Peace unto you.
“Behold, the man is become AS one of us, to know good and evil”….that is, as a “judge” (Elohim = judges… or “gods”) . A judge knows who or what is good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 KJV
(22) And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Adam became “as” a judge who supposedly knows good and evil and was given over to a “reprobate” ,a fleshly mind to work the “ground”….the works of the flesh from where he was taken .
ALL men now suffer the same fate in Adam as to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death and cannot be subject to the law of God (to have love for all men) and neither can it be for it is driven from the “garden” of Eden where the fleshly mind does not keep the law of God (have love for one another) nor does it delight in it. The “garden” is the keeping of His commandment of “Eden” …as we delight in the keeping of His commandments.
(23) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Men set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another in order to keep the teachings and commandments of men thereby judging others over them which is not having love for another.
Mortal death has reigned in this earth even over those who have not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression. Adam was supposed to be a preacher of righteousness to this world so that they may know God and serve Him.
Romans 5:14-21 KJV
(14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Through the disobedience of Adam, many are dead.
(15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
By one man’s offence death reigned by one.
(17) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
By the offence of one, judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation. The world is already under the wrath of God because of the deviation of Adam from His commandments .
(18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
By one man’s disobedience, MANY were made sinners.
(19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
But thankfully our God who is rich in mercy takes us out of the “ground” (the works of the flesh...the serving of our own carnal mind) of this world where we were in times past the children of wrath (dying under the judgment of God because of the disobedience of Adam) just like the rest of mankind and living in the lusts of our flesh and fulfilling the lusts of the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
He gives us His Spirit and makes us alive in the second man from heaven: Jesus who is the Christ.
Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV
(1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
(2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
(3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
(5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But God gives us His Spirit (the Spirit of God dwells in us) and we are debtors NOT TO THE FLESH to live after the flesh but to the Spirit.
Romans 8:8-14 KJV
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The true so-called "spirit body" is the mortal body that does not die from this earth when we live according to the Spirit at all times...putting to death the deeds of the body.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
This is about living in our mortal flesh in this earth by the Spirit that enlivens our MORTAL bodies just as the Spirit made Jesus alive from the dead.
We are to be living the heavenly, eternal life of Jesus in this earth and not after we “die and go to heaven” that is being universally preached by those who are perishing away in their sins as they set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another in order to keep the teachings and commandments of men that are not saving the mortal flesh of any.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
If we live AFTER THE FLESH, we shall die (our mortal flesh perishes from off this earth to the grave) but if through the Spirit we do “mortify” (kill) the deeds of the body, we shall live the eternal life of that one man, Jesus, in this earth.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The sword of the Spirit keeps the way of the tree of life. Through the power of the sword of the Spirit (the flaming sword), we must kill off the deeds of the body in order to enter in to life. Without doing this, we shall never have His eternal life in this earth. The flaming sword turns every way. We must be converted (turn) also and live according to the Spirit always.
Genesis 3:23-24 KJV
(23) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
(24) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Blessed are they that DO His commandments to that they may have the right to the tree of life. They live according to the Spirit by which they have put to death the deeds of the body.
Revelation 22:14-15 KJV
(14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Outside are those (the “dogs”) who preach for doctrines the commandments of men and bring others into their “religious” bondage and those ( the “sorcerers”) who deceptively preach the Word of God for unjust gain (the idolaters who preach for money) and those who sit together with them (the “whoremongers”) and those who love and practice THE lie….the same lie from the beginning.
They love and practice the lie as they listen to the “serpents” ministers of so-called righteousness and use their carnal commandments to judge others over (thereby sitting aside the commandment of God to have love for one another). They see themselves as judges….as “gods”…for God as they think that they do these things in His name…in His authority. Those who live after the flesh in their churches are dying in their mortal bodies as the wages of sins is death...death to the mortal body as Adam died.
(15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Except we be converted (to turn) and become as little children, we shall NOT enter into the kingdom of heaven…the reign of heaven where His will is always being done and are living an eternal life. The reign of heaven is also for us earth dwellers where we can become citizens of heaven right now in this earth without leaving this earth.
Matthew 18:1-5 KJV
(1) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
(2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
(3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
His kingdom comes to this earth when we DO His will as it is already being done in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Our citizenship (KJV: “conversation) is in heaven now in this earth. We are to look for the life of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ to come in our own mortal flesh. (He who IS COMING shall arrive and not delay).
