MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
The Seven Baptisms
Written by: Max Klein
Baptism means identification or association:
Introduction:
1. This meaning began in Homer's time. Homer wrote of the one-eyed giant, Cyclops who had trapped Ulysses and his men in a cave and was eating them one at a time. The ingenious Ulysses devised a plan. He had his men sharpen a large log and together they rammed this log into the eye of the one-eyed Cyclops rendering him blind. They identified (baptized) the sharpened log with Cyclops’ eye which changed Cyclops from a seeing giant to a blind giant. Having blinded the Cyclops, they were able to maneuver their way out of the cave. Another example by Homer: Homer's Odyssey, book 9, used baptism for hot metal identified (baptized) with water when a smith dipped a piece of hot iron into water. This is how a blacksmith would temper swords in the ancient world. After this identification, the sword was made stronger and so less likely to bend.
2. Xenophon said that the Spartan military recruits after finishing infantry training would identify (baptize) their spears with pig’s blood. They would run by a barrel of pig’s blood and thrust their spears into this blood. This ritual, identified their spears with killing and the soldier’s readiness for combat with the enemy.
3. Euripides used the word for a ship identified with the bottom of the sea when it sank. Before sinking, the ship was valuable; after sinking it had no value at all.
4. So "baptize" in the classical Greek meant to identify one thing with another so that the characteristics of the original thing were altered. Therefore, the interpretation of the word "baptism" is identification with something that brings about a change.
5. There are a number of cognates related to this Greek word such as bapto, baptizo, baptisma, baptismos, baptistes, and embapto. A few examples follow:
6. John 13:26, “Jesus then answered, ‘That is the one for whom, I shall dip [the future of the Greek word bapto] the morsel and give it to him. So, when he had dipped [the aorist participle of bapto; the sop now takes on a new meaning that of honor] the sop [the morsel], He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.”
To give someone a sop [a special bit of food usually a piece of bread or meat with a tasty sauce] was the highest honor of a banquet. At a banquet a special piece of bread or meat was prepared along with a special sauce for the guest of honor who would then honor someone by giving it to that person. Jesus as the guest of honor took this sop and dipped it into a special sauce and gave it to Judas. In this way, the Lord Jesus Christ honored Judas as a member of the family of God, and for his ministry as an apostle to the Lost Sheep of Israel. This honor should have given Judas second thoughts regarding his plan to betray Jesus to the Sanhedrin.
7. Matthew 3:7, “but when he [John the Baptizer] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism [identification: the Greek word baptisma], he said to them, “You brood of vipers [poisonous snakes], who warned you to flee from the wrath to come [Baptism of Fire: identification with the fire of Torments and then the Lake of Fire]?”
8. Hebrews 6:1-2, “Therefore, leaving behind the elementary teaching about Christ, let us advance to maturity, not laying again the foundation [of the basics such as]: a change of thinking about dead works [just as an unbeliever must have a change of mind about Christ to obtain salvation, so the believer must have a change of mind about legalism (dead works) in order to obtain the spiritual life], and of faith toward God [Faith-Rest Drill], (2) doctrine of baptisms [the Greek word baptismos; a reference to the seven types of baptism as found in Scripture] as well as the laying on of hands [ritual rebound in the age of Israel], and of resurrection from the dead, and of eternal judgment [the Great White Throne Judgment].
9. Matthew 3:1, “In those days John the Baptizer [the Greek word baptistes; when John baptized someone into the Jordan River, the converts were identified with the plan of God and his kingdom.] came proclaiming [as a herald] in the desert of Judea.”
There are two categories of identification in Scripture namely an actual identification or a real baptism and a representative identification or a ritual baptism which uses water.
The four real or actual identifications with something that has significance.
1. The Baptism of Moses: 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 presents the baptism of Moses, "For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; (2) and all were baptized [the Greek word baptizo] into Moses in the cloud [the Lord] and in the sea." This was a real identification in which Moses was identified with the Lord and the open path through the Red Sea and the Jews were identified with Moses. By the way, none of the Jews got wet, only Egyptian unbelievers who were immersed in the water as a means of death.
2. The Baptism of the Cross is found in Matthew 20:22, “But Jesus answered [Salome by addressing her sons] and said, “You [plural: a reference to James and John] do not know what you [James and John] ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink of the cup [bear the punishment of all the sins of the world] that I am about to drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism [the sins of the world identified with Christ followed by the Father judging them] that I am baptized with [identified with]?” They [James and John] said to Him, “We are able. [the dumbest statement that James and John ever made]” [I selected the longer text as did Jerome.]
3. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Retroactive Positional Truth and Current Positional Truth) occurs at salvation for Church Age believers only.
Colossians 2:12. Having been buried [aorist participle] with Him [Jesus Christ] by means of the baptism [God the Holy Spirit identified us with the burial of Jesus Christ as part of our salvation] by means of which [Baptism] you have been raised up [main verb] with Him [in union with Jesus Christ seated at the right hand of the Father] through faith [at the point of salvation] in the operational power from the source of God who has raised Him [the humanity of Christ was given a resurrection body] out from the dead [physical death].
Romans 6:3-9:
Romans 6:3: Or do you not know that all of us who [a correlative] have been baptized into [identified with] Christ Jesus [Current Positional Sanctification: we are in union with Christ in his life in heaven], have been baptized into His death [Retroactive Positional Truth and so identified with his substitutionary spiritual death on the cross]?
Positionally, (in union with Christ) we share His righteousness, heirship, priesthood, destiny, election, eternal life, royalty, sonship etc. All these making us a new spiritual species in Christ Jesus. The plural correlative hosoi (ὅσοι) means that if we were identified with Christ in heaven and we were, then also we have been identified with Christ in his substitutionary spiritual death in which he removed the power of sin nature. Thus, the sin nature should not have power over our lives.
A few more points will be noted:
1. Note that the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation enters the believer into union with Christ at the right hand of God the Father which union is called current positional truth.
2. This verse also mentions identification with Christ in His spiritual death on the cross which identification theologians call retroactive positional truth. Retroactive positional truth also includes identification with Christ in His physical death and burial as well.
3. Identification with Christ in His death, then, has a two-fold connotation namely all personal sins were judged at the cross and since that is the case, God the Father is free to provide in grace, the Recovery Procedure. The second connotation is that good and evil were rejected by Jesus on the cross since good and evil are a part of Satan’s policy and plan. On the cross, Jesus relied on the proto-type spiritual life which operated under the two power options namely God’s power system.
4. So, the old sin nature’s ruling power over the Christian has been broken since all sins were judged on the cross and the Recovery Procedure has been provided. So, Retroactive Positional Truth has destroyed the sovereignty of the old sin nature over the life of the Christian.
5. Also, since Jesus rejected the good and evil policy of Satan so should the believer reject Satan’s policy of good and evil as the believer applies Retroactive Positional Truth.
Romans 6:4: Therefore, we have been buried together with Him through the identification [Baptism of the Spirit] into His death [physical], in order that just as Christ has been raised up from the dead [on Resurrection Sunday], through the glory of the Father [through the Father’s power], [So also we, the dead in Christ, will be raised from the dead by the power of the Father, and those alive at the Rapture, by the power of the Holy Spirit.] in this manner we also might walk in newness of life [Experiential sanctification should reflect our future ultimate sanctification.].
Christ had to die physically “and Jesus having shouted clearly with a loud voice said, Father, into your hands I deposit my [human] spirit, and having said this, he exhaled” (Luke 23:46). This last exhale caused His soul and spirit to depart from his mortal body resulting in physical death. Just as Christ had to die physically in order to obtain his resurrection body, so we must depart from our body of corruption, or mortality in order to receive our eternal body called our resurrection body.
The Newness of Life:
1. The newness of life provided through the baptism of the Spirit includes positional freedom from producing good and evil. Not only are we free from the tyranny of good and evil but we are also free from having to produce good and evil.
2. The believer has no obligation to improve the devil’s world through social action, socialism, welfare state, communism, environmentalism, or any social gospel, social action, getting involved, etc.
3. The human race is protected from Satan’s policy of good and evil through the laws of divine establishment which promote freedom instead of improvement at the cost of freedom.
4. In addition to the Laws of Divine Establishment the believer is insulated from good and evil positionally through the baptism of the Spirit.
5. Divorced from the Old Sin Nature positionally and its useless activity of human good and the function of evil, the life of the believer can be devoted to glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ through maximum knowledge and application of Bible doctrine.
Romans 6:5: For if we have become united with Him [Christ, the new husband] in the likeness of His death [the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross], and we have, and not only this, but also, we shall be [united in the likeness] of His resurrection [Current Positional Truth: in union with the resurrected Christ].
Romans 6:6: Be knowing this [through Retroactive Positional Truth], that our old man [our former husband, the sin nature dates back to the Garden] has been crucified together [with Him], in order that the [human] body, with reference to its sin nature, [the sin nature located in the body] might be rendered powerless [when we use Recovery Procedure and the two power options], that we should no longer be slaves to the sin nature.
