God With Us
The New Testament is the writings inspired by God to show us God's ultimate way of revealing Himself to us and establishing a relationship with all the peoples of the world. I want to challenge each of us to read it as objectively as possible, not reading into it our biases or traditions. I know that is hard, but we can do it, if we simply ask God to direct our minds and to show us His message to us.
The basis of the message is very clear. God came to be with us in the person of Jesus Christ.(Matthew 1:23) He was totally unique, because He had two natures joined together to form one person. He was God and man. This was made possible by the virgin birth and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus showed God to us in what He said and did. He lived a sinless life, and then, He died for us, as the perfect payment for our sins, so we could enter a relationship with Holy God, since it was our sins which were separating us from God. Once we know Him, we are an integral part of His body, the church, and it is our mission to show Him to others, so they can know Him, too.
As we begin to read through the books of the New Testament, keep this in mind. See if that is the message of God to mankind. If it is, which I believe it is, it is the greatest message ever told, and knowing Christ is the ultimate purpose in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 4-6.
The basis of the message is very clear. God came to be with us in the person of Jesus Christ.(Matthew 1:23) He was totally unique, because He had two natures joined together to form one person. He was God and man. This was made possible by the virgin birth and the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus showed God to us in what He said and did. He lived a sinless life, and then, He died for us, as the perfect payment for our sins, so we could enter a relationship with Holy God, since it was our sins which were separating us from God. Once we know Him, we are an integral part of His body, the church, and it is our mission to show Him to others, so they can know Him, too.
As we begin to read through the books of the New Testament, keep this in mind. See if that is the message of God to mankind. If it is, which I believe it is, it is the greatest message ever told, and knowing Christ is the ultimate purpose in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 4-6.