Author: Randy

Adoption

In Ephesians 3:1-14 we are given amazing insight into the position and possessions of every believer in Jesus Christ as we are identified with Christ. Verse 5 tells us:
…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…
Today, the word “adoption” may bring to mind the image of babies taken into families into which they were not physically born, but that is not what Paul had in mind.
The word υἱοθεσία could be translated as “placing a son” and it was a process for an adult who was being officially placed within the family.
The “placed” son was given all the rights of an heir and a complete removal of his previous legal identity, including all debts which were held against him.
Not only this, the “placed son” was given access to the family accounts and the authority to represent the family legally.
Once this process took place the effects were permanent, and even the birth of a legitimate heir could not abrogate the rights of the adopted – or legally placed – son.
All this was given wholly by God’s amazing Grace.

The LORD is One

Deuteronomy 6:4 contains the famous Hebrew prayer known as the Shema.
In English, it reads:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

The word Echad is the word translated as “one”
This is the profound declaration of Biblical monotheism. But the word “echad” has some very special meaning for us to discover.
The word “echad” is used in Scripture to describe something of many parts that come together to form one complete unit.
We see this in Genesis 2:24 when God creates the man and the woman and it is declared:
Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
This verse speaks of two separate people coming together to be ONE flesh
In the Shema, God reveals something very special about His nature. From the rest of Scripture, we know the three persons of this Divine Unity to be the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Behold – The Lord your God, The Lord is one.

You have EVERYTHING you need!

Peter opens his second letter by writing:
2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 2 Peter 1:2-3 NASB
God’s divine power is the ability that is uniquely his as the God of the universe.
He exercised this power to grant us something…
“granted” here translates the Greek word doreomai which means “to give or to bestow”
It is here in the perfect tense – meaning it was given in the past with ongoing effects into the present – this gift is already in your possession.
What is given? – “Everything that is needed for life and godliness…”
That is correct- you have everything needed to live an abundant life.
This provision is through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The word “knowledge” here translates the Greek word “epignosis” which is intimate, full, integrated knowledge…like the way you know your best friend or closest family member.
God has given you all that you need to live for Him in His perfect personal provision for you in Jesus Christ.

The Umpire of your Soul

Paul gives believers important advice in Colossians 3:15, writing:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…
“Let” here does not mean that this is optional – this is what the Holy Spirit wants for every believer.
Peace translates the word Iraynay. In the Bible, peace does not mean a simple absence of conflict, but a wholeness – a fullness –a total lack of want or need.
The total sufficiency of God is to “rule” in our hearts – which is our whole mental, emotional and volitional inner self – is what is in view here.
The word “rule” here translates the Greek “ βραβεύω “ which means to rule as a judge, or even as a umpire calls a game.
As we go through our time on this planet we will do best by submitting our thoughts, our feelings and our will totally to the absolute sufficiency of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Hope

The word Hope is used throughout the Bible, but often we think of it in a modern way that implies optimism towards a desired outcome. The idea carried in the scriptures in places like 1 Peter 1:13 where Peter tells us to, “…fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.“ is an idea of faith applied to a future outcome. It has a weight of certainty, not desire.

The Way, The Truth, The Life

In John 14:6 Jesus makes a statement, saying:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Each of the three essence claims is preceded by the definite article – the Word “the”
In Greek, as in English, the definite article denotes specificity, and In cases such as this – exclusivity
Jesus is making specific and exclusive claim to be the only way, the only truth and the only life.
Notice:
Jesus Doesn’t show the way…He IS the way
Jesus Doesn’t know the Truth…He IS the truth
Jesus Doesn’t have the life…He IS the life
This verse closes with Jesus’ claim to be the only access point to God the Father.
Jesus is not just a good teacher to heed and obey…
He is the Savior, Whom we can know personally through faith in His sacrifice for us.