Ephesians 1:7

In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favor, Ephesians 1:7

Its been a while since we have studied on exactly what salvation means. The first thing to establish with salvation is that we have it right now, as we just studied, we enjoy all of the glory of Heaven right now. We do not have to wait for any of it; if Jesus has it, so do we. 

For He says, In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2

The Greek Word for salvation is Soteria and it means:

deliverer, health, rescue, and safety. Fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most importantly the pleasure of sin. Deliverance from the molestation of enemies, future salvation: the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians,        redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.

The Greek Word for saved is sozo and it means:

to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger and destruction. To save one from perishing, to save from disease, to make well, to heal, to restore. To preserve, to deliver from the penalties of sin and judgment and finally to save from the evils which obstruct the reception of deliverance.

So right now, today, we are delivered from any and all things that could ever harm us. We are safe right now, we have health right now. We are free from the presence, pleasure, power and penalty of sin right now. We do not have to wait for Jesus to return to enjoy these things, we have them right now. Right now Jesus keeps us safe and sound. We are always free from danger and destruction, we cannot lose! We are sealed with the Holy Spirit and preserved and delivered from all judgment right now. We have been delivered from any and all evil that could ever hinder us in any way at all.

Faith comes from us hearing these Truth’s. We cannot be defeated. We cannot fail. We cannot fall short. Jesus will never allow us to fail. We have not been created to fail. It is impossible for us to fail. There are no maybe’s about it. There are not “but’s.” We have no battle to win to secure these blessings. If there is any battle to be fought,  it is Jesus’ battle, not ours. We have been created to only enjoy the victory!

I am preaching to myself here, every bit as much as I am to you. I need to hear this so badly each and every day.  

Ephesians 1:4-5

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]— [So that we might be] to the praise and the commendation of His glorious grace (favor and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-5

Before our Father ever created anything, He foreordained us to be blameless and above reproach. God actually picked us out of all that He was going to make to be perfectly one with Him and be His Own Body. We are flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. He set us apart before we ever were. God knew exactly how He was going to make us before there was anything. He chose us, we did not choose Him. We cannot fail or ever fall short because we have not been made to. We are in Christ and that super power is the force that insures our success 100% of the time. It is God’s will that we are to the glory and commendation of His Grace and God’s will is always fulfilled.

Now about predestination. A lot of people struggle with this glorious Truth, but we shouldn’t. Most all Christians will confess that God knows the beginning and the end. Most of us believe that He is our Shepherd, our Gardener, our Vine, and our Potter. All of these descriptions our our Father show leadership and control. So if our Father knows what the beginning and the end will be and He is the leader of us, why would we ever doubt that He had a plan and a purpose for all of us? Predestination only makes sense.

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose, Isaiah 46:10

For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child and Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, To carry out all that Your hand and Your will and purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. Acts 4:27-28

But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased. To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. Galatians 1:15-16

Ephesians 1:3

May blessing (praise, laudation, and eulogy) be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual (given by the Holy Spirit) blessing in the heavenly realm! Ephesians 1:3

We have been blessed with every, not just some, not just many, but every blessing that is in Heaven. There is not one single blessed thing in Heaven that we do not have right now. If Jesus has it, so do we. If God has it, so do we. If the Holy Spirit has it, so do we. Our Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are all One, and we are now one with all that our Father is and has. Faith comes from hearing the Truth and the Truth is what sets us free. 

I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: John 17:22

In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:17

Because we are members (parts) of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:30-32

We now have Jesus’ Spirit and are one with it. We have His Mind. We have His Glory. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Jesus has given us His peace, His joy, and by His stripes we are healed. We have been raised up together with Him and we are now seated with Him at the right hand of God. Nothing has been held back from us and there is nothing that will ever cause any of it to leave us or forsake us. The gifts that our Father has given to us will never be taken back. Our sins will never be remembered by God and they will never be counted against us. We have complete victory because of Jesus’ success. It’s all free, it’s all unearned, and it is all unmerited. We never have to take thought for being more than a conqueror.  

