S E C O N D C H a N C E: The Isthmus of God the Supernatural Connection Between Persecution and Sanctification

By REV. PAUL G. BERGLUND

After more than four years of writing and a lifetime of experience, this book, The Isthmus of God, the supernatural connection between persecution for righteousness sake and sanctification of the Spirit, became a book of Gods great plan and purpose to all who believe.

Through the many circumstances of life, whether they are good or bad, right or wrong, in honor or in regret, God has a predestined plan for you.

It is the authors desire that all who read this book will discover for themselves their second chance in Gods amazing grace. This is The
Isthmus of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493197682

REV. PAUL G. BERGLUND

Author Biography: A Swccdish-American native son of the Green Mountain state of Vermont, Paul G. Berglund was born in a Christian home and raised in the environment of a Spirit filled church! At the age of seventeen, he was healed of a speech impediment and called of God into Christian ministry. He received his theological degree from North Central University, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He now resides with his wife, Pierrette, in Florida and Quebec. Through life experiences, he has learned first•hand of the challenges and the blessings of this "Isthmus of God". He is a first time author, with more to come!

Book preview

SECOND CHANCE

THE ISTHMUS OF GOD The Supernatural Connection between Persecution and Sanctification

REV. PAUL G. BERGLUND

Copyright © 2014 by Rev. Paul G. Berglund.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2014906555

ISBN:               Hardcover                             978-1-4931-9769-9

Softcover                               978-1-4931-9770-5

eBook                                    978-1-4931-9768-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

The scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by HYPERLINK "http://www.thomasnelson.com/" Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Rev. date: 01/06/2015

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Contents

Part 1:   Introduction

Part 2:   Our Condition

Part 3:   Our Dispersion

Part 4:   Our Election

Part 5:   Our Persecution

Part 6:   Our Sanctification

Part 7:   Our Blessing

PART ONE

INTRODUCTION

Divine Inspiration

Acknowledgment Of Definition And Purpose

In Appreciation

Why Do You Persecute Me?

Our Spiritual Journey Synopsis

Divine Inspiration

I always knew that someday I would write a book. Since early in my ministry, I could see that day coming but did not know yet when or what the book would be all about. Somehow, in the Spirit, I just knew it and planned on it.

By 1970, I thought that ten years in the ministry was long enough to have something to say, that it was time to write my book. So I started to pray, asking God to lead me and guide me in my writing. To my amazement and disappointment, the Holy Spirit had different plans for me. In a conversation, I still can remember forty-three years later, He said to me in no uncertain terms, This is not the time to write your book. You have not lived long enough yet, nor have you gone through much of the life I have planned for you. You have much to learn, and I have much to show you in the years to come. Then and only then will you write your book about my faithfulness to you. And I will tell you when it is time.

Well, those words were sudden and sufficient for me. Knowing they were from the Lord, I accepted the message as final. Within the next few days, I was led by the Holy Spirit to lay down my pen and pick up my paintbrush. This was no small matter as I had not painted for many years. Just like that, I was inspired to paint three abstract portraits based on scriptures, depicting the cross of Jesus Christ coming into this sinful world.

Portrait 1: Foreordained Before the Foundation of the World (1 Peter 1:19–20)

Portrait 2: Your Kingdom Come, Your Will Be Done (Matthew 6:9–13)

Portrait 3: And When He, The Spirit Has Come (John 16:8–15)

For the next few weeks, as I obeyed the Holy Spirit, I finished my gallery of pictures. All three of them have followed me around for all these years, awaiting the purpose of their calling.

In January 2009, some thirty-nine years since the Holy Spirit forbade me to write my book, He spoke to me again just like He had promised and said, It is now time to write your book. You have lived long enough to tell your story. How wonderful to have such a friend, who will never leave you but will help you to the very end. (Hebrews 13:5–6).

Having received this mandate from the Lord, I immediately began to review my personal files and journey of faith. At the same time, I was led by the Holy Spirit to take a closer look at 1 Peter 1:1–9. The end result of this was my writing on Our Spiritual Journey Synopsis, and the naming of this book.

By April 2010, I had been inspired to write a poem for my book called Absolute Need. This was the beginning of six poems that the Holy Spirit gave me in the next two years. All through this time and into 2013, the Holy Spirit continued to lead me and guide me in my writing. I wrote about my spiritual journey, but in the process, I learned a lot too. After all, my Helper was the Spirit of Truth.

On March 30, 2013, this first book on the isthmus of God was finally finished. After more than four years of writing and a lifetime of experience, the supernatural connection between persecution for righteousness’ sake and sanctification of the Spirit became a book of God’s great plan and purpose to all who believe.

