Jesus forms the way of discipleship

~Zao~

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I have been struggling the last week or so. I have made decisions in my past that I almost obsess with. It's amazing how people are placed in your life for a purpose and I believe I was led to this post to remind me to keep my eyes on Him, and he will work it all out.
Hebrews 12:2-7 MSG
2 Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed - that exhilarating finish in and with God - he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. 3 When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! 4 In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through - all that bloodshed! 5 So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. 6 It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. 7 God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training,
 
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~Zao~

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John 1:14
The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us...full of grace.

We have God's grace because of flesh. If it wasn't for the flesh grace wouldn't be needed. But flesh is the very factor that compels me to come to the throne of grace. It's the beautiful light painted on the black backdrop of this life. There's nothing that I can do about flesh but there is somewhere I can go to receive mercy and grace.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it.

Help is there to show me what is of the world that I need to leave behind and what is of the love of God for my fellowship with His Son, which is the beginning and end of what God is doing in mankind.

Hebrews 4:12 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.

Where flesh is, grace abounds, and where grace is there is the issue of grace, which is righteousness.

Romans 5:17 One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man. But now those people who accept God's full grace and the great gift of being made right with him will surely have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.

When grace issues in righteousness immediately my attitude is changed, repentance of my old way of thinking from the flesh renews my following the Lord. Without the flesh's irritating work on my conscience I wouldn't come to the throne of grace for Jesus' cleansing. But with the flesh nailed to the cross I can follow Him daily. Finding grace, I walk by faith and inherit righteousness. Coming to the Lord in confidence is coming to the ark, not just of the covenant but also the ark that will carry me Home. He is the door, only He can close it behind those who enter. He stands knocking for those who will open it to Him.

Matthew 24:37-39
When the Son of Man comes, it will be like what happened during Noah's time. In those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married, until the day Noah entered the boat. They knew nothing about what was happening until the flood came and destroyed them. It will be the same when the Son of Man comes.


But Noah knew and was prepared. The Spirit also knows and is preparing us.
 
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~Zao~

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Zao

Phonetic Spelling za-dzah'-o ~ Verb
~ Definition
to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
to enjoy real life
to have true life and worthy of the name
active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God
to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
of mortals or character
living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
metaph. to be in full vigour
to be fresh, strong, efficient,
as adj. active, powerful, efficacious

Translated Words KJV (26) - alive, 6; be alive, 9; live, 1; lively, 3; misc, 2; not tr, 1; quick, 4; NAS (137) - alive, 15; get their living, 1; holding, 1; life, 1; live, 53; lived, 3; lives, 19; living, 44;

Looking at 1 Timothy 3:15 ~ Tzao in action
Paul impresses the importance of correct conduct, responsibility and care to those within the House of God which is the church of the living God. The church/body is the pillar of the house of God. It's the house of God because it's within that He dwells.

What we do pertains to that honor and care of the church of the living God, our habitation of God through the Spirit. If we're not doing that then why are we here? We're living stones trying to fit together. The grinding shows that we're still in the quarrey of the world and not at the temple where not a sound is heard out of reverence for His House.

God is Zao's within. Abiding. Because of that we Zao also. Living that works and moves together in the Spirit so that God can be manifested. God is the foundation of truth and as the pillar is supported by the base so the pillar holds the building.

What we do pertains to the honor and care of the church of the living God, our habitation of God through the Spirit. If we're not doing that then why are we here? Producing believers in the Lord and also caring for them is the sole purpose for being here. As we submit to His pruning our own lives are refined.
 
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~Zao~

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Revelation 3:21
To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

Ezekiel 1:26-28
And above the dome over their heads there was something like a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was something that seemed like a human form.
Upward from what appeared like the loins I saw something like gleaming amber, something that looked like fire enclosed all around; and downward from what looked like the loins I saw something that looked like fire, and there was a splendor all around.
Like the bow in a cloud on a rainy day, such was the appearance of the splendor all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.

When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of someone speaking.​

Things of the natural realm, wind and rainbow, are used to explain things of the spiritual realm relating to God's spirit in splendor, seen in the crystal clear skies above. Our consciences need to be clear also, obtainable at the throne. That is in fact the result of the encounter there. Hebrews 10:22, Hebrews 9:14, Void of offences Acts of the Apostles 24:16

When the skies symbolically are gathering over our heads that's the time to bring those things to the throne, find the offending darkening and walk in the Sonshine again. Ok, a bit corny, but still true. 1 John 1:7-9

With the conscience's condemnation comes the loss of clear Christian sky, of a clear heaven above. And it remains that way until it's cleared up by our own effort.

Perhaps the Lord’s anointing within is causing a sense that we need to go to Him where His blood covers and help is ready for any time of need. Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 13:6 The weather changes when we go to Him and we feel alive again. Praise the Lord! His throne in the 3rd heaven and also in the renewed heart.

As His children it's only fitting to have this relationship with Him. His ruling over us will be guided far more closely (not outside of) than by the written word alone because it comes from the Risen Lord Himself. It's our personal guidance that was promised, united in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, as His people who are becoming familiar with the throne, for His own purposes as well as ours so that His will be done.
 
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~Zao~

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Isaiah 53:10-11
"When He makes Himself an offering for sin,
He will see a seed, He will extend His days,
And the pleasure of Jehovah will prosper in His hand.
He will see the issue of the travail of His soul,
And He will be satisfied;
By the knowledge of Him, the righteous One, My Servant, will make the many righteous."​

In resurrection the living Christ lives in us so that He can be lived out of us as righteousness. In this portion of Isaiah 53 Christ is seen in His ascension. Ephesians 4:8, Revelation 19:7-8.

From crucifixion He ascended to the Father, in ascension He was satisfied in seeing His seed as the extension of His days, extending from His righteousness to them by their knowledge of Him. 1 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 2:10-12

( From John 1’s description of the Word coming to us to His leaving the earth, His life was lived for us. John 1:18
When salvation came from the pneumatic life-giving Spirit thru the preaching of the gospel, Christ was imparted into us, regenerating us to become parts of Christ. This is Christ's propagation in a real sense. He became the Firstborn from among the dead. Colossians 1:18, Revelation 1:5a

When Christ became the Firstborn from the dead, in resurrection, it was for the germination of God's new creation Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 5:17 Christ became the Head of the Body, the first begotten of God Acts of the Apostles 13:33, Romans 8:29, Hebrews 1:6 )

Ephesians 2:19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,

Galatians 6:10
So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

Ephesians 1:11
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will

~
 
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~Zao~

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Mother New Jerusalem, to the offspring of the promised seed.
The parents of the promised child were both spouse and siblings to each other.
In this we can see Father, Mother and Brother found in the Godhead.
God as One is everything to His children.
Praise be to God alone.
The Spirit and the Bride say
Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Today, perhaps?
If you hear His voice
He is asking for your heart.
Song of Solomon 4:12
A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
a garden locked, a fountain sealed.​
 
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~Zao~

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Sin in 3 places
1) before God
2) in the conscience (sins)
3) in the flesh (sin)

By understanding the need ( depravity) we can acknowledge the treatment. Without the need the treatment is unnecessary.

1) all sins are against God
2) knowledge of sin in conscience - light of revelation
( conscience turned by knowledge)
( that’s what the law does)

( a window of light ~ some full of grime) the eye is full of light
without light ~ unconcerned and happy
“what shall this human do?”

Sometimes a sleeping conscience will wake up and the person does good work to appease the conscience.

The conscience accuses and good works tries to quell the conscience.

That is salvation according to man.

The error is that sin is only in the conscience.


The conscience must be present before God to acknowledge the transaction of forgiveness.

Picture a bullseye. At the centre of the target is the Rock, God’s throne of grace. That is where the record of sin is kept.

The circle around the bullseye is self deception. Unsanctified goodness resides there. Here sins are in actions. Built on sand. It’s the home of the conscience.

The objective is to have discourse between conscience and throne.

The outer circle is flesh itself. The evil side of knowledge. Sin is innate and only in resisting is sin felt. Subjective to itself. Disposition of ‘let those who ___ ___ still”

But the throne of Grace is the Rock.
It’s where records of sins are erased.
It’s objective and our conscience has instant access.

Hebrews 10:12-22

************

How to fellowship with the Lord

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Revelation 3:20
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.

James 2:23
Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.

