Blog Archives - Created through Him

Created Through Him

Christ as High Priest

5/31/2013

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved 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 (Hebrews 2:16-17).

It is noteworthy that Christ came to redeem people and not angels. There appears to be no ability for angels to be redeemed. Angels that sinned are forever lost. God created all creatures and yet Man is clearly a special creation to God. So special in fact that God the Son took on our circumstances and sacrificed Himself on our behalf.

The importance of Christ

5/30/2013

2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 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 1:2-3).

Christ is the creator, sustainer and redeemer. These verses from Hebrews are clear statements of Christ’s preeminence and deity. The authority of Christ is from the beginning, and He is above all things. Christ is king. The book of Hebrews examines the various roles of Christ in depth and after reading it there should be no doubt that entire creation is His.

Paying the penalty for another

5/29/2013

18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account (Philemon 1:18).

Paul is pleading with Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother rather than as a slave. Onesimus evidently was a slave of Philemon. However, Onesimus had been converted likely under the teaching of the Apostle Paul. Paul wants what is best for both Onesimus and Philemon. In this verse, Paul shows how much Onesimus means to him. Paul is willing to pay the penalty for Onesimus. This very short letter contains a lot of information on the meaning of brotherly fellowship and loyalty.

The cause of the blessed hope

5/28/2013

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:4-7).

We talked yesterday about the hope associated with Christ’s second coming. That hope was made possible by Christ’s life, death and resurrection. The act of Christ’s first coming is an act of enormous grace and mercy towards mankind. Without this gracious action there would be no true future hope. And yet the hope delivered is beyond measure and of infinite worth. That hope is the eternal relationship between God and Man being restored and abundantly good.

Blessed Hope

5/27/2013

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Our present actions and thoughts should be focused on our future hope. Since the creation of the world, the future coming of Christ has been the pinnacle of hope. This is so since the restoration of all things awaits Christ’s return. There will be no more death or destruction and the original relationship between God and Man will be restored. This is the hope that we can cling to no matter what our current circumstances or the situation may be. And this is the good news of the Gospel.

Actions ratify words

5/26/2013

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (Titus 1:15-16).

Knowing God means there is a relationship, and therefore a common purpose. This common purpose should be manifested in the actions of believers. It is with our mouths that we confess, but it is in our actions that we ratify the confession. So it is not merely the profession by person of knowing God, but the actual reality of being known by God Himself that makes the profession valid. Words may point to a reality, but actions bring the reality into fruition.

Preach the word

5/25/2013

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Hence forth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:2-8).

Doctrine matters: The soundness thereof is the measure of righteousness that is present. The converse is also true in that unsound doctrine is unrighteous. If the doctrine that is taught is sound, then the application of doctrine is the Word that saves. Paul has taught and applied the doctrine of salvation and so he is encouraging Timothy to do likewise. But these words are not just to Timothy, they are to all who would and will follow in faith.

Persecution

5/24/2013

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).

There is not a lot of ambiguity in this verse. Paul states, rather matter-of-factly that all that live according to Christ’s commands will be persecuted. It is not if, but how and when that is left unanswered. While we should not seek persecution, the fact is, persecution will find us. Paul’s purpose in stating that all that follow Christ will be persecuted is two-fold. The first purpose is to prepare followers for persecution and the second purpose is to make followers realize that following Christ means we will very often be in juxtaposition to the world. And so we should be comfortable with this difference.

A good solidier

5/23/2013

1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

In this passage, Paul tells Timothy to be a good soldier for Christ. This passage is all about loyalty. Loyalty is to be directed towards Christ. This loyalty may cause hardship and requires endurance. Endurance though an obligation for us, is based on God’s power and strength. We are chosen to endure for the sake of the Gospel and since we are chosen; Christ Himself provides us with the strength. And so we have all we need to be a good solidier of Christ: patience, loyalty, and endurance.

Spirit of power, and of love, and of sound mind

5/22/2013

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:7-12).

This is Paul’s final letter before he was executed and he is trying to encourage Timothy to carryout the work of spreading the Gospel. Our calling is truly a holy calling in that both the one who calls (God) and the purpose to that which we are called (spread the Gospel) are holy. The spread of the Gospel leads to the salvation of souls. This is only possible through and due to Christ. Paul stresses the importance of knowing Christ. Through knowing Christ we begin to understand the power that God places in our lives. The power is of the Spirit and we utilize in love with a sound mind.

Created Through Him