1 TIMOTHY 3: 15-16...
15/ But if I should be delayed, you
should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
16/ Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels,
proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up
in glory.
The church is the house of God; he dwells there. The church holds forth
the Scripture and the doctrine of Christ, as a pillar holds forth a
proclamation. When a church ceases to be the pillar and ground of truth,
we may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth should be
first and greatest.
The mystery of godliness is Christ. He is God, who
was made flesh, and was manifest in the flesh. God was pleased to
manifest himself to man, by his own Son taking the nature of man. Though
reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, Christ was
raised again by the Spirit, and so was justified from all the false
charges with which he was loaded. Angels ministered to him, for he is
the Lord of angels. The Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews
rejected. Let us remember that God was manifest in the flesh, to take
away our sins, to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto
himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These doctrines must
be shown forth by the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.
Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been found
out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be comprehended
by reason, because it is above reason, though not contrary thereto. It
is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of godliness,
designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the mysteries
of the Gentiles. It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up and sealed;
and it does not cease to be a mystery because now in part revealed.
What is the mystery of godliness? It is Christ; and here are six things
concerning Christ, which make up the mystery of godliness.
[1.] That he
is God manifest in the flesh: God was manifest in the flesh. This
proves that he is God, the eternal Word, that was made flesh and was
manifest in the flesh. When God was to be manifested to man he was
pleased to manifest himself in the incarnation of his own Son: The Word
was made flesh, Jn. 1:14.
[2.] He is justified in the Spirit. Whereas he
was reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, he was
raised again by the Spirit, and so was justified from all the calumnies
with which he was loaded. He was made sin for us, and was delivered for
our offences; but, being raised again, he was justified in the Spirit;
that is, it was made to appear that his sacrifice was accepted, and so
he rose again for our justification, as he was delivered for our
offences, Rom. 4:25. He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened by
the Spirit, 1 Pt. 3:18.
[3.] He was seen of angels. They worshipped him
(Heb. 1:6); they attended his incarnation, his temptation, his agony,
his death, his resurrection, his ascension; this is much to his honour,
and shows what a mighty interest he had in the upper world, that angels
ministered to him, for he is the Lord of angels.
[4.] He is preached
unto the Gentiles. This is a great part of the mystery of godliness,
that Christ was offered to the Gentiles a Redeemer and Saviour; that
whereas, before, salvation was of the Jews, the partition-wall was now
taken down, and the Gentiles were taken in. I have set thee to be a
light of the Gentiles, Acts 13:47.
[5.] That he was believed on in the
world, so that he was not preached in vain. Many of the Gentiles
welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected. Who would have thought that
the world, which lay in wickedness, would believe in the Son of God,
would take him to be their Saviour who was himself crucified at
Jerusalem? But, notwithstanding all the prejudices they laboured under,
he was believed on, etc.
[6.] He was received up into glory, in his
ascension. This indeed was before he was believed on in the world; but
it is put last, because it was the crown of his exaltation, and because
it is not only his ascension that is meant, but his sitting at the right
hand of God, where he ever lives, making intercession, and has all
power, both in heaven and earth, and because, in the apostasy of which
he treats in the following chapter, his remaining in heaven would be
denied by those who pretend to bring him down on their altars in the
consecrated wafers.
Observe,
First, He who was manifest in flesh was
God, really and truly God, God by nature, and not only so by office, for
this makes it to be a mystery.
Secondly, God was manifest in flesh,
real flesh. Forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
he also himself likewise took part of the same, Heb. 2:14. And, what is
more amazing, he was manifest in the flesh after all flesh had corrupted
his way, though he himself was holy from the womb.
Thirdly, Godliness
is a mystery in all its parts and branches, from the beginning to the
end, from Christ's incarnation to his ascension.
Fourthly, It being a
great mystery, we should rather humbly adore it, and piously believe it,
than curiously pry into it, or be too positive in our explications of
it and determinations about it, further than the holy scriptures have
revealed it to us.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ISAIAH 43:19...
SLOW down, take it EASY, read THE WORD with intent, and diligence; give it time to meld into the being; it IS imperative TO allow it to seep into the heart, the spirit, the being!!!
Thanksgiving for the LORD's Favor
Psalms 138 (A Psalm of David)
1/ I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2/ I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3/ In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4/ All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5/ Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6/ Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7/ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8/ The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands... AMEN!!!
1/ I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2/ I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3/ In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4/ All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5/ Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6/ Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7/ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8/ The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands... AMEN!!!
One CANNOT earn GRACE, it is HIS own ESSENCE; a gift, still, IF one claims to be IN HIS GRACE, we ARE to, or, OUGHT to, be reflections of that GRACE! 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1, tells us not to take HIS GRACE in vain! This means, living in LOVE, morality, ethics, virtue, righteousness, and, spiritual improvement, TOWARDS, spiritual maturity, WHILE, visibly BEING as LIGHTS, beaming OF *GOD*, beckoning the world, TO THE LIGHT! Righteousness MEANS, conduct in conformity with *GOD'S* WILL, and, "Be HOLY because I AM HOLY!", therefore, indicating that knowledge, wisdom, and, effort, DO, apply TO the righteous!!! NEVER forget, we were grafted in, and, if we do not bear fruit, as a dead branch, we will be pruned out, just as were, the natural branches!!!
We are not saved by works, instead, works PROVE HIM in us: they identify HIS own...
We are not saved by works, instead, works PROVE HIM in us: they identify HIS own...
IF I claim ONENESS with *GOD*, through CHRIST JESUS, I am DEAD TO THE WORLD, THUS, LIVING as HIM, which is, hopefully, witnessed IN, and, THROUGH, my every thought, action, and, reaction; MEANING, I am, THROUGH CONSCIOUS application OF THE WORD, HIS COMMANDS, HIS WILL, REFLECTING righteousness, not, merely, FAITH! I become, the TRULY FRUITFUL branch, of THE VINE, the TRUE member of THE BODY/THE CHURCH, CHRIST JESUS, and, TESTIFY, then, GLORIFY, BOLDLY, BY my thoughts, actions, and, reactions, HIS name, because, HE IS WORTHY, and, IN HIS LOVE, has SHOWN me, how I OUGHT to exist, to which, I eagerly, adapt, and, comply!!!
MATTHEW 5:48...
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect
1 PETER 1:14-16...
14/ Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
15/ but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
16/ for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."
ROMANS 12:2...
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
MATTHEW 5:48...
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect
1 PETER 1:14-16...
14/ Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
15/ but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
16/ for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."
ROMANS 12:2...
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Conduct, in conformity to *GOD'S* WILL, marks the righteous; it is NOT because of guilt, or, ancient Laws, but, because of LOVE; LOVE for *GOD*, self, then, others! CHRIST JESUS gave us Commandments to live by, of which, the first is to LOVE *GOD*, with all of your mind, heart, and, soul; the second is, to LOVE one another!
LOVE COMPELS us to LIVE IN HIM, through conduct which conforms to *GOD*; in other words, morality, ethics, doing good, and, being good, and, ever striving to improve the spirit! It is about REFLECTING THE TRUTH, for ALL to bear witness to, FOR, and, TO HIS GLORY, RADIANTLY SHINING OF HIS POWER, GRACE, and, MERCIES!!!
It IS ALL ABOUT LOVE, baby, all about LOVE!!!
MATTHEW 4: 17...From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
JOHN 14:15..."If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
LOVE COMPELS us to LIVE IN HIM, through conduct which conforms to *GOD*; in other words, morality, ethics, doing good, and, being good, and, ever striving to improve the spirit! It is about REFLECTING THE TRUTH, for ALL to bear witness to, FOR, and, TO HIS GLORY, RADIANTLY SHINING OF HIS POWER, GRACE, and, MERCIES!!!
It IS ALL ABOUT LOVE, baby, all about LOVE!!!
MATTHEW 4: 17...From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
JOHN 14:15..."If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
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NOTE: I do not intend to preach, rather to reach; to stir up, awaken, to inspire, and, bring forth, in discussion, that which is, perhaps, dormantly existing in the heart of hearts, thus, little, or, no, sugar coatings, just THE WORD of *GOD*, the TRUTH, along with some of my thoughts. And truth is, I am reminding myself always, as I practice these reminders, in the best of my abilities, and capacities, while RELYING on THE LORD to lead me on that narrow PATH---> MATTHEW 7: 14: "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it... TO *GOD* BE ALL GLORY...
EVERYBODY PRAISE THE LORD: LINCOLN BREWSTER
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MALACHI 2:7-8...
7/ "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.
8/ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi," says the LORD Almighty...
7/ "For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty.
8/ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi," says the LORD Almighty...
When you GIVE HOPE, you find HOPE, and, any time you find HOPE, be sure to GIVE it to someone else!!!
By FAITH we sleep, by FAITH we live, by FAITH we keep...lw'12
HOSEA 6:6...
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.
(MATTHEW 9:13 & MATTHEW 12)
The world over, needs prayers, day in, day out! LET US PRAY WITHOUT CEASING! Let LOVE be the voice we lift UP to *GOD*! May HE BLESS us, and, may we allow HIM to show us THE WAY!!! PRAISE HIS MIGHTY name, and, GLORIFY HIM in thought, action, and, reaction!!!
By FAITH we sleep, by FAITH we live, by FAITH we keep...lw'12
HOSEA 6:6...
For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than holocausts.
(MATTHEW 9:13 & MATTHEW 12)
The world over, needs prayers, day in, day out! LET US PRAY WITHOUT CEASING! Let LOVE be the voice we lift UP to *GOD*! May HE BLESS us, and, may we allow HIM to show us THE WAY!!! PRAISE HIS MIGHTY name, and, GLORIFY HIM in thought, action, and, reaction!!!
The messengers of PEACE, in the heart of LOVE, have been handpicked by the Creator *GOD*, from the ranks of life, for HE knows the effectiveness of using those who have survived the worst, and now understand the best. In this way, the warriors of PEACE & LOVE are empowered, with strength, fortitude, longwithstanding, therefore, enabled to create ripples in the minds, & lives of mankind...
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