Purpose

How Does God View Humanity?

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , , , ,

“what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?  Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.”  Psalm 8:4-8

made in the image of God  

adopted within the Triune God circle

bond-servants of heaven and earth’s King

ambassadors of God’s Kingdom

engaged to marry Jesus

disciples of HIS

What is God’s view of humanity? And what is humanity’s view of God?

When God created the human species, He stated it was very good. He gave both the man and woman the responsibility to govern the land and make their world flourish. He also stated that HE created man and woman after His image.

Per Dr. Michael Heiser, this wasn’t solely about copying God’s attributes. But more along the way of their status in relationship to the entire creation. Humans are God’s prized creation. They were created to represent God Almighty on earth.

They are to reflect HIS character and ways in their relationships and judgements. So when we read from the Bible that we are to worship no other gods but the one true God, there must be a good reason. My non-believing friends would say God is a self-indulging Being who wants to be glorified for HIS ego. But the truth of the matter is just the opposite. Us humans need to worship God to refresh how we were created. For us humans reflect what we worship.

Worship money, you will reflect money. Worship the dark side of life, you will reflect it in your actions and demeanor. Worship love and truth, you will also reflect those attributes in your daily life. We humans were created to reflect the Creator God. But to properly do so requires our heart and soul to stay focused and centered on HIM.

When Jesus arrived, HE reflected HIS Father God throughout HIS actions. His short ministry included the announcement of God’s Kingdom is now open. He taught what life under HIS government looked life. HIS actions reflected the with-God life. He bore the fruit of freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment wherever HE went. HE demonstrated how much God loved all humanity. So much so, HE (the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Messiah) gave HIS life as a ransom to give freedom for all people through HIM and in HIM.

Salvation from the clutches of Satan, death and evil desires is now available through HIM. All because of HIS atoning sacrifice. He is not our gatekeeper, but now a step-brother who is also King of Heaven and Earth. Through HIM, we have been adopted into the inner circle of the Triune God. The question now hanging in the balance is whether we are going to accept our new identity? Are we going to learn and emulate HIM as little children growing up onto maturity? Are we going to accept HIS family culture?

In other places in the Bible, humanity is identified as being engaged to marry Jesus. But likewise, are we going to accept HIS hand in a marriage covenant? Are we going to be reconciled with HIM? HE wants to share HIS life with us. The question now is do we want to share our life with HIM?

In Jesus’ earthly ministry, he looked for disciples or learners to come and follow HIM. HE continues to make the same offer to his human brethren. Being HIS student, means hanging around HIM. The Bible calls it abiding. We learn how HE deals with the everyday circumstances of life by allowing HIS Spirit to live in us and through us.

The apostle Paul reminds us in many of his letters that we are now bond-servants of Christ. Jesus paid the price to ransom us and we are now indebted to HIM with our lives. As a bond-servant to the King of Heaven and Earth, we have a close relationship with the Power of the universe. Paul also stated that we are ambassadors of God’s Kingdom on earth today. We represent God’s Kingdom to the people around us.

God wants a family. Faithful and loyal siblings that will serve and reign in the family business – The Kingdom of God. The purpose of the entire universe is to prepare humanity for eternity. HE has gone out of HIS way to pursue each of us until we catch HIM. The entire Bible is a history of HIS involvement with humanity. From beginning to the end HE is working with people leading to the culmination of a new heaven and new earth. HE wants his children to be ready to take the mantle of serving and governing with HIM for all eternity. HE wants people to reflect HIM. HIS Spirit is now training and preparing them for a new future beyond the grave. Life is precious. HE wants to share HIS life with us forever. Life with HIM is the essence of a wholesome, blessed life.

Salvation is for all. But it requires being reconciled in relationship with the King. If one doesn’t want that relationship, your desire will be honored. But for those who want a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus, let HIM know you are committed. Ask HIM how HE wants you to share your life with HIM and HIM with you. As you find ways to support HIM, HE will support you. As you lean on HIM, HE will walk with you and assure you of your relationship with HIM.

We are being prepared for eternity by being trained through the Holy Spirit how God operates. We are learning to view life through HIS eyes. We are learning how to serve others in love and truth. We are sharing the good news of Jesus with others. Our view of God has changed. HE is no longer a stern dictator. HE is the benevolent Papa God who wants to share HIS life with you and others.

When you realize who the enemy is that prevents you from seeing the God who loves you, your life changes. Your surrender to God’s Kingdom is the most peaceful and rewarding act one can do for self and others. To be reconciled with Father-Son-Spirit is where the blessed life begins. When you begin to see eye-to-eye with your Maker, you are aligned and at peace with yourself and others. Heaven is with you. His name is Jesus.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book and Audio Formats Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! | Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

A Vision For Discipleship

Dr. Mike 2026, Jesus Apprentice, Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , ,

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

In reviewing several discipleship programs for our faith community, I was intrigued. Each one emphasized a different area of the disciple-making process. What all had in common was using Matthew 28 as their key Scripture to build upon. But each emphasized one specific aspect and gave little time for the vision.

Some emphasized the recruiting aspect. Others the learning. But none on the relationship-building purpose behind the discipleship making process.

This Scripture does capture the vision and strategy his team is to use for growing the Church. Yet when I see what programs are being used, I see an immense amount of strategy but very little on the vision. So let’s read this Scripture together. Let us see how the importance of capturing the vision helps direct the strategy to use.

First when Jesus states that ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to HIM, what does that mean? In summary, HIS incarnation restored humanity into the Triune circle. Humanity is now included within the Triune God circle of Papa God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus lived the perfect righteous life on behalf of all humanity. HE also defeated Satan in the process. Papa God thus rewarded HIM with full authority as the Son of Man and Son of God, and as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Jesus has final say on all heavenly and earthly matters. We now serve a benevolent dictator who has a heart of love balanced with the discipline of justice.

HIS instructions are for us to make disciples from all ethnic and racial groups. This includes all people from all nations – no one excluded. “Make” does not mean we force people to accept HIS beliefs. But as one practice this way of life, one learns to walk along with the Holy Spirit in HIS work. “To make” is a process. It is about recruiting and mentoring others with Jesus, Holy Spirit, and Papa God.

Also “go” doesn’t mean we necessarily leave our homes and travel to a far-off place. The Greek text states otherwise. It is a corrective passive particle rather than an imperative verb. It means where you are already planted and active you share the message of Jesus to others.

“To be baptized” is our public acknowledgement we accept the work of Jesus Christ in our life. HIS life restored us into a relationship with Father-Son-Holy Spirit; the Triune God. To be baptized is us participating with Jesus in HIS death and resurrection. HIS death washed our sins away and HIS resurrected life has given us new life in HIM.

“Teaching them” is the primary function of the Church. As HIS disciples we teach others what we have learned from HIM. The process is for life; it never ends. It involves more than academic knowledge. It is training in all the practices and all the ways of HIS Kingdom. It involves head knowledge and heart knowledge. It involves the body, soul, and spirit of the believer. It covers the entire human experience of birth, family, work, community, and death. Jesus spoke about it all.

In the end, HE encourages us. HE reminds us that HE is alive and with you in all you do. Always. Even when you sin. HIS grace covers you. Even when you are rebellious. You may close your eyes at HIM, but HE is always there for you. We need to keep refocusing our eyes on HIM.

The purpose behind discipleship is to observe Jesus, our Rabbi and Teacher, work in our life. Yes, HE is Savior and Lord. But we start off the discipleship route as a learner. We are learning HIS Kingdom ways. We are putting them into practice each day. As we do, our relationship with HIM changes over time.

Like HE spoke to HIS graduating class of disciples the evening before HIS death. HE called them friends. The relationship changed from student to friend. Then again, after HIS resurrection, the relation changes even deeper. HE calls them brothers. A familial relationship.

Today we are HIS disciples. But we are also HIS brother and friend. The purpose of discipleship is to be trained in Kingdom practices. It is to learn how to live under the auspices of King Jesus. It is to learn how the Triune God governs the universe through the Kingdom of God. It is for us to learn how to govern ourself and others in similar fashion.

In many ways, discipleship is an executive training program of the Kingdom of God. It is the way Jesus is preparing you and me for eternity with HIM. It is more than head knowledge. It is training the entire body-soul-spirit under HIS authority. We are to learn how to serve others for God’s glory and for the sake of others. It is our preparation unto eternity. It starts now. It never ends. It is a life-long process. We are learning, integrating, and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This is the vision and purpose of discipleship.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! | Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Purpose of Religion

Dr. Mike 2026 , , , , , ,

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27

Every institution started by humanity came about because of a shared need. From government to commerce, education to healthcare, people realized a need. Then they came together in cooperation. The institution of religion is no different.

Early mankind realized there is much outside of their control. Like today, they looked around and ask where did all this come from. They struggled for survival. They built huts to shelter from the elements. They grew crops knowing their need for sunshine and rain. All this makes one stop and asks the bigger questions of life. Who made all this? What influences the patterns of the natural world? Where did all this come about? When did life begin? Why does all this exist? How does one relate to the One or ones in charge of the unseen realm?

Early thinkers ask such questions and began to offer answers. As their influence grew, their ideas took hold and the community responded. Over time many of the superstitions and rituals became the norm within the culture one grew up in. As with most religions, there is always an inkling of truth mix up with a smorgasbord of illusions.

Enter the Jewish-Christian faith.

One of the earlier religions mostly forgotten was kept by a man of Ur, a Chaldean, named Abram. While many of his associates worshiped many gods, he worshiped the LORD God. (Most likely, the stories of Adam and Eve’s God was passed down and a few people continued to worship HIM). But the LORD chose this person as the starting block of the Jewish faith. From Abraham (God changed Abram’s name) we get to Joseph, Moses, David, and eventually through time Jesus. With Jesus, we have the New Covenant. A new religion burped from the fulfillment of the Jewish laws and prophets.

What Jesus taught was a clarification of the purpose behind religion. In his time, many people practiced religion as a transactional commodity. They practiced acts to appease their god. An insurance policy to protect them or reward them from the dangerous gods around them. A sort of like the Mafia protection racket. Pay your tribute to the gods and no harm will come upon you. Others simply practice from social constraints. But Jesus corrected their mindset.

HE spoke about HIS heavenly Father in the most tender terms. HE called HIM, Abba. Aramaic for Papa or Daddy. An intimate relationship between a father and his child. HE shared parables and stories describing how God runs to those who are lost. HE will go out of HIS way for one. HE spoke about the familial relationship between Papa God and HIS children. The healthy relationship between a father and his children is one who cares. Who wants to see HIS child succeed. Who wants to nourish and bless HIS children with the best. HE wants to see HIS children succeed in life, not fail. HE wants them to know HE loves them, unconditionally. Yet HE wants them to be the best they can be. HE wants what is best for them.

Religion gives one the structure to build a relationship with the Creator God. Bad structure, bad relationship. Good structure, good relationship.

This is the purpose behind religion. To worship and relate with the God who IS rather than the God one wants. The closer a religion aligns to the Truth, the more one comes to know and walk with the Creator. The more one walks with the Creator, the more one reflects HIS character and attitude. In the end, one learns to live a life with greater meaning and purpose and fulfillment.

One can go and try to create their own religious framework. But as many entrepreneurs will tell you, it is less costly to tweak a business already in existence. The same with religion. The world doesn’t need a new religion. Re-creating the wheel is a long and difficult road to travel. That is why many of us have investigated the leaders of various religions. The purpose is to grasp their teachings and see actual fruit of their ways. The end result is Jesus Christ and HIS Kingdom stands above them all.

Make HIM your reference point. Learn and grow in HIS grace and knowledge. You then have the foundation to build an intimate relationship with the Triune God. Yes, life is a training process preparing you for eternity with Jesus. This is the purpose of true religion.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

Click Here for more Writings Neatly Bound in Book Format Available at Your Favorite Bookstore.

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message! Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved