Born From Above

 In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam a command, "Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:15-17) In saying "you shall surely die" literally means "dying you shall surely die." In other words, in eating from the tree "of the knowledge of good and evil" Adam would experience death in two realm, first the spiritual realm then the physical. In the spiritual realm, his sin cut off his ability to communion with God and he became dominated by his body and soul, that is, the flesh. (Genesis 6:3) We also see this in the physical realm, after he ate of the tree, his physical body lived another 930 years (Genesis 5:5).

When Jesus met with Nicodemus, He made a very interesting statement, "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." (John 3:5-6) The key here is found in verse six. There is a distinction between the flesh (body and soul) and the spirit. Notice, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." In other words, the human spirit is born (born again) of God's Spirit. After Adam fell, all people were now spiritually dead and were in need to be born of God's Spirit. In order for this to happen, God would have to reverse what Adam did. As believers, we know this was accomplished through Jesus Christ. But how?

Isaiah 53:9 tells us, "And they made His grave with the wicked, but with the rich at His death..."  However, in the Hebrew the word "death" is plural, deaths. This indicates that Jesus died both spiritually and physically. Isaiah also tells us, "...And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:6) The Apostle Paul tells us, "For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (2 Corinthians 5:21) God made Jesus sin with our sin. Paul tells us, "For the wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23) We know that Jesus was sinless, (Hebrews 4:15) so it was not His physical death that gives humanity the right and privileged to be born again of the Spirit, but His spiritual death that paid the price and now provides "...the gift of God, eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) Keep in  mind that Jesus was fully human. It was not the Holy Spirit in Him that became sin, but Jesus' human spirit.  

The Apostle Paul tells us, "knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans 6:6) The old man (the old spiritually dead, satanic nature) is dead, so let it be dead and live in the newness of life. Paul tells us, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection." (Romans 6:5) "even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)." (Ephesians 2:5) "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." (Colossians 2:13) Here we witness the miracle of the eternities which took place in the depths of hell where Jesus was "Justified in the Spirit," (1 Timothy 3:16) where Jesus was, "...put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18) 

How it must have shaken the foundation of hell when they saw Him made alive breaking the bonds of spiritual death, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (Revelation 1:18) The Father said of Jesus after He was made alive, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." (Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33) Paul reveals, "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18) Jesus Himself was the fist to be born again and has now opened the door of redemption to all to become as He is. PTL

Paul tell us, "Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (Romans 4:25) In hell God declared Jesus righteous and alive and at the same time counted us righteous and alive also. We are now new creations, (2 Corinthians 5:17) His sons and daughters. (1 John 3:1) The moment we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, new birth became a reality in us and "our old man was crucified with Him," it died. Jesus tells us, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) So let us say goodby to the old man, and live in the fullness of the new abundant life in Christ Jesus.

How Much Does It Cost

In every area of life, someone or something determines when enough is enough. When one has had enough to eat; sleep; work; learn and so on. But what about for the believer, especially when it comes to the Christian experience. When does a believer ever forgive enough; love enough; serve enough; give enough, etc.? Although believers have freewill, is it really their decision when they have had enough of the Christian experience? Whether we want to believe or not, the answer is no. Now with that said, God certainly is not going to forbid believers from exercising their own will, but the truth is, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) 

You see, many believers like the idea that all aspects of salvation such as grace, righteousness, prosperity, healing etc. are all free and they are, meaning that we cannot earn them by our works. However, they still come with a price. The moment that a person confesses with the mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believes in the heart that God raised Him from the dead and takes Jesus as their Savior, they are instantly born again, (2 Corinthians 5:17), but it does cost a price.  First and foremost, it cost God the Father the greatest expense of all. The death of His only Begotten Son. If one truly takes Jesus as Lord and Savior, then, as Paul tells us, "you are not your own? For you were bought at a price" meaning, you and I have just relinquished our rights to the Lord Jesus.

Numerous times Jesus spoke to His disciple about the cost of being one of His disciples. For instance, Jesus says, "My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Luke 8:21); “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." (Luke 9:23) "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:25-26) Jesus goes on and talks about the cost involved in building a tower and going to war. In other word, believers should never come to a place where they have had enough of the Christian experience. In the world, we work hard to earn a living, to perfect a skill, or to become stronger and better in what we do. But do we honestly put as much effort into becoming a stronger, better, child of God? Do we really desire to be such?

