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| Vol. 14 No. 11 November 2012 | Page 8 |
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| Vol. 14 No. 11 November 2012 | Page 8 |
Tim Childs
What a wonderful thought for our minds to focus upon and to be actively engaged in contemplation. It is a noble thought, a healthy and most worthy one. It gives the faint-hearted cheer and encouragement in a moment of trial. It empowers the struggling to make the right choice in a time of temptation.
However, this is no time for self-satisfaction by having the realization we are heaven-bound. Together, we must continue to diligently sow, water and “bring in the sheaves” for our Master. It is undetermined on our part just how many more souls may yet be won to Christ as we reach out in love with the Gospel of the everlasting kingdom.
“Together” is used with purpose in the title of our considered topic. In God’s superior and infinite wisdom, He has so arranged that we be “together” in fellowship with Him and with one another. Deity’s plan is for God-fearing, Christ-following, Spirit-filled believers to walk the Christian walk together in love and unity as dear children (Ephesians 5:1-2). Satan’s objective is to get us off by ourselves where we feel we are isolated, alienated and all alone without a Christian friend to care. There is strength in numbers, but only when God is among the number. May we continue to walk together along the straight and narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14). We need God. We also need each other. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13).
Praise and glory is due our God because He has made it possible for us to be heaven-bound together. He has given up His only begotten Son to die and make the necessary atonement for our sins as well as the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Our heavenly Father has made it possible for us to know the way unto life eternal through His Son. Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).
Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10) and He has given us the same mission in the marching orders of the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28:19-20). In every generation until our Lord in all of His awesome glory returns in the sky to take us home, we too, must be about the Father’s business of bringing others along with us into the fold.
Our Heavenly Father has ample room in His house, and what a house it is! “I am bound for the promised land, I am bound for the promised land. Oh, who will come and go with me, I am bound for the promised land.”
Eternity is far too long, hell is too horrible and agonizing while heaven is far too sweet to miss out. Hear the Word of God, receive it into your heart, believe it and obey (Hebrews 5:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) it with all confidence. You, too, can overcome and be invited to come over and live with God.
[Editor’s Note: Good encouraging article! Initial “obedience to the faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26) whereby one becomes a child of God – a Christian – includes these commands of Jesus Christ: believe or have faith (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), profess Jesus before others (Matthew 10:32) and baptism (Mark 16:16). (Christian baptism is immersion in water for the remission or forgiveness of sins, Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21.) Let’s make the journey to heaven together! ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
Jesus Had the Flesh & Bones of a Man
David R. Kenney
Centuries ago there was a sect of Gnosticism known as Docetism, which taught Jesus was only a spirit, not human. Today, some think Jesus could not experience pain or be tempted since He was also deity.
The Bible teaches Jesus had a physical body (John 1:1-14). Those who think that Christ did not have a physical body should remember the disciple Thomas. He would not believe Jesus was resurrected until “…I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side…” When Thomas examined His body, he exclaimed “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:25, 28 NKJV). If Jesus were only spirit, it would invalidate both His death and resurrection, which has serious consequences. The apostle Paul wrote, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable” (1 Corinthians 15:16-19).
The temptations and suffering of Christ were part of His preparation for being our High Priest. “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18). In addition, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Considering all the people who touched Jesus while on the earth, it is impossible to believe Jesus was just a spirit. We need to treasure the words spoken by Jesus: “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29).