His eternal life changes our humiliated-by-sin mortal bodies in Adam to be fashioned like unto His body right here in this earth. Our earthly lives are to be living in this terrestrial world just as those who are living in heaven. Literally… “heaven on earth”. The kingdom of heaven…the reign of heaven…comes to this earth. We are to be a branch of heaven so to speak in a terrestrial reality.
Philippians 3:20-21 KJV
(20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
(21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
The earnest expectation of this creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God whose mortal bodies shall not die as the life of Jesus gives the sons of God His eternal life.
Romans 8:18-26 KJV
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
(20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
The creation itself shall be liberated from the bondage of DECAY into the glorious liberty of the sons of God who shall not die but have an everlasting life in this earth.
(21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
(22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Those who are led by the Spirit are waiting (in hope…in patience…in FAITH) for the life of Jesus to appear in our mortal flesh. We are not seeing the “promise of His coming” yet because ALL men are sowing according to the flesh and are reaping death to their mortal flesh…even those who have received of His Spirit as they are not putting to death the deeds of the flesh when they judge others with their teachings and commandments of men.
(23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
(25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
(26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
We must hear the good news of His eternal life in this earth and believe. The Word preached does NOT PROFIT those who do not mix it with FAITH in those that hear it.
Hebrews 4:1-12 KJV
(1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
(2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Those who do not believe do not enter into His rest.
(3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
(4) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
(5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
(6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
(7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(8) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
We must cease from our own “works” in order to enter in. We must cease from the works of the flesh …the works of earthly man….for those who live after the flesh shall die from this earth. Those that enter into His rest also have ceased from their own works. They put on the works of His righteousness and not their own. There still REMAINS a rest for us to enter into as we are to put to death the works of the body in order to enter into life in this earth.
(9) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
(10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
(11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
We must use the sword of the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body so that we may have access to the way of the tree of life.
(12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Let us hear His voice walking in the garden in the “cool” …that is, SPIRIT…of the Day. Let us walk in the Light as He is in the Light. Those who hide from the presence (face) of the LORD God show that they do not KNOW God because they sin against what they hear Him saying. They have no works of righteousness towards the hearing of His voice. This is the time to cast off the works of darkness and put on Christ so that the shame of our nakedness does not appear when we speak evil in defense of our own “works of righteousness”.
Genesis 3:8-13 KJV
(8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
(9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
They were afraid because they do not put on Christ. They do not put on His works of righteousness. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Saul/Paul did not seek to defend his own “works of righteousness” but was found of the Lord by having FAITH in what he heard the Lord saying. He counted all of his own religious works as a loss in order to win Christ and His knowledge. Saul/Paul did not resist but heard and believed in what the Lord had said.
Philippians 3:1-11 KJV
(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
(2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
(3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
(5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
(6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
(11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
We are to hear what a “stranger” who comes along in our lives unexpectedly (at an hour that they think not) and speaks what they hear the Spirit saying. We are to let brotherly love continue…even towards that stranger that speaks things that do not conform to what fleshly men are preaching in their own wisdom.
The Son of man comes on a day we do not expect and we are to be found of Him having love. There is NO FEAR in love but complete love casts out the fear of punishment. We are to be found having love for those “strangers” sent out by Him to speak His words in the Spirit.
Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV
(1) Let brotherly love continue.
(2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
The Son of God comes to give us an understanding so that we may KNOW Him that is true. We hear His voice and act in holiness as He is holy. We are not to “hide” from His face but show that we KNOW Him by behaving in His righteousness in the Day of Judgment. Those who are born of God do not speak evil against what they hear….do not sin. They put on Christ and are not found “naked” and revealing their shame with their shameful words of rejection of what they hear.
1 John 5:18-20 KJV
(18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
(19) And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
(20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Let us entertain “strangers” (the “stranger did not lodge in the street”) who come speaking His words in the Spirit. We are to let brotherly love continue .
Job 31:32-34 KJV
(32) The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveler.
Let us not cover our transgressions as Adam….hiding them in the bosom. We are to confess our sins to Him.
(33) If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
Let us not fear what our own church people will think nor what our own families will say so that we keep silent towards what we hear the Spirit of God saying to us today.
