1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 62:2
Why is it so important that we place our confidence in the Lord? In providing an answer to the question, let’s begin by taking a reflective look at Hannah, who was barren and desired a child and prayed to God to bless her with a child. As the story goes, “the Lord had shut up her womb” (1 Samuel 1:5) to the point Hannah became weary and frustrated while enduring mocking from her adversaries until she sought the Lord in sincere prayer. The trials that Hannah was experiencing were a test of her faith in the Lord. God’s delay in answering Hannah’s prayer was God’s way of preparing her for the birth of her son Samuel who would become a great prophet to the nation of Israel. God knew Hannah would dedicate Samuel back to God and He had predestined Samuel’s future before birth.
What lesson that can be learned from this? Sometimes God may cause us to experience disappointments, spiritual bitterness and brokenness so that we will cry out in desperation to Him for His divine intervention as Hannah did. Hannah took her plea directly to the Lord in Prayer and waited patiently for His deliverance.
What does Romans 8:28 say about suffering and things working together for good? Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Some points to this verse is it encourages believers that we must endure suffering in this life, but God will bring good out of all afflictions, trials, persecutions and suffering that the good works God is preparing us for will confirm us in the image of Christ. Another point in this verse is that this promise is for those who love God and have submitted their lives to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. The final point to this verse is the “all things” is exclusive of sin. Why because we know God cannot look on sin and Romans 6:23 tell us that “the wages of sin is death.”
Let’s continue our look at why is it so important to place our confidence in God; who can forget Job in all of his suffering, he held steadfast to his faith in God for his deliverance. Job knew God had the power to delivery him form his affliction, but in his humanness he became weary and sought answers from God. God spoke to Job in a whirlwind which gave Job a reality check of God’s awesome powers. Let me remind you of the Hebrew boys and Daniel in their dilemma, they placed their faith and confidence in God; the results is Christ got in the fiery furnace with the Hebrew boys and He locked the loin’s jaws while both slept and Daniel used the lion as his pillow. See what confidence in God will do!
Who can forget David, the man after God’s own heart, and the many trials he experienced, but David never failed to call on the rock of his salvation who was God. David waited on the God of his salvation with his very soul because he knew where his true defense and deliverance came from. As the leader of Israel, David encouraged his people to place their trust in God at all times who was their true deliverer and refuge.
The heroes and sheroes in our scripture verses whose faith and confidence in God displayed His hand of deliverance as a testimony of what He can and will do for all those who wait and put their trust in Him. The question now becomes, what does these acts of deliverance say to modern day believers? It tells this writer that if God’s deliverance was available in biblical times it remains so today. We are commanded to put our faith and trust in one God who provides for all our needs and care. Believers are reminded in 1 Peter 5:7 to “cast (ing) all our cares upon him.” Why because “he cares for you” (partial paraphrase). God cares for all our troubles, afflictions and burdens and is waiting with out stretched arms saying “leave your burdens here.” How are we to take our problems to the Lord? We must do so with decisiveness in prayer and faith as depicted in our scripture characters. In God’s provisional care has made provisions for every situation known to man. More importantly, He is the creator and sustainer of all and humanity being created in His image leaves no doubt that He cares. Look what He done for us!
This reminds the writer of a saying, that “if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it” (author unknown), but we need a relationship with God. The saying further states that “in good times praise God, in bad time pray to God but at all times worship God.” These words are confidence builders for all who believe God for who He is and can and will do what He says He will do. This writer has been taught from early childhood to take God at His word because He is no shorter than His word; meaning if God said it that settled it.
In closing, have you trusted God in faith? Have you placed your confidence in Him? He is worthy of our trust.
Author’s contact information: Email- white3285@sbcglobal.net
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
What do we believe?
John 6:64
This topical discussion will answer the title question by asking a series of do you believe questions beginning with the creation story as recorded in Genesis 1:1which states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”, if we believe the scriptures; we are saying yes there is a God who is supreme and there is no other God accept Him. Do we believe that man was created in the likeness and image of God; man being created last in the creation process we see the love, care and responsibility God gave man. Also, man (humanity) was a special creation of God and not a product of evolution as some would have us to believe. Given the fact that man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God authenticates God’s desire to have a fellowship with man and we are to love Him as He loved us and reflect His glory and holiness. Man is to do this by knowing God and obeying Him because man possesses a moral likeness to God for he was sinless, holy and possessing wisdom, a heart of love and the will to do the right thing. In other words, man lived in complete harmony with God where there was fellowship and communication and total obedience until Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
What is man’s moral likeness to God? Man was created as personal beings with a spirit, mind, emotions, self-consciousness and the power to choose. In man’s emotions he/she have the capabilities to cry, feel, hurt and care about things of interest. Man being created in the image of God does not means that he is divine, but was created on a lower order and mankind is depended on God from beginning to end.
