So far, we have had two understandings concerning the Walk of a Son: that there is a greater realm than a constant cycle of sin and repentance, and that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, which Jesus specifically sent, is the only way to enter into this realm. Now, we continue our journey to overcome our flesh ways by listening and obeying the Spirit all the way to perfection. This is a difficult understanding for those of us who have never been taught it, but the scriptures are very clear to those who love him and seek more.
HOW TO OVERCOME SIN
Obedience Is The Answer
By the first Adam disobedience to God brought sin and death.
By the last Adam, Christ Jesus, obedience to the Father brought forth righteousness and life.
In accordance with the scriptures, we obey one or the other: the law of sin and death under Adam; or the law of righteousness unto life under Jesus.
Though tempted in all things, Jesus obeyed righteousness, doing only the will of His Father, completely led of the Spirit. We, as sons, are called to do the same.
WHAT IS A SON?
A son is a person who is committed to following the Spirit unto perfection, to be made in the exact image of Christ, without sin and not subject to death: ultimately doing the will of the Father 100% of the time.
As sons, heirs and joint-heirs with Christ, we are under tutors and governors, gradually learning to be obedient to the Spirit all of the time.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. Romans 8:14,16-17
Obedience has been the answer from the beginning. Adam had absolute freedom in the Garden of Eden, with only one restrictive command: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely DIE.
All Adam had to do was obey. If he had obeyed the commandment, we would be walking in the Garden with both Adam and the Lord God. Disobedience brought sin and death.
Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, by his absolute obedience to the Father, destroyed this curse of death. He is our example. Who, facing an unjust and cruel trial, mockery and scourging, and the torturous pain of crucifixion, said, “Nevertheless not my will but thine be done”.
As sons, we must lay down our wills and our lives as Jesus did. This is more than just a resolute commitment to not break the commandments. It is a complete dedication to the will of the Father, having no will of our own, always subject to the Spirit of God.
“Not my will but thine be done, O Lord.”
We are not our own.
THE WILL OF GOD
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind:
for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh
to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:24-25
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:8-9
As experience shows, our wills have oftentimes been controlled by our flesh, the cares of this world, self-centered habits and desires, and the warring of good versus evil. The cause? The root of sin stemming from Adam. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men (the root of sin!), for that all have sinned. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. Romans 5:12, 18
LET HIS MIND BE IN YOU
Knowing that the will of the Father is the most important thing, there are legitimate questions to ask. “How do we follow or obey the Spirit?” And, “How do we recognize His voice?” As always, we can find the answer in the Bible. The rich young ruler asked, “What must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus told him to keep Moses’ commandments; do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal or lie, honor thy father and mother and love thy neighbor as thyself. These are the most basic of commandments and yet some of us struggle with even these. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of God that pricks our heart as if to say, “Don’t do that.” We must understand that the Spirit of God will NEVER lead us into sin.
Now, let’s take this a step further as the young man goes on to say, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” This is an incredible illustration of the Spirit of God, or Jesus in this case, speaking to the very heart of a man. That young man went away sorrowful. WHY? Because he had great possessions. As the scriptures say, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Do we really want the will of God in our lives or do we want more money, recognition of man, power to stroke our egos – essentially, all the things of this world? This flesh mind that we have all listened to is called the carnal mind. Paul says it is not subject to the law of God and never will be. Jesus Christ died and went away that he might send the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the very power to overcome this carnal mind.
Seeking God and hearing his voice begins with reading his word.
Read and listen for his voice. Again, He, the Holy Spirit, will guide us into ALL Truth; giving us wisdom, knowledge, understanding, discernment and power. When we are focused on the things of the Spirit, the things of the flesh will just fall away. Let this mind, the Spirit mind, be in you, just as it was in Jesus.
ROMANS 8
Walk after the Spirit
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death;
BUT to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin;
but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
THE 8 KEYS TO OVERCOMING
These 8 Keys will strengthen & edify you. Just as Solomon wrote of the wisdom of God that would guide his son to make good and righteous choices and flee from evil, so too these 8 Keys build up our inner man to hear what the Spirit is saying. He guides us in life choices as big as choosing the perfect helpmeet, our career paths, financial investments, and even down to those simple day-to-day decisions. These 8 Keys unlock the peace that the Lord has promised. The peace to know that we are in the perfect will of the Father.
READING & EXPERIENCING THE WORD
THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY GHOST
PRAYER
FASTING
PRAYING IN TONGUES
FELLOWSHIP
MINISTRY
BELIEVING PERFECTION & LIVING WITHOUT SIN
The hardest thing for man to do is submit the flesh to the will of God. Let the Spirit do the work in us and we will overcome the desires of the flesh.
O that we would give our lives to Christ and the work of the Spirit!
Hear what the Spirit saith: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Revelation 3:5-6
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1
UNDERSTANDING PERFECTION
In HIS Image
Is Perfection in Christ attainable?
“YOU CAN’T BE PERFECT!” “Only Jesus can be perfect.” “If you find the perfect church, you better RUN away!” “No such church – once you accept a sinner into a perfect church it is no longer perfect.” These are four of the many brash declarations of those who are against the word “Perfect”. But is it scriptural? And what does it mean to be perfect? Does it mean that you can’t make a wrong turn while going to the grocery store? Does it mean that you will never make a mistake while speaking to a colleague? No, of course not. According to the scriptures, Christ is coming for a people – a bride – that is pure, holy, sinless. This requirement to be perfect comes from God’s absolute love and desire to share all of himself. To be perfect is not a cold, rigid demand of a heartless task master, but a loving Father’s requirement spoken of throughout all biblical history. To those who are faithful, obedient and love God with their whole heart and soul, he is a loving Friend, as in Moses’ day, and a loving Father because of Jesus.
BECAUSE OF GOD’S LOVE for man, he desires to share all of himself, his perfection. This is evidenced with Noah, Job, Abram and others, especially Enoch and Elijah who walked perfectly before God and never saw death. Clearly there is a true perfecting of man that has been the will of the Father since the beginning.
Jesus was born a flesh man to prove that all men: male, female, bond, free, Jew and Gentile alike, can achieve his perfection. This is how great God, our Father, is – that he sent his only begotten Son and the Holy Ghost to show us his ways, which are perfect.
I, Jesus
say,
If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Matthew 19:21
I, Jesus
say,
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Luke 6:40
I, Jesus
say,
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made Perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them,
as thou hast loved me.
John 17:23
I, Paul say
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be Perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:15-17
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be Perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. II Corinthians 13:11
I, James say
But let patience have her Perfect work, that ye may be Perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4
I, Peter say
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you Perfect. I Peter 5:10
I, John say
Herein is our love made Perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
I John 4:17
Finally, the writer of Hebrews
concludes
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you Perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21
How Great is our God!
The word perfect is in the Old Testament 57 times and 42 times in the New Testament. This does not include its other forms such as perfection, perfected, and the like. If you diligently study the scriptures you will find that there are many synonyms to the word perfect such as: pure, without blemish, without spot, complete, entire, consecrated, finished, whole, undefiled.
All who are called as sons have this command: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. When Jesus said this, he was speaking of the kingdom realm: being one with his Father. To reiterate that this is a journey, we are not saying that tomorrow you are going to be a perfected son; it’s little by little, as we learn, as we are tempted and as we put sin down; as we pray and seek God – and as our hearts are honest towards God. We will ultimately come to a place where we will not even have an evil thought. Now we know we cannot attain to this place of complete freedom after the flesh, but this is the promise of diligently seeking and following the Spirit.
Moses’ law was not what Jesus was following.
He followed the Spirit of God the Father because he was the Son,
the firstfruits, Amen.
We, as sons, follow Jesus’ commandments, overcome sin by obedience,
walk in holiness & perfection – without blemish.
NO OTHER GOAL IN LIFE
BUT TO BECOME A PERFECT SON
HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH
What a beautiful and heavenly reality that so many continually put off, claiming that it is only achievable after you die. We can be holy now. Just as Jesus attained holiness in his flesh and blood body, so can we. As sons of the Most High God, we follow Christ now, here on this earth. We are being made kings and priests, a royal priesthood and a holy nation, set apart for the great works of the Spirit: to rule and reign on this earth, bringing the kingdom of God to pass.
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves,
and ye shall be holy; for I am holy.
Leviticus 11:44
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1 Peter 1:15-16
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:27
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father, wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.
Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.
Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Perfection is walking in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ,
the only perfect one, his Son.
ON SIN
The commandments in the Old Testament were given that you sin not, so you can live. In the New Testament, Jesus says, "Go and sin no more," therefore, bringing more abundant life.
SIN NO MOREJESUS' WORDS ON SIN
THE WILL OF THE FATHER
The true son always seeks to do his Father's will. In the Garden of God there are no weeds, no thistles, no will of man or flesh - only the will of God blooming with life.
VIEW THE GARDEN
IN SEARCH OF OVERCOMERS
God still desires that perfect oneness with man, as a bridegroom to his bride. But the Bride must be pure and spotless; without sin. Jesus overcame all sin and became perfect.
CONTINUE GOD'S ONLY PLAN
TRUTH BE TOLD
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Keep his commandments & be perfect. Truth be told, overcome, rejoice & be perfect.
Perfect & Holy is He.