(34) Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
As His people, we are to confess our sins so that He may forgive us. We confess Him before men.
Psalms 32:5 KJV
(5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
We are to walk in the Light as He is in the Light.
1 John 1:5-10 KJV
(5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
(6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
(8) If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Those who fear, have judgment…punishment coming. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
1 John 4:16-21 KJV
(16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
We must have love so that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment when we hear His voice come “walking in the Spirit of the Day”.
(17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(19) We love him, because he first loved us.
We cannot hide behind “Lord, Lord”. We cannot say we love God but hate a brother who comes preaching what he hears the Spirit saying.
(20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
(21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
A judge knows what or who is “good and evil”. When men judge another over a carnal commandment supposedly from God (as the woman did: “neither shall you touch it”), they are seeing themselves as a “judges” for God supposedly and are not DOING the law of God (to have love for one another). They do these things supposedly in God’ s name…. as indicated in part of the lie : “For God does know…”
Genesis 3:2-5 KJV
(2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
(3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
(4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
The fleshly-minded man is desirous of vain glory…wanting to be seen as wise (then your eyes shall be opened). You shall be as “gods”…JUDGES, knowing good and evil.
(5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
A fleshly-minded person judges others over a carnal commandment that was wrested from the Scriptures. Let no man JUDGE you over the things that he has wrested out of the Scriptures with his fleshly mind. Those who do such things do not have the mind of Christ but are serving the fleshly mind.
Colossians 2:16-23 KJV
(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
(18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
(19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
(20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
The woman in the garden: “Neither shall you touch it”.
The end of those things (serving and worshipping the commandments and doctrines of men) is death.
(21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
(22) Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
(23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
We are servants of sin when we worship and serve the doctrines and commandments of fleshly men as we set aside the commandment of God (to have love one another ) in order to keep them and judge each other over them. Let us obey FROM THE HEART that form of teaching which was delivered to us to always keep.
Romans 6:17-22 KJV
(17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
The end of those things is death as NO FLESH is being saved in the churches of carnally-minded men where they are doing this.
(21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
(22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
We cannot understand the Scriptures when we are fleshly-minded ….living in envying, and strife and divisions (denominations) of men. The words of the apostles and the prophets in the Scriptures cannot speak to us as spiritual for they are spiritually-discerned. Only the spiritually-minded can enter in to understand while the carnal mind is outside and sees them carnally. The fleshly-minded see only parables….the cherubim.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 KJV
(1) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
(2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
(3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
A “babe” has not grown up in Christ but is still living in the flesh and is unskilled in the Word of righteousness. We must enter into His rest by putting to death the works of the flesh through the sword of the Spirit. Only those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern BOTH GOOD AND EVIL.
But the carnally-minded want to be seen as wise and judge others over their carnal commandments (behold, the man has become AS one of us….supposedly a judge that knows who or what is good and evil).
Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV
(12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The wisdom of men preach the Word of God in their fleshly understanding in the spirit of man but the spiritually-minded do as in the power of God…with the Spirit of God. But those who are complete, the words of the Scriptures are understood. The wisdom of God is hidden from the carnal mind as he sows after the flesh. He is kept out of the understanding of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5-16 KJV
(5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Yet the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The spiritually-minded judges all things….yet the fleshly-minded man wants to be as a “judge” also knowing good and evil. The fleshly-minded man judges erroneously who and what is good and evil. The fleshly-minded man judges others over what day he worships on or what he eats or doesn't eat or if one is literally baptized in water. He is judging others over the carnal commandments of men where he sits aside the commandment of God to have love for others.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The fleshly-minded men call evil good and good evil. They judge not in righteousness what is good and evil but in their own understanding judge things backwards. They are “wise in their own eyes” (wanting to be seen as wise…..desirous of vain glory).
Isaiah 5:20-21 KJV
(20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
(21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
A tree is known by its fruit. We cannot hide behind “Lord, Lord” while casting out others’ names as “devils”….labelling others as “evildoers” because they preach something that they do not like to hear or they do not do their own “wonderful works”…the commandments of men.
Matthew 7:19-23 KJV
(19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Men judge others with their “wonderful works” supposedly in His name…or authority. They set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another when they supposedly do their judging of others supposedly in His name (authority).
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Thankfully, our God’s love and kindness appears to us.
