"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil. My Cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever ..." (Psalm 12:5-6)
Indeed, the Lord is my Shepherd! Many of us have heard Psalm 23 read in some context. When we continue on, we learn that the earth is the Lord's. But not just the earth but the fullness thereof -- the world -- and as well, all they who dwell therein. "For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place?" (Psalm 24:1-3)
The psalmist David soon asks --"Who is this King of glory?" In the same scripture, the answer is given. "The Lord of hosts -- He is the King of glory!" (Psalm 24:10) The same Lord who came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)
It is herein, when we truly understand "who is this King of glory" that our souls should melt in absolute adoration, and thankfulness for He Himself paid the price on the cross for you and I. This same Lord from heaven willingly became the second Adam for you and I. He who made the heavens and the earth left His throne and became flesh (as we are and yet without sin) so that we might be redeemed.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (I Corinthians 15:22) "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)
This is why unto Thee, O Lord, we lift up our soul. This is why we trust in Thee and are not ashamed. And this is why our heart's cry is to "Shew me Thy paths, O Lord, teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me; for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies, and Thy loving kindness, for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Thy mercy remember Thou me for Thy goodness sake, O Lord." (Psalms 25:1-7)
Make the Lord your Rock of salvation today. His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins. JESUS -- Immanuel, being interpreted, God with us. Yes, this same JESUS whom ye/we have crucified in our hearts is both Lord and Christ, and He is calling us into His fold today. JESUS -- the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)
There is only one entry point into the kingdom of God. His Name is JESUS for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending. (Revelation 1:8, 11)
Stand in the offering plate.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Keep Us As the Apple of Thine Eye, Hide Me Under the Shadow of Thy Wings - Part 1681
"For as yet they knew not the scripture, that He must rise again from the dead." (John 20:9)
The setting? It is the first day of the week. Although it was still dark, unto the tomb [sepulchre] Mary Magdalene ventured. Therein, the stone was rolled away. She turns and runs to Simon Peter, and to also the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them -- "They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre and we know not where they have laid Him." (John 20:2)
This statement led to both of the disciples running to the sepulchre. Inside, they saw the linen clothes but no Jesus. Note that the napkin which was about Jesus' head was not lying with the linen clothes but wrapped together in a place by itself. Because of what he saw, that other disciple believed.
Unlike this day, when many in the religious culture like to put their own spin on the scriptures, that other disciple simply believed. That other disciple being the one which testified of all these things, and wrote them so that we would know that his testimony is true. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written, every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." (John 21:24-25)
"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book, but these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: and that believing ye might have life through His Name." (John 20:30-31)
This latter scripture is written in the space of time before Jesus ascended, wherein, after that, He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
Still, unless we accept and believe that Jesus is who He said He is, we cannot see the kingdom. We cannot understand the hefty price that Jesus paid on the cross, having shed His own precious blood for our sins. And He did so because of His abundance of love for you and I. Indeed, we who believe in Jesus by faith, and continue steadfastly in His Word, being water baptized in His precious Name are His beloved. We are the apple of His eye. And He desires to show His marvelous loving kindness to those who seek Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31)
In part, it is coming to understand that Jesus is no longer a Son, as the world proclaims but rather, the Son of man is once again become the Lord of glory, having returned to the place where He was before -- as the Spirit of the Lord God who moved upon the waters in the beginning. (Genesis 1:1-2) The Holy Ghost who now dwells within.
This is why Jesus said to Philip, "If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him." (John 14:7) Because when we truly desire to know Jesus, we understand that He is the Father in bodily form. All the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily in Him. (Colossians 2:9) God Himself was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) After the kindness and love of God, He became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 42:13)
"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)
This is why John's writing is critical, because sooner or later, each and every one of us have to reach that point in our heart too, wherein we simply believe. Jesus said to Philip, when Philip asked Him, "Shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us." Jesus said unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, "Shew us the Father?" (John 14:6-9)
For clarity and understanding, Jesus went on to say -- "Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself; but the Father that dwells in Me, He doeth the works. Believe Me that I [am] in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you -- He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do because I go unto My Father." (John 14:10-12; John 10:30, 38; John 5:19; John 14:24; Luke 10:17)
At that day, when the Spirit of truth is come -- whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, neither knows Him -- in that day, because ye know Him -- "for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you" -- He will come and abide with you forever. Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." (John 14:16-18)
But Jesus had to ascend, because as a man walking the earth, He could not dwell in us. This is why -- after Jesus was taken up -- He THROUGH the Holy Ghost could dwell in us. "I am in My Father, and ye in Me and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loves Me, and he that loves Me shall be loved of My Father and I will love Him and will manifest Myself to him." (John 14:20-21)
There is much more to understand here -- but for now, recognize that the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, as Jesus said "He shall testify of Me, and ye also shall bear witness because ye have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27) And believe that Jesus is the same He whom was from the very beginning.
And with all our learning, seek to understand the doctrine of Christ. That is, like the "other disciple who simply believed understood -- "he that abides in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
Stand in the offering plate.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Who Is This King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He Is the King of Glory - Part 1680
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in His holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up His soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of His salvation.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24:1-10)
After reading the psalm above, some might ask -- what does the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ reveal? Please allow me to respond by first stating that the gospel reveals JESUS - who is the SEED of promise - in which SEED all the nations of the earth can be blessed. Why is this important? Because this life saving gospel became necessary when God Himself was veiled in flesh as a righteous man. For God declared that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In this context then, there is none righteous, no not one.
But as we begin to understand how the old covenant differs from the new testament, the hidden plan of God is gradually unveiled to those who seek Him with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Indeed, right from the beginning, God had a plan for man even though at times we cannot comprehend what God has in store for us. Indeed, we often scratch our heads endeavouring to understand what is man that the Lord our God would be so mindful of Him.
This is the same Lord who was made a little lower than the angels. Still, He set man over the works of his hands and crowned man with glory and honour. When man turned aside from His Word, it was here that He imparted into EVE a SEED of promise. A SEED of Himself emanating from Himself. So that in the process of time, He would clothe His promised SEED in sin prone flesh, thereby initiating at the fullness of time His hidden plan of redemption.
The mystery that was hid from the beginning of the world.
As a consequence, and through His abundant love, mercy and grace, He purchased us while we were yet His enemies. Why would the Lord of glory do this? To bring each and every one of us who believed back to His purpose, that He placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb. This redemption plan, purchased through the sacrifice of His own blood (the blood of His holy Spirit).
In our ignorance of prophetic scripture, we indeed crucified JESUS. We were spurred along by religious zealots who in pretense professed to be God’s ministers, and in the end, duped all of us into believing that such was the case!
But God’s love for His beloved and yet disobedient creation was much greater than our sin of beguiled disobedience. Because of God's love for us, there never can be anything that can separate us from God’s love. God manifested His love to us whilst inside a prone to sin body, a body in which He willingly inherited all of our sins and demerits. But even death did not deter JESUS from His purposed mission, which was to redeem and restore the fallen sons and daughters of God.
This is why JESUS died and was buried in a tomb. As stated in the scriptures, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone." However, if the corn of wheat were to die, in dying the potential life within the SEED springs forth as a multitude of the same SEEDS. In this example, JESUS is the SEED and we are the offspring of the SEED of JESUS. In this same SEED as afore promised of God in prophecy, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
To become one of the offspring, certain criteria must be willingly adhered too. First of all, one must recognize that JESUS put Himself on the cross for you and I who are the guilty ones. We must repent before God for our sinful deeds, giving thanks to the Lord God with a grateful heart. If one is not willing to offer themselves on these terms, then the door of redemption will remain closed!
If, on the other hand, one willing repents with a grateful heart, then their sins are remitted in full by the same JESUS has put Himself in our place. We then receive the gift of redemption. And now having received redemption, God commands that you be baptized into the likeness of JESUS death. In so doing, you will receive the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that comes forth from the SEED of Life within the kernel of wheat - JESUS!
As such, you become the offspring of JESUS. We are now the children of God in Christ! We have been born again as a new spiritual creation, dwelling within us is the same Spirit as was in the man JESUS the Christ! This Spirit is the Holy Ghost. We are ALL members of that ONE SEED and because we are the offspring of the SEED, we now hunger for the things of God, endeavouring to walk even as He walked!
More on this to come. Stand in the offering plate.
This is the generation of them that seek Him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24:1-10)
After reading the psalm above, some might ask -- what does the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ reveal? Please allow me to respond by first stating that the gospel reveals JESUS - who is the SEED of promise - in which SEED all the nations of the earth can be blessed. Why is this important? Because this life saving gospel became necessary when God Himself was veiled in flesh as a righteous man. For God declared that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In this context then, there is none righteous, no not one.
But as we begin to understand how the old covenant differs from the new testament, the hidden plan of God is gradually unveiled to those who seek Him with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. Indeed, right from the beginning, God had a plan for man even though at times we cannot comprehend what God has in store for us. Indeed, we often scratch our heads endeavouring to understand what is man that the Lord our God would be so mindful of Him.
This is the same Lord who was made a little lower than the angels. Still, He set man over the works of his hands and crowned man with glory and honour. When man turned aside from His Word, it was here that He imparted into EVE a SEED of promise. A SEED of Himself emanating from Himself. So that in the process of time, He would clothe His promised SEED in sin prone flesh, thereby initiating at the fullness of time His hidden plan of redemption.
The mystery that was hid from the beginning of the world.
As a consequence, and through His abundant love, mercy and grace, He purchased us while we were yet His enemies. Why would the Lord of glory do this? To bring each and every one of us who believed back to His purpose, that He placed in our heart whilst we were still in our mother's womb. This redemption plan, purchased through the sacrifice of His own blood (the blood of His holy Spirit).
In our ignorance of prophetic scripture, we indeed crucified JESUS. We were spurred along by religious zealots who in pretense professed to be God’s ministers, and in the end, duped all of us into believing that such was the case!
But God’s love for His beloved and yet disobedient creation was much greater than our sin of beguiled disobedience. Because of God's love for us, there never can be anything that can separate us from God’s love. God manifested His love to us whilst inside a prone to sin body, a body in which He willingly inherited all of our sins and demerits. But even death did not deter JESUS from His purposed mission, which was to redeem and restore the fallen sons and daughters of God.
This is why JESUS died and was buried in a tomb. As stated in the scriptures, "Except a corn of wheat falls into the ground and dies it remains alone." However, if the corn of wheat were to die, in dying the potential life within the SEED springs forth as a multitude of the same SEEDS. In this example, JESUS is the SEED and we are the offspring of the SEED of JESUS. In this same SEED as afore promised of God in prophecy, all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
To become one of the offspring, certain criteria must be willingly adhered too. First of all, one must recognize that JESUS put Himself on the cross for you and I who are the guilty ones. We must repent before God for our sinful deeds, giving thanks to the Lord God with a grateful heart. If one is not willing to offer themselves on these terms, then the door of redemption will remain closed!
If, on the other hand, one willing repents with a grateful heart, then their sins are remitted in full by the same JESUS has put Himself in our place. We then receive the gift of redemption. And now having received redemption, God commands that you be baptized into the likeness of JESUS death. In so doing, you will receive the promised gift of the Holy Ghost that comes forth from the SEED of Life within the kernel of wheat - JESUS!
As such, you become the offspring of JESUS. We are now the children of God in Christ! We have been born again as a new spiritual creation, dwelling within us is the same Spirit as was in the man JESUS the Christ! This Spirit is the Holy Ghost. We are ALL members of that ONE SEED and because we are the offspring of the SEED, we now hunger for the things of God, endeavouring to walk even as He walked!
More on this to come. Stand in the offering plate.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
In Whom Ye Also Are Builded Together For An Habitation of God Through the Spirit - Part 1679
"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God," writes apostle Paul to the Gentiles, "which is given me to you-ward, how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; as I wrote afore in a few words, whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)." (Ephesians 3:1-4)
Herein, Paul is writing of the mystery of Christ, whereby, in other ages the mystery was not made known unto the sons of men. Paul is noting that this mystery has now been revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel ..." (Ephesians 3:5-6)
The word "mystery" in this context refers to a hidden truth. As an aside for those who may not be aware, Saul/Paul was chosen by Jesus of Nazareth on the road to Damascus to preach specifically to the Gentiles. When Saul was blinded by the glory of the light of the Lord Jesus, he was told to meet with Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there. When the two met, Ananias laid hands on Saul and he received his sight. He then said to Saul, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." (Acts 22:6-21)
Note that on the road to Damascus Jesus asked him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." When Paul asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" Jesus told him, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutes." (Acts 22:5-6; Acts 9:1-22)
In another place, Paul shares his experience this way -- "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And I said, "Who art thou, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:14-18)
Returning to the original point, apostle Paul's message to us in this current dispensation of grace is that the mystery has now been revealed in the Lord Jesus -- in the "resurrected gospel" -- confirming to us that if we be Christ's, then are we similarly Abraham's seed, and heirs according to His promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)
Herein, we understand that apostle Paul would not that we should be ignorant of this mystery either, "lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)
Thus, Paul (as a servant of Jesus Christ) confirms that which was promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures. That is, "now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
So, what is the mystery? The righteousness of God revealed when God became flesh and dwelt among us. "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) God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
The Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man -- to redeem His beloved from their sin, and instead fill them with His peace and joy and love. And if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you -- the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost. His Name is JESUS!
Stand in the offering plate.
Herein, Paul is writing of the mystery of Christ, whereby, in other ages the mystery was not made known unto the sons of men. Paul is noting that this mystery has now been revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel ..." (Ephesians 3:5-6)
The word "mystery" in this context refers to a hidden truth. As an aside for those who may not be aware, Saul/Paul was chosen by Jesus of Nazareth on the road to Damascus to preach specifically to the Gentiles. When Saul was blinded by the glory of the light of the Lord Jesus, he was told to meet with Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews who dwelt there. When the two met, Ananias laid hands on Saul and he received his sight. He then said to Saul, "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard." (Acts 22:6-21)
Note that on the road to Damascus Jesus asked him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." When Paul asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" Jesus told him, "I am Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecutes." (Acts 22:5-6; Acts 9:1-22)
In another place, Paul shares his experience this way -- "And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And I said, "Who art thou, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me." (Acts 26:14-18)
Returning to the original point, apostle Paul's message to us in this current dispensation of grace is that the mystery has now been revealed in the Lord Jesus -- in the "resurrected gospel" -- confirming to us that if we be Christ's, then are we similarly Abraham's seed, and heirs according to His promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)
Herein, we understand that apostle Paul would not that we should be ignorant of this mystery either, "lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." (Romans 11:25)
Thus, Paul (as a servant of Jesus Christ) confirms that which was promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures. That is, "now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
So, what is the mystery? The righteousness of God revealed when God became flesh and dwelt among us. "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) God was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16)
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
The Lord Himself came forth as a mighty man -- to redeem His beloved from their sin, and instead fill them with His peace and joy and love. And if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you -- the Comforter -- the Holy Ghost. His Name is JESUS!
Stand in the offering plate.
Friday, April 14, 2017
One Lord God Almighty and He Himself Became Our Saviour - Part 1678
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism ... One God and Father of all ... (Ephesians 4:5-6)
In Acts 2, we learn that 3000 believing persons were added into the redeemed body (temple) of Jesus the Christ. This point is important because the reference recognizes that JESUS is the second Adam being the Lord of glory Himself. The beginning of God in visible form. This is why the scripture states, "Let all the angels of God worship Him!"
Further, this body (temple) consists not of stones, brick and mortar which would have been the mindset of the first earthy Adam, being capable only of thinking earthly thoughts. (Inasmuch as we are the offspring of the first Adam who since his expulsion from the Garden of Eden can only think materially). Rather, this is a new spiritual temple built upon the spiritual teachings of the Lord Jesus, who is the Seed of the Holy Ghost. And being the holy Spirit seed Jesus came forth on earth as the only begotten Son of God.
JESUS, the Christ, or Messiah encased (or manifest in the flesh) in a dead soul, prone to sin body and yet within that body did flow the life giving blood of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God is a quickening Spirit. The Spirit of God came forth out of heaven to set Adam's fallen race free. To indeed free men and women from the chains of sin and earthly bondage that fetters us.
On the opposing side, satan, the negative oppressive spirit forces us through lying, enticing words and false promises to bury our heads in the sand, leading us daily toward a lost eternity.
But JESUS, whilst physically on earth taught Heaven's principles to His apostles delivering to them spiritual bread, not bread that perishes but rather bread that endures throughout eternity. JESUS, being the very Word of God appearing in fashion as a man, delivered the Word of God. JESUS being the corner stone of this new spiritual creation, formed a spiritual temple to become the redeemed and justified resurrected body of believers in Christ -- now to be a habitation of God Spirit.
In order to deliver the gospel message, God sacrificed His own prone to sin flesh body, which never did sin. God, in so doing redeemed to Himself a pure holy undefiled body. For God had taken upon Himself all of men's wages of sin, which is death.
Up until this point, we had been weighed in God’s balance and yet we were still found wanting. That is until God put Himself in our place redeeming us from sin with the shedding of His own holy Spirit blood. As a result, we are a new creation and from henceforth those believers are free from all sin.
Yes, Christ died - the just dying for the unjust - which means there is now no condemnation to those who believe in the redemptive work of salvation. God offered up Himself, and He did so once and for all.
This is the everlasting covenant. God the eternal Spirit has covenanted with Himself as a Son. Thus, because of His perfect sacrifice, after His kindness and love, believers can become the recipients of all the promises of God which were in the man JESUS, who is the ark of the covenant of God. Indeed, believers are the redeemed living stones in the temple of God, which is the body of Christ. It is this body that died for us and has brought forth multitudes of offspring.
