Close Fellowship With God

This is the written account of the descendants of Adam. When God created human beings, He made them to be like Himself. He (God) created them male and female, and He blessed them and called them “human.” When Adam was 130 years old, he became the father of a son who was just like him—in his very image. He named his son Seth. After the birth of Seth, Adam lived another 800 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Adam lived 930 years, and then he died. . . . When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him. When Methuselah was 187 years old, he became the father of Lamech. After the birth of Lamech, Methuselah lived another 782 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Methuselah lived 969 years, and then he died. Genesis 5:1-5, 5:21-27 (NLT)

After the sin of Adam and Eve, God banished the first humans from the Garden of Eden and the tree of life (Genesis 3:23-24) and human death came into the world. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s first command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:3). “The Lord God commanded . . ., ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die’” (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV). However, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s clear command and ate from the tree (Genesis 3:6).  From this disobedience, all humans are now subject to death (Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:19) and God’s Word was fully correct (see also Romans 5:12-19).

Next, Adam and Eve had their first child, Cain. When Eve gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” (Genesis 4:1, NLT). Eve acknowledged that God is the ultimate source of all life as the Lord of heaven and earth (Acts 17:24-26). Then, Eve gave birth to Cain’s brother, Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground (Genesis 4:2). Abel and Cain offered a sacrifice to God. Abel offered a sacrifice that pleased God, while Cain's sacrifice was found unacceptable to God. Why God preferred Abel’s sacrifice offering to Cain’s offering is uncertain. In the Old Testament, God accepted both animal and agricultural offerings.  Quite possibly, Cain’s problem was his heart attitude, and not his offering to God. Motivation and heart attitude are all-important to God. Cain became instantly angry with God when things did not go his way. The Holy Bible indicated that Cain attacked and murdered his brother Abel due to his evil attitudes of anger, deception, falsehood, sin, and jealous (Genesis 4:3-9; see also 1 John 3:11-12).  

Later, Adam and Eve gave birth to another son to carry on the family line. Eve named him “Seth” for she said, “God has granted (or appointed) me another son in place of Abel, whom Cain killed” (Genesis 4:25, NLT). Seth was the “appointed” by God as a replacement for “righteous Abel” (Matthew 23:35; see also Hebrews 11:4). Also, Seth is a confirmation of God’s faithfulness and grace to the promise of a righteous “Seed” to defeat evil (Genesis 3:15). Seth took Abel's role as leader of a line of God's faithful people and God’s grace became evident to the people (see also Romans 5:20-21). Through Seth’s family line came Noah, Abraham and ultimately our Savior, Jesus Christ (Luke 3:36–38). When Seth grew up, he had a son he named “Enosh”. With the birth of Enosh, people first began depending on God by “praying and worshiping in the Name of God” (Genesis 4:26, MSG).   

Another shining example of Seth’s descendent is Enoch (Genesis 5:18). Enoch occupied the seventh place in Genesis 5’s genealogy from Adam and is called righteous (Genesis 5:22; see also Jude 14–15). The Holy Bible declared that Enoch walked in a closed fellowship with God like Noah (Genesis 5:22-24; see also Genesis 6:9) and Enoch’s close fellowship with God pleased Him (Hebrews 11:5). Even more amazing, Enoch’s righteous life resulted in God’s saving him from physical death. All the biographies in Genesis chapters 4 and 5 end with the words, “And then he died.” However, Enoch’s biography was the exception – Enoch did not die. “Enoch walked with God; one day Enoch could not be found, because God took him” (Genesis 5:24, NCV). In essence, Enoch did not die; God raptured Enoch away to heaven into His presence. In the life of Enoch, God’s grace was reigning (Romans 5:20–21). Enoch believed God (Hebrews 11:5–6) and faithfully walked with God in a close relationship in the midst of a godless society (Jude 14–15). The New Testament honored Enoch as an example of faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:5–6) - walking in close fellowship with God. Even more amazing, Enoch fathered Methuselah, the oldest man mentioned in the Bible—lived 969 years (Genesis 5:27). Methuselah possessed the longest life span of any man in history. As we seek God, we find life (see Amos 5:4-6, 14). “This is what the Lord says . . . Seek Me and live; . . . Seek the Lord and live . . . .  Seek good, not evil, that you may live. . . .  Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts” (Amos 5:4, 6, 14-15, NIV).

