HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS ON THE DUALITY OF OUR SOUL 

We have spoke about the Mosaic Law in light of Jesus the Anointed Messiah, and  having held forth the doctrine of Salvation by faith in Him apart from “keeping” the Mosaic Law. The question becomes, what are the principal spiritual mechanics of that Salvation Plan? This has been defined in the Gospel, as being directed in the first part towards the Gentiles (but not exclusively) for the bringing out of a people for His Name (Acts 15:14) and in the second part, afterwards, the restoration of the Jews as God’s people on the earth. (Romans 11:26) 

The New Testament Gospel proclaimed produces faith/trust in those willing to hear of Christ and His promises. Faith is action or the will to do whatever the conditions to receive the promise based upon His Word alone without having seen the promised thing. (Romans 10:17 with Hebrews 11:1,6). The Gospel of Christ holds forth two eternal possibilities for His followers: The first being the gift of eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans 6:23] And the second being the reward of eternal glory. “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:..” [Colossians 1:25-28] 

Grace (the Divine influence upon the heart) is the provision of God for man. The principle for our attaining that provision is faith. And when the Word declares “…according to your faith be it unto you” it becomes the qualifying condition to draw upon that provision. No faith; no grace provision. God will not be mocked by fainting pretense.  

Living faith is obedient action energized by love, (Galatians 5:6) as opposed to dead works. It procures the working of the Holy Spirit’s Power on the duality of a born–again Christian soul. (A new dynamic; that of the old nature left and the new nature of the spirit now enlivened within); that which will now be the challenge to faithfulness. After having received the Word of God as it relates to redemption’s rescue, there’s a further Word communicated through the enlivened conscience in the renewed spirit to the intellect. And there upon agreeing with its guidance, then the Christian wills / chooses meekly and obediently to follow that guidance; thereby exercising “faith” (action) in trusting patience. Then is the God–given provision of grace; His influence of the power of the Holy Spirit upon our character nature exercised in life, the end being a Christ-likeness/Godliness.)  It’s a process unto worthiness, to be fit for the Master’s service while alive, and to attain unto the inheritance of the First Resurrection into Christ’s Kingdom manifest at His 2nd Coming. This worthiness being wrought by living faith in the power of grace unto the attaining of Kingdom of Christ is the meaning of the Scripture “…work out your salvation with fear and trembling…”   

This calling to a further work after Redemption makes clear and harmonizes with the numerous Scriptures seemingly contradictory to a non–works doctrine. This “two parts of the Gospel” is typed in Israel’s journey in the Wilderness. In that after the blood of the lamb delivered them from Egypt, they were instructed then to follow the Pillar of Light unto the greater purpose of their redemption; their inheritance, through obedience unto worthiness. Deliverance (typed as being eternal, as none of Israel was allowed to return to Egypt) was the working on one side of the Red Sea, whereas inheritance was to be by obedient struggle, being led by the Pillar of Light.  

That worthiness of Jesus, the Son of Man and Lamb of God, the Anointed One by the Holy Spirit without measure, being confirmed, having been resurrected from Hades, the first–born from the dead, was received up through the heavens and now sits at the right Hand of the Father. In that He has paved the way for all who have been redeemed, who having now privilege and opportunity, may follow that way into the Kingdom of God and His presence. This Gospel according to His appointed Will, is the worthy follower of Christ’s “Promised Land.” THIS WAY described above, unto qualified recompense in worthiness, is proportionate to obedient following and service. That way being the means by which the Father has foreordained that He should bring many sons into glory. First born sons, who rule (Hebrews 2:10) with Christ being Chief among them. This then being the fullness of God’s Salvation Plan for man. Not just the bringing them out of Egypt, but then bringing them into the Promised Land, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood (Exodus 19:5, 1st Peter 2:9). THIS is the Truth into which the Holy Spirit, the Pillar of God, leads us through the Wilderness of life as Christ–followers, sojourners, unto the Promised Land/inheritance, the glorious City in the heavens above. It is a right and privilege that may be forfeited if this great further work of grace is ignored or rejected.  “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…” [Hebrews 12:15] (See also verse 28)“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” [1st Corinthians 15:10]  Not all God’s children redeemed out of the kingdom of satan shall inherit the Kingdom of Christ (as seen in type by Joshua and Caleb). This is clear from Christ’s Statement in Luke 20:34–35…. “But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain…(that same obtainment described by Paul as a prize in Philippians 3:11-14)… that world (age of the Kingdom of Christ) and the (First) resurrection (out) from (among) the dead…..(dead followers of Christ into the heavenly Kingdom of glory)”. See also Revelation 20:5…. “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”   

The prescribed conditions given by Jesus the Christ unto inheritance in the kingdom of heaven was an obedience to His Law (an all encompassing law) of righteousness that must exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees. Matthew chapters 5,6 &7 with 18:1-3…. “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, (meek, trusting followers) ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Here the unlearned of mainstream Christendom declare, (like Korah in type) that the same gift of “grace” in Christ’s Atonement righteousness received unto our Redemption shall prevail in an additional imputed work upon our “soul” at or after death, regardless of a further work of grace upon it while alive.’ (Matthew 25:3)“Faith” to these is “believing” and confessing unwaveringly that this is the case. They rest upon a Scriptural ½ truth belief held in religious presumption, and at death they will be sorrowfully awakened, that they are subject to being left among the dead in Hades/Sheol (the intermediate place of all dead) at the First Resurrection, until the 2nd resurrection. This being the great eternal loss of God’s intended inheritance of glory for them, beyond merely attaining eternal life.  

Certainly grace (the Divine influence upon the heart in undeserved and unmerited mercy) was the means by which all Christians were called into the imputed righteousness of Christ with the gift of eternal life. But Scripture bears out not all avail themselves of the further grace/work of the Spirit based upon a work of righteousness worked out from our Spirit–led conscience unto the purging of our own soul (Hebrews 9:14). The Scriptures tell us to live by faith and not draw back from the leading of the Spirit/spirit. And to be like “….them that believe (faith with action or living faith being led by the Holy Spirit) to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39, Psalm 6:21 1st Peter 1:9, James 1:21) Not all will be led by the Spirit in the exercising faith and patience unto the provision of the power of Grace; which is the further intent and work of the Holy Spirit’s Power upon the soul. (Romans 8:1-18) 

In the first part of his 2 Epistles, it is concerning this dynamic that Peter addressed those who had also, like him, obtained similar precious faith. Being born again in an abundant mercy, having escaped the corruption that is in the world caused by lust, unto a lively hope aroused in the knowledge by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. That they might not only have the life of God that relates to escape, (and that from His Wrath) but that also had/has in view a partaking of His Divine Nature, unto an inheritance. And that only by adding to that escaping faith, granted to all who believed in His redeeming Blood, but to those who willingly and diligently add to that initial faith….virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. These are those capacitating Christ-like characteristics that are all established by circumstances in daily living faith. They come by being tried by fire over the span of their lives, that in the end they should be found more precious than gold…. “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls”. That is an inheritance far exceeding deliverance from His Wrath. It is the promise to share beside Him in His heavenly Glory. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus….” (1st Peter 5:10).   

Thus the Gospel is presented in Scripture in its wholeness, in two works of Grace, which in minor form relates to the free Gift Romans 6:23 upon the spirit of man, and then Grace as it relates to its major work, that upon his soul unto worthiness. 2nd Peter 1:10 with Matthew 16:24…. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, 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 shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” 

WHAT DOES WORTHINESS CONSIST OF? 

Grace for works, in that it proposes conditions for its acceptance and help is none the less Grace than the Grace of the gift without such conditions. Someone might leave a will of inheritance for someone with or without conditions. Nevertheless, God’s legacy or inheritances are always with conditions. In the first inheritance; the gift of eternal life, conditions to the taking of His Name with redemption and justification are: repentance towards God and faith towards Jesus Christ. If the conditions are not met, the grace is not extended. If however the conditions are met, the gift is irrevocable by God and forever the possession of the beneficiary. (Romans 3:24, 6:23) 

The second inheritance, is founded or based upon the first, for without the first no one may qualify for the greater inheritance. Now whereas the first inheritance was received as an event, the 2nd inheritance is based upon its conditions being satisfied over time. That is to say a perpetual meeting of those conditions by consistent and persistent living faith with patience in appropriating the promises, through the power of grace, the provision of the New Testament, as particular overcoming milestones are met. This being the abounding wisdom and understanding manifest in His Testament unto His who have taken His Name. For His Grace (Divine influence upon the redeemed heart) may not be abused in slothfulness or unfaithfulness. The amount or degree of enlivened faith in His Word, to the great prospects of the promises set before him in the Word, that he answers the call to; then the proportionate provision of grace will be granted,  resulting in capacitating in Christ-likeness. The measure of Christ-likeness ultimately determines the amount of glory in the First Resurrection (1st Corinthians 15:41–42) that the overcomer will stand in. And it determines the degree of ruling authority in the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom of Christ, when He returns to claim His Kingdom and reward the faithful. Revelation 20:4-6 with Luke 19:15-20…. “And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin.…” The last being representative of the Christian who did not avail themselves of the major grace.  

All this inheritance process of grace answers…  “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 1:8, 3:9-11) Worthiness equates to works after the gift of Justification. Justification does not require sanctifying works, being solely based upon that propitiation value God has set on the Blood of Christ. As seen typed in the Passover blood of Israel in Egypt, that alone was able to deliver them. But just three days after their deliverance, God presents to them a Covenant “…IF thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee, which I have put upon the Egyptians; for I am Jehovah that healeth thee.”  [Exodus 15:25–26] This was the first blessing promised after Redemption, and it was conditional upon obedience.  So was the 2nd promise of a special relationship with Him “…as a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation…”.  The priestly rights were also conditional. Note this was before the Law given from Mt. Sinai.  

The point being that God has herein (Israel’s type 1st Corinthians 10:1-6) laid out how He will deal with man. God, having freely given provision of His grace for escape from His eternal Wrath without any “ifs”, but solely upon the merit of the blood/Blood, and once received, it is irrevocable. The principle is clear that then and only then, AFTER ETERNAL LIFE IS SECURED, He extends His offer of Covenant with promises to redeemed people, which are based upon conditions to be met. After regeneration, the believer retains the power of determining his own affairs, as Christ asked His disciples “would you also go away ?”  

God employs every just and loving means to persuade us to Covenant Promises’ attainment, short of coercing His children. What is prompted only by the free will of man has worth to Him or promise of reward. This principle can further be discerned from Joshua the High Priest of Zechariah 3 who is first seen before God “clothed with filthy garments” in verse 3. His appointment in grace is resisted by satan, who was ultimately rebuked by the Lord. “And he (the Lord) answered and spake unto those (attending Angels) that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him (Joshua who is unengaged but the willing recipient) he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.…”  Up to here is represented the imputed righteousness with regeneration of a new nature unto Joshua, that which he had nothing to do save having a willing faith–filled  heart. But from here on, comes the “ifs” of Covenant for which he is accountable if he is to walk in the honor and privilege of acceptable service unto worthiness with reward. “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” So it should be seen that satan resists the redeemed of the Lord to God, to which he has no answer. But satan’s door of access is renewed in the “ifs” of man’s will, to thwart him form the Inheritance of walking among the places of the Angels with authority in God’s heavenly house. (The Jewish Targum commentary paraphrases the Words saying: “In the resurrection of the dead I will revive thee, and give thee feet walking among these seraphin.”). That which is in view here is the New Testament overcomers of Revelation 12 who were caught up into the heavens, in the places of satan’s previous authority. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”  

Turning to Leviticus 8 and considering the priests’ consecration service which types the privilege declared for the follower of Christ, we discover the necessity of both the first minor grace washing of the water (verse 6) of regeneration and that following greater grace of the anointing of the oil (verse 10, 30) for the necessity in worthiness. (See S.H. Kellogg Studies in Leviticus for enlightenment) 

In the New Testament antitype, we have some examples out of the Book of Hebrews where in chapter 3, verse 6, we are told that we are God’s house if we hold fast, the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Now follows immediately the comparative warning from Israel’s history while they were in the wilderness. Wherein God had proposed…. “And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” [Exodus 25:8] And then a year later, with the completion of the Tabernacle, they became a house unto Him by his descent to the Tabernacle. (Exodus 40:34) It can then be understood that God may redeem/deliver and bring us into relationship with Him, a longer or shorter time before He actually takes up an active indwelling presence, as seen in Christ’s Disciples and close followers before Pentecost, and again after Pentecost. (Acts 8:14-17 19:1-7) 

So they, as we, become the house of God. It then should be noted that later Israel lost the privilege of His Presence as God “forsook the tabernacle”, (1st Samuel 4,  Psalm 78) although Israel remained His people. Later, He again graciously returned to them and they again became a house unto Him as He dwelled in Solomon’s Temple. Then in the time of Jeremiah, they again tested and tempted God, who warned them by considering what He had done previously at Shiloh. (Jeremiah 7:12-14) Then having ignored the warning, the Temple was abandoned by God and given up to destruction and once again the people of God ceased to be the house of God. And later the Temple of Solomon was rebuilt, though the Glory of God did not dwell there. Yet when the Messiah came, He did so in humble external form as Immanuel. But they would not receive Him, and in abandoning them He said, “Your house is left unto you” and “For I say unto you, In no wise shall ye see me from now until ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord.” [Matthew 23:38–39] So through these nigh 2 thousand years, He has not dwelt among Israel. Though they are yet His people, they are not His house. “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” 

So it is in this Age of grace and mercy, in a calling out of a people for His Name, a people that He might indwell, that they might be His house, individually (1st Corinthians 6:19) and as a church corporately (Ephesians 3:19-22). And as Israel was, so are we warned that God will destroy those who make His house unfit for His Presence. [1st Corinthians 3:17 with 1st Corinthians 11:30-32] Yet, as He did Israel, He leaves the door open to return again. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” [James 5:19–20] 

And as it relates to the Church corporately being His house, the last Church He addresses, He was on the outside of a shut door, where He was threatening it with chastening and a spewing out in rejection. Although He knocks in loving long–suffering; willing to return to His house. (Revelation 3:14-22)  So it is understood we may be His people and not be indwelt as His house, never knowing of the privilege. We may be foolish lamps without vessels of oil, having not seen the necessity. Or even having been indwelt but then we rejected the Spirit’s leading us into a suffering worthiness, and the Spirit departed, yet to be regained again by repentance. Christendom has confused the two gospels, they believe that the mere justification in becoming His people, is the same as being the house that God indwells in sanctifying faith.