By Grace Are Ye Saved - Part 601

What is grace? Further, what does it mean when we say "by grace are ye saved." (Ephesians 2:5)

Certainly, the second chapter of Ephesians acknowledges that as believers in our Lord God and Saviour Jesus, we have come a long way since the time we were without Christ. The scriptures actually liken us -- that is in our former life -- to aliens and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, being without God in the world. But the Bible states that it does not have to be this way. Why? Because when we ask Jesus into our heart, those of us who were afar off are now made nigh to Him through the blood of Jesus. As a consequence, we have tasted His mercy. That the Lord is gracious. (I Peter 2:3)

Moreover, as a consequence of our faith, we become a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people that you show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Which in time past were not a people but are now the people of God. Sons and daughters of the Most High King that had not known mercy until we believed on Jesus.

Trusted the He who is rich in mercy. Who because of His great love (wherewith He loved us even when we were dead in sins) hath quickened us together with Christ and hath raised us up and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. So that He might show us the exceeding riches of His grace toward us through the shedding of blood. 

Furthermore, for those of us who were once dead in trespasses and sins, wherein we walked according to the course of this world, and according to the prince of the power of the air, Jesus has made a way of salvation when none was available. For through Him -- Jesus -- God in the flesh -- we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. We are no more strangers and foreigners but instead fellow citizens with the saints. 

Other scriptures validate the breadth and depth of our heavenly Father's love. For example, He giveth more grace -- particularly to the humble. (James 4:6) Sin no longer has dominion over us for we are no longer under the law --- but under grace. (Romans 6:14) As such, we 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 a holy temple in the Lord. In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18-22) 

It is He who said in II Corinthians 12:9 that "My grace is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9) God commends His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Amazing grace -- how great thou art! Grace be with you in the name of Jesus. Stand in the offering plate. 

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism - Part 600

Blessed be the God and Father -- our Lord Jesus Christ -- who willingly -- in His abundance provides each of us who believe in Him with blessings that surpass human understanding. Indeed, unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all loving us until we come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of our Lord God and Saviour unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4)

Jesus' promise to those that believe in Him is that we no longer are like children -- tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine created and imposed by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness -- whose only motive is to lie in wait to deceive. The religious institutions of the day that desire that our understanding be darkened because of their own alienation from the abundance of life that God intended for each and every one of us from the very beginning. Those who seek to keep us in bondage. Those who seek to destroy us in our endeavour to live life in faith. Ephesians 4:18-19 aptly states "because of the blindness of their heart, who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness."

This is why the scriptures encourage us to let no man deceive us with vain words. Instead, search the scriptures for ourselves for in the Word we will find eternal life. (John 5:39) We will find the peace that passes all understanding. The joy that only Jesus can provide.

The good news of salvation then -- decided even before the world was formed -- does not come from learning about our Lord God and Saviour from men. Rather it is from reading the Word. Getting to know Jesus personally as our Lord and Saviour.

Indeed, as believers in Jesus, our hearts and minds become renewed. We put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. This is why we speak every man truth with his neighbour for we are members one of another. In the body of Christ. There is one body and one Spirit even as you are called in one hope of your calling.

As Paul stated, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called. With all lowliness and meekness with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Speaking the truth that Jesus has revealed to us in love so that we may grow in Jesus in all things -- increasing in His knowledge and wisdom.

As followers of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus. As dear children, walking in love as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice.

The next step is to be baptized in the name of Jesus, as instructed by Peter, standing with the eleven on the Day of Pentecost. Read Acts 2:38-42 for your learning and edification. Stand in the offering plate.

He That Believes on Jesus - Part 599

World changers. Changing the world as Jesus did. Indeed, Jesus said, "He that believes on me, the works that I do shall also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father." (John 14:12) The question for most of us today is whether we are willing to step fully into the faith that Jesus intended for us. Whether we are willing to stand in the offering plate - literally. To move from our personal comfort zone and become everything that Jesus intended us to become -- from the beginning of creation -- even whilst we were still in our mother's wombs.

