2002-12-23
Good Morning Dear Ones,
As I continue going through the list of ones from EPH 4: 4-6, we begin to see why there should always be unity in the body of Christ. All the citations lead to more than that too. We can see directions on what we must do in order to be worthy of all the blessings God showers on us, including His full armor, His guidance and direction, and His encouragement given while we battle against Satan’s fiery darts in our lives. We don’t go into this battle alone, with fear of being abandoned, or not fully equipped for victory in Christ’s name. Once again, let’s review this precious list of seven ones. EPH 4: 4-6, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and Father of all mankind Who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.” We’ve already looked at: 1) one body [the Body of Christ-the church]; 2) one Spirit [the Holy Spirit]; 3) one hope to which we are called [the Gospel message of salvation and peace]; and yesterday, we looked at the basics about 4) one Lord [Jesus Christ]. However, there is more to say about this very important second personality of the Godhead [Trinity].
To do this, let me begin by reiterating JN 1: 1-4, because it tells us so much about Yeshua HaMeshiah Adonai [Hebrew for Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Lord]. “Before the world was created, the Word already existed; He was with God, and He was the same as God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through Him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without Him. The Word was the Source of life, and this life brought light to mankind.” It’s not a typo that I capitalize all nouns and pronouns that refer to any member of the Trinity. It’s done out of the respect I have for them. Despite the fact that my traditional Jewish family and friends refuse to recognize Christ’s deity, we can’t omit the fact that the Hebrew word, “Eloheim,” which is pleural and not singular, is used in the original Masoretic text still used by traditional Jews today. It can be seen in GN 2: 4 & 7, for example. It is from the wording of this text that our modern Bibles emerge, and the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls is archeological proof that the wording has not been changed.
Those of us who have engaged in daily study of the Scriptures also can’t refute Christ’s frequent presence in the OT, even through the name “Jesus Christ” isn’t found there. I witness to each of you that each and every word of the Scriptures, both OT and NT, is true and wholly consistent. Since Christ did the work of creation at the Father’s instruction, He was surely present in OT times. The use of the word, “Word,” for him with capital letters goes directly to my belief that He is the Word, and that the words of the Scriptures were inspired by Him. Surely, we must also agree that the accounts of His words during His public ministry could belong to no one else. Even the secular historians like Pliny, Josephus Flavius, and others agree with the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Not only have these accounts agreed, but we have Paul’s testimony to Christ’s deity in 1 TIM 2: 5-6, “For there is one God, and there is One Who brings God and mankind together, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself to redeem all mankind. That was the proof at the right time that God wants everyone to be saved.” The Gospel statement revealing Who Christ is not only is in 1 COR 15: 3, but it is also found in 1 TIM 3: 16, “No one can deny how great is the secret of our religion: He appeared in human form, was shown to be right by the Spirit, and was seen by angels. He was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world, and was taken up to heaven.” John in 1 JN 1: 1-2 adds his testimony to the truth of Who Christ really is. “We write to you about the Word of life, which has existed from the very beginning. We have heard it, and we have seen it with our eyes; yes, we have seen it, and our hands have touched it. When this life became visible, we saw it; so we speak of it and tell you about the eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us.” When we know the truth, we have a responsibility not to keep it to ourselves. Remember PS 119: 105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, a light for my path.” The truth pierces the darkness of sin and brings the sinner who believes in it to salvation. Peter lends his worthy advice in 1 PET 3: 15-18, “But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor Him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect. Keep your conscience clear, so that when you are insulted, those who speak evil of your good conduct as followers of Christ will become ashamed of what they say. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if this should be God’s will, than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good Man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually…” Our “First among many brothers” [RO 8: 29] has died, so we could be saved, and He has preceded those of us who endure in faith in being resurrected to joy and eternal fellowship with the Father in heaven. For what more could we ask?
PRAYER: O Lord, each day we pray to You we find it impossible to not to acknowledge the enormous and precious sacrifice You made for us of Your Son, Yeshua, on the cross. What a blessing this is for us, as it opens the exit door to sin’s power over us. The adversary hates this, as he would like to keep us enslaved to his evil. Once Christ died having been a perfect, once-for-all propitiation [a satisfactory substitute sin sacrifice for all], He remained buried only three days before You used Your awesome power to raise him from death to life. Because He is the “First among many brothers,” we are left with the promise, which we know in our hearts You will keep, that we too will be raised after our physical deaths to eternal life spiritually. You are an awesome God Who has loved each person You created from the beginning. You have made it clear in the Scriptures that Your desire is to see as many people as possible come to eternal life with You through repentance and faithful obedience to You. It really is the only way to live “in Christ.” JN 14: 6 makes the hard path through the narrow gate [MT 7: 13-14] clear. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except by Me.” There is no other human being who satisfies every single prophecy in the Scriptures about the Messiah, except Jesus Christ. While He calls us to a life that often invites criticism and persecution, sometimes even to martyrdom, You watch over all of us who hold dearly to our loving faith in You. PS 145: 20, The Lord watches over all who love Him.” PS 68: 19, “What a glorious Lord! He Who daily bears our burdens also gives us our salvation.” Dearest Abba, we dedicate ourselves today and always to remaining faithful and obedient to You and the Son, to listening to Your Spirit’s direction, and to fighting the battles with Satan that will further Your purpose on earth. We confess our sins in humility and offer You heartfelt adoration, worship, loyalty, diligence, glory, honor, trust, obedience, thanks, and praise. In the holy name of Yeshua, amen.
Tomorrow, I am led to discuss the fifth element: 5) one faith. This issue matters to each of us, because it is what pleases God. The more we study His word, the more we realize it is a joy to please God. Things have a way of working out in our lives when we do this. We are given “the peace that goes beyond human understanding” [PHIL 4: 7], and we are shown something amazing in PHIL 4 :13, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.” That certainly applies to waging spiritual warfare, and that is something all believers must do. Paul characterized himself as “a bondservant of Christ set apart for the Gospel” in RO 1: 1. That is the only kind of slavery we should face with the joy and hope that Christ has given us. Behind all of this is our Abba’s love for each of us, no matter how insignificant we or other people think we are. We are each God’s treasures that He cherishes and should never forget that. We are his totally forgiven and dearly loved foot soldiers. Peter and I send each of you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn