For As Many Of You As Have Been Baptized Into Christ Have Put On Christ. - Part 1456

"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Matthew 12:28)

It appears that many within the modern day religious culture want to delete all traces of water baptism from the scriptures. I have even seen pastors refer to the scriptural account of water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ as "erroneous teaching created by those who wish to reject the Biblical evidence and teaching of the baptism in the Holy Ghost." Thus, in order to justify baptism in the Holy Ghost, these read over the rest of the commandment to be water baptized, going straight to the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

For example, let's examine Acts 2:36-39. Herein, Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) is telling those who are listening that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. When pricked in their hearts, these asked Peter what they must do to be saved. Peter said, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38) Quickly hurrying on, these move directly to Acts 2:39 confirming an earlier prophecy from Joel, saying, "For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39)

The argument is that one cannot understand Paul's writings concerning the Holy Ghost without understanding first what the author of Acts stated concerning the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Therefore, the argument that is oft made is this. "Peter did say that those who were born again would “receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38), which is followed immediately by verse 39: “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

These particular scriptures from Acts 2 mirror the message of salvation. First, one must repent and turn away from their old life, making Jesus both Lord and Christ in their hearts. Second, one must be water baptized/buried in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:36-38; I Peter 3:21-23) Third, having repented, and been water baptized, ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Combined with Jesus' commandment to love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love one another, this is the plan of salvation. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) Further, since Jesus Himself as our example (and His disciples) were water baptized.

But instead of acknowledging that water baptism in the precious Name of Jesus is critical to being buried into Christ (according to Acts 2; Acts 10; Acts 19; Romans 6; I Peter 1) those who want to rewrite the gospel jump directly to receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. The gift, as described in Acts 2:4 including being "filled with the Holy Ghost," and "speaking with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4)

You see, by eliminating the necessity of water baptism for the remission of your sins, the "every" in Acts 2:38 (interpreted as all who are born again) can then be associated with being baptized in the Holy Ghost. The same evidence is cited from Acts 8:4-25. Philip is preaching to the Samaritans, who receive him with great joy. But the Holy Ghost had not yet fallen upon any of them. Why? Because as the scripture states: "(For as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.)" (Acts 8:16-17)

At this point, one commentator I read is jumping up and down because these who believed in this example received the Holy Ghost. Not because these devout men and women were obedient and water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus beforehand, or that the reason none of these had received the Holy Ghost was because they had not yet been water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

"The like figure where unto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (I Peter 3:21)

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women." (Acts 8:12)

Water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

But this point gets lost in the interpretation if one does not believe in water baptism. So, we hear teachings emanating from pulpits, such as -- "How much clearer can God’s Word be, to make the point that the baptism of the Holy [Ghost] is an experience which FOLLOWS one being born again?"

Of course, no one is disputing the importance or relevence of the Holy Ghost. Neither is there any issue with receiving the gifts of the Spirit as apostle Paul explained in I Corinthians 11-15. Still, by completely ignoring water baptism as a necessary and normative part of the Christian experience is like telling someone half the story. A half truth that has no foundation in the Word of God.

Further evidence is found in Acts 10. Peter is preaching to Cornelius and his household. Like the first 3,000 souls on the day of Pentecost, Cornelius and his household "gladly" received the gospel of Jesus Christ and were water baptized.

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on thee Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost ... for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized; which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the Lord." (Acts 10:44-48)

Paul delivers a similar message in Acts 19:1-7.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."

And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism." Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."

When they heard this, they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." (Acts 19:1-7)

And what about the following scriptures?

"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls." (Acts 2:41)

"And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him ..." (Matthew 3:16) *This was a sign to John the baptist confirming to him that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Lamb of God!

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:47)

"And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down BOTH into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." (Acts 8:38)

"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)
"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4)

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (I Corinthians 6:11)

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Romans 6:3)"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27)

There are other scriptural examples as well, but for now, let this suffice to say that water baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus is a necessary and integral part of salvation ... and, as a consequence, "ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

Why? Because in responding to the good news gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, you have accepted the Lord Jesus into your heart as both your Lord and Christ. As Peter (standing with the eleven) declared on the day of Pentecost, "every one of you" -- all 3,000 souls needed to repent, and be baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus so that they could/would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire." (Matthew 3:11)

Stand in the offering plate.

That In Everything Ye Are Enriched By Him, In All Utterance, And In All Knowledge, Even As the Testimony Of Christ Was Confirmed In You - Part 1891

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus -- after that, ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen!" (I Peter 5:10-11)

Paul writes: "I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing, you are enriched by Him -- in all utterance, and in all knowledge -- even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1:3-8)

In this regard, Paul would not have us ignorant concerning spiritual, knowing that as Gentiles we were carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. "Wherefore, I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed; and no man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost." (I Corinthians 12:1-3)

That means, that in all things, both earthly and heavenly, there would be nothing hid from those who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. This includes understanding that there are diversities of gifts -- but the SAME SPIRIT. That there are differences of administrations but the SAME LORD. And that there are diversities of operations, but it is the SAME GOD who works all in all.

Why is this important? Because when we desire spiritual gifts in our heart, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (I Corinthians 12:4-7) Do you remember the question -- "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36) It is in this context that spiritual gifts are important, for these spiritual gifts will edify, and encourage, and strengthen, and give refreshing inward hope to those who believe. 

As well, we are able to experience the Lord downloading His ultimate wisdom and knowledge so that the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Jesus dwelling within can lead and guide us into all truth. (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 1:2-3)

Indeed, Thy Word is truth. (John 17:17)

As the prophet Isaiah confirms, "He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength." (Isaiah 40:29)

"For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life ..." (II Corinthians 1:8)

The Lord Jesus said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (II Corinthians 12:9)

This explains why "to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another the diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these works one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:8-11)

Regarding wisdom, Paul provides his own testimony as validation. That is, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world -- that come to nought, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory." (I Corinthians 2:1-7)

Note that none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory! (I Corinthians 2:8) But God has revealed the mystery unto us by His Spirit, "for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God, for what man knows the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knows no man but the Spirit of God." (I Corinthians 2:8-11)

In another place, Paul writes: "Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 

And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears." (Acts 20:17-31)
This same message for us today. That is, "now we have received -- not the spirit of this world -- but [rather] the Spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Corinthians 2:13-16)

Herein, the split. The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God -- for to him/her, they are foolishness. Thus, neither can he/she know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Remember, when Jesus began to show unto His disciples that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and raised again the third day?

What did Peter do? He took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke Jesus, saying, "Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall not be unto Thee." (Matthew 16:21-28; I Corinthians 2:14) But Jesus turned and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind Me, satan, for thou art an offence unto Me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:23)

Jesus made a similar accusation against satan when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, herein He had fasted forty days and forty nights and was afterward an hungred. That is, "Get thee hence satan; for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10)

Paul further elaborates when writing to all that were called in Rome. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8)

But the good news (again!) is that we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, and thus, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit of life because of righteousness .... therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh, for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:9-17)

If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. In other words, regardless of our circumstance and sufferings in this world -- of this present time -- they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us if we continue to press into Jesus, the prize of our high calling.

If you have not yet asked Jesus to be both Lord and Christ in your heart, now is the time to do so. Be water baptized in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ for the remission of sins. When you do, you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which will lead and guide you into all truth. His wisdom and knowledge and discernment, and provide us with a desire to do His will, seeking spiritual gifts from our One and Only Saviour -- Christ Jesus our Lord.

"For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

Remember His promises as we meditate further on these scriptures. For all glory, all power in both earth and heaven belongs to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. As Jesus stated in His example prayer, for Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever, amen.

Stand in the offering plate.

That In Everything Ye Are Enriched By Him, In All Utterance, And In All Knowledge, Even As the Testimony Of Christ Was Confirmed In You - Part 1455

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus -- after that, ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen!" (I Peter 5:10-11)

Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, 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 -- both their's and ours. (I Corinthians 1:1-2)

Sanctified in Christ Jesus.

Called to be saints with all that in every place call upon the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul writes: "I thank my God always on your behalf for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; that in every thing, you are enriched by Him -- in all utterance, and in all knowledge -- even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1:3-8)

In this regard, Paul would not have us ignorant concerning spiritual, knowing that as Gentiles we were carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. "Wherefore, I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed; and no man can say that Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost." (I Corinthians 12:1-3)

Now there are diversities of gifts -- but the SAME SPIRIT.
There are differences of administrations but the SAME LORD.
There are diversities of operations, but it is the SAME GOD who works all in all.

Why? Because the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [All] (I Corinthians 12:4-7)

"For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another the diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these works one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will." (I Corinthians 12:8-11)

Regarding wisdom, Paul provides his own testimony. That is, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling, and my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power; that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit, we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world -- that come to nought, but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, [even] the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory." (I Corinthians 2:1-7)

Note that none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory! (I Corinthians 2:8) But God has revealed the mystery unto us by His Spirit, "for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God, for what man knows the things of man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so, the things of God knows no man but the Spirit of God." (I Corinthians 2:8-11)

But us? "Now we have received -- not the spirit of this world -- but [rather] the Spirit which is of God: that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God, which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual." (I Corinthians 2:13-16)

Herein, the split. The natural man will receive not the things of the Spirit of God -- for to him/her, they are foolishness. Thus, neither can he/she know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Remember, when Jesus began to show unto His disciples that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and raised again the third day?

What did Peter do? He took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke Jesus, saying, "Be it far from Thee, Lord; this shall not be unto Thee." (Matthew 16:21-28; I Corinthians 2:14) But Jesus turned and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind Me, satan, for thou art an offence unto Me, for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:23)

Jesus made a similar accusation against satan when Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil, herein He had fasted forty days and forty nights and was afterward an hungred. That is, "Get thee hence satan; for it is written, "Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10)

Paul further elaborates when writing to all that were called in Rome. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Romans 8:7-8)

But the good news (again!) is that we are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, and thus, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit of life because of righteousness .... therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh to live after the flesh, for if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:9-17)

If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. In other words, regardless of our circumstance and sufferings in this world -- of this present time -- they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us if we continue to press into Jesus, the prize of our high calling.

If you have not yet asked Jesus to be both Lord and Christ in your heart, now is the time to do so. Be water baptized in the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ for the remission of sins. When you do, you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost which will lead and guide you into all truth. His wisdom and knowledge and discernment, and provide us with a desire to do His will, seeking spiritual gifts from our One and Only Saviour -- Christ Jesus our Lord.

"For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

Stand fast in the Lord Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.

He Shall Reign Until He Has Put All Enemies Under His Feet - Part 1454

Romans 8 offers a wonderful explanation of the promises that the Lord Jesus has in store for those who love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. (Mark 12:29-31; Deuteronomy 6:4) For example, there is now (in this current dispensation of grace in which we live) -- no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Indeed, because Jesus loved us enough to shed His precious blood on a cross for you and I, the price of our salvation has been paid for in full. Once and for all, as the scriptures declare.

If we "hear ye Him" and are water baptized in His precious name -- the Name of Jesus, we shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:35; Acts 2:36-38; John 4:24; John 14:6; John 5:24)

Jesus then is the promise for us in this generation that was prophesied from afore. And we see this in Hebrews 11, when those having obtained a good report through faith had not received the promise; "God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:39-40)

Before the cross, the prophets and the psalmist both declare God's resolution to come forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) Both prophesied of the wondrous redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ. As the promised Messiah, He was prophesied to be set apart as a Mediator and High Priest.