The Bible encourages us to "Hearken, my beloved brethren. Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?" (James 2:5) So that He can attest to our faith, as stated in Matthew 25, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25:23)

But often, we feel inadequate of our calling. Many times, we forget that Jesus called "ordinary people" to become "fishers of men." To go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28)

Note that Jesus did not stop His teaching in Mark 16 there. Jesus continued His teaching, saying, "And these signs shall follow them that believe. In my name, shall they cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." (Mark 16:15-18)

To occur when that which is perfect is come. (I Corinthians 13:10) When Jesus has returned to the Father and the Comforter has come.

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if indeed I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12) This is the message intended for Jesus' disciples today. In fact, His message has never changed, We have just been side tracked. Settling for much less than discipleship in the Kingdom. Failing to recognize that as believers, we are the sons and daughters of the Most High King.

Luke 6:39-49 further elaborates on this point. Herein, Jesus is sharing a parable with the people. "Can the blind lead the blind?" He says, "Shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his Master, but every one that is perfect shall be as his Master." (Luke 6:40)

Therefore, let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:3-5) Why? Because thou wilt keep you in perfect peace -- those whose mind is stayed on Jesus. (Isaiah 26:3) Those who trust in the great I AM. Bring forth His fruit for a good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good.

Be like the man which built a house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock, so that when the flood arose, the stream may have beaten vehemently on that house, but nothing could shake it. The rock is Jesus. His love for you and I is unshakeable. This is why Jesus shed His precious blood on the cross for us. Get closer to Jesus today. Read His Word. Step into the offering plate.

Jesus Is Still Performing Miracles - Part 598

Surely. Jesus on the cross has borne our griefs. And He has carried our sorrows. Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But the good news is that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions. He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him and yet by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Indeed, the Bible is full of examples of miracles Jesus performed. Similarly, the scriptures repeatedly tell of the many times that Jesus healed people who were sick. Those with diseases and afflictions from birth. Those people who had almost given up hope of ever being healed or their situation in life changing. But the one message that remains clear is the following promise from our Lord God and Saviour.

"Behold, I will bring it health and healing. I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of [my] peace and truth." (Jeremiah 33:6)

Yes, Jesus never changes. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amazingly, as we read in the scriptures, the response to the miracles Jesus performed often differed.

In John chapter six, for example, Jesus answered them and said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled." (John 6:26) Earlier in the book of John, the scriptures state that the same came to Jesus by night and said unto Him, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God, for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." (John 3:2)

Two Biblical examples proving the extent to which Jesus performed miracles during His time on earth and yet both garnered very different responses. In the first scripture, it is easy to reflect on those that seek Jesus -- even today -- not because of the miracles -- but rather because the people ate of the loaves and were filled. These believers in Jesus were receiving the manna from heaven. The bread which the Lord hath given us to eat, according to his or her eating, and the number of persons within the household. At the time, some had gathered much bread with nothing left over. In fact, Exodus chapter sixteen states that they had little or no lack. God had promised that " in the morning ye shall be filled with bread." He also said that ye shall know that I am the Lord your God. (Exodus 16)

In the second example, the people recognized from the miracles that Jesus performed -- as elaborated upon in the scriptures -- that He was no ordinary man. They did not look at the action itself but beyond the healings and miracles and accepted that our Lord God and Saviour was responsible for giving people hope. The fact that Jesus could was because He was God in the flesh. (John 1:1-14) Jesus was the Word. (I John 5:7) "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." (I John 4:2)

Still, at the end of the day, it is not the response that should be the focal point. The good news is that we can receive the manna too. The bread from heaven in which our Lord God and Saviour -- the same God who created the world in the beginning -- became flesh and died on a cross so that we might have salvation. It is His love that fills us, leaving us with no lack -- wanting nothing.

How can we know the love that Jesus has for us? Because He told us so. For God so loved the world! Yes, Jesus knows each and every one of us by name.  Believe in His goodness. His grace. His love. Find peace in His resting place. Then will our light break forth like the morning. So that our healing -- whether physical, spiritual, or social -- can spring forth speedily. As a consequence, righteousness will go before us each day and the glory of the Lord will be our rear guard. (Isaiah 5:8)

Stand in the confidence that Jesus knew you even before you were formed in your mother's womb. That Jesus loves you more than we can ever understand. That Jesus shed His Holy Spirit blood on the cross for our transgressions. Stand in the offering plate.

A New Beginning in Jesus - Part 597

"Now we believe, not because of your saying" the people said to the woman at the well in the scriptures. Rather, because they had "heard Jesus ourselves, and know that He is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." (John 4:42)

At this time of year, when New Year's resolutions are prevalent, we are advantaged to learn about the woman of Samaria. In the scriptures, we read that this woman had come to the well to draw water. Jesus' disciples had gone into the city to buy food. Therefore, sitting alone, Jesus said unto her, "Give me to drink." The woman aware of long-standing traditions between the Jews and the Samaritans asked, "How is it that you, being a Jew, ask drink of me who am a woman of Samaria?"

But Jesus answered and said, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that said to you, "Give me to drink" you would have asked of Him, and He would have given you living water." Looking around the woman said "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. From where then have you that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his sons, and his cattle?"

Jesus answered and said unto her, "Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst. [Indeed] the water that I give shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. " (John 4:8-26)

As the conversation continued, the woman began to desire the living water that Jesus spoke of -- so that she too would thirst not. Certainly, she wanted to know who Jesus was. Who was this man that in conversation could tell her all about her past? Her many transgressions. In response, the woman knew enough to say to Jesus, "I know that when the Messiah comes, who is called the Christ, He will tell us all things."

But Jesus, recognizing her love, said, "I that speak unto you am He." It is I -- Jesus -- who gives life. And life more abundantly. It is I -- Jesus -- who pours out living water on those believers who desire the Word. Jesus said, "He that believes on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38)

Other scriptures confirm the same. "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)

"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring." (Isaiah 44:3)

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)

"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over." (Psalms 23:5) "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Revelation 22:1)

Like the woman at the well, desire the living water that is only available from Jesus the Christ. The Alpha and Omega. The beginning and the end. Our Lord God who became our Saviour and knows each and every one of us by name. The scriptures state that "if we confess our sins, Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

Indeed, "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." (Revelation 21:6) This is the Jesus we serve. 

Stand in the offering plate.

None Other Than Jesus - Part 596

Be still and know that I am God. Know too that there is no other Lord and Saviour beside Me. (Isaiah 45:1,5-6, Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 44:6)

"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. [But] the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters and God said, "Let there be light." And the light shone. And God seeing that the light was good then divided the light from darkness. And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years." And it was so." (Genesis 1:1-16)

The Almighty God, even the Lord our Saviour, has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof the perfection of beauty. God hath shined. 

This is why we delve into reading the Bible. Because all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16)

Indeed, similar to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and by extension all humanity -- you and I -- our Lord God and Saviour desires that we become complete in Him as a consequence of His grace and mercy. Fulfilled. Joyous. Complete in the knowledge and wisdom that our Lord God and Saviour Jesus loves us beyond measure. 

"Oh taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man [or woman] that trusts in Him." (Psalm 34:8) 

Moreover, when we believe in Jesus, we can be confident in this God-intended completeness that had been decided since the beginning. Indeed, even before the universe as we know it was shaped. When we open the scriptures, we begin to understand that the written Word -- God in the flesh according to I John 5:7-- established Jesus the Christ as the Head of the church. The scriptures similarly establish that Jesus alone saves. 

That it is in Him -- Jesus our Lord God and Saviour -- that the safety of the members of His body depends. For it is Jesus the Christ who loves the church -- His betrothed bride. It was Jesus the Christ that surrendered His own sinless body of flesh up to death for His betrothed. It was Jesus the Christ who counted His own sinless flesh body to be incomplete without the companionship of His betrothed. 

Certainly, creation alone could not break the shackles of sin that had engulfed His one and only love. We know this from the prophecies and journeys elaborated on within the Old Testament. 

We also know that salvation required -- indeed demanded -- that any redemption plan that would save humanity had to include a pure righteous man. This is why Jesus laid down His sinless flesh on a cross for you and I. In so doing, Jesus rescued His betrothed, sanctifying and cleansing her. 

His betrothed church body -- holy -- purifying and consecrating her. As a consequence, Jesus made her body free from all sin. The Spirit of God washed His own redeemed betrothed church body with the washing of the water of His indwelling. Loving words of His declared promises. She in turn willingly submitting to His words of love, and even following Him to death. 

The Spirit of God then -- desirous to present to Himself a glorious church-body. His betrothed as a beautiful splendid bride -- a bride who has not one spot or wrinkle, blots or disfigurements. This redeemed church body -- the betrothed bride of Christ -- became His purchased possession. Now born again. Now faultless and perfect. The Spirit of God which was in Christ loves His betrothed body. He loves His betrothed bride even as He loved His own flesh. For indeed, she was His own flesh. She was created in the beginning for Him. She was the flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone.

Furthermore, there were no limits to His love. There was no orders to her to do this or else. In fact, Jesus did not just talk the talk. He also walked the walk too. For the God who created us, there was no mountain high enough or valley deep enough to keep the Holy Spirit from His betrothed. So Jesus sacrificed His own natural body in order to woe her back from the house of bondage. He willingly sacrificed His own sinless body. He endured all things. Now that is love. 

That is, He brought His grace to man. Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary. His divine love so that you and I would be the betrothed bride of Christ. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him and will sup with him and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)  Stand in the offering plate. 

Thank You Jesus! - Part 595

Let Heaven's peace fill your soul with the knowledge that all things created are of God. The same heavenly Father who created you and I in the beginning hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ and given to us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, as the scriptures state, if any person be in Jesus the Christ, he or she becomes a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are new. (II Corinthians 5:17).

As we also read in the scriptures, God was in Christ reconciling the world -- reconciling you and I to the Father according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... all things were made by Him ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:1-14) Moreover, we read, "I, even I, am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour." (Isaiah 43:11) The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity. (Titus 2:13-14)

Indeed, He did so not to impute our trespasses but rather to commit unto us -- into our hearts -- the Word of reconciliation. In other words, He that hath made Jesus to be sin for us -- the same Jesus who knew no sin -- created a plan of salvation so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (II Corinthians 5:19-22) Through the precious blood shed on the cross.

Therefore, praise Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we may ask or think, according to the power that works in us -- the power of Jesus. Stand in the offering plate.


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Stand Fast in Liberty of Jesus - Part 594

Jesus came to set us free. This is the reason for Jesus' birth. To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, for He hath made Him -- Jesus -- to be sin for us -- the same Jesus who knew no sin --- so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. (II Corinthians 5:19-21)

Therefore, Jesus is the reason that we are encouraged to "stand fast in the liberty wherewith Jesus the Christ hath set us free."

Indeed, in Galatians chapter five, the scriptures state: "Be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (Galatians 5:1) But how often does the letter of the law -- the ten commandments from the old covenant times -- for example -- seep into our lives, ultimately stealing our liberty from us? But if we read the Bible, we begin to understand that this was never God's intention for His creation.

In fact, Paul wrote that we are called unto liberty for all the law was fulfilled in Jesus. The veil was rent from top to bottom. Decided in Heaven even before the world as we know it was shaped. Our transgressions covered by the precious blood of Jesus on the cross. Our sins never to be remembered again because of the grace and mercy of our most high God -- Jesus.

As believers in Jesus, we are assured in the knowledge that the same Father which raised up the Lord Jesus on the cross shall raise us up also. For all things are for our sakes that His abundant grace might -- through the thanksgiving of many--  rebound to the glory of God.

It is for this cause that Paul writes, we faint not; but through our outward man we are renewed day by day. II Corinthians chapter four elaborates further on this point. "As we have received mercy, we faint not." (II Corinthians 4:1) We are further encouraged to let the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, shine upon us.

"For God who commandeth the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This is the treasure that we can experience in our earthen vessels -- "that the excellency of the power may be of God."

