Godhead In Jesus

WITH GOD – THE SCRIPTURAL EXPLANATION OF JOHN 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1.)

The Foundation of the Doctrine of the Trinity

It is the consensus within the trinitarian majority within Protestantism and the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches that God eternally exists as a triune being. This so-called trinity is well-known as three distinct coequal, coeternal, and consubstantial PERSONS each of whom is God – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

One trinitarian publication writes:

“…with God” shows a close, personal relationship… This doesn’t just mean “next to.” Pros suggest an active, face-to-face relationship. It implies intimacy and communion…”

(Here is something that cannot be ignored. Although every trinitarian will heartily deny it, the wording of the triune God doctrine strongly declares tritheism, the belief in three separate “Gods.” How so, specifically?

Each so-called person within the trinity is known as a person. These persons are explicitly known as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The choice of calling each of these three a person together with prefixing each with “God the,” damns trinitarians because the very choice of the word person conjures a human perception of a SEPARATION of the persons. This impression is virtually impossible to avoid in the carnal mind.)

As can be seen in the above quote, the conjunction “with” suggests a “face-to-face relationship” of Word and God. And despite how strongly theologians attempt to insist on “three-in-one” with an emphasis on “one,” no seminary or theological double talk can ever repair the damage done by the commonly accepted explanation of the trinity.

What the Scriptures Teach About God

Trinitarians have backed themselves into a corner by their insistence of a triune God without the possibility of any other or competing explanation. They absolutely reject the ONE God of Deuteronomy 6:4 preferring instead the unscriptural “three-in-one”:

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”

John 1:1 IS NOT the Holy Ghost’s final word on this subject. It is not isolated from related scriptures. Trinitarians have miserably failed to do their homework. They have neglected to bring Deuteronomy 32:39 into the topic of “with God.” This scripture reads:

“39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is NO god WITH ME: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.”

And there exist a plethora of scriptures in the book of Isaiah that state regarding the being of God with terms such as:

(A) Beside me.
(B) There is no God, I know not any.
(C) Stretcheth forth the heavens ALONE.
(D) By myself.
(E) No God beside me.
(F) None else.
(G) There is none else.

Consider the following passages:

“10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me” (Isaiah 43:10.)
“6 Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6.)
“8 Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:8.)
“24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself” (Isaiah 44:24.)
“5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isaiah 45:5.)
“6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:6.)
“14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God” (Isaiah 45:14.)
“18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:18.)
“21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else” (Isaiah 45:21-22.)
“9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me” (Isaiah 46:9.)

I have quoted eleven scriptures that state in simple language what cannot be understood by any stretch of the imagination to represent multiple “Gods.” The inspired language inarguably signifies ONE NUMERICAL Spirit Being WHO eternally exists solitarily, i.e. ALONE! It is antithetical to God to exist in any manner of eternal Spirit that can be understood to be multiple “persons” represented as a numerical quantity of “persons (Gods) WITHIN one Spirit such as the definitive trinitarian representation of “three-IN-one.”

There Is ANOTHER Understanding of “WITH” in John 1:1

Here is a scripture that explains “with” in John 1:1. It is 1 Corinthians 12:6:

“6 And there are diversities (varieties, differences) of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

Word is one of many differences of operations of the eternal Spirit of God (Holy Ghost and Son are others.) “Person” presents an excessively gross or grotesque picture of God. It literally distorts the holy impeccability of the Spirit of God. It also is a blasphemous term that shouts “creature” – something that was created. The word “person” as descriptive of God is inspired of the devil who will do anything to denigrate his Creator.

And remember the final phrase of John 1:1. It says:

“…And the Word WAS God.”

Rather than understanding God as collateral (side-by-side) persons as non-Holy Ghost filled theologians teach, the preposition “with” can be compared to a person and his mind (do not confuse the mind with the brain; the brain is physical, the mind IS NOT.) I can state quite honestly that my mind is WITH me just as is my heart and soul. Just as my mind, soul, heart, and spirit are with me in the sense of “diversities of operations,” so likewise is the Word with God.

