Is the Holy Spirit (Ghost) a He or an It?

Posted on February 5, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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I was at a home fellowship once which was not my own, and I happened to reference the Holy Spirit as an “it.”  One young man spoke right up in an affronted tone.  “You called the Holy Spirit an it!” he exclaimed!  Well, let’s get to the bottom of the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, shall we?  A “he” or an “it?”

We generally think of things that are “it” as being inanimate, and thus having no life; or as having no gender, like an amoeba or a tree.  The spirit of God has no gender, but it certainly has life!  In fact, it is life… the life of God!

Spirit or Ghost? Pneuma is the Greek word almost always translated “spirit” in the Bible.  It is used a total of 385 times in the New Testament, and is translated other than “spirit” only four (4) times.  One other Greek word is translated “spirit” and that is the Greek word phantasma, and in today’s vernacular, it should be translated “ghost.”   The two times phantasma is used are Matthew 14:26 and Mark 6:49, both times speaking of Jesus’s disciples thinking he was a ghost when they saw him walking on the water at night.

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit (phantasma – ghost) and cried out:  Mark 6:49

Of the 385 times pneuma is used in the New Testament, whenever it is used alone (without the word hagion – holy), it is always translated “spirit” or “spiritually” in the genitive (literally, “of the spirit”), except in the four (4) instances.

(Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus)  Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again (anothen – from above).  The wind (pneuma – spirit) blows  (pneuo) where it wills (desires, intends), and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell where it comes from, and where it is going; so is every one that is born of the Spirit (pneuma).  John 3:7, 8

Here the spirit is likened in its behavior to the wind.  Perhaps that is the reason the first use of pneuma in this verse is translated as “wind,” (there is a different Greek word usually used for “wind”) even though the second use of pneuma in the same verse is translated as “spirit.”  Perhaps this is because the word “blow” is the verb form of pneuma, pneuo, used six (6) times in the New Testament and always translated “blow,” like it is in this verse.

And he (the second beast, who served the first beast) had power to give life (pneuma – spirit) unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.  Revelation 13:15

Two (2) times a form of the word pneuma is used as “give (or yield) up the ghost” and both speak of Jesus dying on the cross.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit (pneuma); and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (ekpneusen).  Luke 23:46

Ek is the Greek preposition indicated by a line coming from out of the center of a circle.  Here it is prefixed in front of the verb form of pneuma.  Jesus prayed, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit,” and then the spirit came out of him.

Why the word “Ghost?”  My understanding is that the translators of the King James Bible had more than one group responsible for doing the translation, and that there was disagreement among the groups as to how pneuma hagion should be translated.  They compromised (truth by committee) and did it both ways! Of the ninety-three (93) times hagion pneuma is used in the Bible,  (89) times it is translated Holy Ghost, and four (4) times as Holy Spirit.  Exact same words, different translations!

The word “ghost” has come to mean an apparition of a dead person, and that is why I believe the term Holy Spirit should be used at all times.  The spirit is not an apparition, it does not generally appear to anyone’s eyesight.  It also certainly does not represent a dead person.

To Capitalize or not?  The word pneuma is used three hundred and eighty-five (385) times in the New Testament.  Of the times it is translated simply as “spirit,” without the qualifier hagion (holy, pure), it is capitalized one hundred and thirty-three (133) times, and it is not capitalized one hundred and fifty-one (151) times.   

It appears that whenever the word pneuma is used of either a devil spirit or a person’s physical life, then “spirit” is not capitalized, but whenever the word pneuma is referring to God, then it is capitalized.  There are plenty of exceptions:

And he (Jesus) sighed deeply in his spirit, and says, why does this generation seek after a sign?…  Mark 8:12a

Jesus’ spirit was of God, so why not capitalize?  The same with the word below:

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit…  Luke 23:46a

It gets even weirder:

Jesus answered, 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.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  John 3:5, 6

So that which is born of the capitalized Spirit is uncapitalized spirit?

It is the spirit that quickens (gives life); the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.  John 6:63

Apparently it is the uncapitalized spirit that quickens, and not the capitalized one.  If I’m understanding the translators’ thinking here, the spirit that gives life is that spirit which is born of the Spirit, and not the Spirit directly?  Okay, I think I’m getting it, but now I read:

He that 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 Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified).  John 7:37, 38

I would have thought that this would have been an uncapitalized spirit which would be flowing out of a believer’s belly like a river of living water.  Perhaps the translators felt a need to capitalize because the pneuma hagion, Holy Spirit was used in such close proximity?

Here’s where we begin to get a glimpse of the theology of the King James translators.  When the word was referring directly to God, in their thinking, then it should be capitalized.  When it was referring to what was of, or what came from God, then it was not.  Except in this last verse, because they believed the Holy Spirit was a person of the Trinity, so it had to be capitalized, which now has confused the whole thing!  In this last verse, the spirit being spoken of which flows out of a person is the holy spirit, which is of God, and not God Himself.  This holy spirit is given to those who will believe on Jesus in the future.

In the original Greek texts, from which the entire New Testament was translated, all letters were capitalized, with no punctuation, verses, paragraphs, chapters, or even spacing, seeing as “paper” (papyrus, skins, whatever) was at such a premium.  The Word of God was considered important enough that all letters were capitalized.  So how would a translator know which to capitalize for his readers today, seeing as we have rules for which letters get capitalized and which do not?  Well, as we’re seeing, that is left up to the translators’ own decision making.  Were they correct in their thinking?  Were they incorrect?

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  II Timothy 2:15

If you believe this is God’s Word for you, then you must accept that you bear the responsibility for deciding which times, if any,  the word “spirit” should be capitalized or not.  Myself?  I read the Bible with the realization and understanding that because all words were capitalized in the original texts, then no words are capitalized, or set apart from others, in those texts.  So I read the Bible as if no words are capitalized, and this is especially true of this word pneuma, or spirit.  Spirit, (see, I did capitalize it at the beginning of a sentence), holy spirit, spirit, I just never exalt one use of the word above another.

But if the Spirit (spirit, because it’s of God) of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit (spirit, because it’s of God) that dwells in you.  But if you live after the flesh you shall die; but if you through the Spirit (spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit (spirit) of God, they are the sons of God.  For you have not received the spirit of bondage, to fear again; but you have received the Spirit (spirit), whereby we cry, Abba Father.  The Spirit (spirit) itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.  Romans 8:11, 13-16

He or It?  When the Spirit is referring directly to God, I would refer to the Spirit as a He, even though God is not a man, and so He does not have a sex, or gender.  He is referred to as our Father, as  Lord, and these are masculine words, and so I refer to God as “He.”  In the Greek language, “spirit” is masculine, and  in the Greek (as in many other languages),  the pronoun must agree in gender with the noun it relates to.  For example, in French, la table, which is feminine in gender, would be referred to as “she.”  La table, elle est la bas.  Literally, “The table, she is over there.”  Of course, when translating into English, we would say, “The table, it is over there.”

And so the translators had the strong tendency to refer to the spirit, because it was of God, and to the holy spirit, because they believed it a member of the Trinity, as a “he.”

Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  Romans 8:26, 27

In the above, the spirit (Spirit) is referred to as an it.  If you’re looking for a consistent rhyme or reason from the translators of the King James Bible (or any other translation), you’ll have a definitely confused theology.  I think you’re seeing that it is more important to understand the truth of what is the spirit of God, the holy spirit, than to wrestle with whether the spirit is a he or an it, whether it should be capitalized or not.

God is a (“a” is not in the text) Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  John 4:24

God is Spirit.  God is spirit.  Spirit is His nature.  What He gives to those who believe on Jesus is His spirit, His nature, which is holy.  God gives unto us His holy spirit.  It is now our holy spirit, because it was given to us as a gift.

Whereby (the thorough experiential knowing of God) are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  II Peter 1:4

Is the holy spirit which was gifted to us a He or a he, an It or an it?  Well, you’ve got it, you’ve experienced it, what would you call it?  Do you have a man living inside you, or do you have Christ’s spirit living inside you, through which you can walk in oneness of spirit with God, because it is His spirit?

Who (God) also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.  Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.  II Corinthians 3:6, 17, 18

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Spiritual Math

Posted on January 15, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

 

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I find it amusing when a scientist claims that he/she doesn’t believe in God, and that the reason is that God’s existence can’t be proven.  Meanwhile, that scientist’s understanding of their specific discipline most assuredly involves the use of so-called “imaginary” numbers; that is, numbers which don’t really exist.  Ironic, isn’t it?

The physics of creation is most deeply and intricately understood by an understanding of waves (wave theory, quantum mechanics).  This involves mechanical physics as well as chemistry.  The Schrödinger equation (also known as Schrödinger’s wave equation) is a partial differential equation that describes the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems via the wave function. The trajectory, the positioning, and the energy of these systems can be retrieved by solving the Schrödinger equation.  This equation involves the use of a number which does not exist; that is, the square root of negative 1.  What number, multiplied by itself, equals  -1?  That number does not exist; hence, it is imaginary.

Algebra itself became separate from the measurable field of geometry when and as it discovered and embraced the concept of these imaginary numbers.  These imaginary numbers came into being as a means by which complex formulas could describe the behavior of the physical universe.  Since these scientists accept the fact of an imaginary thing being responsible for explaining their science, why is the concept of an invisible God so hard for these scientists to grasp?  It must be due to the forces of darkness.

For we grapple (in intimate encounter) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the overcoming powers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in the heavenlies.  Ephesians 6:12

Scientists have no problem accepting things which don’t exist in the physical universe in order to help them understand that same universe.  The problem with their unbelief is not logical, it is spiritual.  Since they have not (yet) chosen to believe on Jesus Christ as the son of God, and thus have not (yet) received his spirit, they simply can not apply spiritual logic and problem solving (math) to life.

But if our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.  II Corinthians 4:3, 4

If a man’s understanding is his god, then he will reject what he does not understand.  Scientists are notorious for this rather obvious shortcoming, as evidenced by the persecution which many groundbreaking scientists have had to endure over the years.  Copernicus,  Servitus, Galileo, Einstein are a few of such scientists, whom we now laud for their novel discoveries, but who were in their day rejected by other scientists; hounded, persecuted, and even put to death for their discoveries.

The way we think today in the so-called western world was birthed and developed in Ancient Greece.  It might surprise you to know that some of the greatest Greek philosophers were also mathematicians;  Pythagoras, Aristotle, Plato to name a few.  The western mind is a scientific mind, seeking out cause and effect by logical thought.  Premis, deduction  hypothesis, theory… this is the vocabulary of the scientific mind.  It is also the the vocabulary of logical thought.

Casting down imaginations (logismos – logical reasoning) and every high thing that exalts itself contrary to the knowing (gnosis) of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 10:5

God does not tell us to flee from logical thinking, but rather only from that logical thinking which leads us away from the knowing of Him in a personal way! There is a logic which leads us away from the knowing of God, which the above-described scientists use; but, as you’ll see in the following verses, there is a logic which leads us into a closer relationship with our spiritual Father.

