Certainly, some fruit preserves are better than others, and typically, if the canning process is done correctly, that depends on the taste of the fruit before canning. Basically, the sweeter the fruit, the better it will continue to taste, even when preserved. What a wonderful analogy that is to believers, who are given the fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, according to Galatians 5:22. Unlike the gifts of the Spirit, in which the Lord gives us at least one of the gifts, but may give more depending on circumstance, prayer or His desire, all believers will exhibit all of the fruits of the Spirit at least some of the time. What does He do with that sweet-tasting fruit? Well, the same as your grandmother did. He preserves it!
So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
Genesis 32:30
When studying the Bible, the “Rule of First Mention” can be applied most of the time. The way that a word is used in its first appearance in the Bible typically will be the way it is used throughout. In the verse above, we can see that “preserved” in its first mention applies to the preservation of a believer’s life. As every man eventually will experience physical death, God’s preservation certainly applies to our spiritual lives. Notice the difference between the first death of a physical nature and the second death of a spiritual nature in the following verses:
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’
Revelation 2:11
But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:8
What event must take place for that spiritual life to occur? According to Genesis 32:30 quoted above, that occurred once Jacob had seen God’s face! Once again, don’t get caught up in the physical realm, when God operates in the spiritual realm. Though many men saw the face of Jesus, no one has seen the face of the Father, physically. Yet God reveals Himself to man spiritually. Jesus told His disciples that we can know the Father by knowing the Son. Once we have seen the Father, we never will be the same, but without Jesus introducing us, we cannot see the Lord’s face:
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
Matthew 11:27
We are preserved from the wiles of the demonic host, as God will not allow anything or anyone to pry us out of His loving hands. Additionally, we are preserved for eternity, when we will share the fruits God has given us with all other believers!
23 Now 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. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
We cannot be blameless without God’s cleansing, for each believer is deserving of the same spiritual death that unbelievers will receive. Yet by God’s mercy and grace, we have been given eternal life through Him. That gift should give each believer a better perspective when trials seem to darken our paths. Does it really matter, if we are His, knowing that He only allows those trials for us to draw closer to Him? Nothing can harm you when you have been preserved by the Lord! Walk in His power, even in the midst of great difficulty!
1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ,
and brother of James, To those who
are called, sanctified by God the
Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied
to you.
Jude 1-2
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