WRAPPING UP

My heart, soul, spirit, and mind are invisible spirit entities. My body or physical self alone is a person. And while God is a Spirit (John 4:24,) He did dwell WITHIN a person (human body) known as the Son of God while He walked the earth.

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OFFERING POLLUTED BREAD TO GOD

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1.)

The Old Testament law of Moses showed the utter futility of the moral law’s inability to overcome man’s fallen nature to please a holy and righteous God. To temporarily get around this weak link, God instituted a system of animal sacrifices to take the place of man. Galatians 3:24 reads:

“19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.”

This preordained “seed” was Jesus Christ who was the Lamb of God to once and for all take away the sins of the world (John 1:29, 36.) The law served as a schoolmaster (Galatians 3:24.)

Jesus Christ ended the need for animal sacrifices. With the advent and ultimate blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ, another type of sacrifice is required. This New Testament sacrifice is not animal but human. God now demands a believer’s bodily sacrifice that is wholly holy (Romans 12:1.)

As you see, God’s standards for this sacrifice have not changed. It must be perfect. Exodus 12:1 reads:

“5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats.”

Sub-Par Old Testament Sacrifices

The children of Israel were many times guilty of offering sub-par sacrifices. Look at Malachi 1:7-8:

“7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.”

“Polluted bread” is as a blemished lamb in Exodus 12:1. It may have been diseased or injured. This type of sacrifice displayed utter contempt for God. These Israelites offered to God something that they would not dare offer their governor. Their choice of sacrifice was whatever they decided it to be. This brazen sacrifice told God to “take it or leave it.”

What is the New Testament equivalent to the “polluted bread” of the Old Testament? Remember, Romans 12:1 says we are to offer our bodies as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” Many Christians are offering polluted bread by disregarding the holiness standards demanded by God. Here are the scripture standards to be complied with:

(A) Genesis 1:27 (Mark 10:6) declares two and only two clearly defined sexes.
(B) Deuteronomy 22:5 clearly commands distinct clothing to separate the woman from the man to prevent any confusion between the two.
(C) Jeremiah 4:30 identifies makeup and the wearing of jewelry with a pr******te.
(D) 1 Timothy 2:9 demands modesty in clothing.

Let me make the following abundantly clear. This accusation of offering polluted bread does not target the sinner. They are unsaved, unredeemed and do not know any better. This lesson targets the Christian or “wannabe” believer:

“21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23.)

(“17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17.”

Some believers who are guilty of offering polluted bread are ignorant not having been taught by a man of God. Many women who wear pants, makeup and jewelry are ignorant. But once a person has been taught, he or she can no longer claim ignorance. It then becomes a matter of stubbornness.)

Here are the diverse kinds of polluted bread believers are currently offering:

(A) Women wearing pants offer polluted bread.
(B) Women wearing makeup and jewelry offer polluted bread.
(C) Men wearing women’s clothing, i.e. shoes, dresses, and makeup offer polluted bread.
(D) Men and women who dress immodestly offer polluted bread.
(E) Believers who condone transgenderism, lesbianism, and homosexuality offer polluted bread.
(F) Believers who are sexually diverse offer polluted bread.
(G) The pursuit of fornication and/or adultery offer polluted bread.
(H) Believers who are trapped in po*******hy offer polluted bread.

WRAPPING UP

An inward change of heart and mind will (or should) reflect in OUTWARD holiness. Remember, Jesus taught that a good tree brings forth good fruit:

“16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16-20.)

God is returning for a holy people that reflect OUTWARDLY the inner transformation of the heart and mind. He will bypass any so-called Christian who would bring shame to Him by identifying them with the sinner. Ephesians 5:27 reads:

“27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27.)

Spots and wrinkles are among the “polluted bread” that MUST be avoided at all costs.

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THE CHURCH THAT JESUS BUILT

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18.)

Roman Catholicism Has It All Wrong

The Roman Catholic church is so very wrong in their teaching that the “rock” referenced in Matthew 16:18 is Peter. Deuteronomy 32:3-4 identifies this rock. It reads:

“3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4.)

