"[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh ..." (Romans 8:1-3)
" ... 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)
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Romans 8:28-30)
Why is it important to come to the knowledge of the Son of God? Why did John the baptizer point to Jesus as the promised Christ? The lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world? Why do the angels worship Him? (Hebrews 1:6) Why does apostle Paul remind us that Christ was the Rock that followed the Israelites through the Red Sea? (I Corinthians 10:1-4) Why could He --- Jesus -- rightfully say, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6)
These are all valid questions! The starting point is to remember that "in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) That Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
"To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself." (II Corinthians 5:19)
"After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
When we repent, and are water baptized in the precious, holy name of the Lord Jesus, our minds are renewed. (Acts 2:36-41; Acts 10:144-48; Acts 19:1-6; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21)We have received the anointing from on high. We have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16)
It is for this reason that we search the scriptures for His truth, first feeding with the milk, and later when we are able to bear it, the meat.
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:11; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18)
"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner [stone]; in whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:20)
Thus, we have been set apart -- or as Jesus said, like a city on a hill to those who are lost. We have received the Holy Ghost, the resurrected Spirit of Christ dwelling within our hearts. The same Holy Ghost wherein Jesus, after He was resurrected gave commandments through - to the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
This is why we are instructed to ..."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)
Because God Himself established His plan of salvation (redemption) for His beloved before the foundation of the world. Because of His abundant love, He clothed Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that we might have everlasting life in Him.
" ... 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)
"He was in the world and the world was made by Him but the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
"I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son?" (Psalms 2:7; II Samuel 7:14)
"Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee!" (Matthew 3:17; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:5; Hebrews 5:5)
Indeed, all the way through the scriptures, we learn that this same Jesus whom ye/we have crucified in our hearts is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36) The King of kings and Lord of lords. The Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Thus, there is a reason all the angels of God worshipped the first begotten. There is a reason John the baptizer continually pointed to Jesus as the One who would save His people from their sins. For He is the One and Only God who loved us like a Father -- sufficiently, to become as a Son.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (II Chronicles 16:9)
Meditate on these treasures this day.
Stand in the offering plate.
No comments:
Post a Comment