God Within Us (excerpt from, "You Will Receive Power", by William Law) **** There is an unchangeable distinction between God and His creation. Nature and created beings only provide an outward manifestation of the inward, invisible, unapproachable powers of God. They can rise no higher, nor can they be anything more in themselves, than temples, habitations, or instruments through which the supernatural God can manifest Himself in various degrees. He brought forth creatures to be good with His own goodness, to love and adore Him with His own Spirit of love, forever singing praises to the divine nature of which they partake.

This is the religion of divine inspiration, which is Immanuel, or God within us. Everything short of this is not the religion that worships God in spirit and in truth. When we place ANY religious trust or confidence in ANYTHING besides the divine operation within us, we engage in a form of idol worship, which has "a form of godliness, but denies the power thereof'' (2 Tim. 3:5). He who places any value in theological arguments or opinions that are held about the biblical doctrines of faith, justification, sanctification, election, and reprobation, departs from the true worship of the living God within him. In fact, he sets up an idol of ideas to be worshipped, if not instead of God, then along with Him.

I believe that every group of Christians whose religion stands upon this ground, however ardent their zeal may seem to be in such matters, will sooner or later find that their evil, ungodly nature is at the bottom of it. They will soon enough discover a selfish, earthly, overbearing pride in their own definitions and doctrines. Sooner or later, this will creep up and become the same fleshly wisdom that they object to in some of the church's highest ministers. It cannot possibly be otherwise, for a zeal based solely on education can only do for Christians what it did for the Jews -- it will murder the Person and Purposes of Christ !!

The scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites, and crucifiers of Christ were all zealous in their own way. Zeal such as theirs has brought forth heresies, schisms, papal decrees, and public condemnation and exclusion from church fellowship. Whether Catholic or Protestant, unholy zeal has brought about much discord and disunion, only with different materials. For instance, images of wood and clay in the Catholic church have been replaced by images of doctrines in the Protestant church. Grace and works, imputed sin and imputed righteousness, election and reprobation, have all become distorted by our human idea of what church doctrines and practices should be.

So, how we are to become worshippers of the Father in spirit and in truth? We may do so by turning inward and focusing on what is daily and hourly stirring, living, and working in our hearts.

There is no passage of Scripture that gives us this direction in exactly these words. However, the Scriptures do say that "God dwells not in temples made with hands'' (Acts 7:48), but in the temple of our hearts. The Kingdom of God is also said to be within us, and not to come with outward signs. It is to be like a secret, living seed of the incorruptible Word in us. The Scriptures also tell us that our hearts are the whole of our lives, and that we live, move, and have our being in God (Acts 17:28). So, they directly tell us that we are to turn inward if we desire to turn to and find God.

God's Word also directly tells us that God abides within us in whatever manner we worship Him. He is our God, our life, our rest and happiness, to the degree that our hearts are willing and choosing, hungering and thirsting, to find, feel, and enjoy the life-giving power of His holy presence in our souls.

Worshipping God with the whole heart and soul, in spirit and in truth, consists of many things. We must be inwardly attentive to God, showing the good and the evil, distinguishing the light from the darkness in our own souls. We must listen to the voice of His ever speaking Word, and watch the movement of His ever sanctifying Spirit within us. We must wait in the spirit of prayer, of faith and hope, of love and yieldedness -- wait to be inwardly awakened and revived in the image and likeness of the Son.

Real worship is living to God, in and through the power of Christ, as He lived. It is praying with Him, and by His Spirit, the continual prayer that He always had, whether He was speaking to the multitudes, healing their diseases, or was alone in the still of the night. This inward prayer, in which the whole heart loves, worships, and petitions God - not an absent or distant God, but a Trinity of goodness and mercy, of light and love, of glory and majesty, dwelling and working within us, willing and desiring to do everything in the temple of our hearts that is done in God's own temple in heaven - is a prayer that needs outward words only for the sake of others. Of this prayer we may say to God, as Christ said, "I knew that you hear me always, but because of the people which stand by, I said it'' (John 11:42).

You have seen WEB Sites with the notice, "This Site is Under Construction" and Christian signs that state, "Please Bear with Me, God is not Finished with Me Yet". Well, as far as the formulation and articulation of this essay is concerned, I would ask you to bear with ME, for IT is still, "Under Contemplation and  Formulation" !!

The purpose of this thesis is to explore and expound upon a topic that has been developing within me for a VERY long time, no doubt ever since my New Birth in Jesus Christ. I have been and AM finding it difficult to articulate since it is not a topic clearly delineated in Scripture, nor barely even considered by the bulk of the "Orthodox Church" !! As the Apostle Paul noted, "It is a birth of His Holy Spirit, generated and articulated by said Spirit, revealing spiritual to spiritual, of which the mind of natural man has barely even dreamed".

It is my VERY STRONG belief that it was never God's intent that Christianity should become just one more Formal ("ISM"). It was never His intent that our relationship with Him should be shrouded in formula, ritual, ceremony, or artificiality. Adam "walked with God in the cool of the day". It WAS and IS His intent that man should have a spontaneous relationship with Him through His Spirit, in JUST the same way that we have a relationship with the air we breath and the light that continually bathes us (in the Hebrew language, the word for Breath and Spirit are one and the same). If a person is deprived of either for very long, he will die. You DO NOT observe and maintain special, formal "Seasons and Places" to commune with the Air and the Light. Neither, I believe, was it ever God's intent that we should do so regarding Him and His Spirit !!

There is an excellent book which conveys eloquently what I am trying to say entitled, "The Ancient Language of Eden", by Don Milam. You may read two excerpts, [ HERE ] and [ HERE ]. Another book is "You Will Receive Power", by William Law. You may read Chapter 12, an excellent insight into "Worship in Spirit and in Truth". Click [ HERE ]

Buy your INEXPENSIVE books at one of these sites: Amazon, Alibris, Abebooks.

I want to be VERY clear from the start -- When I speak of "Worship" during the course of this article, I am NOT considering Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Jewish, "High", "Low", Charismatic, Pentecostal, or ANY other form of "Formalized Christian Worship". I will be referring, for lack of a clearer expression, to the natural, continuous flow of His Spirit through OUR spirit, and the spontaneous, reciprocal response of OUR spirit back to Him, as likened to a Great Dance !! I will be referring to a "Worship" that flows from Spirit to spirit, having its root and ground in TRUTH and REALITY -- the Truth as to who He is and who we are -- open, bare and naked Truth -- without any form, ritual, pretense or hypocrisy.

The amazing reality is that, according to His Word, "............ the Father seeks such to worship (commune with) Him." "Those that worship Me must worship Me in spirit and in truth. I do not call you to live in unreality but to empty yourself of all pretenses and be real before Me. I call you to admit when you are weary that you might find rest for your soul. I call you to admit when you are in turmoil and distress that I might minister to you peace. I call you to admit when you are discouraged that I might encourage you. How can you be filled with My Spirit unless you are first empty -- empty of yourself, your problems, your cares, your woes, yes even your successes and pride."

Let us consider this word, "worship" for a moment. It is difficult to separate it from its "religious connotations" in order to actually examine the word itself. One definition that I found states the matter thusly -- "Worship is honor and adoration directed to God. The New Testament uses several words for worship. Two of them particularly are noteworthy. The first is proskuneo, a commonly used term that literally means "to kiss toward," "to kiss the hand," or "to bow down." It is the word for worship used to signify humble adoration. The second word is latreuo, which suggests rendering honor, or paying homage. **** www.calvarychapel.com/redbarn/terms.htm

While the act of "worship" is usually considered in the religious sense as being toward God (or gods), that IS NOT necessarily so !! Worship appears to be defined in generic terms as, "An inordinate love and/or adoration toward a being or object. A submission (rendering honor, or paying homage) to a perceived superior said being or object." Now this "worship" may be rendered voluntarily out of love and adoration, or more or less INvoluntarily out of FEAR. Many primitive cultures did (and still DO) worship inanimate objects (though they believe that they either ARE or represent deities). Some worship actual people for their supposed powers. People have always idolized (worshipped) their favorite celebrities. Many, as Jesus clearly states, make gods of and worship Power and Wealth (money and possessions).

One of the Ten commandments (God's Fundamental Laws) states that, "You must not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." **** Exodus 34:14. Jesus elaborated upon this when He said, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." **** Matthew 6:24. Now the word rendered "Jealous" is also rendered "Envy" and "Zealous". I would like to offer the idea that what is being said is that God is VERY interested (zealous) in the well being of His people as is a loving father for his children.

Napoleon Hill wrote what has become one of the classic motivational or "success" books entitled, "Think and Grow Rich", in which he expounds the famous Andrew Carnegie formula for moneymaking based upon, "The Thirteen Proven Steps To Riches". The primary principle that he set forth in this book has been and is accepted as being true and valid by millions of successful individuals, and has represented the foundation stone of many multi million dollar estates and fortunes. That single principle is simply this, "That which you set your mind upon continually, that which you desire above all else, that which you meditate upon day and night, that which you set before ALL else, that which you WORSHIP -- will surely manifest itself in your life and will transform you into itself". In other words, "As you think, so will you be !!" Click HERE.

Mankind still believes that they can transgress God's Laws (speaking of those "Laws" which govern His physical and spiritual creation) with impunity. Many ignorantly think that since they "do not believe" said laws, therefore these laws do not apply to them. One might just as well climb to the top of a 100 story skyscraper and jump off, repeating on his way down, "I don't believe in the Law of Gravity. I don't accept it, therefore, I am NOT under its control or dominion". Do you think that this person would be any the less splattered over the ground than would one who acknowledged that he DID believe in "The Law of Gravity" ?? Of course not !! As stated in the scripture, "God is impartial, He causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust - on believers and unbelievers equally". God does NOT "Administer" His Laws in the manner that we usually associate with a human system of justice. They are rather build in as an integral part of His creation. Neither is He in "a rush", as humanity seems to always be. There is a 17th century poem, 'Retribution,' by Friedrich Von Logau, that goes like this:

That is to say, because we do not see consequences today - or tomorrow - or next month - or even next year - DOES NOT mean that they are not forthcoming !! Some seeds sprout very quickly, others take a very long time to come forth.

Do not be deceived. God is not mocked (made a fool of). For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. **** Galatians 6:7-9

Now, dear friends, do not let this one thing escape your notice, that a single day is like a thousand years with the Lord and a thousand years are like a single day. The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some regard slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not wish for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. **** 2 Peter 3:8,9

Click [ HERE ] for more Scripture verses.

When God first created mankind and placed him in the garden, he walked and communed freely with God -- without formality, ritual, or constraint. It is said that Adam, "Walked with God in the garden during the cool of the day". When man became alienated from God, he became fearful, and sought to hide or separate himself from God. He could no longer have an open relationship with his Creator - guilt and fear formed a barrier. Thus his relation became artificial, even as our relationship becomes strained and artificial with a friend or loved one whom we have wronged or hurt. He set aside formal times, places, and rituals to approach his God, seeking to keep Him separate, removed, and at a distance. In time, man ceased to know the true God, setting up in His place instead hateful idols fashioned after the "god" of his own guilty, twisted, fearful imagination. The loving God-Father became in man's mind a fearful, hateful, cruel god of fear, vengeance, and retribution, NOT to be loved but to be appeased and placated, lest this idol-god should destroy him.

Even after Jesus came to reveal the TRUE face and nature of His and our God and Father, man took what He gave as a pattern of communication and again turned it into an idol-ritual !! How many "Christians", instead of using the so-called "Lord's Prayer" as merely a pattern to express the words and intents of their OWN heart, turn it rather into a "vain repetition of meaningless rote, a babbling of idol-worship" !! Click HERE for an excellent revelation of "The Lords Prayer"

Imagine for a moment that you are a father (we will just use the phrase "son" here to make it easier for me. Of course "daughter", if appropriate, applies as well). Your son, learning to speak, comes to you with words that he has heard elsewhere and memorized, and "talks" with you. You are overjoyed with this act of love. Imagine further, however, that the years pass, the child grows to adulthood -- you look forward to meaningful conversation with your son. However, ALL that this child ever says to you are these same memorized, rote words that he learned as a small child. How hurt and disappointed you would be. Of course, this is still your child, you love him very much. You can only conclude that he is in some way retarded and can advance no further, so you content yourself with communicating with him on the only level at which he is able.

The reality is that SPIRITUALLY, we are ALL stunted and retarded --  spiritually immature, small children. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to revive, nourish, teach and mature OUR spirit.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when what is perfect comes, the partial will be set aside. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways. For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known. **** 1 Corinthians 13:9-12

So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world. But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.8 **** Galatians 4:3-5

Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God -- a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ's full stature. So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. **** Ephesians 4:13-15

Of course, our Heavenly Father is infinitely more than even the best of earthly fathers could ever be. He will NOT sit by while His children remain forever retarded, stunted, and isolated from Him. Even in the garden, immediately after the separation, He promised them that He was at work to restore them back into their proper relationship with Him. What was lost --  AND EVEN GREATER -- would be restored !!

It is interesting that this redemption process begins with the selection of one (Abram, later to become Abraham) who appears to have nothing to recommend him except for a trusting, willing heart. He appears to be a resident of a land that is a root of heathen, humanistic idolatry (Babylonia). His household is riddled with idols. Also, contrary to what many may like to think, God's selection of Israel to become His chosen people through whom to reveal Himself had NOTHING to do with any special goodness of theirs, but rather had EVERYTHING to do with God's sovereign choosing. As a matter of fact, He tells them:

Do not think to yourself after the Lord your God has driven them out before you, "Because of my own righteousness the Lord has brought me here to possess this land." It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you. ... in order to confirm the promise He made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. ....... for you are a stubborn people! **** Deuteronomy 9:4-6

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? For if Abraham was declared righteous by the works of the law, he has something to boast about -- but not before God. For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his pay is not credited due to grace but due to obligation. But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited as righteousness. Is this blessedness then for the circumcision or also for the uncircumcision? For we say, "faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness." How then was it credited to him? Was he circumcised at the time, or not? No, he was not circumcised but uncircumcised! And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised, that they too could have righteousness credited to them. **** Romans 4:1-11

God likewise informs us in the New Testament:

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something, so that no one can boast in his presence. **** 1 Corinthians 1:25-29

For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. (For rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person perhaps someone might possibly dare to die.) But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, because we have now been declared righteous by his blood, we will be saved through him from God's wrath. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more, since we have been reconciled, will we be saved by his life? **** Romans 5:6-10

So, as C.S. Lewis so aptly put it, the infinite God takes upon Himself manhood and descends down into the muck and sin of His lost creation, DOWN, DOWN to meet His children where THEY are at. If THEY will not -- CAN not come to Him -- then He will go to them !! He first meets them in the formalism, in the ritual, in the RELIGION which is all that they desire, all that they can ACCEPT, with the intent that HE will redeem, reconcile and empower them to TRULY grow up into His children -- TRULY His sons and daughters.

It was NEVER God's intent that His children should forever be content in outward religion. It was always intended to be but a school, a training center where they could be brought onward to spiritual maturity. Religion is but a "Shadow of the Heavenly Realities" !! Even to His people, the Israelites, in the "School of Types and Shadows called Israel", He told them repeatedly through His Prophets that He hated their impotent idols, their empty, hypocritical worship --  that He would not accept their meaningless sacrifices. He tried to impress upon them that it was the fullness of their lives that He wanted -- their hearts and minds --  but they refused to listen.

The sovereign Lord says, "These people say they are loyal to me; they say wonderful things about me, but they are not really loyal to me. Their worship consists of nothing but man-made ritual." **** Isaiah 29:13

Certainly you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it; you do not desire a burnt sacrifice. The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit -- O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject. **** Psalm 51:16,17

For I delight in faithfulness, not simply in sacrifice; I delight in acknowledging God, not simply in whole burnt offerings. **** Hose 6:6

"I absolutely despise (hate) your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies! Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, I will not be satisfied; I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves. Take away from me your noisy songs; I don't want to hear the music of your stringed instruments. Justice must flow like torrents of water, righteous actions like a stream that never dries up. You did not bring me sacrifices and grain offerings during the forty years you spent in the wilderness, family of Israel." says the Lord **** Amos 5:21-25

Click [ HERE ] for more Scripture verses.

He (King David) found favor with God and asked that he could find a dwelling place for the house of Jacob. But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands, as the prophet says, "Heaven is my throne, and earth is the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is my resting place? Did my hand not make all these things?"**** Acts 7:46-50

King David of Israel, who was the prototype of the "Greater David who would one day come", gives us glimpses of a worship of our God-Father that is not constrained by form and ritual, but springs rather from a heart full of love, joy, and adoration. We see his abandon exemplified in 2 Samuel. He is promptly reviled by his wife  Michal, daughter of Saul, who was "King after the flesh", as opposed to David, who was "King after the Spirit".

It is interesting that Michal means, "who is like God", a representative of the "Church of the flesh" which is constantly at war with the "Church of the Spirit". It is also interesting to note the side-comment: "Now Michal had no children to the day of her death". In the same way, the "Church of the flesh" remains barren of any Spiritual Fruit because, in reality, it fears and despises ITS Lord !!

So David went and joyfully brought the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David. Now David, wearing a linen ephod, was dancing with all his strength before the Lord. David and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord, shouting and blowing trumpets. As the ark of the Lord entered the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out the window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him. When David went home to pronounce a blessing on his own house, Michal, Saul's daughter, came out to meet him. She said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself this day! He has exposed himself today before his servants slave girls, the way a vulgar fool might do!" David replied to Michal, "It was before the Lord! I was celebrating before the Lord, Now Michal, Saul's daughter, had no children to the day of her death. **** 2 Samuel 6:12-23

Just as at that time, the one born after the flesh persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so it is now. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other **** Galatians 4:29;5:17

A MAJOR point that has been all but lost by the majority of the "Christian Church" is that God has declared the keeping of ANY Law or Ritual related to the worship of Him as nullifying the very grace that saves us in Jesus Christ, "You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! **** Galatians 5:4. As the Apostle Paul elsewhere states it, it is paramount to  "receiving a Different Gospel".

The Roman Catholic Organization, built upon its foundation of heathen/pagan rituals, laws and superstitions, the Seventh Day Adventist with its emphasis on "Sabbath Keeping", the JW's with their "Works Mentality", the Mormons with their "Special Revelations", and any and ALL other churches which have insinuated within themselves ANY form of Law and/or Ritual that comes between or is a requirement for a relationship with God through Jesus Christ are included. MANY Churches blindly believe that it is their obligation to teach and enforce the Ten Commandments. That is NOT to say that God's Church is to be WITHOUT Law, but as Jesus taught, it is to be under the FAR more encompassing "Law of the Spirit and of Love". This law does NOT weigh the outward actions ONLY, but rather the "intents and desires of the heart". It is the Law birthed and administered by the indwelling Holy Spirit of God.

How can so many be so blind ?? Surely it is as Jesus Himself observed, "Seeing they would not see and hearing they would not hear" !! Paul penned the entire Letter to the Galatians to combat this very error that was prevalent even as he preached the gospel. He stresses that law and ritual are the very Antithus of a living relationship with God. They are, in fact, designed to keep one apart from the presence of God, to keep one separated, to foster "Religion" -- MAN's effort to meet God (at a distance) on his OWN terms and to actually attempt to CONTROL God.

Paul stressed the ritual of circumcision, but DO NOT miss the full meaning here. At that time, circumcision was the "Special Ordinance", the "Mark of Preferred Status", the "Entry Into the Kingdom" as far as the Jews were concerned. It was the unique symbol of their exclusive and special relationship with God (their Club Key so to speak). It must have been intolerable to them (as it is intolerable to many today as related to THEIR "Special Criteria" for approaching God) to have Paul declare that this circumcision had been rendered "null and void" by God Himself -- it now was of NO significance whatsoever -- " In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight -- the only thing that matters is faith working through love. ..... and a new creation." **** Galatians 5:6;6:15

As a matter of fact, Paul considered this matter to be exceedingly important, with far-reaching and overwhelming implications and consequences --- So much so that he became quite agitated and violent in his attempt to persuade those whom he had worked so hard for and loved so much away from their FATAL error.

I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those agitators would go so far as to castrate themselves! **** Galatians 5:10-12

It is of no use to say, "Well, I am not under "THE Law" -- I just follow this particular ritual, observance, legality, or ordinance. Paul states, "I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law" **** Galatians 5:3. He says that you CAN NOT, "bite off a piece of your choosing" !! To obligate yourself to a PART of the Law is to embrace the effects of the FULL Law. Just like you can not be, "just a little bit pregnant" !! When The Law is here spoken of, it does NOT refer to just the so-called "Ten Commandments", but ALL of the Laws, Codes, and Ordinances outlined by God to the Israelites in the Books of Exodus and Leviticus.

James, in the book bearing his name, likewise reiterates this principle:

For the one who obeys the whole law, but fails in one point, has become guilty of all of it (the whole law). **** James 2:10

Adam was AFRAID to meet with God after his transgression (Gen 3:10). The rescued Israelites wanted Moses to go up unto Mount Siani to hear from God because they were AFRAID (Deut 5:5). Moses erected the "Tent of Meeting" away, outside of the Camp, because of the people's sin (Exodus 33:7). In the Jewish temple, it was the purpose of the veil to separate unconsecrated man from God's presence, lest he should DIE (Levi 16:2; Numb 4:19). Religion is man's attempt to hide from the living presence of God because, like Adam, he knows that he has transgressed against God, and he is AFRAID.

However, when Jesus was crucified, the veil was rent in two, the doorway into the Holy of Holies was flung open, ANY man (and woman) may enter into the very presence of the Living God without fear through the Love of God in Jesus Christ. There is now but ONE mediator (go between),  between God and man, the man Jesus Christ. There is no need for priests, or bishops, or cardinals, or Popes or ANYONE else !!!

Yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside God's grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery. Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight -- the only thing that matters is faith working through love. **** Galatians 5:1-6

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. **** Colossians 2:16,17

Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer. **** 1 Timothy 4:1-5

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God had no intention of leaving His children in the frightened, stunted, retarded, blind condition that they found themselves in. He always had a plan, and was busy executing it from the beginning. It might be stated thus, "I will make for me a Son". While it is true that He CREATED Adam (and thus a race of children) in the garden, a Son could NOT be created, but must rather be DEVELOPED through birth and experience. God is (and always has been) developing His Mature Sons (and Daughters too, for in Christ there is neither male nor female). In the proper time, at the Consummation of all things, they will be revealed, and the whole of creation, now groaning under the weight of Sin and decay, will rejoice with Joy and Glory unimaginable !!!!

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ. For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will -- to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight. He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ -- the things in heaven and the things on earth. In Christ we too have been claimed as God's own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will **** Ephesians 1:3-11

For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be eliminated is death. For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says "everything" has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all. **** 1 Corinthians 15:22-28

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What God would have of His Sons is NOT complicated, though for fallen man, it IS impossible. However, He, by His Spirit working in and through mankind, WILL make it not only possible but an actuality.

He sums up the Law of Creation -- the Law of Love -- in these final three scripture passages:

Now when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together. And one of them, an expert in religious law, asked him a question to test him: "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" Jesus said to him, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets depend on these two commandments." **** Matthew 22:34-40

Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. My commandment is this, "to love one another just as I have loved you." No one has greater love than this -- that one lays down his life for his friends. 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. This I command you, "to love one another." **** John 15:9-17

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away everything I own, and if I give over my body in order to boast, but do not have love, I receive no benefit. ........... Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love -- But the greatest of these is love. **** 1 Corinthians 13:1-13