Tag: Death

Never Die Forever

On By TimIn Death, Eternal Security, John 11Leave a comment

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die ⌊forever⌋. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25–26 (LEB)

Most Bibles will miss something profound in this text. I know this is not the normal version I read, but is one of the study bibles I use.

I draw attention to bracketed weird. This hints at something important. That bracketed word forever indicates a Semitic style emphasis in the Greek. The emphasis of this Hebraism is usually not translated. In the surrounding context, Jesus is speaking to Lazarus’ sister after he has passed. He was assuring her that her brother would live.

Jesus is saying that the one who believes in Him, even if such dies, they will live. That’s a promise of resurrection.

Furthermore, everyone who lives AND believes in Him… Those are present tense verbs… such will never-ever die, forever. The profound reality is that believers will not die for eternity.

It is important to understand the significance of what John was conveying from Jesus’ words. It just cannot and will not happen.

That means clearly, if you are alive and believe in Him right now, you’ll never-ever die forever. If you’re worried about some point in the future where you fear your faith might fail… you’re still never-ever gonna die forever.

That is the true freedom Jesus gives. There is no more bondage of death for believers.

When This is That: A Man is Needed

On By TimIn Death, Isaiah 09, Jesus, ResurrectionLeave a comment

For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder.
And his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.  (, MEV)

Isaiah 9:6

This text is a portion of Handel’s Messiah. That’s how I have it memorized, complete with the music, and how it Is sung. In the composer’s mind, Wonderful is a standalone name of Jesus Christ. As is Counselor.

I don’t think there is really any argument that this text is referring to Jesus Christ. He is called God’s Son. He is Unique in nature. I think that will become very clear.

There are many who get confused about how God portrays Himself in His Word. Technically, the Word is Him, too. By John 1, that is made clear.

He also says of Himself that there is none like Him. Meaning there is no frame of reference for comparison.

Isaiah 9:6 portrays God, specifically Jesus Christ. Oddly, the Child given, the Son born, He is called Eternal Father. How can the Son of God be the Eternal Father God?

That seems confusing. Buckle up!

This also comes from the Lord of Hosts,
who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.

Isaiah 28:29

It seems that Isaiah, writing God’s words, is drawing attention with those two words again. The Lord of Hosts is wonderful in counsel. The Lord of Hosts is Jehovah Sabaoth.

If you’re not picking up what God is telling of Himself… Jesus is Jehovah God. He is the Jehovah of Hosts. The One Who commands the armies of Heaven. The One Who goes to war. Of course, the idea that comes to mind may be this:

I saw heaven opened. And there was a white horse. He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written, that no one knows but He Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood. His name is called The Word of God. The armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.

Revelation 19:11–14

There is a whole prophetic panorama to which this is a part. Jesus is prophesied to come as a newborn human baby, the Son given by God. He is obviously highly esteemed even in the Godhead. He is also called the Prince of Peace. This seems to an opposing idea to the Lord of Hosts. The passage in Revelation above speaks of a time of great judgment that comes on the people of the Earth when Jesus returns. He will handily vanquish His enemies, having the evidence clearly presented on His white robe.

There is far more than just this… Yet there is enough given for a foundation toward understanding… Jesus is God. Which brings this around to the age-old supposed gotcha question, “But did Jesus ever say He is God?”

Personally, being familiar with many passages in the Tanakh, understanding the audience He spoke to, and considering the phrases and words He used… It is a resounding “Yes!”

The casual reader may not ever pick that out. So why is that important?

Consider this passage:

Again, Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sins. Where I am going, you cannot come.”
So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself? For He said, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ ”
He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
They said to Him, “Who are You?
Jesus said to them, “Just who I have been telling you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true. So I tell the world what I heard from Him.”
They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father. So Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing of Myself. But I speak these things as My Father taught Me. He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

John 8:21–30

Look at that last sentence. What was said in this passage that caused many to get saved?

What does it mean they believed in Him?

Working backwards, some clues can help make it clear. Many then didn’t know that Jesus was speaking of the Father. Who is the God of the Israelis. It is John’s additional contextual clues that demand attention.

It came from a question; the people present wanted to know Who He is. They asked, “Who are you?” This came, even after He had told them exactly Who He is.

“For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” The English is a factual translation. The word He is added to make correct English. What Jesus really said is, “For unless you believe that I am, you will die in your sins.”

Either way, there were some present with Jesus who knew that Jesus was saying to them, unless one believes I am (Jehovah), they die in their sins.

I’m always fascinated by this stuff. I can understand the skepticism and confusion of some in the crowd. Yet not the same consideration is extended to the skeptics of today. It seems to come from the idea of how could Jehovah be a man?

It is hard to consider, even presently. The Bible says that Jesus, Jehovah God, did something unique.

Let this mind be in you all, which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.
But He emptied Himself,
taking upon Himself the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in the form of a man,
He humbled Himself
and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5–11

This text tries to capture the high-level view, while drilling down into some details that must be considered. I think the many names ascribed to Jesus are from the Father, Who is obviously well-pleased with His Son. He humbled Himself to die. It was not just any death. The text mentions the cross, as death is the ultimate humility.

I have really big and deep thoughts here. Ones that are hard to explain. Suffice it to say, this Jesus suffered the ultimate humility, not just death alone… But a shameful one.

Yes, Jehovah died.

I know how unsettling that thought is! A proper understanding of what death is and is not helps here. Death is not non-existence. Death is what happens to physical human bodies. When Jesus died, He did not cease existing. That is a key foundation to hold.

I think it is one of those really deep things that the God I know suffered the humility of death. He has been there and defeated it.

Yet, He had to die.

Paul writes a long treatise on the greatest victory ever. It is in 1 Corinthians 15. That victory is the resurrection! That one event is the greatest victory, ever, anywhere! He could not have risen again, unless He died first. That can only happen to a physical human body.