John 15:13-25
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. 16 You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. 17 I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

The World’s Hatred

18 “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘Servants are not greater than their master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 It was to fulfill the word that is written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’​

The fruits of Abraham’s fellowship with God
~ company
~ privilege of information (revelation)

Abraham gained for himself revelation and for others intercession.

Between the revelation and intercession a friendship emerged.

*
 
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~Zao~

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“I see” said the blind man to his deaf wife. “No you don’t” said the Risen Lord to the poor, naked and blind wife with the deaf husband.

The old husband must die if we are to be united as the bride with Christ. ……….. Legalism demands it.

For those in the process of seeing He explains what the eye salve is for.

“If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied. “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”

"Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin."

The bible informs us that many will suffer the loss of Kingdom rewards. Many have refused the heavenly manna after tasting of it.

Others go boldly forward, therefore receiving an unshakable kingdom, in grace, through which they serve God well-pleasingly with piety and fear; not having shrank back from the grace of God, from God's new covenant way.

A full return from death unto life is the Father’s will unto salvation.
 
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~Zao~

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Propitiation toward reconciliation was not possible before the cross.

Leviticus 23:6-8, Leviticus 23:14, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

There could be no edification from the firstfruits until they had been waved before the Lord and accepted by Him. Once accepted the nation could be sustained for another year. Jesus, as the reality of the firstfruits, came to fulfill this everlasting ordinance by providing a means thru which all sinners could be forgiven, in repenting to receive the gift of everlasting life. What this means is that for the OT believers is that the means had not yet been opened to them because God had not yet accepted the offering that was foretold in the ritual. The offering had not yet been accepted. John 20:17, John 6:35, John 6:48,

John 5:39-40
“You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life.​

The Lamb offering

Leviticus 23:12
On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect,,
Exodus 12:3-5
Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household. If any household is too small for a whole lamb, they must share one with their nearest neighbor, having taken into account the number of people there are. You are to determine the amount of lamb needed in accordance with what each person will eat. The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect, and you may take them from the sheep or the goats.​

The significance of the waving of a sheaf offering of the first-fruits is its newness as the very first of the first-fruits of the harvest.

Leviticus 23:14
You shall eat no bread or parched grain or fresh ears until that very day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your settlements.
1 Corinthians 15:20-23
But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.​

Accepting Christ as our Passover, we should also accept him as the first-fruit offering. This leads up to “The Feast of First-Fruits” otherwise known as “Pentecost”.

John 20:1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
John 20:11-17
But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”​

Here we see that the Messiah had not yet risen to the Father. He had not yet become the first-fruit of all mankind.

The symbolism of the wave offering is the ascension of Jesus Christ to our Father as first of the first-fruits.

The timing of the ascension to the Father of Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice of the unblemished first-fruits lamb occurred at the same time. Just as the timing of the Messiah giving his life for mankind occurred at the same time as the unblemished Passover lamb was sacrificed.

The single male lamb without blemish is a commanded sacrifice on only two set apart feast dates. One being the Passover lamb and the other being, the Wave Offering lamb.

1 Peter 1:18-21
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.​


notes: https://nebula.wsimg.com/31add2f969...32A45CB098432D4AD&disposition=0&alloworigin=1


Propitiation toward reconciliation was not possible before the cross.
*****************************************************.

There could be no edification from the firstfruits until they had been waved before the Lord and accepted by Him.

The significance of the waving of a sheaf offering of the first-fruits is its newness as the very first of the first-fruits of the harvest.

Accepting Christ as our Passover, we also accept him as the first-fruit offering. This leads up to “The Feast of First-Fruits” otherwise known as “Pentecost”.

Leviticus 23:14
You shall eat no bread or parched grain or fresh ears until that very day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your settlements.​

The timing of the ascension to the Father of Jesus Christ, and the sacrifice of the unblemished first-fruits lamb occurred at the same time. Just as the timing of the Messiah giving his life for mankind occurred at the same time as the unblemished Passover lamb was sacrificed.

The single male lamb without blemish is a commanded sacrifice on only two set apart feast dates. One being the Passover lamb and the other being, the Wave Offering lamb.
 
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~Zao~

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Re-Posting as a reminder about 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Since the topic is Paul and an odd portrayal of the bible stemming from one use of a single word concept ... (sooooo tempting to say typical Pauline.)

