2024-06-07
Good Morning Dear Ones,
For the last nine weeks (including this week and next) I’ve been writing about one of the most important issues to Jesus Christ, which is our transformation. We all inherit the original sin [GN 3: 1-6] to which we add our own sin. This situation isn’t hopeless, because at the time God (the Father) chose, Jesus Christ (His only begotten Son) was tasked with giving the atoning sacrifice for that sin with His physical life [JN 3: 16]. That opened the way for people to use their free agency to choose either to not sin or to continue sinning. Each choice had its appropriate consequences—either eternally good or bad. Because God loves us so much and we were created in their (expressing His Trinitarian nature) image [GN 1: 26-27]. It is illogical to think a God with no evil in Him [1 JN 1: 5] would not love those humans He created. So, once Jesus was put in charge of redemption, God (in all His personalities) wants as many humans as possible to be successful transformed over time to be Christlike [IS 45: 22; ZECH 8:7; 1TIM 2: 4] and to have faith the promises that have been made.
We should read JN 3: 31b-36 to see why this matters so much to God. (paraphrased for brevity): Jesus is above all. Whoever accepts His testimony certifies that God is truthful and that He speaks only God’s words. God gives us the Holy Spirit without limit and has placed everything in Christ’s hands. The faithful love the Son tells us all who believe will have eternal life; however, God’s wrath will remain with those who reject the Son. Those who genuinely profess faith in Jesus Christ, are justified (deemed acceptable to God) and have their sins eternally forgiven [RO 4: 3; 1 JN 1: 9]. These people are saved [JN 3: 16] will never be put to shame [IS 28: 16; RO 10: 9-11]. We acquire faith through hearing the Gospel and learning the truth through God’s word [RO 10: 17].
Paul made it clear that he was not the Christ. This came up on his mission travels, as some people were concerned about different church leaders being misunderstood. Only Jesus Himself was the Christ. Paul needed an assistant and called Timothy of Lystra to be mentored by him. Timothy was a good choice because he was Jewish on his mother’s side and Greek on his father’s, giving him an understanding of both cultures. Both his mother and grandmother taught Timothy to have faith in Jesus [AC 16: 1, 31].
Christ’s power to do good can’t be underestimated. The story of His encounter with a boy possessed by many demons who abused him in horrible ways, in MK 9, is an example. Christ taught us all a lesson as He exorcised these demons after saying in v. 23, “Believe and all possible will be done.” Once He was successful in ridding the boy of demons, he said in v. 29, “This result could only come by prayer.” That helps us to realize the power of prayer, which is a habit Jesus modeled for us [MT 6: 5-7; MK 1:35]. He wants us to pray often with thanks and joy [1 THESS 5: 16-18].
Those with faith have confidence in what we hope for and assurance in what we don’t see [HE 11: 1]. God knows that those of us who have faith in the Lord yearn for heaven, and He is not ashamed to call us His own [HE 11:16]. The story of Thomas, who was a doubter, is brought to mind. Once he saw the resurrected Jesus for himself and Jesus invited Thomas to feel his nail marks from the cross, Thomas believed. Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me you believed; blessed are those who have not seen Me and believed” [JN 20: 28-29].
A person sufficiently transformed by Christ wants to serve Him wherever his life/career/skills take him. I testify to this from personal experience and knowledge of the sharp contrast between a life without Him and one with Him. That is how a transformed person can relate to Paul’s comment, in PHIL 1: 20b-21, “…Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death, for to me is to live is Christ and to die is gain.” What is being said here is that as much as he wished for his glorification to come soon, he was willing to endure the test of living and serving Christ on earth in order to have eternal life with Him. Now that’s an example of having faith! Faith, only the Lord can give.
PRAYER: O Lord, You alone have sent Your Son, Jesus, to redeem all those who have faith and to win the victory over death and sin. 1 COR 15: 55-56, “’Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” We have the promise that Jesus will lead us in a victory procession made of those who choose evil over good, unbelief over faith [COL 2: 15]. Your goodness knows no boundaries, and we are both grateful and desire to praise You in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen
NEXT WEEK: I’m commanded to conclude the series of messages on transformation and go on to other topics within the gifts of the Holy Spirit. So, next week, I’ll be discussing how God helps us at times we need it. We can glean so many warnings, blessings, and truths, which give us hope and strengthen our faith, if we study the Scriptures. There’s just no reason not to engage in this activity. Yet another issue is our need to spend personal time with God, one on One in prayer and with listening to Him. He loves us and will never abandon us [PS 9: 9-10]. PS 145: 18-19, “He is near to all who call on Him, who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of all those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.” Please keep track of all the citations here, and it will really help you in your studies. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved.
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