Witnesses' Works Confirm True Faith When Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: James 1:17-27, 'True faith manifests as good works'.

Key verse: "But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who for forget but doers who act - they will be blessed in their doing" (James 1:25).

Introduction

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus Christ declared that as Messiah, he came to discern, teach, fulfill and complete God's law and plan for the liberation of all mankind from sin. Jesus revealed the inner or spiritual meaning of God's law and prophets, within his Jewish tradition, religion, culture, ethnic and secular group. To Jesus fulfilling God's law meant more than just knowing and understanding the letter of God's law, which is often local and xenophobic. Throughout his life and ministry, Jesus Christ stressed knowing, understanding and daily practical application of the spirit and intent of God's law, as universal and inclusive. His teaching may be applied and practiced in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in the right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (John 3:14-17, Acts 17:28). 

Today's Epistle James 1:17-27, reminds us, that before Jesus' resurrection, James, Jesus' half brother, rejected Jesus as Messiah. He did not embrace Jesus' universal, Christ-centered and Holy Spirit-base understanding, teaching and daily practical of the spirit of God's law and the prophets, in their Jewish faith. Only after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection and ascension was James able to discern, embrace, and stress true hearing and proper daily practical application of the Gospel of Christ, in the mind of the spirit. 

Throughout his ministry, Jesus taught and lived his faith in the appropriate Right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. Before Jesus' resurrection James lived his faith in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. After Jesus' resurrection James lived, taught and applied his faith, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Romans 1:1-17).   
      
Indwelling Godhead is the source of blessing for hearers of the word

Witnesses and witnesses paschal faith communities, who follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, seek to know, understand and fully experience the same relationship with the Godhead, which Jesus Christ knew. Like Jesus Christ they declare and practice total dependence of the Godhead (John 5:19, 30). In faith, self-surrender, humility and obedience, they seek the same proper mental alignment, incarnation and the full manifestation of the Godhead in their lives through Christ, which Jesus Christ revealed and experienced here on earth (Mark 8:34, John 10:24-30, Colossians 2:6-10).

Jesus Christ prayed that his witnesses and fishers of men, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, would be one with the Godhead. He pictured this oneness to be the same oneness that he had with the Godhead. He prayed that his witnesses would practice the same kingdom living here on earth, he taught and manifested, here on earth (Matthew 6:9-10, Luke 4:14-21, John 17:20-26, 1 John 1:17-18).

Created in God Image and begotten of the Holy Spirit

In the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, spiritually resurrected and spiritually awake witnesses are open and receptive to the letter as well as the spirit of God's law and all the prophets, as revealed in Jesus Christ. As intrapreneurs, they seek to obey Jesus Christ' teaching and make them fully applicable, within their unique, witnessing paschal faith communities. Because they seek and serve Christ in all persons and love their neighbor as themselves, they are quick to listen, and slow to speak words of condemnation, criticism, incivility, revenge and anger. 

In the mind and power of the Holy Spirit, they are quick to cast down and cast out the selfishness, filthy habits, wickedness and sins of the inappropriate dominion of the left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, within their own attitudes, mindsets, relationships, behaviors and actions (Galatians 5:19-21). They submit to and make daily practical application of the letter and spirit of God's law, in their lives and relationships. They study, memorize and pray that their oracles and sacred scriptures will be planted in their hearts by the indwelling and incarnate Godhead. The seek to be empowered and begotten of the Holy Spirit, in their daily lives and relationships, in God's New Covenant in Christ (Joel 31:31-34, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 9:15, James 1:19-21).     

Many are deceived in their understanding and application of God's Word 

In the Gospel of Christ, believers who claim to be witnesses, and choose to live and practice their faith in the mind of the flesh, have been deceived in the past, are being deceived in the present and will continue to be deceived, in their understanding and daily practical application of the Holy Oracles and Scriptures in their religions (Romans 8:1-11). Because of the spiritual blindness, spiritual deafness, spiritual sleep, and spiritual death of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, their mind are closed, and their hearts are hardened, resistant, unresponsive and unrepentant to God's law and their prophets, even when their error, sin and unrighteousness are obvious and exposed (James 1:22-24).      

What is true religion?

In conclusion, James gives instructions about true religion to Jesus Christ's fishers of men, witnesses and witnessing Paschal faith communities, throughout the world. He assures them that by following Jesus teachings and imitating the example of Jesus Christ, in living the Paschal mystery in the mind of the spirit, they will experience God's perfect law of liberation from bondage and slavery to the sin and works of the mind of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). In the mind of the spirit, they will pass over into the freedom, love, virtues, gifts and fruit of the glorified life with the Godhead in Christ, which Jesus Christ knew here on earth (Galatians 5:22-26). They will discern and manifest the will of God, as they take care of the orphans and widows. In the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, they will keep themselves uncorrupted, while in the world (James 1:25-27).  

Conclusion

Do you know, understand and embrace Jesus Christ's summary of God's law and all the prophet, as fully applicable in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in the mind of the spirit? Do you love the indwelling Godhead with all you heart, soul, mind and strength, in the mind of the spirit? Do you love your neighbor as yourself, in the mind of the spirit (Matthew 22:35-40)?

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Divinely Empowered And Equipped To Live The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, 'The whole armor of God'.

Key Verse: 'For our struggle is not against enemies of flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places' (Ephesians 6:12).


Introduction

In today's Epistle, the Apostle Paul addresses Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based witnessing paschal faith communities. He reminds these witnesses that they have been given the same divine power, protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus Christ had to proclaim, incarnate and manifest God's redemptive plan for kingdom living here on earth. God's redemptive plan includes mankind's freedom from and victory over the presence and forces of evil, resurrection from spiritual death and ascension in spiritual formation and maturity in Christ. In the power of the Holy spirit witnesses of the Gospel of Christ are called and empowered to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery and manifesting kingdom living here on earth as it is in heaven, in the mind of the spirit (Matthew 6:9-13, Mark 8:31-34, Luke 4:16-21, 17:20-21; Acts 1:8, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 6:10).

Witnessing paschal faith communities are engaged in spiritual warfare

Paul therefore admonishes witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups to put on the power and strength of the spiritual armor, which the Godhead has made available to them. God's spiritual armor will enable them to overcome the deception, greed, tricks, sin, alienation, incivility, guilt, and spiritual death of the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, on earth and in the heavenly places (Luke 17:20-37). He reminds witnesses that their battle is not against the flesh and blood of human beings. Their battle is against emotional, intellectual and spiritual wickedness, within and outside of every person. These forces and powers of the mind of the flesh are the invisible rulers, authorities, and dark cosmic powers of the sin and evil of Satan, the inappropriate dominion of the mind of flesh, in human attitudes, mindsets, actions, relationships and lives, throughout planet earth (Matthew 16:33, Mark 8:32-33, Romans 8:5-8, Ephesians 6:11-12).

God's armor for spiritual warfare

Because all people, believers and unbelievers alike, continue to encounter and are subject to the inappropriate dominion of the mind of the flesh within and without, the Apostle Paul enjoins all witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities to be steadfast and diligent in clothing themselves in God's spiritual armor. By embracing the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, he assured them that when the evil days come, they will be able to resist and ward off the selfishness, condemnation, exploitation, victimization and destruction of Satan, the inappropriate dominion of the mind of the flesh. In the mind of the spirit, they will be able to stand their ground in the truth of the Gospel of Christ. In the mind of the spirit, they will wear the breastplate of righteousness (Romans 8:1-17, Ephesians 6:13-14). 

