Let's explore how the Salvation message changes a person!
From the series of pictures above, you can follow what happens in a person when he takes the Good News of Adonai Yeshua into his heart through faith. Let's think about each figure!
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First, in general terms in relation to each figure
Figure 1: When a person is born, he is completely unfit to inherit eternal life, and in the state in which he has a polluted soul, he is on the way to perdiction, i.e. eternal separation from his Creator.
Figure 2: He will be proclaimed the Good News of HaMashiach Yeshua, who has suffered the punishment for his sins. He accepts the message with faith of the heart and immediately passes from death to life.
Figure 3: He repents, is baptized in water by immersion in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach for the forgiveness of his sins, and soon after receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of childhood.
Figure 4: The Holy Spirit testifies together with his spirit that he is a child of YHWH Elohim, and that he will not be condemned to perdition if he is obedient to the teachings of HaMashiach Yeshua.
Figure 5: The Holy Spirit leads him to know Yeshua as Savior and all truth and things to come, shows him the spiritual and practical work, teaches him, gives him the ability and strength to do the work.
Figure 6: In his life there is supernatural guidance, severe persecution, but also joy and great spiritual victories. Finally, when he has completed the work he was given, he is taken up into glory.
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Let us consider each Figure in more detail
Figure 1: Before coming to faith, a person is already ungodly by birth and prone to all kinds of lusts and to be torn apart by them. Sometimes he even enjoys living in sin until he gets bored and starts to think about the purpose of his life.
- Psa. 51:7 >>Behold, in sin I was born, and in sin did my mother bear me.<<
- Job 14:4 >>Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.<<
- Rom. 3:12 >>They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.<<
- Rom. 5:12 >>Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:<<
All of us, regardless of our ethnic background, are sinners and therefore, without mercy and unfit to inherit eternal life in heaven, where no sin is admitted.
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In terms of our salvation, what our Creator thinks about us is decisive, not what we ourselves think about ourselves. He has the power to decide which of us he will take to heaven and who before that he wants to change here to be heaven-worthy!
Our Creator, Father is the Omnipotent One, which means: He has unlimited power and authority throughout His creation. He is also the Benevolent One, which means that He is: 1. kind. 2. kind-hearted. 4. warm-hearted. 5. tender-hearted. 6. generous. 7. loveable.
Our Creator, Father is the Omnipotent One, which means: He has unlimited power and authority throughout His creation. He is also the Benevolent One, which means that He is: 1. kind. 2. kind-hearted. 4. warm-hearted. 5. tender-hearted. 6. generous. 7. loveable.
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Figure 2: At some point in our lives, we get to hear the Salvation message about the atoner for our sins and the unconditional love of our Creator, as well as his desire to save us by grace. The condition of our salvation is that we confess that we are sinners and that we have transgressed with our sins against him and that we place our hope of salvation entirely in his only begotten Son, HaMashiach Yeshua and begin to obey him.
- John 1:12-13 >>12 But to all who have received him - those who believe in his name - he has given the right/ability/power to become Elohim's children 13 - children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by Elohim.<<
- 1. John 5:3-4 >>3 For this is the love of Elohim: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, 4 because everyone who has been fathered by Elohim conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith.<<
- 1. John 5:3-4 >>3 For this is the love of Elohim: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, 4 because everyone who has been fathered by Elohim conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith.<<
- John 3:16 >>For Elohim so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.<<
- Acts 2:38-39 >>38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each one of you be baptized in water in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away, as many as the YHWH our Elohim will call to himself."<<
I use in this study for our Creator and his only begotten Son their Hebrew proper names, because they were also used by all the early apostles before later those proper names were changed when the gospels were translated into other languages and at the same time the original meaning and power of the proper names was lost.
The original baptism was performed only for believers who confessed their sins and repented in their lives. They were baptized by immersion in water. For that reason, ecclesiastical infant baptism is not apostolic, but part of replacement theology, where the original teaching has been replaced by a human-oriented teaching.
You can observe the background of the great supernatural miracle I experienced by reading my testimony: "I did meet Yehowah Elohim face to face":
Before meeting my Creator face to face, I had been in a childish faith, because I had already become a believer in Jesus Christ at the age of 3 in 1952 and made an independent decision of faith at the age of 12 while alone at home in 1961.
Then in 1971, I met my Creator (in human form) face to face during Easter week. He said to me, "Surely, you are a man of great sin!"...and He did show me like a film a part of my sins.
I was stunned and scared, and I couldn't say anything to him. Suddenly, a spirit appeared from me and answered Him on my behalf: "Surely, I am a very sinful person, but I rely on God's mercy in everything."
At that point, I realized that the spirit that defended me was the spirit of life that I mentioned, who spoke to Creator has not himself broken against Him, but he suffers in us every time we sin and always longs to get to his Creator i.e. the Father of spirits.
In my opinion, I was a normal youth at the time, and I had not committed any major sins, but lived a very disciplined life. However, my Creator's analysis was the opposite and He told the truth about my life. I believe He would say the same about you if you would meet Him "face to face" like I did.
It was at that meeting that it became clear that there are 3 different elements in me and other people's selves, which God's Word distinguishes from each other: soul, spirit and body of flesh (consisting of joints and marrows). This is important to keep in mind before we consider the following: (Points A, B, C and remaining Figures 3-6)
1. Cor. 15:50 >>Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Elohim, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.<<
Rom. 7:20-23 >>20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. 21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of Elohim in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.<<
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An important observation: If a person were to die like that, without having truly received the gift of the Holy Spirit and, in connection with it, the spirit of Elohim's childhood, then he would be lost, i.e. eternally separated from his Creator!
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I heard the Salvation message when I was 3 years old from my believing mother and since then I have believed in HaMashiach Yeshua as the Good Shepherd, redeemer, savior of my soul, Master, Teacher and Cohen Gadol (The most High priest). So it's been more than 71 years since I came to faith. Hallelujah!
Then in 1971, I met my Creator (in human form) face to face during Easter week. He said to me, "Surely, you are a man of great sin!"...and He did show me like a film a part of my sins.
I was stunned and scared, and I couldn't say anything to him. Suddenly, a spirit appeared from me and answered Him on my behalf: "Surely, I am a very sinful person, but I rely on God's mercy in everything."
That spirit that defended me was not myself, but a separate person living in me, the existence of which I did not know before! I repeated his words to my Creator and his stern expression changed to one of mercy.
After thinking about it later, I understood that he was the spirit of life that we all have when we are born as descendants of Adam, for he also said the following: "Father, it is very hard for me to live in this world. Take me to you soon."
At that point, I realized that the spirit that defended me was the spirit of life that I mentioned, who spoke to Creator has not himself broken against Him, but he suffers in us every time we sin and always longs to get to his Creator i.e. the Father of spirits.
In my opinion, I was a normal youth at the time, and I had not committed any major sins, but lived a very disciplined life. However, my Creator's analysis was the opposite and He told the truth about my life. I believe He would say the same about you if you would meet Him "face to face" like I did.
Next, let's read an important scripture related to this: Heb. 4:12
>>For the word of Elohim is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces until it divides soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.<<
It was at that meeting that it became clear that there are 3 different elements in me and other people's selves, which God's Word distinguishes from each other: soul, spirit and body of flesh (consisting of joints and marrows). This is important to keep in mind before we consider the following: (Points A, B, C and remaining Figures 3-6)
A. According to the OT, the human soul is the same as human life and blood, in which human life is.
Leviticus 17:14
>>for the life of all flesh is its blood. So I have said to the Israelites: You must not eat the blood of any living thing because the life of every living thing is its blood - all who eat it will be cut off.<<
- Man's soul and blood are completely corrupted and polluted in the Fall.
B. The spirit in a person, or the spirit of life, is not polluted because it returns to its Creator after a person dies.
Gen. 6:3
Gen. 6:3
>>And Yehowah said, My Spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.<<
Eccl. 12:7
>>The dust returns to the earth, as it was, and the spirit returns to Elohim, who gave it.<<
Eccl. 12:7
>>The dust returns to the earth, as it was, and the spirit returns to Elohim, who gave it.<<
C. The body of flesh in us is the same as the body of sin and death. It cannot inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. It wars against the human soul and seeks to destroy it.
1 Cor. 15:50 and Rom. 7:20-23 1. Cor. 15:50 >>Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of Elohim, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.<<
Rom. 7:20-23 >>20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer me doing it but sin that lives in me. 21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of Elohim in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.<<
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An important observation: If a person were to die like that, without having truly received the gift of the Holy Spirit and, in connection with it, the spirit of Elohim's childhood, then he would be lost, i.e. eternally separated from his Creator!
- This would be due to the fact that his self or identity would be sinful and not righteous at that time!
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I heard the Salvation message when I was 3 years old from my believing mother and since then I have believed in HaMashiach Yeshua as the Good Shepherd, redeemer, savior of my soul, Master, Teacher and Cohen Gadol (The most High priest). So it's been more than 71 years since I came to faith. Hallelujah!
I made a conscious decision of faith at the age of 12 when I was alone at home and in 1972 I went in faith to the immersion baptism in water of believers at the age of 22, due to the revelation I received at the age of 16. I got in verse Acts 2:39 of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit on 31 August 1972 in Jesus-House in Vartiokylä, Helsinki on Thursday evening at 21. It was just then that I became a new spiritual creation in Adonai Yeshua and an eligible to inheriter a place in heaven. Since then I have prayed and spoken with the new tongues daily. (It is a gift of the Holy Spirit to speak with the new tongues 1 Cor. 12:10)
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Figure 3. After receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, begins the Advocate Spirit of Truth to change you from within. When you read the Bible, you notice that it unfolds in an absolutely wonderful way. You will find it to be a living manifestation of Elohim in the form of the printed Word or the digital Word! The more accurate the Bible translation you read and follow in your life, the faster you grow spiritually. You will also notice very soon that a constant battle will begin in you throughout your earthly life.
Figure 3. After receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, begins the Advocate Spirit of Truth to change you from within. When you read the Bible, you notice that it unfolds in an absolutely wonderful way. You will find it to be a living manifestation of Elohim in the form of the printed Word or the digital Word! The more accurate the Bible translation you read and follow in your life, the faster you grow spiritually. You will also notice very soon that a constant battle will begin in you throughout your earthly life.
Since you have been born as a new spiritual creation, so the old creation corrupted by sin, which is still in your body and living its own life, is fighting for dominion in you and through it also in your soul! However, you, as a new creation, have already been cut off from that old creation by the power of Elohim's Word. That fight will continue until you break free from that body of sin and death! So you have two mutually hostile personalities living in your body! As I mentioned above, you can see that the apostle Paul taught the following:
- Rom. 7:14-15 >>14 For we know that the law is spiritual - but I am unspiritual, sold into slavery to sin. 15 For I don't understand what I am doing. For I do not do what I want - instead, I do what I hate.<<
- There is a clear example of that condition in the Tanakh, such that when the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai, all the weak and tired were following the crowd. Then the Amalekites attacked them to destroy them! At YHWH's command, Israel began to fight against Amalek.
- As long as Moses' hands were raised to heaven in prayer, Israel was victorious. When Moses' hands got tired, Aaron and Hur supported his hands and finally Israel defeated Amalek. YHWH then swore: "Write down: I will blot out the memory of the Amalekites from under heaven!" Exodus 17:14
In the same way our corrupt old creation works: If we neglect prayer and do not read the Bible and thus strengthen the new spiritual creation in us, the old creation takes control over us and forces us to sin, even if we don't want to! Therefore, constant prayer is necessary to save ourselves and our loved ones and to be protected from sin and death!
- Rom. 7:21-25 >>21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of Elohim in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.
- There is a clear example of that condition in the Tanakh, such that when the people of Israel wandered in the wilderness of Sinai, all the weak and tired were following the crowd. Then the Amalekites attacked them to destroy them! At YHWH's command, Israel began to fight against Amalek.
- As long as Moses' hands were raised to heaven in prayer, Israel was victorious. When Moses' hands got tired, Aaron and Hur supported his hands and finally Israel defeated Amalek. YHWH then swore: "Write down: I will blot out the memory of the Amalekites from under heaven!" Exodus 17:14
In the same way our corrupt old creation works: If we neglect prayer and do not read the Bible and thus strengthen the new spiritual creation in us, the old creation takes control over us and forces us to sin, even if we don't want to! Therefore, constant prayer is necessary to save ourselves and our loved ones and to be protected from sin and death!
- Rom. 7:21-25 >>21 So, I find the law that when I want to do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of Elohim in my inner being. 23 But I see a different law in my members waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that is in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to Elohim through Yeshua HaMashiach our Adonai! So then, I myself serve the law of Elohim with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.<<
- Most Christians remain in that state to lament for the rest of their lives that they are just miserable and weak sinners who sin every day with their thoughts, words and actions! As if that were the state of being for Christians! Not at all! They have not read the important continuation of Paul's letter! It reads as follows: (Figure 4)
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Figure 4: We have not been left at the mercy of our old creation, but have been given spiritual weapons to fight against it, break its power, and break free from its slavery!
- Rom. 8:1-2 >>1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Hamashiach Yeshua. 2 For the law of the life-giving Spirit in Hamashiach Yeshua has set you free from the law of sin and death.<< He also confirms it in verses:
- Rom. 6:22-23 >>22 But now, freed from sin and enslaved to Elohim, you have your benefit leading to sanctification, and the end is eternal life. 23 For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of Elohim is eternal life in HaMashiach Yeshua our Adonai.<<
In summary of verses Rom. 8:1-2 and Rom. 6:22 we state what is the right state of being given to Christians and Messianic believers in Adonai Yeshua: We are freed from the law of sin and death and from the sin that previously held us as slaves! HalleluYah!
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Figure 5: How can we control the old depraved creation that lives in us, which always seeks to control us and plunge us into many kinds of sins?
It is absolutely necessary for us to heed our Savior's words of warning to the paralyzed man and the woman caught in adultery! They were these:
- To the paralyzed man he healed:
John 5:14 >>After this Yeshua found him at the temple and said to him, "Look, you have become well. Don't sin any more, lest anything worse happen to you."<<
- To a woman arrested for adultery whom he pardoned:
John 8:10-11 >>10 Yeshua stood up straight and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?" 11 She replied, "No one, Adonai." And Yeshua said, "I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more."<<
If a person was not able to avoid sin if he wanted to, then Adonai Yeshua would not have told those two sinners not to sin! The same applies to us!
If you defend your weakness by saying that there is no way you can control yourself when temptation comes, then read the following verses and decide to fight against the lust of sin:
- 1. John 3:9 >>Everyone who has been fathered by Elohim does not practice sin, because Elohim's seed resides in him, and thus he is not able to sin, because he has been fathered by Elohim.<<
- 1. John 5:18 >>We know that everyone fathered by Elohim does not sin, but Elohim protects the one he has fathered, and the evil one cannot touch him.<<
If, however, you neglect your fight for faith and give in to the lusts of sin, immediately kneel before Adonai Yeshua and ask for cleansing in his blood and strength to resist sin! If even after that you fall again and again, then immediately go to a true believer and ask for prayer for you, because the prayer of a righteous believer is powerful and effective!
Remember that you cannot defeat the power of sin in your flesh by your own strength, but you must be filled with the Holy Spirit and his power, and start using his spiritual weapons! More on this in the next Figure 6. (Eph. 6:10-18)
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Figure 6. In the NT, there are clear instructions on how to become stronger in spirit, stay pure and how to prevent sinful desires from gaining power in our lives:
- Matt. 26:41 >>Stay awake and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.<<
- Hebr. 12:4 >>You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin.<<
- Jude 1:20-21 >>20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 maintain yourselves in the love of Elohim, while anticipating the mercy of our Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach that brings eternal life.<<
- Eph. 6:10-18 >>10 Finally, be strengthened in Adonai and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of Elohim so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
- Eph. 6:10-18 >>10 Finally, be strengthened in Adonai and in the strength of his power. 11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of Elohim so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
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13 For this reason, take up the full armor of Elohim so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,
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16 and in all of this, by taking up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Elohim. 18 With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.<<
- Eph. 5:18-20 >>18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to Adonai, 20 always giving thanks to Elohim the Father for each other in the name of our Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach.<<
- Gal. 5:16 >>But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.<<
- Gal. 5:25 >>If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.<<
- Gal. 5:25 >>If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.<<
- Luke 21:36 >>But stay alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that must happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.<<
- 2. Tim. 3:16-17 >>16 Every Scripture is inspired by Elohim and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the person dedicated to Elohim may be capable and perfect for every good work.<<
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Summary of the topic with some additions
Such a common claim by many Christian teachers that we are simultaneously both sinners and righteous is contrary to NT teachings! Adonai Yeshua said: Matt. 7:17-19
>>17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.<<
>>17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.<<
Therefore, our true identity as new spiritual creations is Righteous, and not Sinful or Sinner, for YHWH Elohim Himself in his Son HaMashiach Yeshua has already made us perfect forever! (Heb. 10:14) We received this new identity as a gift of grace right away in being born again from the imperishable seed of YHWH Elohim. The one who, after being born again, still claims to be a sinner, because of his unbelief, remains spiritually at the level of a lap baby, even though YHWH Elohim wills him to strengthen and grow to spiritual maturity. Unfortunately false teaching and apostasy in Congregations will not improve the situation, but the opposite!
As for the apostle Paul and his teaching that he is the greatest of sinners, it is because in the beginning he persecuted the believers in Yeshua until they died. That's why he had to bear the guilt for a long time, almost to the end, and Satan's angel apparently punched him with accusations because of that. As a disabled person, he also had other weaknesses. (Gal. 4:14). Paul - even if he is wonderful teacher - he is an example to warn us not to persecute those who believe in Yeshua! Adonai Yeshua also had mercy on Paul, who won the crown of life when he died!
John, the apostle of love, and Peter, the oldest of the apostles, both taught that a true Christian and Messianic Believer can and must overcome sin and its lusts in his life in order to inherit eternal life. After all, Adonai Yeshua himself taught: "Everyone who sins is a slave to sin!" So he is Satan's slave! Satan's slaves don't inherit The Kingdom of heaven! Yeshua said too, "But whom the Son makes free, he is free indeed!" It's about being enslaved to sin and being freed from Satan's power, which works in us through sin. (John 8:34-36)
I know that those who were baptized only as infants do not partake of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and therefore are unable to resist their sinful desires and therefore they are still in the miserable state shown in Figure 1 and actually much more miserable, because they would like to overcome the sinful desires, but they cannot overcome them with their own power!
We, as new spiritual creations, are therefore righteous and justified through the broken body of Adonai Yeshua and his holy shed blood completely and for ever! In addition, we have been given the weapons of the Spirit and instructions to use them to fight victoriously not only against sin in our body, but also against all the world powers that rule in this darkness and against the spirit beings of evil in the heavenly spaces!
The message of salvation, received through faith, transforms a person at the very moment of receiving it into a completely new spiritual creation, which we already are, and as new creations there must be no stain or wrinkle in us. Our heavenly Father already sees us as such. So let's see each other as such, too!
We have already been placed in the heavenly places in Adonai Yeshua, so let us look with the eyes of faith to the right hand of the Father, our Savior. All who look to Adonai are transformed into the likeness of the same image from glory to glory, just as Adonai, who is Spirit, changes! (Eph. 2:6 ja 2. Cor. 3:18)
The old corrupted body of sin in us has already been defeated for us already almost 2000 years ago on the cross of Calvary and therefore we can now fight and win, starting from the victory! So let us not be discouraged in the fierce battles of faith before us, but let us be strengthened in weakness, as the chosen ones of the Old Covenant in ancient times, for we have been given stronger weapons than they had. (Hebr. 11:1-2)
Songs suitable for the topic
He Is Jehovah
I Believe in You
Lord I Lift Your Name On High
Sing to the Lord All the Earth
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