If you haven't already read The Kingdom of God (home page) then you may not be fully informed regarding this Children of God writing. However, if you do read this without reading the Kingdom of God I will happy and willing to reply to any comments, disagreements, or questions you may have.
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In The Kingdom of God (home page) I covered Jesus' kingdom of heaven parables and compared them to the New Testament letters (etc.) and explained how believers enter the kingdom of God as the bride of Christ. The bride of Christ teachings all stemmed from Jesus' marriage parables. In this writing, I focus on us being or becoming the children of God. However, there is no difference between the bride of Christ and the children of God, they both are achieved the same way, so if we want to be united with Christ (the bride) or be joint heirs with Christ (the children of God) let us endure God's discipline, let us do the will of God, let us stop serving sin, let us keep our confidence in God, let us keep rejoicing in the hope of glory, let us follow the Spirit, let us suffer with and for Jesus Christ, let us love (let us be perfect), let us cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
New International Version
Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
The Children of God
Believers are given the power to become the children of God.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:
Paul- If you endure God's discipline He will deal with you as His children. What father doesn't discipline his children? However, if you go without being disciplined, which we are all partakers of, then you are bastards and not children.
Hebrews 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Whoever does the will of God the Father is Jesus' family.
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
(Whoever commits sin is a servant of sin.) A servant doesn't remain in the house forever but a son (child) remains (in the house) forever.
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
It should be a son (child) because other servants of God can and will become His children remaining in the house forever.
New King James Version
John 8:34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
We are servants but to abide in the house for ever we must [become] a child.
Paul- We are God's house, if we keep our trust (in Him) and joyful hope firm (sure) to the end.
Hebrews 2:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
New International Bible
Hebrews 3:6 But Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory.
(Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.)
{(Whoever commits sin is a servant of sin. A servant does not remain in the house forever but a child remains (in the house) forever.)}
Believing servants who serve sin will not become the children of God. It's those who are being led by the Spirit (following the Spirit) and those who suffer with Him who will be glorified together with Him. They will be joint heirs with Christ and the children of God.
Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(Them that believe were given the power to become the sons of God.)
Are Led (by the Spirit of God) is in the present tense.
New American Standard Bible
Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Those being led by the Spirit of God are His children because the Spirit leads us to walk in the light and walking in the light keeps us in fellowship with Him and it cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 2:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
(It's conditional- 'if we walk in the light - the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.'
Verse 17- If children then heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ. 'if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.'
The reason why only those who suffer with Him will be joint-heirs and glorified together with Him is because it's only those who suffer (with / for Him) who will made perfect. (Perfection is needed.)
1 Peter 5 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
After we have suffered (with Him / for Him / for what's right) the God of all grace who has invited to His eternal glory will make us perfect.
We must go through much affliction / anguish (suffering) to enter the kingdom of God- the new Jerusalem in heaven.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Tribulation from the Greek word thlipsis {thlip'-sis} from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively):--afflicted (-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Love everyone to be the children of God. (Love is the fulfilling of the law i.e. Love is perfection.)
Matthew 5:45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
(Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.)
Our perfection-
(Bringing every thought obedient to Christ and revenging all our disobedience.)
2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
(Perfection is needed- Matthew 5:43- 48, Matthew 19:16-22, Luke 6:40, John 17:20-23, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, 2 Corinthians 13:11 (below) Ephesians 4:11-13, Philippians 3, Colossians 1:27-29, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, Hebrews 6:1-12, and Hebrews 12 and Revelation 3:1-6.)
(2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.)
It's those that reach perfection who will be as Jesus.
Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Perfection i.e. Perfecting holiness is needed for the promises.
Paul- Beloved, having God's promises that He will receive us and we will be His children, let us cleanse ourselves (touch not the unclean thing) perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Verse 7:1- Beloved 'Having therefore these promises.'
The promises are the Lord saying "Come out from among them" "and touch not the unclean and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters."
Verse 7:1- Having these promises 'let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'
We need to cleanse ourselves from all sin perfecting holiness to receive the promises of God receiving us and us being His children.
Verse 7:1- 'In the fear of God.'
Those who don't fear God now and don't cleanse themselves perfecting holiness will fear Him later. They will not be received and will experience His wrath. (Romans 2:1-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16-18, Ephesians 5:6-7, Colossians 2:23-25, Galatians 6:7-10 and 1 Peter 1:17 etc.)
The children of God are blameless and pure.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Harmless is from the Greek word akeraios: unmixed, pure.
John also taught us that in order to be like God the Father and to see Him as He is we need to purify ourselves, even as He is pure. However, he first explained that those who don't abide in Him (keep His commandments) will be ashamed away from Him.
(Abide in Him = Keep His commandments = Suffer with / for Him = Perfection = love = Perfect holiness = Purify ourselves etc.)
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
Before from the Greek word apo: from, away from.
(We abide in Him by keeping His commandments- John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.)
-Three verses later in 1 John (1 John 3:2 - 3:7)-
John- Whoever has the hope of being like God and seeing God as He is needs to purify themselves, even as He is pure.
1 John 3:2 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. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Purifying ourselves to be like God and see God as He is no different than Paul warning us to cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness so that God will receive us and we will be His children.
Matthew 5:8 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
(The next verses are warnings.)
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Whoever commits sin is breaking God's law- the ten commandments i.e. Whoever commits sin is not purifying themselves as He is pure.
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
You know he was manifested to take our away our sins [so don't sin]. For in Him is no sin. (Be pure like Him.)
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
Whoever abides in Him i.e. Whoever keeps His commandments sins not....
(John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.)
'Whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.'
Clearly immature believers willfully sin and will do so again, just as some believers will practice sin, so what John really was writing was whoever says they know Him and doesn't stop willfully sinning doesn't really know Him at all. (He was manifested so that we would walk in the light and be cleansed from all sin.)
(1 John 2:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.)
7 Little children, LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Little children, let no man deceive you, it's those that practice righteous works who are righteous, even as He is righteous i.e. (Warning) Let no man deceive you, if you want to be pure, as He is pure, you need do nothing but righteous works.
John was warning us that we can't serve two masters and if we serve sin we will not reach the righteousness that comes through faith.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
(Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.)
We need to be without offence to be filled with the fruits of righteousness.
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
The righteousness which comes by faith is perfection. (First we believe and then we follow God cleansing ourselves perfecting holiness....)
Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
The resurrection is the Greek word exanastasin from exanastasis. The common word for resurrection is just anastasis. Paul adding Greek ex or ek (out) to anastasis means the out - resurrection.
That I may know from the Greek word ginṓskō – properly, to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance). ginṓskō ("experientially know") is used for example in Lk 1:34, "And Mary [a virgin] said to the angel, 'How will this be since I do not know ginṓskō = sexual intimacy) a man?'"
Paul suffered the loss of all things to be found in Christ having the righteousness that comes by faith.
[(Suffering leads to perfection. (1 Peter 5:10)]
Paul suffered the loss of all things to win Christ.
[(He picked up his cross and followed Jesus. Whoever doesn't pick their cross up and follow Him isn't worthy of Jesus. (Matthew 10:38)]
Paul suffered the loss of all things so that he would participate in Christ's sufferings becoming as Christ was in death (perfect).
[(Christ fulfilled His perfection through His sufferings. (Hebrews 2:10) Christ fulfilled His perfection by learning obedience through His sufferings. (Hebrews 5:8-9)]
Paul suffered the loss of all things so that he would know / experience Christ.
Paul suffered the loss of all things to know / to experience the power of Jesus' resurrection.
(The only way to know / experience the power of Jesus' resurrection is to be resurrected into heaven ourselves via the out resurrection.)
Above in verses 11-12, Paul explained that all the things that Christ has set for Him to apprehend (above) will be apprehended by him if he attains / reaches the out - resurrection by attaining / reaching perfection.
The out resurrection will be those believers who reach the righteousness that comes by faith i.e. perfection i.e. perfecting holiness i.e. keeping His commandments i.e. purifying ourselves etc. Thus, Paul exercising himself to be without offence in the hope that he would a part of the just resurrection- the out resurrection.
Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
The righteousness that comes by faith
It's By God's grace, His gift of faith, that we have our past sins remitted but then after conversion we establish the law for our righteousness.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
-Six verses later-
31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
(Romans 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)
The righteousness that comes by faith: 1. By His grace and His gift of faith we have been saved from sin. (We have been freed from sin's power and curses.) 2. After being saved from sin, by His grace, it's our obedience to God that will leads us to righteousness.
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Paul- Shall we continue to sin because we are not under the law's (power) but under grace? God forbid! Don't you know that whatever you yield yourselves to you are its servants. You will either be servants of sin unto death or you will be servants of obedience unto righteousness.
After faith's righteousness and our obedience's righteousness it's our obedience that will lead us to holiness (hagiasmon).
Romans 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(More on holiness- Greek hagiasmon from hagiasmos later.)
[(We are called to be saints / holy. (Romans 1:7 & 1 Corinthians 1:2) Again, we need to cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness to receive the promises.)]
Paul to Timothy- 'Man of God', flee these things (cleanse yourself) and pursue righteousness etc. i.e. Fight the good fight and seize hold of the age of life.... (No age of fire.)
1 Timothy 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Follow from the Greek word diókó: to put to flight, pursue, by impl. to persecute.
Eternal from the Greek word aiṓnios (an adjective, derived from iṓn ("an age, having a particular character and quality") – properly, "age-like" ("like-an-age"), i.e. an "age-characteristic" (the quality describing a particular age);
Paul wrote that to Timothy, his son by faith, before his death and knowing that Timothy had already been saved by faith. Paul did so because he was still concerned for Timothy's salvation (from the fire). (See also 1 Timothy 4:16 and 2 Timothy 3:15.)
Hebrews 11 is the righteousness that comes by faith.
The elders by faith obtained a good report. (The Old Testament elders perfected their faith with their works.)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Can and Abel both had faith but only Abel's sacrifice (work) was accepted. His sacrifice was his excellent work by faith and was his testimony that he was righteous.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Cain and his offering (bad work) were both rejected. However, if Cain did good and refused sin he would have been accepted.
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
New International Version
Genesis 4:7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it."
God warned Cain to rule over the sin that desired to have him but rather than ruling over it Cain gave in to it and so God cursed him and the ground that he worked on would never yield its fruit to him anymore. (Genesis 4:11-12) (Cain fell from grace.]
By faith, (By believing first) then pleasing God Enoch was transported so that he would not see death and was transported into heaven. (2 Kings 2:11)
Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
Noah also became a heir of the righteousness which is by faith because he believed God's warning and regarding things not yet seen he trusted God and moved with fear and built the ark to save his house.
Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Noah was first saved by God's grace. Then God warned Noah of the coming condemnation and Noah believed God's warning and trusted in His deliverance and did good works by building the ark (the righteousness that come by faith). Lastly, because of Noah's righteousness (his good works by faith) he was welcomed away from the coming condemnation and into the safety of the ark.
Genesis 6:7 And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
Genesis 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.
Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he. 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
Abraham and Sara are also examples in Hebrews 11- Abraham obeyed and trusted God and Sara trusted in God's promises. However, 1 Peter warns women in order to be Sara's and Abraham's [spiritual] daughters they must remain good ('well'). Also, James 2:14-26 explains that Abraham's faith was made perfect because of His works. Plus, Abraham was only rewarded (him and Isaac receiving the promise) because he reached the righteousness that comes by faith by obeying God.
1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
(Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.)
Genesis 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; 4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
By faith Moses (did good works) choosing rather to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoying the pleasures of sin, and rather than disgracing Christ for the riches in Egypt (this world's riches) he looked ahead focusing on the reward.
Hebrews 11:24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
(Moses suffered for what's right and perfected his faith by his works.)
He had respect from the Greek word apoblepó: to look away from everything else.
In Hebrews 11, Paul gave many more examples of faith and with his examples he was teaching us that we all have been justified by faith (grace) but after grace and faith's justification (righteousness) we need to perfect our faith with good works to achieve the righteousness that comes by faith and by doing so we will receive a better resurrection- the out resurrection. (Joint heirs with Christ- the children of God (the bride of Christ).)
Hebrews 1138: Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Having provided from the Greek word problepó: to foresee.
Which doth so easily beset [us] from the Greek word euperístatos (from eú, "well"; perí, "all-around"; and hístēmi, "stand") – properly, well-planted all-around, describing what is encompassing (encircling), i.e. surrounding, "wholly around"; (figuratively) a serious hindrance that "encircles" (hampers) someone who desperately needs to advance.
Paul- All these examples, having obtained a good report through faith, didn't receive the promise, the promise which God foresaw a better thing for all of us, and since we are partakers of that same promise they could not reach perfection without us.
Wherefore knowing that we are surrounded by so many witnesses (that have perfected their faith), let us lay aside every weight that can slow us down from running the race (from winning the prize) and let us lay aside the sin, that surrounds us everywhere, trying to hinder us (as it did Cain) from advancing and let us run the race that is set before us with patience.
(Six verses after Paul's warning about laying aside sin is where he explained that it's after we endure God's discipline that He deals with us as His children.)
One wins the prize- the children of God (the bride of christ).
Those who don't lay aside and keep their bodies under subjection will not reach perfection but will fall and will be castaway / rejected / unapproved (Greek adokimos).
(1 Corinthians 9:24 - 10 1:13)
1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Let us lay aside the sin....
Sin causes us to miss the mark (the bulls eye) -or- Sin causes us to have no part of the prize- heaven (salvation from the fire).
The Sin hamartia: a sin, failure.
The sin from the Greek word hamartia (a feminine noun derived from A "not" andméros, "a part, share of") – properly, no-share ("no part of"); loss (forfeiture) because not hitting the target; sin (missing the mark).
Paul endured everything that he went through so that the chosen would hit the mark of salvation.
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Obtain from the Greek word tygxánō literally means "hit (the mark)" and therefore opposite to hamartánō ("to miss the mark")
The elect's is from eklektos. It's translated are chosen in "For many are called but few are chosen." (The marriage dinner parable.) It's the chosen or the holy who wll escape the fire and go in to the marriage. (Matthew 22:1-14, 25:1-13 and 25:14-30)
(We are called to be saints / holy. Romans 1:7 & 1 Corinthians 1:2)
The holy will be as the examples found in Hebrews 11. They will have done good and perfected their faith- the righteousness that comes by faith and will be worthy to be resurrected (out) from the dead- the better resurrection- the resurrection of life and will be joint heirs with Christ- the children of God.
John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Luke 20:34 And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: 35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
Those who receive God's gift of grace and don't perfect their faith and reach the righteousness that comes by faith will have have fallen from grace and will be rejected. They will have received God's grace in vain. They will have failed God's grace.
Paul- Let us leave the principles- the elementary teachings of Christ's
doctrine (eternal judgment etc.) and let us move on to perfection- the righteousness that comes by faith.
For it's impossible, for those who tasted God's heavenly gift (grace and faith) and who were made partakers of the Holy Ghost and who fall (from grace), to be renewed back to repentance. For they would need to have Christ crucified and shamed all over again.
That which bears briers and thorns is rejected and will soon be cursed and burned.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
Is rejected is the Greek word adokimos: not standing the test, not approved, rejected, castaway.
The believers who live in or for this world or who don't live for God will fall and will bear briers and thorns. They will not bear fruit unto perfection or hagiasmon, which is needed, so they will not stand the test and will be burned.
This is the same teaching as 1 Corinthians 3:10-18: The fire is going try our combined work and that which bears briers and thorns or wood, hay stubble, on the foundation of Christ will not be rewarded with heaven. They will have fallen from grace and will have yielded no fruit so they will suffer loss (be castaway) and will be burned (saved/ purged by fire).
However, this rejection and burning is only temporary. Remember on Paul's list of elementary teachings (above) eternal judgment was one of them so therefore this burning is not eternal judgment. It's temporary, and it's a purge. The fire saves them.
1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 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. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
He shall suffer loss is from the Greek word zemioo {dzay-mee-o'-o} from 2209; to injure, i.e. (reflexively or passively) to experience detriment:-- be castaway, receive damage, loss, suffer loss.
[(See also Matthew 25:14-30- The slothful (lazy) servants will suffer loss, will be cast away from glory (outer darkness) and will be left in the fire (outer darkness and the weeping and gnasing of teeth).)]
Paul also warned the Galatians that if they were to become circumcised, denying Christ's accomplishments and relying on the law of Moses, they will fall from grace.
Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
Those who fall from grace will not profit from Christ in any way and Christ will have no effect on them. They will not reach the righteousness that comes by faith- perfection. They will not be able to bear fruit unto perfection. They will have received God's grace in vain and will not be made the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 1 We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
Paul- We then…. = Since Christ was made to be sin for us so that we could be made the righteousness of God we beseech you (as workers together for His righteousness) do not receive God's grace in vain.
Jesus became sin for us and condemned sin in the flesh so that we could fulfill the righteousness of God's law- the ten commandments. Thus, Paul beseeching them not to receive God's grace in vain.
Romans 9: For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Paul also explained in Hebrews 12 that those without holiness (hagiasmon) or those who fail God's grace will not see the Lord- God the Father.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
(Remember, it's the pure of heart and those that purify themselves that will see God. (Matthew 5:8 and 1 John 3:1-3) (The process of hagiasmon/ 'holiness' purifies our heart- us.)
The Lord Greek Kyrion is from the Greek word Kurios.
In Hebrews, Greek Kyrion (Lord) was used for both God the Father and Jesus (Hebrews 8:11, 12:14 and 13:20) but when it's used for Jesus only it's 'our Kyrion Jesus.' Adding Jesus before Lord (Kyrion) puts a distinction between just Lord and the Lord Jesus. Kyrion by itself is only used for God the Father.
Paul- Pursue peace and holiness (hagiasmon) because without holiness (hagiasmon) no person shall see God the Father. Looking diligently lest anyone fail God's grace.
Those who don't pursue and achieve holiness (hagiasmon) will have have fallen and failed God's grace and will be excluded from heaven and from seeing God the Father.
Holiness Greek hagiasmon is from the Greek word hagiasmos: consecration, sanctification.
(Hagiasmon, hagiasmos and hagiasmō all have the same meaning.)
Lest is from the Greek word /mḗ ("not") negates the underlying idea (concept) of a statement, ruling out its possibilities, i.e. all that it suggests on a conceptual or hypothetical plane.
Pursue peace....
Pursuing peace is really a part of holiness / sanctification (hagiasmos) because hagiasmos is the way we sanctify / purge / purify / perfect holiness.
Mathew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Paul to the Romans- For (entering) the kingdom of God (the new Jerusalem in heaven) is not about what you eat or drink; for he that serves Christ in righteousness, love, and joy in the Holy Ghost is acceptable to God (in heaven), so let us therefore follow the things which make peace....
Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
(If every believer will live acceptable lives there would be no reason for Paul to write 'Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace.')
Paul also warned the Thessalonian church of God regarding hagiasmos when he explained that Jesus' commandments are our sanctification (hagiasmos) and the Lord is the punisher of all unclean living i.e. the Lord is the punisher of those who don't reach holiness (hagiasmō).
1 Thessalonians 4:3 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Is the avenger from the Greek word ekdikos: carrying justice out, i.e. A punisher -- a (re-)venger.
Verse 7- For God hath not called (invited) us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness (hagiasmō).
To enter the age of life, without being punished and purged first, we need fruit that leads to holiness (hagiasmon).
Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Everlasting from the Greek word aiṓnios (an adjective, derived from aiṓn ("an age, having a particular character and quality") – properly, "age-like" ("like-an-age"), i.e. an "age-characteristic" (the quality describing a particular age);
Verse 8 is a dire warning for those who despise i.e. reject Paul's teaching on the Lord punishing those who don't reach hagiasmō (holiness)- 'He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.'
Paul also warned them about hagiasmosa in 2 Thessalonians 2 by explaining to them they needed to stand fast and hold the traditions they were taught because God from the beginning has chosen them to (receive) salvation through sanctification / holiness (hagiasmō) and faith (grace); upon which, and through the gospel of Christ, He has invited them to obtain in the glory that Christ has received.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
'Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught' is a warning and in order to receive salvation (from the fire) and to obtain and share in Christ's glory we need to stand fast and hold the traditions which Paul taught. (We can't fall.)
Some of the traditions Paul taught the Thessalonian church of God are Jesus' commandments are our sanctification (above), be sober- putting on the armor (1 Thess. 5), to be fully sanctified and preserved blameless we need to follow that which is good etc. (1 Thess. 5) and to be worthy to rest with the holy (the saints) we need to fulfil the good pleasure of God's goodness and the work of faith with power (2 Thess. 1:7-12).
Pursue holiness (hagiasmon), Jesus' commandments are our sanctification (hagiasmos), and salvation through sanctification (hagiasmō) and faith are the same warnings as the above 1 Corinthians 6:17-21 teaching- Having the promises of God receiving us and being His children, let us cleanse ourselves perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
They're the same warnings as the above 1 John 2:28 teaching- Little children, abide in Him (keep His commandments) so that we will have confidence and so that we won't be ashamed away from Him.
They're the same warnings as the above 1 John 3:2-3 teaching- Whoever has the hope of being like God and seeing God as He is needs to purify themselves, even as He is pure.
Paul also wrote to Timothy the same thing.
2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
If a man purges himself (pursues hagiasmos) he will be a vessel of honor, sanctified and meet for the Master....
('And prepared unto every good work' i.e. the righteousness that comes by faith i.e. perfection.)
These warnings are throughout the New Testament letters but unfortunately many people set them aside or even alter their true meanings. They have altered the teachings of grace by explaining that God has saved us by grace (faith) and all the work is finished; however, as you have been reading, to receive the promises we need to reach the righteousness that comes by faith. For we were given grace so that we could serve Him acceptably!
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
(2 Corinthians 5:9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.)
Verse 28- 'Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably....'
It's only those who serve Him acceptably or who walk worthy who will be accepted by God and who will receive the kingdom which can not be moved- the new holy Jerusalem.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
Verse 28 & 29- 'With reverence and godly fear' and 'For our God is a consuming fire' are warnings and those believers who don't revere and fear God and who don't serve Him acceptably i.e. those who receive grace in vain and fall from grace or fail God's grace will not be able to stand before Him on the great day of His wrath.
Revelation 9:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
The Israelites who fell in the wilderness and who were prevented from entering the promise land are examples for us not to fall.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Take heed from the Greek word blepó: to look (at).
If we think we are standing we better watch ourselves (take heed) so we don't fall.
Those who fall will not be presented faultless (perfect).
Jude- Glory, dominion, and power both now and for ever to the only wise God our Savior, who is able to keep us from falling and who is able to stand us before His glory faultless (perfect)....
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
To present Greek stēsai is from the Greek word histémi: to make to stand, to stand.
(Stēsai (to present) is translated stand in Romans 14:4.)
New American Standard Bible
Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
His servants who don't serve Him acceptably and fall will be cut asunder and will not be rewarded with heaven. They will have their portion with the nonbelievers.
(A servant doesn't remain the house forever. A child remains in the house forever.)
Luke 12:42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 BUT and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
The servant who beats the menservants and maidens (mistreats others) will have His portion with the unbelievers. Thus, Jesus in Matthew 5:43-48- Love everyone to be the children of God. (Love is perfection- Romans 13:8-10 & Galatians 5:14. Love covers our sins- 1 Peter 4:8.)
(James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.)
The drunken servant will have His portion with the unbelievers. Thus, Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:8- Be sober, putting on the armor, the hope / surety of salvation.
The Lord will cut asunder the servants who mistreat others and who are drunken.
Being cut asunder is from the Greek word dichotomeó: to cut in two, cut asunder.
The bad servants will have failed God's grace and will be cut in two or cut asunder from Christ and from the servants who lived acceptably- the children of God, Christ's joint heirs.
The bad servants will not be rewarded with heaven nor will they will be a part of the new holy Jerusalem.
(It = The new Jerusalem)
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defieth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defieth" meaning the wood, hay, stubble, in 1 Corinthians 3 who will have defiled the temple of God, their bodies, (those who didn't perfect holiness etc.) will not be able to enter the new holy Jerusalem until they have had their portion with unbelievers- saved / purged in the fire.
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
(Whoremongers Greek pornoi from Greek porno are sexually immoral people. Pornoi is translated fornicators in 1 Corinthians 6:9.)
For without (the city- the new Jerusalem) are whoremongers.... Thus, the fornicator in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 being taken away (cut asunder) from the church and his spirit not being saved (from the fire) in the day of Jesus if he continued to fornicate.
(Fornicators do not inherit the kingdom of God- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5:16-21 and Ephesians 5:1-5.)
After the new Jerusalem and the bride of Christ (His joint heirs- the children of God) come down from God, out of heaven, the gates will be opened for the purged believers, to enter. They will be the nations.
Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Revelation 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
(Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.)
The purged believers / the nations will not have overcome the world and will not have kept Jesus' works so they will be broken into different nations ("broken to shivers") and Christ and His joint heirs- the children of God will have power over them and will shepherd them throughout eternity.
Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Shall rule from Greek word poimainó: to act as a shepherd.
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