Body, Soul, and Spirit of man

by Jannie

Prologue

This author is not a medical doctor nor officially trained as a bio scientist so will not attempt any explanation of the complex systems or composition of the physical human body but rather focus on the relationship of the body to the soul and spirit of man and what significance that has on us being whole as spiritual beings.

However, seeing that the learned professors at universities, as in their handbooks on the physiological basis of medical science, in chapter 1 already, typically called “orientation”, ventures into the theories and hypothesis of how life could have originated, this author (of www.gospel-truth.co.za) feels obliged to comment as one that has read The Bible (as well?). “Scientifically”, much credit is given by most academics to Charles Darwin and in the same breath (1 Cor 12:3; 2 Cor 6:14; Jm 1:6-8; 3:10?) reference is often even made to the book Genesis in The Bible (as not being a scientific work). The compromise the learned “believers” then feel they can settle for in their scientific and academic minds is a “creation” by which God could have used the evolutionary process to create what we see on this planet today. The Bible, however, gives no such option in Genesis. The meditation on this website, entitled “Evolution” expands on this, but for our purposes of this meditation, will suffice to point out that The Bible (2 Tim 3:16-17) clearly states that God in the beginning created this earth and what is on it (Mt 19:4; Jn 1:1-4; Col 1:15-17) and then very specifically each species according to its kind (Gen 1:11,12,21,24,25). No one kind is said in The Bible to mutate into another kind. In fact, if slime or animals became man, man must still be in a perpetual process of change into another kind and mankind would have no special meaning in the universe.

The Bible states  that God have made [designed and created] each living creature to its kind (Gen 1:20-25) but then made man different – man was made to His image and to have dominion [stewardship] over the rest of creation on earth (Gen 1:26,27; Ps 104:30; Heb 1:2; 11:3; Col 3:9,10; Jm 3:8,9; 1 Cor 6:19,20). If this were not so, the whole purpose of God appearing in the flesh when He did, would have made no sense at all and our beloved Lord Jesus Christ [God] would have had no purpose or meaning to us (if we as humans were not designed different than other life forms). Such a belief and philosophy [evolution] is a monumental blunder. Please consider the other meditations on this website, such as “Who is Jesus Christ”, “Trinity doctrine”, “The Gospel”, “Evolution” and so on for more on this and let’s move on.

Introduction

Let`s take a look at our composition, without trying to get too clever.  Let`s believe the Word of God…  We are made [supposed] to be in the image of our triune God:  the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Gen 1:26 (The meditation “Trinity doctrine”, refers).  This newly created triune being (Gen 2:7) is meant to have dominion on earth over carnality.  So we have also been given a trinity [if re-born, Jn 1:12-13; 3:3; Rom 8:14-19,29-39]:  a body, a soul and a spirit – 1 Thess 5:23; Heb 4:12.  This is where we will see later, Jesus Christ stepped in to save us from our old carnal self to [be able to] be a triune [whole] being again (Rom 5:12; 8:1-2; 1 Cor 15:45-50). The verses above indicate that the soul and spirit is close – they are distinguishable, but inseparable; they can go to heaven (or hell) together; but know that the Gospel [Good News] of Jesus Christ is not about heaven or hell and that “heaven” is not the intended [final] destination for a Christian!  See the meditations by this author entitled “Heaven” and “The Gospel”, if you will.  We are supposed to be in a New Kingdom ruling, not pathetic as losers, losing to sickness and death with passing [fleeting] glories of an old system (Heb 8:13) and an old fallen self.  Hear Jesus in Mt 10:8 and Mk 7:13; 12:24; Mt 15:6-9; 7:20-23.

So, let’s briefly examine this possible trinity of human body, soul, and spirit… Here goes: –

Discussion

The body

The body relates (communicates) physically with the physical world it lives in.  We have known it since birth – actually, quite possibly before birth during the latter part of developing in the womb.  We must not, however, mistake the house for the resident.  Do not confuse your body with your true self.  Your body is not your true potential.  God is [Spirit, Jn 4:23-24; Rom 8:14].  Whatever your perceived handicap may be, never allow your true potential to fall victim to your physical body or environment or circumstances.  God created you to rule over all the earth and everything on it (including all animals – they did not become you); if earth or anything on it – in any way – has a hold on you, you are malfunctioning.  It must be under your subjection, not mastering you.  Gen 11:6 will tell you God did not stop them from building by cutting off their potential.  He stopped them by confusing their language [allowing them to express their individual way].  He did not intend to stop their potential.  Only if you lack the commitment to follow after your God-given dream, your dream remains unfinished – a tragedy…  The meditation “The Will of man, the will of God” by this author expands on the one gross misrepresentation of God as a Perfect Father.  Read it?

You are a treasure of potential.  You are related to your Source – Eph 3:20,21.  Do not “live” to die! …  with your song, your painting, your poem, your contribution to those around you, still inside of you… hold on for God and them [not self]…  Hold on to Phil 4:13 and Romans 8:2,11;12:1,2,9.  See “The Testimony” by this author before jumping too hastily to the conclusion that you fully understand what God is about!!  God [Jesus Christ] is Life everlasting.  You are probably still in the “church” mode of “after-life” – a far lesser concept than what Jesus provided for!!!…

The destroyer, the murderer, liar, deceiver; the enemy – not God (Jn 8:39-47) – wants to break down this tri-unity we have been given.  Just beware to not look for excuses [to shirk your own responsibility/accountability] for a “force bigger than you” that was “impossible to withstand” (Col 2:15; Jm 4:6-8; even 2 Cor 10:5! The meditation on “Christian suffering” expands on this).  Jesus is a Healer and designed your body with self-healing properties and mechanisms triggered by faith in Him (Mt 10:8; 1 Pet 2:24-25!  Refer to the meditation entitled “Healing” for a discussion of this topic). You are supposed to be AND REMAIN well!!  (Read the meditation “The Testimony”?) You receive mercy to live, not die! The accuser wants to destroy the image of God.  The slanderer probably desperately covets the fact that you were made to the image of God, triune, and he not!  So the devil will use his strategy, his law of diminutive return.  This is an example of how it works in the flesh (Rom 8:6-8,13): You get this “urge” or “idea” that to be really happy and “fun”, you need a substance such as alcohol (or some drug) in order to achieve this – to be cool.  Once you have committed to this thought, you will reject the advice warning about a proportionately impaired judgement – how will you, with this increasingly impaired judgement, make a sound decision when to stop?…  So, when you are sober again, you realize you have bought a lie:  you more than likely actually belittled yourself and made yourself look ridiculous (unworthy).  You also could have – probably did – hurt someone.  You could not have glorified (pleased) God.  You feel guilty (unrighteous).  The devil then convinces you that you feel this way (afterwards) because you did not have enough alcohol – you should have had more…  until you become so numbed (reckless) that you don`t care anymore.  This is a downward spiral.  You will die – away from God.  You are rushing to that “place” we spoke about in the meditation “The Will of man, the will of God” – do not blame God!  Instead go back to Him (Mt 11:28), don`t delay!  Your Father is waiting for you with open arms!  Pornography works [detrimentally] the same way.  Does your body belong to you and are you seeking fabricated alternatives/replacements [falsity] for the real thing?  Then suffer the consequences!  But if you completely belongs to God, His body will not be desiccated, used for sin or compulsive slave-habits and boundless self-gratification – 1 Cor 6:19,20.  Ultimately, this law of diminutive return is to get you sick and dead.  This is not of God, but of the devil (Jn 10:10) and millions of “Christians” talk like parrots after religious teachers who do not accurately know God!  (See the meditations called “Church”).

A practical example from a pilot’s perspective

When, in a multi-engine aircraft, you experience a sudden engine failure during a critical phase of the take-off, (after you’re committed to continue flight because there is insufficient runway remaining to land back safely, and the aircraft performance – although often critical – can perform marginally well enough to treat this as an in-flight emergency), you have to react swiftly but very methodically to save the aircraft and its occupants; especially because you are one of them and will arrive at the crash scene first. This is then literally a matter of life or death, depending on your actions. First, consider that such an event causes the body to give itself a massive dose of adrenalin and probably a host of some other hormones that in excessive quantities are not necessarily good for you! For instance, does the excess adrenaline reduce your peripheral vision from about 170 degrees field-of-view to around 7 degrees. On top of this, does the sudden overload reduce your hearing to such an extent that you can virtually not digest and process any audible clues and information at all. Voice commands at this stage, can very easily be useless. This is not exactly helpful and further worsens the scenario by causing panic that destroys methodical and rational cognitive functions. This is where knowledge and training can be your saving grace. There are very specific steps to follow as memory items followed by check-list items that will incrementally restore your vision and hearing and so help get your emotions under control. Every remedial step that you take to address the situation, gives you a commensurate release of “good hormones”, such as endorphins (that makes you feel good). So, for instance, will your peripheral vision improve incrementally back to 170 degrees (or what it was before the crises or trauma), and allow your processing of audible clues with every [correct] corrective action you take, to return to “normal”. This makes you calmer and your brain becomes more useful again. Note that so-called muscle memory (in fact currency) greatly improves the probability of a good outcome (I say so-called because muscles don’t have a memory, it is the brain that instructs the muscles); also, that the appropriate first action might very well be counter-intuitive (hence the requirement for training). For instance, the first action required to keep a twin engine piston aircraft under control with one engine out immediately after take-off, is to lower the nose of the aircraft, flying towards the ground! This is to gain airspeed to a pre-designed value. An instinctive pulling back of the controls by a poorly trained pilot to climb steeper and failure to feather the appropriate propeller at that critical stage can rapidly lead to an unrecoverable stall/spin and death.  The well-trained and experienced pilot will, as the second action, first check to see if the engine and propeller controls have not simply crept back before rushing into improper and unnecessary actions (an over-reaction – that is often more harmful). As a matter of fact, the experienced, proper trained pilot would have consciously checked the friction nut to prevent this from happening, before take-off (probably a check-list item anyway).  The point is that we can apply this as an analogy in our spiritual life. When “stuff happens”, especially when startled, first take a deep breath, focus on step one, then two, then three…

Some comedian said that, as far as one’s own actions are concerned, an accident is either caused by too much too soon, followed immediately by too little too late, or the other way around. Mostly the first, because of over-reaction [of offense taken by the self, but we’ll get to that later, looking at the soul].  Whatever the reality, though, remember that the first trigger of that awful “Law of diminishing return”, the downward spiral, is offense. Carefully ponder the result of the offense taken by men in Mk 6:3-5 and Mt 13:58: they could not be healed because of it!…  This is expanded on in the meditations “Healing” and “The will of man, the will of God”. Then there is, of course, Phil 4:8-9.

The same principle applies to drugs or lust. The enemy (Rom 8:6-8. Later, when considering the spirit of man, we’ll get to Rom 8:9-16, even verses 29-39) heightens your senses to make you a slave thereof. Contemplate 1 Jn 2:16-17; but also 1 Cor 10:6; Gal 5:16; 1 Thess 4:5; Jm 1:15; 2 Pet 1:4. For hundreds of years the custom was that slaves have to be bought, and once paid for, the one that paid is the master.  Jesus Christ paid for you (1 Cor 6:20).  You will have to answer to Him why you did not accept that awesome price: is He your Master?…  Yeah? What does His Voice sound like (Ex 19:19; 1 Kings 19:12; Jn 10:3,16,27)?  “Lord”, is how you address a King.  A King owns His Kingdom.

The body is important, 1 Corinthians 6:19,20 confirms that.  Also the fact that the NT clearly refer to us that are meant to be LIVING stones and LIVING sacrifices in the very building that Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Pet 2:4-10; Rom 12:1; 1 Thess 5:23). Not giving the physical its rightful place of importance renders us useless in this life to God.  This [dispensation, era on earth] is our training ground, our university, remember? But we are meant to REMAIN in Christ until He returns!!!  See what 1 Cor 15:46-48 and 2 Cor 5:1,4; 6:16-18 says about our bodies.  Leviticus 17:11 says the life of the flesh is in the blood.  Blood is manufactured in the hard bones’ marrow (Heb 4:12 shows how close the spirit and soul is).  The body (brain) can normally apparently live about 5 minutes without Oxygen, without water about three days, without sleep about 14 days and without food about forty days.  These are basic physical needs – note how Jesus went to the absolute limits for us.  Everything in the natural seems to have a parallel in the spiritual realm – proof that God is gentle and caring to make spiritual truths known and understandable to us but without manipulating us (“The will of man, the will of God” refers).  Recent research revealed the body seems to have at least 100 000 times more “receptacles” to deal with the spiritual than the physical!  The nervous system connects the body to the soul and spirit.  The body is considered so important that God planned for it to REMAIN and even be resurrected from the grave and reunited with the soul and spirit – Phil 3:20,21; 1 Cor 15:51-58 for those saved who have lost their bodies (See “The Testimony” for a fuller exegesis).  And don`t worry if your body dies in a violent way (identified “worry” as from the devil?).  If you`re devoured by different animals, blown up in an explosion, spread over the ocean floor – no problem!  No task is too big for God, He will fulfil His Word!

Our bodies are designed by God to be His temple, and implicates our minds – and the body that houses it – must be our place of worship to our Creator-Father-God PERMANENTLY; not places build with human hands and with materials that God placed on earth – contemplate the meditations “Church” by this author, and see 1 Cor 1:12-20 and hear what Jesus Christ was talking about in His new dispensation (New Testament) in John 2:18-21…  God is omnipresent and can thus impossibly only “live” in a [single?] little building made by a particular group of humans that they think they are visiting once a week in a ritual and then often with great pomp, emotional hype and ceremony and liturgical tradition (hear Jesus in Mt 15:6-9; 7:20-23; Mk 7:13; 12:24).  It is hilarious how “pious” people whisper in these so-called “houses of God”… think about it, they say they are in the presence of GOD [that know EVERYTHING] and they whisper “out of respect” inside this building but outside talk ungodly trash and even still think it (Mt 5:28)?? And, if you think there is no NEW dispensation, no NEW TESTAMENT – please study the meditation “Mixing Old and New” by this author as well or ponder even just Heb 8:13.  On the emotional side of “church services” and preaching (that are seldom more than motivational speaking and attempts to get contributions as discussed in the meditation “Tithing”), consider “the soul” in the next discussion.

Bear in mind that we poison our own “temples” (bodies, 1 Cor 6:19-20, ignoring even just 2 Cor 5:17), if we feed it junk food/drinks and even negative thoughts, bitterness, unforgiveness, offense, hurt, and so on; all while pretending to “seek God” or pray for healing (Mt 5:23-24; 6:12,14-15).  It is silly and counter-productive to not be in our “right mind”, as intended by God (refer to the meditation “healing” and “The Testimony” for a sobering shock). It is insane to expect different results while thinking and doing the same [wrong] things. Remember this when pondering the next aspects of our soul and spirit, with Scriptures such as Phil 4:6-9… God knows that we produce toxic chemicals (hormones) in our bodies and damage our immune system under stress and negative tensions… God never wanted us sick/ill in the first place! (Jer 29:11)

There are people who claim that the pineal gland[1] (part of the endocrine system that produces the hormone melatonin), is like a mysterious “third eye” between human eyes in the center of the brain, and that this gland’s supernatural influence to impart mystical knowledge is kept secret in a big conspiracy theory.  Well, for those who opt to live in fear (of the unknown), does this not essentially sounds like the question in Job 28:20?  Then read Job 28:28 (Job 3:25)!  And Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10; 17:24 and Prov 30:3-5!!

Even continue with 1 Ki 3:28; 4:29-30; 2 Chron 1:11-12; Ezra 7:25; Job 33:33; 34:35; 38:36; Prov 2:6-22; 3:13-26; 8:5-14; 10:13; 14:6; 15:33; 21:30; 24:7; 29:3; 30:3-5…  also Is 11:2; 33:6; especially Is 47:10!

For those claiming the super-rich of the world has this supposed “third eye” open, consider Jer 8:9 ; 9:23-24; or Prov 28:22 that states the opposite as greed works to demise. Is 64:4 also states that wisdom is not from a gland.  Daniel 2:20-23 is expanded on in the meditation “A Christmas message” and briefly discusses the fact that [why] Daniel was appointed over the so-called “wise men”.

Furthermore, consider Mt 12:42; Mk 6:2; Lk 11:49; 21:14-17;  Jn 14:6,26; Rom 8:14; 11:33; 1 Cor 1:19-30-2:13; 3:19; Eph 3:8-12; Col 1:9; 2:3; 3:16 and of course Js 1:5-8… Other Scriptures on the body [and “flesh” as the thought-life choosing to be controlled by the wrong source] are as we have seen in at least Rom 8:1-13; Gal 2:20; Jn 4:23-24; 1 Cor 6:16; 2 Cor 5:10; and so on.

For the myth of evolution, refer to the meditation “Evolution”.  Right, so much for worldly philosophies (See the meditation so entitled?), myths and ideas on the body – shall we move on?

The soul

The Hebrew word nephesh H5315 (the “living soul” man became when God breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life, Gen 2:7) literally means “breathing creature”; the Greek word psuche literally means life that has breath.  The English word – soul – tells us about the mind, the intelligence; the aggregate of all mental components making up the individual.  The soul is a vehicle for expression of your spirit (Mk 12:30!).  It is your nature, your character and personality that will ultimately define your identity in- or out of Christ (Phil 3:9).  Ponder around Mt 16:26, also verses 24-28 and observe that the soul is occupied with the self: with feeling (emotions), thoughts (intellect), and clearly with a free choice [will].  This is what we are commanded by Jesus to surrender to Him, when we disregard our feeling, thoughts or will and do His will, i.e. line our self (soul) up with Him (Jn 4:23-24; Rom 8:14) to function unselfishly (Mt 7:12) and useful with His Spirit inside of us as our Teacher, Counselor, Comforter, Guide (Jn 14:23-26; 15:12-27); and not follow the carnal spirit of the world. Of more than 230 NT Scriptures on this subject, consider even just Jn 3:16-21; 8:12,23,26; 12:25,31; 17:13-26; 1 Cor 1:20-21; Eph 2:1-18-22; 1 Jn 4:1-9,14,17; 5:4,5,19. The spirit is what is God-conscious and is discussed under the next heading, so for now, we therefore find the soul communicates emotionally and intellectually and is encompassed in the mind and can be identified as the self-conscious part of our being.

Take also special note that we (not God) must renew our [own] way of self-righteous thinking (i.e. repent, change our thought-life) to line up with the Spirit of God; hence Scriptures such as Jn 3:3,17-21; 4:23-24; 2 Cor 10:5; Rom 12:2; even Mt 3:7-9; 7:45,15-23; 15:6-9; 23:1-15,23-33!  The meditations “The Gospel” and “Mixing Old with New” expand on this vital understanding.

Is 55:8 and 1 Cor 2:18 tells us God [as Jesus] has a soul, a rational faculty or a mind.  The point is that we have to line our thinking up with the thinking and ways of the Lord.  So we have to train our children (not merely talk to them) to get their habit patterns inside God’s will (Mt 12:30,31; 18:6,7; Rom 8:14-19; 12:1-2).  So (only) when you renew your mind when your spirit is reborn, it means He loves and wants you as you are: in the sense that you cannot qualify first by any effort of your own, but once saved because you accepted the Blood of Jesus on that cross as payment for your separation from God and to be whole in body soul and spirit, you must (will want to) change your character and personality.  That is, renew your thinking to bring it in line with His – in complete trust, realizing that God knows everything (we do not). He wants you to live and remain and be well! The devil, the world and the religious say you must be dead!  If your spirit and soul are inseparable [and supposed to remain in the temple of God as in 1 Cor 6:19,20; then surely the soul must be renewed when the spirit is reborn…  not so?…  Love for someone (not emotion, but faithful commitment, a covenant), will cause you to change – to lay your life down for that Person in the sense of dedicating it to Him irrespective of the social boycotts you might experience from the religious (Jn 15:18-27; Mt 10:39; 5:11); it does not mean to [physically] die, but rather die to the old self (Col 2 and 3:1-17).  His love is bigger than ours – He is the Source of love – so we can trust Him to do what is best for us!  He designed us with a purpose, so only He can lead us to truly fulfil that purpose – a life everlasting!  Not the world that rejected Him (Jn 12:25,26; 15:18,19,25; Js 4:4), or the religious that uses His Name in attempts and with the purpose of establishing themselves in an untouchable position before ignorant man.

Do not underestimate a crucial and most powerful aspect of your soul – emotion.  Every sin you commit or will commit, is likely to originate from an emotional response (Jm 1:14-15)! Bear in mind that the science of psychology is a study on the fallen man (Rom 5:12; 3:20,23); but we are supposed [designed] to consequently live [function and operate] as re-born creatures in Christ (Rom 3:24-28; 8:30-39; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 1:13-20; and so on, as discussed in the other meditations on www.gospel-truth.co.za).  The world will tell you that you need medication to control your emotions, God – your designer – says the opposite in scriptures such as Rom 12:1-3; Phil 4:4-9,13; 1 Jn 4:4; and so on.  Your choice.

The effect of the soul on the body can be found in Rom 8:6 and Jn 1:4 with Mt 5:14… proportional prosperity of the soul and body because of a new, re-born spiritual life!  Rebuke that poverty mentality of being defeated and unrighteous!  Mk 4:25 and Mt 13:12 does not mean that the poor guy with little money will have to relinquish his last penny – or material possession – also to the rich.  What it means is that if your “switch” (will) is not spiritually “on”, you will not be able to receive the impartation of the Holy Spirit with your spirit – Mt 13:9.  Then the “switched on” person will “hear”, “get” or receive what the religious chose to be “deaf” or insensitive for – even Rom 8:2!! The secrets and mysteries of God (heaven) is only temporary so you can receive your revelation when you knock, seek or ask – that is, when you communicate personally with God.  Believe precedes receive, so if you want your healing [life!], you must get rid of that belief that it is a Christian virtue to be poor and sick and die!  How can you bless others being this way, except if you are a “handicapped” person that reveals to the world what true unfeigned love to God is… That the true handicap is unbelief [fear], pride, hardness of heart towards God.  The devil exploits and takes advantage of weak areas in our thinking.  See Job 3:25 and Eccl 10:10!  Apply Jm 4:7!  Believe Prov 17:22; 4:20-22!  Get a life – as a giver!  God blesses us to bless others (Mt 10:8b)!  Remember Who blessed you!  And contemplate everlasting life (Jn 3:16 for the first time understood properly? Then Rom 8:2 and 1 Thess 5:23)!  See “The Testimony” for more.

The soul is a vehicle of expression that co-ordinates and manages the spirit and the body.  The soul was not designed to carry the load.  The world so emphasizes the soul (“self”) that it is detrimental to our health and welfare – we need to understand the place of the soul in God`s order of things.  The mind and emotions are not meant to dominate man [a human], God designed us to be ruled by the spirit – primarily the Holy Spirit of God, the Word of God, Jesus Christ (Jn 6:32,48-50).  This, again, is where the magnificence of God materializes: He gave you the switch, the control, the will to choose and to give more weight and Truth [trust] in the Word of God [Jesus Christ] than that of religious preachers that claim to be Christians.  God [Love] will never manipulate!  Do you want to love Him (back) or do you choose to go away from Him? The will is the powerful switch you have full control over…  so be “switched on” …  See how much God entrusts to you?!…   He knows your potential!

 Dt 30:19 (Jn 8:32,36; 10:3,9; 14:6)!!  “…  Do you want to go to that “place” or do you want to experience life with Me…  for eternity?”  In heaven you could not have gone through this process of discovery who you are and Who you choose to love, because no negative emotion exists in heaven! Neither does it in the “third heaven” – right here on earth!! (See the meditation by this author entitled “Heaven”, if you will).  It is this simple!  “If you love someone, set them free…”  This is God`s principle, not a man`s.  Come back to Me, He says, I AM waiting for you, my child. Not a religious idea and a dead religious “church” concert once a week.  We must wake up and go [back] to Christ.

What is the value of the soul?  This is like asking what the value of a personality is.  See Mk 8:35-37.  When Jesus referred to His soul in Mt 26:38 and Jn 12:27, He had anguish of soul – He faced the death penalty on behalf of the sin of mankind…  of you and me.  He Who knew no sin became sin when I went into Him [outside time, in eternity]; but praise to God that He can be in me and I in Him (Rom 8:34; Col 3:1-3; 1 Pet 3:22!). This was the time when Jesus suffered mental and emotional anguish as well as a battle with His will (Heb 4:12).  This was the only time Jesus prayed saying “… if it be Your will…” (Mt 26:29), the others were all specific prayer.  He wants us to know there is no other way – it was not a question [request] but a statement within hearing distance for anyone who has ears to hear (Lk 22:41).

In Mt 11:25 Jesus referred to an open mind (like the little children) or the closed mind (of Pharisees who were full of their own wisdom and intellectual understanding).  There is no such thing as “I can`t help it” – everything is subject to the will.  Most importantly, your response (perception, choice of reaction) to things outside your control. Your own, free will…  Do not take the bait that an “open mind” is not the one walking into Satan`s traps, thinking you are strong (informed?) and only “exploring” wrong…  Strong-willed people choose to be ruled by their own minds.  They are then either emotional or intellectual and subject all of their parts to his own will.  A weak-willed person chooses to be ruled by his (own) senses and own ideas [religious and non-religious alike!]; to be a slave of his own senses that can be easily controlled by the destroyer, Satan (Is 5:18; 54:13-17).  The spiritual man is the person that has subjected his will to the Holy Spirit [and Truth] of God.  This person tapped into the Source of all things good and is able to demonstrate Ps 1:1-5; Josh 1:8; Prov 3:11; Phil 4:8; Mt 12:33; Heb 13:7; Jm 1:14,15; 3, etc.  Hope lies in the soul (Heb 6:19).  The mind is (only) like a Flight Management Computer in a big jetliner:  the wrong software will have catastrophic results, if left unchecked.

The soul [intellect, emotion, will] of man is not the same as the earthly soul [intellect, emotion, will] of an animal.  When an animal dies, it seems that its soul dies with its body.  When a human dies his soul either waits for judgement [of Jesus] in hades, or remains joined to the spirit that joins Jesus for eternity in the realm of the third heaven, waiting for Him to rejoin our spirit and soul in a resurrected body like His (1 Thess 4:13-18; Jn 11:25; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12; Rev 20:5; and so on) Man’s soul is quickened to  eternal life by his reborn spirit (Jn 3:16;  1 Cor 5:1; Rom 10:9,10b).  Animals react on instinct [DNA programming] and experience, not reason like man.  Animals will not go beyond using their abilities to praise and worship God for giving them these abilities or opportunities or life.  Animals do not build temples/tabernacles like mankind.   Animals never did – and cannot – become man.

We see on this planet four kinds of life:

  1. Vegetative life – material organs to assimilate food
  2. Sensitive life – uses organs to perceive and contact material things
  3. Intellectual life – perceive the meaning of things by logical reasoning [that can triumph over senses, impulses and blind religion and tradition; or stubbornly cling to self-righteousness]
  4. Moral life – concerned with law, order and conduct.  On earth only visible man possesses all kinds of life.

This brings us to the third part in the trinity of [a re-born] human…

The spirit of man

The Greek pneuma; and Hebrew ruach both [also, as in “soul”] means wind, air (Jn 3:6; 2 Cor 5:16,17; Is 38:16; 57:15; 61:3; 53:2,3…). Jesus said in Lk 24:39 that a spirit is not bound to a body.

We are three in one…  anointed.  Anointed means “oiled”.  The “oil” of the Holy Spirit makes you, the machine, work the way it is supposed to.  You won`t cease, you will run “quietly” [content, not cowardly silent] and all your parts will function far better than without the anointment.

Hear Asaph (mentioned at least 46 times in The Bible) in Ps 73:22 (Ampl), “So foolish, stupid, and brutish was I, and ignorant; I was like a beast before You”, making a clear distinction between animals without a spirit (God-consciousness) and humans with a spirit (God-consciousness); even God’s Spirit inside of us (Jn 14:26 and the meditation “The Gospel”). So, this author concurs with Joshua (Josh 24:15).

You are a spirit that possesses a soul and dwells in a body…  if you are re-born [from “above”, Jn 1:12-13; 3:3; 1 Cor 15:45-49; especially 2 Cor 5:17; also, Rom 12:2-5 and Col 1:13-19].  If you’re not re-born as a Christian, then as a human you still are a spirit but with the wrong inclination – 1 Jn 4:1-4. This means if you’re a follower of Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6; 15:1-5; 1 Jn 2:4) the higher realm of the Spirit of God your Creator and Sustainer is again part of your cognitive functioning by your choice in this higher realm.  Your spirit is God-conscious (Ps 73:22; Jude 1:19) and your soul (intellect, emotion, will) is self-conscious.  To be “re-born” means that your God-conscious SPIRIT is born [again, as was meant when God created man] so that you can be able to function as a triune being and not like a beast with only a body and self-righteousness and self-centeredness (soul). Ponder Jn 4:23-24; 1 Cor 15:45 with Eph 2:22 and Jm 2:26 as well?

Afterlife and a glaring difference between animals and mankind

Refer to Job (according to many scholars to be the oldest literature in The Bible), and then compare Job 1:1-3 with Job 42:12.  Note at Job 42:10 that God gave [allowed] Job, after his confession and repentance (Job 42:1-6,8; Dt 30:1-3), twice what he had prior; but observe that only the animals seem to have been double in number, for Job again only had seven sons and three daughters. This would only make sense if the first children were still alive and could only be in soul and spirit since their bodies certainly have died (Job 1:18-19). Nowhere are animals observed to build temples and to worship the creator who designed and equipped them; thus, do we see evidence of only mankind possessing a spirit and not animals.  This is expanded on in the meditation “Evolution”.

The spirit is not confined to gender

 The spirit of man is God-centered, and God cannot be confined to any [single] rendering.  God is for instance Love but not equal (=) to [only] Love [is not confined to just Love]; He is infinite and not confined at all by His creation (such as nature, its laws, or any relation to time and relativity He created [for us]).  Likewise, is God not confined to gender as we relate to it.  Compare Mt 22:17-30 where Jesus explained there is no [more] need for sex (getting more children) in heaven.  God revealed Himself as a Father to us (see the meditation “Trinity doctrine”) but we collectively, in our relationship what He desires for us are likened to a bride, whether a man or a woman, in metaphorical language to illustrate the prophetic faithfulness and commitment expected between a bride and her groom. Wisdom from God (Jn 14:23-26) is by His Spirit (Jn 4:23-24; Rom 8:14-17) and metaphorically described as female by Solomon (2 Tim 3:15-17; 2 Pet 1:21) in for example, Prov 1:20; 7:4; 8:1; 9:1. Similarly are we by Jesus compared to sheep in the immensely powerful Jn 10:26-29 (expanded on in the meditation “The Testimony”).  Jesus is also referred to (by Himself) as the Lamb of God in Rev Jn 1:29,36; 21:15; 1 Pet 1:19; Rev 5:12; 7:14,17; 12:11; 13:8; 21:23; as a matter of fact, prophetically since the beginning in, for example, Gen 22:8; Ex 12:3; Is 53:7. Followers of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ our Lord) are metaphorically also compared to sheep in Is 53:6; Mt 9:36; 10:6; Jn 10:3-16,21. We might also consider here Ex 28:3; 31:3,6; 35:31,35; Ex 36:1,2; 1Ki 3:28; 4:29-30,34; Ps 51:6; 111:10; Prov 1:2,3,7; 2:6, 17 and then Jm 4:3-10; even Acts 10:34-35 or Phil 3:9.

The meditation “Marriage” discusses the new [recovered, re-instated] status Jesus gave woman [wives] as illustrated in Jn 8:3-11.  Consider then Eph 5:21,25,28-32 as well.

It is vitally important to grasp that, when we are re-born as Christians, we are a new creature (2 Cor 5:17) in that our old sinful nature has been changed to that of Christ [with a lasting God-consciousness, spirit]!   As a re-born Christian (1 Jn 2:4; Gal 1:6-9), you cannot approach God with guilt (1 Jn 3:20-21) when in Jesus Christ for He [God] has over-paid for all sin with His Blood at Golgotha and we are clean (Rom 6:2-3; 8:2-4, 29-39; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Eph 2:10; 4:24) but only in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12; Jn 3:16-21; 14:6; Rom 13:14; Eph 6:12)!  This means that we now – still – has to update our thought-processes to align our lives with this fact that the body [carnal mind of Rom 8:6-8,13] needs to change its desires, purpose and aim.  We’ll then notice that we’ll hate what God hates – such as falsity and all that is putrid and wrong (Rom 12:9; Prov 8:13; 11:20,21; 16:5).  This renewal of the mind is our conscious effort required to align the mind (body) with the new-born spirit (Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 5:7; Phil 4:4-9; Jn 4:24; Rom 8:14; and so on).  This is how – and only how – we truly stop a law of diminishing return, a downward spiral that gets us to selfishness, slavery, addictions and despair that leads to death.  The only way to overcome, is with the renewed mind that has aligned itself [accepted and trust in, believe] the fact that we are not sinful anymore but washed clean by the Blood of Jesus Christ – we now follow His precepts and guidance (Jn 14:23-26; Rom 8:14; Mt 28:20a) and our desires change.  We can only stop doing what is wrong if we stop wanting to do it!  Law [any rule] can at most make you not want to be caught (Rom 3:20), while a new mind will kill the desire to do wrong at all! Consider also the meditation “Mixing Old and New” by this author for a further exegesis?

