Because That Which May Be Known of God Is Manifest In Them - Part 1261

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness ... because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:16-20)

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)

It is for this reason that when we understand the gospel of Christ, we need to diligently study His Word, so that we will know the truth that sets us free. When Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" and that "no man comes unto the Father but by Me," He did so in order that we would search the scriptures for the treasures that are right and just and sound.

But what has happened instead is that many go to church and listen to the insights and revelations of another, instead of bringing their own awareness and understanding of God's Word. Part of the problem may evolve from the way churches are structured. These organizations have moved away from the early church example, outlined in I Corinthians 14:26. 

Nevertheless, Jesus said, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." (John 15:7)

When we ask Jesus to become both Lord and Christ in our lives, and are baptized in His precious name -- the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sin (as outlined in Acts 2:36-42), we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. His Spirit living within us. The very same Spirit that overshadowed Mary so that she would conceive that "holy thing" (as the physician Luke describes Jesus in the womb) comes into our hearts and abides within. (Luke 1:35)

God our Saviour. (Luke 1:47) 

"And they shall call His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin." (Matthew 1:21-23)

"By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:2)

Many reading this post today will never have heard of the miraculous birth of Jesus the Christ, and how -- as a consequence of His abundance of love for you and I -- His beloved creation -- willingly took on a sin-prone flesh so that we might embrace His gift of salvation and eternal life. Many will never understand the depth and breadth of His love that led God to declare "peace and good will to all" -- marking a new beginning for all mankind -- in this current dispensation of grace. 

And why will we never have heard the truth that sets us free? Because too often, we give over the controls of our knowledge and wisdom to the man (or woman) speaking at the front of a cathedral/a church/ a man-made institutional organization. But this is not what God wanted when He personally delivered to us His Word. The same Word that was with God in the beginning and was God. (John 1:1-14)

So, in that context, let me share a passage of scripture that might serve to reveal that not everything we have been told from a pulpit is reflective of His truth. For example, in today's world, there are entire church organizations built upon one man saying that he saw Jesus "after He [Jesus] was taken up." (Acts 1:2)

But let's look at what His Word actually states. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God is writing unto the church of God which was at Corinth, and to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus -- called to be saints, "with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (I Corinthians 1:1-2) He writes:

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:1-8)

And as we know from Acts 1:2-3, "until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen ... to whom also He shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God" 

Indeed, Jesus told His disciples that they would see Him no more. 

So the next time someone says they saw Jesus in the flesh, or have a specific revelation that was bestowed only to that individual, show them what Paul wrote. That he was the very last to see Jesus, "as one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:8)

Why? Because the false teachings and traditions of men that have led to the current downward, out of control chaos that our world is experiencing needs the one and only true light to be shed in the darkness. And the light of the world is Jesus. 

"I am the light of the world. He that follows me," Jesus said, "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

As Paul wrote, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man." (Galatians 1:11)

Stand in the offering plate.