When Moses encountered "the Angel of the Lord who appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush" (Exodus 3:2), he was given instructions concerning the mission that the Lord had called him to. Before Moses departed, he asked, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, the God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, what is His name?’ what shall I say to them? And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you...This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations." (Exodus 3:13-15)
I AM that I AM is the common English translation of the response that God revealed to Moses when he asked for His name. I AM in the Hebrew language is usually translated in English Bibles as "I AM...I WILL BE...I SHALL BE." Some translations render this name as "I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE." The King James version of the Bible reveals God saying "I am" 508 times in the Old Testament and 211 times in the New Testament. Although they may be repeated, such as, "I am the Lord" or "I am God," nevertheless God reveals Himself as I AM throughout His Word. Other examples of this are, "I am the Lord who heals you." (Exodus 15:26) "I am Almighty God." (Genesis 17:1)
Taking this a step further, we also see, "For I am the Lord, I do not change" (Malachi 3:6) from the Old Testament, and "Jesus Christ (God in flesh) is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Hebrews 13:8) from the New Testament. So, why are these things so very important for believers to fully comprehend? Simply put, because far to many of God's children, who love Him and serve Him are living under the weight of a Christianity that has been and is still being taught that God is no longer "I AM" but is now, I was or I may. What is meant by this statement? I am not trying to be condescending or condemning, but the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Although Paul says, "we are not ignorant of his devices" this does not insinuate that every believer is not ignorant of Satan's devices. Unfortunately, many believers are ignorant of his plans and schemes. Paul also tells us, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter
times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1) What are deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons? Deceiving spirits are evil spirits that cause someone to accept as true or valid that which is false or invalid. Those who fall prey to such deceptions, obviously do not know it. The doctrines of demons are doctrines blatantly contrary to Scripture. Again, because these doctrines are deceptive, they are easily accepted.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul is speaking to us emphatically, not to be ignorant of Satan's deceptive plans, which purpose is to bring apostasy, departing from the faith, through doctrines that are contrary to God's Word. Some good examples of these erroneous doctrines that have been accepted in many sectors of the church, come from teachers that say the age of miracles has past; that God is able to heal, but it may not be His will in certain circumstances; that sickness is God's will for His children. What a deceptive scheme. Satan has worked quite hard to hide the truth from all people, especially believers, concerning these things. Satan has broadcasted these unscriptural, deceptive and illogical doctrines so much, that it has almost succeeded in reducing Almighty God from I AM to I was or I may.
Let us now look at how this plays out in the lives of believers by looking at some Scriptures concerning Israel's condition under Egyptian rule. "And the Lord said, (to Moses) I have surely seen the oppression (affliction; shatter; troubles; misery; poverty; illness; depression) of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows (great pains and suffering)" (Exodus 3:7) Although this was prior to the giving of the Law, Israel was in covenant with God through the covenant that God established with Abraham. For the sake of time, let's skip forward to God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and see what took place. Keep in mind their condition mentioned above. "He (I AM- God) also brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none feeble (lacking physical and mental strength as a result of age or illness) among His tribes." (Psalms 105:37) Under the Abrahamic covenant, Israel went from poverty to wealth, and from lacking physical and mental strength as a result of age or illness, to health as they exited Egypt. God also promised Israel, "...I will fulfill the number of your days." (Exodus 23:26)
Next, look at what David also recognized under the same covenant concerning I AM, "Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s." (Psalm 103:1-5) "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation." (Psalm 91:14-16)
Now let's look at the Scriptures concerning what God the Father worked in Christ for all, especially for believers. "But
now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also
Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6) Notice that Jesus is the, "Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." Question? How is it that those under a lesser covenant could have so much available or given to them by I AM than those under "a better covenant, which was established on better promises" by the same I AM? The reality is, Old Testament prophets and kings as well as angels have desired to look into this age of grace. What strange doctrines confront believers who are under this better covenant established on better promises that have absolutely no Scriptural evidence that the age of miracles have past and that the sick are not to look for better promises than those under a lesser covenant.
We know, according to Scriptures, God "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) But, is God more willing to show the mercy of forgiveness to the devil's children, the lost, than He is to His own children? Is He willing to show more mercy and provide better promises to those under a lesser covenant than He is to His own Children who through the meritorious work of Christ are under a better covenant with better promises? Absolutely not! The fact is, our Heavenly Father loves His own children even more than He loves the sinner and His promises to all believers are greater than those under the old covenant. Not only is He able, but He is completely willing in all circumstances to heal, deliver, preserve, rescue, save, provide, make whole and give long life His children. So, let us shed ourselves from all doubts as to who God is and know without doubt that He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. For He is and will ever be, I AM!!!