So because we have all of this and we don’t have to do anything to receive it, we can now completely live to serve others. We do not have to take one single thought for our own life’s, so that we can always be thinking of others. We can now completely live to bless those who curse us and pray for those who despitefully use us. We can now live to intercede for others so that they can have life and have it abundantly. 

Ephesians 1:2

May grace (God’s unmerited favor) and spiritual peace [which means peace with God and harmony, unity, and undisturbedness] be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:2

Here is a great Truth, our Father has to give us peace with Him. We can’t really be comfortable with God unless He gives us peace with Himself. He gives us peace by giving us unmerited favor. That means that we can’t earn His peace, it is all just a free gift and it is all given to us in spite of ourselves. 

Religion never really gave me that understanding, but the Bible sure did. The Word of our Father allowed me to see that God was responsible to make sure that we had peace. Then He really drove the Truth home when He gave me two children. It was through my kids that I realized exactly how it all worked. As babies my two daughters did nothing to earn peace with me. They did no works, they followed no rules, and yet Beth and I still insured that they trusted us and had peace that they were loved and fully taken care of, and it was all unmerited. They did nothing other then being our kids, just as we can do nothing other than be God’s kids. They threw tantrums and we were still responsible for them. They yelled at us and we were still responsible for them. They got in trouble and still freely and graciously Beth and I insured that they were protected and felt safe. We were even responsible to insure that they felt safe while being corrected. 

Jesus tells us the same things are true with Him and God as well when it comes to us. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] John 16:33

We are little kids. That means that our Father is totally responsible to make sure that we feel comfortable with Him. When I was growing up in Church the preachers were like my big brother. He would tell me that I was adopted. He would try to play tricks on me to cause me to doubt who I was. He would even tell me that I was invisible and that people couldn't see me, but I had mom and dad there proving to me that I was completely theirs and I knew, regardless of what Dave said, that I was safe. My parents were responsible for insuring that I had peace, not my brother. Far too many preachers will try to tell us what we need to do or how we have to act to have our Father accept and be with us. Don’t ever listen to them. We are never left alone and we are never forsaking and our relationship with God is all unearned and undeserved. 

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), by the divine will (the purpose and the choice of God) to the saints (the consecrated, set-apart ones) at Ephesus who are also faithful and loyal and steadfast in Christ Jesus: Ephesians 1:1

Our Father knew that there was going to be a Bible. He knew that He was going to have many of the letters that He had Paul write put in the Bible and our Father has inspired every last Word of the Bible.

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), 2 Timothy 3:16

So God had Paul start of His letters with the Truth that he was only an Apostle because our Father willed it. Herein lies one of the greatest Truths that there is and one of the greatest inspirations of our liberty and freedom: our Father willed our salvation and our callings. Whether He called us to be apostles, pastors, elders, or just servants without a title, God is the reason that we are who and what we are. He knew all of our faults before the world ever was and He still called us and because He did call us, we can never lose the gift of being the Bride of Christ.

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

We have been set apart for Holy use. We have been chosen to serve in the full and glorious power of Christ. You and I are consecrated and filled with the Holy Spirit. Whether we completely understand all of it or not makes absolutely no difference. We are not the source of our success, Christ is and He never leaves us or forsakes us. Our Father will never let us be anything other than victorious. We never have to worry or take thought for our success, it is just going to happen. Our Father will cause us to love and serve and He will cause us to fulfill His will. If there is anything that needs changed in us, our Father will cause that to come to pass as well. God is always greater in us than anything that is in this world. 

Colossians 4:5-6

Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. Colossians 4:5-6

“God Hates Fags.” “You’re Going To Hell.” “Sinner.”  I hear these words from so called Christians all of the time. There are whole denominations that devote their entire existence to expressing these kind of phrases. Yet, the Holy Spirit tells us here in Colossians that our speech should at all times be gracious and pleasant. Some would say that these kind of phrases are gracious. I have had the wolves in sheep’s clothing tell me that these phrases, and the others like them, are loving so many times that it makes my head spin. To see if these kind of words are truly gracious and pleasant, we can look at Jesus and see how He spoke.