So when we are troubled on every side, we do not need to be distressed. When we are perplexed, we are not in despair. Even when we are persecuted and cast down, we are not destroyed. Why?  Because the same God who created man and woman in the beginning and then became flesh so that He could impart to us His salvation and grace -- His love that passeth all human understanding -- has stated: "I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people." (II Corinthians 6:16)

And He -- Our Lord God and Saviour -- will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my sons and daughters. This saith the Lord Almighty: "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Trust Jesus today. Ask Jesus into your heart. Discover Jesus by reading His Word. Stand in the offering plate.

Delight in Jesus - Part 593

What is man or woman that you Lord Jesus should know our name? That you Lord Jesus would not only speak the heavens into place but scatter the stars too while all the while giving earth its frame. And yet, this very same Almighty and Everlasting Lord God who calms the oceans daily loves each and every one of us deeply -- with a love for us that is so sufficient and all encompassing that He even knows the number of hairs on our head.

He knows firsthand our trials and tribulations. And yet throughout our worldly issues, we can rest assured in His blessed love knowing that He has clothed us with garments of salvation and arrayed us in a robe of His righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10) That the Lord of hosts opens the storehouses for those who believe in Him. In Isaiah, the Lord of hosts is quoted as saying,  "If I will not open for you the windows of Heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."

Indeed, the scriptures state that if we ask Jesus into our hearts, the heavens above will rain down upon us with His righteousness. "Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I the Lord have created it." (Isaiah 45:8) The righteousness of Jesus -- the Alpha and Omega -- the beginning and the end.

This is the reason why -- in every thing we give thanks -- for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (I Thessalonians 5:18) Because as Barnes writes about this verse in his commentary, we know firsthand that there will never be a time that we are forced to drink the cup of affliction when there are no drops of mercy intermingled. Ever placed in circumstances in which there is not much for which we should be thankful and yet, we know that even in the worst of times, Jesus will make us victorious.  This is why we as believers delight in the Lord. The reason why our soul rejoices in the God who loved us so much that He would become flesh and shed His precious blood on a cross for our transgressions.

Let Heaven's peace flood your soul today. Let Jesus fill your being with His peace like a river so that your righteousness becomes as the waves of the sea. Stand in the offering plate.

Whom Do You Seek? Part 592

Salvation is a gift. Indeed, salvation is grace imparted to individuals who ask Jesus Christ to come into their hearts. It is He who hath saved us and called us with a holy calling. Not according to our own good works but rather, according to His own purpose and grace. This purpose and grace, according to II Timothy 1:9, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Further, Jesus was raised from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death. Why? Because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him. (Acts 2:24) This is why the question asked at the tomb is so relevant. That is, why do you seek the "living" among the dead? Here the women who loved Jesus when He journeyed with them (as revealed in the gospels) had gone to see the tomb. There, the stone had been rolled away. Inside, Jesus was nowhere to be seen. Indeed, this is because Jesus had already risen. 

Earlier, Jesus had asked the soldiers in the olive grove, "Whom do you seek? Prior to this, the shepherds and wise men looked for the promised Saviour. In all of these occasions, the people sought Jesus the Christ --- the promised redeemer that had been prophesied before the foundation of the world was shaped.

Before the world began, Jesus -- God in the flesh becoming as one of us so that we might experience the gift of salvation personally -- was purposed. Decided because the Almighty God who created us knew -- even before we did -- that we as humans do not have the capacity to live up to the letter of the law. Adam and Eve couldn't do it. Neither can we.

As Romans 5:15 states: "But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many." (Romans 5:15)

As the Bible states repeatedly, God loves us -- His precious creation -- more than the angels. He framed the world and scattered the stars and yet knows us personally by name. Further, Jesus' love is eternal, surpassing even our most in-depth understanding of love. In fact, God --  His name is Jesus -- became the Resurrection and the Life for you and I. He is our Maker, our Refuge. He gives us peace in the midst of the storm. All we have to do is believe that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved. (Acts 15:11)

Know too that we are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Romans 3:24) So the question for each and every one of us this Christmas is "whom do you seek?" Stand in the offering plate.