Month: January 2012 Page 2 of 3

Jesus in the NT :: 3rd John

On January 17, 2012

The book of 3rd John gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

The 3^rd book of John is the second shortest book in the New Testament, second only to the 2^nd book of John with 14 verses in total.

Two types of Christians are explicitly mentioned. One is Gaius who epitomized Hospitality with Humility and Selflessness and the other is Diotrepheus who epitomized Hostility with Pride and a quest for Preeminence in the Church. The book talks about the pride of Diotrepheus and praises the humility and hospitality of Gaius, who hosted God’s people not out of obligation but out of the overflow of his heart to serve. From the testimonies of the two mentioned, we can draw a parallel: Gaius, with Humility emulated the character of the Creator God, Jesus Christ, who humbled himself and made himself of no reputation (Philippians 2: 7) while Diotrepheus with pride emulated the character of the creature, Lucifer (or the devil) who sought to elevate himself above God (Ezekiel 28:2,15)

From the 3^rd book of John, we learn that Hospitality is godly which implies that God is Hospitable (3^rd John 1:5-6). Jesus is Hospitable. He accommodates each one of us into the place that he has gone ahead to prepare for us, as he stated (John 14:3). 3^rd John 1:8, establishes that Jesus is also the Helper of those in need. The verse states that we are God’s fellow helpers (co-labourers) meaning he is the other one helping us.

In 3^rd John, Jesus Christ is HOSPITABLE, He is the HELPER of those in need and the Model for HUMILITY.

Points to ponder:
Let us choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who is HOSPITABLE, the HELPER and the one who is the model of HUMILITY. He humbled himself unto death, even death on the Cross, who made Himself of no reputation and suffered, so that the splendor and the glory that God bestowed on Him was by giving Him a Name that is above all names, and at the Name of Jesus Christ, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord.

3 John 1:5-6 (KJV)
⁵Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
⁶Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:

3 John 1:8 (KJV)
⁸We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.

The King’s Speech

By Mano Paul

On January 16, 2012

In Christian, Reuben

On the third Monday of January each year, America observes the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in recognition of his active involvement in the fight against racial discrimination and his fight for equality amongst men. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968, but many still remember him for spear-heading the Montgomery Bus Boycott and his famous “I have a dream” speech.

As our beloved five year old son, Reuben and I were talking about the diabolical effects of segregation and racial prejudice, he said “Underneath our skin, we all have the same colored blood, correct?” and I could tell that his mind was seeking an answer to the question, “How can man be so blind to not see beyond the skin?” I used the opportunity to tell him, how God created man, both male and female, in his own image and that we are all made equal in the sight of God for there is no partiality in God (Romans 2:11). Then as I read the “I Have a Dream” speech, it dawned on me that from each section of the speech, there is hidden in it a beautiful reference to the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God and so in that sense can be said to be THE KING’S speech, for God is King over all, or rightfully so, it must be “The KING of kings Speech”.

Given below is excerpts from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech (in red italics) following which is a reference to the Scripture.

It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
Psalm 30:5 states “… in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”
God’s favor is life. Our trials are tribulations are merely temporary.

So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
Psalm 69:5 states “O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.”
Psalm 69: 7 “shame hath covered my face.”
Sin is a shameful condition and Romans 3:23 asserts that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

This note was a promise that all men, … would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
2 Peter 3:9 states that God is patient not wanting anyone to perish, but that all come to repentance and have eternal life. Jesus’ sacrifice makes this possible.
2 Corinthians 3:17 states that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 states that “Blessed (happy) are those who trust in the Lord (Jesus Christ), whose hope is the Lord (Jesus Christ). For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
Only in Jesus are we guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and happiness.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.
Psalm 40:2 informs us that Jesus lifts those who are in the miry pit (quick sands) of sin and sets their feet on a rock solid foundation; on himself.

