"To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude 1:25)
"The mystery of godliness ... God manifest in the flesh ..." (I Timothy 3:16)
Further to this point, apostle Paul confirms the same message to the saints at Ephesus. That is, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6)
"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and His Redeemer the LORD of hosts; I [am] the First, and I [am] the Last; and beside Me [there is] no God." (Isaiah 44:6)
"I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside Me [there is] no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
There is much more but let this suffice for this day. Let those with ears to hear and eyes to see Lord understand how much more you have established for those who love you. Stand in the offering plate with the Lord our righteousness, for He will never leave you nor forsake you!
"The mystery of godliness ... God manifest in the flesh ..." (I Timothy 3:16)
Over time, believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have been told that doctrine is inconsequential, and in so doing, we have witnessed a gradual decline in teachings which come directly from the Word of the Lord God. Because of this, false teachings and traditions of men have been adopted as truth, and sadly, caused many to be led astray. Still, as believers in Jesus by faith, it is important to understand that He has gladly and willingly and lovingly -- "chosen and ordained" us so that we can move forward fully armed with the armour of God, being sanctified by His truth. And as Jesus stated -- "Thy Word is truth!" (John 17:17)
But the good news gospel message does not stop there. We have the benefit of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the risen Jesus living within to lead and guide us into all truth, so that when we are confronted with teachings that are not scriptural, we can understand what is right, by virtue of knowing that THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT AGREE!
As Jesus said, the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- which would come after He was taken up -- "He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I [Jesus] have said unto you." (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 2:36-38) The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not -- can now abide in our hearts as our all in all. (John 14:17; II John 2:9)
The difficulty for believers is the lack of teaching from the Word. Even the first commandment -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD" and that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we default far too often to the second -- namely, to love one another. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
And no, I am not suggesting that we should not love one another. But at the very least we should understand that there is One God and that this ONE AND SAME GOD willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) And that this is the mystery which was held from the beginning of the world. The song -- How Deep the Father's Love For Us -- comes to mind. If we only understood how precious we are to our Creator, but I digress.
What I am trying to say is that many of us have not been taught about the doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2) Instead, many of our traditional mainline churches have adhered to a FALSE trinity doctrine -- as if god could possibly be three persons -- even when the premise for this belief cannot be substantiated in the scriptures.
What is worse is that because of false teachings such as this, we have seen "God in Christ" and "the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily [in Him" reduced to a god - a small g god. We are not taught that CHRIST JESUS IS THE ONE TRUE LORD ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER. We are not told that JESUS who shall save the world from sin is indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords, and that some day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father. (Revelation 1:8, 11) And too often, by teaching "another gospel," these will NOT acknowledge Jesus' own words when He declared to His disciples, "I AND My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30)
Neither will these accept Jesus' words to Philip, when Jesus said unto him, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-12; I Timothy 3:16) Even when Philip subsequently asks Jesus -- "Lord, shew us the Father and it suffices us," how does Jesus respond? Note that Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, and the Father in Me?" (John 14:9)
But the good news gospel message does not stop there. We have the benefit of the Holy Ghost -- the Spirit of the risen Jesus living within to lead and guide us into all truth, so that when we are confronted with teachings that are not scriptural, we can understand what is right, by virtue of knowing that THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT AGREE!
As Jesus said, the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- which would come after He was taken up -- "He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I [Jesus] have said unto you." (John 14:26; John 15:26; Acts 2:36-38) The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not -- can now abide in our hearts as our all in all. (John 14:17; II John 2:9)
The difficulty for believers is the lack of teaching from the Word. Even the first commandment -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is ONE LORD" and that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we default far too often to the second -- namely, to love one another. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
And no, I am not suggesting that we should not love one another. But at the very least we should understand that there is One God and that this ONE AND SAME GOD willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) And that this is the mystery which was held from the beginning of the world. The song -- How Deep the Father's Love For Us -- comes to mind. If we only understood how precious we are to our Creator, but I digress.
What I am trying to say is that many of us have not been taught about the doctrine of Christ. (Hebrews 6:1-2) Instead, many of our traditional mainline churches have adhered to a FALSE trinity doctrine -- as if god could possibly be three persons -- even when the premise for this belief cannot be substantiated in the scriptures.
