Luciusministry

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Saturday, May 20, 2023

What is Everlasting life?

The Glorious Everlasting Life

What is Everlasting life? Is it the same as eternal life? It is rather quite unfortunate that not too many people know the difference between the two. The reason for that it is because man does not know his/her true identity. I remembered when I first published this article in 2008, which I was informed was discussed on AOL "America on line", one individual commented on my blog saying; "Lucius, you will one day say that the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are not the same." This is a clear indication on how some of us are lack of knowledge and do not understand our duality and being a new creation.

The crux of the matter is that, man is a spirit being imprisoned in a physical body. Since the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the last Adam, the Spirit Man from heaven, mankind is no more regarded according to the flesh. “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17).

The sad thing is that many of us do not know our true identity. This may not be the best physical analogy to use but, it might be simple enough to help us understand our true identity. Let me use the analogy of a horse mating with a donkey, the offspring of a horse mating with a donkey will neither be a horse nor a donkey, but a new breed called a mule.

This is typical to what happened to humanity at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, humanity was buried with Him, and at His resurrection humanity became a new creation, a spirit being begotten of the last Adam, the life-giving Spirit Who is the resurrection and the life; and Who gives life to everyone who comes into the world.

Before the advent of Jesus Christ the last Adam, humanity was dead in trespasses and sins, but was made alive together with Christ, and made to sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, who gives to all life, breath, and all things, so that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; “For in Him we live and move and have our being [existence]. We are therefore both the offspring of the first Adam, the man of dust and also the offspring of the last Adam the Spirit Man from heaven (Acts 17:28-29).

The same way mankind inherited the sinful nature of the first Adam in his flesh, he also has inherited the nature of the Last Adam [Jesus Christ] in his spirit. For it is written; “As through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one man’s righteous act the free gift [eternal life - Jesus Christ] came to all men, resulting in justification of life.” And, “As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners: so also by one man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:17-19).

The irony of truth is, the first man was of the earth, made of dust and as was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust and therefore, dust we are and to dust we shall return. But the second Man is the Lord from heaven, and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Mankind received the gift of eternal life at the resurrection of Jesus Christ, when they were begotten by Him, and this gives everyone the equal opportunity to see the kingdom of God, but this new life will not necessarily grant anyone entry into the kingdom of God, because the complete cycle is, Christ is in the Father, mankind is in Christ, but mankind has to choose on his own volition to have Christ in them, unless Christ is in us there is no hope, for Christ in us is the hope of glory. This is where our educational system has failed us, they are focusing mainly of the life of the physical man and ignoring the more important aspect of man`s life which is the life in the spirit.

To be continued

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

The mystery of the wisdom of God (part seven)

1. Jesus Christ took on flesh in order to set us an example that we should follow His steps

The seventh reason why Jesus Christ took on flesh was to set us an example that we should follow His steps for we have been duly admonished saying; "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness --- by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls" (1Peter 2:21-25).

We have been further admonished saying; "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:5-11).

It is by following the example of Jesus Christ that we are able to grow from one level of glory to another and allowing the nature of Jesus Christ to be formed in us.as we have been duly instructed saying; “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Corinthians 3:18; Galatians 4:19).

The question therefore is, since we are to imitate the life of Jesus Christ and while Jesus Christ was on earth He taught His disciples saying; “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” He also said to a multitude who followed Him; “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Matthew 6:25; 8:20; Luke 9:58).

The apostle Paul also made some profound remarks saying; “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Timothy 6: 6-10).

So then, why is the most popular and accepted form of religious teaching in our modern day is that of the prosperity gospel?

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With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

The mystery of the wisdom of God (part six)

1. Jesus Christ took on flesh in order to institute the New Covenant

The sixth reason why Jesus Christ took on flesh was to institute the terms of the New Covenant, and so we have been admonished saying; "And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance" (Hebrews 9:15).

We are told that, "where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator for a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives" (Hebrews 9:16-17).

Therefore, the new covenant which Jesus Christ instituted was, when He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." This new covenant became effective after His death.

Remember, before the Lord instituted this new covenant on one occasion He said; "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world" (John 6:47-51).

On hearing this, the Jews quarreled among themselves saying; "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" This saying also caused many of His disciples to retrieve and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom we shall go? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:52, 66-68).

Now instead of making any apologies Jesus reiterated His statement by saying; “Truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is (real) food indeed, and My blood is (real) drink indeed: he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me’ (John 6:53-57).

If anyone had any misgivings as to how one could eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drinks His blood, Jesus continued by saying; “This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.” Signifying that the way one can eat His flesh is by eating the bread which represents His body.

There is therefore no ambiguity as to how one can eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood and the rationale for this new covenant is simply the new and living way by which one can draw near to the Father which is made possible only by the three that bear witness on earth: which are, the Spirit, who is Jesus Christ our High Priest, the water (flesh), represented by the unleavened bread, and the blood represented by the wine and these three agree as one.

The apostle Paul could not have put it more simple than this when he wrote; “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living which He opened for us through His flesh, and since we have a great High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

Remember, Jesus Christ said unequivocally, “I am the way [the flesh], the truth [the Spirit-The Lord our eternal High Priest], and the life [the blood- for the life of every creature is in the blood]; no one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6).

Another component of this new covenant is having the laws of God placed in the mind and written on the heart . For thus says the Lord; “This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16).

And the rationale for having the law placed in the mind and written on the heart it is for us to be always remember and be mindful of it and to love and cherished it.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Friday, May 5, 2023

The mystery of the wisdom of God (part 5)

5. Jesus Christ took on flesh in order to become a Faithful and Merciful High Priest.

The fifth reason why Jesus Christ took on flesh was for Him to become a faithful and merciful High Priest and so we have been duly admonished saying: "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.: For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:17-18).

And the Lord said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all: And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool" (Hebrews 10:9-13).

But now, with the reformation we are told that, "Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:11-14).

In order for one to have any fellowship or connection with the Father it can only be through Jesus Christ because, “there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time:” And hence the reason why Jesus quite unequivocally said; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (1Timothy 2:5-6; John 14:6).

So how then can we have fellowship with the Father through the One and only Mediator Jesus Christ? Well, according to the apostle John; “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:5-7).

The apostle Paul also made it abundantly clear as to how can we have access to the throne of grace when he wrote; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10: 19-23).

It is through the partaking of the body and blood of Jesus Christ and having Jesus Christ as our High Priest officiating and interceding on our behalf that we have access to the throne of grace and have fellowship with the Father and with one another.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Thursday, May 4, 2023

The mystery of the wisdom of God (part 4)

1. Jesus Christ took on flesh in order to give man life

Jesus said quite emphatically; "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

Before the advent of Jesus Christ man only had a temporary existence, in order for him to have life and live forever, he had to partake of the tree of life, but was banned access to the tree of life after choosing to partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so God drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

But now, due to Jesus Christ coming in the flesh we have been admonished saying; "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others" (Ephesians 2: 1-3).

Since Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man has been walking after the imagination of their evil heart, deciding for themselves what is right and what is wrong. The spirit in man was disconnected from the Spirit of God and being carnally minded signifies that man was an enemy of God because, the natural carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

So in order for God to maintain a relationship with man He chose certain men such as the patriarchs and the prophets and gave them His Spirit to communicate with Him and to stand between Him and man. He later chose the children of Israel and gave them His laws and statutes which were a copy and shadow of the reality until the time of reformation.

Now the way Jesus Christ gave man life it is through His resurrection from the dead. Since when Jesus Christ died all humanity died with Him, when He resurrected from the dead all humanity resurrected with Him also and so we have been duly admonished saying; “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

But unfortunately, this is only the period of gestation and one needs not only to be conceived but also to be born again; The new birth however, begins only when the individual has Jesus Christ living in them through the Holy Spirit and so we have been duly instructed saying; “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:10-13).

And so, it is not simply the matter of, in Him we live, in Him we move and in Him we have our existence but principally it is to have Jesus Christ living in us, and so the cycle of life in the new creation is, Jesus Christ (the Word) is in the Father, humanity is in Jesus Christ, but one requires Jesus Christ to be in them in order to have access to the Father.

To be continued

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

The mystery of God's wisdom (part 3)

3. Jesus Christ took on flesh in order to release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Man was subjected to the bondage of sin and the law of sacrifices which could not present him perfect before God, because the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Therefore, when He (Christ) came into the world, He said: "Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure.

Then I said, 'Behold, I have come --- In the volume of the book it is written of Me ---To do Your will, O God.' "Previously saying, "Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them" (which are offered according to the law), then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:1-10).

And so, since the wages of sin is death and the blood of animal sacrifices could not present the worshiper perfect before the Father because if they could they would not have ceased to be offered, therefore, through the death of Jesus Christ in whom all things exist, His death paid the penalty of sin for all humanity and released those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage, but this deliverance requires a certain application and protocol in order to effect the redemption and forgiveness for our transgressions.