The First (Old) Testament in the Holy Scriptures foretells of Christ Jesus. The Second (New) Testament has His birth and ministry before His Sacrifice. Jesus was the expected Messiah, the Anointed One prophesied about, the deliverer to redeem mankind and returning King and Judge although many did not believe.
Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: See, the virgin will conceive, have a son, and name him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14 (CSB)
Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12 (CSB)
The prophesied Son of Yahweh came to save mankind from the wages of sin. His purpose in this world was to redeem humankind, undo the fall in the garden and reclaim dominion of the world.
let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing here before you healthy. This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Acts4:10-12 (CSB)
How much more then, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. Romans 5:9 (CSB)
He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossian 1:13-14 (CSB)
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7 (CSB)
just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (CSB)
Son of God declares Christ's Deity. Jesus was a man born of a woman coming down from a heavenly position, living with human characteristics. He had natural emotions and feelings, living in man's fallen natural environment. He experienced life from a human perspective. Therefore, He was aware of our human frailties and limitations. Jesus is the only begotten Son of Father Yah (Yahweh). He is God's beloved Son Who obeyed His Father unto crucifixion.
The angel replied to her: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:35 (CSB)
But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!” Jesus said to him, “It is as you said...
Matthew 26: 63-64 (NKJV)
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Son of man focuses on Jesus' humanity. He was born into the world of a woman named Mary and lived as a flesh and blood person, dying by crucifixion as a man. The title Son of Man is how Jesus referred to himself eighty times or more in the Second (New) Testament.
This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
1John 4:2 (CSB)
The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to [a]our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” John 19:7 (NKJV)
Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh. Emmanuel, God with us. The Savior Son is fully human and fully Divine. This Hypostatic Union of God and man was needful for the redemption of humankind to be fulfilled.
Therefore the Lord himself will give you[c] a sign: The virgin[d] will conceive and give birth to a son, and[e] will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”).
Matthew 1:23 (KJ21)
As mankind is incapable of sinless perfection, God fulfilled the requirement for us. Christ Jesus, in the form of a man was perfect, sinless in thought and deed being obedient to the FATHER on all counts even unto death on the tree at Calvary.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 1 John 3:5 (NIV)
The Anointed Son of Yahweh was sent to us to be the final sacrifice for all sin. He was crucified on the tree at Calvary (or cross) as propitiation for our sins. Sin saturated humanity and the world. The result of sin is destruction, death. Christ Jesus paid the penalty so we may have eternal life and not suffer the wages of sin.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29 (CSB)
but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb. 1Peter 1:19 (CSB)
Before His crucifixion Christ Jesus predicted His resurrection as well. God raised His Savior Son on the third day as prophesied in both the First (Old) and Second (New) Testaments. The resurrection sealed His Divinity for all time.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)
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He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’
Luke 24: 6-7 (NIV)
Priests were spiritual advocates and go-betweens with man and God. The Nazarene Messiah satisfied this roll with Divine finality. By His sacrifice the curtain was torn, and we now are allowed before the Throne of Grace with our worthiness not being of us but of the Savior Son Who covers us with His shed Blood. Christ Jesus is the Eternal, Perfect, High Priest, something fallen mortal man could never fulfill.
For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
Hebrews 7:26-28 (AKJV)
whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Hebrews 6:20 (AKJV)
Yahweh's Kingdom has a King, His Son, Jesus. All authority has been given to the Son so Christ Jesus is King, Master and Lord of all.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV)
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They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Revelations 17:14 (NIV)
Jesus is our Divinely appointed Judge. When we stand before the everlasting throne to account for our temporal lives.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. John 5: 22-23 (AKJV)
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For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 2Corinthians 3:10 (AKJV)
Christ Jesus is the Word of God made flesh which dwelt among man. Life everlasting can be gotten only through the Redeeming King of Heaven and earth.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (CSB)
Christ Jesus is the Way. The way to salvation from sin. The way to be worthy to come before the heavenly throne of grace. The way to be citizens of God's Holy Kingdom. The way to eternal life with the Lord.
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 (CSB)
For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (BSB)
If we live by the Spirit, we should also walk by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 (BLB)
Spiritual living is about shifting our focus from the natural realm to the spiritual realm. As simplistic as that may sound, it's not so easy. Humans are body, soul and spirit. It's the spirit being that true Christians are led to tap into. Salvation activates the Holy Spirit in us, and we are to set our gaze toward the spiritual. Being joined with Christ Jesus allows us the privilege of coming before Almighty Yahweh's Throne of Grace under the Messiah's Righteousness. There are two major components that can either help us or hinder success during our Christian journey. They are love and warfare. These polar opposites work to balance our souls as we live out our faith. We are to love (phileo and agape) as Christ did, yet being human, we must wage war against our natural propensity toward ungodly behavior and fleshly satisfaction. We have to fight the enemy (from within and from without) that seeks to derail us from our faith and divine callings.
People of the Way, (Christians) living between two realms, the natural and the spiritual are ever so cognizant of our dual existence. As disciples of Christ Jesus, we become keenly aware this natural existence is temporary and the spiritual is eternal, so our concentration should shift. This altered focus is evidence of our faith and a map for our spiritual journey. We believe, we trust, we have faith in a coming eternal life with our Savior and that is our motivation and ultimate goal. Therefore, what we think, do and ascribe to is in accordance with God's expectations while living in the natural world. Jockeying between these two realities, however, can be a daunting task. We still have to deal with the physical and all its fleshly demands. Scripture teaches us the flesh must be spiritually crucified and that is no exaggeration. With God's help we can subdue our unruly flesh, but we have to be vigilant and do it consistently. That's what walking in the spirit entails. The world around us is saturated with unrighteousness. Most of what we see, hear and navigate through is not of God. Staying in spirit mode requires intentionality. The Holy Spirit is active in Christ's people to help and comfort as we live it out. God's Spirit guides us as we move and mature in the faith. The realization of who we are and our natural draw to ungodliness and receiving salvation makes us see things differently, diminishing worldly perceptions and illuminating the spiritual.
Living in the spirit in modern times is as complicated as ever because the world is even more populated becoming this consistently concentrated hotbed of sin and evil influence. In addition, the enemy has muddied the waters considerably with unholy spiritualism. Deceitful so-called spiritual practices have inundated United States culture, which I find disheartening in a nation initially founded and shaped on certain Christian values. What you find popular online today that's errantly considered beneficial spiritual practices are happening in this nation with disturbing regularity. These practices are from all over the world having made their way into the US. Spiritual deception is nothing new. It certainly existed in ancient times, but today's manipulations have a more cunning contemporary character. A character that works well with an ever-growing secular population that's desperately looking for answers. The problem is they are looking for those answers everywhere other than the True and Living God.
The spirit life also includes what is referred to as spiritual warfare. This aspect of the faith is a much-understated part of our Christian experience. Yet, it's a real and crucial part of the spiritual journey. Living in the spirit can be fraught with all sorts of destructive twists and turns because we have an enemy that works diligently at destroying each saint of God personally and mankind as a whole. So, navigating this life in the spirit presents a mine field of physical and mental explosive devices meant to deter, delay or stop us altogether.
And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
1 John 4:16 (CSB)
The building blocks of Christian character are not held together by mortar or cement. What explains the theater of this temporal life and binds God's Sanctified Kingdom is LOVE; the Love God has for His human creation, the love we have for God, the love we have for fellow Christians and the love we should have for all of mankind. It's the kind of love we try to develop and demonstrate by our actions, agape love and philia. Philia is the brotherly kind of love or close friendship. Agape is love beyond normal comprehension, an unconditional love, the sacrificial kind like the Nazarene demonstrated toward mankind. There are other Greek words for love such as, Eros (sensual love) and storge (familial love) but those types are typical in everyone whether born-again or not. Christian love, in particular Agape Love, is deeper than human emotions and physical reactions. It's a love rooted and existing on a whole other plane, love that springs from the part of our being that is most like God. Agape is how God bestows His love to us. It's a spiritual kind of love defying comprehension from a natural perspective. This level of love is how Yahweh and Christ Jesus loved mankind and how they love us individually as well. Grace and Mercy are rooted in God's Agape love for us. That is why we can be redeemed from sin; love made a way. It's a love steeped in tolerance, patience and generosity; what most of us aspire to and always being aware no matter how hard we attempt to love in that manner we sorely lack the full capacity of the Divine. Yet, it's the attempt toward that kind of love which makes us look more like our Blessed Redeemer. God is Love and love is what displays Christ's Kingdom to the world. Above all else, it is love that we will take with us into eternity.
Spiritual warfare is part of our Christian experience, an uncomfortable part to most people and one complicated with a plurality of views on its significance and level of influence in our lives. It has been my experience that most Christian teaching and preaching glosses over the intricacies of spiritual warfare. This is unfortunate because it's a very real and necessary consideration for all born-again believers trying to walk and grow in faith. It's essential information and training for our spiritual journey. Getting saved is just the beginning of that marvelous journey. We definitely are not to fear the adversary, but the Body of Christ grossly underestimates the adversarial impact. Being born-again does not eliminate the enemy from your life. Even under the covering of Christ wicked entities can deceive, harass and oppress you although they cannot inhabit you. Humans have been constantly manipulated starting in the Garden of Eden to this very day. Manipulated in such a manner that we are often clueless to see know just how pervasive.
The initial salvation experience is the entry through the strait gate (tight entrance) but going down the narrow way (difficult road) continues for the rest of our lives. It is in living out our Christian faith we experience spiritual attacks by the enemy from without and spiritual conflicts from within. Born again Christians should be able to identify and deal with these spiritual forces that can inundate us in this fallen world. It is spiritual wisdom to be aware of the devious methods and blatant chaos caused by our spiritual nemesis. It's also wise to realize we have a means to access the Power of Almighty God to fight. Saints should know how the principalities attack, tempt people and operate on the planet as an often unnoticed but dominant force. The best thing for any opposition is for people not to believe it exists or think it has no degree of power. These spirits are running rampant in the world and mightily within the world's church system so why would we not be ever vigilant and ready to do battle on behalf of God's Kingdom. In dealing with this disconcerting reality, we are scripturally taught to act in warlike fashion. Saints of God must become spiritual warriors.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:10-13 (BSB)
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It is my opinion that the spirit realm's dark forces and the impact it wields on this world and our individual lives is sorely underestimated and frequently understated by modern Christendom. Most of us fail to credit the whys and how come of humanity's unrighteous chaos to a devilish spiritual influence. We downplay our own personal struggles as we try to live in a manner glorifying God. Some believers think their salvation makes them immune to sinful temptations and the enemy's devious influence. Yet, all one has to do is read Scripture to understand the era in that thinking. In Matthew 4 we see the enemy trying to tempt Jesus Christ. The adversary did not succeed, yet it makes a point that if he would try to tempt the anointed and perfect Son of God, he will certainly wield temptation on those of us in the Body of Christ no matter how holy and sanctified we think we are.
look around you at this world and honestly look within yourself and it should become clear we have to battle such active and determined principalities with an agenda to separate us from our God and Savior's Grace and Mercy. Humankind is contaminated with pride, disobedience and carnality. Only through the Divine Power of Christ's Sacrifice and Resurrection can there be victory for our salvation and subsequent spiritual battles.
Hollywood has very much made the spiritual world appear to be some spooky fictitious nonsense. The supernatural has been reduced to entertaining movies and television shows depicting everything from vampires that fall in love, zombies taking over the world and a wise cracking, cigar smoking devil. Is it any wonder it's difficult for believers to put a finger on the real supernatural and spirit world. We've been brainwashed by media's false depictions. But to understand the Truth of the matter one need look no further than the Scriptures in the Holy Bible.
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)
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Who or what are we fighting? We are fighting against powers and principalities in the heavenlies and rulers of the darkness of this world. We are fighting against the unseen but not the unknown. Too be more precise, we fight against invisible enemies of the spirit realm, evil manifestations called unclean spirits, demons or devils. These adversarial entities can touch each and every aspect of our lives as well as affect the cultural landscape of the world around us.
The presence of an unseen realm is scriptural. Throughout the Holy Bible the spirit realm is clearly demonstrated as an actual existence connected to what happens in our time-constrained natural world. When studying Scripture, one quickly comes to a startling realization that there is more than what we see around us. From the Bible we begin envisioning the spirit world and understanding how that realm impacts our natural realm. That gives an entirely different and more accurate perspective on our present lives. Comprehending the unseen but very real enemy is essential to living a genuinely productive Christian life whether dealing with conflicts of our own personal walks or navigating through this fallen ungodly environment.
Be sober-minded; watch. Your adversary the devil prowls about as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour, 1 Peter 5:8 (BLB)
The thief comes only that he might steal and might kill and might destroy. I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly. John 10:10 (BLB)
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The end goal of all saints is to spend eternity with our Most High Father God and Savior Son. Defeating death (separation from God) and enjoying everlasting life in a glorious environment with none of the misery and heartache of this present world. Unfortunately, there are forces set against us achieving our desired destiny. Forces that work constantly with much success in frustrating our spiritual journeys.
And having summoned His twelve disciples, He gave to them authority over unclean spirits, so as to cast them out and to heal every disease and every sickness. Matthew 10:1 (BLB)
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“Don’t hide behind the Word of God. Faith is the shield, the Word of God is the sword. The sword isn’t used to defend you, it’s used to attack.” Derek Prince
The major battlefield for our salvation is the mind. The mind is the soul of mankind, and the soul is what the adversary wants to control in all of humanity including disciples of Christ Jesus. It's in our minds the enemy whispers his temptations and ideas to deliberately thwart our Christian character or walk.
You will be hated by everyone because of my name, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13 (CSB)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 (CSB)
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A disciple of Christ Jesus is automatically conscripted into the Divine Army because of the born-again spiritual status. Saints become soldiers, opposing the forces of sin and evil. Those in the True Church of Christ Jesus are draftees of the Lord's army in a spiritual conflict, God vs the devil or, in a more secular term, good versus evil. Standing on our faith, embarking on the journey toward eternal life can be a struggle of sorts. Being among the anointed troops of the Lord we must stand immovable even in our own personal struggles. We are participants in God's Kingdom Armed Forces fighting this longstanding cosmic war. The ultimate challenge and desired end in any war is accomplishing the main objective with those fighting surviving.
For the Body of Christ, the struggle is ongoing; the battles continue as long as we live in this fallen natural world. The goal is to endure. Through the highs and lows, the good and the bad we are to spiritually hang on and grow in faith as we navigate through all circumstances. We do not have to try and win the war. Our Redeemer has secured the ultimate victory by His Sacrifice on the tree at Calvary and His resurrection. We need to just fight our personal battles and, by whatever way we are called, continue to advance the Gospel and serve in God's Kingdom. With spiritual weapons we fight and in faith we endure until the end; the end of our natural lives or the end of this world's age when Messiah returns, whichever comes first.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (KJV)
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Any effective fighting against the enemy; any meaningful spiritual push back from those of us in the Body of Christ comes from the Power of God and not of ourselves. Our Creator and Savior is Omnipotent, all Powerful and we have access to that power through Christ Jesus. It is because of the God in us that we defeat our spiritual foes. The Creator God and Redeeming Son, equips saints with the ability to thwart the powers of sin, darkness and death by Power from on High.