 The Nitelite
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The Nitelite
is on |
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| Hi Again, so far, we have been discussing ways to prepare ourselves to understand certain conditions which will allow us to look at God's written word and understand what He wants us to know about Him and ourselves. |
| We decided to accept creationism over any other view. We talked about the importance of accepting our map, the Bible, as the unerring word of God. We talked about ways to read and study, which included commitment, praying and accepting. |
| We discussed why it is important to understand who is saying what to who and why. We talked about the need to understand, not just a single verse but how the Bible works together without contradiction. |
| What I never mentioned was the purpose of the law. God's commandments. Before I do, I would like to make a point. Sometimes, when someone says something, what they said or what we think they have said hits a cord inside us. We either turn and walk off or sometimes, become outraged by the remark. |
| The problem with this is, often we are anticipating the conclusion of a book based on the foreword. If we do this, we might discover or may never discover the value of what is being said. I mention this to point out that, as a single verse of scripture should not be taken out of context, so also it is when we talk. |
| Remember how we said that moving around an object and looking at it from four locations doesn't change the object but only allows us to see it from four points of view. |
| What was it that Adam did which offended God. Eat a piece of fruit. No, what he did was offend God by his disobedience. That's what this was about. The Commandments God gave Moses were for the Jews. Am I saying, we're off the hook, not at all. The purpose was to show his people the need to be obedient; the fact that they need to rely on Him simply because they would not be able to keep his law. |
| Sometimes it's hard to stay focused because, if we stop and explain everything we say, we will go on and on and stray from the original subject or just become lost in details. We want to try and keep things as simple as we can. Even so, I have to mention a few things. |
| For those who might think it is not impossible, remember that Christ said He had come not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. (Mat. 5:17) He went on to say, in fact, that the thought was as bad as the deed. (Mat. 5:21) More on that later. Second, don't think that God only thought the Jews were of any importance. For, God will that all men be saved. (1Tim.2:4) He feels that way now, He felt that way then. |
| At this point, we now need to speak of something we must fully understand, or the meaning of everything else becomes lost. The issue of the Trinity. No, don't bother looking, you won't find the word in the Bible. It is a doctrine. A doctrine, being a term for a conclusion based on the harmony of scripture dealing with what the doctrine is about. |
| The doctrine of the Trinity deals with the fact that there is but one God, but that there are three independent personages of God. The Father the Son and The Holy Spirit. Understanding this is the main thing which separates Christians from other religions or those calling themselves Christians, but who are in fact cults. Although some cults also claim belief in the Trinity. |
| Remember, not long ago when we looked at the commandments, did you look at the Bible to read the full text. He said I, (singular) am the Lord thy God. Thou shall have no other Gods before me (singular). I, the Lord thy God, (singular) am a jealous God. I am pointing out what God is saying, He and He alone. (Exodus 20:1-5) |
| Can we now go to the first verse of the first chapter of the first book of our Bible. In the beginning, God (singular) created the heaven and the earth. The following verse says, And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2) As we read on we will find, and God said, and more of, and God said. What I wanted to point out is from the very beginning of our Bible, the Spirit of God is mentioned. Please make a mental note of this. |
| Now, we will move a short distance in our scriptures. I would like us to really think about what is being said here. We are still in the book of Genesis but have moved to the sixth day of Creation, verse 26. And, God said, Let us (plural) make man in our (plural) image, (singular) after our (plural) likeness. Are we together here? Still in Genesis, move to Gen. 3:22 And the Lord God, (singular) said, Behold, the man has become as one of us (plural) to know good and evil. |
| We are not doing a page by page study; remember the purpose is to move us in the direction. So what we have seen is, God created, yet the spirit of God moved and we are seeing God speaking to someone as if speaking to himself. |
| So let's now move to the New Testament, The Gospel of John, Chapter one verse one. I would like us to read verses 1-14 until it sinks in. 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. All things were made by him and without him was made nothing that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4) Let's jump to verse 14; we can read the rest later. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. |
| There are numerous places in scripture that tie God The Father, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ together But none more clearly says who Christ was. The Word as revealed here, of course, is Jesus Christ. If ever you need to find some place in scripture that tells you Christ was in fact, God in the flesh, this is it . |
| Let us look at Matthew 2:20. The setting is that Mary, a virgin, who is betrothed to Joseph, was found to be with child. I don't think any of us find it difficult to understand how Joseph must have felt. He was troubled to say the least. However, an angel of the Lord appeared onto him saying, fear not to take Mary for thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost. For she shall bring forth a son and call his name Jesus. For he shall save his people from their sin. (verse 21-22) All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of by the prophets, (Is 7:14) saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Mat 2:23). |
| Do not become confused by the two names. One is saying what his name will be, the other is saying what they shall call him. Think of it as, Mr Bush is the name of our current president, but he is called Mr President, meaning his Authority. |
| Think about this, she is conceived by the Holy Spirit, who, in the worldly sense is hence the father, yet the child is the Son of God, who is called God among us. Remember, we read and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh. |
| This has been just a short explanation of the Trinity. Three, but yet one. Some denominations refer to this type of doctrine as a mystery, yet accepted. Well, for me personally, I see no great mystery, simply a truth revealed. |
| Of course, this is not the same thing, but just for giggles sometime, stand in front of a mirror with the light just right. You will look into the mirror and see another you and perhaps a shadow of you. When your arm moves, the mirror image will move and so will the arm of the shadow. I like this little illustration to help explain things to young children, just so they might see how three things can move as one. |
| I am going to tell you a truth about myself; throw rocks if you wish. I, for many years struggled with the thought that God could be so vain as to require the torment and blood of His own son as the price for others offending Him. This was before I came to understand what justification was all about. The point being, according to me, was, and this is hard to say now, but I said, Such a God isn't worth spitting on, let alone worshiping. I could not send my son, I would go myself. Shaking my head at young Mr Macho me, at last it finally dawned on me, what we just saw so clearly stated in John one. That is exactly what God did. He came Himself. |
| I hope this has helped some in understanding the Trinity. Remember, these words are here for all who wish to read them, but are intended for those of us who may yet have not found the way and just need to be pointed in the direction and while on that journey keep in mind this.. |
God Loves You.
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