Articles
He spoke the word
Two things, I think, that make God very special in how He demonstrates Himself to us: THE GREATEST POWER AND THE GREATEST PROMISE
We can see in Genesis in the creation account that God only had to SPEAK THINGS INTO BEING!! Notice how each time God would say, "AND GOD SAID."
Things took place, and were created just as He spoke the word.
The power of God's Word cannot be expressed in man's terms. In the Prophet Isaiah, chapter 55, we are told, "MY THOUGHTS ARE NOT YOUR THOUGHTS NOR ARE YOUR WAYS MY WAYS." (Isaiah 55:8) He has power to set time into motion, to bring it to a stop when He desires. His power and His ways are beyond our feeble minds or way of thinking. However, God loves us enough to always want a relationship with us (man), from the very beginning. We find this evident even from the Garden and on though the history of mankind. Since He is the Creator and we are His creation, we have the privilege of calling Hiim our Father. He has given us His Word so we can know Him and the way to heaven. He did that by way of providing a Savior(His Son) and the Gospel in which we can have faith..
"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of the soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION TO EVERY ONE WHO BELIEVES (HAS FAITH), to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16 NASB)
"For God so loved the world (us), the He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes (obedient faith) in Him should not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE." (John 3:16) Notice the next verse:
"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; BUT THAT THE WORLD (US) SHOULD BE SAVED THROUGH HIM." (John 3:17)
When the Apostles began preaching the Gospel in Acts chapter 2, we find these words from Peter: "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For THE PROMISE IS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN, AND FOR ALL WHO ARE FAR OFF, AS MANY AS THE LORD OUR GOD SHALL CALL TO HIMSELF." (Acts 2:38.39)
The promise He was talking about is the results of obedience to the Gospel of Christ; remember the words of Jesus Himself in Mark chapter 16:
" He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned (lost)." (Mark 16:16)
"As many as the Lord our God shall call to Himsel" (Acts 2:39)....How doe He call us? By way of His Gospel, the message of Truth.
" In Him (Christ), you also, after listening to the MESSAGE OF TRUTH, THE GOSPEL OF YOUR SALVATION -- HAVING ALSO BELIEVED, YOU WERE SEALED IN HIM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF PROMISE." (Ephesians 1:13)
These few passages, along with many others in the New Testament, reveal the GREATEST PROMISE EVER GIVEN -- the PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
This promise is expressed by Paul's letter to the Galatians in chapter 3: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law(Old Law), having become a curse for us--for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERY ONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"-- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH." (Galatians 3:13,14)
This wonderful and great promise God gave to Abraham many years before Christ came to earth. (Genesis 12:3) As His plan unfolded this PROMISE eventually became reality after Jesus went back to heaven, and the Apostles began preaching the Gospel, men obeyed, and were saved from their sins. What a demonstration of God's love, faith, and PROMISE to all who obey Him. Only God Himself could design, enact, and fulfill such a wonderful PROMISE.
Have you listened and obeyed His Promise -- soas to have heaven as a real hope now and when Jesus comes again? You can if you wish to do so.
Ross
