PREFACE & INTRODUCTION
You can consider this the beginning pages of a 900+ page book that is more of a commentary and reference book in 3 parts: Part One consists of this Preface and Introduction and 5 chapters essential to understand our biblical position. Part Two consists of expansive material on each of the 65 Togethers of Scripture. Part Three consists of 25 areas of application to life.
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Faith Together
a biblical reference work
PREFACE
Much of what you will read here will be new. It was for me, and still is. Often when I laid down and turned off the lights for the night, thoughts would come to me that I had never had before. I believe that a lot of what you will read came from God. I would never claim that they are inspired as is everything in the Bible.
I had categorized Scriptures regarding relationships between Christians over 30 years before, and did workshops in churches about what God wants when Christians get together. The emphasis was on small groups, the area of my professional training. Then, about 15 years ago a Sunday school teacher taught that worship was reflecting to God His own character, and I immediately saw that each of the 65 Togethers of Scripture I had listed did in fact do that.
However, in the late fall of 2014 God began to wake me after about an hour or two of sleep with thoughts in my mind which were brand new to me. In this way on a few different times after midnight He revealed that the relationships in Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriage were much more powerful than small groups. He showed me that the Togethers lived out in these close, frequent, and trustworthy relationships were the powerful means to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ, worship God in the way we live, and defeat evil and Satan.
And, then, God shook my whole being when He showed that each of the Togethers prepared us for life in heaven in ways I had not ever read about. Each Together, when implemented in our closest Christian relationships would change our spirits more into the likeness of Jesus and open opportunities and blessings in heaven that would be otherwise missed.
All of a sudden the Togethers I had identified were something far more dynamic than I had ever imagined. And, God was telling me to put down in writing what He would show me as I addressed one Together at a time. And that is what I have done.
The vignettes are meant to help us understand. Some are in no way strictly doctrinal. You will know this when you read them. I hope you will let them give you visions for biblical relations with others, particularly those Christians with whom you share life more regularly and to whom you are closer.
And, I hope that the vignettes of life in heaven, although highly speculative, will help you envision life there more vividly so that it will become a greater part of your present life. When we consider the society of God in heaven, our relationship with Him there, as well as all its human and angelic citizens, what is written could well be somewhat consistent with Scripture and the character of God.
By considering faith together, we can make Christian friendships, families and marriages more than just wonderful and enjoyable. We can make them Kingdom-of-God meaningful and enliven our churches and Christian mission in the world.
I think that the Lord would like us, including myself, to consider what is written here and to let Him talk to us about it. Perhaps He is saying some things that will help us become more like Jesus, will help us worship Him more, will help us fight evil and Satan, and will help us prepare for heaven and a marvelous relationship with Him for all of eternity.
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I had categorized Scriptures regarding relationships between Christians over 30 years before, and did workshops in churches about what God wants when Christians get together. The emphasis was on small groups, the area of my professional training. Then, about 15 years ago a Sunday school teacher taught that worship was reflecting to God His own character, and I immediately saw that each of the 65 Togethers of Scripture I had listed did in fact do that.
However, in the late fall of 2014 God began to wake me after about an hour or two of sleep with thoughts in my mind which were brand new to me. In this way on a few different times after midnight He revealed that the relationships in Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriage were much more powerful than small groups. He showed me that the Togethers lived out in these close, frequent, and trustworthy relationships were the powerful means to mold us into the image of Jesus Christ, worship God in the way we live, and defeat evil and Satan.
And, then, God shook my whole being when He showed that each of the Togethers prepared us for life in heaven in ways I had not ever read about. Each Together, when implemented in our closest Christian relationships would change our spirits more into the likeness of Jesus and open opportunities and blessings in heaven that would be otherwise missed.
All of a sudden the Togethers I had identified were something far more dynamic than I had ever imagined. And, God was telling me to put down in writing what He would show me as I addressed one Together at a time. And that is what I have done.
The vignettes are meant to help us understand. Some are in no way strictly doctrinal. You will know this when you read them. I hope you will let them give you visions for biblical relations with others, particularly those Christians with whom you share life more regularly and to whom you are closer.
And, I hope that the vignettes of life in heaven, although highly speculative, will help you envision life there more vividly so that it will become a greater part of your present life. When we consider the society of God in heaven, our relationship with Him there, as well as all its human and angelic citizens, what is written could well be somewhat consistent with Scripture and the character of God.
By considering faith together, we can make Christian friendships, families and marriages more than just wonderful and enjoyable. We can make them Kingdom-of-God meaningful and enliven our churches and Christian mission in the world.
