Christian's Handbook 5

Handbook 5 encapsulates the "summing up" of all things in Christ Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

The Order of Things: Pressing on to Know the Lord

Handbook 5: Article 6 - The Journey to Perfection

The first step:

"...leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ... the repentance of dead works, faith toward God instructions about washings and the laying on of hands the resurrection of the dead, eternal judgments... let us press on to maturity (or perfection)..."

Hebrews 6:1, 2

The Amplified Bible states it this way:

"...advancing steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belongs to spiritual maturity..."

Hebrews 6:1, 2

The second step:

"And this we will do, if God permits."

Hebrews 6:3

Why do we need God's permission? The answer -- because of the 'Hiding'!

"...Christ Jesus. Himself, in Whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Colossians 2:2, 3

For the gospel is veiled:

"...I am sending you, to 'open their eyes' so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God..."

Acts 26:17, 18

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, might not dawn on them."

2 Corinthians 4:3, 4

"...the veil remains un-lifted, because it is removed in Christ."

2 Corinthians 3:14

Gaining God's permission:

The veil is lifted as the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ dawns on us.

"...But whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:16-18

A Closer Look at the Order of Things

Paul's first messages to the Corinthians were about the elementary things of Jesus; he gave to them the 'milk of the Word,' he did not begin His ministry proclaiming to them the mystery of God.

"And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the mystery of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

1 Corinthians 2:1, 2

Paul continues:

"Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature... we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory... but just as it is written,

'Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.'

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God... which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words (or interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men)."

1 Corinthians 2:6, 7, 9, 10, 13

The mystery that is Christ is only revealed through the Spirit in words taught by the Spirit!

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

John 14:26

"But when He, the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but what He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He shall glorify Me; for He shall take of Mine, and shall disclose it to you."

John 16:13, 14

Again:

"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And anyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

1 John 3:2, 3


« LastNext »

  1. A New Assignment: 1/31/14
  2. God's Instructions: A Closer Look
  3. Beginning the Journey: Measuring Our Spiritual Maturity
  4. To Know Him
  5. Choosing Our World: Setting Our Minds on Things Above
  6. The Order of Things: Pressing on to Know the Lord
  7. The Mystery: Christ Jesus Himself
  8. Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of the Faith
  9. Obedience, the Perfecting of Our Faith

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