"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." (James 3:17-18)
James goes onto clarify the criteria of "being a doer of the work of the Lord" and not just hearers only, wherein we could, as the scripture states be deceiving ourselves. As well, James refers to our Lord Jesus Christ as the Lord of glory. (James 2:1) James' writing is consistent with the apostles. For example, Peter, also, while standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost told the first 3,000 souls saved that this same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
However, the modern day religious culture is presenting new terminology in reference to the Lord God Almighty that can not be found anywhere in the scriptures. And this outcome, even though believers in Jesus by faith have been instructed against "adding" to the Word of God. A perfect example is in reference to the the term "Father God" which has become extremely popular in religious circles. In fact, the use of the term Father God is being proliferated by those in ministerial positions -- even when there is absolutely no scriptural reference anywhere in the Bible where this term is used.
The question then is this. If God is God, then why do we feel the need to change/introduce/add to the Word of God? Are the scriptures not sufficient for telling us who the Lord God is? Can we as His beloved not accept that His Word is truth, because as Jesus said, we are sanctified by truth. (John 17:17)
For clarity, believers should know that whenever God as a Father is referenced in the scriptures, the Word states -- God our Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, or similarly, the Holy Ghost as the Father which overshadowed Mary wherein she would bring forth a son. (Luke 1:35)
Why is this important? Because James instructs us not to err. (James 1:16) And if any man teach another gospel, as apostle Paul states, "let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9) Anathema Mar-an-a-tha to those who do not love the Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 16:22)
Thus, we who believe need to understand that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures." (James 1:17-18)
And similarly, that we who believe are the "... elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you and peace be multiplied. 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 ... being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the Word of God which lives and abides forever." (I Peter 1:3-5; I Peter 1 23)
Also, that we how believe "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 1:12-13)
But I digress somewhat. How does the scriptures refer to God? Following are a sampling of scriptures which should help us to understand His truth.
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters ..." (Genesis 1:1-2)
"For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God ..." (Deuteronomy 10:17; Revelation 1:8)
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh ..." (Jeremiah 32:37)
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek ..." (Isaiah 61:1)
"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness ...." (Psalm 48:1)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; Mark 12:28)
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance. The Lord looketh from heaven; He beholdeth all the sons of men." (Psalm 33:12-13)
"Know ye the LORD He is God; It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture." (Psalm 100:3)
"Exalt ye the Lord our God and worship at His footstool; for He is holy." (Psalm 99:5)
"God is the Lord ..." (Psalm 118:27)
"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7)
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Corinthians 1:3)
"Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Corinthians 1:2)
"Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2)
"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:2)
"To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Colossians 1:2)
"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 1:1)
"Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ ... Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thessalonians 1:1-2)
"Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord." (I Timothy 1:2)
"Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philemon 1:3)
And to ensure that we are clear on who God is -- "To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)
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)
His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. Yes, God became our Saviour so that we might have manifold more in this life, and everlasting life in the next. Don't let the misunderstandings of religious circles deceive you from knowing the truth that is in His Word, but rather study to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15)
Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead. And consequently, He abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. His Word given so that we can find life in Him. He is God our Saviour, and He knows them that are His, because we seek His truth in all things. Therefore, hold fast to the good news gospel -- that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwells in us. And when it comes to the truth of His Word, let us not err, knowing that the foundation of God stands sure.
Be strong then in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.
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