In the weeks that followed, as my wife finished typing my manuscript, and corrections were made in our editing, the Holy Spirit once again spoke to me in remembrance saying, The portraits that I inspired you to paint in 1970 were for this time and place. They will tell the story of the isthmus of God, your Second Chance to explore the wonders of His love and grace.

To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen (Jude 25).

Acknowledgment of Definition and Purpose

Isthmus (Is-muss) is a Latin word that comes from the Greek word Isthmos.

When there is a narrow strip of land connecting two continents, that is an isthmus. When there is a neck of land between two seas, that is an isthmus. When there is a narrow part joining two large parts, that is an isthmus. In like manner, when two biblical truths are supernaturally connected together by God in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, that is a divine isthmus. God, in Christ Jesus, has bridged the gap. God’s will can be done on earth even as it is in heaven.

This supernatural connection between persecution for righteousness’ sake and sanctification of the Spirit is for spiritual maturity in the body of Christ, the church. It is to teach and to remind us that we, as believers, are the church, and that as members of His body, we are to live and walk accordingly.

With God’s help, we will come to understand that this becomes a holy union, and as in holy matrimony, What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. (Matthew 19:6).

It is my continued observation and experience from over fifty years of ministry that this Divine Isthmus of God will contribute greatly to our abiding in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming (1 John 2:28, 3:3).

By experiencing this, we will persevere to the very end. We will fight a good fight. We will finish the race well. We will keep the faith until eternal life.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all. Amen.

In Appreciation

In the thirty-ninth year of my life, in a moment of time when I thought all hope was gone, God heard and answered a lifelong prayer—to give me a wife of His own choosing. Believing in God’s promise to Adam, I had accepted it for myself many years earlier. And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him (Genesis 2:18). My daily prayer had been for years, Where is the wife that You prepared for me?"

I had always understood that God made Eve for Adam not because it was an afterthought, as there is no plan of God that is incomplete, but God did what He said He would do because it was not good for man to be alone. I knew that to be complete as a man and to be the minister that God had called me to be, I needed a wife.

When our paths crossed that night in a charismatic Catholic prayer meeting, I felt just like Adam did in the original creation. God, who is faithful to His promise, knew what was good for me. It didn’t matter that I was a protestant minister or my wife to be was a Catholic daughter. We were brought together by the Holy Spirit because we were both born again and filled with the Spirit.

When God gave me a wife of His own choosing, He also gave me a soul mate. This spiritual part of man; this essential part of everything good and pure, honest, and just; this personification of quality, virtue, and courage alike, would now be like clay in the Master’s hand.

May the God of peace Himself, sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

I will never forget how the Holy Spirit was in that place that memorable night long ago.

After thirty-five years of experiencing God’s gracious provision of a helper suitable for me, I want to publicly thank my wife Pierrette for all she means to me. She is the love of my life and the soul mate of my hope in Jesus Christ.

Together, we have celebrated the joys of holy matrimony and have proven the vows we made, For better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.

Together, we have shared the blessings of suffering for righteousness’ sake and look forward to the reward that is yet to come. Together, we are still learning how all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are two of the many thousands of harvesters in this end-time harvest of renewal and revival, looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Finally, I wish to thank my wife Pierrette for her love and support in writing this book. From the very beginning, she has shared my vision and calling of ministry and has participated in this great mystery of life, the isthmus of God. I thank her for the many hours, months, and years she persistently labored in reading and typing this manuscript.

For the constellations of corrections and improvements to the reading of this book and unto its final publishing, I am in her debt.

May the message of this book keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24).

Why Do You Persecute Me?

This book is dedicated to the millions upon millions of people who have suffered persecution for righteousness’ sake. As it is humanly impossible to comprehend this panoramic phenomenon of life, I invite you to join me as we go to a higher level of reasoning and truth—The word of God.

Regardless of who we are or where we come from or in whatever form of persuasion we may find ourselves in, I implore you, as a matter of life and death, to hear the word of the Lord. It is most urgent that we hear today what God has already said to us through His son, Jesus Christ. Tomorrow may be too late. (Hebrews 1:1–4; 2:1–4)

If you are right now suffering persecution for righteousness’ sake or have at any time in the past, this book is for you. If you are wondering why you are being persecuted for Christ’s sake or perhaps having difficulty in understanding or even accepting the plan and purpose of God for your life, this book is for you too.

As persecution can cause either growth or bitterness in the Christian life, you will come to understand that our response will determine the result. What a loss and even shame it is when we waste our life experiences, regardless of what nature they may be, when they all could have worked out for the good when we love the Lord and are committed to His plan and purpose. (Romans 8:28–30)

Therefore, with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is my intent to thoroughly yet simply answer this awesome question, Why do you persecute me? Using the word of God, seasoned with some of my own personal experiences and observations over a fifty-year life span of ministry, we will discover the way and the truth by which we may be one with Christ in this amazing isthmus of God; this supernatural connection between persecution for righteousness’ sake and sanctification of the Spirit. For we died and our life is hidden with Christ in God… in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 3:3 and 2:3).

This book is also dedicated to a spiritual people who have heard the call to pray for the hundreds of thousands of Christians and Christian leaders alike who are yielding or are on the threshold of yielding to the ever increasing temptation to abort persecutions for righteousness’ sake.

By the spirit of compromise, for the sake of political and religious correctness, biblical truths are suffering violence and are being denied. But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come for people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastfully proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:1–5).

In the righteousness of man, the righteousness of Christ is rejected, and another gospel abounds. In aborting the sufferings for Christ’s sake and choosing the more pleasing and easier way, the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit is also aborted.

It is my earnest prayer that all who read this book will come into this knowledge of the Lord, and that together we will experience His miraculous grace through His transforming power.

Above all, this book is dedicated to my wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who, Though he were a Son, yet he learned obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them who obey him (Hebrews 5:8–9). For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

Our Spiritual Journey Synopsis

In presenting this series of writings on the isthmus of God, I am fully persuaded by the word of God, that there is a definite and divine plan for each human being on earth. In finding this plan, we will come to see our election—the predestined will of God for all of us. This is where our dilemma starts as we must choose to go God’s way or our way.

Without apology, I am concerned with our earthly life and the choices we make every day. In the natural order, this is a time of living with our corruptible bodies, subject to sin, sickness, and eventual death.

Knowing all this, the scriptures teach us how to live now and how to be prepared for the end of our earthly life. The Bible says, Abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming… . Beloved, now are we the sons of God… and we know that when he is revealed, we shall see him as he is, and everyone who has this hope in him, purifies himself, just as he is pure (1 John 2:28 and 3:2).

The following truth is a scriptural synopsis of the subject material that will be covered in this book. Using 1 Peter 1:1–9 as a spiritual model and guide, we will take a look into our spiritual journey here on earth. The apostle Peter is writing to the early Christians, Jewish believers, who are struggling in the midst of persecution in their homeland of Asia. In the first verse, he addresses the letter to the pilgrims of the dispersion, those that have been scattered in various directions, separated, and moved apart. There is no doubt about it—they have been dispersed.

The common cause for all of this is obvious, especially to the spiritual eye. It was the persecution for righteousness’ sake that Jesus spoke of in His sermon on the mount, He had said it this way, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so they persecuted the prophets which were before you (Matthew 5:10–12).

It was through this circumstance that the gospel of Jesus Christ was spread around Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia in the early church days. God used the Dispersion caused by the persecution of the church to initiate the last recorded words of Jesus on earth that have come to be known as the great commission: Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth (Acts 1:8).

God works in our midst today in the very same way. It is not just in the spreading of the gospel around the world, but it is also the way He works in and around our personal lives as we begin to experience the effects of the gospel. It is for a righteous reason that we may know Christ and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10).

God allows dispersion in our lives and circumstances so that His will may be done on earth, even as it is in heaven. He often must move us before He can use us. Life has a way of scattering us out of our comfort zone. It may be through unexpected tragedy like sickness or even death. It could be the loss of a loved one or a breakdown of relationships in a marriage, family, or friend.

It could be the loss of your home or income or even your financial worth. Then again, it could be the sufferings of a great disappointment, or persecution, or the thoughtless action of people who seek to better themselves at the expense of others. It could also be a move you were not expecting to a place you would rather not be.

Whatever it might be, God has allowed this interruption, this dispersion, in your life to get your attention. He wants you to find and follow His plan and purpose for you in your life.

Something good is about to happen to you. God is a personal God, and above all other things, He is interested in you. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33).

In the second verse, the apostle Peter is addressing the status of these pilgrims. He is calling them elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. This reference is to our election or otherwise called predestination for salvation through Jesus Christ.

"Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will" (Ephesians 1:3–5).

Those who choose to respond positively to the gift of God, which is eternal life through Jesus Christ, become the elect of God. If you have chosen Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, then you too are the elect of God. It is God’s will that all would be His elect. (2 Peter 3:9) It is God’s will that no one should perish.

Election is not God favoring some people over others so that some will be saved while others will be lost. God has made it possible for all to be saved, yet we must choose His salvation. According to the foreknowledge of God who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelations 22:13), He looked into the future and saw that He would have to send a Savior to restore man from the fall of Adam. And so, Jesus Christ became the Savior of the world to all who believe. The gift of God is the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. The plan is a predestined plan for all of mankind.

The apostle Peter goes on to include sanctification of the Spirit in their election according to the foreknowledge of God. If we have been elected for salvation, then we have also been elected for sanctification because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief in the truth

(2 Thessalonians 2:13). Jesus said it Himself in praying for His disciples: For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified by the truth (John 17:19).

Jude, a bond servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James, wrote to the early Christians saying: To those who are called, sanctified by God the father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you (Jude 1:1–2). The word sanctification means to be set apart. In the scriptures, it is used exclusively to set something apart from a common use to a holy use. It is to be made holy in Christ, to consecrate one’s self to be purified in thought, word, and deed.

Lest we misunderstand this term as many do, sanctification is the progress and maturing that God wants us to make in our Christian life between being born again and dying in the faith. As we all have a past, a present, and a future as believers in Jesus Christ, God has elected us to sanctification, which is the continued working out of our full salvation by the Holy Spirit. This also was in the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples: Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

Having been elected for salvation, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, the apostle Peter goes on to say in verse two that it is all for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. By this, we understand that nothing but the shed blood of Jesus Christ in His death upon the cross can cover sin on God’s side or remove sin on our side. We come to Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling (Hebrews 12:24).

By the blood of Jesus we come for our salvation and sanctification. It is ours for the asking. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate (Hebrews 13:12). Paul the Apostle reminds us that Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify it with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:25–26). In other words, Jesus didn’t need sanctification for Himself because He was perfect, without sin.

He was sanctified for us.

Cleansing has to do with our old nature and the stain of sin, which must be removed. If we confess our sin, He is able and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Sanctification prepares the way for our new life in Jesus Christ, which is imparted by the Holy Spirit—all through the blood of Jesus. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the later, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master (2 Timothy 2:21).

The sufferings of Jesus Christ gave birth to this so great salvation. This divine purpose intended for all of mankind is clearly stated by Jesus Christ Himself when speaking to His father: For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified (John 17:19). It was because His sufferings and death were a sanctification of Himself that they can become sanctification for us.

As we suffer for righteousness’ sake, the blessing that Jesus spoke of in persecution becomes ours. Through obedience to the word of God and the sprinkling of the blood, as we are willing to give up everything that stands in the way and experience the full power and blessing of the blood of Jesus, we can be sure that we will be sanctified by Jesus through that blood. It is God’s will that our whole being—body, soul, and spirit—experience a thorough cleansing and then sanctification.

This is our election. As God sanctifies no one against his/her will, there must be a personal and complete surrender to God and His righteous will. When we hold back anything, however small, we will not receive the full blessings of sanctification. For this reason, Paul the Apostle said, I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). In sanctifying us through the blood of Jesus Christ, God receives what He desires the most—to have us entirely for Himself, doing His will. We can rejoice then in this glorious confession. By His blood, Jesus Christ has sanctified me. He has taken full possession of me, and now I belong to Him.

With that word of God, the apostle Peter concludes his greetings to the pilgrims of the dispersion elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ by saying, Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied (1 Peter 1:1–2). These are some of the blessings of God that were promised to us all the time. Through our election, the love of God, the grace and peace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit is a certainty. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

As we take this spiritual journey into this isthmus of God, this supernatural connection between the persecution for righteousness’ sake and sanctification of the Spirit, may we enter into this blessed life, our life, hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

PART TWO

OUR CONDITION

Absolute Need

When Our Condition Is Not Up To Our Position In Christ

These Things Ought Not To Be

A Prayer Of Repentance

Absolute Need

As our world continues to rush toward judgment,

As the mass of humanity pursues its own way,

As our economy continues to struggle,

What, if anything, can we say?

As our natural order falters, and creation itself cries out in distress,

As many mighty have fallen, and millions more stand in duress,

What is our helplessness?

As mulling multitudes gather on the shores of uncertain change,

As people of all nations wander in aimless moral decay,

As houses and lands are lost in the hustle and shuffle of life,

Where is the comfort, the hope, the life, come what may?

As society, as we have known it, is threatened on every front,

Where, oh where is the standard, in the midst of our desperate hunt?

As people all around us, lose faith in government and man,

Searching for the honesty that made this blessed land,

As even truth is tampered with, corrupting its control,

As honor is replaced by greed and selfish, godless role,

As integrity becomes obsolete in a day of worldly gain,

Continued in the evil, endless game of blame,

As faith is turned from God to man,

Though each one does what they can,

The time has come throughout the land,

To call upon the almighty hand,

For He alone, in Jesus Christ,

Has given us a saving plan!

By Rev. Paul G. Berglund

April 15, 2010

When Our Condition Is Not Up to Our Position In Christ

One of the most perplexing and perturbing needs in the Christian faith today is when our spiritual condition is not up to our spiritual position in Christ. Because of God’s marvelous grace and mercy, we