For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God

through the death of His Son, much more, having been

reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life. Rom.5:10.

After expounding the most concise and complete treatise of God's Good News, concerning His Son, and having knowledge of the extent of man's rejection of it, by both the Jew and Gentile, Paul is caused to make this assessment. Rom. 3: 3-4, "What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it ? May it never be! Rather let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written." Rom. 9: 6-8, "But it is not as though the Word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but; 'Through Isaac your Descendants will be named. That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants."

Ver. 16, "So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy."
Since the beginning, God has always told man in advance what He is intending to do. God has always given him plenty of advance notice. Then while He is carrying out His purpose, he repeatedly calls man's attention to what is going on. When He has carried out any phase of it, He reminds man of the promise made and the promise carried out. Everyone along the way who believes His report, becomes a part of the finished work. Even though believing man may feel that he is all alone, God reminds him that, He, has always had his believing remnant.

If, at any point or interval of man;s disobedience to God's revealed will, had He completely given up on the race of Adam, God would have been deemed a failure. Had He treated the race, as the illustration of Sodom and Gomorrah is given, with all its inhabitants obliterated, He would have been considered a loser. Satan would have declared victory, and taken complete control. For there would have been no descendants with whom God had covenanted to save man, through which to work God's mighty work of redemption. It is at this point that the question arises. Job. 14: 4, "Who can make the clean out of the unclean ? No One!"

As hard as man has worked at it, and tried to improve upon himself, he hasn't succeeded. Still the majority keeps on trying. Only God, by the shed blood of the lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ, can make and declare, "All things clean." God has always bridged the chasm with one of Adam's descendants. The finished work of the cross of Jesus is the transition point, from the race of Adam, the first man ; to the new race of God's chosen sons. From the death of the last Adam, (Jesus), to the Second man, Jesus Christ the resurrected head of a new race,the man from heaven. All believers having been Baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, and ascension; is the transition way of God. To be a part of this hope, is and has always been a work of God, with Jesus Christ being the instrument of God's choice. The Holy Spirit is the Life giving component that makes it a living reality, to all who God the Father has foreknown, called, and justified, through His shed blood, and made one with Him in resurrection life. James, 1:18, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be as it were the first fruit among His creatures."

The promise of a Redeemer was to get mankind to look down through annals of time, with expectation of a person, described in many and various ways. He would have to perform many and varied functions in order to fulfill the requirements of the offices He had been appointed to fulfill. He would, through the offering of Himself once and for all, release mankind from, judgment, penalty, guilt, and bondage to the sinful nature, and the power of it over him. The deliverance provided by Jesus is from, the inner drives of the five senses gone bad and controlling him, and also the outward enticement of the lure of the world. And one day, in the resurrection of the last day, He will deliver the true believer from the presence of sin, by translating him or her into a new realm of life, all established by Him. He delivers believing mankind from all condemnation of having flaunted God's righteousness in His face, while enjoying it. He provides mankind with a new life that is acceptable to his heavenly Father, just as His Life had been. He will be able to present every believing person, holy and blameless before the Father. Col. 1: 13-14, "For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the Kingdom of His Beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sin's." The accomplishment was so that the Scepter of righteous-ness He has been extending to all, might be given, no require-ments necessary, except the exercise of the gift of faith. With it comes, all the riches of the wealth of His Spiritual Heavenly Kingdom. JOINT HEIRS!

All the redemptive work has been done for mankind, by a holy righteous God appearing as a holy righteous man, Christ Jesus. The all inclusiveness of it is for all who will believe, grasp it all by faith and prosper in life as a result of having God's purpose fulfilled in Jesus Christ, in whose image each is being conformed. The complete function of the office He came to assume has been fulfilled in it's entirety. As a prophet, He told forth the Word of God perfectly. As High priest, He continues to serve. 1Tim. 2: 5, "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." Heb. 4: 14-16, "Since then we have a great HIgh Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."

As King, He conquered all of His and our enemies, and rules on high in His Spiritual Kingdom. One day He will establish it here on earth.

All aspects of God's declaration to Adam,. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Aaron, and David, are carried out to fruition in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All of which was declared to mankind ahead of time. Deut. 30:19-20, "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, To Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give them."

He has illustrated to mankind through real-life experiences, endeavoring to evoke man to faith, endeavoring to get mankind to choose life and blessing and shun death and cursing.

