I don't know about Seattle, but there are many great preachers on FM Radio you can listen to daily. Greg Laurie is on there and has a new spot on cable too.
He has a channel on YouTube too. There's no reason for you to starve spiritually until you can find that church that is a perfect FIT for you.
Some Churches are trying to help Gay Lifestyle folks, COME TO JESUS.
If it was me in Seattle, I would email Greg Lauries's ministry (Harvest Church)
He lives in California. He will know of a church in Seattle you can start attending. Include a zipcode?
Praying and the Bible was taken out if public schools in 1962. People have gone in every direction since then. Romans chapter 1 describes them.
God wants you to be in a Church that nurtures your spirit and helps you to grow as a Christian.
I was a street preacher just like Greg. Seen everything. We are to keep ourselves spotless from worldly activity. I do understand your desire to find a place to learn, fellowship and help out if needed.
2 Timothy 3:13-17. Does this relate to things like 'Christian' psychologists or psychology in general? Things like the DSM or personality disorders, etc. Isn't God's word sufficient? Psychology is rooted in the wisdom of man (and from those who denied Christ no less like Freud and Jung) so why should we listen to them when we have the word of God? 1 Corinthians 2:5, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25, 2 Timothy 4:1-4, 1 John 2:15-17, Hebrews 4:12. Are these not related to 2 Timothy 3:13-17? Do we need to be 'diagnosed'? Are psychology and God's word compatible? If they are I would like to see some scripture that points to this (I know the Bible will not say 'psychology' specifically). This is important to me and my family as it is seeping in at the moment and I want to approach this biblically.
Is Sunday the day of rest?-- am I violating this day of rest by watching NFL football? (I live in Seattle and can't find a conservative fundamental church) most churches here that have remained open lean heavily LGBTQ2+ oriented. (pure evil IMO)
Hebrews 4:11. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
"This is A CALL BEFORE HAND, not a call afterwards.". IT SAYS ENTER INTO HIS REST "LEST" YOU FALL. and that rest is to rest from your works, The only way you can fall is unbelief, and if you have unbelief you never entered in. The unbelief is NOT taking stock in HIS REST AND OUR REST HE HAS GIVEN US MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS VERSES.
If we refuses the finish work on the cross and insist in a works based salvation plan you have not joined him in his rest, and may fall after the same example of unbelief, ( Disbelieving in the rest we have when joined to Christ. )
Hebrews 4:10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:11 Makes it sound like one is in danger of losing salvation yet other scripture leads one to believe salvation can not be taken away! How do I explain this to unbeliever if question comes up?
ADEYEMI We have the God given right by the righteous of God in Christ to stand in front of the presence of God not to feel condemned, saved by grace we are saints.
We have the God given right to be ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20+21 Righteousness of God in Him ties to first right.
We have the right to a home waiting in heaven the gathering together at the return of Christ for His Church.
We have the right to be healed of all sickness and disease by what Jesus christ accomplished 1 Peter 2:24
We have the God given right to boldly go to the throne of grace and ask for help in time of need Hebrews 4:16
Last we have the right to intercede for those lost and pray for God to deliver them from this present evil world. 2 Corinthians 4:1-5.
This isn't even the tip of the ice berg of the deliverance given God through His son Jesus Christ. Some day we might believe this stuff. In His Service
Question on Hebrews 4:11 Another aspect of our rest in believing is in Philippians 4:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. The more we walk in Him the more he works in us. We need to be as committed in our faithful walk as our brother Jesus Christ that's the rest. Walking by the spirit is more inspiration than perspiration. In His Service
Question Hebrews 4:11 Context is in regards to believing consistently in the accomplished work of Christ, the Children of Israel even though God showed them incredible signs of His power they kept disobeying because of their unbelief, therefore an entire generation fell in the wilderness due to unbelief. When we believe with consistency that God will meet our needs by everything accomplished in Christ we can no pun intended rest assured that all our needs will be met. Philippians 4:19 But my God Shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I put it simply Let Go and Let God. In His Service
Can anyone shed light on Hebrews 4:11, where Paul says, "Let us labor, therefore to enter into that rest" how to labor in this way, without falling into "works consciousness." Is it us laboring? or God laboring in us? Is God's laboring felt or known by human faculties? Thank you.
Dgjot I don't believe your fear is Godly, 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the Spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. The word fear is the word deilia which means timidity, we live in the age of grace that's not license to sin, in contrast in Hebrews 4: 16 Let us therefore come boldly or fearlessly no timidity unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. A great record of Gods love displayed through jesus christ in luke 5:4 Jesus Christ says to simon peter launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught. Now Simon being the fishing professional said Master we have toiled all night and taken nothing but at thy word I'll let down the net. Wait a second Didn't Jesus Christ say let down the nets plural, so did Simon do what he was told nope and yet they were blessed with fish verses 6-8 go tons of fish. When Simon saw it he fell down at Jesus knees and said depart from me for I am a sinful man lord, look how bad this guy felt.Whats the savior do your right guy your an idiot and I don't want to have nothing to do with you. Quite the opposite Never mentions the error or sin and says fear [the word fear is phobeo to cause to terrify] not from henceforth thou shalt catch men and they still got the fish. It's a matter of where's your heart not where's head the disciples questioned him all the time that doesn't make them evil. All the actions that Jesus Christ did were a blessing and it scared the ---- out of peter.If you think about we probably would have done the same thing. Just some stuff to consider. God Bless
Hello Gilberto. I think of Jesus' Words to His troubled enquiring disciples in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
This was Jesus' Promise to them & to all who would believe on Him, that His Peace would be their joyful portion, as only His Spirit could give them. With that Peace, comes a certain Rest: a Rest in the knowledge of the veracity of His Word, the full salvation by the Cross, & a life of inner peace in an uncertain & troublesome world. And this Rest that Christ gives His people has been secured & paid for by Jesus Himself; it comes to us at no cost, nor could we ever be able to purchase it by our efforts. The Jews of Jesus' day, & even now, come to God on their own merits & works, believing that God would accept them for their obedience to the Laws & observance of all the regulations & feasts. But their desire for Peace in this life & into eternity is not founded in Jesus, God's Son, the Prince of Peace, which means they would never have it.
And yet, even though Jesus paid the price for our salvation & the peace & rest that we're assured of, we are warned in Hebrews 4:11, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Even though this passage speaks of that future rest for believers when all our labours & trials are over & we finally get to be with our Lord, it is clear that we can enjoy that rest & peace now which Jesus gives by virtue of His Spirit. The Jews miss out on it because of unbelief - we can enjoy it now & into the future only through faith in Jesus' Work on the Cross - and of course, without any cost to us, except to remain faithful to Him, loving Him & looking for His Coming. And all who have been touched & indwelt by His Spirit will continue to endure this life to its end, finding complete rest only in Jesus.
"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."
Soul definition: the soul is our humanity that makes us feel emotions The spirit is our deeper connection with the Lord when we believe in God and RECEIVE Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
This is a question that is not easy to point out in our everyday Christian lives. While it is not so difficult to distinguish the body from the spirit and the soul; it is particularly difficult to distinguish the soul from the spirit. How are they different?
There are a few places in the Bible where the body, soul, and spirit are mentioned
1 Thessalonians 5:23, Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are composed of three parts. It is easy to distinguish the body as physical (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch). The spirit and soul are much more difficult because they seem similar, but are actually very different.
They have different functions in our lives as Christians in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 10:28:And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The soul is basically our mind, our emotions, and our will. It is who we are as human beings. It is also used to express God. As written in Luke 1:46-47, Mary said: My SOUL glorifies the Lord and my SPIRIT rejoices in God my Savior."
The function of the spirit is spiritual. The spirit is the only way to connect with God, and we can only use the spirit if we are born again, and receive The Holy Spirit through our Lord Jesus Christ's salvation.
C, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Man cannot see himself being something other than what he is now in this flesh.
Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the next world. We have to be RE-CREATED to inherit the SPIRIT world.
There is no works that we can do to accomplish this.
The WORKS OF CHRIST will bring this about.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you the are SPIRIT, and they (the words that are SPIRIT) GIVE LIFE.
The flesh lives in a world of time, the SPIRIT lives in a world where time does not exist.
In the Old Covenant man was given laws,
One being to observe the seventh day as a day of rest; Physical SABBATH.
When the SPIRIT comes to you and HIS WORDS BECOME words of SPIRIT (life); time is no more:
The SABBATH became SPIRIT and we REST in SPIRIT; or we rest IN CHRIST.
We have ceased from OUR WORKS as he ceased from his works.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law was a shadow (not the real thing) of things to come...
Hebrews 4:10 For he that hath entered into HIS REST, he also hath ceased from his works, as God did from his.
You ARE BEING CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS; it's a GIFT be still and BEHOLD the SALVATION OF GOD.
You're a believer and that is why you have the struggle. This happens to believers. Keep your mind on good things. Know your soul and spirit are not the same, Hebrews 4:12
The word Sabbath can be found over 100 times in the OT and over 50 times in the NT. The Sabbath (sabbat) is the seventh day of the week, on which we are to "rest," in remembrance that God created the universe in six days and "rested" on the seventh day ( Genesis 2:2). The word "rest" (katapausis) refers to resting both the body and the spirit. We renew our body by resting it and not working, and we renew the spirit by spending time with God's Word, with God, and by worshipping God.
When
In Genesis, God numbers the days 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., through the month. Nowhere in the Bible are the days ever given names. Naming days was an early pagan practice. The Bible only says that ***Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest*** holy to the Lord ( Exodus 31:15). The Sabbath can be any seventh day.
Scriptures such as Romans 14:5-6 and Colossians 2:16 give Christians freedom to observe a special day. God requires that we have a Sabbath day of rest. He also desires that we worship and serve Him continually, every day, not just on the Sabbath.
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
We are commanded to Honor the Sabbath
For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works." There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience ( Hebrews 4:4, 9-11).
