As Ye Have Therefore Received Christ Jesus the Lord, So Walk Ye In Him -- Part 1162

"Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:4)

Sadly, in these last days, it is the "name of Jesus" that produces offence, even within the church community. Indeed, there appears to be a religious and/or spiritual disconnect from understanding what the scriptures actually saith. That is, "at the name of JESUS, every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:10-11) Instead, too many believers desire to praise God through another name taken from the old covenant, rather than uphold the one and only name wherein we received Christ Jesus the Lord by faith into our hearts.

What a travesty that we are not only willing to be misled, but willingly follow along because some man asserts a self-proclaimed authority, without any scriptural basis in which to found his man-made doctrines and traditions of men.

Nevertheless, regardless of their motives, no one should have to sacrifice eternity because there are those within congregations who willingly deny the name of Jesus. Those who want to add "another name" to their worship rather than align their praise to the only name in this dispensation of grace, whereby men and women must be saved. This is why Paul wrote "rejoice in the Lord." (Philippians 3:1) Paul did not write -- rejoice in the trinity, or a tri-une God, or God in three persons. He said, "Rejoice in the Lord." The same one God who loved us enough to be made as one of us, and to shed His precious blood on the cross so that we might have life. (John 1:1-18)

Apostle Paul warned us of those who would do anything to hijack the name of Jesus from the forefront. He wrote: "beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." Why?

Because, as Paul states, "we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh ... I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith -- that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings ..." (Philippians 3:2-10)

That I might know Him -- the one and only God who became our Saviour.

"Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no God but Me: for there is no Saviour beside Me." (Hosea 13:4)

"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:1-3)

This is why John wrote -- "These things have I written unto you that believe on the "name" of the Son of God -- that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the "name" of the Son of God." (I John 5:13)

In this current dispensation of grace (whereby the gift of salvation has been extended to the Gentiles too), our heavenly Father has given us a "new name" in which to worship Him. A name that is ABOVE every other name. A name far too costly for us to deserve, and yet because of a love that surpasses all understanding, God Himself (who knew no sin) became sin for you and I. His precious blood shed on the cross so that we could receive the Spirit of Jesus within, being clothed in His garment of righteousness.

"This is He that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ -- not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost, AND THESE THREE ARE ONE."  (I John 5:6-7)

"Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted Him, and given HIM a NAME which is ABOVE every name." (Philippians 2:9)

A name that does not compete for jurisdiction and authority with any other name that God previously assigned to Himself in the old covenant.

"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on His name ..." (John 1:12)

"He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

And this is His commandment, "That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He gave us commandment." (I John 3:23)

"For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, that the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, "Say not in thine heart, "Who shall ascend into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, "Who shall descend into the deep?" (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? "The Word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:5-13)

Therefore, "as ye have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him." Be baptized in water in the precious name of Jesus, as every single believer was in the new testament. Only then shall ye receive His precious gift, the gift of the Holy Ghost -- Jesus within. Then will the scales fall from your eyes and you too will understand that His Word, the scriptures, reveal the mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world.
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)

In the old, God said unto Moses, "I AM That I AM" and He said, "Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, "I AM hath sent me unto you." (Exodus 3:14) Jesus confirmed this same identifying name in the new testament when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you -- before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58)

One Lord, One faith, One baptism.

Stand in the offering plate.