“Belief” is not an instant in time because the exact translation is not ”belief” but fidelity from “pistis” in the Greek.
Now, what is fidelity? It is the “the quality or state of being faithful” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Although faith is variable, in scripture it varies from no faith to the faith of God. Infidels have no faith, newborn Christians a little faith and those with the faith of Abraham, great faith. Those with little faith have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed. [i]
The notion of mustard seed is used because faith must grow from one of the smallest seeds to great fruits: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. [ii] If the “vine” fails to grow what happens? It withers and dies.
The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was likely a fig tree. Adam and Eve were there when they made “aprons of fig leaves.” In all probability, those aprons withered, and God made them new substantial, efficacious clothes from skins from lambs whose lives were the propitiation for theirs.
Jesus saw the fig tree in the morning: “When He saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.” And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!” (Mat 21:20).
Jesus made an example of the fig tree. It was alive but without fruit, so Jesus defied time. He allowed the fig tree to wither on its own without even touching it. Jesus knew that with no fruit, it was as if a dead tree. The tree did not reject Jesus but failed to perform its purpose to grow fruit! Why would that even be in scripture? To make a point! No one cares about that fig tree but should about lively Christians who wither and die.
Jesus said, “Marvel not; ye must be born again!” (John 3:7). The disciples “marveled” about the tree, “How soon has it withered away.” That example is not a page-filler in books of the Bible, but examples of “born again” Christians withering away because they, perhaps, get little “plant” food — their Daily Bread.
God made Adam and Eve coats of skin. He sanctified them. They had been “born again” with new clothes that they made for their new natures, but God saw their work as futility, and made them durable clothes.
In the Old Testament, Moses sanctified the Hebrews. He directed them to wash their clothes to present themselves clean to God. [iii] Baptism is more symbolic of sanctification than it is soterial.
The withered tree did not have enough water, so it withered. Christians often have “Living Water” but just a sprinkle. That Living Water represents the Holy Ghost that Jesus gave up.
Some Christians are like the fig tree that had some water but not enough that it would not dry up. Then what happened? The fig tree withered, fell away, and died. “Falling away” in scripture is “apostasy” (Strong’s Dictionary). [iv]
Some theologians make a distinction between falling away and apostasy, but the outcome of falling away is apostalization. The latter is rejecting God. Infidels reject God outright. On the other hand, Christians who fall away do so gradually that with “leaves” alone they think they have “fruit.” Then one day, they look at the ground and marvel that their leaves too are dead. Of course, the leaves represent spiritual life.
Ergonomics in the case of the fig tree would have been easy work. Rather than roots struggling for water, if only they had remained in “Jesus” “The Vine” would have given them living water.
Of course, fig trees are without a mind, and oftentimes Christians are mindless — they think they can survive the evil one without “Water” from Jesus. Many waters flow from the belly of Jesus, but that water was spilt on the ground. Like the fig tree, Christians must be rooted enough to take it in.
“Ergonomics” is the economy of work. Work can be efficient and the wages fair, or even plentiful. However, the worker must do some work. In the case of faith, God gives it, but the Christian are to grow it.
He or she is the “husbandman’s” helper. The seed of faith is free but the size of a mustard seed. Mustard grows tiny pea-size fruit with only one seed. So, faith that size multiplies very little and the fruit is not so good. Desert scavengers such as goats and camels gobble up the mustard-tasting leaves even before bearing the fruit. Faith that size is gobbled-up by principalities and such from the desert region of the netherworld. They devour the leaves even before any of the plants bear fruit.
The point is that the fig tree belonged to God. He planted it in the beginning from an original seed. The fig tree was symbolic of a living soul planted from His seed in the Garden.
Because, it failed to bear fruit, Jesus watched it die. What did the tree need to do? Overcome the world. It would have grown well in the Garden of Eden but in the world, it was much more difficult.
Of course, the tree had nothing it could do about the situation. However, when the wind planted the seed in that place, the place was not ideal. The same goes for Christians. The “seed” that God plants in Christians must be in good soil, in the best environment, and fertilized. The tree was steadfast, but it could not move except by the husbandman. Christians must also turn to the Husbandman (God) as well to grow good fruit. Otherwise, Christians will wither and die even with Jesus looking on.
The efficient and safe work that a Christian must do is take the gift of faith, and they along with God grow it. Under God’s care, faith shall be covered with a shield of God. That shield is the “Word” [v] To obtain the Shield, it comes with the whole armor of God. Now this makes sense! “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephes 6:11).
What part of staying alive does the Christian have? Put on the armor of God. God supplies the armor, but the Christian must install and wear it!
If anyone is eternally secure, why would they need to put on armor? To be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Because Christians are in danger of withering and dying. That “Armour,” just what is it? Sanctification. That’s your part in safety.
Moses made sure that the Hebrews sanctified themselves, but now all Christians need to do is to present themselves as a living sacrifice, [vi] and God does the rest.
The “washing” is the same as in the Old Testament, but God took the same “rags” and made the washing much more efficient and safe. He did the washing and the “Water” that He uses is without hazardous ingredients. It is pure Water from the belly of Jesus! The process is the same now as with Moses, but God cleanses and preserves much more ergonomically.
Christians often misunderstand scripture. You must be born again! [vii] Nowhere does scripture say, “You must get saved.” If it does, then it would be you who directs the salvation and that makes you the God. Rebirth (born again) is by persuasion. God gave you the mind, and it is the obligation of the mindful to use it. That process is cognition.
Creation, or the first birth, created the mind with only good thoughts. [viii] The forbidden tree introduced evil, or carnal, thoughts. Adam and Eve then had carnal knowledge — knowledge of the flesh. That was not so good!
Rebirth entails the same condition. It is for the thoughts of Christians to be as the thoughts of God, because sinners have different ways and thoughts. [ix] Rebirth entails thinking differently than how the person is born.
Like it or not, everyone is born with thoughts like the Wicked One. Therefore, like in the Parable of the Tares, natural-born people are of the Wicked One, and it is his thoughts that they do; to wit: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:44).
The task for anyone is to cease thinking and lusting like the Devil and think and perform as God does. Rebirth is the moment a person realizes that! How so? That you alone cannot overcome the poisonous vipers, but Jesus can and will if only you think and walk differently. That means to step wherever you may, but always look at what Jesus can do. [x] Do those thoughts and ways save? If you think that way, have you been saved? No, you have been “born again” to start life all over again.
From whom or what are Christians saved? They are saved from the wiles of the Devil. When does that occur? When they cease thinking and acting as the Devil. When does that occur? When the Devil can no longer influence your thoughts and lusts!
Salvation occurs, not when born again, but at death. Paul said that about himself; “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21). Just what is “gain?” To be with Christ and away from the influence of the Devil. If you are “saved” then you had to die for that “gain.” Just what are you then? Safe!
“He that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Mat 10:22). The context for “sozo” (Strong’s Dictionary) there is correct, because “the end” is the end of living in the world. It is death! Sozo (saved) in that context is rightfully “saved” because nothing further can happen to the soul.
On the other hand, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom 10:13). That sounds simple. You call; and that is it! No longer can the Devil shoot his barbs, so why put on the armor.
Well, calling on Jesus provides the armor… Put it on me, Lord! Why armor? For safety. The correct context for this passage is “safe.” (ibid). It would be better translated as “are safe” because the safety is not sometime in the future (shall) but that instant. Perhaps the translators were thinking of the end when salvation would occur from the condition of safety.
“Salvation” can also be transliterated two ways from the Greek word, “soteria.” That word can mean either salvation or safety (ibid). For those who are born again, the condition (or economy) is one of safety until they have salvation in the end. While safe, those in safety have the “hope of salvation.” [xi] Hope purveys a sense of uncertainty, and that keeps the person safe and understands the need for sobriety and vigilance: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8). Why be cautious? So that the Devil will not devour you! How does the Devil devour? He gradually eats away at your thoughts until you belong to him!