Likewise reckon (logizomai – logically reason) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:11

For I reckon (logizomai) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

Brethren, I count (logizomai) not myself to have arrived; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,…  Philippians 3:13

The word “logic” comes from the word “logos,” which you may recognize as the word used for “word” in the Bible.  But logos means so much more than simply a word you see on a page or hear someone speak.  Rather, logos is the truth represented by the sound or image we know of as a “word.”  The essence of logos is that which a thing communicates of itself.  For example, different examples of the logos of water are that it is fluid, it flows, changes shape, has different states depending on temperature and pressure, has a specific feel, can change other things into different states (corrode steal, dissolve salt for example), and is necessary for life.  These are only some of what water communicates of itself.  As man comes to understand logos, he becomes what we today understand as educated.  If he delves more deeply into specific aspects of the logos of a specific thing, depending on the subject matter, he becomes a scientist, or perhaps a musician, an artist, a doctor, a lawyer or some other professional.

In order to grow spiritually in our relationship with God, we receive the revelation of the Christ within, but that’s only the beginning.  We are to use our logical reasoning (and more and more so as we come to understand the logos of God) so that the Christ within can find useful expression.  Thus we live as children of God.  The same scientific logic which helps us understand our physical world also helps us see the spiritual reality of the Christ within find useful expression in our daily existence.

But go you and learn (manthano) what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.  Matthew 9:13

The word “mathematics” comes from the Greek word mathema, meaning “something learned”, or “a lesson.”  Mathema itself is derived from this verb manthano, meaning “to learn.”  The logic of mathematics is the building block of true science; that is, seeking to discover and then apply the cause and effect of the material world and its forces which make up all of creation.  This is the stuff of science, yes, but this is also the stuff of God.  There is no such thing as “blind faith.”  We cannot believe what we cannot understand. (We can only believe in it, which is not the same thing).  Until and unless we grasp the truth of the logos of a thing, we will be unable to consistently live in the expression of its truth in our lives.

But you have not so learned (manthano) Christ; If so be that you have heard him (you came to an understanding of his logos), and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus;  Ephesians 4:20, 21

When and as the spirit of Christ is revealed within us, that is only the beginning of our walk.  We then apply the logic of our spiritual minds  (the mind of Christ), solving the “problem” of how that truth of Christ fits into our everyday thinking and acting and deciding and prioritizing and reasoning and doing.  Each instance of living like so is a lesson learned from the spirit of God within us.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples (matheetees) came unto him; Matthew 5:1

This is the first use of the word “disciple” in the Gospels.  The root word for the word “disciple” is manthano, to learn!  And to be Jesus’ disciple, one had to go to him to learn from him.  Now here’s an interesting thing.  This word matheetees, disciple, is never found in the Pauline epistles, which is that portion of the Bible which is specifically addressed to us today, which reveals the truths of the Christ within.  Perhaps the reason for this is that we don’t go to Jesus to learn; rather, he comes to us!  We don’t learn like those disciples learned from Jesus during the time of the four Gospels.  Today, we are taught by God via the spirit of the Christ within us, which over time transforms us into the very image of Christ.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord.  II Corinthians 3:18

The mathematics of God is the discovering of the practicality of the cause and effect of the spirit of Christ living within us.  As we learn the lessons of the spirit, which is directing our living and doing in harmony with the spirit of the Creator, our Father, we discover that we are taking on the very nature of the spirit of the Christ within.  Our mind is thus being transformed into the mind of Christ himself.

But the natural man (without the spirit of God) receives (into practice) not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know (gnosko – know by experience) them, because they are spiritually discerned (anakrino – investigate, determine, figure out a solution for).  But he that is spiritual discerns (anakrino) all things, yet he himself is discerned (anakrino) of no man.  For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?  (an Old Testament saying)?  But we have the mind of Christ!  I Corinthians 2:14-16

Having the mind of Christ, we have the spiritual ability to do spiritual math, to solve  problems with critical spiritual thinking and application.  Just be willing to learn of Christ.  Don’t expect others to understand where you’re coming from or even where you’re going.

The winds blows where it wants, and you hear the sound of it, but can’t tell where it’s coming from or where it’s going.  So is everyone that is born of the spirit.  John 3:8

Learn of Christ to use your logical mind to express his spirit through your everyday living, and you will enjoy the benefits of spiritual fruit abounding in your life to the glory of God.

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Did We Create God?

Posted on June 12, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Did God create us, or did we create God?  Because if we created God, then we’re going to have to work very hard (and many people do) to protect Him and justify His existence to others.  In this case, we’re not protecting God, actually, but rather are protecting our idea and self-creation of God.  We are protecting us!

If I have a stone, and I tell you I’m going to throw the stone down very hard on the ground, do you feel threatened?  Why not?  Because you didn’t create the stone, and you know that the stone “can take care of itself.”  Even if it breaks into pieces, what does that matter to you?

But if I tell you I don’t believe in the existence of God, would you feel threatened?   And if another has a doctrine concerning their God which differs from yours, do you get indignant and angry that it doesn’t agree with your understanding or doctrine?  If you do feel that way, perhaps it’s because the God you have is one you’ve created yourself; perhaps even using the Bible or the preaching of others to do so! Once you meet and get to know the one true God, you stop feeling threatened by anyone else’s unbelief (or misbelief).

(Jesus is speaking to his disciples)  These things have I spoken unto you, that you should not be offended (become indignant).  They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service.  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known (gnosko – known by experience) the Father, nor me.  John 16:1-3

The only reason a person gets offended, angry, indignant, argumentative when they disagree with your doctrine or understanding of the Bible, of God, of Jesus Christ himself, is because they don’t actually know God.  Rather, in the place of that personal spiritual relationship with God and with His son, Jesus Christ, they have manufactured their own God in their minds, staking their lives and well being on that very precarious supposition, that the God they’ve created is the one true God.  In actuality, they are their own gods!

For God does know that in the day you eat thereof (of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil), then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.  Genesis 3:5

Here’s what happened on that cursed day.  Instead of becoming like God, they lost their relationship (the eternal spirit) with the true God, and from then on had to create their own, or be their own. (In life today, instead of claiming to be God, people claim to be His true representative, to represent Him truly).   In being consigned to a life of having to be their own gods, they became enemies of the true God.

But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the spirit, even so it is now.  Galatians 4:29

It was the religious leaders of the day who desired and had Jesus, the Anointed of God, put to death.  They allowed the most vile of devil spirits to direct their paths, in having the son of God tortured and put to the worst possible death.  Why?  Because they, in their flesh, had a self-created and self-maintained construct of God (which was actually themselves), which they, being able to impose this self-constructed God on the people they lorded over, were severely threatened once the true, actual God came into their midst in the person of Jesus.  The true God and the false can not exist in peace in the same arena.

Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.  If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  But all these things (out of hate) will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent me.  John 15:20, 21

The Reformation of the 1500’s (and ever since), which is celebrated the world over, as the hegemony of the Roman Catholic Church was broken, did not bring about true spiritual freedom.  For in the place of the Roman Catholic Church came the Lutheran Church, the Calvinist Church, etc. etc.  One enslavement was exchanged for another.  (This is not to negate the countless individuals who received Christ and had a true relationship with God.)  If you were in the Lutheran Church, then you marched to the beat of the Lutheran-created God.  If you were in the Calvinist Church, then you either marched to the beat of the Calvin-created God, or you were either banished or put to death.  Today is not much different.  Except in Christ.

But living in an expression of the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things who is the head, Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint (spiritual relationship) supplies, according to the effectual working (of the spirit) in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:15, 16

I’ve actually heard the following in a Sunday sermon:  “It’s all by grace, there’s nothing you can do to earn God’s love… now here’s what you’ve got to do.”  Seriously!  Why the contradiction?  Why the need for one person to impose their ideas on others of work and effort needed to please their God?  Because their God is self-constructed and therefore a relationship with that God must be self-maintained.  This is not the truth, but a fabrication of man.

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, That he would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, 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 (gnosko – by experience) the love of Christ; which is the absolute pinnacle of all experience, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-19

This is what God can and will do for you if you come to the point in your life where you are tired of needing to maintain the construct of God in your mind; when you die to the self which created (and needed to create) that God, or even the need to be God,  and instead accept the work of the Christ into your life and heart.  He can not begin his work, until you have ceased from your own.

For Christ is the end of the law (and all the effort it requires) for righteousness to everyone that believes.  Romans 10:4

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law (which is by your own effort), but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in 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.  Galatians 2:16

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.  I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.  Galatians 2:20, 21

The Christ, Jesus, is our door into the presence of the actual true God, Creator of all good  things, visible and invisible.  Unless and until you are willing to surrender at the cross of Christ your idea of God and of what He demands of you, where all human effort has ceased in death, you will not be able to walk with the actual true God.  Christ is the life of God, planted in our hearts by the faith which God imparts when and where He reveals to us the spirit of His son.  Either you are willing to cease your own efforts and receive His efforts on your behalf, or you are still trying to do it on your own, partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  In this case you are living as if you are God, needing to create God in your own image, rather than allowing God to create you in His.

The transition not only begins in a moment of time, the first time God reveals to you Christ, but it continues after that by God continuing to reveal to you the spirit of His son in you.  “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” (Ephesians 3) “Faith comes by hearing…the word of God.” (Romans 10) = Christ dwells in your hearts by hearing the word of God.  Not by simply reading it, but by hearing it (which means by “getting it”), where it comes alive inside you.  When you are ready, you will hear God speak (reveal) to you the truth of Christ.  When you are done with all your own efforts, and lay them down at the cross of Jesus Christ, then God will be able to begin His own construction in your life.  Then life with the true God can begin.

Since you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.  Set your affection on things above (his work and accomplishments), not on things on the earth (your own).  For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  When Christ, our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory.  Colossians 3:1-4

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Kingdom of Heaven, Kingdom of God

Posted on May 2, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Since these terms are used so often in the Bible, in the New Testament anyway, let’s take a look at exactly what they mean.  Let’s clearly understand the difference between the two, so that from now on when we read these terms in the Bible, we know exactly what is being spoken of.

Kingdom – area  within which a king or other authority reigns supreme
Heaven – the spiritual realm

Just from reading the two terms, it should be clear that the kingdom of heaven is where the spiritual realm reigns supreme, and the kingdom of God is where God reigns supreme.  The kingdom of heaven is made up of two kingdoms:  The kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil.

And Jesus knew their (the Pharisees, who were accusing Jesus of casting out devils by the prince of devils) thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand; And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
Matthew 12:25, 26

“But wait,” you might think.  “Doesn’t God reign everywhere?”  The answer is no, He does not.  If He did, there would be no death or evil.  No, God gave man dominion over the earth, and God never took it back.  What Adam handed over to the serpent (the devil) when he got deceived, Jesus Christ has won back by his defeat of the devil.

From that time (after his temptations in the wilderness) Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 5:17

Why was the kingdom of heaven “at hand”  (meaning it was present right then, or about to be)?  Because though the kingdom of heaven existed before Jesus, it was never available to be manifested, or brought into understandable reality, to men prior to Jesus.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the spirit of truth; whom the world can not receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him; but you know him; for he dwells with you (being in Jesus) and shall be in you (beginning on the day of Pentecost).  John 14:16, 17

Though the kingdom of heaven was all around during the Old Testament, it was completely (except for rare occasions) hidden from view, until the son of God was manifested on the earth, beginning at his baptism by John.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him;  Matthew 3:17

The kingdom of heaven today includes God, angels (both good and evil), and the children of God, including the Christ.  These are the sum total of all spiritual beings.  The kingdom of God includes only God, His children and His angels.  Of course, when we speak of God, we are speaking of His spirit, which is what God is.

God is (a is not in the text) spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.  John 4:24

Angels, both good and evil, are also spirits, though they have at times manifested in physical form.   This is why, whenever the kingdom of heaven is spoken of, there are usually included good and evil, and often the idea of when the evil will be eradicated.

Here are a few parables which Jesus spoke concerning the kingdom of heaven, along with Scriptural references:
Matthew 13:3ff  The different seeds sown by the sower
Matthew 13:24ff  The sower and the tares
Matthew 13:47  The net which gathers good and bad fish

But the kingdom of God is all good.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the holy spirit.  Romans 14:17

So technically, the kingdom of God is a subset of the kingdom of heaven, as is the kingdom of the devil.  In the future, there will be no difference between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God.

Then comes the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdom (of heaven) to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.  I Corinthians 15:24, 25

When Paul was speaking of being caught up into the third heaven in II Corinthians, he wasn’t talking about a third level of heaven, but a chronologically third heaven.  God was revealing to him the spiritual realm with no devil.

… such an one caught up to the third heaven, II Corinthians 12:2b

In the first heaven, there was God and His spirits and there was no evil and Lucifer was the angel of light.  In the second heaven, Lucifer made war with God and has been cast down and his ability to operate is bound to earth.  He is the god of (spiritual) darkness and death and is called the devil.  In the third heaven, all evil spirits will have been destroyed in the lake of fire, and heaven will be once again and for ever be all good, containing God and His spirits and in addition His children (us).  This is the heaven which Paul saw when he was “caught away.”  He saw a future heaven, perhaps even its manifestation.

As there are three heavens, so are there three earths.  The first is described by Genesis 1:1, which came to ruin, as described in Genesis 1:2.  The making of the second earth is described in the verses following Genesis 1:2, and is the earth we live on today.  The third earth is described in Peter and Revelation, among others.

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat.  Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.  II Peter 3:12, 13

Today, the kingdom of heaven is entered into by man walking in the spirit, and only by a bold confidence to enter into the spiritual battle.  It is not for the faint of heart!  Without having the spirit of God, you can’t even enter into the spiritual battle.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in the heavenly realm.  Ephesians 6:12

In conclusion, when we speak of the kingdom of God (and in the book of Acts this is what is recorded as being what Paul preached all the time), we are speaking of where the spirit of God has its way.  Though the term may include a reference to the kingdom of God exerting itself in the physical world, the term itself only directly refers to the spiritual realm where God’s will reigns supreme.

Our Father, Who art in heaven, holy be Your name.  Your kingdom come (when your kingdom manifests itself in this physical world), your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Matthew 6:9a, 10

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Are We Free to Sin in Christ?

Posted on January 18, 2021 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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If you ignore the law in order to become transformed unto Christ by his spirit, you are free indeed, able to express the glory of God.
If you ignore the law for any other reason, you are simply a lawbreaker.
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Ever been sharing the gospel and some wise soul responds with, “Well, if we’re not under the law, does that mean we can just go out and murder somebody?”  Of course, they usually have a smug smile of satisfaction on their face, figuring they’ve presented you with a question that can’t be answered.  Well, here is an answer to that type of thinking.

Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that you should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  Romans 7:4

The word “married” is very incorrectly translated in this verse, being the Greek word genesthai, which is the 2nd person aorist infinitive of ginomai (“married” is the Greek word ganeoo).This word ginomai means to be generated or to become or to be produced.  It can be understood as a being created or produced or modeled, like a sculptor produces a sculpture.  As he works, the sculptor is creating or producing something which is becoming something.

The 2nd person (you, your) aorist (action initiated in the past) infinitive, means this specific word in Romans should be translated “you to have become.”  I know that seems clumsy all by itself, but lets plug it into the rest of the verse in which it sits.

Wherefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law by the body of the Christ; unto (eis-with the immediate and intended result being for) you to have been generated to another, who was raised out from among the dead, in order that we should bring forth fruit unto God.  Romans 7:4

I find this final phrase, “that we should bring forth fruit unto God,”  fascinating, because this exact same word ginomai is used in describing  how a tree produces, or generates fruit!

What Romans 7:4 is telling us is that the body of the Christ (referring to the physical body of Jesus, who was the Christ, dying on the cross) caused us to be dead to the law (that we were married to) with the result being that we immediately began to be modeled, or generated or produced, or molded, or developed toward becoming like the risen one.  Why, for what purpose?  For the purpose that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.  So (in this manner) shall you be my disciples.  John 15:8

If you are no longer under the law for any other reason than becoming like Christ, you are simply a law breaker.  But if you are in the freedom from the law brought about by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, then you are so in order to be made like he is today.

 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as he is, so are we in this world.  I John 4:17

This understanding of why we are freed from the law, what righteously frees us from the law and to what end, is borne out in other sections of scripture.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things (the law, walking by the flesh-our passions, lusts and worldly wisdom) are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God,
II Corinthians 5:17, 18a

But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin?  God forbid.  For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Galatians 2:17-19

This last verse may inspire the question, “how am I dead to the law through the law?”  The law itself indicates that a man is under the law as long as he is alive (in the flesh).  The next verse in Galatians indicates the solution to the question.

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 2:20

The death of Jesus Christ became my death, with the result that his life (resurrected life) becomes my new life.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved); And has raised us up together (with him) and made us sit together in heavenly (realms) in Christ Jesus;  Ephesians 2:4-6

Because the death of Jesus has become our death, his entailing freedom from the law has become our freedom from the law, the end result being that his becoming glorified unto God and bearing much fruit becomes our becoming glorified unto God and bearing much fruit.

