Taking time away with the Lord, no social media, or interactions with the humans outside this home— for the moment: as well— what the Lord and I have been discussing and pouring over, scripturally, and unto our spiritual relationships with him: he’s after the heart of man, and its redemption. But what is that, really, the heart’s redemption? What loss can we suffer— if we do not understand this redemption? And why is the ‘creation’ groaning?
[video link to the post:https://youtu.be/IhR7hxZZoug]
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Solomon’s loss
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1 Kings 3
“And Solomon made affinity [H2859: contract]] with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the Lord, and the wall of Jerusalem round about.
Only the people sacrificed in high places, because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord, until those days. And Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places. And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said— Ask what I shall give you?
And Solomon said— You have shown unto your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king— instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people which you have chosen— a great people— that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Give therefore your servant an understanding [H8085: Pronunciation: shaw-mah' – Definition: A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention and obedience): attentively call, gather together carefully, certainly, consider content, declare, discern, give ear to, make to hear or hearken, indeed listen, be obedient/obey, perceive, regard, witness: KJV Usage: hear (785x), hearken (196x), obey (81x), publish (17x), understand (9x), obedient (8x), diligently (8x), shew (6x), sound (3x), declare (3x), discern (2x), noise (2x), perceive (2x), tell (2x), reported (2x), misc (33x)] …
.… heart [H3820: pronunciation— labe: feelings, will, intellect— center of (man), regards, mind + understanding, wisdom] ….
…. to judge [H8199: govern, litigate, plead, avenge, condemn, vindicate, execute, defend, deliver] your people— that I may discern [H995: separate and distinguish, understand, consider diligently, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, perceive, instruct, regard— in understanding and wisdom]....
…. between good [H2896: beautiful, best, bountiful, favored, gracious, kind, pleasant, prosperous, precious] and bad [H7451: natural or moral wickedness, displeasing, evil, harm, mischief, wrong]: for who is able to judge this— your so great a people?
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
And God said unto him— Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life; neither have you asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies; but you have asked for yourself— understanding [(same as discernment) H995: separate and distinguish, understand, consider diligently, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, perceive, instruct, regard— in understanding and wisdom]
…. to discern [(which is now the use of understanding/to hear) H8085: Pronunciation: shaw-mah' – Definition: A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention and obedience): attentively call, gather together carefully, certainly, consider content, declare, discern, give ear to, make to hear or hearken, indeed listen, be obedient/obey, perceive, regard, witness: KJV Usage: hear (785x), hearken (196x), obey (81x), publish (17x), understand (9x), obedient (8x), diligently (8x), shew (6x), sound (3x), declare (3x), discern (2x), noise (2x), perceive (2x), tell (2x), reported (2x), misc (33x)]
….judgment [H4941: mish-pawt' – formal decree of divine law actions, justice, determinations, discretion, form, manner, measure, ordinances]; Behold, I have done according to your words: lo, I have given you a wise [H2450: intelligent, skilful, artful, cunning, subtle] and an understanding [H995: to be separate and distinguish, understand, consider diligently, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, perceive, instruct, regard— in understanding and wisdom] heart [H3820: pronunciation— labe: feelings, will, intellect— center of (man), regards, mind + understanding, wisdom]; so that there was none like you before you— neither after you shall any arise like unto you.
And I have also given you that which you have not asked— both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto you all your days.
And if you will walk in my ways— to keep my statutes and my commandments— as your father David did walk— then I will lengthen your days.
And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.
Then there came two women, who were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him. And the one woman said— O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house. And it came to pass the third day after that I was delivered, that this woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house, save we two in the house. And this woman's child died in the night; because she overlaid it. And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me— while your handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom— and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.
And the other woman said— Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is your son. And this (the other woman) said, No; but the dead is your son, and the living is my son. Thus they spoke before the king.
Then said the king— The one saith, This is my son that lives, and your son is the dead: and the other saith— Nay; but your son is the dead, and my son is the living.
And the king said— Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king. And the king said— Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Then spake the woman— whose the living child was, unto the king— for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said— O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it. But the other said— Let it be neither mine nor yours, but divide it.
Then the king answered and said— Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard of the judgment [H4941: mish-pawt' – formal decree of divine law actions, justice, determinations, discretion, form, manner, measure, ordinances] which the king had judged [H8199: govern, litigate, plead, avenge, condemn, vindicate, execute, defend, deliver]; and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom [H2451: good sense, skilful wit] of God [H430: supreme magistrate] was in him, to do judgment [H4941: mish-pawt' – formal decree of divine law actions, justice, determinations, discretion, form, manner, measure, ordinances].”
Things noted in chapter 4, there is influence of a plethora of other cultures he encounters, now: from Philistines to Egyptians, on a regular basis— bringing him things from their kingdoms.
1 Kings 4:21, 29-30, 34
“And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.”
29-30
“And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore. And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.”
Another thing noted is that the Lord has given Solomon heaps of understanding— which we denoted means— ability to hear and follow God, and ‘his’ wisdom, customs, presidents, and ways— unto good godly judgment over his people: leading to wisdom, the wisdom of God.
Note— the wisdom— is secondary to the gaining of the ability to hear or hearken, obey, and serve God and his interests, from his perspective— FIRST: then, the wisdom of God comes.
We can only gain wisdom once you have heard and obeyed the Lord God, from his perspective, in his knowledge, and under his understanding of said knowledge he’s sharing: this is what wisdom is, and it comes through counseling with the Lord (hearing him out).
Wisdom— was secondary, and a byproduct of hearing and obeying: if one drops the hearing and obeying— a fall away from God has happened, and the wisdom one will step into— is worldly wisdom, and awares and knowledge of the spirit of this world, the realm of the spirit where God does not abide, but where other spirits do: mixing cultures and mixing bloodlines— always led to compromise in the people of God, throughout the totality of scripture as a whole.
34
“And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.”
Fame is entering Solomon’s life: favor of men, and exaltation of men.
Often times when great men of God fall— it is for the same reasons we are beginning to see Solomon’s great set up— to either succeed with God Almighty, holy and true… or… to fall into the temptations of man— gifted by satan: fall away from your separation, fall into common things of man— profane the holy temple of your heart and mind— with it’s affections and lusts of the flesh, lean into your own reasoning and ways —and away from God as the headship and Lord over you, and head your own direction, delving into the wisdom of the world: the devilish, sensual wisdom, not God’s wisdom.
God’s wisdom comes from his knowledge base in all that is godly, righteous and true, in his understanding or awares of all things of absolute truth (and we are to hear him out and obey him in them), to thereby have been counseled by him; and thus— comes in the wisdom of God: as long as a man is honoring God’s knowledge, God’s understanding— hearing him out from his perspective and obeying him— a man will have been counseled by God, inside, and directly in contact with the wisdom of God.
If a man will skip these steps— be not separated unto him, obey him and respect him in his commands, ways, precepts, statutes, and conduct… or … he will not gain God’s perspective, but will lean upon his own mind and heart, and understanding… or… he counsels with others not of God’s household (other gods, and their human people, cultures, who influence)... he will lose the wisdom of God, and gain the wisdom of the spirit of error, the spirit of this age: this is the same for every man.
In chapter 6, Solomon begins to build the house of the Lord: Solomon’s temple. And it is glorious— for a building of hands; but the Lord comes with what I see as a preemptive warning.
1 Kings 6:11-13
“And the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying— Concerning this house which you are in building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with you, which I spake unto David your father: And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”
David lived a certain way, from within his heart, toward God holy and true. And here— the Lord is essentially informing Solomon that he expects the same of his character and integrity of heart toward God, and his ‘ways.’ The Lord’s ‘ways’ were emphasized here.
Note— the Lord says, essentially, “So… about this house you are building…” And then he goes into Solomon’s ‘conduct’ of heart and actions; he literally does not speak to the beauty of the building (material object), he speaks to the importance of what ‘dwells within a man,’ specifically— his own heart and mind.
The Lord has always been about the heart of man (mind, thoughts, will, lusts, desires, attitude, posture, etc). And even with the whole world dumped into our beings of wisdom, understanding, and an enlarged heart (which was all given to Solomon); if a man compromises unto God, if a man cheats on God, if a man adulterates the bedchamber of intimacy and union to the way, truth, and life with God— this man will gain loss: this man will fall away from God, and what he will gain into his life, is a loss of intimacy with God, a loss of a heart toward God, a loss of a life separated unto God, a heart divided— double minded— and given over to serving itself; a heart (mind, thoughts, will, lusts, desires, attitude, posture, etc) that has ceased to hear, hearken, and obey God; and now serves ‘another’ in the bedchamber, temple of the Lord.
We are to learn from Solomon’s loss— so that we do not gain loss in our lives— fall away from God in a great falling away. But that we would take the wisdom of the story of the life of Solomon, and that is this: when much is given a man, much is required of him: heart posture, motives, defilement or cleanliness, and desire to please God— matters.
Solomon— decked out the things furthest from God’s heart, the temple made with man’s hands, itself: resembling— the outer court, or place God is least revered, and is common amongst all men. God was looking not for the outward appearances of serving God, but the inward parts of a man clean, shiny, and refined as gold.