Preparation for spiritual warfare

In Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based preparation for spiritual warfare, Paul encourage witnessing paschal faith communities to embrace the peacefulness, compassion, agape love, inclusiveness, civility, mercy and kindness of the mind of the spirit, as essential and normal attitudes and elements of human behavior and action. As they faithfully seek, discern and serve Christ, God's invisible Presence and Image in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ, themselves, and all person, the Godhead will shield them from the power, control, hatred and destruction of both internal as well as external evil thought, attitudes, and actions they will encounter, in the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. Paul assured them that in the mind of the spirit, God will equip them with the helmet of salvation (Genesis 1:26-31, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 6:15-16).

Divine weapons for spiritual warfare 

In addition to the divine initiative of Jesus Christ's redemptive work of salvation, Paul stresses the human initiative and urgent need for witnesses to study, share, memorize and store the words of Holy Scripture and especially the teaching of Jesus Christ, in their souls, hearts and minds (Matthew 5, 6, 7). These holy writings and oral tradition are the foundation of truth and sword of the spirit, for the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. Like Jesus Christ in his wilderness encounter with the Devil, the word of God is the believers sure defensive and offensive weapon against the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (Luke 4:1-13, Ephesians 6:17, 1 John 2:15-17). 

Admonished to pray in the mind of the spirit

Paul then encouraged witness and witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups to center their prayer, worship, caring, teaching, serving, healing and sharing in true prayer, by always knowing that in the Godhead we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). In that awareness, true witnesses of the Gospel of Christ can always be fully dependent on God's guidance and help. He admonished them to not only be faithful in prayer, but to also live their lives, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit. Paul then encourage them to never be discouraged and give up, but be fervent in prayer for all of God's people, throughout the earth (Matthew 6:5-15, Romans 8:12-17, Ephesians 6:18-19).  

Conclusion

The Apostle Paul concluded by reminding these believers that he was now imprisoned, because he proclaimed the Gospel of Christ. He assured them that they can now be fully empowered and equipped by the Godhead, to proclaim the same Gospel of Christ, as revealed in Jesus Christ, if they dwell in the mind of the spirit. Paul then asked them to pray that he would remain rooted, grounded and bold in declaring the truth and the mysteries of the Gospel of Christ, as God's Ambassador, in the appropriate right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit (Ephesians 6:20, Romans 8:12-17).


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Wisdom Needed For Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Scripture: Ephesians  5:15-20, 'God's will for witnessing paschal faith communities'.

Key Verse: The Apostle Paul declared, "So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17).

Introduction

In today Epistle, the Apostle Paul discerned that the error, sins, unrighteousness, incivility, evil and spiritual death of the left-brain hemisphere dominant thinking, attitudes and actions of the mind of the flesh, prevailed throughout the region of Ephesus. He knew that many aspects of the same wickedness existed in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in those days. Paul therefore admonishes members of the witnessing paschal faith communities, which he organized, supported and guided, to be extra wise believers and fishers of men, by knowing and obeying the will of God, for their lives and ministries. He admonished them to embrace and clothe themselves in the Christ-centered, Holy Spirit-based, right-brain hemisphere dominant, thinking, attitudes and behavior, which lead to the righteousness, peace, civility, justice, truth, grace, joy and everlasting life, which Jesus Christ revealed, taught and modeled, while here on earth (Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-34, Luke 9:22-27, Ephesians 5:15).
   
Redeeming the time

Because to Paul the days were evil, he admonished witnesses in his witnessing paschal faith communities, to make good use of every opportunity they had, to live their lives in the right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the mind of the spirit. He encouraged them to avoid the folly of living their lives in the sins, error and spiritual blindness of the left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh. He encouraged witness to redeem the time by reading, studying and appropriating the teaching of Jesus Christ. He exhorted them to  follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-17, Ephesians 5:16-17).     

