The Duty of All Mankind: God Wants Us to Choose Him Every Time!

By Arrion Grosvenor

Wouldnt you like to know more about what Christianity looks like?

The scriptures referenced within, working with God's Spirit alone are all you need(1 John 2:27 NIV) but God who loves us goes a step further... God gives the role of a teacher(Ephesians 4:11 NIV) to speed up your spiritual tutelage due to the urgency created by living souls dying without Christ. The teacher role highlights scripture which in turn sheds light on other scripture to shows how these scriptures work together.

Yes, God did that just for you!

God provides a way for you to become a tree(Matthew 13:32 NIV), a way for you to mature and transition from a new born babe towards being part of a radiant church(Ephesians 5:27 NIV). Topics discussed are for the sole purpose of edifying the body(Ephesians 4:12 KJV), and who doesn't want to be edified?

You?

If you love your fellow man and wish to be used to edify others, this book will engage your wish. With color illustrations and diagrams this book takes a systematic look at what the 'The Duty of All Mankind'(Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV) is. Progressing through fearing God unto how we are to keep His commandments. Highlighted are a number of topics which aid us in the war for our minds and souls. Topics like purpose, unity, hope and transformation are but a few of the subject areas touched. Two of the featured subsections, 'Before and After Time' and Construct of Time highlight how time or lack thereof molds the unfolding of an event. In turn shedding light on other portions of the Word and increasing our limited understanding of God. With every precept presented based and referenced in the Word of God, you are guaranteed either to learn something new or add to your knowledge of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Feb 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512767834

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 Arrion Grosvenor.

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Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are fromthe ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All contents of the Common English Bible Web Site are: Copyright 2012 by Common English Bible and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL READERS VERSION®, NIrV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotes marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-6782-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6784-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-6783-4 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016920528

WestBow Press rev. date: 02/03/2017

Contents

Author’s Note

About the book

Preface

Introduction

Section 1

The Fear of the Lord

Chapter 1: Fear, a Prerequisite

Fear and Trembling

Fear vs. Fear

Take Courage

Predisposition

Virtual Safety

Chapter 2: Transition from Fear

Desired Handling

Path of Choice

Baptism of Fire

Trial unto Perseverance

Step Analogy

Section 2

Loving God’s Way

Chapter 3: Love Defined

Dictionary, Suspect

To Love Is to Hate

Acceptable Hate

Avert Backlash

A Being of Love

Section 3

Transformation at Work

Chapter 4: Engaging Transition

Construct of Time

Before and After Time

Righteous Intent

Aids to Righteousness

War Fronts

Artillery Deployment

Becoming of God

Hemmed in Faith

Chapter 5: Living Transformed

Sphere of Christianity

Reversed Function

Perfect or Perfection

Perfection Possible

Focal Point

Sole Dependence

Emblems of Victory

To Second-Guess

Chapter 6: Unto Maturity in Christ

Word of Power

Way to Please

Toward Maturity

The Loop

Faith As Maturity

Fullness of Maturity

No Maturity without Dependence

Maturity at Work

Sovereign Word

Sovereignty Defended

Chapter 7: Conclusion

Memorized Precepts

Sweet Victory

Sources

Author’s Note

I do not presume to have the total message, because at this time I do not and cannot fully understand Almighty God (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV). Therefore, what I present to you should be tested (1 John 4:1 NIV). If what is presented in The Duty of All Mankind is acceptable, then it should be used to edify the church (Ephesians 4:12 NIV). If what is presented is not acceptable, please contact me so we can have a conversation in order to reach an agreement and achieve unity (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV).

Please send me an email at [e-mail]

About the book

If you love God and want to work for Him, this book will engage you.

With illustrations and diagrams this book takes a systematic look at what the ‘The Duty of All Mankind’(Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV) involves. Progressing through fearing God unto how we are to keep His commandments. Highlighted are a number of topics which aid us in the war for our minds and souls. Topics like purpose, identity and transition are but a few of the subject areas touched.

With every precept presented based and referenced in the Word of God, you are guaranteed either to learn something new or add to your knowledge of God. Wouldn’t you like to know more about what Christianity looks like? Two of the featured subsections, ‘Focal Point’ and ‘Maturity at Work’ highlight how our relationship with almighty God looks from a personal and corporate perspective. Touching on topics like the vision and mission of the church also how we reach agreement and come into unity with God.

The Word working with the Spirit are all we need (1 John 2:27 NIV) but God goes a step further. God gives the role of a teacher (Ephesians 4:11 NIV) to speed up your spiritual tutelage due to the urgency created by living souls dying without Christ. The teacher role connects scripture (by relation) with other scripture to increase knowledge on a topic; however revelation still comes by the Spirit.

Yes, God did that just for you!

God provides a way for you to become a tree (Matthew 13:32 NIV), a way for you to mature and transition from a babe in Christ towards active part in a radiant church (Ephesians 5:27 NIV).

Topics discussed are for the sole purpose of edifying the body (Ephesians 4:12 KJV), and who doesn’t want to be edified?

You?

Preface

There are several questions that come to mind when one sits and ponders his or her existence as a part of the body of Christ.

After the Holy Spirit taught me and brought me to the understanding of how the body of Christ works (Romans 12:4–8 NIV; 1 Corinthians 12:12–31 NIV), I came to the overwhelming conclusion that I am here, both in this place and at this time, not by accident but for a specific reason.

