(IHEAM:CH1) I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME CHAPTER 1 BEFORE WE KNEW SIN

EXPULSION FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN 1620, Sir Peter Paul Rubens

I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME

Chapter 1 BEFORE WE KNEW SIN

Man's Beginning in the Garden

God created Adam and forms a relationship with him
Adam becomes caretaker over the animals and the earth
God created Eve to be Adam's companion and helpmate
Man is naked and non-corrupted in the Garden of Eden
God warns man not to eat from the tree of Knowledge
Satan is aware of man's fate if sin is revealed to him
Satan tempts man to eat from the Tree of Knowledge
Man falls to temptation
Man comes to know sin
Man hides from God
Man lies to God
Man is cast out from the Garden of Eden and forbidden to return
Man is unable to return to purity and coming into the presence of God

Knowing our past history with God and paradise, should we believe, that man can create new Gardens without God, or claim our own purity and spiritual freedom from sin, without Christ and rebirth through God's Holy Spirit?

Can we invite God into what we have created, thinking ourselves wiser than God to plan for our life and the future of mankind?

Can we return to nakedness and innocence and claim to have a higher, freer and more pure state of mind without being reborn through the Holy Ghost?

Can we expect Satan to leave us alone in our self-proclaimed 'free' state, thinking we are protected from his lies, trickery, and bondage?

Should we believe we are somehow immune to sin and iniquity because we can be free with our minds and bodies?

Before we knew sin, God was in control. After we came to know sin, God was still in control. To understand this is to understand why many people continue to struggle in life. They still don't understand that since the beginning, God has been in control of His Creation.

After eating from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge, Adam and Eve experienced feelings they had never felt before. Carnal feelings which were in conflict with their spirit. Then, Satan's lie placed a heavy veil upon their eyes, blinding and deceiving them, making them believe they could be free from these fleshly, carnal feelings, if they covered their bodies. And because he operates on confusion and deception he continued to confound the minds of men by spreading a contradictory lie that made them believe that they could return to innocence, purity and freedom from the burden of sin, guilt, shame and a sinful, judgmental world, by removing all of their clothes. So, which one is it, or can we choose both and free our spirit from bondage?

A free spirit? What is a free spirit? Does it have the same meaning to every man? Can we free our spirit by freeing our BODY? Is freedom simply a PHYSICAL THING? Can the act of freeing ourselves physically also free us mentally, emotionally and spiritually?

Does man have the power to free his OWN spirit by an act or thought without the knowledge and power of God? Or, is this just another big fat lie from Satan to place and keep billions of people in bondage?

And what is man trying to free himself from? Does he know? Does each individual have the same logic and motive in trying to free himself? Does he really know what he should be free from?

When man is at odds with the things and people of the world, he is constantly searching for a door to ESCAPE!

However, MAN'S methods of escape can only lead to GREATER bondage, because he is refusing to SURRENDER his will to his Creator, to let go of the world and die to the flesh. He may even view his escape as TEMPORARY, with the knowledge that it requires REPETITION. THEREFORE, he is placed into greater bondage to habitual behavior which becomes an ADDICTION, because he is in bondage to the lust of the flesh (self).

Many do not understand or acknowledge that the methods of GOD are COMPLETE and FINITE. God provided COMPLETENESS, the ability to be made WHOLE and free from the sin, bondage, burdens, oppression, persecution and judgment of a sinful world. Jesus, sacrificed His life and confirmed upon the cross "It is finished!" Jesus showed us that we can CONQUER the sin of the flesh and the world, plagued by the lies of Satan, which convince man that he is free, complete, alive, even without the help of God. Man continues to believe that he can create and pave his own roads to freedom contrary to God's Divine Plan of REBIRTH through Jesus' Living Water and Blood, which flowed from Calvary and the purging FIRE of His Holy Spirit.

Can we create our own little paradise on earth and invite God to join us? Or, can we believe that God doesn't care about what we DO naked or clothed? Too often, man's attitude is that God is an absent landlord, who has left the tenants to have their way with His property and His servants.

The Many Faces of Rebellion and Bondage

The spirit of rebellion comes disguised as many things. Our will and state of mind are affected by our heart or spirit; that which lies treasured within our heart is acted out as our will. Satan wants us to believe we are doing things on our own accord, with our freewill, without the interference of him or others. He can make us believe we are honoring God instead of rebelling against Him by trying to liberate ourselves by false means.

Having disobeyed God's command to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge, God found Adam and Eve hiding in the Garden. Their intended rebellion against His Will, Way and Authority in their blinded and deceived eyes, was a means of liberation and independence, cutting cumbersome ties holding them back from having the knowledge of God and being EQUAL to Him, as was also desired by their cunning and unbeknownst adversary. However, their blunder and fall from grace produced the opposite. It placed them into bondage to Satan, who was outside of God's LIGHT, chained to evil and darkness.