Titus 3:4-11 KJV
(4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
It is not because of our “wonderful works”….the supposed “works of righteousness” which we have done ….but according to His own mercy does He save us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. The voice of our Lord comes walking in the Spirit of the day.
(5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
(7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
We are to hear His voice and be careful to maintain good works.
(8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Yet, some men will seek to contend with what they hear His voice saying in the Spirit in their strivings about the law that they have wrested out of the Scriptures with their fleshly minds. They will contend over their teachings and commandments of men wanting to justify their own “works of righteousness”.
(9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
(10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
A man is warned two or three times to let brotherly love continue. If he continues to sin WILLFULLY, there is no more sacrifice for sins but a certain FEARFUL looking towards judgment and fiery indignation.
Hebrews 10:26-31 KJV
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But blessed are those who are found “watching”…awaking to His righteousness. They will hear His voice and be found putting on Christ. They will remember to let brotherly love continue and will gird up the loins of their minds and be “sober” and not be found “drunk” in the wine of their wrath thereby forgetting to do His righteousness. They will enter in to be fed with the mysteries of the kingdom.
Luke 12:35-40 KJV
(35) Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
(36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
(37) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
If they are warned to “awake” even in the second or third watch and are found “awaking” to His righteousness, then blessed (happy) are those servants.
(38) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
(39) And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
(40) Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Death came to all men through Adam . But those who will not overcome at the hearing of the Spirit will have their part in the “second death”. There will be no more sacrifice for their willful sins but will die in their sins without remedy from off this earth for they will have rejected what they heard His Spirit saying and spoke evil of it and treated their brothers who spoke what they heard the Spirit saying with contempt.
Revelation 21:6-8 KJV
(6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
(7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
“Behold, the man is become AS one of us, to know good and evil”….that is, as a “judge” (Elohim = judges… or “gods”) . A judge knows who or what is good and evil.
Genesis 3:22 KJV
(22) And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Adam became “as” a judge who supposedly knows good and evil and was given over to a “reprobate” ,a fleshly mind to work the “ground”….the works of the flesh from where he was taken .
ALL men now suffer the same fate in Adam as to be carnally (fleshly) minded is death and cannot be subject to the law of God (to have love for all men) and neither can it be for it is driven from the “garden” of Eden where the fleshly mind does not keep the law of God (have love for one another) nor does it delight in it. The “garden” is the keeping of His commandment of “Eden” …as we delight in the keeping of His commandments.
(23) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
Men set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another in order to keep the teachings and commandments of men thereby judging others over them which is not having love for another.
Mortal death has reigned in this earth even over those who have not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression. Adam was supposed to be a preacher of righteousness to this world so that they may know God and serve Him.
Romans 5:14-21 KJV
(14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Through the disobedience of Adam, many are dead.
(15) But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
(16) And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
By one man’s offence death reigned by one.
(17) For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
By the offence of one, judgment came upon ALL men to condemnation. The world is already under the wrath of God because of the deviation of Adam from His commandments .
(18) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
By one man’s disobedience, MANY were made sinners.
(19) For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(20) Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(21) That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
But thankfully our God who is rich in mercy takes us out of the “ground” (the works of the flesh...the serving of our own carnal mind) of this world where we were in times past the children of wrath (dying under the judgment of God because of the disobedience of Adam) just like the rest of mankind and living in the lusts of our flesh and fulfilling the lusts of the desires of the flesh and of the mind.
He gives us His Spirit and makes us alive in the second man from heaven: Jesus who is the Christ.
Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV
(1) And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
(2) Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
(3) Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
(4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
(5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But God gives us His Spirit (the Spirit of God dwells in us) and we are debtors NOT TO THE FLESH to live after the flesh but to the Spirit.
Romans 8:8-14 KJV
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The true so-called "spirit body" is the mortal body that does not die from this earth when we live according to the Spirit at all times...putting to death the deeds of the body.
(10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
This is about living in our mortal flesh in this earth by the Spirit that enlivens our MORTAL bodies just as the Spirit made Jesus alive from the dead.
We are to be living the heavenly, eternal life of Jesus in this earth and not after we “die and go to heaven” that is being universally preached by those who are perishing away in their sins as they set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another in order to keep the teachings and commandments of men that are not saving the mortal flesh of any.
