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Our life is precious because we can determine the proper decisions in life. "And I, brethren, when I (Paul) came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto your the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." 1 Corinthians 1:1-2 In being a New Testament Christian, we must have the proper determine in this life. I am Charles Burke, Minister in Sedona, Arizona. Let me reveal the proper determination which we should have in this life so that we can enjoy the Spiritual Blessings of our own divine nature of life.
THE MANDATE FOR DETERMINATION I. We should determine that God, who is our Creator, is the being of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own creation of life God is collectively called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in reference to our own creation of life. God said concerning our own creation of life, "Let us (who are the Heavenly Persons that are called God) make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image" (of life). John said concerning those three Heavenly Persons who are called God in being our Creator, "For there are three (Persons) that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in matters of Their Own Individual Nature of life because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God. Moses said concerning the oneness (the equality) of God, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord." Paul said concerning the Name of God, "Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Gen. 1:26-27, 1 John 5:7, Deut. 6:4, Eph. 3:15 II. We must determine that Christ, who is our Redeemer, is the being of three equal Persons who are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in matters of our own redemption of life because those three God-Persons who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator equally made Themselves to work in the name of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. This is why, "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), sit thou on my right hand, until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Heavenly Persons who would be called Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:34-36, Matt. 28:18-20
THE REASONS FOR OUR DETERMINATION I. We are accountable for that which we do in this life because God has appointed a day in which the world will be judged. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31 II. We will be eternally rewarded for that which we do in this life because every man must received a just recompense of reward. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may received the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Corinthians 5:10
THE MANNER OF OUR DETERMINATION I. We should not determine anything which would be contrary to the will of God because that would displease Him. "And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hath provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." Luke 12:16-21 II. We should determine what the will of God is to the best of our knowledge and ability because that would please Him. "Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:13-17
THE BLESSINGS OF OUR DIVINE DETERMINATION I. If we determine to serve the Lord our God in this life, it would fulfill the purpose of our own creation of life. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 II. If we determine to serve the Lord our God in this life, we would be given a crown of life. "For I (Paul) am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to my only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8
THE CONCLUSION I. Our life is precious because we can determine to learn the truth so that we can become free from our sins. II. We should learn the truth and obey it so that we can live eternally with the Lord our God in heaven.
THE BEAUTY OF OUR LIFE #2 If you will examine the following facts of life, you will determine the beauty of your own immortality of life because you in being a New Testament Christian possess a created and redeemed nature of of life. For illustrating purposes: WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS OUR CREATOR
The Bible says, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord (Ruler) of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring (the sons) of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and mans's devices." Acts 17:24,29 I. Who are the Persons that are ruling in the Godhead (a Divine Term which signifies the Divine Rule of God) in matters of our own creation of life? A. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because the one God of the Scriptures can be more than one Person providing that those Persons are equal in power, rule and authority in reference to Their Own Individual Being of life. This is why God said, "Let us (who are the Persons that are called God) make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image" (of life). Paul said concerning the Godhead in reference to our own creation of life, "Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device." John said concerning those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life, "For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in reference to Their Own Individual Nature of life. Genesis 1:26-27, Acts 17:29, 1 John 5:7 B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only God in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc. II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life? Now, we should learn that the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of God who is the being of three equal Persons that are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in reference to our own creation of life. This makes us to be a god in matters of our own creation of life because we are the offspring of God. Our Lord said, "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken." John 10:34-35 Therefore, since we are a god in matters of our own creation of life, this greatly magnifies the whole being of our own created nature of life because in that world which is to come we can become a Family Member of that God-Family who lives in heaven. Paul said concerning the Name of God, "Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3:15
WE MUST KNOW GOD WHO IS THE HEAD OF CHRIST
The Bible says, "The head of Christ is God. For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head of all principality and power." 1 Corinthians 11:3, Colossians 1:9-10 I. What does it mean for God to be the head of Christ and Christ to be subjected to God? Now, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead (the Divine Rule of God) was made to dwell (to rule) in Christ so that Christians, who are new creatures in Christ, could be Divinely Ruled in matters of their own redemption of life. This enabled those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, to equally make Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. This was performed because "The Lord (God) said unto my Lord (Christ), sit thou on my right hand, until I make the foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that the Lord God (who was the being of the Father and the Holy Spirit in heaven) hath made that same Jesus (who was the Incarnated Word upon the earth), whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Jesus (who was made both Lord and Christ in being our Redeemer) said concerning those three Persons who equally would be be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:34-36, Matthew 28:18-20 Therefore, God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Reign of God brought the Reign of Christ into being upon the earth so that sinful man could be redeemed. II. Why should we learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons? Now, we should learn that God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because the Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are called God in being our Creator; whereas those same three Persons are equally made to work in the Name of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that that They can be our Redeemer. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. For there are three (Persons) that bear record (of our creation) in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit: and these three (Persons) are one" (equal) in power, rule and authority. "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Colossians 3:1, 1 John 5:7, Matthew 28:18-20
WE MUST KNOW CHRIST WHO IS OUR REDEEMER