False hope

The world will want you to believe you are born innocent and inherently are a good human being and that the good is inside of you naturally. This is in fact a judgement of the outward appearance [acting] of man and is a dangerous delusion. Think why a child left alone, never corrected, becomes a delinquent minor. Ponder carefully 1 Sam 16:7; Jer 17:9; Ps 5:9; Mt 5:27-28; 7:21-23; Mk 7:21-23; Rom 3:13,20,23,28; 5:12; Eph 4:20-24; Col 3:5-8 and so on. Ex 34:7,9 distinguishes between iniquity (H5771, an inherent fault or quality of perversity, unrighteousness, wickedness) and transgression (H6588, rebellion) and sin (H2403, offence). Note here that iniquity (wickedness) implies to be bent. That is, bent towards unrighteousness and sin. So, only being born without ever meeting and knowing Jesus Christ is a self-destructive disaster. Your spirit, your God-consciousness, has to be activated by your choice (belief, faith) to be re-born – Jn 3:3,5-7 (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 5:1-20; Phil 3:9; Col 1:13-20).

The bride of Christ – prophecies fulfilled

From p.16/24 in the meditation “Who is Jesus Christ”, the following paragraph:

The prophecy that Jesus would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver ( Zech 11:13) was fulfilled (Mt 26:14,15; 27:3-10) despite the fact that the Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees, the Jews, would certainly not play into the hands of Jesus whom they wanted to kill (even just Jn 5:16,18; 7:1,19,25; 8:37,40; 11:53; 15:18-25; 19:7), it is therefore amazing that he scribes that knew of this prophecy would still fulfil it, especially since it would be unusual to pay the rate for a female slave while Jesus [a man] was at stake. A man-slave was usually sold for 20 pieces – Gen 37:28, while female seemed to have fetched more (typically thirty pieces – probably because she could bear more slaves.  Ex 22:32 can mean (a) the higher price of the male and the female “maid servant” – v. 32; or (b) 20 pieces of silver for the male slave + 10 pieces for the ox). This nevertheless reveals a deeper revelation in God’s omniscience… what if Jesus were sold for a female slave’s price because He paid not for Himself (Heb 4:15-16; 9:10-18…) but for His Bride (Jn 3:3,29; Eph 5:28-32; Rev 21:2,3,9,10,27)?  Now see 1 Pet 2:4-10; Eph 1:18-23; 2:4-9,13-3:7,15-21…

This is perhaps an example of how this trinity can be seen to be visibly manifested and be (pre-)occupied: –

–  The spirit with God…  as used by humans in worshipping God, attracted to Gospel music [if truly God-centered and not mere music for a “self-hyped” emotion]; and deeds [lifestyle] that shows a result of someone following Jesus Christ (1 Jn 2:4; Col 3:1-5; Jm 2:18-26)

–  The soul with the self…  as the attraction to soul music [expressing self-pleasing and carnal desires/recognition]; and self-centered egotistical deeds

–  The body with the world… as identifying with violence-/drug promoting music [even Satan worship and utterly self-centered]; a life devoid of God, by choice.

Contemplate Phil 3:20,21; Lk 24:39; Mk 12:30; Prov 20:27; Jn 4:24 and for the effect of the spirit on the body: 1Jn 1:2.  Now see what God the Father – through Jesus – did for us:  1 Cor 15:45 tells us that God made mankind to His image. The devil then, through an illegal conversation, deceived man and got the dominion over the world [the age, or mentality, or carnal worldly way of thinking without sufficient sensitivity and trust towards Holy Spirit – Ps 24:1; 1 Cor 10:26; Rom 8:1-14].  But the devil cannot manifest in the natural – he cannot create, he can only possess what God has made – by their will.  So God was fair to even His enemy: He sent the last Adam (not an open series…), to fulfil what the first Adam failed in.  He, as Jesus Christ the last Adam, regained the dominion for all those that choose to enter His kingdom…  as our scapegoat to reinstate our righteousness before God, the Father – the Source of righteousness so that we can be reconnected to our Source: Our True intellect and True wisdom.  We reveal more and more of Jesus…  being less like us… when we allow His Spirit to live inside our bodies (1 Cor 6:19,20).  We either believe in ever-lasting Life, or mere [lesser] after-life.  Think about it.

Another obvious “shadow” of the Old Testament that was fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus, is the principle of the scapegoat: a redemptive deed of intercession by carrying sin away on your behalf.  As yet another visual aid, this happened (had to be “practiced” and “imprinted” for many generations, so they could recognize and understand what only Jesus Christ could do, because no number of animals can legally buy back the dominion of man that was given away by man (to Satan – man`s adversary).  Only a sinless man could pay such a price on behalf of all sinful mankind.  In the Old Testament, the custom was to bring two goats to the high priest on the Day of Atonement.  One was offered, the other acted as a scapegoat – the high priest would lay hands on this goat (touching its head), confess the sins of the people, then releasing it into the wilderness never to be seen again.  This only served as symbolism.  They were supposed to recognize Jesus Christ as their Redeemer (“Scapegoat”) when He was crucified outside the city to carry their sins away… as the Lam of God (Heb 10; Rev 12:11).  S.D. Gordon wrote a story entitled “What it would take to change the world” – enlightening…  Jn 1:1-14; 1 Cor 2:14; 2 Cor 4:3-7; 11:14. Read this with “The Testimony” by this author.  The matter of authority on earth is grossly misunderstood.  God gave us authority on this speck in His universe and we gave it away to a creature foolishly and totally unnecessary (Js 4:7).  The only “legal” [righteous, Mt 3:17; Jn 1:17] way for God to act [save] in righteousness, was to win it back as a Man on behalf of man[kind] with His Blood as the One and only sacrificial Lamb of God (Ps 115:16 and then Mt 28:18).  And here we are, still arguing about our little ideas on His plan…

Note that man can be [a] devil – Jn 6:70; 8:44; Mk 8:33; Lk 4:8; Acts 13:10; 26:18 (Acts 5:3; Lk 22:3; Jn 13:27); hence Scriptures such as Rom 12:1-2 and 2 Cor 10:3-5. A devil [seed, followers of Satan] lines up with the carnality of the world and is opposed to the Holy Spirit of God (Rom 8:6-8).

So, our spirit is the inward man (2 Cor 4:16; 1 Pet 3:3,4).  We are to adorn the unseen person inside of us with gentleness and trust – this is what makes the spirit beautiful…  what God honors in Is 43:7.

The Hebrew for spirit is ruach, literally meaning breath or wind.  So, when God breathed the breath of life into man, He also placed His Spirit into man.  The Greek word pneuma also means breath or wind (Jn 3:8).  The “heart” is the core of man – the spirit is the hidden man of the “heart”, even a “belly” (Jn 7:38).  These are analogous words, ie “pictures” drawing comparisons between the natural and the spiritual realms.

Suneidesis is a Greek word made up of two words meaning “to know together with” or to “perceive together with”.  It involves knowledge that comes by inner perception of the will of God.  It implies the presence of revelation – the inner witness (Rom 8:16; 1 Jn 3:21).  So, rebuke that other big lie of Satan`s world to only trust your head and do listen to your heart!  Not emotions – that is your head!  Your conscience is in the realm of your spirit – which is the God conscious part of you, and you need to listen to it!  Educate, though, your “conscience” that comes from self-indulgent impulses.  The Word of God educates the “self” we think is conscience.  Through lack of knowledge – ignorance – the “conscience” gets warped and unbalanced…  beware of circumstances and traditions…  put it to the test! (Heb 9:14).  The only thing that can bring our conscience into balance is obedience to Jesus Christ as God’s Word.

The intuition is defined as quick perception of truth without conscious attention or reasoning, knowledge from within, instinctive knowledge.  It is knowledge perceived by the inner man without any reference to the mind or intellect.  This is where God, or any other spirit, is likely to communicate with man (1 Cor 2:11; Prov 20:5; Ps 64:6).  We cannot go through life depending only on logic and reason (Prov 3:5).  If nothing good originates with man, an intuitive “good idea” must be from the Creator God.

Your intuition is the council in your heart.  See the importance of the spirit in Prov 4:23; 18:4; Heb 11:3.

The Spirit of God sustains all things physical.  (Adam died spiritually:  that`s why they did not drop dead when they partook of the forbidden fruit, self-righteousness, according to the Word of God which said, “you shall surely die”.  The devil twisted this truth of God.  What it means is that death begins in the spirit of man by being cut off from the Spirit of God – Is 59:2).

Instinct functions in the natural realm, while intuition operates in the spiritual realm.   Instinct cannot obey like intuition, therefore fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22,23) can be part of a human but not an animal.  People can worship God as a Father; animals are programmed with their natural instincts and can learn survival behaviour up to a point.    God created an answer to every problem, even in [human] souls sensitive to His voice.  When you solve that problem [in obedience to God] you receive a reward called a “blessing”.  Refer to the meditation that discusses the will of God, and the insight that the word “blessing” is better understood as [a declaration of] a result, than a verb!  God seems to [be in] control [of] His creation through laws – natural and spiritual (contemplate for example, Ex 20:12, and note the “may”.  Read the meditation “The Will” for a short exegesis on God’s sovereignty). Hence Heb 11:6 without manipulation in any way, shape or form; but what [can/may] materialize through our expressed will [choices]!!!

Sin separates man from God which ultimately results in death – Prov 4:23; Mk 7:20,21.  So watch out what you receive and retain (absorb) in your heart (Mk 4:24)!  Contemplate Eph 5:18,19; 1 Cor 14:4,14; Jude 1:20; Acts 5:32; Rom 8:4,6,14.  Read His Word until you hear His Voice, then talk with Jesus Christ Himself.  The Book is to know Who He is and who He is not and once you have dropped your unholy suspicion of God as a perfect Father [with religious dogma], you will go to God Himself first before trying for answers in the world – even erroneous commentaries by men under Law in Bibles!

And before you hastily expel the thought of being false in religion, consider the following three examples:

  1. Do you pray [at a meal] like this: “Thank You…. and make us truly thankful, in Jesus name, Amen”?  So you started by claiming you are thankful.  Then you asked God to make you thankful?  So, were you (a) lying at the start of this prayer? (b) You will remain unthankful until forcefully made thankful? (c)  Is God a manipulator that will “make” you even if you were not “thankful” (Remove your will/choice)? (d) Did God at any stage make you falsely thankful, so now you have to stipulate to Him that He better make you “truly” thankful this time?  If you are offended, be; but I merely try to point out how superficial we can be as religious play-actors in total blindness to our self-righteous and superficial parrot-like hypocrisy.
  2. Have you heard masters of ceremony say to a minister/pastor/dominee, “Excuse me dominee…” and then tell his vulgar joke? (a) Where is the omniscient God he claims to believe in? (b) Why not ask Jesus to excuse him? (c) Why didn’t he apply 2 Cor 10:5 when he was preparing his stupid speech?
  3. Have you heard/read the following questions as if “asked by God”:
  • If you never felt pain, how would you know I am a Healer?
  • If you never went through difficulties, how would you know I am a Deliverer?
  • If you never felt sadness, how would you know I am a Comforter?
  • If you never made a mistake, how would you know I am forgiving?
  • If you knew all, how would you know I will answer your questions?
  • If you never were in trouble, how would you know I will come to your rescue?
  • If you never were broken, how would you know I can make you whole?
  • If you never had a problem, how would you know I can solve them?
  • If you never had suffering, how would you know what Jesus went through?
  • If you never went through fire, how would you become pure?
  • If I gave you all things prematurely, how would you learn to appreciate them?
  • If I never corrected you, how would you know I love you?
  • If you had all power, how would you learn to depend on Me?

This syrupy nonsense is typical of dead, ineffectual and a false Christian religion of too many “Christians”!  If you, like the rest of the “Christian” world, suspect God of crimes and atrocities that any human in any western civilization would be severely punished for, you are out of your mind!

Any [human] medical doctor that would be caught making people sick just so that they would be forced to go [back] to him for their healing so that they can see what a great “healer” he is, is wicked!  Such a doctor would be evil and insecure and mentally warped; and you think God as a Perfect healer, Giver of Life everlasting, Provider, that this God is what you advocate?  Just note at this venture, that man can merely treat while God can in fact heal (at least activate your self-healing ability, designed by Him, when we use prayer effectively. The meditation “Prayer” and “Healing” attempt to expand on this rationally). Please, “Christians”, wake up!  No wonder the world looks at millions of “Christians” and shake their heads and are not at all attracted to such a god that causes death, catastrophe and mayhem!  Consider the meditation “Christian suffering” and paragraph 5.47 in the meditation “Apparent controversies in The Bible”, if you will.

Hope takes place in the realm of the soul and has to do with the seeing spiritually [trust]; God wants your soul to thrive, succeed, flourish and grow.  He wants you to not only be well, but able to bless others as well.  Just like a marriage: by just living together, you will feel insecure, unworthy and “used” because of the lack of commitment and disobedience.  Commitment frees you to be open, honest and secure inside the will of God Who wants you to raise God-bearing offspring.  God invented and intended sex to be inside a marriage for your advantage and protection, more accurately – for your children (Mal 2:15).  True joy, power and peace inside you in a prophetic image of Christ and His Bride.

