Great and Precious Promises

We read in 2 Peter 1:3-4,

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

To properly understand the promises of God, and their significance to us, we must first look at what God requires of us. We will look at a few passages in the Old Testament first.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Deut 6:5-6

And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Deut 10:12-13

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. Deut 12:16

Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, I house if Israel? Ezekiel 18:31

Under the Old Covenant God required His chosen people, Israel, to fear and obey Him. He gave them the moral law engraved upon two stone tablets, as well as civil laws to govern their daily lives, and the ceremonial laws to govern the way they worshipped God. Provision was made for for the covering of sins committed unintentionally, or in ignorance. This was the sacrificial system found within the ceremonial law.

It is interesting to read that even under the Law, God desired the hearts of his people. He wanted them to love and serve Him with all of their hearts and all of their souls. When they turned from Him, he desired that they would turn and repent, have a change of heart, and come back to Him, and he would pardon.

God’s requirements of us are basically the same today. While the old ceremonial system has been done away with in Christ, He still holds us accountable to the moral standard as found in the Law. A few passages in the New Testament will show this.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one hot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:17-20

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matt 7:12

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matt 22:37-40

The command to love our neighbor is also found in Leviticus 19:18. Paul states that the one who loves another has fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8-10). The commandment to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 11:44), is also repeated in 1Peter 1:13-16. We are called to be holy in every aspect of our lives. There are numerous other scriptures that would serve to show us the same, but these make the point that God holds us to a moral standard that is not an option. A standard that man on his own cannot live up to.

Laws and commands are just that. They point us to what is required, but do not enable the performance of duty. A commandment may come with sanctions for disobedience, yet at best an individual will struggle to obey out of a sense of duty, fearing the penalty of the law, but not actually loving the law giver. In reality this is no obedience at all, as it violates the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all thy heart, soul, mind and strength. The obedience rendered is selfish in it’s motive.

In Hebrews we read that if the first covenant had been faultless there would have been no need for another (Hebrews 8:7-8). The covenant could not ensure obedience because the people were disobedient already. The passage goes on to say that God found fault with the people themselves. Paul agrees with this concept when he states, “what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh…” (Romans 8:3). Paul gives us the illustration of the individual struggling under the law in the seventh chapter of Romans. He knew what was right, agreed with what was right, and desired to do what was right. However obedience to the law was another matter. An individual striving to live under the law will meet with failure over and over again, as he is dominated by his sinful nature.The law was a shadow of good things to come, but in itself it could not make the worshippers, that is those offering the sacrifices, perfect (Hebrews 10:1-4).

Now let’s look at some promises that God has made concerning His commandments.

And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and all thy soul, that thou mayest live. Deut 30:6

And I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, I will cleanse you. A new heart also I will give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements and do them. Ezekiel 36:25-27

Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand, to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it on their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Jeremiah 31:31-34

In reading these promises we see God promising to enable His people to do what He requires them to do. These promises answer the commands almost word for word in several instances.

These are the promises pointing towards the New Covenant when God would place His Spirit within the hearts of His people. Transforming their rebellious hearts into soft and submissive ones. Instead of a selfish effort at obeying a law written on tablets of stone, the law will now be written upon the heart. Obedience will be given willingly and even joyfully, as it will be given out of love.

These promises given to Israel under the old covenant are for all who surrender their lives to follow Christ under the New Covenant. The passage quoted from Jeremiah is repeated in Hebrews 8:7-13, and 10:16-18, showing the superiority of Christ and the New covenant to that of Moses and the law.

The promise of the Spirit

On the day of Pentecost when the 120 received the Holy Spirit in the upper room Peter rose up and stated that what had just occurred was that which was spoken of by the prophet Joel. That in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh with prophecies, dreams and visions, and signs and wonders as the result (Acts 2:16-21; Joel 2:28-32). There are other Old Testament passages promising this as well.

Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful fieldbbe counted for a forest. Then judgement shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. Isaiah 32:15-17

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring. Isaiah 44:3

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20

And then we have the words of Jesus recorded in the gospel of John,

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ( But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.). John 7:37-39

Jesus had more to say on the coming of the Holy Spirit as recorded in John 14:12-26, 15:26-27, 16:7-15. He would come as a comforter, an abiding presence, as the Spirit of truth, as a teacher, to bear witness of Christ, to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgement, and to glorify Christ.

God desires an obedient people, and more than that, a people who serve Him because they love Him. He has provided everything we need for life and godliness, as we read previously. The law brings a curse. It demands rigid obedience, and we are all guilty of breaking it before we decide we will try to keep it. There is a better way!

Christ hath redeemed us from the course of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 3:13-14

There is hope for those struggling with sin. Victory has been provided through Jesus Christ. We find forgiveness and grace to now live in victory.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Gal 5:16-18

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:24-25

Under the New Covenant we are born of the Spirit (John 3:5-6). It is the Spirit that makes us a new creation (2Cor 5:15; Titus 3:5-6), and sanctifies us (1Peter 1:2). As believers in Christ we are now led by the Spirit into a life of righteousness as He makes us more and more like Christ.

Broken And Contrite

A key element of saving faith is that of repentance. It has been said that true faith is preceded by repentance. I would agree with that, as the Bible teaches that we have no confidence to approach God as long as we harbor sin within our hearts. (Psalm 66:18)

John writes this, 

Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. (1 John 3:21 KJV)

So an unrepentant individual cannot excersize real faith as long as he retains sin in his life. A guilty conscience will always stand in the way. 

Brokenness is vital to repentance. Without being crushed by the guilt of sin, and grieved at offending God, an individual will never truly turn from their sin and submit to God through Christ, by faith. Many feel the guilt of sin but their remorse has more to do with the fear of punishment. Paul writes of this in his epistle to the Church in Corinth,

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. (2 Cor 7:10 KJV)

It is important to understand what godly sorrow is. Jesus calls those who mourn, blessed. They are blessed because this is the pathway to the nearness of God. We read in the Psalms, 

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be if a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

Broken and contrite hearts are hearts that are crushed. The idea is that of being ground up to powder. Such and individual is humbled. They approach God with no self justification, with no self seeking, but with sorrow filled hearts they cast themselves upon His mercy. A heart filled with sorrow in this way will turn from sin because it is against God. 

We see many accept Jesus so they can avoid hell and go to heaven, but they have dry eyes and hard hearts. They do not sorrow over their actual sin; over the fact that they are rebels fighting God, and as a result have grieved the Father’s heart. They make a confession, but it amounts to little more than self seeking. They have made God a means to their own happiness. This is the sorrow of the world that leads to death. 

The Bible tells us that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble, 

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. (James 4:6-10 KJV)

This passage of scripture plainly shows us the importance of real repentance. It is vital that we let godly sorrow work in us a true repentance whereby we approach God in true humility, and find reconciliation through Christ.

The Word Became Flesh

It is imperative that we have a correct understanding of Christ. To go beyond the revelation of Jesus Christ as found in the scriptures is to believe in another Jesus (2 Cor 11:4). 

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof you have heard that it should come; and even now already is in the world. 1 John 3:3 KJV

For many deceivers are entered into, the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in  the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2 John 7-9 KJV

In previous posts we have looked at the scriptures that pertain to the deity of Christ. In this post I would like to explore those passages that deal with His incarnation, His becoming flesh. In John’s gospel we read a passage that reveals Christ’s divinity. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made (John 1:1-3 KJV). This is referring to Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God by whom the worlds were made (Heb 1:2). This passage also shows us the human side of Christ as well. We read on, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace an (John 1:14 KJV). This is the mystery of the incarnation, Christ becoming flesh, entering this world as a baby, living among mankind, to someday offer himself for our sin. 

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Phil 2:5-8 KJV

Theologians have pondered and argued for centuries what it meant for Christ to empty Himself. We may not understand how it was possible for Christ to empty Himself and come into this world as a human, but it does not negate the fact that this is indeed what happened. The gospel accounts show us that He was born of the virgin Mary. We read of the shepherds and wise men, the lowly stable. This was Jesus Christ, God become flesh, dwelling among men. People stumble over the concept of Christ being both God and man, yet this is what we clearly see presented in the scriptures.