For He is the Father of all living, and in Jesus' body all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell. The Spirit of God was in the man Jesus. Now it is His Spirit that we receive and then endeavour to walk even as He walked. Yes, it is in Jesus that we are a new creation born of God!
Rejoice evermore for His goodness and mercy and grace, that He extended to us whilst we were still in sin. Stand in the offering plate.
In Acts 2, we learn that 3000 believing persons were added into the redeemed body (temple) of Jesus the Christ. This point is important because the reference recognizes that JESUS is the second Adam being the Lord of glory Himself. The beginning of God in visible form. This is why the scripture states, "Let all the angels of God worship Him!"
Further, this body (temple) consists not of stones, brick and mortar which would have been the mindset of the first earthy Adam, being capable only of thinking earthly thoughts. (Inasmuch as we are the offspring of the first Adam who since his expulsion from the Garden of Eden can only think materially). Rather, this is a new spiritual temple built upon the spiritual teachings of the Lord Jesus, who is the Seed of the Holy Ghost. And being the holy Spirit seed Jesus came forth on earth as the only begotten Son of God.
JESUS, the Christ, or Messiah encased (or manifest in the flesh) in a dead soul, prone to sin body and yet within that body did flow the life giving blood of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God is a quickening Spirit. The Spirit of God came forth out of heaven to set Adam's fallen race free. To indeed free men and women from the chains of sin and earthly bondage that fetters us.
On the opposing side, satan, the negative oppressive spirit forces us through lying, enticing words and false promises to bury our heads in the sand, leading us daily toward a lost eternity.
But JESUS, whilst physically on earth taught Heaven's principles to His apostles delivering to them spiritual bread, not bread that perishes but rather bread that endures throughout eternity. JESUS, being the very Word of God appearing in fashion as a man, delivered the Word of God. JESUS being the corner stone of this new spiritual creation, formed a spiritual temple to become the redeemed and justified resurrected body of believers in Christ -- now to be a habitation of God Spirit.
In order to deliver the gospel message, God sacrificed His own prone to sin flesh body, which never did sin. God, in so doing redeemed to Himself a pure holy undefiled body. For God had taken upon Himself all of men's wages of sin, which is death.
Up until this point, we had been weighed in God’s balance and yet we were still found wanting. That is until God put Himself in our place redeeming us from sin with the shedding of His own holy Spirit blood. As a result, we are a new creation and from henceforth those believers are free from all sin.
Yes, Christ died - the just dying for the unjust - which means there is now no condemnation to those who believe in the redemptive work of salvation. God offered up Himself, and He did so once and for all.
This is the everlasting covenant. God the eternal Spirit has covenanted with Himself as a Son. Thus, because of His perfect sacrifice, after His kindness and love, believers can become the recipients of all the promises of God which were in the man JESUS, who is the ark of the covenant of God. Indeed, believers are the redeemed living stones in the temple of God, which is the body of Christ. It is this body that died for us and has brought forth multitudes of offspring.
For He is the Father of all living, and in Jesus' body all the fullness of God is pleased to dwell. The Spirit of God was in the man Jesus. Now it is His Spirit that we receive and then endeavour to walk even as He walked. Yes, it is in Jesus that we are a new creation born of God!
Rejoice evermore for His goodness and mercy and grace, that He extended to us whilst we were still in sin. Stand in the offering plate.
The Spirit of Christ Which Was In Them Did Signify When It Testified Beforehand The Sufferings of Christ -- Part 1677
"Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Corinthians 3:17)
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Romans 8:9)
Jesus said, "[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:17)
Jesus said, "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
The Lord speaking through Isaiah said, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound ..." (Isaiah 61:1)
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)
The same Spirit of God which moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning is the same Spirit which lives within us today, those who believe in the Name of Jesus by faith, and have become clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1-2; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:44-48)
The same Spirit who asked, "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or [being] His counsellor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel and [who] instructed Him and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge and shewed to Him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14) Through Isaiah, the Lord asks, "Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth" who then asks, "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal," sayeth the Holy One." (Isaiah 40:21-25)
The first commandment -- Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is ONE LORD -- does not change in the new testament. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:1-18)
Peter, in his first epistle to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia -- the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ) -- clarifies this point further,writing about the "mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father" from the very beginning of the world -- wherein God gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice so that He could redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Indeed, the Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Titus 3:4-7) God manifest in the flesh in the form of sin-prone man (likened to us and yet without sin) -- so that we might have abundant life in Him. (I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:11-14)
God Himself willingly becoming our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
In the epistle to the strangers, Peter writes about this mystery, and how His abundant mercy for His beloved creation, the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has begotten us into a lively hope -- leads us to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and one that fades not away. According as He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
"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 ... them He also called, and whom He called, them He also justified, and whom He justified, them He also glorified!" (Romans 8:29-30)
Our calling therefore is not an accident. It is not a fluke that the Lord God Almighty reached out to those "strangers" -- you and I -- to offer His free (but very costly to Him) gift of salvation. We see this evidenced when the Lord told the Israelites that these would never enter His rest for their preference for idolatry that turned them away from the Lord their God, and the many blessings which He bestowed upon them. One example is when the Israelites were under the cloud and all passed through the Red Sea, having drank of that spiritual Rock -- the spiritual Rock which was Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-5; Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:21, 27, 29; Exodus 16:4, 15; Numbers 14:29, 37; Numbers 26:65)
You see, the Spirit of the Lord God is the Holy Ghost - the Comforter which Jesus sends in His Name. The same Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary is "renewed" after Jesus is taken up -- after the cross. (Titus 3:4-7) Thus, when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive the "resurrected gospel" wherein, we recognize that until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
His Spirit -- the Spirit of Christ which the Israelites drank from in the wilderness is the same Spirit of Christ who leads and guides us into all truth in this day and age. Not another Spirit (as false religion professes) but the One and Same Spirit who was Christ throughout the ages. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16)
"Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (I Peter 1:10-12)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus, because only His Name can forgive His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) This explains why the apostles only preached the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, because He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.
"Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ -- he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
Study the scriptures today, so that you too can rightly discern the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning. That is, that when He could find no other to become the perfect sacrifice, He came Himself. Praise and glory forever to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
And to finish the point, wherein there is laid up for us a crown of righteousness, I have copied and pasted below the remainder of I Peter 1 for your edification. Rejoice and be glad for this is the day that the Lord hath made. Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of thy ministry. Stand in the offering plate.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy."
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:1-25)
Jesus said, "But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My Name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2)
Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
The Lord speaking through Isaiah said, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon Me; because the LORD hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound ..." (Isaiah 61:1)
"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." (John 16:13)
"And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, "Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:6)
The same Spirit of God which moved upon the face of the waters in the beginning is the same Spirit which lives within us today, those who believe in the Name of Jesus by faith, and have become clothed in His righteousness through water baptism in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Genesis 1:1-2; Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:44-48)
The same Spirit who asked, "Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or [being] His counsellor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel and [who] instructed Him and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge and shewed to Him the way of understanding?" (Isaiah 40:13-14) Through Isaiah, the Lord asks, "Have ye not known? Have ye not heard? Hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth" who then asks, "To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal," sayeth the Holy One." (Isaiah 40:21-25)
The first commandment -- Hear O Israel the Lord thy God is ONE LORD -- does not change in the new testament. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) In the beginning, God. (Genesis 1:1) In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God ... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:1-18)
Peter, in his first epistle to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia -- the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ) -- clarifies this point further,writing about the "mystery that was hid in the bosom of the Father" from the very beginning of the world -- wherein God gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice so that He could redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Indeed, the Lord came forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; Titus 3:4-7) God manifest in the flesh in the form of sin-prone man (likened to us and yet without sin) -- so that we might have abundant life in Him. (I Timothy 3:16; Titus 2:11-14)
God Himself willingly becoming our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
In the epistle to the strangers, Peter writes about this mystery, and how His abundant mercy for His beloved creation, the same God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has begotten us into a lively hope -- leads us to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and one that fades not away. According as He hath chosen us in Him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will. (Ephesians 1:4-5)
"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 ... them He also called, and whom He called, them He also justified, and whom He justified, them He also glorified!" (Romans 8:29-30)
Our calling therefore is not an accident. It is not a fluke that the Lord God Almighty reached out to those "strangers" -- you and I -- to offer His free (but very costly to Him) gift of salvation. We see this evidenced when the Lord told the Israelites that these would never enter His rest for their preference for idolatry that turned them away from the Lord their God, and the many blessings which He bestowed upon them. One example is when the Israelites were under the cloud and all passed through the Red Sea, having drank of that spiritual Rock -- the spiritual Rock which was Christ. (I Corinthians 10:1-5; Exodus 13:21-22; Exodus 14:21, 27, 29; Exodus 16:4, 15; Numbers 14:29, 37; Numbers 26:65)
You see, the Spirit of the Lord God is the Holy Ghost - the Comforter which Jesus sends in His Name. The same Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary is "renewed" after Jesus is taken up -- after the cross. (Titus 3:4-7) Thus, when we ask Jesus into our hearts by faith, we receive the "resurrected gospel" wherein, we recognize that until the day in which He [Jesus] was taken up, after that He [Jesus] THROUGH the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3)
Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!"
His Spirit -- the Spirit of Christ which the Israelites drank from in the wilderness is the same Spirit of Christ who leads and guides us into all truth in this day and age. Not another Spirit (as false religion professes) but the One and Same Spirit who was Christ throughout the ages. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost. (II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:16)
"Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into." (I Peter 1:10-12)
In this current dispensation of grace, His Name is Jesus, because only His Name can forgive His people from their sins. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9) This explains why the apostles only preached the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, because He is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.
"Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abides in the doctrine of Christ -- he hath both the Father and the Son." (II John 1:9)
Study the scriptures today, so that you too can rightly discern the mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning. That is, that when He could find no other to become the perfect sacrifice, He came Himself. Praise and glory forever to our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
And to finish the point, wherein there is laid up for us a crown of righteousness, I have copied and pasted below the remainder of I Peter 1 for your edification. Rejoice and be glad for this is the day that the Lord hath made. Watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist and make full proof of thy ministry. Stand in the offering plate.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, "Be ye holy; for I am holy."
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you." (I Peter 1:1-25)
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
I Will Take The Cup of Salvation, And Call Upon the Name of the Lord - Part 1676
"Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar." (Psalm 118:25-27)
Indeed, from such, we are instructed -- "to turn away" -- those having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof ..." (II Timothy 3:5)
In the last post, we began to look at the emergence of a false religious culture, that openly admits to the existence of a God, but denies the power and glory and honour thereof. Rather than accepting that the Rock was Christ from the very beginning -- the Head of the Church that the builders rejected when He walked among them -- these instead have created a form of godliness, replacing the Word of God with the traditions and constructs of men. (John 1:10-11)
When we examine "godliness" from this perspective, we can understand how 21st century definitions assert that godliness is "the quality of being devoutly religious; piety." But for those who truly believe in Jesus by faith, we do not receive our counsel from the wisdom of men. Rather, we reach for the Lord's instruction and guidance in our lives. In this context then, how does the scriptures (which cannot be broken) define godliness?
Certainly, a good start can be found in the opening of I John. That is, "that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life (for the life was manifested, and we have seen [it] and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested unto us; that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ, and these things write we unto you that your joy may be full." (I John 1:1-7)
[As an aside, we know that the epistle of I John is written in such a way as to explain the Godhead/godliness in detail -- in much the same manner as a child building a tower with building blocks, one block on top of another. Therefore, I John needs to be read in its entirety for understanding, and to know that the Holy Ghost is the resurrected Jesus -- re: Acts 1:2-3. But I digress!) Returning to godliness:
"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (I Timothy 3:16)
The SAME God who is Lord and became flesh and dwelt among us. "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)
After the kindness and love of God our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7)
"According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue ..." (II Peter 1:3)
This is why the scripture declares -- "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness ... he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw." (1 Timothy 6:3-5)
This is why we are instructed to "refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4:7-8)
Instead, we are to focus our sights on our Lord God and Saviour, Jesus the Christ. Acknowledge the truth which is after godliness. (Titus 1:1) "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat. Nevertheless, we, according to His promise look for new heavens and new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot and blameless." ( II Peter 3:11)
Why? Because godliness with contentment is great gain. (I Timothy 6:6) From those professing godliness comes good works. (I Timothy 2:10) "And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." (II Peter 1:6-7)
This is why those who profess to be the Lord's, flee the worldly constructs -- the earthly -- to follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness -- because their is hope and peace and joy in knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength. (I Timothy 6:11)
Stand in the offering plate.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
How Can Ye Believe, Which Receive Honour One of Another, And Seek Not the Honour That Comes From God Only -- Part 1675
When we consider the historical record of persecution against those who truly believe, including Saul's own determination to massacre those who professed to believe in Jesus by faith, we also begin to understand how the emergence of a counter culture, with all the makings and constructs of the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, at least in form, but not displaying the glory of God came into being.
A religious culture/system wherein as peers within a community, we can receive honour from one another, while satisfying those who want a little bit of gospel added to their lives -- without ever having to change their heart/life agenda. Jesus alludes to this in the parable of the unjust steward, wherein (because our hearts have not turned) we compromise, erring on the side of a religious construct rather than standing on the Rock which is Christ. And, to some degree, we become presenters of the Word but for the wrong reason. As witnessed in Acts 8, even when we desire to do the right thing, our hearts can still remain blinded, because our hearts remain contrary to the Word. (Luke 16:1-13) But do not despair. There is hope, as evidenced in Acts 8.
Herein, Saul has just consented to Stephen's death. [For those who may not know, Stephen was one of the seven chosen to serve -- full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, and of honest report -- Acts 6:1-8] And because of Saul, there was great persecution against the body of Christ church which was at Jerusalem, and they were scattered abroad, with the exception of the apostles. (Acts 8:2)
Those which were scattered abroad from the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only. Preaching the Lord Jesus so that their hearts would turn to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-20) At the same time, Saul continues to make havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women, committing those who preached the Word to prison.
Within this environment, Philip is found in the city of Samaria, preaching Christ unto the people. Note that the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. "For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed [with them], and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. As a consequence, there was great joy in the city.
In the midst, there was also a certain man named Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. It reminds me of the time Jesus said that we would believe those who came in their "own name" over the Lord of glory.
"I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43)
Peter continues, saying to Simon, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." Then answered Simon, saying, "Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come unto me." (Acts 8:23-25) Simon was essentially asking Peter to pray the effectual fervent prayer because from a righteous man, it availeth much. (James 5:16)
What happens next with Simon is not immediately evident, but what we do know is that the choice to move forward in the Lord's ministry was offered, if his heart would repent, and he would acknowledge the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrine of Christ -- wherein, God Himself was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Revelation 1:8, 11) Wherein God willingly became our Saviour, clothing Himself in sin prone flesh so that we might have life in Him! (Titus 3:4-7)
There is much more to be gleaned from this example, but let it suffice for now, that we are -- as Jesus said -- to "come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)
The Lord hath put a purpose in our hearts to fulfill. Stand in the offering plate.
A religious culture/system wherein as peers within a community, we can receive honour from one another, while satisfying those who want a little bit of gospel added to their lives -- without ever having to change their heart/life agenda. Jesus alludes to this in the parable of the unjust steward, wherein (because our hearts have not turned) we compromise, erring on the side of a religious construct rather than standing on the Rock which is Christ. And, to some degree, we become presenters of the Word but for the wrong reason. As witnessed in Acts 8, even when we desire to do the right thing, our hearts can still remain blinded, because our hearts remain contrary to the Word. (Luke 16:1-13) But do not despair. There is hope, as evidenced in Acts 8.
Herein, Saul has just consented to Stephen's death. [For those who may not know, Stephen was one of the seven chosen to serve -- full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, and of honest report -- Acts 6:1-8] And because of Saul, there was great persecution against the body of Christ church which was at Jerusalem, and they were scattered abroad, with the exception of the apostles. (Acts 8:2)
Those which were scattered abroad from the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but unto the Jews only. Preaching the Lord Jesus so that their hearts would turn to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-20) At the same time, Saul continues to make havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women, committing those who preached the Word to prison.
Within this environment, Philip is found in the city of Samaria, preaching Christ unto the people. Note that the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. "For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many that were possessed [with them], and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. As a consequence, there was great joy in the city.
In the midst, there was also a certain man named Simon, which before time in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. It reminds me of the time Jesus said that we would believe those who came in their "own name" over the Lord of glory.
"I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive." (John 5:43)
But I digress. In the community, this same Simon was perceived by the people to be a great one; "to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God." And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries." (Acts 8:9-11)
It was only when the hearts of the people turned and the people believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, and were baptized (both men and women) that the scales were removed from their eyes, and the blindness from their hearts. Only then did Simon himself believe also, being baptized, and continuing with Philip. Still, all the while wondering, beholding the miracles and signs which were done among the people. (Acts 8:12-13; Acts 1:2; Acts 8:4)
When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had gladly received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John; who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as yet He was fallen upon none of them; only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus). (Acts 2:36-38; Acts 10:44-48)
As an aside, one could suggest that these did not understand the "resurrected gospel" so instead, technically, could be considered still in the tomb -- dead in their understanding that Jesus resurrected is the Holy Ghost. (Acts 1:2) Obviously, this changed when the apostles who had come laid hands on those who believed, and they received the Holy Ghost.
However, when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered the apostles money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:18) In other words, Simon thought the Holy Ghost could be purchased with earthly constructs. To some extent, Simon was still thinking of earthy gain. Have we not all been in that place, at one time or another? He was looking at the gospel, as a means to adding to his own personal favour, and not [yet] willing to give all the glory to the Lord God our Savior -- Jesus.
