Sown in Weakness, Raised in Power

So is the resurrection from the dead. Sown perishable, raised imperishable. Sown in dishonor, raised in glory. Sown in weakness, raised in power.*

We are sown perishable, of the flesh, but we are raised in power. We enter the kingdom of heaven, sown of the Spirit and the word of God, imperishable. We need God's power to be raised from the dead and to eat food that doesn't perish but endures unto everlasting Life.* We are sown in sin but are raised into glory, transformed from glory to glory, until we receive the fullness of glory. We are sown in brokenness, death, sickness, weakness of the flesh, one that doesn't submit to the laws of God. We are sown in weakness, but raised in power.

children, you exist of God and you overcome, because the one in you exists greater than the one in the world.*

I am not who I was before, I am a new creation in Christ, and if Christ is in me I will overcome. If God is my Father, and He is for me, who can be against me? And without knowing who I was before, how would I know of Him. If I did not know of unrighteousness how would I know of holiness? And what would I know of deliverance if I had not been a slave? And without knowing how much I have been forgiven, how would I love him much? But I know Him and love Him because he first loved me, and has forgiven me. And more, I have testimony of this, also participating in his sufferings so to participate in His life. Why do I suffer? Why did He leave me in this body of sin and death? But that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection.  

God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and sound mind.*

The word sound mind has two root words meaning "heal, preserve, rescue" and "midriff, heart, mind, thought." The mind, our thoughts, our personality, our outward conduct and character, who we are, this is our soul. Inwardly, a new creation we are formed of God, and transformed (from trans "continued" and forming) outwardly which renews the mind. This heals, brings wholeness, gets rid of the thinking of the old man. Healing refers to wholeness, the finished work of Christ, and being complete refers to salvation, redemption, and sanctification in three parts; spirit, soul, and body, * God wants to deliver us in whole. The child of God is born inwardly, spiritual, but he exists in a body of death, with a carnal mind, thus transformation brings renewal, healing, wholeness, soundness, soberness, to the mind. This Peter calls the salvation of the soul, thus as Paul writes there is a working out of this salvation in fear and trembling, which is a making sure of your calling, as to fall back would to be like the lost. Those called do not fall back, it is their destiny to have the mind of Christ, to share in His holy character.

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery leading back to fear, but received a Spirit of adoption, in whom crying Abba Father. The Spirit himself bears witness in our spirit that we exist children of God.*

Those led by the Spirit are not under Law, a yoke of slavery, neither the yoke of slavery to sin. Those led by the Spirit are taught to abide in the words of Jesus, to be sanctified in truth, the washing of the word that gives testimony of water, the purification of the body of sin. This is the ruling over sin under grace through God's power. For this Paul writes present the body a living sacrifice, holy. This is entering your reasonable service which transforms the mind. Peter calls it the goal of our faith; the salvation of our soul, and concerning this salvation the prophets spoke of the grace that would come to us.* We rule over sin under grace, Paul writes by grace through faith we are saved... We are God's workmanship prepared beforehand. This workmanship isn't about doing good works but preparation of the vessel that will do good works. A vessel prepared is one who is mature, holy. This is called glorification and it will not be complete on earth, but one day we will also have a glorified body.

Where O death is your victory? where O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the Law. Now, thanks to God the one giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.*

The power of sin is the Law so not under Law will we rule over sin. The victory is through faith, it is according to grace, in order that it is the power of God perfecting us in this weakness. In sanctification is perfection, maturity, becoming like Jesus in holy character. Sanctification is through abiding in the words of Jesus. The concept is of growth; the seed of righteousness is planted within and will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. The new covenant is a ministry of righteousness and of the Spirit. My spirit is complete in salvation, sitting in the heavenlies with Christ, this is my true identity, no longer of flesh but of spirit; sanctified, righteous, and redeemed. But I am not complete, there is the salvation of my soul, so that my inward is reflected outwardly. If Christ is in me I am indebted to righteousness, to live accordingly, this is my identity in Christ. If I do not live this way I am wretched, as evil has warred against my mind convincing me to live against my true nature. In spirit all is complete, but salvation of my soul and body is not, thus I am growing up into my salvation. What is the purpose of the salvation of my soul? I am learning the things of God that pertain to life and godliness.  I am entrusting myself to God, putting to death sin in the flesh, being raised into newness of Life. In this weakness I am being raised in His power.

Now, not alone, but we ourselves have the first-fruit of the Spirit, groaning inwardly in us also expecting adoption; the redemption of our bodies.*

Certainly, redemption is not complete. Paul writes the Spirit is a "pledge of my inheritance to the extent of redemption, that possessing."* To have the Spirit of truth in me is to know of this truth, that my redemption is not complete. The Spirit groaning for redemption of our bodies speaks of this. So we see redemption must be in three parts; spirit, soul, and body. I am given a Spirit of adoption that testifies I belong to God.*  This Spirit is the promised Holy Spirit in this way, it is of the promise of inheritance given to Abraham, thus a "pledge of my inheritance to the extent of redemption, that possessing," a Spirit that testifies I am a true son of Abraham.* Does not this imply there is redemption in parts? And there will be a wholeness of redemption and adoption? which implies that part missing; the redemption of my body? Surely, in this weakness of this body, the Spirit is groaning inwardly in us also expecting adoption; the redemption of our bodies. The redemption of my body will be complete when Jesus comes, or my body dies and I am resurrected with a glorified body.

beloved. be not surprised of the trial by fire coming among you, as though strange, but rejoice as sharing in the sufferings of Christ so that His glory is revealed.*

How is His glory revealed? judgement by fire comes to the household of God, which should be seen as rejoicing here on earth, as we escape God's wrath and judgement coming to the world. So to be disciplined here on earth is to beloved by God. Did not the prophets prophecy of the refiners fire, of Jesus refining a pure church, set apart, holy unto God? "so as to also commend the ones suffering according to the will of God in doing good, they are entrusting their souls to a faithful creator."* How many of us commend a brother for suffering? Possibly we commend a minister for suffering in a foreign country but the brother right next to me? The one who has cancer, the one who lost his job? How can I say I love God when I do not love my brother whom I see? How will I know of holiness, if I have not known trial by fire? We should rejoice in suffering and commend those suffering as His glory is being revealed in the Church, which is the body of Christ, the people being transformed into the image of Christ, him being the hope of such glory. Though in a body of sin and death the Holy Spirit brings life to our mortal body.

at the time saying 'Here I am, I have come to do your will" taking away the first in time, so to establish the second, in that will existing sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all.*

How do I explain the scriptures in regards to sanctification? except as sanctification in spirit, soul, and body? How do I explain I possess these; righteousness and sanctification and redemption and that I am working them out? "Now, you exist of Him in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and these; righteousness and sanctification and redemption."* I receive the gift of righteousness but I am called to bear fruit of righteousness. I am sanctified but I am called to a reasonable service, of sanctification and holiness, a high calling to become like Jesus. And one day I will be redeemed in body, this is my hope and destiny.

For exist three that testify: the Spirit, and the water, and the blood, and the three exist in one union.*

The Spirit testifies that I am a child of God, this greatest testimony of God is greater than any testimony among men. The blood testifies I am forgiven, having peace before God. The testimony of water is that of purification of the body of sin, sanctification, in which is my reasonable service and high calling. When I believed I am born of Spirit, a new creation, in my spirit I exist whole, but my body is not, and I am working out the salvation of my soul. I live in a corrupt body, in which sin dwells and evil is near, but also I am a temple of God, a dwelling place of the Spirit. I present my body as a living sacrifice to God, unto holiness, sanctification, consecration. When Jesus ascended into heaven He did not leave us alone as orphans, but to those who believe the Spirit dwells in our hearts, the one crying Abba Father. This Spirit testifies that we are born of God, our true nature of Spirit, not of flesh, thus we have entered the kingdom of God as sons delivered, redeemed, co-heirs of the promised inheritance. Now, if the Son sets us free, we are free indeed, and dwell in the house forever.

For God has not called us for impurity, but to sanctification.*

"For this is the will of God; your sanctification."* Sanctification brings holiness, in which we present the body a living sacrifice thus it is God's will, acceptable to God. This is why this is your reasonable and our high calling.* The old covenant was the first in time, though the second covenant in time was really the promised covenant (that hidden in God in the beginning, the plan to be revealed through the Church which the prophets looked into) the promise given to Abraham before circumcision and the Law. The promised covenant rests on faith, according to grace, and of the promised Holy Spirit. How do I explain that I am sanctified by the blood of Christ and that I am called to become holy? Which is also consecration meaning to be set a part unto God, holy, pure.* If everything was already complete and whole then I should look like Jesus in holy character upon belief and rebirth. If the truth dwells in me and the Holy Spirit groans for redemption of this body then I should know my salvation is not complete? To say otherwise would be to say I am without sin? thus as John writes, "if saying that having not sin, deceiving ourselves and the truth exists not in us."* But also as Paul writes, there is a law of faith and laws related to faith, like the ones saying evil is near me and sin is in my body.* What does Paul mean when he writes it is not me but sin in me? Oh, we have to know scriptures in whole, will half the truth set me free?

Purifying that your souls in obedience to truth, to the extent you have real love for your brothers, loving one another fervently from a pure heart.*

Along with instant deliverance comes instant obedience? But why does Peter write of a purification of our souls? If I am obedient and sanctified and holy already? Truly, there is a sanctification in truth that Jesus prays for believers.* This truth, the words of God brought to us in Jesus, sanctifies, consecrates, purifies, so that we have life, joy, and are kept from the evil one. Truly deliverance comes through abiding in the words of truth, Jesus. How would I know of abiding and life if I did not know of evil? What can we see in the old testament, a shadow of things to come? God hardened the heart of Pharaoh showing His mighty works and power not for the benefit of, nor convincing of Egyptians but for His own people so to know of His deliverance power. But what happened after deliverance? they quickly forgot what God had delivered them from, going back to their old ways, of slavery. Why? For unbelief they did not enter the promised land. Why do we not enter the promise land when we are saved? why do we roam the desert?

what can separate us from the love of Christ? suffering, or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or the sword of the executioner?... but in all this, overpower in victor through the one who loves us.*

If all is complete, if all is finished, then why are we left in this weakness of the flesh? Why do I have to continue to strive to overcome evil and unbelief? Why do I have to suffer? The path to the promised land is through the desert, suffering in the flesh, so to overcome the strongholds of unbelief and sin, the carnal mind, in which evil wars against. In suffering we learn to trust, enter his rest, and to abide, remain, steadfast, persevering, looking intently into the words of Jesus. Through this we become strong. The faith of Abraham teaches us this, who hoped against hope, not turning back judging in his carnal mind based upon unbelief, but was strengthened in faith until he was fully convinced that what God promised he was powerful to do. God promises deliverance and so we shall have it, just not as easy nor the way we might like it, but so we may know of His ways. Peter writes arm yourselves with the same mind of Christ who endured suffering putting to death sin in the flesh being raised into newness of Life. So we enter this reasonable service of presenting the body a living sacrifice, unto holiness. The child of God set free, has an inner motivation and power that leads them into sanctification, in which the outcome is Life.* 

Now, at the present freed from sin, now indebted to God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end goal, eternal life.*

I have to pass through the wilderness, the dessert, the trial by fire of sanctification, to enter the promised land. I can wish for sanctification without entering this reasonable service but what would I know of God? If delivered without knowing Him, would I stand firm? Would I have a firm foundation to stand upon? What would I know of Holy? Of His glory and power? Would I know of the spiritual blessings of adoption, redemption, and the forgiveness of sin? Of the promise of entering His rest? Would I know of salvation if not being in the desert? Would I know of the things of the desert, the signs? Would I know of that lifted up for my salvation, if I did not know I needed a savior? Would I know of the living bread, if I had not hungered in the desert? And of living water, if I did not know of thirst walking through the desert? Would I have known to eat the bread of life by abiding in the words of Jesus? Would I know of a Spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind? Would I be able to discern a Spirit of truth from a spirit of fear and error? Would I have revelation in the knowledge of the Son? To know Him and grow in greater knowledge of Him, to participate in his suffering so that I know the power of his resurrection? Would I know of holiness if not for his grace and suffering in the desert? So we pray for deliverance, to know a Spirit of grace and power, and that God will lead us into the desert, into sanctification, the end goal is the promise land.

according to the foreknowledge of God the Father in sanctification of Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.*

The children of the flesh were consecrated, set part, sanctified in body, but still they had the minds of slaves, not sons. They were fearful, ungrateful, driven by the passions of their flesh. If we like them received powerful deliverance from God what would happen? would we be like them, so easily going back? We can pray for God to instantly deliver us but what would we learn? Would we remember the glory of His powerful works and continue to follow him? The lessons of the old says no. Though consecrated, set apart, in the circumcision of the flesh, though introduced to the Law with its sting of death, wage of sin, and the fearful and dreadful expectation of wrath, judgement, and condemnation, still what happened under the fear of such punishment? Sin abounded. Not long after entering the promised land they again were taken captive. So the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. The true Jew is inwardly, circumcised of the heart by the Spirit, unto obedience, unto sanctification fully, this is God's will.

For this exists the will of God, that sanctification you possess in full. away from sexual immorality separating yourselves, to know, providing his vessel in holiness and honor,*

I am to possess, to know, sanctification in full. This word for knowing means "seeing that becomes knowing." This is what happened to Job during the suffering. When one looks into the truth as in a mirror, seeing with the eyes only but not knowing he turns away, but the one looking intently has seeing that becomes knowing. Knowing comes by submitting in meekness to the implanted word of God, consecrating your heart, Christ Lord, looking intently into the perfect law, the lawgiver and judge, Christ, not being a forget hearer only but a doer. This is true faith, it increases. Remain in Him, and you will bear fruit of Life, also preserving your soul, unto the day of Christ, having a good conscience toward God. The inward beauty of a heart consecrated to God will bear fruit in good conduct that shares in the holy character of Christ. A good conscious toward God is a precious thing. Paul writes through sanctification we find peace and wholeness, preserving our souls blameless at the coming of Christ.* James writes when we endure the proving of the trial, the result is maturity, which is also being complete, lacking in nothing. If we truly knew of the glory of God we would would rejoice in suffering and commend my brother who is suffering not a sin leading unto death, fulfilling the law of Christ to help lift his burden. 

Now having endurance, possessing work completed, so that you exist mature, whole. lacking in nothing.*

How do I exist whole, lacking in nothing? Through maturity. How do I become mature? having endurance through the suffering? Why do I suffer? so to mature, grow up. "Now, grow up in grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ."*  Why am I under grace? Why is it about faith and power through the Holy Spirit? But to know Him, "to be found in him, not having a righteousness mine from the law, but the one through faith."* And the power of His resurrection, "to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering, becoming like Him in his death so to attain the resurrection of the dead."* One day I will have redemption of this soul and body, and will know fully as I am known, the full power of His resurrection, in such glory I have hope, Christ the hope of glory. Though deliverance will not be complete in body, I through the Spirit put to death this body bringing Life to this mortal body. I am born into the kingdom of God to inherit this abundant Life, it is my destiny, so I strive in the flesh, not having obtained fully my salvation, for I run the race for this purpose, for the prize of this high calling, the crown of righteousness and life.  

Scars