The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 10

GUILTY UNDER THE LAW

Romans 3:19  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

God has placed all under the law so that all may be found guilty.  It does not matter if you are a wicked man, a “good Joe”, or a performer of the law.  Whichever category you find yourself in you are born with a sin nature and by the law of Moses standard you are guilty.  Man must see their guilt before they can see their need for a Savior!

Romans 3:10  As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;  11  There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God.  12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.“  13  "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; 14  "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.“ 15  "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16  Destruction and misery are in their ways;  17  And the way of peace they have not known.“  18  "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

God is holy and the revelation of God the law brings shows that all are sinners.  No one was ever able to be a perfect law keeper until Jesus Christ the Son of God came and fulfilled the law.  When compared to the holiness of God no man can stand holy before Him.  The law exposes the guilt of man.

Romans 7:9  I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died.  10  And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death.  11  For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.

The law exposes the guilt and bondage of sin.  It has never been the role of the law to give life.  The law makes sin exceedingly sinful.  When man sees they are separated from God because of the sin nature they were born with, the law has fulfilled it’s purpose.

THE WORK OF THE CROSS; JESUS BORE OUR GUILT AND PUNISHMENT

Isaiah 53:4  Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.  5  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

Jesus bore our grief and sorrows.  The punishment of our peace was upon Him!  His wounds and bruises were all for our healing.  The Father’s wrath was poured out upon Jesus; the Lamb of God took away the sin of the world.  Only the power of the cross can build the bridge to bring us out of law and into the covenant of grace. 

Romans 3:21  But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,  22  even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

Jesus came with an intimate revelation of righteousness apart from the law of Moses.  God righteousness can only be applied through faith in Jesus Christ and there is no other way to the righteousness of God.  We are reconciled back to God by grace through faith that is what it means to be made righteous.

Luke 24:46  Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47  "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Jesus went to the cross so that repentance and remission of sins could be preached in His name!  Jesus bore the wrath so we might be reconciled.  Repentance is not just being sorry for your sin; repentance is godly sorry with a turning from the sin and toward God.

Acts 2:38  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  39  "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."

Turning from your sin and surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is what the confession of faith is about.  Then Peter told the believer after true repentance there is water baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  This pattern is for every believer; it is found throughout the book of Acts.

GUILTLESS VIA THE FATHER’S JUSTIFICATION

Romans 3:24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,  25  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed,  26  to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Our faith in Jesus is the point of our free justification.  We are imputed righteousness and counted as if we have never sinned.  Propitiation is Jesus taking the punishment and bearing the wrath for our sins.  Sins remission is exclusively found through faith in the blood of Jesus.  God is just and the justifier; that is it is a just thing for God to give us righteousness and justify us.  The sacrifice of Jesus is so great; it would be unjust if God did not justify one who has exhibited faith in the saving blood of Jesus Christ.  We have been declared innocent in the sight of God. 

2 Corinthian 5:21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

The Father set us up for victory!  Jesus who knew no sin became sin so we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  Behold the Lamb of God!

Hebrews 9:14  how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?            LIVING WITH A PURGED CONSCIENCE!

A purged conscience comes from the blood of Jesus Christ, offered in sacrifice to God!  There is no other source of a purged conscience.  We are not called to walk in a sin conscience; put the object of your faith in the eternal work of Christ for your God awareness

1 Peter 2:24  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.  25  For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Jesus Himself bore our sin in His own body of the tree.  We come to Jesus we die to the sin nature and we are empowered to live for righteousness.  It is by His stripes we were healed.  We are now under the care of the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

LAW CONDEMNS

2 Corinthians 3:9  For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 

THE LAW IS CALLED THE MINISTRY OF CONDEMNATION

READ 2 CORINTHIANS 3:4-18

THE CROSS ENDED CONDEMNATION

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.  3  For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4  that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Right now, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus!  Oh that we might gain the understanding what it means that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death!!!  The law had no power to bring life to sinful flesh.  Jesus came that on account of sin and condemned sin in the flesh!  We died to sin when we came to Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:5  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  6  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.  8  So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  9  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  He that confesses Jesus is the Son of God, God dwells in him, and he in God.  Because you are not in the flesh you the believer are called not to walk in the carnal mind.  Put off the old man be made new in the spirit of your mind and put on the new man!

NO CONDEMNATION IN GRACE

John 5:24  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

When do we pass from death unto life so that we do not face judgment?  When we hear the words of Jesus and believe that the Father sent Him to save us from our sin.

