Give Me Christ

Loneliness and the Design of Fellowship

Posted on March 31, 2025 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

Loneliness can be a big problem. It can lead to oppression and depression, hopelessness and even suicide. You can be alone without being lonely, but real loneliness is often evidence of an emptiness of soul. And there’s only one thing that can remedy that emptiness and fill you up.

That at that time you were without Christ….having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12a,c

I became a believer (and receiver) of Christ shortly before I turned 23. My experience of that moment was a fullness of realization that God loved me. His love filled me up and changed me forever. I wasn’t in a church. I was working, and happened to be standing on a sidewalk in front of a business. Before that occurrence, a crushing loneliness had been a constant companion in my thoughts and feelings. There was no one who really knew who I was or who truly cared about me. The love and affection of my parents, siblings and friends (what there was) just never reached into and filled my heart.

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you being rooted and grounded in love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know (ginosko – know by experience) the love of Christ, which passes knowledge (literally, the text reads, “and to know the hyperbolic (surpassing) love of Christ), that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

I felt like I was the first person in all of existence to discover this love, for it truly went beyond any experience I’d ever had, or even heard about. It went beyond anything I had ever known. It surpassed the sum total of all the facts and knowledge I held in my mind. One of the things that accompanied that first revelation of God’s love was a heartfelt love for the people around me. I loved everyone! I was like a fountain, overflowing with a supernatural desire that everyone else experience what I was experiencing.

Notice in Ephesians 3:18 above that it is written, may be able to comprehend with all saints. This amazing, life-filling experience of God’s dynamic, eternal, immutable love is meant to be a communal experience.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes upon him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

That everlasting life is God’s everlasting love, and it is meant for everyone, not just me. But only those who believe unto Christ receive this love, for God will not force even His love onto or into us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities or powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38,39

God’s love is meant for the whole world; that is, every person who has ever lived, and it has the power to perform a truly amazing feat (besides filling up each person who believes unto Jesus Christ). It has the power to build a network, to connect a limitless number of people with one another. That’s good, because it will take everyone who has ever lived and believed, as well as everyone who will ever live and believe, to house the eternal Creator, experiencing Him as a hyperbolically loving Father of fullness.

That their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement (epignosis – thorough experiential knowing) of the mystery of God… Christ. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (gnosis – experiential knowing). Colossians 2:2,3

A large part of what we can expect to receive and experience in the future (our inheritance) involves this interconnectedness with others. We have not been designed to do this on our own! I have discovered that the only true, deep, fulfilling connection I ever have with another human is the work of God’s love. Seeking connection is one of the ways my Father has taught me to love others. My desire to connect with others energizes God’s love within me, making it happen, if their hearts are open. It’s God’s glorious working in me and through me toward others, and it began the moment I was filled with His love, now almost 51 years ago!

If we love one another, God dwells in us and His love is perfected (fully realized) in us. I John 4:12b

No longer do I ache with loneliness, with that crushing emptiness which had led me to so many destructive and corruptive practices and habits (alcoholism, sex addiction, drug addiction, depression, anxiety and fear, envy and anger and strife… to name a few of the spirits which used to plague me). Now I can sit alone in a house, or be out in the world and be filled with the fullness of God’s love for me, doing nothing special! And even today, when I am with other people, that love within still seeks to connect with others, to communally share in the riches of God’s unfathomable, unbounding and eternal love.

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in (in and among) you (plural), the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27

Immediately after being baptized by John, Jesus was filled with the spirit and the first thing he heard His Father say to him was:

You are my beloved son. In you I am well pleased. Luke 3:22b

That’s love! Jesus was the only person this message from God was intended for. “Hey son, I love you immensely!” Immediately after, the spirit of his Father led him out into the wilderness for 40 days. Why? To be alone with his Father… and to learn to recognize the voice and working of the devil (the other spiritual power). Alone, but not lonely. Alone, but filled up.

And he (Jesus) is the head of the body, the assembly; who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For in him was all fullness pleased to dwell (proper translation). Colossians 1:18,19

Jesus is the beginning, but he is not the ending. He was the first, but he is not the last. He is the first of a new race of beings, so to speak. Jesus is the prototype of this new creation, which at its apex has been designed to house the Creator of the universe as a Father to His children. The church. The assembly. The called out. The body of Christ.

What Jesus did while on earth, he did for Israel, to fulfill the promises God had made to the fathers of Israel. He came to make plain the one true God, and to defeat the devil and his works, chief of which is death. These things he did while on the earth. But the body of Christ, this organic temple of the living God, this he didn’t begin to do until he had ascended into heaven and been glorified by his Father, seated at His right hand.

I hope this is not too difficult to understand. Let’s say it’s my job as a boat builder to build a specific boat to exact specifications, and I do so. There, I completed my job. Now the person who ordered the boat from me surprises me. He hires me and trains me to captain the boat and sail around the world, and I do so, breaking new speed records. You see, I as the boat builder did not accomplish the speed record, but I did make it possible. It was I as the boat captain that broke the record. So it is with Jesus Christ and the building of the spiritual body of Christ, the dwelling place of God. He made it possible by what he accomplished while on earth, but it’s in his new role as head of the spiritual body of Christ that he is fulfilling the ultimate plan of God.

That in the administration of the fulness of times, He (God) might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth; in him. And (God) has put all things under his (the glorified Christ, Jesus’) feet, and gave him to be the head over all for the assembly, which is his (Jesus’) body, the fullness of him who fulfills everything in everyone. Ephesians 1:10,22,23

Our glory and our destiny is to be knit together with all believers in and by the spirit of God’s eternal love, which is fully manifested in and by the spirit of Christ. Whatever loneliness or emptiness we have experienced or ever have, will be a long distant memory in the not too distant future.

Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints (holy ones), and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto a holy temple in the Lord; In whom you (plural) also are built together for a habitation of God through the spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

All of creation is waiting for this to happen, when God’s love is fully manifested throughout all His creation.

For I reckon (logically reason) that the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creation was made subject to vanity (in the garden), (not willingly, but by reason of him (the devil) who has subjected the same) in hope. Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Romans 8:18-21

Filled and fully loved, not alone but together with those also begotten by God in Christ, being built together to house the creator of all existence, our Father.

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Posted in ---Doctrine and Understanding | Tagged alone, bond, connect, connected, emptiness, empty, fellowship, loneliness, lonely, lonesome, love | Leave a comment

When Jesus Christ Becomes Boring

Posted on March 26, 2025 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

Most of what I teach is what the spirit of Christ has been revealed within me. I teach it from the Bible, and mostly from the writings of Paul. His writings are the primary means by which God has taught me within the true workings of the spirit of His son.

For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles (he was an actual prisoner at the time), If you have heard of the administration of the grace of God which is given to me for you; How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery (of Christ); (as I wrote before in few words, Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge (should read have my understanding) in the mystery of Christ);
Ephesians 3:1-4

It’s a simple “formula” really. Read Paul’s general epistles, which are for the most part being addressed to Gentile believers. Look to the spirit of Christ within to have the true spiritual, powerful understanding of what is written be revealed within you, just like what happened to Paul. All other Scripture I read in light of the truths revealed by Paul. Even today, I can be reading a verse I’ve read 100’s of other times and have it come to life within me in an excitingly novel way, and I’m like a little kid being taught some otherworldly truth by my heavenly Father.

For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Out of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (God names us by birthing the spirit of His son into us), That He would give you, according to the riches of His glory (excellence manifested) to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth and height; And to know the love of Christ, which is the ultimate in knowledge (gnosis – what is known by experiencing it), that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

Filled with all the fullness of God! You can know it in your head; even be able to teach it, but until you actually experience being filled with all the fullness of God, you won’t… in fact you can’t understand it. It goes beyond any human carnal understanding or experience.

For I would that you knew what great conflict (agon – struggle for victory) I have for you and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh (like you and I); That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment (epignosis – thorough experiential knowing) of the mystery of God… Christ (and of the Father and of not in the text); In whom (or which, referring to the mystery of Christ) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:1-3

All the treasures of wisdom and knowing by experience (relational knowing)! There’s not anything bigger. If you get bored with it, you’re not seeing it or experiencing it. If you are experiencing it, then you are being lifted up into the very presence of your spiritual Father, whose power and majesty gives your whole life value and worth and meaning. It’s spiritual ecstasy and goes beyond normal, regular understanding. What is being described here by Paul is the greatest, the ultimate in the whole of human experience!

But then….

And this I say, lest any man should beguile you (miscount, reason falsely, to delude by false reasoning) with enticing words. Beware lest any man spoil you (to lead off as prey) through philosophy (the love or appreciation of human wisdom) and vain deceit (deceit, especially by false statements… here, false statements which emphasize the one speaking and his/her rightness), after the rudiments (basic elements) of the world (and its wisdom) and not after Christ. Colossians 2:4,8

What makes a person susceptible to being beguiled and spoiled is failure to be rooted in the revelation of Christ within. Unless you hear, believe, take unto yourself and exalt what Christ is revealing within you, you will be open to being led away from this fullness of God… and to what? Spiritual confusion, conflict, apathy and eventually boredom. The “same old same old” mindset of apathetic Christianity being guided by the devil’s deceit into “this is great, but what’s next?” thinking. Like needing to scratch an itch, only for the itch to come back stronger than before. Always looking for the next great thing… author, book, concept, revival, personality.

As you have therefore received (taken unto yourself) Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; Rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, as you have been taught (by revelation), abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6,7)

In order to really have at hand, truly have so that you benefit from and can’t easily lose, the revelation of Christ within, two things are necessary.

One: The Lordship of Jesus Christ. You have received his revelation and exalted it in your mind, heart and life as being the highest priority. You have latched onto this knowing of Christ as being of the utmost importance, and you adhere and follow it like the quality of your life depends on it. You allow it to take the lead in making your decisions and you devote at least a portion of your life to pursuing a furtherance and growth of his revelation in your heart, life and understanding. You have a new identity as being what is being revealed within you (you are what God says you are) and are in the continual process of forsaking your old way of thinking and living.

Two: Thankfulness for what has been and is being given to you by the hand of your Lord. If you’re not thankful for it, then it’s not practically present in your life. Thankfulness is the visceral response to the receipt of a gift. It affects you. If the revelation of the Christ within (whatever he is revealing to you) is not affecting you, then you are not thankful for it (if you even received it in the first place) , and the full effect that revelation is intended to have cannot take place. If the worries and concerns of this present material world take precedence in your thinking over what God is revealing, you will become spiritually unfruitful. If you will not lay aside your old way of thinking and reasoning and feeling in order to take on this new Christ-inspired revelation as your new identity, then your spiritual life will be choked off.

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

Jesus Christ cannot and will not impose himself, will never force what is revealed of his spirit to become lord of your life… not in this age. That’s up to you. You are generously and completely loved of the Father even if you never walk in or accept fully the power and wisdom of the lordship of His love within you. He loved us when we were spiritually dead, and He is eternally patient to see His love dominate in our lives and change us.

No man can serve two masters (lords); for either he will hate (have no love for) the one, and love the other; or else he will cling to the one, and despise (think down upon, think slightly of) the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (success in this world). Matthew 6:24

If the revelation of Christ doesn’t become your life, your reason for living, it can become relegated to simply a curiosity, an interesting bit of knowledge or experience you carry in your pocket so to speak. Every Christ believer has to find his or her personal place of importance in the body of Christ. Especially if you find no spiritually productive outlet, or ministry for what God is imparting to you by the revelation of the Christ within, that experiential knowing can become stagnant, insignificant in your life and mind and heart.

Worse yet, all the knowing of God you have can become dogmatic trivia which, rather than being freely and lovingly shared with others, becomes a religious bludgeon used to isolate, insulate and harden the heart. In that case, apathy will rule your heart rather than love, and you will treat others with condescension, envy and strife rather than longsuffering, love and joy. Why? Because the spirit is not bearing fruit in your life, and you start to wither away spiritually. You still have all this knowledge in your head, but your heart falls farther and farther away from the Lord of love.

A minister does not have to be perfect (thank God!), just faithful. Just stay on the journey into Christ, seeking to live out the fantastic, glorious revelations being imparted to you. Don’t let go or give up. Don’t let your heart get hard when others reject what you share, for you serve the Lord Christ, not man. And of the Lord you shall receive the reward of your inheritance, which is to partake of a larger and larger portion of our heavenly Father, God Himself.

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the initiator and perfecter 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. Hebrews 12:1,2

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Posted in ---Growth and practice | Tagged apathetic, apathy, beguile, beguiled, bored, boring, deceit, filled, fullness, lord, lordship, philosophy, revealed, revelation, spoil, spoiled, thankful, thankfulness, vain, vanity | Leave a comment

Developing the Mind of Christ

Posted on June 22, 2024 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

The mind of man is an amazing thing. It is the organ of our mental perception, and it contains what is referred to in the Bible as our emotions and passions, our identity, our logical reasoning and even our heart (not the physical heart, but the metaphysical, thinking and feeling and believing heart). But this mind of man has serious limitations as regards the things of God.

But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know (gnosko – know experientially) them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:14

There is only one mind which can grasp as a reality and thus live in the truths of the things of the spirit of God, and that is the mind of Christ, which is a spiritual mind. This mind of Christ is also known as the holy spirit (Holy Spirit), which Jesus sent us from the Father once he ascended off the earth and was seated at the right hand of God in his glory. This holy spirit of God (or Christ) is our connection, our relationship with our spiritual Father, made possible by the faith of Jesus Christ, what he accomplished for us, and what he now wants to accomplish in us.

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in (eis – unto) Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives 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. Galatians 2:16,20

Christ lives in me. The holy spirit lives in me. Are they different things? No. They are different aspects of the same thing; the life of God, the nature of God, the faith of Christ, the spirit of Christ, Christ, the mind of Christ.

For it is God who works (energeo – energizes) in you both to will and to do (energeo – energize) of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God, via the holy spirit of the Christ within, energizes within us so that we can know what God desires (will) and so that we can carry out (do) that will. Will and do. Wisdom and power.

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them who are called, both Jews and Greeks; Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God. I Corinthians 1:23,24

The birthing of this spirit of Christ within us creates a new mind, also known as a new man. This holy spirit immediately goes to work relaying to us the will and the energizing of God, by developing within us the nature and the thinking of the Christ. It does so by revealing the truths of Christ to us. Below are a number of verses which, with the above in mind, should make more sense.

But when the Comforter is come, which I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. John 15:26

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but when I depart, I will send him unto you. I have yet many things to say unto you, but you cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear (from me), that shall he speak; and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore said I that he shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. John 16:7,12-15

(The pronoun he in the above verses modifies the masculine noun spirit, in the Greek, and can just as easily be translated it. The Comforter is the life of Christ, and conveys to us the nature and will of Jesus Christ himself)

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, To reveal His son in me, Galatians 1:15,16a

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ be formed in you. Galatians 4:19

But you have not so learned Christ; If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught by (en – in) him (as the truth is in Jesus); That you put off concerning the former behavior the old man, which is corrupt according to the overdesires of deceit; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that you put on the new man, which according to God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

Having the mind of Christ birthed within us is just the beginning of a conscientious and eternal love affair with God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our brother. After the birth comes the growth! And it is the spirit of Christ himself which is responsible to see to that growth within us! Will and do! Wisdom and power!

But God has revealed them (the things which has God has prepared for them that love him) unto us by His spirit; for the spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
I Corinthians 2:10,12,15,16

The holy spirit within us, also known as the Christ within , is our spiritual radio receiver, specially designed to be able to pick up the spiritual radio signals which Jesus himself, on behalf of his Father, sends our way.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (the spirit of Christ) shall be saved. How then shall they call on him whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe of whom they have not heard? (in and in are not in the original text) and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rema – what is spoken directly to you) of God. Romans 10:13,14,17

Recognizing, putting into practice, living by the mind of Christ is a developing thing. Putting off the old and putting on this new, developing spiritual man and his thinking is so other than what we have been used to. Don’t worry. God is infinitely patient, as you become accustomed to being instructed by Jesus Christ regarding the things of God.

And to not conform yourself to this world, but to be transformed (changed) for to renew the mind; so that you may prove (to see developed by practice) what is that good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2

I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind (of Christ) I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:25

Walking with God is never an “all or none” effort. Rather, learning to walk, to live our lives, in the energizing of the spirit of God within, and seeing the wisdom of God develop within us so that we can understand our Father’s desirous will and experientially realize the dynamic energizing of His spirit, can be a slow process. But a process it is, and one which is gloriously rewarding. Be patient with the process and thankful for the chance to walk as children of God, energized by the spirit of God working in the mind of Christ which has been gifted us when we first believed.

Posted in ---Growth and practice | Tagged build, develop, grow, growth, mind, practice | 3 Comments

How God Works in Me

Posted on March 29, 2024 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

I am always on the lookout, in my reading of the Bible as well as in my prayerful, contemplative meditations of the things of Christ, for the specific thinking that will position me to connect with the working of God in my life. In other words, I’m always looking for the effort required on my part which will allow for God to express Himself in and through my life. Whether that effort required of me be passive (as in, allowing it to happen) or active (as in, something I need to do), the clearer my understanding of exactly what that specific working of my mind needs to be, the more I believe God can and will work in my life.

You might respond to the above by saying to me, “Simple, just have faith.” Okay, I wouldn’t disagree with that statement, but it’s “just” not specific enough. Does it mean I need to do something or think something specific? Does simply believing in God mean I have the faith you’re saying I need to “just have?”

So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.
(Romans 10:17)

In order for me to have faith, I need to hear from God. So I go right back to the original question: What do I need to do, or not do in order to hear from God? Where can I position my mind and my thoughts in order to better hear from God directly, so that I can have the faith I’m to live by?

For therein (in the gospel of Christ) is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Romans 1:17)

In this administration of the grace of God, which is manifested in the revelation of the mystery of Christ, Paul was set forth by God to be an example to me.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Christ Jesus might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them who should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (I Timothy 1:15,16)

Them who should hereafter believe on him. That’s me! Paul is my example today!

Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

With the above in mind, let’s take a look at what Paul has to say about exactly what he thought; how he positioned his mind, so that God could and would express Himself through his (Paul’s) life. In this section in I Corinthians, Paul is speaking of his (and Apollos’) ministry to others:

For we are laborers together with God; you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:9)

The phrase laborers together with is a single Greek word in the original text, sunergos, which is composed of the prefix sun, meaning with, and ergos, coming from the verb ergazomai, which means to work or to do. Sunergos describes a cooperative effort of (at least) two parties, working toward the same goal. And yet the second half of this verse indicates that the result of the cooperative effort between Paul and God is due to God alone. It doesn’t seem fair, does it? God and Paul are both doing something, working together toward the same goal, but God alone is getting the credit for the results. What then does Paul get out of his efforts? And exactly how does Paul work together with God? Answer these questions and we’ll go a long way in better understanding the specific effort required which allows God to express Himself to and through us.

Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only; but now much more in my absence, work out (katergazomai) your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God Who works in (energazomai) you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
(Philippians 2:12,13)

These two verses contain two uses of the word “work,” one attributed to the effort of Paul, and one to God. But each of the two uses has a different prefix, and those prefixes spell out the exact differentiation between what man does and what God does in this “working together” which Paul spoke of in I Corinthians.

First we’ll look at the second verse, 13. The phrase works in is the Greek word energazomai, the prefix being en, meaning in, and ergazomai, meaning to work. The words energy and energize come from this word, and it indicates a working within, an “in-working.” God supplies the energy, or the energizing.

In verse 12, the first verse above, work out is the single word katergazomai, the prefix being kata, meaning down from, and ergazomai, meaning to work. This word indicates something being worked down and/or out, from inside to outside, in a person’s life. To simply define this word katergazomai, I like the word “express.” Man initiates the mental and physical working which is required to express the inner energizing of God. God energizes, and Paul (or any believer) works that energy out into expression. God inspires, man acts on that inner working, to the end that the working of God gets expressed in the physical world. For this cooperative working, God gets the credit for the results, and man is rewarded by God for his part. Back in I Corinthians 3….

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (I Corinthians 3:5-8)

It is God who rewards the one who allows His (God’s) energizing to be expressed into this world. In fact, God is the reward for the one who so works.

For this cause we also, since the day we heard, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the thorough knowing (epignosis) of His will (His energizing within) in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, (when the work of man is a result of God’s energizing being worked out, or expressed, it always produces the fruit of the spirit) and increasing in the thorough knowing (epignosis) of God. (Colossians 1:9,10)

Man expresses in his living (thoughts, words and deeds) that which God is energizing within, and is rewarded for doing so by an increased knowing of God. The reward is literally more of God!

Following are a few more verses containing uses of the word katergazomai, to work out into expression, which is man’s part. Take time to try and understand, as you see each use in its context, that there is an energizing within, a spiritual power or force (whether good or evil) that is being worked out into expression.

And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working (katergazomai – working out, expressing outwardly an energizing within) that which is unseemly (deformed), and receiving in themselves that recompence (repayment) of their error which was meet (necessary, required).
(Romans 1:27)

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation works (katergazomai) patience; (Romans 5:3)

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought (katergazomai) in me all manner of concupiscence (the desire, yearning, longing which leads one about by the nose)…
(Romans 7:8a)

In the following verses in Romans 7, there are three different words which are translated “do.” Those which are not katergazomai are either poieo or prasso, both of which mean to produce an action, or to do or practice continually. Also, it’s good to know that this section in Romans is not speaking of the believer who is in Christ, but rather who is walking in his fleshly, carnal mind.

For that which I do (katergazomai) I know (ginosko) not (I’m not fully aware of); for what I desire, that I don’t do; but what I hate, that I do. If then I do that which I desire not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do (katergazomai) it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform (katergazomai) that which is good I find not (because there is no energizing of God in the carnal mind). For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do what I would not, it is no more I that do (katergazomai) it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that, when I desire to do good, evil is present with me. (Romans 7:15-21)

Two things concerning the above: First, in these specific verses, Paul is not talking about a believer who is in Christ, but rather a believer who is trying to do the will of God in his flesh; and second, each time that katergazomai is used, it is indicating a power or force within which is being worked out, or expressed, through his own actions or behavior. It is sin, evil, which is being worked out into practice by the man who is dwelling in his flesh. No matter what a man wants or desires, when he is in the sinfulness of his flesh, then that sinfulness is what is going to be worked out into practice.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done (katergazomai) all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)

God evidences Himself within His children as an energizing, which energizing is sourced from the wholeness of the spirit of Christ which he received when he believed unto Jesus Christ. When and as it occurs, and according to the energizing of that holy spirit, man responds to it by having it be worked out into evidence in his psychological and physiological (mind and body) life. The benefit, or reward, for a man so working in this cooperation with the energizing of God’s spirit is that he will have more of God.

Paul was so enamored of this increasing of the spirit of God, which is the spirit of Christ in his life that he surrendered himself almost completely to it (he wasn’t perfect!).

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not worked (katergazomai) by means of me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed. (Romans 15:18)

How Paul worked together with God is our example today. He lived to experience the energizing of the spirit of Christ within being expressed in and through his life, knowing that doing so would result in an ever-increasing supply of the spirit of God.

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Posted in ---Growth and practice, WORD STUDY | Tagged energize, salvation, work, work out | Leave a comment

The Importance of Paul’s Gospel

Posted on March 15, 2023 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

The ministry of Jesus while on the earth was to only Israel, as he preached and taught the things of the kingdom of God, (while they still waited for the redemption of mankind), and that Israel should repent and adhere to the heart of the law of Moses. The ministry of Paul the apostle of the glorified Jesus Christ was to all the world, as he preached and taught the things of the kingdom of God, where mankind had been redeemed and God’s grace was let loose upon it, restoring man unto the image of God once again.

I marvel that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Galatians 1:6

I once had a monthly Bible study at my home. Once a month I would meet with around ten other men, many of whom were, or had been in ministerial responsibilities. I taught the gospel of Paul, the grace of God, the revelation of the mystery of Christ. The study ended when one of the active ministers (and, as it turned out, he was simply voicing what the others chose to believe) decided to reject the gospel of Paul, stating, “Paul didn’t die for my sins.” This minister thought we should be focusing on the words of Jesus, who did die for our sins. I should have responded to him, “And Jesus didn’t write the Gospels.” In other words, Jesus himself is not a writer of any Scripture. Either we believe what is written as coming from the mouth of God, or we don’t.

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached. Can you imagine why? Well, for one, their audiences were not the same.

But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24

For he who worked effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision (Israel), the same was mighty in me (Paul) toward the Gentiles (everyone not of Israel): Galatians 2:8

There is no record of Jesus every ministering specifically to a Gentile. If you look closely at all the records of the centurion who had a servant who was sick, you’ll see that he had Jewish leaders go to Jesus to request help with that servant, who was most assuredly Jewish. The Gentiles were never included in the benefit that the Christ made available to the world, until after he left the earth.

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached. Can you imagine why? Well, for two, Jesus did not have the new spiritual birth to offer while he was on the earth. No person was “born from above” until the day of Pentecost, ten days after Jesus had ascended off the earth. In John 3, where Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, he is speaking of a future time, at the resurrection, when those raised into righteousness and eternal life will be “birthed” spiritually to live forever. No person ever got “born again” while Jesus walked the earth. His death and resurrection were required in order for that to happen.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Romans 10:9

But for us also, to whom it (the righteousness of God) shall be imputed, if we believe on Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Romans 4:24

Paul’s gospel certainly is not the same gospel as what Jesus preached. Can you imagine why? Well, for three, the mystery of Christ which Paul preached was not revealed to man until after Jesus died, was raised, and ascended. The mystery of Christ was prepared by God before the world began, for our glory, but was not revealed to us until the gospel of Paul (and others whose writings we no longer have).

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, that which was hidden, which God prepared before the world unto our glory; Which none of the princes of this world knew; for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I Corinthians 2:7,8

Now unto Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. Romans 16:25,26

How could Jesus preach the mystery of Christ, while it yet remained hidden in God, so that the princes of this world would have Jesus put to death, so that his Father could raise him and glorify him by seating him at His own right hand in the heavens, so that Jesus could send the holy spirit into the world so that anyone who believed could be filled with that same spirit of Christ, who could then do even greater works than Jesus when he walked the earth? No, Jesus did not preach the mystery. Paul did. But Jesus did point to a time after he left the earth that would be better than it was when he was on the earth.

… for he (the holy spirit) dwells with you (being in Jesus) and shall be in you. John 14:17b

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient (profitable, advantageous) for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the comforter will not come unto you; but when I depart, I will send him unto you. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth… John 16:7,13a

No man was born of the spirit when Jesus walked the earth, for man was still under the law of Moses. Man could only walk by his fleshly understanding, and so he was in a constant battle with the things of God.

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:7,8

When Jesus walked the earth, no man could know, understand or walk in the things of the spirit of God, for only Jesus had the spirit. (Some of Jesus’ disciples may have had the spirit upon them for a season, but they were never born of that spirit while Jesus walked the earth) Today, via Paul’s epistles, any man can receive, know, understand and walk in the things of the spirit of God. There is such a big difference between the gospel which Jesus preached and the gospel which Paul preached.

Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. But the natural man receives not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. I Corinthians 2:12,14

In the time of Jesus, every man of Israel walked in his flesh, unable to walk by the holy spirit which was not yet born within him. Thus, he walked under the curse of the law.

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith; but, the man that does them shall live in them. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us… Galatians 3:10-13a

The words of Jesus can be very profitable and life giving, when read and understood in light of the revelation of the mystery of Christ as revealed by the apostle Paul. When they are read and understood as pertaining to the flesh, then they can never bring a man into the presence of God. When the words Jesus spoke are exalted above the truth of the gospel of the mystery of Christ as revealed by Paul, then all they can do is try to make the flesh of man a little better, and point to better days. They can not bring those better days to pass; only the spirit of the Christ within (the holy spirit of God) can do that.

Which (“another gospel”) is not another; but there be some that trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (because he is still under the curse of the law). As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than what you have received (from us), let him be accursed. Galatians 1:7-9

If you believe that what is written in the Bible is the Word of God, then you must believe what is written by the apostle Paul , who declared that what he reveals for us is what God had kept hidden until after His son ascended to His right hand. You must understand that what is being revealed to us by Paul is what Jesus himself alluded to while he was on the earth, but could not himself reveal to us… that what we have available to us today is so so so much bigger and better than what man could receive during the days that Jesus walked the earth.

Was what Jesus spoke while on the earth important? A big yes! But what the apostle Paul spoke (and wrote) is so much more important for us today, for he was tasked with making known to the world the mystery of the Christ within, given to him by that very Jesus who is now seated at the right hand of God.

For I guarantee you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not according to man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11,12

If you promote what Jesus spoke while on the earth over what Jesus at the right hand of God is speaking today through the ministry of his apostle Paul, you are yet in your sinful flesh and are under the curse of living under the law. Rather than seeking the historical Jesus who walked the earth then, seek the glorified Christ who dwells within today. Subject yourselves to the gospel given to Paul by the exalted Christ, and grow up into the glory which God has prepared for you since before the world began.
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Posted in ---Doctrine and Understanding | Tagged Gentiles, gospel, ministry, mystery, Paul, spirit, true, truth | 3 Comments

From Faith to Faith

Posted on April 21, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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For I am not ashamed of the gospel (of Christ), for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek; For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:16,17

I put (of Christ) in parentheses, because most texts do not include those words. The word translated “gospel” is the Greek word evangellia, from eu, meaning “well” or “good,” and angellia, meaning “message.” We get the word “angel” from this last Greek word, which can be, and often is, translated “messenger” in the Bible.

“The gospel” is often understood as “the good news” regarding Jesus Christ, and that is a good understanding. However, an even better understanding is “the good message.” The difference? News is general and a message is specific. How is the gospel specific? Let’s take a look…

And Jesus answered him (the devil), saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rema) of God. Luke 4:4

The word “word” is the word rema (or rhema), meaning “that which is individually received and understood of that which is communicated.” Another familiar word which is translated “word” is the Greek word logos, and that means “that which is communicated.” So this word rema has a powerfully specific meaning to it. It is specifically referring to the understanding of the individual which results after something is communicated.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rema) of God. Romans 10:17

This word “hearing” means to be instructed; to hear to the end of “getting it.” Faith comes by specifically receiving God’s communication to you, to the end of you “getting it.”

A person’s faith, the faith that is required to walk in the righteousness of God which is revealed by the gospel (from Romans 1:17 above), comes as a result of receiving into the understanding what God is revealing. Here’s where things get real interesting.

But the righteousness of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in your heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what does it say? The word (rema) is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart; that is, the word (rema) of faith, which we preach; That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; ;and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:6-10

Our “job” as believers is not to determine who is in and who is out of the faith (who’s going to heaven and who’s going to hell). Our “job” as believers is to share the word (rema) of faith which we receive of God specifically. Paul preached the specific word (rema) which he received from God by revelation. When you hear and “get” what Paul preaches, due to God Himself revealing the truth of what is being spoken or written into your heart, it then becomes your faith. Thus, the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith (Paul’s) to faith (yours).”

How that by revelation He (God) made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote before in few words), Whereby (by revelation) when you read, you may have my understanding in the mystery of Christ; Ephesians 3:3,4

This is a perfect example of “from faith to faith.” What is required of “the just” when God reveals something to their heart? Believe it and walk in it; live by it. That specifically tailored good message that is received from the spirit of God by one believer, is thus passed on to another, and thus the righteousness of God is revealed from one’s faith to another’s. And where did it all begin?

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if (when) I depart, I will send him unto you. Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak, and he will show you things to come (things which were not true then, but which became true in the future he is speaking of). He shall glorify me; for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. John 16:7,13,14

The word “show” is the Greek word anangello (there’s that angellia word again!), one of 20 different Greek words which are translated “to show.” This word means to report back, notify, announce. I get a picture of a soldier in the midst of the fighting sending a messenger back to the general who is directing the battle, filling him in on specific details. The holy spirit of God, the spirit of the Christ within; is going to glorify the Christ within us, by revealing to us specific details concerning him and his spirit within.

These verses reveal that the faith which now exists on the earth began with the faith of Jesus Christ himself.

But now the righteousness of God without (apart from) the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe; for there is no difference (between Jew and Gentile).
Romans 3:21,22

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in (eis – unto) Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives 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. Galatians 2:16,20

Jesus Christ, after he ascended off the earth and was glorified, sent his spirit into the world. His spirit testifies (witnesses) specifically of things concerning Christ. This is what is being communicated by the faith of Jesus Christ. As each specific thing of Christ is revealed to the heart of a man, who accepts it as true (in other words, believes it), the faith of Jesus Christ is thus transmitted to that man. And so the righteousness of God is revealed from faith (Christ’s) to faith (that man who believes). The same is true when that man preaches to another (or others) from out of the faith he has received, and a hearer (or a reader) receives what is revealed by the spirit and believes what he hears. Thus through the years, the righteousness of God, the reality of the Christ within, has been revealed from faith to faith to faith to faith, all by the spirit from Christ.

Now unto him who is able to establish you according to my gospel (his specific good message), and (which is) the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (the spirit reported, the rema was heard and faith came), which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest (by revelation, which is a manifestation of the spirit), and by the writings of the prophets (not just Paul, but others) according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for (eis – unto) the obedience of faith. Romans 16:25,26

The just shall live by the faith which comes from the spirit of the Christ within upon hearing the good message from another who has received from the spirit of Christ!
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Check out these other related studies:

The Faith of Christ has Come! | Give Me Christ
How Do We Get Faith? ….. God GIVES It To Us | Give Me Christ
The Shield of Faith | Give Me Christ

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Posted in ---Doctrine and Understanding, IN-DEPTH STUDIES | Tagged faith, gospel, reveal, revelation, righteousness, spirit | Leave a comment

Division in the Body

Posted on March 30, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Whenever and wherever I have preached and taught Jesus Christ and people have responded, there has come a time when a spirit of division rose up within the resulting fellowship(s). Some person or group began speaking evil about another person or group. People began recruiting others to agree with their divisive way of thinking, seeking to justify their evil ways by winning others over on to their side. Backbiting as a result of bitterness, pride, offense, envy, anger and confusion became pervasive, at least within a small group. The ensuing divisiveness wanted to take center stage over the seeking of Jesus Christ, thus exposing itself as the work of evil spirits,

It makes no sense for those who are enjoying the growth of the spirit of Christ within their lives to point fingers at others’ perceived weaknesses or shortcomings, especially at those who bring the good news of Christ. This finger pointing is simply based on feelings and the “fact-finding” which results from such feelings. Negative feelings, without the guidance of Christ, always seek to justify themselves, yet if allowed to be expressed are nothing but the works of the flesh as recorded in Galatians.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21

The word “works” is from the Greek word energeo, and can be translated “energizings.” This indicates that there is a life force doing the energizing, which indicates the working of devil spirits. This doesn’t mean someone who gets angry for a bit is possessed by a devil, but it does indicate that someone who is driven by these things has given themselves over to the energizings of devil spirits.

Some people use this last verse to say that anyone who does these things won’t get to heaven, but that isn’t what is being revealed here. God is telling us that people being driven by these evil energizings are not growing into their spiritual inheritance, no matter how much effort they put into justifying their evil feelings.

But……

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (kind practicality), goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance (self mastery); with such the law doesn’t concern itself. Galatians 5:22, 21

Quite a bit different, these fruit of the spirit, are they not? They are so different than the energizings of the flesh. Compare the two. The one group are dark, self-serving, evil; the other are light, lovely, desirable. Which do you choose? The one will separate and divide an individual from the group, leaving them in isolation and despair; the other will inspire unity and appreciation, for self and others. The one pushes, the other rewards. The one dwells on the flesh, the other on the spirit of Christ. Satan vs. Christ. That is always our choice.

What to do about this divisiveness? The worse thing that can be done is to enter into the fray, into the accusations and personal attacks and/or the justifying and self-defense. Rather, what is to be done when divisiveness raises its ugly head is the same thing which is needed even without such attacks underway… seek Christ. Put on the whole armor of the spirit of Christ, the armor of God.

Finally my brethren, be strong (dunamis – empowered) in the Lord and in the power (ischus – developed strength) of his might (kratos – overcoming power). Ephesians 6:10

The battle takes place in the heart and mind, and the battle is not ours, but rather is the Lord Christ’s. Allow his spirit to live richly within your living and thinking, and do not seek any specific result or action in the flesh, for that is Satan’s arena. Do not think evil of any man, for that itself is the work of the evil one. Realize that the enemy, your enemy, who is also the enemy of God, is spiritual, not physical. The ones suffering the most from Satan’s attacks are the ones in whom Satan is working.

Keep seeking Christ. Allow his spirit to guide you, strengthen you, imbue you with wisdom. There is no fleshly result that is required by God, only that you draw close to Him and walk with Him. Division in the body of Christ is bound to happen on this side of the gathering together. Pray you are never a willing participant in the fleshly energizings which inspire such divisive thinking and behavior. Rather, stay strong in the spirit of the Lord and in the faith which has been given you by what the Father has revealed within you. Christ is enough.
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Posted in ---Growth and practice | Tagged devil, devil spirit, differ, different, divide, division, energizing, evil | Leave a comment

Life in Christ Without Meetings

Posted on February 23, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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Is there a life, a living in Christ without meetings? Oh No! And what could/should any meetings “in Christ” look like?

The New Testament has very little to say concerning gathering together as believers of Jesus Christ, at least in the manner most Christians today have experienced. Since most people today who do believe consider their meeting time (usually on Sunday morning) the most important act of faith each week, it seems odd that God doesn’t have more to say about it.

I’ve asked other Christian believers where the Bible says we should/must gather together in a church building every Sunday. Here’s a verse many go to:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

The word for “assembling together” is sunagogia, from which we get the word “synagogue.” It indicates a smaller, intimate gathering. Obviously, in order to exhort one another, as is encouraged by this verse, we’re going to have to be in the presence of one another. The verse before this also indicates that people gather together, in order to “consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works.” There is no indication as to a number of believers that needs to be involved in this assembling together. Two? Four? A dozen?

I Corinthians 14 is an entire chapter devoted to behavior in a gathering of the saints, some verses of which we will be taking a look at. Romans 16 spends a lot of time talking about gatherings of the saints (“churches”) which were meeting in people’s homes, as do portions of Colossians 4 and I Corinthians 16. No mega churches there! At the end of every one of the “general” epistles of Paul (Romans – Thessalonians), time is spent addressing individual believers, or addressing believers in an individual way, encouraging each believer in their relationships with one another.

And that is the main thrust of the truth of Christ which lives and grows in the hearts and lives of individuals; not that large gatherings are important or necessary, but rather that intimate, personal interaction is necessary and important. What happens if there is no specific weekly meeting which claims to be supplying your need to connect with others in Christ? Why then, the whole week can supply that need!

One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regards the day, regards it unto the Lord; and he that regards not the day, to the Lord he does not regard it. Romans 14:6

Do read the entire context of the above verse. This indicates that though it is not wrong to have a specific day in which to draw close to Christ and to one another in a group meeting, it is not necessary; and not only so, but that it is possible to draw closer to Christ through interactions with other believers every single day!

It is easier, when a specific day and a specific time and a specific place for meeting with others becomes central to one’s faith, to begin to relegate all spiritual interactions with others to that time and place. I have spoken of Christ to others during the week – Christians – and had them look at me like, “Why are you talking to me about Jesus… this isn’t church?!” When there is not one single day or time or place, then it becomes easier to seek that relationship and those interactions whenever and wherever they can be found.

I have had people who I am in conversation with about the things of Christ tell me, “Well you really ought to go to church. The Bible says not to forsake the assembling of ourselves,” to which I reply, “What do you think we’re doing right now?!”

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth, as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father Who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19, 20

Two or three! Two or three! Not ten or twenty or thirty or a thousand! Two or three! The greater the number, the more challenging it is for it to be an intimate gathering, where each can receive and give as the Lord directs.

I encourage you to read I Corinthians 14 and to imagine yourself in it. In verse 5, the word “church” is used. “Church” is better understood today as a “gathering” or “assembly.” It’s a meeting of believers., with absolutely no indication of a large number.

How is it then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the other (prophets) judge. If anything be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
I Corinthians 14:26, 29, 30

If everyone can have a chance to speak, the gathering can’t be very large in number. These “meetings” weren’t in order to accomplish a specific task, or to carry out a weekly duty to God, but rather were a result of growing spiritually in Christ, and in order to grow even more! They occurred because people got filled to overflowing during the week by their interactions with Christ, directly and via one another, and they wanted to share in the exciting life which was blossoming within them. The gatherings were for mutual spiritual encouragement, but they were never to take the place of the individual growing up into Christ; rather, they were a celebration of that very thing. You live each day in a growing appreciation of how the spirit of Christ is growing in your understanding and being expressed in your mind, heart and life, and you want to share that with others who are going through a similar experience! That is the assembling of ourselves together.

I am a part of several different “churches” or meetings, on a weekly basis. To each of these gatherings I bring the life of Christ which has grown within me, which has been experienced by me during the week. Likewise, I look for the opportunity to grow in Christ by hearing of how others have experienced God’s spirit in them. One of these meetings generally has three of us, one generally has six of us, and one generally has fourteen – eighteen of us. And with each one… there is Christ in the midst!

I know many believers who “don’t have a church they go to,” or who “haven’t found a fellowship.” My encouragement is to seek Christ throughout the week, in prayer, in Scripture reading and meditation, in interaction with friends and anyone you interact with (check-out clerks, fellow walkers, neighbors, the doctor, etc.). Seek one or two others with whom to get together on a regular basis in order to share how Christ is working within you (you singular and you plural); others who are open to your loving encouragement, and to whose hearts you are open. Seek the revelation of the Christ within together. Where and how often you get together is totally between you and Christ. Enjoy the freedom, the challenge and the reward of connecting with others in Christ, as you are led and filled by his spirit within.

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Is the Holy Spirit (Ghost) a He or an It?

Posted on February 5, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

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I was at a home fellowship once which was not my own, and I happened to reference the Holy Spirit as an “it.” One young man spoke right up in an affronted tone. “You called the Holy Spirit an it!” he exclaimed! Well, let’s get to the bottom of the Holy Spirit, or Holy Ghost, shall we? A “he” or an “it?”

We generally think of things that are “it” as being inanimate, and thus having no life; or as having no gender, like an amoeba or a tree. The spirit of God has no gender, but it certainly has life! In fact, it is life… the life of God!

Spirit or Ghost? Pneuma is the Greek word almost always translated “spirit” in the Bible. It is used a total of 385 times in the New Testament, and is translated other than “spirit” only four (4) times. One other Greek word is translated “spirit” and that is the Greek word phantasma, and in today’s vernacular, it should be translated “ghost.” The two times phantasma is used are Matthew 14:26 and Mark 6:49, both times speaking of Jesus’s disciples thinking he was a ghost when they saw him walking on the water at night.

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit (phantasma – ghost) and cried out: Mark 6:49

Of the 385 times pneuma is used in the New Testament, whenever it is used alone (without the word hagion – holy), it is always translated “spirit” or “spiritually” in the genitive (literally, “of the spirit”), except in the four (4) instances.

(Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus) Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again (anothen – from above). The wind (pneuma – spirit) blows (pneuo) where it wills (desires, intends), and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell where it comes from, and where it is going; so is every one that is born of the Spirit (pneuma). John 3:7, 8

Here the spirit is likened in its behavior to the wind. Perhaps that is the reason the first use of pneuma in this verse is translated as “wind,” (there is a different Greek word usually used for “wind”) even though the second use of pneuma in the same verse is translated as “spirit.” Perhaps this is because the word “blow” is the verb form of pneuma, pneuo, used six (6) times in the New Testament and always translated “blow,” like it is in this verse.

And he (the second beast, who served the first beast) had power to give life (pneuma – spirit) unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. Revelation 13:15

Two (2) times a form of the word pneuma is used as “give (or yield) up the ghost” and both speak of Jesus dying on the cross.

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit (pneuma); and having said thus, he gave up the ghost (ekpneusen). Luke 23:46

Ek is the Greek preposition indicated by a line coming from out of the center of a circle. Here it is prefixed in front of the verb form of pneuma. Jesus prayed, “Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit,” and then the spirit came out of him.

Why the word “Ghost?” My understanding is that the translators of the King James Bible had more than one group responsible for doing the translation, and that there was disagreement among the groups as to how pneuma hagion should be translated. They compromised (truth by committee) and did it both ways! Of the ninety-three (93) times hagion pneuma is used in the Bible, (89) times it is translated Holy Ghost, and four (4) times as Holy Spirit. Exact same words, different translations!

The word “ghost” has come to mean an apparition of a dead person, and that is why I believe the term Holy Spirit should be used at all times. The spirit is not an apparition, it does not generally appear to anyone’s eyesight. It also certainly does not represent a dead person.

To Capitalize or not? The word pneuma is used three hundred and eighty-five (385) times in the New Testament. Of the times it is translated simply as “spirit,” without the qualifier hagion (holy, pure), it is capitalized one hundred and thirty-three (133) times, and it is not capitalized one hundred and fifty-one (151) times.

It appears that whenever the word pneuma is used of either a devil spirit or a person’s physical life, then “spirit” is not capitalized, but whenever the word pneuma is referring to God, then it is capitalized. There are plenty of exceptions:

And he (Jesus) sighed deeply in his spirit, and says, why does this generation seek after a sign?… Mark 8:12a

Jesus’ spirit was of God, so why not capitalize? The same with the word below:

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into Your hands I commend my spirit… Luke 23:46a

It gets even weirder:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:5, 6

So that which is born of the capitalized Spirit is uncapitalized spirit?

It is the spirit that quickens (gives life); the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63

Apparently it is the uncapitalized spirit that quickens, and not the capitalized one. If I’m understanding the translators’ thinking here, the spirit that gives life is that spirit which is born of the Spirit, and not the Spirit directly? Okay, I think I’m getting it, but now I read:

He that believes on me, as the scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this he spoke of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive; for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified). John 7:37, 38

I would have thought that this would have been an uncapitalized spirit which would be flowing out of a believer’s belly like a river of living water. Perhaps the translators felt a need to capitalize because the pneuma hagion, Holy Spirit was used in such close proximity?

Here’s where we begin to get a glimpse of the theology of the King James translators. When the word was referring directly to God, in their thinking, then it should be capitalized. When it was referring to what was of, or what came from God, then it was not. Except in this last verse, because they believed the Holy Spirit was a person of the Trinity, so it had to be capitalized, which now has confused the whole thing! In this last verse, the spirit being spoken of which flows out of a person is the holy spirit, which is of God, and not God Himself. This holy spirit is given to those who will believe on Jesus in the future.

In the original Greek texts, from which the entire New Testament was translated, all letters were capitalized, with no punctuation, verses, paragraphs, chapters, or even spacing, seeing as “paper” (papyrus, skins, whatever) was at such a premium. The Word of God was considered important enough that all letters were capitalized. So how would a translator know which to capitalize for his readers today, seeing as we have rules for which letters get capitalized and which do not? Well, as we’re seeing, that is left up to the translators’ own decision making. Were they correct in their thinking? Were they incorrect?

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

If you believe this is God’s Word for you, then you must accept that you bear the responsibility for deciding which times, if any, the word “spirit” should be capitalized or not. Myself? I read the Bible with the realization and understanding that because all words were capitalized in the original texts, then no words are capitalized, or set apart from others, in those texts. So I read the Bible as if no words are capitalized, and this is especially true of this word pneuma, or spirit. Spirit, (see, I did capitalize it at the beginning of a sentence), holy spirit, spirit, I just never exalt one use of the word above another.

But if the Spirit (spirit, because it’s of God) of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit (spirit, because it’s of God) that dwells in you. But if you live after the flesh you shall die; but if you through the Spirit (spirit) do mortify the deeds of the body, you shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit (spirit) of God, they are the sons of God. For you have not received the spirit of bondage, to fear again; but you have received the Spirit (spirit), whereby we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit (spirit) itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. Romans 8:11, 13-16

He or It? When the Spirit is referring directly to God, I would refer to the Spirit as a He, even though God is not a man, and so He does not have a sex, or gender. He is referred to as our Father, as Lord, and these are masculine words, and so I refer to God as “He.” In the Greek language, “spirit” is masculine, and in the Greek (as in many other languages), the pronoun must agree in gender with the noun it relates to. For example, in French, la table, which is feminine in gender, would be referred to as “she.” La table, elle est la bas. Literally, “The table, she is over there.” Of course, when translating into English, we would say, “The table, it is over there.”

And so the translators had the strong tendency to refer to the spirit, because it was of God, and to the holy spirit, because they believed it a member of the Trinity, as a “he.”

Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26, 27

In the above, the spirit (Spirit) is referred to as an it. If you’re looking for a consistent rhyme or reason from the translators of the King James Bible (or any other translation), you’ll have a definitely confused theology. I think you’re seeing that it is more important to understand the truth of what is the spirit of God, the holy spirit, than to wrestle with whether the spirit is a he or an it, whether it should be capitalized or not.

God is a (“a” is not in the text) Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24

God is Spirit. God is spirit. Spirit is His nature. What He gives to those who believe on Jesus is His spirit, His nature, which is holy. God gives unto us His holy spirit. It is now our holy spirit, because it was given to us as a gift.

Whereby (the thorough experiential knowing of God) are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 1:4

Is the holy spirit which was gifted to us a He or a he, an It or an it? Well, you’ve got it, you’ve experienced it, what would you call it? Do you have a man living inside you, or do you have Christ’s spirit living inside you, through which you can walk in oneness of spirit with God, because it is His spirit?

Who (God) also has made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life. Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:6, 17, 18

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Posted in ---Doctrine and Understanding | Tagged holy ghost, Holy Spirit, pneuma, spirit | Leave a comment

Spiritual Math

Posted on January 15, 2022 by stevehartlaub@gmail.com

I find it amusing when a scientist claims that he/she doesn’t believe in God, and that the reason is that God’s existence can’t be proven. Meanwhile, that scientist’s understanding of their specific discipline most assuredly involves the use of so-called “imaginary” numbers; that is, numbers which don’t really exist. Ironic, isn’t it?

The physics of creation is most deeply and intricately understood by an understanding of waves (wave theory, quantum mechanics). This involves mechanical physics as well as chemistry. The Schrödinger equation (also known as Schrödinger’s wave equation) is a partial differential equation that describes the dynamics of quantum mechanical systems via the wave function. The trajectory, the positioning, and the energy of these systems can be retrieved by solving the Schrödinger equation. This equation involves the use of a number which does not exist; that is, the square root of negative 1. What number, multiplied by itself, equals -1? That number does not exist; hence, it is imaginary.

Algebra itself became separate from the measurable field of geometry when and as it discovered and embraced the concept of these imaginary numbers. These imaginary numbers came into being as a means by which complex formulas could describe the behavior of the physical universe. Since these scientists accept the fact of an imaginary thing being responsible for explaining their science, why is the concept of an invisible God so hard for these scientists to grasp? It must be due to the forces of darkness.

For we grapple (in intimate encounter) not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against authorities, against the overcoming powers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in the heavenlies. Ephesians 6:12

Scientists have no problem accepting things which don’t exist in the physical universe in order to help them understand that same universe. The problem with their unbelief is not logical, it is spiritual. Since they have not (yet) chosen to believe on Jesus Christ as the son of God, and thus have not (yet) received his spirit, they simply can not apply spiritual logic and problem solving (math) to life.

But if our gospel be hidden, it is hidden to them that are lost; In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. II Corinthians 4:3, 4

If a man’s understanding is his god, then he will reject what he does not understand. Scientists are notorious for this rather obvious shortcoming, as evidenced by the persecution which many groundbreaking scientists have had to endure over the years. Copernicus, Servitus, Galileo, Einstein are a few of such scientists, whom we now laud for their novel discoveries, but who were in their day rejected by other scientists; hounded, persecuted, and even put to death for their discoveries.

The way we think today in the so-called western world was birthed and developed in Ancient Greece. It might surprise you to know that some of the greatest Greek philosophers were also mathematicians; Pythagoras, Aristotle, Plato to name a few. The western mind is a scientific mind, seeking out cause and effect by logical thought. Premis, deduction hypothesis, theory… this is the vocabulary of the scientific mind. It is also the the vocabulary of logical thought.

Casting down imaginations (logismos – logical reasoning) and every high thing that exalts itself contrary to the knowing (gnosis) of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 10:5

God does not tell us to flee from logical thinking, but rather only from that logical thinking which leads us away from the knowing of Him in a personal way! There is a logic which leads us away from the knowing of God, which the above-described scientists use; but, as you’ll see in the following verses, there is a logic which leads us into a closer relationship with our spiritual Father.

Likewise reckon (logizomai – logically reason) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:11

For I reckon (logizomai) that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Brethren, I count (logizomai) not myself to have arrived; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,… Philippians 3:13

The word “logic” comes from the word “logos,” which you may recognize as the word used for “word” in the Bible. But logos means so much more than simply a word you see on a page or hear someone speak. Rather, logos is the truth represented by the sound or image we know of as a “word.” The essence of logos is that which a thing communicates of itself. For example, different examples of the logos of water are that it is fluid, it flows, changes shape, has different states depending on temperature and pressure, has a specific feel, can change other things into different states (corrode steal, dissolve salt for example), and is necessary for life. These are only some of what water communicates of itself. As man comes to understand logos, he becomes what we today understand as educated. If he delves more deeply into specific aspects of the logos of a specific thing, depending on the subject matter, he becomes a scientist, or perhaps a musician, an artist, a doctor, a lawyer or some other professional.

In order to grow spiritually in our relationship with God, we receive the revelation of the Christ within, but that’s only the beginning. We are to use our logical reasoning (and more and more so as we come to understand the logos of God) so that the Christ within can find useful expression. Thus we live as children of God. The same scientific logic which helps us understand our physical world also helps us see the spiritual reality of the Christ within find useful expression in our daily existence.

But go you and learn (manthano) what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice; for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13

The word “mathematics” comes from the Greek word mathema, meaning “something learned”, or “a lesson.” Mathema itself is derived from this verb manthano, meaning “to learn.” The logic of mathematics is the building block of true science; that is, seeking to discover and then apply the cause and effect of the material world and its forces which make up all of creation. This is the stuff of science, yes, but this is also the stuff of God. There is no such thing as “blind faith.” We cannot believe what we cannot understand. (We can only believe in it, which is not the same thing). Until and unless we grasp the truth of the logos of a thing, we will be unable to consistently live in the expression of its truth in our lives.

But you have not so learned (manthano) Christ; If so be that you have heard him (you came to an understanding of his logos), and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus; Ephesians 4:20, 21

When and as the spirit of Christ is revealed within us, that is only the beginning of our walk. We then apply the logic of our spiritual minds (the mind of Christ), solving the “problem” of how that truth of Christ fits into our everyday thinking and acting and deciding and prioritizing and reasoning and doing. Each instance of living like so is a lesson learned from the spirit of God within us.

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain; and when he was set, his disciples (matheetees) came unto him; Matthew 5:1

This is the first use of the word “disciple” in the Gospels. The root word for the word “disciple” is manthano, to learn! And to be Jesus’ disciple, one had to go to him to learn from him. Now here’s an interesting thing. This word matheetees, disciple, is never found in the Pauline epistles, which is that portion of the Bible which is specifically addressed to us today, which reveals the truths of the Christ within. Perhaps the reason for this is that we don’t go to Jesus to learn; rather, he comes to us! We don’t learn like those disciples learned from Jesus during the time of the four Gospels. Today, we are taught by God via the spirit of the Christ within us, which over time transforms us into the very image of Christ.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. II Corinthians 3:18

The mathematics of God is the discovering of the practicality of the cause and effect of the spirit of Christ living within us. As we learn the lessons of the spirit, which is directing our living and doing in harmony with the spirit of the Creator, our Father, we discover that we are taking on the very nature of the spirit of the Christ within. Our mind is thus being transformed into the mind of Christ himself.

But the natural man (without the spirit of God) receives (into practice) not the things of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know (gnosko – know by experience) them, because they are spiritually discerned (anakrino – investigate, determine, figure out a solution for). But he that is spiritual discerns (anakrino) all things, yet he himself is discerned (anakrino) of no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? (an Old Testament saying)? But we have the mind of Christ! I Corinthians 2:14-16

Having the mind of Christ, we have the spiritual ability to do spiritual math, to solve problems with critical spiritual thinking and application. Just be willing to learn of Christ. Don’t expect others to understand where you’re coming from or even where you’re going.

The winds blows where it wants, and you hear the sound of it, but can’t tell where it’s coming from or where it’s going. So is everyone that is born of the spirit. John 3:8

Learn of Christ to use your logical mind to express his spirit through your everyday living, and you will enjoy the benefits of spiritual fruit abounding in your life to the glory of God.

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Posted in ---Growth and practice | Tagged disciple, learn, logic, math, philosopher, philosophy, science, spirit | Leave a comment

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Is the Holy Spirit (Ghost) a He or an It?

Spiritual Math

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