Wielding the Sword

Wielding the Sword

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“Stand therefore … with truth … righteousness … the gospel of peace … the shield of faith … And take the helmet of salvation,

And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”

Ephesians 6:14-17, KJV

The two boys carefully select just the right stick and stand with legs stretched apart. “ En garde!”  Crack, duck, run, and try for another blow. No expertise here, no certain pattern followed—just hope you’re faster and stronger than the other guy. This strategy doesn’t work well against someone who knows how to use a sword properly. Neither does it work well in Christian warfare against our enemy, which is—

“not … flesh and blood,

but … principalities … powers …

rulers of the darkness of this world …

spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Ephesians 6:12

These enemies are, in truth, one enemy who uses whomever and whatever to deceive, discourage, and devour us. He has one aim. Since he cannot defeat God, he marches against those who belong to God. He even uses a sword that resembles the Lord’s. Remember Pharoah’s magicians who turned their rods into snakes after seeing Moses turn the rod of God into a snake? God’s rod devoured the magicians’ many snakes. The sword of the Spirit given to us is stronger than our enemy’s, but we must know how to use it properly.

Having the word of God in your hand, carrying it to church, or sitting on a shelf at home weakens our weapon against satan, because we don’t have the knowledge to use it against his twisted tongue. We need to hold the Spirit’s sword in our mind, our heart, and our spirit—then take it in our hand, and let the Spirit teach us how to wield it.

If we want to live in this warfare to fight another day, we need a living sword that cuts to the depths of truth and destroys the lies of the enemy, as well as, the lies we are tempted to embrace.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

The sword of the Spirit lays open the heart of our enemy with precise strokes revealing his evil nature and intents to destroy. If not used correctly this edge could end up wounding us.

At the same time, the other edge carefully slices through and removes all that is ungodly in the thoughts and intents of the heart. It provides our way of sanctification.

“Sanctify them through thy truth:

thy word is truth.”

John 17:17

The sword of the Spirit is our only weapon of warfare. There is nothing stronger than the word of God.

We have come full circle. Truth is our belt protecting us against satan’s lies, and it is found in our sword of the Spirit to be used to fight skillfully against the enemy. But like the boys, if we don’t know how to use our sword, it’s time to duck and run—and begin to—

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15

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Hopefully, in my next post we will meet Jehovah-mekoddishkem and dive—or maybe wade—into his relationship to the sword of the Spirit and what it means to us. I appreciate your prayers.

A Cry for Truth

A Cry for Truth

In his novel Pudd’nhead Wilson, Mark Twain wrote, “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”

As writers of fiction no matter how outlandish the tale, the reader needs to be able to believe the story is possible—even if the world is make-believe. God’s truth transcends the believable and includes the impossible. Gabriel gave testimony of it to Mary as did Jesus to his disciples.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible …

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,

with men this is impossible;

but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 1:37;Matthew 19:26

The writer of Hebrews, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, tells us that God’s unchanging promises and oaths show us lying is the only thing impossible to God.

“That by two immutable things,

in which it was impossible for God to lie,

we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge

to lay hold upon the hope set before us;

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,

both sure and stedfast,

and which entereth into that within the veil.”

(6:18,19)

We have the whole of scripture and numerous fulfilled prophecies proving the truth of God’s word.

• He created all,
• He delivered the  son of promise to Sarah when she was ninety years old and Abraham one hundred,
• He made Abraham into a nation,
• He parted the Red Sea,
• He raised the dead,
• and He has given life to all who will believe.
• Truth is our comfort and sure, steadfast hope.

A Cry for Truth

“O send out thy light and thy truth:

let them lead me;

let them bring me unto thy holy hill,

and to thy tabernacles.

Then will I go unto the altar of God,

unto God my exceeding joy;

yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.”

Psalm 43:3,4

A Promise of Truth

“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,

to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:

he also will hear their cry, and will save them …

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you …

For the promise is unto you,

and to your children,

and to all that are afar off,

even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

(Psalm 145:18,19; John 16:13,14;Acts 2:39)

With truth being a precious commodity in our world, we need discernment to recognize truth from error. It is time to cry out with the psalmist for the Lord to— send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; It is ours for the asking. We have God’s word on it, and as we already know He cannot lie. When we’ve asked and believed Him to be true, then we give—

Praise for Our Belt of Truth

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,

and into his courts with praise;

be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

For the LORD is good;

his mercy is everlasting;

and his truth endureth to all generations …

I will praise thee with my whole heart:

before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

I will worship toward thy holy temple,

and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness

and for thy truth:

for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me,

and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”

Psalm 100:4,5; 138:1-3

Ask, believe His word, praise Him, and tighten your belt of truth to stand in the confidence and strength of the Lord.

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If you are not familiar with the “belt of truth” you can find it Ephesians 6:14 and read more from my blog, “Truth Comes in One Size.”

Truth Comes in One Size

Belt of Truth.

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Okay. I confess. When I started blogging a couple of weeks ago with righteousness as my theme, I didn’t know what, if any series, would evolve. But the Lord keeps bringing me back to His armor—because there is a battle going on, and He doesn’t want us caught by surprise. He wants us strong.

The strength we need is a mindset founded on truth, and truth prepares us to defend the battleground of our minds. This is where the battle is won or lost.

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth …”

Ephesians 6:14a

My loose paraphrase, “Don’t get caught with your pants down!” Be sure to wear the right belt—too big because it’s extended by lies, hypocrisy, and earthly standards, leaves you just as ashamed as no belt. A belt that’s too tight with human laws, traditions, and condemnation squeezes the very life and freedom out of you that truth is meant to bring.

The belt of truth is not found in any store or school of human wisdom. Jesus is the only belt that fits every size. He tells us where truth is found.

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,

If ye continue in my word,

then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:31, 32

Free from what? Satan’s lies. Hypocrisy hiding in the human heart. Unjust judgment.

Truth exposes lies.

“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light,

lest his deeds should be reproved.

But he that doeth truth

cometh to the light,

that his deeds may be made manifest,

that they are wrought in God.”

John 3:20,21

Truth exposes a heart that is not sincere toward God.

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

He that is of God heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”

John 8:44-47

Truth exposes the ropes that bind us by others opinions, judgments, and traditions.

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? Or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

For it is written,

AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD,

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME,

AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

Romans 14:10-12

Satan uses a belt of deceit to squeeze the truth from our hearts and minds. We must know the truth so as not to be entrapped by the devils lies.

“If the Son therefore shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed.”

John 8:36

Free from condemnation and the power of satan over us.

“There is therefore now no condemnation

to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death …

Stand fast therefore in the liberty

where with Christ hath made us free,

and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

Romans 8:1,2; Galatians 5:1

Jesus is our belt of truth.

“Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life:

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me …

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,

so walk ye in him;”

John 14:6;Colossians 2:6

Be sure your belt is the right size or you will be caught with your armor at your feet and your sword rusty.

• You will doubt your righteousness in Christ,
• be robbed of the peace found in knowing God,
• find your faith in Christ being eroded,
• wrestle with the assurance of your salvation,
• and not know how to handle God’s word against the enemy’s attacks.

It is time we,

“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth …”

Praying Together:

Our Father in heaven, You are our strength. Jesus Christ is our armor. May we start each day putting on Christ and walk fully suited in Him— where no enemy can come against us, where victory is promised, and your name is our banner.

A Spy Among Us

2 Corinthians 11: The Spy Among Us

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This Week’s Scripture:

“But I am afraid,

lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness,

your minds should be led astray

from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ …

And no wonder,

for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

2 Corinthians 11:3,14

The apostle Paul, through the grace of God and many trials, laid the foundation of the Corinthian church, using the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now he fears for them. Has his preaching been in vain? Has another come among them wearing a gospel robe trimmed in a twisted cord of truth? Will they be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ?

In chapter 10, Paul taught on the spiritual war being fought in the heavenly realm where Satan seeks to capture the hearts, minds, and spirits of people. He has set himself against God and knows his only recourse to any victory is through those God loves. In this chapter, he has come as an angel of light, the spy that has come to deceive those who have heard the truth. Paul’s job is to speak the truth and expose the lie. The Christian’s work remains the same—speak the truth in love.

For Thought: How does one recognize truth from error? What steps can be taken so as not to be deceived from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ?

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, you see the storm pouring lies into our world. You have given us the mind of Christ, in the Spirit of Christ, to guard our hearts and minds from allowing the storm to wash away the truth. Help us keep our eyes on you and walk in the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

What’s Your Answer?

2 Corinthians Overview, Cont’d: What’s Your Answer?

“Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!