1 John 4:17  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

When we get a revelation of the love of God we may have boldness on the day of judgment.  Wow, what a promise.  Love has been perfected; it is time to let your soul come in line with the perfected love of God.  Because as Jesus is, so are we in this world.  The Father spoke from heaven on several occasions in Jesus ministry saying “this is my Beloved Son”.  The Father’s desires for you to know you are beloved to such a degree there is no fear of judgment!  Powerful!!!

John 3:16  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  18  "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Where does the condemnation end?  At the point of faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Jesus gives you everlasting life.  Jesus came that the condemnation may end!  Guilt and condemnation has been ended in the greatness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!  More to come…

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 9

THE LAW

Hebrews 12:18  For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,  19  and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore.  20  (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.“  21  And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.")

THIS IS NOT YOUR MOUNTAIN; NEW COVENANT = NEW DESTINY

Remember last week we talked about Mt. Sinai where the law was given to Moses.  The verse starts with you have not come to this mount.  So fearful was the experience that the mediator Moses was exceedingly afraid and trembling.  Thank God for the law.  It is good and it is holy.  It sets the standard for sins definition.  However the law must be used lawfully. 

Romans 10:1  Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  2  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  3  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.  4  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  5  For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them."

Those under the law sought to find righteousness through the law.  As scripture declares here righteousness found in the performance of the law is not God’s righteousness.  God’s righteousness comes exclusively through faith in Jesus Christ.  If the object of your faith is anywhere else it is not God’s prescribe order for righteousness.  Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  Verses 4 and 5 is a foundational truth that many have ignored.  The law always points to the performance of the man.  The righteousness of the law says “The man who does those things shall live by them.”  This is not the righteousness of God!

GRACE MOUNT ZION

Hebrews 12:22  But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,  23  to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,  24  to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

We started this lesson by saying you have not come to Mount Sinai.  However, you have come to Mount Zion to the city of the living God.  Ephesians 2:6 teaches we have been seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  Our citizenship is in the heavenly Jerusalem.  Those who are in covenant with God have an innumerable company of angels.  The angels of the Lord encamp around those who fear God.  Angels are on the case of those who will inherit salvation.  You are apart of the assembly of the church of the firstborn.  Don’t let the firstborn status skip you.  God has bestowed first born status on the church.  Our names are registered in heaven.  That is all good news but the news keeps getting better.  You have come to God the judge of all.  Yes, you are on the Mount where just men’s spirit have been made perfect.  As Hebrews 10 declares we have been perfected once for all.  The greatest news, grace brings us to the place where the blood of Jesus is speaking on our behalf!  The blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel.  Abel’s blood spoke of guilt and judgment needed.  The blood cried out from the ground that it had been spilled upon.  The blood of Jesus was spilled out and it still cries out from the ground it fell on.  The blood of Jesus 1^st of all speaks of the forgiveness of sin.  By the blood of Jesus we have been brought near to God the Father.  The blood of Jesus speaks of redemption; it still cries out sins remission for every believer in Jesus.  Have you ever noticed the anointing that rises when the congregation begins to sing about the blood.

FAITH: THE COVENANT OF GRACE IS THE WAY OF FAITH; THE LAW IS NOT

Galatians 3:12  Yet the law is not of faith, but "the man who does them shall live by them."

The law is not of faith; the law is the performance of man doing works to be made right with a holy God.  You know the law is being preached when the performance of man is lifted up as the way to righteousness and holiness.  The way of faith is found in the grace and truth found in Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 8:6  But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.  7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.

This covenant we have been brought into is not the law of Moses updated and tweaked.  It is the better covenant, established on better promises founded upon the greatest Mediator Jesus Christ Himself.

Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  17  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

We begin a life of living by faith in Jesus Christ!  This covenant brings the good news that Jesus is the way to salvation for everyone who will believe in Him.  In the gospel is found the righteousness of God unveiled.  It starts by faith in Jesus, it ends by faith in Jesus and everything in-between is  faith in Jesus.  The just shall live by faith.

THE LAW

Moses as a servant in the house

A place of honor

A place of glory

THE WORK OF THE CROSS

John 8:35  "And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36  "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

GRACE

Jesus as a Son over his house

The Son has greater honor

The Son has greater glory

Hebrews 3:1  Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,  2  who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.  3  For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.  4  For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.  5  And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward,  6  but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

WHOSE HOUSEHOLD DO YOU BELONG TO?

