"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our
hands, concerning the word of life."1
Jesus is the Word, He was in the beginning with God.2 All things were made through Him. He is the Word and Light of men, the way, the path, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."4 Thus we can say as the Psalmist, Jesus, the Word, is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.5 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men."6 Concerning the Word of Life, "the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life," Proclaimed, that our joy may be complete, a glory like that in the beginning, fellowship with the Father, with one another, and with his Son Jesus Christ, the Word of Life.
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."7
We see our salvation, a cleansing of the word, and the sanctification of the Word. "Sanctify them in truth"8 Jesus prayed to the Father, for believers to be sanctified. Paul writes Christ gave himself for the Church "that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,"9 John also gives insight into this sanctification, that Christ sanctified himself, "And for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."10 We are clean because of the word, but we must abide in the vine, "As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
“The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean,"11
When Jesus washed the disciple's feet, this is what he meant when He said they were already washed, "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." But we see Jesus wash the disciples further, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet."14 Surely, an example of humility, serving in the Kingdom, the first being last, but more so we see sanctification, this is the example He set, "you also ought to wash one another’s feet." The command to go into all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the testimony of water, is a fundamental doctrine of the new covenant, the teaching of baptism, the sanctification of men.
"Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."15
It is a principle of faith, a measure is given, so it is to him who abides, who remains, more is given. "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."16 The principle of sowing states that those who do not have deep roots will fall away when persecution comes. Some teachings in the Church, would cause some to fall away. What happens when we put earthly things before spiritual blessings? When people are taught an earthly prosperity message or transformation is focused on the external, called life skills like money management. Surely, such things will not deeply ground men, sanctify, nor do anything for their wanting soul, for Life. When persecution comes, why would I remain if I have associated following him with earthly blessings? They will fall away when persecution comes.
"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."17
John the baptist said to the Jews "The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Israel was no longer bearing fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them." Now, what fruit did Jesus say? "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."18 What is the will of the Father? “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."24 It is impossible to do his will without first being transformed by the renewing of the mind, from the carnal to the spiritual, thus we see the sanctification of the Word, and the need to abide.
Jesus is the Word, He was in the beginning with God.2 All things were made through Him. He is the Word and Light of men, the way, the path, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."4 Thus we can say as the Psalmist, Jesus, the Word, is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path.5 "In him was life, and the life was the light of men."6 Concerning the Word of Life, "the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life," Proclaimed, that our joy may be complete, a glory like that in the beginning, fellowship with the Father, with one another, and with his Son Jesus Christ, the Word of Life.
"You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."7
We see our salvation, a cleansing of the word, and the sanctification of the Word. "Sanctify them in truth"8 Jesus prayed to the Father, for believers to be sanctified. Paul writes Christ gave himself for the Church "that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,"9 John also gives insight into this sanctification, that Christ sanctified himself, "And for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth."10 We are clean because of the word, but we must abide in the vine, "As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
“The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean,"11
When Jesus washed the disciple's feet, this is what he meant when He said they were already washed, "You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you." But we see Jesus wash the disciples further, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet."14 Surely, an example of humility, serving in the Kingdom, the first being last, but more so we see sanctification, this is the example He set, "you also ought to wash one another’s feet." The command to go into all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the testimony of water, is a fundamental doctrine of the new covenant, the teaching of baptism, the sanctification of men.
"Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit."15
It is a principle of faith, a measure is given, so it is to him who abides, who remains, more is given. "For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."16 The principle of sowing states that those who do not have deep roots will fall away when persecution comes. Some teachings in the Church, would cause some to fall away. What happens when we put earthly things before spiritual blessings? When people are taught an earthly prosperity message or transformation is focused on the external, called life skills like money management. Surely, such things will not deeply ground men, sanctify, nor do anything for their wanting soul, for Life. When persecution comes, why would I remain if I have associated following him with earthly blessings? They will fall away when persecution comes.
"If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned."17
John the baptist said to the Jews "The ax lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." Israel was no longer bearing fruit. "A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, by their fruit you will recognize them." Now, what fruit did Jesus say? "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."18 What is the will of the Father? “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."24 It is impossible to do his will without first being transformed by the renewing of the mind, from the carnal to the spiritual, thus we see the sanctification of the Word, and the need to abide.
"holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."25
Sanctification is our reasonable service.26 May we have understanding as Peter and say, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,"27 Sanctification is one of the greatest area that the enemy attacks. It is a difficult thing for the believer, to read the Bible, often serving and doing "good works" neglecting sanctification. Transformation by the renewing of the mind is the only way one will accept the will of God, as the carnal mind is hostile against God's laws. It is the only way one will endure persecution. I find that the business of the Church should be about this reasonable service. Maybe upon arrival, many have become comfortable, experiencing Life they rejoice, neglecting others on the path. We see the need to abide in the word, of life, and there are those who have not yet experienced the Word of Life.
Chain Breaker
Sanctification is our reasonable service.26 May we have understanding as Peter and say, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,"27 Sanctification is one of the greatest area that the enemy attacks. It is a difficult thing for the believer, to read the Bible, often serving and doing "good works" neglecting sanctification. Transformation by the renewing of the mind is the only way one will accept the will of God, as the carnal mind is hostile against God's laws. It is the only way one will endure persecution. I find that the business of the Church should be about this reasonable service. Maybe upon arrival, many have become comfortable, experiencing Life they rejoice, neglecting others on the path. We see the need to abide in the word, of life, and there are those who have not yet experienced the Word of Life.
Chain Breaker