It was a war on death itself.

In this mountain the Lord of Hosts shall prepare
for all people a lavish feast,
a feast of aged wines,
choice pieces full of marrow, and refined, aged wines.
He will destroy in this mountain
the covering which is over all peoples,
even the veil that is spread over all nations.
He will swallow up death for all time,
and the Lord God will wipe away tears
from all faces;
and the reproach of His people He shall take away
from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken it.

Isaiah 25:6–8

For the reformers who embrace limited atonement, this passage eliminates that idea. The victory is over the thing that affects all peoples and all nations. That thing is death. Who is it that swallows up death for all peoples and all nations for all time?

It is Jehovah of Hosts… Jesus Christ.

As an aside, when I read this passage, there are precise details here that may be missed. It is Jesus Who goes to war. It is the Holy Spirit that ministers to people, wiping away their tears. It is the Father declaring the plan.

Jehovah had to be a Man to conquer God’s enemy… Death. The Bible clearly states that the last enemy to be defeated will be death.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:26

I find it fitting that there is one prophet who laid this all out beforehand. Knowing Jesus is the Right Hand of Jehovah and that death is the real enemy, this song of Moses and Israel comes to new life. Israel faced certain death, walled in on a beach with Pharaoh’s army quickly approaching. Who is the One Who wars against death?

Jesus.

This is that. When Moses says Jehovah is a man of war, it is true and prophetic, because only a Man can die. And only a Man can wage war on death. Only a Man can defeat death by resurrection. All hail King Jesus!

Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord and spoke, saying:
“I will sing to the Lord,
for He has triumphed gloriously!
He has thrown the horse and his rider
into the sea!
The Lord is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise Him;
my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
The Lord is a man of war;
the Lord is His name.
Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
He has thrown into the sea;
his chosen captains also
are drowned in the Red Sea.
The depths have covered them;
they sank to the bottom like a stone.

“Your right hand, O Lord,
is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O Lord,
shatters the enemy.
In the greatness of Your excellence,
You overthrow those who rise up against You.
You send out Your wrath;
it consumes them like stubble.
With the blast of Your nostrils
the waters were gathered together.
The flowing waters stood upright as a heap;
and the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea.

“The enemy said,
‘I will pursue. I will overtake.
I will divide the spoil;
my lust shall be satisfied upon them.
I will draw my sword,
my hand shall destroy them.’
You blew with Your wind,
and the sea covered them;
they sank like lead
in the mighty waters.

“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You,
glorious in holiness,
fearful in praises,
doing wonders?
You stretched out Your right hand,
and the earth swallowed them.

“In Your mercy You have led
the people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them by Your strength
to Your holy dwelling.
The peoples have heard and are afraid;
sorrow has taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chiefs of Edom were amazed;
the mighty men of Moab, trembling takes hold of them;
all the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away.
Fear and dread fall upon them;
by the greatness of Your arm
they are as still as a stone,
until Your people pass over, O Lord,
until the people whom You have purchased pass over.
You shall bring them in, and plant them
on the mountain of Your inheritance,
in the place, O Lord, which You have made for Your dwelling,
in the sanctuary, O Lord, which Your hands have established.
The Lord will reign
forever and ever.”

Exodus 15:1–18

If Justification Comes to All Can it be Rejected?

On By TimIn Justification, Romans 052 Comments

How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.

Romans 5:9

Some do not believe this. They think they can abandon Jesus at whim. One cannot undo their justification. I do like the hint of surety of a pre-tribulation rapture of believers, but that is for another time.

The teaching of traditions produces a shallow understanding of justification. The very fact that a person lives after they sin is proof that they are indeed being justified freely and unconditionally. Paul wrote this plainly.

But first, it is necessary to know that the wages of sin is death. The wages of sin is not eternal. It is not being remanded to Hell. It is not eternity in perdition. From the beginning, God was clear on what happens when a person sins. He (or she) dies. The wages of sin death is the same death that God declared would happen to Adam… “In the day you eat you shall die.”

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

Genesis 2:16–17

Because Adam did not die that day, it has led to incorrect traditions being applied. These are commonly named original sin and spiritual death. These things are not real at all. Adam lived after sinning because of the justification that came with Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. Perhaps you object that He wouldn’t even be born until some almost 4,000 years later. But He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

When a person sins and lives to draw another breath is certain proof of justification upon them. This is clearly what Paul taught. It is also patterned in the Torah at the exodus with Passover, and again in the ordinances of Yom Kippur.

Because people don’t die immediately on setting off to sin, clearly indicates that a stay of execution is in place.

It is the death of Jesus that saves all from the wages of sin. It is the resurrected Savior Who gives righteousness and eternal life to any who believes. Those are two different ideas. One is unconditional, while the other is conditioned upon the exercise of faith. The ones that believe this are justified, accounted as righteous, and receive eternal life.

All Are Being Justified Freely

This is one of the simplest ideas to understand, yet it is hidden away with religious nonsense and tradition.

Paul spoke plainly… All fall short, whether saved or not. But those same all that fall short are being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God has set Him forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood. This is a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed. This is in Romans 3.

That comes after Paul’s explanation that nobody is justified by the works of the law. That is, you are not justified by doing good things. In fact, nothing one does or does not brings justification.

So it follows that all are being justified freely, and to say that it is proven by the fact that they live after they sin. It is right there.

One may object to the idea that people are being justified, which means they are not justified yet. The verb tense is purposefully present and passive, because justification is always with a person as long as they are alive. In fact, it is what keeps them alive. If it were not a present thing, none could live long enough to believe and seek remission of sins.

It is important to note that the verb tense is passive. It is happening to the people because of something outside of them and what they do. This justification comes to everyone who falls short, and that unconditionally.