Hebrews 3 brings beautiful contrast between the household of Moses and the Household of Jesus Christ.  Notice the passage starts by bringing your eyes and attention upon Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus we are holy brethren.  Because of Jesus we are partakers of the heavenly calling.  Because of Jesus we have a confession of faith.  Indeed Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.  Moses was faithful as a servant and that was glorious; however Jesus was faithful as a Son and that is much more glorious.  Moses was the pattern and shadow; Jesus was the substance and reality that the pattern and shadow pointed to.  Which household do you belong to?  If your faith is in Jesus Christ the Messiah you belong to the household of faith.  Hold fast the confession of your faith it is the most valuable thing you possess.   Come live in the greater glory!  If Jesus set you free from sin you are free indeed. A servant can be sold out but a son abides forever.  When my children come into my house they will swing wide the refrigerator door and help themselves.  Why?  They forever belong to the house.  If you will serve God from the mentality that you are a son, it brings strength and assurance that a servant could never possess.

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

The Law The Cross and The Covenant Of Grace lesson 8

In this lesson we have turned the corner from spirit, soul, and body to some practical application when we begin to consider the law the cross and the covenant of grace.

Exodus 19:5  'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.  6  'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."  7  So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him.  8  Then all the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.  9  And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I come to you in the thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and believe you forever." So Moses told the words of the people to the LORD.

God’s desire has always been to speak to His people; fellowship with His people has always been the desire of His heart.  His desire was for all of Israel to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  We will see, they rejected God’s desire for them.

Exodus 20:18  Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.  19  Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."

Israel rejected the perfect will of God for their lives.  They asked that Moses be the mediator between them and God.  Israel never became the kingdom of priests; in this the Father’s desire will still be worked out in the end.

Exodus 31:18  And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

The end result of not wanting to hear the voice of God was the tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

THE LAW; GOD WAS UNAPPROACHABLE

Exodus 19:16  Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.  17  And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18  Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire. Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.

19  And when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by voice.  20  Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.  21  And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to gaze at the LORD, and many of them perish.  22  "Also let the priests who come near the LORD consecrate themselves, lest the LORD break out against them.“  23  But Moses said to the LORD, "The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai; for You warned us, saying, 'Set bounds around the mountain and consecrate it.'“ 

Before we judge the children of Israel to harshly  put yourself in their shoes.  Earth quake under their feet, before them a mountain shaking and quaking bellows of smoke and columns of fire, thunder and lightning, and the sound of a very loud trumpet blast.

THE CROSS

1 Timothy 2:5  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,  6  who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time,

The cross of Christ brought a new Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

John 1:17  For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 is a key to understanding scriptures properly!  In the old testament the Law of Moses as revealed as the covenant the children of Israel should live by.  In the new covenant Jesus brought the grace and truth that brings reconciliation between God and man.

MT ZION REPRESENTS GRACE; GOD IS APPROACHABLE

Psalm 132:13  For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: 14  "This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.  15  I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread.  16  I will also clothe her priests with salvation, And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

Many read over this Psalm without considering its prophetic nature.  The LORD has chosen Zion for His dwelling place.  It is God’s resting place forever!  God has set an atmosphere on Mt Zion that He intends for His children to live in; it is abundant life!

John 1:18  No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Jesus is in the bosom of the Father!  It is from this place of intimacy that He shares and declares the Father to us!  The covenant of grace draws you into intimacy with God!

THE LAW

Romans 3:19  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.  23  But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 

Every person is kept under guard by the law.  Kept for the faith that would afterward be revealed.  The law is holy and awesome as long as we use it lawfully.  It’s intended purpose is to make sin exceedingly sinful and awaken man to his need to be set free from sin.  The law is to bring the knowledge of sin: it can’t bring life.

Galatians 3:24  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  25  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  26  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

The law teaches us our need for Christ, that we might be justified by faith!  After faith is come we are no longer under the tutelage of the law.  We are sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus and there is no other way to become a son!

THE CROSS; MAN’S ONLY HOPE TO REUNITE WITH GOD

1 Corinthians 1:18  For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The cross sets us free from the law; it is indeed the power of God unto salvation.

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

The only boast the believer can have is in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ!  Jesus brings us into relationship with the holy God.  It not our works but the work of the cross.

Colossians 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

We have peace through the blood of His cross.  If our own good works could accomplish reconciliation there would have been no need for Jesus' perfect work.  Reconciliation is in Jesus Christ alone.  On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand!

Colossians 2:14  having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

The law was against us revealing our sin, guilt condemnation, and shame!  However Jesus has taken the law, which was contrary to us, and has nailed it to the cross.

THE COVENANT OF GRACE

Matthew 26:28  "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Jesus identified His own blood as the blood of the new covenant.  The purpose of the blood was for the remission of sins!  The law could not remit sin; only Jesus can!

Hebrews 13:20  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  21  make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In grace God does a work in the believer!  Christ in you the hope of glory!

2 Corinthians 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,  6  who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Mt Zion The Place of Grace!  The blood of Jesus has made a way for an everlasting covenant.  Provision for all we need for victory is exclusively found here!  Paul identified himself as a minister of the new covenant.  If we apply the law to the believer we will bring the unintended consequences of death.  If we minister from the new covenant there is life in Christ Jesus.  For the Spirit brings life the letter of the law kills!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!

Spirit Soul Body The Law The Cross The Covenant of Grace lesson 7

We have covered this far the spirit, soul and body of the 1^st Adam, the spirit, soul, and body of the fallen man, the spirit, soul and body of the born again man, and the spirit, soul and body of the apostate man.  This lesson we cover the spirit soul and body at perfect redemption completion.  It is indeed our blessed hope!

1 Corinthians 15:19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

Learning to live with eternal perspective keeps us living with the kingdom of God perspective!  This life is preparing us for the eternal existence.  There is a day for the believer that the perfection is for his spirit, soul and body.  Our hope is eternal! What a day it will be when redemption’s plan brings perfection to the whole of man.  

1 Corinthians 15:44  It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  45  And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  46  However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.  47  The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.  48  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.  49  And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.  50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

Back in lesson 1 we covered a portion of this passage.  Jesus came as the life giving spirit.  At salvation we are given a perfected spirit, a soul being renewed and a body waiting to bear the image of that heavenly Man.

1 Corinthians 15:51  Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed;  52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.  54  So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

When Jesus Christ returns for His saints we shall be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  The mortal body shall put on immortality.  Death absolutely swallowed up in victory!  What a promise of full redemption; this is our eternal hope.  Our hope can be the cause of others to hope!

1 Corinthians 13:10  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 12  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

We don’t have the perfect picture; sometime the trials in life are greater then the explanation we can find.  However, there is coming a time when that which is perfect has come.  This is the time that our soul and body will join in the perfection of our Spirit to spirit connection to God.  What a day when I come face to face with the Almighty and shall know just as I also am known.  What a promise of intimacy with God; to know as I am known by Him!  Praise the Lord!

1 John 3:1  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  2  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.     3  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Behold what manner of love the Father… He has made us His children!  It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He (Jesus) is revealed, we shall be like Him!  We shall see Him as He is!  Here is yet another promise to be perfected one day spirit, soul, and body!  With this hope comes the instruction to purify ourselves.  This instruction is to our soul and body; we are already new creations in Christ Jesus with the old gone and the new has come in our spirit!

1 Thessalonians 4:13  But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.  14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.  15  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.  16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.  17  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  18  Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Those who have died with faith in Jesus Christ are with Him now in spirit and soul.  However when Jesus returns for the living saints of God, He will bring with Him those who have died.  They will get there new body and then we who are alive and remain will get our new bodies.  So shall we ever be with the Lord.  Comfort one another with these words.  This should be our conversation often to bring hope and comfort!

Revelation 21:1  Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

The holy city the New Jerusalem; we have come to this mount Zion! 

Revelation 21:3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.  4  "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."  5  Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  6  And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  7  "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 

When we get our perfected bodies this will be our home.  Jesus said in my Father house are many mansions; He promised to prepare us a place that where He is, we may also be!

Revelation 21:8  "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

In contrast to our hope is the promise of separation for all the unbelieving!

Revelations 21:9  Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."  10  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

We indeed are the bride of Christ.  Our home is indeed the great city, the holy Jerusalem!  What a great day that will be!

Revelation 21:22  But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  23  The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.  24  And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.  25  Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).  26  And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.  27  But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

I am indeed looking for the city whose builder and maker is God!  No need for sun the glory of the Lamb will illuminate it!  It is the city where the Lamb is the light!  Looking forward to going home!

Jesus is the faithful God

God is good all the time!