I tried to reconcile this revelation with my life, wondering, then why am I here? What is my purpose? Why was I created?

After much enlightenment, which brought with it a sense of duty and urgency, another profound question emerged: What do I do, and by extension, what do we believers do as our congregations mature in Christ? I also wondered, How do we interact within the body, of which we are a part, where God’s definition of unity in thought, speech, and action is not emulated as it should be?

As I lamented over this quandary, I began with a conclusion, which was: this current situation is present in all the congregations of God’s beloved ecclesia. Since one of the ministries of the church is evangelism, this means that there are always babes being added to our numbers.

Therefore I believe it was due to my effort, to reconcile my dilemma with the Word, which allowed the Spirit to reveal the answer to this apparent cornerstone problem.

It is when I experience moments of being answered by the Spirit that I am the most satisfied with my existence and contented with the promises and rewards of serving my Lord. I perceive these moments as times in which I can fully experience God in all His glory, as if nothing else exists other than His will—an ambiance of unity, meaning, and purpose, God’s gift, an experience of His intricate workings.

O how I give thanks when I am privy to God expressed through His Spirit’s revelation. O how my appreciation swells for the Word in these moments when meaning and purpose are conveyed as a result of my effort to remain within His ambiance, my effort to be of God.

Even though I viewed this problem as complex, God’s answer was profoundly simple: teach and endure!

The Holy Spirit conveyed to me that I should allow the understanding He had revealed and will continue to reveal to be the basis for my thoughts and evident in my actions. God’s Spirit said to me, Allow Me to use you as a vessel from which I teach. This was confirmed as He brought back to my mind (John 14:26 NIV), Ephesians 4:11–13 and, 2 Timothy 2:10.

It is on account of this role that the Holy Spirit has called me to play that I, at this point in time, sought to pen the understanding of what governs a Christian’s personal relationship with God. However, the truth that lies herein will be a blessing to all who read it, as it edifies by enlightening and therefore empowering.

As you read this book, ask God for wisdom (James 1:5 NIV), for the understanding needed to apply the precepts presented herein to your life, and for the wisdom (James 3:17–18 NIV) needed for the working out of your salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12 NIV). As you read, allow yourself to veer off and explore the scriptures referenced, not only for the single purpose of proving the concepts presented, but also for familiarizing yourself with the Word and reinforcing your relationship with God, His Holy Spirit, and our Advocate.

The only way to build this desired relationship is to spend time getting to know Them in the way They want us to, through the guaranteed, accurate, absolute truth: the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV).

Introduction

Even after God created us and placed us in a beautiful garden that satisfied all our needs, and even though we were content with our perfect relationship with God, we ate the forbidden fruit!

From the time sin entered into the realm of humankind, humanity was placed in a void, with the chasm of sin separating human beings from the glory of God and all God’s glorious splendor.

Sin was birthed when humanity chose to depend on the physical senses (Genesis 3:6 NIV; Job 31:7 NIV) rather than on faith. After these senses signaled that it was good to proceed, Eve’s own desire to be wise and to know what God knew dragged her away and enticed her to eat (see James 1:14 NIV). The enticement, very intense and alluring, was the tool the Devil used to break the trust humankind had given to God. After that trust was broken, sin entered into reality. Once humanity ate, humanity had disobeyed.

It was humankind’s disobedience that separated people from God. This separation placed humanity in a deathly limbo, lost and without hope. As time proceeded, God found favor with certain people and allowed them to be filled and moved by His Holy Spirit. One in particular stood out: the son of the man whose heart God said was after His own heart.

King David was the man whose heart was likened to God’s (Acts 13:22 NIV); he was the father of Solomon. It was Solomon whom God used to pen the words of the book of Ecclesiastes. For the purposes of The Duty of All Mankind, we will concentrate on Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NIV): Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Upon examination of this verse, we can assert and conclude on certain points.

1. Now all has been heard suggests that there has been some debate or research, some work done, toward reaching the conclusion stated in the quotation above.

2. Fear God and keep His commands clearly states what is to be done.

3. The final thought of the verse, For this is the duty of all mankind, without a doubt refers to who is to engage in the actions of fearing God and keeping His commandments.

This examination highlights how we as human beings need to fear God and keep His commands. We walk in the light (1 John 1:7 NIV) and live by the Word (Luke 4:4 KJV). So as we continue in that stead, let us consider this scripture so as to ascertain the much desired answer to our most immediate need: purpose!

The essence of this book, as illustrated below, is bound up in the investigation of how God says we should fear Him and keep His commands (Proverbs 3:5; 2 Corinthians 5:16 NIV). Then it goes on to look at how we apply this truth to our lives (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV).

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Section 1

The Fear of the Lord

Chapter 1: Fear, a Prerequisite

Let’s start with our anchor, the Word of God.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

—Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

—Psalm 111:10 (NIV)

Both verses state that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom respectively. The use of the fear of the Lord as the beginning of or the first step toward wisdom and knowledge suggests that the characteristics or features of the fear of the Lord can be understood as a point of deployment, an access tunnel, or even a diver’s springboard.

In times of war, artillery had to be advanced to a point where warheads may be delivered effectively over enemy lines. If the artillery is not deployed at strategic points with respect to its targets, then it is not able to achieve its objectives. Its presence, and even its existence, is of no worth in such a case.

The Channel Tunnel that runs under the English Channel from the island of Great Britain to