Do you believe when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world caused the downward spiral of humanity? Their disobedience caused a divide between man and God thus the plan of salvation was implemented because man needed a propiator to redeem him back to God. God promised humanity a redeemer; however it was forty-two generations for this promise to be fulfilled. Between the generations of man’s first sin and Christ’s coming to earth, man had become progressively wicked thus set in motion God’s moral laws, The Ten Commandments. What are some of the events that lead to God giving the Ten Commandments? We have the pre and post flood sins of humanity; only Noah and his family along with two animals of every kind was saved from that generation. During the post-flood generation, man continued in his idolatry and rebellion until God dispersed the human race by fragmenting their language and culture and scattered the human race throughout the earth. God made covenants after covenants which man failed to keep.
Do you believe the Ten Commandments are God’s moral laws and if obeyed by man some of society’s ills would be none existence? The Ten Commandments was written by God Himself and given to Moses on two tablets for the nation of Israel as to how they were to live. The Ten Commandments is a summary of God’s moral laws for Israel and describes Israel’s obligation to God and their fellowman. The same Ten Commandments remain obligatory for all humankind today that was confirmed by Christ and His apostle during the New Testament writings. Reflecting on the Ten Commandments we see the love we should have for God, our fellowman as well as the jealous nature of God when stated “Thou shall have no other god before me” (Exodus 20:3 KJV).
Do you believe God will get angry and bring punishment to the whole human race as depicted during Noah’s time? Romans 1:18 tell us, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of man, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Let’s explore God’s wrath which expresses His anger and response to all manner of sin. His wrath is provoked by the sins of individuals and nations alike. In the past God displayed His anger with the great flood (Genesis 6-8), famine, plagues (Ezekiel 6:11), annihilation of the land (Deuteronomy 29:22-23), scattering (Lamentations 4:16), and even burning the land (Isaiah 9:18-19). Currently we see God’s anger displayed by giving His people over to a reprobate mind for their sins which brings ruin and death to all that disobey His commandments (Romans 1:18-20; 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4; Ephesians 2:3). God’s wrath results in man being eternally separated form God for all who remain in sin. God in His love for humanity provided an escape route which is in Jesus Christ.
Since we have established that God does get angry and punishment is the results of His anger, but He provided a way for man to repent of his sins and be freed from the bondage of sin. The way is Jesus Christ. First, man has to admit he is a sinner. Second, confess his sins and third, turn for his sins all of which is based on the individual believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as God’s Son. This brings the writer to a series of questions regarding your beliefs of who is Jesus. Do you really believe that Jesus is God’s Son and was present during creation? Do you believe that Jesus is the second person in the Godhead? Do you believe He is the incarnated Christ and is eternal from the heavens and was not created along with all other creation? Do you believe Jesus was present with God the father and the Holy Spirit during creation? Genesis 1:26 records God saying “Let us.” Who is the “us”? The “us” is God the father, the Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Believers who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will say “And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). What do you believe?
Author’s contact information: Email- white3285@sbcglobal.net
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.
This topical discussion will answer the title question by asking a series of do you believe questions beginning with the creation story as recorded in Genesis 1:1which states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”, if we believe the scriptures; we are saying yes there is a God who is supreme and there is no other God accept Him. Do we believe that man was created in the likeness and image of God; man being created last in the creation process we see the love, care and responsibility God gave man. Also, man (humanity) was a special creation of God and not a product of evolution as some would have us to believe. Given the fact that man and woman were created in the image and likeness of God authenticates God’s desire to have a fellowship with man and we are to love Him as He loved us and reflect His glory and holiness. Man is to do this by knowing God and obeying Him because man possesses a moral likeness to God for he was sinless, holy and possessing wisdom, a heart of love and the will to do the right thing. In other words, man lived in complete harmony with God where there was fellowship and communication and total obedience until Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
What is man’s moral likeness to God? Man was created as personal beings with a spirit, mind, emotions, self-consciousness and the power to choose. In man’s emotions he/she have the capabilities to cry, feel, hurt and care about things of interest. Man being created in the image of God does not means that he is divine, but was created on a lower order and mankind is depended on God from beginning to end.
Do you believe when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and sin entered the world caused the downward spiral of humanity? Their disobedience caused a divide between man and God thus the plan of salvation was implemented because man needed a propiator to redeem him back to God. God promised humanity a redeemer; however it was forty-two generations for this promise to be fulfilled. Between the generations of man’s first sin and Christ’s coming to earth, man had become progressively wicked thus set in motion God’s moral laws, The Ten Commandments. What are some of the events that lead to God giving the Ten Commandments? We have the pre and post flood sins of humanity; only Noah and his family along with two animals of every kind was saved from that generation. During the post-flood generation, man continued in his idolatry and rebellion until God dispersed the human race by fragmenting their language and culture and scattered the human race throughout the earth. God made covenants after covenants which man failed to keep.