What is worse is that because of false teachings such as this, we have seen "God in Christ" and "the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily [in Him" reduced to a god - a small g god. We are not taught that CHRIST JESUS IS THE ONE TRUE LORD ALMIGHTY GOD AND FATHER. We are not told that JESUS who shall save the world from sin is indeed the King of kings and Lord of lords, and that some day every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of the Father. (Revelation 1:8, 11) And too often, by teaching "another gospel," these will NOT acknowledge Jesus' own words when He declared to His disciples, "I AND My Father are ONE!" (John 10:30)
Neither will these accept Jesus' words to Philip, when Jesus said unto him, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-12; I Timothy 3:16) Even when Philip subsequently asks Jesus -- "Lord, shew us the Father and it suffices us," how does Jesus respond? Note that Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet, hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father, and the Father in Me?" (John 14:9)
In this same conversation with Philip, Jesus goes on to say: "Believe thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwells in Me, He doth the works. Believe Me that I [am] in the Father, and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works' sake." (John 14:9-12)
As we read further in John 14, we see Jesus later explaining how He must leave in order for the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost -- to come but states also in the same conversation that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Jesus states, "I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you." (John 14:13-18) And, as we later understand as well, after Jesus is taken up, Jesus then THROUGH the Holy Ghost then gave His commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3' Acts 2:1-47)
[As an aside, apostle Paul clearly details who is the last to see Jesus in I Corinthians 15:1-8 -- "and last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.]
[As an aside, apostle Paul clearly details who is the last to see Jesus in I Corinthians 15:1-8 -- "and last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.]
But the traditions of men do not want us to -- "hear ye Him" as we are instructed to do throughout scripture in this current dispensation of grace. (John 3:16) We have not been instructed by those in leadership positions that "Lo, the volume of the book is written of Me!" And that, in these last days God spoke to His people (specifically, in this generation) by [His] Son, whom He hath appointed Heir of all things, by whom also He hath made the worlds; who being the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they -- the first begotten in[to] the world." (Hebrews 1:1-13; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:31-35; John 1:45; Revelation 12:5; Isaiah 8:8-10)
Indeed, for the same God who "is with us" now dwells within us as the Comforter, when we repent and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour. We know this in our hearts because the scripture is true -- "... the voice of the Lord [having said], "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" Then said I -- "Hear [am] I; send Me." (Isaiah 6:8)
The first Adam was earthy but the second Adam was the Lord from heaven. The Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
Like the rich man looking for a wife in this day and age, the Lord wants to know that His beloved loves Him for who He is, and not just because of the blessings that can be bestowed upon us. In other words, God did not send another, but rather, robed Himself in flesh, having hid His glory from those who would not believe that Jesus was the He, so that He could extend His invitation to us -- to come.
"Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 43:26; Psalm 51:7)
The Lord gave His right arm for salvation.
"And thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of Mine hands in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My Name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isaiah 30:22-24; Isiah 45:11, 17; Isaiah 49:20-26)
But we have not been taught per se that after the kindness and love of God, He willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) Very few have proclaimed that Almighty God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Or, that the Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13) His true identity hid from the world so that He could personally deliver to us His free gift of salvation. Yes, He paid the ultimate price with His precious holy blood on the cross. He willingly clothed Himself in a sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we could be redeemed through His blood shed on the cross.
It is from His grace and mercy that we are saved, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God. But in order to be saved, we need to believe that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that whosoever believes in Him should not abide in darkness. (John 13:44-50)
Just as Jesus said, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up -- that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved ... he that BELIEVES ON HIM is not condemned, but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. And this is the condemnation -- that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil ..." (John 3:14-18; John 8:28; John 12:34; John 19:18; John 6:40, 47; John 3:36; Romans 5:8, 24; Isaiah 9:6; John 5:24; Luke 9:56; John 1-18; Ephesians 5:11, 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)
From the very beginning, God had a salvation plan, and today He is looking for those who will search His Word for truth and clarity so that once again the believing community can be in one accord -- as the first 3,000 saved were in one accord on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47)
And in so doing, we too can understand the breadth and depth of love that our Creator has for His beloved creation. This SAME Jesus whom ye have crucified being BOTH LORD AND CHRIST. (Acts 2:36) And that, it is for this reason that God, in offering Himself as our Saviour for all the world to behold took upon Himself our sins so that we might have salvation in Him. His love and grace abounding, if we would only turn to Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
And while there will still be many proclaiming that at Jesus' baptism, the voice that is heard is from another third of God dwelling elsewhere, those who search the scriptures will know that voice was for John the baptizer's benefit. (John 1:23-33) And similarly, that Jesus told His disciples that "this voice came not because of Me, but because of your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out, and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto Me." (John 12:30-32)
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!" (Matthew 3:17; John 12:28; Psalm 2:7) It is no wonder the voice sounded like thunder when Jesus cried out -- "Father, glorify Thy name." (John 12:28-29)
Indeed, for the same God who "is with us" now dwells within us as the Comforter, when we repent and ask Jesus to be our Lord and Saviour. We know this in our hearts because the scripture is true -- "... the voice of the Lord [having said], "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" Then said I -- "Hear [am] I; send Me." (Isaiah 6:8)
The first Adam was earthy but the second Adam was the Lord from heaven. The Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
Like the rich man looking for a wife in this day and age, the Lord wants to know that His beloved loves Him for who He is, and not just because of the blessings that can be bestowed upon us. In other words, God did not send another, but rather, robed Himself in flesh, having hid His glory from those who would not believe that Jesus was the He, so that He could extend His invitation to us -- to come.
"Come now, and let us reason together," saith the Lord, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 43:26; Psalm 51:7)
The Lord gave His right arm for salvation.
"And thus saith the Lord, who redeemed Abraham concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of Mine hands in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My Name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and shall fear the God of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine." (Isaiah 30:22-24; Isiah 45:11, 17; Isaiah 49:20-26)
But we have not been taught per se that after the kindness and love of God, He willingly became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) Very few have proclaimed that Almighty God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) Or, that the Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13) His true identity hid from the world so that He could personally deliver to us His free gift of salvation. Yes, He paid the ultimate price with His precious holy blood on the cross. He willingly clothed Himself in a sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we could be redeemed through His blood shed on the cross.
It is from His grace and mercy that we are saved, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God. But in order to be saved, we need to believe that Jesus is the Light of the world, and that whosoever believes in Him should not abide in darkness. (John 13:44-50)
Just as Jesus said, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up -- that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved ... he that BELIEVES ON HIM is not condemned, but he that believes not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the NAME OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. And this is the condemnation -- that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil ..." (John 3:14-18; John 8:28; John 12:34; John 19:18; John 6:40, 47; John 3:36; Romans 5:8, 24; Isaiah 9:6; John 5:24; Luke 9:56; John 1-18; Ephesians 5:11, 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)
From the very beginning, God had a salvation plan, and today He is looking for those who will search His Word for truth and clarity so that once again the believing community can be in one accord -- as the first 3,000 saved were in one accord on the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:36-47)
And in so doing, we too can understand the breadth and depth of love that our Creator has for His beloved creation. This SAME Jesus whom ye have crucified being BOTH LORD AND CHRIST. (Acts 2:36) And that, it is for this reason that God, in offering Himself as our Saviour for all the world to behold took upon Himself our sins so that we might have salvation in Him. His love and grace abounding, if we would only turn to Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
And while there will still be many proclaiming that at Jesus' baptism, the voice that is heard is from another third of God dwelling elsewhere, those who search the scriptures will know that voice was for John the baptizer's benefit. (John 1:23-33) And similarly, that Jesus told His disciples that "this voice came not because of Me, but because of your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world; now shall the prince of this world be cast out, and I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto Me." (John 12:30-32)
And lo a voice from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!" (Matthew 3:17; John 12:28; Psalm 2:7) It is no wonder the voice sounded like thunder when Jesus cried out -- "Father, glorify Thy name." (John 12:28-29)
Seek the ONE LORD AND SAVIOUR today and hear Him. (Titus 3:4-7) Hear His voice too when Jesus states -- "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8, 11)
Hear this same Lord God who prepared for Himself a body for sacrifice, as prophesied by the prophets from afore. This SAME JESUS whom ye have crucified is now, as Peter standing with the eleven declared -- "both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36-38) And just to ensure there is no confusion, this same Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
Hear His Word today, and stand in the counsel of the Lord, because "happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." (Psalms 144:15)
Hear His Word today, and stand in the counsel of the Lord, because "happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD." (Psalms 144:15)
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance." (Psalms 33:12)
"God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." (Psalms 118:27)
And we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith, and go on to be water baptized in His Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus -- "Ye [are] My witnesses," saith the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I [am] He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me." (Isaiah 43:10)"God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." (Psalms 118:27)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Don't be swayed by the traditions of men that is being presented as sound doctrine. The first commandment tells us there is ONE GOD and ONE GOD only. And this same first commandment confirmed also by Jesus on the new testament side states: "The first of all the commandments is -- Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is ONE Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment." (Mark 12:29-30; Deuteronomy 6:4)
Further to this point, apostle Paul confirms the same message to the saints at Ephesus. That is, "One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ephesians 4:5-6)
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
"I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside Me [there is] no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11)
There is much more but let this suffice for this day. Let those with ears to hear and eyes to see Lord understand how much more you have established for those who love you. Stand in the offering plate with the Lord our righteousness, for He will never leave you nor forsake you!
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