Christian Maturity

(Heb.10:18) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. That is, through the offering up of Christ, all of those who were separated from their sins were sanctified. So, in this we see what we have by faith, what we have by position in Christ. Now God is expecting us to bear the fruit of what we have in Christ. He’s given it to us as a gift. We have to reach out and take it by faith, and accept it, and confess it! We have to believe with our heart and confess with our mouth unto this salvation that we’re speaking about.

We can see that sanctification has already been given and that’s our position. But look at 1 Thessalonians 3:11, where it speaks about the manifestation of sanctification, or holiness. In most places in the Bible, “sanctification” and “holiness” come from the same word – hagiasmos. (1Th.3:11) Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: (12) and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also [do] toward you; (1Th.3:13) to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness….

“Holiness” here is one of the words for “sanctification.” Well, if there’s an “end” that we’re coming to and it is to be established in holiness, or sanctification, then this is not the same thing he was just talking about in Hebrews 10. There he says we “have been sanctified.” Here he is saying that we’re looking forward to being sanctified. This is talking about the manifestation of sanctification, or the manifestation of holiness. As a matter of fact, this particular word for “holiness” is hagiosune and it means “sanctification manifested” in our actions, in our works. That’s what God desires, not just sanctification in heavenly places, which was given to us as a gift from Christ, but manifested in our works.

So He has commanded us to partake of what He’s already provided, as our position in Christ. This is hagiosune. (1Th.3:13) To the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. What he’s saying is, “You have to be ready for that time, when the Lord comes with all of His saints.” He’s talking about those who have passed on before, the dead in Christ. He’s saying, “You have to be unblameable and in holiness at that time, sanctified to the purpose that God has for His Church, that spotless, blemishless Church.” We have to be ready for the Lord when He comes. Now we’re seeing that this happens through the manifestation of sanctification, this word hagiosune, which is a derivative of hagiasmos. It specifically addresses the manifestation of the works of sanctification in a person’s life.

Let’s look at another place where hagiosune is used: (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This verse uses the same word hagiosune. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord…. Holiness, sanctification: this is something that God has given us to do. We exercise our faith in the promises and through this we perfect sanctification.

So we see that there is a way in which we’ve been given sanctification and holiness by position, and there is a way in which God is telling us, “Okay, since I’ve given this to you, now take it by faith.” The only way we can apprehend what God has given unto us is to take it by faith.

1 Thessalonians agrees with this: (1Th.4:1) Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk, that ye abound more and more. (2) For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. (3) For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification…. But we just read in Hebrews 10 that this has already been given to us as a gift. We need to understand that God is proving who the true believers are. Many people are religious and quite content to say, “Okay, I’m holy.” That’s simple. But they don’t realize that God wants that holiness of Christ, that hagiosune that we just read about to be manifested in our life, in our heart and in our works.

God has called us in sanctification and He wants us to apprehend all of what sanctification is. (1Th.5:23) And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly … (or “completely” or “perfectly”). It’s the same word. This is what perfection is, friends. (23) … May your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire (in other words, no garment spotted by the flesh), without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24) Faithful is he that calleth you (that is, invites you to partake of this), who will also do it. In other words, the Lord will manifest it. He expects us to walk by faith, but He will manifest this in us. He will manifest the gift that He has given us through Jesus Christ.

This same truth is “manifested” in quite a few other places, for instance, where Paul speaks of our Passover, Who is Christ. (1Co.5:7) Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our Passover also hath been sacrificed, [even] Christ: (8) wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

He goes on to question, “What are we to do if we’re to be unleavened and leaven comes into our midst?” Malice and wickedness come into our midst, which he was talking about in the previous text, when he spoke of a man who had his father’s wife. Paul turned him over to the devil for the destruction of his flesh so that the spirit might be saved in the Day of the Lord, so he’s telling us to cast out these people.

In other words, God is expecting a manifestation of sanctification for those who have faith. He’s making these people responsible. (9) I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; (10) not at all [meaning] with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: (11) but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. He’s talking about eating the Passover. He’s talking about partaking of the Word of God.

People who are coming to God, who repent, who change their mind and believe the Gospel, walk away from immorality. His warning is here: (1Co.6:9) Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. He’s talking to Christians; he’s not talking about the people in the world. He said the church judges those who are within.

I’d like to point out another Scripture, as well: (2Th.2:13) But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation (Here it is again!) in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is the way to manifest our salvation. We’ve been saved by faith, but now it has to be manifested. Salvation is Jesus Christ. If we want to know what it looks like, it looks like Jesus Christ. (Col.1:27) … Christ in you, the hope of glory. The only hope of glory is “Christ in you,” 30-, 60- and 100-fold.

He says here, He “chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” This is part of it. We can’t have sanctification by the Spirit unless we believe the truth. Believing the truth is what gives us grace. Grace is what gives us sanctification.

Grace is God’s unmerited favor. We don’t take one step toward God without His favor, and that comes by exercising faith in the truth. It’s very important whom we sit under, whom we believe, whom we let sit next to us. The Bible is very plain that [a] little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). If you’re sitting in a church where they permit the grossest of sinners in there, and they call it grace, what they’re doing is “turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness” (Jud.1:4), a license to do what you want to do. ‘If it’s okay for the next guy to do it, it’s okay for me to do it.’ And everything that comes out his mouth, and everything that witnesses to me of his life is going into me. He says, A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump (Gal.5:9). So He’s warning us.

(2Th.2:14) Whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We’ve been given this glory from the sacrifice of Christ, but He wants us to obtain the glory, or, in other words, for it to be manifested in this realm. “Manifestation” means “becoming seen; becoming visible” in this realm. The Lord is demanding that we obtain His glory. It can only come through the truth and our faith in the truth, which brings us sanctification. (Heb.12:14) Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification (or “holiness,” hagiasmos) without which no man shall see the Lord.

So now he speaks to Christians, to whom he just got through telling, “By which will we have been sanctified” (Heb.10:10). (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. Sanctification is this process of perfection. He’s saying that this has been given to us freely, and now we are to follow after this, to Follow after … the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb.12:14).

It’s not good enough for us to just believe in the position that we have in Christ, although that position affords us great benefits, and without that, we have no way to obtain sanctification. (15) Looking carefully lest [there be] any man that falleth short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you,] and thereby the many be defiled; (16) lest [there be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one mess of meat sold his own birthright.

What was his birthright? Well, obviously, according to the text, sanctification, but because of following after the flesh, or meat, he sold his birthright. He was a son of Abraham, he had birthright, but he lost it. That’s what Esau represents, a Christian who lost his birthright. Some don’t believe that can happen, but they’re wrong. (17) For ye know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected; for he found no place for a change of mind [in his father], though he sought it diligently with tears. He found no place for a change of mind. He desired it, he knew that he needed it. He wanted fire insurance, but God wouldn’t give it to him.

In the Parable of the Sower, it was the seed, which was the Word, that brought forth the fruit. (17) Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth. Not man’s theology, nothing other than His pure Word is truth. (18) As thou didst send me into the world, even so sent I them into the world. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. What is Jesus saying? He was saying that He was sanctifying Himself so that His disciples could be sanctified in the truth that was manifested through Him.

We can’t get sanctification from someone who doesn’t speak the truth, or someone who’s not walking in sanctification themselves. They’re just leaven and they’re going to leaven you. Don’t sit underneath them and don’t fellowship with those who are walking in sin. Fellowship is giving and receiving, and you don’t want to receive things from these people. It’s like partaking of unclean beasts. We’re forbidden to do this. So Jesus said, “I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in the truth.” While walking with Jesus, it sanctified those disciples pretty quickly.

We have a method given to us by God to help us be able to imagine sanctification, to imagine that it is our gift and that we can walk in it. (Rom.6:1) What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? I tell you, a lot of people believe that. They believe, “Oh, it’s the grace of God. I’m a sinner saved by grace and my sins just magnify His grace.” But He says, not so. If you were sanctified, you’d better walk in it. (2) God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein? (3) Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

That’s for the death of the old man. When you went down in that water, the old “you” died. The One that came up was Jesus Christ. (4) We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. So when you come up, you should be able to walk in newness of life. You have the authority over sin that you didn’t have before, by this act of faith.

Baptism is an act of faith. It’s a way in which our imagination can connect our faith with what God has given. It’s the faith that does the work, not the water. The water represents the washing with the Word of God, but it’s not the water that cleanses you physically. It’s your faith that does it, you see, (Rom.6:4) … so we also might walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have become united with [him] in the likeness of his death (the likeness being baptism, buried in water, the Word of God, which puts to death the old man), we shall be also [in the likeness] of his resurrection.

We’re accepting this gift by faith when we’re baptized. (6) Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin. Notice that he said it “might be done away.” It’s not a surety that it will be done, even though this gift has been given to all of the saints. All of God’s people have received this gift, but we have to fight to grasp it. (2Co.7:1) Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

(Rom.6:7) [F]or he that hath died is justified from sin. (8) But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him; (9) knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him. (and neither does it with us) (10) For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin (in other words, consider it done, accept it by faith), but alive unto God in Christ Jesus. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof. So we see we have the authority to say no to sin; and notice that it’s through our faith because we “reckon” that we’re “dead unto sin” and “alive unto God.”

Are you a believer? Do you believe that Jesus took away the sin that you’re struggling with right now? Do you believe that you can cast this thing down by faith in Jesus Christ? (18) And being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness. You don’t have to “any longer live therein” (Rom.6:2). You can cast it down. (19) … Present your members [as] servants to righteousness unto sanctification. … (22) But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto sanctification…. You have it already. It’s been given to you. Glory be to God!

Usually I study the Parable of the Sower out of Matthew 13, but I would like us to look at Luke this time. (Luk.8:4) And when a great multitude came together, and they of every city resorted unto him, he spake by a parable: (5) The sower went forth to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden under foot, and the birds of the heaven devoured it. (6) And other fell on the rock; and as soon as it grew, it withered away, because it had no moisture. (7) And other fell amidst the thorns; and the thorns grew with it, and choked it.

(8) And other fell into the good ground, and grew, and brought forth fruit a hundredfold. As he said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (9) And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. (10) And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. (11) Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

(12) And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. (13) And those on the rock [are] they who, when they have heard, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

So obviously, we’re talking about the manifestation of perfection, which is to bring fruit to perfection. Notice, even though they were receiving the seed, they didn’t bring the fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience. These bring forth fruit unto perfection. Glory to God! That’s our hope, that the Lord Himself will manifest His fruit in us.

It’s the seed that brings forth the fruit unto perfection; it’s not us. It’s the seed, the Word of God in us, that has power. One of the points is that we have to hold it fast, hold fast the seed. We see that the seed is being sown in the heart (verse 11) and the seed is the Word of God. If the heart holds it fast, it will bring forth fruit unto perfection. (12) And those by the wayside are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved. Here the Word is not held fast so that it bears fruit; this is a miscarrying womb.

The heart is the womb that brings forth the fruit, just like the womb of a woman has to hold fast the seed in order for that seed to come to birth. (1Jn.3:9) Whosoever is begotten (the word “begotten” here is the same word for “born”) of God doeth no sin, because his seed abideth in him…. In other words, it stays, it’s being held fast, it “abideth in him.” He cannot sin because he is born of God. So, when the seed abides, it can come to birth, it can bring the fruit to perfection. And we know, since the seed is the Word of God, and Jesus is the Word of God, that the fruit that is born in us is “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:27); that is, Christ manifested in His people.

We know that we were perfected at the cross, that His life was given for ours, and that we don’t live anymore – Christ lives in us by faith. But as we hold fast the promise in the midst of the many trials of riches, temptations, and so on, as we hold on to the Word, that Word will bear fruit. Many times in the trial, our mind wants to revert back to the things of the world. Our mind wants to walk by sight instead of by faith, but in the trial, we have opportunity to hold on to the Word and not turn it loose, so that it bears the same fruit of Jesus Christ in us, the same faith, the same miraculous power, the same sanctifying power, manifested through His saints.

When we’re in the midst of the trial, we are tempted to go back to our old thinking, but what we have to do is hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. (2Co.10:5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. That’s the whole point: we are to hold fast to the Word and cast down everything else. Cast down the seed of the devil, which is his word. Cast it down, cast it out of our mind. We only want the one seed that can bring forth the fruit of Christ. That’s the only seed we want to accept and we have to hold fast to it, because the devil is seeking to take away the seed that’s been sown in our heart. He desperately has to do that, or we will bear fruit and it will be too late.

When you’re in the fiery trial and you know what the promise is, remember, that promise is the seed that you have to hold to in order to bear the fruit. We don’t want to have a spiritually-miscarrying womb. Remember, Jesus said, The words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life (Joh.6:63). Any other word besides the Word of God is also spirit and is also life, but not the spirit and life of Christ. We don’t want another life.

We don’t want to have “strange children,” as the prophet spoke: (Hos.5:7) “They have borne strange children”. We read the Scriptures in order to become familiar with the Father, Jesus said, He that hath seen me hath seen the Father (Joh.14:9). In other words, He Himself manifested His Father. He was a seed which was in line with His Father, and we have to also be a seed. The fruit in us has to also be a seed which is in line with our Father.

Remember the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? The word there for “seed” is the word sperma, letting us know this is not just talking about plants here. The Word, sperma, is what’s going to bring forth this wheat. When a person sows good seed in their field, the Lord’s sperma is there. Who sowed those tares among the wheat? Jesus said, “an enemy hath done this” (Mat.13:28). Two seeds sown in the same field is not supposed to be. The field He is talking about is in the Kingdom of God on this earth. But in our life, it’s up to us to make sure we cast down the bad seed, which is, “imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God” (2Co.10:5). Receive only and hold fast to the good seed because the good seed will bring forth the birth.