Say it like it is: If you are a Christian, you are “converted,” resulting in a rebirth. Your mind is changed and you become a new person who thinks and acts like Jesus — Christlike.
If you slack off, then the Christian forfeits his or her adoption by God, [xii] and returns to their natural father, the Devil. It may happen so slowly that it is more than quickly falling, but falling after a period of withering, and so slowly that it is undetectable. But like Jesus at the fig tree, He sees it happening.
Jesus could have made the fig tree come to life again as he did with human beings. That tree no longer belonged to him. Its branches never reached out to touch Him as the woman at the well did His garment. The safe condition is to always stay within reach of God so you can touch Him, and His virtue can flow from Him to you to restore your “blood issue.” [xiii] The healed woman had a blood issue for twelve years. He healed her. It was not too late!
Sinners have a blood issue from birth. Sin is from birth, like David, we were “shapen in iniquity” [xiv] or in sin. Iniquitous is not one sin but a sinful nature. It is in the blood of everyone since the fall of Adam.
Adam fell. If a man created righteous (entirely good) can fall, a man or woman born in iniquity is doomed to failure. You are not above the lusts that Adam endured, and to think so, makes you too “as God.” [xv]
You can and will fail, even of righteous, unless you remain sober and vigilant. To think you are saved is irrational and incautious. Always pray to God to keep you safe from the harm of the Evil One. “Salvation” is when the Christian no longer need fear Satan, and that is at the time of death.
This commentary covers some crucial, and often misconstrued theological terms, that trivialize true doctrine. Saying that you are “saved” and then falling away, would make you “unsaved” — “not absolved from eternal punishment” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).
Unsaved cannot come after saved. Unsaved, for the Christian, is irrational. Rebirth, if it meant regenerated, would mean that there would be no falling away, and to fall away would be irrational. That is crazy talk and the use of non-sensical theological terms that do not apply, make Arminians sound crazy!
Regeneration, if it is only born again, would not make sense. Regeneration as a return to the generated condition as in Genesis. The exact translation in Genesis 1:31 is not “very good” but “entirely good” (Strong’s Dictionary).
Christian perfection does not come until glorification: when the body, soul, and mind live in the Presence of the Light of God. Hence, “regeneration” commences at rebirth and ends at glorification. Jesus’s own experience ended in glorification after his death and resurrection. He returned to his incorruptible flesh in which He pre-existed, [xvi] so pure that he could not be touched.
Just as living babies in the womb can be aborted, so can Christians in their “womb” of the world. Just as “devils” abort babies, the Devil aborts “fetal’ Christians who are not sanctified in an invisible shield of God.
Christians beware, like a cat in the night on a sleeping child, the Devil can suck the breath of life out of sleeping Christians: “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed” (Rom 13:11).
“Salvation” is time dependent. As can be seen, “shall be” is futuristic and so is “salvation is nearer.” Nearer than when? “When we first believed!”
But you thought this passage was the ultimate truth: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36a). Of course, it is truth, but it ends with a modifier: “…he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36b).
To whom did Jesus answer? The disciples of John. He was warning them to be vigilant; that eternal life was based on belief. It was a warning that belief must be paramount and maintained until the end; not just seeing and realizing, but understanding and following, not just for the moment but to the end!
John may have baptized in deep water because they believed,
but compared to the Living Water from Jesus, even John’s water was shallow. In
other words, belief must run deep, and that is faith. Faith must be maintained to
the end, and that means more than sinking in shallow waters but swimming even
upstream in the water and blood of Jesus.
The commentary will continue with persuasion and working out tomorrow. Perhaps that will conclude the series.(picture credit: Patheos; "The Fig Tree Withering")
Persuasion
Work out salv
