“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord”
Philippians 3:8
Our eternal destinies hinge on our understanding of Jesus Christ. “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” wrote the beloved disciple, “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9). In His High Priestly prayer, the Lord declared that “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). The Son reveals the Father to us (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:1-3); “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). John wrote of Christians everywhere that “we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). Our Lord not only showed us what God is like, He showed us that God is absolutely unlike anything fallen, unregenerate man could have imagined. He showed us that even though God is infinitely greater than man can even begin to comprehend, He nevertheless cares for man, reveals Himself to him, and makes man the special object of His redemptive love. This came to maximal expression at incarnation, when the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity took a human nature in order to rescue us from our sins. No imaginary pagan deity was ever thought to exist or operate like that. Our God is love, and God in Christ loved and offered aid even to those He knew would reject Him (Mark 10:21; John 1:11). He was moved with compassion when He saw crowds of people, helpless and harassed, like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Since He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), we can be sure He is moved with compassion at our trials also. We are invited to cast our cares upon Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He is our faithful and merciful High Priest, the One who sympathizes with the feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:10). He forever remains our Good Shepherd Who leads, guides, protects and provides (John 10:10-18). He is our Advocate (1 John 2:1) and Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), the One Who intercedes with His Father on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). He is the supreme object of our attention, worship, obedience and devotion. He is our Father (Isaiah 9:6) in that He replaces Adam as our progenitor and representative (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). He is our brother in that He shares a human nature with us (Hebrews 2:11-13). The Son of God is the heir of all things and we are joint-heirs with Him (Hebrews 1:2; Romans 8:16-17). Praise God for His Beloved Son in Whom we are complete (Colossians 2:10)!
God bless,
Pastor John
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