Spiritual fullness

Paul admonished these witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities to avoid getting drunk with wine, because it would only lead to their ruin as fishers of men. He encouraged them to be filled, empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit, as they worship, serve, care for, teach, heal, nourish and dialogue with each other, through scripture, psalms, hymns and sacred song, to the glory of God, in the name of Jesus Christ. Paul discerns and proclaims that casting down and casting out (shedding the blood of) the inappropriate left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh is the only acceptable and effective sacrifice and sacrament that all mankind can make to God for sin (Romans 8:1-11, Romans 12:1-8; Ephesians 5:18-19). 

Thanksgiving, worship and praise to God

By embracing and living their lives in the mind of the spirit, Paul assured these witnesses that they will be able to discern and fulfill the will of God for their lives and ministries. In the right-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the spirit, they will be able to seek and find the truth of the Gospel of Christ. Through study, dialogue, enlightenment and resurrection from the spiritual deception, blindness, deafness, sleep and death of the left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, they will offer true worship and give thanks to the Godhead, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

Conclusion 

Like the Apostle Paul, have you noticed how the wickedness and sins of the left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of flesh are gaining inappropriate dominion in the thinking, attitudes and actions of believers within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, throughout our planet earth? Are you ready and willing to cast aside and avoid the left-brain hemisphere dominion of the mind of the flesh, which leads to sin, unrighteousness, evil, wickedness, incivility and spiritual death? Are you willing to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit? Right-brain hemisphere dominion in the thinking, attitudes and actions of witness in Christ-centered, witnessing paschal faith communities will lead to righteousness, peace, civility, joy and eternal life within all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups throughout the earth.
   
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Attitudes And Behaviors Needed To Live The Paschal Mystery

Reference text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2, 'Rules for living the new life in Christ'

Key Verse: "...and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God' "(Ephesians 5:2). 

Introduction

The essential message and mission of the Gospel of Christ is revealed in Jesus Christ living the Paschal Mystery as Messiah. The Paschal Mystery is laying down the old human life, which is inappropriately dominated by the mind of the flesh, and putting on the new human life in Christ, which is dominated by the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-17). In the context of theology, the mind of the flesh, which may be described scientifically as left brain hemisphere thinking and behavior, is called sinfulness. The mind of the spirit, which may be described scientifically as right brain hemisphere thinking and behavior, is called righteousness.

In today's Epistle the Apostle Paul describes how right brain hemisphere mindsets, attitudes, behaviors and relationships should have dominion in Christ-centered witnessing paschal faith communities. The mind of the spirit facilitates spiritual resurrection, spiritual awakening and spiritual formation in Christ. It enhances the human experiences of the new and eternal life in Christ, which Jesus Christ revealed here on earth. In right brain hemisphere thinking, attitudes and behavior, physical things are seen as manifestations of the hidden, interpenetrating spiritual universe, in which we all live, move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). Interrelatedness and interdependence of the divine and the human, and integrating the religious and secular dimensions of our lives are embraced as characteristic of right brain hemisphere thinking and behavior. Mercy, compassion, civility and agape love are seen as essential elements in expressing humanness.

Unity in Christ

To the Apostle Paul, right brain hemisphere dominion, faith, humility, obedience and agape love are needed to cast down and cast out the old and erroneous dogmas, xenophobias, divisions, incivility, falsehood, and lies of left brain hemisphere thinking, behavior and relationships. In the mind of the spirit, Christ-centered believers and witnesses are able to put away lying, anger, stealing and slander. In the mind of the spirit witnesses are empowered to practice, truthfulness, forgiveness, and work to earn an honest living. Right brain hemisphere dominion enables witnesses to give no place to the indignation, sin, wrath, and spiritual death of the Devil. In right brain hemisphere thinking and behaviors, the mind of the flesh is blocked from succeeding and prevailing within witnessing paschal faith communities (Ephesians 4:25-28).

Avoid stealing and evil speaking

Right brain hemisphere attitudes and behavior enable witnesses and witnessing paschal faith communities to practice, benevolence, compassion, civility and loving kindness as they provide for the spiritual, psychological, emotional, financial, political, educational and economically poor. By living their lives in the mind of the spirit, witness are able to avoid the demons, evil and destructive communications, attitudes and behaviors of the mind of the flesh. In the power, discernment and seal of the Holy Spirit, witnesses edify and build up one another in Christ-centered regeneration, redemption, spiritual maturity and kingdom living, here on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:29-30).

Be kind hearted and avoid anger and bitterness

Right brain hemisphere thinking and behavior enable witnesses to get rid of bitterness, passion and anger. In the mind and power of the Holy Spirit witness are able to avoid the incivility of shouting insults, holding prejudices and hateful feeling of any sort. In the mind of the spirit witness are able to be tenderhearted, loving, caring and forgive one another, as the Godhead through Christ, has forgiven them (Ephesians 4:31-32).

Exhortation to holy living

In the mind of the spirit, Christ-centered spiritually resurrected believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups are exhorted to recognize that every human being is the Image of God, striving to become and manifest the Likeness of God in human flesh (Genesis 1:26-31). By following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, witnesses' lives are controlled by and unified in Christ-centered worship, service, caring, teaching, healing, spiritual formation and agape love, within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups (Ephesians 5:1-2).

Conclusion

Are you an active and tithing (freely sharing your time, thoughts, talents, treasure and tithe) member of your witnessing paschal faith community? Are you steadfastly following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal mystery, the new life in Christ, the mind of the Spirit? Are you committed to laying down living your life in the inappropriate dominion of left brain hemisphere thinking and behavior? Are you steadfast and faithful in taking up living you life in the appropriate and acceptable dominion of the mind of the spirit, as a sweet smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God (Mark 8:31-34, John 10:14-21, Ephesians 5:1-2)?

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Christ-centered Unity In Living The Paschal Mystery

Reference Text: Ephesians 4:1-16, 'Maintaining Christ-centered Unity'

Key Verse: 'But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ's gift' (Ephesians 4:7). 

Introduction

In today's Epistle, the Apostle Paul assure us that Jesus Christ as Messiah, has brought to the world, previously alienated from God and mankind disunited from one another in the mind of the flesh, God's way of reconciliation and unity with all mankind in Christ. Paul recognized that the witnessing paschal faith communities created by Jesus Christ, are the human instruments used by the Godhead to facilitate and maintain reconciliation between God and man, and man and man, here on earth, in the mind of the spirit. This unity is realized as Christ-centered witnesses in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups steadfastly follow Jesus Christ in laying down living their lives in the mind of the flesh, and take up living their lives in the mind of the spirit. (Romans 8:1-11).   

Christ mankind's source of virtues and spiritual fruit 

Jesus Christ was sent by the Godhead and empowered by the Holy Spirit to reveal, teach, model and consummate mankind living the Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit. In his passion, death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus passed over from life on earth in the mind of the flesh, into the new and glorified life with the Godhead, in the mind of the spirit (Hebrews 4:14-16). Through the descent, incarnation and manifestation of Christ (Logos, ADONAI, JEHOVAH) as LORD of his and all human life here on earth, Jesus Christ has been designated by the Godhead as the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, except through him (John 1:14-18, 10:14-21, 14:1-6).

Within witnessing paschal faith communities in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, we find in witnesses varying degrees of faults, challenges, inadequacies, knowledge, commitment, spiritual formation and spiritual maturity. For Paul it is absolutely necessary that all witness practice living the virtues of humility, gentleness, and patience, as they bear with one another in agape love. These virtues and the spiritual fruit of meekness, peacefulness, long-suffering, faithfulness and self-control are found in Christ, God's invisible image and likeness in the spiritual body of Jesus Christ and in the spiritual body of every person (Genesis 1:26-27, Galatians 5:22-27, Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 1:26-27). 