There will be neither rest nor tranquility … until … one is granted his citizenship rights.
Philippians 3:20 asserts that “Our citizenship is in heaven from where we look for our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
John 14:2-3 assures us that “Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, so that we may be where He is (in his Father’s house, which is in heaven).
Revelation 21:4 asserts that in the presence of God, there will be no tear left unwiped, for God will wipe away every tear.
Only in the presence of God, is there true rest and tranquility.

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.
Matthew 5:44 counsels us to “Love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us”
Jesus said. If someone strikes you on your cheek, turn to him the other as well as recorded in Matthew 5:39.
Jesus was indeed saying, don’t drink from the cup of bitterness and hatred by saying “Fight hate with love”

They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
John 17:21 records that Lord prayer wherein, Jesus prayed for the unity of his disciples, that we may be one, so that the world would believe that Jesus was sent by God. We cannot walk alone.

No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Amos 5:4 states that we ought to seek God so that we can live and Amos 5:24 records that judgment will roll down as waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
We must seek God and not be satisfied until we find Him. Jesus said, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all things shall be added unto you, which is recorded in Matthew 6:33.

Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.
James 1:2-4 counsels us that persecution produces perfection.
1 Timothy 6:12 counsels us to fight the good fight of faith and hold on to eternal life.
We must continue to work with (keep) the faith that the present suffering is nothing compared to the future glory, in a city whose builder in God as recorded in Hebrews 11.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.
Psalm 23:4 assures us that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, there is nothing to fear (nor despair).
Death is but a shadow to all those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and that means those who are sanctified and saved have no reason to wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.
James 4:13 teaches us that if we plan for the day or for the next, let it be so, according to God’s will
Matthew 6:34 informs us that tomorrow has enough troubles of its own.
So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, let us dream that it is according to God’s will.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.
Genesis 1:27 proves that God created man, both male and female in the image of God
Romans 2:11 states that in God, there is no partiality (i.e.,) all are created equal.

I have a dream that one day … the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
John 15:15 records Jesus’ words, “I call you not servants (slaves), but friends”. But Jesus did not stop there, after his resurrection, he called his disciples, brothers as recorded in John 20:17.
When we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are changed from slaves to brothers and can sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day … a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
Isaiah 32:1 records “Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
Injustice shall be turned to justice and oppression into an oasis of freedom and justice, because Jesus the king will reign in righteousness.

I have a dream that my … little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
Philippians 2:15 counsels us that we ought to be blameless and harmless, as sons (and daughters of God), without rebuke in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, wherein we ought to shine as lights in the world. Our belief in Christ Jesus imputes his righteousness on us and makes us blameless as sons of God, and when judged by men, let us be judged for the content of our character – one that emulates Jesus Christ.

I have a dream that one day, … will be able to join hands … as sisters and brothers.
Mathew 12:48-50 records two rhetorical questions of Jesus, wherein he asked: Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? He himself then answered, “Whoever does the will of God the Father who is in heaven, is his brother, and sister, and mother.
When we do God’s will, we join hands as sisters and brothers of Jesus Christ.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
The Prophet Isaiah brings the word of the Lord, in Isaiah 40:4-5 that “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.”

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back … with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
The opposite of fear is not courage, but faith. When the disciples were afraid in the boat, Jesus did not say, “O ye of little courage”, but instead said, “O ye of little faith” as recorded in Matthew 8:26. Faith drives out fear and this is our faith as recorded in Matthew 12:21 that Jesus Christ is the hope of all nations.

This will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with a new meaning, “My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.” And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the … spiritual, “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Galatians 3:28 states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
John 8:36 asserts that “He whom Jesus, the Son of God, sets free, is free indeed”
Free at last, thank God Almighty, because of Jesus, man can be free at last!.

Points to ponder:
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is known, remembered and celebrated for his fight against and victory over physical oppression.
Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is known, but sadly not always remembered and celebrated for his fight against and victory over spiritual oppression of the devil.
God is saying, “I have a dream”. Dream that all men come to repentance and believe in Him, for the sin of the world is unbelief in God (John 16:9). God’s dream is that you and I are free!
Are you free? Free from the bondage of sin and its wages, which is death? If not, I pray that you Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for He will set you free and that is His Dream (desire).

Jesus in the NT :: 2nd John

By Mano Paul

On January 13, 2012

In Christian

The book of 2nd John gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

The book of 2^nd John is the shortest of the four single chapter books in the New Testament with only 13 verses, but in these 13 verses are 3 primary or direct references to Jesus

2^nd John 1:3 declares Jesus as The Lord and The Son of the Father and 2^nd John 1:9 establishes that Jesus is The doctrine of God.

Jesus Christ is the doctrine of God, not a cooked up fable, dogma or tradition of man or man’s own interpretations. In fact, this book, in its core is a warning to take heed against such false teachings and counsels us to walk in truth and in love (obey his commandments) lest we fall.

The author in fact commends a lady as the elect lady. She is not identified to us. But the author knows her.
We as the church are the elect lady, the bride of Christ. We are not identified by the world, but the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ, knows us.
The Church must acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord, the Son of the Father and that He is the doctrine of God.

In 2^nd John, Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of the Father and He is the doctrine of truth and love by whom we must Walk, lest we fall.

Points to ponder:
Are you and I walking in truth and in love (obeying his commandments)?

Jesus in the NT :: 1st John

By Mano Paul

On January 12, 2012

In Christian

The book of 1st John gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

Moving from 2^nd Peter where we encountered false teachers who scoffed and denied the imminent return of the eminent King, Jesus Christ, we now face another strange heresy in the book of 1^st John, where some started to say that Jesus was not a real man and that He was not in the flesh, but merely in the Spirit when he was on earth. This book establishes the fact that in the physical senses, the apostles and others were eye witnesses of Jesus Christ in the flesh; that they heard him, saw him, looked upon Him and touched his hands. Jesus Christ was fully God no doubt but fully man as well.

Genesis 9:6 accounts for the inexplicable love of God – God made man in God’s own image.
Philippians 2:7 accounts for the insurmountable love of God – God made God in the image (likeness) of man.

Nara-hari in Sanskrit means Man-God. Jesus Christ is Nara-hari and there is no other.

In fact, those who deny that this God-man, Jesus is the Christ, is said to be have the spirit of the anti-Christ is what 1 John establishes. (1 John 4:3)

But why was this book written? This book was written so that we may know Jesus and in knowing Him we may have life, for Jesus is LIGHT, LOVE and LIFE (1 John 5:13)

1 John 1:5 states that God is LIGHT and in him there is no darkness. Jesus said, I am the Light of the World (John 8:12). There is no darkness in Christ (1 John 1:5) for in him was found no guile. Jesus dispels darkness as the morning rays of the sun dispels the darkness in the room at dawn.

1 John 4:7-8 states that God is LOVE and since Christ is God, Christ Jesus Is Love. We love Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

1 John 5:13 states that in knowing the Son of God, is eternal LIFE. In John 11:25, Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: God has given us eternal life and this life is in Jesus (1 John 5:11). He who has the Son (Jesus) has life and he who does not have the Son (Jesus) does not have life (1 John 5:12).

In 1^st John, Jesus Christ is LIGHT that dispels the darkness from our lives, the LOVE of GOD expressed and personified, and LIFE ETERNAL.

Points to ponder:
Is your life in darkness? Do you feel unloved? Are you more dead than alive? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you need Jesus. Ask Jesus to be your Light, your Love and to be your Life and He will not disappoint you.

Jesus in the NT :: 2nd Peter

By Mano Paul

On January 11, 2012

In Christian

The book of 2nd Peter gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

The book of 2^nd Peter is supposedly said to be written in the mid 60s AD, just before Peter’s execution (1:14). The most accept view of Peter martyrdom is that he was crucified upside down in an X-shaped cross. The painting by Italian painter Annibale Carracci called Domine, Quo vadis? Translated whither goest thou, Lord? is the painting of Peter fleeing the persecution of Rome, when He is said to have encountered Jesus Christ, walking toward the city, and Peter asks Christ, Quo vadis, Domine, to which Christ responds, Eo Romam iterum crucifigi, (I am going to Rome to be crucified again.”), Peter got the message, and returns to Rome where he is martyred.

1^st Peter dealt with problems from the outside (spots)
2^nd Peter deals with problems from the inside (wrinkles)

The internal problems were in the form of false teachers within the Church; those who ignorantly or willfully distort the infallible Holy Scripture with damnable heresies, damaging doctrines, and those who deny the Lord and His Word.

The main issue addressed here in this book is that When Jesus ascended into heaven, there was an announcement, that this same Jesus will return in like manner (Acts 1:11). Jesus Himself said that He was going to prepare a place for us and will come back again to receive us, so that we may be where He is (John 14:3), but some false teachers were denying the imminent return of the Lord and the impending judgment that He will righteously execute.

Peter calls these backsliders who are not true to the faith as disgusting dogs returning to vomit and dirty pigs that return to wallow in the gutters of life that this world offers.

In contrast to a true teacher, Peter describes a false teacher as follows:
True teachers – live life as if the future life is the model of the present (selfless)
False teachers – live life as if the present life is the model of the future (selfish and sensual)

Furthermore, 2^nd Peter warns the apostles, pastors, preachers, evangelists or teachers, to be very careful with their words and not privately interpret the Scripture but seek divine revelations of the hidden treasures in it. It also warns the listeners and hearers of the word, to be very careful and strong against wolves in sheep’s clothing that beguile us and blind our minds from the glorious truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, let us look at Jesus Christ in the Scripture as expressed in 2^nd Peter in the three chapters it has.

In Chapter 1, we see that Jesus Christ is the Giver of POWER, PROVISIONS and PROMISES (2 Peter 1:3-4). 2 Peter 1:3-4 reads According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

In Chapter 2, we see that Jesus Christ is the DELIVERER and DAMNER (2 Peter 2:9). 2 Peter 2:9 reads The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

God did not spare the

Proud angels that sinned
Unbelieving world in the time of Noah
Evil world in the time of Lot

And He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

Though this may seem hard and harsh to accept, Jesus Christ is the DELIVERER of the Godly (Noah/Lot) (2:9) but He is also the DAMNER of the Ungodly (rebellious angels, pre-flood world, Sodom and Gomorrah)

In Chapter 3, Jesus Christ is the PARDONER and PUNISHER (2 Peter 3:9,15). 2 Peter 3:9,15 reads The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. __ And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 states that there are three things that remain – faith, hope and love.
Someone eloquently said:
Faith in essence is patience with God;
Hope in essence is patience with self; and
Love in essence is patience with others.

The Lord has not returned yet because he does not want anyone to perish (3:9) but those who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are reserved for judgment and perdition of ungodly men (3:7).

The Longsuffering of the Lord Jesus is

Pardon for the believer
Punishment for those who refuse to believe

Jesus Christ is both PARDONER and PUNISHER.

In 2^nd Peter, Jesus Christ is the Ultimate Giver (of Power, Provisions and Promises), the DELIVERER of the godly and DAMNER of the ungodly, the PARDONING and PATIENT Longsuffering Lord and the PUNISHER of the ungodly.

Jesus in the NT :: 1st Peter

By Mano Paul

On January 10, 2012

In Christian

The book of 1st Peter gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

While the book of James informs us about the end state of persecution avering that persecution produces patience and patience results in perfection; a character and conduct that is beyond reproach like that of Jesus Christ, 1^st Peter establishes the fact that “Suffering is to be expected; It is a given”. It likens the devil to be like that of a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, and likens persecution to be like that of a kin (a relative), counseling us that we must not consider it to be strange when fiery trials try you.