Consume the Word of God like your favorite food – with great delight.  Then talk to and keep listening to Him [Jesus Christ].  Loathe and leave religion [empty rituals, tradition, ceremonies] and be real!

The physical is also there to help explain/demonstrate the spiritual.  If Satan can sabotage and destroy your intimate and personal time spent with the Lord Himself [with substitutes like religion] and His Word, he can destroy your spiritual life and ultimately your physical life – death was Satan’s victory.  The most dangerous way is through the subtlety of neglect and insensitivity towards God and His Word.  But Jesus Christ – the last Adam – changed that with His resurrection so that we can be over comers…  in Him.  We must get to the point where we want to constantly let Him bare witness with His Spirit through our spirit.  Our spirit – with His Spirit – guides, speaks, reveals, teaches and reminds – Rom 8:14; 10:17.

As for the memory God gave you, see 2 Pet 3:1,2,9; Eph 5:10,11; Phil 3:10,11; Ps 106:13; Heb 2:1; Jm 1:23-25; 2 Tim 4:2; and so on.

A fifteen-year-old Steven slipped school for three days.  When he was caught out his parents had a serious talk with him.  At first Steven had lots to say about the “innocence” of this deed and the schoolwork he would catch up on – “…  no problem!”  But Steven`s dad explained a different aspect of this choice he made, to him.  “It is about honesty and trust”, his dad said.  “How can we have a meaningful relationship if I cannot trust you?”  “Oops, didn`t see it that [your] way…”  Steven thought.  So, his dad decided to punish him so that he could realize the seriousness of dishonesty:  he ordered Steven to spend a proportionate three days in the loft (attic) of their house.  For Steven the first night was terribly long.  But it was even longer for his parents.  They stayed up all night wondering about Steven.  What if he misinterpreted his punishment/discipline?  What if they would lose him, instead of achieving their goal of not losing him (to the world that will spit him out after having misused him)?  They love Steven…  they did not want to lose him, but train him…  for his own benefit.  Eventually Steven`s dad said: “I can`t keep it any longer! He sent a message to his work and told them he would be back in office in two days but conduct business in the meanwhile by cell phone and internet!”  He took an extra pillow and blanket, went up into the attic and said to Steven: “My child, I cannot ignore your offence by cancelling your punishment, so I will serve this sentence with you…”

The difference between Steven`s dad and our heavenly Father is this: about 2 000 years ago a limitless unbound Spirit, by His own choice out of love and grace manifested Himself a man in Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer – to be our Scapegoat on a cross for believers [by their own choice]:  to legally win back the dominion for man, on behalf of man…  as a Man… because He is True and Just.  He never changes.  He will not violate any man`s will.  Jesus’ cross is outside of time – for us.  He had to do it Himself, to save us from ourselves…  Be genuine and experience Him genuinely – Jn 14:21. Know Jesus Christ! And again, consider “The Testimony” by this author before hastily claim to “fully understand” His plan!

So, stop thinking Jesus Christ, your Redeemer, out of this perfect and awesome plan and deed of salvation [of a package provided] for youHe did this not because any of us deserved it through any works, but because of His loving grace alone.  Stop thinking He is distant, apathetic or passive or tempting and manipulating – He is longsuffering and kind:  He loves you.  He has given you a chance to come to your senses and see what He has done for you.  He is waiting on you to make your decision…  to take that one simple step…  He could not have made it easier for you, He could not have done more for you.  No one can ever do more than what Jesus Christ has already done for you as a provision (Eph 1:3-12).  All you have to do is to accept His price: Jesus Christ.  He is the only way to the Father – Jn 14:6 is literally absolutely true!!!  He is Love, and Love does not manipulate – you must choose and follow…

Conclusion: Religion vs. a relationship

Religion with its external traditions (Mk 7:13; 12:24; Heb 4:2), ceremonies and liturgical rituals need no god; for it – even in its shallow prayers (refer to the meditation “Prayer”) – are in essence merely a set of monotonous monologues, rimes and croons.  Jesus said hypocrites love to pray (Mt 6:5)!  Children of God (Rom 8:14) will show powerful results, hence scriptures such as Mk 11:24 (note the next verse); 16:16-20; Jn 14:9-17; 15:5; 1 Cor 4:20; 2 Cor 12:2.  Read these scriptures and ponder them (Heb 2:1-3; 6:1-3)!

As far as a thought-life is concerned, consider the following as well: 1 Sam 16:7; Is 29:13; Jer 17:10; Prov16:2; Ez 36:26; Mt 5:8; 15:8-9; Mk 7:6; Lk 10:27; Heb 4:2; even 2 Cor 5:17; Col 1:10-20.

A real and true relationship with the One living Triune God, our Creator-Father, Son and holy Spirit will show powerful results; at the very least just like His initial followers did (2 Cor 12:2; Jn 17:15-20). This God is a Spirit and communicated with via Jesus (Jn 1:14,17; 3:16-21; 14:6; Heb 1:1-3) and today, His Spirit – Jn 4:24; 14:6,23-26; Rev 21:3,22-27.  Take special note of verse 27 with Heb 11:6 and Eph 5:5-17 (Lk 17:20-21); Eph 3:16-21; but also, Mt 5:27-28; Rom 8:14; 12:1-2; Eph 5:7; 1 Cor 5:10-11; 6:15-20; 10:31-32; 2 Cor 6:14-18; 10:3-5 and Rev 3:12-13.  Clearly a dialogue with God manifests from a pure thought-life that is God’s standard (refer to the scriptures in the previous sentence I said we could take special note of) …

Prologue

Thank you, heavenly Father, that we may have the privilege of being made to Your image.  Please help us to remember, discern and spiritually resist the enemy effectively to honour Your Mighty Name in Truth.  To recognise and avoid the lies and deceptions of our enemy that wants to steal us from You.  We ask for Your wisdom so we can renew our minds and this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and our Friend – our eternal Life.  We cannot comprehend Your love for us but choose to LIVE it until we see You again!  We want to be good and faithful stewards for You right here on earth You gave us to enjoy!  Please help us, Lord.  Thank you, Father, in Jesus` Name.

Only Holy Spirit knows you intimately – He made you unique, there is no duplicate of you, so what sense is there in distrusting Him?  The worldly cares and religion only desensitize you to Him as a Person.  Why not desensitize yourself to the world [worldly and religious, self-righteous way of thinking]?  Time [invested] is the commodity that reflects what (Who) you value most.  Read Ps 1 again, digesting it into your soul.  Try reading your Bible by reading the other meditations by this author as well and by starting to converse with Jesus Christ yourself…

Peace and joy to you in our beloved Lord Jesus Christ.

[1] According to Wikipedia, the pineal gland, also known as the conarium or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotonin derived hormone which modulates sleep patterns in both circadian and seasonal cycles.