the One we proclaim, to admonish all men, and teach all men in all wisdom so that presenting all men mature in Christ.*
Who is the one we proclaim to know? but Jesus. Who do we proclaim to others? And what does it mean to present all mature? The Greek word "all" is usually when the substantive has the article.* In other words we must look at the context of surrounding scriptures to see who is inclusive in the all. In this case, those in Christ. Here is a verse that we see "all" again, "The grace of God is revealed to all men teaching us to deny ungodliness and the worldly passions, living righteously and piously in the present age... and to cleanse himself a special people zealous for good works."* Who is "all" in this verse? The ones chosen to walk in good works or to yield fruit of godliness. We are learning that good works is a fruit of maturity and not about doing things but about becoming, growing up to be like Jesus. And grace is a gift given along with righteousness and the Spirit for the purpose of faith, overcoming.* So not all men receive righteousness and grace but those who have access to it by faith.* It is very important to look at "all" in this way. The one we proclaim, Jesus, the writings about him, we use to "admonish all men, and teach all men in all wisdom so that presenting all men mature in Christ."* His words exist the perfect law that provides freedom and give life. All men in this verse is inclusive to those in Christ. The purpose of the Church is about growth, first personal growth then the great (the mature) become servants to equip others, "presenting all men mature in Christ."*
 |
| The Church, the People |
for freedom Christ frees us, stand firm therefore and do not subject again to a yoke of slavery.*
We know of a yoke of slavery to sin and the weight of sin that so easily entangles us but what about slavery in other forms? to false religion? What is Paul talking about in context of this scripture? He is talking about a perversion of the gospel which enslaves people. Read Paul's letter to the Galatians and ask for God to reveal truth of these scriptures. Paul writes there is a bewitching of the church happening that causes them to be enslaved. These are strong words which get stronger. They were severing from Christ, and falling from grace, in religious activity that is a walking in the flesh, not in the Spirit.* Paul writes false brothers entered the Church, perverted the gospel, bewitched the Galatians to follow this perversion. How did this happen? They brought in from the Old testament. It is all from the Bible right? in this example they are of the circumcision party, requiring this, but does it matter what they bring in? teachings from the Old, of authority, leadership, tithing, obedience without understanding, living to laws, rules and regulations, serving and sacrificing other than the reasonable service in Christ and things that mature us in Christ? Before we can proclaim and teach and admonish we need to have a clear understanding of what we use for this purpose.
all writings inspired by God and profitable unto teaching, unto reproof, unto reformation, unto training for righteousness, so that the man of God exists complete, equipped unto all good works.*
Here again we see the word "all." Is it true all scriptures in the Bible are to be used for the purpose of presenting men mature? No, in context Paul writes to Timothy about the teachings of Christ, entrusting Timothy with such teachings so they are not perverted. This just makes since right? Not all the scriptures in regards to the Old covenants but all in regards to the teachings of Christ. This New covenant in His blood which took his death, is profitable for teaching, reproof, improvement, training in righteousness (righteousness is in Christ, by faith according to grace not in works of the Law) so that the man of God exists complete, equipped for all good works (definition of His workmanship: one prepared to do good works, one mature in Christ.)* It is the truth of the scriptures not all writings are used in the work of ministry to equip the saints unto all good works. But what is profitable to equip men to do good works, the teachings of Christ. What is the purpose of the Church? equipping men. We see good works is a fruit of maturity. James has as a premesis maturity when he argues about faith without works being dead. In other words without maturity we do not bear fruit. So let us look briefly at what does not profit us then we will come back to the purpose of the church.
now, at the present knowing God, now, rather known by God, what means do you turn back again to the feeble, and inferior principles? willing to be slaves of another again?
How does the church of Galatia become so easily enslaved? going back to feeble and inferior principles. It is an appeal to the flesh, doing things through fleshly means. The very same heart issue that Jesus exposes in the people of the religious system of his time, was that they did things for people to see, their reward was focused on earthly things and, reward of the glory of men over God. It is the same appeal to the fleshly nature that will bewitch people to be enslaved in a false religious system. Look at us, we tithe ten percent of all we have, look at us we worship by offering money in front of others, look at us... prideful display of the fleshly nature. Also the bewitching easily happens because its in the Bible, right? Surely circumcision of the flesh is in the Bible, right, all scripture is used for teaching? tithing is in the bible, right? all scripture is inspired by God, right? Therefore, let us go back to these feeble principles all over again and become slaves.
and in this way, while existing a minor, existing enslaved to the principles of the world, now, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, under the Law, to redeem those under the Law so that receiving adoption.*
Jesus said one must enter the kingdom of God through a new birth that is spiritual, not fleshly. John's says this purpose Jesus came, to those who receive Him, they become children of God. The promise is not based upon a circumcision of the flesh, nor the Law, but the promise of inheritance on the Spirit which is our pledge unto. Those under the Law were under a guardian, which did not perfect, mature men, as it was a veiled glory and a better hope would be introduced.* In the face of Jesus the glory of God would shine in our hearts enlightening us unto the knowledge of God.* The knowledge of the Son we grow up into, a spirit of revelation and wisdom in knowledge of Him.* Take away this knowledge in Christ and take away salvation. Take away growth in knowledge of Him replacing it with the Old justification by works of the law, and feeble principles and they will stay children. Require absolute obedience without understanding, so to produce slaves of men. Take leadership and authority of the Old, bring it into the new, neglecting the teachings of Christ, for what purpose? to enslave men. Period.
now, at the present knowing God, now, rather known by God, what means do you turn back again to the feeble, and inferior principles? willing to be slaves of another again?
How does the church of Galatia become so easily enslaved? going back to feeble and inferior principles. It is an appeal to the flesh, doing things through fleshly means. The very same heart issue that Jesus exposes in the people of the religious system of his time, was that they did things for people to see, their reward was focused on earthly things and, reward of the glory of men over God. It is the same appeal to the fleshly nature that will bewitch people to be enslaved in a false religious system. Look at us, we tithe ten percent of all we have, look at us we worship by offering money in front of others, look at us... prideful display of the fleshly nature. Also the bewitching easily happens because its in the Bible, right? Surely circumcision of the flesh is in the Bible, right, all scripture is used for teaching? tithing is in the bible, right? all scripture is inspired by God, right? Therefore, let us go back to these feeble principles all over again and become slaves.
and in this way, while existing a minor, existing enslaved to the principles of the world, now, when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, under the Law, to redeem those under the Law so that receiving adoption.*
Jesus said one must enter the kingdom of God through a new birth that is spiritual, not fleshly. John's says this purpose Jesus came, to those who receive Him, they become children of God. The promise is not based upon a circumcision of the flesh, nor the Law, but the promise of inheritance on the Spirit which is our pledge unto. Those under the Law were under a guardian, which did not perfect, mature men, as it was a veiled glory and a better hope would be introduced.* In the face of Jesus the glory of God would shine in our hearts enlightening us unto the knowledge of God.* The knowledge of the Son we grow up into, a spirit of revelation and wisdom in knowledge of Him.* Take away this knowledge in Christ and take away salvation. Take away growth in knowledge of Him replacing it with the Old justification by works of the law, and feeble principles and they will stay children. Require absolute obedience without understanding, so to produce slaves of men. Take leadership and authority of the Old, bring it into the new, neglecting the teachings of Christ, for what purpose? to enslave men. Period.
for if I build up again those things tore down, I demonstrate I am a transgressor. For through the Law I died to laws so that living to God, crucified with Christ. Now, I no longer live, now Christ lives in me. Now, like as presently living in the flesh, I live in faith to the Son of God, the one loving me and giving himself for me.*
If I build up again those things tore down by Christ who am I? Is not this the anti-Christ? who would rebuild and set himself up in the Old Temple? If I make again offerings, tithing, and sacrifices in attempts to be justified by my works, would I sever from Christ? to seek justification from the Old neglecting that in His blood? And severing from the new covenant established in His blood? The Law demonstrated that all men were sinners and transgressors, why go back and fall from grace, coming under its curse? If Christ tore down the handwriting adverse to us, nailing it to the cross, why would I go back to build it up again?
For if seeking to be justified in Christ ourselves also found to be sinners is Christ a servant of sin? no!*
I presently live in the flesh, is this not truth as Paul writes sin dwells in my flesh and evil is near me? It is not who I am, I am spiritual no longer defined by the flesh and its nature. But I surely do not ignore such truth, deceiving myself. Like the Old covenant temple, a shadow of things to come, so I exist, the Spirit of God in a corrupt body, in which the Spirit moans inwardly for freedom as children of God. There is a salvation to come, a redemption of the body, to ignore such is to defeat the child who finds himself in the position Paul writes about, doing the things he hates not finding the power to overcome. These scriptures, the teachings of baptism, are given to us for a purpose. We see that a system that ignores growth of the child, teaching them to tithe, serve, and do these things that do not perfect them has one goal; slavery.
for the Law perfected no one, now, the introduction of better hope through whom we draw near.*
Did the Law perfect, mature anyone in regards to righteousness and sharing in His character? conforming to His image? did tithing? did sacrifice and offerings? did serving in the temple? Why would someone require these things and neglect the things that mature us in Christ? We look at the Old in the Light of Christ, as pointing to Him, not building again upon a system that did not perfect men. For example, the Law had fear of punishment, thus fear was the beginning of wisdom and understanding. It required absolute obedience, live by the Law or be punished. Is fear the beginning of wisdom and understanding in the new covenant? that new one established in the blood of Christ? No, in Christ is all wisdom and understanding.* This is what it means to know Him and grow in knowledge of Him and why Paul counted all things as loss in order to know Him. This is what it means that in Christ we have access to all things unto godliness and life through knowledge of the Son.
Now, all with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, transformed into his image, away from glory to the extent of glory, just as the Lord, spiritual.*
There was a veiled glory in the Old, now, a surpassing glory, in which the New glory is away from the Old glory which passes way because of the surpassing glory. The glory of the Old did not perfect men unto His image because of the weakness of sinful nature. Now, the glory that has arrived, spiritual and not fleshly, transforms men into His image through the Spirit and knowledge of the Son. The mystery being revealed through the Church is great, requiring teaching of these things unless we fall away from truth, which is apostasy. God gave Moses, a man, his divine words but Jesus, the Word of God, became a man, to give us the words from the Father and the right to become children. Who will you obey? Moses or Jesus? to a man God gave words to or Jesus the Son, Word of God who became a man? What face will you look into? that of Moses, a veiled glory or Jesus, the unveiled glory? Truly though if you really believed Moses you would believe Jesus, because Moses spoke of Him. The Law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus, who came in the fullness of the Father, to make known the Father to us. Jesus is the radiance of the image of God. Through Jesus we know and grow up in wisdom and understanding of God the Father, this is very profound. To go back to the Old is to sever from Christ, and to fall from grace.
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body in knowledge of the Son, into mature adulthood, unto the measure of the stature of the image of Christ.*
Now, we are back to the purpose of the Church as seen in the teachings of the New. This goal or purpose of the Church is related to our calling, not to be confused with gifts given to the saints but the calling as children of God, according to that purposed in Christ Jesus, that related to our reasonable service, to present the body a living sacrifice unto holiness, to become like Jesus.* "Now, all things work together for good, to the one loved of God, the one existing called according to purpose, because those he foreknew also predestined, conforming to the image of His Son, to the extent he might exist firstborn among many brethren."* Do we see how precious it is that we love and care for his brethren? His children are chosen, called according to purpose. "Predestined us for adoption as His, through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of His glory, the grace like as favoring us in the Beloved."* The blessing of adoption we have received from the riches of His grace and glory, incomparable to any treasure of this world. As a child we see dimly who we are, but as we mature we see more and more. Stop growth, stop knowledge of Christ and knowing who we are. Stop growth and children do not become free. Knowing of who we are in Christ comes from us growing up in knowledge of Him! Therefore the devil plants weeds to keep us children, to choke us out, so we do not know our true identity as sons.
for presently looking through a mirror in enigma, now, when face to face, presently, I know from part, at that time fully know just as fully known.*
Let us pray that we too as Paul, count all things as loss in order to know Christ and to be fully known in Him. We pray for maturity. I hope we see the importance of sound doctrine in knowing Christ Jesus and how the Church is purposed for this task. This is the Big picture of its purpose, presenting all men mature in Christ, conformed to the image of His Son. This is what it means to be a Christian, "like Christ." The purpose is to equip the saints (the mature who are no longer children) for work of ministry, to build up (to mature, grow up children) until all attain unto unity of faith (faith comes through His words) and in knowledge of the Son of God (to know Him) unto mature adulthood, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (into his image, no greater purpose, no greater calling, no greater service than to be conformed to the image of His Son) so no longer children tossed to and fro, blown about by all winds of doctrine in human cunning, in craftiness, in deceitful scheming (the purpose of the weeds planted by the devil, to choke out growth of God's children.)
that I may know Him...*
The purpose of the Church is to present all men mature in Christ, in which we use the teachings of Christ for the purpose of growth in knowledge of Him. To know Him, is to be rooted in love and to be perfected in truth, to grow up in Him, truth in love. We are called to such a purpose, to be conformed to the image of His Son. To share in His character, to reflect His image of glory. This is why we contend; to know Him, in whom is all wisdom and understanding. If this is that purposed in Christ which goal is about maturity in knowledge of Him then the purpose of that against is to keep children from Knowing Him, from growing up, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine in deceitful scheming. There are things raised up against the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, so we need understanding to be in compliance to the teachings in Christ.* Surely, blind obedience without understanding has the goal of slavery, but knowing Jesus has the goal of freedom, life, bearing fruit of maturity in keeping His words. We seek to know Christ Jesus above all things. To know Him is to grow up in knowledge of Him unto the full measure, unto godliness and life.
If I build up again those things tore down by Christ who am I? Is not this the anti-Christ? who would rebuild and set himself up in the Old Temple? If I make again offerings, tithing, and sacrifices in attempts to be justified by my works, would I sever from Christ? to seek justification from the Old neglecting that in His blood? And severing from the new covenant established in His blood? The Law demonstrated that all men were sinners and transgressors, why go back and fall from grace, coming under its curse? If Christ tore down the handwriting adverse to us, nailing it to the cross, why would I go back to build it up again?
For if seeking to be justified in Christ ourselves also found to be sinners is Christ a servant of sin? no!*
I presently live in the flesh, is this not truth as Paul writes sin dwells in my flesh and evil is near me? It is not who I am, I am spiritual no longer defined by the flesh and its nature. But I surely do not ignore such truth, deceiving myself. Like the Old covenant temple, a shadow of things to come, so I exist, the Spirit of God in a corrupt body, in which the Spirit moans inwardly for freedom as children of God. There is a salvation to come, a redemption of the body, to ignore such is to defeat the child who finds himself in the position Paul writes about, doing the things he hates not finding the power to overcome. These scriptures, the teachings of baptism, are given to us for a purpose. We see that a system that ignores growth of the child, teaching them to tithe, serve, and do these things that do not perfect them has one goal; slavery.
for the Law perfected no one, now, the introduction of better hope through whom we draw near.*
Did the Law perfect, mature anyone in regards to righteousness and sharing in His character? conforming to His image? did tithing? did sacrifice and offerings? did serving in the temple? Why would someone require these things and neglect the things that mature us in Christ? We look at the Old in the Light of Christ, as pointing to Him, not building again upon a system that did not perfect men. For example, the Law had fear of punishment, thus fear was the beginning of wisdom and understanding. It required absolute obedience, live by the Law or be punished. Is fear the beginning of wisdom and understanding in the new covenant? that new one established in the blood of Christ? No, in Christ is all wisdom and understanding.* This is what it means to know Him and grow in knowledge of Him and why Paul counted all things as loss in order to know Him. This is what it means that in Christ we have access to all things unto godliness and life through knowledge of the Son.
Now, all with unveiled faces, beholding as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord, transformed into his image, away from glory to the extent of glory, just as the Lord, spiritual.*
There was a veiled glory in the Old, now, a surpassing glory, in which the New glory is away from the Old glory which passes way because of the surpassing glory. The glory of the Old did not perfect men unto His image because of the weakness of sinful nature. Now, the glory that has arrived, spiritual and not fleshly, transforms men into His image through the Spirit and knowledge of the Son. The mystery being revealed through the Church is great, requiring teaching of these things unless we fall away from truth, which is apostasy. God gave Moses, a man, his divine words but Jesus, the Word of God, became a man, to give us the words from the Father and the right to become children. Who will you obey? Moses or Jesus? to a man God gave words to or Jesus the Son, Word of God who became a man? What face will you look into? that of Moses, a veiled glory or Jesus, the unveiled glory? Truly though if you really believed Moses you would believe Jesus, because Moses spoke of Him. The Law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus, who came in the fullness of the Father, to make known the Father to us. Jesus is the radiance of the image of God. Through Jesus we know and grow up in wisdom and understanding of God the Father, this is very profound. To go back to the Old is to sever from Christ, and to fall from grace.
to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body in knowledge of the Son, into mature adulthood, unto the measure of the stature of the image of Christ.*
Now, we are back to the purpose of the Church as seen in the teachings of the New. This goal or purpose of the Church is related to our calling, not to be confused with gifts given to the saints but the calling as children of God, according to that purposed in Christ Jesus, that related to our reasonable service, to present the body a living sacrifice unto holiness, to become like Jesus.* "Now, all things work together for good, to the one loved of God, the one existing called according to purpose, because those he foreknew also predestined, conforming to the image of His Son, to the extent he might exist firstborn among many brethren."* Do we see how precious it is that we love and care for his brethren? His children are chosen, called according to purpose. "Predestined us for adoption as His, through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will to the praise of His glory, the grace like as favoring us in the Beloved."* The blessing of adoption we have received from the riches of His grace and glory, incomparable to any treasure of this world. As a child we see dimly who we are, but as we mature we see more and more. Stop growth, stop knowledge of Christ and knowing who we are. Stop growth and children do not become free. Knowing of who we are in Christ comes from us growing up in knowledge of Him! Therefore the devil plants weeds to keep us children, to choke us out, so we do not know our true identity as sons.
for presently looking through a mirror in enigma, now, when face to face, presently, I know from part, at that time fully know just as fully known.*
Let us pray that we too as Paul, count all things as loss in order to know Christ and to be fully known in Him. We pray for maturity. I hope we see the importance of sound doctrine in knowing Christ Jesus and how the Church is purposed for this task. This is the Big picture of its purpose, presenting all men mature in Christ, conformed to the image of His Son. This is what it means to be a Christian, "like Christ." The purpose is to equip the saints (the mature who are no longer children) for work of ministry, to build up (to mature, grow up children) until all attain unto unity of faith (faith comes through His words) and in knowledge of the Son of God (to know Him) unto mature adulthood, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, (into his image, no greater purpose, no greater calling, no greater service than to be conformed to the image of His Son) so no longer children tossed to and fro, blown about by all winds of doctrine in human cunning, in craftiness, in deceitful scheming (the purpose of the weeds planted by the devil, to choke out growth of God's children.)
that I may know Him...*
The purpose of the Church is to present all men mature in Christ, in which we use the teachings of Christ for the purpose of growth in knowledge of Him. To know Him, is to be rooted in love and to be perfected in truth, to grow up in Him, truth in love. We are called to such a purpose, to be conformed to the image of His Son. To share in His character, to reflect His image of glory. This is why we contend; to know Him, in whom is all wisdom and understanding. If this is that purposed in Christ which goal is about maturity in knowledge of Him then the purpose of that against is to keep children from Knowing Him, from growing up, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine in deceitful scheming. There are things raised up against the knowledge of God in Christ Jesus, so we need understanding to be in compliance to the teachings in Christ.* Surely, blind obedience without understanding has the goal of slavery, but knowing Jesus has the goal of freedom, life, bearing fruit of maturity in keeping His words. We seek to know Christ Jesus above all things. To know Him is to grow up in knowledge of Him unto the full measure, unto godliness and life.