On the new testament side: "Wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou would not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, Thou hast had no pleasure." Then said I, "Lo, I come in the volume of the book, it is written of Me,) to do Thy will, O God ... He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:5-10)

This same message earlier confirmed by the psalmist, who wrote: "Sacrifice and offering Thou didst not desire; mine ears hast Thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast Thou not required. Then said I, "Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of Me. I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips. O Lord, Thou know. I have not hid Thy righteousness in my heart. I have declared Thy faithfulness and Thy salvation. I have not concealed Thy loving kindness and Thy truth from the great congregation." (Psalm 40:6-10)

When the Word is spoken, we can expect to see a confirmation, because God is not the Author of confusion. He orchestrated His plan of salvation in such as way that no one could be without excuse. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

But not everyone accepted Jesus, and we can see how this grieved apostle Paul. In Romans 9, for example, Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures is writing to all that be in Rome, the beloved of God, called to be saints. And by extension, to us in this current generation -- including those who are afar off in the distance. (Acts 2:36-39)

As a comparison, Paul opened with a similar thought when he wrote to the saints in Corinth. That is, Paul writes: "I call God for a record upon my soul .... not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by faith ye stand." (II Corinthians 1:23-24)

In writing, Paul is sharing the truth with us -- "as a helper" in our faith, wherein we can be joyful, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves in. Paul is sharing his insights in the same fashion in Romans 9, from the standpoint of helping us to understand the inclusiveness of God's perfect plan of salvation -- offered to one and all -- all flesh in this day and age.

"But the Word of the Lord endures for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:24-25)

But as we read in the scriptures, not everyone accepted Jesus as the King of kings -- God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Matthew 1:21-23) Not everyone accepted Jesus as the prophesied I AM.

Paul opens by stating: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelite's; to whom pertains the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 9:1-5)

As we see Paul never gave up on God's original call to His people. Indeed, his heart was heavy and note "continually sorrowful" that his own kinsmen rejected Jesus -- who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) These rejected the guideposts in prophecy and the psalms that repeatedly pointed to Jesus -- and foretold of that great day when the Lamb of God would walk among us.

"He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)

In other words, His own rejected the promised Lamb of God as their Lord God and Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)

"Ye are the children of the prophets and of the [old/first] covenant made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, "And in thy Seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son [Servant] Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away everyone of you from his iniquities." (Acts 3:25-26)

And to Moses, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto Me; Him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever He shall say unto you." (Acts 3:22-23; Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Exodus 32:32; Exodus 4:22; Psalm 147:19; ; Hebrews 9:1-6)

"The Holy Ghost this signifying that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing ... and for this cause, He is the Mediator of the new testament!" (Hebrews 9:8-18)

" ... and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all God blessed forever, Amen." (Romans 9:5; Luke 1:34-35; Luke 3:23; Jeremiah 23:6)

But Paul did not give up. He wrote:

"Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved, for I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God ... for Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believes." (Romans 10:1-4)

Herein, Paul is pointing to the new "Israel of God" emerging within the new testament -- whereby in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." (Galatians 6:14-16)

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:27)

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:16)

"And He is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all [things] He might have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18)

In this, Paul displayed some hope. He writes:

"Not as though the Word of God hath taken none effect, for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel. Neither because they are the Seed of Abraham are they all children but, in Isaac shall Thy Seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for the Seed. For this is the Word of promise ..." (Romans 9:6-9)

In Galatians, Paul takes this point one step further.

"Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed" (Galatians 3:8-9)

How did this all come about?

"For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond maid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bond woman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory; for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."

For it is written, "Rejoice thou barren that bear not; break forth and cry, thou that travail not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband." Now we brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless, what saith the scripture?

"Cast out the bondwoman and her son; for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman." So then, brethren were are not the children of the bondwoman but of the free." (Galatians 4:22-31; Genesis 16:15; Genesis 18:10-14; Genesis 21:2, 9-10; Hebrews 11:11; Deuteronomy 33:2; Isaiah 2:2; Isaiah 54:1; Galatians 3:8, 22, 29; Acts 3:25; Galatians 5:11; John 8:35)

This is why we are instructed to stand fast in the liberty wherewith we are in Christ. "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself ..." (Hebrews 12:2-3)

But in spite of "so great a cloud of witnesses" these still did not believe, and as Jesus said, "If ye believe not that I AM [He], ye shall die in your sins." (John 8:24)

But I digress. Paul continues to detail and confirm Jesus as the prophesied promise.

FOR THIS IS THE WORD OF PROMISE --"At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son." (Romans 9:9; Genesis 18:10-14)

"And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calls). It was said unto her, "The elder shall serve the younger." As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." (Romans 9:9-13; Genesis 25:21; Romans 4:17; Romans 8:28; Genesis 25:23)

This is why we have so very much to be thankful for, that if we shall confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, "Whosoever believes 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." (Romans 10:9-13)

"Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the Law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of all. (As it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations) before Him whom he believed, [even] God who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were, who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be."

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in the faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able to perform. And therefore, "it was imputed to Him for righteousness." (Galatians 3:16-25)

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For He saith to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." So then it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shews mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, "Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew My power in thee, and that My name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore, hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardens.

Thou wilt say then unto me, "Why doth He yet find fault? For who hath resisted His will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, "Why hast thou made me thus?" Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, Even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

As He saith also in Osee, "I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, "Ye are not My people; there shall they be called the children of the living God."

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. For He will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. And as Esaias said before, "Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a Seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the Law of righteousness, hath not attained to the Law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the Law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;

As it is written, "Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 9:1-33)

The Seed that was to come forth as a mighty man was not another G/god or a lesser G/god as some suggest. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6) Indeed, this Seed was the One and Only God who created us in the beginning. In God does dwell pure humanity. Just like the scriptures state -- Adam and Eve were intended originally to be a visible created form in the image of God. Unfortunately, the devil showed up and caused a detour in the original plan.

But the good news is that the hiccup in the plan (devised by satan) was not an unknown to God. How do we know this? For it is written that JESUS - the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth - would at an appointed time be manifest in the flesh purposely to destroy the work of the devil.

"The first man is of the earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:47)

The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)

"Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead, by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for HIS NAME. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-6)

"Who God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, [I say] at this time His righteousness; that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:25-26)

This is why Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

Because as Jesus also said, "I and My Father are One." (John 10:30)

Thus, just as God is not three distinct and separate persons, neither are you and I. We are spirit beings veiled in flesh, born as male or female from two seeds. These two seeds are thus knit together in one individual - a spiritual individual who during his or her lifetime is capable of manifesting their individuality in three expressive ways - as a son/daughter, as a father/mother and as a spirit/friend. You see - you never were three persons and cannot be misconstrued as three individuals. More important to this discussion, we are created in the image of God!

"In the beginning, God ..." (Genesis 1:1)

Still, as we know from the scriptures, even the Jews knew the prophesies and psalms found within the Old Testament. Jesus acknowledged that they had the scriptures. Repeatedly, Jesus quoted the scriptures to the Jews saying many times, "Have you not read?" And, similarly, "It is written." And yet it often seems that the Bible is the most misunderstood book in all the world simply because the natural man does not understand or comprehend the things of God. Even the chosen apostles had to have their understanding opened by Jesus for they were also at the time without understanding.

Nevertheless, throughout the ages, there have been those who have flocked to hear and see Jesus expressed His Word with such authority and wisdom. Why? Because there are those who understand that the life of God was manifested in the flesh so that we might be saved.

The question is this. Are you being deceived? You do not have to be. Jesus is the only begotten Son of the Holy Ghost whose SEED was conceived into the womb of a willing surrogate named Mary who herself expressed that her spirit rejoiced in God her Saviour.

There is only ONE GOD and only one Mediator between God and man. That ONE Mediator being none other than the One known as the Son [or servant] in the scriptures. His Name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

This call includes those who have for far too long rejected Jesus as their Lord God and Saviour. Don't delay any longer, for today -- if you harden not your heart -- is the day of salvation. Stand in the offering plate.

The Time Is Fulfilled, And The Kingdom of God Is At Hand; Repent Ye, And Believe The Gospel Of Our Lord God And Saviour Jesus the Christ - Part 1453

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

By faith are ye saved through grace, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them ..." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We live in a world which is determined to put us back into bondage, whereby we are under the l/Law in every respect. This is not only happening in the earthly wherein we have our being, but sadly, too many in the religious culture desire the same outcome. Nevertheless, the good news is that He has quickened us who were dead in trespasses and sins -- "wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience."(Ephesians 2:1)

"But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace are ye saved!) and hath raised [us] up together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His Kingdom toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-7)

After His kindness, and mercy, and love was God Himself robed in flesh so that we who respond to His invitation to "Come" might have life more abundantly.

"After that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy, He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour, that be justified by His grace we should be made heirs according tot the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7)

"Now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, [and] He is our peace, who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wail of partition between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace, and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby; and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh." (Ephesians 2:13-17)

And through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

But now there is a move to bring people back under the Law and ordinances of old -- as if we who are Gentiles are Jews, and in so doing, make our salvation about the "works" of righteousness (good works that we do), rather than the kindness and love of God our Saviour, and the precious blood He shed on the cross for you and I.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross ... and having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:14)

This is why we are to let no man judge us in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath, which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ. Jesus is the Head. 

Apostle Paul takes this teaching even further asking the question, "Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; which all are to perish with the using) after the commandments and doctrines of men?" (Colossians 2:14-23)

So what about the Law, you ask? Referring specifically to the Mosaic Law and ten commandments that was given specifically to the Israelites under the old covenant. Apostle Paul (in Galatians 4) makes the distinction between the old covenant and the new testament very clear. 

"Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. He therefore that ministers to you in the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of faith?" 

Even Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. So, why then do we now believe that the work that our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ did on the cross, when He paid the price for our sins once and for all with His own precious blood, being beaten in a body prepared for Him, to be of no consequence? Insufficient? Is this the real reason why we desire to serve the Law? Or is there something else going on in our hearts, whereby we change the glory of the uncorruptible God and His truth into a lie. (Romans 1:21-25)

But we who have come into the knowledge of Jesus should know better. We can't earn our salvation because even our good works are as filthy rags in the sight of the Lord. We are saved because of His love for us. 

"Therefore, it is of faith that it might be by grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed: not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all ... as it is written, "I have made thee a father of many nations." before Him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickens the dead and calls those things which be not as though they were, who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be."  And being not weak in faith ..." (Romans 4:16-25)

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1)

Am I suggesting that there is no Law? Of course not. Jesus Himself confirmed two commandments -- the first being to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and by extension of His love flowing in us, the second -- to love one another. He established the Law of faith.

But these are not the ten commandments, the religious ceremonial laws, the health and civil laws -- all 612 laws which were intended to serve as a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ ... that we might be "justified by faith. Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster, for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus"

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... and if ye be Christ's then ye are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:24-29)

The Lord said that in this current dispensation of grace -- the new testament wherein for this cause He is the mediator -- the law would no longer be written on tablets of stone, but in our hearts. He -- the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ in our hearts -- will lead and guide us into all truth. 

Indeed, "this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days," saith the Lord, "I will put My laws into their hearts and in their minds will I write them, and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Now here remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin, having therefore brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh, and having an high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful that promised)." (Hebrews 10:16) 

"For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10:14)

This is why we need to understand that when the fullness of time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons, and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:1-7)

Don't allow those who desire you to be under the law and "zealously affect you but not well" to sway you against the true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham had two sons. We who believe in Jesus by faith, and are water baptized in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ are of the free woman. We are the children of promise. (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:40-44; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:23) 

Thus, as apostle Paul summarized, "So then brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 4:21-31; Galatians 5:1)

But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, "He that glories, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:30-31)

This same Jesus whom ye have crucified who is both Lord and Christ -- from whence cometh our salvation. (Acts 2:36) Stand in the offering plate. 

His Abundant Mercy Hath Begotten Us Again Unto A Lively Hope By The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ, Not The Religious Culture That Would Have Us Believe Differently -- Part 1452

The parable entitled "the unjust steward" might be more appropriately named the "Greatest Deception Known to The Human Race!" There are several reasons for this.

Beginning with Luke 16:2, the Lord said, “So He called him (satan) in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management because you cannot be manager any longer.”

In the parable of the unjust steward, satan was fired from his job as the accuser of the people. Indeed, what Jesus was proclaiming here was the condemnation of satan. “And in regard to judgement … the prince of this world now stands condemned.” (John 16:11) Up until then, satan had control of the world through people who were willing to cooperate. But as we learn here, in this capacity, satan was actually a hostage taker -- misusing the Law to accuse people.

But let’s backtrack for a moment. Since the beginning, satan has held all of humanity as a hostage because Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Originally, in the Garden, man and woman were given control over the earth. But when the two sinned, they desired to become like their Creator. As a consequence, Adam and Eve were cast out of paradise into the now fallen world that we now know. In their hearts, God wrote the knowledge of right and wrong. But satan, fully aware that God would not renege on His promise to give the world over to men and women, similarly knew that he could – from that point forward -- rule the world through men and women who were willing to cooperate with him.

However, the scriptures state that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, the Master in the parable -- the righteous God -- was legally able to condemn (or fire) satan without further condemning mankind. Indeed, this became the turning point in time whereby the Lord God provided salvation – through the shedding of His blood on the cross – so that we can now receive salvation through faith in Him. Thank You Jesus!

Luke 16:3 “The manager (satan) said to himself, ‘What shall I do now?’ My Master (God) is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg …” Herein, we get a glimpse of how alarmed he is becoming. He urgently begins to wonder what to do. The very law (from the old covenant) that he was using to accuse and repress people has now been rendered useless to him. In fact, satan now stands alone with his demons – forever condemned. Notice that satan doesn’t want to work and likewise, too ashamed to beg (meaning, he is too proud to work and begging for mercy was definitely below his pride filled demeanour).

Luke 16:4 “I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.”

So satan had to quickly develop a plan. Up until this point, satan was able to use the Law to make people feel guilty and ashamed. His profession -- to keep people burdened, discouraged and feeling hopeless all the time. But if he lost his job, then satan could no longer do this. This is why fighting for his right to occupy people’s hearts, minds and souls became so critically important. Indeed, urgent. He had to devise a plan whereby people [would] welcome [him] into their houses [their bodily temples]. Legally, satan needed someone to co-operate with him. Because earth had previously been given to mankind, satan had no authority of his own.

The only chance satan had was through deceiving "those who have" -- a community of people like you and I who were set free from being God’s debtors once and for all. The debt that was paid in full by Jesus' blood shed on the cross so that He -- our Lord God and Saviour -- could become our resting place.

Luke 16:5 “So he called in each one of his Master’s debtors [all of humanity]. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

Making an offer to each individual, satan sets out to implement his plan of deception using various means. As we learn from the parable, even his question to the debtor is part of this deception -- for we owe nothing in Christ Jesus. Salvation is a gift. But as we read, satan asks: “How much do you owe my master?” … meaning: “What do you think it takes for your soul to be right with your conscious?” This is a question that runs deep in the hearts and souls of men and satan knows this.

You see, our heavenly Father created a homing device in our hearts. It is similar to a lifesaving smoke alarm with a low battery. It makes annoying peeps till you finally change the battery. In the same context, satan is quick to provide an answer for our searching hearts through the world around us. When satan asks individuals “What do you owe my Master?” he wants to know your price – how much sin you are burdened by -- and then give you a discount.

Luke 16:6-7 “Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.” Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?” [The response] “A thousand bushels of wheat,” he replied.

What is happening here is that the prince of this world – satan – is trying to divert you from the good news gospel message of Jesus and His kingdom. How? By sending any and every distraction in his limited power your way, and is seeking any opening or opportunity to inflict illness (if it is possible). In other words, satan is attempting to keep you from reading and meditating on His Word that elaborates on the goodness and grace of God. Note here that satan does not have the direct authority to rule over us so instead he attempts to get us to negotiate our faith. “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.”

In so doing, satan is ensuring that we – as believers -- don’t truly trust that we have been set free from worldly bondage – free solely because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. And to make his plan successful, satan has to ensure that the law (that has subsequently made people feel guilty throughout history) remains a factor in our thinking. This is where satan’s negotiations with the debtors becomes critical. The prince of this world wants us to feel indebted.

So, to that end, what does satan do? For those who have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, negotiating is easy – enticing these people to become lured lock stock and barrel into worldly endeavours. For example, if you are seeking answers in the world, he will just let you succeed (or, conversely, fail on your own accord). Why? Because to satan, you are not of any strategic importance to him. In fact, you are actually his fodder because satan can manifest through you -- whether you know it or not. In other words, you are already deceived.

However, for believers in Jesus, or those seeking the truth and His righteousness, satan develops a particular plan of deception. This is where negotiating a price becomes the ultimate objective. “Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.” Herein, satan actually condones believers who wish to pursue the gospel -- that is, to a degree. For example, believers can model their lives after the example of those who represent the "worldly standard" of Christianity rather than worship the only mediator between God and man – the man Christ Jesus. If one insists on going to church, satan tries to lead them to congregations that excel on “form and culture” but ignore the power and the authority of the Word. Indeed, satan does not even mind you becoming active participants in the church as long as your involvement is part of that pre-negotiated price.

The result? Half-heartedness. People who believe that they are still responsible to the law and good works as part of their salvation package and as such, have not accepted God’s gift of salvation – the blood of Jesus shed on the cross -- that truly sets us free. Instead, there is a part of us that still honours the law – and when we fail, we feel guilty and burdened all over again. Not free as our Lord God and Saviour wanted us to become.

Others believe that salvation comes from the good works we do, again negating God’s sacrifice on the cross for you and I. Thus, satan has been successful in creating half-hearted Christians – with half of us still believing that we are under the law. One foot in the old covenant and it's legal teachings.

Luke 16:8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.”

Here, the master (God) commends the dishonest manager (satan) for turning certain defeat into a feat. The Lord has recognized the devil’s conniving and how his deception has been able to keep people burdened and busy by the cares of this world, rather than accepting the many blessings of our Lord. With sadness, the Lord observes how people pursue worldly things with relentless shrewdness while people of the light -- who have true riches and the Most High King at their disposal – would allow satan to remain as prince of this world.

The deception then is this. As believers in Jesus, we have been given authority over all the things of this world. Remember, Jesus in the boat? The disciples awakened Him from His sleep when the storm hit. Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, “Peace be still.” And the wind ceased and there was great calm. Jesus then said to His disciples, “And why are you so fearful. Why is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40) In this example, Jesus fully expected that His disciples would calm the sea, by the power and authority given to them. (Yes, Jesus expects the same from us today).

Unfortunately, it is this deception -- our half-heartedness in our faith journey -- that has rendered the power and authority that Jesus gives to those who seek Him and His righteousness to be of no effect … and in so doing, have actually allowed satan to regain and retain control of this world.

Jesus said, "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." (Luke 16:9 KJV)

The NIV states: “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

The Lord is sharing several messages here. First, He is instructing us – the children of light who know Jesus -- to become as shrewd and cunning as the unjust steward -- encouraging believers to use worldly endeavours to increase His kingdom. For instance, using our worldly wealth to reach out in love to those who do not know the good news gospel of Jesus. Forgiving debtors of their debt. By giving all of ourselves -- 100% of our time and labour -- to building the kingdom. Standing in the offering plate. In so doing, we will receive many friends who will in time welcome us into eternal dwellings.

But more importantly, the Lord is saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom” … meaning that we cannot pay our way into heaven. The price for our sins and transgressions (the law) were paid in full once and for all on the cross. Therefore, we need to take hold of our freely given salvation, believing in His grace and mercy. No negotiating for a price. And no half-heartedness. Why?

Luke 16:13 Because ... “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Here is the overarching message of the parable of the unjust steward and one of the greatest lessons within the Bible. That is, as expressed by Jesus: “No one can serve two masters.” What Jesus is saying here is simply that He cannot manifest through individuals who do not willingly serve the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and King.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind."

This means that when we accept satan’s proposed discount (negotiating a half-hearted devotion to Jesus), we render the Word of God (the power and authority of God) ineffective.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead - to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fades not away -- reserved in heaven for you -- who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (I Peter 1:3-5)

[More on “What is half-heartedness?” to come in the days ahead.]

In the interim, here we are, 2000 years later, from the day that Jesus set us all free from condemnation, yet we still see a majority of mankind living lives of quiet desperation -- often poor, sick, confused and feeling hopeless. My friend, do not settle for man’s traditional standard of what your faith walk should look like. Stand in the offering plate, pressing into Jesus with all your mind, heart and soul. From this relationship flows everlasting life that will leave everything else in the dust.

For Mine Eyes Have Seen Thy Salvation Which Thou Hast Prepared Before the Face of All People - Part 1451

And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him after the custom of the law, then took he Him up in his arms and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now let thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy Word, for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."  And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. (Luke 2:26-33)

Herein, the man was Simeon from Jerusalem. He was described as just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (Luke 2:25) He was not the only man faithful on the old testament side. Indeed, in Hebrews 11 we observe a number of faithful who saw the prophesied promise that was afar off. And to their credit, these were not only persuaded of them, but confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. Their sights were not on the earthly, but on the heavenly, wherein lies their hope.

"For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country, and truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better [country] that is, an heavenly; wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:13-16)

But as we understand also, these all died in the faith because the promise could not come while the first covenant remained. "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest while as the first tabernacle was yet standing." (Hebrews 9:8)

It was for this cause that Christ -- He is the mediator of the new testament, and the High Priest of good things to come "by a greater and more perfect tabernacle" that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first [testament] was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:11, 15-18)

In other words, "how much more shall the blood of Christ -- who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Hebrews 9:14)

Good question. In this current dispensation of grace, we have received the promise. We have seen the salvation of the Lord -- His promised Christ. The One God (who created man and woman in the beginning) desired to justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through faith came and offered Himself as the free gift upon all men unto justification of life, if we would only believe. (Romans 3:30; Romans 5:15-21)

God Himself becoming our Saviour on the cross. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23)

"Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession Christ Jesus ... " (Hebrews 3:1)

His love for His beloved creation so abundant that He willingly provided a way for us to stand and rejoice in the hope of His glory, the glory of God. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6-11) Through His sacrifice on the cross, we can be justified by His blood, and reconciled through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (for until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of Him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many." (Romans 5:1-15)

Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

Still, like Simeon who saw "Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people" there were others who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but were strong in faith, giving glory to God. (Romans 4:19) And these (even without the promised Christ) became world changers.

As the record in Hebrews 11 shows, these "through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, and stopped the mouths of lions. These quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Women received their dead raised to life again; while others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection, and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment; they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy;) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:33-40)

Yet, these were only privy to the shadow of things yet to come. These only could see the promised Christ from afar -- off in the distance. The mystery that was kept in the bosom of the Father until the appointed time. This last day wherein those who were not a people could become a chosen people for the Lord of glory.

But we who have access by faith into this grace -- the "some better thing for us" in this last day --designed by God Himself in the very beginning -- wherein we can stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God have not even begun to take hold of the authority that we have in Christ Jesus who lives within.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

"And if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with [Him] that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature [creation] waits for the manifestation of the sons of God ..." (Romans 8:17-19)

Waiting for us to begin to understand and step out in faith -- as did those faithful of old -- knowing that the Lord is that Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (II Corinthians 3:17) "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory for ever, amen." (Romans 11:36)

Stand in the offering plate.

Not By Might, Nor By Power, But By My Spirit, Saith the Lord of Hosts - Part 1450

Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common. (Acts 2:36-47)

And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God. As a consequence, the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved! This all happened on the day of Pentecost wherein Peter (standing with the eleven) told those who asked what they must do for salvation, to repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:36-38)

This should serve as our starting point of our faith journey, learning that this same Jesus whom was crucified is now both our Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) As we move forward studying the Word to show ourselves approved unto God, we see examples of how our faith walk should look. There is one example that I would like to focus on this day. I hope you are as edified in understanding that in everything we do, should always be in the Name of Jesus the Christ.

There was a certain man, lame from his mother's womb who was laid daily at the gate of a temple. It is there that he expected to receive some money from those who passed by. As it so happened, Peter and John about to enter the temple were asked to give money. Instead, Peter and John (in surmising the situation) said to the man, "Look on us."

The man did as Peter had said, still expecting to receive from them financial sustenance. However, as we read in the scriptures, Peter said to the man, "I do not have any silver or gold to give you (imagine - expectancy dashed) BUT what I do have I give to you (expectancy faith arises) - “In the Name of JESUS the Christ, rise up and walk!"

Peter, stretching forth his right arm assisted the man to his feet. Immediately, the man’s feet and ankle bones received strength. The man started leaping and standing and walking going straight into the temple. In the temple, he continued leaping and walking, praising God as he went. The people watched as he continued praising God!

Likewise, JESUS when He walked upon earth went about doing good. As He went, He healed all who came to Him with expectancy (faith). Indeed, the New Testament is full of testimonials whereby JESUS delivered and healed all those who came to Him with expectancy of faith. Persons who were oppressed of the devil.

How could this be? The Spirit of God was in the man JESUS. Yes! God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.

The God who indwelt the man JESUS the Christ is the very same today as He was in the scriptures. He has not changed. For God remains the same today as He was yesterday. And, as a consequence, we can have expectancy of faith (confidence) that tomorrow God will be unchanged. Recall at Calvary when JESUS in His body bore all of our sin? And with the stripes laid upon His back - those stripes that He received were for our healing?

So just because we do not visibly see JESUS is no reason to believe that He is absent from us. For in Acts chapter 1, we read that the same JESUS who ascended is the same One who has once again descended. Only this time JESUS was NOT TO BE WITH MAN! Oh no! This time, JESUS is to DWELL INSIDE MAN.

Expectant believers being baptized into His death are of God “Raised Again” as new individuals! Renewed. Believing persons are grafted into HIS spiritual body, becoming members of His bone and of His flesh. In feature, we still bear the image of the first Adam. Earthly. However, spiritually we are no longer his offspring. Instead, we have been redeemed by the blood of His Holy Spirit -- the Holy Ghost -- which blood flowed in JESUS veins and which blood was poured from His body at Calvary (paying for our transgressions in full)!

This is why we now are the body of the same JESUS who laid down His life for us. Now He inhabits us even as He had His own natural body whilst He dwelt among us. He has bequeathed His inheritance to us! His LAST WILL He has SEALED in His own blood!

For you and I. The greatest love story ever told.

"And for this cause, He is the Mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18)

Who is He? God our Saviour. His Name is Jesus the Christ in this current dispensation of grace. He is the One who will lead and guide you into all truth and knowledge, when we dwell in His secret hiding place with His Word.

"And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33)

Stand in the offering plate.

And Of His Fullness Have All We Received, And Grace For Grace.- Part 1449

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not one can escape our destiny except through the love and grace and mercy and kindness of God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) 

But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Thus, the song -- Amazing Grace.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me ...

When Jesus said, "I am come that [we] might have life and that [we] might have it more abundantly" He was revealing how great is His love for His people. (John 10:10) His people being you and I. His beloved creation. 

By grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:5-9; Acts 15:11; Hebrews 4:16; I Corinthians 15:10)

This is why we need to recognize that we are sinners AND that Jesus alone can save us from our sinful nature. Even though He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last, we need to believe on Jesus and accept His perfect sacrifice so that we could receive His gift of salvation. (Revelation 1:8, 11) Indeed, God showed His agape love for us by being made flesh and dwelling among us. (John 1:10-11; I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23) This He did so that we might understand the breadth and depth of His love for His chosen. His infinite compassion for us. His desire to have a relationship with His people. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Everything that Jesus is, and everything that He accomplished -- victory over sin --  the world -- the flesh and evil --  is now being deposited on the inside of our being. The resurrected life of Jesus Christ is renewing us and bringing us back to the person we were always intended to be. In communion with God. Walking in His stride. Yes, the same Spirit that is holy and raised Christ from the dead now empowers us for His purpose, to reconcile all of creation back to Himself. Why?

 So "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you many know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints"  (Ephesians 1:17-18)

Indeed, in Jesus is the hope of our glory! Put yourself in the Offering Plate!

Have Ye Not Known? Know Ye That The Lord -- He Is God -- Part 1448

”For through Him we both have access by One Spirit unto the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)

Jesus said, ”I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:7-11)

Isaiah prophesied of a time to come, when the good Shepherd would lay down His life for the sheep. Indeed, Isaiah wrote, ”He shall feed His flock like a shepherd. He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are young, who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His Counselor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and shewed to Him the way of understanding?

Behold, the nations are as a drop in the bucket and are counted as the small dust of the balance; behold, He takes up the isles as a very little thing ... all nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing and vanity. To whom then will ye liken God? Or, what likeness will ye compare unto Him?

... Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sits upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers, that stretch out the heavens as a curtain, and spread them out as a tent to dwell in ... lift up your eyes on high, and behold, who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number; He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one fails.

Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and My judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? Hast thou not hard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding.” (Isaiah 40:13-31)

Isaiah was speaking of Jesus to come, and Jesus was saying the Kingdom of God is nigh! As when Jesus said to His disciples,”If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth, ye know Him and have seen Him.” (John 14:6-10)

Jesus went onto say: ”Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the very works sake.” (John 14:11)

It is here that the false trinitarian doctrine begins to take root, advancing the claim that God must be three persons, co-existent and co-equal with one another. But these err. Let me explain.

The scriptures tell us that Jesus was Almighty God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) The same God who created man and woman in the beginning loved us enough to became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) The Word (which was with God and was God) was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-18; I John 5:7) Emmanuel, meaning God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)

Not another, or a lesser God but the One and Only God. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:28-31; Ephesians 4:5-6) ”Know ye that the Lord -- He Is God. (Psalm 100:3) ”For in Him dwells ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9; Colossians 1:17-19) In And, as Peter standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost said, ”This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is BOTH Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36-38)

But how can this be, you ask. How can Jesus be both God and the promised Christ?

God came forth as a mighty man -- robed in sin-prone flesh and yet without sin -- as a servant. And she shall bring forth a son and He shall save His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23)

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.”

In other words, the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary. The same Holy Ghost who is to become our Comforter, leading and guiding us into all wisdom and truth.

Jesus said, ”But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. ” (John 14:26)

Jesus said, ”But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” (John 15:26)

And we know this to be true from Acts 1:2:
”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 ...”

Who is He but Jesus. The same Spirit of the Lord God who created the world in the beginning was in the world reconciling His creation to Himself. He brought us salvation at a huge cost. And yet, because of His abundant love for you and I -- His beloved -- God willingly shed His precious blood on that cross for you and I. The greatest love story ever told, and yet, those who err in religious circles want to rewrite the pages of the Bible to fulfill their own agenda. How sad for them! Still, the Word of God is true. Indeed, we are instructed to let God be true and every man a liar.

Nevertheless, the good news is this:

”For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God that before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore, remember, ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh (who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands); that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world ... but now -- in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, for He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the Law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so make peace; and that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby ...” (Ephesians 2:10-16)

Stand in the offering plate.

Jesus, The Promise From Afore Bringing Forth His Gift of Salvation To One and All; Therefore, Let His Light So Shine In You Before Men - Part 1447

Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you ... he that hears My Word and believes on Him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death to life." (John 5:24)

When the apostles were asked in Acts 16:30-31, "Sirs, what must we do to be saved?" the response was "Believe on the Lord Jesus the Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Why? Because "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1; Galatians 5:1; Romans 33-39)

Further, Jesus said, "He that hath My commandments and keeps them" ... "he it is that loves Me and he that loves Me shall be loved of my Father and I will love Him and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21-26) Imagine. God Almighty the Creator loving you and I so much that He would become flesh and dwell among us. And then shed His precious blood on a cross so that we might have salvation. Abundant life in Him.

All this so that we might love Him the way we were intended to love Him in the Garden. When we compare God's love for His people to I Corinthians 13, for example, the words don't seem adequate.. Indeed, there are days when the English language falls short in describing the breadth and depth of love God has for us.

Still, I Corinthians chapter 13 serves as a starting point. Charity [flow-thru love beginning with our love for the Lord Jesus] suffers long. It bears all things. This kind of love believes all things, and hopes all things. Love endures all things. In other words, perfect love never fails. We understand this better when we see the love of God for His people.

But whether there are prophecies, they will fail. Whether there are tongues, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I understood as a child. I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly but then face to face. Now I know in part but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope and love -- these three -- but the greatest of these is charity."(I Corinthians 13:1-13)

The greatest of these is God's infinite love for His people --- you and I and our families and to all those who are afar off. (Acts 2:36-39) And from His love for us, we reach out and love others. We better understand that if -- while we were yet sinners, the Lord Jesus loved us enough to endure the torture and shame of the cross, we too can share His goodness and grace and mercy and love with others.

His love freely and willingly given so that we might believe, so that we may be the children of our Father which is in heaven. As Jesus instructed His disciples, "For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45) This is the type of love/charity wherein we can become that city on a hill -- the shining light that always points to Jesus the Christ.

If you haven't already done so, ask Jesus into your life today and stand steadfast knowing that His love for us will never fail.

"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 believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:8-10)

"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven." (Matthew 10:32)

And, as Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost said to those who asked, "What shall we do?" ... "Repent, and be [water] baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

Stand in the offering plate.