We are commanded to honor God and the Sabbath, but the Sabbath CAN BE ANY DAY of the week we pick to meet together. But the Sabbath is not the only day to worship the Lord. We should be worshipping the Lord DAILY.
Comment: WORK 6 days and REST on the 7th. If it falls on a week day, you rest on the next day.
Faith (belief in God) and Obedience to God's WORD is the basic requirement for fellowship with Father,Son through Holy Spirit which inturn is brought by His grace and mercy.
Faith and Obedience essential for His rest to us-salvation
Hebrews 11:6 KJV - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 11:30 KJV - For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Hebrews 3:12 KJV - Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrews 4:2 KJV - For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Hebrews 4:3 KJV - For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:6 KJV - Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Romans 16:26 KJV - But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1 Peter 1:2 KJV - Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
To say Jesus Christ "did not know all things" I cannot say that. I believe our Lord Jesus Christ is one with God. Can I explain everything, no.
Weather we have some differences on how we perceive certain things in Scripture is normal. No one knows everything except God. Like I stated in another post. As long as what we take from Scripture is in line with the Will of God then it's good. As the Word of God is living, very deep, and sharper than any two edge sword. Hebrews 4:12.
The important thing is we are both with Christ, of His body, and He is our Lord. Staying faithful and true, with a pure heart, to our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God our Father is key. Living for His Will.
As you noted in another post that John was taken up to heaven for the visions in Revelation. I believe Jesus Christ is there with God now. In Revelation 5:3-5 it speaks about "a man being worthy to open the seals" then speaks of the Lion of the tribe of Juda and Root of David being worthy to open the book and loose the seven seals. I see Jesus Christ opening the book just as it says. If you perceive it differently that's ok.
To believe in the three in ONE view is simply put by this: when we are Blessed to be converted, called or chosen, to be born of the Spirit from above, the Spirit of God the Father, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost all dwell in us. In one Spirit. This is truth and in Scripture.
Let us retain God in our thinking, trust Him, and He will direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.
I liked what you wrote brother: "The Jews faith looked ahead. The Gentiles faith looks behind."
And yet, the faith that they (the Jews) should have had 'looking ahead' was lacking in so many of them. So the Hebrews writer could say "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (the Israel under Moses: Hebrews 3 & by extension to the unbelieving Jew of the NT): but the word preached did not profit them, not being MIXED WITH FAITH in them that heard it. ( Hebrews 4:2).
And that Gospel, even though unknown at that time under Moses as we know it now, was indeed the Gospel, since it had its roots in the sacrificial performances that pointed to Christ Who fulfilled them as God's appointed sacrificial Lamb. Yet those sacrifices (& God's Word) did not profit them because of their lack of faith, just as the Sacrifice of Jesus has no profit to anyone who comes to Him without faith.
Brother Mitchell, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
When you came to the understanding that WE CAN DO NOTHING; but, Christ does all things for us. You will BE SET FREE.
You want have to achieve the hope set before you, Christ started it. he will complete it. In fact; Christ sees it as already COMPLETE. This is what is meant by coming INTO HIS REST; the works were completed before the foundations of the world were laid.
Ephesians 1:4
Hebrews 4:3
John 15:5
Psalms 92:4-6
YOU ARE DEAD (on your cross); He is alive on HIS THRONE (in you) living HIS life FOR YOU.
Hebrews 3:7-11.Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Israel had a hardened heart. Which is the condition to all men without the "NEW" heart given by the Lord when saved.
( Hebrews 4:2-3. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.)
( For we which have believed do enter into rest,) as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Jude 1:5. answers itself, " they believe not' ( Was not saved )
James 2:21&26.
21:Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
26:For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James is speaking of works "AFTER" salvation not for salvation.
Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. This is what James 2:21 is speaking of.
Hebrews 6:12-19, and James 2:21.
These are 2 seperate accounts of Abraham in Hebrews 6:12-16 and James 2:21-23.
"Hebrews the promise was Issac confirmed by an oath". Played out in Gen. 15:1-12.
James was "Abraham having faith in THAT promise". Played out in Gen. 22:1-14.
This description we have of the Lord in Revelation 1:14-16 is a picture of him in his Glory. Not the way he walked down hear on earth!!
Let's visit the text.
Revelation 1:14-16. His head and his hairs were "WHITE" like wool, as "WHITE" as "SNOW";
( the emphasis here is the color of his hair not texture! It speaks of ETERNITY, ANCIENT OF DAYS. )
as you see here in
Daniel 7:9. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ANCIENT OF DAYS did sit, WHOSE GARMENT WAS WHITE AS SNOW, and the hair of His Head like the pure wool:
and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
( His judgment is righteous, nothing hidden. )
as you see here in
Hebrews 4:13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;
( Brass is a material that could withstand heat, fire speaks of judgment )
( HE'S PURE ) " NO INIQUITY FOUND IN HIM "
and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
and the two edged sword.
Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
THIS IS GOD! not a black man or a white man, or any other. HE'S THE GLORIFIED CHRIST JUDGING HIS CHURCH!!
