I know, many of you are educated and I am not, but will you love me and my heart anyway?
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:17
The Apostles wrote in a variety ways that Jesus is the invisible Image of God and a perfect man. Why not say God created Himself a visible body at the beginning of creation to exist in, who is Jesus...
Image of Jesus
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. Colossians 1:15-20
John wrote...
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:1-5 & John 1:14-16
John said, "He was in the beginning with God."
Jesus was in the garden with Adam and Eve...
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
Many will argue over many things about Jesus and who He is yet, we all were made in His visible and invisible image of God with our own personal limited sovereignty over ourselves as individuals and as God's creation, to do what we want when we want even having the prerogative to be for God or against God, yet unlike God who can't in the light of His absolute Holiness and pure perfection as God not needing to go against Himself (it is insane to think a Holy God would play human games with words; only the devil does that). We were made in the visible and invisible image of God Jesus which includes our emotions and wants for what is good and is why Adam and Even looked they did, and behave perfectly prior to their disobedience which caused that snow ball effect of death (sin) as a curse. Our imagine of God has the ability, mannerism, and characteristics of God, but in a limited fashion because of the fallen state of mankind, but through Jesus we can be healed. Many will question and say things like God made us imperfect and it is His fault for all the pain and suffering in this world, they are just so ignorant unwilling to be personally responsible for themselves just like Adam and Eve were unwilling to be personally responsible for their own behaviors as they both made their own decisions who to blame blaming someone else...
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:9-13
Adam and Eve chose to not listen to what the Lord God (Jesus) commanded them to do, and it is why the Apostle John recorded within His Gospel Jesus saying, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" just as it was in the beginning. Everything else good in this life is because the Lord God Jesus is merciful, just, and impartial raining down good on both the good and evil, and since the fall of mankind anyone unwilling to take personal responsibility to walk in the Spirit of Christ will be doomed to an eternal death forever unless they "eat from the tree of Life" who is Jesus the Messiah, because He, Jesus, was pleased with His creation prior to the fall and loves mankind so much even with His own life taking responsibility for mankind's inability to be responsible and showing us how to live responsibly...
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
Jesus said,
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:6
John 15:6 Just like it was in the Beginning. One of my favorite verses is Numbers 23:19 because I found God so reliable I would do whatever He asks of me.
According to all the Apostles and writers of the New Testament, John recorded within his gospel (chapter 15) Jesus talking to His disciples who were already clean; pure. Jesus was telling them this because they had followed Him listening to His Words learning from Him, also because Jesus had All rule and Authority to do as He willed, They were already clean, pure, because of what they had heard Jesus say to them even though they had yet to be born again by the Holy Spirit, and we know one must be born of water and Spirit...
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15:3
Whether or not you are willing to accept these facts, Jesus' appearing with all rule and authority as God has the Sovereign authority over all things even prior to His death and resurrection...
Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
And the Apostles and writers of the New testament were a witnesses to these facts.
Let me support all this from a passage within the Book of Acts...
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 14-17
And for future conversations, "the Word of God" the Apostles were speaking about was the portion of the bible which came through Jesus the Messiah just as Peter stated a couple of times within the Book of Acts...
God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. Acts 3:18-24
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:34-43
God doesn't change His mind, when He promises something, He Keeps it!
22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24
We are not required to be perfect, no one is perfect. We are simply required to listen to everything Jesus says as we walk with Him through this life. And as John wrote within his letter...
Walking in the Light
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5:10
And whether or not you know or believe this next fact, this is what walking in the Light is...
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:28
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:20
Because those who turn to Jesus have been given the Spirit of truth who is Jesus...
16 When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 & 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 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. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. John 14:15-24
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:17
The Apostles wrote in a variety ways that Jesus is the invisible Image of God and a perfect man. Why not say God created Himself a visible body at the beginning of creation to exist in, who is Jesus...
Image of Jesus
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 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. Colossians 1:15-20
John wrote...
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:1-5 & John 1:14-16
John said, "He was in the beginning with God."
Jesus was in the garden with Adam and Eve...
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8
Many will argue over many things about Jesus and who He is yet, we all were made in His visible and invisible image of God with our own personal limited sovereignty over ourselves as individuals and as God's creation, to do what we want when we want even having the prerogative to be for God or against God, yet unlike God who can't in the light of His absolute Holiness and pure perfection as God not needing to go against Himself (it is insane to think a Holy God would play human games with words; only the devil does that). We were made in the visible and invisible image of God Jesus which includes our emotions and wants for what is good and is why Adam and Even looked they did, and behave perfectly prior to their disobedience which caused that snow ball effect of death (sin) as a curse. Our imagine of God has the ability, mannerism, and characteristics of God, but in a limited fashion because of the fallen state of mankind, but through Jesus we can be healed. Many will question and say things like God made us imperfect and it is His fault for all the pain and suffering in this world, they are just so ignorant unwilling to be personally responsible for themselves just like Adam and Eve were unwilling to be personally responsible for their own behaviors as they both made their own decisions who to blame blaming someone else...
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:9-13
Adam and Eve chose to not listen to what the Lord God (Jesus) commanded them to do, and it is why the Apostle John recorded within His Gospel Jesus saying, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" just as it was in the beginning. Everything else good in this life is because the Lord God Jesus is merciful, just, and impartial raining down good on both the good and evil, and since the fall of mankind anyone unwilling to take personal responsibility to walk in the Spirit of Christ will be doomed to an eternal death forever unless they "eat from the tree of Life" who is Jesus the Messiah, because He, Jesus, was pleased with His creation prior to the fall and loves mankind so much even with His own life taking responsibility for mankind's inability to be responsible and showing us how to live responsibly...
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
Jesus said,
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. John 15:6
John 15:6 Just like it was in the Beginning. One of my favorite verses is Numbers 23:19 because I found God so reliable I would do whatever He asks of me.
According to all the Apostles and writers of the New Testament, John recorded within his gospel (chapter 15) Jesus talking to His disciples who were already clean; pure. Jesus was telling them this because they had followed Him listening to His Words learning from Him, also because Jesus had All rule and Authority to do as He willed, They were already clean, pure, because of what they had heard Jesus say to them even though they had yet to be born again by the Holy Spirit, and we know one must be born of water and Spirit...
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. John 15:3
Whether or not you are willing to accept these facts, Jesus' appearing with all rule and authority as God has the Sovereign authority over all things even prior to His death and resurrection...
Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30
And the Apostles and writers of the New testament were a witnesses to these facts.
Let me support all this from a passage within the Book of Acts...
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 14-17
And for future conversations, "the Word of God" the Apostles were speaking about was the portion of the bible which came through Jesus the Messiah just as Peter stated a couple of times within the Book of Acts...
God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. Acts 3:18-24
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:34-43
God doesn't change His mind, when He promises something, He Keeps it!
22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—” 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22-24
We are not required to be perfect, no one is perfect. We are simply required to listen to everything Jesus says as we walk with Him through this life. And as John wrote within his letter...
Walking in the Light
5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:5:10
And whether or not you know or believe this next fact, this is what walking in the Light is...
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory,
but when the wicked rise, people hide themselves.
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
14 Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always,
but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:28
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. John 3:20
Because those who turn to Jesus have been given the Spirit of truth who is Jesus...
16 When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 & 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. 2 Corinthians 7:10
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 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. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me. John 14:15-24