The Bible says, "For in him (Christ) dwelleth (ruleth) all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye (Christian) are complete in him (Christ), who is the head of all principality and power. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creatures: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." Colossians 1:9-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17 I. Who are the Persons that are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ (a Divine Term which means the Divine Rule of Christ) in matters of our own redemption of life? A. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin. This is why we in being an alien sinner must be baptized into Christ for the remission of our sins by being baptized in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit so that we can become a New Testament Christian. Our Lord said concerning those three Persons who equally would be ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Paul said, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Matthew 28:18-20, Galatians 3:27 B. Equality signifies that those three Persons who are called Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are equal in power, rule and authority because They equally possess the same Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of the one and only Christ in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life. *Personage means possessing a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit. *Powers signify being Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. *Nature reveals being eternal, impartial, perfect, spiritual and etc. *Attributes indicate being lovable, righteous, merciful, faithful and etc. II. Why should we learn that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life? Now, we should learn that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because we possess the Divine Characteristics of Christ who is the being of three equal Persons that are called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in reference to our own redemption of life. This makes us to be a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life because we can become a partaker of the Divine Nature of God in our Heavenly Home. Peter said, "God hath given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises; that by these (promises) ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption (the pollution) that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 Therefore, since we are a divine person in matters of our own redemption of life, this highly amplifies the total sum of our own divine nature of life because in that world which is to come we will be called by the Name of God. Our Lord said, "Him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." Revelations 3:12
THE CONCLUSION I. The Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit are three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead in matters of our own creation of life because God in being the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit created our own divine nature of life free of sin. II. God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two Persons because those three God-Persons, who are called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit in being our Creator, equally made Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. III. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are the three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own redemption of life because Christ in being the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit redeemed our own divine nature of life from the guilt of sin. IV. The Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because we have been created and redeemed by three equal Persons who are called God and Christ in being our Creator and our Redeemer so that in that world which is to come we can become equal (having power, rule and authority) with Them. A. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Spiritual Personage of life which will be a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit in reference to Our Own Individual Being of life. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is sown a nature body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. Who (our Lord) shall change our vile body (our fleshly body), that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (His Spiritual Body), according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. And as we have borne the image of the earthy (the earthy man who possesses a physical body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (the Spiritual Person who has a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit). 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 15:44, Philippians 3:21,1 Corinthians 15:49 B. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Powers of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "If we suffer, we shall also reign (rule) with him (the Lord our God). If we deny him, he also will deny us. To him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. And to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And they shall reign (rule) for ever and ever" (over the powers of Satan). 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 3:21, Revelation 2:26-27, Revelation 22:5 C. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Nature of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures can not be broken. God has given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Him that overcometh (the powers of Satan) will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." John 10:34-35, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 3:12, Ephesians 3:15 D. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in reference to our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Divine Attributes of life in matters of Our Own Individual Being of life. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Be ye also merciful, as your Father also is merciful. He that overcometh (the powers of sin), the same shall be clothed in white raiment (having his Divine Attributes Perfected): and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angles. For there shall in no wise enter into it (the Heavenly City) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Matthew 5:48, Luke 6:36, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 21:27 E. We will become equal (having power, rule and authority) with those three Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in heaven we will possess Their Immortality of life in reference to Our Own Individual Nature of life. "Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality (the Lord in all of His Power and Glory only has immortality, but the Lord has promised to give unto us those same Spiritual Blessings of Immortality), dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. To them (the Christians) who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." 1 Timothy 6:15-16, Romans 2:7
THE APPLICATION I. We can't Scripturally make a centralized head(a ranked hierarchy) to rule in the New Testament Church because we are all equal in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. This is why the clergy and the laity class of people can not Scripturally exist in the New Testament Church because no one redeemed person can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Therefore, we should not call any redeemed person: Reverend or Father because those are Divine Titles which belong unto the Lord our God (not redeemed man). "Holy and reverend is his name. Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Psalms 111:9, Matthew 23:9 II. We can't Scripturally make any created person to be any greater than we are in a created way, nor can we Scripturally make any created person to be any less than we are in a created way because we are equal in matters of our own creation of life. This is why no one race of people is any greater than another race of people because we are all equal in reference to our own creation of life. Therefore, we should not respect any one person above another person because God is no respecter of persons. "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. If ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors, For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilt of all." Acts 10:34-35, James 2:9-10 III. We can't Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any greater than we are in a redeemed way, nor can we Scripturally make any redeemed person to be any less than we are in a redeemed way because we are all equal in matters of our own redemption of life. This means that no one priest, elder, or bishop has any more power, rule and authority than another priest, elder or bishop because no one redeemed man can Scripturally rule a congregation of the Lord's Church. Each congregation of the New Testament Church is autonomous (self-ruled) because of the equality of our own creation and redemption of life. Therefore, Christ (not a redeemed man) is the head of the Church. "Christ isthe head (the ruler) of the church; and he is saviour of the body: the Church." Ephesians 5:23 PLEASE E MAIL ME YOUR RESPONSE TO THESE ARTICLES. May the Lord continue to bless you and your loved ones. |
© Copyright 2000 by Charles Burke. You May Copy And Use Any Of The Above Articles Any Way That You Wish.
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