GOD’S LOVE RESTORES WHAT WAS LOST
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 18:11 – For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
The question is: what was lost? The answer is: LIFE – the divine and eternal life that is the image and likeness of God that He breathed into Adam when He formed him from the dust of the earth. That life that God gave to mankind is what was lost. God wanted that life restored back into those that were to be His children on earth; thus the plan of redemption had to be implemented that He established before the foundation of the world. Note: the word “world” in Greek is cosmos = social order or human society. Perhaps this needs some historical explanation.
God put man in charge of planet Earth, replacing the former being that was in charge: the one who rebelled against God and taking all that was under his domain with him in rebellion. Thus God had to remove him, (Lucifer, aka Satan), and all life forms that were under his influence. Following are some Biblical facts regarding Lucifer/Satan and his ancient rebellion:
Ezekiel 28:14-17 – Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have made thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned; therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Isaiah 14:12-17 – How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee saying, is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms that made the world as a wilderness,
This means that there were life forms on planet earth eons ago as evidenced by prehistoric fossil remains; some of which were humanoid in appearance, but were not man that was made in the image and likeness of God. These beings are now referred to as the pre-Adamic, or the pre Adamite society.
Isaiah 45:18 – For thus saith the LORD that created the heaven; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Jeremiah 4:23-26 – I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and his fierce anger. (God’s wrath aimed at Lucifer/Satan.)
The age gap explained:
Genesis 1:2 – And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
God judged the earth and all that was in it under Lucifer’s rule; thus the earth became without form and void at His fierce anger. (Please note that the word “was” in verse 2 above is a miss translation of the Hebrew word hayah, which is usually translated “became” elsewhere in scripture. Thus the earth became without form and void as a result of God’s judgment on Lucifer’s domain.)
We need to understand that the earth is ancient, maybe even millions of years old, and it was inhabited, but not by mankind as it is today. There was a civilization that lived under Lucifer’s authority as the “covering Cherub”. (Note: cherubs were assigned by God to protect and have authority (or to cover) over what belongs to God: much like on the Ark of the Covenant.) Thus the earth is much more than 6000 years old; however, mankind as made in the image and likeness of God, is only 6000 years old.
God placed a new leader on planet earth, one that He made in His own image and likeness; possessing God’s own character and nature, and made him to have dominion over all the earth, replacing Lucifer’s control.
Genesis 1:26-27 – And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Notice that God made them male and female, not convertible or interchangeable. Next, notice what God intended them to do:
Genesis 1:28 – And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Why the command “to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”: which means the earth had been previously
populated with some form living beings. However, God now puts man in charge, to take over, and to repopulate the earth!
Psalms 115:16 – The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S; but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Now that man is in charge, and having taken over Lucifer’s former position of dominion over the earth, what do you think Lucifer thought of that? Obviously, with his corrupted and evil character and nature, he devised a way to get back control and wrest dominion away from Adam. Thus he does a sneak attack on his wife to lure her into corruption with temptation. Satan’s efforts succeed:
1Timothy 2:13-14 – For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
(To understand what really happened in the garden please see my website: victoriouslivingbiblestudy,com and look up Appendix B: LOVE STORY, for details on why the first Adam was a type of Jesus Christ: only two men ever came directly from God and both had the same character and nature as God.)
Notice who was in transgression: it was Mrs. Adam, not Mr. Adam. It was Eve that committed an act of lust being tempted. Adam actually committed an act of love for his wife knowing that God had a plan of redemption that was established before the foundation of the world – (1 Peter 1:20). (Do husbands today consider doing such loving self-sacrifice for their wives?)
According to God’s Grace and Mercy, it was a woman who was the first to see spiritual death , (separation from God) in the Garden. Thus it was a woman (Mary) who was the first to see spiritual life at the tomb, (the resurrected Christ): and Jesus disciples couldn’t even believe her when she told them - (John 20).
Adam was a type of Christ: however we only consider what Adam was like after the fall and not before; thus we blame Adam but fail to recognize that God called her Adam also. (It was Adam that named her Eve, not God).
Genesis 5:2 – male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
The consequence of violating God’s command regarding eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, was death. This was spiritual death which means they were now separated from God; and this would lead eventually physical death many years later.
Genesis 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Thus they lost the image or character and nature of God which was their spiritual clothing, which now being lost made them naked. This is the life of God that He initially breathed into them and was now gone. As result, Lucifer/Satan has regained control over the earth, and as such has been known as the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air, the enemy that opposes all that God purposed and provided for mankind.
2 Corinthians 4:4 – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians 2:2 – wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Thus, due to the sin and evil carnal nature that man acquired as a result of submitting to Satan’s ploy, mankind was now in desperate need of redemption form this fallen state and needed to be restored to God as His children. So God’s plan of redemption and to restore what was lost is put into play.
Now back to God’s plan for man to be in charge; as stated in Psalm 115 above. Since God said man was to have the dominion, and that dominion was taken over by Satan, contrary to God’s plan. God needed a man to initiate the restoration process. Thus God sent His own Son to be that man to bring redemption.
John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Those who believe and accept God’s provision through Jesus Christ are now God’s redeemed children. What was lost can now be restored and saved – for eternity.
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
What was lost? It was the divine righteous character and nature of God: it is now restored to those who believe and follow Christ. That divine righteous character and nature can be referred to as the GLORY of God.
Romans 3:22-23 – even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Most of us know about the sin part of this verse but few understand what “come short of the glory of God” means. The word glory comes from the Greek word doxa which means DIGNITY. Dignity refers to one’s character and nature. It was God’s divine character and nature that was lost in the garden and now restored through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior and redeemer, we actually receive His Spirit, (which is Holy).
John 20:21-22 – Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Galatians 4:6 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
This is Christ’s Holy Spirit that He yielded up to God, His Father, when He died on the cross. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord: we don’t receive His body or His soul, but His Spirit, which is also called the Spirit of Adoption.
Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(Note: many believers claim that they received the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, when they were born again. If that was so, then why did Jesus instruct His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit; a second experience to be endued with power to be witnesses into all the world by the Holy Spirit? - (Acts 1 &2).
Consider that when Jesus breathed on His disciples, He was duplicating what His Father did when He formed Adam –
(Genesis 2:7 above). This is when they were born again of the Spirit. God breathed into Adam the breath of divine life. Jesus did the same thing for His disciples, restoring that which was lost. Jesus put His divine Spirit of Life in them: thus redeeming what was lost in the garden.
Thus they, and we believers, received God’s divine nature restoring what was lost due to sin. This divine nature is now in our spirit, but not in our mind (soul) or our flesh which we need to exercise control over in order to walk in the Spirit.
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Being born-again, your spirit has already been renewed unto God, now it is our responsibility to renew our way of thinking and behaving by being obedient to the leading of the Spirit of Christ within us.
Romans 8:1, 4-5 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. …..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.
We need to understand more specifically just what it is that was lost, now restored through our faith and the Spirit of Christ that is within us. This is His glory, His dignity, His character and nature, which is referred to as the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
The apostle Peter also speaks of this divine character and nature, but gives a similar list in reverse order.
2 Peter 1:4-7 – whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
This is the restored fruit that was lost, It is God’s divine character and nature that our Heavenly Father is looking for to be produced and seen in His children.
John 15:1-8 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
This fruit can only be formed in us by the life of Christ, by His Spirit, living in and through us.
2 Peter 1:8 – For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This divine fruit is the evidence that we are now sons of God through Jesus Christ. Consider the importance of recognizing this divine fruit; especially in those who claim to be preachers, teachers and prophets; the Lord’s ministers:
Matthew 7:15-16 & 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? …… Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Remember, you shall recognize them by their FRUIT and obedience, not by their supernatural gifts or accomplishments.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Believers need to be fruit inspectors: God is! Thus you will recognize what was lost that God’s love restored to those who accept His gift of spiritual and eternal life.
By W. G. Guy
Matthew 18:11 – For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
The question is: what was lost? The answer is: LIFE – the divine and eternal life that is the image and likeness of God that He breathed into Adam when He formed him from the dust of the earth. That life that God gave to mankind is what was lost. God wanted that life restored back into those that were to be His children on earth; thus the plan of redemption had to be implemented that He established before the foundation of the world. Note: the word “world” in Greek is cosmos = social order or human society. Perhaps this needs some historical explanation.
God put man in charge of planet Earth, replacing the former being that was in charge: the one who rebelled against God and taking all that was under his domain with him in rebellion. Thus God had to remove him, (Lucifer, aka Satan), and all life forms that were under his influence. Following are some Biblical facts regarding Lucifer/Satan and his ancient rebellion:
Ezekiel 28:14-17 – Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have made thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned; therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
Isaiah 14:12-17 – How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee saying, is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms that made the world as a wilderness,
This means that there were life forms on planet earth eons ago as evidenced by prehistoric fossil remains; some of which were humanoid in appearance, but were not man that was made in the image and likeness of God. These beings are now referred to as the pre-Adamic, or the pre Adamite society.
Isaiah 45:18 – For thus saith the LORD that created the heaven; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Jeremiah 4:23-26 – I beheld the earth, and lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and his fierce anger. (God’s wrath aimed at Lucifer/Satan.)
The age gap explained:
Genesis 1:2 – And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
God judged the earth and all that was in it under Lucifer’s rule; thus the earth became without form and void at His fierce anger. (Please note that the word “was” in verse 2 above is a miss translation of the Hebrew word hayah, which is usually translated “became” elsewhere in scripture. Thus the earth became without form and void as a result of God’s judgment on Lucifer’s domain.)
We need to understand that the earth is ancient, maybe even millions of years old, and it was inhabited, but not by mankind as it is today. There was a civilization that lived under Lucifer’s authority as the “covering Cherub”. (Note: cherubs were assigned by God to protect and have authority (or to cover) over what belongs to God: much like on the Ark of the Covenant.) Thus the earth is much more than 6000 years old; however, mankind as made in the image and likeness of God, is only 6000 years old.
God placed a new leader on planet earth, one that He made in His own image and likeness; possessing God’s own character and nature, and made him to have dominion over all the earth, replacing Lucifer’s control.
Genesis 1:26-27 – And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Notice that God made them male and female, not convertible or interchangeable. Next, notice what God intended them to do:
Genesis 1:28 – And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Why the command “to be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth”: which means the earth had been previously
populated with some form living beings. However, God now puts man in charge, to take over, and to repopulate the earth!
Psalms 115:16 – The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’S; but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Now that man is in charge, and having taken over Lucifer’s former position of dominion over the earth, what do you think Lucifer thought of that? Obviously, with his corrupted and evil character and nature, he devised a way to get back control and wrest dominion away from Adam. Thus he does a sneak attack on his wife to lure her into corruption with temptation. Satan’s efforts succeed:
1Timothy 2:13-14 – For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
(To understand what really happened in the garden please see my website: victoriouslivingbiblestudy,com and look up Appendix B: LOVE STORY, for details on why the first Adam was a type of Jesus Christ: only two men ever came directly from God and both had the same character and nature as God.)
Notice who was in transgression: it was Mrs. Adam, not Mr. Adam. It was Eve that committed an act of lust being tempted. Adam actually committed an act of love for his wife knowing that God had a plan of redemption that was established before the foundation of the world – (1 Peter 1:20). (Do husbands today consider doing such loving self-sacrifice for their wives?)
According to God’s Grace and Mercy, it was a woman who was the first to see spiritual death , (separation from God) in the Garden. Thus it was a woman (Mary) who was the first to see spiritual life at the tomb, (the resurrected Christ): and Jesus disciples couldn’t even believe her when she told them - (John 20).
Adam was a type of Christ: however we only consider what Adam was like after the fall and not before; thus we blame Adam but fail to recognize that God called her Adam also. (It was Adam that named her Eve, not God).
Genesis 5:2 – male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
The consequence of violating God’s command regarding eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, was death. This was spiritual death which means they were now separated from God; and this would lead eventually physical death many years later.
Genesis 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Thus they lost the image or character and nature of God which was their spiritual clothing, which now being lost made them naked. This is the life of God that He initially breathed into them and was now gone. As result, Lucifer/Satan has regained control over the earth, and as such has been known as the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air, the enemy that opposes all that God purposed and provided for mankind.
2 Corinthians 4:4 – But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Ephesians 2:2 – wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Thus, due to the sin and evil carnal nature that man acquired as a result of submitting to Satan’s ploy, mankind was now in desperate need of redemption form this fallen state and needed to be restored to God as His children. So God’s plan of redemption and to restore what was lost is put into play.
Now back to God’s plan for man to be in charge; as stated in Psalm 115 above. Since God said man was to have the dominion, and that dominion was taken over by Satan, contrary to God’s plan. God needed a man to initiate the restoration process. Thus God sent His own Son to be that man to bring redemption.
John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Those who believe and accept God’s provision through Jesus Christ are now God’s redeemed children. What was lost can now be restored and saved – for eternity.
John 1:12 – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
What was lost? It was the divine righteous character and nature of God: it is now restored to those who believe and follow Christ. That divine righteous character and nature can be referred to as the GLORY of God.
Romans 3:22-23 – even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Most of us know about the sin part of this verse but few understand what “come short of the glory of God” means. The word glory comes from the Greek word doxa which means DIGNITY. Dignity refers to one’s character and nature. It was God’s divine character and nature that was lost in the garden and now restored through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior and redeemer, we actually receive His Spirit, (which is Holy).
John 20:21-22 – Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Galatians 4:6 – And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
This is Christ’s Holy Spirit that He yielded up to God, His Father, when He died on the cross. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord: we don’t receive His body or His soul, but His Spirit, which is also called the Spirit of Adoption.
Romans 8:15 – For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
(Note: many believers claim that they received the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, when they were born again. If that was so, then why did Jesus instruct His disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit; a second experience to be endued with power to be witnesses into all the world by the Holy Spirit? - (Acts 1 &2).
Consider that when Jesus breathed on His disciples, He was duplicating what His Father did when He formed Adam –
(Genesis 2:7 above). This is when they were born again of the Spirit. God breathed into Adam the breath of divine life. Jesus did the same thing for His disciples, restoring that which was lost. Jesus put His divine Spirit of Life in them: thus redeeming what was lost in the garden.
Thus they, and we believers, received God’s divine nature restoring what was lost due to sin. This divine nature is now in our spirit, but not in our mind (soul) or our flesh which we need to exercise control over in order to walk in the Spirit.
Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Being born-again, your spirit has already been renewed unto God, now it is our responsibility to renew our way of thinking and behaving by being obedient to the leading of the Spirit of Christ within us.
Romans 8:1, 4-5 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. …..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.
We need to understand more specifically just what it is that was lost, now restored through our faith and the Spirit of Christ that is within us. This is His glory, His dignity, His character and nature, which is referred to as the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-24 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
The apostle Peter also speaks of this divine character and nature, but gives a similar list in reverse order.
2 Peter 1:4-7 – whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
This is the restored fruit that was lost, It is God’s divine character and nature that our Heavenly Father is looking for to be produced and seen in His children.
John 15:1-8 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
This fruit can only be formed in us by the life of Christ, by His Spirit, living in and through us.
2 Peter 1:8 – For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This divine fruit is the evidence that we are now sons of God through Jesus Christ. Consider the importance of recognizing this divine fruit; especially in those who claim to be preachers, teachers and prophets; the Lord’s ministers:
Matthew 7:15-16 & 20 – Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? …… Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Remember, you shall recognize them by their FRUIT and obedience, not by their supernatural gifts or accomplishments.
Matthew 7:21-23 – Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Believers need to be fruit inspectors: God is! Thus you will recognize what was lost that God’s love restored to those who accept His gift of spiritual and eternal life.
