In this context -- the eyes of our understanding being enlightened -- "blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:1)
Why? Because when he meditates on the Word, he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth fruit in his season. "His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever He doeth shall prosper." (Psalms 1:1-3)
But note that for the ungodly, this is not so. Rather, they are like the chaff which the wind drives away -- eventually perishing. These are void of His Word, and remain blind from understanding the mystery which was hid in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world. It is these who cannot (and will not) declare that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. The sons of men, so determined to turn the glory of the Lord into shame.
The psalmist rightly queries them -- "How long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?" (Psalms 4:2) How long will ye love worthlessness, and seek falsehood? How long will you reject the Word and instead insert a false understanding of the glory of the Lord? How long will you wrongly listen to vain babblings that only serve to increase unto more ungodliness?
The scriptures make it plain. "Their word will eat as doth a canker, of whom is Humenaeus and Philetus, who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some." (II Timothy 2:16-18)
Over time, the error begins to sound like truth but not a truth that aligns with His Word. This is why the apostles constantly warned believers of wolves in sheep's clothing, saying, "but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15)
"Thus saith the Lord concerning the prophets that make My people err, that bite with their teeth and cry, "Peace" and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him ..." (Micah 3:5)
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (II Timothy 4:1-4)
"Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." (II Timothy 3:13)Sadly, this is what is happening within the modern day religious culture today. When a believer shares the good news gospel of Jesus Christ, including the doctrine of Christ (the Godhead), or water baptism in the name of Jesus according to the scriptures, participants intertwined in the religious culture get angry. (Hebrews 6:1; I Timothy 3:16; Acts 2:37-42) When shown the scriptures, many prefer to close their Bible, refusing to believe what the Word actually states.
But if the doctrine of Christ (the Godhead) was as modern day religious culture suggests -- a trinity, or God in three persons, or a tri-une God, or Father God who had a Son that was fathered by the Holy Spirit, all co-existent and co-equal with one another (depending on which statement of faith respective churches subscribe to) then why would anyone have to have the eyes of their understanding enlightened?
Knowledge of the Godhead would be simple. God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (as we read in Ephesians 1:3) and then the Spirit in which we are sealed. (Ephesians 1:13) There would have been no reason for Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to further elaborate. But he did, explaining that this "is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:23)
He wrote this in full agreement with Ephesians 2:9 which states, "For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.""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)
"One Lord, One faith, One baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)
Not two. Not three, but one Lord. JESUS -- who is BOTH Lord and Christ. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36)
"I am the Lord thy God, the holy One of Israel, thy Saviour." (Isaiah 43:3)
"Ye are My witnesses," saith the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen, that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord and beside Me, there is no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:10-11)
"For unto a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
"And ye shall call His name Jesus." (Matthew 1:21-23)
So, why is it that when believers raise these particular scriptures, (with numerous more from the Word in context), the religious culture of this day doesn't desire to align their teachings with the Word?
Indeed, again, as the scriptures state: "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying: "Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh. The Lord shall have them in derision.**" (Psalm 2:1-4)
Because these false teachers will do anything but worship Jesus as Almighty God, the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the King of kings and Lord of lords. This includes exalting themselves through self-declaration within the body of Christ. However, regardless of their stance, we are instructed to preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine AND to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
In other words, don't be misled by those who don't even recognize (even in practical human terms) that one can only become a Father once a child has been birthed.
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory of the ONLY BEGOTTEN of the Father) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1-18)
Yes, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:5-6) His name in this current dispensation of grace is JESUS. He is the promised and prophesied Christ. Our Lord God and Saviour who loved us enough to shed His precious holy blood on the cross of Calvary for you and I.
It is He who invites us to come and take of the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17) May His name be praised forever and ever. Stand in the offering plate.
** The word "derision" being defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary as the use of ridicule or scorn to show contempt, a state of being laughed at or ridiculed; a state of being derided. An object of ridicule or scorn.
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