Or do you not recognize this about yourselves,

that Jesus Christ is in you—unless in deed you fail the test?”

2 Corinthians 13:5(NASB95)

In Monday’s post, “Test Time!” the question posed for thought concerned what kind of questions you would expect on this test. One question I would ask is, “What does this test cover?” My beliefs? My works? My heart? Or all of the above?

It has to cover more than simple belief for we are told—

“You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James 2:19

John’s Gospel uses the word believe over 100 times, which is close to half the times it’s used in the New Testament.* Believing is a vital component in knowing Jesus Christ is in us. Yet, we all can agree the demons are definitely not in Christ nor is He in them. So, what in believing is needed to bring us into the assurance we are in Christ and Christ is in us?

• “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord,
• and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,

you shall be saved,

• for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness,
• and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9,10.

Yes, the demons even confessed Jesus to be the Holy One, but not their Lord. They knew and know the facts concerning Jesus, but they are not saved. For their heart, their allegiance is not to Him. Believing with the heart results in righteousness. They are far from righteous.

“He(God the Father) made Him who knew no sin(Jesus Christ)

to be sin on our behalf,

that we might become

the righteousness of God in Him.”

(2 Corinthians 5:21, words in parenthesis added by author for clarification)

And from our heart comes the conviction of truth that leads to salvation.

“for if we live, we live for the Lord,

or if we die, we die for the Lord;

therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

For to this end Christ died and lived again,

that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”

Romans 14:8-9.

The demons remain and will remain devoid of what it takes for salvation. For salvation lies in a new heart. One which has been raised from death to life.

“But God, being rich in mercy,

because of His great love with which He loved us,

even when we were dead in our transgressions,

made us alive together with Christ

(by grace you have been saved),

and raised us up with Him,

and seated us with Him in the heavenly places,

in Christ Jesus …”

Ephesians 2:4-6

A heart made pure.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8;

• “Beloved, now we are children of God,
• and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be.
• We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him,
• because we shall see Him just as He is.

And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him

purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

1 John 3:2,3.

How can we know we are in Christ? John writes—

“Little children,

let us not love with word or with tongue,

but in deed and truth.

We shall know by this that we are of the truth,

and shall assure our heart before Him.”

1 John 3:18,19

Returning to the beginning of this post, what is your answer to the question “What does this test cover?” My beliefs? My works? My heart? Or all of the above?  My answer—all of the above with the heart being at the core and summed up in Matthew’s gospel when he writes—

“Jesus said unto him,

THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD

WITH ALL THY HEART,

AND WITH ALL THY SOUL,

AND WITH ALL THY MIND …

THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.”

 (Matthew 22:37,39b; KJV)

For Thought: Who owns your heart? The word prove/examine is a word requiring evidence. What’s your evidence?

Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, how great is your love for us that you would give us your Son to die in our place. May we never lose sight of the love that bought our salvation. No matter what the day brings help us remember the cross proves your love, the resurrection proves your faithfulness. May our works be such as comes from a pure heart of  love for you. Amen.

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*Source: “A Study of Believing and Love in John’s Gospel” by Patrick Sullivan, found at https://collected.jcu.edu

Truth Triumphs

Jesus Christ is the way and the truth. He is the word of God clothed in flesh. He is the living Word. God’s word is truth. Jesus is truth, no lie is found in him. Nor will it be found in the written word.

A Prayer,Praise, and Promise from Deuteronomy 32:1-4:

“Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak: and hear, o earth, the words of my mouth.”

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” 1 John 5:14

Heavenly Father, we praise your holy name for Jesus is the way to your throne, and he is truth. He is our confidence to ask you for words of truth to speak. Your promise to hear is sure for your word is truth.

• “Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:
• and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom …
• Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come,
• he will guide you into all truth:
• for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come …
• Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God:
• that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
• Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;
• comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” Psalm 51:6; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:12,13

Thank you, Father, for giving us your Holy Spirit. May we speak nothing that is not taught to us by Him, and may we speak the truth in love. May those of the earth hear your words through our speech, our lives, and true doctrine of Jesus Christ.

“My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.”

“Jesus answered them, and said,

My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory:

but he that seeketh his glory that sent him,

the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him …

Study to show thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth …

how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

And that he was buried,

and that he rose again the third day

according to the scriptures.”

2 Timothy 2:15; John 7:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:3b,4

Father, thank you for raining your blessing of life upon our lives – for sending us your Son to water our thirsty souls. May we be faithful to study your word and speak only of you in truth, making known Jesus is the truth, and you are our great God. May our teaching be as the gentle rain falling on parched ground bringing life to that which is dead.

Final Words of Praise:

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:

a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”

“But the LORD is the true God,

he is the living God,

and an everlasting king:

at his wrath the earth shall tremble,

and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation …

O Praise the LORD, all ye nations:

praise him, all ye people.

For his merciful kindness is great toward us:

and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever.

Praise ye the LORD.”

Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 117:1,2

Jesus is the truth who reigns forever. Truth has and will triumph. May we lift our voices in praise to our great God and King, even as we cling to his promises and as we bring our prayers to him who is the way to God and the truth of God.

Truth Stands

Jesus told Pilate He came – “to bear witness to the truth…”

“And we know that the Son of God is come,

and hath given us an understanding,

that we may know him that is true,

and we are in him that is true,

even in his Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God, and eternal life.”

1 John 5:20

The world we live in lives with a shortage of truth. Without the wisdom of God found in the knowledge of the Truth, we are prey to the lies floating through the air as it carries them to all who will receive them and be deceived. We are told the only real way to know the truth is to study it. Then the false becomes evident. As followers of Christ, who is the truth, we house the Holy Spirit in us that testifies to the truth. The early church experienced this knowledge first hand.

The Account (adapted from Acts 5:1-11)

“Look, we’re going to do this, Sapphira,” explained Ananias. “Who is going to know? After all, we are still being generous.”

Sapphira’s unsure smile and hesitant nod gave way to a sigh of resignation. Her husband was right. She watched him place the money for the sale of their property in two separate bags. One he tucked underneath his cloak safe inside his belt. The other he handed to her.

“Find a safe place for this while I take the rest to the disciples,” ordered Ananias.

“But where? We will need to leave our home and property. I don’t know where …”

Ananias huffed. “I don’t know. Make a pocket inside your cloak for it. We will figure that out later.” He shook his head and marched out the door.

Sapphira busied herself sewing a pocket to carry the only possession they had left – silver coins.

“Where could he be?” She asked aloud to no one. She paced in and out the door looking for her husband. She released a deep sigh. “I’m done waiting. I’ll go to the disciples and find out what has happened to Ananias. Maybe they sent him on an errand – or maybe he was robbed on the way?” Fear gripped her heart.

“Peter, I’ve come in search of my husband. Has he been here? He had an offering from the sale of our property.” Sapphira wrung her sweaty hands as she glanced around the room.

“Yes, Ananias was here,” answered Peter. “Tell me, did you really sell your land for this amount?”

Sapphira’s eyes grew large and her breathing rapid. “Yes, that is the amount.” A noise from behind her caused her to turn as some young men, dirty and tired-looking stepped inside the doorway.

As Peter challenged her, she turned to face him. “How is it you and Ananias agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?”

Sapphira licked her dry lips as she searched the room for help. But found none. The last words she heard came from Peter.

“The young men who just came in are the ones who buried your husband and now will carry you out.”

Sapphira immediately fell down at Peter’s feet and died. The young men carried her out and buried her by her husband. Did anyone retrieve the money they held so tightly to? We don’t know. The money was not the issue. It was the heart of those who had forsaken the truth.

• “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
• but in deed and in truth.
• And hereby we know that we are of the truth,
• and shall assure our hearts before him.
• For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things …
• When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it;
• for he hath no pleasure in fools:
• pay that which thou hast vowed.
• Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
• Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin …” 1 John 3:18-20; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6a

Ananias and Sapphira wanted to look like those who had a true heart to follow Jesus. Peter made it clear to Ananias he wasn’t lying to the disciples but to God the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of truth which came forth from Jesus Christ, who is the Truth. And he knows what is in our hearts.

Jesus confessed he came to bear witness of the truth. He has given us the same responsibility. We are called to bear witness to his image in us. For as God is holy we are to be holy. And Jesus, God the Son, is the Truth. We are witnesses of the Truth in a world dominated by the father of all lies, Satan, who was a liar and murderer from the beginning. The apostle Paul admonishes us –

“Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth …”

Ephesians 6:14a (NASB20)

Jesus is the Truth that holds all else together. His truth does not change with circumstances. Believing or not believing the truth does not change it. Truth stands. Do you?

What Is Truth?

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Can you imagine binding God the Son with ropes? Of slapping him in the face? Of delivering him over to Pilate to have him crucified? The Jewish council had no clue of the Truth that stood before them. Their eyes remained blinded to the One who could lead them to the throne of God. They were deaf to the Word of God standing in truth to expose the lies filling their hearts. At least, Pilate explored the possibility of truth when he questioned Jesus.

“Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?

Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?

Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews : but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then?

Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world,

that I should bear witness unto the truth.

Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Pilate saith unto him,

What is truth?”

John 18:33-36

Facing the Truth when we are bound in lies causes us to hide from him or run the other way. But it is only in our facing the Truth we can be made free from the sin that deceives our hearts. To answer Pilate’s question,

the Truth is the living Word.

“In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God …

And of his fulness have all we received,

and grace for grace.

For the law was given by Moses,

but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ …

Sanctify them through thy truth,

thy word is truth …

And for their sakes I sanctify myself,

that they also might be sanctified through the truth…

Jesus saith unto him,

I am the way, the truth, and the life …”

John 1:1,2,16,17; John 17:17,19; John 14:6a

Often we are tempted to –  bind God the Son with ropes of disbelief; slap him in the face with our disobedience; leave him on the cross by denouncing the freedom he has won for us. We stand clueless, blinded, and deaf to the living Word of God instead of receiving or at least investigating the Truth that sets us free from the power and punishment of sin. Jesus and Paul spoke to this end –

“If ye continue in my word,

then are ye my disciples indeed;

And ye shall know the truth,

and the truth shall make you free …

If the Son therefore shall make you free,

ye shall be free indeed …

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus

hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

John 8:32,36; Romans 8:2

Sanctification comes by faith through grace to receive the truth found in the Word. It sets us apart from the way of the world and keeps us growing in the Way and the Truth, which is Jesus Christ.

What is truth? How does God define truth? The challenge is to know the Truth and walk in Him.

Truth in the Mirror

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness,

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light

of the knowledge of the glory of God

in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:6.

After recently celebrating another birthday I stood in front of a lighted mirror.  “Umm.”  I turned the light off. I didn’t look a day over 35 in the dark.

Jesus’s appearance on earth turned the light on to reveal God to his creation. What had been hidden in the darkness of sinful ages Christ dispelled. In his person, his face, the light of the glory of God appeared, not as it did in the beginning, but in the flesh.

When darkness covered the earth, God spoke light, his glory, into it.

“And God said, let there be light: and there was light.” Genesis 1:3.

The light born in creation shines the first light of the knowledge of God to those He created.

• “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen,
• being understood by the things that are made,
• even his eternal power and Godhead;
• so that they are without excuse:
• Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful:
• but became vain in their imaginations,
• and their foolish heart was darkened.” Romans 1:20,21.

Refusing the first light laid the world in the darkness of sin. God did not forsake his creation but revealed himself repeatedly through the prophets. He appeared to Moses and proclaimed…

“The LORD, the LORD God,

merciful and gracious, longsuffering,

and abundant in goodness and truth,

Keeping mercy for thousands,

forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin,

and that will by no means clear the guilty…”

Exodus 34:6,7.

Isaiah also witnessed the Lord’s glory and declared it to the people.

“I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne,

high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Above it stood the seraphims…

And one cried unto another, and said,

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts:

the whole earth is full of his glory.”

(6:1-3).

Yet the people refused to receive the revelation given and worship the Lord. Isaiah spoke, also, of the final revelation of God’s glory.

“And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all flesh shall see it together;

for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

(40:5).

Jesus Christ is

“the light of the knowledge of the glory of God”

given in these last days.

“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:

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.

“In him was life;

and the life was the light of men.

And the light shineth in darkness;

and the darkness comprehended it not…

That was the true Light,

which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

John 1:4,5,9.

“(and we beheld his glory,

the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,)

full of grace and truth.”

John 1;14.

Philip asked the Lord to show the disciples the Father. Jesus replied,

“Have I been so long with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?

He that hath seen me hath seen the Father;

and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?”

John 14:9.

Many have experienced the light God, hath shined in our hearts. This knowledge of God’s glory we have seen, in the face of Jesus Christ. We hold in our heart a great treasure.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

2 Corinthians 4:7.

And…

”we all, with open face beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image

from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18.

No longer children of darkness, Paul admonishes us.

“For ye were sometimes darkness,

but now are ye light in the Lord:

walk as children of light.”

Ephesians 5:8

If these truths of the gospel of Christ remain hidden to you, God’s word says you are lost.

• “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
• In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not
• lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.

To those who now walk in the light of Christ and to those who still walk in darkness, I leave you with Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1.

• “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
• may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
• The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
• that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
• and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
• And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
• Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead…” (17-20).

Turning the light off when I looked in the mirror didn’t change the truth. It only made me blind to it.

Who Is This Man?

“Hi, I am-.” Honestly, I don’t remember his name. He walked into our church with a shy smile and friendly handshake. His well-worn jeans and shirt hung loosely on his small frame. I do remember his character for something more than his clothes didn’t fit.

“I am a prophet.” His words captured the church’s attention as he proceeded to pronounce a generic prophecy over our congregation. Warning rang in my spirit. Some believed him  to be true but many did not. The few weeks he was among us proved the warning to be true.

The Gospel of John captures our attention as he relates, by the Holy Spirit’s direction, when a Man like no other walked into our world. Many would not believe his record but some would. John’s account proves to be true. A nameless blind man experienced the works of God when this Man healed him. He remembers His name.

“He answered and said,

A man that is called Jesus made clay…

one thing I know,

that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

From John 9:11,25.

John gives clear sight from the beginning of the Gospel into this, man that is called Jesus.

This one called Jesus is the Word. He is God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (1:1,2)

• “Who is the image of the invisible God,
• the firstborn of every creature:
• For by him were all things created…
• all things were created by him, and for him:
• And he is before all things,
• and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:15-17.

After witnessing Jesus’s miraculous signs and hearing His words, Peter testified to Jesus’s identity.

He is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?

Thou hast the words of eternal life.

And we believe and are sure that

thou art that Christ,

the Son of the living God.”

(6:68,69).

This man call Jesus is the Christ. He is the One anointed with the holy oil of God to declare the Father’s glory and salvation.

“the patriarch David…being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption…

• “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell;
• neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption…Psalm 16:10;
• Thou hast ascended on high,
• thou hast led captivity captive:
• thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also,
• that the LORD God might dwell among them.

Blessed be the Lord,

who daily loadeth us with benefits,

even the God of our salvation. Selah.

He that is our God is the God of salvation…”

Psalm 68:18-20.

 This Jesus hath God raised up,

whereof we all are witnesses…

know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,

whom ye have crucified,

both Lord and Christ.

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,

Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them,

Repent, and be baptized every one of you

in the name of Jesus Christ

for the remission of sins,

and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”  

See Acts 2:29-38.

This man called Jesus is the Son of the living God.

“God…

• 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;
• 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;
• Being made so much better than the angels,
• as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they…

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,

and given him a name which is above every name:

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

of things in heaven, and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

And that every tongue would confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11.

“there is no God else beside me;

a just God and a Saviour;

there is none beside me.

Look unto me,

and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:

for I am God,

and there is none else.

I have sworn by myself,

the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness,

and shall not return,

that unto me every knee shall bow,

every tongue shall swear.”

Isaiah 45: 21b-23.

 For unto which of the angels said he at any time,

THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I BEGOTTEN THEE? 

And again, 

I WILL BE TO HIM A FATHER,

AND HE SHALL BE TO ME A SON?”

Hebrews 1:2-5.

“I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me,

Thou art my Son;

this day have I begotten thee.”

Psalm 2:7

“And low a voice from heaven , saying

This is my beloved Son,

in whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:17.

John says much more about this man called Jesus, which I hope to write about next time. But today, you who read, have this witness before you. Unlike the man who visited our church, I don’t ask you to receive my words but God’s. You may choose not to believe the words written in italics. These are words of truth. Your receiving or rejecting God’s word does not change the truth.

When you stand before this man called Jesus you will know, you will bow, and you will confess. I say this based on the authority of God Almighty. Now is the time to receive truth. Reject it now and stand before Him ashamed. Receive it now and stand before Him in his righteousness.

“Surely, shall one say,

in the LORD have I righteousness and strength:

even to him shall men come;

and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.”

Isaiah 45:24.

Are you among the spiritually blind or now do you see? Who do you say this man called Jesus is?