Showing posts with label God's Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God's Children. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2018
Monday, January 22, 2018
Hold Your Position
I believe that the two greatest struggles for most believers is completely believing God's Word and receiving our inheritance now. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) When we know what our Redemption in Christ truly means, and what it means to the Father, not simply a place in heaven when we pass from this life to eternity, then we pass out of the realm of worry, fear, doubt, unworthiness and inferiority and into the rest that God has provided in Christ.
The Apostle Paul recognized this so much that he tells us, "Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be independent of circumstances." ( Philippians 4:11 TCT) Why or how can believers be independent of circumstances? Paul goes on and says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me." (Philippians 4:13) You see, redemption in the mind of the Father means a new creation, not a new renovation or a hybrid, but complete sonship with al1its privileges. It means that we have come into God’s family and have all the family rights and privileges now as His Children. Paul tells us, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…" (Romans 8:15-17 ) What a remarkable promise..
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John tells us, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God…" (1 John 3:1-2) We could stop here, because this should be enough to cause us to walk in newness of life free from the old nature understanding who we are is in Christ; who Christ is in us and how the Father truly sees all of His children. Jesus tells us, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11)
How about this, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 ) For some, it may take some time before the reality of this scripture becomes more than simply a nice scripture. The great God and Father, the Creator of all things, has called us into fellowship with His Son, because He sees us as new creations in and with Christ. It is important that all believers recognize these truths, because the Father sees us as being one with Him in Christ. Oh, it goes even further, PTL...
"For if, through the transgression of one individual, death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17 WEY) We are now reigning as kings in the realm of life. We have become Masters; We are more than conquerors; We are set free; we are no longer held in captivity; We were slaves, defeated, conquered, held in bondage but He has taken us to His throne, and in the name of Jesus we become the bondage breakers for the rest of the human race.
Paul tells us, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2:18) Paul tells believers not to let anyone deprive them of their due reward. The only way to secure the prize was to hold on to the truth of God's Word and not yield to the philosophy of the world or the teachings of the Jews, who would try to defrauded them of their reward in Christ. The same can happen today and is happening today. Many of God's children are being cheated out of their inheritance through faithless teachers who teach the traditions and doctrines of man, rather than the unadulterated Word of God which builds faith (Romans 10:17) and produces life. (John 6:63) So,
hold your position in Christ and stand on His truth, as Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
The Apostle Paul recognized this so much that he tells us, "Not that I speak in respect of want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therein to be independent of circumstances." ( Philippians 4:11 TCT) Why or how can believers be independent of circumstances? Paul goes on and says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me." (Philippians 4:13) You see, redemption in the mind of the Father means a new creation, not a new renovation or a hybrid, but complete sonship with al1its privileges. It means that we have come into God’s family and have all the family rights and privileges now as His Children. Paul tells us, "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…" (Romans 8:15-17 ) What a remarkable promise..
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle John tells us, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God…" (1 John 3:1-2) We could stop here, because this should be enough to cause us to walk in newness of life free from the old nature understanding who we are is in Christ; who Christ is in us and how the Father truly sees all of His children. Jesus tells us, "Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" (Matthew 6:26) and, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11)
How about this, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:9 ) For some, it may take some time before the reality of this scripture becomes more than simply a nice scripture. The great God and Father, the Creator of all things, has called us into fellowship with His Son, because He sees us as new creations in and with Christ. It is important that all believers recognize these truths, because the Father sees us as being one with Him in Christ. Oh, it goes even further, PTL...
"For if, through the transgression of one individual, death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:17 WEY) We are now reigning as kings in the realm of life. We have become Masters; We are more than conquerors; We are set free; we are no longer held in captivity; We were slaves, defeated, conquered, held in bondage but He has taken us to His throne, and in the name of Jesus we become the bondage breakers for the rest of the human race.
Paul tells us, "Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2:18) Paul tells believers not to let anyone deprive them of their due reward. The only way to secure the prize was to hold on to the truth of God's Word and not yield to the philosophy of the world or the teachings of the Jews, who would try to defrauded them of their reward in Christ. The same can happen today and is happening today. Many of God's children are being cheated out of their inheritance through faithless teachers who teach the traditions and doctrines of man, rather than the unadulterated Word of God which builds faith (Romans 10:17) and produces life. (John 6:63) So,
hold your position in Christ and stand on His truth, as Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:31-32)
Monday, October 19, 2015
Child of God - Part 4
Due to the miraculous work of redemption through Jesus Christ, man has been restored to all that he was in God before the fall. The only way that a person can take advantage of such an incredible gift, he must confess Jesus as Lord and receive Him as Savior. This act of faith
transforms the sinner instantly by-means-of new birth an gives him the
right to become a child of God. New birth is the heart of Christianity. From the fall of man to Pentecost every plan and purpose of God to redeem man had centered in this. This is the reason for the sacrifice of Jesus as man's substitute. Man's interpretation of the new birth determines his whole Christian experience. What this means is, if the new birth is not supernatural, then Christianity is nothing more than one of the other religions of the world. If the new birth is simply a conversion to new concepts or a theory, then Christianity is purely a product of human endeavor. However, the fact is, the new birth is supernatural and Christianity has become the family of God, not a mere religion, or religious experience, but a completely restored relationship of man with the Father.
Jesus is the first one who speaks of the new birth, and in His conversation with Nicodemus He tells us what the new birth is and the need of it. (For the sake of space, please read John 3:1-8) The first thing that we see it that no one can see or understand the Kingdom of God except he is born again, that is, except the life of God come into his very being and recreate his spirit. Second, no one can enter the Kingdom of God except he is born of water and the spirit. However, Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, cannot understand these things and asks, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus responds, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again." In this scripture, Jesus reveals the difference between the natural and the spiritual man. The importance of us grasping this is that Jesus shows us that man is spiritually dead, a child of the devil. (John 8:44) The Apostle Paul tells us, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1-2)
However, the new birth is to be a complete change of the sinful, satanic nature of man to a new or restored relationship with the Father. The Apostle Paul continues, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6) We were not sick with sin, we were dead in sin, but God made us alive together with Christ, new birth, born again. By one accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he enters into a covenant, a legal contract so-to-speak, with the Father through Jesus Christ. Some of the numerous blessings that are legally and instantly bestowed upon believers from the Father, are...
The Apostle John tells us, "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) The Apostle James tells us, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:18) The Apostle Peter tells us, "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) Man, once spiritually dead, hopeless, helpless and without God in the world, a child of Satan, now has the opportunity to become a part of the family of God, simply by confessing with the mouth and believing with the heart, the Lord Jesus Christ and taking Him as Savior. Think about these things and then consider, who would not want to be a true, legal, bought and paid for child of God? Really, no one. So take some time and let some people know that they can be a part of God's family and become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the first one who speaks of the new birth, and in His conversation with Nicodemus He tells us what the new birth is and the need of it. (For the sake of space, please read John 3:1-8) The first thing that we see it that no one can see or understand the Kingdom of God except he is born again, that is, except the life of God come into his very being and recreate his spirit. Second, no one can enter the Kingdom of God except he is born of water and the spirit. However, Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, cannot understand these things and asks, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus responds, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born again." In this scripture, Jesus reveals the difference between the natural and the spiritual man. The importance of us grasping this is that Jesus shows us that man is spiritually dead, a child of the devil. (John 8:44) The Apostle Paul tells us, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." (Ephesians 2:1-2)
However, the new birth is to be a complete change of the sinful, satanic nature of man to a new or restored relationship with the Father. The Apostle Paul continues, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6) We were not sick with sin, we were dead in sin, but God made us alive together with Christ, new birth, born again. By one accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he enters into a covenant, a legal contract so-to-speak, with the Father through Jesus Christ. Some of the numerous blessings that are legally and instantly bestowed upon believers from the Father, are...
- His sins are remitted, wiped out as though they had never been. (Isaiah 43:25)
- He is legally justified, made righteous or set right with God. (Romans 5:1-2)
- His name is written in the Book of Life. (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3)
- He is legally adopted into the family of God. (Romans 8:15-16)
- Jesus publicly confesses him before the Father and the His angels. (Revelations 3:5)
- He is legally reconciled to the Father. (Romans 5:9-11)
- He is declared and made righteous. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Satan no longer has authority over the believer, but the believer has authority over Satan. (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19)
- He is blessed and given every spiritual blessing by the father in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
- He has the promise of eternal life. (1 John 2:25)
The Apostle John tells us, "Who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13) The Apostle James tells us, "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures." (James 1:18) The Apostle Peter tells us, "Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (1 Peter 1:23) Man, once spiritually dead, hopeless, helpless and without God in the world, a child of Satan, now has the opportunity to become a part of the family of God, simply by confessing with the mouth and believing with the heart, the Lord Jesus Christ and taking Him as Savior. Think about these things and then consider, who would not want to be a true, legal, bought and paid for child of God? Really, no one. So take some time and let some people know that they can be a part of God's family and become a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Child of God - Part 2
In part one we see that the children of creation betrayed their Father, the living God. In doing so they lost the legal right to approach God and are described by the Apostle Paul as "...without Christ, being
aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants
of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:12) Notice first, "without Christ." Although Christ had not come to redeem man for several thousand years after the fall, the fact is, there is no life, no ability or right to approach God without Him. Although Paul is addressing Gentiles here, he goes on to address Jews also. Though Jews had God's law, His oracles, yet, without Christ, they were no different than Gentile unbelievers. So this applies to all people everywhere. We see this clearly as the Apostle Paul tells us, "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5) and the Apostle Peter reveals, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Next, we see that man is a stranger from the covenants of the promise. In other words, man has no claims on God apart from His "Covenants" especially His "New Covenant" established through Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "But now He (Christ) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6) Man had forfeited every right which God has conferred upon him at the fall. Before the fall, God had given man the lega1 right to approach Him and a stand before Him. We see this in the Garden. (Genesis 3:8) Although this was after the fall, it paints the picture of man's relationship with God the Father and His children. But now, do to man's betrayal, his treason, he forfeited his position and is described as "having no hope and without God in the world."
Hopeless and Godless, and in the world where Satan has completely corrupted everything through sin, who also has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), shows us that man's position apart from Christ, is certainly desperate. But more than this, as we saw in part one, man had become a partaker of satanic nature. Satan was now his father. (John 8:44) He is not only a subject of Satan, but is also become spiritua1ly dead. Adam was no longer able to stand in God's presence after he sinned. Furthermore, he was driven from the Garden of Eden God, and then God placed a cherubim wielding a flaming sword to block the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24) God would not permit man to eat of the tree of life until the sin problem had been settled. Think how awful it would have been if man had eaten of tree of life while under the sway of sin. Man would live forever and yet the destructive nature of sin would still have been unleashed upon the earth. In other words, all of mankind would follow in their father's footsteps, the devil, that is, "steel, kill and destroy" but never physically die. It staggers the imagination to even try to think of something so horrific.
The Book of Job is seen as the oldest book of the Bible. Job recognized man's awful dilemma and need for a mediator, “For God is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, and that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both." (Job 9:32-33) In other words, there is no mediator between man and God who has a legal standing with God and at the same time can sympathize, understand and represent man before God. This is Job's cry for a mediator, but it is not the cry of Job alone. This is actually the cry of man throughout the ages. All through the ages man has created religions and every way possible to appease himself and hopefully be accepted by God. Yet the Bible tells us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) This means exactly what it says, "for ALL have sinned!"
Today, man can no more approach God without a mediator than he could in the days of Job or Israel. The deceptions of Satan have brought most of man to believe if they live a good moral life, that this is al1 God requires of them. By living a "good" life, and if there is a Heaven they have as much right to it as those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, neither this kind of thinking, nor any amount of the finest education, nor the best of man's good works (feed the hungry, clothe the poor, etc.) will ever give him right standing with God. Proverbs tells us, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12) In all of mans efforts and so called good deeds, man needs a mediator.
Although these truths may not be encouraging, the reality of such thing should bring every believer to grips with just how privileged each one of us are, to be a child of God. To have a Father whose only desire is to give His best to all humanity, especially to believers, His family, should cause us to be just as caring and loving to others as our Father is to us. Jesus tells us, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) The Apostle Paul tells us, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) These are but a few promises that we have in Christ. As we look ahead to what it means to be a child of God, I pray that we will never forget who and what we were, according to Ephesians 2:12, before the Father drew us to Jesus, the "Mediator between God and men."
Next, we see that man is a stranger from the covenants of the promise. In other words, man has no claims on God apart from His "Covenants" especially His "New Covenant" established through Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews tells us, "But now He (Christ) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises." (Hebrews 8:6) Man had forfeited every right which God has conferred upon him at the fall. Before the fall, God had given man the lega1 right to approach Him and a stand before Him. We see this in the Garden. (Genesis 3:8) Although this was after the fall, it paints the picture of man's relationship with God the Father and His children. But now, do to man's betrayal, his treason, he forfeited his position and is described as "having no hope and without God in the world."
Hopeless and Godless, and in the world where Satan has completely corrupted everything through sin, who also has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14), shows us that man's position apart from Christ, is certainly desperate. But more than this, as we saw in part one, man had become a partaker of satanic nature. Satan was now his father. (John 8:44) He is not only a subject of Satan, but is also become spiritua1ly dead. Adam was no longer able to stand in God's presence after he sinned. Furthermore, he was driven from the Garden of Eden God, and then God placed a cherubim wielding a flaming sword to block the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:22-24) God would not permit man to eat of the tree of life until the sin problem had been settled. Think how awful it would have been if man had eaten of tree of life while under the sway of sin. Man would live forever and yet the destructive nature of sin would still have been unleashed upon the earth. In other words, all of mankind would follow in their father's footsteps, the devil, that is, "steel, kill and destroy" but never physically die. It staggers the imagination to even try to think of something so horrific.
The Book of Job is seen as the oldest book of the Bible. Job recognized man's awful dilemma and need for a mediator, “For God is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, and that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both." (Job 9:32-33) In other words, there is no mediator between man and God who has a legal standing with God and at the same time can sympathize, understand and represent man before God. This is Job's cry for a mediator, but it is not the cry of Job alone. This is actually the cry of man throughout the ages. All through the ages man has created religions and every way possible to appease himself and hopefully be accepted by God. Yet the Bible tells us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) This means exactly what it says, "for ALL have sinned!"
Today, man can no more approach God without a mediator than he could in the days of Job or Israel. The deceptions of Satan have brought most of man to believe if they live a good moral life, that this is al1 God requires of them. By living a "good" life, and if there is a Heaven they have as much right to it as those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. However, neither this kind of thinking, nor any amount of the finest education, nor the best of man's good works (feed the hungry, clothe the poor, etc.) will ever give him right standing with God. Proverbs tells us, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 14:12) In all of mans efforts and so called good deeds, man needs a mediator.
Although these truths may not be encouraging, the reality of such thing should bring every believer to grips with just how privileged each one of us are, to be a child of God. To have a Father whose only desire is to give His best to all humanity, especially to believers, His family, should cause us to be just as caring and loving to others as our Father is to us. Jesus tells us, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11) The Apostle Paul tells us, "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) These are but a few promises that we have in Christ. As we look ahead to what it means to be a child of God, I pray that we will never forget who and what we were, according to Ephesians 2:12, before the Father drew us to Jesus, the "Mediator between God and men."
Monday, September 28, 2015
Child of God - Part 1
Many times in the New Testament we see that when one truly accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they become a child of God, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13) But what does it mean to be a child of God, a son or a daughter? Let us begin by looking at creation. Notice, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:1-3)
The first thing that God started with, was the earth. From day one, through day six, God created everything that pertained to the natural or physical realm. Without much thought it is obvious to see, although most likely refuted among scientists, the earth is the center of creation, the center of the universe. If astronomers could find a way to measure the distance from earth to the end of the universe, and continue to take measurement at one degree increments for three hundred and sixty degrees, they would find this to be true.
Now we can see the purpose of creation. It was and is all for man's benefit. Everything was prepared by God for His masterpiece of creation, man. Well, if the reason behind creation, especially the earth was for man, then what was the reason for man? Seeing that God created man in His own image and likeness, there is only one answer. God wanted a family. He wanted sons and daughters. The Apostles Paul reveals, "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15) Its clear that God's desire was to have children, sons and daughters. In heaven He had angels to minister to Him. However, other than angels being spirit beings, man is the only thing in all creation that is a direct reflection of the image and likeness of God. There is not one thing like man in all creation.
In the account of creation shown in Genesis, we see that all creation took place in six days. We really have no account of what the length of a day represents in the realm of creation. The closes account that we may draw some understanding from was spoken by Moses, "For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4) and the Apostle Peter, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8) Although these passages represent the fact that God is not bound by time and space, let's look at them as though each day of creation took a thousand years. During the end of day six, or almost six thousand years from the time God began creation, He made man. Now, think how wonderful man is in the eyes of God. Only a loving Father would devote so much time in creating everything for his children and also give them the authority over it all.