Moses was a man who went from a prince of Egypt, to a shepherd, to a man used of God to perform  miracles. He often had unspeakable encounters in God's glory, from the burning bush (Exodus 3); to receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 19 - 20); to meeting with God in the tabernacle of meeting that he pitched outside the camp of Israel (Exodus 33:7) Yet in all of these supernatural encounters with God he was not satisfied. He asks God, "Please show me Your glory." (Exodus 33:18) Honestly, to be in the glory of Gods presence just one time, like the burning bush, would be enough for most believers, but not for Moses. He wanted more of God.

The apostle Paul reveals the same, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)      

Every thing that most would consider advantageous to get along or even get ahead in the world as viewed from the natural sense, Paul considered them rubbish in what he had gained in his service of Christ. If that was not enough. he goes on to say "that I may know Him." Without doubt, Paul had a close intimate relationship with Christ. We can ascertain this by the "abundance of revelation" that he received from the Lord. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Yet, like Moses, he wanted more. Paul desired to become fully acquainted with Christ's nature, his character, his work, and with the salvation which He had made available to man. This should be the highest desire in the heart and mind of every believer, to know Christ in a deeper more intimate way. To desire to live in the glory of God's presence. 

Although to some this may sound impossible or even far-fetched, but it is not only possible, but a desire of God for His children. Jesus gives us an invitation, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 13:28-30) He also tells us, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit." (John 15:5) What an intimate connection believers have with the Savior. In His prayer for all believers,  He says, "And the glory which You gave Me I have given them." (John 17:22) The writer of Hebrews says, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) The Apostle Peter exhorts us to, "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18) The Apostle John tells us, "truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." (1 John 1:3) 

As we can see, God has a desire to fill us to overflowing and then some. He is inexhaustible in everything. As a matter of fact, Paul tells us, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20) So let us never be satisfied with our Christian faith at any time. Let us desire to be in God's presence 24/7. As the Psalmist said, "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4) Let our desire be HIM!!!                

In HIM is Life

In 1966 singer/actor,  Frank Sinatra, recorded the song "That's Life." Here is the first stanza of the song; "That's life (that's life), that's what all the people say, you're ridin' high in April, shot down in May, but I know I'm gonna change that tune when I'm back on top, back on top in June." But what kind of life is there when you are on top one moment then go to the bottom the next? Actually, it is the only type of life that the world can provide, because it is based on a system that is completely corrupted by Satan. Jesus tells us, "The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy..." (John 10:10) Living life steeped in the world is why so many people are on a roller-coaster ride which never seems to end. They have bought into the world system so much and even though they sometimes feel hopeless and even hurt, they still believe that this is life. But is it?    

When Jesus walked on the earth as the Son of Man, He introduced a new type of life that no one had ever been exposed to. He put it this way, "...I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) What was this life? The Greek word here for life is, Zoe. It means eternal life, God's life, life as God has it. This new kind of life is the very nature of God. It has the ability to produce certain changes that can literally be seen in ones life. When one confesses the Lord Jesus Christ and takes Him as Savior, God's life immediately enters. Almost at once, you can see it in a person's habits. You can hear it in their speech. It changes ones conduct. It corrects bad habits and forms new ones and even causes ones countenance to radically change. 

It is essential to the believers life to come to understand the depths of God's life in us. The Apostle Paul tells us, "For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Romans 5:17 AMP) This means that every one of us who has been born again has received the life of God and has come into a kingly state. We are accepted by God to reign as kings in the realm of life. We are no longer slaves in the realm of spiritual death, but we have passed out of death, that is, Satan's realm, into the realm of life. Paul states it this way, "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." (Colossians 1:13) Man was never made to be a slave. He was made in the image and likeness of God to reign as a king. 

Man was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God's presence without guilt, condemnation or inferiority. Psalm 8:4-6 points to this very specifically, "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..." The phrase, "For you have made him a little lower than the angels" is key to understanding how God created man. In the Hebrew word angels is Elohim, which is also the name given to God as Creator and Judge. So, a literal translation of this phrase is, "For you have made him a little lower than God." How wonderful it that? That means God has made us as much like Himself as he possibly could (man was not created as deity as God is, but a perfect man). He made us the same class of being that He Himself is. He made man with an intellect of such caliber that he could name every animal, vegetable, and fruit, and give them names that would describe their characteristics.

Let's look at this in creation. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." (Genesis 2:7)  The Hebrew word translated "breath" is the same word translated "spirit" all through the Old Testament. In other words, God took something of Himself, which was spirit, the life of God, and put it into man. This is why Romans 5:17 is a verse of scripture that we need to get into our heart. God made man to rule as a king over the works of His hands. This should bring all believers to a revelation bringing an end to the weakness, we're just lowly sinners saved by grace, or beggars before a Holy God, message.

Although man lost his place, his dominion and authority over all the works of God's hand by high treason, it does not mean that he is without it forever, on the contrary. The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world, God put on flesh to restore mans position. The Apostle John tells us, "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, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:1, 14) Now on the grounds of what the Lord Jesus Christ did (that is, His substitutionary sacrifice), God is able to redeem us from sin and through faith in Jesus Christ is able to impart to us His very nature, eternal life, His very own life.  (1 John 2:25) God has adopted everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord and has placed us into His own family, so that we can call Him Father. (Romans 8:15-16)  

The Apostle Paul tells us, "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)  In the new birth, we are brought into union with Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, far to many believers only think that new birth is simply the forgiveness of sin. They don't know about the intimate union that we have in Christ. Jesus tells us of this very thing, "I am the vine, you are the branches." (John 15:5) The union that the believer has with Christ through the new birth has bestowed upon us the lost dominion and authority man had in the Garden of Eden. 

Look what Paul tells us concerning this very thing, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16) The Apostle John says it this way, "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, concerning the Word of life, the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us, that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." (1 John 1:1-4) 

I want to challenge you to read scriptures like these and speak them aloud. Right now say, "I am the temple of the living God. I've got God the Holy Spirit living in me. I have the God kind of life in me. I have fellowship with the Father and the Son." Some of these great Bible truths released from the lips of faith will release us, and enable us to dominate and reign in life as kings through Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be with you...

New Year, New Hope

New Year's Day is observed on January 1st, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar. New Year's Day is probably the most celebrated public holiday throughout the world. It is often observed with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts in each time zone. Civilizations around the world have been celebrating the start of each new year for at least four millennia. Today, most New Year’s festivities begin on the evening of December 31st, New Year’s Eve, and continue into the early hours of January 1st, New Year’s Day. Common traditions include attending parties, eating special New Year’s foods, and watching fireworks displays. In the United States, the most iconic New Year’s tradition is the dropping of a giant ball in New York City’s Times Square at the stroke of midnight. Millions of people around the world watch the event, which has taken place almost every year since 1907. Over time, the ball itself has ballooned from a 700-pound iron-and-wood orb to a brightly patterned sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing in at nearly 12,000 pounds.

Another tradition that has emerged from the celebration of New Years is making what is called "New Year Resolution(s)." A New Year resolution is a tradition described as a person making a promise to do an act of self-improvement in ones life. Although New Year resolutions are numerous, the ones on the top of most lists are, improve physical well-being; lose weight; exercise more; eat better; quit smoking; get out of debt, save money; volunteer to help others; spend quality time with family members; be closer to God; be more spiritual. Basically, people are looking at making a new start, establishing a new beginning. Although the thought behind a New Year resolution is somewhat commendable, according to statistics, only eight percent of New Year resolutions made are accomplished.

