The Authority of Darkness

Posted on February 7, 2026 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Giving thanks unto the Father, Who has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; Who has delivered us from the power (exousia – authority) of darkness, and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dear son.  Colossians 1:12,13

This word which is translated “power” in the King James Version of the Bible is the Greek word exousia, which is better translated “authority.” I wonder, what actual authority does darkness have?

First of all, darkness has no authority over light. Zero. Nada. Darkness cannot make a person stay in darkness. Darkness cannot prohibit a person from coming to the light, though it can endeavor to trick a person from the light. Darkness has no presence in light, no power over it, no strength or influence in coming against it. In truth, darkness cannot even exist in the presence of light.

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? or what part has he that believes with an infidel. And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?… II Corinthians 6:14-16a

So, where there is light there is not darkness. But where there is no light, THAT IS darkness. And when and where there is no light, that darkness that is then present has an authority, a control over those who walk in it. Imagine enjoying an evening out with friends. You all go into a bar. As long as you are in that bar, that bar exerts authority over you, (you have to behave according to its rules) yet it cannot stop you from walking out of it; and when you do leave that bar, it can no longer exercise control over you. The life of God is our ONLY way out of the darkness imposed on us by the prince of this world, Satan.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world; but that the word through him might be saved. He that believes on him is not condemned; but he that believes not is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (shown for what they are). But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  John 3:16-21

Darkness stops you from being YOU, or ever becoming YOU – your genuine self. One aspect of the authority of darkness is that it makes those who dwell therein to hide who they actually are and what they are actually doing, thus keeping them ensnared in a bondage of lies, deceit and shame. Into this sad reality comes the importance of Jesus Christ and the Word of God, in saving us from a lifetime of such darkness and shame. In Acts 26, Paul is describing his ministry (as revealed to him by Jesus) to King Agrippa.

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (exousia) of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inhreitance among them who are sanctified by faith that is in me (Jesus).  Acts 26:18

You see, the authority of darkness IS the authority of Satan, but it can only be exercised upon those who do not choose to dwell in the light. It is abundantly clear that wherever light is, darkness cannot exist. And so our victory over darkness, and thus over Satan, is never in our dwelling in or on the sinfulness of our flesh, which is darkness; but rather in dwelling on and in the light of the Christ within us, which is being revealed to us and within us by his spirit.

For you were once darkness, but now are you light in the Lord; walk as children of light; (For the fruit of the light (text erroneously reads “Spirit”) is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is accceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light; for whatsoever does make manifest is light. Whrefore he says, Awake you that sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light.
Ephesians 5:8-14

The authority of darkness is to give to your minds and emotions a false interpretation of your experiences in life, which is the very definition of deceit. Based upon this deceitful interpretation of situations and events in your life and the world around you, your point of view (the filter through which all stimuli is interpreted by you) is darkness; thus ensuring that all your understanding which goes through said filter is false. Being based upon falsehood arrived at through this filter of darkness, all your decisions and behavior will achieve nothing fruitful or productive.

Let’s say you’re in a huge warehouse which lies in total darkness. You are desperately hungry, and in feeling around in the dark, you chance upon something which smells and feels like it could be food. So you eat it, but get sick. Why? Because it wasn’t food, it was a household cleanser made to smell like oranges. A few days later, when it is tremendously hot, you find what you think is a fan, so you find a plug and plug it in and turn it on, but end up getting severely injured, because what you thought was a fan was actually a chainsaw.

Do you think the above examples are stupid? Is it any less stupid to react with intense anger when your wife, or husband, or child, or employee does something you don’t like? Is it any less stupid to get severely depressed when someone disagrees vehemently with you? Is it any less stupid to give in to road rage simply because someone cuts in front of you on the highway? I understand these are learned behaviors and responses, but they are learned in darkness.

I like to say, “In the darkness, everyone is a great artist.” This is the way most go through life, is it not? Everyone is feeling around in the dark, but don’t want anyone else to know that is what they’re doing. So they spend their time trying to convince themselves and those around them that they’re in the light.

So you think you’re a great artist? Okay then, let’s turn on the light and see if you are or not. OH NO! DON’T DO THAT!

Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.  John 8:12

In it (the Word from vs.1) was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended (seized upon) it not.  John 1:4,5

Don’t be afraid to come to the light, because in the light of the living Word of God, which is Jesus Christ, there is not only a seeing things for what they really are (influences, desires,  suggestions, feelings, passions, behaviors, etc.), but also an abundance of forgiveness for whatever was done in darkness in the past. Darkness is a bondage, a cage, a trap meant to keep people under its authoritative rule. But the light of Christ continually beckons us, ready to reveal the truth of things to anyone who desires it, and to abundantly forgive any and all acts of darkness of the past.

Darkness will make you think you are really living the high life (and yet, why do you feel so ugly and lost?), and that the light of Jesus Christ will only damage and hurt you. On the contrary, in Christ is God’s abundant love and life, mercy, forgiveness, instruction and grace. The life of God is the light which our soul needs to realize its full potential.

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. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth; 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 cleanses us from all sin.
I John 1:5-7

You’ll never really know yourself or anyone else unless and until you come and dwell in the light of the spirit of God’s Word, Jesus Christ. His spirit the life which enlightens all those who come to him.

The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.  Romans 13:12-14

 

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Can You Lose Your Salvation?

Posted on October 18, 2025 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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There is a whole lot of disagreement on whether or not Christian salvation can be lost. Some people use the term “once saved, always saved” (I don’t). Some people can become rather disagreeably adamant regarding the topic, though I find that most of those adamant types are usually on the wrong side of the “argument.” Like in any discussion, terms must be defined.  What exactly is salvation? And what might it mean to “lose” it?

There’s a study on this website,  How to Be Saved ….. X 3, which I recommend reading, because in it I spell out the different ways that “salvation” is used in the Bible. In short, there is physical salvation, psychological (emotional, mental, soul) salvation, and there is spiritual salvation. Another word which describes salvation is wholeness, so spiritual salvation is when a man is first supplied with that which he lacked, which is the life of God (known as Holy Spirit, holy spirit, the life of Christ, the spirit of God, and sometimes as simply Christ). When that spiritual salvation is worked down or out into our minds and thinking, thus changing our behavior, this is the salvation of our souls, spoken of in Philippians 2:12.

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my abasence, work out (katergazomai – to work down or out) your own salvation with fear and trembling. 
Philippians 2:12

(There is a more in-depth study on this phrase “work out” on this website if you are interested… How God Works in Me)

Spiritual salvation is also known as being born again, even though that term is actually a mistranslation of the original text.