Our merciful Father and God clothed man to cover him, not to make him believe He had covered his sin, or that it would take it away, but as an act of GRACE and MERCY for what man would have to ENDURE in a world outside of His Garden of protection.

There in the Garden was the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life. The two did not produce the same fruit. The Tree of Knowledge could not give Adam and Eve Life. God said that if they ate of it, they would surely die and the fruit of which they ate made them dead in sin.

So, the fruit of Knowledge cannot free us from sin or give us life. Meanwhile, God has not stripped us of our clothing and invited us back into the garden. Clothing still can neither hold back, prevent sin, nor cover it up. However, IT COULD HAVE ENDED THERE IN THE GARDEN! Yet, The God of Grace and Mercy, the Creator of Life and Knowledge, cast man out of the Garden, and created another WAY to SAVE us and keep us from sin.

First, we had to die and be REBORN into NEW LIFE, bringing us back into His Marvelous Light to commune with Him once again, but this could only be achieved through the sacrifice of blood. But, mind you, not just ANY blood; not by the sacrificed blood of an unblemished sheep or goat. No, something more pure and Holy, which could only come from GOD. It had to be the LIFE-GIVING BLOOD which connects the PHYSICAL with the SPIRITUAL; the CLEANSING BLOOD, which is FREE FROM SIN; and the POWERFUL BLOOD, which would COVER, shield and protect from ALL sin.

Those who do not believe Jesus' blood can keep us from ALL sin must think again! In the Beginning was the Word and the Word WAS GOD! The life-giving blood of GOD flowed through His Son! God is COMPLETE in His actions! So, by the Holy, Divine blood of Jesus, we once again became WORTHY to be in God's Holy presence.

Yet, we still have a CHOICE to choose LIFE OR DEATH and oh, how the flesh can become a stumbling block to the faithless and those of little faith. Satan confounds the mind and imprisons those who love the world, making them a slave to their own flesh. God never intended us to be in such bondage, but we can neither free ourselves from our flesh nor give honor to God by believing that covering our bodies or disrobing our bodies is enough to present us as free from the sin, bondage and judgement of this world.

We HONOR God when we acknowledge HIS DIVINE WISDOM AND POWER and the EXTRAORDINARY LOVE, GRACE AND MERCY He showed us by sacrificing His only begotten Son, allowing us to become covered by the precious blood of Jesus. It is HIS sacrifice that frees us, covers us and presents us as worthy to come before our Father once more. Even more is our Father gracious in that, it is through the gift of His Holy Spirit, Whom we must choose to abide in, who will teach us of Holiness and Righteousness, that we are kept free and free indeed.

Honor God? Free our mind and body? There is no act that man can create or do to free himself. Man cannot manifest freedom of mind, body and spirit. It is a gift, paid for by the suffering and crucifixion of God's only begotten Son.

Drugs and getting high cannot free your mind. Sex and fulfilling fleshly desires cannot free your mind. Attaining power, status and money cannot free your mind. Your mind cannot be free until your heart is out of bondage.

Honoring God by what we wear begins in a HEART that has been CHANGED and freed from bondage. Then, can we come and sit at His table clothed in the Armor of God; not having faith built upon garments or flesh; but, FAITH built upon the SOLID ROCK, for all other earth is sinking sand.

Satan makes men believe that they can recreate the Garden of Eden--a new paradise. Yet, God does not want us to return to the Garden, He has given and prepared a better place for us for eternity. He has made us joint heirs with Christ Jesus, His Son, our Brother and Saviour.

We, through Christ inherit the Kingdom of God! Why chase an illusion of the Garden, when you can be free indeed with The Truth, The Way and The Life and have a Kingdom?!

The PRIDE of man continues to mislead him, giving him false power and freedom. False power and freedom lead him to believe he is in charge of his own thoughts and body, when Satan has corrupted him to live in darkness, loving his own flesh more than God and taking pride in his OWN rebellious actions.

Yes, Satan has fooled the minds of many men to believe that the flesh is the key to happiness and life, knowing that these men will forever walk dead in sin, having traded eternal life in God's Kingdom for rotting flesh. Yes, only The Truth can set you free and the Vine of Truth will keep you free from sin, when you are ONE with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, an effective part of The Body, under the perfect Mind of Christ.

Children of God, let us lead and encourage everyone to seek the Kingdom of Heaven and God's RIGHTEOUSNESS, first! Then, all else shall be added. Let EVERY man REPENT, HUMBLE HIMSELF, PRAY AND SEEK THE FACE OF GOD!

We have His PROMISE, my beloved Brothers and Sisters!

Matthew 6:31-34 King James Version (KJV)

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

My Brothers and Sisters, who have come into the Light through Rebirth, we have an eternity ahead of us. Let us meet each day believing and living a prepared and blessed life. Prepared in mind, body and spirit. Clothed in holiness and righteousness, wearing the Armour of God. We are Vessels of Light to care for our neighbor, leading others as Followers, Soldiers and Spiritual Walkers, working to increase the Kingdom of God! Start LIVING your eternal life, free of fear, free of bondage, exuding the unconditional love that has given you everlasting life!

Your grateful and humbled servant, hoping and praying for you, always.

Mishael

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SELF REFLECTION: A Look in the Mirror

Once again, when we look at Jesus' parables, He is challenging us to examine where our heart lies. Closely examining your heart, answer the questions below.

DISCUSS your answers with a mature Believer who can guide you in your spiritual relationship with Jesus and our Father, and/or have group discussions to learn from those who have different experiences and perspectives.

QUESTIONS: Write down your questions and discuss them with a mature Believer or submit them to this blog.

"TO BE OR NOT TO BE"

Do you believe that God requires us to dress a certain way to represent our faith and/or honor Him? Why or why not?
Do you belong to a faith that requires or suggests a certain type of clothing be worn to represent your beliefs or honor God?
Do you conform or comply to this belief? Why or why not?
How do you feel about people outside of your faith, religion or culture who do not dress like you? Do you judge them? Why or why not?
What do you think and feel when you see people of other denominations or beliefs dressed in attire as prescribed by their beliefs or culture?
Does their clothing make you form an opinion about them? Why or why not?
Does their clothing change the way that you treat them?

FREE SPIRIT OR FREE TO BE ME?

Have you ever been ashamed to be naked in front of someone? Why or why not?
If you saw someone naked accidentally, with their knowledge, did it change your relationship and how you behaved around one another? Why or why not?
Do you enjoy being naked? Why or why not?
Do you enjoy being naked around others?
Do you feel empowered, more spiritual, pure or free in being naked?
What other feelings are aroused in you when you are naked? Sexual, exhibitionism, satanic, etc?
Do you feel these feelings bring you closer to God or take you away from Him? Why or why not?
Do you share your nudity with others? In a group? Publicly? Why or why not?
Do you believe that your being a nudist will bring glorification to God? Why or why not?
Did God consider Adam and Eve's nudity as bringing Him glorification? Why did He clothe them?
How does nudity honor or show love for God?
Are you worshipping yourself (flesh) or God?
Is your nudity tied to the world or the Kingdom of God?
Who is benefiting more from your nudity, you or God?
WHAT should your BODY be for GOD?
Is your BODY God's HOLY Temple? Does He dwell within you?
Do you acknowledge God's presence within you in what you say, think and do?
Can God be a part of unholiness?
Do you believe that "It is Finished," that is, man's redemption and salvation was finished through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus and He has shown us how to conquer the flesh (self), sin, death and the world?
Do you believe that through dying to the flesh with Christ and becoming One with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we honor God by SURRENDERING ALL to Him?

CAN YOU WEAR FAITH AND HOLINESS?

Do you believe you must be dressed a certain way to attend church or worship? Has this prevented you from attending worship?
Do you pay special attention to what someone is wearing when they come to church or worship?
Do you talk or gossip about how they are dressed?
Does your place of worship turn people away directly or indirectly because of how they dress?
Are people covered up with a cloth in your place of worship because of the way that they have dressed? Does this shame people? Does it encourage them to return? Should you buy them what you want them to wear? How should this be addressed, individually or as a congregation?
Do people come purposely dressed to impress others at your place of worship? How do you know?
Should everyone be asked to wear casual attire, or, always dress in their finest?
Should we be intimidated or envious of those who have more than us? Did this matter before we knew sin?
When the sacrifice and death of Jesus caused the tearing of the veil, which had made God only accessible to the priest, did the removal of the veil change the garments and rituals of the priests? If yes, how so?
Is God looking at our outside (physical appearance), inside (heart), or both?
Should our outside reflect our inside?

LOVE AND OBEY

Do we show our LOVE for God by obeying Him?
Part of obeying God is obeying His commandments, one of which tells us to honor our mother and father, obeying them, so that we may have long life. Does this include honoring their beliefs and customs? For how long are we committed to do this? Does God understand our commitment and obedience?
Is it permitted to change our religion and beliefs from our parents, family or spouse? Why or why not?
Should we be yoked or wed to someone of a different religion or no religion? Why or why not? Can we demand or expect them to abide by our religion and beliefs?
Should we live a lie just to honor our parents, family, or loved ones?

WHAT DO SPIRITUAL BEINGS WEAR?

Should we remember that we are FIRST SPIRITUAL BEINGS created to love and commune with God and glorify His Kingdom on Earth AS IT IS IN HEAVEN? Why or why not? Should this influence how we respect and clothe our bodies as the TEMPLE OF GOD?
ARE we our brother's keeper? Should we GUIDE them always in LOVE concerning being a child of the King and glorifying the Kingdom?
Does your dress or nudity contradict you as a SPIRITUAL being, HOLY, imitating the character of God and seeking the Kingdom of Heaven First?
God has provided the attire we need to show our faith and honor Him. Are you WEARING THE ARMOUR OF GOD? Are you CLOTHED IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS?

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REFERENCED SCRIPTURE

Matthew 6 King James Version (KJV)

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

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