In Romans we read, “Concerning his son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3-4 KJV). 

Paul also writes this, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Tim 3:16 KJV).

These passages clearly reveal Christ’s divinity as well as His humanity. Jesus Christ is indeed God in the flesh. Jesus often referred to Himself as the Son of Man. Numerous passages throughout the gospels plainly show this.  In Galatians 4:4 we read that when the fullness of time came, God went forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law. He came into this world to deliver us from our lives of sin. 

The writer of Hebrews has much to say about Christ’s humanity. Concerning His birth we read this, “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him” (Heb 1:5-6 KJV). 

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Heb 2:9 KJV). 

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the devil. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb 2:14-18 KJV). 

It was necessary for Christ to take on flesh, so that He could set us free from sin and death.  Jesus faced the same temptations we all face, yet without sin. Therefore, He is qualified to be our faithful high priest. We can confidently approach Him to find grace and mercy in time of need (Heb 4:14-16). 

Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Heb 5:7-9).

While divine, Jesus, the Son of Man, lived in this world in a body of flesh and blood. He faced the same situations, trials and testings, that we all face on a daily basis. Yet instead of falling, Jesus overcame. He set an example for us, and much more than that, He became the author of eternal salvation, the only one fully qualified to be our Savior. There is not one man on this earth who is qualified to reconcile us to God, but Jesus Christ. We have our own sin to pay for. How can anyone else redeem another? We read that there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time (1 Tim 2:5-6 KJV).

Again, it is vital to our faith and salvation that we have a correct concept of who Jesus is. Which Jesus are we following? Are we following one that conforms to our ideas, a Jesus who is how we would like Him to be? Or, are we following the Jesus who is revealed to us in the scriptures. Jesus warns us of false Christs (Matt 24:23-24). We would do well to make sure we know and follow the real Jesus.

The Root Of Moral Chaos

The world seems to be out of control. Common sense has been cast aside as we see society plunging deeper and deeper into gross immorality. The line separating things that were once clearly defined as right or wrong has been blurred. What has always been good is now declared evil, and what has always been evil, is now accepted as good.

Many of us mare shocked at what we are seeing in our lifetime; things we thought we would never see. However, there is a reason for this plunge into moral insanity, a root behind this problem. the answer lies within the heart of man, and what he does with the revelation of God to himself. We read in the ancient Jewish writings, 

Surely vain are all men by nature, who are ignorant of God, and could not out of the good things that are seen know him that is: neither by considering the works did they acknowledge the workmaster; but deemed either fire, or wind, or the swift air, or the circle of the stars, or the violent water, or the lights of heaven, to be the gods which govern the world.  (Wisdom of Solomon 13:1-2 KJV)

Indeed, The heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 18:1).  The above quote attributed to Solomon is not considered divinely inspired, yet it rings out the same truth that we read in Paul’s epistle to the Romans, namely that God has revealed Himself to mankind through that which He created, and man in his foolishness has rejected that revelation.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18-20 KJV)

Without ever reading a Bible, going to a Church, or listening to a sermon, we have still received sufficient knowledge of God through His creation, to be without excuse before Him. God’s invisible attributes, His power, His divinity, are all clearly seen through creation. Mankind knows deep down in the very depths of his inner being, that God exists. 

Sadly, the response to this revelation of God is one of rejection. We read further on that,

Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:21-25 KJV)

• When they knew God they did not glorify Him as God.
• They were ungrateful.
• They became vain in their imaginations.
• Professing to be wise, they became fools.
• They exchanged the glory of God into that of an idol.
• They changed the truth of God into a lie.
• They gave worship to the creation instead of the Creator.
• They did not like to retain God in their knowledge (vs. 28).

All of this had its consequences however, as God allowed them to progress deeper and deeper into depravity. we read that He gave them up to the lusts of their own hearts. Jesus tells us that it is out of the heart that evil flows (Mark 7:15-23). Man rejects the knowledge of God because of his sinful heart. He does not want to acknowledge the God that he will one day face, rather choosing instead to cling to his sin, and serve a god of his own invention. This is what the atheist does, what the evolutionist does, and what those do who serve any of the countless false gods and religious systems that have existed down through history. 

For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as theyn did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:26-32 KJV)

It is safe to say we can look around us and see these very things permeating society as a whole. Sexual immorality is rampant, homosexual marriage was once unheard of, now it is widely accepted, even applauded by the majority of society. The debate over transgender issues is also something that seems to have suddenly gained momentum, to the surprise of many. But it goes beyond sexual sin to other issues as well. Issues such as honesty, hatred, murder, covetousness, malice, divisions,  a lack of understanding, a lack of natural affection. There are multitudes of God haters in our world today, and just as many inventors of evil. And to top it all of, their are those who look upon all of this, and give their hearty approval to it. This is the result of a people rejecting God, and in turn, being given up to depravity. It is a total breakdown of society. 

This is what lies behind the moral insanity that we are witnessing today. It is not something new, it has been like this throughout history. People have always turned their back on God, choosing to serve a god of their own making. Nations have been given over to evil, waxing worse and worse. Kingdoms have risen, and kingdoms have fallen, because they have refused God. 

Yet God in His mercy reaches out to fallen humanity. We read that He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) The answer to this moral crisis is found in Jesus Christ, as we one by one repent of our sin, and surrender our lives to follow Him. Then we find victory from this bondage, as the one whom the Son sets free, is free indeed. (John 8:36)

 

 

 

The Divine Son

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. (Romans 1:3-4 KJV)

These verses show us the two natures of Christ; His human nature ( made of the seed of David according to the flesh), and His divine nature (declared to be the Son of God with power). Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, contained all the fullness of the Godhead in His earthly body (John 1:14; Col 2:9). The Apostle Paul writes,

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:5-11 KJV)

Continuing with the theme of Christ’s divinity, let us look at Hebrews 1, a passage that gives us ample proof of the deity of the Son of God.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb 1:1-3 KJV)

In the first three verses we read that God created the world by His Son Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person. Jesus Christ is indeed God in the flesh, the crucified and risen Savior who is now seated on the right hand of God; a place denoting the authority of the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Jesus Christ, the Son, is God’s revelation of Himself to mankind in these last days. If we have “seen” Christ, we have seen the Father (John 14:9).

Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again when he bringeth in the first born into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Heb 1:4-6 KJV)

This passage is speaking of the incarnation of Christ, His entrance into this world as a human. Born of the virgin, He is Immanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14). Jesus Christ is exalted far above the angels, in fact, deserving their worship, something reserved for God alone. 

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath annointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And , Thou Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thy hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they shall all wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shall thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. (Heb 1:8-12 KJV)

Here we see reference to Jesus Christ as God; Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. This quote taken from Psalm 45:6-7, is applied to Jesus, declaring Him to be God, and looks to His reign and rule over all that He has created. All that He created is temporal; it will someday be no more, but Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God will endure forever, unchanged. 

One final passage we will examine is found in John’s gospel. The event is the feast of dedication, where the Jews confront Him about who He really is.

Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believe not; the works that I do in my Fathers name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.

Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of these works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?  If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him. (John 10:24-38 KJV)

Jesus, in declaring Himself as the Son of God, enraged the religious Jews, who knowing full well what that statement implied, attempted to stone Him for blasphemy. In this passage we see Jesus declare that He was one with the Father, that He was the Son of God, and that as God, He was sanctified by the Father, and sent into this world.

Many individuals view Jesus as a good man, a teacher, a prophet. Some consider that He is the Messiah, that He did die on the cross to provide redemption for mankind, but yet He was not God, but only a man. Many of those who believe this will claim He is to be obeyed, worshiped, and that we are to yield our lives over to His Lordship, yet they still claim He was not divine. They fail to understand these clear passages of scripture that attest to His divinity. They also fail to realize that either Jesus was right when He made these claims, or deranged, or else He was lying. Why would we follow a deranged man or a dishonest man, entrusting him with the salvation of our souls? If Jesus was only a mere human being, it would be idolatry to worship Him, it would be wrong to yield up our lives to His service, as these are things only God has a right to. But the scriptures are clear, and He is worthy of our worship, and right in His demands upon our lives as Lord.

Christ’s Claim To His Deity

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? What shall I say unto them? 

And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thou shalt say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exodus 3:13-15 KJV)

The name of God, I AM THAT I AM, speaks volumes of God. God the self existent; He is the uncaused cause of all things. There was no one before God, no one called Him into existence. He has always been, God the eternal, with no beginning and no end. God has always existed from eternity past. There is no set moment in time when God came into existence, for He has always been, and He will continue to exist outside of time, for all eternity.

These are two concepts that the theologians would call attributes of God; His self existence, and His eternal being. No one else can make claim to these two things, they belong to God alone. There is no man, no woman, who ever have existed upon this planet, or who ever will, that can lay claim to these two divine attributes.

There was one however who we read about in John’s gospel. His name is Jesus, and listen to the statement He makes to the religious people of His day, 

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then they took up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:56-59 KJV)

There is no mistaking the claim that Jesus was making here. He was boldly proclaiming His divinity by using the name of God, I AM. The people well understood what He meant by this, as they took up stones to stone Him for blasphemy, something they attempted on other occasions as well. Jesus was declaring His eternal, self existence, something that only God can rightfully claim. Abraham was born, lived on this earth, and then he died. Jesus has always been. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, Who is, and was, and is to come (Rev 1:8). 

Christ’s Deity Seen In John The Baptist’s Ministry

In Isaiah 40 we find a prophetic word concerning the coming of the Lord at some future time. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40:3-5 KJV)

In the gospels we read that John the Baptist is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. John came as the voice of one crying in the wilderness. Mathew records, In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Matt 3:1-3 KJV)

Mark records this concerning John, The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. (Mark 1:1-3 KJV)

Luke’s gospel puts it this way concerning John the Baptist, And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; as it is written in the book of the words of Esiais the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (Luke 3:3-6 KJV)

In John’s gospel we find John the Baptist applying this prophecy to himself, He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (John 1:23 KJV)

Now, look back to Isaiah 40:3-5 again for a moment. Who was the way going to be prepared for? The LORD. Who was a highway going to be made for? God. There was to be a forerunner who would prepare the way for the Lord God. The word translated LORD in our Bibles comes from the Hebrew word Yhovah.  According to the BDB definition, this  word means Jehovah = “the existing one”  The proper name of the one true God. Strong’s definition is as follows. The self existant or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah, the Lord. There is no doubt that this is referring to God.

When we read the above quoted verses found in the gospels, we see the word Lord. This word comes from the Greek word Kurios, and according to Thayer is the title given to God, the Messiah. Strong’s definition is as follows, (Supremacy); supreme in authority, that is (as noun) controller; by implication Mr. (as a respectful title): – God, Lord, master, Sir. As the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophetic word, the term Lord, can only apply to God. 

Jesus, the very Word of God, became flesh and came into this world as the Messiah. In one of the clearest passages of scripture concerning the deity of Christ, we read, 

In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in  darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that light, but was sent to bear witness of that light. (John 1:1-8 KJV)

This scripture tells us that John the Baptist was sent to bear witness of Christ, the Word. Notice that this passage of scripture declares that the Word was with God, and the Word was God, declaring the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, existing from eternity with God the Father. We read on to see that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) This is still speaking of Christ, His incarnation (becoming man), the one to whom John pointed to when he declared, “And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34) Truly, Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. 

 

The Divinity Of Christ As Seen In Creation

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen 1:1)

In the biblical account of creation we read that it was God who created the world we live in. The beauty of nature, the awesome expanse of the heavens above, birds and animals, all were created by God. 

And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness. (Gen 1:26a)

 In verse 2 we see reference to the Spirit of God, and we can see in verse 26 another subtle reference to the trinity. What did God mean by using the plural us, and our? We read of the role of Christ in creation in Paul’s epistle to the Colossian believers,

Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (Col 1:15-17 KJV)

Here we see the divinity of Christ in plain language. He is the image of the invisible God. We read in Genesis 1:1 that God created the heavens and the earth. We have just seen here that all things were created by Christ, and for Christ. The term firstborn does not mean that Jesus Christ was Himself created, but that He holds the preeminence and ultimate authority over His creation. These passages of scripture give ample proof of the deity of Christ. 

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom he also made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:1-3 KJV)

Again we read that God made the world by Christ, who is the express image of his person. If we want to see God, if we want to know Him, we will see Him, and come to know Him, in the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus Christ, as revealed in scripture, that we come to discover and truly know God in these last days.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehendeth it not. (John 1:1-5 KJV)

Finally, we again find that the Word, or Jesus, was present from the very beginning, at creation. This passage is in agreement with the previous passages concerning the role of Jesus Christ in creation, thus proving by the mouth of two or three witnesses, the truth of Christ’s deity.

Non Resistance

In His sermon on the mount, Jesus makes several startling statements that seem to go against the grain of our common way of thinking. His teaching on our treatment of those who we consider enemies, those who despitefully treat us, seems at times ludicrous. Yet the kingdom of Christ transcends the ways of this world. Love reigns supreme, going to the farthest lengths to reach out to others, including our enemies. 

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.And if any man will sue thee at law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away.You have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thy enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matt 5:38-48 KJV)

Our culture has bought into the “eye for an eye” mentality. I fear to a great extent this attitude exists within Christianity as well. We have bought into the idea that it is okay to take revenge in certain situations. We may not call it revenge, at least in those words. We rephrase it using terms such as self-defense. The argument always seems to come up when this subject is broached, “What would you do if an armed man broke into your home? Would you defend yourself, and your family?” But yet as difficult as it is to fathom this, what does Jesus say in the above quoted passage of scripture? Was He merely using literary license? Is He only speaking figuratively, using metaphors, and not really meaning what He seems to be saying? In what appears to be plain language, He tells us to turn the other cheek.

The same could be said about war. When is war just? When can an individual, or a nation engage in the killing of others, and it be right in the eyes of God? Is the death penalty just? Can a Christian demand the death penalty under certain circumstances? Is it lawful in the eyes of God for a Christian to participate in the execution of another human being? 

These are all questions that have been asked by believers down through the centuries. Many, have accepted the teachings of Augustine, that yes, war can be just, it is right to kill another human being under certain situations, and yes the Church can participate in these killings. This is what Augustine, and those who have followed after him, including the reformers of the sixteenth century have taught. Yet, what does Jesus teach us? 

To make the case for Christian participation in war, men have referred to Israel under the Old Covenant, where God allowed them to fight, even granting them victory over their enemies. They refer to the Old Testament laws where the death penalty was imposed for various crimes such as adultery, idolatry, and murder. Yet when Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of heaven, a new era was begun. What was allowed for Israel under the Old Covenant, is not allowed for the Church under the New Covenant. In other words, God is not calling the Church today to participate in war, to participate in the death penalty, to participate in the killing or mistreatment of another human being. In the Old Testament law, there was a place for an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Now Jesus proclaims to us that we resist not evil, but turn the other cheek to the one who strikes us. 

This is not to say that we just carelessly go through life not caring about others and the tragic things that evil men commit against one another. We read in Romans thirteen that God has ordained the governments of this world to police the world. They are his servants to execute judgment, to carry out justice, inflicting punishment upon those who break the law. This is ordained by God. He is concerned for the safety of others, and He has put this in place to keep at least some order in this fallen world. However, this role God has reserved for the kingdoms of this world, not for those who have become citizens of Christ’s kingdom.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore, ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. (Romans 13:1-5 KJV)

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. (1 Peter 2:13-14 KJV)

It is interesting to note that the government in place during the days of the apostles was the corrupt government of Rome, who ultimately persecuted thousands of Christians. It is possible for human government to overstep its God given role, yet we see that we as Christians are to be subject to it, as far as is possible, and still be faithful to Christ. We are called to be subject to, but not to participate in government. A Christian serving in government will ultimately find himself confronted with a choice to either follow the teachings of Jesus, or to compromise his convictions. Instead, we must let the world take care of the world so to speak, we will serve Christ!

