The Greatest Miracle in the Universe (God-man) vs. Miracle (New Man) vs. Ancient Relic (Old Man)

 

The Greatest Miracle in the Universe (God-man) vs. Miracle (New Man) vs. Ancient Relic (Old Man)

John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

2 Peter 1:4 "...partakers of the divine nature."

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."

Ephesians 2:15-16 "...having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity."

Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."

Ephesians 4:24 "And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."

Colossians 3:9 "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds." 

Aspect	The Greatest Miracle in the Universe (God-man)	Miracle (New Man)	Ancient Relic (Old Man)
Meaning	A person born of God, possessing God's life and nature, a child of God	A corporate man created by Christ on the cross, created according to God, having God's life and nature	The old creation from Adam, corrupted by sin, living in the vanity of the mind
Distinction	Change at the individual life level: sinners becoming children of God	Entity at the corporate level: believers from different backgrounds forming one new man	Former manner of life, a person corrupted according to Satan's lusts
Examples	Every regenerated believer who possesses the divine life and can imitate God	The church as a whole, without distinction of race or cultural background, Christ being all and in all	The state before salvation, or living patterns not yet put off
Application	Living out God's life and nature, imitating God, being perfect as the heavenly Father	Living in practical righteousness and holiness, expressing God, representing God to deal with the enemy	Needs to be put off, crucified, buried, and no longer lived in
Interrelationship	God-men are the basic constituents of the new man; God-men must exist before the new man can be formed	The new man is the corporate expression of God-men; God-men form the new man, which displays God's image and authority	The old man must be put off before the new man can be put on; the old man and new man are in opposition
Relevant Scripture Passages	1 John 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" 1 John 3:9 "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."	Colossians 3:10-11 "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all."	Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." Ephesians 4:22 "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts."

 

Conclusion:

From a biblical perspective, these three concepts form a complete picture of spiritual transformation:

1.      Old Man (Ancient Relic): Represents the fallen descendants of Adam, living in sin, deceived by Satan, needing to be crucified and buried.

2.      New Man (Miracle): Represents the corporate entity created by Christ on the cross, the highest meaning of the church, surpassing merely being the Body of Christ, displaying God's image and authority, living in righteousness and holiness.

3.      God-man (The Greatest Miracle in the Universe): Represents a person born of God, having God's life and nature, the basic constituent of the new man, able to imitate God and represent Him.

The main transformation among these three is: we need to put off the old man, put on the new man, and live out the life of a God-man, which is the practical meaning of "learning Christ." This transformation is described as "the greatest miracle in the universe" because it makes sinners become children of God, possessing the divine life and nature.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 23 God’s Children Walk in Love and Light

The Greatest Miracle in the Universe (God-Man) vs. The Greatest Sign in the Universe (New Man)

 

The Greatest Miracle in the Universe (God-Man) vs. The Greatest Sign in the Universe (New Man)

1 John 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! And we are!"

Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace." 

Item	The Greatest Miracle in the Universe  (God-Man)	Related Scriptures (God-Man)	The Greatest Sign in the Universe  (New Man)	Related Scriptures  (New Man)
Meaning	Children of God, born of Him, possessing His life and nature, belonging to His kind	1 John 3:1 "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! And we are!"	The church as the corporate new man, created by Christ on the cross to express and represent God	Genesis 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion…'"
Difference	Individual level: Each believer is born again by faith in Christ and becomes a God-man	John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood… but of God."	Corporate level: The believers together form the church as the new man	Ephesians 2:15 "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."
Examples	The transformation of Peter, Paul, and other apostles from natural men to spiritual men	2 Peter 1:4 "By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."	The church as the Body of Christ, living out Christ as God's testimony on earth	Colossians 3:10-11 "And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him… where there is neither Greek nor Jew… but Christ is all and in all."
Application	Believers pursue sanctification, imitate Christ, and live out the divine life	Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children."	Believers live in the church life in oneness, building up one another as the new man	Ephesians 4:24 "And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness."
Interrelation	Individual God-men constitute the corporate new man	Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."	The new man is formed by many God-men to fulfill God’s purpose	Ephesians 6:10-11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might… Put on the whole armor of God…"

 

Conclusion:

The greatest miracle in the universe is that sinful human beings can be born of God and become His children (God-men). However, God's ultimate purpose is not just individual transformation but a corporate expression. This is fulfilled in the greatest sign in the universe—the new man, the church as Christ’s Body, expressing and representing God in His kingdom. Every believer as a God-man contributes to the formation of the new man, who will fully manifest God's image and authority.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 23 God’s Children Walk in Love and Light

Comparison Analysis of Children of God, Children of Love, and Children of Light

 

Comparison Analysis of Children of God, Children of Love, and Children of Light

1 John 3:1 "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are"

John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God"

Ephesians 5:1 "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children"

1 John 4:7 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God"

Ephesians 5:8 "For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light"

1 Thessalonians 5:5 "For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness" 

Aspect	Children of God	Children of Love	Children of Light
Meaning	Born of God, possessing God's life and nature, true offspring of God	Living in God's love and manifesting God's love	Illuminated by God's light and able to reflect God's light
Distinction	Emphasizes identity and the essence of life, the basic identity of Christians	Emphasizes living and practicing in love, displaying characteristics similar to God	Emphasizes moral behavior and testimony, displaying a life separate from darkness
Examples	Born-again believers Those who accept Jesus as Savior Those indwelt by the Holy Spirit	Believers who love one another Believers willing to forgive others Believers who sacrifice for others with God's love	Believers who practice truth and reject darkness Those who expose and reject dark deeds Those who shine as lights in the world
Application	Recognizing one's identity Enjoying intimate relationship with God Living out the dignity of God's children Entering into the inheritance of God's children	Imitating God's love Walking in love Practicing sacrificial love Demonstrating God's love to the world	Discerning good and evil Maintaining holy living Rejecting works of darkness Being light in the world
Interrelationship	Foundational Identity - Being children of God is the most basic identity upon which the other two identities are built	Life Practice - Being children of love is the expression and practice of God's children in the dimension of love	Life Testimony - Being children of light is the expression of God's children in behavior and testimony
Detailed Related Scriptures	Romans 8:14-17 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God...fellow heirs with Christ" Galatians 4:6-7 "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God" 1 John 3:2 "Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is"	John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" Ephesians 5:2 "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" Colossians 3:12-14 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience...And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony"	Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world...let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" 1 John 1:5-7 "God is light, and in him is no darkness at all...But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin" Philippians 2:15 "That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world"

 

Conclusion:

From biblical teachings, we can see that "Children of God," "Children of Love," and "Children of Light" describe different aspects of believers' spiritual reality. These three identities are actually coherent and complementary:

• "Children of God" is our basic identity, indicating that we are born of God and have God's life and nature
• "Children of Love" is the practice and expression of God's children in the dimension of love
• "Children of Light" is the expression of God's children in behavior and testimony

When we understand and live out these three identities, we can more fully manifest God's attributes and image. Because God is both love and light, we as His children are called to walk in love and reflect His light.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 23 God’s Children Walk in Love and Light

Being Rooted and Grounded in Love vs. The Body of Christ Building Itself Up in Love

 

Being Rooted and Grounded in Love vs. The Body of Christ Building Itself Up in Love

Ephesians 3:17: "That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love"

Ephesians 4:16: "Out from whom all the Body, being joined together and being knit together through every joint of the rich supply and through the operation in the measure of each one part, causes the growth of the Body unto the building up of itself in love" 

Aspect	Being Rooted and Grounded in Love	The Body of Christ Building Itself Up in Love
Meaning	Refers to individuals being rooted and establishing a firm foundation in divine love, which is the basis for personal spiritual growth	Refers to the collective building process of the entire Body of Christ, emphasizing corporate growth and edification
Focus	Personal spiritual experience and growth	The building up of the church as the Body of Christ
Process	Receiving, appreciating, and enjoying Christ through faith and love	Members being joined together, caring for one another, and building up in love
Foundation	God loves us first, and we respond to Him with divine love	Members coordinating in love and serving one another
Result	Personal life being transformed, saturated by God, becoming holy and without blemish	The building up, growth, and maturity of the Body of Christ, reaching the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
Examples	Individuals experiencing God's love through prayer, Bible reading, and communion with the Lord, and responding with love toward God and others	Believers loving one another, supporting each other, bearing with one another, serving one another, and coordinating in service
Practical Applications	• Cultivating a personal intimate relationship with God • Practicing experiencing and responding to God's love in daily life • Receiving and enjoying Christ through faith • Experiencing transformation and growth in life through love	• Practicing mutual love in church life • Caring for weaker members • Speaking the truth in love • Coordinating with one another in service • Avoiding having only knowledge of the truth without the practice of love
Challenges	May focus only on personal spiritual experience while neglecting building relationships with other believers	May talk about high peak truths but lack the practice of love, leading to being puffed up rather than being built up
Interrelationship	Individual rooting in love is the foundation for the building of the Body of Christ; without individual believers being rooted in love, the Body cannot be properly built up	The building of the Body of Christ provides the environment and opportunity for individuals to be rooted in love; through the building of the Body, individual lives can grow more abundantly
Relevant Scriptures	Ephesians 1:4: "Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blemish before Him in love" Ephesians 3:17: "That Christ may make His home in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love" 1 Timothy 1:14: "And the grace of our Lord superabounded with faith and love in Christ Jesus"	Ephesians 4:2: "With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing one another in love" Ephesians 4:15: "But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ" Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor"

 

Conclusion:

These two concepts, while distinct, are complementary to each other. "Being rooted and grounded in love" emphasizes the love relationship between the individual and God and the growth of personal life, while "the Body of Christ building itself up in love" focuses on the building process of the church as the Body of Christ. Both are founded on divine love and are mutually conditional, jointly promoting the growth and building up of both individual Christians and the collective Body.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 23 God’s Children Walk in Love and Light