God Made His Son Christ a Man

2008-06-28 20:13

God made His Son Christ a man in order to free and bring into the kingdom of the Father all the children who all their lives were held in slavery to the body of sin and death. It is written, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons." (Galatians 4:4-5).

By that will, God made His Son Christ be like Abraham's children, all those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. He was not only made like men, but he also did away with sin through the cross for all men. It is written, "Do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to men who know the law--that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?" (Romans 7:1). And also, "...But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself." (Hebrews 9:26).

Therefore, the Bible says, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

One died for all, and was raised for all. This is the will of God. It is written, "Then I said, 'Here I am--it is written about me in the scroll--I have come to do your will, O God.'" (Hebrews 10:7).

Here are the combination with faith and the mystery of faith. This is the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls: I died with him by faith in his dying for me, and I was raised with him by faith in his being raised for me. It is written, "for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:9).

Therefore, Jesus died with me, and was raised with me. It is written, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1). And also, "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" (Romans 1:17).

Therefore, there is my death in the death Jesus died, and my life in the life he lives. The Bible says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10).

The beginning and end of a slave are in his master. It is written, "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30). For those who believe in him, there is no other thing to be finished except these words.

Where the head is, there is the body. It is written, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5).

Because the children who are born of God with Christ Jesus are all of one, our Lord Jesus, by the will of God the Father, was become the firstborn among many brothers and bore their sins in his own body. And so, he himself said about the eternal brothers, "...Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17).

Therefore, the Bible said, "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, 'I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.' And again, 'I will put my trust in him.' And again he says, 'Here am I, and the children God has given me.' Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Hebrews 2:11-18).

Therefore, it is written, "If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!" (1 Corinthians 16:22). And so, we ought to love Jesus forever and ever. The name of Jesus will be forever and ever! Amen. Thank you, Lord.