In the list above the last two resolutions mentioned are what all believers should not only consider as a New year resolution, but make them a daily lifestyle. The Apostle James tells us, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..." (James 4:8) The believers greatest desire should no doubt be to to have a close intimate relationship with God, daily. The Apostle Paul exhorts us a number of times to "Know or have the knowledge of God." "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9) "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him." (Ephesians 1:17) In the John 17 prayer, Jesus says, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)    

Not only should believers have a desire to "know" the Lord, but they should act upon it. The prophet Hosea tells us, "My people are being destroyed because they don’t know me." (Hosea 4:6 NLT) Many believers today are dealing with issues that are not from God, but from Satan such as poverty, sickness, inability to break free of ungodly habits and sin, simply because they do not know the Lord. The word "know" and "knowledge" are defined as having intimate, complete, full, precise, correct knowledge. God has given us His Word, the Bible, for that purpose. He has made Himself known to humanity through His Word. It is unfortunate though, that most believers are limited in their knowledge of God. Notice, that the Apostle Paul tells us, "that you may be filled with the knowledge (precise and correct knowledge) of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." (Colossians 1:9)            

We are to have intimate knowledge of God not by-way-of intellectual or theoretical knowledge, but in all spiritual knowledge. It is the knowledge of God that is revealed to the recreated spirit, not the mind. Spiritual knowledge is what sets to flight all the erroneous doctrines created by the intellect that contradict God's Word. Spiritual knowledge builds ones faith (Romans 10:17) and connects us to God in the spirit. Jesus tells us, "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24) which means, we can only connect with God through the recreated spirit. All the intellectual knowledge that one can gather, will not connect us in an intimate way with God. Jesus also tells us, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)  

So, this New Years, let us not make a resolution to be closer to God or be more spiritual and then let it fall away in a short period of time, but let us permit the grace of God to work in our lives daily giving us the strength and ability to know Him. The Apostle Paul reveals his desire to know Jesus in an intimate way when he said, "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead." (Philippians 3:7-11)

May the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with you all throughout this new year. May 2024 be a year of knowing God in such an intimate way that our lives "are being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Have a wonderful, healthy, prosperous and fruitful New Year for His glory...

A Savior Is Born

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ; the Son of God; the Savior of the world. The original meaning of Christmas came by-way-of a special church service, or mass, to celebrate the birth of Christ, "Christ Mass." The story of the Nativity, that is, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, are the central focal point of the church's celebration of Christmas. The Bible does not give a precise date for the birth of Jesus. Historically, it is also unclear when December 25th became associated with the birth of Jesus. However, the idea of turning this day into a celebration was accepted by the church in the early Middle Ages in Europe.

During Reformation and up until the middle of the 1800s, Christmas was often not celebrated because partying and making merry was seen as unchristian. However, from about 1840, celebrating Christmas became more widespread. Finally, on June 26, 1870, December 25th was declared a federal holiday in the United States. Since then Christmas Day has become a steadily more important holiday. In the United States, Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, where old customs were unearthed as they looked to the church to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving. Although most American families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas the way it had been done for centuries, they had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.

Today in America, there are many who reject the true meaning and purpose of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, and yet the holiday season itself tends to be filled with a kindness that most people exhibit which is not expressed in any other time throughout the year. This includes the holiday's of other world religions as well as all other sectors of public life throughout the world. I believe the reason behind this, is directly tied to why Christmas itself is celebrated, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:8-14)

There is a peace, that for most is unexplainable, but for believers it is due to the first advent, the incarnation of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. Even the events that led up to the birth of Christ had a major impact upon the civilization of that time. For instance, Luke's gospel records, "And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)

To fulfill the Word of the Lord spoken by the Prophet Micah, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) the heathen Emperor Caesar Augustus ordered that all should be registered to his own city, which caused Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem where Christ was born. We also notice, "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:8-12)  The announcement of the birth of Christ was proclaimed to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by an angel of the Lord.

After this announcement was made, we see, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (Luke 2:13-14) Scripture does not mention the number of angels present, but a word search reveals much. The Greek word for host refers to “the heavenly bodies, stars of heaven.” Heavenly host in the Hebrew means "armies." The heavenly host present at Jesus’ birth were so numerous they were compared to the stars and armies. We see that both the heavens and the earth were greatly moved by the birth of Christ. 

During the Christmas season, let us be mindful that hearts are prepared to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ like no other time of the year. So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle that we may find ourselves in, let us be mindful of these very important facts, For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17) "God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) "God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) So, let us start a new tradition. Let us share the gospel with at least one person during the Christmas season. Let us introduce people to "Christ the Lord." Have a very Merry Christmas...

I Won't Forget

Though we are in what we refer to is the holiday season, let us never forget what the ultimate purpose of the incarnation of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ was for, freedom from sin and the tyrannical power of Satan. The word freedom comes with a variety of definitions, such as; the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint; absence of subjection to foreign domination or despotic government; the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Out of these definitions, "the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved," seems to best sum up what Jesus accomplished for humanity. When looking through the scriptures we find that God began the process of redeeming man as soon as man fell, promising that a Redeemer should come who would break the dominion of Satan and restore to man his lost dominion and standing. Some of the most compelling passages of scripture concerning this monumental event were foretold by the prophets, especially the prophet Isaiah.

In Isaiah 7:14, we have a declarative statement of the incarnation, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." Notice how this would come about, "The Lord Himself" emphasizing God's might and power shall give a sign or miraculous work and wonder for our benefit. What would this miraculous work be? "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son." She is to be a daughter of the House of David, (remembering that Christ would be of the House of David and that Joseph was not Jesus' father, God was) and she shall conceive and bear a Son and His name shall be called "Immanuel," that is, God with us. Hallelujah!!!

As we proceed forward, look at Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, (inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good; marvelous) Counselor, (the great attorney of God's family)  Mighty God, (Al-powerful) Everlasting Father, (having no beginning or end) Prince of Peace." (complete freedom from disturbance; complete quiet and tranquility). Yet, in all these glorious names, He would humbly come as the sin substitute for all humanity.

Turning to the four gospels, it is there we see Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face. We see Him arrested, taken to the High Priest Caiaphas; insulted and struck; He is taken before Pilate, then Herod; He was mocked; see Him scourged, His back laid open, blood flowing, His flesh torn as the cruel blows fall mercilessly upon His bared back by the awful Roman lictor. His own clothes replaced with the mock garment of kingly authority; a mock crown of thorns pressed deep upon His brow; more mocking comes and His own clothes are placed roughly about Him, and He is started out for Golgotha, staggering beneath the patibulum (Latin for crossbeam) He bore on His shoulders. We see Him fal1under its weight, and Simon of Cyrene is compelled to bear it.

Weakened by the loss of blood from the merciless beating, He staggers blindly up the mountain side, surrounded by soldiers who encircle Him. He is laid roughly down upon the ground on His back, and the Roman soldiers with cruel hate drive the spikes into His hands; then He is stripped naked and lifted up where the patibulum is nailed to the upright post called a stipes (Latin for upright post) forming a cross, and then nailed His feet to the stipes. Jesus the Nazarene is crucified! We watch the mob as it surges backward and forward about the Cross. We hear the chief priest's hurling their bitter taunts in the face of the suffering Son of God. We hear the mob in their bitter denunciation, led on by their priesthood. Such a horrific sight. It was not a sight for angels, or for men, but for demons only, and yet the worse was yet to come for the suffering substitute.

Now we have a better understanding of the prophecy spoken by Isaiah, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4) In the Four Gospels we see Him only stricken of man, but Isaiah sees into the spiritual realm. He sees the Redeemer as He hangs there,"stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." God is dealing not with Jesus' body, but with His spirit. Isaiah goes on, "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:5-6) Here we see God taking our sin and laying every bit of it upon the spirit of the innocent Lamb of God, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us..." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Jesus, who is God the Word who became flesh (John 1:1, 14) is now man's sin substitute. He has taken Man's place. The whole human race is now represented in Him, as He hangs there under judgment on the accursed tree. (Galatians 3:13) God takes your sin and mine, yes, the sin of the whole world and places it upon Jesus until the sin of the world has entered into His very being. Jesus, nailed to the cross, suspended between heaven and earth, has become the outcast of heaven and earth. From the cross the Son of God cries out, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me." (Matthew 27:46) Finally, the time had come when "Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last." (Mark 15:37) As mentioned before, when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane pouring Himself out in prayer as He was about to face the most horrific event that he would ever face, it was finally here.

Not only was it the Father's plan for His sinless Son to die on the cross, that His blood be shed for all humanity, but he was to go to Hades itself (Acts 2:31) to pay the full penalty of man's sin. God in His justice could not have acquitted humanity so that he could stand in His presence through eternity, until every charge against him had been wiped off the books. (Isaiah 43:25) Only then could man stand before God as clean and as free as though he had never sinned. God could not pardon man until an adequate sacrifice had been made. Jesus tells us, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) Peter quotes David the king, "For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption." (Acts 2:27)  The story unfolds.