The rock is God. “This Rock” IS Jesus Christ Who is God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16, Titus 2:13.)

And no, Peter was not the first pope. As a matter of scriptural truth, Peter was never a pope but rather one of twelve disciples personally chosen by Jesus and subsequently elevated to the apostleship. One popular but false teaching of Roman Catholicism is that of the celibacy of priests. Peter was married. Matthew 8:14 reads:

“14 And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever.”

There Is One Church

How many churches did Jesus build? If we were to be solely guided by our spiritual landscape, Jesus built many churches with varying doctrines and practices. After the demise of the apostles and their Jesus-taught doctrine, Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion. That eventually split apart into what is known as Protestantism, i.e. Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Pentecostal, etc.

Theologians attempt to justify the existence of multiple Protestant churches. But all justifications are in vain because they are not scripturally based. What exists today is a church falsely modeled on the restaurant buffet – food assembled for patrons to choose from and serve themselves. The model in Matthew 16:18 is scarcely in existence today.

Ephesians 4:4 reads:

“There is one body (church,) and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.”

What is the foundation of the church? Ephesians 4:16, 20-21 read:

“16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby…20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.”

The doctrinal foundation of the church is the doctrine of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles. Consider the words of apostle Paul:

“10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon” (1 Corinthians 3:10.)

Entry into the New Testament church is via Acts 2:38:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

All sinners must be born into the church as Jesus declared in John 3:5:

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

We must all then continue in the apostles’ doctrine:

“42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42.)

Churches have departed from the apostles’ doctrine and have assimilated popular secular teachings that appeal to the carnal mind such as the prosperity doctrine and motivational self-help and self-improvement sermons. Kicked to the curb and forsaken are:

(A) Holiness (Deuteronomy 22:5, Jeremiah 4:30, 1 Timothy 2:9, etc.)
(B) The oneness of God.
(C) Salvation through obedience to Acts 2:38.

Most churches that dot the global landscape are not modeled on what Jesus built (Matthew 16:18.) Matthew 28:19 is substituted for Acts 2:38 resulting in this scripture being parroted (repeated) by ignoring “the name” and integrating the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The one God of Deuteronomy 6:4 has been replaced by the doctrine of a triune God (the trinity.) Genesis 1:27 (Mark 10:6) that teaches not only male and female but also that these sexes be restrictive to prevent a man from being confused for a woman and a woman for a man (cross-dressing in violation of Deuteronomy 22:5) is given wide approval.

WRAPPING UP

Unfortunately, most churches that exist globally are false radically departing from the teachings of the apostles. They all present a false plan of salvation and allow gross secularism among churchgoers where worldliness is widely accepted in violation of 1 John 2:15-16:

“15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Here is how God views the church’s casual offerings of a mixture of that which is holy and unholy:

“7 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. 8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts” (Malachi 1:7-8.)

Israel did that in the Old Testament and were rebuked by God. Today’s churches’ Old Testament’s “polluted bread” is women dressing like Jezebel (jewelry and cosmetics) and men and women dressing immodestly and, in one another’s clothing, blurring the line between man and woman.

Chances are that you are a member in a church that Jesus did not build and that incorporates non-apostles’ doctrines. It is imperative that you leave these churches immediately because you are being fed not only deadly poisonous doctrines but lies guaranteed to lead you to hell. OBEY this scripture:

“17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17.)

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THE TRADITIONAL WATER BAPTISM FORMULA DAMNS YOUR SOUL

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12.)

Acts 4:12 teaches plainly that salvation is wholly dependent upon a name. And let me emphasize name because Roman Catholicism and all Protestant denominations who were spawned by the Catholic church have substituted three titles for this one name. That name should be obvious because the person who shed His blood to redeem fallen man was none other than Jesus Christ. And the titles that Roman Catholicism substituted were Father, Son, and Holy Ghost via water baptism recorded in Matthew 28:19:

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

(Even falsely allowing for Father, Son, and Holy Ghost to be proper names instead of the titles they certainly are, it will not work because ONE SINGLE name is mandated.)

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6.)

Jesus’ words recorded in John 14:6 is explicit and not at all open for misinterpretation or personal application. The definite article “the” that precedes way, truth and life signifies that way, truth, and life be narrowed down and limited to one specific thing. This also means that way, truth, and life is linked to ONE name and ONE person – Jesus Christ. Salvation is solely through the name of Jesus Christ.

“5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5.)

There is only ONE baptism. The scriptures teach salvation to be composed of water baptism AND Spirit baptism. Jesus taught:

“5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5.)

No person can enter the kingdom of God (be saved) except he be born of the water AND of the Spirit. Peter preached this on the day of Pentecost:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38.)

Although I was brought up in the doctrine of the apostles and subsequently baptized according to Acts 2:38, I was not always uncompromising and steadfast in teaching water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. I did not then have the courage to teach that straying from the name of Jesus Christ prevents salvation. This flaw was made painfully manifest to me on one memorable occasion. One Saturday Bible teaching class about six years ago a student caught me off-guard by asking point blank, “Will a person go to hell if he is not baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (according to Acts 2:38)?”

I gave a cowardly reply that I am now ashamed of by not directly answering the question asked. I consciously evaded the question not wishing to damn anyone to hell if baptized according to popular church tradition, i.e. in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (repeating Matthew 28:19 without invoking the name of Jesus Christ.) But this brother would have none of this evasiveness by not allowing me to so easily escape.

He demanded I answer his question. I had no choice but to honestly respond. I told him that no one can be saved IF NOT baptized by the baptizer verbally calling out the name of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are clear. John 14:6 states ONE way, Ephesians 4:5 declares there to be ONE baptism, Acts 4:12 makes eternal salvation dependent on ONE name AND Acts 2:38 demands Jesus Christ to be this name.

(Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in Matthew 28:19 are titles.)

The water baptism formula is just as important as the act itself. I am going to scripturally prove this by dissecting Acts 19:1-5:

“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism” (Acts 19:1-3.)

The disciples mentioned in verse 1 were John the Baptist’s disciples. Of John, Matthew writes:

“11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11.)

It is important to keep in mind that John the Baptist baptized in water “UNTO REPENTANCE.” Let us continue with Acts 19:4-5:

“4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:4-5.)

Water baptism unto repentance was only efficacious (effective) UNTIL the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was at His death on the cross that blood and water that symbolized His physical death was manifest. John 19:34 reads:

“34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”

As a reminder, Acts 2:38 partially reads:

“…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”

As opposed to the baptism of repentance of John, Acts 2:38 water baptism is “for the remission of sins.” The baptism of repentance DID NOT and COULD NOT remove sins. Acts 2:38 baptism DOES remove all sins by washing them away. 1 Peter 3:21 reads:

“21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now SAVE US (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Upon the apostle Paul explaining the limitations of John’s baptism, his disciples consented to be rebaptized this time in the name of Jesus Christ. They believed the words of John stating that they “should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4.)

WRAPPING UP

It does not take rocket science nor a seminary or Bible school degree to realize that salvation is wholly dependent upon the name of Jesus Christ. But it does take the Holy Ghost working on a “babe” in Christ:

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25.)

The “babe” is a seeker of truth. He keeps his (or her) heart open to the teachings or revelation of the Holy Ghost. When he discovers this truth in his Christian journey, he becomes convicted or pricked in heart just as the people were on the day of Pentecost at the preaching of Peter (Acts 2:37.) Conviction inevitably leads to action. In this case, he seeks someone to baptize him according to Acts 2:38 or in the case of John’s disciples (Acts 19:5,) in the name of the Lord Jesus.

It is unfortunate that many of those who fall into the trap of man’s traditional water baptism through the invocation of the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are recipients of the false doctrine non-Holy Ghost led leaders. Many of these individuals are innocent victims of scripturally ignorant pastors, apostles, bishops, elders, teachers and evangelists. Regardless, negative consequences are in place when the Word of God is substituted for by men’s traditions. Matthew 15:14 says:

“14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch (eternal damnation in the lake of fire.)”

All who are or were baptized according to the Roman Catholic tradition of men, i.e. in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost neglecting the name of Jesus Christ ARE NOT SAVED. This one unscriptural act forfeits eternal salvation available ONLY THROUGH the name of Jesus Christ.

Do not allow pride or a seminary degree prevent you from obeying Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38 IS Matthew 28:19 OBEYED! Chances are great that you were NOT baptized biblically because statistically speaking many more people are baptized by the invocation of titles versus those relatively few who had the name of Jesus Christ invoked.

GET REBAPTIZED!

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LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE

“12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12.)

As usual, today I was listening to several old preaching and teaching sessions of Pastor Gino Jennings. One particular scripture from one particular church service located in Greensboro, NC in April 2022 unexpectedly struck a chord in my sanctified soul. Pastor Jennings partially quoted 1 Timothy 6:12. He said, “lay hold on eternal life.” That partial quote put the brakes on the progression of today – it immediately arrested me and made me begin to write a lesson which I had not intended to do today.

Christians are encouraged to “fight the good fight of faith” and to take or lay hold on eternal life. We have a Holy Ghost calling to do so. It is a struggle but well worth the effort especially when we are in the presence of many witnesses. Witnessing to unbelievers means more than verbal professions of faith and the gospel of Jesus Christ through passing out tracts, but support through a holy lifestyle.

Here is the context of 1 Timothy 6:12:

“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1 Timothy 6:10-11.)

The Holy Ghost tells us to flee money and materialism and the cares of this life. In their place we are to pursue (“follow after”) “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” This passage is in the spirit of the scripture about the fruit of the Spirit that the apostle Paul wrote to the saints in the church at Galatia about:

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23.)

The good fight of faith is to wholly “lay hold on eternal life.” There is no pursuit imaginable in this life that even approaches eternal life. Not family, success, nor career path. These all are temporal lasting at most several decades but without exception ending in death. One of the many scriptures that my father taught me and I subsequently memorized was Ecclesiastes 12:1 that says:

“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.”

You are laying hold on eternal when you remember God. He is, or should be, the first and the last in your entire life. Never forget, we came into life naked and we shall leave this life empty-handed. Job 1:21 says:

“21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

The blind pursuit of materialism only to leave it all behind is absolute folly and vain. This person is a fool as surely as one who believes there is no God (Psalms 14:1, 53:1.)

Solomon closed Ecclesiastes 12 with these words:

“13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.)

Jesus asked a rhetorical question that Mark recorded:

“36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Losing one’s own soul is the antithesis of laying hold on eternal life. What in this life can or does even remotely come near to eternal life? Can the love of money or a love of indulging in certain ungodly behavior or otherwise pleasing the flesh approach anywhere near to eternal life? Only a fool will answer this thought-provoking question with an answer other than “NOTHING!”

I remember back in 1990 when I worked in the Engineering Department of Elizabethtown Gas Company (as the first of my race in this department) the street and service departments went on strike. We as management had to fill in these positions so that our customers could continue to be served. We worked twelve hours, seven days a week. I was paired with a co-worker. We spent a lot of time on the road.

One day, and I do not remember what prompted this discussion, my partner asked me, “Why are we here?” He was alluding to the repetitious nature of the work week. We get up in the morning and prepare to go to work. We get through the workday, return home, eat dinner and finally go to bed to prepare to repeat the workday. Finally, we die.

I understood his frustration. Without God, life is meaningless. I attempted to explain this to him, but I was limited in my knowledge of the scriptures. When the Creator is estranged from the human family, there is no hope. Back in those days I had not yet laid hold onto eternal life.

WRAPPING UP

The sole meaning of life is expressed in Isaiah 43:7 (paired with Ecclesiastes 12:13):

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

Here is one of my favorite man-made quotes that is so true:

“He is no fool who gives what he CANNOT keep to gain that which he CANNOT lose” (Jim Elliot.)

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