Habitat Of God

[soul man]

20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:20-22.

After a study of God's word you must conclude that God was not necessarily going to change people - far from that message - he was going to inhabit people. Those that would believe on him. That is what the scriptures conclude for all to see. It is written - that's why knowing the purpose and intent of God before the foundation of the world is so so important to our understanding.

It is all summed up in a few verse's of scripture - everything that humanity would need to know about God or why creation, and how it all comes into being can be summed up in the first chapter of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:4 is; the reason for all things - you can say this is the devil's world but you have to acknowledge everything that happens in the world is a God thing, at least according to scripture! 2 Corinthians 5:18.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; - 2 Corinthians 5:18.

If it is so..that God's plan is to inhabit human beings..the ultimate plan, the plan before creation.. woo doctor we cannot overlook that or just thumb through scripture like it was a casual stroll in the park. Somehow we can get it fixed in the mind that we cannot really know what we need to know about God..about scripture..about salvation..about growth..and grace and knowledge. I think people have been lied to so much they don't trust anything or anyone. You get like that when you are being told one thing and how it is supposed to work and it is not working out..it is usually the opposite of what man has to say.

So what is that? it is your father saying ok listen to man and go as far as you can, but you will not go any further until I take you on. Man can take believers into the scriptures, but man cannot reveal or teach what believers need to see. It is only by the Spirit you will grow into what it is your father intended before the foundation of the world!

That's what scripture is saying when it says you have no need for any man to teach you. We have teachers but they can only take you so far, if they have any since and less ego they will point you in the right direct.

If you look at politics today - the church is being handled the same way..men in authority. Look at what happens when you get men who can't even handle their own lives and try to handle yours. It is a juggling act in the day we live in and believers need to be aware, they must know who they are sitting under and choosing to mentor them. So keep asking those hard questions - authority never likes to be challenged. You may be better off if you get the left foot of fellowship to get you out of there. Your father will always have something for you - he will keep moving you on in him..it will not be man's choice, but your father!

 

[Aunty Jane]

20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. - Ephesians 2:20-22.

After a study of God's word you must conclude that God was not necessarily going to change people - far from that message - he was going to inhabit people. Those that would believe on him. That is what the scriptures conclude for all to see. It is written - that's why knowing the purpose and intent of God before the foundation of the world is so so important to our understanding.

It is all summed up in a few verse's of scripture - everything that humanity would need to know about God or why creation, and how it all comes into being can be summed up in the first chapter of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:4 is; the reason for all things - you can say this is the devil's world but you have to acknowledge everything that happens in the world is a God thing, at least according to scripture! 2 Corinthians 5:18.

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; - 2 Corinthians 5:18.

If it is so..that God's plan is to inhabit human beings..the ultimate plan, the plan before creation.. woo doctor we cannot overlook that or just thumb through scripture like it was a casual stroll in the park. Somehow we can get it fixed in the mind that we cannot really know what we need to know about God..about scripture..about salvation..about growth..and grace and knowledge. I think people have been lied to so much they don't trust anything or anyone. You get like that when you are being told one thing and how it is supposed to work and it is not working out..it is usually the opposite of what man has to say.

So what is that? it is your father saying ok listen to man and go as far as you can, but you will not go any further until I take you on. Man can take believers into the scriptures, but man cannot reveal or teach what believers need to see. It is only by the Spirit you will grow into what it is your father intended before the foundation of the world!

That's what scripture is saying when it says you have no need for any man to teach you. We have teachers but they can only take you so far, if they have any since and less ego they will point you in the right direct.

If you look at politics today - the church is being handled the same way..men in authority. Look at what happens when you get men who can't even handle their own lives and try to handle yours. It is a juggling act in the day we live in and believers need to be aware, they must know who they are sitting under and choosing to mentor them. So keep asking those hard questions - authority never likes to be challenged. You may be better off if you get the left foot of fellowship to get you out of there. Your father will always have something for you - he will keep moving you on in him..it will not be man's choice, but your father!

Nice post.....but a few things I would like to ask....

Ephesians 1:4...who is “us” in that verse? Is it all Christians or only the “elect”?

