The Whole Matter
The Whole Matter
(#365 from Suffer Well Devotional Series©)
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“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear the Almighty and keep His commandments, for this is man’s whole duty. For the Mighty One will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
You were created in the image of Yahweh and to keep His commands. Your carnal attempt at “free will” will always end in a death of His choice, just as in the Garden of Eden. Your whole duty is to obey Yahweh, a death of self that should be the only choice, just as offered in the Garden of Gethsemane! This will transform you into His image, to a perfect man [perfection], to the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Messiah (Ephesians 4:13). And do not think it pride that you are called to such a lofty place; you are joint heirs with the Messiah (Romans 8:17). And He thought it perfectly acceptable, and even more so, was commanded to be like His Father. Don’t be fooled loved one; there will be a death either way. The only question is whether you will bow willingly or be forced.
Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Yahshua, who, being in the form of the Mighty One, did not consider it robbery to be equal with the Mighty One, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the stake. Therefore the Mighty One also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Yahshua [Yahweh saves] every knee should bow, of those in Heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Yahshua the Messiah is Master, to the glory of the Almighty Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
With this confession on your lips, let’s revisit the first Garden and ask ourselves, “Were they given choices or commands?” Yahshua’s example in the second Garden, as well as these bold words, can help you with the answer. “If you love Me, keep My commands.” (John 14:15) You must settle this answer inside of you, once for all times, and then you must live by it! Let this mind be in you which was also in the Messiah Yahshua. The Kingdom within (Luke 17:21) is the mind of the Messiah in you (1 Corinthians 2:16). It is the conclusion of the whole matter.
If you have eyes to see and ears to hear, read this aloud; “I was never intended to think for myself, but rather only to have His mind in me.” This will transform every aspect of your life. And make no mistake, life, the entirety of it, the whole duty of it, is lived first in the mind! And if you are willing to surrender your will, it can be lived with His mind, the Messiah in you, the hope of glory. (Colossian 1:27) Your soul, your conscience, lives forever and for those who obey rather than insist they have a choice, “forever” is pure bliss. The others, those forced to bow, whose conscience is seared (1 Timothy 4:2), will involuntarily acknowledge Yahweh’s glory, but will live forever absent His presence. Hell indeed!
Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, had it all. He had every luxury the world could offer, all the riches of the physical realm. And how did these strong attachments impact this most valuable gift of the Father? It turned his wisdom into vanity. His final reckoning, his repentance; his conclusion of the whole matter; fear the Almighty and keep His commandments. All else is “vanity!” “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2) The result of “choosing” to go against what Yahweh commands: Vanity!
And so, again, if you have eyes to see and ears to hear, read this aloud; “If I give up the idea that I have a right to my own thoughts, my obedience will allow me to become all I was intended to be; I will attain the Holy mind.” This is exactly what His Covenant (unilateral mind contract with fallen men) guarantees loved one. When all vanity is washed away, the Kingdom of Yahweh will manifest in the Holy of Holies of your mind. He will have total dominion over all of your thoughts. The result: a conscience without sin (Hebrews 9:14)! This, loved one, is the conclusion of the whole matter!
To All Our Loved Friends Who Traveled With Us,
Thank you for taking this devotional journey to the Kingdom within.
Michael & Jeffrey
P. S. “It” is “not” finished; go back to #001 Merciful One and travel deeper!