It is a case of two kingdoms; the kingdom of this world, and that of Christ. We as Christians, followers of Christ, belong to His kingdom. This is where are true allegiance lies. It is our job, in fact our highest priority, to seek first His kingdom and righteousness. We are not called to seek first the betterment of this world; to advance its principles and programs. While we live in this world, we are not of it. Therefore, like Christ’s disciples, we do not fight (John 18:36). As followers of Christ, we are to emulate His life, walk in His steps, and even lay down our lives as He laid down His. No matter how we may attempt to justify war, violence, revenge, etc. we find that it violates the core of the Christian life, to love our neighbor as ourselves. We find in Christ’s teaching that our neighbor can be our enemy, yet we are to show him love. Augustine taught that it was okay to kill in war as long as you loved your enemy within your heart. This is absurd.  How can we say we love an individual when we desire his death, when we desire revenge, when we are willing to go to war, even to kill him ourselves. 

Again, Christ’s teachings sometimes shock us. We may consider it absurd to refuse to defend ourselves or our families. Yet this is what many have done down through the centuries as Christians have faced persecution and hostility in the advancement of the gospel. Missionaries have refused to defend themselves, being willing to die themselves, rather than to kill another, thus sending a lost individual to an eternal hell. 

We find the definition of love in the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians. We read that charity is longsuffering and kind, it is not puffed up, is not self seeking, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, it rejoices in truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. We are instructed not to take revenge, but to leave room for the wrath of God. Vengeance belongs to God, and He will repay. Instead we are called to feed our enemy if he is hungry, give him something to drink if he thirsts. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21)

As our highest example, we see Jesus face the hostility of wicked men against Him, yet he went willingly to His death, laying down His life so that we could have new life (Heb 12:3; 1 Peter 2:21-25). We are not promised a good life, a comfortable life, a life free of pain and trial. To the contrary, we are assured that we will suffer persecution and tribulation for the name of Jesus Christ. It is not our job to bear the sword, to defend ourselves, or even our nation, but to follow Christ, to spread His gospel, and to advance His kingdom. This is love.

 

Holiness

In their lost state, the unregenerate individual is a selfish individual. such a one is devoted to self, seeking to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pursuing the pride of life (1 John 2:16). We read in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, 

Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Eph 2:2-3 KJV)

This is selfishness, a life ultimately devoted to self. Even the good things a selfish person does are done with an eye toward self; a concern for how this action will ultimately affect me. This is sin, and it is what separates one from union with God. The selfish individual will not submit to the authority and rule of God over his or her life, and as a consequence, they have no spiritual life within them.

It is God’s purpose that we should be Holy, that is, entirely devoted to Him and for Him. Instead of living for ourselves, He has called us to be Holy, to live for Him and His glory.

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. (Eph 1:4 KJV)

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied. (1 Peter 1:2 KJV)

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV)

To be separated from sin and self, and devoted to the service of God, requires that our actions be pleasing to God. Holiness is not merely a judicial action on the part of God whereby He “sees” us as holy, while we are yet serving sin, but it plays out in our day to day lives as we separate from the things of this world, and follow Christ in obedience. 

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living god, as god hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (2 Cor 6:14-18 KJV)

This separation begins with repentance. A truly repentant individual will see that the selfish life they have lived has offended God, and has separated them from Him. A repentant individual will hate his sin for what it has done, and forsake it in its entirety. This is the beginning of coming out and being separate. There can be no mercy found at the cross of Christ if one still desires to harbor one sinful habit in their life, or desires to control one aspect of their life, for Jesus has told us, 

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  (Matt 16:24-26 KJV)

This is what true holiness is; it is losing ourselves, our control, our plans and purposes, our sin and selfishness, and yielding up ourselves to follow Jesus no matter the cost. It is not a one time decision we make for Christ, but it is to be lived out each and every moment of every day we walk upon this earth. The writer of Hebrews exhorted his readers to “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb 12:14 KJV). This was written to Christians, urging them to continue on in a life of love and obedience, being found right with God and man. This is the clean hands and pure hearts spoken of in Psalm 24:3-4. These are the people who will stand in the presence of the Lord. Jesus tells us “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God (Matt 5:8). There is no room for mixture in a pure heart, or it is no longer pure. A pure heart will naturally extend itself in works of love and service toward God and those around us.