2 Corinthians 5:18....
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - NASB)

Who are these “ambassadors” who are trying to reconcile the world of mankind to God? What does reconciliation actually mean here? Who are they begging to “be reconciled to God”?

What was God’s plan in the beginning, when he created humans in his image and placed them in a beautiful garden with everything they needed....what were they to do on this earth? Was it simply a training ground for heaven?....or did God have something else in mind when he put us here?

What did God intend “before the foundation of the world” and how is what we are living now even a hint of that? How did we get so far away from what God originally intended for us? Do you believe that we have free will, or is everything predetermined?

It is true that we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit but when everyone claims to have it, in spite of what teachings they accept or reject, how do we know who is entertaining a delusion? (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

What are your thoughts?

 

[soul man]

Nice post.....but a few things I would like to ask....

Ephesians 1:4...who is “us” in that verse? Is it all Christians or only the “elect”?

2 Corinthians 5:18....
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 - NASB)

Who are these “ambassadors” who are trying to reconcile the world of mankind to God? What does reconciliation actually mean here? Who are they begging to “be reconciled to God”?

What was God’s plan in the beginning, when he created humans in his image and placed them in a beautiful garden with everything they needed....what were they to do on this earth? Was it simply a training ground for heaven?....or did God have something else in mind when he put us here?

What did God intend “before the foundation of the world” and how is what we are living now even a hint of that? How did we get so far away from what God originally intended for us? Do you believe that we have free will, or is everything predetermined?

It is true that we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit but when everyone claims to have it, in spite of what teachings they accept or reject, how do we know who is entertaining a delusion? (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

What are your thoughts?

Thanks good questions. It is my understanding; Ephesians 1:4 is the purpose and reason for all things. Humanity is chosen to be in Christ as the salvation of humanity. It is the intent of God for salvation to be "Christ in you the hope of glory." For all that believe now. The world is inundated with do-er religion, which has nothing to do with the purpose of God choosing humanity to contain the spirit and nature of God - by Christ in you as salvation, period. Learning Christ who is the only life of the believer is the purpose of God. Lifestyle comes from understanding the perfect plan of God before the foundation of the world. I have heard most of the arguments about how God chose certain people and other's are left out. Problem with that is it don't hold water. Predestination is God's plan to save humanity by Christ in them. That gets distorted at times by those trying to put scripture together. If you are going to be saved it will be by Christ in you. That was determined before the foundation of the world according to scripture. Which is the plan and purpose for all things. When we still feel like we have some kind of life - apart from Christ as life - we need to see we were crucified with Christ and he is the only life and expression we have. Thanks again.

 

[Aunty Jane]

The world is inundated with do-er religion, which has nothing to do with the purpose of God choosing humanity to contain the spirit and nature of God - by Christ in you as salvation, period.

Can you tell me why you think 'God chose humanity to contain the spirit and nature of God by Christ in in you as salvation'?
What are we getting saved from, and why do we need saving in the first place?
What are your thoughts?

Learning Christ who is the only life of the believer is the purpose of God.

Why do we need to "learn Christ" and what about the life of unbelievers? What happens to them? Since God speaks of his "elect" does this not signify a choosing? What are they 'elected' to do?

Lifestyle comes from understanding the perfect plan of God before the foundation of the world.

What was the perfect plan of God before the foundation of the world? Can you elaborate as to what you believe that was? Why are we here?

I have heard most of the arguments about how God chose certain people and other's are left out. Problem with that is it don't hold water. Predestination is God's plan to save humanity by Christ in them. That gets distorted at times by those trying to put scripture together. If you are going to be saved it will be by Christ in you. That was determined before the foundation of the world according to scripture.

What happens if you are not saved? And if everything is pre-determined, why did God put the TKGE in the garden and tell them not to take of its fruit if it was predetermined that they would.....why was he was going to punish them with death for doing what they were already pre-programmed to do?It had repercussions for all their offspring.

Can you help me understand your POV?

 

[soul man]

Can you tell me why you think 'God chose humanity to contain the spirit and nature of God by Christ in in you as salvation'?
What are we getting saved from, and why do we need saving in the first place?
What are your thoughts?


Why do we need to "learn Christ" and what about the life of unbelievers? What happens to them? Since God speaks of his "elect" does this not signify a choosing? What are they 'elected' to do?


What was the perfect plan of God before the foundation of the world? Can you elaborate as to what you believe that was? Why are we here?


What happens if you are not saved? And if everything is pre-determined, why did God put the TKGE in the garden and tell them not to take of its fruit if it was predetermined that they would.....why was he was going to punish them with death for doing what they were already pre-programmed to do?It had repercussions for all their offspring.

Can you help me understand your POV?

Can you give your understanding of Christianity?

 

[post]

Ephesians 1:4...who is “us” in that verse? Is it all Christians or only the “elect”?

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
(Ephesians 1:1-12)
​

all are the same "us"

• the saints
• the faithful in Christ Jesus
• who received grace
• whose Father is God
• whose Lord is Christ
• who are spiritually blessed by Him
• who are in Him
• who are chosen in Him
• who should be holy & blameless
• who are before Him in love
• who are gathered together in Him
• who have obtained an inheritance in Him
• who were predestined according to His purpose
• who trust in Him
• who are to the praise of His glory

it's all the same "us"
there's not "super-Christian" class vs. "second-class Christians"
there are only mature & immature in Him -- and if you think you're a "super-Christian"?
well then you are among the immature. see Romans 12:3

the expectation was that these letters would be circulated and read among all the churches. and they were.
and they were meant to be applicable to all the believers who heard them, and who now read them,
not just some vain 'elite class' of 'extra-saved' people.
see the end of the letter:

Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
(Ephesians 6:23-24)
​

more explanation of who is "us":

• the brethren
• all those who love our LORD Jesus Christ in sincerity

​

 

[soul man]

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
(Ephesians 1:1-12)
​

all are the same "us"

• the saints
• the faithful in Christ Jesus
• who received grace
• whose Father is God
• whose Lord is Christ
• who are spiritually blessed by Him
• who are in Him
• who are chosen in Him
• who should be holy & blameless
• who are before Him in love
• who are gathered together in Him
• who have obtained an inheritance in Him
• who were predestined according to His purpose
• who trust in Him
• who are to the praise of His glory

it's all the same "us"
there's not "super-Christian" class vs. "second-class Christians"
there are only mature & immature in Him -- and if you think you're a "super-Christian"?
well then you are among the immature. see Romans 12:3

the expectation was that these letters would be circulated and read among all the churches. and they were.
and they were meant to be applicable to all the believers who heard them, and who now read them,
not just some vain 'elite class' of 'extra-saved' people.
see the end of the letter:

Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
(Ephesians 6:23-24)
​

more explanation of who is "us":

• the brethren
• all those who love our LORD Jesus Christ in sincerity

​

Good scriptures, and well put.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Can you give your understanding of Christianity?

My understanding of Christianity uses the entire Bible to help me understand why Christ had to come as savior in the first place. You see, in order to have “the big picture”, I needed all the pieces, not just half of them. The NT tells us only half the story. You see, we have to know what "salvation" means.....what are we being "saved" from?

Why did God put humans on earth? Was it to train them for heaven? I cannot find a single statement in Genesis to suggest such a thing. But I do see why God put us here on this very carefully prepared planet. It was to be the permanent caretakers of his creation, to represent the Creator (made in his image) so as to take the kind of care that he would himself for all the precious life he placed here.
They were to “fill the earth” with their children and “subdue” the land outside their beautiful home, extending the boundaries of paradise until the whole world resembled the garden of Eden. They were to have dominion over the animals so as to take care of them. And since all were created to be vegetarians, there was no threat of one species against another. Man had no fear of the animals and the animals had no fear of man. The only flesh eaters were the carrion birds and animals...God's clean-up crew.

There was the “tree of life” there in the garden to guarantee that human life would continue perpetually. Death would not come except as a penalty for disobedience. So God's first purpose was to have humans living forever in paradise on earth.....with strong youthful, healthy bodies, enjoyable work to do, and an abundance of nature to explore and to care for. Who could have asked for a better life?

Genesis tells us that a spirit creature rebelled and by deception, took the human race into a rebellious course with him. God’s response was to formulate a rescue mission, rather than to just punish the rebels and start again....after all, what was to stop another” satan” from doing the same thing? God therefore implemented an object lesson, the likes of which we will never experience again. Rulership of the world was handed over to the "god" they chose, (Luke 4:5-6; 1 John 5:19) to allow the devil the freedom to prove his challenge to God's Sovereignty, and to test out the human race in the process.
All God's creatures had free will, so he would allow them to choose whom they would worship. Each would then choose their own destiny.

The rescue mission involved a redeemer....one who would pay the correct price for redeeming the entire human race, and who would then lead obedient ones back into reconciliation with God.

The price paid was the price that God’s law demanded....”eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, life for life”....a sinless life was lost for all of Adam’s children so a sinless life had to be offered in exchange. Only the life of someone from outside the now sinful human race could pay the price....so God sent his son to do the job, which he did willingly.

1 John 2:2..."and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
So John was speaking about "propitiation", which is what "covers" something. He was also speaking here about his fellow Christian brothers, ("us") Christ's disciples, as well as the whole of mankind, should they come to Christ as they themselves had done....but it had to be of their own free will. No individual is predestined for life or death....that would make God responsible for all the horrors this world has suffered at the hands of those he knew would ruin it.....and on purpose....according to his plan. What loving God would do that?

So in my big picture, each individual chooses their own destiny, of their own free will...or the command regarding the TKGE was pointless.
Sin and death came about by the abuse of free will, and the perpetrators paid the stated penalty. They began the decent into death that very day, now separated from their Creator by an unbridgeable barrier...sin. But God was kind enough to make communication with him still possible, by means of a Mediator whom he appointed, Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5) No one could come to the Father except through Jesus, (John 14:6; John 6:65) who also paid for mankind's redemption with the sacrifice of his own life, choosing 12 apostles to become the very foundation of the Kingdom in which he will rule along with the "elect", chosen by God from among, mankind as "firstfruits". (Revelation 21:14; Revelation 14:4) These will then be "kings and priests" (Revelation 20:6) who will rule with Christ over mankind on a cleansed earth in fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4...
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

As the appointed King of God's Kingdom...(which is God's means for bringing about reconciliation with himself and alienated humankind) Jesus will bring all redeemed ones back to God and restore the paradise conditions we lost. Sin will be cleansed from the human race and all will stand before God in one final test before God's original purpose is reinstated. (Isaiah 55:11) God can then get on with his reason for putting us here.

So in my big picture, I see the time for Christ's judgment looming and the "time of the end" coming to its awful conclusion. (Matthew 24:21)
According to Jesus, "few" are the ones who will be saved because of not 'coming to know' his Father and learning to do his will by the teachings of Jesus Christ. (John 17:3; Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23)

"Just as the days of Noah" Jesus said conditions on earth would be when he was to come as judge....and here we are. (Matthew 24:37-39) The earth is again filled with violence and immorality.....how many were "saved" back in Noah's day? Why were they saved?
What happened to the ones ignoring and ridiculing Noah?
Do you not see the lesson?

 

[soul man]

My understanding of Christianity uses the entire Bible to help me understand why Christ had to come as savior in the first place. You see, in order to have “the big picture”, I needed all the pieces, not just half of them. The NT tells us only half the story. You see, we have to know what "salvation" means.....what are we being "saved" from?

Why did God put humans on earth? Was it to train them for heaven? I cannot find a single statement in Genesis to suggest such a thing. But I do see why God put us here on this very carefully prepared planet. It was to be the permanent caretakers of his creation, to represent the Creator (made in his image) so as to take the kind of care that he would himself for all the precious life he placed here.
They were to “fill the earth” with their children and “subdue” the land outside their beautiful home, extending the boundaries of paradise until the whole world resembled the garden of Eden. They were to have dominion over the animals so as to take care of them. And since all were created to be vegetarians, there was no threat of one species against another. Man had no fear of the animals and the animals had no fear of man. The only flesh eaters were the carrion birds and animals...God's clean-up crew.

There was the “tree of life” there in the garden to guarantee that human life would continue perpetually. Death would not come except as a penalty for disobedience. So God's first purpose was to have humans living forever in paradise on earth.....with strong youthful, healthy bodies, enjoyable work to do, and an abundance of nature to explore and to care for. Who could have asked for a better life?

Genesis tells us that a spirit creature rebelled and by deception, took the human race into a rebellious course with him. God’s response was to formulate a rescue mission, rather than to just punish the rebels and start again....after all, what was to stop another” satan” from doing the same thing? God therefore implemented an object lesson, the likes of which we will never experience again. Rulership of the world was handed over to the "god" they chose, (Luke 4:5-6; 1 John 5:19) to allow the devil the freedom to prove his challenge to God's Sovereignty, and to test out the human race in the process.
All God's creatures had free will, so he would allow them to choose whom they would worship. Each would then choose their own destiny.

The rescue mission involved a redeemer....one who would pay the correct price for redeeming the entire human race, and who would then lead obedient ones back into reconciliation with God.

The price paid was the price that God’s law demanded....”eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, life for life”....a sinless life was lost for all of Adam’s children so a sinless life had to be offered in exchange. Only the life of someone from outside the now sinful human race could pay the price....so God sent his son to do the job, which he did willingly.

1 John 2:2..."and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."
So John was speaking about "propitiation", which is what "covers" something. He was also speaking here about his fellow Christian brothers, ("us") Christ's disciples, as well as the whole of mankind, should they come to Christ as they themselves had done....but it had to be of their own free will. No individual is predestined for life or death....that would make God responsible for all the horrors this world has suffered at the hands of those he knew would ruin it.....and on purpose....according to his plan. What loving God would do that?

So in my big picture, each individual chooses their own destiny, of their own free will...or the command regarding the TKGE was pointless.
Sin and death came about by the abuse of free will, and the perpetrators paid the stated penalty. They began the decent into death that very day, now separated from their Creator by an unbridgeable barrier...sin. But God was kind enough to make communication with him still possible, by means of a Mediator whom he appointed, Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 2:5) No one could come to the Father except through Jesus, (John 14:6; John 6:65) who also paid for mankind's redemption with the sacrifice of his own life, choosing 12 apostles to become the very foundation of the Kingdom in which he will rule along with the "elect", chosen by God from among, mankind as "firstfruits". (Revelation 21:14; Revelation 14:4) These will then be "kings and priests" (Revelation 20:6) who will rule with Christ over mankind on a cleansed earth in fulfillment of Revelation 21:3-4...
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

As the appointed King of God's Kingdom...(which is God's means for bringing about reconciliation with himself and alienated humankind) Jesus will bring all redeemed ones back to God and restore the paradise conditions we lost. Sin will be cleansed from the human race and all will stand before God in one final test before God's original purpose is reinstated. (Isaiah 55:11) God can then get on with his reason for putting us here.

So in my big picture, I see the time for Christ's judgment looming and the "time of the end" coming to its awful conclusion. (Matthew 24:21)
According to Jesus, "few" are the ones who will be saved because of not 'coming to know' his Father and learning to do his will by the teachings of Jesus Christ. (John 17:3; Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23)

"Just as the days of Noah" Jesus said conditions on earth would be when he was to come as judge....and here we are. (Matthew 24:37-39) The earth is again filled with violence and immorality.....how many were "saved" back in Noah's day? Why were they saved?
What happened to the ones ignoring and ridiculing Noah?
Do you not see the lesson?

Ok thanks. How about his plan and purpose before creation..do you have anything on that?

 

[Enoch111]

After a study of God's word you must conclude that God was not necessarily going to change people - far from that message - he was going to inhabit people.

That is self-contradictory. God would inhabit people in order to change them. To transform them into the likeness of Christ. You generally come up with some bizarre ideas.

 

[post]

The only flesh eaters were the carrion birds and animals...God's clean-up crew.

There was no death in the world until Adam & his wife sinned. Romans 5

 

[Cassandra]

I can't believe anyone would think otherwise. The Garden was perfect. There was no death until sin.