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The natural life (psuche) of mankind is vastly different from the supernatural life (zoe) of God. Originating from an earthly source, it is of the earth. In contrast, the life (zoe) of God is heavenly and therefore, eternal.
Life from the Father The biblical message of life (zoe) reveals that divine life (zoe) originates from the heavenly Father. He is its source: |
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Affirming the Father as the source of divine life (zoe), He sent the Son to earth. It is consistently evidenced in the New Testament. (John 3:17, 34, 5:23-24, 30, 36-38, 6:29, 38-39; 6:57; 7:16, 28-29; 8:16, 18, 26, 29, 42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44-45, 49; 13:16, 20; 14:24; 15:21; 16:5; 17:3; 20:21; Galatians 4:4; 1 John 4:9-10, 14) Moreover, Jesus plainly stated, "I came forth from the Father and have come into the world…” (John 16:28)
Further clarifying the heavenly Father as the source of divine life (zoe), He is said to have sent the Spirit of God to earth. (Luke 24:49; John 14:26; 15:26; Acts 2:33) Jesus said, “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me.” (John 15:26) |
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God is one indivisible being manifested in three distinct personalities: Father, Son and Spirit. Thus, the incarnate Son is one with the Father and Spirit. By the Spirit, His humanity on earth was indwelt by the heavenly Father:
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God in human flesh, the incarnate Christ, was representational of the heavenly Father. He was the embodiment and expression of the life (zoe) of the Father on earth. (John 1:18; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3)
Life Mediated The reception of life (zoe) by fallen mankind from the Father was mediated through the Son: |
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By His mediatorial, sacrificial death, Jesus the Son established the legal precedent by which God could justly restore fallen mankind to shared life. (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:27-28; 40; 17:3; 1 John 1:1-3; Romans 3:21-5; 1 John 5:11) It was the price necessary to redeem humanity from the transgression of His law. (Romans 4:25a)
Through His mediatorial resurrection, the righteousness of the living (zoe) Christ could be imputed to the account of every human being who would respond by faith. (Romans 4:25b) His righteousness divinely imputed and declared in eternity; human beings are made legally suitable to share life with God. |
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Life by the Spirit
Shortly after the ascension of Christ, the Father sent His promised Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, to earth to assemble the real New Testament church. (Luke 24:49; John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7; Acts 2:33; 1 Corinthians 12) Throughout the Church Age, the “message of…life (zoe)” has been propagated on earth and its benefit imparted to the elect by the Spirit. (John 3:34; 6:63; Acts 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; 1 Peter 1:12; 2 Peter 1:21) |
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The redemptive, living (zoe) presence of God is manifested on earth from the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. His indwelling life (zoe) is graciously imparted to the elect by the Spirit. As a consequence, the New Testament church on earth is representational of God. By eternal design, it is the embodiment and expression of divine life (zoe) on earth during this present age. (cf. John 4:14; 5:39; 6:63; 2 Corinthians 3:6; 4:11; 5:20; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Timothy 6:12; 1 John 3:14; 5:11-12; etc.)
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Progression of Life
The progression of divine life (zoe) from heaven to earth is a gracious act of God. It is from the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. The New Testament church cooperates by faith alone. The Church Age was initiated when life (zoe) from the Father through the Son was imparted by the Spirit to the elect who comprised the early New Testament church. The impartation of eternal life (zoe) then progressed by the Spirit through instrumentation of the church to succeeding generations until present day. According to the will of God, His life (zoe) will be imparted to future generations by the Spirit until the end of the age. During the Church Age, the progressive, gracious sharing of divine life (zoe) from heaven to earth occurs as follows: |
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God alone is responsible for the progression of His life (zoe). As predetermined before the foundation of the world, the will and work of mankind does not influence the plan of God to progressively establish His redemptive, living (zoe) presence on the degenerated earth. Rather than any perceived worthiness in mankind, it is the loving nature of God that provides the motive for the progression of His life (zoe) from heaven to earth.
© 2022 James Hiatt |
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