Jesus answered (Nicodemus) and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born again (anothen – literally “from above”), he cannot see the kingdom of God.  John 3:3

Jesus answered (Nicodemus again), Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  John 3:5

“Born of water” indicates the physical birth, with the bursting of the amniotic sac. If you’ve ever witnessed a baby being born, you get the picture. Though some may believe that being born of water means water baptism, water baptism was never indicated as being any kind of “birth,” but was rather used of a symbolic cleansing. So the born from above in verse 3 equals the born of the Spirit of verse 5. Also, we know that heaven is the realm of the spirit (see my study Where is Heaven and When do we get there).

He that comes from above is above all; he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaks of the earth; he that comes from heaven is above all.  John 3:31

The “from above” in this verse is exactly the same as in verse 3. From above means from heaven which means spiritually. Understanding the similarity of these three expressions helps us understand John 3:13.

And no man has ascended up to heaven, but he who came down from heaven, even the son of man who is in heaven.  John 3:13

I’d like to emphasize in this verse how Jesus claimed to be in heaven at that very moment he was speaking. And how did Jesus come down from heaven?

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 1:18

Okay, there’s a lot in the third chapter of John, and I recommend you read the entire thing, but the above should help you understand what our spiritual salvation entails. Notice that Jesus uses the term “born” when he speaks of this spiritual salvation. This is a big clue as to whether or not we can lose our salvation, in that we become born of the spirit, not simply given the spirit. We literally become spiritual beings of body, soul and spirit.

… and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I Thessalonians 5:23b

But the natural man (with no spirit of God) receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  I Corinthians 2:14

So this spiritual salvation is a birth. God uses the terminology of birth to describe what happens when a man or woman becomes His child by believing unto Jesus Christ His son. He didn’t have to use this terminology, but He did. I believe you can become unborn of the spirit as easily as you can become unborn of your parents. You can’t! You cannot become unborn spiritually, but what about losing your psychological, mental, emotional salvation? Actually, the spirit working itself down into your mind and heart and thinking, into your thoughts and feelings is always an ongoing process.

For other foundation can no man lay that that (which) is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.  I Corinthians 3:11-15

This is the clearest section of Scripture that I know of which very clearly spells out whether or not spiritual salvation can be lost, and also describes our psychological salvation as something different from our spiritual salvation. The Greek word psuche is translated soul, and from it we get the word psyche, which is the root of the word psychological… so we could translate psychological salvation as salvation of the soul. Spiritual salvation comes in a moment of time when we first believe unto Jesus as being the Christ of God, raised from the dead. At that moment the holy spirit of God is birthed within us, making us a child of God. After that spiritual birth, growing up into him as a spiritual being in our thoughts and minds and hearts and believing and hence into our behavior is an ongoing process which never ends.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, who is the head, Christ;  Ephesians 4:15

Another way (of many) that Paul uses to describe this process of having the spirit of which we are born become a part of our psycholgical everyday life is referred to as having Christ formed within us. The spirit of Christ (which is the holy spirit of God) becomes manifested in our minds and hearts, literally transforming us into different, spiritual beings.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you.  Galatians 4:19

And do not conform yourself to this world; but be transformed to the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (put to the test) what is that good, and well-pleasing and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:3

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  II Corinthians 5:17

The salvation of our souls is a continually ongoing process. Once you understand the difference between these two different salvations, life with our Father, God, becomes much less fraught with danger or fear that we might lose our sonship with Him. And that fear being “put to bed” so to speak, we can then boldly and courageously enter into our spiritual growth with confidence that we will be treated with love and mercy by God despite any and all mistakes. Sin never stops a child of God from being loved by the Father, it only gets in the way of our receiving that love. The only sin that can get in the way of God working with us is the sin of turning away from the spirit of Jesus Christ which resides within us.

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you’ but when I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove (expose by the light of truth) the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; Of sin, because they believe not on me;  John 16:7-9

Yes, there are verses in the Bible which seem to indicate that a man can lose his salvation. These must be speaking about salvation of our souls (minds, emotions, thoughts). In the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) Jesus often speaks of the possibility of being damned due to improper behavior. But we must always remember when reading the accounts of Jesus on the earth that he was speaking of that time then, before his death and resurrection and ascension and the sending of his spirit into the world. There was no new birth at that time. It came on the day of Pentecost, as recounted in Acts 2. Before then man lived under the law and was judged by that law. Today is the age of grace, and we are judged by the spirit of Jesus Christ within us. And we are found righteous!

For He (God) has made him (Jesus) be be sin for (on behalf of) us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
II Corinthians 5:21

The third type of salvation is a physical salvation, often referred to in the Old Testament, when God saved Israel from her enemies. This manner of salvation can also refer to the truth that we who are born of the spirit are saved from having to go through the wrath. Jesus gathers us saints together with him off the earth before the wrath takes place.

And to wait for His son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.  I Thessalonians 1:10

PS. The word “backslide” is never found in the New Testament.

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Loneliness and the Design of Fellowship

Posted on March 31, 2025 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Loneliness can be a big problem. It can lead to oppression and depression, hopelessness and even suicide. You can be alone without being lonely, but real loneliness is often evidence of an emptiness of soul. And there’s only one thing that can remedy that emptiness and fill you up.

That at that time you were without Christ….having no hope and without God in the world.  Ephesians 2:12a,c

I became a believer (and receiver) of Christ shortly before I turned 23. My experience of that moment was a fullness of realization that God loved me. His love filled me up and changed me forever. I wasn’t in a church. I was working, and happened to be standing on a sidewalk in front of a business. Before that occurrence, a crushing loneliness had been a constant companion in my thoughts and feelings. There was no one who really knew who I was or who truly cared about me. The love and affection of my parents, siblings and friends (what there was) just never reached into and filled my heart.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know (ginosko – know by experience) the love of Christ, which passes knowledge (literally, the text reads, “and to know the hyperbolic (surpassing) love of Christ), that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:17-19

I felt like I was the first person in all of existence to discover this love, for it truly went beyond any experience I’d ever had, or even heard about. It went beyond anything I had ever known. It surpassed the sum total of all the facts and knowledge I held in my mind. One of the things that accompanied that first revelation of God’s love was a heartfelt love for the people around me. I loved everyone! I was like a fountain, overflowing with a supernatural desire that everyone else experience what I was experiencing.

Notice in Ephesians 3:18 above that it is written, may be able to comprehend with all saints. This amazing, life-filling experience of God’s dynamic, eternal, immutable love is meant to be a communal experience.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes upon him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

That everlasting life is God’s everlasting love, and it is meant for everyone, not just me. But only those who believe unto Christ receive this love, for God will not force even His love onto or into us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities or powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38,39

God’s love is meant for the whole world; that is, every person who has ever lived, and it has the power to perform a truly amazing feat (besides filling up each person who believes unto Jesus Christ). It has the power to build a network, to connect a limitless number of people with one another. That’s good, because it will take everyone who has ever lived and believed, as well as everyone who will ever live and believe, to house the eternal Creator, experiencing Him as a hyperbolically loving Father of fullness.

That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement (epignosis – thorough experiential knowing) of the mystery of God… Christ. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (gnosis – experiential knowing). Colossians 2:2,3

A large part of what we can expect to receive and experience in the future (our inheritance) involves this interconnectedness with others. We have not been designed to do this on our own! I have discovered that the only true, deep, fulfilling connection I ever have with another human is the work of God’s love. Seeking connection is one of the ways my Father has taught me to love others. My desire to connect with others energizes God’s love within me, making it happen, if their hearts are open. It’s God’s glorious working in me and through me toward others, and it began the moment I was filled with His love, now almost 51 years ago!

If we love one another, God dwells in us and His love is perfected (fully realized) in us.  I John 4:12b

No longer do I ache with loneliness, with that crushing emptiness which had led me to so many destructive and corruptive practices and habits (alcoholism, sex addiction, drug addiction, depression, anxiety and fear, envy and anger and strife… to name a few of the spirits which used to plague me). Now I can sit alone in a house, or be out in the world and be filled with the fullness of God’s love for me, doing nothing special! And even today, when I am with other people, that love within still seeks to connect with others, to communally share in the riches of God’s unfathomable, unbounding and eternal love.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in (in and among) you (plural), the hope of glory.  Colossians 1:27

Immediately after being baptized by John, Jesus was filled with the spirit and the first thing he heard His Father say to him was:

You are my beloved son. In you I am well pleased.  Luke 3:22b

That’s love! Jesus was the only person this message from God was intended for. “Hey son, I love you immensely!” Immediately after, the spirit of his Father led him out into the wilderness for 40 days. Why? To be alone with his Father… and to learn to recognize the voice and working of the devil (the other spiritual power). Alone, but not lonely. Alone, but filled up.

And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the assembly; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For in him was all fullness pleased to dwell (proper translation). Colossians 1:18,19

Jesus glorification was the beginning, but it was not the ending. He is the first… of many! He is the first of a new race of beings, so to speak. Jesus is the prototype of this new creation, which at its apex has been designed to house the Creator of the universe as a Father to His children. The church. The assembly. The called out. The body of Christ.

What Jesus did while on earth, he did for Israel, to fulfill the promises God had made to the fathers of Israel. He came to make plain the one true God, and to defeat the devil and his works, chief of which is death. These things he did while on the earth. But the body of Christ, this organic temple of the living God, this he didn’t begin to do until he had ascended into heaven and been glorified by his Father, seated at His right hand.

It’s like this: Let’s say it’s my job as a boat builder to build a specific boat to exact specifications, and I do so. There, I completed my job. Now the person who ordered the boat from me surprises me. He hires me and trains me to captain the boat and sail around the world, and I do so, breaking new speed records. You see, I as the boat builder did not accomplish the speed record, but I did make it possible. It was I as the boat captain that broke the record. So it is with Jesus Christ and the building of the spiritual body of Christ, the dwelling place of God. He made it possible by what he accomplished while on earth, but it’s in his new role as head of the spiritual body of Christ that he is fulfilling the ultimate plan of God.

Wherefore henceforth know we no man after (according to) the flesh; yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more (after the flesh). Thererfore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things (new) are of God… II Corinthians 5:16-18a

Instead of striving to walk like Jesus did in the Gospels, we are to be seeking to connect with the energizing of the spirit of Jesus Christ which dwells within us today. Instead of “What would Jesus do?,” the question today is, “What is Jesus Christ working within you right now, today?”

That in the administration of the fulness of times, He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in him. And (God) has put all things under his (the glorified Christ, Jesus’) feet, and gave him to be the head over all for the assembly, which is his (Jesus’) body, the fullness of him who fulfills everything in everyone.  Ephesians 1:10,22,23

Our glory and our destiny is to be knit together with all believers in and by the spirit of God’s eternal love, which is fully manifested in and by the spirit of Christ. Whatever loneliness or emptiness we have ever experienced will be a long distant memory in the not too distant future.

Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints (holy ones), and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord; In whom you (plural) also are built together for a habitation of God through the spirit.  Ephesians 2:19-22

All of creation is waiting for this to happen, when God’s love is fully manifested throughout all His creation.

For I reckon (logically reason) that the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity (in the garden), (not willingly, but by reason of him (the devil) who has subjected the same) in hope. Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  Romans 8:18-21

Filled and fully loved, not alone but together with those also begotten by God in Christ, being built together to house the creator of all existence, our Father. And until Jesus the Christ, our Lord gathers us together and changes our bodies, let us freely partake of the fellowship of the saints, allowing the spirit of Christ to knit our hearts together in love.

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When Jesus Christ Becomes Boring

Posted on March 26, 2025 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Most of what I teach is what of the spirit of Christ which has been revealed within me. I teach it from the Bible, and mostly from the writings of Paul. His writings and the spirit which inspired those writings are the means by which God has taught me within the true workings of the spirit of His son.

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles (he was an actual prisoner at the time), If you have heard of the administration of the grace of God which is given to me for you; How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (of Christ); (as I wrote before in few words, Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge (should read have my understanding) in the mystery of Christ);
Ephesians 3:1-4

It’s a simple “formula” really. Read Paul’s general epistles, which are for the most part being addressed to Gentile believers. Look to the spirit of Christ within to have the true spiritual, powerful understanding of what is written be revealed within you, just like what happened to Paul. All other Scripture I read in light of the truths revealed by Paul. Even today, I can be reading a verse I’ve read 100’s of other times and have it come to life within me in an excitingly novel way, and I’m like a little kid being taught some otherworldly truth by my heavenly Father.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Out of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (God names us by birthing the spirit of His son within us), That He would give you, according to the riches of His glory (excellence manifested) to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; And to know the love of Christ, which is the ultimate in knowledge (gnosis – what is known by experiencing it), that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

Filled with all the fullness of God! You can know it in your head; even be able to teach it, but until you actually experience being filled with all the fullness of God, you won’t… in fact you can’t understand it. It goes beyond any human carnal understanding or experience.

For I would that you knew what great conflict (agon – struggle for victory) I have for you and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh (like you and I); That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment (epignosis – thorough experiential knowing) of the mystery of God… Christ (and of the Father and of not in the text); In whom (or which, referring to the mystery of Christ) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Colossians 2:1-3

All the treasures of wisdom and knowing by experience (relational knowing)! There’s not anything bigger. If you get bored with it, you’re not seeing it or experiencing it. If you are experiencing it, then you are being lifted up into the very presence of your spiritual Father, whose power and majesty gives your whole life value and worth and meaning. It’s spiritual ecstasy and goes beyond normal, regular understanding. What is being described here by Paul is the greatest, the ultimate in the whole of human experience!

But then….

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you (miscount, reason falsely, to delude by false reasoning) with enticing words.  Beware lest any man spoil you (to lead off as prey) through philosophy (the love or appreciation of human wisdom) and vain deceit (deceit, especially by false statements… here, false statements which emphasize the one speaking and his/her rightness), after the rudiments (basic elements) of the world (and its wisdom) and not after Christ.  Colossians 2:4,8

What makes a person susceptible to being beguiled and spoiled is failure to be rooted in the revelation of Christ within. Unless you hear,  believe, take unto yourself and exalt what Christ is revealing within you, you will be open to being led away from this fullness of God… and to what? Spiritual confusion, conflict, apathy and eventually boredom. The “same old same old” mindset of apathetic Christianity being guided by the devil’s deceit into “this is great, but what’s next?” thinking. Like needing to scratch an itch, only for the itch to come back stronger than before. Always looking for the next great thing… author, book, concept, revival, personality.

As you have therefore received (taken unto yourself) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught (by revelation), abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6,7)

In order to really have at hand, truly have so that you benefit from and can’t easily lose, the revelation of Christ within, two things are necessary.

One: The Lordship of Jesus Christ. You have received his revelation and exalted it in your mind, heart and life as being the highest priority. You have latched onto this knowing of Christ as being of the utmost importance, your true identity, and you adhere and follow it like the quality of your life depends on it. You allow it to take the lead in making your decisions and you devote at least a portion of your life to pursuing a furtherance and growth of his revelation in your heart, life and understanding. You have a new identity as being what is being revealed within you (you are what God says you are) and are in the continual process of forsaking your old way of thinking and living in favor of the new.

Two: Thankfulness for what has been and is being given to you by the hand of your Lord. If you’re not thankful for it, then it’s not practically present in your life. Thankfulness is the visceral response to the receipt of a gift. It affects you. If the revelation of the Christ within (whatever he is revealing to you) is not affecting you, then you are not thankful for it (if you even received it in the first place) , and the full effect that revelation is intended to have cannot take place. If the worries and concerns of this present material world take precedence in your thinking over what God is revealing, you will become spiritually unfruitful. If you will not lay aside your old way of thinking and reasoning and feeling in order to take on this new Christ-inspired revelation as your new identity, then your spiritual life will be choked off.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.  Matthew 13:22

Jesus Christ cannot and will not impose himself, will never force what is revealed of his spirit to become lord of your life… not in this age. That’s up to you. You are generously and completely loved of the Father even if you never walk in or accept fully the power and wisdom of the lordship of His love within you. He loved us when we were spiritually dead, and He is eternally patient to see His love dominate in our lives and change us.

No man can serve two masters (lords); for either he will hate (have no love for) the one, and love the other; or else he will cling to the one, and despise (think down upon, think slightly of) the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (success in this world).  Matthew 6:24

If the revelation of Christ doesn’t become your life, your reason for living, it can become relegated to simply a curiosity, an interesting bit of knowledge or experience you carry in your pocket so to speak. Every Christ believer has to find his or her personal place of importance in the body of Christ. Especially if you find no spiritually productive outlet, or ministry for what God is imparting to you by the revelation of the Christ within, that experiential knowing can become stagnant, insignificant in your life and mind and heart. You could end up simply fulfilling a perceived religious obligation every Sunday, ignoring the vital life and love of the Christ within.

Worse yet, all the knowing of God you have can become dogmatic trivia which, rather than being freely and lovingly shared with others, becomes a religious bludgeon used to isolate, insulate and harden the heart. In that case, apathy will rule your heart rather than love, and you will treat others with condescension, envy and strife rather than longsuffering, love and joy. Why? Because the spirit is not bearing fruit in your life, and you start to wither away spiritually. You still have all this knowledge in your head, but your heart falls farther and farther away from the Lord of love.

A minister does not have to be fleshly perfect (thank God!), just faithful. Just stay on the journey into Christ, seeking to live out the fantastic, glorious revelations being imparted to you. Don’t let go or give up. Don’t let your heart get hard when others reject what you share, for you serve the Lord Christ, not man. And of the Lord you shall receive the reward of your inheritance, which is to partake of a larger and larger portion of our heavenly Father, God Himself.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the initiator and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1,2

Let the working of the spirit of the Christ within be your head, your guide, your strength, your wisdom. Once revealed within you, seek to explore the full potential of that revealing of Christ in you. Lay hold of your spiritual inheritance!

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Developing the Mind of Christ

Posted on June 22, 2024 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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The mind of man is an amazing thing. It is the organ of our mental perception, and it contains what is referred to in the Bible as our emotions and passions,  our identity, our logical reasoning and even our heart (not the physical heart, but the metaphysical, thinking and feeling and believing heart). But this mind of man has serious limitations as regards the things of God.

But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know (gnosko – know experientially) them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14

There is only one mind which can grasp as a reality and thus live in the truths of the things of the spirit of God, and that is the mind of Christ, which is a spiritual mind. This mind of Christ is also known as the holy spirit (Holy Spirit), which Jesus sent us from the Father once he ascended off the earth and was seated at the right hand of God in his glory. This holy spirit of God (or Christ) is our connection, our relationship with our spiritual Father, made possible by the faith of Jesus Christ, what he accomplished for us, and what he now wants to accomplish in us.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in (eis – unto) Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:16,20

Christ lives in me. The holy spirit lives in me. Are they different things? No. They are different aspects of the same thing; the life of God, the nature of God, the faith of Christ, the spirit of Christ, Christ, the mind of Christ.

For it is God who works (energeo – energizes) in you both to will and to do (energeo – energize) of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God, via the holy spirit of the Christ within, energizes within us so that we can know what God desires (will) and so that we can carry out (do) that will. Will and do. Wisdom and power.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks; Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. I Corinthians 1:23,24

The birthing of this spirit of Christ within us creates a new mind, also known as a new man. This holy spirit immediately goes to work relaying to us the will and the energizing of God, by developing within us the nature and the thinking of the Christ. It does so by revealing the truths of Christ to us. Below are a number of verses which, with the above in mind, should make more sense.

But when the Comforter is come, which I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but when I depart, I will send him unto you. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear (from me), that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. John 16:7,12-15

(The pronoun he in the above verses modifies the masculine noun spirit, in the Greek, and can just as easily be translated it. The Comforter is the life of Christ, and conveys to us the nature and will of Jesus Christ himself)

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, To reveal His son in me,  Galatians 1:15,16a

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you. Galatians 4:19

But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by (en – in)  him (as the truth is in Jesus); That you put off concerning the former behavior the old man, which is corrupt according to the overdesires of deceit; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new man, which according to God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

Having the mind of Christ birthed within us is just the beginning of a conscientious and  eternal love affair with God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our brother. After the birth comes the growth! And it is the spirit of Christ himself which is responsible to see to that growth within us! Will and do! Wisdom and power!

