“Separation is an Illusion”
Hesitant to post this but I’m gonna. We have a tendency to put heaven and God out there in space or in the future. We do the same wuth our identity too. We have been so conditioned to see ourselves a s a work in progress. We live in the physical world and strive to peak into the spiritual realm.
Sing these songs in your head. “Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary….” or “Purify my heart, let me be as gold…..” or ” Take me into the holybof holies…..” do you see the pattern. We have set God and his goodness as a target in the future. We have looked at our salvation and sanctification in the same manner. In order to get a true picture of who we are and what our destiny is we must go back to Genesis. In the 26th and 27th verse in chapter 1, it says:
26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.…
God created us (all of us) in His being prior to the making of dirt. He knew us before Adam walked the physical earth. I believe God is outside of time and space. With this in mind there is no distance or delay in what God has orchestrated. Before time He already saw Adam, Jesus, and the end. We were co-crucified, co-buried, co-ressurected, and set into co-heirs (sonship) before dirt. He has forgiven us and the only view he has of us is forgiven and his sons and daughters.
We were his creation his children from before time. Through the finished work of the cross we are full heirs. Mankind has been walking in a delusion or a fog if you will. Once that fog is lifted we can see our original identity. Our blueprint is His identity. We are made in His likeness and image. Through realignment of our mindset or un veiling we can walk with the knowledge of who we originally were (His sons and daughters).
Ephesians 1:4
He associated us in Christ before the fall of the world! Jesus is God’s mind made up about mankind! He always knew in his love that he would present us again face-to-face before him in blameless innocence. (The implications of the fall are completely cancelled out. Paul uses the word, katabalo, meaning “to fall away, to put in a lower place,” instead of themelios, meaning “foundation” [see 2:20]; thus, translated “the fall of the world,” instead of “the foundation of the world,” as in most other translations. God found us in Christ before he lost us in Adam! We are presented in blameless innocence before him! The word, katenopion, suggests the closest possible proximity, face-to-face!)
He is not an example for is but of us. Throughout the New Testament Paul speaks of being found in Him. 2 Corinthians 3 tells of the veil and how by looking into a mirror we see our true and present identity. In the mirror we see Christ in us. The separation of the physical and spiritual is a deception. He is closer than a brother, closer than the air we breathe.
John Crowder
Deception of Separation
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Faith comes by hearing (remix)
It’s the Good News! Faith comes from the report. The cross of Christ was a success. He was the message, the revelation of the equality of sonship. Jesus is God’s language. The message supplies faith.
Verse 17 is the traditional “Faith comes by hearing and ……”
[Romans 10:16 – 17]
16 It is hard to imagine that there can yet be a people who struggle to hear and understand the good news. Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17 It is clear then that faith’s source is found in the content of the message heard; the message is Christ.
(We are God’s audience; Jesus is God’s language! The Greek, ek, is a preposition that denotes source or origin; thus, faith comes out of the word that reveals Christ. The word “Christ” appears in the best manuscripts. Herein lies the secret of the power of the gospel; there is no good news in it until the righteousness of God is revealed! [See Rom 1:17] The good news is the fact that the cross of Christ was a success. God rescued the life of our design; he redeemed our innocence. Man would never again be judged righteous or unrighteous by his own ability to obey moral laws! It is not about what man must or must not do but about what Jesus has done! God now persuades everyone to believe what he knows to be true about them. [It is from faith to faith.] The prophets wrote in advance about the fact that God believes that righteousness unveils the life that he always had in mind for us. “Righteousness by his (God’s) faith defines life.” [Hab 2:4].)
Mirror Word Bible
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Do you believe what I believe about you?
Do you believe what I believe about you?
My definition of me does not define me accurately, only God’s definition does an is the only one that matters.
God defines man, not man. He has only one view of all mankind and that is the one he originally designed in us. We were each made pre-creation in His image. He is our blueprint! We were made in His image! He is our template. He is our father and unconditionally he likes us a lot. He sees everyone the same. There is no favorites, he loves us ALL.
Song by Godfrey Birtill
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Don’t over complicate it
Romans 11:32-33
32 In God’s calculation the mass of humanity is trapped in unbelief. This qualifies all mankind for his mercy.
33 I am overwhelmed by the limitless extent of the wealth of God’s wisdom and the perfection of his knowledge. How we have failed to explore or fathom the conclusion of his resolve! In our clumsy efforts to find him, we have completely lost track of God.
Mirror Word Bible
Our meat sacks called flesh, house the most amazing thing ever. Christ in us! He is not out there in the great expanse of space, he came down to earth to be forever with man. You are his permanent address.
1 Corinthians 6:20
20 You are bought and paid for, spirit, soul, and body! All of you are his! Live your life conscious of the enormous price with which God has valued you! Your whole being belongs to him and exhibits him! You are his address; you are his real estate
He is already in us from the beginning of time waiting for us to recognize that. He is mans true original identity. Mans blueprint is based on God’s image.
1 John 2:8
At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
ESV
Grace, righteousness, forgiveness, holiness, purity, newness, are all free gifts provided at the cross. There is nothing you have to do to gain access to any of this. No works you can do will ever get you anymore favor, anymore faith, anymore blessing then you were already given. Christ gave all to everyone at the same level.
Colosians 1:17-21
17 He is the initiator of all things therefore everything finds its relevance and its true pattern only in him.
18 The ekklesia (church) is the visible expression (body) of which Jesus is the head. He is the principle rank of authority who leads the triumphant procession of our new birth out of the region of the dead. His pre-eminent rank is beyond threat. (“ … leading the resurrection parade” —The Message)
19 The full measure of everything God has in mind for man indwells him. (“So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding.” — The Message)
20 He initiated the reconciliation of all things to himself. Through the blood of the cross God restored the original harmony. His reign of peace now extends to every visible thing upon the earth as well as those invisible things which are in the heavenly realm. (The heavens, ouranos, a place of elevation, from oros, a mountain, from airo, to lift, to raise, to elevate, “Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe, people and things, animals and atoms, get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death.” — The Message. )
21 Your indifferent mind-set alienated you from God into a lifestyle of annoyances, hardships, and labors. Yet he has now fully reconciled and restored you to your original design. (The word, poneros, means annoyances, hardships, and labors, often translated as evil. [See Septuagint: tree of knowledge of good and hard labor!] To reconcile: apokatallasso, fully restored to the original value. [In Thayer Definition: to change, exchange, as coins for others of equivalent value.])
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As in a Mirror
The bible was not made in the likeness and in the image of God but you were. All of this picture is about Jesus but all of Jesus is about you. The good news is not that you can give your life to God but that God gave his life to you. The good news is that first of all that God saw something more important in you then in heaven. That is why left heaven and became a man.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 it starts out “The days of window shopping are over!” Window shopping infers that you are just looking or you don’t have any cash to buy something you want. The days of just looking are over. Through the cross Jesus paid for us. We have been pre-paid! Remember, it is finished? It’s done! Our original identity has been reset. Our pre Genesis is what will always be seen as by God. A mirror shows only what is directly in front of it at that exact moment. It does not show the past or the future. When we look into the mirror that God is holding for us to look into it says ” In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us!” The stepping into righteousness is not only immediate it’s so immediate it’s past tense.
Ephesians 2:13
But now, wow! Everything has changed; you have discovered yourselves to be located in Christ. What once seemed so distant is now so near; his blood reveals your redeemed innocence and authentic genesis.
2 Corinthians 3:18
The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity. Mankind is his glory! (The word, anakekalumeno, is a perfect passive participle from anakalupto; ana, a preposition denoting upward, to return again, and kalupto, to uncover, unveil. The word, katoptrizomenoi, is the present middle participle from katoptrizomai, meaning to gaze into a reflection, to mirror oneself. The word metamorphumetha is a present passive indicative from metamorpho; meta, together with, and meros, form. [The word commonly translated for sin, hamartia, is the opposite of this as ha, means without, and meros, form.] The word, eikon, translates as exact resemblance, image and likeness; eikon always assumes a prototype, that which it not merely resembles, but from that which it is drawn; doxa, glory, translates as mind-set, opinion from dokeo, authentic thought. Changed ‘from glory to glory’, apo doxes eis doxan; eis, a point reached in conclusion; apo, away from, meaning away from the glory that previously defined us, i.e. our own achievements or disappointments, to the glory of our original design that now defines us. [Paul writes in Romans 1:17 about the unveiling of God’s righteousness and then says it is from faith to faith. Here he does not use the word apo, but the preposition, ek, which always denotes source or origin.] Two glories are mentioned in this chapter; the glory of the flesh, and the unfading glory of God’s image and likeness redeemed in us. The fading glory represented in the dispensation of the law of Moses is immediately superseded by the unveiling of Christ in us! Some translations of this scripture reads, “we are being changed from glory to glory.” This would suggest that change is gradual and will more than likely take a lifetime, which was the typical thinking that trapped Israel for forty years in the wilderness of unbelief! We cannot become more than what we already are in Christ. We do not grow more complete; we simply grow in the knowledge of our completeness! [See Col 3:10] We are not changed “from one degree of glory to another,” or step by step. How long does it take the beautiful swan to awaken to the truth of its design? The ugly duckling was an illusion! Whatever it was that endorsed the ‘ugly duckling’ mindset, co-died together with Christ!)
[II Corinthians 3:1]
by Mirror Bible – mobile app. http://www.mirrorbible.com
James 2:22-25
22 Give the word your undivided attention; do not underestimate yourself. Make the calculation. There can only be one logical conclusion: your authentic origin is mirrored in the word. You are God’s poem; let his voice make poetry of your life!
(The word, akroate, means intent listening. James is not promoting the doing of the law of works; he is defining the law of perfect liberty. Doing the word begins with your undivided attention to the face of your birth. A doer of the Word, poetes, means poet. Make the calculation, paralogizomai, from para, a preposition indicating close proximity, union, and logizomai, to reckon the logic in any calculation.)
23 The difference between a mere spectator and a participator is that both of them hear the same voice and perceive in its message the face of their own genesis reflected as in a mirror;
24 they realize that they are looking at themselves, but for the one it seems just too good to be true, he departs (back to his old way of seeing himself) and immediately forgets what manner of person he is; never giving another thought to the one he saw there in the mirror.
25 The other one is mesmerized by what he sees; he is captivated by the effect of a law that frees man from the obligation to the old written code that restricted him to his own efforts and willpower. No distraction or contradiction can dim the impact of what he sees in that mirror concerning the law of perfect liberty (the law of faith) that now frees him to get on with the act of living the life (of his original design.) He finds a new spontaneous lifestyle; the poetry of practical living. (The law of perfect liberty is the image and likeness of God revealed in Christ, now redeemed in man as in a mirror. Look deep enough into that law of faith that you may see there in its perfection a portrait that so resembles the original that he becomes distinctly visible in the spirit of your mind and in the face of every man you behold. I translated the word, parakupto, with mesmerized from para a preposition indicating close proximity, originating from, denoting the point from which an action originates, intimate connection, and kupto, to bend, stoop down to view at close scrutiny; parameno, to remain captivated under the influence of; meno, to continue to be present. The word often translated as freedom, eleutheria, means without obligation; spontaneous.)
by Mirror Bible – mobile app. http://www.mirrorbible.com
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What if…
What if? I have learned a lot about looking at churches and people. Don’t!
There is a God that has already provided the breakthrough. He had a plan and finished that plan prior to Genesis. He completed his work and has been resting ever since. He asks us to enter His rest as well. That is all. He (being outside of time) planned the fall, the cross, the redemption, and the grace for it all to happen. Adam’s fall was not a mistake. I have or am entering into the realization of this and it is beyond liberating and captivating. I also have gotten beyond looking to a person or group to speak my past, present, or future identity. My bi-polar Christianity is a thing of the past. The only view God will ever have of me is that of forgiven, holy, pure…. this has set my spirit free.
Romans 8:1
Therefore there is now no more condemnation fir sin for those who are (found) in Christ Jesus.
Or
Now the decisive conclusion is this: every bit of condemning evidence against us is canceled. My identity is (and can only be) found in Him.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
The Lord and the Spirit are one; his Lordship sanctions our freedom. A freedom from rules chiseled in stone to the voice of our redeemed design echoing in our hearts! The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are lead from an inferior mindset to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity. Mankind is his glory!
I look back at all the years I looked to people to tell me who I was. I look back at all the years I strove to try to attain a footing before God. The years (30+) where my bipolar relationship with God was based on my works. Looking in a mirror shows not the past or the future but what is in front of it at that exact moment. “Every feature of his image is mirrored in us!” We were made in his image. I am complete in him NOW. We can believe that by praying over our food it is sanctified immediately. We believe that if we pray and accept Christ we are saved on the spot. Why do we continue to think that our sanctification, our justification, or or righteousness has to be a long drawn out process. If I can believe for food to be sanctified immediately why not people?
Romans 6:10-11
His appointment with death was once-off. As far as sin is concerned, he is dead. The reason for his death was to take away the sin of the world; his life now exhibits our union with the life of God.
This reasoning is equally relevant to you. Calculate the cross; there can only be one logical conclusion: he died your death; that means you died unto sin, and now live unto God. Sin-consciousness can never again feature in your future! You are in Christ Jesus; his lordship is the authority of this union.
He doesn’t have to be crucified again every time someone sins. He died once for all sins. He forgave them all one time never to look back at them or see them again. He only sees man forgiven (forever and ever). That is his only view of you! To be found in him is the key here. Looking at Romans 3:18 we are found in him because he is found in us. Man is made in his image we are the only being compatible for him to be in. His image is our identity. He is my identity. I am his address. He is my blueprint.
