Lesson 9

IX. What Resources does GOD use

in the Plan of Redemption?

Let it be known to all that the salvation of man could not have been achieved without every aspect of GOD'S presence in the lives of men. The Bible is beautifully clear: the presence of Jesus Christ has always been with man, even from the beginning. This is verified through the words of Jesus when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am." (John 8:58). This verse among others tells us that Jesus Christ has been man's companion from the very beginning. It was Jesus who conversed with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. His presence there was just as important to the salvation of man as was His perishing on the cross of Calvary. Jesus conversing with Noah, Moses, Joshua, Samson's mother, Samuel and his mother, as well as the prophets through the ages was just as important as His dying as a sponge for the sins of the world. Then there is GOD'S blessing men through the ministry of holy angels: guarding, sheltering and impressing the minds of sinners to "walk even as he [Jesus] walked." This too is just as important to the salvation of man as the Cross of Calvary. Jesus sending the "Comforter," "the Holy Spirit" drawing the hearts of men to reflect the qualities of GOD is just as important to the salvation of man as was the sacrifice of the Innocent, Sinless Christ who men nailed to a tree and left Him there to die. Lastly, Christ's ministry in the sanctuary of heaven as man's "high priest" interceding His Virtue as the New Sinless Father of the human race before "Our Father" (whose righteous virtue as man’s substitute is sufficient to shut the mouth of "the accuser of our brethren"—forever) is just as important to the salvation of man as was His death on the cross of Calvary. The tapestry of salvation woven on the loom of heaven reveals that multitudes would have been lost without GOD'S every gesture, however minute, in His exertions for the salvation of man. But still, the sacrifice of GOD on the Cross of Calvary will ever be the Apex of man's salvation as the Apostle Paul stated so beautifully: "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." I Corinthians 2:2.

GOD has given Man all necessary provisions for his redemption. Included among GOD’S tools is the intellectual/emotional constitution of the mind. The Bible defines these tools as three faculties of comprehension, and each step in the growth of these faculties leads to a deeper and more profound understanding in life, which in turn provides a corresponding increase of joy. The Bible’s wisest man, Solomon defines these faculties of comprehension in just three words: "knowledge," "understanding," and "wisdom." Knowledge is facts; understanding is the coordination of knowledge with personal experience; and wisdom is the ability, (given of GOD), to communicate one's understanding with your fellow man.

Through these capabilities the heart of man is enlightened to GOD’S sole objective: the restoration of His companionship with man which can only be achieved by delivering His children from death. Therefore, Scripture teaches that His desire for His children is to have the understanding of just three basic facts:

1. Our justification to everlasting life is only through the sinless life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ whose merits as "the last Adam" place Him as the "Everlasting Father" of the human race (Isa.96; Jn.5:24).

2. The refinement of our character, and our resurrection from the grave to an eternal life with Christ is only through the continual residence of the Holy Spirit, dwelling in our hearts (Romans 8:9-11).

3. The Christian's standard of righteous living is through unwavering reverence to GOD’S Ten Commandment Law, which Christ Himself gave to Moses on Mount Sinai in the permanence of stone (John 14:15; 8:58; Romans 8:7).

1. Can we be assured of GOD'S presence of peace in our lives even when life is hard?

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that ____ ____ ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but ____ ____ ________ _________; I have overcome the world.

2. If I have sinned willfully or ignorantly, how can I rest in GOD'S assurance that He accepts me and will cleanse me of my unrighteous desires?

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to __________ ____ our sins and to ____________ ____ from _____ unrighteousness.

I John 2:1,2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And ____ _____ _____ _____, ____ _______ ____ ____________ with the Father, _________ _________ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The temptations we all face on a daily basis will never cease. The issue rests in our strength of will to resist them, understanding the purpose of the temptation, and to shun its imtimidation to control our lives. We all have areas of our lives where our backbone is strong and unflinching. It is just a matter of applying that same strength of will to the areas of our character where the devil knows we are weak. Remember the proverb, "the chain is only as strong as its weakest link." But even in the vulnerable areas of our lives we can rest in GOD bringing good out of it as the apostle James stated: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." Ja.1:2-4.

3. If unbelief plagues the weaknesses of my character, what do I do?

Mark 9:23, 24 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, _____ _________ _____ _____________ ____ _____ ______ _____________. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, ______, __ ___________; _______ ______ ____ _______________.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Ja.1:5

4. Can I, in and of my own strength, overcome my shortcomings, which so often have led me into sin?

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He. that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: _____ __________ ____ ____ _____ ____ ___________.

Psalm 138:8 _____ ______ _____ __________ that which concerneth ____: Thy mercy, 0 LORD, endureth forever: __________ _____ the works of Thine own hands.

5. Does the indwelling Holy Spirit remove my freedom of choice?

Psalm 119:30 ___ _______ __________ the way of truth: Thy judgments _______ ___ _______ _________ ____.

6. With my freedom of choice intact, does GOD measure my victories as my own, even though all my righteous works are drawn from me by the Holy Spirit?

Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls ___ _______ ________________, saith the LORD GOD.

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; ____ _____ _______ ________________ will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of GOD.

7. When did GOD put into action the plan of salvation for man, commanding the restoration of my freedom to choose the things that are just and merciful, and to hate everything that works against my heaven-born sense of justice, mercy and love?

Genesis 3:15 And I _____ _____ ___________ ________________ ______ ______ _____ ___________, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.

When Adam and Eve placed their fate in Satan's hands, humanity then lost the strength to obey GOD. The human race from that moment forward forfeit the dignity of holiness. It is only through faith in GOD’S salvation can the humble petitioner find restoration of all that was lost and refuge from all threats. Only by coming under GOD’S legal jurisdiction can man be protected from the flood of death and despair that the devil continually brings into the life of every creature. But living under the holy laws of GOD’S jurisdiction every conceivable blessing flows into the life of the believer.

The godliness in man is to be drawn from us by a power outside of ourselves. We are incapable of love for GOD or His law without His Presence in us. This is why King David prayed, "Take not thy Holy Spirit from me…uphold me with thy free Spirit." Ps.51:11,12. Through the companionship of the Spirit of GOD and the spirit of man dwelling together the fruits of this union give hope, faith, and love. It has always been GOD'S Love that led Him to restore us to His intended purpose. He restored our ability to choose life over death, and to shun the ways of destruction in our lives, and to encourage the lives of those around us to a superior way to live. To this end, the prophets through the ages were unanimous in their cry, "Repent:" Separate from the sins that destroy the soul.