[Study Aired July 14, 2022]

In this last chapter we’ll look at the order of events with these various kings, and their sons in question, in hope of discovering what the spiritual message is for God’s elect today who know that all these kings, good or bad or somewhat good or bad, represent the spiritual wrestling matches we have in our heavens Christ has caused so that we are brought to our wits’ end (Psa 107:6) bringing us to cry out in this weak flesh that constantly needs deliverance from “the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” against which we wrestle (Eph 6:12).

Psa 107:6  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If we are blessed to read, hear and keep the sayings of the prophecies in God’s word in this life (Rev 1:3), our depth of appreciation will grow for all these characters we will read about in scripture as well as every person we have ever known directly or indirectly in this world.

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

With God’s spirit within us and a determination that comes from Him to endure until the end of this life, being faithful to what we have been shown, we are given, through our Lord, an ability to continue to make sense of those things that we now read with eyes that see and ears that hear (Mat 13:16), along with a hunger and thirst to keep these sayings (Mat 5:6). This is why it is possible that we can take heed to the word of God in which we labor and cherish, knowing these are the words of eternal life God has given His elect to hold onto like a crown (Joh 6:68, Rev 3:11, Joh 8:31-32).

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 

Mat 5:6  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled [keep].

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Rev 3:11  Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

In this last chapter of the first book of Kings, the scriptures tell us how Ahab went out to battle with Jehoshaphat against the king of Syria (1Ki 22:30-34), resulting in his death and Elijah’s prophecy being fulfilled that the dogs would lick up his blood (1Ki 22:35-38). Ahab would then sleep with his fathers, and his son Ahaziah would reign in his stead (1Ki 22:40).

Then we’re given a review of the timeline that Jehoshaphat the son of Asa ruled over Judah in relation to the then yet alive king of Israel, Ahab. It was in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel that Jehoshaphat began to reign over Judah, and he was thirty five at this point when he began to rule (1Ki 22:41-44).

For the most part, Jehoshaphat was spoken of as being a good king of Judah who did not turn aside from doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord as did his father, Asa. Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel, Ahab, and as we read in the previous verses they fought together against the king of Syria (1Ki 22:39-44).

We then see the son of Ahab, whose name was Ahaziah, trying to make alliance with the king of Judah, but Jehoshaphat refused to let that happen. Then we’re told of Jehoshaphat’s death and learn of his son, Jehoram, who would reign in his stead (1Ki 22:45-50).

The chapter ends by letting us know the year that Ahaziah began to rule over Israel in Samaria, which was the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah. Ahaziah only reigned two years over Israel, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord as did his father and mother, for he served Baal, and “worshiped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done” (1Ki 22:51-53).

Last week’s study was about taking heed, and this last chapter of 1st Kings is about recognizing how we can and should take heed against the powers and principalities that we are wrestling against. The history of these kings is laid out for our sakes to give us a clear symbolic picture of how prophecy is fulfilled in war. These wars typify for God’s elect the powers and principalities we war against daily and can only be overcome through Jesus Christ through whom we are more than conquerors (Eph 6:10-13, Rev 3:12, Rom 8:37).

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name [Eze 36:26].

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

1Ki 22:30  And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle. 
1Ki 22:31  But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. 

These opening verses of our study discuss one of the key ways Satan tries to deceive and conquer God’s people, by having us don the king’s robes so that there is an outward appearance of righteousness when in fact our actions are anything but: “I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.” This is akin to saying ‘Lord, Lord’ but not doing the things that He commands us (Luk 6:46).

This temporary illusion is soon seen through, and nothing is going to stop the king of Syria’s marching orders to “Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel” who was trying to blend in as a common soldier without his kingly robes on. These three verses, (1Ki 20:42, 1Ki 21:19, 1Ki 22:17), address prophetic events written to our old man, typified by Ahab whose days are numbered, and no amount of scheming is going to stop God from accomplishing the goal of having no flesh inherit the kingdom of God, no carnality, no old man of sin (1Co 15:50):

1Ki 20:42  And he [“a certain man of the sons of the of prophets” of verse 35] said unto him [Ahab], Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people. 

1Ki 21:19  And thou [Elijah] shalt speak unto him [Ahab], saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession [of Naboth’s vineyard]? And thou [Elijah] shalt speak unto him [Ahab], saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. 

1Ki 22:17  And he [Micaiah] said [to Ahab], I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

Let’s not forget that this war’s outcome, spoken of by all three prophets here, was, as are all battles, a foregone conclusion, all according to the will of God (2Pe 1:21, 1Jn 2:17).

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 
2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 
2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Syria represents our own sins chastening us (Jer 2:19) by the grace through faith process which God has ordained and is symbolized by the “thirty [a multiple of 3] and two [2] captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel” that the king of Syria commanded be sent. (30 is a multiple of 3 which denotes the completion of the process of judgment, the (link here to that study) completion of the process of judgment, along with the number 2 that symbolizes a (link here) witness of that judgment: 3+2 = 5 which symbolizes grace through faith (link).) As we will see in the next verses, (1Ki 22:32-33), Ahab’s cover is blown which represents our sins that will be found out (Num 32:23).

Jer 2:19  Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts. 

Num 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

1Ki 22:32  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out. 
1Ki 22:33  And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived^H7200  that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him. 

Our old man of sin, represented by Ahab here, is discovered once we are able to see^H7200 a situation for what it is through grace and faith, represented by the 32 captains.

H7200 perceived râ’âh  raw-aw’  A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitively, intransitively and causatively): – advise self, appear, approve, behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see (-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, X surely, X think, view, visions.

It also only became clear that this was not the king of Israel because the king of Judah “cried out” to God, which is revealed in the other recounting of this story in 2 Chronicles 18:32. We cry out to God to spare our spiritual lives, and we are heard in that we fear, and so Jehoshaphat represents that Godly fear we desire (Heb 5:7) “doing right in the eyes of the LORD”  (1Ki 22:43).

2Ch 18:31  And when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, It  the king of Israel. Therefore, they compassed about him to fight; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God separated them from him.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears [“but Jehoshaphat cried out“] unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

1Ki 22:34  And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

Every single event of our life is written in His book. All our days are numbered (Psa 139:16), all our successes and failures, all our joy and hurt, all the increase of Christ in our life that comes from God (1Co 3:6), and all the humbling of our old man and the ultimate destruction of him is of the Lord as we decrease and He increases within us (Joh 3:30). This is the lesson behind this particular arrow that was shot at a venture^H8537 which perfectly went where the Lord wanted it to go to wound Ahab “between the scales where his armor breastplates joined” or “between the joints of the armor“.

The positive example of ‘breastplate’ as we will see is found in the breakdown of the word “venture” [H8537 venture, H8552 tâmam, H8550 tûmmı̂ym] telling us that all fiery darts are quenched by the faith of Christ and the righteousness of Christ found within his bride (Eph 6:14, Rev 19:8).

H8537 venture tôm tome   From H8552; completeness; figuratively prosperity; usually (morally) innocence: – full, integrity, perfect (-ion), simplicity, upright (-ly, -ness), at a venture. See H8550.

H8552 tâmam taw-mam’ A primitive root; to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literally or figuratively, transitively or intransitively: – accomplish, cease, be clean [pass-] ed, consume, have done, (come to an, make an) end, fail, come to the full, be all gone, X be all here, be (make) perfect, be spent, sum, be (shew self) upright, be wasted, whole.

H8550  tûmmı̂ym  toom-meem’  Plural of H8537; perfections, that is, (technically) one of the epithets of the objects in the high priest’s breastplate as an emblem of complete Truth: Thummim.

The vanity of man’s flesh tries to hide from the Lord via our own strength like Adam and Eve in the garden among the trees (Gen 3:8), but no amount of subterfuge with these two kings within us is going to thwart God’s plan from destroying Ahab, by sending His word, which is represented by this arrow that was shot at a venture^H8537.

The gates of hell are really the deceitful and desperately wicked heart that wants to save itself, but God will overcome those gates within us as He told Peter (Mat 16:18). All that was left to do now that the king was severely wounded was to flee from the battle scene, “Wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.” Like Adam and Eve in the garden though, there was no place to hide from the Lord and the forthcoming punishment which was soon to unfold perfectly (Jer 23:18-20, 1Th 5:2-3, Gen 4:13-14, Job 18:17-18, Jer 10:10).

Jer 23:18  For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?
Jer 23:19  Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
Jer 23:20  The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

1Th 5:2  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 
1Th 5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Gen 4:13  And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 
Gen 4:14  Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 

Job 18:17  His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. 
Job 18:18  He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. 

Jer 10:10  But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

1Ki 22:35  And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
1Ki 22:36  And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country. 
1Ki 22:37  So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
1Ki 22:38  And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

This situation demonstrates for us that we can’t make war against the beast, symbolized by being “stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians” (Rev 13:4). It is only through Christ that we can become more than conquerors over all our enemies (Rom 8:37). Ahab was taken “out of the host” as he represents our old man that cannot continue to battle to enter into the kingdom by his own strength (Heb 6:3-6, Eze 31:14).

Heb 6:3  And this will we do, if God permit.
Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 
Heb 6:6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 

Eze 31:14  To the end that none of all the trees by the waters exalt themselves for their height, neither shoot up their top among the thick boughs, neither their trees stand up in their height, all that drink water: for they are all delivered unto death, to the nether parts of the earth, in the midst of the children of men, with them that go down to the pit [Gen 3:8].

God is a just Father, and this is the verdict for all flesh that we are privileged to perceive being played out in the life of Ahab (1Co 15:50) our flesh, cornered by his enemy where our own iniquities are chastening us to the point of death. The adamic blood running into the midst of his chariot symbolizes how there is no strength in the first man Adam who is destroyed, bringing about the proclamation that goes throughout the host about the going down of the sun (Mal 4:2), saying, “Every man to his city, and every man to his own country“, and that would include Ahab who “was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria“, his own city, his own country, (Heb 11:10, Heb 11:14) where his own strength failed after residing and ruling for 22 years (1Ki 16:29).

Heb 11:10  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

The events that unfolded were for our sakes to remind and admonish us that our own strength, our armor, or our chariot, all of our flesh and heart that is so wicked, at the end of the day is all covered with our own blood that is washed by our own means and licked up by dogs who have no regard for our life. This is all telling us (1Co 10:11) that we must die, and are as water spilled on the ground, “which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him” (2Sa 14:14), each expelled man in his order.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 

1Ki 22:39  Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 
1Ki 22:40  So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead. 

As usual, we have these closing words about the king found in “the chronicles of the kings of Israel” where, in this case we learn that Ahab was an industrious king who had an “ivory^H8127 house which he made, and all the cities that he built“, symbols which remind us that Ahab was an industrious beast (Ecc 3:18). Ahaziah, Ahab’s son would now reign in his stead and set out to be like his father and “did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin“.

H8127 ivory shên 
BDB Definition:
1) tooth, ivory
1a) tooth
1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast
1b) tooth, tine (of fork)
1c) ivory
1c1) as material
1c2) of commerce
1d) sharp pointed rock

1Ki 22:41  And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 
1Ki 22:42  Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 
1Ki 22:43  And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. 
1Ki 22:44  And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. 

Jehoshaphat began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel and was thirty-five years old when this happened. He reigned for twenty-five years in Jerusalem, and “his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi“. God’s timing is always perfect, so the symbolism of Judah having a new king who came in at the fourth year of Ahab’s reign tells us that this new king, Jehoshaphat, was going to be wholly instrumental in the outcome of the years of Ahab’s rule over Israel.

Starting to rule at thirty-five years as the king of Israel tells us something about how he was going to rule, along with the point that it was for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. Both of those numbers are multiples of five which is the number that symbolizes grace through faith.

Living by grace through faith (Eph 2:8) is typified by walking “in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD“.

We are told however that “nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places“, which symbolizes our inability to completely put sin out of our lives and our need to constantly be vigilant against the little leaven that can leaven the whole lump (1Jn 1:8-9, Gal 5:9).

1Jn 1:8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 
1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Gal 5:9  A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 

It was Jehoshaphat who made peace with the king of Israel, which typifies our need to make friends with the unrighteous mammon of this world (Luk 16:9), and at this point in our walk we are allowed to return in peace to our house (1Ki 22:17). However, if God is working with us in this age, that is not the end of the story for us, and these following verses (2Ch 19:1-3, 1Ki 22:17, 2Ch 20:30) remind us that Jehoshaphat, who is a type of overcomer, still has things that have to be worked on and purged out of his life, just as Christ told several of the churches in the book of Revelation, showing us that our battle against powers and principalities will be to our last breath (Rev 2:20, Rev 2:14, Eph 6:12-13).

2Ch 19:1  And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. 
2Ch 19:2  And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. [Rev 2:20]
2Ch 19:3  Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. 

2Ch 20:30  So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about. 
2Ch 20:31  And Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah: he was thirty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 
2Ch 20:32  And he walked in the way of Asa his father, and departed not from it, doing that which was right in the sight of the LORD.
2Ch 20:33  Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers [Rev 2:14].

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities^G746, [Rev 2:14, Rev 2:20] against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

G746 principalities  archē  ar-khay’  From G756; (properly abstract) a commencement, or (concrete) chief (in various applications of order, time, place or rank): – beginning, corner, (at the, the) first (estate), magistrate, power, principality, principle, rule.