That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first hoped in Christ.  In whom, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.  Ephesians 1:12-14

Becoming like Christ can only be accomplished by the spirit of Christ, and can only occur apart from the law, for the law deals with our flesh, and becoming like Christ only happens in the spirit.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind (which deals with the law) is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God (the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus from vs. 2), neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh can not please God.   Romans 8:6-8

Outside of the spirit of Christ, which is continually generating us unto the becoming like Christ, there is no pleasing of God, no glorifying of God or bearing spiritual fruit.  There is only the law, the flesh and death.
Outside the law are two possibilities:  1)  Being a law breaker; or 2) Becoming like Christ.
The choice is yours.  1) Be under the law; 2) Be a lawbreaker; 3) Be becoming like Christ.  Choose one.
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Vengeance is Mine

Posted on September 27, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.  Romans 12:19

I used to think God was saying the same thing twice in this verse; that vengeance equaled paying someone back for the evil they’d done to me.  But no, that is not what this verse is saying!

I was a partner in a company that had done over a million dollars worth of business in its first full year of operation.  One day I came to the office and everything had been cleared out by the other two partners.  Over the next two weeks it became clear to me that I was going to be held responsible for most of the debt obligations the company had incurred, even though the means of paying those obligations had been taken from me.  I had a young family (5 kids under 7 years of age), a mortgage, car payments, and the means to support myself and my family had been immorally taken from me.

I tried for a year and a half to float everything, but in the end I had to declare bankruptcy, a very humiliating thing.  Within a year after that, I had been restored as whole, financially, as I had ever been.  Most importantly, I had no ill will toward the two ex-partners who had robbed me.  I credit the truth of the above verse with doing both for me… restoring me financially, while protecting my heart from any bitterness or anger or hostility of any kind.  Rather, I gloried in God’s provision and love for me!

Here’s how it happened:  When my whole financial well-being began to crumble, due to the crookedness of my partners, I went to this verse, praying for God to protect my heart from becoming bitter.  That is when God taught me what this verse really means, and it saved my soul from destruction, as well as my finances!

When I decided to research this verse, the first thing I did was read the verses before and after, as my manner is, in order to make sure I was understanding the proper context of what God was saying:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice; holy, acceptable unto God, which is your logical religious service.  Romans 12:1

Since Romans chapters 9, 10 and 11 are parenthetical, Romans 12:1 can be read immediately after Romans 8:39.

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 8:39

Therefore, because I am persuaded that nothing shall be able to separate me from God’s love, found in Christ, I am positioned to present my body (figure of speech, synecdoche… a part representing the whole… my body, representing everything that makes me, me) a living sacrifice.  That is, every aspect of my life is rightfully at God’s disposal.

And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.  Romans 12:2

To “prove” means to put to the test, to the end that what you think is true actually produces the promised results in your life.  This proving eliminates the need for dogma in anyone’s life.  Dogma is what we think is true but which is unproven in our life; that is, that which we think is true has not been put to the test to the end it has produced fruit (the promised result) in our life.  Dogma is unproven beliefs, unfruitful beliefs.

All the rest of Romans 12, and all the way through to the end of Romans, is the material (knowledge, thoughts, call to action, etc.) we need to put to the test the love of God in our lives, which love is found in Christ Jesus our Lord.  This is the context of Romans 12:19, speaking of vengeance.

Now let’s take a look at the verses before and after Romans 12:19.

Recompense to no man evil for evil.  Provide things honest in the sight of all men:  If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.  (Then verse 19)  Therefore, if your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:17, 18, 20, 21.

The heaping of coals of fire on one’s head was a cultural expression of warmth and invitation.  Not having matches to start fires, neighbors would band together, taking turns keeping the fire going overnight.  Early in the morning, especially a chilly morning, the one who was responsible would heap coals from the night’s fire into a large metal bowl, carrying it on their head (warming them) as they went around to the neighbors, giving them coals to start their own fires.

So how does not recompensing evil for evil, living peaceably with all, providing necessities for enemies, and overcoming evil with good fit in with paying someone back for the evil they have done to you?  How does vengeance fit in with me not being overcome by evil, instead paying back my partners for them screwing me out of, what was to me at the time, a small fortune?

I pondered these things, and then God opened up the eyes of my understanding, and I realized the “paying back” (recompense, repayment) was talking about God paying me back for what had been stolen from me.  He would take care of the vengeance on those two partners, and He would have a right to do so, because he was “buying” their debt to me by paying me back that debt.  Yup, that is what Romans 12:19 is saying.

Ever heard of a factoring service?  You’ve probably used one, whenever you bought something on time.  When you buy a $2,500 bedroom set, for instance, with “No money down and 12 months to pay,” you’re using a factoring service… or rather, the furniture company is.  The furniture company sells the $2,500 debt to the factoring company for, say, $2,300.00, giving the factor the right to collect the $2,500 from you.  This is what God is saying here.  I’ll buy the right to enact vengeance on whoever stole from you, by paying you back whatever was stolen from you.

Oh what sweet release!  When God revealed to me the truth of verse 19, I was set free in an instant of time.  I’d been taken for over $100,000, and in that instant of time I “sold” that debt to God, along with any need for vengeance toward those two ex-partners.  Over the next 2-3 years, God repayed me plus interest!  And any time I ever thought of those two men, even to this day, I think, “It’s up to God to exact vengeance for what they’ve done to me.  I wouldn’t want to be them.”  And really?  I hold not one bit of animosity toward them at all.  I often think, “I wouldn’t want to be them.  Better to be taken than to do the taking.”

God paid me back that entire $100,000, and freed my heart from any bitterness, anger or animosity of any kind.  That is the power of the truth of God’s love for me, all contained in the spirit of Christ which resides within me, and from which I will never be separated.

If you have been wronged or robbed, been treated horribly or unfairly, and carry any bitterness in your heart whatsoever toward others because of it, I encourage you to “sell” that debt to God Himself.  He will pay back to you every single thing that is owed you, freeing you from the burden of needing to exact revenge.  Leave the vengeance up to God, knowing that He is a just judge.  That debt will be repaid to Him, whether by the wrongdoer himself, or by the sacrifice of His son, Jesus Christ.

I’ll be paying you back whatever’s been stolen from you; you leave the revenge against your wrongdoers up to me, says the Lord.
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Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

Mercy and Kindness
Learning to Recognize the Voice of God
The Death of Dogma

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And Index of Studies 161 – 170

Posted on May 17, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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The topics covered in the 10 indexed studies listed below are:

How any type of bondage eliminates the ability to love
How life is different from mere existence
Is Jesus the only way to God?  Yes and no.
No one is a minister of Biblical research.  What is its purpose?
Think you understand Genesis 1 re: creation?  Maybe so, maybe not.
Man says to be a master, self control comes first.  God says otherwise.
Who or what exactly is God?
Understand Jesus’ relationship with his Father and you can know God.
Who or what is this Holy Spirit?
What a life in balance looks and feels like.  How to get it.  Its benefits.

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Love Requires Freedom – Having a debt or obligation to any person or thing will get in the way of our ability to love others.  God’s love operates only within total freedom, including the freedom to not love.

What is Life? – The meaning of life is dependent on its context.  When the context is God, then life is severely differentiated from mere existence.  It has qualities and characteristics which are the very nature of God, and it is the primary thing required in order for us to have a relationship with Him.

Is Jesus the Only Way to God?  – Most Christians believe that believing in Jesus is the only way to God, but that is inaccurate.  There is another way, but the God thus encountered is not as enjoyable.  Eternal life is also obtainable without believing in Jesus, but at what risk?

The Role of Bible Research – Many are the Biblical researchers who fancy themselves ministers of God, but there is no ministry of biblical researcher in the Bible.  So what is the role of biblical research?  To prove your doctrine to others?  To put together an awesome teaching?  To make others dependent on your knowledge and understanding of the Bible.  Let’s take a look.

What Difference Does it Make – Genesis 1 contains the record of creation.  Many think they understand it, yet have never read it in depth.  This study goes line by line, and for every answer there seems to come another question.  In the end, what difference does it make to our relationship with God?

Self Control Comes Last– In order to get ahead in life, the world teaches that the first thing to be laid hold of is self control.  We are to will our way to our goals and our success in life.  But in the economy of God, self control actually comes last, and then only as a result of the obtaining of a number of other qualities, love being the first, out of which all other qualities flow.

Who and What is God – Impossible to grasp with the human mind, God is truly revealed to those who have His nature.  What is that nature, and what are the qualities which accompany that nature?  His nature is what He is.  How He interacts with us is who He is.

Jesus and his Father – To understand who Jesus actually was and is, and what he actually was and is, study what his relationship with God was and is.  And then be lifted up by the realization that what Jesus was and is; that’s what we are to be also.  Take a look at how Jesus related to his Father, God; and thus you’ll be able to come into a clearer, more powerful realization of what is possible for you.

Who or What is the Holy Spirit  – The Holy Spirit is the least understood of the three members of the Holy Trinity.  Why is that?  Well, let’s take a close look in the Bible at this vital truth.  Is the Holy Spirit a he or an it?  Why is Holy Spirit capitalized sometimes, and not sometimes?  What is the holy spirit’s relationship with Jesus, with God, with the Father, with us?  Does the Holy Spirit have specific functions, or jobs, different from Jesus or the Father?  This study and the one immediately above can set you on a new, much more powerfully enlightening course in your Biblical study.

The Perfectly Balanced Life – It is impossible for a man to bring his life into perfect balance, though he spend all his years endeavoring to do just that.  Most think their lives already are in balance (well, except for these couple minor, insignificant things).  The balance that Jesus Christ can bring your life is incredibly different from anything you’ve experienced before, and it allows the living of our lives to be faster, smoother and more enjoyable – like driving a car on the interstate with all wheels balanced.
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The SECOND Book

Posted on May 8, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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My second book in the series is now available for purchase. MORE CHRIST – THE ULTIMATE IN HUMAN EXPERIENCE. Now available on Amazon, where you’ll need to type in my name (Steve Hartlaub) in order to find the book, as it doesn’t come up by merely typing in the title.  Or you can simply click on the link below.

More Christ – The Ultimate in Human Experience

 Here’s what a spiritual leader in Texas had to say about this book:
“I don’t read books quickly, usually it takes a week or two, but I read your book in three days. A real “page turner” as they say; when I put it down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it.  “More Christ” is spectacular, life-changing and worthy of wide distribution.”

The first book, Give Me Christ … Revelations of the Glorified Christ is also available on Amazon

 

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The Right Hand of God

Posted on March 28, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

. .What is the right hand of God?  Where is the right hand of God?  In discovering the answer to these questions, remember this:  The quest for God and for truth is always upward and inward.  Never outward or downward. … Continue reading →

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Unimpeachable

Posted on March 13, 2020 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Impeach: –  to call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice).

I ran across a thread on facebook the other day, involving a number of Christians who were discussing whether a person who was divorced and then got remarried was an adulterer (adulteress) or not.  If so, could he/she be forgiven, seeing as they were living in this sin of adultery, being married to another.  Of course they were using the Bible to try and come to a definite conclusion.  This was a very serious discussion among very serious Christians.

For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he lives; So then if, while her husband lives, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress;… Romans 7:2a, 3a

Many ideas were offered, and some were quite unceremoniously shot down, especially mine, which sought to instruct as to the truth that we are no longer under the law.   I find it interesting that in discussing what they believe to be true, people can wander so far from it as regards their behavior and attitudes toward those with whom they do not agree!  As if dogmatic agreement is much more important than loving one another and walking in peace and joy!

So today I was in my morning reading of Scripture, and ran across these verses in Colossians:

And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind (logic center of thought)  by wicked works, yet now has he (Jesus) reconciled  in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable (unimpeachable, blameless) in His (God’s) sight;
Colossians 1:21, 22

When I read these verses this morning, the question which came to my mind was, are we unreproveable, blameless, unimpeachable now, in this day?  Or is this speaking about a condition which occurs when we are gathered together with the Lord, at the rapture?  If we are blameless today, then it is wrong to spend so much time focusing on sin like so many Christians do.

E. W. Bullinger, in his Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament has this to say of the word “unimpeachable” – not accused, with nothing laid to one’s charge (as the result of public investigation); though blamed, yet undeserving of blame.

As regards possible wrongdoing by a person in public office, an investigation occurs to determine whether or not charges should be brought.  If there is a determination made that blame for some behavior should be brought to bear, based on an accepted standard of behavior, a person in public office is impeached..  Only then, after being impeached, are charges formally made and the person brought to trial, at which trial a final determination of guilt or innocence is made.

Since after the return of Christ there will be no “investigations” made into any of the believers’ thoughts, attitudes or behaviors, Colossians 1:22 must be speaking of today!  Today, though a believer behave in a manner which would (or might) instigate an investigation, a determination is made in each case that no charges are to be brought against the believer; there is no sin for which a verdict of guilt will be sought.  Today, there is no blame to be laid at the believer’s feet by God!  For anything!

Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?  God, Who justifies?  Who is he that condemns?  Christ who died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us?  Romans 8:33,34

This word “unreproveable” from Colossians 1:22, (“unimpeachable, blameless”) is the Greek word anegkletos, and is used four other times in the New Testament, each being translated “blameless.”   This word anegkletos differs from the five other Greek words translated blameless, in that it includes the strong idea that a thorough investigation of someone has been carried out before the decision is made to lay no charges, to assign no blame.  Something has been investigated – some behavior, action, attitude – but, in the end, that thing is decided to not be worthy of seeking to assign guilt.

Who (our Lord Jesus Christ) shall also confirm you unto (eos – until)  the end, blameless (anegkletos)  in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:8

Hey, you did something not quite right here.  We need to investigate!  Okay, as a result of our investigation into what you did, a decision has been made to not bring you to trial.  You are free to go.

Here’s a good example.  Let’s say I own an apple orchard which produces an abundance of delicious apples.  Late one night I get drunk and I take a chain saw and cut down a number of apple trees.  In the morning, my neighbor sees the destruction and calls the police, who  come and do an investigation.  They discover that I got drunk on my own property, and that I destroyed my own trees.  My behavior was immature, destructive and stupid.  But, after the investigation is completed, it is decided not to bring charges against me.  Even though what I did was not the brightest or beneficial, I broke no laws in doing them.  I am unimpeachable.

How can we who believe be counted guilty of sin (which means “to miss the mark”) when we are the mark!  How can laws and judgments which were applied to servants of God, for the purpose of determining how well, or how poorly they were performing, be used against children of God, whose seating at God’s own right hand is already an accomplished finality?  We are so far beyond all those rules and regulations and laws and judgments!

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

If I keep doing what I did that one night when I got  drunk, I’m going to become physically broken down and will no longer have an apple orchard in a very short period of time.  Nonetheless, even if that were to happen, no charges would ever be brought against me because no law is being broken.  I am unimpeachable.  And so, as children of God and joint heirs of all of creation with Christ (it’s all ours!), even though we at times speak and act poorly, destructively, uncharitably; we are unimpeachable – because it all belongs to us anyway!

Therefore let no man glory in men.  For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.  I Corinthians 3:21-23

Today in the heavenly economy of the church, the body of Christ, there exists no carnal law to which a son of God who is in Christ is subject (the law is for the ungodly).  Each believer, being re-created in the image of God as a beloved child,  is an heir of all creation.  We are literally born of His being, of His nature.  Any “sin” a believer commits in this day of redemption is only something stupid, destructive, immature and is absolutely not disqualifying in any way.  No charges are ever brought by God or by Jesus Christ against one in whom the spirit of Christ dwells, for no law is broken, seeing as believers are not under the law which God gave to Moses for the nation of Israel.

(There may be consequences/punishment meted out by civil governmental authorities for poor behavior which breaks governmental laws – this possibility is not being addressed by this study).

Likewise must the deacons (diakonous – those who serve) be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre (dishonorable gain); Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.  And let these also first be proved; then let them serve in their function, being blameless. (anegkletos)  I Timothy 3:8-10

Obviously these “deacons” were not expected to be perfect in all ways – without error, free from mistakes.  They were simply exhorted to perform their service within the “confines” of Christ.  In the spirit of Christ there is no law which deals with the flesh.  No charges can be brought against the believer who carries out his service to the body of Christ in the spirit of Christ.  Mistakes will be made.  Errors in judgment will occur.  The devil will trick and trip with his deceit, but no charges will ever be brought by God against the believer who is in Christ.

If any be blameless (anegkletos), the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.  For an overseer must be blameless (anegkletos), as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker (lashes out at others), not given to filthy lucre (dishonorable gain);  But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;  Titus 1:6-8

One of the necessary traits for those with a responsibility of service in and to the body of Christ is not that they are without sin, but that they learn how to live their lives within the spirit of Christ, unimpeachable.  They learn to live in the judgment of Christ and not the judgment of the law or the judgment of men.  The only way to live an unimpeachable life is to live in the justification which only the life of Christ brings.

If you live under the law which governs the flesh, then you have not fully accepted the gift of Christ.  Like all those Christians who spent so much time arguing about whether or not someone who had remarried was, or could be forgiven, you are yet in your sinful flesh.  We who serve our Lord Jesus Christ are not required to be without error – we are simply unimpeachable!  And in that freedom which accompanies unimpeachability, we are free to grow forever greater in Christ.
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Related Studies

If you enjoyed how this study challenged your thinking and opened up your understanding of Christ, click on one of the related studies below:

Holy and Without Blame
Justified, what it means
Sin Hunters

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