Walking in the Light – The Pure Word

The main theme of this three-book series is the “much more” that Paul reveals in his letter to the believers in Rome. “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us! Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life!” (Romans 5:8-10, HCSB).

This “much more” has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. “What no eye has seen and no ear has heard, and what has never come into a man’s heart, is what God has prepared for those that love Him. Now God has revealed them to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the deep things of God. . . . Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, in order to know what has been freely given to us by God. We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people” (1 Corinthians 2:9-13, HCSB).

The books in this series focus on the “much more” that is ours in Christ, much more than being declared righteous by His blood, much more than being reconciled to God. This “much more” of being saved through Him from wrath, of being saved by His life, is revealed to us by God’s Spirit that He gives to dwell within the spirit of the born-again believer.

God begins by revealing to us that He has given all authority unto Jesus, making Him both Lord and Christ by the power of the resurrection from the dead. Submitting to Jesus as God’s ultimate authority in our lives by believing and repenting is the gateway into this “much more” that God has prepared for us (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:32-40).

God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him. He gives His Spirit to every genuine believer to teach us all that is ours in Christ (Acts 5:32; 1 Corinthians 2:12). This indwelling Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our heart “so we may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength” (Ephesians 1:18-19, HCSB).

The Spirit of Christ working mightily within the believer enables the believer, to hear God, and to obey God. “For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3, HCSB).

Much more than just having our past sins forgiven, we are enabled, by the powerful working of the Holy Spirit, to live godly lives; to be holy as He is holy. We are enabled by the Spirit of Christ working mightily within us to walk as Jesus walked, to live as Jesus lived (1 Peter 1:14-16; 1 John 2:3-6).

The Spirit reveals to us all the blessings that are ours in Christ, both in this age and in the age to come. We learn that, if we walk by the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We learn that the indwelling Holy Spirit equips us to be able to live lives worthy of God’s kingdom (Galatians 5:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:5).

This “much more” is much more than just getting saved and waiting to go to heaven when you die. This “much more” is God’s will for us, our sanctification. It is the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls. This “much more” is the Spirit of God working powerfully within the believer to transform us from the wretchedness of our old man into the glorious image of Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Peter 1:8-9; Romans 8:29, 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

This “much more” is living every day in the glorious presence of our risen Lord, rejoicing in our weaknesses that we might know Christ’s power residing in us. It is learning day by day that His grace is sufficient, because power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

This “much more” is “to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” It is the hope of attaining onto the best resurrection that we might rule and reign with Him. Not that we have attained the goal, but we press on toward the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus our Lord (Philippians 3:10-14; Revelation 20:4-6). This “much more” is the mystery of God. Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

This book, Walking in the Light – Following in His Steps, is the third book in the series “The Lord of All Things – A Trilogy of Truth.” It takes the reader even deeper into the truths of scripture. It reveals truths hidden within some of the more misunderstood passages of scripture and demonstrates the danger that comes from misunderstanding these passages.

It deals with often misunderstood subjects, such as the believer’s view of sin in the church and in the world. It considers the proper understanding of Romans, chapters five through eight and the impact that our understanding of those chapters has on how we live our Christian lives.

This book examines the meanings of the words, mercy and grace, and the effect our understanding of those words has on our walk as Christians. It also takes an extended look into the question of eternal security as presented in the scriptures. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, this book examines how Christ walked while on this earth and what implications His walk has on what God expects of us.

Book One, The Gospel of the Kingdom – God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ, is the first book in the series “The Lord of All Things – A Trilogy of Truth.” This book reveals God’s gift of love and mercy as He, in Christ, reconciled the world back to Himself. It reveals how this gift of mercy is available to any person, no matter who they are, where they are from, or what they have done. It also reveals how those that choose to receive this gift become a new creation, reconciled to God, having all their past sins forgiven, receiving the Holy Spirit!

This book includes a basic primer on living the Christian life, both individually and as a member of the body of Christ, the church. It also reveals scriptural truths concerning life after death and the coming judgment.

Book Two, The Victorious Christian – Inheriting the Promises, is the second book in the series “The Lord of All Things – A Trilogy of Truth.” This book takes the reader a little deeper into the truths of the scriptures. It reveals God’s provision to equip every true believer to overcome every obstacle and endure to the end, inheriting all the promises of God. This book focuses on the essential role that the Holy Spirit, dwelling within the believer, has in the Christian life.

It encourages the believer to grow in faith and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as they walk by the Spirit. It reveals how a steadfast walk by faith will prepare them for our Lord’s soon return, that they might inherit the promises!

My prayer is that the Word would draw the unbeliever to Jesus, and bring every genuine believer into a more intimate relationship with our Father in heaven, that we all might walk as Jesus walked, that we might follow in His steps!

God is glorified as we demonstrate our love for Him through our obedience and through our love for one another. We do this by speaking the truth to one another and encouraging each other to gladly suffer for Christ and to endure faithfully to the end.

These books have been designed as a resource for Bible study for both individuals and groups. The questions at the end of each chapter are intended to stimulate thought and discussion of the truths covered in each chapter.

It is my hope that these books will help each reader and each listener come to a deeper understanding of our God and of His ways. I pray that every person that reads or listens to these books will come to know Jesus as “The Lord of All Things” in their own lives.

~ Jon von Ernst