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
If we live AFTER THE FLESH, we shall die (our mortal flesh perishes from off this earth to the grave) but if through the Spirit we do “mortify” (kill) the deeds of the body, we shall live the eternal life of that one man, Jesus, in this earth.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The sword of the Spirit keeps the way of the tree of life. Through the power of the sword of the Spirit (the flaming sword), we must kill off the deeds of the body in order to enter in to life. Without doing this, we shall never have His eternal life in this earth. The flaming sword turns every way. We must be converted (turn) also and live according to the Spirit always.
Genesis 3:23-24 KJV
(23) Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.
(24) So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
Blessed are they that DO His commandments to that they may have the right to the tree of life. They live according to the Spirit by which they have put to death the deeds of the body.
Revelation 22:14-15 KJV
(14) Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Outside are those (the “dogs”) who preach for doctrines the commandments of men and bring others into their “religious” bondage and those ( the “sorcerers”) who deceptively preach the Word of God for unjust gain (the idolaters who preach for money) and those who sit together with them (the “whoremongers”) and those who love and practice THE lie….the same lie from the beginning.
They love and practice the lie as they listen to the “serpents” ministers of so-called righteousness and use their carnal commandments to judge others over (thereby sitting aside the commandment of God to have love for one another). They see themselves as judges….as “gods”…for God as they think that they do these things in His name…in His authority. Those who live after the flesh in their churches are dying in their mortal bodies as the wages of sins is death...death to the mortal body as Adam died.
(15) For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Except we be converted (to turn) and become as little children, we shall NOT enter into the kingdom of heaven…the reign of heaven where His will is always being done and are living an eternal life. The reign of heaven is also for us earth dwellers where we can become citizens of heaven right now in this earth without leaving this earth.
Matthew 18:1-5 KJV
(1) At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
(2) And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
(3) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(4) Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(5) And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
His kingdom comes to this earth when we DO His will as it is already being done in heaven.
Matthew 6:9-13 KJV
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Our citizenship (KJV: “conversation) is in heaven now in this earth. We are to look for the life of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ to come in our own mortal flesh. (He who IS COMING shall arrive and not delay).
His eternal life changes our humiliated-by-sin mortal bodies in Adam to be fashioned like unto His body right here in this earth. Our earthly lives are to be living in this terrestrial world just as those who are living in heaven. Literally… “heaven on earth”. The kingdom of heaven…the reign of heaven…comes to this earth. We are to be a branch of heaven so to speak in a terrestrial reality.
Philippians 3:20-21 KJV
(20) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
(21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
The earnest expectation of this creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God whose mortal bodies shall not die as the life of Jesus gives the sons of God His eternal life.
Romans 8:18-26 KJV
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(19) For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
(20) For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
The creation itself shall be liberated from the bondage of DECAY into the glorious liberty of the sons of God who shall not die but have an everlasting life in this earth.
(21) Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
(22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Those who are led by the Spirit are waiting (in hope…in patience…in FAITH) for the life of Jesus to appear in our mortal flesh. We are not seeing the “promise of His coming” yet because ALL men are sowing according to the flesh and are reaping death to their mortal flesh…even those who have received of His Spirit as they are not putting to death the deeds of the flesh when they judge others with their teachings and commandments of men.
(23) And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(24) For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
(25) But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
(26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
We must hear the good news of His eternal life in this earth and believe. The Word preached does NOT PROFIT those who do not mix it with FAITH in those that hear it.
Hebrews 4:1-12 KJV
(1) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
(2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Those who do not believe do not enter into His rest.
(3) For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
(4) For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
(5) And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
(6) Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
(7) Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(8) For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
We must cease from our own “works” in order to enter in. We must cease from the works of the flesh …the works of earthly man….for those who live after the flesh shall die from this earth. Those that enter into His rest also have ceased from their own works. They put on the works of His righteousness and not their own. There still REMAINS a rest for us to enter into as we are to put to death the works of the body in order to enter into life in this earth.
(9) There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
(10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
(11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
We must use the sword of the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body so that we may have access to the way of the tree of life.
(12) For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Let us hear His voice walking in the garden in the “cool” …that is, SPIRIT…of the Day. Let us walk in the Light as He is in the Light. Those who hide from the presence (face) of the LORD God show that they do not KNOW God because they sin against what they hear Him saying. They have no works of righteousness towards the hearing of His voice. This is the time to cast off the works of darkness and put on Christ so that the shame of our nakedness does not appear when we speak evil in defense of our own “works of righteousness”.
