Belief

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He that believes and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believes not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” (Mark 16:16-18) Notice that Jesus says one must believe and be baptized in order to be saved. The Greek word used here for baptism (as is in every use of the word in the New Testament) is baptizo which means to make fully wet or wash. The carnal mind will understand this to mean the ceremonial baptism of a believer as an outward sign of an inward transformation, i.e., being born again. The spiritual mind, however, understands that outward acts are meaningless unless they are the fruit of a heart that is submitted to God.

Therefore, baptism is much more than the act of being immersed in water. It is the fruit of a believing heart. It is the gate that leads to life. Romans 6:1-7 says “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I might apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Philippians 3:10-15)

True baptism is that of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist said “I have indeed baptized you with water unto repentance: but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11). Here we see two components of the baptism of Jesus – the Holy Ghost and fire. When we are born again, we are born of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the person of the Godhead with whom we first meet and develop relationship. The focus of the Holy Spirit is to bring you into relationship with Jesus. “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. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13-14).

Jesus is The Truth. The Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself; He speaks of Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals the cost of discipleship, the price of following Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals to us that we "are bought with a price" and we “are not our own” (I Corinthians 6:19-20). Those of us that will press on will encounter the refiner’s fire as we become “living sacrifices”. We will come into a place of preparation as priests where the Holy Spirit can introduce us to Jesus where we will come to know the “fellowship of His sufferings” being made “conformable to His death”. As we continue to follow Jesus, denying self and taking up our cross daily, He will bring us to the death of self in us, the overcoming of sin in our lives, and the knowing of the power of His resurrection. In this place we will know Him even as we also are known. It is for this purpose we are apprehended of Christ. We are called to be perfect; “even as your Father, which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

Eternal salvation, then, is of belief and the baptism of Jesus; bringing us into the overcoming of sin – not just merely the forgiveness of sin. It is a process which requires us to either choose obedience to Christ as we walk the path of life, or choose disobedience which will lead us to destruction. You are not handed salvation when you are born again. You are 'saved' out of the kingdom of darkness and brought into the kingdom of light when you are born again. Being born again is entrance into the kingdom of God. All things are new – because you have had no previous experience in the spiritual realm and must now learn to operate in the spirit and learn to be led of the Spirit. You have entered into a war zone between the flesh and the spirit. That which is stronger will dominate. Choose to deny self, lay down your will, and continually submit all to the lordship of Jesus Christ and you will progressively weaken the influence of the flesh and its fruit, which is sin, until the flesh is subdued and sin is overcome. Continue in your sin, and even though you confess your sins which brings forgiveness, sin will continue in your life because the root of it remains; and you will continue to feed the flesh, thereby submitting to the flesh and allowing the flesh to rule and reign in your life instead of Christ.

Choice. It is your God given right of free will. You cannot serve two masters. We are all slaves – either slaves to Christ or slaves to sin. You get to choose which master you will serve. “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life (soulish or self life) shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24-25) He that believes not shall be damned. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). You cannot depart from a place where you have never been. This is a warning to Christians – not the world. The world has never embraced God – only Christians have. Here again we see choice. Choose to abide or choose to depart. In John 15, those that abide bear much fruit and are able to ask what they want and it is done for them; since through the process of abiding in Christ the desire they have is for the will of God – not their own – and God will always say yes and amen to that which is of His will. Those that do not abide are cast forth as a branch, become withered, and they are cast into the fire and burned. Again, you do not have a choice to abide or not abide if you are not a Christian. It is Christians that have the choice to abide or depart – to be saved or to be damned.

In Mark 4:3-20 we see the parable of the sower – which correlates with John 15. The seed is the word of God which falls in four different places – only one of which results in eternal salvation. The seed that falls by the wayside is devoured by the enemy and has no chance to produce fruit. Some falls on stony ground; but since there is no “root in themselves” they endure for a time, but when affliction or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended. The seed that falls among thorns is choked because of the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in makes it become unfruitful. Notice that something must first be fruitful in order for it to 'become' unfruitful. The seed that is sown in good ground produces fruit – because they are abiding in the vine that is Jesus – some thirty, some sixty, some hundredfold.

There is only one way to eternal salvation: belief. Choice: continue in belief or allow an evil heart of unbelief to overcome you and cause you to depart from the Lord and walk the broad path that leads to destruction. And these signs shall follow them that believe. In John 15, those that abide in Christ Jesus will produce fruit and the Father will prune them so that they produce more fruit. This pattern is also seen here in Mark 16. There are signs of belief. The Greek word used here for signs is semeion, which means an indication, miracle, sign, token, or wonder. I would also add the word validation – as God will validate those who are obedient to Him as a witness and a wonder to the world. Our belief should be manifesting itself to the world in signs, wonders, and miracles to provoke the world to jealousy; desiring them to know the God we know.

1) In my name shall they cast out devils. The Greek word used here for cast out, ekballo, means to eject, bring forth, expel, thrust out, etc. The Greek word used here for devils is daimonion which means demonic being. Jesus has all authority. He has given His people authority to do His will. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. He came to set His people free. And he who the Son sets free is free indeed. We, therefore, in His name, have the authority to cast out devils anywhere they are found. They have no rights, no power, and no authority to take the people of God captive. They have no rights, no power, and no authority to influence those of this world and use them to execute their wicked plans in this earth.

This sounds simple, however, there is much to consider regarding the casting out of demons. As in all things regarding belief, we must seek the Lord before entering into action. The casting out of demons is not something to be taken lightly or to be taken on in our own strength and understanding. We must have wisdom, discernment, and the leading of the Holy Spirit to defeat the enemy. Although he is powerless, Satan is wise in the ways of deception and can easily devour those who are presumptuous enough to launch out on their own. The seven sons of Sceva found this out the hard way. These men, who were exorcists, had witnessed Paul doing great miracles and took it upon themselves to cast out evil spirits in the name of the Lord Jesus saying “we adjure you by Jesus who Paul preaches”. “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:13-16)

Demonic spirits gain authority through the power of agreement. If an unwitting person submits to demonic influence through fear, lust, greed, or any other fleshly motive, then entrance has just been granted to the influencing spirit. And this spirit can remain as long as this person remains in agreement. It is only when that person decides that they want to be free of this oppression, is willing to repent, and understands that they must discontinue whatever sin has opened this door that they can be free. We cannot override the free will of another. It is best to leave someone in this place of oppression if they are unwilling to repent. This sounds harsh, but there are two very strong spiritual principles behind this perspective; both of which are in the best interest of the oppressed individual. First, by leaving them in this state we are “delivering such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh” (I Corinthians 5:5), thereby allowing Satan himself to bring the individual to a place of brokenness and weakness so that they cry out for deliverance and are willing to repent. Keep in mind, Satan can only do the will of God and God uses him to deal with the flesh in man. This is not always successful, however, because not all make the right choice. Many, unfortunately, allow themselves to become bitter and hardened which entrenches them in the flesh. Such a one cannot be reached until they repent.

The second principle is this; to cast out a demonic spirit or spirits in an unrepentant vessel will make matters worse. Jesus said in Luke 11:24-26: “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, I will return unto my house where I came out. And when he comes, he finds it swept and garnished. Then goes he, and takes to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” So it is when demonic spirits are cast out of an unrepentant vessel because the entrance to the evil spirits remains open; and the vessel becomes worse than before because of a presumptuous believer exercising authority. That is why Jesus always said, “go and sin no more”.

Maturity, obedience, humility, and being led of the Spirit; these are absolutely essential when one confronts a demonic spirit. One who is immature should not even attempt to take it upon himself to cast out a demon. In Mark 9:14-29, we are given account of the disciples failure to cast out a demonic spirit in the son of a man that asked for their help. When Jesus came he rebuked the spirit saying “You deaf and dumb spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him”. Later, the disciples asked Jesus privately why they were unable to cast him out. Jesus answered “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”. The prayer and fasting to which Jesus referred was not of praying and fasting prior to the casting out, but of the spiritual maturity gained through a lifestyle of prayer and fasting and being led of the Spirit.

2) They shall speak with new tongues. The church was born on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came with the sound of a rushing mighty wind and appeared to the 120 as cloven tongues like as of fire and sat upon each one of them. And the 120 were each filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Notice that they spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance. This is the true gift of tongues. The gift is by the Holy Spirit and can operate only through the Holy Spirit. The early church understood this gift.

The understanding of this gift today is not common. “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. The gift of tongues is the gift of a prayer language whereby we may be assured that we are praying according to the will of God because the Holy Spirit Himself is praying through us, using our tongue to speak mysteries in a language unknown to our carnal mind. “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.” (I Corinthians 14:14) “For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God; for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (I Corinthians 14:2) What a wonderful gift! No wonder Satan has sought to get men to reject this gift, because one of the reasons such power existed in the early church was because the church was in agreement and they were praying the will of God through the gift of tongues. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

There are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned here, with “different kinds of tongues” being one of them. “But all these work that one and selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (I Corinthians 12:7-11) It is clear that the gift of tongues was established by God and the word of God clearly reveals the purpose of tongues – the allowance of the Holy Spirit to pray through us as we cooperate with Him and allow Him to use our tongue to speak mysteries and purely pray the will of God without the influence of our minds affecting our prayer. It is also a gift to be used in the church to speak a prophetic word in the church if there are those gifted with interpretation of tongues to translate to the people. “If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.” ((I Corinthians 14:27-28)

So how is it that today’s church largely rejects these wonderful gifts of the Spirit? “Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophecy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (I Corinthians 13:8-12) In the wisdom of man, with the aid of enlightenment from Satan, the above scripture began to be interpreted at some point in time to reflect the coming of the bible.

For the bible, some say, is perfect and is that which should come. Therefore, it was concluded by some that there were 'temporary gifts' that God gave to help the church along until He could bring forth perfection. Let’s examine the many fallacies of this false doctrine. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29) I could stop right here for this one scripture shows that the 'theory' of temporary gifts is just that – theory – and has nothing to do with truth. “Without repentance” means that God does not change His mind and take back that which He has instituted. “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) The pattern is clear. God is perfect. He does not change. In Him is no darkness, neither any shadow of turning. He is omniscient. Everything He does is with specific purpose and intent. No mistakes. So how then do we rightly interpret I Corinthians 13:8-12?

The bible is a creation. Yes, it does contain the word of God and the word of God is perfect. However, the bible is a container of some of the word of God – that which God has chosen to reveal to man. But even that which is revealed can only be understood by revelation of the Holy Spirit. The carnal mind cannot understand the word of God which is why we have so much false doctrine – men leaning to their own understanding. To understand the word we must seek understanding through fellowship with the Holy Spirit – who leads and guides us into all the truth. One cannot be led or guided if one is not seeking, hearing, or following the One who leads and guides. The bible itself is incapable of bringing change in a person. Change is an inward work done by the Holy Spirit as we seek to be led of Him. We are instructed to not lean to our own understanding in Proverbs 3:5; we must seek the Holy Spirit to bring light concerning what the bible says. The bible does not lead and guide us into all the truth. The bible cannot perfect us. Only God can accomplish this. The Living Word accomplishes this – not the written. No creation is perfect – creation can only be perfected. Man was created in perfection and then fell giving in to bow the knee to deception instead of obeying the Lord, but was given opportunity to become perfect by making right choices in obeying God and allowing Him to change man from a carnal being to a spiritual being like unto Himself – His image. The process of being perfected is through the Cross – via death to self. The bible, being a creation, is therefore not perfect. We are known by our fruit. Perfection can only produce perfection. What is the fruit of the bible? Discord, disagreement, separation, and division. There are some 66 versions of the bible, all varying in some degree or another. Which one is perfect; or are they all perfect?

Something as profound as perfection coming would certainly have a timeline of its coming. When did the bible come? There is no definitive answer. Therefore, the bible is not that which is perfect that should come. Perfection comes individually as we come into a place of manifestation as sons of God. A son of God is led by the Spirit, has overcome sin, and has entered into the rest of God; only doing that which he sees the Father doing and speaks only that which he hears the Father saying: according to the same pattern Jesus established when He walked this earth. “For now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face.” No one can see God and live; therefore one must die in order to see Him face to face. A manifest son of God has died – to self, sin, and the things of this world – and it is no longer he that lives but Christ lives in him. “For now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.” Only a manifest son of God can know even as he also is known. A manifest son of God lives fully in the presence of God even while he is still on this earth. He no longer knows in part and prophecies in part, so he no longer has need of these gifts. The Lord speaks directly to Him giving him full understanding. Although these gifts cease in him since they are no longer needed, the gifts will continue to operate in others who have yet to reach sonship.

3) They shall take up serpents. The Greek word used here for serpents, ophis, has an interesting meaning beyond snake – as a type of sly cunning. It speaks of the idea of sharpness of vision and comes from the Greek word, optomai, which means to gaze with wide open eyes. In order to 'take up' a serpent you have to see him. When he is 'taken up' he is rendered helpless. He is unable to use his natural defenses; of hiding and of striking and biting. He is stopped from any offensive action. He is at your mercy. So it is in the spirit realm in dealing with demonic spirits to those who have 'eyes to see' and are led of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus walked this earth as a man, He was acutely aware of all demonic activity around Him because He saw into the spirit realm. One of the purposes of Jesus coming to earth as a man was to be a demonstration of sonship so that we could follow His example. (I Peter 2:21)

As we mature we should be growing in our discernment of demonic activity because “we are not ignorant of his devices.” (II Corinthians 2:11) Light should expose darkness and reveal that which is a lie. The enemy is successful only to the degree that he can operate in darkness. This is why all creation groans and travails for the manifestation of the sons of God; that the light which exudes from those who have died to self would drive out darkness and bring creation into the light. God from the beginning has been saying; “Let there be light”. His plan has always been to give man opportunity to be that light; walking just as Jesus walked this earth. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” (II Corinthians 10:4) Not only should we be aware of what the enemy is doing, we should also be walking in understanding of what God is saying to do about it. We are called to be in dominion according to the Lord’s command in Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 28:18-20. “And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you hearken unto the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)

What is required for this dominion in which we should be walking? Belief. Maturity. Being baptized into the death of the Lord Jesus Christ through death to self; that we may be raised again in the power of His resurrection and know Him even as we also are known. There is no other way. This is the way to life and liberty. Choose this day to submit all to the lordship of Jesus Christ that you too may be made into a vessel of honor; fit for His use to bring light to darkness, bring freedom to the captive, and restore righteousness in this earth to the glory of our Creator, The Most High God, our Savior, our Lord, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Great High Priest – the One to whom all glory and honor belongs, the One to whom every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that….JESUS IS LORD.

4) If they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. Yes you read that right. If they (those who truly believe to the place of manifestation as sons of God) drink (consume, ingest) any deadly (poisonous, fatal) thing, it shall not hurt (hinder, injure, kill) them. There are three types of death which are mentioned in the word of God. Two of these are easily understood by the carnal mind; physical and spiritual death. The third is spiritual; and is revealed spiritually in the word of God and can only be understood by the spiritual mind: death to self. Jesus was crucified as a demonstration of His willingness to pay the ultimate price; not only of death, but of excruciating pain and suffering as well. He did this for our example. He demonstrated that He would not ask us to do anything that He Himself was not willing to do. He commands us to follow Him to the Cross, taking up our own cross daily, and allowing Him to crucify our flesh – to the point where we as vessels emptied of ourselves are now manifesting and releasing the Spirit of the Lord wherever we walk.

It is only by death to self that we overcome sin. Jesus said that the “prince of this world comes, and he has no place in me”, because Jesus was without sin. Sin is the only entrance Satan has into us. If we overcome sin he has no way to influence us; just as he had no way to influence Jesus. Jesus chose to lay His life down. It was not taken from Him. “Think you that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?” (Matthew 26:53) Jesus had the choice to go on to the cross or choose to return to His place as God. If He had chosen to avoid the cross, we would have been lost. So, Jesus “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down on the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)

We have the same choice. We each face the Cross. We have the free will to choose to avoid the Cross and go on to destruction. However, not only will we be lost, but God will have to raise up another to reach those whom might have been reached by us. Or we can choose to go on to endure the pain, suffering, shame, loss, rejection, etc. of the Cross for the “joy set before us”, reaching multitudes with the same opportunity for liberty in Christ and the joy of the abundant life in Christ Jesus; and be sat down with Jesus in His throne. “To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with my Father in his throne” (Revelation 3:21) “And it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) Death is only required once. And if one 'dies to self' he has accomplished this requirement. There is no “second death” except to those who are judged to spend eternity in hell. “Truly I say unto you, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:28, Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27)

Those who do not have spiritual understanding believe that in these scriptures Jesus is speaking of a 'rapture' whereby they are rescued from the “wrath of God” before or some time during the tribulation period. Those that believe this do not understand that we are called to overcome and have dominion, not be rescued. Consider this scripture. “If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51) Here Jesus is saying all men have this opportunity to not see physical death, which cannot be referring to a specific time such as the tribulation period and a rapture. The word records two men who did not physically die, Enoch and Elijah. I believe each of these men came into this understanding of death to self. Others walked in this knowledge such as Paul and John. Paul, as recorded in history, chose to lay his life down. “For I am in strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:23) Paul was making a decision – he had a choice – to stay or to go. Why did he have this choice? Because he had died to self.

We see here that his thinking was about others more than himself. His decision was based on what was best for others. When Paul was beheaded, history records that he just walked up and put his head down. He was laying his life down. He still had a choice. I believe he was instructed by the Lord to do it this way. Peter was crucified upside down according his (Peter’s) instructions. I believe Peter had this understanding and had a choice. He was led of the Spirit in choosing to lay his life down. John was put on the isle of Patmos because they tried to kill him, but were unable and didn’t know what else to do with him. They had boiled him in oil, yet he just smiled at them like he was in a jacuzzi. We don’t know if John died or was taken by the Lord. I believe he was taken up by the Lord. This is a sign of those who believe – who are mature in the Lord.

If you do not currently see this or believe it, then in my opinion that is ok. The question is: where is your heart? What do you seek? Are you seeking to be led of the Spirit? Are you seeking to be obedient to the Lord and submit your all to Him? If the answer to these questions is yes and amen, then you do well. Continue to seek Him and love Him with all your heart and He will bring you into the understanding you need to accomplish the plan He has for you.

5) They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. There are two types of sickness: physical and spiritual. In Luke 5:31-32 Jesus says “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”. The righteous are spiritually whole … sinners are spiritually sick. The righteous are made spiritually whole as they overcome sin. The righteous overcome sin by repentance – turning away from sin and not continuing in it. Sin is the cause of spiritual sickness; therefore, to be made spiritually whole or to be righteous one must overcome sin. Forgiveness of sin is accomplished by confession. Overcoming sin is accomplished by true repentance. Confession and repentance are commonly linked as being of the same process. They are totally different.

Confession accomplishes forgiveness, but allows the root of the sin to remain. Roots will grow again and produce fruit – which manifests in habitual sin. True repentance, through the empowering of the Holy Spirit as one keeps their eyes on the Lord; deals with the flesh and makes the flesh submit in that particular area of carnality, laying the axe at the root of that particular tree. What does the word of God reveal about the sinner? The Greek word for used for sinner in every scripture of the New Testament is hamartolos, which means sinner; but comes from a base of the word hamartano – which has a meaning that gives greater understanding: to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize). If we examine the two Hebrew words used for sinner in the Old Testament we get an even greater understanding. Chata is used 8 times and means: to miss, to forfeit, lack, loss, trespass – but also contains meanings of expiate, repent, offer reconciliation, purify oneself. Chattaah is used only once and means: an offense (sometimes habitual sinfulness) and its penalty, sacrifice or expiation, purification of sin, sin offering.

Notice that these definitions of sinner reveal both the consequences of sin and the means of dealing with sin. One might assume the word sinner refers to those in the world. However, those in the world have no means of dealing with sin. They have no relationship with the One who forgives sin. They are in the flesh and therefore cannot please God; because the carnal mind opposes God and is not subject to the law of God, neither can be (Romans 8:7-8). Therefore, the word of God does not refer to a sinner as one that is of the world, but one who is in the kingdom of God. The sinner acknowledges Jesus as Savior; the righteous embrace Him as Lord. The sinner is comfortable in the knowledge that his sins are forgiven as he confesses them; the righteous is a living sacrifice unto the Lord that He may increase in his life as he decreases. The sinner is comfortable in his life because he remains so much like the world; the righteous is not of this world because he seeks the wisdom that is from above. The sinner does not abide in the Lord and therefore does not produce fruit; the righteous abide in the Lord and bear fruit, and the Father prunes him so he will bear even more fruit. The sinner is carnally minded; the righteous is spiritually minded. The sinner is in Christ by grace; the righteous has allowed Christ to be formed in him as Lord. So again we see this pattern of maturity, the overcoming of sin, and death to self in these signs of a believer. One who is less mature is still dealing with sin and is therefore dealing with spiritual sickness.

Manifest sons of God have become 'flying eagles', represented as one of the four beasts before the throne in Revelation 4. Eagles are flesh eating birds – and flesh refers to our carnal nature which is what must be overcome to overcome sin. Manifest sons deal with the sin in others and help them to overcome sin in their lives. They, in essence, “lay hands on the sick”, which gives greater revelation to what Mark 16:18 is saying. Certainly, there is physical healing available to all who call upon the Lord. And certainly, by faith, one may be physically healed by the prayer or the laying on of hands by another. But the greater need for understanding is the need to overcome sin, which is what this scripture is revealing. If one overcomes sin; he also overcomes sickness, death, and every other curse of this world. He has been freed by the Son: now he is free indeed. He has found life and that more abundant. All of the word of God, from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, is about overcoming sin.

The word of God reveals the goodness of God and the potential He has given each one of us to become like Him, to have intimacy of relationship with Him, to know Him even as we also are known, and to know of His thoughts and His ways. We can be free from this world – in it but not of it. We can enjoy peace that passes understanding, fullness of health, and victory over every enemy. We can be used to establish righteousness and the kingdom of God here on earth – restoring all that was lost in the fall of man. And we can look forward to an eternity that is unimaginable in its beauty and fullness of joy as we continue to grow in our knowledge of the One who created all things.