Hebrews 7:14-16 English Stand (ESV) 

¹⁴ For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (ESV)

Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

John 17:3 (ESV)

Now this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

John 10:10 (ESV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV)

1.There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

John 8:44 (ESV)

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

What does life look like? What does it feel like? Can you tell that you have it? Do Christians have certainty that life abides in them, or do they have to convince themselves? Does life enter you from God, only to depart when you sin? These questions cause perpetual insecurity in people, and unfortunately, if they are answered incorrectly, one can never have rest. A good number of people believe that God will deposit life in folks, only to take it away at a later point and time when they sin, and then they have to get it back. This restlessness is chronic, and only increases when erroneous teaching supports it. I have fought against these ideas from early on in my walk with God, because I see the damage that happens to people’s spiritual lives when they lose sight of what God did at new birth. Think about it. The eternal God gives us something, and we run after the counsel of others to enhance it. Rather than seeking first the kingdom, we have allowed our natural inclinations to tie it to a person, building, network, or God forbid, televangelist. This insecurity never abates if we continually sow to it.

I have visited believers and unbelievers on their deathbeds, young and well into their years. Regretting the lives they have lived — they find solace in telling their stories. One person in particular will always remain in my mind, “It was all so simple, and I made it complicated for me — and everyone else. Now I’m consumed with self doubt about everything I did.” They spent their lives as believers chasing secondary things, or worse yet as unbelievers — the winds of false religion, or one of the many forms of materialism.

The primary aim of Christ was to give eternal life to His chosen. He did; it’s in us. We have to clearly understand this, and cherish it. I’m not saying that we don’t need to seek out ways to improve our natural lives. The latest technology, innovation, health fads, teachings, and the networks we develop are aimed at this, but they are secondary. The good news is this, God came to give us a better life. The news you may not like is that you do not get to vote on the calling He has designed for you.  Oh you can live your own life and gather folks around you to support you and your goals, and actively resist God’s calling. Let me be clear; you will only succeed in diminishing your eternal position with Him if you persist in this course, because you failed to value the life He offered. Heaven will have quite a few of these saints that narrowly escaped the flames.

I regularly encourage saints in regards to their pattern of diminishing the role of new life within their decision making. I watch them struggle with the idea that they need more. Convinced there are things outside of their power and calling that they need access to, they chase delusions. They struggle; they are confused, and as Paul stated, “they are tossed to and fro” by doctrine, deception, and primarily the enemy’s lies that try to convince them that they need to do something great to get God’s favor, rather than allowing God to simply lead them via the Holy Spirit in the domains He called them to. What’s missing is the fundamental belief that at conversion, God has placed life inside the believer as the compass that points them to communion with His Spirit. They were born again, and now need to simply — grow.
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(I was like that; I get it.)They must trust in God’s providence to bring the right people and leaders into their lives to assist them in the works of God. But they take short cuts. They feel out of place, and compare their callings to others. In this mindset, they become confused, and try to muster up courage through quoting scripture, and praying to get the stuff already placed within them. We need to meditate on the things of God so they stick and empower our words. We praise God, because of who He is, not to move Him to act on our behalf. Authentic, Spirit led prayer and praise are actions that release life and faith under His sovereign direction. Mental prepping, and stirring yourself up cannot produce life. Such practices hinder faith. Such folks chase a faith they already have.

It’s absurd. You see, things like: wisdom, faith, peace, love, joy, rest, and numerous other qualities are already in you. They are a part of the kingdom transfer when you were made a new creation in Jesus.

Your problem is orientation, in other words, what you focus on. New life does not eradicate the old. Both kingdom laws are within you: death and life. The will is the trigger. Only you can choose what to follow. That insecurity you feel, not wanting to trust God, preferring to seek the answers for your life from wiser people — well that’s the naural man and flesh — pure and simple. The remedy to all of this stuff is not ritual, or seeking a breakthrough; it’s trusting God to renew your mind as stated in Romans 12:2. It’s a process of letting what is already inside of you takeover in your decisions. It’s called sanctification, and you have help — the Spirit. Remember Paul’s words to the Galatians.(3:1-3 ESV):

“1.O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was  publicly crucifued. 2. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith. 3, Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh.”

God’s Spirit resides within the new man he created. Life recognizes life, and our wills must learn to direct our minds and hearts accordingly.

I’m not a theologian. I’ve never been to seminary, and in spiritual matters, I’m without any title. Historically, I’m in good company. What qualifies me? I have life — by the election of the living God. I have a calling. I understand these things. Further, I emphasize these things in what I teach. One of the greatest principles Christ shared with the disciples was the axiom, “The kingdom of God is within you.” In another place Paul spoke about this as the great mystery of ages. I believe in the total sufficiency of Christ. I believe the church as a whole has moved away from this, and even though Martin Luther started the reformation with the above principles, in a very short time, our teachings, doctrines and cultural preferences choked out the flow of the Spirit. We have to be Berean in mindset and examine all things. I believe this is more necessary than ever.

Folks like me, who are primarily self taught and aided by the Spirit, are routinely mocked caricatures in the eyes of established, traditional leaders, and their followers. Nonetheless, I stand on what I have conveyed since 1993. For the record, I believe that God is doing great things all over the world, in spite of all the denominational lines, brick and mortar structures, and cultural/ethnic proclivities — because life will break forth and through in spite of us, or the strictures and structures we so rigidly erect and/or hold to, imploring God to move through these as if He is somehow bound to them. Again, life breaks forth and through folks — always has, always will.

God’s life consumes and fills all things, like a mighty wave rushing over dry, parched lands, like light filling a dark room — life cannot be constrained, so why are we trying so hard to corale it.  Yes friend life wants to consume you; it wants all of you. If you yield, you can look at it in wonder and praise God for securing it. Adoration and love are His, the Author of Life, Jesus. Conversely, now that we understand life a bit better, let us deal with its enemy.

We know from the scriptures above, that Satan was the first to be labeled a “murderer from the beginning” and in another place, “one who has the power of death.” To be true to scripture and hermeneutics — Jesus and the author of Hebrews were not advocating the false gospel of dualism — denying God’s sovereignty over life and death. They were assigning a limited role to the enemy, a practitioner description if you will. It can be summed up this way: since he is against God, he is against life. Satan, and all who follow him, will fight against life. They will rejoice and glory in death, disintegration, mayhem, confusion, lies, subterfuge, degradation, immorality, weakness, and all forms of perniciousness. And, they, will, lose.

In this present age, you have life; will you walk in it? Do not fear the author of death, nor any of his co-workers. He derives most of his power from this. By filling the world with his works, he seeks to captivate our minds.  In all your observations, do you focus more on life or death? Let us cease judging others. Cease our angry diatribes against sinners, and backsliders. Cease our finger pointing. Cease from constantly repeating the news and uproarious. Cease from our own works of righteousness, and attention seeking antics aimed at drawing God’s favor or blessing. We have his attention already.

In sum, you have all you need to grow and develop in your relationship with God. Pray, read your Bible, and expect blessings. Listen to those He has placed in your life to help you grow in faith. There will be numerous instructors, but few Christ-centered guides. (If you don’t know the difference between them and you have been a believer for awhile, perhaps you never will. I grieve for you, because that says more about you than them.) For those of you ready to embrace the life within more fully,  grace, peace, and blessings to to you as you go forward. For those struggling, turn to him and ask for the boldness and strength to walk in life.