I think that the Lord would like us, including myself, to consider what is written here and to let Him talk to us about it. Perhaps He is saying some things that will help us become more like Jesus, will help us worship Him more, will help us fight evil and Satan, and will help us prepare for heaven and a marvelous relationship with Him for all of eternity.
________________________________________________________________________________
Faith Together
a biblical reference work
INTRODUCTION
All 65 Togethers of Scripture are aspects of loving God and loving one another. They are derived from hundreds of Bible verses and passages that tell us what God wants from Christians when they get together. When implemented within our Christian friendships, Christian families, and Christian marriages, these Togethers produce in us more of the character of Jesus Christ. They are the crucibles for transformation into exceptional Christlikeness.
Becoming more and more like Jesus is God’s most important will for our lives. In fact, it is our life’s purpose.
Becoming more and more like Jesus is God’s most important will for our lives. In fact, it is our life’s purpose.
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined
to be conformed to the image of his Son, . . . Romans 8:29a |
God is constantly working to conform our spirits to the spiritual image of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is always available to guide us in this transformation. When we die and leave our bodies behind, we want our spirits to be as ready for heaven as possible, and that means as much like Jesus as possible. Therefore, we must increase our desire to grow our spirits, the real meaning of spiritual growth, and cooperate with God’s way of changing us.
It is just wishful thinking that this whole process of sanctification takes place automatically. We must put effort into the transformation of our spirits into the likeness of Jesus Christ. While God will do most of the work, we are called to cooperate by living His way and letting the Holy Spirit work in us. God loves us and wants the best for us, but He will not do all the work. God wants to be loved enough by us that we make some effort to put His desires above our own and become more like His Son.
Our sanctification into Christlikeness is not supposed to be easy and without focused effort. Nor is it to be comfortable and convenient. If the growth of our spirits took place no matter if we obeyed Scripture or not, it would not involve loving God. Love is self-denial for another’s good, in this case for God’s good.
It is just wishful thinking that this whole process of sanctification takes place automatically. We must put effort into the transformation of our spirits into the likeness of Jesus Christ. While God will do most of the work, we are called to cooperate by living His way and letting the Holy Spirit work in us. God loves us and wants the best for us, but He will not do all the work. God wants to be loved enough by us that we make some effort to put His desires above our own and become more like His Son.
Our sanctification into Christlikeness is not supposed to be easy and without focused effort. Nor is it to be comfortable and convenient. If the growth of our spirits took place no matter if we obeyed Scripture or not, it would not involve loving God. Love is self-denial for another’s good, in this case for God’s good.
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.
Matt 22:36-38
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We are to focus on loving God more than basking in His love. Our purpose of becoming like Jesus is to glorify God first and then enjoy Him forever. If we want to become like Christ and be most ready for heaven, we must get our eyes off of our benefits and onto God and His desires. To be fit for heaven, we must become citizens who will first honor the King and then enjoy the treasures and wonders there.
He is constantly working at preparing us to be who He wants us to be in heaven. This life is our journey. Heaven is our destination. God is our ultimate joy.
Everything that happens in our lives is used by God to cleanse and develop our spirits, the essential part of ourselves. Sometimes difficult and unwanted challenges of living come our way. At other times, Satan and evil confront us. When God allows it, He uses it to purify and develop our spirits for heaven.
In almost every case, we are to face these trials of life together with those Christians whom we have frequent and transparent relationships. Those Christian friends and family members are herein referred to as a believer’s Christian Inner Circle.
God does a lot of His reshaping of us through these Togethers of Scripture when obeyed in our Christian Inner Circles. Faith together is the vehicle for facing life’s challenges and becoming more like Jesus. We develop our spirits further into His likeness and prepare for heaven together.
Christlikeness is the same as godliness , and we are told to put hard training into it. It benefits this life and the life we will have in heaven.
He is constantly working at preparing us to be who He wants us to be in heaven. This life is our journey. Heaven is our destination. God is our ultimate joy.
Everything that happens in our lives is used by God to cleanse and develop our spirits, the essential part of ourselves. Sometimes difficult and unwanted challenges of living come our way. At other times, Satan and evil confront us. When God allows it, He uses it to purify and develop our spirits for heaven.
In almost every case, we are to face these trials of life together with those Christians whom we have frequent and transparent relationships. Those Christian friends and family members are herein referred to as a believer’s Christian Inner Circle.
God does a lot of His reshaping of us through these Togethers of Scripture when obeyed in our Christian Inner Circles. Faith together is the vehicle for facing life’s challenges and becoming more like Jesus. We develop our spirits further into His likeness and prepare for heaven together.
Christlikeness is the same as godliness , and we are told to put hard training into it. It benefits this life and the life we will have in heaven.
... train yourself to be godly.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Tim 4:7b, 8
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Tim 4:7b, 8
Christlikeness is everything! Growth of our spirits into the likeness of Jesus requires biblical Christian relationships obedient to the Scriptures. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a blueprint for becoming like Christ through kingdom relationships.
Christlikeness is praise and worship. Since worship is reflecting back to God His own character, exceptional Christlikeness is exceptional praise. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a field guide for lifestyle worship.
Christlikeness is the way to defeat evil. Not only are we to face temptation together and prevent it from becoming sin, but we are to march against the gates of hell. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a strategic battle plan to defeat Satan.
Christlikeness is the way to prepare for heaven. Anything not like Christ is not going into heaven. We put off the old self of sin and put on the new self that is created in Christ Jesus. In this way we make ourselves more prepared for relationships and experiences in heaven. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a manual to prepare for heaven.
Christlikeness opens the door to eternal connection and bonding with God. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a guide to a more personal relationship with God throughout eternity.
Each Together develops spiritual qualities that become more and more natural as we live it consistently against the sin of our culture. Each Together, to the extent it is obeyed, yields growth in our spirits that will make us like our Lord and Savior and enhance our experience in heaven forever.
This book presents a way to keep in mind hundreds of Scriptures detailing God’s desires and expectations for His people when they are together. These 65 Togethers, each representing a number of Bible verses and passages, will accelerate your spiritual growth into more and more Christlikeness through biblical mandates for Christian relationships.
Brevity does not fit my purpose. I am a public speaker with the spiritual gift of exhortation who desires to emphasize and then emphasize again the importance of loving God as much as we can. This means becoming as like Jesus as we can in our life before death because so much depends on dealing with sin as He did, fostering increased worship in lifestyle for the glory of God, empowering defeat of Satan and evil, and preparing for heaven. Any redundancy, and you will find it, is meant to drill home how each Together will accomplish these things. I really want us to do these things, not just study them.
Commentary of each Together is not short. The Togethers are not for leisure reading. Their result is far too important for cursory treatment. Please commit yourself to significant change into the likeness of Jesus Christ, lifestyle worship, strength in fighting evil and Satan, and preparation for your future in heaven. Allow the detailed explanations to truly change your life. For God’s glory.
Christlikeness is praise and worship. Since worship is reflecting back to God His own character, exceptional Christlikeness is exceptional praise. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a field guide for lifestyle worship.
Christlikeness is the way to defeat evil. Not only are we to face temptation together and prevent it from becoming sin, but we are to march against the gates of hell. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a strategic battle plan to defeat Satan.
Christlikeness is the way to prepare for heaven. Anything not like Christ is not going into heaven. We put off the old self of sin and put on the new self that is created in Christ Jesus. In this way we make ourselves more prepared for relationships and experiences in heaven. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a manual to prepare for heaven.
Christlikeness opens the door to eternal connection and bonding with God. The 65 Togethers of Scripture are a guide to a more personal relationship with God throughout eternity.
Each Together develops spiritual qualities that become more and more natural as we live it consistently against the sin of our culture. Each Together, to the extent it is obeyed, yields growth in our spirits that will make us like our Lord and Savior and enhance our experience in heaven forever.
This book presents a way to keep in mind hundreds of Scriptures detailing God’s desires and expectations for His people when they are together. These 65 Togethers, each representing a number of Bible verses and passages, will accelerate your spiritual growth into more and more Christlikeness through biblical mandates for Christian relationships.
Brevity does not fit my purpose. I am a public speaker with the spiritual gift of exhortation who desires to emphasize and then emphasize again the importance of loving God as much as we can. This means becoming as like Jesus as we can in our life before death because so much depends on dealing with sin as He did, fostering increased worship in lifestyle for the glory of God, empowering defeat of Satan and evil, and preparing for heaven. Any redundancy, and you will find it, is meant to drill home how each Together will accomplish these things. I really want us to do these things, not just study them.
Commentary of each Together is not short. The Togethers are not for leisure reading. Their result is far too important for cursory treatment. Please commit yourself to significant change into the likeness of Jesus Christ, lifestyle worship, strength in fighting evil and Satan, and preparation for your future in heaven. Allow the detailed explanations to truly change your life. For God’s glory.