How many within the modern day religious culture still don't know from whence He came, even though they have been given ample opportunity for the Lord to open their eyes? Most certainly from the scriptures we know that God is One. Indeed, as the first commandment states, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord!" This same commandment stating that we are to worship the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
Why? Because of the kindness and love that God extended to us when this same God clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) shedding His precious holy blood on a cross so that we could experience His free gift of salvation. (Acts 20:28; Titus 3:4-7) So that we could choose abundant everlasting life in Him. Indeed, He offered a plan of redemption that continually drips of love beyond measure; a salvation plan that was decided before the foundation of the world was even formed. To me, this is the greatest love story ever told, that we can be cleansed and made whole because of our Creator's love for His beloved creation -- you and I.
Sadly, however, the stumbling block in understanding this simple good news salvation message -- that God willingly became our Saviour -- emerges with the ushering in of the New Testament -- when the Holy Ghost this signified that the old covenant had to pass away before the new could be ushered in ... with the entrance of the Son -- "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee!" (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; I Corinthians 5:19; Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5)
Many rely on the example of Abraham and his son to justify that God can no longer be One. That He -- God Almighty divided Himself and His authority into thirds -- even though Jesus clearly stated that "ALL authority is Mine!" and that He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:8)
Or 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)
Rather, it seems the term mediator (which in our 21st century world is defined as a separate being) appears to be the issue. Note that the use of mediator is only cited in the New Testament -- but also, there is an "exception" of the accepted definition of mediator with God. (Galatians 3:20)
Why? Because of the kindness and love that God extended to us when this same God clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) shedding His precious holy blood on a cross so that we could experience His free gift of salvation. (Acts 20:28; Titus 3:4-7) So that we could choose abundant everlasting life in Him. Indeed, He offered a plan of redemption that continually drips of love beyond measure; a salvation plan that was decided before the foundation of the world was even formed. To me, this is the greatest love story ever told, that we can be cleansed and made whole because of our Creator's love for His beloved creation -- you and I.
Sadly, however, the stumbling block in understanding this simple good news salvation message -- that God willingly became our Saviour -- emerges with the ushering in of the New Testament -- when the Holy Ghost this signified that the old covenant had to pass away before the new could be ushered in ... with the entrance of the Son -- "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee!" (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16; Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:21-23; I Corinthians 5:19; Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5)
Many rely on the example of Abraham and his son to justify that God can no longer be One. That He -- God Almighty divided Himself and His authority into thirds -- even though Jesus clearly stated that "ALL authority is Mine!" and that He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:8)
Or 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)
Rather, it seems the term mediator (which in our 21st century world is defined as a separate being) appears to be the issue. Note that the use of mediator is only cited in the New Testament -- but also, there is an "exception" of the accepted definition of mediator with God. (Galatians 3:20)
That is, "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One!" (Galatians 3:20)
You see, God is Almighty and omnipresent and He is the exception in all things -- even when the traditions of men become determined to side-track our understanding of the Godhead/godliness. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the very beginning. But I digress. Looking at the term mediator, what do the scriptures say?
"... and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than [that] of Abel." (Hebrews 12:24)
" ... 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? 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 9:8, 14-18)
There had to be a purchase. But there also had to be a death of the testator in order for the Lord's last will and testament to His beloved chosen people to be put into action. It is in this context that apostle Paul asks: "Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator." (Galatians 3:19)
Until the Seed of promise had come. Who is the Seed? As the angel declared, "Ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us!" (Matthew 1:21-23)
Yes, He was in the world and the world 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 Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us so that we would behold His glory. (John 1:1-18) Indeed, how far we have moved away from the truth of the gospel wherein God Himself was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) And that after Jesus was taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
As the scripture further elaborates -- "But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises." (Hebrews 8:6)
This is why there is an exception, because God hid Himself from the religious (even in that day) so that He could bring salvation and healing to the broken-hearted, the poor in spirit, and the down-trodden within society. He personally came to break the chains of bondage and to set our hearts free. And He was so willing to robe Himself in flesh so that we could feed from Him -- the Bread of Life, the living waters wherein we will never thirst again.
"For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (I Timothy 2:5)
And for those with eyes to see, "to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19) His precious holy Name is JESUS in this current dispensation of grace, and He is worthy of all the honour and glory and praise. What Jesus is not is a triad, or a three-headed god, or a trinity -- as so many within the religious culture suggest.
God is indeed One, and He delivered unto us His plan of redemption so that we might have life everlasting in Him. (Acts 20:28) Stand in the offering plate.
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