Abiding

The Book of James in Audio [podcast]

Paula White Exposed [video]

THAT’s My King! Pastor Lockridge [video]

Powerful Prayers from Children-This Will Shake You [video]

The Fear of the LORD is to Hate Evil: Pride, and Arrogancy #shorts [video]

Chapter 1

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

²My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ⁵If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. ⁶But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ⁷For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ⁸A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ⁹Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: ¹⁰but the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. ¹¹For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ¹³Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶Do not err, my beloved brethren. ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ¹⁸Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

¹⁹Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: ²⁰for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ²¹Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ²²But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ²⁶If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. ²⁷Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Chapter 2

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. ²For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; ³and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: ⁴are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? ⁵Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? ⁶But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? ⁷Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? ⁸If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ⁹but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. ¹⁰For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. ¹¹For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. ¹²So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. ¹³For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

¹⁴What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ¹⁵If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? ¹⁷Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. ¹⁸Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. ¹⁹Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. ²⁰But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? ²¹Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? ²²Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ²³And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. ²⁴Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. ²⁵Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? ²⁶For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Chapter 3

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. ²For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ⁴Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ⁷For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ⁸but the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? ¹²Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

¹³Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ¹⁵This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. ¹⁶For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. ¹⁷But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Chapter 4

From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? ²Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. ³Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ⁴Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. ⁵Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? ⁶But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. ⁷Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ⁹Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. ¹⁰Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

¹¹Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. ¹²There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

¹³Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: ¹⁴whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. ¹⁵For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. ¹⁶But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. ¹⁷Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Chapter 5

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. ²Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. ³Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. ⁴Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. ⁵Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. ⁶Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

⁷Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. ⁸Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. ⁹Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. ¹⁰Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. ¹¹Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

¹²But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

¹³Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. ¹⁴Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: ¹⁵and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. ¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ¹⁷Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. ¹⁸And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

¹⁹Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; ²⁰let 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.

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Abiding

What Did Paul Mean by “I Keep Under My Body”? [podcast]

In spite of all the evil that is me, dear LORD You have been so gracious (Genesis 6:5, 12; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7; Titus 3:5-7). Thank You Jesus. Please bless this life to be crucified with Thee!

If OSAS/eternal security is true, WHY did Paul say he himself that he could be “castaway” from God in the end if he didn’t endure to the end, perpetually keep under his body (the cross life)?

“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

Here Paul speaks of his own need for the crucified life – to keep under his body, the flesh – in light of the sins that kept God’s people out of their promised land and his own jeopardy of soul if he were to neglect the cross in his own personal life (1 Corinthians 9:27-10-13).

Why O why would this apostle of Christ have uttered these words if he believed he was “once saved always saved”/”eternally secure” or that he was automatically going to be in Heaven no matter how he lived his life after being genuinely saved? Why would he ever had said that he would be cast away from the LORD in the end if he didn’t keep under his body if such were not possible? Paul follow Jesus and knew he was responsible to “endure to the end” of his earthly life to be saved into eternal glory (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Colossians 1:22-23; Hebrews 3:6, 12-14; 10:26-39, etc.).

Most evangelicals have been sold on the lie that initial salvation means a saved person will automatically be in Heaven, no matter what he does after being saved. Not. Jesus and His holy apostles taught initial and final salvation.

Though the vast majority of those who pretend to represent Christ today do not preach His original Gospel, Jesus says that to follow Him, one must deny self and take up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24). These are what Paul calls “enemies of the CROSS of Christ” who are building a ministry busine$$ and know that the golden calf heresy of eternal security $ell$ (Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:1-3).

The idol of self is the enemy, the antichrist we deal head on with everyday with the cross which slays the god of self!

We therefore can safely conclude that this daily denial of self, this cross, this crucified life, is exactly what the apostle is speaking of when speaking of keeping under his body, his flesh. When Paul penned these words, he was speaking of what he so often spoke about – the cross.

What is there to crucify, to “keep under”, to subdue?

“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. … O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:18, 24

Believing we can live sanctified, abiding in Christ without the cross He prescribed is self-deception and only further confirms our need to be truly crucified with Christ, buried, and raised up daily by Jesus (Galatians 2:20).

“I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection” = the cross, the crucified life.

Some who are hell bent of corrupting the plain words of Christ would say that this is not speaking of eternal glory, of one’s salvation being in jeopardy. Better think again.

Of this passage, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible notes:

“9:24-27 RUN, THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. Paul illustrates the principle that if one fails to exercise self-control, self-denial, and love with regard to others, he himself will be rejected by God, even if he is a gospel preacher.”

“9:27 I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY. ‘Be a castaway’ (Gk. adokimos) conveys the idea of ‘failing the test,’ ‘being rejected.’ Paul uses this same term in 2 Cor. 13:5, where he states that Christ does not dwell in any who are ‘reprobates’ (Gr. adokimoi). Paul is not referring merely to the loss of ministerial reward. What he recognizes is the possibility that he may fail to obtain the prize (i.e., the inheritance of final salvation (vv24-25) if he should cease living a holy life, exercising self-control, and enduring hardships for Christ (vv 25-27).”

The correct preaching of the full counsel of God’s WORD creates in us the desire to be set apart to our LORD (holy) and to cease the things, the sins that defile such purity necessary to abide in vital union with our Maker who is our Savior!

Notice below how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body – the iniquitous fallen nature – with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms – living the crucified life! (Luke 9:23-24)

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

There’s no such thing as a Heaven-bound person who does not love God enough to offer their life to Him a living sacrifice and thereby overcome sin. Read this passage closely.

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death (separation); but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:15-23

Notice in verse 22 that those having been born again and now truly abiding in Christ of the fruit of holiness, not sin. And to them alone will end up with everlasting glory!

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him! The cross is essential to eternal glory. In other words, following Jesus on His stated terms.

The deeds of the body must be kept under the power of the Holy Ghost and such is only possible by way of adhering to the cross Jesus mandated!

“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Romans 8:13

The cross is the condition for overcoming the ensuing 5 sins that Paul then teaches kept some of the children of Israel out of their promised land. Our promised land is Heaven and just as some of the God’s people didn’t make it, didn’t “endure to the end”, were like the 5 foolish virgins, some of those Jesus had saved will not “endure to the end” and be in glory with Him (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; 25:1-3, etc.).

Here are the ensuing words, the text immediately following 1 Corinthians 9:27. It’s a contiguous theme, warning from the apostle. Let’s read the whole passage, the context. He made no chapter divisions when he penned this divinely-inspired letter. Paul speaks of the personally responsibility and necessity of the crucified life in light of the 5 sins we all face which if we live in, will disqualify us from eternal glory. Here’s our main Bible verse, truth again and what follows:

“27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea (represents salvation);

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also LUSTED.

7 Neither be ye IDOLATERS, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8 Neither let us commit FORNICATION, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9 Neither let us TEMPT CHRIST, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither MURMUR ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”

1 Corinthians 9:27-10:12

Clearly in this passage we see that the cross is a prerequisite for overcoming the 5 disqualifying sins. | The 5 Sins that Kept God’s People from their Promised Land

Life in the Spirit Study Bible on 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

10:1 I WOULD NOT THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT. The fact that one may be redeemed, partake of divine grace, and yet later be rejected by God, a “castaway” (see 9:27), because of unbelief and evil conduct is now verified by examples from the experience of Israel (vv. 1-12).

10:5 THEY WERE OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS. The Israelites had experienced the grace of God in the exodus. They had been delivered from bondage (v. 1), baptized (v. 2), and divinely sustained in the wilderness, experiencing close fellowship with Christ (vv. 3-4). Yet in spite of these spiritual blessings, they failed to please God and were destroyed by Him in the wilderness; they forfeited their election and hence, failed to reach the promised land (cf. Num. 14:30. Paul’s point is that, as God did not tolerate Israel’s idolatry, sin, and immorality, so He will not tolerate the sin of believers under the new covenant.

10:6 THESE THINGS WERE OUR ESAMPLES. The terrible judgment of God upon the disobedient Israelites serves as an example and a warning for those under the new covenant not to desire evil things. Paul warns the Corinthians that if they repeat Israel’s unfaithfulness to God (vv. 7-10), they too will receive His judgment and fail to enter the promised heavenly country.

10:11 WRITTEN FOR OUR ADMONITION. The history of God’s judgment of His people in the O.T. was written down in the Scriptures to provide those in the N.T. with ample warnings against sinning and falling from grace (v. 12; see Num. 14:29).7

10:12 TAKE HEED LEST HE FALL. The Israelites, as God’s elect, thought they could safely dabble in the sins of idolatry, and immorality; yet they met with God’s judgments. Those who believe they can securely live without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly passions should take notice of the warning of God in this passage.

10:13 GOD IS FAITHFUL. A professing believer may not justify sinning with excuses that he is simply human and thus imperfect, or that in this life all born-again believers continue sinning in word, thought, and deed (cf. Rom. 6:1). At the same times, Paul assures the Corinthians that no true believer need fall from the grace and mercy of God. (1) The Holy Spirit explicitly affirms that God provides His children with adequate grace to overcome every temptation and thus to resist sinning (cf. Rev. 2:7,17,26). God’s faithfulness expresses itself in two ways: (a) He will not allow us to be tempted above that which we can bear, and (b) He will with each temptation provide a way by which we can endure the temptation and overcome sin (cf. 2 Thes. 3:3).

(2) The grace of God (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-14), the blood of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:24), the Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17), the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 1:5), and the heavenly intercession of Christ bring sufficient power for the believer to be victorious over the poser of sin and demonic influences (Eph. 6:10-18; Heb 7:25).

(3) If the Christian yields to sin, it is not because Christ’s provision of grace is inadequate, but because the believer fails to resist his own sinful desires by the power of the Spirit (Rom 8:13-14; 2 Pet. 1:3).”

Was Paul involved in a relationship with Christ? Was Paul required to participate or was he a robot? Was it “all God,” “all grace” as the calvinist would claim?

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have FOUGHT a good fight, I have FINISHED my course, I have KEPT the faith: 8 Henceforth (therefore) there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

If a person whose has been saved in the past is not fighting the good fight, finished what God began in him and called him to do – finishing his course, and keeping the faith, how can he possibly say with Paul “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness”?

The kingdom of Heaven is to be pressed into and not taken casually.

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12;

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14

Colossians 3:1-10

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

“The old man” must go down before “the new man” can be raised out of that grave – death and burial.

Ephesians 4:20-24

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Prayer of Returning: Holy Father, You gave all when You gave Your only begotten Son who came and died for our sins. You’ve also called me to lay down my life, to lose my life in this fleeting world. I have not done well at giving over my life to You … You alone who are worthy of my full, unreserved worship. Right this moment I ask You to forgive my sin of having another god before You which is self idolatry and spiritual adultery. I have alienated the affections of my heart away from You LORD and onto myself. For this I ask You to forgive me and I right here and now turn to You Jesus. Right this moment I lay my life in Your holy hands LORD. Into Your hands I submit my spirit – my whole being. Not my will but Thine be done LORD Jesus! I am no longer my own. I am Yours. I am dead and my life is hid with Christ in God. I love You Jesus and am ceaselessly grateful that You bought me with the price of Your own blood! You must increase but I must decrease. I ask You to unite my heart to fear Thy holy name! Teach me daily to lay myself aside and to give the reins over to You! In Jesus’ Name, amen.