Another thought to consider, instead of creating the entire human race, God gave man the ability to reproduce himself, which can be said, man was to produce more children for God. We do not know the length of time from the creation of man and his time spent in the Garden of Eden, but we do know that before man produced other children, the most destructive event in the history of God's children took place. We call it the fall of man, but it is more reflective of treason. Man not only rebelled against his creator, but in fact, Father God's children betrayed Him. (Genesis 3:1-6) God had conferred upon man the legal authority to rule creation, but man had forfeited his authority over into the hands of God's enemy, Satan. This brought man into a new, and unfortunate relationship. Instead of the image and likeness of Father God, he now took on the image and likeness of his new father, Satan. (John 8:44)
Although mans treason thwarted God's plan, let us not forget that God is not bound by time and space which places Him in the realm of knowing the beginning and the end at the same time. (Revelation 1:8) Although man's treason separated him from God and he became mortal, subject to death, (Genesis 2:15-17); gave Satan dominion over creation; (Luke 4:6), brought a blighting curse upon the earth, vegetation and animals (Genesis 3:14, 17); brought all mankind into bondage of Satan (1 John 5:19); and death (Romans 5:12); it did not take the all-knowing Father by surprise or catch Him off guard. No, He already had the plan of restoring His family, man, back to Himself before creation began. (Ephesians 1:4-6) We will look at this wonderful plan of our loving heavenly Father unfold as we look deeper into what it means to be a child of God...
The first thing that God started with, was the earth. From day one, through day six, God created everything that pertained to the natural or physical realm. Without much thought it is obvious to see, although most likely refuted among scientists, the earth is the center of creation, the center of the universe. If astronomers could find a way to measure the distance from earth to the end of the universe, and continue to take measurement at one degree increments for three hundred and sixty degrees, they would find this to be true.
Going back to creation and looking at the sixth day, it is recorded, "Then God said, “Let Us make
man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over
the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle,
over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then
God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill
the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over
the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the
earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28) The Psalmist David reveals, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet."(Psalm 8:3-6)
Now we can see the purpose of creation. It was and is all for man's benefit. Everything was prepared by God for His masterpiece of creation, man. Well, if the reason behind creation, especially the earth was for man, then what was the reason for man? Seeing that God created man in His own image and likeness, there is only one answer. God wanted a family. He wanted sons and daughters. The Apostles Paul reveals, "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Ephesians 3:14-15) Its clear that God's desire was to have children, sons and daughters. In heaven He had angels to minister to Him. However, other than angels being spirit beings, man is the only thing in all creation that is a direct reflection of the image and likeness of God. There is not one thing like man in all creation.
In the account of creation shown in Genesis, we see that all creation took place in six days. We really have no account of what the length of a day represents in the realm of creation. The closes account that we may draw some understanding from was spoken by Moses, "For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4) and the Apostle Peter, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8) Although these passages represent the fact that God is not bound by time and space, let's look at them as though each day of creation took a thousand years. During the end of day six, or almost six thousand years from the time God began creation, He made man. Now, think how wonderful man is in the eyes of God. Only a loving Father would devote so much time in creating everything for his children and also give them the authority over it all.
Another thought to consider, instead of creating the entire human race, God gave man the ability to reproduce himself, which can be said, man was to produce more children for God. We do not know the length of time from the creation of man and his time spent in the Garden of Eden, but we do know that before man produced other children, the most destructive event in the history of God's children took place. We call it the fall of man, but it is more reflective of treason. Man not only rebelled against his creator, but in fact, Father God's children betrayed Him. (Genesis 3:1-6) God had conferred upon man the legal authority to rule creation, but man had forfeited his authority over into the hands of God's enemy, Satan. This brought man into a new, and unfortunate relationship. Instead of the image and likeness of Father God, he now took on the image and likeness of his new father, Satan. (John 8:44)
Although mans treason thwarted God's plan, let us not forget that God is not bound by time and space which places Him in the realm of knowing the beginning and the end at the same time. (Revelation 1:8) Although man's treason separated him from God and he became mortal, subject to death, (Genesis 2:15-17); gave Satan dominion over creation; (Luke 4:6), brought a blighting curse upon the earth, vegetation and animals (Genesis 3:14, 17); brought all mankind into bondage of Satan (1 John 5:19); and death (Romans 5:12); it did not take the all-knowing Father by surprise or catch Him off guard. No, He already had the plan of restoring His family, man, back to Himself before creation began. (Ephesians 1:4-6) We will look at this wonderful plan of our loving heavenly Father unfold as we look deeper into what it means to be a child of God...
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