In chapter 7 Solomon is building now, his houses, as well as finishing the house of the Lord; and as like what he did with the Lord’s house (temple), he is building with great detail of beautiful things: all outward appearances, with painstaking detail; but was the inward man being attended to, unto the real temple of the heart of man, that God was after all along?
In chapter 8, the ark of the Lord is brought in. The priests go in (the servants of the Lord and the law), and there is a great presence of God that fills the chamber. Solomon— is, however— noting that he finished this outward temple. And in this verse— is a key, as Solomon begins to address the Lord within the temple that he built.
1 Kings 8:23
“And he said— Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and mercy with your servants that walk before you with all their heart.”
The priests serve God in the temple: we are priests— we are to serve God in the heart, where the Kingdom and throne of God reside within man. Here— Solomon was referencing the priests, but also himself in building the outward temple: but God is looking for us to dwell with him ‘within,’ where the holy and holiest of places is within a man’s heart. And when a man will do this, and give himself fully to the Lord God, within, and in pure heart motive, with clean hands: then does the Lord have the temple of his making— not of hands of men (or building and construction that man can do), but a building of his own workmanship: the heart of man.
Acts 17:24-25
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth— dwells not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands (actions, outward works), as though he needed anything— seeing he gives to all— life, and breath, and all things.”
God does not need outward shows of affection— he’s after the heart, pure, clean, and in fidelity toward him in the innermost places: the high places given over to him, and only him; in the temple of his choosing: the heart of man.
Solomon continues through chapter 8 to speak of the ‘servant’ of God, and even addresses himself as such: but the servant of God serves the truth, the way, and life with God. A man can begin well with God— and fall away— if he is led away of the lusts of his own heart: and we all have this self-same temptation: whom will we choose, this day, to serve?
He begins with well intentions toward God, but he has taken Pharaoh's daughter, been intimate with many cultures (from Philistines to Egyptians), he vows that he desires to hear, hearken, obey God (understanding), and with this knowledge and understanding he will gain with God— he will walk in godly wisdom, through the counsel of the Lord, he has heard the warning of the Lord when he was building the temple— to uphold what David upheld in his heart, toward God himself: But we will see that he begins to be drawn away of his own heart, and will forget that he received of the Lord, all he did, because he asked for ‘the people to be well cared for.’ But if he loses the whole point to the gain of God’s knowledge base, understanding of it (to hear the Lord and obey his headship), to gain the wisdom of God (for selfless reasons) —he will take all of what was given to him, unto himself, fall away from seeking God and exalting him; and fall into his own bosom.
Do we know what we do?
And if we know what we do, do we know why we do what we do?
God sees the posture and motives of the heart: and that is where he chooses to dwell amongst men. We cannot let the heart become defiled, with other gods and their ways in the bedchamber of our marriage relationship: spiritual adultery.
It is one thing to profane that which is holy by making it common; we can come back from that— like taking the Lord’s name in vain, repenting, and recovering by reverencing the Lord God holy, once again: holy— being that which is revered again: he is set apart, set apart, set apart (as the angels declare over his throne), holy, holy, holy— like no other— is he set apart from all others.
But we cannot come back from full defilement of the temple— without a fiery purging of all things: full repentance, cleansing of the heart, with a caveat of not entertaining other gods within any longer: a complete overhaul of a relationship (not one slip up).
1 Kings 8:54
“And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.”
It is not much words the Lord is after, or the ability to go upon a knee— but a pure heart toward him: living the truth and way with him. The Lord is not looking for outward posture— if the inward posture is askew, and unto upholding other gods within.
The Lord warned Solomon of this many times as he retold his father, David’s, relationship with him: and that he expected the same from him, within his high places (heart) of his own person.
1 Kings 8:61
“Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.”
The Lord will require of us— what we ourselves have said, and known: Solomon knew what was required of him: his heart, in purity, and cleanliness.
1 Kings 9:1-9
“And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do, that the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.
And the Lord said unto him— I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me: I have hallowed this house, which you have built, to put my name there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually.
And if you will walk before me, as David your father walked— in integrity of heart, and in uprightness— to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my judgments: then I will establish the throne of your kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David your father, saying— There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.
BUT— if you shall at all turn from following me, you or your children— and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: And at this house, which is high, every one that passes by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say— Why has the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house?
And they shall answer— Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt— and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore has the Lord brought upon them all this evil.”
In chapter 10— the queen of Sheba comes, and Solomon entertains her, and tells her all she desires to hear.
1 Kings 10:23-24
“So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.”
We will be tested in all things God gives unto us: mantles, giftings, riches, wisdom, understanding, knowledge or revelation; and we will be tested as to whether we use them for good/God, or not.
1 Kings 11:1-14, 21, 23, 25-26, 42-43
“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel— You shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth— the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom— the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord— as did David his father.
Then did Solomon build a high place —for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech— the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
And the Lord was angry with Solomon— because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.
Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon— Forasmuch as this is done of you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you— I will surely rend the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.
Notwithstanding in your days I will not do it— for David— your father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of your son. Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to your son— for David, my servant's sake— and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.
And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon— Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
21
And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh— Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.
23
And God stirred him up another adversary —Rezon, the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: 25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
26
And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman— even he lifted up his hand against the king.
42-43
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.”
THE HEART: it’s always been about the heart throne, unto God, in purity of, and with clean hands (actions) of pure motives— to be a ‘servant’ of the Lord God— in his ways, truth, and life with him (his person): we must learn from the loss of Solomon— that we gain not the same loss:
1 Kings 11:38
“And it shall be, if you will hearken unto all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with you, and build you a sure house, as I built for David…...”
Hearken— H8085: Pronunciation: shaw-mah' – Definition: A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention and obedience): attentively call, gather together carefully, certainly, consider content, declare, discern, give ear to, make to hear or hearken, indeed listen, be obedient/obey, perceive, regard, witness: KJV Usage: hear (785x), hearken (196x), obey (81x), publish (17x), understand (9x), obedient (8x), diligently (8x), shew (6x), sound (3x), declare (3x), discern (2x), noise (2x), perceive (2x), tell (2x), reported (2x), misc (33x)
It was always, always, ALWAYS— about hearkening unto God: this is the definition of understanding. Solomon asked for understanding to judge and discern rightly for the people: a selfless ask. But Solomon turned unto his own bosom, and away from the Lord: and Solomon’s heart was then turned from the Lord God— and unto his own intents and thoughts: the high places of his heart were given over.
That is why the fall of Solomon.
That is why a man with much wisdom (given to which god[s]) can fall so far.
That is why wisdom can be devilish, sensual— if not given to God’s knowledge, perspective, thoughts, revelations, ways, and with the understanding thereof: gaining his counsels.
Wisdom can be perverted— as like all other things: understanding (whom are we hearkening unto and obeying), knowledge (whose), counsels (whose), by whose presence, and whom are we fearing?
To whom much is given— much is required: take heed in what you ask of the Lord, that your heart not betray him in the revelation of much: serve him in the purity of your heart— and not ‘stuff.’ For the love of the ‘stuff,’ wisdom, etc., will not secure your position within God: a pure and clean heart toward God holy, true, and righteous will: with actions of your hands that go with (this is your follow through, your deeds based upon the leadership of who’s at the helm of the ship: the relationship and headship within the heart of man, toward his god/God).
Because— he is separated (holy) from all others in righteousness, and he is faithful, consistent, and true: we are to be as well, as we are predestined to be transformed into his very likeness— in the Son of man (Jesus Christ).
Isaiah 1:16-17
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment….”
Even in understanding what Jesus said, below, can we understand more about what our temple/heart is to be.
Hebrews 10:5-10
“Wherefore when he comes into the world, he saith— Sacrifice and offering you wouldest not— but a body have you prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin— you have had no pleasure.
Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do your will, O God.
Above when he said— Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin you wouldest not, neither had pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; then said he— Lo, I come to do your will, O God. He takes away the first, that he may establish the second.
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Our Lord is looking for a vessel, the same, with us: through the life of Christ Jesus come unto all: life— in Christ Jesus, and Christ Jesus— in our life: to do the will and pleasure of God holy, true, and righteous: set apart, faithful, and righteous: we come to do his will.
Psalm 40:6-10
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire; my ears have you opened: burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then said I, Lo— I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me— I delight to do your will, O my God: yea, your law (conduct, conducting) is within my heart.
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, you know. I have not hidden your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your lovingkindness and your truth from the great congregation.”
David— means, Love, or beloved. He was a certain caliber man. And he makes known that it is his ‘ears’ that need to be opened unto God. And that if only his ears would be opened unto God; then all other aspects would follow for the cleanliness of his heart.
Why?
Because it is the hearing that must come first— by the Word of God speaking to us. The hearing is not only sound, but hearkening of the sound information (knowledge, revelation) coming to us, which means to obey (it’s a do, an action), and this is truly what understanding (understanding God) is.
And if the actions of obedience will follow his counsels— wisdom of the Lord God will be upon this man, because the presence of God was entertained and revered, and the fear of the Lord was present in the heart of this man: so the power of God (anointing) was upon this life: the 7 spirits of God, through the Holy Spirit of God, himself.
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The whole creation groans together
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In chapter 7 of Romans the Lord is drawing the comparison between husband and wife— so we understand our relationship with him— as his bride. So we see that we are addressing mankind— toward his God: and we are addressing love, honor, and relationships of fidelity— one toward the other, in chapter 7 of Romans.
There is creation— the creation of man’s inward spiritual existence with the Lord Paul is speaking to; let’s hear what he is saying in this relationship.
Romans 7:14-25
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal— sold under sin. For that which I do— I allow not: for what I would— that do I not; but what I hate— that do I (seem to do).
If then I do that which I would not— I consent unto the law [G3551: the regulation, principles] that it is good.
Now then it is no more I that do it— but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will— is present with me; but how to perform that which is good— I find not.
For the good that I would (desire to do) —I do not: but the evil which I would not— that I do (seem to do). Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it— but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good— evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law— in my members— warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin —which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”
Ok— so chapter seven (preceding that of 8’s topics) discusses our spiritual marriage with God (the spiritual understanding of scripture). And Paul states that there is a will to serve God in righteousness within man; but there is also another will, that of the flesh nature— and the two are opposed— one against the other, two different kingdom rules within the inner man to choose from.
He states that it is not his real identity that is desiring to disobey God— but indeed, the carnal nature— where sin lies at the door to control man and his doings: two masters, two kingdoms, two identities— true identity in Christ Jesus— where his workmanship is taking place unto reformation of the inward parts; and the other where the carnal nature exists to tempt man’s soul to disobey God, where God does not abide, nor his truth, ways, or discipline of the Spirit: they are juxtaposed to one another (opposed to each other, war against one another).
There is a ‘regulation’ or law Paul speaks of that is good; this would be living by the Spirit, and not the flesh, which is what chapter 8 will begin to speak of: this regulation is in principled conduct, or conducting of the inner man— through his actions— toward all realms of this man being under control of one of two masters: depending upon which law, or conduct, and conductor— is at the helm of the innerman.
This law, or conduct, or conducting by the carnal nature— or satan and his nature— is warring against the mind of man, to yield to it, which comes from the flesh upheld: our members must be yielded to Christ now, which is found in scripture in Romans 6:13.
Who shall deliver a man who finds himself in this state? Jesus Christ: which is what chapter 8 will entail.
So, in context, we are seeing that chapter 7 is speaking of the carnal man, and mind, that is set at enmity against God; as well we are speaking of the relationship between God and man within at the marriage bed of Christ Jesus, the truth, and righteousness upheld, as we detail married life out.
Which will lead us into chapter 8— which will talk about the human race that is in God’s house, who are to be living following after the Spirit of God, within, and no longer this other nature— the flesh.
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Romans 8:
1-23, 29-30
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1-2
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus— who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
We learn here that the first chapter of Romans 8 opens up to Spirit of God vs. the carnal man: and God’s children are to be those who live not after (those who go not the way of, nor lust after to conceive and bring forth) —the carnal nature with all its lusts and affections. Because the law of Jesus (Spirit of Life) has now made me free from the law of sin and death (ways of the carnal nature); because we are now following another Spirit, and the laws or conduct, and conducting— of that new Spirit: because we are not walking like Egyptians anymore— we are walking anew, clean, and with a pure heart— of the New Man Creation— in Christ Jesus: a new human race.
3-4
“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending (or sent) his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us— who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
So, we find that what the law alone could not do with us (rules and regs, alone), because we were weak through our carnal nature (alone in it); God sent Jesus to house up with us now, after his fulfillment on Calvary, when he sent the Holy Spirit to each of us now; to fulfill Christ’s righteousness of his conduct (law in our members now) —in us.
And how?
By walking, following after, hearing— heeding and obeying— the Spirit now, not the carnal nature: living in the New Man Creation in Christ Jesus, the new kind of human race— born from above; and found only existing inside of Jesus Christ, and he bringing it into a workmanship within us: where the Father does his own works through us now, as he did with Jesus.
5-7
“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
DEATH— is separation away from God, his ways, his truth, his person— in an intimate relationship within the innermost parts of man: his heart. And the carnal flesh has a law of sin in it— where it desires to do what it desires to do— and that is opposite of God: satan’s nature dwells there.
We are called to crucify it and its lusts and affections with. Because if we do not— we will die: I speak to the inner death, not the outward death of the flesh itself, but the inward death of separation from God. And if this is not rectified through redemption in this lifetime (by receiving Christ and all he comes with, and requires of us) —man will go onto eternal, or perpetual, separation from God holy, true, and righteous: for holy separation unto him never occurred— by free will choice in this realm, nor did remaining in fidelity to him (faithful in marriage to only him and his truth and righteousness); because being true to him and his truth— never occurred, by free will choice in this realm of whom we choose to serve from our inward parts (mind, will, actions, beliefs, affections, desires/lusts of the heart of man).
But if a man will honor God, his truth, be true to him, and uphold righteousness and the God of— deep within his heart (remember Solomon) —then this man is spiritually minded— and abides in LIFE and peace with God.
The law (or conduct) of the carnal nature is an enemy of God and his law (or conduct) of person: the carnal nature cannot be subjected to God— it is the fundamental opposite, and opposition itself: this is why ‘it’ must die in all of us.
This chapter is about the New Creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17 & Galatians 6:15): a new human race, a new creation, a new creature (which is a creation of a living being).
8-10
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit— if so be that the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ— he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit— is life— because of righteousness.”
Again— the Spirit of God is what raises a man from the death state— to the living state of life— in Christ Jesus: and why, or how— through righteousness being upheld: Solomon fell away from God holy because he would not separate himself unto him (cleaved to other women and gods: another spiritual spouse, literal and figuratively), and would not uphold the righteousness of God: his ways and statutes, principles, and precepts— but instead let his own heart (with its lusts and affections, unbridled) rule his sound whole of his temple instead.
11-14
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if you (will) live after the flesh, you shall die: but if you through the Spirit do mortify [G2289: kill] the deeds of the body (flesh nature and leading) —you shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
We have the powerful Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead (killed the flesh nature, and raised the Spirit nature within him, in addition to literal flesh being raised from the tomb). We have a debt then, to him— not to the flesh— but to him: where we will kill the deeds of the flesh nature from being walked in, by abiding in the Spirit, and following after the Spirit of God within: where his truth, fidelity, righteousness, and being holy (wholly) separated apart from all other conduct lives and abides.
That is how we will perpetually, or eternally— LIVE— with Christ Jesus: he in us, here, in body; and we in him, there, in Spirit and heaven: for the children of God are the sons of God who are led of his Spirit.
We are speaking of a new race of human beings— who live not after the carnal nature any longer; but are of those who are reborn, following after the Son of man, who are an entirely new creation in him: being a new creature creation— altogether.
Galatians 6:15
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision— but a new creature.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
An entirely new creation altogether: the likes of the human race that the world has been waiting to see come forth: a man newly born, newly created, by the hand and workmanship of Jesus Christ, within, reforming a man after his own likeness; who will worship God in Spirit (inner godly conduct, born of our new spirit given us), and in truth (righteousness, and the person of) upheld within: where the glory of God will light a man, once again, as he such did with Jesus Christ himself: for Jesus Christ is found erect (his person, ways, conduct, fruit, demeanor, disposition, principles, mind, etc) within this man: where this man’s heart has been newly renovated, recovered, reformed, and reconstituted— in the image of the Son of man, Jesus Christ.
It is a whole new creation!!
15
“For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption— whereby we cry— Abba, Father.”
We have a new Father, thereby we have a new conduct: someone fathering us in his ways, raising us up now, in whom we call our father; where once we belonged to another, who fathered us in sin and death— but now we abide in righteousness and life: we have come back to the Father of lights— whom we call Abba, now.
As like with a new law (conduct, and conductor) —a new priesthood: a new human, a new creation— with the New Man Christ Jesus!
16-18
“The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit— that we are the children of God: 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 together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
We are newly created people (still in progress), by a new Spirit given us, and are now the children of God— because we will have his righteousness erected inside of us, follow after him in his truth and righteousness, be faithful to him— fidelity; and so— if we will die the death with Jesus— of the carnal ruling nature— and allow his nature and person to now rule us— we will be glorified with him too: changed, transformed, reconfigured, and bedazzled with the Light of the Lord God himself upon us: his dignity will come upon our life and person.
So— we suffer, we bear up under whatever comes our way in this life: and we remain faithful to him, his truth, his ways— his righteousness and paths of, and we remain holy set apart in our innermost hearts (mind, will, actions, beliefs, inclinations, desires, attitudes, principles, etc), unto him.
19-23
“For the earnest expectation of the creature [G2937: formation, creation, creature] —waits— for the manifestation [G602: revealing, disclosing] of the sons of God. For the creature [G2937: formation, creation, creature] —was made subject [G5293: subordinated, obeying, put under] to vanity [G3153: inutility, transientness of moral depravity] —not willingly— but by reason of him who has subjected the same in hope; because the creature [G2937: formation, creation, creature] itself also shall be delivered —from the bondage of corruption— into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation [G2937: formation, creation, creature] groans and travails in pain together— until now. And not only they —but ourselves also— which have the firstfruits of the Spirit— even we ourselves groan within ourselves— waiting for the adoption [G5206: sonship, children of God] —the redemption [G629: ransom in full, salvation, deliverance] of our body [G4983: sound whole of us].”
This is where the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about the creation— being mankind, the human race: for it is the whole, in context, of what we have been speaking of before chapter 8, and during chapter 8: the New Man Creation— in, and of, Christ Jesus.
And he said— “Transpose— human race, or mankind, now— everytime you read ‘creature or creation’.” So I did: because they are the same root word used for both.
And when we do— we hear it said that the whole of the human race, or mankind (especially in the house of God), earnestly awaits the manifestation of God’s children, for they were subjected to the carnal nature— but with hope of Jesus Christ’s coming, work, promise, and fulfillment to give the Holy Spirit unto all men now; to finish the workmanship Christ Jesus started— from the beginning: to form a man creation into his image and likeness, who will co-dwell with his Spirit— in an earthen vessel; and thereby bringing human kind, or mankind into being the glorious, liberated, children of God, now— out from corruption and bondage to it!
And Paul even saying— We ourselves are groaning for this, not just all of the human race, or mankind— but we ourselves who have been given the beginning of this (the first fruits) of the workmanship of Christ Jesus; where we are all groaning together, all of the human race or mankind— the creation— all groaning together, pained, and travailing to bring forth.
As we await the sonship to come forth (adoption) —where the full redemption comes to our body: where the full ransom (already paid), and the full salvation (working it out with fear and trembling, each of us, in fear of the Lord and reformation by his workmanship), unto full deliverance (the reformation process that delivers us from satan, sin and death– into God’s hands, righteousness [truth and fidelity to it lived], and life): all needing to take place— all definitions of full redemption which we are waiting for the full body (sound whole of all of us).
We are awaiting the sonship offspring of God, the New Man Creation in Christ Jesus to come forth— unto the whole body (not just the first fruits) —for the redemption of all: the ransom, the salvation, and the deliverance.
The sons of God— will bring this example and revelation of Christ’s workmanship and model— forward, into the earth— so the sound whole of his body of people will come forth, the same: as liberated children of God, who follow after righteousness, and they do honor the God of in his truth, and with fidelity to him, as they are given over entirely to him: a whole new creation, a whole new creature: the goal of God from the beginning.
And until this comes forth— all those who have gone before us, plus us— we travail in pains to bring forth— this New Man Creation, in its maturity, unto the revelation of Christ Jesus to all creatures (far and near): A whole new building of the Lord, not by man’s hands— by by the Spirit of the Lord, inside the vessel of earthen flesh— as Jesus and the Spirit brought forth once (in his life), already.
These are they who are born after him, he— the first of many brethren, and the paradigm model of them.
29-30
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son— that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate— them he also called: and whom he called— them he also justified: and whom he justified— them he also glorified.”
It is not creation as in all things ever created, like the animals, the stars, plants, and such; it is the creation of man itself: this creation. For we take it all in context. And it was not all of creation that needed salvation— it was mankind.
The whole of creation needs liberation— not salvation. It is akin to someone subjecting it to slavery— but not because it sinned— but because it was under man’s dominion (subjection); and when man fell, and succumbed to the curse— so did the innocent: they do not need salvation— but liberation.
And liberation will come to them— when man comes into his proper image, position, roles, and workmanship— in Christ Jesus.
When man comes back under God, in reverence to God— and his truth and righteousness upheld within the innermost chambers of his being (the high places); then will man be fully redeemed: repentant, renovated, reformed, reconstituted, recollected in his faculties, saved, and fully delivered from sin, death, and satan— in that nature, and with workings of.
When that New Man Creation in Christ Jesus comes forth— the sons of God— then the whole human race will see what is possible, what is desired of our Lord, what his goal was to redeem mankind: and thus— what it will be like for all of the creation who was subjected under man’s fall— to see what life is like under the subjection of his rise in righteousness, holiness, truth— and by the God of, in authority over and in this man.
When the human race, mankind, the children of God are fully redeemed— full stature of Christ erect in them, matured— then will the whole of creation begin to see what liberation is, as well: but first things first: man first— the whole of creation— second.
Because what the sons were born to do— is to bring forth and reveal Jesus Christ, the truth, the way, the righteousness, the power of God to save. So when these holy ones come forth (fully separated out from the carnal, and matured in refinement of character, and heart motives and inclinations) —will the whole of creation begin to take notice of the King, himself, in his people: for they will bring him forth: that is what they were born (created) to do!
This is why the glory of the Lord will fill the earth— they will get out of the way, and he will show himself to all of creation: the man first— and then all subject under man that needs liberation, not salvation— LIBERATION THROUGH UNCORRUPTED MANKIND WALKING NOT THE WAY OF THE EGYPTIAN ANY LONGER; BUT THE WAY OF MELCHIZEDEK: THE RIGHTEOUS KING.
It was always about redeeming mankind— and then about— liberating all of creation. Man will not do this— but man, led of his God (Spirit of the Lord) —rolling out the red carpet for him to introduce himself to creation— will: where 2 are 1 in Spirit, now!
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These are the things I have been doing, pouring over, and coming to understand in my time away from human interactions. If you have never done it— I would encourage you to do so: for it will show you many things, and it will clear up much space for the Lord God to speak, and will return you to quiet rest, and peace, within: when it is only you and the Lord you are attending to.
We all need time away to recharge, to receive of the Lord, to reconvene, nestle, and commune— one toward the other: and boy do I need it!
But, concerning these topics brought forth: it’s never about the material life down here, or what we can have, or walk in: it’s about the condition, state and posture of our innermost man, our hearts— and toward God in relationship.
From Solomon’s story of being given (essentially) all things, and losing the very best thing— the intimate relationship with God holy and righteous, in good standing; to the sentiment, point, and premise of Romans 7, 8, and beyond: the need for the inner chambers and high places to be given over to God, in truth, righteousness, holiness separation, and fidelity to him (and all that).
If we gain the whole world— but lose our souls— what have we really gained?
If we are given the whole world (mantles, giftings, riches, wisdom, etc) —but we lose our relationship in intimacy with God, in truth, righteousness, and holiness— what have we really gained?
It’s all temporal. It’s why he tells us to store up ‘heavenly‘ treasures: perpetual, unending ones: and the chiefest— our relationship with him, deep down inside, that will outlast all the temporal and temporary material existence: life down here.
Spiritual life in Christ Jesus— or carnal life in and of our own souls and satan? That’s what it is all about— that choice of whom we will serve: and the whole human race is waiting for the manifestation of the New Man Creation (created) in the workmanship of Christ Jesus— where we yield to his hand, comply from a pure heart stance to uphold his person and ways, love the truth, and become his righteousness fulfilled— in earthen pots.
There is a type of creation out there that is lost, in sin, confused, alone, has no idea why they were created or what their purpose is: that is not supposed to be the house of God; we are to be the redeemed, the first of his fruits having come through this, into this, and by his hand that we are yielding to. Those who are lost— are not supposed to be the house of God, members, but the lost sheep of another fold who are coming in.
We have work to do in our personal lives— where we couple with our Lord, come through all he is asking of us to come through, let his design— do its workmanship— and yield to him in all of it. When we will come through the fires of his redemption process (full ransom— done in blood paid, salvation and deliverance into fully mature— to come forth) —we will be equipped and led of his Spirit to assist the Lost out there.
The occupants going down (like in a plane), where there has been decompression, and the life air (Spirit and truth upheld) is leaving a vessel: this person has need to apply the oxygen mask (the Spirit of God, truth, and righteousness— in holiness) first in his own heart— then he can assist others in the ministry, in the same ways God delivered them— in their heart.
This is why the Revelation 12 bride will still need to come through a process in getting ironed out and spotless; but there will be a mature people helping to assist her: because the whole creation groans, travails, and pains to be delivered— into the redemption of the body: and he aims to do just that with his sons, who have come into this, and through this.
He prepares forerunners first (first of first fruits), and then they lead the others through the way, unto the truth, and into the Life of Christ Jesus, as well.
It was always about our marriage to God, our union, and what’s upheld in our innermost hearts: he sees all, and he desires to save all, every crook and crevice within his throne room and inner chambers— where the Spirit of the Lord is to rule and reign in his love, truth, and righteousness— being holy.
It was always about 2 twain— becoming 1, in union, once again: in Spirit and Truth— within the co-dwelled earthen vessel: man, and his God, at peace and harmony within.
He’s after all of you— and he’s jealous to perform it within you: please, comply, soften, yield yourselves up to him to have his way in your hearts: and we will see the redemption of the body, and the goal of a Creator— unto his original intentions: a Mature Creation Man— as like Jesus Christ the Son of man, to whom many more will be born after, and follow.
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