Articles
God's Love
In God's plan of creation and establishment of man and the universe we would live in, some things He established are important for us to think upon. Today, in this country, we installed a new President. He will be in the leader of America for the next four years. We will depend on him for leadership and protection for our country. As God tells us, we are to pray for our leaders.(1 Timoty 2:1,2)
So, let us consider three different entities He has made for the good of mankind. God always has demonstrated His wonderful love for us. The Father designed, Jesus delivered, and the Holy Spirit revealed.
When He created man, He made them MALE AND FEMALE. (Genesis 1:27) Obviously His plan was for both to have a role in His overall plan. Then in chapter 2 we have the details of God's creation of WOMAN as a helper suitable for MAN. (Genesis 2:20-22) .
" And the man said, "This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man." For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." (Genesis 2:23-25)
According to God's creation there now existed the first of three organized entities: that of the family; THE MAN AND HIS WIFE.
God knew man needed a means of governing over him. Without that, chaos would rule. God knows man needs a way of controlling the society He has placed us in. A means of authority. God knows our nature, as He is the Creator and we are HIs creation. We have the ability to make choices and are made in His image. He made us with both a physical body and also a spiritual one. With the mind and heart we make our choices; either to obey Him or to disobey. Without civil government our society and family life would be lawless and chaotic. Therefore, he has given man civil government to supply that need.
"Let every person be in SUBJECTION TO THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES. For there is no authority except from GOD, and those which exist are established by God." "Therefore, he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have a praise for same; for it is a minister of God to you for good;..." (Romans 13:1-4b)
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution; whether to a king as the one in authority; or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and t praise of those who do right; For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. " (1 Peter 2:13-15)
Lastly, knowing man would sin and need a Savior, God provided a way to save man -- Jesus and His Gospel. Jesus built His church, and those who obey that Gospel become part of that entity--His church; those who are saved from sin, and have the hope of heaven after this life. (Acts 2:47; Revelation 2:10; Mark 16:15,16)
"And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His made Jesus, for it is He who will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
"And the angel said to her, "So not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God; And behold you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. " (Luke 1:30,31)
"And there is salvation in no one else; for here is NO OTHER NAME under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "And Jesus answered and said to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjonas because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter and upon this rock (his confession of Jesus as the Christ) I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it." (Matthew 16:17,18)
"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the CHURCH OF GOD which He purchased with His own blood." (Acts 20:28)
The church God planned, Jesus built by His death burial, and resurrection, and the Apostles started by preaching the Gospel in Acts chapter two. Those that are saved by obedience to that same Gospel throughout time have been part of the saved, part of the Body of Christ. (Romans 1:22,23)
So, God put in place three different organizations for our good, now and in the future. The FAMILY, CIVIL GOVERMENT, AND THE LORD'S CHURCH.
We live in a wonderful country that enables us so many different blessings and advantages in all God has provided. Do we appreciate all He has done, and continues doing for us? God has created the universe we now live in, and is in control at all times. He has promised the faithful a life in heaven, and that will come about when Jesus comes again. (Hebrews 9:27,28) Are we ready? Time is still available for us to make changes. God is patient, God is a loving God who wants all to be saved. Are we listening? Thanks for a bit of your time today.
Ross