The only other person never to experience death is the prophet Elijah (2 Kings 2:11). Like Enoch, God simply took Elijah into His heavenly presence without dying. Thus, both Enoch and Elijah were taken to heaven bodily without passing through physical death which was imposed upon the rest of humans (Romans 5:12-19; see also Hebrews 9:27). This is the “blessed hope” of all faithful and holy believers of God (Titus 2:11–14). Even more, those alive at Jesus Christ’s second coming (advent) will experience such deliverance from death (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).

Walking with God starts a person on a beautiful lifetime journey. So, how do we walk close with God? First of all, a close and personal relationship with God requires daily devotional time and communication with Him (see Psalm 5:3). God wants to be our FIRST true love each day – before our spouses, family, friends, church relationships, and work (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 6:33). The greatest commandment of the Holy Bible is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38, NIV). As we commit our continual love and fellowship with God, we will also have an abundant and joyous relationship with our spouses, family, friends, churches and work (Matthew 6:25-34). A breakdown of daily trust and communication with God causes disruptions and evil to enter into our hearts (see Genesis 3:8). How do we communication with God?  Humans communicate and fellowship with God through daily prayer, reading God’s Word (the Holy Bible), and listening for God’s divine response (see 1 Samuel 3:3–15; Psalm 103–105; Psalm 119:9–16; Matthew 7:7-8). Daily Bible reading and prayer help us grow closer to God and to flee evil temptations (see Proverbs 3:6; John 6:33–35; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:5-11).  

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed His approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him. Hebrews 11:1-6 (NLT)

References

Believer’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.

Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

Obey God and RUN From Sin!

Now the serpent was more crafty (cunning) than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:1-11 (NIV)

Genesis 3 records the tragic story of the great fall of humankind, also called the original sin.  The effects of the great fall reached God’s entire created earth, including humans and animals (Genesis 3:14, 16-19). Thus, sin did not come from some defect in creation; God put the entire earth under a curse because of great fall of humans (Romans 8:18-22). What was the great fall? The great fall came from human rebellion against God’s first command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:3). “The Lord God commanded . . ., ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die’” (Genesis 2:16-17, NIV). However, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s clear command and ate from the tree (Genesis 3:6).

Since that first disobedience to God’s command, all humans are now born into a sinful and cursed world (Genesis 3:17-19; see also Romans 8:18-22). Even worse, all humans inherit Adam and Eve’s sinful nature – a nature naturally opposed to God and God’s moral law (see Psalm 51:5; Psalm 58:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 5:15-19; Romans 7:18). “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12, NLT). In essence, all humans are affected by sin – our intellect, our emotions, our desires, and our motives – because we all naturally inherit Adam and Eve’s sinful nature (the tendency to sin and rebel against God) (Romans 5:12, 15-19). The Holy Scriptures are clear: “There is no one who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46); “There is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3); “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); and “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).

Since Genesis 3, the entire Holy Bible explains the true story of God’s gracious redemption – fixing and repairing sinful humans living in a cursed world. God first sought to repair humans by setting forth His moral law (e.g., the Ten Commandments), sending His messengers (the prophets) to turn people’s hearts to God, and then finally sending His only Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:15-21). God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ into the world to save the world from sin and the curse (Genesis 3:15). In fact, through faith and acceptance in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, God offers us freedom from ALL sin and sins’ consequences (Romans 8:1) and we become God’s holy children (John 1:10-14). Because of Jesus Christ, we can trade our sinful tendency and judgment for Jesus Christ’s righteousness forgiveness (Romans 5:15-19). Faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ offers us humans the opportunity to be born into God’s spiritual family — a family line that leads to goodness, eternal life, and forgiveness.  Jesus Christ is “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45–49) and He brings salvation, deliverance, and life (Romans 5:12–21; see also Romans 8:14-17). As mentioned earlier, in the first Adam we were born to die but in Jesus Christ, the second Adam, we now have eternal life, God’s goodness, salvation, and wisdom. The apostle Paul tells us that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3) – without any distinction among our past, present, and future sins. The apostle Peter states “Christ carried our sins in His body on the Cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right” (1 Peter 2:24, NCV). If we do sin, we can sincerely and quickly “confess” our sins to God and God promises to forgive our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Apostle Paul:  For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. . . . For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because One other Person (Jesus Christ) obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:15-19 (NLT)