Do you believe the Ten Commandments are God’s moral laws and if obeyed by man some of society’s ills would be none existence? The Ten Commandments was written by God Himself and given to Moses on two tablets for the nation of Israel as to how they were to live. The Ten Commandments is a summary of God’s moral laws for Israel and describes Israel’s obligation to God and their fellowman. The same Ten Commandments remain obligatory for all humankind today that was confirmed by Christ and His apostle during the New Testament writings. Reflecting on the Ten Commandments we see the love we should have for God, our fellowman as well as the jealous nature of God when stated “Thou shall have no other god before me” (Exodus 20:3 KJV).
Do you believe God will get angry and bring punishment to the whole human race as depicted during Noah’s time? Romans 1:18 tell us, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of man, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Let’s explore God’s wrath which expresses His anger and response to all manner of sin. His wrath is provoked by the sins of individuals and nations alike. In the past God displayed His anger with the great flood (Genesis 6-8), famine, plagues (Ezekiel 6:11), annihilation of the land (Deuteronomy 29:22-23), scattering (Lamentations 4:16), and even burning the land (Isaiah 9:18-19). Currently we see God’s anger displayed by giving His people over to a reprobate mind for their sins which brings ruin and death to all that disobey His commandments (Romans 1:18-20; 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4; Ephesians 2:3). God’s wrath results in man being eternally separated form God for all who remain in sin. God in His love for humanity provided an escape route which is in Jesus Christ.
Since we have established that God does get angry and punishment is the results of His anger, but He provided a way for man to repent of his sins and be freed from the bondage of sin. The way is Jesus Christ. First, man has to admit he is a sinner. Second, confess his sins and third, turn for his sins all of which is based on the individual believing in Jesus Christ and accepting Him as God’s Son. This brings the writer to a series of questions regarding your beliefs of who is Jesus. Do you really believe that Jesus is God’s Son and was present during creation? Do you believe that Jesus is the second person in the Godhead? Do you believe He is the incarnated Christ and is eternal from the heavens and was not created along with all other creation? Do you believe Jesus was present with God the father and the Holy Spirit during creation? Genesis 1:26 records God saying “Let us.” Who is the “us”? The “us” is God the father, the Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Believers who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior will say “And we believe and are sure that thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). What do you believe?
Author’s contact information: Email- white3285@sbcglobal.net
Blog: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
Website: www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Christ, our pathway to God
Hebrews 4:14-16
Let us begin this topical discussion by establishing who is Christ? First, Christ is God’s Son that He gave to be humanity’s propiator for our sins. Second, Jesus Christ is the second person in the Trinity and is reference in scripture as “the only begotten.” The phrase does not mean that Christ was created sometime in the distance past, but solidifies Christ’s unique relationship with God the Father and Christ as the only son of God from all eternity. Reflect with the writer to Jesus’ baptism, when all three persons of the Trinity appeared and God the Father authenticated who Jesus was with the statement, “Thou are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). Who makes up the Trinity? The Godhead, Trinity is comprised of God, the Father, Christ, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The one God exists in three identifiable persons operating in complete unity, which was demonstrated at Christ’s baptism. Third, John 1:1 refers to Christ as the “Word.” Here John represents Jesus Christ as the personal Word of God. Both Hebrews 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3 declares Christ as “the manifold Word of God,” thus giving rise to who Christ is.
Let’s explore John 1:1 a bit further by looking at the three characteristics of Christ being the Word of God. (A) Christ as the Word in relationship to the father, He was preexistent “with God.” Also, Christ is divine having the same nature and essence as the father (Colossians 2:9, Mark 1:11). (b) John depicts the “Word” in His relationship to the world that through Christ God the father created and sustains the world (v.3; Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2). (c) Finally, John presents Christ as “the Word” in relationship to humanity, where “the Word” was made flesh” (v.14) with the sole purpose of dying for humanity’s sins. What does this mean, it means that God’s Son took on human nature but remained sinless. Christ was the only one worthy and able to become mankind’s propiator.
Given all that we have discussed on who is Christ, and if there remains a question of how is Christ our pathway to God, then let’s answer the question from this perspective; Christ is eternal from the heaven. He has always existed with God the father and the Holy Spirit. His human birth was not the beginning of His existence. With His human birth He became God-man, meaning He was both God and human. While here on earth, Christ never lost His divinity. To further expound on the question, because of humanity’s sins there was a divide between God the father and man which resulted in God needing someone to bridge the gap. God the father Himself could not look on sin therefore; it required a sinless person to reconcile man back to God; the only person found suitable for this mission was Jesus Christ. During the reconciling process Christ took on humanity’s sins, thus becoming the shield that hides our sins from God, and when God looks at humanity He does not see our sins only if we, mankind has accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. So then the final answer to the question, Christ is our pathway to God in order for mankind to have access to the father, we must go through Jesus Christ for He is our Savior. The question now becomes, how did Christ become our Savior? Christ died for our sins at Calvary; accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, believers are made right with God the father. All who believe in Jesus Christ are no longer enemies of God. Furthermore, accepting Jesus as our Savior, we become children of God. What a blessing?
If humanity is wondering what Christ gave mankind to become our bridge/pathway to God, look to the synoptic gospels where they tell us of Christ laying down His life for humanity’s sins. Christ willingly gave His life for the sins of the world all in love for humanity. During the heavenly meeting when God the father needed someone to come to earth and reconcile man, God’s prize creation, Christ told His father to prepare Him a body and He would come to earth and save a sin sick world; this He did. What is it called? It is known as God’s gift of salvation, where mankind is safely delivered from the bondage of sin. In the saving process, there is several processes at work in the believer’s life; we are delivered from sin, we are made right with God, we are set aside and then believers take on a new beginning (birth/life). Therefore, when Christ presents us to God His father, what the father sees are His sinless believers (creatures) whom He loves dearly and wants a loving fellowship. Our relationship with God has been restored. This was done through Christ’s shed blood. What love? Thank God for Jesus and their working together to restore mankind (believers).
Finally to close this topical discussion with a summary question, why did God use Christ as our pathway to Him? First, God Himself is holy and cannot look on sin. Through Adam sin entered the human race and God pronounced the whole world guilty before Him and from that, it was declared that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus it mattered not of how righteous mankind tried to be because according to scripture “all of our righteousness is as filthy rags before God.” Given the truth of scripture then mankind was domed to die, because Romans 6:23states, “For the wages of sin is death’ but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Therefore, the whole human race was found unfit to save himself and was destined for eternal separation from God. The restoration requirements were someone without sin and Jesus Christ met all of the requirements.
Most of all Christ willingly gave His life to reconcile the human race back to His father. This was done in love for mankind. In doing so Christ became our Savior; accepting Him as Lord of our lives is a requirement if we want to see the father. Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior is priceless given the price Christ paid. Therefore, Jesus bought humanity’s freedom from sin with His blood. Have you accepted our pathway to God? There is a standing invitation. Christ is waiting with out stretched arms saying, “Come unto me (Matthew 11:28); I am the way, truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Our sin bill is marked paid in full.
Author’s contact: email white3285@sbcglobal.net, www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Let us begin this topical discussion by establishing who is Christ? First, Christ is God’s Son that He gave to be humanity’s propiator for our sins. Second, Jesus Christ is the second person in the Trinity and is reference in scripture as “the only begotten.” The phrase does not mean that Christ was created sometime in the distance past, but solidifies Christ’s unique relationship with God the Father and Christ as the only son of God from all eternity. Reflect with the writer to Jesus’ baptism, when all three persons of the Trinity appeared and God the Father authenticated who Jesus was with the statement, “Thou are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mark 1:11). Who makes up the Trinity? The Godhead, Trinity is comprised of God, the Father, Christ, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. The one God exists in three identifiable persons operating in complete unity, which was demonstrated at Christ’s baptism. Third, John 1:1 refers to Christ as the “Word.” Here John represents Jesus Christ as the personal Word of God. Both Hebrews 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3 declares Christ as “the manifold Word of God,” thus giving rise to who Christ is.
Let’s explore John 1:1 a bit further by looking at the three characteristics of Christ being the Word of God. (A) Christ as the Word in relationship to the father, He was preexistent “with God.” Also, Christ is divine having the same nature and essence as the father (Colossians 2:9, Mark 1:11). (b) John depicts the “Word” in His relationship to the world that through Christ God the father created and sustains the world (v.3; Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:2). (c) Finally, John presents Christ as “the Word” in relationship to humanity, where “the Word” was made flesh” (v.14) with the sole purpose of dying for humanity’s sins. What does this mean, it means that God’s Son took on human nature but remained sinless. Christ was the only one worthy and able to become mankind’s propiator.
Given all that we have discussed on who is Christ, and if there remains a question of how is Christ our pathway to God, then let’s answer the question from this perspective; Christ is eternal from the heaven. He has always existed with God the father and the Holy Spirit. His human birth was not the beginning of His existence. With His human birth He became God-man, meaning He was both God and human. While here on earth, Christ never lost His divinity. To further expound on the question, because of humanity’s sins there was a divide between God the father and man which resulted in God needing someone to bridge the gap. God the father Himself could not look on sin therefore; it required a sinless person to reconcile man back to God; the only person found suitable for this mission was Jesus Christ. During the reconciling process Christ took on humanity’s sins, thus becoming the shield that hides our sins from God, and when God looks at humanity He does not see our sins only if we, mankind has accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. So then the final answer to the question, Christ is our pathway to God in order for mankind to have access to the father, we must go through Jesus Christ for He is our Savior. The question now becomes, how did Christ become our Savior? Christ died for our sins at Calvary; accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, believers are made right with God the father. All who believe in Jesus Christ are no longer enemies of God. Furthermore, accepting Jesus as our Savior, we become children of God. What a blessing?
If humanity is wondering what Christ gave mankind to become our bridge/pathway to God, look to the synoptic gospels where they tell us of Christ laying down His life for humanity’s sins. Christ willingly gave His life for the sins of the world all in love for humanity. During the heavenly meeting when God the father needed someone to come to earth and reconcile man, God’s prize creation, Christ told His father to prepare Him a body and He would come to earth and save a sin sick world; this He did. What is it called? It is known as God’s gift of salvation, where mankind is safely delivered from the bondage of sin. In the saving process, there is several processes at work in the believer’s life; we are delivered from sin, we are made right with God, we are set aside and then believers take on a new beginning (birth/life). Therefore, when Christ presents us to God His father, what the father sees are His sinless believers (creatures) whom He loves dearly and wants a loving fellowship. Our relationship with God has been restored. This was done through Christ’s shed blood. What love? Thank God for Jesus and their working together to restore mankind (believers).
Finally to close this topical discussion with a summary question, why did God use Christ as our pathway to Him? First, God Himself is holy and cannot look on sin. Through Adam sin entered the human race and God pronounced the whole world guilty before Him and from that, it was declared that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus it mattered not of how righteous mankind tried to be because according to scripture “all of our righteousness is as filthy rags before God.” Given the truth of scripture then mankind was domed to die, because Romans 6:23states, “For the wages of sin is death’ but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Therefore, the whole human race was found unfit to save himself and was destined for eternal separation from God. The restoration requirements were someone without sin and Jesus Christ met all of the requirements.
Most of all Christ willingly gave His life to reconcile the human race back to His father. This was done in love for mankind. In doing so Christ became our Savior; accepting Him as Lord of our lives is a requirement if we want to see the father. Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior is priceless given the price Christ paid. Therefore, Jesus bought humanity’s freedom from sin with His blood. Have you accepted our pathway to God? There is a standing invitation. Christ is waiting with out stretched arms saying, “Come unto me (Matthew 11:28); I am the way, truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Our sin bill is marked paid in full.
Author’s contact: email white3285@sbcglobal.net, www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://willie-writing.blogspot.com.
Monday, July 21, 2008
A Blessing
Genesis 12:2
What is a blessing? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, p92, a blessing is the act of one that blesses. The word “blessed” or bless is the divine care and protection. Then, who in this scenario is the blessor? Our scripture verse deals with the call of Abraham by God to first separate himself for among his family, and countrymen. God told (v1) Abraham where to go and then proceeded to tell Abraham what would be the results of his obeying God. In a word the blessor in this scenario is God. What did God tell (promise) Abraham? “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shall be a blessing.” What’s all in this verse and call of Abraham and how it relates to believers today? First, Abraham’s call involved separating himself for his country, his people, and his household. Second, God was establishing an important principle that His (God’s) people are to separate themselves from all that hinders His purpose for their lives. Third, God’s call requires obedience and a personal commitment to God. We see that Abraham could not totally commitment himself to God until he was stranger in a foreign land; that principle applies to believers today. Sometimes love ones can hinder our fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and this will cause us to forsake our promised blessings.
God’s promise and blessings extended not only to believing Jews but to all believers who accept Jesus Christ as Savior in faith. In other words, all believers who express Abraham like faith become “children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7) to become “off springs of Abraham and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:9, 29).
What does this say about believers’ faith in God? One, it says that believers have accepted His Son Jesus as Savior and has accepted His (God’s) as being sufficient. Two, believers has come to know and understand the true meaning of God’s grace, which is His (God’s) righteousness at Christ’s Expense. Our salvation is free to all believers, but it cost God and His Son something. What were the costs? It cost God’s His Son Jesus and Jesus His blood, all undergirded by love.
Finally, reflect on our blessings and thank God for His promise, His love, and more importantly, keeping His promise by sending all mankind a Savior. The most blessing we (believers) can receive is that one day we get to spend eternity with the Father. Therefore, let’s develop an Abraham like faith and receive our promised blessings. What a promise, made and kept by God. Hallelujah to God!
What is a blessing? According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, p92, a blessing is the act of one that blesses. The word “blessed” or bless is the divine care and protection. Then, who in this scenario is the blessor? Our scripture verse deals with the call of Abraham by God to first separate himself for among his family, and countrymen. God told (v1) Abraham where to go and then proceeded to tell Abraham what would be the results of his obeying God. In a word the blessor in this scenario is God. What did God tell (promise) Abraham? “I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shall be a blessing.” What’s all in this verse and call of Abraham and how it relates to believers today? First, Abraham’s call involved separating himself for his country, his people, and his household. Second, God was establishing an important principle that His (God’s) people are to separate themselves from all that hinders His purpose for their lives. Third, God’s call requires obedience and a personal commitment to God. We see that Abraham could not totally commitment himself to God until he was stranger in a foreign land; that principle applies to believers today. Sometimes love ones can hinder our fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and this will cause us to forsake our promised blessings.
God’s promise and blessings extended not only to believing Jews but to all believers who accept Jesus Christ as Savior in faith. In other words, all believers who express Abraham like faith become “children of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7) to become “off springs of Abraham and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:9, 29).
