John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

I never had this thought before today.

Jesus walked this earth as something less than He was when He was with the Father.

I appreciate His acknowledgement that being in the Father’s presence makes a difference in His own persona, His glory.

Biblically glory is reputation, the essence of who God is in truth. That is not something we can fully appreciate because none of us have seen God.

Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

We only get a glimpse of this Jesus we follow but not in His full glory.

Why is that important?

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

If we are to be conformed in the image of Jesus, then we should know what to look for in the mirror. That will not be one of the glory that we can achieve in this flesh. Try as we might, we are still flesh.

Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

My thoughts on Galatians 5:17 are formed around those fatal words “doing the things you want to do”. The only want born of the spirit is obedience of faith. The flesh has a large list of things it wants. Not all wants are sinful. 

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

What do you think?

Psalm 25:14-15 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

This relationship we have with our Lord is everything.

The Lord has made a new covenant with us that sets us free from those nets of lies.

Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

Proverbs 12:22-24 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

Hebrews 12:1 let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us (parsed)

The net of lies are all around us and the weight of those nets are anchored by sin.

We can only avoid those nets if we maintain this covenant relationship with the Lord who saves.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Hebrews 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

John 13:34 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.

John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The first sign that a net of lies has been cast over us is a loss of peace.

Seeing the lies in the light of the truth dissolves those nets.