All of this truth of life, is the heart of the manifestation Jesus confronted mankind with. Mankind had gotten so far away from God the source of life, he couldn't find his way back without help. And so God sent forth His Son, to bring mankind back to the Father--Son relationship. He held up the straight and narrow way that leads to life, and encouraged mankind to take that way. Matt. 7:13-14, "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is wide that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it." He held up two great kingdoms. One of light and life and the other of darkness and death. He encouraged mankind to take the one of light and life in Him. He held up the kingdom of heaven, over the one of the underworld, and encouraged mankind to accept the kingdom of heaven, and be received as one of its subjects. He encouraged mankind to accept eternal life, instead of eternal death. He encouraged mankind to allow, "God the judge of all the earth, who through the exercise of your faith, in His word made flesh, (Jesus Christ), will judge you (Justify You) as one of His among the living.

The wisdom and knowledge that mankind has gained of himself and his surroundings have benefited him in immeasurable ways, enhancing his life here in the physical, which God had decreed he would allow man to do. 1Tim. 6:17, "Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, Who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy."

God would put no more obstacles in man's pathway. But to allow this to deceive him into thinking that now he can work out his own destiny, and make himself acceptable to God's require-ments, and to think that he can gain answers to, and solve all of life's dilemma's and uncertainties, we are told,"Is just plain foolish-ness in God's sight.

God has gone to great lengths for the purpose of proving to mankind, and the world, that there is a better way provided for him,than the way he has chosen. The way God has provided is a way by which all of the worlds problems, all of it's ill's can be solved. This life is available here and now for any and all who will become True Believers in His Living Word, the only way that produces Real Life. Thousands of years have passed and the wealth and resources of this world have been squandered, used up, destroyed by mankind's quest for power, and his greed for more possessions, all under the false concept of bettering himself and the lives of his fellowmen. Billions are being spent each year to make these false concepts work. But never has mankind solved his real problem. HIMSELF!

Consider the fallacy of mans action, he goes to war to right a wrong, and destroys billions of dollars worth of property and untold million of lives, then works like a trooper to establish what he calls, 'peace'. Then he spends billion of innocent peoples, dollars to rebuild all the destruction. Then in a few short years, a new generation comes along and does it all over again. Real intelligent, don't you think? And yet, the problems, are still there. Mankind has done the same thing in most every area of life, build something new, tare it down, build something bigger and more lavish in its place, and in a few short years replace it with some-thing else. The only thing he hasn't been able to do this with is peoples lives. Only God in Jesus Christ can replace the old worn out wasted, natural life of mankind, with a completely new and lasting one. But the question is, have you allowed Him to do so for you?

God has revealed to the world of mankind, that this, New and Better, and Lasting, Way, is through death to the old self life, and burial, (putting off the old self), and resurrection, and the subsequent, Gift of A New Life in Jesus Christ, with His Holy Spirit to produce it in you, the believer. It is in this way that man who is dead in trespasses and sins, can through the power of the resurrected Life of Christ, share in these enduring qualities of Life, of which God in Christ is the source. Man can attribute nothing to this work.

This Gift from God is eternal. The believer, at whatever point in time, he or she exercises faith in God's Word concerning His Son Jesus Christ, is grafted into the Cultivated Olive Tree. The Tree of life, of which God in Jesus Christ, is the Root, Stump, Trunk, And Life flowing, (surging),throughout the entire forest of fruit bearing trees. They are the (Believers, Jew and Gentile) grafted into the tree, (branches given New Life), on which the New Life will produce Fruit). Romans, Chapter Eleven. Read it, study it, digest it, it will make you strong in your new position, among other branches. Psalm 34: 8, "O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!" Psalm 119: 103, "How sweet are Thy Words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Galatians, 5: 22-23, The fruit of the Spirit.)

The Lord Jesus Christ is God's propitiatory, (mercy seat, meeting place,) where God and man meet in perfect harmony, oneness of Spirit mind and body. The One in whom all oneness, fellowship, communion, and joint participation between God and Man, takes place. He is the Sum and the Substance of everything, and everyone.

Isaiah, 53: 10-12, "But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; If he would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand. As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see it and be satisfied;By His know-ledge the Righteous One, My servant will justify the many as He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, and He will divide the booty, (joint Heirs), with the strong, because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors."

The Apostle, Peter, was one who was an eye witness to the event when God expressed His Glory, and declared His approval and good pleasure with His Son, and the offering of Himself. Matt. 17:1-8, "And six days later Jesus took with Him, Peter and James and John his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. And He was Transfigured, (metamorphosed), before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.And Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I Am well pleased; hear Him!"

2Peter,1:17-19, "For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, 'This is My beloved Son with whom I am well pleased,' and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the Holy Mountain. And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place,until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your heart ."

If you as a believer, are abiding in Him, then God, the Father is well pleased with you. If He is your Peace, then you have peace with God, in Him. Eph. 2:14-16, Col 1: 19-22, "For He has made peace through the blood of His Cross, and broken down all barriers." 1Cor. 30-31, "But of His doing are you in Christ Jesus, who became to us Wisdom from God, and Righteousness and Sanctification, and Redemption, that just as it is written, 'Let Him Who Boast, Boast In The Lord."

The distorted heart of man has turned the whole concept of God's great Salvation upside down. The concept of God and His prescribed way of life was so misconstrued that they envisioned God as a great ogre, a despot who rules just to take pleasure from man's suffering. Their concept of their god is right, for they are the slaves of the one who treats them so. But that one isn't the true and living God of Life, and Light, and Love, and Justification to New Life.

The God of the unbelieving world is one who always takes control of mankind and his life. He causes him to bow down to every person, thing, or power, he has attributed the fulfillment of all his hope, and dreams, and satisfaction, to come from. This god could be and is a bigot, a racist, a factious person, or spirit of a person, and therefore, socially and politically incorrect. Being ignorant of the Truth of life, they are blind to just how intelligently incorrect they are.

God has assumed the responsibility for mankind's eternal destiny and taken the initiative, in every generation, to provide for the enlightenment mankind needs, to find the right pathway of life. There has always been a wide variation that has developed in the intellect of man, between the ideas pertaining to the ability and inability, of weak and helpless individuals trying to convince his or her self, that they can establish certain criteria by which to conduct themselves. All one has to do is listen to the different groups expressing themselves, of how pleased they are, and how much enjoyment they are deriving from the pattern they have developed, and the satisfaction they have in themselves, until tragedy strikes and then the hue and cry; Oh god,what went wrong? Why did God allow this? Their reasoning is this; Since they are satisfied with the pattern they have established for their lives, then everyone in their society should be satisfied with it also, even though it breeds tragedy. But since they are satisfied with it, God and society should be also. Through this kind of thinking, society has become so degraded, and has in every area, that now most every thing goes, and is called, liberated thinking or lifestyle. Mankind has been given his freedom to be his own person, but history has proven that mankind just can't handle being free. Just look what he has done with the freedom under the American Structure. Freedom in life, has resulted in the most sexually degraded, sexually perverted, promiscuous de-generation our country or the world has ever witnessed. Freedom of speech, has developed into gutter talk, in every area, publicly, privately, in recreation, in entertainment, in sports, in social gathering, political and counterfeit religions, in some classrooms, and even creeping into the news castors vocabulary. Our freedom as Americans, has developed into a destructive spirit rather then a constructive one. It used to be the contention that if something was wrong and needed fixing, take what was good and improve on it and discard the old, antiquated part of it. Now it seems that everything has to be destroyed first through violence. The comparisons could go on but, lets become positive after the pattern God has established for us. This kind of life may be acceptable to most, but God declares to all of us; He has a Better, and a Surer, and a Living Way.

All may be acceptable to mankind, and he can change his mind from time to time, as to what is acceptable and what is not to. But try changing God's Mind or Way. After teaching and instructing His people for several thousand years, and we come to the last book in what is known as the, "First or Old Testament, Malachi, 3:6-7, "For I, the Lord, do not change, therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes, and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,, says the Lord of Hosts. But you say how shall we return ?"

The ability to have and live a life prescribed by a Holy God, and there-by be acceptable to Him, must come from God Himself, by faith, whether then or now. It is in this way that His Life is established, and provision for living the life as well.

Consider an illustration of God's provision for supplying the power to support His Word, when faith is exercised in behalf of His Word. There are too many, to count, but consider this one; when the people of Israel were in the desert wilderness wanderings.

The people spoke out against the Lord and His servant Moses. Fiery serpents were sent to make them aware of how grievous this act of disobedience was. God's provision as a tool of learning, was the brazen serpent raised on a pole, for all in the encampment to see. The brazen serpent was a symbol of God's judgment. Just as man's disobedient act in the beginning at the behest of the serpent resulted in death, so their disobedient acts were judged under the same criteria. The Word of God directed them to look toward the serpent, which was God's provision for the plague to be stayed, for those who were bitten. Jesus later used this as an analogy about Himself, and mankind being redeemed from the plague (sin) that has stricken him. 1John 3: 14, "And as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the wilderness, even so the Son of Man must be lifted; that whosoever believes may, in Him, have eternal life."