“What’s true of him, is true of you.”
Martyn Lloyd Jones
“He is the I am in you.”
Francois Du Toit
“He’s not an example for you but of you.”
Uknown
Through the work of the cross we were given our original identity back, the curse of the law was broken. We were co-crucified, co-buried, co-resurrected, and given the free gift if our redeemed innocence. We can do nothing to attain it, it is a gift freely given. Enter into his rest.
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Did not require a plan “B”
The fall was not a mistake, was part of the plan, the law was necessary to show that man needed God. If man was able to succeed and attain position before God on mans merit than Jesus’s death on the cross would never been needed. His death revealed the life IN HIM, being found IN HIM is amazing. I’ve heard it preached that Adam messed up and God had to pull out plan B and mop up the mess.
2 Corinthians 3:14-15
The work of the cross is freeing! He created all mankind and forgave all mankind at the same time. Step into accept this free gift. The only view God has or ever will have of me is forgiven and righteous IN Him. The act of the cross restored all mankind to its original identity! A re-genesis into redeemed innocence!
My identity is IN HIM, only he can define who I am. He is the not an example for me but of me!
“What’s true of Him, is true of you. ”
Martyn Lloyd Jones
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Poo Water…. yeah I went there!
Ya know I dont think anything offends God, he only knows us through our original identity, he sees us through his Grace and Forgiveness. To God there is no concept of time. He made us in his identity befire the creation of the world, Adam was not a mistake. He has alreasy sent his son to obliterate the law of sin and death. He has already judged mankind in the light of the act of the cross. He sees mankind as blameless and forgiven. This pass is a free gift for us to partake freely.
On the 7th day he sat back and rested not cuz he was tired or worn out. He eas done. He completed his plan. Jesus at the cross said it is finished. We are redeemed, our re-Genesis was complete. Our redeemed is intact BAM! God sees mankind in our orignal identity the one pre-Adam. Jesus is not example for us but of us!
The neglect of Grace and putting a list of do’s and don’t s is putting people bacj under the law. Grace is not a license to sin by any means, it is however very freeing! It acknowledges the fact that I no longer have a sin nature. I am no longer a sinner save by grace but a son of God who does not live under the premise of “oh no, I’m a sinner trudging through this world trying to fight off sin and overcome the demons and devils” that mentality puts one into continuous condemnation cuz it makes man try to comply through his own efforts and sets one up for continuous failure.
The purpose of the law in the old testament was to show the flaws of the law and man’s ability to save himself. If the law worked and man was able to save himself Jesus wouldn’t have had to go to the cross to wipe out, obliterate, put it in the past, kill, etc. Get the picture?
Adam was not a mistake! The cross was not a do over, the second coming is not a let’s clean this mess up.God knows me as I was before I was born. That’s the olnly way he ever has and will. Yeah I got a God who purses me. He left heaven and sought me!
You will know those who realize they are pursued God by there love. Jesus never once in the 33 years came across with judgment, he dealt with the prostitute(s) the tax collector with love and grace.
If I gave you a water bottle that was 99% pure and 1% poop, would you drink it? Probably not. The same is true of grace, if it has 1% law (do’s and don’t s) to adhere to or to attain on your own merit, it is not grace! If you are required to do or attain it is not relying on God. If man could attain any level of purity on his own God would not have had to send Jesus to obliterate, do away with, negate,….. the law of sin and death.
To even assume man could overcome sin is saying that Jesus’ s death on the cross was worthless and un-needed.
I like the fact that God see’s me as pure and holy from pre-birth to eternity. All that is required of me is acceptence of a gift that was given and waiting for me to accept. No work no striving no nothing on my part beyond resting in his grace.
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Likeness
The mission of Jesus was not to add to the mystery of the Diety but to bring absolute clarity regarding the person of God as the Father of the human race. Jesus said “if you’ve seen me you have seen the Father.” Any idea that we could have had of God thst is unlike Jesus would not be true about God! Through Jesus, God re-introduces Himself as our true and original Father.
Not what we believe about God but what God believes about us! My beliefs cannot define God or force him into a box. However, what he says about me is what really defines me.
Eph 1:4
Young’s Literal Translation
according as He did choose us in him before the foundation of the world, for our being holy and unblemished before Him, in love,
Gen 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
He formed us, he defined me in his mind prior to man walking the earth. You and I existed before the world. He liked us before conception, birth, and salvation. His words spoke man into existence. We are created by his voice. We were made in his image and his likeness.
We are not goats or guinea pigs. We are his likeness.
Kilen's Spot 