Articles
God's Truth
God's Truth
You may have heard some say "He's the reason for the season", "let's put Christ back in Christmas", and such things. However, as far as God is concerned and His Word, the Bible, Christmas has never been mentioned there (His Bible), nor has His desire for any of us to celebrate Jesus' birth. We know of His miraculous birth, and a few things about His early life. (the gospels), but Christmas and much of the celebrated activities surrounding December 25th come from man's history and not the Bible. We are told to remember Christ' death and what it means to Christians every first day of the week. (Acts 2; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20) This we are to do until He comes again.
God has always desired to communicate and interact with His created people. "God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, IN THESE LAST DAYS HAS SPOKEN TO US IN HIS SON, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. " (Hebrews 1:1-2) We are living in THE LAST DAYS. The final time God is speaking to man.
We hear and learn from Him by way of the New Testament, all Truth given through the Apostles, revealed by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20,21) Every thing we read about and learn there is just as we could have Jesus here teaching us in person. However, as the Father's plan required, He (Jesus) fulfilled His Will while on earth, was resurrected from the dead, and after being seen by many (including His apostles), He returned to heaven to sit on the Father's right hand. He now rules over His church, the kingdom established by Jesus after returning to heaven. The church of the New Testament is the church Jesus' bought with His own blood on the cross.
(Acts 20:28)
Suppose we could converse personally with God or His Son now. What would that conversation be like? What would be the most important questions you or I might ask? I think we know a great deal about God by knowing Him as seen in His creation, and the wonderful things therein--all the amazing animals, trees, plant life, and how the earth and universe are made up. In addition to the almost unbelievable characteristics of the human body, and spirit. In addition to all this, we know a great deal about God by studying the Bible - which reveals His will for man, centered around His Son, the Christ. By knowing He made us "IN HIS IMAGE" tells us something about the greatest love the world has ever known.
I believe He has answered most questions we might have concerning His desire and will for us. From Genesis through Revelation His Will unfolds. Jesus (called the Word before) is the centerpiece of His plan. I think we might determine several conclusions from what He has told us in His Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
1. HIS LOVE IS SO GREAT HE DESIGNED AND IMPLEMENTED A PLAN TO SAVE MAN FROM SIN -- Jesus and the Gospel He put in place by His sacrifice, death and resurrection.
2. HIS DESIRE FOR US TO BE SAVED BY OBEYING THAT PLAN -- "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires ALL MEN to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. " (1 Timothy 2:3,4)
3. HIS PATIENCE AND LONGSUFFERING for us to listen and turn to Him while time exists. (2 Peter 3)
4/ HIS PROMISE TO SAVE THOSE WHO OBEY AND REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE END. (1 Peter 1:3-9)
We could refer to many other passages of Scripture which support these facts of His Truth, but I think these are sufficient to make the point. He wants us to be with him in eternity, but it is conditional. Ourt part is to have an obedient faith, and "stay the course". Where are you in regard to the wonderful salvation as God reveals?
Ross