“Our old man has been crucified with Him” meaning that the power of the sin nature has been broken on the cross. Since the power of the sin nature was broken by the work of the cross, we as believers have no excuse for not executing the spiritual life. We will not be able to say to Christ at our evaluation that our sin nature was too powerful for us to execute the spiritual life.
A few points for further clarification:
1. Retroactive positional truth is that phase of the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation which identifies the believer with Christ in His spiritual death, physical death and his burial.
2. In the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ on the cross all the personal sins in human history were imputed to Christ, but at the same time the other two trends of the old sin nature were not imputed for judgment.
3. Good and evil is the policy of Satan as the ruler of this world and the function of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life. In fact, the sin nature functions as the agent of Satan.
4. Good and evil were not imputed for judgment on the cross. Hence, in the spiritual death of Christ on the cross they were rejected to remain an issue in the angelic conflict, rejected to be perpetuated in human history as an issue every believer must face, and either overcome through the intake of doctrine or be entrapped by ignorance of doctrine and therefore lose out in glorifying God in time.
5. We are identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which means that we must understand that our sins have been judged and that good and evil has been rejected.
6. It all adds up to the fact that the sovereignty of the old sin nature over human life has been made powerless through retroactive positional truth.
7. The imputation of all personal sins of the human race to Christ on the cross means that the believer through the rebound technique is instantly forgiven sins, cleansed from all wrong doing which includes Satanic good and evil, restored to fellowship and filled with the Spirit.
Romans 6:7: For we who have died [the Christian is identified with the substitutionary spiritual death of Christ: theologically called Retroactive Positional Truth] have been acquitted [positional deliverance] from [the power of] the sin nature.
A few points for further clarification:
1. A dead person is discharged from the obligations of his former sphere of life. This is why the word “death” is used in this context. It is not a literal, physical death we are discussing but identification with Christ in His death.
2. As unbelievers we were under the authority of Satan as the ruler of this world, and under the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
3. Both the power of Satan and the old sin nature have been abrogated through the baptism of the Holy Spirit at salvation.
4. This passage, then, emphasizes the annulling of the power and the authority of the old sin nature as the sovereign of human life.
5. Positionally, the power of the sin nature has been broken. Experientially, the old sin nature controls to the extent that we fail to understand and utilize the provision and support of logistical grace.
Romans 6:8: Now if we have died with Christ, and we have [retroactive positional truth], we also believe that we shall live in association with Him [the instrumental of association; a reference to Current Positional Truth].
In this verse, the 1st Class conditional sentence shows the relationship between Retroactive Positional Truth with Current Positional Truth. The protasis, the ‘if’ clause states the reality of Retroactive Positional Truth and the apodosis, the concluding clause states the doctrinal inference and the reality of Current Positional Truth. While Retroactive Positional Truth presents positional rejection and separation from good and evil as the policy of Satan and the function of the old sin nature, Current Positional Truth relates the believer to the function of the royal family of God. In other words, they have separate functions.
Romans 6:9: Knowing that because Christ has been raised from the dead [He received a resurrection body], no longer can He die; [physical] death is no longer a master over Him.
Analysis:
1. Retroactive positional truth destroys the sovereign authority of the old sin nature over human life. Current positional truth, on the other hand, destroys the limited authority of physical death in human life.
2. Instead of being ruled by the old sin nature located in the cells of the human body and influencing our souls toward sin, good and evil, we now have a new sovereign, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are identified with Him in His deaths, in His burial, resurrection, ascension and session.
3. Before salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit our lives were under the absolute rule of Satan who is the ruler of this world and under the rule of the old sin nature which is the ruler of life, and under the limited rule of physical death. All of that, of course, has been changed since salvation.
4. Now both retroactive and current positional truth have abrogated the authority and power of these former rulers. The power of Satan over our lives has been broken through identification with the rejection of good and evil namely Satan’s policy and plan and through our position in union with Christ. The power of the old sin nature is broken through retroactive positional truth and the power of physical death is broken through current positional truth.
5. Therefore, having studied these things by principle and by implication we are now ready for application, verses 12 & 13 specifically.
6. Having been positionally liberated from the sovereignty of the old sin nature as an absolute ruler, and the authority of physical death, we must recognise and apply doctrine for the experiential victory commanded in verses 11-13.
Galatians 3:25-28, “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under the authority of [have need of] a school bus. (26) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For all of you who were baptized into Christ [identified with Christ through union with Him] have clothed yourselves with Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek [no racial distinction], there is neither slave nor free man [no social or economic distinction], there is neither male nor female [no gender distinction]; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [All Christians have the same privileges and opportunities to execute the spiritual life.]”
Current Positional Truth, Elaborated:
In the Church Age, Current Positional Truth establishes our relationship with Christ as opposed to religion. It refers to the Church Age believer in union with Christ and is the key to understanding the Church Age and how the royal family came into being. Therefore, it is the basis for distinguishing between Christianity and religion. Christianity is a relationship with God without merit whereas religion is a system of works to gain the approbation of God. Never shall the twain meet!
The mechanics of Current Positional Truth is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, whereby the Spirit enters us into union with Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For also by agency of the one Spirit we are all baptized [identification resulting in becoming a new spiritual species] into one body [in union with Christ], whether Jews or Greeks [racial distinctions are removed], whether slave or free [class and economic distinctions are removed], even all were made to drink [the aorist passive, the voice of grace] the one Spirit [The Holy Spirit did not ask us whether we wanted to be put into union with Christ or not.].” Ephesians 4:5, “One Lord [becomes our Lord positionally at Salvation]), one faith [faith alone in Christ alone; Acts 16:31], one baptism [Baptism of the Holy Spirit takes place at salvation].”
Current Positional truth guarantees that there will be no judgment for believers in eternity, Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Thus, the condemnation which occurred at the first birth was removed at the 2nd birth. As a result of being born with the sin nature and the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin, we were condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity, but now that has been removed. Romans 5:12, “For this reason just as through one man [Adam] the sin [nature] entered into the world [procreation], and so spiritual death through the sin [the imputation of Adam’s Original Sin to the sin nature], and so spiritual death spread to all mankind, because all sinned when Adam sinned [since we were all genetically in Adam when he sinned, we will receive Adam’s Original Sin].” However, at our spiritual birth, the 2nd birth, our pre-salvation sins were all forgiven including Adam’s Original Sin. After which, the Spirit entered us into union with Christ where there is now no condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Current Positional truth qualifies the believer to live with God forever. To live with God forever, the believer must have eternal life and God’s perfect righteousness, 1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life, and this life is in his son [Since we are in union with Christ, we share this life.]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And He [the Father] made Him who knew no sin [perfection] to be a sin offering [imputation of sins on the cross] as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [current positional truth].” To live with God forever means you must have His life, and you must be as righteous as He is.
Positional truth guarantees the believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death [nothing in death] nor life [nothing in life] nor angels nor principalities [ruling angels] nor powers [human organizations] nor things present nor things to come (39) nor height [nothing in heaven] nor depth [nothing in Hades] nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Eternal life in Christ is for all eternity!
Positional truth belongs to all categories of believers whether they be apostate, mature, immature, spiritually adult, or carnal. Since Current Positional Truth occurs at the point of salvation before experience in the Christian life begins, it doesn’t depend on that experience. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus [at salvation], called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.” So, even though you may be carnal or in reversionism, you still have positional truth. Being in union with Christ has nothing to do with what you do [experiential righteousness], or don’t do [failure to execute God’s plan]. Current Positional sanctification is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit and so is not based upon our volition, but on the sovereign decision of God. We make the decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but we don’t make the decision to enter into union with Christ “all were made to drink the one Spirit” as per 1 Corinthians 12:13. God the Holy Spirit graciously did that for us and so it cannot be undone.
Current Positional truth creates a new spiritual species in Christ as per 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power; behold, new things have come to pass.” You become a new spiritual species at salvation by being put into union with Christ. It is what God does for you, and therefore it is grace. It is not what you do after salvation, such as the self-righteous works of legalism. The “old things” have to do with spiritual death and those things related to that death; the “new things” refer to things you receive at salvation such as the 40 assets and the unique spiritual life.
Positional truth should motivate the production of divine good and a pattern of life compatible with royalty as per Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his creation, having been created in Christ Jesus [a new spiritual species with many assets] for the purpose of divine good production [via experiential sanctification] which the God [the Father] has prepared in advance [in eternity past, God the Father provided election and predestination as part of our Portfolio of Invisible Assets], that we in the sphere of them [election and predestination] may pattern our lives.”
Even though a Christian may die the Sin on to Death, he will not lose his position in union with Christ (1 John 5:18-20), and so cannot lose his salvation. In order for a believer to lose his position in Christ, he would have to sin in that status, but since the believer cannot sin in union with Christ, he cannot lose his position in Christ and so cannot lose his salvation. Thus, it is comforting and reassuring to a believer to know that even though a loved one may have died the ‘sin on to death’, he has not lost his salvation.
Because we are in union with Christ, we share His:
1. Eternal life, 1 John 5:11, “And this is the deposition [testimony] that the God [the Father] has given to us, eternal life [At salvation, God the Father imputes this life to the human spirit], and this life is in his son [The Christian also shares the life of Christ through union with Him]. (12) and he who has the son [a relationship with the Son] has the life [eternal life] and the one who does not have the son of God [relationship with the Son] does not have the life [eternal life].”
John 14:6, “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth and the life [eternal life]; no person [in human history] comes face to face with the Father [having an eternal relationship with the Father] except through Me.’”
2. Perfect righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21, “And he (God the Father) made him [Jesus] who knew no sin (perfection) to be a sin offering as a substitute for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him [positional truth]. Sharing the righteousness of Christ, we become the objects of God the Father’s love as per Romans 8:39.
3. Election, Ephesians 1:4, “just as He [the Father] has elected us for Himself in Him [Jesus Christ] before the creation of the world [in eternity past], that we may be set apart [experiential sanctification] and blameless [ultimate sanctification] in the presence of Him [Father].”
4. Destiny, Ephesians 1:5, “By means of love, He has predestined us for the purpose of adoption as adult sons to Himself through Christ Jesus our Lord according to the grace purpose of His will.”
5. Sonship, Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”
6. Heirship, Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself testifies together [bears witness] with our [human] spirit, that we are the children of God. (17) Now, if we are children and we are, also heirs, on the one hand heirs of God [the Father], and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed [if it is true that], we suffer with Him [pass all three stages of undeserved suffering], that also we might be glorified with Christ.”
7. Sanctification, 1 Corinthians 1:2, “to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints together with all who call upon the person of Our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours.”
8. Priesthood, Hebrews 7:12-19, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change in the Law also. (13) For the One [the Lord Jesus Christ] concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe [the tribe of Judah] from which no one has officiated at the altar. (14) For it is evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests, (15) and this is clearer still, if another priest arises similar to Melchizedek, and there has, (16) who has become a priest not on the basis of physical requirement [a reference to the Levitical Priesthood] but on the basis of indestructible life [the Lord’s priesthood is forever]. (17) For this reason, it is witnessed, ‘You are a priest forever similar to the order of Melchizedek.’” [We are in union with Christ. Therefore, we are royalty and priests forever. We represent ourselves before God as royal priests.] (18) For, on the one hand, there is a rescinding of the former commandment [the Mosaic Law that authorized the Levitical priesthood] because of its weakness and uselessness (19) (for the Law brought nothing to completion), but on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope [the second door of hope for the Church Age believer—a personal sense of destiny—by which we enter the adult spiritual life] through which we draw near to God.”
Hebrews 7:26-28, “For it is fitting that we should have such a high priest, impeccable integrity, the One who cannot do evil, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; (27) Who does not need daily, like those Levitical priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He [Jesus] offered up Himself. (28) For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of His [God the Father’s] oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, who has become perfect forever [Jesus Christ is a perfect high priest].”
9. Royalty, 1 Peter 2:9, “ But you and only you are an elect [elect by God the Father] race [as a new spiritual species], a royal priesthood [since Jesus is a king-priest], a holy nation [God’s entity: a nation of priests: every Christian is a priest], a people for God’s own possession [a protected people], so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him [Christ] who has called [in eternity past] you out of darkness [spiritual death and the Cosmic Systems] into His amazing light [his plan];”
10. New Spiritual Species, 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ and he is, he is a new spiritual species. The old things have lost their power [Old Covenant]; behold, new things have come to pass [This would include the New Covenant to the Church.].”
Current Positional Truth changes our relationship with Angels.
1. Through current positional truth the believer is higher than angels positionally.
2. Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and so superior to all angels. By virtue of being in union with Christ, every believer is now positionally superior to angels.
3. Positional truth has fulfilled the believer’s triumph with Christ in the angelic conflict. We are victorious with Him already.
4. Furthermore, positional truth demands compatibility with experiential righteousness. Therefore, the believer’s walk on this earth must be compatible with positional truth since we have perfect security in Christ, we have the freedom to choose for Jesus Christ, to love Jesus Christ, to respond to His love, and to fulfill our purpose on this earth.
What positional truth is not?
1. It is not an experience, emotions or ecstasies.
2. It is not progressive; it cannot be improved in time or eternity.
3. It is not related to human merit or ability.
4. It cannot be changed by God, man or angels. It is eternal in nature.
5. It is not obtained gradually as you grow in grace, but in toto at salvation.
6. It is not known apart from the metabolization of doctrine.
7. From understanding the doctrine of positional truth, we progress in our spiritual life, but we cannot improve it since it is perfect at salvation.
8. We are not in Christ because of what we do (execution of the spiritual life) or fail to do (fail to execute the spiritual life), but because of what God has done.
A few points of explanation:
1. The conclusion from positional truth, whether retroactive or current, is that the Christian must apply these doctrines to his spiritual life.
2. In Romans 7:1-4 where we have an illustration of a woman whose first husband has died freeing her to marry another. This is what actually happens to us as believers at salvation. The old sin nature is the husband up to the point of salvation, but at the moment we believe in Jesus Christ positionally the sin nature is dead, as it were, the first husband has died and we have a new husband through union with Christ. Retroactive Positional Truth removes our first husband, the sin nature whereas Current Positional Truth enters us into union with Christ, our new husband.
3. The old sin nature-husband is still around, still seeking to regain his control over his former wife, the believer. But union with the second husband, the Lord Jesus Christ, has broken the first husband’s authority over the former wife.
4. The Baptism of Fire:
Matthew 3:11, “On the one hand I [John the Baptizer] baptize you [believers] by means of water because of a change of thinking [about Christ], but the one coming after me is mightier than I whose sandals I am not worthy to lace [loosen, remove]. He himself will baptize by means of the Holy Spirit [a reference to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Church Age] and by means of fire [a reference to the Baptism of Fire at the 2nd Advent].”
Baptism of Fire: The baptism of fire (identification with fire) is defined as the judgment of unbelievers both Jew and gentile at the Second Advent. They will be removed from the earth and placed in fire for 1000 years until the Last Judgment, Luke 3:16-17; Mathew 25:31, 33. The analogy to the Baptism of Fire is found in Matthew 24:36-41. The one left in the field is the mature believer; the one taken is the unbeliever.
Parables of the Baptism of Fire:
1. The wheat and the tares (the unbelievers), Matthew 13:24-30, 36-40.
2. The good and bad fish (unbelievers), Matthew 13:47-50.
3. The ten virgins: five wise, five foolish (the unbelievers), Matthew 25:1-13.
4. The sheep and the goats (the unbelievers), Mathew 25:31-46.
5. The talent test, Matthew 25:14-30. The one talent man represents the unbeliever.
If Jesus Christ had not been rejected by the Jewish people, then the age of Israel would have continued until its completion (the Tribulation completes the age of Israel). (However, they did reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Messiah and so the client nation was destroyed, and the Church age was intercalated that is inserted before the age of Israel was complete.) After the completion of the age of Israel at the end of the Tribulation, comes the wrath of God namely the Baptism of Fire when the Lord removes both Jewish and gentile unbelievers from the earth and identifies them with fire forever. After which, the Millennial reign begins.
The Three Ritual Baptisms. None are extant at the present time. They are representative identifications in which water is used as a training aid to represent some principle of doctrine.
1. The Baptism of John is found in Matthew 3:2-6, “Saying, ‘Change your thinking [regarding Christ] for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ [The future king was already on the earth] (3) For this is what was communicated through Isaiah, the prophet saying, ‘The voice of one [John the Baptizer] proclaiming loudly in the desert [of Judea]. Prepare [the aorist tense is a one time-decision] the way of the Lord [an idiomatic expression for salvation]. Keep on making upright [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the development of experiential righteousness] His paths!’ (Isaiah 40:3) (4) Now, John himself kept on having a garment of camel’s hair [very uncomfortable] and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. (5) Then [after John went where God wanted him to be] Jerusalem kept on going out to him [face to face] and all Judea and all the districts around the Jordan. (6) and they were being baptized [identified with the kingdom] by him [under John’s authority] in the Jordan River [where Israel crossed when they entered the land], and they kept on confessing their sins [post-salvation confession of sins].”
MAX KLEIN BIBLE MINISTRIES
Galatians: Chapter Six
A verse-by-verse commentary by Max Klein
Punitive punishment of the Royal Family of God analogous to the punitive punishment of human childhood
1. There is no such thing as a perfect child. Therefore, if you as a parent have never spanked your child, you have failed. And the child who is not properly trained and disciplined inevitably grows up to be a source of great misery. Generally speaking, children benefit from spanking, and they always feel better when it’s over. Not only are children imperfect, but all children are hard-headed at times.
2. So, there is an analogy between children and believers. For as long as we live on this earth, we continue to have an old sin nature. We will never be free from sin; no one is perfect.
3. When we, through our own bad decisions, put ourselves in a jam, we hate ourselves at least temporarily and are miserable under the Law of Volitional Responsibility.
4. God in His grace provides divine discipline which has its source in His integrity. God is perfect, just, and fair and so must punish the members of the royal family of God.
5. Proverbs 3:12, “For whom the Lord loves He judges by punitive action; therefore, like a father to a son in whom he delights.”
6. Being fair and loving to your children means you will reward and bless them on certain occasions, and at other times you will discipline them. Being a parent is a very difficult life because you love your children but you cannot cater to them. You must recognize their faults and train and punish them; you must also recognize when they succeed and reward them.
7. Hebrews 12:5-6, “And so you yourselves have forgotten a principle of doctrine which teaches you as sons [Prov 3:11-12], ‘My son, do not make light of corrective discipline from the Lord, nor be fainting when you are reproved by Him [intensive discipline] for whom the Lord loves He disciplines [warning discipline], and He skins alive with a whip every son whom He receives [intensive discipline].’”
8. Divine discipline to the believer is parental training in the royal family of God. Like parental training, divine discipline is designed to inculcate humility, and from that humility, true objectivity for life. You are never oriented to life until you are objective. People who are basically subjective have a much more difficult time in learning from and receiving blessings from God’s discipline.
9. Divine discipline teaches us as believers to be oriented to what we really are. The very fact that we receive warning discipline from God tells us we are divorced from reality, and that God is bringing us back to reality and objectivity so that we can grow in grace and have all the wonderful assets He has designed for us in our portfolio and in His protocol plan.
10. So divine discipline teaches the believer when he refuses to learn from Bible doctrine (being arrogant), or what he simply has not learned from doctrine, being negative and ignorant. Often what you resist in the teaching of doctrine God will teach you in another way, the hard way, through divine discipline.
11. Remember that although divine discipline is suffering, it is not bad, but it is teaching from the grace of God. All of us must learn certain things the hard way through divine discipline. So, you can learn the easy way, from the truth in Bible class, or you can learn directly from God the hard way, which hurts.
Galatians 6:8
For the one who sows to his own flesh [the sin nature] will from the flesh [the sin nature] reap corruption [At the Evaluation Throne of Christ, their wood, hay and stubble will be burned], but the one who sows to the Spirit [functions under the Filling of the Spirit] will from the Spirit reap [rewards for] life everlasting [At the Evaluation Throne of Christ after the Rapture, the Christian will reap his production of gold, silver and precious gems].
ὅτι ὁ σπείρων εἰς τὴν σάρκα ἑαυτοῦ ἐκ τῆς σαρκὸς θερίσει φθοράν, ὁ δὲ σπείρων εἰς τὸ πνεῦµα ἐκ τοῦ πνεύµατος θερίσει ζωὴν αἰώνιον.
The Purpose of the Judgment Seat of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:10, “For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one of us [royal family of God] may receive what is due him for the things accomplished while in the body, whether good [of intrinsic value] or worthless [evil].” This is the evaluation of the believer’s performance in the Protocol Plan of God during his time on earth. Under the computer assets, each believer has equal privilege and equal opportunity under both election and predestination to execute the Protocol Plan of God. If the believer lives his life in the Cosmic System, his production will be worthless or evil. If on the other hand, he lives his spiritual life under the two power options, God’s power system, he will receive his Escrow Blessings for eternity.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15, “For no man can lay a foundation other than [except] the one which is laid which is Jesus Christ [there is only one way of salvation]. (12) Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious gems [through the execution of the spiritual life], wood, hay, straw [through life in Satan’s Cosmic System]. (13) “Each man’s production will become manifest; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire. In fact, the fire itself will test what quality each one’s production is. (14) If any one’s production, which he has built on the foundation [salvation] remains [gold, silver and precious gems], he shall receive a reward. (15) If anyone’s production is burned up [because it is wood, hay and stubble], he shall suffer loss [of reward]. But he himself shall be delivered yet so as through fire [does not lose his salvation].” There will be great inequality in heaven based on the function of one’s free will in time.
What you sow in life when you are filled with the Spirit will produce a harvest which last forever in the eternal state. The Christian sows in time and reaps rewards at the Evaluation Throne of Christ (the Judgment Seat of Christ). It is impossible to be Filled with the Spirit apart from the use of the Recovery Procedure; it is impossible to produce apart from being Filled with the Spirit; when you produce under the Filling of the Spirit you have that which will last forever in the eternal state.
Galatians 6:9
We must not become mentally discouraged in doing good [a good which people can see and may even criticize for example attending Bible class] for in due time [at the Evaluation Throne of Christ], we will reap [Escrow Blessings for the eternal state] if we do not give up [faint in the soul].
τὸ δὲ καλὸν ποιοῦντες µὴ ἐγκακῶµεν, καιρῷ γὰρ ἰδίῳ θερίσοµεν µὴ ἐκλυόµενοι.
It is very easy to faint in the soul that is to become discouraged. The Greek word for good in this verse is the Greek word kalos in contrast to agathos mentioned in the next verse. So, when the Greeks said a woman was kalos, they always meant that she had beautiful features, a beautiful body, or that she was graceful, but when they used the word agathos, they were referring to the inner characteristics such as stability, tranquility, integrity etc. Do everything as unto the Lord and you will not become discouraged by doing good whether it be kalos (a good seen) or agathos (intrinsic good).
Galatians 6:10
So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good towards all people [intrinsic good such as impersonal love toward all, praying for all both unbelievers and believers], and especially to those who are of the household of the faith [believers].
ἄρα οὖν ὡς καιρὸν ἔχοµεν, ἐργαζώµεθα τὸ ἀγαθὸν πρὸς πάντας, µάλιστα δὲ πρὸς τοὺς οἰκείους τῆς πίστεως.
“As we have therefore opportunity” means that there will be times when other people’s business becomes our business because they come to us and make it our business. Then, we may have the opportunity to help them. However, do not distort this verse because you lust to become a crusader and consequently begin to stick your nose in other people’s affairs.
“Let us do” is not the ordinary word for ‘do.’ This Greek word means to exert one’s power and ability in an operation. It means to use one’s ability in running a business, to accomplish or to carry out a business. It is often used in the Greek language for an executive who is able to work out ways to make the business run properly. We as believers in this life are here on God’s business, and in that sense every believer is an executive and every believer is the administrator of God’s business. So, let us be proficient administrators of divine good.
Galatians 6:11
Observe with what large letters I am writing [literally: I wrote] to you for your advantage [a Dative of Advantage] with my own hand.
Ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑµῖν γράµµασιν ἔγραψα τῇ ἐµῇ χειρί.
Paul uses an Epistolary Aorist translated, “I wrote.” Paul understood that by the time the Galatians would receive his epistle, his writing would be in the past tense. All the same, to make it more understandable to an English audience, we translate this verb in the present tense, namely ‘I am writing’.
Although Paul had serious eye-problems, he never asked for prayers regarding this health condition for he understood that you do not pray for such things as that. If one has a health problem, he should consult a professional in that area etc. Galatians 4:15, “Where then is that sense of blessing [from their response to Paul’s grace messages] you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me [Paul had serious eye problems]”.
Often Paul dictated his letters but in this case he didn’t. He wrote this letter himself in large letters. Why? Because he was so disgusted when he found out what the legalists were doing in Galatia that he just had to sit down and write it himself is what can be inferred.
There is a principle behind this. Paul was not hindered by his handicap namely his eye problem. There is no handicap which hinders one from serving the Lord. Paul’s very letter to the Galatians is a testimony to a man carrying on beautifully in spite of a handicap. So, never become weary, fainting in your mind, because of a handicap. Physical handicaps, no matter how painful or how difficult, do not hinder the believer from fulfilling the Lord’s appointed service.
Galatians 6:12
Those who desire to make a good showing [a good impression] in the flesh [They are in the flesh namely their bodies and make an issue out of flesh] try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted [by the religious hierarchy in Jerusalem] for the cross of Christ.
ὅσοι θέλουσιν εὐπροσωπῆσαι ἐν σαρκί, οὗτοι ἀναγκάζουσιν ὑµᾶς περιτέµνεσθαι, µόνον ἵνα τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ Χριστοῦ µὴ διώκωνται·
Legalists have false motivation, and organized legalism is a system of tyranny. The legalistic Judaizers who had persuaded the Galatians to go AWOL from doctrinal teaching were not interested in fulfilling God’s plan for their lives much less in pleasing the Lord. They were merely attempting to get as many converts to legalism as possible in order to please their legalistic bosses in Jerusalem and in this way avoid being persecuted by legalism.
Galatians 6:13
For those who are circumcised [the Jewish Judaizers] do not even keep the Law themselves [no one can], but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh [The flesh which is removed in the operation of circumcision; in other words, the more the circumcisions the more approbation they would receive. Legalists play the numbers-game.].
οὐδὲ γὰρ οἱ περιτεµνόµενοι αὐτοὶ νόµον φυλάσσουσιν, ἀλλὰ θέλουσιν ὑµᾶς περιτέµνεσθαι ἵνα ἐν τῇ ὑµετέρᾳ σαρκὶ καυχήσωνται.
“That they may boast in your flesh.” The verb is an aorist tense which means at the point of time of the Galatian circumcision. The subjunctive mood indicates that maybe they will have a cause to boast and maybe they will not; it just depends whether you are fool enough to fall into their legalistic trap.
Galatians 6:14
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
ἐµοὶ δὲ µὴ γένοιτο καυχᾶσθαι εἰ µὴ ἐν τῷ σταυρῷ τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, διí οὗ ἐµοὶ κόσµος ἐσταύρωται κἀγὼ κόσµῳ.
Paul’s emphasis: The emphasis should never be circumcision. What should be the true emphasis? In verse 14: the emphasis must be the cross; what Christ has done for us. That is grace. This is the basis of boasting: boasting not about what we have done but boasting about what Christ has done. What Christ has done is mentioned by way of the cross; “of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [a reference to the cross] the world is crucified unto me.” The world is the ungodly order of things arrayed against God under the domination and the influence of Satan. The world refers to doing good in the name of good; the world is everything from socialism to communism to the United Nations, to any form of internationalism, to anything which is contrary to God’s Word. The world is the sum total of human viewpoint and by the cross Paul has been crucified to the human viewpoint; therefore, a complete separation takes place; “and I unto the world.” Here we have a double crucifixion. The world put Paul on the cross and Paul puts the world on the cross. That is the concept. Paul has severed all connection with human viewpoint.
Galatians 6:15
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new spiritual species.
οὔτε γὰρ περιτοµή τί ἐστιν οὔτε ἀκροβυστία, ἀλλὰ καινὴ κτίσις.
In this verse, the emphasis is on Positional Truth; what the Holy Spirit has done for us. Again, the emphasis is on grace! In union with Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is an issue.
Galatians 6:16
And those who will walk by this rule [ The canon or the criterion in context is the truth of grace applied to experience], tranquility [all can be translated as ‘spiritual prosperity’] and mercy [grace in action] be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
καὶ ὅσοι τῷ κανόνι τούτῳ στοιχήσουσιν, εἰρήνη ἐπí αὐτοὺς καὶ ἔλεος, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραὴλ τοῦ θεοῦ.
Who or what is “the Israel of God” a reference to the circumcised? It is not the Church itself, but a part of the Church. ‘The Israel of God’ is the remnant according to the election of grace among Jews in the Church Age. Paul distinguishes between Jewish and Gentile believers at this point because of what he said in the previous verse about circumcision.
Galatians 6:17
From now on let no one cause trouble for me [regarding this nonsense of legalism or you will have to deal with Jesus Christ], for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus [Jesus Christ is the 5-star general who branded Paul with a spiritual mark after his spiritual preparation].
Τοῦ λοιποῦ κόπους µοι µηδεὶς παρεχέτω, ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγµατα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώµατί µου βαστάζω.
There is both a physical and a spiritual brand. The Greek word στίγµα (stigma) refers to the brand that the Roman soldiers would receive on the back of their hands after completing their intensive training for combat. It was a brand of honor, an identification for completing an extremely difficult military training program which required authority-orientation, strong motivation, self-discipline, having the correct priorities, a lot of integrity. Quoting from Flavius Vegetius Renatus in his book, ‘The Military Institution of the Romans’, “the recruit however, should not receive the military brand mark as soon as he is enlisted, [This mark was imprinted on the hand of the soldier with a hot iron] but before he could have this brand of honor, he must first be tried. If fit for service whether he has sufficient strength, energy, aptitude to see if he has capacity to learn his duty, and whether he has the proper degree of military courage.” He said that for “many who had enlisted although promising enough in appearance, are found unfit upon trial of training. Therefore, they are rejected and replaced by better men for it is not numbers, but bravery which carries the day in combat.” He goes on to say,” after their completion of this training, the recruit should then receive this mark and trained in the use of his arms by constant daily exercise.”
Paul received his spiritual brand after completing his training namely Problem-Solving Devices 1-6 which provided for him the integrity, humility and the courage to continue his advance, and prepared him for the spiritual combat of Problem-Solving Devices 7-10.
By comparison, the Galatians after just a few months in training for spiritual combat had gone AWOL. They had forsaken the Lord’s spiritual training for the enemy’s camp for training in legalism.
Galatians 6:18
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen [I believe it: Paul believes that they will return to God’s grace system of training].
Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ µετὰ τοῦ πνεύµατος ὑµῶν, ἀδελφοί· ἀµήν.
Paul encourages the Galatians to return to the Lord’s training program of grace. Why does he say “with your spirit”? He is referring to the human spirit which is the only basis of absorbing spiritual phenomena. The big problem with the Galatians was that they have been made suckers by the Judaizers because they did not possess enough truth in their souls. Thus, the importance for these Galatians to acquire spiritual information which can only come to them through the human spirit.
Few Subjects explaining How to become a Christian:
Birth, Death & Happiness
“Behold for I [the archangel Gabriel] bring to you good news of great happiness which is available to all people. Today in the city of David, a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord, and this is the sign for your benefit: you will discover a child wrapped in death-clothes and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10b-12)
Great happiness is available to all people of every background and nationality. God’s desire is for the peoples of the world to have this great happiness in living, even in dying and for the everlasting future. This happiness came out of Bethlehem, the city of David, for in that city a Savior was born, the humanity of Jesus. At the instant of his birth, the Lord, that is the Son of God united with the humanity of Jesus. From this union we get the name Lord Jesus Christ. Lord means God which explains why the Jewish people called him Emmanuel which means in the Hebrew “God with us.” Jesus means savior and is a reference to His humanity; he bore the penalty of our sins on his human body on the cross; Christ, a Greek word means the anointed one, the Hebrew, Messiah a reference to His future as the God-Man.
The birth of Jesus and his death on the cross combine to bring you the greatest present one could ever receive namely happiness with God for all eternity. If you would like to receive this eternal present, it is as simple as expressing faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Father, I am believing in Jesus Christ as my Savior. The Father will honor that decision and make you a child of God forever.
“For God loved the world so much so that he gave his uniquely born son with the result that whoever believes in him will not perish [into eternal judgment] but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It is Free!
Do you know that the greatest possession in life is free? You can be guaranteed a free trip to heaven, to live with God forever after you depart from this earth. It doesn’t require gold, silver or any other valuable possession. You might ask, “Well, what do I have to do?” The answer is nothing. For example, you don’t need to do a lot of good or attend a Christian Church. Also, you don’t need to stop doing anything! For example, you don’t need to stop going to a Buddhist temple or any other temple as a prerequisite for the free gift of salvation; you don’t need to stop drinking etc. A gift is a gift, and a gift is free.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith and this [salvation] is not from yourselves; it is a gift from God, not from works lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8b, 9).
It is free for all members of the human race since Christ paid the price for you. 1 Peter 2:24a states, “And he [Jesus Christ] himself carried our sins on his body [on the cross].” Then, how can one receive this free gift? Do you have to go to the nearest department store to pick it up? No, it is much closer than that; it is in your thinking. Just use your soul to express faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: ‘Heavenly Father, I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.’ After praying that simple prayer, you will live with God forever.
He saved us [provided a free ticket to heaven] not on the basis of deeds which we have done in (human) righteousness, but according to his loving kindness [He offers you this gift] (Titus 3:5a).
One Mediator
God the Son in eternity past desired all mankind to be saved and to have an opportunity to live with him eternally in heaven. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of Our Savior and God who desires all mankind to be saved” 1Timothy 2:3, 4a). He wants the best for you.
The Lord Jesus Christ was always God and became man in circa 4 BC. Infinite God united with true humanity. Because of this union of two natures, he is now one person equal both with God and with perfect humanity. This is true of no one else and so makes him the only mediator between God and mankind.
For there is only one God [in essence] and One Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus who gave himself as a ransom for all mankind [he received your punishment that he might pay for your freedom] (1Timothy 2:5,6a).
Only a mediator between God and man can solve the problems of mankind. So, as the only mediator, Jesus could say, “I am the way [to heaven], the truth, and [eternal] life; no one comes to the Father [in heaven] except through me” (John 14:6b).
What is Faith!
Why are we told to believe in Jesus Christ for our salvation? You see, faith is a system of perception which requires no merit, not like rationalism or empiricism. By putting your faith in the person and work of Christ for your heavenly ticket, you are recognizing that you can do nothing for this free ticket into heaven. God the Father honors this non-meritorious faith since all the work was already done on the cross.
Faith always has an object. When you were a small child attending a math class, your teacher taught you that 2 plus 2 equals 4, and you believed her. Now, when you believed your teacher, you didn’t do any work. Your teacher had all the ability regarding math. The same is true with the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Jesus Christ did all the work. We merely believe in him; we put our trust in him for our salvation. “He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in (human) righteousness, but according to his loving kindness. . .” (Titus 3:5a).
When we believe in Jesus Christ, we are making a decision which excludes human work. You are making a decision which does not require any effort on your part. It is as simple as: ‘Father, ‘I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior.’ After praying that simple prayer, you will become a child of God forever.
Now, after John [the Baptizer] had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; change your mind [about Jesus Christ] and believe in the good news [salvation is a free gift, requiring only faith] (Mark 1:14, 15).
He who believes in the Son has eternal life [will go to heaven and live with God], but he who does not believe the Son will not see life [with God], but the wrath of God remains on him (John 3:36).
Every Decision has a Time Frame: the longer the Time Frame, the more important it is.
When I decide to eat a Hershey Chocolate bar with almonds, the time frame of that decision is less than 2 minutes for that is how long it takes me to devour it. In other words, that decision impacts me for a maximum of 2 minutes. One’s decision regarding an occupation or marriage may have a time frame lasting one’s entire life. Thus, it is an important decision, but still, it will only impact him for his temporal life. Your decision to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ regarding His work on the Cross or not is an eternal decision lasting for all eternity. So, it is the most important decision of all decisions.
The Issue in Salvation is not Sin but Righteousness:
The penalty of sin has been paid in full on the cross. “He himself who bore our sins on his body on the cross. . .” (1 Peter 2:24a) Therefore, sinfulness does not send a person to hell (the Lake of Fire), nor is sinlessness the basis for going to heaven. If sin is not the issue in going to heaven, then what is? To live eternally with a perfectly righteous God, one must be perfectly righteous! Unfortunately, man cannot accomplish perfect righteousness. Fortunately, God has resolved this requirement by imputing His righteousness to the person who places his trust in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. “The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all who believe…” (Romans 3:22a)
To Live with Eternal God, we need His Life in an Eternal Body
Human life functions in a mortal body in time only. In eternity, we need eternal life in an eternal body. Eternal life is promised in John 3:36 which states, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life [given at the point of faith in Christ], but whoever rejects the Son will not see eternal life for the wrath of God remains on him.” At salvation, the person receives eternal life which life will function within an eternal body given in the future. 1 John 3:2b states, “. . .But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him [have a resurrection body, an eternal body in which eternal life will function]. In John 11:25, Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me shall live [in eternity with an eternal body] even if He dies.”
We should have great respect and awe for the Integrity of God.
The integrity of God that is his righteousness and justice cannot be violated. The righteousness of God in eternity past demanded that every sin be punished. What the righteousness of God demands, the justice of God executes. So, the justice of God the Father punished the humanity of Jesus Christ on the cross for every sin of mankind. This freed the grace of God to offer salvation to all mankind as per John 3:16, “God loved the world [of people] so much so that he gave his uniquely born son with the result that anyone who believes in Him should not be perish [spend eternity in the Lake of Fire] but have eternal life [that he may live with God forever in an eternal body].” However, this same integrity of God must judge anyone who refuses this grace gift. “Whoever believes in Him is not judged, but the one who does not believe is judged already because he has not believed in the uniquely born Son of God (John 3:18). “If anyone’s name was not found in the Book of [eternal] Life, [because he had rejected Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross] he was thrown into the Lake of Fire.” (Revelation 20:15)
Jesus Christ on the Cross prayed in Luke 23:34 the greatest intercessory prayer demonstrating impersonal love, “. . . Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing [they are ignorant of the gospel-message] . . .” This prayer demonstrated the tremendous level of impersonal love which Jesus had in his soul. Furthermore, the Father would answer this prayer for anyone who would believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for at the point of their faith in Christ, God the Father would forgive them of their pre-salvation sins.
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, even if a person is caught in some trespass [not executing the spiritual life: disobeying God’s mandate to be Filled with the Spirit, to grow in grace and knowledge], you who are spiritual [the person executing the spiritual life], restore [used for a doctor setting a bone; when a doctor sets a bone, he doesn’t criticize] such a one in a spirit of humility; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted [to be critical of the one you are helping and become arrogant yourself].
Ἀδελφοί, ἐὰν καὶ προληµφθῇ ἄνθρωπος ἔν τινι παραπτώµατι, ὑµεῖς οἱ πνευµατικοὶ καταρτίζετε τὸν τοιοῦτον ἐν πνεύµατι πραΰτητος, σκοπῶν σεαυτόν, µὴ καὶ σὺ πειρασθῇς.
If you know about someone’s failure in the spiritual life, and you have an opportunity to help restore that person to fellowship, then take that opportunity. Attempt to help that person gently, but don’t be critical or sympathetic. This is a ministry that the Lord would provide for a humble person, a person who realizes that he has a sin nature as well, a person who has advanced in the grace of God, a person who can explain the Recovery Procedure and some basic information to get the person started in the spiritual life. In helping a fellow believer, information is needed not sympathy or criticism.
James 5:19, 20, “My brethren, if any one among you has been deluded [through blackout and scar tissue of the soul], and has wandered from the source of doctrine [through the eight stages of reversionism], and someone [a great believer] turns him back [helps him in his recovery from his spiritual apostasy]. Let him understand that the one having turned back a sinner [restored the reversionistic believer] from the delusion of his way will deliver his [apostate] soul from death [sin unto death], and will cover [prevent] a large number of sins.”
Occasionally, a great believer is able to influence this type of apostate Christian and may have the opportunity to help in his spiritual recovery. Of course, recovery always begins with rebound and the consistent intake of God’s Word. This is the message that the mature believer would communicate to the Christian failing and suffering under intense discipline. If the reversionistic believer heeds his advice, then the many sins which the failing Christian would otherwise have committed if he were to continue in reversionism would be curtailed.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another's burdens [the failures of fellow believers in the spiritual life], and thereby fulfill the Law of Christ [impersonal love].
Ἀλλήλων τὰ βάρη βαστάζετε, καὶ οὕτως ἀναπληρώσετε τὸν νόµον τοῦ Χριστοῦ.
If you know of someone that is having a difficult time executing the spiritual life, you should have empathy for that person. After all, we all have a sin nature and are prone to arrogance. Thus, treat them in impersonal love. This is how you bear the burdens of others. Galatians 5:14, "For the entire Law [the Mosaic Law] is fulfilled by one instruction, by this statement, "You will love your neighbor as [you love] yourself.”
Law of Christ: Jesus in the Prototype spiritual life treated all with impersonal love. Impersonal or unconditional love requires strong motivation for its execution. Leviticus 19:18, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons (citizens) of your people, but you shall love [unconditional love (impersonal love)] your neighbor [anyone you know or come in contact with] as yourself [spiritual self-esteem]; I am the Lord.” Keep in mind that the believer will only have the power to execute impersonal love if he first has personal love for God the Father, the motivation for impersonal love.
Galatians 6:3
For if anyone thinks [in arrogance] he is something and he does when he is nothing [from the perspective of grace], he keeps on deceiving himself [under legalism].
εἰ γὰρ δοκεῖ τις εἶναί τι µηδὲν ὤν, φρεναπατᾷ ἑαυτόν·
Apart from the grace plan and provision of God, none of us would stand a chance. We are nothing without the continuous grace support from God. As soon as we think otherwise namely that we have deserved something, it is the beginning of our self-deception.
All arrogance starts with thinking, moves into motivation, and from there moves into decisions and actions. By definition, arrogance is a complex of mental attitude sins, and having its foundation in the basic concept of the sin of pride which is defined as inordinate self-esteem, unreasonable conceit, insolence (impudence), being anti-authority, vanity. Furthermore, pride is an inflated concept of self, and the exaggeration of one's own self-importance. The complex of sins in motivational arrogance includes pride, jealousy, bitterness, hatred, vindictiveness, implacability, revenge motivation, self-pity, guilt reaction, and operation overthink.
The first victim of motivational arrogance was the greatest creature-genius of all time, Lucifer the Son of the Morning. It was his vanity of beauty and splendor which brought about his arrogance. Ezekiel 28:17a, “Your right lobe was lifted-up [puffed-up with arrogance] because of your beauty. You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor.” Once arrogance made its way into Satan’s thinking, he became excessively ambitious “I will raise my throne above the shining ones (the angels) of God” as found in Isaiah 14:13. It made him ambitious to the point of irrationality and insanity, “I will make myself like the Most-High [God the Son]” as per Isaiah 14:14b.
Arrogance is a real or imagined sense of superiority which distorts reality, resulting in presumptuous self-righteousness and a false sense of destiny for example to be ‘like God’ which should remind us of the original sin of the prehistoric angelic conflict, and became the motivation for the woman's original sin in the garden for she said yes to Satan’s temptation, “you will be like God.” Arrogance is the most basic motivational sin of human life. It is the foundation for all sins, human good, that good produced out of fellowship with God and evil, both moral degeneracy based on self-righteousness and immoral degeneracy based on lust related to sex, chemical and criminal arrogance etc. Thus, arrogance divorces the believer or unbeliever from the realities of life for example personal divorcement illustrated by Hitler and the Nazis who were going to take over the world, historical divorcement illustrated by the citizens of a Client Nation who think that they can reject truth and continue to prosper or a government which thinks that it can print money as a substitute for productivity, and divorcement from spiritual reality is illustrated by the Christian who thinks he can execute God’s plan apart from the Two Power Options.
Gradually arrogance forces reality out of life, which is how believers become neurotic and psychotic. After all, mental illness is a form of divorcement from reality. An example of mental illness is paranoia (excessive or irrational suspiciousness or distrustfulness of others, leading to a psychosis characterized by systematized delusions of persecution or grandeur). The Jews of the Exodus generation had delusions that Moses was trying to persecute and murder them (Exodus 14:11; 17:3). Their arrogance could not accept that they hated Moses and wanted to kill him. So, these sins were repressed into their subconsciouses. After which they accused Moses of their very own sins which is called Repression and Projection in psychology whereby one accuses someone else of his very own sin, “for you have brought us out into this desert to kill this whole assembly with hunger” (Exodus 16:3b).
Arrogant persons are easily deceived and are also very vulnerable to flattery. We have all heard of the wealthy person who was deceived by some smooth talker into investing his funds into some financial scheme which did not pan-out, and so he lost his entire investment, or the arrogant woman who was flattered out of her virginity. 2 Timothy 3:6, “For among them are those [immoral Christian men] who creep into homes [slyly enter the homes] and seduce [captivate] silly women [morally weak women because there is no doctrine in their souls] who are overwhelmed by their sins and are carried away by various lusts.”
Arrogance becomes motivation for both inordinate ambition and inordinate competition. When inordinate ambition manifest itself in a lust for power, all integrity and honor is lost. Proverbs 11:2, "When arrogance comes, then comes dishonor; but with the humble is wisdom." In its place, there is deceit and lies. (Sounds like American politicians). This becomes a tragic flaw which neutralizes the beauty, genius, ability, and potential of anyone who entertains it. This arrogant flaw gives a false perspective of life, resulting in a drive toward happiness, but failing to reach it. The politician who seeks power and approbation in the hope of obtaining happiness, a hope he never realizes. He fails to see his own instability and inconsistency and his impact on others from preoccupation with self which preoccupation drives his lust for power.
What does the Scripture say about arrogance? Proverbs 13:10, "Through arrogance comes nothing but strife; but wisdom is with those who receive instruction." Proverbs 16:18, "Arrogance precedes destruction, and before a fall, a lifestyle of arrogance." Proverbs 29:23, "A person's arrogance will bring him low, but a lifestyle of humility will attain honor." Isaiah 13:11, "I will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity [cosmic involvement]. I will put to an end the arrogance of the proud. Furthermore, I will humble the pride of ruthlessness [tyranny]." James 4:6, "God gives greater grace. This is why the Scripture says Proverbs 3:34, `God makes war against the arrogant [believer], but He gives grace to the humble [believer].'" 1 Peter 5:5-6, "In the same way, young men [the members of the congregation], be under the authority of the pastors. All of you [in the congregation], fasten yourselves to each other with grace thinking, because `God makes war against the arrogant and gives grace to the humble.' Therefore, humble yourselves under the powerful hand of God, that He may promote you at the proper time." Romans 12:3, "For I say through the grace which has been given to me and to everyone who is among you: Stop thinking of self in terms of arrogance, beyond the point of what you ought to think, but think in terms of sanity for the purpose of being rational without illusion, as God has assigned to each one a standard of thinking from doctrine.” The believer's arrogant lust for ascendancy in life destroys the right priorities in the Christian way of life and replaces them with a false scale of values and gives him false goals in life. Arrogance emphasizes self and people to the exclusion of God emphasis.
Galatians 6:4
But each one must examine his own work [how well he is doing in the spiritual life], and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone [in advancing spiritually and obtaining all the tactical and strategic objectives via the grace of God], and not in regard to another [don’t attempt to examine another’s spiritual life].
τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἑαυτοῦ δοκιµαζέτω ἕκαστος, καὶ τότε εἰς ἑαυτὸν µόνον τὸ καύχηµα ἕξει καὶ οὐκ εἰς τὸν ἕτερον·
Occasionally, we must examine our spiritual life to see if we are advancing in knowledge and grace. We must look into the mirror of the Word of God and examine ourselves very objectively. At this time, the Galatians had no mirror of the soul, but in legalism were comparing themselves with Paul. As legalist, they considered themselves better than Paul. James 1:26, “If anyone assumes that he is religious [having a great spiritual life based on his works], and does not bridle his own tongue, he deceives his own heart [stream of consciousness], this one's religion is empty.”
Often moral Christians who do not understand the spiritual life think of themselves as being great believers because they are doing many religious things. In effect these moral Christians are performing many good deeds and Christian services in a state of carnality. Their actions are good, but their thinking and motivation are incorrect. Unfortunately, they call their morality, good deeds and Christian service the Christian way of life. They are redefining the spiritual life to fit their false concepts of spirituality. This is legalism. Morality must be learned from the Mosaic Law and applied to our lives since it is necessary for orderly function and blessing in society, necessary for both unbelievers and believers, but morality and good deeds are no substitute for the spiritual life.
When Christians out of fellowship with God live a pseudo spiritual life based on morality, good deeds and Christian service, they can only become self-righteous, a human righteousness not related to God’s Word and grace. The spiritual life requires that Christians understand the significance of imputed righteousness so that they do not compete with it. Imputed righteousness explains why Christians go to heaven, and are personally loved and blessed by God. After understanding this, believers can begin to develop an experiential righteousness based upon humility. The experientially righteous believer does not judge and malign other Christians, but the self-righteous considers it his right even his responsibility to do so.
Christians often perform many functions related to Christianity, but actually have no spiritual life. These Christians think that they are great because they attend worship service and prayer meetings, perform Christian service, give their ten percent “having a form of the spiritual life, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5a). When the believer thinks this way, he becomes very self-righteous and arrogant. Being righteous in his own eyes, he thinks he has a right to judge, malign and to gossip about other people. He never blames himself for his sins of judging, slander etc., rather he justifies his sins related to his tongue. In this way he deceives himself. This man’s religion has no virtue, no humility, and no integrity since everything he thinks and does is related to his self-righteousness.
Galatians 6:5
For each one will bear his own load. (Emphasizing responsibility)
ἕκαστος γὰρ τὸ ἴδιον φορτίον βαστάσει.
We are responsible for our own spiritual lives, and if we should advance in the spiritual life, this load in life is not difficult. The Greek word ‘phortion’ means a load which is easy to carry. As long as the Christian advances in the spiritual life under the two power options, he will be able to handle his responsibilities of that spiritual life with ease.
Galatians 6:6
The one [a member of a congregation] who is taught the word let him have fellowship [a command from God] with the one who teaches [the pastor] in the sphere of every [The Greek word pas should be translated ‘all conceivable’ or ‘every.] good [the Greek word ‘agathos’ means good of intrinsic value] doctrine [This fellowship occurs in the Bible class].
Κοινωνείτω δὲ ὁ κατηχούµενος τὸν λόγον τῷ κατηχοῦντι ἐν πᾶσιν ἀγαθοῖς.
When the pastor is teaching the Word of God correctly and the congregation is Filled with the Spirit and listening intently, the pastor and the congregation are enjoying the Word together. 1 John 1:3, “What we [apostles] have seen and heard, we communicate also to you [in a Bible class situation] that you may have fellowship with us [1st stage of fellowship occurs during Bible Class and outside of class, any time Christians are discussing accurately the Word of God] and in fact our fellowship is with the Father and with his son, Jesus Christ [2nd stage of fellowship is based on our love for God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ which will likely take thousands of Bible classes.]”
John defines two stages of fellowship: the first stage when the congregation is taught by the Holy Spirit via the person with the gift of communication. After much time is spent in learning and applying the Word, the second stage of fellowship becomes a reality, namely fellowship with God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ, but with emphasis on the Father and the Son.
Fellowship is with the members of the Trinity. When the new believer is first filled with the Holy Spirit, he has a relationship with the Spirit and begins to learn God’s plan under the mentorship of the Spirit. However, this fellowship is not going to be much until the believer begins to appreciate and love his mentor. The same is true for God the Father. As we learn about God the Father’s plan and his eternal love for us, the quality of our relationship with him increases. So, it is with the Lord Jesus Christ. Eventually, as we mature our fellowship with the Lord becomes so dynamic that we do everything to please him. Colossians 3:17 states, “Whatever you do in word or deed, [do] all in the person of the Lord Jesus giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” When we have reached spiritual maturity, we can say along with the great apostle, “As far as I am concerned living is Christ; dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Galatians 6:7
Stop being deceived [by the Judaizers]; God is not mocked [in the sense of sneering or turning up one’s nose; the believer pays a big price for having contempt for God and his plan: a total lack of respect] for whatever a man sows [the Galatians have substituted living under the Law for the spiritual life], this he will also reap [punitive suffering: self-induced misery followed by divine discipline in time on this earth].
Μὴ πλανᾶσθε, θεὸς οὐ µυκτηρίζεται· ὃ γὰρ ἐὰν σπείρῃ ἄνθρωπος, τοῦτο καὶ θερίσει·
The Law of Volitional Responsibility: This is the most common and the first cause for human suffering in general, and it is a specific cause of suffering for believers. Every human being must take the responsibility for his own decisions and his own actions in life. You must understand that you can never blame others for your misery, your unhappiness, and suffering. You must take full responsibility for yourself, based on your own wrong decisions related to your associations, activities, motives, and functions in life.
Human volition is the source of personal sins, Satanic good, and evil. In God’s plan for your life, sin, good produced outside of God’s system, and evil are all verboten and absolutely rejected, but it is inevitable that throughout our life as a Christian we will sin, and consequently perform human good and occasionally some evil (a reference to Satanic good and evil: the ‘Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil’).
Volition is the cause for sin even in cases of insanity, neurosis, psychosis and sociopathic behavior. Therefore, mental illnesses cannot be used as excuses for sin or crime for a mentally afflicted person uses his volition to do what he wanted to do. All our sins have natural consequences in life, for which the individual who commits them must take full responsibility. For example, most mentally ill people become that way through sins such as bitterness, jealousy, guilt, and worry just to mention a few. We must always link consequences with bad decisions rather than blaming someone else. In this case, the consequence is mental illness. Although genetic and environmental flaws are often blamed for mental illnesses, all too often the cause is locked-in arrogance which can cause a tremendous amount of self-induced misery and trouble. Many wrong decisions from a position of weakness (the Christian living his life out of fellowship with God) results in mental illness, which is acquired from arrogance, self-centeredness, selfishness, self-righteousness, and the practice of making thousands of wrong decisions.
Volition and decision are the source of both sins of ignorance and sins of cognizance. Therefore, each person must be held responsible for his own decisions, and their consequences. The consequences are generally classified as self-induced misery or self-imposed misery. Under the Law of Volitional Responsibility, the believer inflicts on himself unbearable suffering from the following categories: personal sins, the function of human good, the function of evil, the function of moral or immoral degeneracy, living in Cosmic One and consequently “grieving the Spirit,” living in Cosmic Two and consequently “quenching the Spirit,” the lack of common sense resulting in bad judgment, subjective arrogance leading to the overestimation of one’s own abilities, or failing to see himself in the light of reality. Since we were given volition or free will, we are responsible whether in a state of cognizance or ignorance for our thoughts, motives, decisions and actions.
Both believer and unbeliever function under the Law of Volitional Responsibility not only toward sin, but also toward the Laws of Divine Establishment which is for the entire human race within the framework of a national entity. There is intense suffering from violating authority, life, property, and privacy. There is also suffering from rejection of one’s responsibilities related to his nation such as a man rejecting to serve his country in time of need. A lot of suffering comes to Christians because they are confused, lack Bible doctrine, and are ignorant about many true principles in life. Functioning under the Laws of Establishment means functioning under all legitimate authorities. To protect us from this, God has provided parents, pastor-teachers, coaches, bosses, and all other forms of authority. Since mankind is naturally a fool since the Fall, God has provided these Laws to protect him.
The Law of Volitional Responsibility applies to four categories of your life: thinking, motivation, decision, and action. Negative or wrong thinking is self-imposed misery. Negative thinking includes all wrong mental attitudes, all forms of arrogance, everything by which you react to life in your thinking. Negative or wrong motivation is also self-imposed misery. So, by wrong thinking and wrong motivation, we enter into self-imposed misery long before we make any decisions that cause self-induced misery. Negative or wrong actions is classified in two ways namely deliberate wrong actions which bring self-induced misery and impulsive wrong actions which is self-gratification or self-indulged misery. Since deliberate wrong actions originate from wrong motives and wrong decisions, these cause self-induced misery, whereas impulsive actions are spontaneous and impetuous. Hosea 8:7, “They who sow to the wind shall also reap the whirlwind.” Colossians 3:25, “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of that wrong which he has done, and there is no partiality [understood from God as Moses found out].”
There are at least seven categories of wrong decisions which produce self-induced misery under the Law of Volitional Responsibility. (1) Wrong decisions based on sin. (2) Wrong decisions based on human good. (3) Wrong decisions resulting in evil. (4) Wrong decisions based on erroneous emotions. (This is one of the worst reasons to make a decision. For emotions cannot think, cannot rationalize, and have no common sense.) (5) Wrong decisions based on bad judgment. (This is a very common cause and is due to lack of common sense, total disorientation to life, and not knowing your limitations.) (6) Wrong decisions based on lust. (7) Wrong decisions based on false teaching. These are all reasons for making bad decisions.
Scriptural Illustrations from Proverbs:
Self-induced misery and divine discipline are illustrated in Proverbs 22:8, “He who sows wickedness reaps trouble [from self-induced misery etc.], and the rod of His punishment [divine discipline] will surely come.”
Bad decisions that cause self-induced misery are related to sin; the seven worst sins are stated in Proverbs 6:16-19, “There are six sins which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: haughty eyes [pride], a lying tongue [the public lie], and hands which shed innocent blood [murder], a stream of consciousness that devises wicked plans [conspiracies which attack the Laws of Establishment], feet that run rapidly to evil [a reference to the sins of the tongue such as maligning], a false witness who utters lies [perjury], and one who spreads strife among brothers [gossip].”
Proverbs 11:22, “As a golden ring in a pig’s snout, so is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion [a reference to overt beauty].” A woman can get so carried away with her beauty and consequently makes a lot of bad decisions.
Proverbs 12:13, “In the transgression of the lips [the sins of the tongue] is an evil snare [triple-compound discipline], but the righteous will escape this trouble [misery].” Every time you judge, malign, gossip, or run down someone, you have manufactured misery for yourself. The righteous here isn’t someone who is perfect, but someone who does not gossip, malign, or judge others.
Proverbs 13:20, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer misery.” We make good and bad decisions with regard to the people with whom we associate. If you associate with the wrong crowd, you’re making a decision that will cause you a tremendous amount of unhappiness.
Proverbs 15:17, “Better is a dish of cabbage where love is than a fattened ox [chateaubriand] and hatred with it.” In other words, you not only choose your food, but you choose your associations.
Proverbs 15:33, “The fear of the Lord [respect and love for the Lord] is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.” Respect for the Lord leads to wisdom and good decisions based on humility will eventually lead to honor.
Divine discipline: If the believer, through the function of his own negative volition, persists in rejecting the spiritual life, it is obvious that God will add to the Law of Volitional Responsibility three categories of discipline: warning, intensive, and the sin unto death. The principle of both warning and intensive discipline is found in Hebrews 12:6, “Whom the Lord loves [the components of righteousness and justice are involved] He disciplines [warning discipline], and He skins alive with a whip every son [every Christian] whom He receives [intensive discipline].” Job 5:17, “Behold, happy is the man whom the Lord reproves [warning discipline], and does not despise the discipline [intensive discipline] from the Almighty.” Warning and intensive discipline is also found in Revelation 3:19, “Those whom I love I reprimand [warning discipline] and I punish [intensive discipline]. Therefore, be zealous [motivation from discipline to use the Recovery Procedure] and change your thinking [about learning and applying doctrine].” The third category is dying discipline, the sin unto death. This occurs when the Lord decides to execute the Christian who has failed to execute the spiritual life. 1 John 5:16, “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to [physical] death [the believer is not dying the sin unto death], he may ask [pray for him] and He [the Father] will give life [restore his physical well-being] to him, to the ones committing sins not leading to [physical] death [Job 42:7-9]. There is a sin [missing the mark, failure to execute the spiritual life] unto [leading to] death [physical death, the believer being executed by the Lord], and I do not say that you should pray concerning this one.” Psalm 118:17-18, “The Lord has disciplined me severely [intensive discipline], but He has not given me over to death [sin unto death].” Philippians 3:19, “Whose end of life is ruin [dying discipline], whose god is his emotions.” Revelation 3:16, “Therefore, because you are lukewarm [believers no longer executing the spiritual life], neither cold [an unbeliever] nor hot [the believer advancing in the spiritual life], I am about to vomit you out of My mouth [the Sin unto Death].” All three categories of divine discipline are found in 1 Corinthians 11:30-31, “For this cause, many are weak [warning discipline], and sick [intensive discipline], and many sleep [sin unto death]. But if we would judge ourselves [the use of the Recovery Procedure followed by the execution of the spiritual life], we should not be judged [the discipline would be removed in that case].” So much for the three phases of divine discipline!