When Jesus raised Himself up, He said to her, Woman, where are your accusers? Has no man condemned you? John 8:10

The woman here in John was caught in the very act of adultery, she was what so many religious wolves today, and then, would call a whore. This woman was dragged out into a public place and was being used as an example by the religious leaders to keep the people in fear. The leaders showed her no compassion, their words were not gracious and pleasant towards her. Their hope was also to get Jesus at the same time that they got her. Yet, Jesus didn’t threaten her with Hell, or publicly ridicule her to side with the religious wolves, even though the woman was guilty. Jesus was pleasant to her, He was kind, and merciful and as He was, He ran the religious bullies away, humiliating them. These so called leaders would later have Him killed for it, just as the religious wolves today will try to destroy us as we are gracious and kind towards notable sinners.

Whenever someone wants to talk about another’ person’s sin, remember how Jesus acted towards sinners. Remember how His Grace abounded towards everyone, even the leaders who would call for His death. Also remember this Truth: our righteousness is as filthy rags. Remember too how Jesus said that even He wasn’t good when the people called Him good. Remember how the Holy Spirit had Paul write that no one is good, not even one us. And when we are empowered to understand these things, our words will always be gracious and pleasant. 

The Truth is that we all screw up and thank God that our righteousness is not based on ourselves. Our righteousness is only based on the free and complete mercy of our Father. We are blessed because our Father will never remember our sins and He has given us righteousness apart from our works. Our liberty and righteousness does not have to be understood or even believed by us to be active for us. God’s Grace is never dependent on us. Grace is not reactive to us, we are reactive to it.     

Colossians 4:3-4

And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; That I may proclaim it fully and make it clear [speak boldly and unfold that mystery], as is my duty. Colossians 4:3-4

I honestly believe that this mystery is not being preached today. Jesus is preached all of the time. God and Heaven are preached all of the time, but the mystery, the secret that it is our Father’s power within us doing everything still seems to be hidden from us. Christ, God’s power working through man, is the only power and that alone is the secret. It’s all a gift. Christ cannot be earned, He is just freely given, and Christ is given in spite of ourselves.  

The Truth is whether we confess it, or believe it, or even understand it, Christ is the power within us. We have died and it is now Christ being greater in us than anything that is in this world. The Truth is that we will always be more than conquerors through Christ Who loves us. Isn’t that wonderful, even if we don’t always believe it, it doesn’t change the Truth. Christ in us will always cause all things to work out for our good. 

There are tons of times when I think that I have to do something, even though I know the scriptures tell us so plainly that we can do nothing without Christ. Nothing, that means that we can’t even mess up without Christ. He never leaves us and He never forsakes us. Our lake of getting it doesn’t stop Christ. The freedom with this is so powerful and so liberating. 

Father I ask that you allow us all to understand the mystery. When the mystery is understood all condemnation will leave us. When Christ is understood all fear will leave us, all sickness will leave us, and all of the doubt will leave us too. Father you Alone have to cause us to understood the Truth that we have been set completely free from ourselves.  

Colossians 4:1-2

Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven. Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:1-2

I will be honest with you all, when it comes to praying, I struggle. I have no idea of what or really how to pray. Now I could beat the daylights out of myself for this. I could question and condemn myself, or I can just look at what Paul had to say about his and ours prayer life’s and find peace.

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. Romans 8:26

Paul wrote that he didn’t know how to pray either, but that didn’t matter for one second, because we have the Holy Spirit Himself making petitions for us. So basically, once again, we win in spite of ourselves.

Jesus tells us to keep on asking though, so let’s keep on asking. 

Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him! Matthew 7:7-11

There are a couple of things that Jesus clearly tells us about prayer. First He tells us to take no thought for our own life’s. He then tells us to go to our most secret place and pray and that it doesn't have to be some long drawn out thing. Look at how short the Lord's prayer is. Jesus tells us not to be like the hypocrites who love to pray in public, we are told to do it in secret and by ourselves. So basically we are told to pray for others, not ourselves, and that we are to do it in secret and that we are to keep on doing it. So please pray for me and I will pray for you and if we aren’t doing it right our Father will make it right anyway. 

Colossians 3:25

For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person’s position may be, whether he is the slave or the master]. Colossians 3:25

Let’s talk about being punished by our Father. 

Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)? Romans 2:4

The first thing to understand about God’s punishment is that is it is our Father’s kindness, not His wrath, that leads us to repent. Also remember what we studied earlier in Colossians 3 that our Father cannot be to harsh with us. The best example in the Bible of people who should have been punished was the people who crucified Jesus. They first wrongfully accused Him. Then they tried to humiliate Him. Then they tortured Him. Then they nailed Him to a Cross. This is exactly how ISIS kills people today. These people should have been utterly destroyed and yet Jesus forgave them.

Remember too that Jesus has been given the duty of Judging all people and the Bible tells us that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, He never will change. We all do wrong things, we cannot help it. We were actually created to mess up.

For God has consigned (penned up) all men to disobedience, only that He may have mercy on them all [alike]. Romans 11:32

Jesus, our perfect sacrifice, our Lord and Savior, even told the people that He wasn’t good, Luke 18:19. Paul wrote that none of us is good, no not one, romans 3:10. So our punishment is our Father’s kindness and mercy. Not a bad way is it? The Truth is that our Father doesn’t take account of any of our sins. What? Yes, that is what the Bible tells us.

Thus David congratulates the man and pronounces a blessing on him to whom God credits righteousness apart from the works he does: Blessed and happy and to be envied are those whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered up and completely buried. Blessed and happy and to be envied is the person of whose sin the Lord will take no account nor reckon it against him. Romans 4:6-8

Our Father is not a respecter of persons, Acts 10:34. And our Father is Love, 1 John 4:8. 

It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. 1 Corinthians 13:5

God is Love and Love takes no account of the evil done to it. Just like Jesus took no account of the evil done to Him by the people who crucified Him. Our Father will correct us and He will lead us and guide us, but our punishment, which is the mercy of our Father, never fits the crimes that we all commit. So lighten up on yourself and those around you, because our Father is very light on us. 

Colossians 3:23-24

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23

We are to do everything, whatever task that it may be, from our souls. 

It is a reason for pride and exultation to which our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world [generally] and especially toward you, with devout and pure motives and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God (the unmerited favor and merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, and keeps, strengthens, and increases them in Christian virtues). 2 Corinthians 1:12

Our great peace with this verse is that our Father has absolute influence on our souls. It is God Who turns every action of ours towards Christ. He Alone keeps our souls focused. He strengthens our souls and He increases them in Christian virtues. Our yoke is incredibly easy and our burden is extremely light. We cannot help but to be successful. Wherever our Shepherd leads us, there is only complete and absolute victory for us. 

Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). Colossians 3:24

We will spend eternity with our Father, there is no question about that. We can be absolutely assured of this fact because we know the Truth that it is our Father’s power that is at work within us doing every last task. We can have perfect peace in knowing that if anything needs pruned out of us, our Father will do it, so that we can be used to produce more and more abundant fruit.

Church always made me doubt my eternity, because religion always placed the burden on me. It was always preached that we had to first do something or believe something for our Father to reward us. But the Truth is so much more liberating. It is not us who has to first do something for us to be successful, it is our Father has to first do the things that make us successful. God has to cause us to believe. He has to first exert His influence on us. He has to first strengthen us, enlighten us, give us the knowledge, and empower us. We can do nothing without Him. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Matthew 11:28

How much more rest can we be given then to be relieved of all of the burdens of salvation and living a godly life. It is our Father Who carries those loads for us. The battle is His and the complete and absolute victory is ours. God is responsible for making us be the people that He wants us to be.  

Colossians 3:21-22

Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] Servants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose [with all your heart] because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.

Let’s keep with the theme that we started yesterday, our Father is God so these Words apply to Him as well as they do to us. So according to the Bible God cannot provoke, irritate, or fret us. We are told that Father’s are not to be hard on their children, lest they become discouraged and frustrated, so God cannot be hard on us either. 

