the gospel

©2019 dan bulkley | ask@lifechurchco.com

the problem: romans 3:10-18

romans 3:10-18

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and misery mark their ways, 17 and the way of peace they do not know.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Humanity was made in God’s own image genesis 1:27 ,
but the first man Adam chose to disobey God genesis 2:15-17
genesis 3:1-7 romans 3:23 and distorted the Lord’s image in man genesis 5:3 . Since all people have sold themselves to death ii kings 17:17 romans 6:23 , we are subject to death both physically and spiritually because all men are corrupted in Adam’s image because we followed him into disobedience romans 3:23 romans 5:12 .

supporting scriptures

genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

genesis 2:15-17

The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

my notes:

genesis 3:1-7

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

genesis 5:3

When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.

ii kings 17:17

And they burned their sons and their daughters as offerings and used divination and omens and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.

romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

my notes:

romans 5:12

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

God is Holy leviticus 11:45 ; since He is Holy {completely set apart from sin} He cannot tolerate sin to have any part in Him as its opposed to His nature habakkuk 1:13 . God revealed what was good in His eyes to us, His rebellious creation, through the Law deuteronomy 12:28 so that we might know His goodness and how to participate in Him i timothy 1:8-11 . We having chosen sin as opposed to God even after God created us to have fellowship with Him jeremiah 18:4-12 isaiah 5:1-4 and so we being sinful were and are not capable of adhering to or walking according to God’s nature joshua 24:19-20 hosea 14:9 , but the Mosaic Law was established to show humanity its sinful state romans 7:13-14 and need for God’s grace through Christ galatians 3:24 john 1:17 , since no person could actually please God in their sinful nature romans 8:8 .

supporting scriptures

leviticus 11:45

For I am the Lord who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

habakkuk 1:13

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

deuteronomy 12:28

Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.

i timothy 1:8-11

Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

jeremiah 18:4-12

And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, 8 and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. 9 And if at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom that I will build and plant it, 10 and if it does evil in my sight, not listening to my voice, then I will relent of the good that I had intended to do to it. 11 Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’

12 “But they say, That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

my notes:

isaiah 5:1-4

Let me sing for my beloved

my love song concerning his vineyard:

My beloved had a vineyard

on a very fertile hill.

2 He dug it and cleared it of stones,

and planted it with choice vines;

he built a watchtower in the midst of it,

and hewed out a wine vat in it;

and he looked for it to yield grapes,

but it yielded wild grapes.

3 And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem

and men of Judah,

judge between me and my vineyard.

4 What more was there to do for my vineyard,

that I have not done in it?

When I looked for it to yield grapes,

why did it yield wild grapes?

joshua 24:19-20

But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good.”

hosea 14:9

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

whoever is discerning, let him know them;

for the ways of the Lord are right,

and the upright walk in them,

but transgressors stumble in them.

romans 7:13-14

Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.

galatians 3:24

So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

john 1:17

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

romans 8:8

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

God’s justice: i peter 1:14-19

i peter 1:14-19

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

Since we stole our lives from the Lord by forsaking Him jeremiah 2:13 jeremiah 2:17 to live isolated unto ourselves, the only just payment for our sin is our lives exodus 21:23-25 ezekiel 18:4 . Blood being the basic, physical flow of our life, God required blood {life} hebrews 9:22 as the repayment for our sins leviticus 17:11 . The sacrificial system in the Law was a foreshadowing of what was truly needed hebrews 9:6-10 as only a HUMAN life could pay for and clean away HUMAN sin hebrews 10:1-4 .

supporting scriptures

jeremiah 2:13

for my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water.

jeremiah 2:17

Have you not brought this upon yourself

by forsaking the Lord your God,

when he led you in the way?

exodus 21:23-25

But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

ezekiel 18:4

Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

hebrews 9:22

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

my notes:

leviticus 17:11

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

hebrews 9:6-10

These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.

hebrews 10:1-4

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Jesus being the infinite God-man colossians 2:9-10 paid for our sins with His human blood {life} ephesians 1:7 , being the new prototype/image of humanity i corinthians 15:45
romans 5:16-19 ii corinthians 3:18 romans 8:28-30 and the rightful leader of all redeemed humanity ephesians 4:15
colossians 1:18-20 hebrews 2:17 . He could pay for all our sin because of His infinite worth from His divine nature matthew 12:18 hebrews 9:25-28 . Hence He was the human life that could justly pay for ALL humanity.

supporting scriptures

colossians 2:9-10

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace...

i corinthians 15:45

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

romans 5:16-19

And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

ii corinthians 3:18

And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

romans 8:28-30

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

ephesians 4:15

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.

colossians 1:18-20

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

hebrews 2:17

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

matthew 12:18

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

my notes:

hebrews 9:25-28

Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

God’s promise of grace: ii samuel 14:14

ii samuel 14:14

We must all die; we are like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God will not take away life, and he devises means so that the banished one will not remain an outcast.

Immediately after we humans sinned, God showed grace by being patient ii peter 3:9 in promising a way of redemption from sin and reconciliation with the Lord genesis 3:15 . God began to reveal by His promises the way back to fellowship with Him by once againour having the reciprocal image of His good nature ii peter 1:3-4 . The Lord’s promises revealed the One Redeemer luke 24:25-27 , like the one to Abraham that all the world would be blessed {given grace} through His one, particular descendent {the Messiah} genesis 22:18 galatians 3:16 . Jesus is the Messiah, the anointed God-Man Who ONLY could reconcile God and man colossians 1:21-22 i timothy 2:5 . He accomplished this and proved it by His sacrificial death and powerful resurrection from the dead romans 1:2-5 romans 4:25 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

ii peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

genesis 3:15

I will put enmity between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and her offspring;

he shall bruise your head,

and you shall bruise his heel.”

ii peter 1:3-4

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

luke 24:25-27

And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

genesis 22:18

and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

my notes:

galatians 3:16

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.

colossians 1:21-22

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

i timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

romans 1:2-5

which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,

romans 4:25

who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Christ’s sacrifice brings about our justification before God through believing {agreeing with and trusting God amos 3:3 john 3:33 } that Christ has paid our sinful debt in full romans 4:2-10 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

amos 3:3

“Do two walk together,

unless they have agreed to meet?

john 3:33

Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

romans 4:2-10

For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,

and whose sins are covered;

8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised.

justification

A legal term, pertaining to God’s justice, He can not merely overlook sin, but sin must be made right. We are justly declared righteous before God (justified) because of Christ’s payment of our debt and His resurrection from the dead.

Grace is God’s gift {ill-deserved kindness} to us through faith, we do not work our way into God’s pleasure ephesians 2:7-9 but merely come to the knowledge and acceptance of the Truth that we are needful sinners and that Jesus is our Reconciler Who can make us into God’s goodness again ii corinthians 5:17-21 . Grace results in our guilty life being declared righteous before God, and God seeing Christ’s righteousness in us i corinthians 6:9-11 . Even as we are still sinners, God makes His righteous nature an ever-growing reality romans 4:17 . As a believer we are no longer destined for punishment in death {separation from God} but we are now promised eternal life {to forever know and be with God in Heaven} john 5:24 john 17:3 , which is assured by Christ’s resurrection from the dead i corinthians 15:17-19 .

The Holy Spirit is given to any who believe as our Helper and our Seal {promise, down payment, guarantee, ownership} unto the day when we are fully made like God i john 3:2-3 and with Him completely ii corinthians 1:22 ephesians 1:13 . Take heart; God promises that nothing can separate us from His love when He has justified us for all our sins, past, present, future romans 8:31-39 .

supporting scriptures

ephesians 2:7-9

so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

my notes:

ii corinthians 5:17-21

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

i corinthians 6:9-11

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

romans 4:17

as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

john 5:24

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

john 17:3

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

i corinthians 15:17-19

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

i john 3:2-3

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

ii corinthians 1:22

and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

ephesians 1:13

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit...

my notes:

romans 8:31-39

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s graceful result: philemon 1:6 and romans 5:1

philemon 1:6

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

God’s grace is all we need for life and godliness ii peter 1:3
as it changes our lives eternally i john 5:12-13 hebrews 2:15
and in our everyday circumstances galatians 2:20 i peter 4:2
leviticus 26:11-13 . We believers are justified and under God’s grace so we now have peace with God rather than conflict romans 5:1 james 4:6 . God is faithful and now justified in forgiving us our sins as we agree with Him about them i john 1:9 . He restores us to a reconciled relationship because we are under His grace paid for by Christ {never forget that grace is free to the receiver but not to the giver}. In God’s grace He gives us the position of one of God’s children john 1:12 ; authorized and empowered heirs of His glory galatians 4:3-7 .

supporting scriptures

ii peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

i john 5:12-13

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

hebrews 2:15

and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

i peter 4:2

so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

leviticus 26:11-13

I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. 13 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. And I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect.

romans 5:1

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

james 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

i john 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

john 1:12

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

galatians 4:3-7

In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

my notes:

God’s grace is so great that He does not leave us as we are, ezekiel 36:25-27 He continues to help us grow in righteousness to come to the place of being what we are declared to be before God {grace justifies and it ALSO sanctifies} titus 2:11-14 . He is remaking us into the image of Himself so that we may freely fellowshisp in Love and Truth. This is how we are always meant to be.

supporting scriptures

ezekiel 36:25-27

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

sanctification

The state of being separated from sin and united to God. It is a process of becoming more like Christ from the grace of God from Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may freely fellowship with Him.

my notes:

God is so gracious to not abandon us as orphans even as we still sin john 14:16-18 ; He continually works in us to ensure that we spiritually ii corinthians 4:16 transform into the image of Christ throughout the remainder of our life here philippians 1:6 . We believers are destined to be like Christ in His moral characteristics. This is now actively being completed in our lives james 1:2-4 romans 5:1-5 through all our circumstances romans 8:28-29 . When the Lord finally calls us to His Heavenly presence we shall then be completely sanctified or in other terms glorified as we will be like Jesus in His righteousness romans 8:30 i john 3:1-3 ii corinthians 5:21 spiritually and physically i corinthians 15:40-49 .

supporting scriptures

john 14:16-18

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

ii corinthians 4:16

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day

philippians 1:6

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

james 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

romans 5:1-5

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us

romans 8:28-29

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

romans 8:30

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

i john 3:1-3

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

ii corinthians 5:21

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

i corinthians 15:40-49

There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven

God has lavished on us the gift of His life: His way of living romans 8:11 and living with Him i thessalonians 4:17 ; this is true living ephesians 1:7-9 ephesians 4:18 i timothy 6:19 . What He purposed for us in being like Him was to unite us with Himself and each other in harmony philippians 2:1-2 i peter 3:8 and unhindered fellowship amongst all of us john 17:21-24 so that His joy and our joy would be perfect john 15:10-11 i john 1:3-4 .

supporting scriptures

romans 8:11

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

my notes:

i thessalonians 4:17

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

ephesians 1:7-9

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

ephesians 4:18

They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

i timothy 6:19

...thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

philippians 2:1-2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

i peter 3:8

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

my notes:

john 17:21-24

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

john 15:10-11

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

i john 1:3-4

... that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

We are guaranteed that we live forever because of Christ’s resurrection from the dead i corinthians 15:53-58 . If Christ has not been raised we are not justified and we are still destined for Hell, the complete relational separation from God i corinthians 15:17-19 . But Christ is raised and we are justified romans 4:25 ; so believers shall reign with Christ revelation 22:1-5 in the unfettered relational presence of God revelation 21:1-7 lovingly and faithfully sharing in His glory without end in perfect delight psalm 16:11 psalm 73:24-28 .

my notes:

supporting scriptures

i corinthians 15:53-58

For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain

i corinthians 15:17-19

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

romans 4:25

... who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

my notes:

revelation 22:1-5

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

revelation 21:1-7

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

psalm 73:24-28

You guide me with your counsel,

and afterward you will receive me to glory.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,

but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;

you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.

28 But for me it is good to be near God;

I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,

that I may tell of all your works.

my notes: