The Suffering Servant
It is hard to understand why the Eternal God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, could give His only begotten Son to die on a cross to pay the sin debt for every guilty sinner. But then again, it is impossible to fully grasp the love of God, which is eternal, perfect, and unchanging. Faith is the means by which one begins to grasp such a wonder.
The Holy Name Of God
The name of God is holy. This means that it not only belongs to Him alone, but that the very unique nature of God is fully associated with it. His nature is perfect, right, love, light, and Life, and a thousand things more as revealed in the Scriptures. The one who will honor Him, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, will God honor.
The Believer's Commitment To Christ
The commitment of an individual to Christ is a commitment not only to believe, but to follow. It is a commitment that is specific and whole-hearted, directed by the revealed will of God in the Scriptures and empowered by dependance upon the Spirit of God. All things then become possible to and through the believer to the one who is committed to believing Christ according to His word.
Revelation And Realization
God reveals the things of Christ to the heart by His Spirit. He takes the objective word of God, then quickens it to the heart, in order to reveal His glory in the fulfilling of it. This is called the faithfulness of God, who will do that which He declares, seeking to bring men to Himself, to save those who are lost, and to edify or build up those who are followers of Christ.
Living In Light Of Things To Come
Throughout Scripture God declares many things "to come," but not yet apparent. To Elijah, He gave him a promise of rain. It would only be after praying seven times that he would be told that a cloud was rising out of the sea. Elijah knew that God had fulfilled His declared word. And so God speaks to the heart today, declaring what He will do to the one who will inquire of Him. To Jeremiah He would command, "Call unto Me, and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know."
Weak And Foolish Things
God's ways are not those of men, especially when it comes to reality. Man compared with God is less than nothing from a human standpoint. It is only when man in his pride thinks that he is truly something, especially when it concerns him being saved from sin and death, that the littleness of man, and his pride is revealed most flagrantly. True humility results in one being cast upon Christ alone for forgiveness of sins, and a new, clean heart.
The Time For Sowing And Reaping
In the eternal scheme of things, the time on this earth for sowing and reaping is in the present moment, "while it is day." Jesus said that the "night" comes when no man shall reap. This is true of individuals, families, nations and empires. The great question is whether we believe God or not. If we believe Him, then we have chosen to submit to His will and purposes, as the Lord Jesus put it, being "in the affairs of My Father." Today is the day for sowing and reaping.
The Message To The Multitudes
There is a message of God that is given to all men. It is an invitation, even a command to live, for in it is Life. The illustration in Scripture is that of a wedding, and the call of a king and father who has prepared it for his son. All are invited, but only those who are right with the father and the son, will be accepted. Those who respond in true faith and humility will be welcomed joyfully and in peace.
The Eternal King
In the Bible, David is mentioned as being a great king. But when Scripture speaks of Christ who is the King, it is not just as the Romans would mockingly declare, "the King of the Jews," but the Eternal King. This King possesses all power and authority in heaven and earth. He ever waits to use His victorious, kingship authority to save men from their sins, delivering them from the power of darkness, bringing them to light and Life.
The Beauty Of Christ
There is a reality of God which many an individual is not willing to confess, and it is that God is good, perfectly so. Every aspect of His being is without fault, flaw, compassionate and gracious. Even though sinful man might have a twisted view of God, the facts are that He has proved His goodness, and the beauty of His person, in that in love He gave His only Son to die for the sins of men, that they could be forgiven, and know everlasting life.