1^st Peter teaches us about the process to adopt as one has to deal with persecution/suffering. There are primarily two ways that we can respond. We can either submit or we can struggle. While, submission to God results in growth, struggling and strife results in grumbling.

The book covers five-fold submission that we need to follow.

Citizens to the Government (King/Lord)
Servant to Master
Wife to Husband
Husband to Wife
Christians to one another

Let us look this five-fold submission briefly as we delve into the Scripture to see who Christ is in the Scripture in the book of 1^st Peter.

SUBMISSION MODEL: Citizens to the Government (King/Lord)
Where is our Citizenship? Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20)
Who is the Governor then? For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and of the increase of His government and peace, there shall be no end. (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus Christ is the Governor.We need to submit to His authority and not refuse Him or rebel against Him.
What happens to those who rebel against the Governor?
They are tried for treason and branded as traitors and are usually punished. Those who reject Jesus Christ, are reserved unto Judgment is what the Bible teaches us. Jesus Christ is Governor, He is Lord.
SUBMISSION MODEL: Servant to Master
Not only is Jesus Lord, He is also the Master. In fact, Jesus tells his disciples, as recorded in John 13:13-14; you call me Master and Lord and ye say well, if I then your Lord and Master have washed your feet, ye also ought to do likewise.
Did you notice the purposeful reversal? They called Him Master and Lord, but He purposefully reversed the order when He said, if I then your Lord first and then Master. Jesus is Lord first (to be worshipped) and then Master (to be served).When the devil tried to tempt Jesus Christ and asked him to fall down and worship him, Jesus replied that “Only the Lord your God must thou worship and serve”. (Matthew 4:9-10) See the devil asked the Lord Jesus Christ only to worship him, not serve him, but Jesus put both worship and service together. We cannot worship God without serving Him and we cannot serve God without worshipping Him. Worship and service are two sides of the same coin; inseparable.We must submit as citizens to the Lord in worship and as servants to the Master in service so that when we face Jesus Christ, the MASTER face to face, He will be able to give us the highest accolade one can ever receive, which is “Well done, my good and faithful servant”.
SUBMISSION MODEL: Wife to Husband and
SUBMISSION MODEL: Husband to Wife
The submission of a wife to a husband and a husband to a wife is practically possible only when both submit to the Lord. The Bible says that a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).Cliff Richards the singer aptly sang this
You and me and Jesus, Jesus me and you,
On our own, we’d break, with Him, we will make it through
Jesus, take us make us, what you want us both to be
I give myself to her, She gives herself to me.
We must submit to our spouse, sacrificially with full of Love.
SUBMISSION MODEL : Christians to one another
In other words, we acknowledge each member of the body for which Christ Jesus is the Head, and in humility, considering the other to be better, we submit without conceit or vain glory, being united in Christ, forgiving each other and giving for each other, and serving all saints.

So we have seen so far, Jesus Christ is the Governor (Lord), the Master, the bonding agent of marital relationships, and the Head of the Church. But there is more. In 1^st Peter, Jesus is

the sinless one (2:22)
the submissive one (2:23)
the shouldering one (2:23) who bore our sins
the substituting one (2:24) who gave us life freely instead of the death we deserved
the stripped one (2:24) so that we may be clothed in righteousness
the Chief Shepherd (2:25) that brings his straying sheep back into his fold
the soul bishop (2:25) or the overseer of our souls

And in the book that talks so much about suffering, we see that Jesus is the example, the role model of suffering (2:21). He suffered because He humbly submitted Himself to God saying, “Your will be done.”

Jesus was chosen to suffer (Isaiah 53) but we are called to suffer (4:16) and when we suffer, let us respond by submitting to the Lordship of Christ and asking for His will to be done in our lives.

In 1^st Peter, Jesus Christ is the Governor Lord, the Master, the Bonding agent of marital relationships, the Head of the Church and the Suffering servant.

Jesus in the NT :: James

By Mano Paul

On January 9, 2012

In Christian

The book of James gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

This book is a book of diverse topics but it is predominantly a book which provides an exegesis on Faith. As we look at Christ in the Scripture, in the book of James, we learn that Jesus is the very essence and source of Faith.

The Bible asserts in Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. John 1:1 establishes the fact that “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God”. If faith comes by hearing & hearing by the Word of God we can say, faith comes by hearing; hearing Jesus, because Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh and dwelt among men. In other words, Jesus is the very essence and SOURCE of our faith.

James 5:7 says, Behold the HUSBANDMAN (Farmer) awaits the fruit of his harvest. A farmer looks forward to the harvest but you don’t see a farmer reap too early or too late. At the appointed time when the harvest is due, He will return and harvest with his laborers.

When Jesus returns, He will return as a husbandman, as a farmer that will command his angels to reap the Wheat (believers) who have died to self and have been fruitful or who have chosen to live for self and been fruitless, and also the Weeds (unbelievers) who never put their faith in him or who departed from it, rewarding each according to their faith in action. Faith pins one’s HOPE for the return of the Lord.

In James, Jesus Christ is the SOURCE of our faith, and the husbandman who will return for his harvest.

Points to ponder:
Do you have faith; faith in action? Are you ready for Jesus Christ’s return as the husbandman?

Jesus in the NT :: Hebrews

By Mano Paul

On January 6, 2012

In Christian

The book of Hebrews gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

The book of Hebrews is predominantly for the Hall of Faith super stars in Chapter 11, but in the book of Hebrews we see the greatest superstar of all – Jesus Christ as the very author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

In the book of Hebrews, Jesus Christ is the
H – Heir (appointed) of all things (1:2) & High Priest of our Profession (3:1) in the Order of Melchizedek (7:17)
E – Expressed image of God’s person (1:3)
B – Brother of the sanctified (2:11) & look alike brethren (2:17)
R – Reconciler of sins (2:17) & the Resurrected one (13:20)
E – Everlasting One (1:12)
W – Worthy of glory [more than of Moses] (3:3)
S – Sinless (4:15) Savior (7:25) who is Superior/Better than ALL

He is better than
– Angels (Spiritual) for they worship Him (1:4-6)
– Moses (Physical) for He created him/builder is greater than the building (3:1-6)
– Priests (Religious) for His sacrifice was once and for all (chapter 10)
– Law (legal) for He is the mediator of a better covenant (8:6,10,12)

Hebrews 2:14-15 states that Jesus is the destroyer of the devil (the god of this world) and that he has delivered us from the power of the devil, which is the fear of death. The devil is a Lame Duck. Lame duck in political terms is an elected official who is approaching the end of his or her tenure, and especially an official whose successor has already been elected. Jesus Christ destroyed the Devil. He is the one elected of God to reign in this world and the world to come.

In Hebrews, Jesus Christ is destroyer of the devil, the deliverer from death and is BETTER than ALL (spiritual (angels), moses (physical), priests (religious) and law (legal)), He is the author and finisher of our FAITH.

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
¹⁴Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
¹⁵And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Jesus in the NT :: Philiemon

By Mano Paul

On January 5, 2012

In Christian

The book of Philemon gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

Though this is the shortest of Paul’s letters (1 chapter and 25 verses), the very essence of Philemon, which is friendship, forgiveness and restoration, is analogous to what Jesus has done for us. But before we delve into the crux of this account recorded in Philemon, I want to draw you attention to one thing. The word of the Year for year 2009 was “Unfriend” and pitifully it was said to have current and potential longevity. The reason I say this, is because, in this world, we may have the need to Unfriend someone; but in Christ and His people, is not only TRUE friendship spoken of, but TOTAL friendship can be experienced.

Philemon is the account of a friend, who sticks closer than a brother; of forgiveness and restoration. It was written by Paul to one of his fellow laborers (1:1), Philemon, to whom Paul begs to take back Onesimus, a runaway slave, who was converted to be a follower of Jesus Christ by Paul. Paul refers to Onesimus the slave, as his son (1:10) whom he had begotten and beseeches Philemon, stating that though Onesimus was once unprofitable to Philemon, he is now profitable to both Philemon and Paul. Paul tells Philemon, “I will personally be responsible for His debt and if thou regard me a partner, receive Him as a brother of mine, receive Him as myself”

Jesus told his disciples, I know longer call you my servants (slaves) but my friends (John 15:15), but after his resurrection, he told the woman, Go tell my brothers (not just friends) (Matthew 28:10) to go to Galilee where they shall see me.

Philemon 1:25 showcases Jesus as the GRACIOUS ONE. We are the prodigal runaway slaves (of and to sin). Jesus tells God, I am personally responsible for their debt (Father, forgive their debts for they know not what they do) and if you regard me your partner (for you and I are one), then receive them as my brothers [or sisters]; receive them as you would receive me (your beloved son, with whom you are well pleased).

Jesus takes us who are:
– Trash, and makes us His Treasure.
– Unprofitable to man, and makes us Profitable to God and man.
– Slaves to sin, and makes us Sons of God. He makes us Sons (and Daughters of God), so God the Just can receive us.

In Philemon, Jesus Christ is not only a friend who sticks closer than a brother, but our brother, the gracious one, who makes us who are runaway slaves into sons of God.

Points to ponder:
Do you need a FRIEND who will never forsake you nor leave you. You can find that friendship in none other than Jesus Christ.

Jesus in the NT :: Titus

By Mano Paul

On January 4, 2012

In Christian

The book of Titus gives us a glimpse of who Jesus is in the New Testament (N.T).

The book of Titus is a leadership manual with established standards and protocols to follow. It was written by Apostle Paul to a fledgling church in the Mediterranean island of Crete, whose residents (the Cretans) had a personality in the 6th Century, as recorded by their own philosopher Epimenides, which isn’t altogether different from our days, with many of our own personalities i.e., Cretans are known to be liars, beasts (wild animals) and slow bellies (lazy gluttons). And in this context, the Scripture establishes the fact that there is ONLY ONE TRUTH i.e., ONE STANDARD. Jesus said, I am the TRUTH, in other words, He was saying that He is THE STANDARD. See when Jesus said, ‘Anyone who looks at a woman with lust is guilty of adultery or who hates his brother is guilty of murder’, He was not establishing a new standard, instead, in essence, He was expressing that He was the standard i.e., On OUR OWN you and I DON’T STAND A CHANCE.

So as we look at Jesus Christ in the Scripture from the book of Titus, Titus 2:13-14 shows Him as the BLESSED hope (for you and me), the one who will APPEAR gloriously (not only will He appear gloriously, but He will be the glorious one appearing), the GREAT God, our SAVIOR Jesus Christ who GAVE Himself for us (Jesus showed up empty handed to the Sacrifice).

Why did Jesus do this? So that He can REDEEM us from ALL iniquity and PURIFY us (unto Himself as a peculiar people), zealous of good works.

The process of being redeemed and being purified is by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5-6).
When washed – we are made Clean
When regenerated – we are made New (a new creation; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
When renewed – we are made New each day (for His mercies are new every morning; Lamentations 3:22-23)

First time, Jesus appeared as the Grace of God (our Savior); Second time, He will appear as the Glory of God (our King).

In Titus, Jesus Christ is the Standard, our Savior & soon coming King in glory, who purifies us from ALL sin by making us CLEAN, NEW and RENEWED.

Points to ponder:
Have you been redeemed and purified by the blood of Jesus Christ?
And if you have, we are saved by grace, called to do good works. Are you and I zealous of good works?

Titus 2:13-14 (KJV)
¹³Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
¹⁴Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 3:4-7 (KJV)
⁴But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
⁵Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
⁶Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
⁷That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Month: January 2012 Page 2 of 3

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