Apostle John:  Dear children, do not let anyone lead you the wrong way. Christ is all that is right. So to be like Christ a person must do what is right. The devil has been sinning since the beginning, so anyone who continues to sin belongs to the devil. The Son of God came for this purpose: to destroy the devil’s work. Those who are God’s children do not continue sinning, because the new life from God remains in them. They are not able to go on sinning, because they have become children of God. So we can see who God’s children are and who the devil’s children are: Those who do not do what is right are not God’s children, and those who do not love their brothers and sisters are not God’s children. 1 John 3:7-10 (NCV)

Second Corinthians 11:3 states that the evil of Genesis 3 targeted Eve's mind through falsehoods, deception, and trickery. In fact, a true sign of evil will always display signs of lies, scheming, falsehoods, deception, half-truths, fraudulence, and trickery (John 8:44). Evil hates truth, honesty, and goodness because God is truth and goodness (1 Chronicles 16:34-35; John 3:33; Romans 3:4). God tells His people when they see signs or fruit of evil (e.g. falsehoods, deception, fraudulence) to RUN or flee (Amos 5:14; see also Matthew 7:15-23). “Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! . . . Hate evil and love what is good” (Amos 5:14-15, NLT). Evil will always bring destruction, hurt, curses, death, and suffering (John 10:10). ). Evil comes “to steal and kill and destroy” while God comes to bring a good life (John 10:10; see also Genesis 1:31).

Moreover, evil wants people to question God, doubt God’s commands, and distrust God’s goodness (Genesis 3:1). Evil know that God is good and God provides for His people. God had already given Adam and Eve the right to abundantly or “freely eat” of all the trees of the Garden (Genesis 2:16). In other words, God has already given Adam and Eve so much good to enjoy in the Garden and provided for all their needs. For Adam and Eve’s own good and protection, God only prohibited or said “no” two trees:  tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17) and the tree of life (Genesis 3:22-24).Yet, evil wants us to question God’s eternal truthfulness and goodness. God is always good and faithful (1 Corinthian 10:13). He loves us (John 3:16). God’s goodness endures forever (1 Chronicles 16:34). So, NEVER DOUBT GOD’S GOODNESS!  Instead we must be thankful and content with God’s daily provisions and goodness for our life (Matthew 6:11, 25-34; Philippians 4:11-13 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). As the apostle Paul stated “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. . . . I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11-13, NIV).

God does not want us to “covet” or be greedy (Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; 1 John 2:16). Greed or covetousness is idolatry. The apostle Paul said that greed is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). The things that humans get greedy for – money, sex, power, popularity and even food – can be little gods. When we feel depressed or sad, we turn to these gods for our comfort. When we feel happy, we give these gods the credit instead of the true and living God. Only God (Yahweh) must be worshipped, obeyed, and trusted (Deuteronomy 6:13). God promises He will never leave us or forsake us; He will provide all our needs (Hebrews 13:5-6; Philippians 4:13).

When Jesus Christ was approached by evil (Matt. 4:1-11), He answered evil’s lies and tricks with God's truthful Word (see Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 6:16; Deuteronomy 6:13). Three times Jesus Christ affirmed, “It is written!” Evil wants to deceive our minds and sight (2 Corinthians 11:3) by “baiting the hook” with what seems good. But we can all defeat evil by using the spiritual weapons God provides His people (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). We can all overcome evil and temptation by having faith in God, putting on the armor God provides (Ephesians 6:10–18), using the Word of God, praying for God’s strength and guidance (1 Corinthians 10:13), and by depending on God’s Holy Spirit. Adam and Eve surrendered to evil’s tempting offer (Genesis 3:1–7).

Apostle Paul:  Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

The Holy Scriptures are repeatedly tells us of the blessings and rewards that come to those who do not give into evil temptation but obeys God’s command (see 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16-17; Proverbs 21:3; Isaiah 1:11-17; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33; Hebrews 10:8-9; James 1:12). Obedience to God and God’s commands always brings life and God’s goodness (Deuteronomy 11:12-13; Deuteronomy 30:1-20; Amos 5:14). Positive results come with obedience to God. Nevertheless, disastrous consequences always flow from evil, disobedience, and rebellion against God and God’s commands. So, “run away from the evil . . . . Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22, NCV). Receiving God’s goodness takes an active faith and courage to do what is right. Run or flee evil and run to God!

All of God and God’s commands are good and for our own good (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We may not always understand the reasons behind God and God’s commands but we must TRUST that God has a good reason (Romans 8:28). So, we must live and walk by FAITH in God and God’s Words and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Sadly Adam and Eve sinned because they were attracted to the fruit of the forbidden tree and walked by sight and not by faith in God's command. As we learned from Genesis 3, obedience to God and God’s Word keep us in the circle of God's goodness and blessings. All God's commands are good and brings God’s goodness to those who obey them (Psalm 119:39; Proverbs 6:20-23; 1 John 5:3). In fact, Solomon learned that the entire meaning of life can be summed up in two verses:  “Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NLT).

References

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Word in Life Study Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs. Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 2005.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Wiersbe, Warren. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.

Who Created God?

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 (NLT)

God was “in the beginning” of all creation and all human time. As Creator, God created the universe, the earth and everything on the earth, and all living creatures. Many people debate the true fact that God created the heavens and the earth. In fact, Genesis 1 is the most challenging and debated thoughts confronting the human mind. Was there a sudden explosion? Or, did the earth just evolve over billions of years as a process? Almost every religion has a story to explain how the earth came into existence. And, most scientists have given an opinion on earth’s origins. Yet, humans may never know all the answers as to how God created the earth. Although humans – no matter how intelligent – may not understand the complexity of just how the earth was created, the Holy Bible states that God is the beginning of all created life. As personal Creator, everything in existence was and is dependent upon God (Colossians 1:15–17). God gives to all earth and humankind “life and breath and everything” (Acts 17:25). Life did not happen by chance but by a living and loving God who carefully designed the universe, the earth, and humans.

The true and living God is eternal or timeless – the Great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end, “the Alpha and the Omega . . .  who is and who was and who is to come” (Revelation 1:8; see also Revelation 21:6). God has neither a beginning nor an ending because He existed before time and creation began. He was working “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), and He sovereignly rules over all human history. The prophet Moses wrote, “Before the mountains were born, before You gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, You are God”(Psalms 90:2, NLT). The prophet Habakkuk said that God was “from everlasting” and “eternal” (Habakkuk 1:12; Habakkuk 3:6), and the apostle Paul called God “the everlasting [eternal] God” (Romans 16:26; see also 1 Timothy. 1:17).

God is the eternal Lord and Ruler of the past, present, and future (Revelation 4:8; see also Isaiah 44:6; Isaiah 48:12-15). Thus, God was not created and He never came into existence. God is eternally present and all around us in the natural world (Romans 1:19-20; see also Psalm 19:1-4; Psalm 29:3-9). He is infinite and knows no limitations in either time or space. God is from everlasting to everlasting (see also Psalm 93:2; Proverbs 8:23). Even more, God is totally self-sufficient and needs nothing more than Himself to exist or to act. Because of God’s sufficiency, God is all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), everywhere present (omnipresent), transcendent (supreme), and unchanging (ageless). Most important, God is not dead but is truly alive (Psalm 10:4). 

The God of Genesis is the only true God and He has no “rival gods” (see Exodus 15:1; Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 1 Kings 8:60; Psalm 18:31). This one true God exists as three Persons (Trinity):  God the Father and God the Son (Jesus Christ or the Word) and God the Holy Spirit. The Trinity does not mean that one God demonstrates Himself in three different forms, or that there are three gods. Instead, the facts of the Trinity mean that one God exists in three Persons. Each Person of God is equal in Their attributes and yet individual and distinct in Their offices and ministries. The truth (doctrine) of the Trinity was not often discussed in the Old Testament but clearly revealed in the New Testament by Jesus Christ and His apostles (e.g., see Genesis 1:1-3; Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:18-20; John 1:1-14; John 3:34-35).