When God spoke to Adam about the consequences of eating from just one tree, He told Adam that He would die immediately for sin. God said to Adam, “You shall surely die.” Those words indicate the certainty of death for the action; they do not indicate immediacy. But that is not all that God said. The phrase includes the immediacy with “in the day you eat from it.” Adam did not die in the day he ate from the tree, though his death was certain.

Adam was being justified freely by something (really Someone) external to him. It is pictured in the fact that God covered his nakedness. This is the pattern being established. It is ultimately demonstrated by the work of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Justification is freely and unconditionally given to all. One cannot reject it. One can ignore it or oppose it, but those still live because Jesus died. If people really wanted to reject it, they would have to remove themselves from this life. As one lives, it is impossible to reject it.

All who live live because of Jesus Christ giving them life at birth, and justification of life after they sin. The unbelieving benefit and the believing do, too. Even Christians need that just to live after sin.

Though Paul is writing to Jewish brothers in Rome, we can learn from his words. What follows contains a profound idea in how the free justification that comes to all turns into righteousness.

Now to him who works, wages are not given as a gift, but as a debt. But to him who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. Even David describes the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness without works: Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.”

Romans 4:4–8

Abraham did it. He believed God, even in his own sin, his belief was credited as righteousness. Justification doesn’t come with belief. Righteousness does.

Therefore just as through the trespass of one man came condemnation for all men, so through the righteous act of One came justification of life for all men. For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:18–19

Paul is saying that the entire lot of humanity is being made righteous outside of the constraints of the law and morality. Many balk at that, even some Christians who think they are justified and righteous by what they have done.

Yet there are many who purposefully ignore what Jesus has done for them. They perish in perdition, just as Jesus said: “Unless you believe I am He, you will die in your sins.”

Think about that. One is freely given life, and it is not acknowledged and even ignored. What would be the consequences of such actions?

That is why people go to perdition. It isn’t because they’ve sinned. That problem has been handled resoundingly. They go because they really don’t appreciate life and the One Who gives it freely.

This is Directed to You

Whether you believe this or not is irrelevant to its beauty and its veracity. The simple fact that you’re alive today is because Jesus died. To not consider and acknowledge that in this life has eternal consequences. Those who believe have eternal life. And if the opposite of life is death (not non-existence,) then the opposite of eternal life is eternal death. That is the reality.

It’s time to believe what God says. It is time to praise Him alone for that work done.

It is also time to teach the pure word of God… Not the gunked-up traditions of men imposed onto it.

The Red Heifer

On By TimIn Jesus, Numbers 192 Comments

And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying:

Numbers 19:1

As it is, we cannot begin to understand the significance of a passage without examining the surrounding context. Remember, never read a Bible verse alone.

Moses is given instructions by God for a specific offering. This offering presents some peculiarities. It is the strangeness that emphasizes significance that ought draw our attention. There is something important here to discover. If it is weird, it’s important.

Rebellion

Working backward from Numbers 19 to Chapter 15, Moses gives some additional background detail about what is offered here. The significance of the tithe is also remembered. There is one law for both Israelites and foreigners in the camp.

Remembering the Torah, laws were given for unintentional sins and the remedy for those. For those whose sin is intentional, removal from the camp was the remedy. Then there is the penalty of some sin that requires removal from the camp and immediate execution.

With this basis, things become onerous. I think the response of the people to these will reveal that burden they carry. Understand… The place of sin is outside of the camp and outside the fellowship with the people of God.

As Moses continues to provide some context The institution of tzitzit or the tassels worn by Israelites is detailed. Simply put, these symbolized someone who was under the covenant. (There is a post on the significance of these here: Tassels on Garments.)

As rebellion is, some of the Levites rose up in opposition to Aaron and Moses. They wanted part of what they perceive as the glory of leadership. It seems they wanted the opportunity to lord over people, as they clearly misunderstood the roles of Moses and Aaron. Moses instituted a way to verify whom God had chosen as leaders.

As the rebels chose to participate in the way Moses offered, he then proclaimed judgment on them. They are separated and the ground opened up and swallows them. The rest of the rebellious were consumed by fire.

The next day the people complained about all of the death around them. Remember, they had laws given to them about avoiding dead bodies. The significance of the death around them was caused by deliberate sin.

Moses stands between the rebels and the judgment of God. Before it was stopped by the atonement Aaron provided, the ensuing plague killed 14,700 people. Almost all in the camp would be close to a dead body and in danger of becoming unclean.

Moses then commanded that each leader of the 12 tribes bring a rod on which the name of the tribe was written. These were placed before the Lord. God would signify His choice by the rod budding. Aaron’s rod budded and it brought forth fruit. This rod becomes a testimony to any who would revel in like fashion.

I have provided a summary. Please read the chapters for yourself for details. See what God leads you to find.

Moving forward, the Israelites understood that there was a really big problem. They are now afraid to approach the tent of meeting and to draw near to God. They saw those who approached the Tabernacle before and had died swiftly.

The children of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, “Behold, we expire, we perish, we all perish. Anyone approaching the tabernacle of the Lord will die. Are we all to perish?”

Numbers 17:12–13

Is there a remedy for death?

This results in a new lesson.

The Red Heifer

And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying: This is the statute of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: Tell the children of Israel that they will bring you a healthy red heifer, which has no blemish, and on which a yoke has never gone, and you will give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will bring it outside the camp, and it will be slaughtered before him.

Numbers 19:2–3

Moses instructs them to bring a healthy red heifer. This is the first time that a sacrifice is specified to not be male. That is something significantly different that beckons our attention. In my opinion, this hints back to the first rebellion recorded. It came by way of Eve. She fell prey to the same rebellious desire, coveting something that was not hers.

