To Give Knowledge of Salvation Unto His People, By the Remission of Their Sins - Part 1256

"Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures ..." (James 1:16-18)

In other words, be not deceived. He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will -- to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

And, whom is the beloved? In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He hath purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of times, He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, [even] in Him; in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will.

God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-18; Revelation 1:8. 11)

"That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ." (Ephesians 1:4-12)

Trusted after that we heard the Word of truth. We heard the gospel of our salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise -- which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-16)

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ -- the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe -- according to the working of His mighty power." (Ephesians 1:17-19)

When Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God wrote to the faithful in Christ Jesus (which are at Ephesus), what did he say? He opened the epistle stating, "Grace [be] to you, and peace from God our Father and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (Ephesians 1:1-3)

But wait. Did I not just quote I Timothy 3:16, wherein the scripture states "God manifest in the flesh." How can this be, you ask? First, take out the added words in square brackets for clarity in the scriptures. Second, note that there is no confusion between "peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" and "blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

How can I say this? Let's look in the first chapter of Luke's gospel and study what happened when Mary became pregnant.

And the angel answered and said unto her, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee; therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)

The same Holy Ghost whom Jesus after He was taken up "through the Holy Ghost commanded the apostles whom He had chosen" in scribing the new testament. (Acts 1:2) The Holy Ghost which is the Spirit of God overshadowed Mary. Not separate from one another (or other persons) but one and the same God, who is Spirit.

"And the angel said unto her, "Fear not Mary, for thou hast found favour with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David, and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke 1:30-33)

Indeed, when Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, and into a city of Juda to see Elisabeth, she proclaimed the good news that would come to one and all from God her/our Saviour. That is, Emmanuel which means "God with us". (Matthew 1:21-23)

"And they shall call His name JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)

And as Mary spake, she said: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is His name.

And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm. He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy -- as He spake to our fathers to Abraham, and to His seed forever." (Luke 1:46-55)

This same Jesus, whose name is above every other name, is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) So, don't be deceived by false teachings and the traditions of men. Open up your new testament and start reading, studying to show thyself approved unto God, as doth a workman. (II Timothy 2:15)

Stand in the offering plate.