like as, just born children, desire milk, pure, reasonable so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation.*
The word reasonable here is often translated as spiritual but these exist two words and reasonable speaks more of our logical, reasonable service. We can say this is to grow us up unto our salvation, which is accomplished through desiring food that causes us to grow up. It is important to know what grows us up, so we do not want to stunt growth. Paul is not saying spiritual milk grows us up, but he is giving a comparison; like a new born baby desires milk, desire food which grows you up. This word grow up means to cause to grow; (intr.) grow, increase. So the question becomes what are we to desire that is pure, reasonable that grows us up unto salvation? Let us look at what is "pure, reasonable so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation."*
... work out your salvation with fear and trembling.*
Like the concept of working out your salvation, growing up unto salvation does not mean that you are working for eternal redemption, to be justified, nor for righteousness, it is under grace we will rule over sin. Paul writes no one will be justified in the eyes of God by works. The nature of faith is that it exists assurance, so it is a fearful place to not have assurance of salvation. If you do or do not, work it out, that which is inward, until it is fully convincing, this is the nature of faith. Faith is given as a measure which must be increased, fully grown. The act of confession, whether praying the sinners prayer, raising a hand, or going down to the altar... is not what convinces, it is the word of God. Or said another way a fully convincing faith, believing in the heart, produces fruit of that belief, thus confession of the mouth. If you turn it around putting emphasis on the act, then you will have people raising their hands over and over again trying to increase faith through an act. We do not see Jesus asking people to raise their hands, nor did he invite them to come down to the altar, nor did he ask people to say a prayer for salvation but Jesus did say if you abide in my words then you will know the truth, be set free, truly my disciple.
so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.*
We are establishing that to grow up we are to "desire the milk pure" which speaks of food that grows up, like a baby would desire milk to grow up. So we ask what is this food? it is the food that "you have tasted" and found good. So what is it we have tasted and found good? This is the confession or fully convincing mature faith of Peter, in that he found the words of Jesus exist eternal Life. The food that we must desire and feed on is the words of Jesus, his words exist Life, food that tastes good. Jesus said that he is the living bread and that we are to labor for this food that endures unto everlasting Life, one must eat his flesh and drink his blood for eternal Life.* This word for good means it is profitable, useful, good, agreeable. The words of Jesus are profitable for salvation and you don't just eat one bite and be full, you have to feed on this living bread to grow up unto salvation. This is the concept of abiding in the Vine. I as Peter also confess, his words exist food that endures unto eternal Life. Have you tasted this food, and found the Lord is good?
As the living Father sent me and I live through the Father, also the one feeding on me lives through me. This exists the bread coming down from heaven, not in a like manner, that your fathers ate and died, the one feeding on this bread lives to the extent of this time.*
"To the extent of this time" is often translated as meaning eternity but the word time here also means a state of things marking an age or era; the present order of nature; the natural condition of man, the world, the material universe. Yes, Eternal Life is through feeding on this bread from heaven, the Word of Life, his words which exist Eternal Life, as John writes. But also we see the concept of abiding, continual feeding, this is the key to living or life in this present age. Now, it has taken me a while to understand this concept of abiding, of feeding on his words, as I was feeding as if this would fulfill completely, in the sense that I would be perfected thus never needing to feed again, but like earthly food, we must feed, continue to eat this living bread for life, but unlike earthly food this food endures unto eternal Life.
The word reasonable here is often translated as spiritual but these exist two words and reasonable speaks more of our logical, reasonable service. We can say this is to grow us up unto our salvation, which is accomplished through desiring food that causes us to grow up. It is important to know what grows us up, so we do not want to stunt growth. Paul is not saying spiritual milk grows us up, but he is giving a comparison; like a new born baby desires milk, desire food which grows you up. This word grow up means to cause to grow; (intr.) grow, increase. So the question becomes what are we to desire that is pure, reasonable that grows us up unto salvation? Let us look at what is "pure, reasonable so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation."*
... work out your salvation with fear and trembling.*
Like the concept of working out your salvation, growing up unto salvation does not mean that you are working for eternal redemption, to be justified, nor for righteousness, it is under grace we will rule over sin. Paul writes no one will be justified in the eyes of God by works. The nature of faith is that it exists assurance, so it is a fearful place to not have assurance of salvation. If you do or do not, work it out, that which is inward, until it is fully convincing, this is the nature of faith. Faith is given as a measure which must be increased, fully grown. The act of confession, whether praying the sinners prayer, raising a hand, or going down to the altar... is not what convinces, it is the word of God. Or said another way a fully convincing faith, believing in the heart, produces fruit of that belief, thus confession of the mouth. If you turn it around putting emphasis on the act, then you will have people raising their hands over and over again trying to increase faith through an act. We do not see Jesus asking people to raise their hands, nor did he invite them to come down to the altar, nor did he ask people to say a prayer for salvation but Jesus did say if you abide in my words then you will know the truth, be set free, truly my disciple.
so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good.*
We are establishing that to grow up we are to "desire the milk pure" which speaks of food that grows up, like a baby would desire milk to grow up. So we ask what is this food? it is the food that "you have tasted" and found good. So what is it we have tasted and found good? This is the confession or fully convincing mature faith of Peter, in that he found the words of Jesus exist eternal Life. The food that we must desire and feed on is the words of Jesus, his words exist Life, food that tastes good. Jesus said that he is the living bread and that we are to labor for this food that endures unto everlasting Life, one must eat his flesh and drink his blood for eternal Life.* This word for good means it is profitable, useful, good, agreeable. The words of Jesus are profitable for salvation and you don't just eat one bite and be full, you have to feed on this living bread to grow up unto salvation. This is the concept of abiding in the Vine. I as Peter also confess, his words exist food that endures unto eternal Life. Have you tasted this food, and found the Lord is good?
As the living Father sent me and I live through the Father, also the one feeding on me lives through me. This exists the bread coming down from heaven, not in a like manner, that your fathers ate and died, the one feeding on this bread lives to the extent of this time.*
"To the extent of this time" is often translated as meaning eternity but the word time here also means a state of things marking an age or era; the present order of nature; the natural condition of man, the world, the material universe. Yes, Eternal Life is through feeding on this bread from heaven, the Word of Life, his words which exist Eternal Life, as John writes. But also we see the concept of abiding, continual feeding, this is the key to living or life in this present age. Now, it has taken me a while to understand this concept of abiding, of feeding on his words, as I was feeding as if this would fulfill completely, in the sense that I would be perfected thus never needing to feed again, but like earthly food, we must feed, continue to eat this living bread for life, but unlike earthly food this food endures unto eternal Life.
Now, he replied, it is written: man doesn't live upon bread alone, but on every word that proceeds through the mouth of God.*
Jesus is the Word of God, thus every "word that proceeds through the mouth of God," are the words of Jesus. He was in the beginning and in him all things that were created were created through him. In Him we become a new creation. He exists Truth, the author of salvation, the author of redemption, the author and perfecter of faith. His words exist eternal Life. He is the Vine we are to connect to and remain in. The fruit of abiding in the word of God, is that we come into existence, and grow up unto our salvation. We live, we feed not on food that perishes but on food that endures unto everlasting Life, thus life is in abiding in him the Word.
If you abide in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever willing and you come into existence.*
Jesus is the Vine we are to abide in. "Jesus said to those who put their trust in him, if you remain in my words, you exist truly my disciples..."* The one who abides will not sin, as john writes, thus in truth looking intently into the law of liberty is to overcome evil. Jesus is the truth thus abiding in him is a telling sign of walking in truth, of being a disciple. We also have been given a Spirit of Truth who guides us into Truth, who is Jesus.* To abide in truth is to remain, persistent to knock, ask, and seek this living bread. So in finding the answer to what grows up to the extent of salvation, we also find the answer to many questions; how to enter our reasonable service, what consecrates, what sanctifies, what perfects, what matures, what transforms us into the full stature of the image of Christ, in regards to growing up into salvation. This growing up happens by abiding in the Word of Life, the words of Jesus.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, the one rooted and grounded in agape love.*
This word for dwell, means to live in, reside in, settle, to inhabit, dwell, to take up or find an abode. We know the truth and are set free by the truth because the truth dwells and abides in us.* Our eyes are enlightened into the knowledge of Jesus by faith. When we abide, continue, or walk in truth we walk with Jesus increasing in faith, and we abide in agape love, having a strong foundation; rooted and grounded in love. This is the foundation we are to build upon, and abiding in truth is how we become strong and overcome the evil one. It is how we are established thus we have a renewed mind that can discern the will of God. It is how we stand firm. There is a progression of teachings and use of gifts.* If I submit children to things that they can't receive, as they are not mature yet, then do I cause them to stumble? If a child has a carnal mind which can't discern the Spirit of God then is it beneficial for them to be taught the mature things of the Spirit? Truly, a house built upon sand will not stand, but that built upon the Rock, the words of Jesus, will stand.* Established in truth, rooted and grounded in agape love.
Yea, over all these the one agape love, that existing a bond unto perfection.*
We grow up abiding in truth, and to abide in truth is to abide in agape love. “As the Father agape loved me, so I agape love you, abide in the one my love."* This bond is how the Church builds itself up, in agape love. Without agape love for one another the Church will not grow up unto salvation. Walking in agape love is how we distinguish walking in truth from legalism, a form of walking in the flesh. The bond of love is above all other virtues Paul writes, in context of this verse and elsewhere it is above all the gifts given, it is the most excellent way in which the Church builds itself up. It is an increasing of faith energized in agape love for one another. This bond of agape love is how Jesus said the world would distinguish the true disciples. Paul speaks of the concept of truth in love, and faith energized in love, and in this verse we have more insight of how agape love energizes faith, it exists a bond unto perfection. Perfection is our completeness, the ripeness of knowledge or practice, maturity, a growing up unto our salvation. Think about it, if we are trying to teach children obedience and discipline without a bond of love then maturity will not be completed, as a bond is that which binds together.
But other seed fell on good soil and produced fruit, sprouting, and growing and bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and one hundred.*
Growing up unto salvation is a perfection in truth and love, not fear of punishment. Growing up is what the parable of sowing references, the one who hears, receives, and understands, the words of Jesus, these grow up, bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and one hundred fold. Jesus compares abiding in his words as a branch connected to a vine, "abide in me, and I in you. just as the branch has no power to bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can you unless you abide in me."* We are to desire this food "pure, reasonable so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation." This food exists the words of Jesus which endure unto everlasting Life. Jesus is the truth, the beginning of understanding and wisdom, he is the word of God, the Word of Life, and the author and perfecter of faith. To grow up unto salvation is to abide in his words.
Reckless Love
Jesus is the Word of God, thus every "word that proceeds through the mouth of God," are the words of Jesus. He was in the beginning and in him all things that were created were created through him. In Him we become a new creation. He exists Truth, the author of salvation, the author of redemption, the author and perfecter of faith. His words exist eternal Life. He is the Vine we are to connect to and remain in. The fruit of abiding in the word of God, is that we come into existence, and grow up unto our salvation. We live, we feed not on food that perishes but on food that endures unto everlasting Life, thus life is in abiding in him the Word.
If you abide in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever willing and you come into existence.*
Jesus is the Vine we are to abide in. "Jesus said to those who put their trust in him, if you remain in my words, you exist truly my disciples..."* The one who abides will not sin, as john writes, thus in truth looking intently into the law of liberty is to overcome evil. Jesus is the truth thus abiding in him is a telling sign of walking in truth, of being a disciple. We also have been given a Spirit of Truth who guides us into Truth, who is Jesus.* To abide in truth is to remain, persistent to knock, ask, and seek this living bread. So in finding the answer to what grows up to the extent of salvation, we also find the answer to many questions; how to enter our reasonable service, what consecrates, what sanctifies, what perfects, what matures, what transforms us into the full stature of the image of Christ, in regards to growing up into salvation. This growing up happens by abiding in the Word of Life, the words of Jesus.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, the one rooted and grounded in agape love.*
This word for dwell, means to live in, reside in, settle, to inhabit, dwell, to take up or find an abode. We know the truth and are set free by the truth because the truth dwells and abides in us.* Our eyes are enlightened into the knowledge of Jesus by faith. When we abide, continue, or walk in truth we walk with Jesus increasing in faith, and we abide in agape love, having a strong foundation; rooted and grounded in love. This is the foundation we are to build upon, and abiding in truth is how we become strong and overcome the evil one. It is how we are established thus we have a renewed mind that can discern the will of God. It is how we stand firm. There is a progression of teachings and use of gifts.* If I submit children to things that they can't receive, as they are not mature yet, then do I cause them to stumble? If a child has a carnal mind which can't discern the Spirit of God then is it beneficial for them to be taught the mature things of the Spirit? Truly, a house built upon sand will not stand, but that built upon the Rock, the words of Jesus, will stand.* Established in truth, rooted and grounded in agape love.
Yea, over all these the one agape love, that existing a bond unto perfection.*
We grow up abiding in truth, and to abide in truth is to abide in agape love. “As the Father agape loved me, so I agape love you, abide in the one my love."* This bond is how the Church builds itself up, in agape love. Without agape love for one another the Church will not grow up unto salvation. Walking in agape love is how we distinguish walking in truth from legalism, a form of walking in the flesh. The bond of love is above all other virtues Paul writes, in context of this verse and elsewhere it is above all the gifts given, it is the most excellent way in which the Church builds itself up. It is an increasing of faith energized in agape love for one another. This bond of agape love is how Jesus said the world would distinguish the true disciples. Paul speaks of the concept of truth in love, and faith energized in love, and in this verse we have more insight of how agape love energizes faith, it exists a bond unto perfection. Perfection is our completeness, the ripeness of knowledge or practice, maturity, a growing up unto our salvation. Think about it, if we are trying to teach children obedience and discipline without a bond of love then maturity will not be completed, as a bond is that which binds together.
But other seed fell on good soil and produced fruit, sprouting, and growing and bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and one hundred.*
Growing up unto salvation is a perfection in truth and love, not fear of punishment. Growing up is what the parable of sowing references, the one who hears, receives, and understands, the words of Jesus, these grow up, bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and one hundred fold. Jesus compares abiding in his words as a branch connected to a vine, "abide in me, and I in you. just as the branch has no power to bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; so neither can you unless you abide in me."* We are to desire this food "pure, reasonable so that in it you grow up to the extent of salvation." This food exists the words of Jesus which endure unto everlasting Life. Jesus is the truth, the beginning of understanding and wisdom, he is the word of God, the Word of Life, and the author and perfecter of faith. To grow up unto salvation is to abide in his words.
Reckless Love