"In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature..." (Colossians 1: 14-15)
"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..." (Hebrews 1:3)
"That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in His times He shall show [who is] the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." (I Timothy 6:14-16)
When I consider these particular scriptures (both individually and in context,) I am drawn to apostle Paul's summary in Acts 20:28, which warns believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith to remain steadfast in the apostles' doctrine, taking "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)
Too often, we view salvation and everlasting life as a prize, a benefit worthy of pursuit, without understanding how costly the purchase was -- paid for in full with His precious blood -- wherein after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared. (Titus 3:4-7) In other words, the greatest love story ever told was when God decided (even before the foundation of the earth was formed) to become our Saviour.
How can this be, you ask? For as Jesus said, "God [is] a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) Moreover, this is confirmed when in the beginning, the Spirit of the Lord God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) The God of this universe who made all things was invisible and therefore, no man could see Him. Still, this same God existed in all His glory and majesty -- even before the world was created. It is this same God who commanded the Israelites to harken to His instruction which includes the first/greatest commandment -- "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One!" (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
Further, the Bible tells us that this same God that is Spirit manifested Himself as a man so that mankind could clearly see Him. The Bible tells us that Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) The Bible tells us that "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 Bible tells us that the Lord would come forth as a mighty man -- the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace. (Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:13)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Indeed, Jesus was the Word made flesh that dwelt among us. (John 1:1-4) The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) The "God my Saviour" that Mary rejoiced in when she visited with Elizabeth. (Luke 1:47) The Lord's Christ. (Luke 2:26) As it is written, "The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening Spirit." (I Corinthians 15:45)
The good news gospel message is written from cover to cover, and as we study the scriptures further, we realize that God is not the Author of confusion. Every scripture aligns with another so that no-one who desires Jesus as both Lord and Christ is without. (Acts 2:36-41) In that context too, every scripture confirms the gospel -- as it is written -- that is forever settled in Heaven.
Thus, when the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary, it was so that she could bring forth a s/Son at the appointed time. (Luke 1:35; Hebrews 9:8) Yes, God clothed Himself in humanity (and yet without sin) so that we might have everlasting life. Further, Jesus was born of a virgin woman, revealing while on earth His dual nature -- the inextricably intertwined humanity and divinity of God -- fused into One. This means Jesus was the exact representation of the invisible Spirit that spoke the world into existence.
Does this mean the Son of the invisible God the Father is a second person? Of course not. How do we know? Because the Lord God declared in prophecy from afore that the dayspring from on high would visit His people -- the prophesied Christ; the promised Messiah; the Lord's Christ; Redeemer; Prince of peace; everlasting Father.
As the scripture saith, "This day have I begotten Thee." (Psalm 2:7; Hebrews 1:5)
Like the angels, we are to worship Him -- JESUS! His Name above every other name. (Philippians 2:9) His Name above every other name. (Acts 4:12)
But you are asking -- what about the right hand of God? Again, Isaiah prophesied that the Lord God would bring forth His right arm for salvation. "Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: Thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy." (Exodus 15:6) "His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory." (Psalm 98:1) "Fear t/Thou not; for I am with t/Thee: be not dismayed; for I am t/Thy God: I will strengthen t/Thee; yea, I will help t/Thee; yea, I will uphold t/Thee with the right hand of My righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10) "My right hand hath spanned the heavens ..." (Isaiah 48:13)
The Word made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth." (Matthew 28:18). As the Son (humanity) of God, He was the visible image of the invisible God, and indeed, all power in Heaven and earth belonged to Him. All power was and remains His because Jesus is the Almighty God!
This is why Jesus could say -- I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me. (John 14:6) Because as Jesus said to His disciples in John 10:30 "I and My Father are One!"
Let those with ears to hear and eyes to see both hear and see. Stand in the offering plate.
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