Genesis 3:8-13 KJV
(8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
(9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
They were afraid because they do not put on Christ. They do not put on His works of righteousness. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
(10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Saul/Paul did not seek to defend his own “works of righteousness” but was found of the Lord by having FAITH in what he heard the Lord saying. He counted all of his own religious works as a loss in order to win Christ and His knowledge. Saul/Paul did not resist but heard and believed in what the Lord had said.
Philippians 3:1-11 KJV
(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
(2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
(3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
(4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
(5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
(6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
(7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
(8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
(9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
(10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
(11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
We are to hear what a “stranger” who comes along in our lives unexpectedly (at an hour that they think not) and speaks what they hear the Spirit saying. We are to let brotherly love continue…even towards that stranger that speaks things that do not conform to what fleshly men are preaching in their own wisdom.
The Son of man comes on a day we do not expect and we are to be found of Him having love. There is NO FEAR in love but complete love casts out the fear of punishment. We are to be found having love for those “strangers” sent out by Him to speak His words in the Spirit.
Hebrews 13:1-2 KJV
(1) Let brotherly love continue.
(2) Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
The Son of God comes to give us an understanding so that we may KNOW Him that is true. We hear His voice and act in holiness as He is holy. We are not to “hide” from His face but show that we KNOW Him by behaving in His righteousness in the Day of Judgment. Those who are born of God do not speak evil against what they hear….do not sin. They put on Christ and are not found “naked” and revealing their shame with their shameful words of rejection of what they hear.
1 John 5:18-20 KJV
(18) We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
(19) And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
(20) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
Let us entertain “strangers” (the “stranger did not lodge in the street”) who come speaking His words in the Spirit. We are to let brotherly love continue .
Job 31:32-34 KJV
(32) The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveler.
Let us not cover our transgressions as Adam….hiding them in the bosom. We are to confess our sins to Him.
(33) If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
Let us not fear what our own church people will think nor what our own families will say so that we keep silent towards what we hear the Spirit of God saying to us today.
(34) Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
As His people, we are to confess our sins so that He may forgive us. We confess Him before men.
Psalms 32:5 KJV
(5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
We are to walk in the Light as He is in the Light.
1 John 1:5-10 KJV
(5) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
(6) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
(7) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
(8) If we say that 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 that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Those who fear, have judgment…punishment coming. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
1 John 4:16-21 KJV
(16) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
We must have love so that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment when we hear His voice come “walking in the Spirit of the Day”.
(17) Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
(18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
(19) We love him, because he first loved us.
We cannot hide behind “Lord, Lord”. We cannot say we love God but hate a brother who comes preaching what he hears the Spirit saying.
(20) If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
(21) And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
A judge knows what or who is “good and evil”. When men judge another over a carnal commandment supposedly from God (as the woman did: “neither shall you touch it”), they are seeing themselves as a “judges” for God supposedly and are not DOING the law of God (to have love for one another). They do these things supposedly in God’ s name…. as indicated in part of the lie : “For God does know…”
Genesis 3:2-5 KJV
(2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
(3) But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
(4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
The fleshly-minded man is desirous of vain glory…wanting to be seen as wise (then your eyes shall be opened). You shall be as “gods”…JUDGES, knowing good and evil.
(5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
A fleshly-minded person judges others over a carnal commandment that was wrested from the Scriptures. Let no man JUDGE you over the things that he has wrested out of the Scriptures with his fleshly mind. Those who do such things do not have the mind of Christ but are serving the fleshly mind.
Colossians 2:16-23 KJV
(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
(18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
(19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
(20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
The woman in the garden: “Neither shall you touch it”.
The end of those things (serving and worshipping the commandments and doctrines of men) is death.
(21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
(22) Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
(23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
We are servants of sin when we worship and serve the doctrines and commandments of fleshly men as we set aside the commandment of God (to have love one another ) in order to keep them and judge each other over them. Let us obey FROM THE HEART that form of teaching which was delivered to us to always keep.
Romans 6:17-22 KJV
(17) But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(18) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
(19) I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
(20) For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
The end of those things is death as NO FLESH is being saved in the churches of carnally-minded men where they are doing this.
(21) What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
(22) But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
We cannot understand the Scriptures when we are fleshly-minded ….living in envying, and strife and divisions (denominations) of men. The words of the apostles and the prophets in the Scriptures cannot speak to us as spiritual for they are spiritually-discerned. Only the spiritually-minded can enter in to understand while the carnal mind is outside and sees them carnally. The fleshly-minded see only parables….the cherubim.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 KJV
(1) And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
(2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
(3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
A “babe” has not grown up in Christ but is still living in the flesh and is unskilled in the Word of righteousness. We must enter into His rest by putting to death the works of the flesh through the sword of the Spirit. Only those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern BOTH GOOD AND EVIL.
But the carnally-minded want to be seen as wise and judge others over their carnal commandments (behold, the man has become AS one of us….supposedly a judge that knows who or what is good and evil).
Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV
(12) For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
The wisdom of men preach the Word of God in their fleshly understanding in the spirit of man but the spiritually-minded do as in the power of God…with the Spirit of God. But those who are complete, the words of the Scriptures are understood. The wisdom of God is hidden from the carnal mind as he sows after the flesh. He is kept out of the understanding of God.
1 Corinthians 2:5-16 KJV
(5) That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
(6) Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
Yet the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The spiritually-minded judges all things….yet the fleshly-minded man wants to be as a “judge” also knowing good and evil. The fleshly-minded man judges erroneously who and what is good and evil. The fleshly-minded man judges others over what day he worships on or what he eats or doesn't eat or if one is literally baptized in water. He is judging others over the carnal commandments of men where he sits aside the commandment of God to have love for others.
(15) But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
(16) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
The fleshly-minded men call evil good and good evil. They judge not in righteousness what is good and evil but in their own understanding judge things backwards. They are “wise in their own eyes” (wanting to be seen as wise…..desirous of vain glory).
Isaiah 5:20-21 KJV
(20) Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
(21) Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
A tree is known by its fruit. We cannot hide behind “Lord, Lord” while casting out others’ names as “devils”….labelling others as “evildoers” because they preach something that they do not like to hear or they do not do their own “wonderful works”…the commandments of men.
Matthew 7:19-23 KJV
(19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(20) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Men judge others with their “wonderful works” supposedly in His name…or authority. They set aside the commandment of God to have love for one another when they supposedly do their judging of others supposedly in His name (authority).
(22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Thankfully, our God’s love and kindness appears to us.
Titus 3:4-11 KJV
(4) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
It is not because of our “wonderful works”….the supposed “works of righteousness” which we have done ….but according to His own mercy does He save us by the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. The voice of our Lord comes walking in the Spirit of the day.
(5) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(6) Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
(7) That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
We are to hear His voice and be careful to maintain good works.
(8) This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
Yet, some men will seek to contend with what they hear His voice saying in the Spirit in their strivings about the law that they have wrested out of the Scriptures with their fleshly minds. They will contend over their teachings and commandments of men wanting to justify their own “works of righteousness”.
(9) But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
(10) A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
(11) Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
A man is warned two or three times to let brotherly love continue. If he continues to sin WILLFULLY, there is no more sacrifice for sins but a certain FEARFUL looking towards judgment and fiery indignation.
Hebrews 10:26-31 KJV
(26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
(27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
(28) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
(30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(31) It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
But blessed are those who are found “watching”…awaking to His righteousness. They will hear His voice and be found putting on Christ. They will remember to let brotherly love continue and will gird up the loins of their minds and be “sober” and not be found “drunk” in the wine of their wrath thereby forgetting to do His righteousness. They will enter in to be fed with the mysteries of the kingdom.
Luke 12:35-40 KJV
(35) Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
(36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.
(37) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
If they are warned to “awake” even in the second or third watch and are found “awaking” to His righteousness, then blessed (happy) are those servants.
(38) And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
(39) And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
(40) Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.
Death came to all men through Adam . But those who will not overcome at the hearing of the Spirit will have their part in the “second death”. There will be no more sacrifice for their willful sins but will die in their sins without remedy from off this earth for they will have rejected what they heard His Spirit saying and spoke evil of it and treated their brothers who spoke what they heard the Spirit saying with contempt.
Revelation 21:6-8 KJV
(6) And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
(7) He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
(8) But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