But Peter knew the heart that looked to personal gain first, so he said unto Simon, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee," (Acts 8:20-22; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 11:17)
From the scriptures, we know that "the heart is deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart. I try the reigns, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings ... because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters." (Jeremiah 17:9-13; Romans 2:6; Luke 12:20; Isaiah 1:28)
Thus, herein, Peter is instructing Simon "who was opposing" himself, "if God peradventure will give [him] repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (II Timothy 2:25) Because, also, as we who believe in Jesus by faith with all of our very being -- with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, recognize that this gift that we have "freely received" is to be freely given. (Matthew 10:8)
We are to preach the good news gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ without building an earthly empire unto ourselves. This is the compromised heart Peter was addressing with Simon.
Peter continues, saying to Simon, "For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." Then answered Simon, saying, "Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come unto me." (Acts 8:23-25) Simon was essentially asking Peter to pray the effectual fervent prayer because from a righteous man, it availeth much. (James 5:16)
What happens next with Simon is not immediately evident, but what we do know is that the choice to move forward in the Lord's ministry was offered, if his heart would repent, and he would acknowledge the truth of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The doctrine of Christ -- wherein, God Himself was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Revelation 1:8, 11) Wherein God willingly became our Saviour, clothing Himself in sin prone flesh so that we might have life in Him! (Titus 3:4-7)
There is much more to be gleaned from this example, but let it suffice for now, that we are -- as Jesus said -- to "come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Revelation 18:4)
The Lord hath put a purpose in our hearts to fulfill. Stand in the offering plate.
Monday, April 10, 2017
For Our Gospel Came Not Unto You In Word Only But In Power - Part 1674
Without getting into too many details regarding David and Saul, the one scripture that stands out is this. David is saying to Saul -- "Wherefore hearing thou men's words, saying, "Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?" Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade me kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, "I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the Lord's anointed." (I Samuel 24:7-10)
Too often, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, we subscribe to the antics and whims of this world. We stand back and allow a modern day religious culture to teach us the ways of the Lord, and in so doing, miss the many blessings that come from communing with the Lord Jesus continually in our hearts. Jesus' disciples came to this place when Jesus met them on the beach. How do we know? Because after that particular meeting, wherein Jesus told the disciples to "cast their net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find," His disciples forsook everything to pursue the Lord's mission for their life. (John 21:7-25)
In John's account, Jesus asks one disciple in particular - Simon Peter (son of Jonas), "Lovest thou Me?" And when Simon answered, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee .." what did Jesus reply?
Jesus told him to "Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- when thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." Herein, Jesus is specifically signifying what death Simon Peter should glorify God. (John 21:19) Still, in a similar manner, we who profess to believe in Jesus by faith also need to be girded by another, so that everything we do is for the glorification of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. That He truly becomes our all in all.
In other words, we need to stop looking at our peers, and the world and focus our sights solely on Jesus. This means that in terms of the earthly, the Jericho's that strive to keep us constrained and in bondage needs to crumble. As I write this, I think specifically of the Lord's promise in Revelation 3:8-9, wherein Jesus states:
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." (Revelation 3:8-9)
The time has come for a people who will stand for truth -- the One and Only absolute that can only be found in Jesus. In striving for the perfection James speaks about, those who profess to love Jesus (like Simon Peter) all need to reach the heart place of Paul, when he asked:
"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:10-12)
Paul's message was confirmed when Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus wrote unto the church of the Thessalonians stating, "for our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (I Thessalonians 1:5-6)
We need to remember from whence comes our salvation. We need to stand for the truth that can only be found in Jesus, for He said to each and every one of us, "I have called and ordained you ..." And He placed His purpose in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb. We need to stop catering to the world/earthly and reach for the heavenly.
Why is this so important? Because God’s Word was manifest in the flesh, in which flesh dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily -- for you and I. The sacrifice on the cross, when the Lord God of heaven willingly poured out His holy blood was for us. The flesh (veil) when He fashioned Himself as a Son. The Spirit within the veil of flesh was none other than the holy Spirit of God. For the very SEED which had conceived the life within the veil of flesh was the SEED of the Holy Ghost. Yes! JESUS the Christ was fathered by the life of God. In JESUS the Christ' veins did flow the blood of the Holy Ghost.
The holy Spirit of God humbled and humiliated Himself for our sakes. God left His glory purposefully to provide and offer to men and women redemption as a free gift. Redemption was purchased at Calvary by God Himself. When JESUS, who is the manifestation of God Himself in the flesh (as a Son/servant), laid down His pure and holy sin-free life, God was willingly taking upon Himself our messed up and sin torn lives. God was sacrificing His life as an offering. A one-time offering that would never be repeated. For in that one offering God wiped the slate of our lives clean.
This is the teachings the holy Spirit of JESUS personally delivered to us, first by the Lord Jesus and now -- through the ministry of JESUS' Spirit. (If you need understanding, read Acts 1 and 2 in its entirety) The difficulty is that often, we receive the other teachings which JESUS wanted to tell us during His time on earth, but because of our inadequacy to receive more weighty teaching fail to grasp the real meaning within the scriptures. But all is not lost for these teachings are now advanced toward us. We have the Word of God - the Biblical scriptures - to enlighten us so that the scales of blindness fall from our eyes.
Further, upon calling on the Name of Jesus, we are redeemed, baptized and filled with the breath of JESUS which is His holy Spirit. As a consequence, the Word can now be effective within our being!
So when we read these words in verse 11, “I CERTIFY YOU BRETHREN!” we learn that the gospel preached to humankind is not man made. For I did not receive this gospel from man. Neither was I taught the gospel by man. Rather, I received this gospel which was delivered to me -- as Paul states, through the imparting of revelation.
Take hold of the truth this day. Be a partaker in the Lord's blessing and mission for our lives. The time is short. Stand in the offering plate.
