Galatians 5:4–6 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith…
Jesus, the name above all name. He is the only way to reconciliation to the Father and only through Him can mankind be saved. He came as a minister to the circumcision to fulfill the promises to His chosen people. When He was rejected the dispensation of God’s grace was given to the Gentiles.
Acts 4:11-12 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Romans 15:8-12 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.” 10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” 11 And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”
Ephesians 3:1-7 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
1 Corinthians 13:11-13 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
God, who knows all things past, present and future, was not caught unaware that Jesus would be rejected by the majority of His chosen people. The Father knew from the beginning that Jesus would sacrifice His sinless life, all man but all God, that through Him alone all of His creation could be saved. No greater gift could be given. Faith, hope and love abide in Him and the greatest of these? LOVE! We love others because God first loved us. Carla
The Greek word used here, nēpios, refers to a child about three to four years old. Certain behavior was appropriate for this age, but that behavior “ceased” once the child grew up. Likewise, the spiritual gifts are appropriate for this age, but they will cease when Christ returns. In the Graeco-Roman world, a mirror consisted of a polished metal disc with a handle. The reflection visible in the polished silver or bronze was a much more imperfect and indirect representation than modern mirrors. Alternatively, Paul may be referring to the idea of a mirror as an instrument of self-reflection.
Paul implies that believers will see God. It is possible that seeing God will result in perfect knowledge to understand the “mysteries” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Remain may imply that there is a temporary aspect to faith and hope (Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 5:7); or these virtues may remain through eternity as believers trust and hope in God in the new era (1 Corinthians 15:19).
Love is the greatest because it is eternal and reflects God’s fundamental character (Romans 5:8). Love is also greater than the gifts because it remains while they cease (1 Corinthians 13:8). Faithlife Study Bible
Greek word for perfect means “end” or “completion.” Most likely, this is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ and the completion of all things (verse 12). But some have interpreted perfect as referring to the completion of the New Testament canon. The mirror is probably the Word of God (2 Corinthians 3:18; James 1:23–25), which can give us only a partial understanding of God. This will all change when we see Him face to face.
Faith enables us to come to God (Hebrews 11:6), but love enables us to imitate Him. The NKJV Study Bible
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
1 Corinthians 8:3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
Genesis 32:30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Truth is defined. God defines it, not us. And we get to learn (and love!) Truth through relationship with Him. Christ, who is Truth personified (John 14:6), reveals God's ways to us so we can understand them. The Holy Spirit also "will guide [us] into all the truth" (John 16:13).
Truth is kind. There's a popular saying that "truth hurts," especially when we've been believing lies. But God's kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4), and when we speak His Truth with love, we help people see that knowing God is not just about rules; it's about relationship with a good, kind Savior (Ephesians 4:15).
Truth is aligned. We align our beliefs with God's Word, which is the Truth that sanctifies us (John 17:17). Like Paul experienced in Acts 9:18, the scales fall from our eyes as God enables us to behold what Truth is.
But the truth be told, "there is salvation in no one else" but Christ (Acts 4:12)! First5
Morning Prayer: Last Light, First Breath
Today, I wake at a threshold.
One foot still rooted in sanctuary,
the other stepping toward becoming.
May I carry with me
what softened me,
what surprised me,
what reminded me I am still worthy of wonder.
May I leave behind
what no longer fits;
old armor, old ache, old doubt.
I offer this day
as a quiet hallelujah.
Not loud, not polished;
just mine.
Let what was planted here
take root in the real world.
Let what was witnessed here
continue to bloom.
And if I forget,
may grace find me anyway.
In laughter.
In wind,
In the face of another woman
who knows.
Amen.
Kerry O’Brien
No comments:
Post a Comment