informedChristians.com

"Our Defining History"
Daniel Valles

READ Matt. 5: 38-48

A religion's history can be almost as unique as a fingerprint. They can be similar in some ways, but vary for each individual. Small changes from one, change it into another. Christianity's history has been recorded for us in the Bible... We know it's true. In this lesson, we will be looking at His story (His + story). Let's look at the Christian's recorded His-story.
I Timothy 3:15 says, "But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou ought to behave thyself in the church of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and the ground of truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." This verse can sum up a lot of what Christ did while He was on earth. Let's examine each historical note.

First, God was manifest in the flesh. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." This verse was written by Isaiah, long before Christ even came to earth! Not only did it happen (Luke 2), but it was foreseen long before it ever happened! Not only that, we have the recorded account of His coming to earth (Luke 2)! God was manifest in the flesh. Now, when we talk about manifest, we mean that He (Christ) was apparent, illustrated, and displayed by the God-man called Jesus. John 1:1 and 14 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God..... [vs.14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." His glory was made manifest through Jesus Christ! It was recorded in the verse that "glory as of the only begotten of the Father" and "full grace and truth" were evident to those that saw Him! Jesus was someone that humans could associate with, and could see evidence of what the Father was like. Looking at Jesus, we can feel the love of God and His glory.

Secondly, He was justified in the Spirit. Matthew 3:16, 17 says, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lightening upon him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Two of the definitions of justify are to explain or illuminate. Christ explained to the people there that this man (Jesus) "..is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Not only did He come to earth, but His Father told us who He was.

Thirdly, he was seen of angels. Luke 2:13 says, "And suddenly there was wi th the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Not only was He seen by angels, He was introduced to the world by them! They were the ones who told the shepherd that He was here, and what He was here for! He was to bring peace and good will toward all mankind! Nobody else was announced into this world by such angelic host! They justified (to the world) His reason for being here.

Fourthly, He preached unto the Gentiles. John 1:11,12 says, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." He was a Jew, Who was not accepted by His own people. Although the Jewish people did not accept him at large, many Jewish people did believe. Christ did not come to save just the Gentiles. The verse we just read tells us that. It said that "as many as received him, gave he power [the privilege] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name".

Fifthly, He was believed on in the world. John 5:8,9 tells us, "Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.." The only thing that Jesus required of this man, was that he believe what Jesus said, and to get up. That's all! But, he believed.
John 4 talks about the Samaritan woman. She said (about Jesus. vs29), "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" Verse 42 of the same chapter tells us that "many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy sayings: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world." They believed. Many, many people believed on Christ. He was not someone else... He is our Saviour.

Finally, He was received up into glory. Mark 16:19 declares, "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." Christ rose from the dead, on the very day that He said He would. John 3:17 says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." Someone had to take our place. Someone who was sinless and perfect. We couldn't save ourselves. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Jesus Christ died so that He can give us the chance for eternal life. Remember John 1:12? "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." Mary can't save us! Only Jesus can! We can only call upon Him to save us, because He's the one who paid the price! Jesus is giving us the gift.. He's already given it.. And just like the lame man whom Jesus healed, .... all we have to do is believe. Nothing more... nothing less.

-Daniel Valles.