[Study Aired July 30, 2020]

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 

In this verse of our study we see in the words that describe God’s spiritual Word, which is likened to a sword, that the elect are the first recipients to benefit from its use regarding becoming a new creation (Eph 1:12).

All the attributes of His word described in Hebrews 4:12 are used against our old man in a judgment which is currently on the house of God today and the sword of His Word is not meant to depart from us (1Pe 4:17, 1Jn 4:17, 2Sa 12:10).

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment (Heb 4:16): because as he is, so are we in this world.

2Sa 12:10  Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife.

God’s word, “the sword of the spirit” (Eph 6:17), is not departing from our house for a Godly reason that will bring us unto perfection on the third day, and His love will be perfected in us, if we are granted to endure until the end. (Luk 13:32, Mat 24:13).

The certainty of Christ being able to accomplish this work in us is then discussed in the verses that follow which we will look at next week, stating that He has “passed into the heavens“, meaning He is in our hearts and minds as our hope of glory (Col 1:27). Therefore we ought to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy” before the one who has endured the cross and knows how to comfort and deliver us as we come boldly before His presence where we will “find grace to help in time of need” (1Jn 3:2-3).

1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be (Eph 1:14): but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope (Col 1:27) in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

As we are led by the spirit of God, “the sword of the Spirit” (Rom 8:14), the mind of Christ will give us victory over every possible enemy that may come up against us in this lifelong battle against the powers and principalities God created for our sakes to overcome through Christ who is far above all those principalities (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21). We are learning to let our speech be “alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”.

Through the word, through Christ, God’s elect are called to learn that all things work together for good “to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” It is with the mind of Christ (1Co 2:16) that we can be as Christ (1Jn 4:17) and apply these most encouraging promises of scripture to ourselves as a kind of first fruits (Rom 8:27-30).

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God [with “the sword of the spirit” Heb 4:12].
Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

This next section of Romans 8 confirms the promises we just read and reassures us of what we can expect God to do for His children against any and all enemies within and without that come up against Christ, our hope of glory within (Col 1:27).

Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter [Mat 16:25].

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Peter’s actions found in this section of John 18:8-10 reveal that he was willing to die for Christ in his flesh but not die with Christ on the cross, which none of us can do without God’s holy spirit within us making that possible (Rom 8:9).

Dying on the cross is described as this spiritual dissection of our old man which is accomplished by God’s word “the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart“, and these very actions we are discussing in Hebrews 4:12 (quick, powerful, sharper, piercing, dividing) define the process of judgment that is upon our carnal beastly nature which is being overcome through Christ against our flesh (Gal 5:17), and it typifies in the sacrifices of the many beasts in the book of Leviticus the very specific order of those sacrifices to the glory of God – just as God’s elect are today being nourished through the beasts being driven from our heavens (“the land”) little and by little as we present ourselves a living sacrifice (Rom 8:36, Exo 23:30, Rom 12:1).

In this same section of scripture (Joh 18:8-10), Christ is contrasted with Peter’s fleshly response to the circumstances God created, with words that explain how we are to truly fight a good fight of faith: “I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way.”

Christ lays His life down for us, willing to go through the process of suffering, despising the shame and looking to the joy that was set before Him (Heb 12:2), not just for the joy of knowing he would be going back to the fullness of the relationship with our Father but also for the joy of knowing He would now be equipped to accomplish the joyous task of being able to redeem the rest of the world, starting with the propitiation of our sins as our drink offering (1Jn 2:2, Mat 26:29, Luk 17:21).

This is the same joy of serving that has been set before us helping us and giving us vision so we can endure through this life knowing there is a purpose behind all our suffering and affliction as we fill up what is behind of His afflictions for His body’s sake, which is the church (1Jn 4:17, Joh 15:13, Col 1:24).

Peter is used to make the point that our flesh witnesses against us (the cock crows 2 times) until we go through a process of judgment (flesh denies Christ three times). This process is accomplished by grace (5) through Christ (2+3=5 [Eph 2:8]) as we learn that Christ won’t deny Himself the purpose for which He has come into our heavens (2Ti 2:13).

Christ being a mature son was able to discern Peter’s present condition of being yet carnal, and prophesied for our sakes the process each of us must go through in order to become mature sons by putting “up again thy sword into his place” and loving our enemies “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven” (Mat 26:33-36, Mat 5:44-45).

Joh 18:8  Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Joh 18:9  That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Joh 18:10  Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

[Peter’s violent action of cutting the ear off “the high priest’s servant” typifies our trying to force conversion on someone; and then Christ heals the ‘deadly wound’ so to speak, and puts the babylonian ear back on him because it was not Malchus’ time to know the truth, but he was witnessed to through all these actions]

Mat 26:33  Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
Mat 26:34  Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mat 26:35  Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Mat 5:44  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

All these stories were written for our sakes and were given to us to inspire us to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” as we “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” God is working with each of us so that our speech can always be with grace, “Seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1Ti 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Ti 4:14  Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
1Ti 4:15  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
1Ti 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Col 4:6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Christ is our example in showing us how to overcome the adversary through a life time of vigilantly looking to God for the power we need to overcome our otherwise helpless flesh as we die daily and cry out to him in that we fear (1Co 15:31, Heb 5:7). While we are in this valley of the shadow of death, we are in our time of need (Heb 4:16) and can rest assured as we labour to enter into the rest of our Lord (Heb 12:1-4) that He can make us more than conquerors over every power and principality that is against us as we come to be convinced that nothing can separate us from His hand (Eph 6:12, Eph 1:21, Mat 24:24, Joh 10:28-29, Rom 8:38-39).

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Heb 12:4  Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Mat 24:24  For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick,^G2198 and powerful^G1756, and sharper^G5114 than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart [Heb 5:14].

It takes the quick^G2198 and powerful^G1756 and sharper^G5114 than any twoedged sword word of God to discern the heart of man within us and without us. The question is asked therefore “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The answer is in the next verse of Jeremiah: “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways [Pro 14:12], and according to the fruit of his doings” [Jer 17:10].

God’s word has to be quick^G2198 and powerful^G1756 and sharper^G5114 than any two-edged sword, to cut through the two-edged sword which represents the witness of man’s knowledge, or the wisdom of men, which is not the power of God (1Co 2:5-8). ‘Knowledge is power’, as the saying goes, but it is the words of eternal life (Joh 6:68) in which we are to have faith as we continue in His word (Joh 8:31-32). Those words sanctify and justify us as we are granted to be established and built on upon our Rock, Jesus Christ (Mat 16:18, Joh 17:17, Mat 16:18).

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
1Co 2:6  Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
1Co 2:8  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Mat 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The body of Christ needs to be confident in what we have and never cast away that confidence in the promises found within God’s word that are exceedingly great and precious. They declare the victory that will be ours through Jesus Christ who is working in us both to will and to do of our Father’s good pleasure (2Pe 1:4, Php 2:13). (What Godly confidence is and is not, is explained in these verses – Php 1:6, Heb 10:35, Php 3:3)

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Heb 10:35  Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Again, in this example of Peter’s confidence in his flesh found in John 18:10, Christ resolved the damage Peter was caused to do – for our sakes – by the quick^G2198 and powerful^G1756 and sharper^G5114 word of God that healed the servant’s ear, and quickly told Peter to “put up again thy sword” (Mat 26:52). Knowing that God’s word has both a positive and negative application, we know that Peter’s example was demonstrating how we all at first want to defend our position in life and strike down anything that gets in our way, especially regarding religious belief, as opposed to dying daily and seeing the need to constantly see the greatest enemy we will ever face is ourselves as we pray the Lord will never let “the sword of the spirit” depart from our house (1Co 15:31, Eph 6:17, 2Sa 12:10).

Here now is some of the etymology of these three words: quick,G2198 and powerful,G1756 and sharper G5114 that will be used to divide asunder “soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart“.

These words that define what God’s word can do within our heavens, will be needed to sharpen us (Pro 27:17) so we can overcome the conditions described in these verses (Mat 24:4-13).

Mat 24:4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Mat 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Mat 24:9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

The “sword of the spirit” has to convict us and quicken us (Joh 6:63) in order to die daily and overcome through Jesus Christ.

quick G2198   zaō
Total KJV Occurrences: 144
live, 55
Mat_4:4, Mat_9:18, Mar_5:23, Luk_4:4, Luk_10:28, Luk_20:38, Joh_5:25, Joh_6:51, Joh_6:57-58 (3), Joh_11:25, Joh_14:19 (2), Act_17:28, Act_22:22, Act_25:24, Act_28:4, Rom_1:17, Rom_6:2, Rom_8:12-13 (3), Rom_10:5, Rom_14:8 (3), Rom_14:11, 1Co_9:14, 2Co_4:11, 2Co_5:15 (2), 2Co_6:9, 2Co_13:4, Gal_2:14, Gal_2:19-20 (4), Gal_3:11-12 (2), Gal_5:25, Phi_1:21-22 (2), 1Th_3:8, 1Th_5:10, 2Ti_3:12, Tit_2:12, Heb_10:38, Heb_12:9, Jam_4:15, 1Pe_2:24, 1Pe_4:6, 1Jo_4:9, Rev_13:14

living, 34
Mat_16:16, Mat_22:32, Mat_26:63, Mar_12:27, Luk_15:13, Luk_20:38, Luk_24:5, Joh_4:10-11 (2), Joh_6:51, Joh_6:57, Joh_6:69, Joh_7:38, Act_14:15, Rom_9:26, Rom_12:1, Rom_14:9, 1Co_15:45, 2Co_3:3, 2Co_6:16, Col_2:20, 1Th_1:9, 1Ti_3:15, 1Ti_4:10, 1Ti_6:17, Heb_3:12, Heb_9:14, Heb_10:20, Heb_10:31, Heb_12:22, 1Pe_2:4, Rev_7:2, Rev_7:17, Rev_16:3

liveth, 25
Joh_4:50-51 (2), Joh_4:53, Joh_11:26, Rom_6:10 (2), Rom_7:1-3 (3), Rom_14:7, 1Co_7:39, 2Co_13:4, Gal_2:20, 1Ti_5:6 (2), Heb_7:8, Heb_7:25, Heb_9:17, 1Pe_1:23, Rev_1:18, Rev_4:9-10 (2), Rev_5:14, Rev_15:6-7 (2)

alive, 15
Mat_27:63, Mar_16:11, Luk_24:23, Act_1:3, Act_9:41, Act_20:12, Act_25:19, Rom_6:1, Rom_6:13, Rom_7:9, 1Th_4:15, 1Th_4:17, Rev_1:18, Rev_2:8, Rev_19:20

lived, 4
Luk_2:36, Act_26:5, Col_3:7, Rev_20:4

quick, 4
Act_10:42, 2Ti_4:1, Heb_4:12, 1Pe_4:5

lively, 3
Act_7:38, 1Pe_1:3, 1Pe_2:5

livest, 2
Gal_2:14, Rev_3:1

life, 1
2Co_1:8

lifetime, 1
Heb_2:15

powerful G1756   energēs  Total KJV Occurrences: 3

effectual, 2
1Co_16:9, Phm_1:6

powerful, 1
Heb_4:12

sharper G5114 tomōteros  Total KJV Occurrences: 1
sharper, 1
Heb_4:12

I’ve spent a lot of time on this one verse (Heb 4:12) that describes God’s word, His voice, that we are to hear in hearts that are entreatable and miraculously not hardened (Heb 3:15, Isa 66:2), setting the stage for the verses we will look at next week (Heb 4:13-16), which describe what God’s word is able to accomplish right now in our lives through our great high priest, Jesus Christ, who is where He is, in our heavens, so that we can “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need“.

Lord willing, we will look at these last four verses of our study next week that we pray will help us see how we are to be “stedfast in the faith“, moving with fear to the saving of our spiritual house (Heb 11:7) as we overcome the adversary through Christ, and learn that Godliness with contentment is great gain (1Pe 5:8-10, 1Ti 6:6-10).

Heb 3:15  While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1Pe 5:10  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, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain [Heb 12:2].
1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hey there, Mike!!!

Haven’t talked to you in a long while.  Hope you are doing well.   Just had a question that I wanted you to expound on for me concerning this scripture:

Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death

What is being “made conformable unto his death”  mean….??

Thanks Mike,

K____

Hi K____,

It is good hearing from you. Thank you for your question about being made conformable to Christ’s death as mentioned in:

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Conforming to Christ’s death is a matter of knowing the power of His resurrected life, as Paul says here:

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Paul is not speaking of being physically dead, he is speaking of being dead to anything in this world that would keep us from following in the footsteps He left for us to follow:

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Walking in Christ’s footsteps which He “left us as an example” is the same as “being made comformable unto His death”. It is given to very few to do that, because it does cost us our families and friends in this world. There is no getting around these words:

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 

2Ti 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

Being hated of all men and suffering persecution for Christ’s name’s sake is “being made conformable unto His death” by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice, which is being crucified and dying daily with our Lord “for His name’s sake”.

Joh 12:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Christ will not play second fiddle to anything or anyone. He is first in the lives of His elect, and He will share His throne in our hearts with no one in this world. If we are granted to put Christ first in this world, as He put His Father first, then we are being made conformable unto His death.

I pray these words are of some help to you.

Your brother in Christ,

Mike

March 18, 2002

According to Christ, His last supper (what Paul calls “the Lord’s supper” – 1Co 11:20) was “the Passover” (Mat 26:18) and “as oft as (he) kept it” was once a year.

The sum of your word is truth (Psa 119:160 ESV); How precious are your thoughts to me God! How great is the sum of them (Psa 139:17 New KJV).

It is the SUM of God’s word that is the truth. It is not the “signs” or the rituals, but the “sum of thy word is truth.”

Let me demonstrate this point:

Gen 17:13 He that is born in thy house and he that is bought with money must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.

There it is. The Lord Himself is calling circumcision “in your flesh” an “everlasting covenant.”

This is not the sum of the word of God on this subject, however.

Gal 5:1 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in spirit; And have no confidence in the flesh.

Rom 2:29 He is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter.

Both of these are the word of God (Moses and Paul), but the sum of God’s word says the spirit (spiritual circumcision) has replaced the outward sign. “Outward circumcision” (Rom 2:28) is not real circumcision now. Real circumcision “is that of the heart in the spirit.”

Now what is the “sum” of the word on the subject of what Christ called the Passover and what Paul called the Lord’s supper? Is outward ritual now being reinstituted in this case?

It almost appears to be that way. Christ does say:

1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1Co 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

It is obvious that the Corinthians, as were the Galatians, as were the other apostles, were all “observing days, months, times and years” (Gal 4:10). This brings us back to the “sum of your word.”

The “days, months, times and years” are “weak and beggarly elements” that bring us into “bondage” (Gal 4:9). We remain “a child” (Greek – nepios – a toddler, an infant, or even a fetus) as long as we remain attached to these outward “letter” signs and do not, in fact cannot, become huios or huiothesia, mature spiritual sons, as long as we cling to outward rituals and signs.

The point of 1 Corinthians 11 is not Paul encouraging the Corinthians to participate in a ritual or to esteem the Passover over other days, but to “shew the Lord’s death till he come.” This is accomplished by “eating his body and drinking his blood worthily.”

In Joh 6:51, Christ says:

Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us [his] flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

Obviously Christ was not talking about the physical flesh of His physical body. Here is what he meant by His flesh and His blood:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life.

This is in the same 6th chapter of John. Christ is explaining to his disciples what it really means to eat His flesh and drink His blood.

If we have His word in us, we have Christ in us, and we are eating His flesh and drinking His blood. If we “mortify” the flesh (Rom 8:13) we “shew his death till he come.”

Eating Christ’s flesh and drinking His blood is not a once-a-year event anymore to a huios (mature son). It is now 24/7. That’s why Paul says let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ Himself made it clear that “eating this bread and drinking this cup” is not to be taken literally: Except you eat my flesh and drink my blood you have no life in you – It is the spirit that gives life; the words that I have spoken unto you, they are spirit, and they are life (Joh 6:53 and 63).

It is the words of Christ that are spirit and life, “meat indeed and drink indeed” (vs 55).

The reasoning of the immature Christian is “Christ said to do it, so I’m going to do it.” With this reasoning, we should “tithe the tithe of anise, mint and cumin” and “offer the offering commanded by Moses.” But these are not the “sum” of the words of Christ.

The sum of Christ’s words did not come to us while He was here in the flesh. Christ’s disciples were in no condition to receive the sum of His word, not even they who later became His apostles. Here is what Christ said to them while He had only 24 hours or less left in the flesh: I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now (Joh 16:12). So there were many things that were revealed after Christ’s death and resurrection which his disciples both then and some even now “cannot bear.”

We have a hard time thinking of the twelve apostles as being immature babes, but that is exactly what they were at the start. Being with Christ 3 1/2 years, casting out demons and healing the sick does not make one a mature son. It was close to two decades after the death and resurrection of Christ that “Peter…Barnabas and the other Jews” (Gal 2:11-13) separated themselves from the Gentile believers. They were still, at that late date, unable “to bear” some of the things Christ was “saying unto them.”

How would it have been received by the twelve if, while Christ was still in the flesh, He had told them Israel according to the flesh will be broken off and replaced by the son of the freewoman, the Israel of God (Romans 9 and 11 and Galatians 4, 5 and 6).

According to Joh 16:12, they wouldn’t have been able to bear it. Were the Corinthians mature?

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

This was not the time for Gal 4:10 and 11: ye observe days, months, times and year, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

Instead Paul says:

1Co 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

This statement was made in regards to putting the incestuous man out of the congregation away from fellowship with those who were living “sincere and truthful” lives. This was Paul’s concept of “keeping the feast.” This is how Paul perceived purging out “the old leaven.” This is what Paul called “Christ our Passover.” I seriously doubt Paul meant for the Corinthians to wait until the Passover to put this man out of their midst. We should “keep the feasts” in their true meaning 24/7.

This is a demonstration of what is truly the sum of God’s word on this or any other subject. Paul doesn’t kick their first-grade desk out from under them and rail at them for their lack of maturity. The law of love does not permit that. The law of love becomes “all things to all men that (it) might by all means save some” (1Co 9:22).

One of the most telling features of those who are still under the law is they allow knowledge to puff them up. Consequently, they place great stress on outward shows of righteousness; days, months, times and years; water baptism; the Lord’s supper; etc. A mature son can cope with any stage of development in other Christians because he is aware that sin is not defined by letter any more that righteousness is. The “sum” of the word of God on the subject of sin is not only “sin is lawlessness”, but also “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Understanding this fact enables the mature huios to truly become “all things to all men” (1Co 9:19-22). Proving himself right becomes secondary to “making [him] self servant unto all, that [he] might gain the more” (1Co 9:19).

Yes, Gal 4:10 is still there. Observing days is still for babes in Christ. 1Co 9:19-20 doesn’t change Galatians 4. It should, however, change our actions when in the midst of a group that still observes days, months, times and years.

Heb 8:13 is still true. The old covenant with all its laws, rituals and Holy Days is still waxing old and vanishing away.

Heb 10:1 is still true. The “shadows” of the law (sacrifices, Holy Days, etc.) still make nothing perfect.

Col 2:14-22 is still true for the mature Christian. “Ordinances” have been “taken out of the way,” and “nailed to his cross” (vs. 14). The shadows of “meats, drinks, Holy Days, new moons and Sabbath days” are replaced by the “body of Christ.” Shadows disappear at noon when the undiluted light of the truth shines straight down on the body of Christ. This is what was casting all those old covenant shadows. Now that we have the body, why would we ever return to living in the shadows as immature sons?

Those who have the knowledge of what Christ has accomplished would never do that. “Howbeit there is not in every man (this more mature) knowledge” (1Co 8:7).

There are two chapters in scripture dealing with those who are “weak in the faith”. The first is:

Rom 14: Him that is weak in the faith, receive ye, but NOT TO DOUBTFUL DISPUTATIONS.

Most of this chapter is addressed to the huios, the mature son, who is admonished to bear with his less mature brothers: “Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not…” The less mature Christians are also admonished:

Rom 14:3 And let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

How can an older brother condemn a younger brother for being exactly what and where he himself was earlier in life? We are all where we are in our spiritual development and growth only by the grace of God.

Paul clearly states in 1Co 8:4-8 that an idol is nothing and eating meat offered to an idol neither makes us “better” nor “worse.”

1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Paul made it clear that sinning against a brother is sinning against Christ.

1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

I seriously doubt that Paul became a vegetarian. After all, he admonished the weak brother not to “judge him that eateth” (Rom 14:3). “I will eat no flesh” has to do with meats “offered to idols” in 1 Corinthians 8.

Romans 14 has more to do with vegetarians (vs 2) and those who still observe Holy Days (vs 5). However, the message of both chapters is the same: We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

This is Rom 15:1, but it is the conclusion of what has been said in Rom 14.

Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

These are not matters of morality under discussion in these two chapters. Paul doesn’t say “we that are strong ought to fornicate with the weak.” We separate ourselves from brothers who are turning grace into lasciviousness, but we “bear with” brothers who are simply “weak in the faith” or less mature in Christ.

If anyone in your congregation sincerely felt they should wash each other’s feet, I would be the first to wash them, were it my choice. I would never encourage a weak brother to remain weak and immature, however. Older brothers should “bear with” younger brothers, but they should always encourage them to grow in Christ.

Joh 13:14 If I then your Lord and master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

This is not a commandment to wash feet any more than “eat my flesh” is an encouragement for cannibalism. Christ was not replacing one ritual with another one. The whole point of this exercise by Christ is not verse 14, but verse 15: For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done unto you (vs 15). Spiritual maturity reveals this has nothing to do with washing feet that don’t even need washing. It has everything to do with simply serving one another.

As is always the case, a babe will prefer the type over the reality. Washing someone’s already clean feet is not a foot-washing at all. Helping a brother in need, serving in any way needed, is truly “washing one another’s feet.”

I hope this is of some use to you. I’ll close with the prayer that Paul had for the Romans after expressing his thoughts on this subject: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus (Rom 15:5).

Your brother in Christ,

Mike Vinson