What does this say about believers’ faith in God? One, it says that believers have accepted His Son Jesus as Savior and has accepted His (God’s) as being sufficient. Two, believers has come to know and understand the true meaning of God’s grace, which is His (God’s) righteousness at Christ’s Expense. Our salvation is free to all believers, but it cost God and His Son something. What were the costs? It cost God’s His Son Jesus and Jesus His blood, all undergirded by love.
Finally, reflect on our blessings and thank God for His promise, His love, and more importantly, keeping His promise by sending all mankind a Savior. The most blessing we (believers) can receive is that one day we get to spend eternity with the Father. Therefore, let’s develop an Abraham like faith and receive our promised blessings. What a promise, made and kept by God. Hallelujah to God!
Election
I have been following this year's election very closely and the truth of the matter I do not like either of the candidates that is each party presumed nominee. What I mean is that some of what Barack stands for I cannot go along with and the same for McCain and if I had to chose today it would be McCain.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Ambassadors
II Corinthians 5:20
Let’s begin this topical discussion by posing a question, what is an ambassador? An ambassador is one who represents another or country. In this case, we as believers represent Christ. As stated in our scripture verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.” What does the word “beseech” means? It means to search out or seek after. How did God seek after humanity? It was through Christ’s atoning death on the cross that God removed the sin barrier and opened the way for mankind to return to Him. Christ’s reconciliation became effective for each believer through his or her personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at what happens when believers accept Christ as their personal savior, first the believer admits he/her is a sinner, second, the believer confesses his/her sins, and third, turn from their sinful ways. What happens during this process is the believer is freed from the bondage of sin, and then made right with God (justified), then set aside (sanctified), and then the believer is born again (regenerated). This is when believers become new creatures in Christ and in doing so we become Christ’s ambassadors who can speak boldly for Him in all parts of the world. This is our witness. Another school of thought, the church as a body of baptize believers, the church is called to a ministry or reconciliation which is calling all persons to be reconciled to back God.
Verse 21 talks about believers being made “the righteousness of God in him.” By Christ taking on humanity sins, He made it possible for God to justly forgive sinners and thusly believers became the children of God as new creatures. Other points in this scripture are that (a) believer’s character and moral state is founded upon and flows from the believer’s faith in Christ. (b) The believer is to live for Christ, (c) to be controlled by “the love of Christ.” (d) Has become a “new creature” in Christ. (e) We are to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation as representatives of God and His righteousness in this world.
Another note of believer’s righteousness of God is that His righteousness is manifested and experienced by remaining in Christ. Additionally, believers are to live in union and fellowship with Christ as we become the righteousness of God, in so doing the believer’s ambassadorship is felt around the world.
In closing this brief discussion, how is your ambassadorship? Are we pointing others to Christ? The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.
Read and be blessed.
To reply use the envelope or email white3285@sbcglobal.net
WILLIE B. WHITE
Visit my website at www.goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com.
Let’s begin this topical discussion by posing a question, what is an ambassador? An ambassador is one who represents another or country. In this case, we as believers represent Christ. As stated in our scripture verse, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.” What does the word “beseech” means? It means to search out or seek after. How did God seek after humanity? It was through Christ’s atoning death on the cross that God removed the sin barrier and opened the way for mankind to return to Him. Christ’s reconciliation became effective for each believer through his or her personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s look at what happens when believers accept Christ as their personal savior, first the believer admits he/her is a sinner, second, the believer confesses his/her sins, and third, turn from their sinful ways. What happens during this process is the believer is freed from the bondage of sin, and then made right with God (justified), then set aside (sanctified), and then the believer is born again (regenerated). This is when believers become new creatures in Christ and in doing so we become Christ’s ambassadors who can speak boldly for Him in all parts of the world. This is our witness. Another school of thought, the church as a body of baptize believers, the church is called to a ministry or reconciliation which is calling all persons to be reconciled to back God.
Verse 21 talks about believers being made “the righteousness of God in him.” By Christ taking on humanity sins, He made it possible for God to justly forgive sinners and thusly believers became the children of God as new creatures. Other points in this scripture are that (a) believer’s character and moral state is founded upon and flows from the believer’s faith in Christ. (b) The believer is to live for Christ, (c) to be controlled by “the love of Christ.” (d) Has become a “new creature” in Christ. (e) We are to fulfill the ministry of reconciliation as representatives of God and His righteousness in this world.
Another note of believer’s righteousness of God is that His righteousness is manifested and experienced by remaining in Christ. Additionally, believers are to live in union and fellowship with Christ as we become the righteousness of God, in so doing the believer’s ambassadorship is felt around the world.
In closing this brief discussion, how is your ambassadorship? Are we pointing others to Christ? The harvest is great, but the laborers are few.
Read and be blessed.
To reply use the envelope or email white3285@sbcglobal.net
WILLIE B. WHITE
Visit my website at www.goodshpeherdwritingandpublishing.com.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Sin- Defined: The reason for Jesus’ Blood
Romans 3:23
Let’s begin this topical discussion on sin by looking at “sin” by summarizing sin and defining sin. Merriam-Webster School Dictionary (p 847) defines sin “as an offense against God.” Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary (p 796) gives many Hebrew and Greek meaning of the word “sin”. The Hebrew meaning is missing; pesha’, transgression; awon, perversion; ra’, evil in disposition; resha’, impiety; and the Greek definition is “hamartia, missing the mark; parabasis, transgression; adikia, unrighteousness; asebeia; impiety; anomia, contempt and violation of law; poneria, depravity; epithumia, lust.” From the above definitions, we see sound correlations in each language. However, Merriam-Webster’s definition and what we have come to know as sin gets to the heart of the matter.
Therefore as we begin our summary definition of sin will give us a profound picture of sin and just who we have sinned against. Sin is:
(a) A transgression against the divine boundary between good and evil, or overstepping the law (Psalm 51:1, Romans 2:23).
(b) Iniquity, is an act of inherently wrong, whether the wrong is forbidden or not (Romans 1:21-23). These two verses speak about man thinks himself wise when in actuality he is not. Second, man thinks of himself wise to the point of him changing the image of a holy God and this within itself is a sin. It goes against the first commandment, where God explicitly states “Thou shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
(c) Depart from the right (Romans 1:18; James 3:4). What is the right? It can be seen as the righteousness of God and can be viewed as a divine attributed and a provision of God for saving sinners (Romans 3:21-8:39). Another right is God’s sovereignty and wisdom in dealing with the problem of unbelief both in Israel (Jews and Gentiles). Therefore God is just in enacting His wrath on humanity, but His love and mercy He gave man a way out. What was that way? Salvation through Jesus Christ.
(d) Missing the mark, humanity’s failure to meet God’s divine standards (Romans 3:23). This verse clearly states that all we (humans) are sinners in the eyesight of God and only His Son’s blood can declare us right in the eyesight of God.
(e) Trespass is the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Ephesians 2:1). This verse tells us that Christ has made us alive again through His shed blood at Calvary. Thank God for Jesus!
(f) Our lawlessness or spiritual anarchy (1Timothy 1:9). What is spiritual anarchy? The word “anarchy” within itself means total chaos and absolute break down in order or form of government. In this scenario the believer/righteous spirituality is based on God’s divine order and when humanity deviate from His sovereign order, then there is anarchy. Another school of thought is sin runs rampart.
(g) Our unbelief is an insult to the divine veracity of God (John 16:9). What was the cause of humanity’s unbelief? Simply --sin.
The writer has outlined sin and its definitions, now let’s summarize sin in three short answers, which are as follows: (a) it is the act or the violation of, or the want of obedience to the revealed will of God (NJV), (b) the absence of righteousness, and (c) by nature an enmity toward God (NJV partial paraphrasing).
Now let’s look at who originated sin and how it entered the earth? Sin was originated by Satan himself (Isaiah 14:12-14). What do we know about Satan? He was in charge of the choir in heaven and wanted to be equal with God and was thrown out of heaven. When Satan left heaven, he brought a third of the kingdom with him and made destroying God’s plan of salvation his priority. He tempted Eve and thus sin entered earth through Adam and Eve, thus destroying God’s perfect harmony between Himself and humanity (Romans 5:12). Sin became universal, meaning it was and is everywhere; with sin comes penalties of both a physical and spiritual death (reference Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23). Is there a remedy for sin? Yes, it is found in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ who was the only one worthy to be man’s propitiator. Jesus can only be our propitiator if we accept Him in faith.
Why would God give His only Son to be man’s propiator? The answer is found in John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse shows the true heart and purpose of God and that was to redeem man from his sinful state of affairs. The true heart of God is love for He is love and it was man’s unbelief in God that resulted in man falling prey to Satan’s snares which ended in a great sacrifice on the part of God and Jesus Christ. Man’s redemption or our deliverance came at a price that humanity could never repay; this was Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary’s cross. What love form God! It is God’s love, grace and mercy man has been reconciled back to God.
Have humanity ever considered the true meaning of God’s grace? Dr. Charles Stanley of Atlanta, GA defines grace as being, “God’s righteousness at Christ’s Expense. Ponder this statement for moment and ask yourself am I worthy of such sacrifice and love? Also, ask yourself, what can I do to express a heart of gratitude for what God has done in my live? Living holy lives would be my answer and obeying God’s commandments and commission, and then be a witness for Christ everywhere I go (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20).
In closing this dialogue on sin, we have looked at the definitions of sin and summarized sin, and then we looked at its cost? What and who did it cost to redeem us from its clutches. It is cost God and Jesus to redeem mankind. It is God’s love and wisdom; He left the Holy Spirit, who lives in each believer as our compass guiding us to heaven so mankind will spend eternity with God. Sin and Satan is bad, God and His righteousness is good. Which do you choose? Choose God!
