Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

The testimony

3/21/2013

1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).

Paul’s testimony concerning Christ to the Corinthians was not flashy or clever. Paul taught the simple truth of the Gospel, that Christ was crucified in order to save people. While we can have all kinds of liturgies, services, books of order, doctrinal statements, and theological debates, the simple truth of the Gospel is Christ crucified; the just paying the penalty for the unjust. Our response then should be one of worship and praise for all that God has done.

In Christ

3/20/2013

30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Christ is complete. He is what is required for salvation. All the components that lead to our salvation are in Christ. In God’s infinite power and according to His infinite wisdom, all glory, honor and praise are due Christ. With Christ we too are complete and glorify God, but apart from Christ we cannot glorify God. It is therefore through the lens of Christ, that we can begin to see our ultimate purpose.

God's ways

3/19/2013

17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:17-18).

Not all teaching concerning the Gospel is correct. We should always test what is taught and said according to the light of scripture. There are doctrines that are claimed by some to true, and yet there is not a shred of evidence from scripture that support them. Additionally, in the church today, many have mixed human reason and societal norms with church doctrine. The authority to which we should always appeal is God. It is God’s word that is true. It is God’s ways that are correct.

Made to glorify

3/18/2013

4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:4-6).

All of scripture points toward the restoration of the Creation. The restoration of Creation is the reconciliation of the Creator to the created. This is the hope of the Gospel; that He shall be our God and we shall be His people. The people of God are to be of one mind and they should give glory to God. It is ultimately for God’s glory that we exist and have our fulfillment. We were made to glorify God.

We are the Lord's

3/17/2013

7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's (Romans 14:7-8).

Paul is really saying here that no matter what the circumstances, we are the Lord’s. Everything else pales in comparison, even death. These verses are in the context of other worldly concerns such as whether to eat this or that, or drink this or that. In the end, Paul is reminding us that what is really important is to whom we belong. As long as we are God’s children all other things are truly relative, and in fact of little eternal consequence. Since we belong to God, we ought to live for Him.

Knowing the time

3/16/2013

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light (Romans 13:11-12).

Paul is warning that the time for action in terms of following Christ is now. This is the age of grace, and during this time God’s saving grace is extended to all that call upon the name of Lord. We are to be transformed by the power of His saving grace through the armor of His light. The time is coming and will come when the opportunity to put on the armor of light will no longer be present. The prophets of the Old Testament warned of this and this teaching is reinforced in multiple locations in the New Testament. Christ is our one and only mediator, redeemer and savior and in Him there is no darkness, but rather only pure light.

Be transformed

3/15/2013

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Romans 12:2-3).

We are to be transformed through the renewing of our minds. This renewal causes a fundamental difference in the manner in which we think. To be wise before God we must think humbly and honestly about ourselves. In doing so we will realize our need for both God and a Savior. The faith that God gives is exactly what we need, and through its’ transforming power we become the people God desires for Himself. We then walk humbly before our God.

For our good and His glory

3/14/2013

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins (Romans 11:25-27).

There are certain things even as they pertain to salvation that is a mystery: A mystery in terms of our understanding of plans and sovereignty of God. God, according to His eternal will and counsel, hardened some of Israel for the benefit of Gentiles. But God’s calling and promises are sure and therefore He will in time bring all His children to belief. All of this works to our benefit and God’s glory, and is a part of God’s grace toward His people.

The road

3/13/2013

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9-13).

Paul is describing the path or road to salvation. The truth of this path is very simple and is consistent with all of scripture. As has been the case from the beginning of history, all people that call upon the name of the Lord, in faith, will be saved by God. There is no elaborate scheme or process that must be followed. There is no specific work that can be done to earn it. But rather salvation is the pure gift of God to all that ask. God is just and always responds to saving faith with the salvation that is requested.

God's mercy

3/12/2013

11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion (Romans 9:11-15).

Salvation is an act of mercy by God. God acts through mercy according to His will and purposes. While this may be hard for us to understand, it is true nonetheless. God’s election and calling of people is routed in His sovereignty. Therefore the choice of election and therefore salvation begins with God. We don’t select God but rather God selects us. When you think about it, this removes all ability to boast or think better of ourselves better than we should. God’s gift of salvation then is just that: a gift. Our response should be one of humble gratitude.

Created Through Him