The provision of God for their disobedience, was the same as it is for us. Allow the Great physician to cure your ill's of sin. All have been bitten by the Viper of disobedience, (Sin,) and all must recognize the ailment, and be obedient to the faith in God's Word, in order to be delivered from the malady. Isaiah, 45:22-24, "Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I Am God, and there is no other, I have sworn by Myself, The Word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness, and will not turn back. That to Me, every knee will bow and every tongue will swear allegiance. They will say of Me, 'Only in the Lord are righteousness and strength. Men will come to Him, and all who are angry with Him will be put to shame."

There was no contributing effort on their part or ours to be obedient to the Word of God, except faith. The power to make whatever God prescribes, happen, is invested in the His Word, and His ability to bring it about. The people questioned Jesus. John 6: 28-29, "They said therefore to Him, 'What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."

This instruction to believe is not an abstract concept, nor is it an intellectual one; but is a personal belief in Him, resulting in entering into a Corporate, Life Sharing experience, where He becomes your Savior, and you put complete reliance on Him and renounce, by faith all self effort to save yourself, by improving self.

People ask, didn't Jesus Himself, give many different command-ments to be obeyed? Hear the Apostle John as he records the words of Jesus, John, 12:47-50, Let me glean out a few phrases, but read it for yourself, to assure yourself, that what I am saying doesn't change the intent. "I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The Word that I have spoken to you is what will judge you at the last day, but the Father Himself, who sent Me has given Me commandments, what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is, "Eternal Life," therefore the things I speak, I speak as the Father has told Me."

Hear John again in his writings, 1John, 3: 21=24, "Beloved if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God, and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, That we believe in the Name of His son, Jesus Christ, and Love one another, just as He commanded us, and the one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit which He has given us."

For nearly two thousand years, The New Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, Who has come into the world, and who indwells the believer, has been endeavoring to convict and to convince the world of mankind, of sin, and righteousness, and judgment, so that by faith in the finished work of God in Jesus Christ , He might set others free from bondage to the old nature. All have been bitten by the Viper, sin, and need the cure that comes from looking away to Jesus and receive the cure that only the Great Physician can Supply.

What has not been seen in the church, is that all should be feeding on the bread of life, as one united body, with Jesus Christ as Head. Instead it has let all the diversity of the doctrines of men, create divisions. The Holy Spirit never separates. He always unites, and unifies, the believers into one body, united around the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians, 4: "I, Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being deligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in all."

It has always been His purpose and His intent, that His Word have the preeminence in the hearts and minds of His children, that He might be: "All and in all." All should believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that Jesus is Lord. Then all should give the same witness in Baptism, Communion, (The Lord's Supper), and the days that are kept, as unto the Lord and His Glory, and not man's.

It is all simply an acceptance and a witness to the facts of the Believers death to sin, in the death that Jesus died in their behalf. All believers have come forth from the grave, in His resurrection, to New Life, and all assemble, (unite in one body), in one faith, around the table, where a family unites. And all of the old separations, distinction, identities, ethnicity, is put aside and all are identified in Christ Jesus. God is no respecter of persons. He only recognizes those hidden in His son, under His identity. He is the only acceptable One unto the Father, and God has made the believer acceptable in His Beloved Son.

There are to many substitutes, counterfeits, false represent-ations, programs, and ceremonies, business practices that are presented in the name of evangelism. They are only religious in content and don't give a clear witness. The True Witness is obscured by the darkness of ceremonial, ritualism, which hinder from giving a clear witness. When the ones who claim to have a clear witness, don't have a clear witness themselves, the many voices get lost in the bedlam of voices.

Graduation from under the tutoring of he Law took place two thousand years ago. Peter spoke to people of his day, 1Peter, 2:1-3, "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like new born babes, long for the pure milk of he Word, that by it you may grow in respect to Salvation, if you have tasted of the kindness of the Lord."

Graduation time is past, as the writer of the book of Hebrews wrote. Heb. 5:11-6:5, "Concerning Him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need again of some one to teach you the Elementary Principles of the Oracles of God, and you have come to have need of milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice, have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, (first or old testament teaching), let us press on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance toward dead work, (forms, rituals, ceremonies, holy days, etc.) and of faith toward God, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permits."

It isn't God, Who has created the hinderance, Mankind has willfully done this himself.

Let us take off our caps and gowns and all the religious trappings that only make for a show in willful worship, (not in Spirit and in Truth), but are of no benefit to growth. Let us get down to living the Life, that God in Jesus Christ, bequeathed to us under the New Covenant. You believers, are now son's of God, therefore joint heirs with Christ Jesus. Let us start living like son's: members of a Heavenly Family. "MATURE ONES!

Embodied in the record are some little word's called, 'prep-ositions.' These little word's are such as, in, with, by, into, unto, under. The better rules of grammar, in Greek, Hebrew, as well as English, teach that embodied in these words, is the idea of an association. An intimate, personal, vital (living), corporate union with the subject or object of the discussion at hand. When the Scripture says, "If anyone be,' 'in Christ',"he or she is a new creation,"In Christ". Another example is: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are,'In Christ Jesus,' for the Law of the Spirit of life, 'In Christ Jesus', has set you free from the Law of sin and death." Also the most extensively quoted salvation verse in the Bible, John, 3: 16,"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes, " in Him, or 'in Him believes', should have eternal life." All that is embodied in the meaning is an identification, an association, a corporate union, taking place between the believer and the one believed in. The Word teaches that the Holy Spirit, placing the believer,(baptizing the believer), into this union with Jesus Christ, 'affects', this relationship. 1Cor. 12: 13, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greek (Gentile), whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." This union begins at the point the believer, by faith enters into the death of Jesus made sin, through the burial, on to the resurrection, and justification to new life. "The justified One, shall live by Faith,"

Perhaps the most enlightening analogy of this way of life given by Jesus, is the transition of a slave under Law, given his freedom by right of adoption into the family of the owner and head of the household. John, 8:28-36, "Jesus therefore said, ' When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I Am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. And He who sent Me is with Me, he has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.' As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. "If you abide in My word , then you are you truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' ' They answered Him, "We are Abraham's offspring, and have never been enslaved to any one; How is it that You say, you shall be free?' ' Jesus said to them, 'Truly I say to you, anyone who commits sin is the slave of sin, and the slave does not remain in the house forever. If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

A slave is a slave, according to the law of slavery, as long as the owner holds him to the law that binds him. The son however, is a freeman in the household, and if the son sets the slave free, then the slave is a freeman just like the son. If the head of the household adopts the slave into the family, and affords him all the rights of son-ship, then not only is he free, but has been awarded an equal share in all the possessions and wealth of the estate.

The former slave has received a new identity and a new standing in the family, and also that of a wealthy freeman in the household. All the benefits that go with the position as benefits son ship, are his. Would this person not be considered foolish, if after having been awarded or granted this gratuitous favor of a whole new life and all the benefits, not to assume the full privilege and position? In other words, to not accept the principles and precepts, by which to appropriate the status of new life and all its privileges, would the person not seem to be foolhardy indeed? The transaction breaks down, not because the transaction is not complete and valid. But, because the recipient does not show up and receive what is bequeathed in the adoption agreement. Perhaps some would even show up to contest the provisions of the last will and testament.

It is always questionable to me why people tire of reading, or hearing, or studying the Scriptures. I never do. This activity is the most fulfilling, enjoyable, and rewarding of anything I have found to do in life. That is why I quote so extensively from the Scrip-tures.

As I alluded to earlier, Abraham is held up before us in the record, as the prime example, through which the entire mind and heart of God is revealed in the covenant promise of The Messiah, (the promised seed or heir). Paul in his wonderful insight spells it all out in very concise terms in the Book of Galatians, 3: 1-4:9, Read it and study it extensively, but let us glean the heart of it from ver. 22-on. "But the Scripture has shut all men under sin, that the promise, by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (The promise being the gift of God's Spirit, who gives life). But before faith came, we(Jews), were kept in custody under the Law, being shut to the faith (quality of) ,which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we (Jews), while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son then an heir through God. However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature were no god's. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

Abram, is the first in a long lineage of people that come about as a result of the covenant promise of God to him. His name is changed from Abram, to Abraham, (People that God has called or does call, always receive a new identity) out of which due to several possibilities, comes the distinction of Hebrew. His posterity is known by this title until the time, when, in Jacob the distinction of children of Israel is given. This again is due to a name change given by God. Consider now, Abraham was in bondage to the elemental things of this world. He was a servant in his fathers household of idol's and false god's. He was enslaved to his own impossibility and his wife's, to have children. God, through His supernatural power, gave him a new name, and a new land in which to dwell. He gave him his freedom from oppression of false religions. Had God not acted as He did toward him; his identity would have ended with his and Sarah's death, as just another of the many who have died and their identity was lost forever.