Too often, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, we subscribe to the antics and whims of this world. We stand back and allow a modern day religious culture to teach us the ways of the Lord, and in so doing, miss the many blessings that come from communing with the Lord Jesus continually in our hearts. Jesus' disciples came to this place when Jesus met them on the beach. How do we know? Because after that particular meeting, wherein Jesus told the disciples to "cast their net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find," His disciples forsook everything to pursue the Lord's mission for their life. (John 21:7-25)
In John's account, Jesus asks one disciple in particular - Simon Peter (son of Jonas), "Lovest thou Me?" And when Simon answered, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee .." what did Jesus reply?
Jesus told him to "Feed My sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee -- when thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." Herein, Jesus is specifically signifying what death Simon Peter should glorify God. (John 21:19) Still, in a similar manner, we who profess to believe in Jesus by faith also need to be girded by another, so that everything we do is for the glorification of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. That He truly becomes our all in all.
In other words, we need to stop looking at our peers, and the world and focus our sights solely on Jesus. This means that in terms of the earthly, the Jericho's that strive to keep us constrained and in bondage needs to crumble. As I write this, I think specifically of the Lord's promise in Revelation 3:8-9, wherein Jesus states:
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." (Revelation 3:8-9)
The time has come for a people who will stand for truth -- the One and Only absolute that can only be found in Jesus. In striving for the perfection James speaks about, those who profess to love Jesus (like Simon Peter) all need to reach the heart place of Paul, when he asked:
"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:10-12)
Paul's message was confirmed when Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus wrote unto the church of the Thessalonians stating, "for our gospel came not unto you in Word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (I Thessalonians 1:5-6)
We need to remember from whence comes our salvation. We need to stand for the truth that can only be found in Jesus, for He said to each and every one of us, "I have called and ordained you ..." And He placed His purpose in our hearts whilst we were still in our mother's womb. We need to stop catering to the world/earthly and reach for the heavenly.
Why is this so important? Because God’s Word was manifest in the flesh, in which flesh dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily -- for you and I. The sacrifice on the cross, when the Lord God of heaven willingly poured out His holy blood was for us. The flesh (veil) when He fashioned Himself as a Son. The Spirit within the veil of flesh was none other than the holy Spirit of God. For the very SEED which had conceived the life within the veil of flesh was the SEED of the Holy Ghost. Yes! JESUS the Christ was fathered by the life of God. In JESUS the Christ' veins did flow the blood of the Holy Ghost.
The holy Spirit of God humbled and humiliated Himself for our sakes. God left His glory purposefully to provide and offer to men and women redemption as a free gift. Redemption was purchased at Calvary by God Himself. When JESUS, who is the manifestation of God Himself in the flesh (as a Son/servant), laid down His pure and holy sin-free life, God was willingly taking upon Himself our messed up and sin torn lives. God was sacrificing His life as an offering. A one-time offering that would never be repeated. For in that one offering God wiped the slate of our lives clean.
This is the teachings the holy Spirit of JESUS personally delivered to us, first by the Lord Jesus and now -- through the ministry of JESUS' Spirit. (If you need understanding, read Acts 1 and 2 in its entirety) The difficulty is that often, we receive the other teachings which JESUS wanted to tell us during His time on earth, but because of our inadequacy to receive more weighty teaching fail to grasp the real meaning within the scriptures. But all is not lost for these teachings are now advanced toward us. We have the Word of God - the Biblical scriptures - to enlighten us so that the scales of blindness fall from our eyes.
Further, upon calling on the Name of Jesus, we are redeemed, baptized and filled with the breath of JESUS which is His holy Spirit. As a consequence, the Word can now be effective within our being!
So when we read these words in verse 11, “I CERTIFY YOU BRETHREN!” we learn that the gospel preached to humankind is not man made. For I did not receive this gospel from man. Neither was I taught the gospel by man. Rather, I received this gospel which was delivered to me -- as Paul states, through the imparting of revelation.
Take hold of the truth this day. Be a partaker in the Lord's blessing and mission for our lives. The time is short. Stand in the offering plate.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
And By Reason Hereof He Ought, As For the People, So Also For Himself To Offer For Sins - Part 1673
Line upon line, precept upon precept, the Lord opens up His Word to those who delight in Him. It is an amazing transition to move from the status of a servant to a friend whom the Lord hath called. Indeed, when we respond to His love in our hearts, seeking Jesus in everything we do, for His glory and adoration, He opens up the scriptures to us, in the same manner as He did after the cross when He appeared unto the disciples on the beach.
He removes the scales from our eyes, and the blindness from our hearts so that we can see and understand the things pertaining to God, and that He Himself ought, as for the people, so also for Himself to offer for sins. And He did, because as we are privy to knowing now in this fullness of times, God became our Saviour. God was manifest in the flesh for you and I. (Titus 3:4-7; I Timothy 3:16)
But there is much more to the greatest love story ever told. And that is, that the same Lord God who moved upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2 told us of His plan to personally deliver to His beloved salvation long before it happened. The prophet Isaiah (among others) elaborates on this. On the new testament side, we get a glimpse of His amazing love for His creation in the book of Hebrews. I would suggest everyone take the time to read and study Hebrews in its entirety -- for your edification and understanding.
For today, let's read Hebrews 5 and 6, wherein, the Lord states for our understanding that Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest, but He that said unto Him -- "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee." (As an aside, this one statement alone pokes holes in the false trinity message because the scripture validates that there was a day that the Son was begotten, and therefore, could not be co-existing and co-eternal with the Father from the beginning.) But I digress.
Beginning in Hebrews 5, we will elaborate further in the posts to follow. For now, read these scriptures and meditate on the greatest love story ever told:
"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that He Himself also is compassed with infirmity -- and by reason hereof He ought, as for the people, so also for Himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but He that is called of God, as was Aaron.
So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee."
So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, "Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee."
As He saith also in another place, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared. Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him; called of God an high priest after the Order of Melchisedec -- of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-14)
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:1-14)
And Hebrews 6:
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come -- If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil ... whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6:1-20)
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come -- If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil ... whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec." (Hebrews 6:1-20)
Yes, this same Jesus who is both Lord and Christ was made an high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Stand in the offering plate.
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