It never ceases to amaze me how masterfully and inexhaustibly intricate the Lord is. Look around you! Look at His word! Look at His plan of salvation! The very paths of the stars, from the moment they were flung into existence, declared... His plan for the redemption of His creatures.
By Acts 15, the early church had accepted Gentile believers. Some, however, stipulated that circumcision and the keeping of the Mosaic Law was necessary for their salvation. But the voices of Peter, James, Paul, and Barnabas answered in emphatic unison: No! To believe that salvation was contingent upon the imperfect efforts of man to keep a perfect Law demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the Lord, His salvation, and His Scriptures. The Law was a temporary means by which man could approach God. It was intended to be a tutor to bring us to Christ, revealing our utter depravity and the inestimable price required to redeem us. A true understanding of that Law would inevitably point to its fulfillment – Jesus Messiah – and its subsequent fading in favor of the glorious New Covenant. There is no inconsistency between Judaism and Christianity. In fact, they are beautifully consistent, even to the point of being musically harmonized. And it is all to the glory of God Most High.
Known to God from eternity are all His works. He is the Author and finisher of our faith, and even more than that, the Author of all that we are and know. The finest, most artfully crafted story cannot compare to the story the Lord wrote in history. From the foundation of the world His plan was in motion. He knew, before Adam and Eve were even created, that they were going to rebel. He knew He was going to curse them so He could save them. He wove each of our life stories and the story of this world together into one marvelous, complex tapestry of His story. From Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Daniel to Jesus, and beyond, He knew it all. He planned it all. He is Master over all. His love and His grace, shining through all of human history, so surpass the measure of words that it is overwhelming.
And His story is not even done yet. We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth today – the birth of the One who was born to die, to rise again, and to live in each one of His children. There is greater celebration to come. Jesus is coming back. This world will end. But His story won’t, and we are part of it! This Christmas, I beg you, look to the Lord. Don’t miss your chance to have Him be your shield and your exceedingly great reward.
Acts 1:9-11, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”
Maranatha.
By Acts 15, the early church had accepted Gentile believers. Some, however, stipulated that circumcision and the keeping of the Mosaic Law was necessary for their salvation. But the voices of Peter, James, Paul, and Barnabas answered in emphatic unison: No! To believe that salvation was contingent upon the imperfect efforts of man to keep a perfect Law demonstrated a complete misunderstanding of the Lord, His salvation, and His Scriptures. The Law was a temporary means by which man could approach God. It was intended to be a tutor to bring us to Christ, revealing our utter depravity and the inestimable price required to redeem us. A true understanding of that Law would inevitably point to its fulfillment – Jesus Messiah – and its subsequent fading in favor of the glorious New Covenant. There is no inconsistency between Judaism and Christianity. In fact, they are beautifully consistent, even to the point of being musically harmonized. And it is all to the glory of God Most High.
Known to God from eternity are all His works. He is the Author and finisher of our faith, and even more than that, the Author of all that we are and know. The finest, most artfully crafted story cannot compare to the story the Lord wrote in history. From the foundation of the world His plan was in motion. He knew, before Adam and Eve were even created, that they were going to rebel. He knew He was going to curse them so He could save them. He wove each of our life stories and the story of this world together into one marvelous, complex tapestry of His story. From Adam to Noah to Abraham to Moses to David to Daniel to Jesus, and beyond, He knew it all. He planned it all. He is Master over all. His love and His grace, shining through all of human history, so surpass the measure of words that it is overwhelming.
And His story is not even done yet. We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth today – the birth of the One who was born to die, to rise again, and to live in each one of His children. There is greater celebration to come. Jesus is coming back. This world will end. But His story won’t, and we are part of it! This Christmas, I beg you, look to the Lord. Don’t miss your chance to have Him be your shield and your exceedingly great reward.
Acts 1:9-11, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’”
Maranatha.
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