Maintaining Unity in Christ

The Apostle Paul assures Christ-centered believers, within all witnessing paschal faith communities, who follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, that they will eventually discern, discover and experience the fact that we all live in a perfect spiritual universe. This universe was created, is sustained and forever controlled by the Godhead. Jesus called this hidden, invisible, eternal and changeless reality, the kingdom of God. He located this kingdom of heaven among us, in our midst and within each person (Luke 17:20-21). Within that spiritual universe, forever dwells the Imminent Trinity, Father-Being, Son-Begotten, and Holy Trinity-Begetting.

The visible witnessing paschal faith communities, which Jesus Christ initially revealed, created and established two thousand years ago, are centered in the Economic Trinity. The Bible declares that the Father sent the Begotten Son into the world (1 John 4:10). The invisible Begotten Son came down from heaven and became fully incarnate in Jesus Christ as Messiah, the Son of Man, in the power, presence and begetting of the Holy Spirit. The Begotten became incarnate in Jesus Christ, not to do the Begotten’s own will, but to do the will of the Father (Being), here on earth (John 6:38). In the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ willingly obeyed God's commands to lay down his life in the mind of the flesh, and take up living again here on earth, in the mind of the spirit (Matthew 16:24-28, Mark 8:31-34, Luke 9:23-27; John 6:4-6, 10:14-21, 12:25).

Paul therefore declares that witnessing paschal faith communities, created by Jesus Christ are one body. The head of that visible universal body is Jesus Christ, as Messiah, Savior, Master and Lord. There is one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God, Who is Father of all, above all, through all and in all. In the midst of these hopes, eternal realities and divine promises, the paradox and mystery is that Christ-centered, spiritually resurrected witnesses, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, who choose to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, often find themselves living their lives in the mind of the flesh (Ephesians 4:4-6).                    

God's gifts of love, grace and truth in Christ 

As in the life of Jesus Christ here on earth, the creative spiritual journeys of Christ-centered witnesses, living their lives in the mind of the spirit, are supported, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness of sins, resurrection from spiritual death, and deliverance from the bondage and slavery of the sins of the mind of the flesh are gifts of God's agape, love, grace and truth. They are eternally available to all in Christ. Christ-centered believer's passing over into the glorious freedom, love and eternal life of the Godhead in Christ, are realized and actualized through repentance, self denial, steadfast faith, humility, obedience and following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit (Mark 8:31-9:1, Ephesians 4:7-10).

Diversity of spiritual gifts and ministries

Paul then declares that the Godhead, through Christ has given witnesses, within witnessing paschal faith communities, in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups diverse spiritual gifts and ministries. Some are apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and some teachers. The divine purpose of these spiritual gifts and ministries are to edify and build up these paschal faith communities. These spiritual gifts are used to lovingly and patiently care for, govern, educate and guide witnesses into truth, spiritual formation and spiritual maturity, as intrapreneurs, within their own unique traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups, in the mind of the spirit (Ephesians 4:11-12).    

Spiritual formation, growth and  maturity in Christ

By following Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit, Christ centered believers in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular groups will come together in oneness of faith, and in the true knowledge of Christ, the invisible Son, Image and Likeness of God, as revealed in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Messiah. In the mind of the spirit, witnesses will become mature believers, reaching the very height of the Christ's incarnation and fullness, as revealed in Jesus Christ, here on earth. Christ centered, spiritually resurrected witnesses will no longer be tossed to and fro by deceitful and erroneous religious dogma and teaching, which are based in the mind of the flesh. In Christ, these witnessing paschal faith communities will be bound together, just like different parts of the human body. In the presence, power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, they will fit together as the whole body of Christ throughout the earth. They will grow and mature together, in the Godhead's agape love, truth and grace and practice kingdom living here on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10, Ephesians 4:13-16).      

Conclusion:

What is your level of commitment to living your life in the mind of the spirit, since you have joined your witnessing paschal faith community? Have you sought to discover and be guided in the proper and effective use of your spiritual gifts? Are you in repentance, faith, humility and obedience steadfastly following Jesus Christ, in living the Paschal Mystery in the mind, of the spirit? 

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