2 Thess 2:13, which translation?
NT Wright,re-evaluating Paul?

ἀρχή archḗ, ar-khay'; from G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank):—beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς ap’ arch", “from the beginning,” used but once and nowhere else by Paul but used often by others.

a. used absolutely, of the beginning ofll things: ἐν ἀρχῇ, John 1:1f (Genesis 1:1); ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, Matthew 19:4 (with which cf. Xenophon, mem. 1, 4, 5 ὁ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ποιῶν ἀνθρώπους), Matthew 19:8; John 8:44; 1 John 1:1; 1 John 2:13; 1 John 3:8; more fully ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως or κόσμου, Matthew 24:21; Mark 10:6; Mark 13:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (where L [Tr marginal reading WH marginal reading] ἀπαρχήν, which see); 2 Peter 3:4; κατ’ ἀρχάς, Hebrews 1:10 (Psalms 101:26 (Ps. 102:26)).

I see the word "But" in v13 as contrasting the deluded ones in v12 with the elect of v13
Maybe the deluded ones were all those that Paul tried to evangelize before but didn’t ’stick’ as adherents but instead polluted the waters according to 10-13

2 Thes 2:10b-12 They will perish because they did not welcome and love the truth so as to be saved. 11 And so God sends the power of error to work in them so that they believe what is false. 12 The result is that all who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in sin, will be condemned.​

I’m of the opinion that he(paul) was carrying out what he considered to be the pattern of new beginnings found thru-out the bible. His first-fruit offering was in the pattern of Abel.

Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent
sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony
that he was righteous, God testifying to his gifts


According to Numbers 18:17, the firstling of a cow or sheep,
a type of Christ, could not be eaten by the Israelites; it
had to be offered to God. Hence, in typology, Abel offered
Christ to God. We need the blood of Christ to cleanse us and
we need Christ Himself to cover us that we may be accepted by
God and that we may satisfy Him.


Proverbs 3:9-10
Honour the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.

I can almost hear Paul saying “ I purified the people from everything foreign; I prepared regulations for the priests and the Levites so that all of them would know their duties; 31 I arranged for the wood used for burning the offerings to be brought at the proper times, and for the people to bring their offerings of the first grain and the first fruits that ripened.
Remember all this, O God, and give me credit for it.
Nehemiah 13:30-31

Now notice the contextual in the other passages that contain ἀρχή archḗ, ar-khay'; from G756;

~ 1 John 1:1-7
The Word of Life
1 We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. 2 When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us. 3 What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 We write this in order that our joy may be complete.
God Is Light
5 Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. 6 If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. 7 But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

~1 John 2:24-28
24 Be sure, then, to keep in your hearts the message you heard from the beginning. If you keep that message, then you will always live in union with the Son and the Father. 25 And this is what Christ himself promised to give us—eternal life.
26 I am writing this to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But as for you, Christ has poured out his Spirit on you. As long as his Spirit remains in you, you do not need anyone to teach you. For his Spirit teaches you about everything, and what he teaches is true, not false. Obey the Spirit's teaching, then, and remain in union with Christ.
28 Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes.

~Matthew 19:4
4 Jesus answered, “Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female?

~John 15:26-27
26 “The Helper will come—the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God and who comes from the Father. I will send him to you from the Father, and he will speak about me. 27 And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning.

The Father is the source from with the Spirit comes.

Next is the witness that produces witnesses.

John 19:35
(35 The one who saw this happen has spoken of it, so that you also may believe. What he said is true, and he knows that he speaks the truth.)

John 21:24
24 He is the disciple who spoke of these things, the one who also wrote them down; and we know that what he said is true.

Acts 1:8 8 But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for Me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the Ends of the Earth.”​

These verses imply the reliance on the person's witness (in this case the disciple John) until the Holy Spirit speaks directly for one's own Spirit on human spirit producing further witnessing. The witness is Godward, to others, and a testimony against satan.

1 John 2:24
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. G746 If that which ye have heard from the beginning G746 shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.

Stand Firm
12in order that judgment will come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness. 13But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. 14To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.…

Apparently it’s a common misconception that Paul was created before the foundation of the world, not just Christ. I don’t know that this is the underlaying reason for it but I suspect that it is.
 
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~Zao~

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Hebrews 11:40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.​

We have something better, something perfect. Even tho they, the OT saints, had the witness acknowledged thru their faith, they hadn’t received the promise. They hadn't received the better covenant of Christ with His redemption and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They had only the promise. We have that fulfilled which was promised, we have the divine reality. Even so that promise was enough to make them live the life of faith.

Have we accepted and received the possession of the promise with the same intensity of joy, holiness, nearness to God and power in our own lives? Acceptance of the reality as a living reality as much as the acceptance of the promise was in days gone by to those who have not been made perfect without us?

I love the whole book of Hebrews but especially these chapters because in it we have the likeness of our peers to whom God Himself places us with.

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin that does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.​

They had the prophets but we have the Son. Be of good courage, fear not; be strong in faith and persevere. Paul speaks of running the race also and to add a strange metaphor ;P we have the Holy Spirit to ride on so like a jockey in a race we need to lay aside anything that can slow us down. It shows the desire and determination to win. Like Paul said to the Galatians "you were running well, who did hinder your progress?" Patience is the virtue that results in winning. Daily picking up the cross, in season and out because we can. He's given us the new, living way.

I also like the comparison of Hebrews 12:18-24 with Galatians 4:21-31 as to how the new living way’s faith, privileges and position will keep us in our pursuit of holiness. These are 2 different covenants, one from Mt Sinai that contains children of bondage, and the other Mt Sion for those who have been set free. The old covenant has the spirit of fear and bondage and the new, it’s boldness and liberty. <3
 
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~Zao~

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Dear Prudence, can you come out to play?

Luke 9:62

οὐδεὶς ἐπιβαλὼν, the necessity of self-concentration inculcated in proverbial language borrowed from agricultural life. The ambition to make a straight furrow has been common to ploughmen in all ages and countries, and it needs, like the highest calling, steady intention and a forward-cast eye.

Philippians 3:13

noun: prudence; plural noun: prudences

  1. the quality of being prudent; cautiousness."we need to exercise prudence in such important matters"
What is the biblical definition of prudence?

Definition of prudence. 1 : the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. 2 : sagacity or shrewdness in the management of affairs. 3 : skill and good judgment in the use of resources. 4 : caution or circumspection as to danger or risk.

What is prudent behavior?

prudent. ... If you show good and careful judgment when handling practical matters, you can be described as prudent. Similarly, a wise and well-thought-through decision or action can be called prudent. The word comes from a contracted form of the Latin prōvidēns from the verb "to foresee."

What is the virtue of prudence?

Prudence (Latin: prudentia, contracted from providentia meaning "seeing ahead, sagacity") is the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason. ... Although prudence itself does not perform any actions, and is concerned solely with knowledge, all virtues had to be regulated by it.

What does providential mean in the Bible?

providential. ... The Latin root of providential is providentia, "foresight or precaution." Providence changed over the years; it usually referred specifically to the care of God, and it was spelled with a capital P. Providential, likewise, has another meaning that's purely religious, "resulting from God's intervention."

What is Providence in Christianity?

In certain theologies, divine providence refers to God's preservation of creation, his cooperation with everything that happens, and his guiding of the universe. ... they believe everything exists for the sake of the Christian Church, and that God guides everything for its welfare and growth.

What is divine providence of God?

Traditional theism holds that God is the creator of heaven and earth, and that all that occurs in the universe takes place under Divine Providence — that is, under God's sovereign guidance and control. According to believers, God governs creation as a loving father, working all things for good.

What is Providence in religion?

Providence is the guardianship and care provided by a deity or god. Religious people thank their god for his providence. The word provide is a good clue to this word's meaning: when a religious being is said to give people providence, he's taking care of them — providing for them.

What are God's works of providence?

God's works of providence are His most holy, wise and powerful preserving and governing all His creatures, and all their actions.”

The Good Shepard is God’s work of providence Joel 2:1-27

Virtues
Theological virtues - Wikipedia

The medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas explained that these virtues are called theological virtues "because they have God for their object, both in so far as by them we are properly directed to Him, and because they are infused into our souls by God alone, as also, finally, because we come to know of them only by Divine revelation in the Sacred Scriptures

Peace
 
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