Is Christ God? 4of12

 ~ Matthew Called Jesus Christ God! ~

 

Scripture  ~  “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: after His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’  So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.  And he called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:18-25).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Binary, 7

 ~ Binary Gate Choice: Wide or Narrow ~

 

Series Comment  ~  When it comes to spiritual paths it is strictly a binary choice. 

(1)   It is a choice between the True or False.  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  [See Post #1 in this series.]

(2)   It is a choice between Do or Done.  Jesus said, “It [the work of salvation] is finished!” (John 19:30).  Your Doing can add nothing to what Christ has Done for you.  [See Post #2 in this series.]

(3)   It is your choice between Religion or Relationship.  Religions are geared toward self-effort whereas Christianity is an intimacy with the only One who can save.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).  [See Post #3 in this series.}

 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

 

Comment  ~  We all enter the wide gate due to our inherent sin nature.  But anyone can choose to enter the narrow gate.  Have you? 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW  

* * * * *

God Attribute, 2

 ~ A God of Action ~

 

This Series  ~ This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Introduction  ~  Many view Jesus Christ as a meek, mild, kind of “milk toast and honey” kind of feminine kind of guy.  But Scripture portrays Him quite differently.  Keep in mind that the Biblical word meek which is used to describe Him has the meaning of “strength under control.”

 

Scripture  ~  “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.  And He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a “den of thieves”’” (Matthew 21:12-13).

 

Comment ~  All three members of the triune God are omnipotent which means they each have unlimited power.  The historical accounts in the four Gospels show that Jesus Christ is both omnipotent and meek.  Contemplate for a moment the importance of the important balance of those two attributes. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *