Jesus came full of grace and truth, to reveal a righteousness of faith in God, and to transform us from glory to glory.
Jesus Came; Grace for Grace; Faith to Faith; Glory to Glory
12-23-2012
Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 6:1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.
Last week we ended with the end of Hebrews 5. This is another case where chapter and verse numbers break up the continuity of the scriptures. Let it be noted those who are on the milk of the word are unskilled in righteousness. God’s desires that every believer become skilled in the word of righteousness. The word of righteousness is the spiritual grown up food. The word of righteousness that Jesus brings is the food that has matured the believer and causes them to exercise their actions by discerning good and evil.
God has called us to leave the elementary principle of Christ! We will get to the elementary principle in a moment; however, let us recall what the skilled believer will thrive in. It is the word of righteousness! Without being skilled in the word of righteousness there will be no going on to perfection!
John the beloved wrote to the children to remind them their sins are forgiven. This is the beginning of the word of righteousness but it is the milk of the word. John wrote to the young men because the word of God was abiding in them and they had overcome the evil one. It is imperative that the heart of the believer become established by the word of God’s grace. Then John wrote to the fathers because they have known the Father!
The elementary principles are sure. Repentance from dead works and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the foundation! It is where the babes in Christ need to start at. There needs to be a craving for the milk of the word of God. God has called to know what we believe and why we believe it. It is a strengthening for every believe to learn to meditate in the word of God.
Then there are the truths of the doctrines of baptisms. Baptism into Christ, baptism in the Holy Spirit, water baptism, and the least taught one, the baptism of suffering.
Then there is the truth of the laying on of hands. The elders laying on of hands and the prayer of faith healing. The laying on of hands of the presbytery to send out the saints into their ministries.
The final elementary teaching mentioned is the truths of the resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment. However we are instructed to go on into perfection by being skilled in the word of righteousness. The word of righteousness is from grace to grace, and from faith to faith, and from glory to glory. It is all about having intimacy with a loving God and living life inside that intimacy with God.
John 1:16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
Jesus Christ came full of grace and truth. Jesus does not pour into us on a shadow surface level. Jesus does not pour into us from the perspective of the law that leaves the worshiper in fear and trembling. Jesus is in the bosom of the Father and from that position and perspective He pours into our lives the truths about the Father.
John 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Eternal life is to know God in intimacy! Much like a husband and wife knowing one another in intimacy you can know God! The greatest thing in all our lives is to grow in knowing God! This happens from grace to grace. It comes from the divine influence of God Himself upon our heart; this is what grace is! We receive from Jesus' fullness and it is divine influence upon divine influence.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."
Without the divine influence of grace we could not be brought to faith! Intimacy with God only come through faith in Jesus the Messiah. Yes it brings the righteousness at salvation however there is a revelation of righteousness of God should continually grow in our life. The greater the revelation in your life the greater maturity you can walk in. God brings us to divine intimacy so we can walk this lifestyle of faith. It is not a moment in time it is a way of abundant life for every believer.
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
The object of your faith must ever be Jesus Christ and the finished work he performed at the cross. Your source of victory can not be found in anything or anyone else.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
We no longer live as the old man we once were; we now live as a newly created being God has made us. By faith we put off the old man, renew our mind, and put on the new man. Living by faith in the one true Messiah.
2 Corinthians 3:12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech; 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
This word of truth gives me such great hope I use boldness of speech! God is transforming you from glory to glory! Turn your eyes upon Jesus; He is the source for grace, faith, and His glory. Christians not walking in victory are blinded. The veil is taken away in Christ! Abundant life is the intended purpose of God for every believer! As we turn our eyes up on Jesus in intimacy we are transformed from grace to grace, faith to faith, and glory to glory! May you rise and shine for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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