Wherefore, When He Comes Into The World -- Part 2247

"But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded?" (I Kings 8:27)

"But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built!" (II Chronicles 6:18)

" ... and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell." (Colossians 1:17-19)

"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily."(Colossians 2:9)

From the very beginning, the Spirit of the Lord God had devised a plan of salvation. Even though God is so vast that the heavens that we know and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him, He formulated a salvation plan to come forth as a mighty man at the appointed time. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Hebrews 9:8) 

Oh how great the Father's love, that He would prepare for Himself a body for sacrifice, so that we might experience abundant joy and peace and everlasting life through Him.

"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when He comes into the world, He saith, "Sacrifice and offering Thou wouldest not, but a body hast Thou prepared Me: in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin Thou hast had no pleasure." (Hebrews 10:4-6) 

As we also know from the scriptures, the Lord God's plan of salvation included a redemption plan, whereby we who believe in the Lord Jesus by faith could be sanctified and washed clean, becoming fully robed in His righteousness. 

"In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ..." (Ephesians 1:7)

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ..." (Romans 3:23-27)

What was this plan? That this very same Spirit of the Lord God who moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning would be made flesh -- the fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily in the man Christ Jesus. The same Word that was with God and was God dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-3; John 14-18)

"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)

And because of His willingness to clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh (and yet without sin), we have an assurance that our sins that was once red as crimson is now white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

Because of our good works? Not a chance, because to Him our good works are as filthy rags. Thus, our salvation is wholly because of the blood He willingly shed on the cross so that we might be saved. His love displayed for one and all to see -- on an old rugged tree. He paid the ultimate price once and for all.

And our salvation? Based on what we do in our hearts about Jesus. Say yes to the risen Lord Jesus today, and know (as did Simeon) that from the very beginning, He was to be the Lord's Christ.

Stand in the offering plate.