Peter tells us, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18) Notice that He was made alive in spirit. He would not have been made alive in spirit had not He died in spirit. As it was with Adam, so it was with Jesus. Jesus died in spirit on the cross, before He died in the flesh. Peter declares that Jesus not only died in the flesh, physically, but that He also died in spirit, spiritually, and therefore His resurrection was a double resurrection. He was made alive, first in spirit, and then in the flesh, His spirit being raised from the dead and re-united with His body. The Apostle Paul tells us, "He put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, and made a show of them openly, triumphing over them." (Colossians 2:15) Here is a picture of Christ in Hades, with the whole host of demons attempting to keep Him there, but when the penalty of our sin had been paid in full, Satan had no power to hold Him.

Paul tells us, "Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." (Romans 4:25) The very moment the sin problem was settled, the moment Jesus
Christ was legally justified, was made alive in spirit once more, He cast off the hosts of demons, and became the Master of Hades by taking from Satan the keys of death and hell. (Revelation 1:8) Jesus died as our sacrificial Lamb, but He rose as Lord, as Master of death, of Hades and of the grave. The matchless, mighty Son of God had gone into the strong mans house, bound him and took his spoils. (Matthew 12:29) Jesus has taken from Satan all his authority, his dominion and now offers it to fallen man through His matchless name and grace. What does this mean to humanity?

It means that every man who confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, believes in there heart that God raised Him from the dead and takes Him as their Savior, stands legally acquitted in the presence of God, free and clear of all charges against them. It means that God is vindicated, He has taken advantage of no one. He can now save believers and judge the sinners for rejecting His way to freedom. It means that Satan is defeated, and man can be free from sin, sickness, disease, poverty, death and all the works of the devil. (Romans 8:37) It means that man is legally justified, declared righteous (Romans 5:1) and is an heir of God and joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17). It means that man, through faith in Christ receive the promise of eternal life. (1 John 2:25) It means that man can become a child of God and have all the privileges as sons and daughters. (John 1:12-13) It means that heaven is legally the home of God's children. (John 14:1-4)

Let us look beyond the cross and live in the triumphant, abundant life that Jesus has given to us. "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32) Remember, we are no longer imprisoned or enslaved by the god of this world. So, let us never forget what Jesus has done for us!!! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always....

Holding on to Him

In the second letter that the Apostle Paul sent to Timothy, his son in the faith, he tells him, "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come." (2 Timothy 3:1) Paul then proceeds to reveal to Timothy of the great apostasy which was to be expected in the church. He continues on and states several of the characteristics of what was coming. One of the definitions of the word perilous is, "exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin." Now we know that the church will never be ruined, because it is Christ's Body, His Bride and He most definitely loves an protects His Bride. However, this does not mean that Satan is not working against it, simply that a number of believers will fall prey to his schemes which are the works of the flesh. (Compare 2 Timothy 3:1-4 with Galatians 5:19-21 and see the similarities)  

Although all of the characteristics listed in 2 Timothy 3:1-4 are certainly destructive, two of the main ones that I believe have captured many believers for some time are "unloving and unforgiving." If we were to look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (the characteristics of the God kind of love), we would notice that if believers lived in this kind of love daily, which we should (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22), apostasy would never get place in the church. If every believer operated in the God kind of love, then the other characteristic, unforgiveness, would never have become the stronghold that it has become among some many of God's children. Unforgiveness is “a grudge that one person holds against someone who has offended them and is unwilling to exercise compassion or love from the heart towards the person who brought the offense, to totally forgive them."

Jesus spoke many times concerning unforgiveness (offenses). He told us, "It is impossible that no offenses should come." (Luke 17:1) Jesus goes on to tell us no matter how many times a person offends (sins against) us, we are to forgive them. Look what the apostles ask Jesus after hearing this, "Lord, Increase our faith.” (Luke 17:5) This is the only place in the New testament where Jesus' apostles ask Him to increase their faith. Even when Jesus sent them out to go to the towns in Israel to preach, heal, cast out demons and raise the dead, they did not ask to have their faith increased. By this we can see that it take more faith to forgive and let go of offenses than it does to walk in the supernatural ministry of Christ. 

One day Jesus was hungry and passing by a fig tree he found nothing on it but leaves. In response Jesus said to the fig tree, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." (Mark 11:12-14) The next morning Jesus and the apostles passed by the fig tree and Peter comments on how the fig tree had dried up from the roots. Jesus then speaks to them concerning the power of faith, "So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mark 11:22-24) This passage of scripture is most likely the most used scripture when talking about faith and rightfully so. This passage of scripture points out three very important things, faith, doubt, and the words that we speak, (say).

However, Jesus does not stop here. He continues saying, "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:25-26) Why did Jesus say this? Not only was He teaching us the power of faith, but how holding a grudge (an offense) or unforgiveness in ones heart will keep faith (literally the God kind of faith that Jesus is talking about in Mark 11:22) from working. This is serious business. We need to forgive so that our Heavenly Father can forgive us. 

Unfortunately, there are some believers who cannot accept this truth. They will contend that it is harsh and that God is a God of grace and love and would not hold this against His people. He is certainly full of grace and love, but He is also a God of justice. (Job 37:23; Romans 3:26) Jesus was saying these things to those who were His followers. If you are a follower of Jesus then He is speaking these things to you (us) also. This is not an isolated teaching of Jesus concerning unforgiveness. In Matthews Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, He continues, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:14-15) To forgive others and let go of offenses is not an option or some concept that we can take or leave, it is a command from the Lord. 

Jesus again talks about unforgiveness at length in Matthew 18:15-20. He speaks of forgiving a fellow believer who has sinned against us (offended us) and then continues with a parable in Matthew 18:21-35. There are some important keys revealed to us in verses 33 through 35, "Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?" (Verse 33) The king in the story forgave the man of an insurmountable debt, yet the man turned around and showed absolutely no compassion on his fellow servant who had only a small penny ante debt in comparison. "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him." (Verse 34) Unforgiveness breeds torment in the very soul of a person. Finally, Jesus says "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." (Verse 35)       

God has forgiven each one of us of an insurmountable debt, a debt that no human ever born could ever pay. Think about it. Jesus was arrested, scourged, beaten, spit upon, beard ripped out, mocked, had a crown of thrones forced on His head; made to walk approximately three miles through the streets of Jerusalem with a one hundred and twenty five pound wood beam on His beaten bloody body and finally stripped naked and nailed to the cross and yet He was completely innocent. Then after hanging on the cross for six hours every sin of man and all the sicknesses of man was placed upon Him. (Isaiah 53:4-6, 10; 1 Peter 2:24) Because Jesus became sin with our sin, His Father would have to forsake Him. (Matthew 27:46) Yet, from the cross, His body filled with unimaginable, horrific physical pain that was coursing throughout His entire body, He said, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:34)        

Jesus wants us to know that no matter what others have done to us, no matter how deep an offense may have hurt us, we must forgive them as God has forgiven us. We must let go of every and any offense at all cost. If we are going to walk in faith then we must walk in God's love towards everyone, even those who may have or will offend us. We must not let our weak flesh have place, but let our spirit have the dominion and completely forgive one another as Christ has forgiven us. (Ephesians 4:32) Forgiveness is not just words from our mouth, but we are to forgive as God does, "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. (Offenses)" (Isaiah 43:25) If need be, let us do as the apostles did when Jesus spoke to them concerning offenses. They asked Him, "Lord, increase our faith." 

The unsaved are depending on the church to be an example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, let us do exactly that. Let us love all others, brothers and sister in the Lord as well as the unsaved so that the Name of Jesus is magnified. Let go, at all cost, any and all of the unforgiveness that you may have in your heart. You can do this! Simply meditate on what Jesus did for us. Look at His struggles from the Garden of Gethsemane to His agony and horrific physical suffering. See Him hanging naked on the cross, His body so beaten and bloodied that He did not look human (Isaiah 52:14). Hear His most wonderful cry from the cross for us all, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do" and be free from a broken, tormented heart! "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

May the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ overtake us and fill us to overflowing, that we can walk free of offenses and help others to do the same.