For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasing to the eyes and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3:5–6

In the way God works, watch as every single detail of sin is undone.

Not only is the sacrifice female, it is to be unblemished. The additional qualification of the color red narrows the availability. This is also the first time that the color of the animal to be sacrificed is specified. Hidden just behind the English the Hebrew word for red. It is adom. It comes from the same Hebrew root word that is the English Adam. And it points to the rebellious nature of Esau whose descendants are called Edom.

The heifer was not to have been yoked. That means, the animal must not have been placed under subjection to anyone or anything. This offering did not have a burden. This conveys the idea that the offering is innocent. The yoke is also a symbol of slavery.

This heifer was given not to Aaron the High Priest, but to his son Eleazar. He was to take it outside of the camp where it was to be offered. As we’ve learned, the place of sin is outside of the camp. It’s also the place where the wages of sin are collected… Death.

What we are encountering is a picture of something significant. God is giving Moses a picture of the remedy for rebellion. With the Hebrew word parah (translated to heifer) we have a nod to offspring (fruitfulness.) Think seed and by cow female seed. The age of the heifer entails that it did not have progeny. (To be honest, this part hurts my brain. I mean, I see the connection, but I also see that it may be contrived. Nevertheless, the ideas are in play just under the surface of what is written.)

Now consider the assent to purity, and one removed to the place of sin. This was a sin offering by the significance of it being out of the camp (Exodus 29:14, Leviticus 4:12.) Yet the high priest did not perform this… His son Eleazar did.

And Eleazar the priest will take from its blood with his finger and sprinkle some of its blood directly before the tent of meeting seven times. Then it will be burned in his sight. Its hide and its flesh and its blood, with her dung, will be burned.

Numbers 19:4–5

For those who have read through the Torah, there is a significant derivation from other sacrifices. This one stands alone, and being in the Book of Numbers provides yet another.

The sin sacrifices spoken of in Exodus 29 and Leviticus 4 were young bulls slaughtered at the entrance to the Tabernacle. In Numbers 19 the red heifer was removed to the place outside the camp and where she was offered. The blood was then sprinkled at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

Another difference with the previously instituted sin sacrifices the priests placed their hands on the head of the sacrifice. From Leviticus 16:21, this is an indicator of imputation. That is placing sins from the person (people) onto the sacrifice. Without that conditional gesture, we clearly see the notion of unconditionality here.

All of this sacrifice was consumed. It was burned whole… Except for the few precious drops of blood sprinkled at the entrance to the way to approach God.

This sacrifice is outside of Leviticus where the rest are given. Leviticus outlines the use of bulls, goats, oxen, sheep, and doves for sacrifice. It provides the methods and uses. These laws never employ the sacrifice of a female. Oddly, no sacrifice was established for intentional sin. And our Israelites knew this.

Other Unique Facts

And the priest will take cedar wood, and hyssop, and scarlet and throw it into the midst of the burning of the heifer.

Numbers 19:6

Cedarwood, hyssop, and Scarlett thread have been mentioned before in the Torah. It is in the purifying ritual for a cleansed leper (Leviticus 14:1-32.) This is a significant reminder of what has already been established. These three are used with blood and running water to purify. In contrast with the red heifer ritual, these three are thrown into the fire to be consumed.

As leprosy is symbolic of sin in the Bible, this is yet another indication that the red heifer is to be a sin sacrifice. The ritual for purifying the leper connects to another with some more significance for us, and that is detailed in Leviticus 16 on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. In both rituals, there is a dead offering and a live offering. The simplistic deduction from both is that something has to shed blood for the other to be free.

In other words, something had to become sin and then be obliterated. The significance of being free from sin is the release of the live offering.

The Puzzle of the Red Heifer

As mentioned, this sacrifice is one ordained outside of Leviticus. It has intricate connections to the purification of the cleansed leper and atonement. Its placement seems to defy logic. It is radically different from every other sacrifice in the Bible.

Then the priest will wash his clothes, and he will bathe his body in water, and afterward he will come into the camp, and the priest will be unclean until evening. He who burns it will wash his clothes in water, and bathe his body in water, and will be unclean until evening.

Numbers 19:7–8

Encountering this, a question ought to come to mind. How did these men become ritually unclean?

Of course, they came into contact with a dead carcass. I think there is a bit more. With the entirety of this heifer appointed to be consumed in fire, and the fact that the slaughter happened outside the camp, this heifer came to embody rebellion.

A man who is clean will gather the ashes of the heifer and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place, and it will be guarded for the assembly of the children of Israel for water of purification. It is for purifying from sin. He that gathers the ashes of the heifer will wash his clothes and be unclean until evening, and it will be for the children of Israel and for the foreigner that lives among them, for an eternal statute.

Numbers 19:9–10

The weirdness continues. These ashes have some importance that would cause them to be guarded well. Just as Jesus in the tomb was guarded well. These ashes must be kept pure. Yet everyone who came into contact with them became unclean. The ashes were for the people of Israel, God’s chosen portion. (Which context demonstrates is a mixed multitude with one law.)

These ashes would be for water of purification. Yet oddly, the person gathering them would then also become ritually unclean.

Waters of Purification

He that touches the dead body of any man will be unclean seven days. He will make himself clean on the third day, and on the seventh day he will be clean. But if he does not make himself clean on the third day, then the seventh day he will not be clean. Whoever touches the body of any man that is dead and does not purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the Lord, and that person will be cut off from Israel. Because the water of purification was not sprinkled on him, he will be unclean. His uncleanness is still on him.

Numbers 19:11–13

Now we get a hint as to what is being accomplished.

This is the law, when a man dies in a tent. Each person who comes into the tent and all that is in the tent will be unclean seven days. Every open vessel which has no covering fastened on it is unclean. Whoever in the field touches one that is slain with a sword, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave will be unclean seven days.

Numbers 19:14–16

These ashes would be used to purify the unclean person after such is cleansed.

For an unclean person they will take from the ashes of the burnt sin offering, and running water will be on it in a vessel. A clean person will take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and splash it on the tent, and on all the vessels, and on the people who were there, and on him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave. The clean person will splash on the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. And on the seventh day he shall purify himself, wash his clothes, and bathe in water; and he will be clean at evening.

Numbers 19:17–19

A bit of the ashes of the heifer is mixed with running water, which is another similarity to the purifying ritual for the leper. This mixture is then sprinkled on the unclean objects and persons on the third day. However the person must finish his cleansing by washing himself and his clothing.

But the man who is unclean and does not purify himself, that person will be cut off from among the assembly because he has defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him. He is unclean.

Numbers 19:20

With all of the connections here, I must also draw attention to the unconditional parts of this and the conditional parts of it. The unconditional part is that this sacrifice is done once outside the camp, the ashes gathered are to provide a perpetual cleansing. One that did not require assembling the tent of meeting. The entire animal was consumed by fire save a precious few drops of blood that were used to secure the opening of the Tabernacle (or the way to the presence of God.)

The unconditional part is that the presence of God is open to all, and one doesn’t need the Tabernacle. Conditional, one must present themselves for the sprinkling of the water of purification, and then cleanse themselves. The way to the purification is open. They were to not fear approaching God.

The one who does not do the conditional part has no fellowship with God’s people. Sin is outside the camp.

It will be an eternal statute to them.
He that sprinkles the water of purification will wash his clothes, and he that touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening. Whatever the unclean person touches will be unclean, and the person that touches it will be unclean until evening.

Numbers 19:21–22

Even the person performing the ritual becomes unclean by touching the waters. It is important to understand that all those who come into contact with the heifer become unclean. It is as if this heifer is the embodiment of sin itself. There is a point here that Paul makes. It is also this very thing about the red heifer that points to Jesus.

He Became Sin for Us

God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21

That red heifer was perfect, no blemishes. She was ruddy and red like men are. She was chaste. She had not been yoked to anything and was sinless.

Yet she was removed from the camp as a detestable thing. She was red like rebellious Edom. She was slaughtered without mercy and not in the presence of the High Priest. In other words, she became detestable.

Jesus is perfect. He is adom. He is chaste. He was not yoked to sin. He was removed from the presence of the people as a detestable thing. He was slaughtered in the absence of the High Priest who sent his minions, the Chief Priests. A sprinkling of His blood secured the way to the presence of the Living God. He rose again on the third day, His old body was consumed and given a new body. He gives living water to any.

The Tenth Heifer

As I write, the significance of the red heifer is in the news. I think the importance of this has now been adequately demonstrated.

The traditions of the red heifer go back to the first offered by Moses. There were eight more throughout the times of Israel. Since the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD, no red heifers have been offered.

According to those traditions, there is a tenth heifer to be offered. It is needed for the ashes. The ashes are used to make the water of purification which is then used to purify the temple, the implements, and the priests.

Rabbinical tradition indicates that this tenth and final red heifer would be sacrificed by Messiah Himself. This was first taught by the rabbi Maimonides. To the futurists, we see the significance of not only the future temple but the coming of the Messiah.

It is this rabbinical tradition that came about in the late twelfth century that intrigues me. A tenth heifer, tied to Messiah… Israel is patiently waiting for Him to arrive. How is it that rabbinical tradition that came a millennia after the resurrection of Jesus conjoins the sacrifice of the red heifer with the Messiah?

Jesus IS that tenth red heifer.

This is the picture to the Israelites. There are remedies to unintentional sin. But what of the intentional things we do and how is death remedied?

It was not practical for the wandering Israelites to stop every single time someone sinned or encountered a dead body. Stopping would involve unpacking and setting up the Tabernacle to perform sacrifices. God is connecting the purifying of the leper with the Day of Atonement in a ritual that demonstrates sin is destroyed outside of the camp. There is a way to be purified for anyone who needs it at any time. One had to avail themselves of it.

If that worked for them… How much better do we have it?

But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies so that the flesh is purified, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Hebrews 9:11–14

Rest assured, you and I never have to be afraid of approaching God. The way to His presence is unconditionally secured and open to anyone who would avail themselves of it. It is there we are washed with the waters of purification from the Word Himself.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5:25–26

Isaiah 9: The People

On By TimIn Isaiah 09, Jesus, ProphecyLeave a comment

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them the light has shined.

Isaiah 9:2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As we have seen in the previous post, it is the people who walk in darkness that see the great light. This is prophetically speaking, and in a literal sense speaks to the people of the nation of Israel. Yet we see that Galilee is to be the focus of the nations, this prophecy is a pattern. The people that walk in darkness apply to everyone. All of our minds are darkened by the corrupting influence of sin. That is why Paul wrote it this way:

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth through unrighteousness.

Romans 1:18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Sin hides the truth. It veils truth. It brings darkness. and because of sin, humanity is in a precarious position that is indicted by impending death. All men dwell in the shadow of death. Hebrews tells us that all men have an inescapable appointment with death.

As it is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes the judgment,

Hebrews 9:27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

After that death comes judgment. That’s the doom and darkness. Yet… That verse ends with a comma indicating the thought is not yet complete.

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to save those who eagerly wait for Him.

Hebrews 9:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the great Light. It’s Jesus! Isaiah is speaking to Him and His work to save all of humanity, first from the certain swift death justice for sin demands. He brings a stay of execution so that anyone may escape judgment.

It’s not just good news for Israelis, but for all men.

The night of the birth of Jesus… The sky erupted with stars. Yes, countless living stars proclaiming the goodness and goodwill. (Biblically, angels, and stars are treated as the same.) Doubtless, you know what happened.