Brother Stan, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding. Most of the Psalms are prophecies pointing to the NEW COVENANT. Christ already knows the END. He knows because HE SPOKE THE WORDS before the foundation of the world. They are coming to fruition at HIS APPOINTED TIME. (his works)
Ecclesiastes 3:1-9
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do ENTER INTO (SABBATH) REST, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into MY (SABBATH) REST: although THE (his) WORKS were FINISHED from the foundations of the world. Christ has been RESTING since those first six days; you are defiling the SABBATH if you are not also resting (IN CHRIST'S WORKS): THE WORKS ARE DONE (COMPLETE).
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor setteth in the seat of the scornful.
Christ is declaring kis WORKS that the death and resurrection of HIMSELF will bring to mankind. At his APPOINTED TIME in each of us. HIS WORKS!
Proverbs 16:6 BY MERCY and TRUTH iniquity is purged.....(his works)
Romans 2:4...not knowing that THE GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to REPENTANCE? (his works)
Isaiah 27:12 And it shall COME TO PASS in that day (NEW COVENANT) (day of the Lord)... ye shall be gathered ONE by ONE (appointed time)...(his works)
Revelation 21:3 ...Behold, the tabernacle (temple) of God is with men...CHRIST IN YOU (his works)
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that YE are the temple of God (new heaven), and that the SPIRIT of God DWELLETH IN YOU. (his works)
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein (new Jerusalem), for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT (CHRIST IN US). Accomplished at the NEW COVENANT. Death and resurrection of Christ. New heaven (NEW dwelling place of God) and new earth (new body; no longer dust, but THE GLORY OF GOD)! (his works)
HIS Rest; Heb. 4:1 = The noun "rest" translates eight times in this chapter (vv. 1, 3, 4, 5, 8. 10, & 11) from the Greek noun root (transliterated "katapauo"; pronounced "kata-POW-"), which literally describes a calm, quiet, and peaceful situation wherein the one who experiences this type of rest lives in security and contentment. This is the same "rest" previously recorded in Hebrews 3:11 and 18.
The rest spoken of in verse nine (v.9) is a different type of rest which will receive its own commentary treatment.
The writer first approached the subject of GOD's Rest in the previous chapter (3:11 & 18). There, GOD addressed the rebellious Israelites during their Exodus from Egypt.
Due to the Israelites "hardening their hearts" toward GOD during their wilderness wanderings, GOD now addresses another audience: the readers' of this epistle as identified by the pronouns "us" and "any of you". The reader must compel himself to investigate the meaning and significance of this Rest.
In the previous references to GOD's Rest, the term "rest" speaks specifically of Israel's settling into Canaan which GOD initially promised to Abraham ( Gen. 17:8). This Rest may also apply generally of Israel's prospering in their national identity and security (cp. Exo. 6:4; Lev. 14:34; 25:38; Num. 13:2; 34:2; Deu. 32:49).
Yet, with all GOD's Promises and Guarantees, both Israel, and eventually Judah, lost everything due to their repeated and continuous rebellions and idolatries.
Now, GOD promises a Rest in the soteriological application through the reception of, and faith in the Gospel and Doctrines of JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR. "MY Rest" speaks of the present irrevocable security all Christian believers enjoy in their Salvation apart from vain "works", and from the Law's condemnation of death (cp. Mt. 11:28-29).
HIM with WHOM we have to do; v.13 = Every Christian, yea, every single individual, must consider this statement very foreboding deserving pause of deep contemplation. Keep in mind, it falls within the context of ample emphatic warnings against "hardening your hearts in unbelief".
The expression, "to do" is the word (transliterated "logos"; pronounced "LOG-os"), meaning a "word", "saying", "discourse", and/or "declaration".
The expression "to do" translates from the same Greek root as the expression "give account" recorded in Romans 14:11-12: "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD."
Each and every individual saint will stand before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST to explain and "account for" the motives of the lifestyles they lived in the name of Christianity (cp. Ecc. 11:9; Mt. 12:36; 18:23; Rom. 14:12; Php. 2:10; Heb. 13:17; 1Pet. 4:5).
Every Christian individual will answer for themselves without the support of excuses or blame on others. Every individual will either stand to receive his reward, or fall to suffer loss, based on their own merits.
Even demonic tongues are required to confess and give account when LORD JESUS CHRIST confronts them. Compare the actions and confession of Legion when meeting The LORD ( Mk. 5:6-7). Legion "ran and worshiped HIM (LORD JESUS) with the confession, "What have I to do with THEE, JESUS, THOU SON of The MOST HIGH GOD?" (Compare Lu. 4:33-34.)
Additionally, when many of CHRIST's disciples rejected and forsook HIM, HE asked the remaining twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Peter answered with this confession: "LORD, to whom shall we go? THOU hast the Words of Eternal Life." ( Jn. 6:66-68).
Thomas uttered the most poignant confession when he saw LORD JESUS CHRIST after HIS Resurrection: "My LORD and my GOD" ( Jn. 20:28).
Eventually and most assuredly, JEHOVAH GOD HIMSELF declared ( Isa. 45:23) every tongue "shall" actually and factually confess "that JESUS CHRIST is LORD".
REVELATION 2:29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
JOHN 10:27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
HEBREWS 1:1-2. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
If God decides to speak Audible it would take the spirit to reveal truth.
The inner ear is the work of the Holyspirit revealing that truth.
We have to be cautious of seeking an experience whether by sight or hearing or miracles and rely on faith in God's word.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Israel seen and heard "As a Nation " and received external blessings and miracles, deliverance, Promises, and the Gospel.
Hebrews 4:2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with ""FAITH"" in them that heard it.
Jannelle, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.
Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith (CHRIST IS OUR FAITH), preached before the GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying in thee shall all these nations be blessed.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: but the word (CHRIST) preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them (CHRIST IN THEM) that heard it.
The GOSPEL IS:
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest (Christ in the flesh) by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath ABOLISHED DEATH, and hath brought LIFE and IMMORTALITY to light through the gospel.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil (alive to the flesh), for the devil sinneth from the beginning, For this purpose (gospel) the Son of Man was MANIFESTED, that he might destroy THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
This is the GOSPEL: You (seed of flesh) died on the cross with Christ and you (seed of Spirit) was RAISED with HIM.
The saints of old received this promise also at HIS RESURRECTION
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having received a good report through faith, received not the promise (victory over sin and death) (CHRIST IN US):
Hebrews 11:49 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (accomplished at Christ death and resurrection).
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves at HIS RESURRECTION, and went into the holy city (new Jerusalem), and appeared to many.
Prayer to return to First Love on Acts 1 - 3 years ago
Revelation 2:4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (Jesus).
It means return to your first love when you First met Jesus. Tell him you've grown cold. Tell him you've entertained other loves. Repent to your God for not loving him as he deserves. He stands ready to forgive and restore. Your High Priest will sympathize with you, therefore, "Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" ( Hebrews 4:16, KJV).
Amazingly, God calls us to return to where we once fell. He does not call us to make up for lost time and be a mile ahead of where we used to be. He calls us back to that fresh fire of love towards him and neighbors. It is a call to action. It is a call to return to the habits of grace. It is a command to keep ourselves in the love of God ( Jude 21).
He has a channel on YouTube too. There's no reason for you to starve spiritually until you can find that church that is a perfect FIT for you.
Some Churches are trying to help Gay Lifestyle folks, COME TO JESUS.
If it was me in Seattle, I would email Greg Lauries's ministry (Harvest Church)
He lives in California. He will know of a church in Seattle you can start attending. Include a zipcode?
Praying and the Bible was taken out if public schools in 1962. People have gone in every direction since then. Romans chapter 1 describes them.
God wants you to be in a Church that nurtures your spirit and helps you to grow as a Christian.
I was a street preacher just like Greg. Seen everything. We are to keep ourselves spotless from worldly activity. I do understand your desire to find a place to learn, fellowship and help out if needed.
Go Look up that CONTACT US, email name
May the Lord lead you and keep you.
Mishael
I would like to add to what Brother Jesse shared,
Hebrews 4:11. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
"This is A CALL BEFORE HAND, not a call afterwards.". IT SAYS ENTER INTO HIS REST "LEST" YOU FALL. and that rest is to rest from your works, The only way you can fall is unbelief, and if you have unbelief you never entered in. The unbelief is NOT taking stock in HIS REST AND OUR REST HE HAS GIVEN US MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS VERSES.
If we refuses the finish work on the cross and insist in a works based salvation plan you have not joined him in his rest, and may fall after the same example of unbelief, ( Disbelieving in the rest we have when joined to Christ. )
Hebrews 4:10. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
God bless.
We have the God given right to be ambassadors for Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:20+21 Righteousness of God in Him ties to first right.
We have the right to a home waiting in heaven the gathering together at the return of Christ for His Church.
We have the right to be healed of all sickness and disease by what Jesus christ accomplished 1 Peter 2:24
We have the God given right to boldly go to the throne of grace and ask for help in time of need Hebrews 4:16
Last we have the right to intercede for those lost and pray for God to deliver them from this present evil world. 2 Corinthians 4:1-5.
This isn't even the tip of the ice berg of the deliverance given God through His son Jesus Christ. Some day we might believe this stuff. In His Service
This was Jesus' Promise to them & to all who would believe on Him, that His Peace would be their joyful portion, as only His Spirit could give them. With that Peace, comes a certain Rest: a Rest in the knowledge of the veracity of His Word, the full salvation by the Cross, & a life of inner peace in an uncertain & troublesome world. And this Rest that Christ gives His people has been secured & paid for by Jesus Himself; it comes to us at no cost, nor could we ever be able to purchase it by our efforts. The Jews of Jesus' day, & even now, come to God on their own merits & works, believing that God would accept them for their obedience to the Laws & observance of all the regulations & feasts. But their desire for Peace in this life & into eternity is not founded in Jesus, God's Son, the Prince of Peace, which means they would never have it.
And yet, even though Jesus paid the price for our salvation & the peace & rest that we're assured of, we are warned in Hebrews 4:11, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." Even though this passage speaks of that future rest for believers when all our labours & trials are over & we finally get to be with our Lord, it is clear that we can enjoy that rest & peace now which Jesus gives by virtue of His Spirit. The Jews miss out on it because of unbelief - we can enjoy it now & into the future only through faith in Jesus' Work on the Cross - and of course, without any cost to us, except to remain faithful to Him, loving Him & looking for His Coming. And all who have been touched & indwelt by His Spirit will continue to endure this life to its end, finding complete rest only in Jesus.
"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."
Soul definition: the soul is our humanity that makes us feel emotions The spirit is our deeper connection with the Lord when we believe in God and RECEIVE Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
This is a question that is not easy to point out in our everyday Christian lives. While it is not so difficult to distinguish the body from the spirit and the soul; it is particularly difficult to distinguish the soul from the spirit. How are they different?
There are a few places in the Bible where the body, soul, and spirit are mentioned
1 Thessalonians 5:23, Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are composed of three parts. It is easy to distinguish the body as physical (sight, hearing, taste, smell, touch). The spirit and soul are much more difficult because they seem similar, but are actually very different.
They have different functions in our lives as Christians in Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 10:28:And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The soul is basically our mind, our emotions, and our will. It is who we are as human beings. It is also used to express God. As written in Luke 1:46-47, Mary said: My SOUL glorifies the Lord and my SPIRIT rejoices in God my Savior."
The function of the spirit is spiritual. The spirit is the only way to connect with God, and we can only use the spirit if we are born again, and receive The Holy Spirit through our Lord Jesus Christ's salvation.
Man cannot see himself being something other than what he is now in this flesh.
Flesh and blood CANNOT inherit the next world. We have to be RE-CREATED to inherit the SPIRIT world.
There is no works that we can do to accomplish this.
The WORKS OF CHRIST will bring this about.
John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you the are SPIRIT, and they (the words that are SPIRIT) GIVE LIFE.
The flesh lives in a world of time, the SPIRIT lives in a world where time does not exist.
In the Old Covenant man was given laws,
One being to observe the seventh day as a day of rest; Physical SABBATH.
When the SPIRIT comes to you and HIS WORDS BECOME words of SPIRIT (life); time is no more:
The SABBATH became SPIRIT and we REST in SPIRIT; or we rest IN CHRIST.
We have ceased from OUR WORKS as he ceased from his works.
Hebrews 10:1 For the law was a shadow (not the real thing) of things to come...
Hebrews 4:10 For he that hath entered into HIS REST, he also hath ceased from his works, as God did from his.
You ARE BEING CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS; it's a GIFT be still and BEHOLD the SALVATION OF GOD.
just don't speak the thoughts. speak good.
When
In Genesis, God numbers the days 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., through the month. Nowhere in the Bible are the days ever given names. Naming days was an early pagan practice. The Bible only says that ***Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest*** holy to the Lord ( Exodus 31:15). The Sabbath can be any seventh day.
Scriptures such as Romans 14:5-6 and Colossians 2:16 give Christians freedom to observe a special day. God requires that we have a Sabbath day of rest. He also desires that we worship and serve Him continually, every day, not just on the Sabbath.
Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you ( 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
We are commanded to Honor the Sabbath
For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: "On the seventh day God rested from all his works." There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience ( Hebrews 4:4, 9-11).
We are commanded to honor God and the Sabbath, but the Sabbath CAN BE ANY DAY of the week we pick to meet together. But the Sabbath is not the only day to worship the Lord. We should be worshipping the Lord DAILY.
Comment: WORK 6 days and REST on the 7th. If it falls on a week day, you rest on the next day.
Faith and Obedience essential for His rest to us-salvation
Hebrews 11:6 KJV - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Romans 11:30 KJV - For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Hebrews 3:12 KJV - Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
Hebrews 4:2 KJV - For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
Hebrews 4:3 KJV - For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Hebrews 4:6 KJV - Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Romans 16:26 KJV - But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1 Peter 1:2 KJV - Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
To say Jesus Christ "did not know all things" I cannot say that. I believe our Lord Jesus Christ is one with God. Can I explain everything, no.
Weather we have some differences on how we perceive certain things in Scripture is normal. No one knows everything except God. Like I stated in another post. As long as what we take from Scripture is in line with the Will of God then it's good. As the Word of God is living, very deep, and sharper than any two edge sword. Hebrews 4:12.
The important thing is we are both with Christ, of His body, and He is our Lord. Staying faithful and true, with a pure heart, to our Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God our Father is key. Living for His Will.
As you noted in another post that John was taken up to heaven for the visions in Revelation. I believe Jesus Christ is there with God now. In Revelation 5:3-5 it speaks about "a man being worthy to open the seals" then speaks of the Lion of the tribe of Juda and Root of David being worthy to open the book and loose the seven seals. I see Jesus Christ opening the book just as it says. If you perceive it differently that's ok.
To believe in the three in ONE view is simply put by this: when we are Blessed to be converted, called or chosen, to be born of the Spirit from above, the Spirit of God the Father, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost all dwell in us. In one Spirit. This is truth and in Scripture.
Let us retain God in our thinking, trust Him, and He will direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.
Have a wonderful day. God Bless.
And yet, the faith that they (the Jews) should have had 'looking ahead' was lacking in so many of them. So the Hebrews writer could say "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them (the Israel under Moses: Hebrews 3 & by extension to the unbelieving Jew of the NT): but the word preached did not profit them, not being MIXED WITH FAITH in them that heard it. ( Hebrews 4:2).
And that Gospel, even though unknown at that time under Moses as we know it now, was indeed the Gospel, since it had its roots in the sacrificial performances that pointed to Christ Who fulfilled them as God's appointed sacrificial Lamb. Yet those sacrifices (& God's Word) did not profit them because of their lack of faith, just as the Sacrifice of Jesus has no profit to anyone who comes to Him without faith.
Thank you for those added thoughts, brother.
When you came to the understanding that WE CAN DO NOTHING; but, Christ does all things for us. You will BE SET FREE.
You want have to achieve the hope set before you, Christ started it. he will complete it. In fact; Christ sees it as already COMPLETE. This is what is meant by coming INTO HIS REST; the works were completed before the foundations of the world were laid.
Ephesians 1:4
Hebrews 4:3
John 15:5
Psalms 92:4-6
YOU ARE DEAD (on your cross); He is alive on HIS THRONE (in you) living HIS life FOR YOU.
YOU have become ONE WITH CHRIST.
John 17:21
Luke 14:27
Matthew 10:38
Luke 9:23
We are THE POT he is THE POTTER.
PG 1. "PAGES OUT OF ORDER' 3-1-2.
Hebrews 3:7-11.Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
Israel had a hardened heart. Which is the condition to all men without the "NEW" heart given by the Lord when saved.
( Hebrews 4:2-3. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.)
( For we which have believed do enter into rest,) as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Jude 1:5. answers itself, " they believe not' ( Was not saved )
James 2:21&26.
21:Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
26:For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James is speaking of works "AFTER" salvation not for salvation.
Philippians 1:6. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 2:13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. This is what James 2:21 is speaking of.
Hebrews 6:12-19, and James 2:21.
These are 2 seperate accounts of Abraham in Hebrews 6:12-16 and James 2:21-23.
"Hebrews the promise was Issac confirmed by an oath". Played out in Gen. 15:1-12.
James was "Abraham having faith in THAT promise". Played out in Gen. 22:1-14.
This description we have of the Lord in Revelation 1:14-16 is a picture of him in his Glory. Not the way he walked down hear on earth!!
Let's visit the text.
Revelation 1:14-16. His head and his hairs were "WHITE" like wool, as "WHITE" as "SNOW";
( the emphasis here is the color of his hair not texture! It speaks of ETERNITY, ANCIENT OF DAYS. )
as you see here in
Daniel 7:9. I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the ANCIENT OF DAYS did sit, WHOSE GARMENT WAS WHITE AS SNOW, and the hair of His Head like the pure wool:
and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
( His judgment is righteous, nothing hidden. )
as you see here in
Hebrews 4:13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace;
( Brass is a material that could withstand heat, fire speaks of judgment )
( HE'S PURE ) " NO INIQUITY FOUND IN HIM "
and his voice as the sound of many waters.
And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
and the two edged sword.
Hebrews 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
THIS IS GOD! not a black man or a white man, or any other. HE'S THE GLORIFIED CHRIST JUDGING HIS CHURCH!!
I'm sure others can add more revelation to this.
God bless.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-9
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do ENTER INTO (SABBATH) REST, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into MY (SABBATH) REST: although THE (his) WORKS were FINISHED from the foundations of the world. Christ has been RESTING since those first six days; you are defiling the SABBATH if you are not also resting (IN CHRIST'S WORKS): THE WORKS ARE DONE (COMPLETE).
Psalms 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor setteth in the seat of the scornful.
Christ is declaring kis WORKS that the death and resurrection of HIMSELF will bring to mankind. At his APPOINTED TIME in each of us. HIS WORKS!
Proverbs 16:6 BY MERCY and TRUTH iniquity is purged.....(his works)
Romans 2:4...not knowing that THE GOODNESS of God leadeth thee to REPENTANCE? (his works)
Isaiah 27:12 And it shall COME TO PASS in that day (NEW COVENANT) (day of the Lord)... ye shall be gathered ONE by ONE (appointed time)...(his works)
Revelation 21:3 ...Behold, the tabernacle (temple) of God is with men...CHRIST IN YOU (his works)
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that YE are the temple of God (new heaven), and that the SPIRIT of God DWELLETH IN YOU. (his works)
Revelation 21:22 And I saw no temple therein (new Jerusalem), for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb ARE THE TEMPLE OF IT (CHRIST IN US). Accomplished at the NEW COVENANT. Death and resurrection of Christ. New heaven (NEW dwelling place of God) and new earth (new body; no longer dust, but THE GLORY OF GOD)! (his works)
The rest spoken of in verse nine (v.9) is a different type of rest which will receive its own commentary treatment.
The writer first approached the subject of GOD's Rest in the previous chapter (3:11 & 18). There, GOD addressed the rebellious Israelites during their Exodus from Egypt.
Due to the Israelites "hardening their hearts" toward GOD during their wilderness wanderings, GOD now addresses another audience: the readers' of this epistle as identified by the pronouns "us" and "any of you". The reader must compel himself to investigate the meaning and significance of this Rest.
In the previous references to GOD's Rest, the term "rest" speaks specifically of Israel's settling into Canaan which GOD initially promised to Abraham ( Gen. 17:8). This Rest may also apply generally of Israel's prospering in their national identity and security (cp. Exo. 6:4; Lev. 14:34; 25:38; Num. 13:2; 34:2; Deu. 32:49).
Yet, with all GOD's Promises and Guarantees, both Israel, and eventually Judah, lost everything due to their repeated and continuous rebellions and idolatries.
Now, GOD promises a Rest in the soteriological application through the reception of, and faith in the Gospel and Doctrines of JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOR. "MY Rest" speaks of the present irrevocable security all Christian believers enjoy in their Salvation apart from vain "works", and from the Law's condemnation of death (cp. Mt. 11:28-29).
The expression, "to do" is the word (transliterated "logos"; pronounced "LOG-os"), meaning a "word", "saying", "discourse", and/or "declaration".
The expression "to do" translates from the same Greek root as the expression "give account" recorded in Romans 14:11-12: "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD."
Each and every individual saint will stand before the Judgment Seat of CHRIST to explain and "account for" the motives of the lifestyles they lived in the name of Christianity (cp. Ecc. 11:9; Mt. 12:36; 18:23; Rom. 14:12; Php. 2:10; Heb. 13:17; 1Pet. 4:5).
Every Christian individual will answer for themselves without the support of excuses or blame on others. Every individual will either stand to receive his reward, or fall to suffer loss, based on their own merits.
Even demonic tongues are required to confess and give account when LORD JESUS CHRIST confronts them. Compare the actions and confession of Legion when meeting The LORD ( Mk. 5:6-7). Legion "ran and worshiped HIM (LORD JESUS) with the confession, "What have I to do with THEE, JESUS, THOU SON of The MOST HIGH GOD?" (Compare Lu. 4:33-34.)
Additionally, when many of CHRIST's disciples rejected and forsook HIM, HE asked the remaining twelve, "Will ye also go away?" Peter answered with this confession: "LORD, to whom shall we go? THOU hast the Words of Eternal Life." ( Jn. 6:66-68).
Thomas uttered the most poignant confession when he saw LORD JESUS CHRIST after HIS Resurrection: "My LORD and my GOD" ( Jn. 20:28).
Eventually and most assuredly, JEHOVAH GOD HIMSELF declared ( Isa. 45:23) every tongue "shall" actually and factually confess "that JESUS CHRIST is LORD".
He here the Lord with the inner ear.
The Lord speaks to his "CHURCH" by the spirit.
REVELATION 2:29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
JOHN 10:27. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
HEBREWS 1:1-2. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
If God decides to speak Audible it would take the spirit to reveal truth.
The inner ear is the work of the Holyspirit revealing that truth.
We have to be cautious of seeking an experience whether by sight or hearing or miracles and rely on faith in God's word.
Hebrews 11:1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Israel seen and heard "As a Nation " and received external blessings and miracles, deliverance, Promises, and the Gospel.
Hebrews 4:2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with ""FAITH"" in them that heard it.
God bless.
Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith (CHRIST IS OUR FAITH), preached before the GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying in thee shall all these nations be blessed.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, AS WELL AS UNTO THEM: but the word (CHRIST) preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them (CHRIST IN THEM) that heard it.
The GOSPEL IS:
2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest (Christ in the flesh) by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath ABOLISHED DEATH, and hath brought LIFE and IMMORTALITY to light through the gospel.
1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil (alive to the flesh), for the devil sinneth from the beginning, For this purpose (gospel) the Son of Man was MANIFESTED, that he might destroy THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.
This is the GOSPEL: You (seed of flesh) died on the cross with Christ and you (seed of Spirit) was RAISED with HIM.
The saints of old received this promise also at HIS RESURRECTION
Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having received a good report through faith, received not the promise (victory over sin and death) (CHRIST IN US):
Hebrews 11:49 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect (accomplished at Christ death and resurrection).
Matthew 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Matthew 27:53 And came out of the graves at HIS RESURRECTION, and went into the holy city (new Jerusalem), and appeared to many.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love (Jesus).
It means return to your first love when you First met Jesus. Tell him you've grown cold. Tell him you've entertained other loves. Repent to your God for not loving him as he deserves. He stands ready to forgive and restore. Your High Priest will sympathize with you, therefore, "Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" ( Hebrews 4:16, KJV).
Amazingly, God calls us to return to where we once fell. He does not call us to make up for lost time and be a mile ahead of where we used to be. He calls us back to that fresh fire of love towards him and neighbors. It is a call to action. It is a call to return to the habits of grace. It is a command to keep ourselves in the love of God ( Jude 21).