"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY man to profit withal ..." (I Corinthians 12:7)
"For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty ..." (Galatians 5:13)
How many times have we heard a parent say, "If I have to tell you this again ...!"
Well, as we read in the scriptures, apostle Paul was similarly reduced to the same commentary when he wrote to the church in Corinth, stating this is the "third" time I am coming to you. Not the first, or second time, but the third time, so that they (and by extension we as well!) could truly comprehend how to "examine ourselves whether we be in the faith." (II Corinthians 13:5)
And consequently, if we are in the faith, proving our own selves by trusting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in His Word -- the Word that was with God and was God, made flesh and dwelling among us so that we could know the abundance of His mighty love -- Jesus the Christ. The promised Messiah. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. Almighty God in the flesh, inviting each and every one of us to come boldly to the throne of grace. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6)
Paul had so much to share with those who believe on Jesus by faith, a remnant according to the election of grace, and "if by grace, then [is it] no more of works; otherwise, grace is no more grace." (Romans 11:5-6)
However, Paul knew that our love relationship with Jesus should not be stagnant either. As such, our heart desire should be to study His Word, to pray without ceasing, and to rejoice evermore, presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service -- being not conformed to this world, but rather "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye many prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
Loving our Lord God and Saviour with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, knowing that the Lord thy God is one Lord. (Mark 12:28; Deuteronomy 6:4)
For this reason, Paul was determined not to leave us ignorant. As did Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost, when he declared this same Jesus whom they crucified as both Lord and Christ, we are to be water baptized in the precious name of our Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-47)
"Moreover brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4; Acts 2:36-47)
"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; and this also we wish -- [even] your perfection." (II Corinthians 13:5-9)
Perfect not in and of ourselves, but because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross. He paid the price once and for all. The perfect sacrifice. He who knew no sin becoming sin (without ever having sinned) so that we might inherit eternal life.
Thus, when we yearn to know Jesus Christ personally -- according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, and now made manifest to us so that we can know Him too as both Lord and Christ, our hearts are renewed in His mercy. Only then can we understand why God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen. (I Corinthians 1:27-28)
As it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." (I Corinthians 2:9)
Be washed, be sanctified, be justified in the name of the Lord Jesus -- until Christ be formed in you! (I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 4:19)
"For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty ..." (Galatians 5:13)
How many times have we heard a parent say, "If I have to tell you this again ...!"
Well, as we read in the scriptures, apostle Paul was similarly reduced to the same commentary when he wrote to the church in Corinth, stating this is the "third" time I am coming to you. Not the first, or second time, but the third time, so that they (and by extension we as well!) could truly comprehend how to "examine ourselves whether we be in the faith." (II Corinthians 13:5)
And consequently, if we are in the faith, proving our own selves by trusting with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in His Word -- the Word that was with God and was God, made flesh and dwelling among us so that we could know the abundance of His mighty love -- Jesus the Christ. The promised Messiah. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. Almighty God in the flesh, inviting each and every one of us to come boldly to the throne of grace. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6)
Paul had so much to share with those who believe on Jesus by faith, a remnant according to the election of grace, and "if by grace, then [is it] no more of works; otherwise, grace is no more grace." (Romans 11:5-6)
However, Paul knew that our love relationship with Jesus should not be stagnant either. As such, our heart desire should be to study His Word, to pray without ceasing, and to rejoice evermore, presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service -- being not conformed to this world, but rather "transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye many prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
Loving our Lord God and Saviour with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, knowing that the Lord thy God is one Lord. (Mark 12:28; Deuteronomy 6:4)
For this reason, Paul was determined not to leave us ignorant. As did Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost, when he declared this same Jesus whom they crucified as both Lord and Christ, we are to be water baptized in the precious name of our Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-47)
"Moreover brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. And did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:1-4; Acts 2:36-47)
"Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong; and this also we wish -- [even] your perfection." (II Corinthians 13:5-9)
Perfect not in and of ourselves, but because of Jesus sacrifice on the cross. He paid the price once and for all. The perfect sacrifice. He who knew no sin becoming sin (without ever having sinned) so that we might inherit eternal life.
Thus, when we yearn to know Jesus Christ personally -- according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began, and now made manifest to us so that we can know Him too as both Lord and Christ, our hearts are renewed in His mercy. Only then can we understand why God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen. (I Corinthians 1:27-28)
As it is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." (I Corinthians 2:9)
Be washed, be sanctified, be justified in the name of the Lord Jesus -- until Christ be formed in you! (I Corinthians 6:11; Galatians 4:19)
Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment