One of the most popular scriptures, known worldwide is John 3:16. Therein, we are introduced to the abundance of love and kindness of our Lord God and Saviour toward man. (Titus 3:4-7) The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world has been revealed, His glory for all the world to behold. The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him -- the perfect sacrifice -- who willingly shed His precious blood on a cross so that we might have salvation through Him.
"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)
The message of believing in Him is further elaborated upon in I Timothy 3:16: "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
Yes, 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 Lamb of God. His Name in this current dispensation of grace -- JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23) The Word made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. The Lord God Almighty giving His right arm of salvation. "Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us ..." (Luke 1:78)
"And His Name through faith in His Name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by Him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." (Acts 3:16)
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16)
But not every believer presses into Jesus to discover His true identity, and as a consequence, end up believing every whim of teaching, being tossed to and fro by false doctrine, void of any scriptural foundation. Concerning this, Paul said to those who professed to believe in Galatia -- "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?' (Galatians 3:1) It is is a good question.
"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (II Peter 3:16)
It does not have to be this way. We do not have to be like the seed that has fallen on stony ground. Instead delve into the Word of the Lord, studying to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
And "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
"Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ." (I Peter 3:16)
God is not the Author of confusion. He has a plan for each and every one of us -- His unique purpose placed in our hearts by our Creator whilst we were still in our mother's womb. And part of that plan, the mystery of godliness, is that the very same God who made man in His own image in the beginning would purchase us with His own blood. Indeed, we are the "purchased possession" spoken of in Ephesians 1:14.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
And "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:16)
God is not the Author of confusion. He has a plan for each and every one of us -- His unique purpose placed in our hearts by our Creator whilst we were still in our mother's womb. And part of that plan, the mystery of godliness, is that the very same God who made man in His own image in the beginning would purchase us with His own blood. Indeed, we are the "purchased possession" spoken of in Ephesians 1:14.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: that we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)
So, as the apostles instructed, "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." (Acts 20:28)
So, as the apostles instructed, "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." (Acts 20:28)
Stand in the offering plate.
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