Myth, 19

~ Christianity Is Feminine ~

Myth  ~  While Christianity is for men this statement implies it is not for women—that is what makes it a myth.  Christ is the center of Christianity.  God is a Triune God and all three members of the Trinity have all the God nature, all the God characteristics, but each has their own personality.

Masculine Characteristics of God  ~  Throughout Scripture we find God exercising what society consider masculine characteristics (at least at the time of writing).  Here are a few of many examples.  Throughout both Testaments we find God referred to as Father.  He is also described as a Warrior, the Lord of Armies, King of Glory, and Lord of Hosts (Psalm 24:8).  God is also described as actively teaching the skills of war (Psalm 144:1).  God is Judge—an enforcer of righteousness and a punisher of the wicked in society. 

jesus christ:  Physician Luke records how the angel Gabriel prophesied to Mary that would conceive a Son (Luke 1:31), then Luke confirms the event happened (Luke 2:7), and still later records Christ’s circumcision (Luke 2:21).

While on earth, in human form, Jesus Christ was often slandered, blasphemed, and mistreated as a masculine human (Matthew 11:19; Mark 7:2; Luke 6:2; John 8:48, 52).

Christ is not only described as a King but also the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16).  Christ is our Priest, Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), and our Bridegroom (John 3:29).  Of note is the fact that nowhere in Scripture do read any account of His enemies hinting at or accusing Him of being effeminate. 

Creation  ~  During creation we find that God created both male and female.  “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).  “He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created” (Genesis 5:2).

Comment  ~  Male and female are equal but unique in their God-created natures.  The two genders complement each other and are equal in value.  God is the Creator of both male and female and Christianity is a faith-based relationship with the Creator open to relationship with all of humankind.  We all, male and female, are created in the image of God.

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29).  God is a God for all people! 

Conclusion  ~  God is not male or female, but God.  What we tend to think of as feminine or masculine traits are actually all Godly traits!  “God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 144

~ In The Final Days All Will Fear God ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has seized the hypocrites: ‘Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?  Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?’  He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, he who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil: he will dwell on high; his place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; bread will be given him, his water will be sure” (Isaiah 33:14-16).

Comment  ~  “Sinners in Zion” refers to the non-fearing Jews in Jerusalem at that time.  There are always unbelievers mixed with any large group of believers.  Religious “hypocrites” are also mentioned in this passage.  A third group is also mentioned: those who walk with integrity in the fear of God.  In the final days all who have not come to fear God will now fear Him. 

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Truth, 4of5

~ The Word Of God Is Truth ~

Series Introduction  ~  The Creator of this universe clearly asserts that there is “absolute truth.”  Each member of the Trinity confirms this—as does the Word of God.  Thus, the popular concept of a few decades ago of their being “relative truth” and the current common perception of “your truth” and “my truth” are false narratives according to Almighty God. 

Key Scripture  ~  “Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.  Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity’” (2 Timothy 2:14-19).

Other Passages  ~  Jesus said, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:14-19).

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). 

Comment  ~  The spoken Word of God, the written Word of God, and the living Word of God (Jesus Christ) while He was on earth are all the truth.  Have you heard the truth?  Are you really listening with open ears? 

Closing Thought  ~  There is a common saying, “Figures don’t lie—but liars figure!”  In other words, people can manipulate data.  While that may be true, the reality is truth is always truth—even if the majority doesn’t believe it to be (or if data has been manipulated)!  In like manner that which is false is untrue regardless of how many believe it to be true.  C.S. Lewis put it this way, “When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .