Do We Understand

I have a question for you today. Do you understand, or do we understand fully, the character of God? Now let's just go back. God the Father and the Word which became Christ decided on a plan to have many children in glory. And that plan required, clearly, free moral agency. Because, otherwise, you just have little R2D2 robots and God didn't want children. There are just robots want children with free moral agency of their own free individual decision, making the right Godly decisions to be truly his sons and daughters in his family.

And so, as we know, as we read, for instance, in Revelation, Christ was slain from the foundation of the world, which basically means he was condemned to die all the way from the beginning of that plan. Why? Why? Because the plan required you and I to have free moral agency.

And any of you that is a parent, you know that sooner or later one of your kids is going to do something wrong. Or you can tell them, don't do anything wrong, but you know, sooner or later they're going to do something wrong. And if you're going to disobey God's laws, you know, was doing something wrong before God as his children, the wages of sin is death.

And therefore, God is not going to do away with his law. And because of that, he had to then send his son to die for us, to pay for ourselves, to redeem us, to buy us back. I mean, if God was ever going to do away with his law, then why not do it before sending his son? Why having suffered? You know, well, just change the law. The law is abolished, and that's it. You would have done it before that.

And so obviously, there is not the case. As most churches say today, all the law is done away. Put it mildly, that's a lie. God's law is not done away. Killing is still killing. Committing adultery is still committing adultery. God's law is not done away. But he required, therefore, a plan to buy back mankind from death. And that plan, it was, let's call it, in two stages. One, an individual stage, and two, a national, international, all mankind level.

The individual stage required three things. Christ dying for us as making a commitment to obey Him and required us receiving God's help to, once we make the commitment, to do what is right. And you and I know that because that is described to us by God's early days. Because God's early days, in the end, are part of God's laws and so they're not done away. Just like God's law is not done away. So Christ dying for us, symbolized by the Passover, as making a commitment, a complete commitment to obey Him, symbolized by the days of leavened bread, and as receiving God's early spirit, symbolized by the day of Pentecost.

And we know that very well, those are the spring holidays. But then there is, as I call it, the second stage, which is at a national, international, at a universal level. In other words, at a nation's level, at groups of people, there are nations. In other words, as a world government. And so the second phase is Christ taking over the rule of the world from Satan, because you and I know, 2 Corinthians 4 verse 4, the God of the Swally Satan.

So He's going to come back and He's going to take the rule from Satan. Then, yes, nations will fight against him because they think he's the anti-Christ. But ultimately, at the end of that, Christ will put Satan in jail for a thousand years, which is symbolized by the day of Atonus. Christ coming back is symbolized by the day of Trumpets, which is also symbolized by the resurrection of the saints.

Satan is put away, and then God's government is established on earth, which is symbolized by the Feast of Tabernacles. And then there's the ultimate final judgment, which includes not only final condemnation, but a process of evaluation of those that did not know better, and that is defined by the eighth day or the last great day of the Feast.

So what do we have? We have a plan that God has for us. A plan in basically two well-defined stages. A first stage of individual salvation, and a second stage of having a Messiah to rule the world. And so this explains to us, reveals to us, God's plan for us. But the real core of God's plan is that you and I become like Him. Think about it. He wants you and I to be perfect as He's perfect. Now, in this world granted, none of us will achieve that perfection, but He will test our hearts, making sure that we're striving and making that commitment, and nothing will deviate us from that commitment.

At the resurrection, He will make, give us the rest that we're not able to do in this life. But the point is, His ultimate desire is that you and I become like Him.

And so today I want to talk to you brethren about God's laws, because God's laws reveal God's character. And part of God's laws, His Holy Days, reveal that plan, how He's going to achieve that end result. Now, it's important for us to understand that God is selective. Now, that does not mean He's exclusive. That does not mean He's prejudiced against one person or another, but He's selective. Now, what does it mean, selective? That means He is, He's got a value standard, and He is going to choose and select as we strive to follow that standard. In other words, let me give you an example of a person. A person that is selective is a person that will exercise some discernment between what's right and wrong, will have considerable and careful consideration to make a right decision to select between various options, because He's selective, to select between various options, choosing the best option, or choosing those things or results that are more appropriate for a specific goal. That's a selective person. It's not discrimination. It's not being prejudiced. It's purely saying, I am going to exercise judgment or discernment. I'm not saying condemnation when I say judgment. I don't mean condemnation, but I mean evaluation, discernment, making wise decisions, looking at all the facts, and making the right decision for the right result. Now, God is selective. In other words, God exercises judgment, taking careful consideration about how we're doing by evaluating our hearts, by testing our hearts, so that ultimately He can use us for the specific goal that He has, and the specific goal that He has is for us to be like Him, to have God's holy, righteous character. Or, in other words, to be like His Son, which is in the image of the Father, or, in other words, that you and I grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ, 2 Peter 3 verse 18. And so, that is the goal. Now, having that goal in mind, we need to understand that He has not predestined anybody to qualify. In other words, you were not born in the 40, you made it. Or, you were born in the 40, you're not made it, you predestined. No, no. God has predestined you and I to be His children. Yes, He is predestined for a final outcome. But the choice is yours and mine. You have the ultimate choice. In other words, we got the free moral agency to make that choice and follow His way. Or, we have the choice to say, no, I'm not going to follow God's way.

So, what is God? We know in John 3 16, oh, how many times churches have read to you John 3 16? And because most people don't understand it, let's read it again. John 3 16. For the Lord, for God so loved the world, that's God the Father, so loved the world. Does not mean, loves the things of the soul, these worldly things. No, His soul cares for you and I as human beings. That He gave His only begotten Son. What do you mean, only begotten Son? He's the only one that was begotten that way. There's nobody else that was begotten out of a woman that was a virgin. Nobody else that is begotten that way.

So, He was the only one who was begotten and that was begotten through His seed, the Father's seed. And He was the Word and He emptied Himself and became a human being. So He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him. Oh, what do you mean believe? Oh, I believe in the Lord Jesus, I'm saved. Hark, wash. Now, let me ask you a simple example.

Say for instance, you're crossing the street and I see a car coming at high speed that is going to smash and kill you. And I tell you, stop! Don't run, stop!

If you stop, it means what? That means you believe me. You believe me. Believe means you act and do what the person says to do. So, people in the wall read this and say, well, whoever believes in God, oh, all I have to do is just believe in Jesus. And hallelujah, I'm saved. No! Believe in God and in Christ means you do what they tell you to do. And you remember that leader, that lawyer that came to Christ and said, what do I need to do to have eternal life? And what did Christ say? Oh, the law is abolished. You don't have to obey the law. No, Christ didn't say that. Christ said, if you want to have life, keep the commandments. Keep the commandments.

The churches of this world are lying when they say the law is done away. Why is that so important? Because God is love and the law is love. And the law is the reflection of God's character. Now, yes, Paul does tell us and turn with me to Romans chapter 5.

And we'll read in verse 1. Therefore, having been justified by faith, what does it mean justified?

Justified means made just, made righteous before God, sins forgiven by faith. Your and my persons, our persons, are forgiven because we trust in Him. And because we trust and you believe in Him, we're going to do what He says He does. And we make a commitment to do it. But we are. You and I are not perfect yet, but our heart and intent is to do what He wants.

And then he continues here and says, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, we are reconciled. We are no longer enemies because we made right with God. Therefore, we have peace with God. We're not one there and the other day, I don't talk to you and my back is turned against you. No, we are at one. We have peace. Our sins are forgiven.

With the Father, how? Through what Christ has done. That's what we're reading. Through whom we also have access by faith into this grace, into this gracious act of being forgiven gratis. You and I are not forgiven because you and I are so great persons. We're not. None of us is. And therefore, we have this grace, this kindness, this goodness from God in which we stand. In other words, we don't have doubt on it. We stand on it and therefore we rejoice. In what? In hope of the glory of God. Do we get doubt in the hope of the glory of God?

That means you and I hope that one day you will have the glory of God. That's my body. Now, it doesn't mean that you will be supreme like God. No, but you'll be a child of God having the same type of character and being and capabilities and type of authority under Christ, under God. And we're going to have that glory of God. And that is our hope. Now, some will have greater glory than others. Like it says, some will rule over ten cities, some will rule over five, some will rule over one. Some will just be doorkeepers. But we'll be at different levels of glory. Obviously much lower than the Father, but it is the glory of God. And that is our hope, and we rejoice in that. And then it says in verse nine. Now, pay attention to what it says in verse nine. It says, much more than having now been justified by His blood. We have been justified by Christ's blood. Do you know what other churches say? They say, you are saved by Christ's blood.

Is that what you read in verse nine? It does not say having now been saved by His blood. It says you have been justified by His blood. Justified means made right. Your sins are forgiven by what Christ has done. He's paid for your sins. You are at peace with God. You have reconciled with God. You have a relationship with God the Father by Christ's blood. That does not mean we are saved already.

So that's where the churches on the world say, oh well, just believe in Jesus and you are saved. That is not what the Bible says. And continuing reading in verse nine of Romans 5, it says, we shall be. Now, I think it's very clear that the word shall be is future. Not today. Shall be is future. Shall be saved. Aha! You shall be saved. How? Well, verse 10 explains it. It says because when we were enemies, we were reconciled, we were justified, we were made right with God through the death of His son, in a word, through His blood. Much more, now that we have been reconciled, that our relationship with the Father is restored, that we are at peace with the Father, now that that relationship is there, we shall be saved by His life. We shall be saved by Christ's life. Future. What does that mean? It means that Christ is our High Priest. It means that when you and I do something wrong, and you and I repent, and we mean it, meaning repentance means permanent, is not just remorse. Remorse than you caught. Now, repentance means change. Now, granted, sometimes we fail, but our intent on the heart is committed, and we want to change completely. When we repent, at that moment, you and I go on our knees and ask for forgiveness, and you can read that in Hebrews chapter 10, that through a new and living way, you and I have access to the Holy of Holies, to the Father's throne, and we're forgiveness. We have access through the veil, through Christ's body, we have access to the Father, and Christ then says to the Father, and put your name there. I'll put my name just Christ says to the Father, forgive George. Because at that moment, what's happening? At that moment, Satan goes to the Father and says, look at George, and you're calling him his son, and he's just said that, that he shouldn't have said, or he thought that, that he shouldn't have thought, or whatever. Because Satan is the accuser of the brethren, die and not. Revelation 12 verse 9. So, Satan is there, he does not miss a beat, and at every little opportunity is there, BAM! Look, Father! Look at what George, as I said, put your name in there. Look at what he or she's done. But provided that you and I confess to the Father on our knees, and that we forsake, Proverbs 28, I think verse 13, confess and forsake.

It means that you have the courage to admit it to the Father. Oh, well, God can see everything, so why confess? Because it shows an attitude of heart that you are willing to admit your mistakes. Of course, God knows it all. He can see it. But you and I are willing to admit our mistakes. We say it to God exactly as it is, not whitewashing it with whatever different words that don't mean anything, but genuine. And you make a commitment to forsake, to change. Because you believe what Christ has done, that you are going to do what he tells us to do, and you are making a commitment to make a change. And our high priest, our defense advocate, will defend you in front of the accuser and will tell the Father, George is forgiven, as I said with your name, and my blood is cleansing. Bang! Just that way. So, we saved by his life. And that's why, then, a little later in chapter 6 of Romans, that's why a little later in chapter 6 of Romans, verse 1 and 2 says, shall we continue sinning? That we may have more of this goodness and grace and forgiveness from God. Verse 2, certainly not. In other words, pure and plainly, it says, God's law is not done away. God's law is not done away. How many times you go to a year, or maybe you turn your way, or wherever it is in a year, these people say, we are now under grace and the law is done away. Indeed, we are under grace and the forgiveness and the God's kindness. But on the condition that you repent, that you confess and forsake. And therefore, we are not under the law. It does not mean the law is done away. We are not under the penalty of the law, because we have been forgiven. Because the sin has been wiped away. And so we're not under that penalty, because it's wiped away. It's gone. Gracias. So you're not under the penalty. So you're not under the penalty of the law, but that does not mean the law is done away. That means you are under God's mercy and the God's grace.

And so we now, as we read in Romans chapter 6 verse 12, therefore, do not let sin reign in your body, immortal body. How can it be sin? If the law is done away, then there's no sin, because the law defines what sin is. So if the law is done away, there's no more sin. No, but it says, do not let sin reign in your body, that you should obey it in its lusts. In other words, you must not sin. The law is not done away, but you must not sin. But now, verse 13, you've got to present your body, your members, your physical body, your eyes, your mind, your hands, your feet, whatever, your members as instruments of godliness. That's what it says at the end of verse 13. In other words, don't allow your members to be instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present your bodies to god being alive from the dead. Yeah, because the wages of sin is death. Christ bought us back from life, so we are alive by the grace of god towards us. And therefore, our members must not be any more instruments of unrighteousness, but must now be instruments of righteousness to god as we read in verse 13. So that means the law is there, and we've got up ahead. Does not mean that now you can go out and kill people. Does not mean that you can go out and commit adultery. Does not mean that you can now go out and steal. Does not mean that you can go out and break the Sabbath. Oh, the Sabbath! Oh, yeah, the laws are kept, but just the Sabbath. Why is the Sabbath? It's you break one, you break them all. You read that in James, don't you?

You see, the law is not done away. Verse 15, Romans 6. What then? Shall we sin? Because we're not under the law, but under grace. Certainly not. Or put it under the ways. Shall we sin because we're not under the penalty of the law, because our sins are forgiven, but we are under grace because our sins are forgiven. And so shall we sin now. We go out by God, which by the way includes keeping the Sabbath, which is one of the Ten Commandments. Oh, no, that works. Also, not killing is works, or not killing is works, or whatever you put it. Brethren, the problem is we do not completely understand what God is doing for us.

God... Let me give you an example. Let's say you have a bank account. Most of you have a bank account. Right. Maybe you only got five cents in it, but you've got a bank account. Right. Hopefully. Maybe it's just a savings account. And maybe indeed I only got five cents. But you have something. When I put money into your bank account, gratas. Say for instance, I put into your bank account a million dollars. Now you only have five cents. Wow! You've got a million dollars. I have credited into your bank account a million dollars. Gratas!

Our spiritual moral bank account with God is in the negative because we have sent. Right. Is in the negative. Like the U.S. government is in the negative. Many trillions of dollars. Right. It's a mess. But anyway, imagine in a blink of an eye, all that debt is gone. Trillions of dollars are put in today and there's no more debt. That is crediting you with the money. Right. So, you know, you've got to be a little bit more careful. You've got to be a little bit more careful. You've got to be a little bit more careful. That is crediting you with something that does away with the debt. What is my debt and your debt towards God?

It's life because we have sinned before we're going to have to die and we'll die sooner or later. But God has credited our spiritual bank account and zeroed that sin and our account is positive. That's what it means that God imputes into you righteousness. In other words, God puts into your spiritual bank account righteousness. Now you are right with God. You have no sin. The bank account, the moral bank account, instead of being in the negative, is now in the positive. That's what happened to Abraham. You read that in Romans chapter 4. And it says, Abraham, and he says, in verse 2, if Abraham was justified by words, he has something to boast about, but not before God. So what does the scripture say in verse 3? Abraham believed God, trusted God, and fived in what God said. And therefore, it was accounted to him. It was put into his spiritual bank account righteousness. All his debt was wiped out and is now righteous. It was not Abraham's righteousness, was not his works, was God's righteousness that was imputed on him. Gratas. Verse 4. Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace, but as debt. Yeah, if you go to a job and they say, well, you'll earn $20 an hour and you work for 20 hours and you get $20 times 20, whatever that comes to, $400 or whatever it is, right, that's your wage. It's not a gift. A gift is not because of your work. Abraham was credited righteousness because he trusted God. And that's why it says then in verse 5, Romans chapter 4, but to him who does not work but believes on him, there was trusting, believes what he says, on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith, his trust, his godly trust, is accounted for righteousness. That means his sins are wiped out and now he's righteous. Just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works, it is a blessing if suddenly all your sins are wiped away and you are declared righteous before God. Gratas! Isn't that a blessing? And that's what he says. Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven. Why? Because you've been imputed righteousness. And whose sins are covered. They're covered. How? By crushed blood. Gratas. They're covered. How? By crushed blood. Gratas. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. But they are conditions. They are conditions. Like you can say to your child, I'm going to give you this. It's a gift. But on the condition that you do this. They are conditions. The condition is that you've got to believe God. And believe God means you now have to change and believe and do what he says and go the right way. Do you make that commitment? Yes, I believe on that. And if I'm going to make that commitment, then great! Then you freely granted righteousness. So Lord works. It's because you made a commitment and you're now going to obey God. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.

So, brethren, you and I have a great blessing upon us. In fact, it's upon all mankind when they get to the point to accept God's calling and change.

You see, God calls many people. Matthew 22, 14. Many are called, but few are chosen. What does that mean? That means, for instance, let's look at that example. Many people go onto our website, see the truth in a way God is calling them, drawing them at attention, repent, change, and what do most people do? Or if you're writing out, it's very nice, blah, blah, blah, but they don't do anything about it.

Because if they did anything about it, the Holy Hour would be full of people. But it's not, because the road is narrow, the door is tight, it's narrow. We gotta obey God. And people don't want to do it. Therefore, many are called, but few are chosen. Why? Because few respond to that calling. Few act upon it. They don't want to do anything about it. And yes, God wants, ultimately, all mankind to be saved.

The goodness of God leads people to repentance. And regrettably, some people have to knock their head against the wall, and knock their head against the wall, and knock their head against the wall, till they get to a point and it says, well, it might be easier not to knock their head against the wall. And therefore, some people are being called, and are being called, and they're not responding. Keep knocking their head against the wall. Therefore, one day, they will have a super trial that either will wake them up, or then they'll make the decision to completely walk away from God. And mankind, as a whole, on this nation, and in this whole world, is going to come to that decision point soon. The whole world is going to be tested, and it's going to be a great termination. It's not going to be nice. Based on Leviticus 26, if I think it's correct, I believe there will be one wave of punishment. There will be seven times more than the previous one, which was seven times worse than the previous one, because the first one was 9-11. And then seven times worse, seven years later, in 2008, we had a market crash, which was even worse. And then some whatever number of years later, around about 12 years later, we had COVID, which was seven times worse than a market crash. Then a market crash. And the next one will be some internal turmoil that will have in this country that will be seven times more worse, seven times worse, than COVID. And you know what, Reverend? I don't know when that will be, but I would not be surprised if it could even be as early as next year. And it will be seven times worse than COVID. What are we doing about it today? Because it's not going to be nice. And then after that will be the Great Tribulation. That's a possibility. I'm not saying it'll be exactly like that, but I'm just saying things are going to get rough because people are not listening to God. People are keeping, hitting the head against the wall, and keeping the head against the wall. And many are called, but few are chosen. So things are going to get so tough that you either repent or not. And that, when things get so tough, is actually what the Bible calls it, the Great Tribulation, for a period of three and a half years, just before Christ is coming. And so, brethren, we are called we respond to that calling. How? How do you respond to that calling? By signing a contract. Oh yeah, you sign a contract with God. What is that contract? It's called baptism. Well, you've got to understand what you are committing to, and you commit to changing your life and to obey all God's commandments. Now, if you sign a fake contract that just says, oh well, you can still keep Sunday, that is a fake contract. You better sign a valid contract because the other one is invalid.

So, as we read in Acts 2, verse 38, then you will receive the gift of God's Holy Spirit. What is God's Holy Spirit? It's God's power. It's God's essence. It's God's help that He gives to you and I to do what? To do what? To help you and I overcome the weakness of the flesh. You and I need that help. Oh, we need a helper. In 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 2, 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 2, 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 2 says, We are elect. Now we are called, and many are called, and few are chosen. What do you mean chosen? Elect! We are elected. Now we don't go through these worldly elections. We are elected by God. God is selective and selects you, chooses you, elects you, according to His great plan. In what? In the sanctification of the Spirit. We are elect, and now He gives us the Holy Spirit to help you and I to become saints. In other words, helps you and I to be separate from the world. It helps you and I to overcome the weaknesses of the flesh. And then it says, the sanctification of the Spirit. For what purpose? It says, for obedience. For obedience. Obedience to what? Obedience to God's law. God's law is not done away. And the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. So when we admit that we've done something wrong, then Christ sprinkles us and forgives ourselves. And so that contract that you and I sign through the symbolism of baptism getting under the water, the old man dying, coming out of the water, a new man coming out, making a full commitment, that contract is called the New Contract. Or in biblical terms, the New Covenant. The New Contract. And as you read in Hebrews chapter 8 verse 10, that New Covenant writes in our minds and in our heart God's law. Yeah, that's what it is. In Hebrews chapter 8 verse 10, let's read it. So it's absolutely clear. It says, I'll make this covenant, which is the New Covenant, that I'll make with you in the house of Israel after those days as the Lord. I will put my laws into their mind and write them in their hearts. Now why do that? Of course, only spirit if the law is not done away.

Of course, the law is not done away. And so brethren, what is the purpose of the law? Well, in Romans chapter 3 verse 20, it tells us very clear one purpose of the law. Romans 3 verse 20, which says, by the law is the knowledge of sin. At the end of verse 20, by the law is the knowledge of sin. So purpose number one of the law is to show you what is sin, what is right and what is wrong.

That's obviously what the law does. If you have a traffic law and it says, when it's green you can go and when it's red you gotta stop, what is the law? It tells you what's right and what's wrong. Oh, the laws are away. You can just drive red and blue and green with yellow, whatever it is, you can drive. Well, imagine the chaos that you left.

You see, so one purpose of the law is to show us what is sin. But the most important purpose of the law. You see, the law has two purposes. Let's say the first one that I mentioned is to show you what sin is. It's kind of a negative purpose. It's just showing you what's right and wrong. But the positive purpose of the law is to reflect or tell us the mind and character of God and Christ. This is the most important and misunderstood by the whole purpose of the law. God's law is to tell you and I, show you and I God's mind. God's way of thinking. Because you and I know. What is the two commandments of the law? Love the Lord your God and love your fellow man. So what is the law? Love and what is God? Love. The law shows us God's mind. How do you know how to apply that? Or just being sweet, sweet, syrupy, oh goshy goshy all over with words that have no meaning. Or it's very specific saying, if you love your brother, you're not going to steal from him. If you love your brother, you're not going to kill him. If you love your brother, you're not going to commit adultery against his wife and so on. You see, so the law is like 10 little rivers that define what love is.

So the law reflects the mind and character of God and of Christ. And the eyes of Scripture that proves it. But you know what? This Scripture is so twisted by people, by false ministers of Jesus Christ, claiming themselves to be apostles of Christ, but they're not. And it's this beautiful, this beautiful positive meaning of the law is described in Romans chapter 10, verse 4. Romans chapter 10, verse 4. Romans chapter 10, verse 4 says, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every thing, to everyone who believes. Oh, you see, Christ says end of the law, so the law is done away. That's not what it says.

What he's saying is, Christ is the ultimate example, is the final end example of what the standard is of obeying God's law. He is the perfect example of what the law should be for you. He is the perfect example, the final outcome of obeying the law. He is the end, the end result, the final outcome of what you and I should be when we obey the law for righteousness. To everyone who believes. And when you believe, you do what it says. Always see behind the word believe, doing, obeying. Believe means obeying. When I believe what somebody tells me to do, I'm going to do what he tells me to do. If the fireman is out there and there's a fire in the house and he's got a thing there to catch me and he says, jump and I'll catch you, it does take a bit of believing. But if I believe, I'm going to jump because he said he's going to catch me. Yeah, it's an act of faith, but it requires action. It's not just saying, yeah, I believe in you, but I'll stay right up. Yeah, believe means doing, means obeying. So whenever you see the word believe in the Bible, read behind the word obey. But the words just sit. I now believe you don't have to obey, just whatever. You see, that's how Satan has deceived the whole world. Romans 12, Revelation 12 verse 9. He's deceived the whole world. So, the purpose of God's law first is to tell us what is sin, but secondly, even more important, is to tell us the mind and character of God. You see, God is working with us. God the Father calls us. He sends us his Son, a great hope for us. He dies for us. He now is resurrected at the right hand of the Father, and Christ sends us God's power to help you and I overcome and change.

Do you get what I said? I made reference to three. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

That does not mean it's a Trinity. It does not mean the Holy Spirit is a person. I'm just saying the three have an important responsibility in you and I changing so that you and I can have God's mind. In other words, God's law written in our minds, in our hearts, the very mind of God, the very character of God written in us, because God loved us, sent us his Son, his Son died for us, by life redeemed us from death with his life, with his blood. And now as our eye priest, he then gives us the help that you and I need, which is God's the helper, which is God's power, which is God's essence, so that we can overcome and become more and more like God, which is, therefore, become more and more like godly love through agape love. Look at Titus chapter 3. Titus chapter 3. Titus chapter 3. Starting in verse 4. But when the kindness and the love of God, our side be toward man, appeared. Do we get that? The kindness and the love of God, that's God the Father, is our Savior. Yeah, Christ is our Savior, but so is God the Father, because the two are working together to save us. So when the kindness and love of God, the Father, our Savior, toward man, appeared. Or, who appeared? Who appeared? Who is the kindness and love of God, our Savior, towards man? That appeared. It's Christ. So what he's saying is when the kindness and the love of God, our Savior, towards man, appeared, it was when Christ appeared. Verse 5. Not by works of righteousness, not because I'm such a great, nice little guy, or you are a great guy or girl. But Christ came according to God's mercy, and Christ came and did whatever is necessary for this plan of salvation. How? How? Through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. The washing of regeneration. That means that you are begotten again by God's Holy Spirit when you receive the Holy Spirit, and you are begotten now, begotten a second time, regeneration, re-begotten a second time as a child of God. And renewing. That means it renews, it sanctifies your mind to obedience by writing his laws, in our minds and in our hearts, so that we renew that we become a new man. Not a whole man or woman, but a new person. Put on the new man, renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom or which he poured on us abundantly through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the Father's, and he poured on us through Christ. It's Christ that baptizes us with God's Holy Spirit. So, have you paid attention that in these three verses, again the three I mentioned, what the Father has done, what Christ has done, and what God's Holy Spirit has done. And this is not talking about a Trinity. It's talking about that the Father has a role in our salvation, Christ has a role in our salvation, and God's power that helps us as a role in our salvation. The three work together.

So, the ultimate intent, the ultimate purpose, is that we are in a process of developing God's holy, godly, righteous character. You see, God's laws reveal the character of God, and God's alidays reveal that plan. How He's achieving that? And, brethren, as we approach now towards God's holy days, and lost for holy days, we can see how God, through Christ, is going to intervene and save this world. We live in a very, very dangerous society. There's a lot of hatred out there, and all you need is just the right spot, and this will explode. And I would not be surprised that next year is going to be very explosive. And you and I need to be close to God. We're going to be working in putting on God's holy, righteous character daily. And so, just like the prophet Jeremiah, you can make a note and read it in your own time, in Jeremiah 10 verse 23 and 24, says, God, please instruct me. Please teach me. Please correct me, but with justice. In other words, with mercy, so that I can keep changing. And as Luke 21, 36 says, we've got to watch and pray that you and I may be counted worthy to escape, but even greater than escape is to stand with the Son of Man that is coming. In other words, to be in the first resurrection. Stand means resurrected, or change, or transform at that time. You see, God, brethren, has a plan for you and I.

And the ultimate decision is whether you and I remain faithful till the end. You see, it's not just being called, not just being chosen, but we've got to remain hot and faithful till the end. We don't want to be like the five unwise virgins that became lukewarm. We want to remain hot till the end, faithful till the end. But the moral of the story in the end, brethren, is that we have very little time. Brethren, we have very little time. And we have to be developing God's character, which reflects God's mind, which is the law of God. And we've got to have that well written in our minds and in our hearts. May God bless each one of us to fully comprehend that and to be dedicated to serve Him and follow Christ and become like Him every day, between now and till Christ's coming. God bless you.