Belief gives fertile ground to the seed, which will bear fruit when a person agrees with it, accepts it and walks in it by faith. We fight a battle with the devil, who has an ally, the old carnal nature, working with him and against us. The devil can steal the seed because he has agreement in the carnal nature, which washes the seed away. The carnal nature won’t let that seed be held fast, so that it can bear fruit. We must hold to the Word of God, as 2 Thessalonians says: (1:10) When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marvelled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day. Why? “Our testimony unto you was believed.” Jesus is coming to be glorified in His people because that testimony of “Christ in you, the hope of glory” will be believed “in that day.”

When was this spoken? This is talking about the time immediately before the coming of the Lord; look at the text. So, right before the coming of the Lord, God’s people are once again going to believe in the Gospel that has been spoken to the “woman” church. Remember what Jesus said: (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. (Mat.8:13) … As thou hast believed, [so] be it done unto thee. Do you believe that the seed of the promise of the Word of God can bring forth Jesus Christ in you? If you do, it will happen.

Also, we have this word: (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The word “perfection” here is a strange word not used anywhere else in the Bible. It’s the word telesphoreo. There’s a common word for “perfection” – teleios – but this word is telesphoreo and it means “to bring to perfection” or “end in view.” In other words, we have to see the end from the beginning. We have to call these things that be not as though they were.

We’re “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (to look in the mirror and see Jesus; that’s having farsightedness) and “are transformed into” that “same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” And Paul prefaces that with, “But we all, with unveiled face,” so this telesphoreo we see from the beginning. We’re seeing it, accepting it and we’re walking toward it, and we’re going to receive it by faith. Cast down the words of man.

This revelation of perfection will be restored. (Luk.8:14) And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. (15) And that in the good ground, these are such as in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it fast, and bring forth fruit with patience.

This phrase, “They … bring no fruit to perfection,” obviously implies that that’s the end result, this bringing forth “fruit to perfection.” The common word in Greek for “perfection” is teleios, which means “having reached its end; finished; complete; perfect.” But the particular word here in this passage is the only word in the Bible like this (and this is the “perfect” place for it, by the way). It’s the word telesphoreo and it means “to bring to completion, or perfection, with an end in view.” This is the key to manifesting God’s perfection. It’s nothing that we in ourselves have any possibility of doing, but the Father is giving us the key to take hold of His power, so that He Himself is the One Who perfects us.

This key has been hidden for many generations, as it was, according to Paul, before him for many generations. In these days, it’s being revealed again, not that it ever was snuffed out, but in large communities of God’s people, it has been snuffed out for the last 2000 years. The key is “the end in view,” seeing the end as something that God already provided for you. You are accepting as a free gift the finished work of Christ.

Now let’s look again at: (Heb.10:10) By which will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. We have sanctification both by faith and by manifestation. The Scriptures speak of both things: (14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. So He sanctified us and perfected us by that one offering up of the body of Christ. The Lord wants us to accept His free gift that we’ve been delivered from sin, that we’ve been separated from the world and that we’ve been perfected. That’s what the Bible says. To deny that is to deny the Gospel.

What is perfection? What is maturity? What is salvation? What is the end in view? (Luk.6:40) The disciple is not above his teacher: but every one when (notice that “when,” not “if”) he is perfected shall be as his teacher. Who was the teacher here? Obviously, the teacher was Jesus. He really means “when he is perfected shall be as his teacher,” so we have something to look forward to, don’t we? (2Co.3:18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. God is the One Who’s going to do this through our faith (and even that’s a gift from Him).

We have to renew our mind first and see the gift of Jesus Christ that God has given to us. We’re accepting His free gift, not on the grounds that we’ve earned it or have any ability or power to partake of it, but on the grounds that God has promised to give it to us, as a gift. And now Jesus is telling us that when we are perfected, we’ll be as our Teacher. This tells us that it’s very important who our teacher is.

If we make religion our teacher, we’re going to be far short. If we make a certain denomination our teacher, we’re only going to go to that level and we’re going to stop, because they won’t let us go beyond them. They’ll judge us pretty harshly if we try. But if we make the Word of God our Teacher, and “Word of God” is just another name for Jesus Christ, then we can come into that image. So the best thing to do, of course, is to dig and study the Word, to find out exactly what it is to be like Him and to be a disciple.

The disciple is not above his Teacher. He promised that a disciple, when he is perfected, shall be as his Teacher. Not all people called Christians will ever be perfected, but disciples will, because they’re learners and followers, mathetes. They study the master. They want to walk as the Master walked. Notice the promise is “when.” But that’s for a disciple. There are many, many Christians, but not many disciples. Jesus made conditions for discipleship and we need to study those conditions, too.

Here’s a similar verse: (Mat.10:24) A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. (25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. Wow! Again, an awesome word that the Lord has given unto us. Many people would call that blasphemy, but the Lord Himself is the One Who spoke it. It’s not our power.

See, Jesus is “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom.8:29). We, too, are being “born” into His image: spirit, soul and, ultimately, body. But while we’re here, we’re called to come into His image in spirit and soul. (Mat.10:25) It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. (1Jn.2:6) He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked. To abide in Christ means to be coming into that place where you are walking as He walked, more and more. You’re growing in the image and stature of Christ and you’re coming into that place.

Let me also point out another verse: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth for ever…. So there are some people who are considered bondservants who will not enter the Kingdom; they will not be “in the house forever.” They will not have eternal life because they’re also bondservants of sin; only “the son abideth forever.”

There’s a difference between a bondservant and a son. Let me explain something to you that the Lord explained to me. Every son is a bondservant and every son serves his lord diligently, but not every bondservant is a son. A son is a special relationship. This is the heir we’re talking about; they’re not just a slave. Servants serve for one reason; sons serve for quite another reason. Sons want to promote their father’s kingdom because they’re also heirs of that kingdom, and they want to please their father. He’s their father!

Bondservants serve, many times, because they have to. Sometimes it might be just fire insurance to them. But to a son, it’s different; it’s personal when you’re a son. And there are far fewer sons than there are bondservants.

I’d like to further point out the difference between a servant and a son: (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all. Let’s say that all who are called Christians are heirs. Some are children and some are more and more manifesting sonship. Right now, he says, so long as the heir is a child, he’s no different than a bondservant, even though, in reality and according to position, he’s lord of everything.

God has given us perfection at the very beginning of our walk. It’s a free gift He’s given unto us and because we accept it by faith, we walk more and more in that position. What is perfection? It’s Christ, it’s sonship, it’s the manifestation of the Son in you. This is God’s plan. Reconciliation is an exchange of Christ’s life on the cross for your life. “Reconciliation” means “an exchange.” God has given you His life and His blessings and taken your curse and your sin and put it upon the cross. Now we are entering into this because we believe in this. (Mat.9:29) … According to your faith be it done unto you. The Lord is manifesting this in us freely because we believe that we’ve been given sonship and not just the position of a servant.

Here’s another confirmation: (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. Servants and children are equal, but the end result, which we’re looking in the mirror to see, is sonship. (Gal.4:1) But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all; (2) but is under guardians and stewards until the day appointed of the father. That’s true; we all start out in kindergarten, which is a lot of religions out there, friends. They are just kindergarten.

The Lord told me one time that religions are like playpens that are meant to be outgrown – we’re supposed to climb over the bars. They build all kinds of bars around you to keep you in, but you can outgrow them. You can be mature, but in the meantime, there are “guardians and stewards” who keep the baby from getting in trouble.

(3) So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the rudiments of the world. “Rudiments” here means “elements.” The Greek word stoicheion means “first principles in a series.” Many people are really hung up under the “first principles.” They’re staying right there; they’re not moving from the “first principles.” But if you stay there, you’re not going to bear fruit. Some people are going around in little religious circles with the same old things, not stretching forth to grow in the fullness of the Word of God.

(Gal.4:4) But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Heb.7:19) (For the law made nothing perfect)….If you’re under the Law, you’ll never come to perfection. We’re all in a relationship with God, brethren. Grace is the right relationship. We need His grace and His power to work in us.

The Law is actuated by our own works, but we receive grace through faith and then God works the work in us. (Php.2:13) For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. We need to get out from under the Law, otherwise, we’ll always stay a child and bondservant. (Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Now, what does “because ye are sons” mean?

The answer is here: (Gal.3:25) But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor. (26) For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus. (Rom.8:19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. That’s the manifestation of the sons of God. This is the son of God by faith. We’re sons of God by faith because now, in the New Testament, out from under the Law, we’re justified by faith in believing that we don’t live anymore – Christ lives in us.

(Eph.1:4) Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love: (5) having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Remember, He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last (Pro.29:21).

This comes from both the Jews and the Romans. They had a procedure whereby they would adopt servants in whom they had particular pleasure, maybe if they didn’t have a child of their own. They would adopt them as sons, the point being that the word for “child,” teknon, only emphasizes a birth, but the word “son,” huios, emphasizes a particular relationship with the father. There are many people born into the Kingdom, but they never manifest sonship. They remain children all their lives. They never mature and don’t bear fruit.

One thing that keeps us from bearing fruit is the Law, living under legalism. This is illustrated here: (Gal.4:7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. So we see that, by faith, we are no longer bondservants; we’re no longer children. We’re sons because we come out from under the Law and into grace to enter into this.

(8) Howbeit at that time, not knowing God, ye were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods: (9) but now that ye have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how turn ye back again to the weak and beggarly rudiments (there’s “first principles” again), whereunto ye desire to be in bondage over again? (10) Ye observe days, and months, and seasons, and years. (11) I am afraid of you, lest by any means I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

They were going back under the Law and seeking to be justified by the Law, through their own self-efforts to keep the Law, instead of by faith. (Gal.3:11) Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith. So our life comes from faith. The Law is just our tutor to bring us to Christ. He has to take us from that point on.

(Gal.4:19) My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you (in other words, until sonship is formed in you). You’re a child if you’re under the Law in any form. If your religion is putting you under legalism, whether it’s the legalism of the Old Testament Law or their own laws, rather than being able to follow the Spirit, you’re going to stay a child. You’re never going to grow up.

He goes on to talk about the “son of the handmaid” and the “son of the freewoman”: (21) Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? (22) For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. Now that’s clear. If you’re under legalism, you’re not free to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him, and to submit to all that Scripture has to say – not just the little box that your religion has made. It doesn’t matter whether it’s man’s legalism or of your own church rules, or even as far as going back under the Old Testament Law. You’re not free and you’re not justified by faith like that.

Sons of the handmaid are servants; sons of the freewoman are sons. He warns us in the next verse, (30) Howbeit what saith the scripture? Cast out the handmaid and her son: for the son of the handmaid shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman. Yes, they were both children of Abraham, but Paul is making a type and a shadow here to show us that the bondservant who is not a son will not have the eternal life like the son will.

The devil has a lot of people walking in bondage, thinking that they’re justified by their works, thinking nobody else is obeying this particular part of the Law but them and they’re seeking to be justified by that. They’re not free and it’s sad. (Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. The Spirit of God is not going to lead you back under the law, a covenant that God never made with you. The Spirit of God is going to lead you under grace.

(Gal.4:31) Wherefore, brethren, we are not children of a handmaid, but of the freewoman. Yes, that’s exactly right by faith, not necessarily by manifestation, but by faith. So we need to repent. If you are listening to men who are dragging you back under the Law, you need to repent because this is going to stunt your growth. You will be called a son of the handmaid and not of the freewoman. You’ll be a bondservant, but you’ll never be a son. A bondservant is a child, the Bible says.

We’re waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The whole of creation waits. The whole purpose of God is to create His children into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. That’s the manifestation of the sons of God. There are false doctrines about the manifestation out there and some are scaring away people from the very words “manifestation of the sons of God,” but it’s in the Book. It was taught by the Lord and taught by the apostle Paul. We need an understanding of what “manifestation of the sons of God” means, which is what we’re entering into.

I’d like to remind you that John says exactly what we read in Galatians: (Joh.8:34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Every one that committeth sin is the bondservant of sin. (35) And the bondservant abideth not in the house for ever: the son abideth forever. Ishmaels do not have eternal life; Isaacs do. We are the seed of promise, through Isaac. Ishmael wasn’t; that was a work of Abraham. By type and shadow, we understand what this means.

The Parable of the Talents is very clear: (Mat.25:14) For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants (these are not the people of the world; these are the people of the Kingdom), and delivered unto them his goods. (15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one; to each according to his several ability; and he went on his journey. So he gave forth his talents, and he expected them to bear the fruit of this.

(16) Straightway he that received the five talents went and traded with them, and made other five talents. (17) In like manner he also that [received] the two gained other two. (18) But he that received the one went away and digged in the earth (in the flesh), and hid his lord’s money. (19) Now after a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20) And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: lo, I have gained other five talents.

(21) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (22) And he also that [received] the two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: lo, I have gained other two talents. (23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(24) And he also that had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou didst not scatter; (25) and I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. (26) But his lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I did not scatter; (27) thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back mine own with interest. So when the lord returned, he judged the two who brought forth fruit and they entered into the kingdom and were blessed abundantly.

But he also judged the servant who had only one talent and didn’t bear any fruit: (28) Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. (29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, even that which he hath shall be taken away. (Mat.25:30) And cast ye out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

The unprofitable servant who doesn’t bear the fruit, the servant who doesn’t manifest sonship 30-, 60- and 100- fold, is cast forth into the outer darkness. They took the one talent away from that person and gave it to the servant who had 10 talents. Remember that because we’re going to see it again. In other words, if you have fruit, you’ll get more. If you have less, you’ll get less.

If we go to Ezekiel, we see a revelation concerning the rewards given to the sons, not to the servants: (Eze.46:16) Thus saith the Lord God: If the prince (“Prince” was the name given to the High Priest and we know that’s Jesus Christ) give a gift unto any of his sons, it is his inheritance (whatever the Lord gives to a son here, it’s theirs and they will keep it forever), it shall belong to his sons; it is their possession by inheritance. (17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants…. Some people think that because they have the gift, they’re a shoe-in: “I’m going to be in the Kingdom. I got these gifts. I got the Holy Spirit. I got this; I got that.” No, it doesn’t mean any such thing.

A person has to bear the fruit of sonship; Jesus said 30-, 60- and 100-fold. Just because a person has the gift means nothing. There are actual religions out there that believe a person is a shoe-in if they speak in tongues, but there are a lot of tongue-talkers who are going to split hell wide open because they’re not bearing the fruit of Jesus Christ. Whatever God has given to them, He can take it back just as easily as He gave it to them. It’s because they’re a servant, a perpetual child.

Of course, one thing that makes you a servant and a child is being under the Law and not faith. You see, faith is accounted as righteousness. Even as young in the faith as you are, you walk in that righteousness because you walk by faith. In other words, faith “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). Faith receives the end from the beginning. God calls you “righteous” because of your faith. There’s a blood covering on you because of your faith.

But some will be perpetual children – bondservants and never sons, because of religion, because of a wrong relationship with God. (Eze.46:17) But if he give of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; (So you see, God can take back every gift that He’s given to you, if you’re not going to bear fruit, if you’re not going to walk by faith.) but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons.

Remember that the one talent was given to the bondservant with the 10 talents. It was taken away from the unprofitable bondservant who had the one talent, and who was then cast forth into outer darkness where there’s weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth. His talent, his reward, his gift, was given to the one who had 10, the one who had manifested sonship.

I believe the 10 talents in that parable represents those who have come completely into the image of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that the servant will become as his lord (Matthew 10:25) and Jesus promises 30-, 60- and 100-fold fruit. Paul also talks about the star glory, the moon glory and the sun glory. He speaks about the three different kinds of bodies that will be given to the saints because of the fruit that they’ve manifested on the earth (1 Corinthians 15).

What we see in Ezekiel 46 is the same thing we just read in Matthew, chapters 22 and 25. There are differences of reward, depending upon whether you are a child as a bondservant, or whether you are as a son. (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. So we’re seeing the end from the beginning, seeing sonship, seeing in a mirror and, guess what? You’re believing it’s yours, you’re continuing to walk in this faith and, if you consider it to be yours, God considers it to be yours.

Jesus said, “According to your faith be it unto you” (Mat.9:29). In other words, He was adding His faith to your faith. If you’re believing something, He added His faith to your faith and it was done! It’s the same today. He’s the same yesterday, today and forever. If you’re walking by faith in a free gift, not something you could earn by your own self-righteousness, He’s going to add His faith to your faith and it’ll be yours. You don’t have to worry about losing it. Don’t worry about the time we have left. Don’t worry about anything. The only thing you’re supposed to do is behold “in a mirror the glory of the Lord,” so that you’re transformed into that same image, “from glory to glory.”

According to Leviticus 25, this all happens at the year of liberty, the Jubilee, when the inheritance is divided up. This is when all the land goes back to the original owner, meaning when “The kingdom of the world is become [the kingdom] of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev.11:15). At the end of the Tribulation period, this is all going to be divided up and those who walk as servants and not as sons are not going to abide in the house forever, because they’re bondservants of sin.

There’s only one thing that keeps a person from partaking of this gift of God: it’s to continue to walk in their sins when they don’t have to because Jesus was the Lamb of God Who took away the sins of the world. Believe that you don’t have any sin anymore because Jesus took it away. You can say no to the devil because Jesus delivered you out of the power of darkness. You can say no now because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Look at this verse: (Isa.65:9) And I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob, and out of Judah an inheritor of my mountains (out of Jacob – not all of Jacob, just a seed out of Jacob); and my chosen shall inherit it, and my servants shall dwell there. There’s a difference between dwelling there for a time and inheriting it. “My chosen.” “Many are called, but few chosen” (Mat.22:14). The chosen were the ones in Matthew chapters 22 and 25 who inherited.

Let me show you something from Psalms: (Psa.37:9) For evil-doers shall be cut off; But those that wait for the Lord, they shall inherit the land. We see the Bible says evildoers from among God’s people will be cut off from the land, too. (10) For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: Yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and he shall not be. (11) But the meek shall inherit the land, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

This is also repeated further on down: (29) The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell there forever. (34) Wait for the Lord, and keep his way, And he will exalt thee to inherit the land: When the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. (37) Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; For there is a [happy] end to the man of peace. (38) As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together: The end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Let me bring this passage to your attention: (Rom.8:12) So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: (13) for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Notice it’s “by the Spirit” of God and not our power. When a person has faith they have the power of the Spirit of God. Faith is just believing that God is true to His Word. It’s just believing and reforming our mind to believe that what God says is true and what He’s given us is ours. It’s believing you are who He says you are.

(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. We can be led by the Spirit of God. We can love the truth. We can renounce evil. It’s all a gift from God and we accept it freely, by faith.

The Spirit of God is the Spirit of adoption and He is the One Who brings us to the adoption of sons. (15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Many of you probably read or watched Ben-Hur and know how he was adopted by the Roman centurion. He’s a good example and the Jews did the same thing. (16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: (17) and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified with [him].

Many don’t want to suffer. They just walk by faith but they don’t want to suffer the death of the old man. (2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. You walk by faith for the new man and that’s correct and right, but you have to be willing to give up the old man, to deny yourself and bear your cross, or there’s no new man who can take his place in the Kingdom.

The Bible says that the outer man is decaying while the inner man is being renewed. As the old man is dying, the new man is taking his place. There’s no other way. So, we have to cooperate with God in the death, as well. We accept and we believe in the death. That’s why we’re baptized – for the death, burial and resurrection. If you don’t cooperate with God in the death, how are you going to get to the resurrection? The death is still God’s gift.

(Rom.8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. These are the days for which God has put this earth here to begin with, to manifest His sons. He knows that this is a small portion of humanity on planet Earth, but He considers it worth it to have these manifested sons. Jesus was “the firstborn among many brethren” (29). These brethren are growing up in His likeness, by the grace of God.

(20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected, in hope (21) that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption (That will be a wonderful day!), [to wit,] the redemption of our body. The full manifestation of our adoption is when we get our new body. I want to tell you, however, that only those who bear the fruit in spirit and soul will get that new body.

The manifestation, of course, is not children, but sons. (1Jn.3:2) Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested (manifested in us is what he’s talking about), we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. The person who sees the true Jesus in the mirror is the one who will be manifested in His likeness, who will come into manifesting Him from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Then we’re told in the next verse, (3) And every one that hath this hope [set] on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. There it is again – sonship, “even as he is pure.” You may say, “That’s not a possibility,” but think again. It’s the Word of God. Take this free gift of Jesus, the life of Christ, the sonship that the Lord has given unto you. Accept it freely. Give up your old life, your sinful ways and turn to God. Amen.

This is so awesome! This is God’s promise to us! Get in the Word for it is the only thing that brings forth Jesus!

Christian Maturity (2)

(audio)

David Eells 1/10/24

I’m going to share with you about manifesting our Sun (Son) Glory. We’re all sons of God through faith, and faith is accounted as righteousness until righteousness is manifested.

(Gal.3:26) For ye are all sons of God through faith, in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ. (28) There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one [man] in Christ Jesus.

We begin our life as children, who are sons by faith, and the Bible says that we come into the manifestation of sonship. (Pro.29:21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last.

(Gal.4:6) And because ye are sons, God sent forth the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (7) So that thou art no longer a bondservant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. Again, this is speaking that we are sons of God through faith, which “calleth the things that are not, as though they were” (Rom.4:17). God sent the Spirit of His Son into us in order to bring us to this adoption of sons.

The word “adoption” used here is not adoption of children. It is huiothesia and it means “son placing.” So, according to the term “adoption,” we don’t adopt children; we adopt sons. Beloved, now are we children (teknon) of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be (1Jn.3:2). It should never be translated “son” because the word teknon is “children.” We haven’t yet come to the place that God calls us “the manifest sons.”

Notice that God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, in order to bring us to adoption. Now, what is the Spirit of the Son? Let me point something out to you. (Rom.8:9) But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Two Spirits are mentioned here: the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ. He even puts a “but” in there, so that we will know that he’s talking about two different things.

Not everyone has the Spirit of God, but everyone who is born-again has the Spirit of Christ. Jesus told His disciples, “the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit” (Joh.6:63). These words came out of Him and were creating His Spirit in His disciples. And He told them, Already ye are clean because of the word which I have spoken unto you (Joh.15:3). What did that mean? It meant they had a new spirit because Jesus spoke those words into them and His Spirit was recreated in them. The Spirit of Christ is the born-again Spirit. This is the Spirit of the Son which is to bring us to adoption, the adoption of sons.

The Spirit of Christ is the first thing that you receive. Next you need the Soul of Christ and then, ultimately, a body like unto His Body. A born-again spirit, a born-again soul and a born-again body are the three stages of this adoption. Notice the warning: (Rom.8:9) … But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness.

(11) But (here it is again; he’s switching back) if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Paul is talking about receiving the Holy Spirit. When you get born-again, you don’t necessarily receive the Holy Spirit. Sometimes that happens afterwards. But you do get the Spirit of Christ because you believe the Word of God and you accept that He died for you and gave you His life.

So, these are the two steps that every Christian ought to go through – receiving the Spirit of Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit. That was commanded but today most Christians don’t do that. You need the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit will empower you to walk in the steps of Jesus. As Jesus was both human and divine, He had a born-again Spirit and you need a born-again human spirit. You need that for the communication and for the access to the Holy Spirit.

He comes to dwell in your Holy of Holies, which is your born-again spirit. He comes to rule in your Holy of Holies. So, you who are born-again need to invite the Holy Spirit to come with all the signs and wonders that the Bible talks about. That’s part of it. (Act.1:8) But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

(Rom.8:14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. God gives us first the Spirit of Christ and then the Holy Spirit, so we can hear His voice and follow Him “withersoever he goeth.”

(15) For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption (huiothesia, meaning “son placing”)…. We’re coming to that place. God manifests His perfection in us – spirit, then soul and then, ultimately, if you have borne fruit in the soul, you will receive a new body like unto His body. (15) … Whereby we cry, Abba, Father (adoption, son placing). (16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God.

So, even after you have the Spirit of adoption which, according to Galatians chapter four, is the Spirit of His Son, Jesus Christ, you are a son of God by faith. And since faith is accounted as righteousness, we receive the end from the beginning, we call the things that be not as though they were because “by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Heb.10:14). By accepting this, we are walking from the place of being children of God to the place of being sons of God.

If you want to know what a son of God is, you have to look at Jesus. That’s what a son of God is – “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” So Christ is coming to live in us – first spirit, then soul, which is your nature, your character and so forth; and then, ultimately, you will have a body like His Body! (Rom.8:16) The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God. (17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified with [him]. Now, if we’re joint-heirs with Christ of His glory, which we are, it’s another way of talking about perfection. Glory is just another way of saying, “Christ in you.” The glory is the “shining forth from you” of the life of Christ, “that we may be also glorified with [him].”

We’re joint-heirs with Christ, having received the Spirit of adoption and, although we’re manifestly children, we are seeking this glory of God to come and dwell in us. But it says, “If so be that we suffer with him.” See, part of this is knowledge because you have to exercise faith and part of this is cooperation, in the giving up of our old life, in order to gain our new life. Both of these are necessary for sonship. Both of these are necessary to have the glory of God in you.

(2Co.4:16) Wherefore we faint not: but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. So as the carnal man is dying off, we manifest our death, burial and resurrection and the spiritual man is coming to life. (17) For our light affliction (notice he calls it a “light affliction”), which is for the moment (meaning this very short time that we have to go through to be perfected), worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory. (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen…. This means we call the things that be not as though they were. That’s what God has taught us to do and that’s what faith is. You claim to be a son of God and you know now that a son of God is Jesus Christ. (18) … For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We have to hold fast to and believe and see the things that are not, as though they were. As we’re doing this, while we’re walking by faith and giving up our life, this is working “for us more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory.” Paul says, And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him,] that we may be also glorified with [him] (Rom.8:17). The manifestation of our sonship is being “glorified with [him]” as we suffer the death of self.

God’s people are glorified in this life. (18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. The suffering is not even comparable to the new life that we receive, this new glory that we receive by going through this suffering. However, we don’t enter into this new life with glory. (Rom.3:23) For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; (24) being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) whom God set forth [to be] a propitiation, through faith, in his blood, to show his righteousness because of the passing over of the sins done aforetime, in the forbearance of God.

So we don’t start into this with the glory of God. We accept it by faith and we’re justified freely because of that faith and the life of Jesus that was given to us at the cross. We were crucified with Him and we were given His life. There was an exchange made. Our old life was put upon that cross and He gave us His life.

(Gal.2:20) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that [life] which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, [the faith] which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. We accept that by faith. Now God says that faith is accounted as righteousness, so we are imputed as sons of God through our faith. If you continue to walk by faith, you’re always going to receive the manifestation of what you’re believing. He’s going to manifest His Son in you.

This is a progressive thing. You don’t get anything instantaneously in the Kingdom, except by faith. By faith you accept everything as instantaneous. (Heb.10:14) For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. He perfected us at the cross. We accept the whole, free gift of sonship, of the life of God, of the purity, of the holiness, of the total redemption that He has given to us.

Let’s look at these verses again: (Rom.8:18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward. (19) For the earnest expectation of the creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God. Now, I know some people would like to put that way off in the bye-and-bye so they can live any way they want to live down here, but if you’re not manifesting fruit, Jesus said that you aren’t going to get there.

What is fruit? Jesus Christ. It’s also His glory manifested in you. The whole “creation waiteth for the revealing of the sons of God” down here, not just up in heaven. Down here is where we need the glory of God. Jesus walked in the glory of God and when He came, “the people that sat in darkness Saw a great light” (Mat.4:16). When Jesus came, He set the captives free, He opened the prison to them that were bound, He healed the sick, He cast out demons and on and on. He was the body of Christ. He left in order to come back in the corporate body of Christ, so He could touch the whole world. The glory of God is needed now and it’s needed here. This is what this passage is talking about. The manifestation, the “revealing of the sons of God” has to do with manifesting sonship down here, in spirit and in soul with a physical body that is no longer under the curse.

We know that Jesus’ body was the Son of Man, but the One Who dwelt in that body was the Son of God. (Rom.1:3) Concerning His Son who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness. So we see that Jesus was made “in all things … like unto his brethren” (Heb.2:17), and the whole of creation is waiting because the creation itself fell under the curse when man fell under the curse. Only when man comes out from under the curse is the creation delivered.

When Jesus came, He was the One Who lived out from under the curse and He set the creation free all around Him. (Rom.8:20) For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it…. God subjected us to vanity. This is how sons are created, by being subject to vanity and yet choosing the good and understanding grace, because unless you’ve been a sinner, you can’t understand grace. Even the angels don’t understand grace. They desire to look into these things (1 Peter 1:12).

We’re fallen and we appreciate God very much because we’ve been fallen. We appreciate that He’s lifting us up and setting our feet on the Rock. We appreciate it; we love Him. (Luk.7:40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Teacher, say on. (41) A certain lender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred shillings, and the other fifty. (42) When they had not [wherewith] to pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

Sinners appreciate God. They love God. So there was a reason for the creation to be subject to vanity. Some people may not believe that. But Christ was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Why would we have needed a sacrifice slain from the foundation of the world before Adam sinned? Stop and think about that.

Creation was subject to vanity for a purpose: (Rom.8:21) That the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. This is the plan: Fallen man gets saved and appreciates it so much that we love God. (22) For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (23) And not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for [our] adoption (that is, “son-placing”), [to wit,] the redemption of our body. We’re waiting for the manifestation of our adoption.

This manifestation is not going to be complete until you are totally God’s possession – spirit, soul and body? But there is a way that it’s complete while you’re on the earth and that is in spirit and soul. The ultimate fulfillment, of course, is the body, as he goes on to say, “[to wit,] the redemption of our body.” That’s the fullness of adoption. Adoption of the body is in two stages. First for those who have manifested Jesus in spirit and soul their physical body is not under the curse and the second stage is when they receive their spiritual body when their work on earth is done. (24) For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? (25) But if we hope for that which we see not, [then] do we with patience wait for it.

We do not see the manifestation of sonship, but we do hope, we do wait for it and we do walk by faith for it. “Hope” is a “firm expectation.” It’s not hoping for something that you think will never happen. It’s hoping for something you believe is coming. Those who believe they are going to walk in the glory of God, firmly expect that God will keep His promise to us and that He will finish the good work He started in us. We will be complete; we will be perfect, as He said.

There are many people today, Christians and Jews alike, who don’t understand that the Old covenant was done away in Christ. (2Co.3:14) but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed [to them] that it is done away in Christ. They have a veil on. Many Christians have a veil on because they’re still under the Law. They’re either under the law of men or they’re under the Law of the Old Covenant. They don’t understand that God made a New Covenant making the first one old.

(15) But unto this day, whensoever Moses is read, a veil lieth upon their heart. (16) But whensoever it shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away. So we see that when you turn to the Lord, the blindness that the devil puts on all of mankind is broken from you. Even as a Christian, if you turn to the Lord, God will break the veil off of your spiritual eyes. No matter what kind of legalism you’re under, no matter what following of your own mind you’re under, God will break that off of you and you’ll be able to follow the Spirit of God. (17) Now the Lord is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty. This is freedom – freedom from bondage, freedom from the Law – because you naturally fulfill the Law.

We’re looking in the mirror and seeing Jesus by faith, so that God will take that faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, and bring it to pass. Also notice that he calls it “the glory of the Lord.” We’re going to discover what this glory is and that it’s in this life that you get this glory. (18) But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image (Where? Here.) from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.

As we accept that we no longer live, that the One Who looks in this mirror is now Jesus Christ, Who now lives in us, we’re changed “from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit.” What glory is he talking about? The three glories mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:41 are star, moon and sun. God offers to His saints three heavenly bodies. He calls them star, moon and sun glory.

We start out as a star glory because we have self-righteousness. The glory that comes forth from stars separates them. They’re different; they’re distinct from one another. That’s the first stage of Christian growth. We have our own glory – self-righteousness. The second stage of Christian growth is moon glory because the moon is one. The Bible says that we become united with Him in the likeness of His death. The moon is dead; it’s one and it’s dead, having no light of its own, only reflecting the light of the sun.

We who have moon glory shall also be of the resurrection, which is sun glory. We’re going from our own righteousness through death-to-self and resurrection life of Christ in us. These are the three stages. We grow into His glory “from glory to glory, as from the Lord the Spirit.” Notice that glory is the brilliance that shines forth from us, the light of Christ’s life. It’s “the glory of the Lord.” They saw a great light in the shadow of death, didn’t they? Yes, and it was Jesus. They will see that again on this earth, very soon, because God’s planning on lighting that light again!

(2Co.4:3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish. Literally, it says, “are perishing.” If you don’t have the revelation of “Christ in you,” you are perishing. This revelation of Christ coming to life in you is the same Jesus Who walked on this earth 2000 years ago, not another Jesus, not a weak and worthless Jesus Who sits up on a cloud and does nothing for anybody – doesn’t heal the sick anymore, doesn’t cast out devils anymore, on and on. No, this is the real Jesus! This is the glory that God is resurrecting in His people in these days. (2Co.4:3) And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: (4) in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ….

Notice that this glory of Christ is a light, not in a physical world, but in the spiritual world. It’s a light that shines forth. (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn [upon them]. The devil doesn’t want “Christ in you,” or sonship or the glory of the Son manifested in you. We need to obtain this glory, which is Kingdom glory. The people who walk in the Kingdom walk in this glory. Now we all may be walking into it in a certain percentage, but Jesus wants us to fully manifest that glory 30-, 60- and 100-fold. He offers us 100-fold. We need to believe Him and take Him at His Word.

He goes on to say, (2Co.4:5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. (6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness…. This is the light of the glory of Jesus Christ. This is a spiritual light that’s in you. God opens the eyes of some people to see this light. I’ve known people who have seen it on me and other Christians, who walk in the light of God. They’ve told me so. There is a light seen in the spirit realm “Light shall shine out of darkness” is the light of the glory of God manifesting in your old life, your soul, that outer man that’s decaying day-by-day, so that the inner man may be renewed.

(6) Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. You’re not looking at your natural face in the mirror anymore; you’re accepting that now Jesus lives in you. It’s only those of you who accept that His righteousness is now yours, that you don’t live any longer. That’s the Gospel! That’s the Good News! It’s not something that you can do; it’s something you can believe God to do. And He will do it.

We’re told that God Himself is the Father of glory: (Eph.1:17) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…. He’s the Father of Jesus and the Father of glory because Jesus is the glory and “Christ in you” is the glory. (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. This is a good prayer! He can do it. He’ll do anything that you need to give to you this gift, but first we need the revelation of what God has given unto us.

That’s why we study this, to have that wisdom of knowledge. So we see He’s the Father of glory, He’s the Father of the Son, He’s the Father of sonship and He’s the Father of the spiritual man in you, which is the glory of the Son. This is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col.1:27) To whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. The glory of Jesus Christ is coming to be manifested, that is, sonship, being manifested in His people. And it’s progressive, but we receive it by faith.

Back to: (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels (this is the treasure of the glory of God that needs to continue to grow in us), that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. Well, we have this treasure of the Word being manifested in God’s people, and the Word is also that light that shines out of darkness!

(2Pe.1:19) And we have the word of prophecy [made] more sure (we know that to be the Word of God); whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts. This “lamp” is the shining forth of the light. The Bible says of this “lamp shining in a dark place,” The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord (Pro.20:27).

The “dark place” is your old man that’s keeping this hidden. You must be broken so that the light can come forth, “as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts.” “Day star” is an archaic term that was used for the sun. The light is shining in this dark place until the day dawns and the Son arises in your heart.

(2Pe.1:20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. (21) For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. We have a more sure word of prophecy. It’s the Word of God. All the Word of God is prophecy and it’s powerful to come to pass, if we believe it. We have to hold diligently to it to believe it. We’re seeing that the Father is the Father of glory and that the Word, which is also Jesus Christ, is the Son of the Father and is also that glory.

We have this treasure of the Word, of the Son, of the glory, in us, by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Spirit of adoption that brings us to the adoption of sons. The Spirit of the Son is to take us over, just as the devil seeks to take us over. The Spirit of the Son seeks to bring forth His glory in us, as Paul tells us: (2Co.4:7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves. Meaning that we have a weak vessel that’s not able to walk in the glory of God, but the power that’s of God is that Spirit that dwells in us.

(8) [We are] pressed on every side yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; (9) pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; (10) always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus (the glory is the life of Jesus; it is the Word of God and it is born of the Father) may be manifested in our body. Manifested in this body, which will then not be under the curse. This is God’s plan. You get the glory here by looking in the mirror now, with an unveiled face now.

The word “manifested” means “to cause to shine, to make visible” in our body. Phaneroo in Greek means “to cause to shine.” The very word “manifestation” is talking about the shining of the glory inside you! (11) For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus (there it is again, the life of that glory lives in us) may be manifested in our mortal flesh. Again, the word here is phaneroo: to cause to shine, to become visible.” Where? “In our mortal flesh”.

The Son of God is being birthed in us, in this physical life. That’s the manifestation of sonship in spirit and in soul. The person who has walked in the manifestation of sonship in spirit and in soul will ultimately have the manifestation of sonship in their body. That’s the fullness of adoption, “that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh,” shining forth out of us.

Also in: (Col.3:3) For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. You need to remember that you don’t have a problem with sin anymore. You died. The old man died, the old sinner doesn’t live anymore. Christ is our life. (4) When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. The very life inside of us is Christ growing in us, just like Mary had Christ growing in her. Jesus said, For whosoever shall do the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother (Mat.12:50).

Every one of us is pregnant with Jesus Christ. (Col.3:4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall be manifested (caused to shine), then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory. As Christ is manifested in us, the glory is manifested in us because He is the glory and the Father is the Father of glory, and everything that’s born of the Father is glory. So the glory that’s shining forth from, that’s manifested, is glory of the star, moon and, ultimately, sun glory shining forth from God’s people.

John calls us “children” by manifestation, because that’s what we are until we manifest His sonship. (1Jn.2:28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (meaning - in us), we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. What is it to “abide in him”? He tells us, “If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son” (24). What did we hear from the beginning? The truth. Not necessarily what we hear nowadays, but what we heard from the beginning; if this abides in you, you abide in the Son.

And it clearly says, he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked (6). How did He walk? He walked to His cross, for one thing. He walked in righteousness for another thing and He walked by faith for another thing. So, he says, (1Jn.2:28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (phaneroo) …. The word is “if,” not “when.” Some versions say, “when he shall be manifested,” but none of the ancient manuscripts or the numerics say “when.” They say “if.” It’s not talking about the physical coming of the Lord; it’s talking about His coming in you.

Watch carefully: (28) And now, [my] little children, abide in him; that, if he shall be manifested (caused to shine, become visible in you), we may have boldness, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. What’s going to cause you not to be ashamed before Christ, except Him living in you? The word there is “manifested,” just like everywhere else. It is phaneroo: “cause to shine.” And the second word used here, in “at his coming,” refers to the physical coming of Christ. The first one is His coming in you. The second one is His second coming. So now it makes sense.

If the translation you see is “when he shall appear” and “coming,” then you see Him coming twice there in the same verse. It doesn’t have anything to do with that. It has to do with Him coming in you and then coming for you. The parousia, the second word used here in “at his coming,” means He’s coming for the ones in whom He is phaneroo’d. He has become manifest. They have manifested 30-, 60- or 100-fold of their sonship and of the glory of God. That’s what it’s talking about. This is awesome!

(29) If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that everyone also that doeth righteousness is begotten of him. The One in you Who’s coming forth, “that doeth righteousness,” that one is born of Him. (1Jo.3:2) Beloved, now are we children (teknon, not sons) of God, and it is not yet made manifest (phaneroo; it’s not yet fully shining forth from you; that glory of God is not complete) what we shall be. We know that, if (again, it’s “if” and not “when”; it has nothing to do with the physical coming of Christ) he shall be manifested (become visibly shining from you), we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. If it’s shining forth from you, you’re going to be like Him and you’re going to see Him in the mirror as He is, manifestly, this time and not by faith.

Another word, epiphania, is very close in meaning to phaneroo. It’s still “a shining forth” but it’s “to shine forth from, or upon.” (2Ti.4:8) Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing (epiphania-ing). It’s not talking about the coming of the Lord; it’s talking about His shining forth from you. He’s coming for all those who have loved His epiphania, the “shining forth from.”

(Tit.2:11) For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world. This is the proving ground; this is where the fruit is born.

It is here that we are manifesting His glory, coming into the image of Jesus Christ, the Son, and manifesting His sonship. (Tit.2:13) Looking for the blessed hope and appearing (epiphania, the “shining forth from”) of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Are you looking for the shining forth of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ? That’s our hope! Hold fast to the Word of God. Find out what it says about you and believe every Word!