After a period of time that God had foretold, his whole family were found to be enslaved to the powers of this world, specifically Egypt. God set them free from bondage under their new name, Israelites, and provided all the authority, (power), necessary to free them. He gave them a new way of life, different than they or their captors knew. He provided them with all the guidance, leadership, protection, and provision of food and water. Their clothing and shoes didn't wear out. He provided a new homeland for them, the same one He had led their father Abraham to, five hundred years before. Ultimately He gave the world a Savior through them, and provided freedom for them and all else who would receive it and follow him out into such a life. A life free from enslavement to all the world powers, even the most feared of all; ' death.'

He gave all of those who chose this message of freedom, a new name, with a new identity. He provided all the necessary require-ments, the very gift of life, Itself. Thus all that God had held out to them as a possibility, now had become a, 'reality'. However, all along it seemed that most people would rather be enslaved to someone or something else, rather than the Lord of Life, and the Lord of both heaven and earth. But for all who by faith have, and will step over into this new position as a freeman, the potential is boundless and unlimited. For the New Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, never stops providing fruit for all to enjoy.

As a believer, since the Son has set you free, then you are free indeed. Don't let yourself be enslaved, entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

True Faith, Real Faith, and not a superficial one, Faith of the quality that Noah, Abraham Isaac, Jacob, David, and The Lord Jesus Christ had and gave to His Apostles, Faith of a New Life appropriating quality, exercised in behalf of the Word of God concerning His Son. The Redemption He provides, in Jesus Christ, is saving Faith. 2Pet.1, "Simon, Peter, a bond servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, "To those who have received a FAITH of the SAME KIND as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ." Gal. 3:22-25, "But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by FAITH in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before Faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut to the Faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by Faith. But now that FAITH HAS COME, we are no longer under a tutor. " ver. 27, "All of you who have been Baptized (placed), into Christ have clothed yourself with Christ." By Faith the believer, has put on the New Man, who is created in the likeness of Jesus Christ.

Another portrait of God's gracious benevolence is shown in the marriage contract. The illustration is that of God, taking Israel, this people as His Wife, Isaiah, 54: 4-8, "Fear not for you will not be put to shame; neither feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord Of Hosts; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. For the Lord has called you, like a Wife for-saken and grieved in spirit, even like a wife of ones youth when she is rejected, says your God. For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting loving-kindness I will have compassion on you, says the Lord your Redeemer."

All He wanted was for them to accept His Love. And as a faithful wife, allow Him to bring His Son, the promised Messiah, the Savior, into the world through them. All He asked of them was to accept His Loving, Living Prescription for Life. We know how He as a faithful Husband, approached the Virgin Mary, and took her as His handmaiden, and through the virgin birth, brought His Son into the world, so that the world might be saved through Him.

Consider and compare God's concern for them as pre-natal care. He meant them to be a strong, healthy, vigorous people, with a righteous life, according to His assessment of Righteousness. The kind of a wife through which to bring His Son into the world. He found such a maiden, in Mary, and so kept His covenant promise to them as well as to Abraham, and the rest of the world.

Consider the emphasis that is placed before young women today, for the need of good care for themselves and their expected newborn. Mankind should have learned that from God long ago. But in that this phase of life is neglected, both physically and Spiritually, is it any wonder that America's youth, since the days of the Revolutionary War, have turned their backs on the kind of life our founding fathers as well as God has held out for them and us? Is it any wonder that the history of this nation is one of violence, and most of our hero's come from people of violence, and degraded lifestyles ?

Just as it was for them, so it has been for us. All God ever asked of them or us, or any other people of the world, is for people to receive from Him, His Prescription for Life, and His provision for making the life a reality. He gives A life of freedom, and plenty, and then the True Believer offers it back to Him as a, "Sweet Smelling Savor, with thankfulness and gratitude for all of His Graciousness to us, instead of the Stench that has been going up to heaven from off this planet. His provision is the marriage contract, the dowry, and the home, and the land in which to dwell in safety. And an inspired song writer wrote, "Oh! I've got a home in Glory Land, that, OUTSHINES THE SUN!

When the contract was read to them by Moses from off the mountain, they were all in agreement, and cried out in unison; "All that the Lord has said, we will do." But it wasn't long before their unfaithfulness began to show itself, and they began to fail "'Their Vows." He was the faithful One, and kept every iota of His part of the agreement. He is not finished, even today, He is still offering to them and to the world, a real person, a Perfect Son and Savior. One who physically, as well as Spiritually, could be seen, heard, and touched. If the world, as well as they, would just accept the Father, as a faithful, although absent, Husband, then they as well as the rest of the world could, and to a great extent would, accept the Son, in His Place. He is not finished, but will bring all who will accept them by faith, back into His embrace.

Even though, in the face of all the rejection from His family, He has faithfully kept every commitment He ever made to His creation, His Family. He has done far more than any husband could ever be expected to do in the face of all the insults hurled in His face, the cursing of His name, and the fornicating with other lovers (god's-or objects of worship), that have been placed ahead of Him.

Remember the admonition, "You shall have no other god's before Me." Read and study the Book of Hosea, and let the Holy Spirit make plain the analogy. But in the face of all of this, God still keeps pleading with His creation, 1Cor. 5: 19-20, " God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and has committed to us the Word of reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were intreating you through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." This is why Paul could write in the first few verses of the opening of this letter 1Cor. 1: 9, "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

One of the prophets that God had sent is specifically singled out, to spell out plainly the provisions God had made and was going to carry out at the right time. This provision would rectify the desecration of His first covenant, or rather His covenant of Law given to the Children of Israel. The arrangement under Law, which they had agreed to, was, when they failed, death was the penalty, (payment). This was no different than had been given to the first man, Adam. However, He, God would accept a substitute offering in behalf of the believing one. Jer. 31: 31-34, "Behold days are coming , says the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them, declares the Lord. But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their inequity, and their sin I will remember no More." So the pronouncement, that one die for all and that the whole nation did not have to perish, was fulfilled at the Cross. John, 11:49-53, Read this Quote: Jesus spoke of this, the night He kept the last Passover meal with His fellow Jews, and instituted the New Covenant. In substitute, The One, Jesus The Lamb, God's Sacrifice for His peoples trans-gressions, as well as the sins of the whole world, was offered up that night, and it is effectual (efficacious) even until today. The power of sin and death had been broken, in His resurrection. And the judgment under Law had been remitted. The judgment from this point on is whether man accepts or rejects God's offering in the person of his Son, as his or her own offering. The potential for a complete Justification, and reconciliation was now available for all, everywhere, for all time. By Faith, accept Him for it all, and share in the benefits of the fullness of Life in Christ.

The full Gospel message is what Paul expressed, and the purpose for it was so that the blessings of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles personally; just as God Had done for the Children of Israel. Gal. 3: 13-14, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us--for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree in order that in Christ Jesus the blessings of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith."

The Holy Spirit made the bodies of Abraham and Sarah alive physically in order that God's Word to them might become a living reality in Isaac, and ultimately in Christ. He also gives life to all who will receive Him, He who has the authority of Life invested in Him. Rom. 5:10, "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His Life." Rom. 8:10-11, And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal body through His Spirit who dwells in you."

This is what the prophet spoke of when God spoke through him saying, 'I will put My Laws in their hearts and in their minds, so that all will know Me, says the Lord of Life.

The question each of us must ask ourselves is, "Do I know Him as the source of life, from which all the provisions, for Life and Godliness come? Or am I trying in my own strength to work out a form of character that appears like His, if so it's a counterfeit. There's only One, and, He's the One.

Have you been exhorted, now that you have become a believer, to just get up and get out there and witness for Jesus ? Or now get out there and live for the Lord? Have you been exhorted to, 'Get into a church and get to work for the Lord?' Or again,"Just get out there and become a soul winner for the Lord. If this is the case, do you find yourself struggling in the flesh, (in your own strength), with one discouraging experience after another? Do you find yourself not able to cope, so you want to give up, because it doesn't seem to work that way? If this is your experience, and your not really being taught the truth, so that your spirit is being fed and strengthened first, then you are in the wrong, sheepfold. Maybe your in among the goats, who like to butt, push and shove. If your being encouraged to just keep on trying harder, you are in the wrong place.

The success for daily living doesn't lie with yourself, and in your own self efforts. It lies in the One in Whom you placed your faith initially. You now have His life as the source of all your needs. You just need to get to get to Know Him and the power of His resurrected Life, abiding with-in. It is His Life you now possess, and you need to learn how to live, Christ. Consider Paul's witness of His own personal realization, which set him free to live to the glory of God, which is his destiny fulfilled. Gal. 2: 20-21, "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God , who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." You and I must learn, that it's a matter of each moment, appropriating by faith, 'His Life', and to live in the strength of it.

The apostle John knew this very well, as Jesus taught and said, John 6:63, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I spoken to you are Spirit and they are Life."

Paul also repeatedly teaches thus, 2Cor. 3:5-6, "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from our-selves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." and again Paul proclaims God's faithfulness, 2Cor. 1: 20a and 24b, "For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are, "Yes", and in your faith you are standing firm."

God had been reinforcing the power of His Word in the peoples minds, and hearts, and continued to remind them period-ically, Read Isaiah, 5: 6-11, but particularly ver. 11, "So shall My Word be which goes forth from My mouth, it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without suc-ceeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Because of the character development, due to the way in which mankind chose to live his life, we of the race of Adam, have always been competitive minded. We have always been faced with one obstacle after another to overcome. Much of life con-sequently has been developed into athletic games of one kind or another. In fact this mentality is so predominate, that mankind as a whole, approaches life as though it was one big continuing game.

The Apostle Paul was a master at using metaphors, and using them as word pictures in describing actions in the physical, to convey spiritual truths. Such as, running the race, eyes fixed on the goal, and the prize. Not just beating the air, but making the pun-ches count.

Just recently I heard an interview with a football player, one of the top-ranked, more successful, at what he does. The interview-er's questions went something like this. "How do you prepare, both mentally and physically for your competition? How do you assess what it will take to overcome your opponent, to neutralize him?

The answer went something like this: "In the first few confron-tations, I challenge him, physically, mentally, and psychologically. I challenge him to see what kind of a 'motor' he is powered with." He talked about the intimate side. It was more important to get inside the man, to know his character. Was he driven by just brute strength, or was there a spirit in the man, that kept his engine going right up to the whistle? Did he play the game according to the rules, out of shear enjoyment, or did he incorporate dirty un-sportsman like tactics to beat you.? Did he display an inner strength and character that made him un-beatable? In the natural physical realm, its hard to tell whether a person has developed the inner strength and character to measure up like this. But the man himself will let you know, by speech, attitude, action and reaction to the situations as they develop on and off the field. When asked, he readily admits that the strength and ability and attitude toward the game and his fellow man is not his own, but he receives it from his Lord and Savior. He may not always be the winner in the physical contest, for there are always those bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic, and with more ability, than he. But in the conflict of life, in the inner man, he will always come out the victor.

The secret to the distinction, is it just the human spirit that is the power that drives the motor, that produces the energy to propel the vehicle ? In the category of our social sciences, they will tell you, yes, very definitely. But the person himself will tell you differently. The true believer will quickly tell you, and honestly, that it is the Spirit of the living God, producing the energy, (power), of the resurrected Lord of Life in them. It's the same power that raised the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead. You can have one without the other, or you can have both. Your spirit made alive by the Spirit of the Lord of life,is unbeatable. Skeptic's will say, well then why don't believers go around raising people from the dead? Such a response is a predictable one from an unbeliever. But the Scripture clearly tells, each has their own unique gift, one after this manner and one after that. And Jesus had the full package, and chose to distribute them severally as He wills.

The New Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, is the solution to all problems for those who have truly Believed In Him as their life. For the rest of the race of mankind, it could be, the solution to all individual, family, social, moral, ethical, racial, religious, and political, domestic, foreign , and any other problem that the enemy of man's souls, might conjure up. The New Life in Christ Jesus, makes all people, to the true believer, colorless, and at the same time makes every other True believer, colorful.

In Christ, everything and everyone is the same, for we are all one in Christ. I am very much aware when I say this, immediately distinctions are drawn, because of all the sects and cults, calling themselves Christian. Also there are those that refuse, and will create their own distinctions. Continuing on the way it is, the worlds problems will never be solved. Man can establish as many organizations as he can dream up until the day of Jesus Christ, when God has promised that He will once again visit the earth, only this time it is to visit it with wrath. He will put down all of man's rule and establish His own, in what the Bible calls the,"Golden Age, or the Golden Jubilee."

If we have given careful consideration to the reading and the study of the Word of God, The Bible, The Record, The Account that God Himself has left for mankind to learn from, and gain hope, and assurance of, Who and What we believe; I don't believe there can be but little doubt as to Who, has made Himself respon-sible for bringing salvation to the fallen race of humanity. And I don't believe, there can be any doubt in any one's mind, where the responsibility lie, and where the blame should be directed, if any-one finds themselves missing the boat, (So to speak ), as multitudes did, when God had given them One-hundred and twenty years time, in the days of Noah.

Ohana (Family), luau, Hula, Celebration, Daughters Graduation From Yale.

God Is Faithful--He Keeps His Promises:

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