All posts by Glen Jackman

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Jesus Christ in Relation to Humanity and the Individual

Jesus Christ in Relation to Humanity and the Individual

By Glen R. Jackman, November 24, 2012

Christ is the Agent of Creation

Why, throughout the history of man, have countless millions of intelligent, honest people worshiped the person of Jesus Christ as Lord? The New Testament plainly states Christ’s creative involvement in the creation of this world, mankind, and the universe as God: “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.” (1 John 1:3 NLT) Everything encompasses all creation. 

Because Christ was the one by whom all life was created, it is he, and he alone, who came to restore men and women to a relationship with Himself, to acknowledge that we are wonderfully created in the image of God as His children. Essentially, God in Christ came to man, incarnated as a man, to meet us face to face in flesh and blood, to redeem men and women from our waywardness. Mankind has historically been presented with God as reaching out, as a father would, to his unreconciled son or daughter. This is beautifully depicted in Christ’s parable of the lost prodigal son who finally comes home to his loving father.

Christ, as Creator-God, has the right to achieve his purposes by whatever wake-up mechanism or story he knows will achieve the required results. Why would Christ come incarnate as a man to this world? The story of the Cross is the story of Christ living out the process of our reconciliation back to God. The tragic act of the story depicted the representative leadership of civil and spiritual men rejecting our Creator-God. This was to make us all aware that mankind is collectively wayward, to the degree that they would kill their own Creator, evidenced by History.

Life is dependent upon Jesus Christ

If our very life depends upon Jesus Christ as our Creator, the incarnation of Christ came to validate our value as his own creation. “And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life”. (1 Corinthians 8:6 NLT)

Another New Testament scripture states: “For through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see…Everything was created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 NLT)

The waywardness of mankind is evident today as the world seeks to push Jesus Christ out of the mind of society entirely. The world’s collective viewpoint remains as it was when he walked on this earth: “He came to his own people, and even they rejected him”. (John 1:11 NLT)

The Gospel (Good News) presents mankind with a contract

The cross of Christ is central to a legal contract offered to all of mankind, who have collectively disengaged their minds from honouring God as Creator and sustainer of their lives, effectively denouncing that they are, in fact, His own children (Christ speaks of us as His children in the New Testament). This contract being offered involves two parties: Jesus Christ and you. In a nutshell: Simply by believing in Jesus Christ as the active agent of creation and our reconciling Creator-God, you will have the promise of eternal life.

First, without arguing with God’s view just presented here, we must see that mankind is separated from God: “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one…Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness…they don’t know where to find peace. They have no fear of God at all.” (Romans 3:10-18 NLT)

Mankind is now legally made right with God only through Jesus Christ: “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:22-23 NLT) There is only one deal: “no matter who you are,” or how righteous we believe that we are or if our spiritual or religious viewpoint denies the Gospel of Christ.

The scripture states that we all have sinned. Sin simply means that we have missed God’s mark or the standard of His two laws stated by Jesus: 1st, loving God with our entire mind, and 2nd, loving our neighbour as ourselves. This standard is for everyone, including the author of this paper. I might have done some good here and there in life, but overall I can be selfish. So I cannot establish myself as right with God except by the transaction of faith in Christ. 

God made it simple. If He didn’t make the Gospel simple, we’d try pretty hard to declare ourselves perfectly righteous before God, with absolutely no need of the intervention of the incarnate and crucified Christ. The Bible makes it clear: “Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law [doing good]. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law [doing good]”. (Romans 3:27 NLT, italics mine)

This is the Gospel: “we are made right with God through faith” in Christ. Further, once we accept Christ, we are encouraged as reconciled men and women: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:1 NLT)

You may say “I don’t need salvation, nor do I comprehend the concept”. Generally, this is a view that mankind takes collectively, because he has shifted his dependence on God as life-giver and Creator to an erroneous concept of independence without the need of God. This is self-sufficiency, where a man’s own concept of God denies the need for the intervention of our Creator-God, Jesus Christ. The problem here is that these views entirely ignore the offer of Jesus Christ and His Gospel and can keep one stuck in stubborn, self-sufficient separation from God. By staying in unbelief, you decide to keep your distance from Him and forfeit reconciliation to God by rejecting His offer. This keeps you separated from and uncommitted to God in mind. This choice dangerously assumes a confrontational, non-allegiant resistance to Him. God calls this rebellion.

Some may feel that they are good to people, so they do not need to reconcile with God. The problem here is that being good to people alone (helping them, etc.) side-steps the first law of God that Jesus taught. We can love others such as our children, but avoid lovingly recognizing God as Creator and as the God-reconciler to his people through Christ. Alternatively, by accepting reconciliation through Christ, we engage in obedience to the first law: to love God. “We love because he first loved us”. (1 John 4:19 KJV) The Gospel invitation is all based on love. We evidence our love to Him once we are reconciled to Him and thus declare our allegiance to Him. 

Where self-independence persists apart from God, He views it as idolatry of the self. Man can conjure up many imagined conceptual views that keep him outside of reconciliation with the Creator and keep him from worshipping and praising God. It is like tearing up God’s “Manifesto of Love” towards you. When Jesus was crucified, men spat in His face and similarly reviled His many stated offers of eternal life.

Salvation means reconciliation to God, which is completed in the person of Christ

When we retain a contrary view of Creation in self-sufficiency, we actually take an unfriendly stance against the revelation of God in Christ, as enemies to God. The cross of Christ is no minor intervention of God to reconcile men and women. The cross of Christ is designed to restore the lost unity of his own people. Actually, God makes it clear that we are messing with his method of wooing and caring for His own family, destroying the potential of his own children. By denying Him, we declare Him a liar as we contest against His revealed witness as our Creator in the Word of God (the Bible). Conversely, He intends the Gospel to be revealed openly as God reaching out to unite mankind back to Himself. The repercussions of such denial affect those around us and may deafen the message to others, such as our spouse, our children, or our neighbours — society in general. Jesus noted this: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” [dismisses my reconciliation to others]. (Luke 11:23 NIV italics mine)

“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son”. (Romans 5:10 NLT) Further, the message of this reconciliation has reached the entire world, as commanded by Christ: “on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God”. (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT) 

The entire New Testament focuses on reconciliation: “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you … free from accusation” (Colossians 1:22 NLT) 

Note how the New Testament makes it known that when we accept the Gospel, we are immediately reconciled back to Him, as his own children: “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.”” (Galatians 4:6 NLT) Christ as God was also referred to as “Father, Prince of Peace.” He also noted that He is One with the Father in mind and Spirit, saying, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” (John 14: 9 NLT)

By coming into relationship with Christ, you simply believe that he died for you and, in so doing, revealed his love to you; in contrast with the rejection of mankind, which has denied and rejected God as their Creator (including breaking his laws based on love). You enter into “salvation” by faith. This means that you are “saved” from the accusation of being separated from God. You are reunited with His family.

Contrast this to the result of unbelief: Separation from the God of Creation and His Spirit of restorative life eventually results in eternal death. Because there is no reward of eternal life, the opposite is eternal death.

Christ’s own life and words engage the call to reconciliation by restoring our relationship to Him

We must be very careful not to try to understand everything before we act to believe. Either we can trust Jesus Christ when we see his life lived out in the Bible (read the Gospel of John), when he restored physical health to the infirm and blind, or when he raised the dead back to life; or we conversely outright deny the Gospel as a farce and call Christ a liar. There is danger here. Jesus Christ is the Creator-God of the universe. When we deny Him, we deny Him directly, as He is omnipotent, yet merciful. Be cautious not to resist God.

Recall that he was resurrected to life from his own death by the Holy Spirit and spent many more days teaching His disciples that the same resurrection to life awaits all who die, once dedicated to Him. Then He ascended to Heaven again. Despite His rejection by mankind, He continues His work via the Holy Spirit from Heaven. This is referred to as Grace.

From His own lips, Jesus, as our Creator-Reconciler, pointed out this message to both the rejecters and those who accept him: “All who see His Son and believe in him will have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40 NLT)

We continue to see or perceive Jesus by reading the Bible, which is God’s revelation to man and points us to God’s revelation of Jesus Christ. 

In the above passage, Jesus refers to the final resurrection of the dead in Christ, who will be raised to eternal life on the last day, which means judgment day at His second coming with power and glory. This is the result of perceiving and accepting the call of Christ to reconcile to God, and of believing in His Gospel (which means Good News): “All who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.” (John 6:40 NLT)

In Jesus’ own words, he draws a division line, based on belief or non-belief in Him: “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:12 NLT)

By taking the positive side of faith, we have this assurance, confirmed over and over again in the New Testament: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13 NLT)

Bob Dylan, upon perceiving Christ as His Saviour, wrote in his Gospel album “Slow Train Coming”: 

“Now there’s spiritual warfare and flesh and blood breaking down

Ya either got faith or ya got unbelief and there ain’t no neutral ground
The enemy is subtle; how be it we are so deceived,
When the truth’s in our hearts, and we still don’t believe?

Shine your light, shine your light on me
Shine your light, shine your light on me
Shine your light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn’t make it by myself
I’m a little too blind to see”


The ability to perceive the offer of reconciliation in Christ is enabled by His Spirit

Jesus told a leader in Jerusalem that he must allow the assistance of the Holy Spirit of God, referred to as the Spirit of Christ, to open his eyes to perceive that He was God. The prophets of all ages were “inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:11 ESV)

When the spiritual leader Nicodemus was inquiring about the kingdom of God, Jesus said, “The Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’” (John 3: 6b-7 NLT) Otherwise, if you are not assisted by the Holy Spirit, He said: “How can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?”

This is confirmed in many places in the New Testament that the intervention of Christ via His incarnation is a supernatural event in history, and man alone cannot understand it on his own. The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ must open a man’s mind and cognitive faculties to see this truth: “Therefore, anyone who refuses…is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you”. (1 Thessalonians 4:8 NLT) Just as the Gospel is a gift to us, so is the Holy Spirit gifted to us so that we may believe. If you are sensing conviction, this occurs when God speaks directly to you.

If you are having difficulty seeing the Good News in Christ as He seeks to reconcile you to Himself, ask God to allow you to open up your heart to hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit. “…when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true”. (1 Thessalonians 1:5 NLT) 

Jesus has ascended to the Father to intercede for us and continue the reconciliation of those who will believe through His Holy Spirit. Speaking from Heaven through the Apostle John, Jesus said: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says…” (Revelation 2:29 NLT).

Jesus stated that He was and is the active agent of both the Creation and reconciliation of mankind: “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life… those who listen will live…the Father has life in himself, and he has granted that same life-giving power to his Son”. (John 5: 24-25 NLT)

Every man and woman presented with the Gospel is called by Jesus Christ to make a decision for or against Christ without excuse. What will your recorded decision be? God knows our thoughts even before we speak. We cannot hide from the Lord of Life. The decision to accept Christ has a life-or-death consequence.

Hear Him speak to you: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends”. (Revelation 3:20 NLT) Christ still speaks from Heaven, asking you and I to open the closed doors of our hearts and invite Him into our lives. What a beautiful picture of trusting friendship with Him.

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The 5 Crowns

In this article, I examine how Dr. David Jeremiah structures his teaching on heavenly rewards around the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema Seat). In biblical theology, the term for these crowns often uses the Greek word stephanos (a victor’s wreath awarded at games, contrasting a royal status crown or diadema).
Below are the five primary crowns delineated by the Apostle Paul, James, Peter, and John, complete with their text anchor points, key terms, and biblical conditions.

1. The Victor’s Crown (The Imperishable Crown)

  • Primary Anchor Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (Paul)
  • Key Vocabulary / Text Anchor:
    “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown [Gk: stephanos]… I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” (1 Cor. 9:25–27)
  • Purpose & Condition: Awarded for personal discipline, self-control, and mastering earthly desires/passions to finish the Christian race strong.

2. The Crown of Rejoicing (The Soul-Winner’s Crown)

  • Primary Anchor Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (Paul)
  • Key Vocabulary / Text Anchor:
    “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thess. 2:19)
    • Additional anchor: Philippians 4:1 (“…my joy and crown…”)
  • Purpose & Condition: Awarded to believers for leading others to salvation in Jesus Christ and investing in soul-winning.

3. The Crown of Righteousness

  • Primary Anchor Text: 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (Paul)
  • Key Vocabulary / Text Anchor:
    “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give [reward] to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7–8)
  • Purpose & Condition: Awarded to those who remain faithful to the end and eagerly anticipate/love the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

4. The Crown of Life (The Martyr’s / Overcomer’s Crown)

  • Primary Anchor Texts: James 1:12 (James) & Revelation 2:10 (John)
  • Key Vocabulary / Text Anchor:
    “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)
    “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
  • Purpose & Condition: Awarded to believers who endure suffering, extreme trial, temptation, or martyrdom without shrinking back from their faith.

5. The Crown of Glory (The Pastor’s / Shepherd’s Crown)

  • Primary Anchor Text: 1 Peter 5:1–4 (Peter)
  • Key Vocabulary / Text Anchor:
    “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you… and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:2, 4)
  • Purpose & Condition: Awarded to spiritual leaders, pastors, elders, and shepherds who faithfully lead and feed God’s people with selfless humility.

Additional Anchor Passages on Heavenly “Rewards” (Misthos)

In his teaching on the subject, Dr. Jeremiah highlights key foundational passages on the nature of Christian rewards (Greek: misthos = wages/reward):
  • The Judgment Seat (Bema) Context:
    • 2 Corinthians 5:10 — “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body…”
    • Romans 14:10–12 — “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”
  • The Reward Concept Introduced by Jesus & John:
    • Matthew 5:11–12 — “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven.”
    • Revelation 22:12 — “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
    • 2 John 1:8 — “Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.”
  • Ultimate Purpose of the Crowns:
    • Revelation 4:10–11 — John notes that the Twenty-Four Elders cast their crowns before the throne of God, showing that all rewards ultimately serve to glorify Christ.

You may be asking: How do the crowns relate to rewards for good works?

  • We are justified by faith, not by works; nevertheless, once we are justified by faith, we are motivated by love for Christ to do good works.
  • To understand how heavenly crowns fit into Christian theology, it helps to separate two distinct events: Salvation (how a person is accepted by God) and Rewards (how a person’s faithful service is evaluated).

Mixing these two up leads to either legalism (trying to earn heaven) or passivity (thinking obedience doesn’t matter).

1. Justification by Faith Alone (Sola Fide)

Justification is a legal declaration by God. It is the act by which God declares a guilty sinner righteous in His sight because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

  • It cannot be earned: Salvation is a gift (grace), not a wage. You cannot add your good deeds to Christ’s finished work.

  • The Exchange: On the cross, Christ took your sin, and in exchange, His perfect righteousness is credited (imputed) to your account when you trust in Him.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9

“Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.” — Romans 4:4–5

2. Good Works: The Fruit of Faith, Driven by Love

If works do not save us, why do good works at all?

Once a believer is justified, their underlying nature is changed by the Holy Spirit. Good works are not done to get saved, but because you are saved. They are the natural fruit of a living faith and an overflow of gratitude and love for what Jesus did.

  • Faith produces works: As the Apostle James writes, genuine saving faith is never alone—it inevitably produces good deeds (James 2:17).

  • Motivated by love: We obey Christ not out of fear of condemnation, but out of filial love for our Heavenly Father.

“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” — Ephesians 2:10

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died… that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

3. How Crowns and Rewards Fit In

This brings us back to the Crowns. If salvation is a free gift, what are the rewards for?

The Two Judgments

Scripture details two completely separate judgments:

Feature The Great White Throne The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema)
Passage Revelation 20:11–15 2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11–15
Who is judged? Unbelievers Believers only
Issue Sin & rejection of Christ Faithful service & stewardship
Outcome Eternal separation / Condemnation Rewards / Crowns / Loss of reward

At the Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema), a believer’s eternal destiny (heaven vs. hell) is never in question—that was settled at the cross. Instead, Christ evaluates how faithfully you lived the Christian life after you were saved.

       [ CROSS ]
          │
  Justification by Faith (FREE GIFT)
          │
          ▼
   Life of Obedience & Service (Motivated by Love)
          │
          ▼
[ JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST ]
          │
    Rewards & Crowns Given

Tested by Fire

In 1 Corinthians 3:11–15, Paul explains that Jesus is the foundation of our life. On that foundation, we build with different materials:

  • Gold, silver, precious stones = Spirit-led, selfless works done for Christ’s glory out of love.

  • Wood, hay, straw = Fleshly, selfish, or superficial works done for personal praise or pride.

When Christ tests these works with fire, the selfish motives burn away, but the selfless ones remain as refined gold. The believer receives crowns/rewards for what remains.

The Ultimate Purpose: Casting Crowns Before Him

Why do believers receive crowns at all? Is it to walk around heaven showing off achievements?

John’s vision in Revelation reveals the true purpose of heavenly rewards:

“The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power…'” — Revelation 4:10–11

The crowns we earn through loving service in this life become the very offerings we lay back at the feet of Jesus in eternity. They are our way of saying: “Even these achievements were only possible through Your grace.”

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Holy Spirit: Sovereign Executive of the Godhead

This summary encapsulates the Holy Spirit not as a vague force, but as the personal, sovereign Executive of the Godhead, active from the dawn of creation to the final illumination of the human heart.

1. The Deity and Personhood of the Holy Spirit

The Spirit is a Person, possessing intellect, emotion, and will, and is fully God, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son.

  • Attributes of Personhood: He can be grieved (Eph 4:30), resisted (Acts 7:51), and He speaks and commands (Acts 13:2).

  • Absolute Deity: In Acts 5:3–4, Peter explicitly equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God. He possesses divine attributes: Omniscience (1 Cor 2:10–11) and Omnipresence (Ps 139:7).

2. The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Procession)

Theologically known as Spiration, the Spirit’s relationship within the Trinity is defined by His “procession.”

  • The Text: In John 15:26, Jesus speaks of the “Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father.”

  • The Mission: He is sent by both the Father (John 14:26) and the Son (John 16:7). He is the “Bond of Love” between the Father and the Son, ensuring the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17.

3. The Holy Spirit in Creation and Providence

The Spirit is the “Life-Giver” who sustains and orders the physical universe.

  • Creation: In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit was “hovering over the face of the waters,” bringing order to chaos. Psalm 104:30 declares, “When you send forth your Spirit, they are created.”

  • Providence: He is the “Presence” that prevents the world from collapsing into non-existence, acting as the sovereign hand of God in the preservation of life.

4. Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Illumination

The Spirit is the divine Author of Scripture and the only one who can unlock its meaning for the believer.

  • Inspiration & Inerrancy: 2 Peter 1:21 states that “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Because the Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth” (John 16:13), the resulting Word is inherently without error (Inerrant).

  • Illumination: While the Spirit inspired the text, He must also provide illumination for the reader to understand it. 1 Corinthians 2:14 notes that the natural person cannot discern spiritual things because they are “spiritually discerned.”

5. The Holy Spirit and Angels

The Spirit’s relationship to the angelic realm is one of sovereign authority and shared mission.

  • The Command: The Spirit directs the activity of God’s messengers. In the visions of Ezekiel 1, the “spirit” (the Spirit of God) directed the movement of the living creatures (cherubim).

  • The Witness: Both the Spirit and the angels are witnesses to the work of Christ (1 Tim 3:16).

6. Human Beings and Sin (Conviction & Blasphemy)

The Spirit’s primary “outward” work toward humanity involves the management of sin and the call to repentance.

  • Conviction: John 16:8 states that the Spirit will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” This is the “High Priestly” prosecution that prepares the heart for the “washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5).

  • Blasphemy against the Spirit: In Matthew 12:31–32, Jesus warns that blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. This is defined as the persistent, decisive rejection of the Spirit’s witness to Christ—attributing the Spirit’s work to Satan and effectively sealing oneself off from the only agent capable of bringing repentance.

Summary Table: The Holy Spirit’s Sovereign Scope
Domain Key Action Scripture
The Godhead Proceeding from Father & Son John 15:26
The Universe Ordering and Sustaining Gen 1:2; Ps 104:30
The Word Breathing (Inspiration) 2 Pet 1:21; 2 Tim 3:16
The Soul Convicting and Regenerating John 16:8; Titus 3:5
The Church Governing and Unifying Acts 15:28; Eph 4:3
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Religions: The Tao compared to Christianity

When discussing how “The Tao” aligns with Christian moral values, it helps to view it through two distinct lenses: C.S. Lewis’s definition of “The Tao” (as universal Natural Law) and traditional philosophical Taoism, compared with Christian ethics. Predominantly, Taoism does not recognize a Divine Creator nor the bible that promises redemption as Christians do, who rely on the Word of God for moral guidance and overcoming the dark side.

1. C.S. Lewis and “The Tao” as Natural Law

In his influential work The Abolition of Man, Christian thinker C.S. Lewis used the term “The Tao” to refer to the universal, objective moral law woven into human nature and shared across civilizations (Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Stoicism, and Greek philosophy).

From this perspective, the Tao and Christian morality do not merely line up—Christian ethics are the fullest expression of the Tao. Lewis pointed out that core human duties across cultures closely mirror biblical teaching, yet with a key difference, as noted in Part 3.

  • Duty to Parents & Elders: Echoes the Fifth Commandment (“Honour your father and mother”).

  • Protection of the Weak & Defenceless: Aligns with Biblical commands to protect the orphan, widow, and stranger.

  • Honesty & Justice: Demands truth-telling, condemnation of false witness, and fair dealing.

  • Self-Restraint & Mercy: Discourages greed, pride, and wanton violence.

In Christian theology, this shared baseline is often called Natural Law or General Revelation—the idea that God has “written the law on every human heart” (Romans 2:15).

2. Moral Overlaps: Where Traditional Taoism and Christianity Agree

When comparing the Tao Te Ching and traditional Taoist ethical teachings directly to Christian moral principles, several striking virtues align:

Moral Concept Taoist Value (Tao Te Ching) Christian Value (New Testament)
Humility Overcoming ego; placing oneself last to lead (Ch. 7, 67). “The first shall be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:31).
Non-Aggression Returning good for injury; softness over force (Ch. 63). “Turn the other cheek” and “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:39, 44).
Simplicity & Anti-Greed Rejecting material ambition and endless accumulation (Ch. 12). “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth” (Matthew 6:19).
Gentleness & Patience Wu wei (effortless action without forcing/controlling others). Fruit of the Spirit: gentleness, patience, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

3. Key Differences in Foundation & Purpose

While the ethical behaviours often look similar on the surface, the underlying worldviews differ significantly:

  • Personal God vs. Impersonal Principle:

    • Taoism: The Tao is an impersonal force, flow, or pattern of the cosmos rather than a conscious creator who issues commands.

    • Christianity: Objective moral values are rooted in the holy, loving nature of a personal God who created the world and holds humanity morally accountable.

  • Absolute Morality vs. Situational Harmony:

    • Taoism: Morality focuses on balance, harmony with nature, and flexibility. Good and evil are often seen as complementary opposites (Yin and Yang) within the unity of the Tao.

    • Christianity: Good and evil are absolute. God is light without darkness (1 John 1:5), and sin is a real rupture in the relationship with God that requires redemption.

  • Self-Effort/Yielding vs. Grace & Redemption:

    • Taoism: Solves human conflict by letting go of desire, ego, and artificial social rules to blend into the natural order.

    • Christianity: Teaches that human beings cannot fulfill the moral law through self-effort alone; salvation and moral transformation require God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, made possible through Jesus Christ.

 

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The Spirit as Jesus’ Successor (The Paraclete)

In the Gospel of John and the book of Acts, the Holy Spirit is not merely an “influence,” but the personal successor to Jesus’ earthly ministry. As Jesus ascended to the Father, He did not leave His followers as orphans; He sent “Another” (Allos) of the same kind to carry out His sovereign rule over the world and the church.

1. The Spirit as Jesus’ Successor (The Paraclete)

The term Paraclete (Paraklētos) suggests one called alongside to act as a legal advocate or helper.

  • John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

    • The Succession: The Spirit succeeds Jesus by continuing the role of Teacher. He does not bring a new message, but illuminates the words of Jesus.

  • John 15:26: “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

    • The Mission: The Spirit’s primary role as successor is to be the Chief Witness to the person of Christ.

2. Empowerment for Mission and Witness

The Spirit empowers the Church to demonstrate Christ’s triumph over the powers of darkness. This is the “Mission Prophetic” in action.

  • Proclamation of Resurrection: In Acts 2:32-33, Peter declares that the risen Jesus has “poured out” the Spirit. The existence of the Spirit’s power is the empirical proof that Jesus is alive and enthroned.

  • Triumph over Satan and Demons: In Acts 13:9-11, Paul, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” rebukes Elymas the sorcerer, demonstrating the Spirit’s authority over demonic deception.

  • Victory over Sickness and Death: * Acts 3:6-8: The Spirit empowers the healing of the lame man “in the name of Jesus.”

    • Acts 9:40: The Spirit empowers Peter to raise Tabitha from the dead, proving that the Spirit of the Resurrection (Romans 8:11) is active in the Church.

3. The Divine Names and Roles of the Spirit

The New Testament provides various titles that describe the Spirit’s multifaceted work within the Trinity (co-union of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) and the world:

Name / Title Biblical Reference Role & Function
Advocate / Helper John 14:16; 16:7 Legal counsel who defends the believer and convicts the world.
The Spirit of Truth John 16:13 The Revelator who guides the Church into all truth.
The Presence Psalm 139:7; Rom 8:9 The immediate, personal presence of God with the believer.
Philip’s Guide Acts 8:26-39 The sovereign director of individual missionary encounters (The Ethiopian Eunuch).
Mission Prophetic Acts 2:17-18 The source of visions and dreams for the “last days” mission.
High Priestly Unifier Ephesians 4:3 The “bond of peace” who maintains the unity Jesus prayed for in John 17.
Third Person of the Trinity Matt 28:19 Co-equal with the Father and Son in the baptismal formula and rule.
Spirit of the Sovereign Lord Isaiah 61:1 The one who anoints for the proclamation of liberty and justice.

4. Sovereign Rule Over World and Church

The Spirit is presented as the executive of God’s sovereign rule. He is not passive; He actively governs.

  • Sovereign Governance in the Church: In Acts 15:28, the Jerusalem Council concludes, “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” The Spirit is the Senior Partner in church government.

  • Sovereign Rule over the World: In John 16:8-11, the Spirit acts as a global prosecutor, “convicting the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” He reveals that the “ruler of this world” (Satan) stands judged.

Conclusion: The Unified Reality

By combining these texts, we see that the Spirit is the High Priestly Unifier, connecting the heavenly intercession of Christ with the Church’s earthly mission. He is the Revelator who ensures the Church does not fall into nominalism, the Prophet who directs expansion (like with Philip), and the Sovereign who ensures that Christ’s triumph over death and the demonic is not just a past event, but a present, manifested reality.

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Christ’s Intercessory Prayer

Staying in God’s presence is not merely a psychological state of mind; it is the lived reality of Jesus’ petition in John 17. In this prayer, Jesus acts as the “Bridge” that allows a human being to dwell in the presence of a holy God.

To understand how “staying in His presence” relates to this prayer, we have to look at three specific themes Jesus emphasizes: Union, Protection, and Truth.

1. The Geometry of Presence: “In” as a Location

In John 17, Jesus uses the preposition “in” repeatedly. He prays that the believers may be “in us” (John 17:21).

  • The Relationship: Staying in God’s presence fulfills Christ’s request for Divine Union—that believers all may be united with Jesus and the Father.

  • The Connection: Just as the Spirit intercedes within us (Romans 8:26), Jesus prays that we would be positioned “inside” the Trinitarian relationship. To “stay in His presence” is to remain aware of this position—that you are “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

2. Sanctification by Truth (The “Atmosphere” of Presence)

Jesus prays, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

  • The Logic: You cannot stay in God’s presence while entertaining lies or “the world’s” logic. Presence and Truth are inseparable.

  • The Practice: Staying in His presence involves a “washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5), in which the Word constantly cleanses your perspective. If you are out of alignment with the Truth, you will feel “distant” from the Presence, even though Christ’s prayer ensures you are never truly abandoned.

3. Protection from the “Evil One”

Jesus specifically asks the Father not to take us out of the world, but to “keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).

  • The Correlation: Staying in God’s presence is our primary “defence system.” In the High Priestly view, the “Presence” is a place of safety.

  • The Intercessory Link: This connects directly to Romans 8:28. The Spirit works all things for good by keeping us within the “High Priestly perimeter” Jesus prayed for. When we wander from a conscious awareness of God (leaving His “presence” in our minds), we become vulnerable to the “schemes” of Satan, which Jesus prayed against.

4. The Goal: Beholding Glory

The climax of John 17 is verse 24: “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory.” John 17:24

  • The Definition of Presence: Ultimately, “staying in God’s presence” is the practice of beholding the Glory of Christ.

  • The Result: As we behold His glory (through prayer, the Word, and the Spirit’s filling), we are transformed into that same image. This is the goal of sanctification.

Summary: Christ’s Intercessory Prayer

Staying in God’s presence is the active human response to the passive divine protection Jesus prayed for.

Jesus Prays (John 17) Our Response (Staying in Presence)
“Keep them in your name.” Trusting in God’s character and authority.
“That they may be one.” Maintaining the “unity of the Spirit” in the Body.
“Sanctify them in truth.” Renewing the mind and rejecting the world’s lies.
“That they may see my glory.” Consciously fixing our gaze on Christ throughout the day.

In essence, you don’t “create” God’s presence; you enter the presence that Jesus already demanded for you in John 17. The Spirit (Romans 8:28) then acts as the “inner witness” that confirms you are exactly where Jesus prayed you would be.

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Staying in God’s Presence

Maintaining the “filling” of the Spirit is not about earning God’s presence—which is already secured by Christ’s work—but about keeping the channels of communication and obedience open. In the New Testament, this is a cooperative effort between the believer’s will and the Spirit’s power.

1. “Abiding” in the Word and Prayer

As you noted with the High Priestly role of Christ, intercession is central to our spiritual life. To maintain the filling, we must align our minds with the “mind of the Spirit.”

  • Intake of Scripture: In Colossians 3:16, Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” Interestingly, the results Paul lists here (singing, thankfulness, healthy relationships) are identical to the results of being “filled with the Spirit” in Ephesians 5:18-21.

  • The Connection: The Spirit uses the Word as the “fuel” for the filling. To be filled with the Spirit is, in practice, to be “filled” with the thoughts and priorities of Christ.

2. The “Negative” Disciplines: Do Not Grieve or Quench

The New Testament gives two specific warnings about actions that “drain” the experience of being filled:

  • Do Not Grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30): We grieve the Spirit through relational sin (bitterness, anger, malice). Because the Spirit is holy, He is “pained” by unholiness in His temple. Grieving the Spirit stops the flow of His influence.

  • Do Not Quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19): To “quench” is to throw water on a fire. We do this by resisting His prompts or devaluing His Word.

3. Walking by the Spirit (Active Dependence)

In Galatians 5:16, Paul commands us to “Walk by the Spirit.” This suggests a step-by-step dependence.

  • The Practice: It is the habit of “breathing” spiritually—exhaling confession of sin and inhaling the Spirit’s power through a conscious “Yes” to God’s prompts throughout the day.

  • Sanctification Link: This is where Romans 12:2 comes alive. By choosing not to be “conformed to this world” in small, daily decisions, you create the “space” for the Spirit to fill.

4. Corporate Discipline (The “Together” Filling)

In Ephesians 5:18-21, the “filling” leads directly to communal activities: “addressing one another in psalms… submitting to one another.”

  • The Logic: You cannot be fully “Spirit-filled” in total isolation. The Spirit is the “bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), and His filling is often experienced most intensely within the Body of Christ.

Summary: The Cycle of Maintenance

Discipline Action Result
Abiding Saturating in Scripture The Spirit has the “tools” (truth) to work with.
Confession Not Grieving the Spirit The “channel” remains clear of relational debris.
Walking Momentary Obedience Power is applied to specific situations (e.g., patience).
Community Mutual Submission The Spirit’s love is manifested and reinforced.

This brings us full circle to Romans 8:26-28. The Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness, but as we practice these disciplines, we move from being “victims” of our weakness to being “more than conquerors.”

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The Evidence of the Fruit of the Spirit

To understand how the Fruit of the Spirit serves as the empirical evidence of being “filled with the Spirit,” we have to look at the transition from the internal work (Regeneration) to the external manifestation (Sanctification).

In the New Testament, the “filling” of the Spirit is not a static state of “feeling” holy; it is a dynamic pressure that pushes specific virtues into the believer’s life, displacing the natural “works of the flesh.”

1. The Evidence: Character vs. Gifts

While the “filling” in Acts sometimes resulted in spiritual gifts (like tongues or prophecy), Paul’s letter to the Galatians highlights the Fruit as the definitive evidence of a life controlled by the Spirit.

  • The Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21): These are the “default settings” of human nature—discord, jealousy, fits of anger, and selfish ambition.

  • The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Sanctification is essentially the process of the Spirit “pruning” the former and “cultivating” the latter. Notice that “Fruit” is singular in Greek (karpos); it represents a unified character profile produced by the Spirit’s filling, grounded in Christ’s salvation.

2. The Empirical Test: The “Pressure” Analogy

If you want to know what a sponge is filled with, you don’t look at it while it sits on the counter; you look at what comes out when it is squeezed.

In the New Testament, the “filling” of the Spirit is most visible during trials.

  • Stephen (Acts 7:55): While being stoned, he was “full of the Holy Spirit” and responded with forgiveness, mirroring Christ’s High Priestly heart.

  • Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25): While in prison, they were filled with joy and sang hymns.

This is the “Renewal” mentioned in Romans 12:2. The empirical evidence of sanctification is a supernatural response to natural pressure. Instead of the “Works of the Flesh” (anger, retaliation) leaking out, the “Fruit of the Spirit” (peace, gentleness) is produced.

3. The Relation to the Will (Self-Control)

It is a profound paradox that the final fruit listed is self-control.

  • The Logic: To be “filled with the Spirit” (yielded to God’s control) results in a person who finally has “self-control” (control over their own impulses).

  • The Connection to Titus 3: 5 The “washing of regeneration” gives you the capacity for this new life, but the “filling” is the moment-by-moment exercise of it.

He saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

4. How the Fruit Connects the Trinity

The Trinity is comprised of the three personhoods of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  1. The Father is the Vinedresser who prunes us (John 15:1).

  2. The Son (Christ) is the Vine; we must abide in Him to bear fruit (John 15:5).

  3. The Spirit is the “sap” or the life-force that actually produces the fruit.

Final Synthesis

The Fruit is the “visible sanctification” of the believer. It proves that the “washing” of Titus 3:5 was effective. When the Spirit fills you to produce “Love,” He is effectively answering Christ’s prayer in John 17:26: “that the love with which you [the Father] have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Romans 8:29-30 indicates that the character of Jesus Christ is replicated in a human being through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Romans 8:29-30 ESV

Being Filled with the Spirit — Sharing in the Glory of Jesus

What happens when God glorifies a human being? First, he gives them a share of his own glory and the glory of his Son. And this is only possible when the Spirit indwells our hearts and minds.

“When God glorifies his children, he gives us a share in his glory.”

If we are children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:17)

Notice: “Glorified with him!” When God glorifies his children, he does to them something like what he did to Jesus, exalting him to his right hand above every rule and authority. He gives us a share in that glory.

Through Christ we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. (1 Peter 5:1)

When God glorifies a human being, he grants to that person the privilege of beholding his infinite beauty and progressively becoming like him as much as a creature can. “When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).

When we accept Jesus, we have legal standing (Justification); concomitantly, we are unified and progressively glorified with Christ as we grow in His grace through the Spirit’s indwelling (internal renewal, Regeneration); and we bear outward evidence (Fruit).  

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The Fruit of the Spirit

To understand how the Fruit of the Spirit serves as the empirical evidence of being “filled,” we have to look at the transition from the internal work (Regeneration) to the external manifestation (Sanctification).

In the New Testament, the “filling” of the Spirit is not a static state of “feeling” holy; it is a dynamic pressure that pushes specific virtues into the believer’s life, displacing the natural “works of the flesh.”

1. The Evidence: Character vs. Gifts

While the “filling” in Acts sometimes resulted in spiritual gifts (like tongues or prophecy), Paul’s letter to the Galatians highlights the Fruit as the definitive evidence of a life controlled by the Spirit.

  • The Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21): These are the “default settings” of human nature—discord, jealousy, fits of anger, and selfish ambition.

  • The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Sanctification is essentially the process of the Spirit “pruning” the former and “cultivating” the latter. Notice that “Fruit” is singular in the Greek (karpos); it represents a unified character profile produced by the Spirit’s filling.

2. The Empirical Test: The “Pressure” Analogy

If you want to know what a sponge is filled with, you don’t look at it while it sits on the counter; you look at what comes out when it is squeezed.

In the New Testament, the “filling” of the Spirit is most visible during trials.

  • Stephen (Acts 7:55): While being stoned, he was “full of the Holy Spirit” and responded with forgiveness, mirroring Christ’s High Priestly heart.

  • Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25): While in prison, they were filled with joy and sang hymns.

This is the “Renewal” mentioned in Romans 12:2. The empirical evidence of sanctification is a supernatural response to natural pressure. Instead of the “Works of the Flesh” (anger, retaliation) leaking out, the “Fruit of the Spirit” (peace, gentleness) is produced.

3. The Relation to the Will (Self-Control)

It is a profound paradox that the final fruit listed is self-control.

  • The Logic: To be “filled with the Spirit” (yielded to God’s control) results in a person who finally has “self-control” (control over their own impulses).

  • The Connection to Titus 3: The “washing of regeneration” gives you the capacity for this new life, but the “filling” is the moment-by-moment exercise of it.

4. How the Fruit Connects the Trinity

Tying this back to your original interest in John 17 and Romans 8:

  1. The Father is the Vinedresser who prunes us (John 15:1).

  2. The Son (Christ) is the Vine; we must abide in Him to bear fruit (John 15:5).

  3. The Spirit is the “sap” or the life-force that actually produces the fruit.

When the Spirit fills you to produce “Love,” He is effectively answering Christ’s prayer in John 17:26: “that the love with which you [the Father] have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Final Synthesis

The Fruit is the “visible sanctification” of the believer. It proves that the “washing” of Titus 3 was effective and that the “intercession” of Romans 8 is being answered. It is the character of Jesus Christ being replicated in a human being through the agency of the Holy Spirit.

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The Filling of the Holy Spirit

The phrase “filled with the Spirit” (and its grammatical variations) appears primarily in the writings of Luke (Gospel of Luke and Acts) and once in the writings of Paul. While it is often associated with miraculous signs, its New Testament usage reveals a deeper connection to sanctification—the process by which a believer is set apart and empowered for God’s purposes.

1. New Testament Occurrences

The term generally falls into two categories: a sovereign endowment for a specific task and a habitual state of Christian character.

Reference Context / Recipient Purpose / Manifestation
Luke 1:15 John the Baptist Set apart from the womb for prophetic ministry.
Luke 1:41 Elizabeth Prophetic exclamation/recognition of the Messiah.
Luke 1:67 Zechariah Prophetic worship and prediction (The Benedictus).
Acts 2:4 The Disciples (Pentecost) Empowerment to speak in other languages; the birth of the Church.
Acts 4:8 Peter Boldness to testify before the religious leaders (Sanhedrin).
Acts 4:31 The Believers Boldness to continue speaking the word of God despite threats.
Acts 9:17 Saul (Paul) Recovery of sight and initiation into his apostolic calling.
Acts 13:9 Paul Spiritual authority to rebuke Elymas the sorcerer.
Acts 13:52 The Disciples A state of joy and perseverance amidst persecution.
Ephesians 5:18 All Believers A command to be “continually filled,” resulting in worship and submission.

2. Defining “Filling” in Regard to Sanctification

In systematic theology, it is crucial to distinguish between the Baptism of the Spirit (which happens once at conversion, incorporating the believer into the Body of Christ) and the Filling of the Spirit (which can be repeated and increased).

A. The Yielded Life (Control)

In the Greek of Ephesians 5:18, the command is plērousthe (be filled), which is in the passive voice. This implies that the believer does not “fill themselves” but allows themselves to be controlled or permeated by the Spirit.

  • Sanctification Link: Sanctification is the process of the Spirit’s “territorial expansion” in the believer’s life. To be filled is to yield the “rooms” of one’s heart (will, intellect, emotions) to the Spirit’s influence.

B. Power for Service (Boldness)

As seen in Acts 4:8 and 4:31, filling is often linked to boldness.

  • Sanctification Link: Part of being made holy (sanctified) is the movement from self-preservation to God-glorification. The Spirit fills the believer to overcome the “fleshly” fear of man, enabling them to act with a courage that is not their own.

C. The Fruit of the Spirit (Character)

While “filling” in Acts often looks like power, Paul’s command in Ephesians 5 connects it to joy, thankfulness, and mutual submission.

  • Sanctification Link: This is the “renewal” aspect you noted in Romans 12. A Spirit-filled person exhibits the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Sanctification is the Spirit replacing the “works of the flesh” with His own character.

3. The Distinction: Position vs. Condition

To understand how this relates to the verses you studied earlier (Titus 3, Romans 12):

  1. Regeneration (Titus 3:5): Gives you a new life.

  2. Indwelling (Romans 8:9): Gives you a new Resident.

  3. Filling (Ephesians 5:18): Gives you new Power/Control.

Sanctification is the bridge between indwelling and filling. While the Spirit always lives in the believer (positional sanctification), the believer is not always filled by the Spirit (progressive sanctification). The “filling” is the moment-by-moment experience of the Spirit’s presence dominating the believer’s conduct.

Summary

In the New Testament, being “filled with the Spirit” is the active expression of sanctification. It is the state where the Holy Spirit’s presence is so pervasive that the believer’s speech, actions, and character are dictated by the Spirit’s will rather than their own natural impulses.