Title: People Loved by God
Contents
Those who are loved by God lay down their lives together with Jesus Christ to take it again. This way is the way of the cross and it is the way to salvation.
According to God's love, eternal life is given to those who follow this truth, which the Lord who preceded Him said, "The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it again" (John 10:17).
It is written, “This life was made manifest, and we have seen and testify of this eternal life, and we declare it to you, that he was with the Father and was made manifest to us” (1 John 1:2). And this is the promise he made to him, everlasting life” (1 John 2:25).
Those whom God loves lay down their lives in order to obtain eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. That's why our Lord said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). It is also written, “If we have been united in the likeness of his death, we shall also be united in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:5).
Therefore, it is impossible to please God without this faith. Those whom God loves please God with this faith. This is because, according to the new covenant established by the blood of the Son, he lay down his life in order to receive it again by faith. We who have this faith are people of God who imitate the image of His Son.
The promise God made to us through His Son is eternal life. This is what the Bible calls new life. It is written, “Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6: 4) It is the same thing.
Those who have gained a new life are destined to throw away the old life. Those who cannot throw away the old life are those who do not have a new life. This is the evidence in the believer. It is the same as it is written, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Therefore, God's people who have received a new life must have the testimony that "...we do not lose heart, for though our outward man is perishing, but our inward man is being renewed day by day" (2 Corinthians 4:16). Those who do not have the testimony of this evidence in themselves are not of Christ Jesus. Because the people of Christ Jesus are those who have crucified the flesh along with its passions and lusts in order to gain life again.
Regarding this, the Lord Himself said, “If anyone who comes to me does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot become my disciple, and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. ’ (Luke 14:26-27).
Those who deny themselves, take up their cross, and die with the Lord are those who have ended the world. Regarding this, Seonjin, who led this way, said, “...I have nothing to boast about except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6). :14) proves that. Those who have this evidence are the people of God, those who do not belong to the world and are attached to Christ.
All who are attached to Christ are royal priests, and they will also be partakers of the first resurrection when Christ returns into the world. It is written, “Blessed and holy are those who have part in this first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with Christ for a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). Same thing.
As all life comes from the head, so does the resurrection in order. As it is written, "...each one will have his own turn, first, Christ the firstfruits, and then those who belong to him at the coming of Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:23). The one attached to him is the bride of the Lamb.
Those whom God loves are those who are not in the flesh but in the spirit through faith in Christ Jesus. Therefore, they are not following the law of the commandments related to the flesh, but following the infinite power of life.
Therefore, he says, “There is a voice from heaven, you are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased…” (Mark 1:11). Amen, Amen. Thank you Lord.
little brother kim yoon-goo