And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields keeping watch over their flock by night. And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid. But the angel said to them, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find the Baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
Suddenly there was with the angel a company of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”

Luke 2:8–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is good news! A Child is born unto men. But not just any child, One that would bring blessing to all. He would bring peace showing God’s goodwill toward humanity.

That’s the reality of what some celebrate today. The anticipation loaded in Isaiah’s words. The great Light had come and shined on the people, all of them. Even in Isaiah’s time.

The Efficient Work of the Cross

On By TimIn Redemption, Romans 03Leave a comment

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Romans 3:23–24

I am certain the former verse has been cited to everyone reading. It is used to demonstrate that everyone has failed to make the mark God has set. For those of us in the church, we say all are sinners.

It is one of the most disheartening things to encounter, by the time we understand clearly, we know the reality that each of us has already missed the mark set by God. Yet that is the truth being declared.

In the wake of what appears to be stultifying judgment comes the next thought. The same folks that have already fallen short… Are being justified freely. Meaning, that they are treated as if the offense didn’t happen. (It doesn’t mean that the offense did not happen, just that the penalty for the offense is delayed.

What is being offered here is clear. Jesus died sufficiently and efficiently for those that have fallen short. That’s what He did at the cross. That freedom comes to all, believers or not.

But… There’s always a but… What Jesus did at the cross isn’t about eternity. It’s about physical existence now… When you decide your eternity.

The cross alone gets nobody to heaven. It provides a “day of salvation.” That is, time to consider reality and repent. Repent means to change direction.

When confronted with the fact that Jesus died for your own shortcomings, what do you do?

You could ignore it, shun it, mock it, or whatever. Clearly, you have that freedom. Freedom came at a great cost to Jesus.

Or you could use that delay as a time to change your mind. You could believe that what He did is for you. (And it is because you’re alive right now reading this.) You could confess it aloud to Jesus. Then confess your sins to Him, and receive the gift of eternal life.

It’s clear from the context that Jesus did indeed die efficiently for all, believer and unbeliever alike. But what will you do with the freedom Jesus gave you?

Why do Really Bad Things Happen? Could God Stop Them?

On By TimIn Forbearance, Jeremiah 07Leave a comment

They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My heart.

Jeremiah 7:31 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is something God didn’t ordain, decree, dream up or make happen… Babies were being burned alive in sacrifice to Molech. If one takes the time to read the rest of the chapter, it is easy to discern that God did punish this sin.

The Bible tells us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23.) But from the very beginning of the book, we read about people committing sin and they don’t receive the wages of sin.

Why?

There seems to be a respite of punishment. To some, it isn’t blatantly obvious. But to the one who studies, it becomes very plain. And it provides an insight as to the very good reasons why God doesn’t stop repugnant-moral evil.

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed swiftly, the heart of the sons of men is fully set to do evil. Since one who sins may do evil a hundred times and extend his life, I also have experienced that it will be good for those who fear God when they have reverence before Him. But it will not be well for the wicked, and he will not prolong his days, like a shadow, because he does not fear before God.

Ecclesiastes 8:11–13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The wisest king Solomon lamented over the lack of swift punishment. He watched how evil is pervasive and rampant, and one can do countless heinous things and still live. Solomon knows the end for the wicked, and the extension of life has a purpose.

What purpose?

That is hinted at in the title of Jesus in the very last book of the Bible. He is called, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

What the title is saying is that His death covers all sins that have been committed. If one has considered the entire work between the bookends of Genesis and Revelation, as that title of Jesus is encountered, the reality should be clear. This is the patient-forbearance of God.

Do you despise the riches of His goodness, tolerance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

Romans 2:4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

One could rail against others not getting just recompense for some heinous act. The murderer isn’t punished swiftly. But have we ever considered our own lies and thievery demand the same justice?

It’s kinda weird.

But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, for there is no distinction. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith, in His blood, for a demonstration of His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins previously committed, to prove His righteousness at this present time so that He might be just and be the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3:21–26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The law shows the futility of trying to make up for past proclivities. It is impossible. Yet because all have sinned and fallen short, as they live after they sin, God is justifying them! That’s why they live. That’s why God doesn’t stop sin from happening. If He stopped what we considered heinous, He would need to mete out the same toward us when we tell a lie about someone. And all would drop dead the moment they conceived sin in their heart.

Who could then be saved?

Continue reading. This goes on to say that God overlooks sins previously committed. There is no distinction there. He doesn’t just overlook the really bad ones.

It’s a demonstration of His righteousness. The same righteousness of God that comes to a person by faith. Though all humans are in the midst of being justified, this provides them a day of salvation (Isaiah 49:8.) What is meant, is it is a time given to all to seek remission of sins. That only comes by faith.

Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new. All this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them, and has entrusted to us the message of reconciliation.

2 Corinthians 5:17–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The punishment is delayed so that every person has time to repent and be saved.

What Seems to be Vengeance Becomes a Beautiful Picture of Redemption

On By TimIn Jesus, Numbers 35, RedemptionLeave a comment

So these things will be for a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.

Numbers 35:29 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Moses by direction from God had just given established the idea of sanctuary cities. These are places where someone who accidentally kills another person can flee and escape vengeance.

When reading through this portion, it is quick to realize that the cities of refuge become a typification of our refuge in Jesus. It is a fascinating concept to study. Let’s leave that for another time.

After Moses declares the statute to the Israelites, there are other important concepts that must be understood.

The Bondage of Blood Vengeance

Whoever kills another person, the murderer will be put to death by the testimony of witnesses, but one witness will not testify against a person for death.

