Jesus Whom We Believe In

2011-03-31 22:18

Jesus whom we believe in is the only love of God. He did not spare the love but gave it to the world so that He might love us all who believe in Jesus as He had loved His Son. It is written, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32).

Jesus, who came into the world according to that will, said about those who accept him and belive in him, "I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:22-23).

In the world, there is only one who accomplished the glory of salvation: Jesus whom we believe in. Though much fruit is on a tree, there is the order in which each fruit ripes. And there is no ripe fruit yet, except Jesus, the man who came as the Son of God.

Therefore, the Bible said about this Jesus, "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death." (1 Corinthians 15:22-26).

God appointed this Jesus as the author of our faith, whom we believe in. And Jesus became the Lord of our hope, who makes us perfect like him. It is written, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).

Now, the only joy set before us is the faith in Jesus, the only one who finished all his work. Faith is not believing what we see, but believing what we do not see. And so the Bible says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (Hebrews 11:1-2).

Therefore, the Book of Truth says, "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:20-25).

The faith in Jesus is being sure of what we hope for--of Jesus who became the firstfruits in God. Until the substance of things hoped for becomes the substance, we should wait in the patience of Christ. One can be tired waiting alone, but we will not be tired waiting together. And so the Bible said, "Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:11-12). And the Lord Jesus himself also said, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20).

Therefore, it is written about the confession of faith in Jesus, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25).

And also it is written, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12). And also, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12). And finally, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

"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). And so, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Hebrews 10:39). Amen. Thank you, Lord.