because God spoke it. Even as Proverbs 16:10 states; “A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.”

The existence of the truth is founded on the integrity of God. Therefore creation’s physical existence is solely founded on its adherence to His word of truth. There is no other principle available for it to be upheld. Genesis 1:2 continues, And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. The “face of the waters” which the Spirit of God moved upon, was the surface of God’s deep well of wisdom from which were drawn His creative word. We find in Proverbs 18:4; The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook, also in Proverbs 20:5; Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Even as man is affirmed to have such a well, so does God whose likeness he was made. The Holy Spirit moved upon the face of these deep waters of God’s wisdom and brought forth His instruction and counsel in words that illustrated God’s purpose. These words framed the world creating elements and principles for it to abide by.

God’s Word Is His Son

God’s Word, being full of His intent, was begotten of the Father in the person of His Son, whom John tributes the creation of all things; In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3). Ephesians 3:9 also confirms that God created all things by Jesus Christ. The Son, which is in the bosom of the Father (John 1:18), has the same intent as His Father. For He was abiding within the Father before creation’s conception and was entrusted with its formation upon being sent of His Father. This intent of the Father is His Life and His intent abides within His Son (the Word of God). When man corresponds to the Father’s intent he enters into eternal life. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son (1 John 5:11). For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself (John 5:26). The Father has life in Himself because He is “life,” the “I am that I am,” with no beginning and no end. He exists and therefore that which He creates exists. His life is in His Word which sustains those that obey and abide in it. Outside of His Word is not life but death, for there is no source of sustenance outside of God and His plan.

— To be continued —

James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 4:

6  But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

7   So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

8   Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

9   Be miserable and grieve and weep [over your sin]. Let your [foolish] laughter be turned to mourning and your [reckless] joy to gloom.

10  Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].  AMPL

When we finally come to the realization that the only one we can totally trust with our life and future is Our Heavenly Father, we will draw closer to HIM and submit to HIS Ways.  Until then, we will be unable to fill the void in our hearts and will attempt to fill it with all the wrong things.  More money, houses, cars, technology, and other “toys” will not fulfill our quest for Love and peace in our lives.  Those without Love and peace will try to force their path on us in an attempt to validate their own direction.  The final result is that both parties walk in misery together.

As we draw closer to FATHER, the world’s priorities fall away into oblivion.  A sure sign of drawing close to FATHER is realized when our priorities begin to change.  It is written by THE SPIRIT in Ecclesiastes chapter 2:

1  I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure and gratification; so enjoy yourself and have a good time.” But behold, this too was vanity (futility, meaninglessness).

2  I said of laughter, “It is madness,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”

3  I explored with my mind how to gratify myself with wine while [at the same time] having my mind remain steady and guide me wisely; and how to take control of foolishness, until I could see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives.

4  I made great works: I built houses for myself; I planted vineyards for myself;

5  I made gardens and orchards for myself and I planted in them all kinds of fruit trees;

6  I made pools of water for myself from which to water the forest and make the trees bud.

7  I bought male and female slaves and had slaves born in my house. I also possessed herds and flocks larger than any who preceded me in Jerusalem.

8  Also, I collected for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I provided for myself male singers and female singers, and the delights and pleasures of men— many concubines.

9  So I became great and excelled more than all who preceded me in Jerusalem. My wisdom also remained with me.

10  Whatever my eyes looked at with desire I did not refuse them. I did not withhold from my heart any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor; and this was my reward for all my labor.

11  Then I considered all which my hands had done and labored to do, and behold, all was vanity and chasing after the wind and there was no profit (nothing of lasting value) under the sun.

Solomon was the epitome of one who had everything the world had to offer yet in the end, it was all vanity and of no lasting profit.  Only a close relationship with FATHER is everlasting and we should never lose that focus as we walk out each day.  The trappings of the world will end up chasing the wind into nothingness.  Love is never-ending.

We are all going through a maturing process in order that each of us may also be a light unto the world.  FATHER will continue to minister to us by HIS SPIRIT until HIS Presence is fully illuminated within us and then we will be without blemish.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Ephesians chapter 4:

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Are we to sit around being silent when doctrines, trickery, craftiness, or deceitful plotting attempts to derail us?  No, we are to speak the Truth in Love.  We must walk in Love and we must know the Truth in order to handle those people who would try to toss us around like children in order to satisfy their own agendas.  The Truth is what sets us free from such deceit and trickery.  We must not allow ourselves to live in constant turmoil due to the acts and words of others.  If we do not address those attempts to control us, we will become exhausted by our attempt to tread water while their agenda continues to negatively impact our growth.

It is our responsibility to identify those who would try to stunt our growth, for we are individually accountable to FATHER for our actions or lack thereof.  These challenges will come as we go through the maturing process thus we must prepare ourselves for such events where others will try to control and manipulate us.  Otherwise, we will continue to be in bondage to their agenda.  Paul continues by THE SPIRIT and describes those who would confront us:

17  So this I say, and solemnly affirm together with the Lord [as in His presence], that you must no longer live as the [unbelieving] Gentiles live, in the futility of their minds [and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls],

18  for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.

19  And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand].  AMPL

Unbelievers live according to the futility of their minds and in the foolishness and emptiness of their souls.  They are desperate to rise up to a “counterfeit” god-like existence, separate from the true and living LORD GOD ALMIGHTY but are unable to fulfill that void.  We must not succumb to their attempts to subjugate us to their futility.  Our silence will not set them free, only the Truth spoken in Love will pierce their souls.