Numbers 35:30 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This establishes the idea of capital punishment. It would be easy to read past this and think nothing further. One who willfully murders must be killed. A closer examination also reveals how that is to happen. Multiple witnesses are required. Think about that.

The Bible tells us that the wages of sin are death. We know from the Gospel of John that by the time people can understand right and wrong, and the standard needed to be righteous… Each of us has already failed. We stand condemned to capital punishment.

We also know that there is a purpose for it. Every person has the same Redeemer.

For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience, so that He might be merciful to all.

Romans 11:32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As that is established and to avoid digression, let’s move forward.

There is tension just underneath the surface of the idea that multiple witnesses are necessary for a sentence of capital punishment to be imposed. If this is true for the murderer, it must be true for other instances of capital punishment. Deuteronomy 19:15 clearly establishes precedent. When we think of the judgment of God and the penalty of death for sins, who are the witnesses against us?

What I am thinking, is that this is a hint to the nature of God. Specifically, the idea of personhood in the Godhead. Informally, we use the word triune (or Trinity) to convey this idea.

Nevertheless, the requirement is for more than one witness to establish a matter. While that is an interesting bit of enlightenment, let’s move on and see if we can find any more information on the nature of God.

Ransom

And you will not take a ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he will surely be put to death.
You will not take a ransom for him who fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come out again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.

Numbers 35:31–32 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Hebrew word translated into English ransom specifically infers the use of money. There would be no way to fix this with money. Cash payment cannot fix bloodshed.

As we will soon encounter, bloodshed has a much broader impact. It defiles the land. The murderer cannot be freed by an act of ransom, nor can the one who has caused another to die by accident escape by ransom.

That presents a unique conundrum, as we often speak of what Jesus did at Calvary as ransom or better redemption. The Bible uses those terms to describe it. Jesus even declared He would do just that, ransom many.

It shall not be so among you. Whoever would be great among you, let him serve you, and whoever would be first among you, let him be your slave, even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:26–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In the midst of the text that speaks of vengeance for homicide and capital punishment for murder, we clearly see Jesus. In fact, He is woven intricately into this entire chapter in typologies. The Bible says the law is a schoolmaster to lead us to Jesus. Here, He is a sure Refuge for the person. He is the place (or city of) refuge from vengeance. He is the place to flee to escape the sword. We have respite until the death of the high priest. We know Jesus is the ultimate High Priest. We also know that He doesn’t die.

But what if one purposefully sins?

In this context, it’s the murderer. The murderer is cut-off by the testimony of more than one witness. In other words, the murderer has his blood shed in vengeance on the testimony of multiple witnesses. There is no ransom by money.

So you will not defile the land which you are in, because blood defiles the land, and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of him that shed it. So do not defile the land which you are dwelling in, where I am residing, because I the Lord am residing among the children of Israel.

Numbers 35:33–34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Since the very first murder, God declared the truth about death… Blood on the land cries out.

And then He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The very creation itself demands justice!

Bloodshed defiles the land. The land cannot be cleansed except by the blood of the person who shed it. This stands true for both the willful and accidental shedding of blood.

This idea of redemption has to be much greater than just an application to an individual. It has to be much greater than applying it to the entire human race. The creation itself yearns to be redeemed.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Romans 8:20–21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The Redemption of Creation.

So then, as the children share in flesh and blood, He likewise took part in these, so that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver those who through fear of death were throughout their lives subject to bondage.

Hebrews 2:14–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Death was introduced into creation by one man. It came through insurrection, really. Nevertheless, it was introduced as something foreign.

This isn’t the idea of original sin or even spiritual death. Those ideas are over-simplifications that lead to gross error.

We also know that the bondage of death is something God placed all men under. And He came as a Kinsman… As a human… To shed His own blood to satisfy all of this at once. You and I are redeemed… Purchased… Ransomed not with money. We are rescued from bondage by His blood. This is true for the entirety of Adam’s race, also. (It doesn’t mean that everyone goes to heaven, though.)

But it was through this foreign enemy introduced into His perfect creation by insurrection. God would seize death and use it to deliver the entire creation from bonds. Though the enemy had the power of death and used the fear of it to enslave humanity. It is ultimately God Who placed all under that bondage of futility.

In essence, when a man dies the blood on the ground cries out!

Death is something forbidden in creation. It’s not permitted. Yet, it is here nevertheless. As the enemy uses it to place us in the bondage of fear, God uses it to vanquish the enemy. He has shed His own blood to free us (and the creation) from that nasty intrusion.

Truth reconciles.

It was God who prescribed the penalty for sin… Death. It’s not that death is a good thing. It is not. It is the very enemy. It is the sharpest tool in the enemy’s arsenal to subdue humanity. Yet, in all his craftiness, the nefarious one cannot out-maneuver God. God wrenched that tool from the grip of Satan. He used it to defeat the enemy.

I don’t think I can adequately explain all of the details to come to this conclusion, but I hope I have supplied enough to pique interest.

God alone has the power of life and death. The blood of humanity cries out for redemption. It pollutes creation. The only way to cleanse it is by vengeance on the one who shed the blood.

God steps in as the One Who ultimately is responsible for shedding the blood (placing all under the bondage of futility.) Not that He murders, as it is a just recompense. Nevertheless, the blood is shed. And it defiles the land. So God also steps in to shed His own blood to cleanse the land.

Purified by Obedience

On By TimIn 1 Peter 01, Daily Walk, SinLeave a comment

Since your souls have been purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit unto a genuine brotherly love, love one another deeply with a pure heart, for you have been born again, not from perishable seed, but imperishable, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.

1 Peter 1:22–23 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Since your souls have been purified… You’ve already believed and it is accounted to you for righteousness. This is the message of faith that was demonstrated for us by the patriarchs. They are the ones who fell far short of the mark but believed God and He made up the difference.

Obedience to the truth.

There are times that we want to conflate this idea of obedience with law-keeping and morality. That is not what Peter is speaking of, clearly. He uses the phrase and places the objective of obedience to truth. He spoke of that immediately preceding this: “Through Him you believe in God who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope might be in God.” (1 Peter 1:21)

Obedience to the truth is believing in God.

It comes through the witness of the Holy Spirit. Seriously, without His working even before we believed, there is no real hope for us. It is the Holy Spirit Who has orchestrated the events in our lives to reveal Jesus to each of us in a real way. And can I say… In these last times?

It’s like how Peter expressed it at the beginning of the epistle. Even though his intended audience is Jewish people who are scattered throughout the world at that time, there are important things we can glean. Especially in the very season we find ourselves.

It is this work of the Holy Spirit that reveals Jesus to us and continues to lead us toward sanctification. He leads us to Jesus and once we believe, He patiently works to sanctify us.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To the refugees scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification by the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

1 Peter 1:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is a purpose for sanctification. It is purposed for you. That is why the word elect (or chosen) is used. It is purpose.

The objective is obedience and sprinkling with the blood of Jesus. These two ideas go together. Just as I offered before, this obedience isn’t to the law or even good morals. But it is to the truth. By being obedient to that truth, your sins are covered by the sprinkling of Jesus’ blood.

Because of these truths, it leads us to holy living. That we may be used to be a witness for others.

Brotherly love.

This will be expanded upon a bit later in the epistle. For now, understand that our salvation has brought us adaption into the family of God. You and I have a brother, Jesus. He is the perfect example of brotherly love.

He asks us to love others with a pure heart. Remember, if you’re saved your souls are already purified. And because you know brotherly love from Jesus, it isn’t difficult to extend that love to other brothers and sisters in the faith.

Listen, our hearts separate from God seek to alleviate our own discomfort and seek our own comfort. With a pure heart, we esteem others before ourselves putting their needs before our own. Just as Jesus did for us.

You have been born again.

There is a reason certain analogies are used. This idea of being born again may seem old-fashioned. I certainly hope it isn’t. It’s a very clear way to teach the truth.

Peter is saying we’ve been born again with imperishable seed. He contrasts that idea with our natural birth into the human being we are. He notes that birth comes from perishable seed. That means it is will not last. We know that, as we are born dying.

But unlike our natural birth, our new birth is from imperishable seed. That means there is no corruption. There is no death in that birth. Praise Jesus!

There is another truth that undergirds all of this. A person, once born can never become unborn. One born from perishable seed can never have that birth undone. Such may perish, but that doesn’t undo the birth. The same is true for our new birth. It cannot be undone. Because that birth comes from imperishable seed, there is no corruption or death.

If you think I am saying you cannot lose your salvation. I am not. Peter is, in holy writ revealed to him by the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God lives and abides forever.

Does it live in you?

If it does… It lives forever! It abides forever!

For
“All flesh is as grass,
and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.
The grass withers, and its flower falls away,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
This is the word that was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24–25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The temptation is to think of the flesh as Gnostics do… But this is vitally different. It’s not that the flesh is made bad. It has been made corrupt, having inherited that from the disobedience of Adam. Death is passed on.

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.

Romans 5:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This flesh will pass away. Everything that we do here and in that capacity is going to pass away. It’s the word of the Lord that abides forever.

That is precisely why Peter is calling us to holy living. We know that our Father will judge impartially. We are just passing through this world. It has many snares for us, all of which are vain and lead to perishable rewards.

It’s this higher calling that has everlasting benefit. Holy living doesn’t earn you much in itself, but it points others to Jesus. In that is much benefit.

Dead Isn’t Inability

On By TimIn Death, Ephesians 021 Comment

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a favorite proof-text for some. It is brought to bear upon a superstitious condition of men. That would be the alleged Total Depravity of humanity as touted in the Calvinist TULIP short-hand. What that attempts to pass off is that humans are born not being able to do anything that pleases God, not even exercises faith in what He says… Because they are born dead in sin.

As conversations around TULIP go, there are many well-worn, yet limited Scripture proofs offered. They are intended to be understood to offer proof of an external contention. The terms “election” and “predestination” usually are in play. As such, Romans chapters 8 & 9 are often used to succinctly explain (the TULIP believer’s) version of these terms.

As I was reading, I find this.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace, for the carnal mind is hostile toward God, for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can it be, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:5–8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Here, Paul is not explaining that an unsaved person cannot do good, nor can a saved person, not sin. But it is the mindset of the unsaved. It is hostile toward God. A person with a mindset to sin is actively hostile toward God. It’s plain and simple. Sin brings death. God is opposed to death. (Even for believers.)

But to the point of the discussion, Paul continues.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if any man does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

Romans 8:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is the difference between a believer and an unbeliever. It’s not what such does or does not do, but Who lives inside.

And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that lives in you.

Romans 8:10–11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a promise a believer can hold fast to. As the Spirit lives in us we have the ability to put the deeds of the body to death. But nothing here is saying that a person that is born “dead in sins” cannot please God. In fact, what Paul says here is the antithesis that upends Total Depravity.

If a man born “dead in sins” can do nothing good; then a person whose body is dead “because of sin” ought not to be able to do things that displease God.

Dead men don’t sin. Yet saved men do sin. They do displease God.

What Paul is saying in both places, is that a person dead in sins is useless to the purposes God has already intended for him. The saved person’s body is reckoned dead because of sin. The word “dead” being used isn’t to mean like a physically dead person, but more like “useless for its intended purpose.” A dead battery cannot start a car.

That understanding is clearly evidenced in these:

So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

James 2:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

But do you want to be shown, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead.

James 2:26 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Faith without works is useless to the purposes God has intended. As is the body without the Spirit.