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
http://goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.biz.vistaprint.com
Let’s begin this topical discussion on sin by looking at “sin” by summarizing sin and defining sin. Merriam-Webster School Dictionary (p 847) defines sin “as an offense against God.” Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary (p 796) gives many Hebrew and Greek meaning of the word “sin”. The Hebrew meaning is missing; pesha’, transgression; awon, perversion; ra’, evil in disposition; resha’, impiety; and the Greek definition is “hamartia, missing the mark; parabasis, transgression; adikia, unrighteousness; asebeia; impiety; anomia, contempt and violation of law; poneria, depravity; epithumia, lust.” From the above definitions, we see sound correlations in each language. However, Merriam-Webster’s definition and what we have come to know as sin gets to the heart of the matter.
Therefore as we begin our summary definition of sin will give us a profound picture of sin and just who we have sinned against. Sin is:
(a) A transgression against the divine boundary between good and evil, or overstepping the law (Psalm 51:1, Romans 2:23).
(b) Iniquity, is an act of inherently wrong, whether the wrong is forbidden or not (Romans 1:21-23). These two verses speak about man thinks himself wise when in actuality he is not. Second, man thinks of himself wise to the point of him changing the image of a holy God and this within itself is a sin. It goes against the first commandment, where God explicitly states “Thou shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
(c) Depart from the right (Romans 1:18; James 3:4). What is the right? It can be seen as the righteousness of God and can be viewed as a divine attributed and a provision of God for saving sinners (Romans 3:21-8:39). Another right is God’s sovereignty and wisdom in dealing with the problem of unbelief both in Israel (Jews and Gentiles). Therefore God is just in enacting His wrath on humanity, but His love and mercy He gave man a way out. What was that way? Salvation through Jesus Christ.
(d) Missing the mark, humanity’s failure to meet God’s divine standards (Romans 3:23). This verse clearly states that all we (humans) are sinners in the eyesight of God and only His Son’s blood can declare us right in the eyesight of God.
(e) Trespass is the intrusion of self-will into the sphere of divine authority (Ephesians 2:1). This verse tells us that Christ has made us alive again through His shed blood at Calvary. Thank God for Jesus!
(f) Our lawlessness or spiritual anarchy (1Timothy 1:9). What is spiritual anarchy? The word “anarchy” within itself means total chaos and absolute break down in order or form of government. In this scenario the believer/righteous spirituality is based on God’s divine order and when humanity deviate from His sovereign order, then there is anarchy. Another school of thought is sin runs rampart.
(g) Our unbelief is an insult to the divine veracity of God (John 16:9). What was the cause of humanity’s unbelief? Simply --sin.
The writer has outlined sin and its definitions, now let’s summarize sin in three short answers, which are as follows: (a) it is the act or the violation of, or the want of obedience to the revealed will of God (NJV), (b) the absence of righteousness, and (c) by nature an enmity toward God (NJV partial paraphrasing).
Now let’s look at who originated sin and how it entered the earth? Sin was originated by Satan himself (Isaiah 14:12-14). What do we know about Satan? He was in charge of the choir in heaven and wanted to be equal with God and was thrown out of heaven. When Satan left heaven, he brought a third of the kingdom with him and made destroying God’s plan of salvation his priority. He tempted Eve and thus sin entered earth through Adam and Eve, thus destroying God’s perfect harmony between Himself and humanity (Romans 5:12). Sin became universal, meaning it was and is everywhere; with sin comes penalties of both a physical and spiritual death (reference Genesis 2:17; 3:19; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23). Is there a remedy for sin? Yes, it is found in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ who was the only one worthy to be man’s propitiator. Jesus can only be our propitiator if we accept Him in faith.
Why would God give His only Son to be man’s propiator? The answer is found in John 3:16, which states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse shows the true heart and purpose of God and that was to redeem man from his sinful state of affairs. The true heart of God is love for He is love and it was man’s unbelief in God that resulted in man falling prey to Satan’s snares which ended in a great sacrifice on the part of God and Jesus Christ. Man’s redemption or our deliverance came at a price that humanity could never repay; this was Jesus’ shed blood on Calvary’s cross. What love form God! It is God’s love, grace and mercy man has been reconciled back to God.
Have humanity ever considered the true meaning of God’s grace? Dr. Charles Stanley of Atlanta, GA defines grace as being, “God’s righteousness at Christ’s Expense. Ponder this statement for moment and ask yourself am I worthy of such sacrifice and love? Also, ask yourself, what can I do to express a heart of gratitude for what God has done in my live? Living holy lives would be my answer and obeying God’s commandments and commission, and then be a witness for Christ everywhere I go (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:18-20).
In closing this dialogue on sin, we have looked at the definitions of sin and summarized sin, and then we looked at its cost? What and who did it cost to redeem us from its clutches. It is cost God and Jesus to redeem mankind. It is God’s love and wisdom; He left the Holy Spirit, who lives in each believer as our compass guiding us to heaven so mankind will spend eternity with God. Sin and Satan is bad, God and His righteousness is good. Which do you choose? Choose God!
www.goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
http://goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.biz.vistaprint.com
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