But God has revealed them (the things which God has prepared for them that love him) unto us by His spirit; for the spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 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. But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
 I Corinthians 2:10,12,15,16

The holy spirit within us, also known as the Christ within , is our spiritual radio receiver, specially designed to be able to pick up the spiritual radio signals which Jesus himself, on behalf of his Father, sends our way.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (the spirit of Christ) shall be saved. How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe of whom they have not heard? (in and in are not in the original text) and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rema – what  is spoken directly to you) of God. Romans 10:13,14,17

Recognizing, putting into practice, living by the mind of Christ is a developing thing. Putting off the old and putting on this new, developing spiritual man and his thinking is so other than what we have been used to. Don’t worry. God is infinitely patient, as you become accustomed to being instructed by Jesus Christ regarding the things of God.

And to not conform yourself to this world, but to be transformed (changed) for to renew the mind; so that you may prove (to see developed by practice) what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind (of Christ) I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:25

Walking with God is never an “all or none” effort. Rather, learning to walk, to live our lives, in the energizing of the spirit of God within, and seeing the wisdom of God develop within us so that we can understand our Father’s desirous will and experientially realize the dynamic energizing of His spirit, can be a slow process. But a process it is, and one which is gloriously rewarding. Be patient with the process and thankful for the chance to walk as children of God, energized by the spirit of God working in the mind of Christ which has been gifted us when we first believed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How God Works in Me

Posted on March 29, 2024 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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I am always on the lookout, in my reading of the Bible as well as in my prayerful, contemplative meditations of the things of Christ, for the specific thinking that will position me to connect with the working of God in my life. In other words, I’m always looking for the effort required on my part which will allow for God to express Himself in and through my life. Whether that effort required of me be passive (as in, allowing it to happen) or active (as in, something I need to do), the clearer my understanding of exactly what that specific working of my mind needs to be, the more I believe God can and will work in my life.

You might respond to the above by saying to me, “Simple, just have faith.” Okay, I wouldn’t disagree with that statement, but it’s “just” not specific enough. Does it mean I need to do something or think something specific? Does simply believing in God mean I have the faith you’re saying I need to “just have?”

So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.
(Romans 10:17)

In order for me to have faith, I need to hear from God. So I go right back to the original question: What do I need to do, or not do in order to hear from God? Where can I position my mind and my thoughts in order to better hear from God directly, so that I can have the faith I’m to live by?

For therein (in the gospel of Christ) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Romans 1:17)

In this administration of the grace of God, which is manifested in the revelation of the mystery of Christ, Paul was set forth by God to be an example to me.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Christ Jesus might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (I Timothy 1:15,16)

Them who should hereafter believe on him. That’s me! Paul is my example today!

Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

With the above in mind, let’s take a look at what Paul has to say about exactly what he thought; how he positioned his mind, so that God could and would express Himself through his (Paul’s) life. In this section in I Corinthians, Paul is speaking of his (and Apollos’) ministry to others:

For  we are laborers together with God; you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:9)

The phrase laborers together with is a single Greek word in the original text, sunergos, which is composed of the prefix sun, meaning with, and ergos, coming from the verb ergazomai, which means to work or to do. Sunergos describes a cooperative effort of (at least) two parties, working toward the same goal. And yet the second half of this verse indicates that the result of the cooperative effort between Paul and God is due to God alone. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? God and Paul are both doing something, working together toward the same goal, but God alone is getting the credit for the results. What then does Paul get out of his efforts? And exactly how does Paul work together with God? Answer these questions and we’ll go a long way in better understanding the specific effort required which allows God to express Himself to and through us.

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only; but now much more in my absence, work out (katergazomai) your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Who works in (energazomai) you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12,13)

These two verses contain two uses of the word “work,” one attributed to the effort of Paul, and one to God. But each of the two uses has a different prefix, and those prefixes spell out the exact differentiation between what man does and what God does in this “working together” which Paul spoke of in I Corinthians.

First we’ll look at the second verse, 13. The phrase works in is the Greek word energazomai, the prefix being en, meaning in, and ergazomai, meaning to work. The words energy and energize come from this word, and it indicates a working within, an “in-working.” God supplies the energy, or the energizing.

In verse 12, the first verse above, work out is the single word katergazomai, the prefix being kata, meaning down from, and ergazomai, meaning to work. This word indicates something being worked down and/or out, from inside to outside, in a person’s life. To simply define this word katergazomai, I like the word “express.” Man initiates the mental and physical working which is required to express the inner energizing of God. God energizes, and Paul (or any believer) works that energy out into expression. God inspires, man acts on that inner working, to the end that the working of God gets expressed in the physical world. For this cooperative working, God gets the credit for the results, and man is rewarded by God for his part. Back in I Corinthians 3….

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (I Corinthians 3:5-8)

It is God who rewards the one who allows His (God’s) energizing to be expressed into this world. In fact, God is the reward for the one who so works.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the thorough knowing (epignosis) of His will (His energizing within) in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, (when the work of man is a result of God’s energizing being worked out, or expressed, it always produces the fruit of the spirit) and increasing in the thorough knowing (epignosis) of God. (Colossians 1:9,10)

Man expresses in his living (thoughts, words and deeds) that which God is energizing within, and is rewarded for doing so by an increased knowing of God. The reward is literally more of God!

Following are a few more verses containing uses of the word katergazomai, to work out into expression, which is man’s part. Take time to try and understand, as you see each use in its context, that there is an energizing within, a spiritual power or force (whether good or evil) that is being worked out into expression.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working (katergazomai – working out, expressing outwardly an energizing within) that which is unseemly (deformed), and receiving in themselves that recompence (repayment) of their error which was meet (necessary, required).
(Romans 1:27)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works (katergazomai) patience; (Romans 5:3)

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought (katergazomai) in me all manner of concupiscence (the desire, yearning, longing which leads one about by the nose)…
(Romans 7:8a)

In the following verses in Romans 7, there are three different words which are translated “do.” Those which are not katergazomai are either poieo or prasso, both of which mean to produce an action, or to do or practice continually. Also, it’s good to know that this section in Romans is not speaking of the believer who is in Christ, but rather who is walking in his fleshly, carnal mind.

For that which I do (katergazomai) I know (ginosko) not (I’m not fully aware of); for what I desire, that I don’t do; but what I hate, that I do. If then I do that which I desire not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do (katergazomai) it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform (katergazomai) that which is good I find not (because there is no energizing of God in the carnal mind). For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do what I would not, it is no more I that do (katergazomai) it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I desire to do good, evil is present with me. (Romans 7:15-21)

Two things concerning the above: First, in these specific verses, Paul is not talking about a believer who is in Christ, but rather a believer who is trying to do the will of God in his flesh; and second, each time that katergazomai is used, it is indicating a power or force within which is being worked out, or expressed, through his own actions or behavior. It is sin, evil, which is being worked out into practice by the man who is dwelling in his flesh. No matter what a man wants or desires, when he is in the sinfulness of his flesh, then that sinfulness is what is going to be worked out into practice.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done (katergazomai) all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

God evidences Himself within His children as an energizing, which energizing is sourced from the wholeness of the spirit of Christ which he received when he believed unto Jesus Christ. When and as it occurs, and according to the energizing of that holy spirit, man responds to it by having it be worked out into evidence in his psychological and physiological (mind and body) life. The benefit, or reward, for a man so working in this cooperation with the energizing of God’s spirit is that he will have more of God.

Paul was so enamored of this increasing of the spirit of God, which is the spirit of Christ in his life that he surrendered himself almost completely to it (he wasn’t perfect!).

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked (katergazomai) by means of me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed. (Romans 15:18)

How Paul worked together with God is our example today. He lived to experience the energizing of the spirit of Christ within being expressed in and through his life, knowing that doing so would result in an ever-increasing supply of the spirit of God.

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The Importance of Paul’s Gospel

Posted on March 15, 2023 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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The ministry of Jesus while on the earth was to only Israel, as he preached and taught the things of the kingdom of God, (while they still waited for the redemption of mankind), and that Israel should repent and adhere to the heart of the law of Moses. The ministry of Paul the apostle of the glorified Jesus Christ was to all the world, as he preached and taught the things of the kingdom of God, where mankind had been redeemed and God’s grace was let loose upon it, restoring man unto the image of God once again.

I marvel that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Galatians 1:6

I once hosted a rather unique Bible study in my home. Once a month I would meet with around ten other men, many of whom were, or had been in ministerial responsibilities. I taught the gospel of Paul, the grace of God, the revelation of the mystery of Christ. The study ended when one of the active ministers (and, as it turned out, he was simply voicing what the others chose to believe) decided to reject the gospel of Paul, stating, “Paul didn’t die for my sins.” He thought I was putting too much emphasis on Paul’s writings. This minister thought we should be focusing rather on the words of Jesus, who did die for our sins. I should have responded to him, “But remember that Jesus didn’t write the Gospels.” In other words, Jesus himself is not a writer of any Scripture. Either we believe what is written as coming from the mouth of God, or we don’t.

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached.  Think about it: For one, their audiences were not the same.

He who believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this he spoke of the spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the holy spirit was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.  John 7:38,39

But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24

For he who worked effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision (Israel), the same was mighty in me (Paul) toward the Gentiles (everyone not of Israel): Galatians 2:8

There is no record of Jesus ever ministering specifically to a Gentile.  If you look closely at all the records of the centurion who had a servant who was sick, you’ll see that he had Jewish leaders go to Jesus to request help with that servant, who was most assuredly Jewish. The Gentiles were never included in the benefit that the Christ made available to the world, until after he left the earth.

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached. For two, Jesus did not have the new spiritual birth to offer while he was on the earth. No person was “born from above” until the day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus had ascended off the earth. In John 3, where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, he is speaking of a future time, at the resurrection, when those raised into righteousness and eternal life will be “birthed” spiritually to live forever. No person ever got “born again” while Jesus walked the earth. His death and resurrection were required in order for that to happen.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:9

But for us also, to whom it (the righteousness of God) shall be imputed, if we believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Romans 4:24

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached. For three, the mystery of Christ which Paul preached was not revealed to man until after Jesus died, was raised, and ascended. The mystery of Christ was prepared by God before the world began, for our glory, but was not revealed to us until the gospel of Paul (and others whose writings we no longer have).

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that which was hidden, which God prepared before the world unto our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I Corinthians 2:7,8

Now unto Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Romans 16:25,26

How could Jesus preach the mystery of Christ, while it yet remained hidden in God so that the princes of this world would have Jesus put to death, so that his Father could raise him and glorify him by seating him at His own right hand in the heavens, so that Jesus could send the holy spirit into the world so that anyone who believed could be filled with that same spirit of Christ, who could then do even greater works than Jesus when he walked the earth? No, Jesus did not preach the mystery. Paul did. But Jesus did point to a time after he left the earth that would be better than it was when he was on the earth.

… for he (the holy spirit) dwells with you (being in Jesus) and shall be in you. John 14:17b

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient (profitable, advantageous) for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but when I depart, I will send him unto you. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… John 16:7,13a

No man was born of the spirit when Jesus walked the earth, for man was still under the law of Moses. Man could only walk by his fleshly understanding, and so he was in a constant battle with the things of God.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7,8

When Jesus walked the earth, no other man could know, understand or walk in the things of the spirit of God, for only Jesus had the spirit. (Some of Jesus’ disciples may have had the spirit upon them for a season, but they were never born of that spirit while Jesus walked the earth) Today, via Paul’s epistles, any man can receive, know, understand and walk in the things of the spirit of God. There is such a big difference between the gospel which Jesus preached and the gospel which Paul preached.

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. But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:12,14

In the time of Jesus, every man of Israel walked in his flesh, unable to walk by the holy spirit which was not yet born within him. Thus, he walked under the curse of the law.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith; but, the man that does them shall live in them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us… Galatians 3:10-13a

The words of Jesus can be very profitable and life giving, when read and understood in light of the revelation of the mystery of Christ as revealed by the apostle Paul. When they are read and understood as pertaining to the flesh, then they can never bring a man into the presence of God. When the words Jesus spoke are exalted above the truth of the gospel of the mystery of Christ as revealed by Paul, then all they can do is try to make the flesh of man a little better, and point to better days. They can not bring those better days to pass; only the spirit of the Christ within (the holy spirit of God) can do that.

Which (“another gospel”) is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (because he is still under the curse of the law). As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than what you have received (from us), let him be accursed. Galatians 1:7-9

If you believe that what is written in the Bible is the Word of God, then you must believe what is written by the apostle Paul , who declared that what he reveals for us is what God had kept hidden until after His son ascended to His right hand. You must understand that what is being revealed to us by Paul is what Jesus himself alluded to while he was on the earth, but could not himself reveal to us… that what we have available to us today is so so so much bigger and better than what man could receive during the days that Jesus walked the earth.

Was what Jesus spoke while on the earth important? A big yes! But what the apostle Paul spoke (and wrote) is so much more important for us today, for he was tasked with making known to the world the mystery of the Christ within, given to him by that very Jesus who is now seated at the right hand of God.

For I guarantee you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not according to man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11,12

If you promote what Jesus spoke while on the earth over what Jesus at the right hand of God is speaking today through the ministry of his apostle Paul (and others who carry on today what his ministry began), you are yet in your sinful flesh and are under the curse of living under the law. Rather than seeking the historical Jesus who walked the earth back then, seek the glorified Christ whose spirit dwells within today. Subject yourselves to the gospel given to Paul by the exalted Christ, and grow up into the glory which God has prepared for you since before the world began.
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From Faith to Faith

Posted on April 21, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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For I am not ashamed of the gospel (of Christ), for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek; For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  Romans 1:16,17

I put (of Christ) in parentheses, because most texts do not include those words.  The word translated  “gospel” is the Greek word evangellia, from eu, meaning “well” or “good,” and angellia, meaning “message.”  We get the word “angel” from this last Greek word, which can be, and often is, translated “messenger” in the Bible.

“The gospel” is often understood as “the good news” regarding Jesus Christ, and that is a good understanding.  However, an even better understanding is “the good message.”  The difference?  News is general and a message is specific.  How is the gospel specific?  Let’s take a look…

And Jesus answered him (the devil), saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rema) of God.  Luke 4:4

The word “word” is the word rema (or rhema), meaning that which is spoken in the ear at the moment. It always includes the presence of the one speaking and the one hearing.  Another familiar word which is translated “word” is the Greek word logos,  meaning that which is communicated.  So this word rema is a subset of logos, but has a powerfully specific meaning to it.  It always involves specific instructive verbal communication tp one or more individuals.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rema)  of God.  Romans 10:17

This word “hearing” means to be instructed; to hear to the end of “getting it.”  Faith comes by specifically receiving God’s communication to you, to the end of you “getting it.”

A person’s faith, the faith that is required to walk in the righteousness of God which is revealed by the gospel (from Romans 1:17 above), comes as a result of receiving into the understanding what God is revealing.  Here’s where things get real interesting.

But the righteousness of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven?  (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep?  (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  But what does it say?  The word (rema) is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word (rema) of faith, which we preach; That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved.  For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; ;and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:6-10

Our “job” as believers is not to determine who is in and who is out of the faith (who’s going to heaven and who’s going to hell).  Our “job” as believers is to share the word (rema) of faith which we receive of God specifically.  Paul preached the specific word (rema) which he received from God by revelation.  When you hear and “get” what Paul preaches, due to God Himself revealing the truth of what is being spoken or written into your heart, it then becomes your faith.  Thus, the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith (Paul’s) to faith (yours).”

How that by revelation He (God) made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote before in few words), Whereby (by revelation) when you read, you may have my understanding in the mystery of Christ;  Ephesians 3:3,4

This is a perfect example of “from faith to faith.”  What is required of “the just” when God reveals something to their heart?  Believe it and walk in it; live by it.  That specifically tailored good message that is received from the spirit of God by one believer, is thus passed on to another, and thus the righteousness of God is revealed from one’s faith to another’s.  And where did it all begin?

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if (when) I depart, I will send him unto you.  Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come (things which were not true then, but which became true in the future he is speaking of).  He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you.  John 16:7,13,14

The word “show” is the Greek word anangello (there’s that angellia word again!), one of 20 different Greek words which are translated “to show.”  This word means to report back, notify, announce.  I get a picture of a soldier in the midst of the fighting sending a messenger back to the general who is directing the battle, filling him in on specific details.  The holy spirit of God, the spirit of the Christ within; is going to glorify the Christ within us, by revealing to us specific details concerning him and his spirit within.

These verses reveal that the faith which now exists on the earth began with the faith of Jesus Christ himself.

But now the righteousness of God without (apart from) the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference (between Jew and Gentile).
Romans 3:21,22

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in (eis – unto) Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.  I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:16,20

Jesus Christ, after he ascended off the earth and was glorified, sent his spirit into the world.  His spirit testifies (witnesses) specifically of things concerning Christ.  This is what is being communicated by the faith of Jesus Christ.  As each specific thing of Christ is revealed to the heart of a man, who accepts it as true (in other words, believes it), the faith of Jesus Christ is thus transmitted to that man.  And so the righteousness of God is revealed from faith (Christ’s) to faith (that man who believes).  The same is true when that man preaches to another (or others) from out of the faith he has received, and a hearer (or a reader) receives what is revealed by the spirit and believes what he hears.  Thus through the years, the righteousness of God, the reality of the Christ within, has been revealed from faith to faith to faith to faith, all by the spirit from Christ.

Now unto him who is able to establish you according to my gospel (his specific good message), and (which is) the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (the spirit reported, the rema was heard and faith came), which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest (by revelation, which is a manifestation of the spirit), and by the writings of the prophets (not just Paul, but others) according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for (eis – unto) the obedience of faith.  Romans 16:25,26

The just shall live by the faith which comes from the spirit of the Christ within upon hearing the good message from another who has received from the spirit of Christ!
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Check out these other related studies:

The Faith of Christ has Come! | Give Me Christ
How Do We Get Faith? ….. God GIVES It To Us | Give Me Christ
The Shield of Faith | Give Me Christ

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Division in the Body

Posted on March 30, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Whenever and wherever I have preached and taught Jesus Christ and people have responded, there has come a time when a spirit of division rose up within the resulting fellowship(s).  Some person or group began speaking evil about another person or group.  People began recruiting others to agree with their divisive way of thinking, seeking to justify their evil ways by winning others over on to their side.  Backbiting as a result of bitterness, pride, offense, envy, anger and confusion became pervasive, at least within a small group.  The ensuing divisiveness wanted to take center stage over the seeking of Jesus Christ, thus exposing itself as the work of evil spirits,

It makes no sense for those who are enjoying the growth of the spirit of Christ within their lives to point fingers at others’ perceived weaknesses or shortcomings, especially at those who bring the good news of Christ.  This finger pointing is simply based on feelings and the “fact-finding” which results from such feelings.  Negative feelings, without the guidance of Christ, always seek to justify themselves, yet if allowed to be expressed are nothing but the works of the flesh as recorded in Galatians.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:  Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  Galatians 5:19-21

The word “works” is from the Greek word energeo, and can be translated “energizings.”  This indicates that there is a life force doing the energizing, which indicates the working of devil spirits.  This doesn’t mean someone who gets angry for a bit is possessed by a devil, but it does indicate that someone who is driven by these things has given themselves over to the energizings of devil spirits.

Some people use this last verse to say that anyone who does these things won’t get to heaven, but that isn’t what is being revealed here.  God is telling us that people being driven by these evil energizings are not growing into their spiritual inheritance, no matter how much effort they put into justifying their evil feelings.

But……

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (kind practicality), goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self mastery); with such the law doesn’t concern itself.  Galatians 5:22, 21

Quite a bit different, these fruit of the spirit, are they not?  They are so different than the energizings of the flesh.  Compare the two.  The one group are dark, self-serving, evil; the other are light, lovely, desirable.  Which do you choose?  The one will separate and divide an individual from the group, leaving them in isolation and despair; the other will inspire unity and appreciation, for self and others.  The one pushes, the other rewards.  The one dwells on the flesh, the other on the spirit of Christ.  Satan vs. Christ.  That is always our choice.

What to do about this divisiveness?  The worse thing that can be done is to enter into the fray, into the accusations and personal attacks and/or the justifying and self-defense.  Rather, what is to be done when divisiveness raises its ugly head is the same thing which is needed even without such attacks underway… seek Christ.  Put on the whole armor of the spirit of Christ, the armor of God.

Finally my brethren, be strong (dunamis – empowered) in the Lord and in the power (ischus – developed strength) of his might (kratos – overcoming power).  Ephesians 6:10

The battle takes place in the heart and mind, and the battle is not ours, but rather is the Lord Christ’s.  Allow his spirit to live richly within your living and thinking, and do not seek any specific result or action in the flesh, for that is Satan’s arena.  Do not think evil of any man, for that itself is the work of the evil one.  Realize that the enemy, your enemy, who is also the enemy of God, is spiritual, not physical.  The ones suffering the most from Satan’s attacks are the ones in whom Satan is working.

Keep seeking Christ.  Allow his spirit to guide you, strengthen you, imbue you with wisdom.  There is no fleshly result that is required by God, only that you draw close to Him and walk with Him.  Division in the body of Christ is bound to happen on this side of the gathering together.  Pray you are never a willing participant in the fleshly energizings which inspire such divisive thinking and behavior.  Rather, stay strong in the spirit of the Lord and in the faith which has been given you by what the Father has revealed within you.  Christ is enough.
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Other related studies:
Different Gifts | Give Me Christ
How to love other Christians | Give Me Christ

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Life in Christ Without Meetings

Posted on February 23, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Is there a life, a living in Christ without meetings?  Oh No!  And what could/should any meetings “in Christ” look like?

The New Testament has very little to say concerning gathering together as believers of Jesus Christ, at least in the manner most Christians today have experienced.  Since most people today who do believe consider their meeting time (usually on Sunday morning) the most important act of faith each week, it seems odd that God doesn’t have more to say about it.

I’ve asked other Christian believers where the Bible says we should/must gather together in a church building every Sunday.  Here’s a verse many go to:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

The word for “assembling together” is sunagogia, from which we get the word “synagogue.”  It indicates a smaller, intimate gathering.  Obviously, in order to exhort one another, as is encouraged by this verse, we’re going to have to be in the presence of one another. The verse before this also indicates that people gather together, in order to “consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works.”  There is no indication as to a number of believers that needs to be involved in this assembling together.  Two?  Four?  A dozen?

I Corinthians 14 is an entire chapter devoted to behavior in a gathering of the saints, some verses of which we will be taking a look at.  Romans 16 spends a lot of time talking about gatherings of the saints (“churches”) which were meeting in people’s homes, as do portions of Colossians 4 and I Corinthians 16.  No mega churches there!  At the end of every one of the “general” epistles of Paul (Romans – Thessalonians), time is spent addressing individual believers, or addressing believers in an individual way, encouraging each believer in their relationships with one another.

And that is the main thrust of the truth of Christ which lives and grows in the hearts and lives of individuals; not that large gatherings are important or necessary, but rather that intimate, personal interaction is necessary and important.  What happens if there is no specific weekly meeting which claims to be supplying your need to connect with others in Christ?  Why then, the whole week can supply that need!

One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.  Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.  He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it.  Romans 14:6

Do read the entire context of the above verse.  This indicates that though it is not wrong to have a specific day in which to draw close to Christ and to one another in a group meeting,  it is not necessary; and not only so, but that it is possible to draw closer to Christ through interactions with other believers every single day!

It is easier, when a specific day and a specific time and a specific place for meeting with others becomes central to one’s faith, to begin to relegate all spiritual interactions with others to that time and place.  I have spoken of Christ to others during the week – Christians – and had them look at me like, “Why are you talking to me about Jesus… this isn’t church?!”  When there is not one single day or time or place, then it becomes easier to seek that relationship and those interactions whenever and wherever they can be found.

I have had people who I am in conversation with about the things of Christ tell me, “Well you really ought to go to church.  The Bible says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves,” to which I reply, “What do you think we’re doing right now?!”

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father Who is in heaven.  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  Matthew 18:19, 20

Two or three!  Two or three!  Not ten or twenty or thirty or a thousand!  Two or three!  The greater the number, the more challenging it is for it to be an intimate gathering, where each can receive and give as the Lord directs.

I encourage you to read I Corinthians 14 and to imagine yourself in it.  In verse 5, the word “church” is used.  “Church” is better understood today as a “gathering” or “assembly.”  It’s a meeting of believers., with absolutely no indication of a large number.

How is it then, brethren?  when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.  Let all things be done unto edifying.  Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the other (prophets) judge.  If anything be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.  For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 
I Corinthians 14:26, 29, 30

If everyone can have a chance to speak, the gathering can’t be very large in number.  These “meetings” weren’t in order to accomplish a specific task, or to carry out a weekly duty to God, but rather were a result of growing spiritually in Christ, and in order to grow even more!  They occurred because people got filled to overflowing during the week by their interactions with Christ, directly and via one another, and they wanted to share in the exciting life which was blossoming within them.  The gatherings were for mutual spiritual encouragement, but they were never to take the place of the individual growing up into Christ; rather, they were a celebration of that very thing.  You live each day in a growing appreciation of how the spirit of Christ is growing in your understanding and being expressed in your mind, heart and life, and you want to share that with others who are going through a similar experience!  That is the assembling of ourselves together.

I am a part of several different “churches” or meetings, on a weekly basis.  To each of these gatherings I bring the life of Christ which has grown within me, which has been experienced by me during the week.  Likewise, I look for the opportunity to grow in Christ by hearing of how others have experienced God’s spirit in them.  One of these meetings generally has three of us, one generally has six of us, and one generally has fourteen – eighteen of us.  And with each one… there is Christ in the midst!

I know many believers who “don’t have a church they go to,” or who “haven’t found a fellowship.”  My encouragement is to seek Christ throughout the week, in prayer, in Scripture reading and meditation, in interaction with friends and anyone you interact with (check-out clerks, fellow walkers, neighbors, the doctor, etc.).  Seek one or two others with whom to get together on a regular basis in order to share how Christ is working within you (you singular and you plural); others who are open to your loving encouragement, and to whose hearts you are open.  Seek the revelation of the Christ within together.  Where and how often you get together is totally between you and Christ.  Enjoy the freedom, the challenge and the reward of connecting with others in Christ, as you are led and filled by his spirit within.

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Other related studies:
Do I HAVE to go to Church? | Give Me Christ
Greet the Saints | Give Me Christ
How to love other Christians | Give Me Christ

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