   

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Matthew 11:30

Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God's will)? Romans 2:4

For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) 1 Thessalonians 5:9

For I will be merciful and gracious toward their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more. When God speaks of a new [covenant or agreement], He makes the first one obsolete (out of use). And what is obsolete (out of use and annulled because of age) is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with altogether. Hebrews 8:12-13

I went to a church once and they would sing this song that said that we are going up the rough side of the mountain. They loved that song, but that song is flat out wrong. God’s kindness is what leads us to repentance, not His wrath. Our yoke is easy and our burden is light. For us to say that things are rough on us is saying that the Bible is lying to us. Nothing is rough on us because our Father anoints us with Grace, energy, strength, and abilities to handle whatever we are going through.

But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!

Many people love to talk about God destroying America because of laws that our politicians pass. Once again that is flat out wrong. Our Father has made a New Covenant with us and He is now gracious towards our sins, and let’s be honest even our righteousness is as filthy rags. If God was going to destroy us because of the things that we do, mankind would have all been destroyed long before any of us ever came into being. 

Colossians 3:18-20

Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Colossians 3:18-20

All of these verses are pretty self explanatory. But a couple things do stick out to me: The first is the Truth that husbands are to be sympathetic towards their wives. Jesus is our Husband and we are His Bride. So these Words apply to Jesus as well as they apply to us, so Jesus must be sympathetic towards us. He can never be harsh towards us or bitter at us or He will be breaking His very Own Word. 

For the Son of man came to save [from the penalty of eternal death] that which was lost. Matthew 18:11

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. Ephesians 5:25-27

We are told in the Word that all Judgment has been given to Jesus and that He never will change, so He has to be sympathetic and He cannot be harsh when He judges. Think of the Cross and how Jesus acted and then and you will see exactly how He will judge. Think of Judgment Day. Think of how every knee will be bowing and every tongue will be confessing that Jesus is Lord on that Day. Everyone will be doing the very thing that we are told in the Bible is needed to become the Bride of Christ. Every one, not just us, but everyone will be doing this. Now think of the Truth that Jesus, the Husband, must be sympathetic and not harsh towards His wife. How is He obligated to judge when all of this is going on? I believe that mercy and forgiveness are going to abound on that Day far more than what most people think. 

Well then, as one man’s trespass [one man’s false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man’s act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. Romans 5:18

Jesus knows the Beginning and the End, because He is the Beginning and the End. So He knows that all of us are going to be His Bride’s. We all have been called and chosen to be Jesus’ wives before He ever created the world, so doesn’t He have to be merciful towards us right now? He cannot be harsh towards us now can He? Many try to tell us of how Judgment is being poured out on us because of sin, but the Bible tells us something else.

But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, Romans 5:20

There is Judgment on the world, but people are not the world. Things like money, houses, cars, possessions, jobs, greed, evil, stinginess, hate, and fear are the things of the world. People are not the world, people are what Jesus came to save. The world is being judged and our Father is attacking the things of the world. We may think that His Judgement is against us, but it is not, it is against the things of the world that harm us. Jesus came to save the lost and He is very, very successful at what He has been sent to do. We may buck and kick and scream as the worldly things are being judged around us, thinking that the attack is against us, but it is not, it is against the things that are harming us. 

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

No matter what we do, we have to do in dependence upon the power of Jesus. Now think about that, everything, not just some things, but everything that we do is dependent upon Jesus. So believing, we are completely dependent on Jesus to cause us to believe. Forgiving, that too is Jesus’ responsibility to cause to come to pass in our life’s. Our knowledge, wisdom, faith, hope, love, giving, and works are all dependent upon Jesus. Our jobs, marriages, friendships, golf games, chores, and parenting, all dependent on Jesus. We can’t do a single thing apart from Jesus and it is always His power that is at work within us. The freedom and victory in this Truth is really beyond human understanding. Brushing our teeth, yep that too is dependent on Jesus. Changing a light bulb, also dependent on Jesus. There is nothing too big or too small, everything, every last thing in our lives is dependent on Jesus.

Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life], and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist]. 1 Corinthians 8:6

For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.  And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). 1:16-17

I hear a lot of preachers talking about how God gave us dominion. That dominion is not apart from Him. We are one with Him, so we share in His dominion. We do not have our own unique dominion over things, we are one with God’s dominion. There is no separation at all between us and our Father, as Jesus is, so are we. 

This Truth is why I hate the teaching on tithing that so many preachers give. They say that God wants us to have 90% and He wants His 10%. That is flat out wrong. We have 100% and God has 100% at the exact same time. My Head does not have more than my hand. They are both my body, so they both have what each other has. If I win a race, my whole body wins, not just my legs. We are one with God, so what is His is ours and what is ours is His. 

Giving is what we are in existence for. We have been made to serve and giving is definitely part of that, but it is always Christ in us causing us to give and the amounts are always changing. The rich gave 10% while the poor widow gave one penny, which was all that she had, so she gave 100%. This one thing is true though, when it comes to giving, when Jesus is truly causing us to do it to serve in the way that our Father intends, our left hand will never know what the right hand is doing!  

Colossians 3:15-16

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. Colossians 3:15

We are told that we are to let Jesus’ peace settle all of our questions and Jesus’ peace is absolutely settled. He has already been raised up from the grave, death no longer has any hold on Him and He has been returned to the glorious state of existence that He had with God before He came to the earth to be sacrificed. His peace in Who He is and what He has is what is to settle all of our questions. If Jesus has it, so do we. How can the head possess something that its body does not? So if you have any questions think about Jesus and what He has or is and then relax, because that is what you have as well.

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

Jesus and the Word are One. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God and it became flesh and dwelt amongst us. So our peace is that the Word is in our hearts and it will never leave us. In fact it cannot ever leave us. The Word will teach us all things. It will settle every doubt, fear, and question that we will ever have. The Word knows what it is like to be us and it has already overcome any weapon that has been formed against us. The Word is Victorious and we are one with it. 

Faith comes for us by hearing the Truth and the Truth is that we cannot fall short in any area of our lives. For us to fail would mean that our Head, Who is Jesus, Who is God, Who is the Word, had failed.

But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere, 2 Corinthians 2:14

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. Philippians 4:13

Whenever we are told or believe that we have to do something our peace is that it is never just us who has to do it, it is always Christ in us doing everything. We can do nothing on our own, ever. It is always Christ in us. 

Colossians 3:14

And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony]. Colossians 3:14

Love and perfection always go together and the glorious Truth is that we are now perfect. We are perfect because Jesus’ Love has covered every last one of our sins. We are perfect because we are one with Love right now. Our Father is Love and we are now completely and perfectly one with Him. Our Father abides permanently with us, we cannot be separated from Him. God will never leave us or forsakes us, that means that Love will never leave us or forsake us. We cannot lose our salvation, so we cannot lose Love and we cannot fail at Love. For us to fail at love would mean that God, Who is Love, failed. 

For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. [He never withdraws them when once they are given, and He does not change His mind about those to whom He gives His grace or to whom He sends His call.] Romans 11:29

We cannot help but to freely give Love because Jesus abides within us. We are His home and He flows like a river from us. Jesus will cause us to love those who hate us. God has made His home within us and He never changes. God caused Jesus to love HIs enemies and He will cause us to do the same. We have been perfected by God’s presence within us. Our Father’s Love is complete within us and because it is, we are now just like Jesus, even though we are still in this world. I know how that sounds, but that is what our Father has plainly told us and who are we to argue with God?

Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection]. 1 John 4:15-18

There is no fear in Love. We don’t ever have to fear punishment. Think about Jesus, does He fear punishment? The Truth is that we are now as He is, so if He isn’t fearing, why should we? If we know that our gift of salvation will never be taken from us and we know that God will never change His mind about us, what would we ever have to fear? Should we fear men, why, our Father is greater then men? Do we fear Jesus? Why, He came and died for us. Should we fear sin? Why would we ever do that, there is now no law for us to fall short of. Amen, we are one with Love, we cannot help but to enfold ourselves in it, because we are one with it. 

He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us? Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Romans 8:32-34

Don’t ever fret about loving everyone. Our Father is responsible to cause us to do that. God's Love is within us and it covers our multitudes of sin.