The Triune God was “In the beginning God” (Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-14). In the counsels of eternity, the Triune God created the universe, our earth, and humans. The Trinity determined to create a world that included humans made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-28). According to Ephesians 1:3-14, the plan of human salvation is an act of Trinity: we are chosen by God the Father (Ephesians 1:3-6), purchased by God the Son (Ephesians 1:7-12), and sealed by God the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14) for God’s glory (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14). These actions reveal God’s love for humans (John 3:16). All humans need to receive God’s eternal love and forgiveness is faith (acceptance and trust) in the Triune God (John 1:12-18). God wants everyone to love and know Him because He so loves and cares for us without measure and distinction (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 5:45; John 1:12-18; John 3:16). Although God is the Creator, God is also close to every one of us (Acts 17:27-28). God is sovereign and all powerful, while at the same time He is close, personal, and forgiving to all who humbly and wholehearted seek Him as God. Best of all, we can all personally know the eternal God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said that eternal life was found in knowing Him and knowing “the only true God” who sent Him (John 17:3). Only a life lived loving and obeying God has real meaning, significance, and eternal purpose (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Then Paul stood before the meeting of the Areopagus and said . . . . “The God who made the whole world and everything in it is the Lord of the land and the sky. He does not live in temples built by human hands. This God is the One who gives life, breath, and everything else to people. He does not need any help from them; He has everything He needs. God began by making one person, and from him came all the different people who live everywhere in the world. God decided exactly when and where they must live. God wanted them to look for Him and perhaps search all around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any of us: ‘We live in Him. We walk in Him. We are in Him.’. . . Since we are God’s children, you must not think that God is like something that people imagine or make from gold, silver, or rock.” Acts 17:22, 24-29 (NCV)

References

KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1994.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Grudem, Wayne. Christian Beliefs. Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan, 2005.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Where Did Humans Come From?

Then God said, “Let Us make human beings in Our image, to be like Ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened. Genesis 1:26-30 (NLT)

The book of Genesis provides two different creation accounts. One account of creation is provided at Genesis 1:1-2:3 and another creation account is given at Genesis 2:4-4:26. Both creation accounts clearly state that the one true and living God created the heavens, the entire earth, and all living creatures, including humans (see also Ecclesiastes 11:5; Jeremiah 10:16). God “created the heavens and earth and put everything in place” (Isaiah 45:18, NLT). “By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen” (Hebrews 11:3, NLT). So, all humans owe our very existence to God. God has always been in existence as He is eternal or timeless (Psalm 90:2). Our world speaks to us of God, His eternal existence, His wisdom, and His supremacy (Romans 1:20; Psalm 19:1-3). God is indeed worthy of our wholehearted worship (Deuteronomy 6:13).

Importantly, God created humans in both His likeness and image. In other words, humans are gifted with the very “image of God” (Genesis 1:26). Our human body is God’s work of art. God did not make humans as a MISTAKE or accident to be aborted and mistreated! God made humans in love. Each human is God’s crowning work and worthy of love, honor, and respect (Psalm 8:4-8). God values humans and has created humans for His special and divine purpose (Psalm 139:13-16). Humans are wonderfully and beautifully made by God to reflect His image of love, holiness, and wisdom in the world (Ephesians 1:4-5). God wants our fellowship, love, and worship as our Creator (Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 13-15).Thus, humans enjoy a unique relationship with God over all other created things, including animals and plants

In God, we live and have our moral being (Acts 17:28). God breathed life into human bodies by His Holy Spirit (Genesis 2:7). God’s Holy Spirit continues to live within us through our acceptance and trust in His Son, Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we become God’s adopted child and He becomes our loving eternal Father with ALL God’s gracious blessings to enjoy (John 1:12; Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 1:3-14). Absolutely nothing can separate us from God’s loving-kindness and care as His child. As our living Father, God is always present (omnipresent) to love, guide, and protect daily (Psalm 139:1-12; Jeremiah 23:23-24). As Creator, God welcomes everyone to accept Him as Father and to receive His providential care and love without division (Matthew 5:45).

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when He adopted you as His own children. Now we call Him, “Abba, Father.” For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. . . .  Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:15-17, 38-39 (NLT)

The phrase “Let Us make . . . in Our image . . . like Ourselves” has many biblical scholars puzzled. Some biblical scholars argue this phrase is a meeting of the Heavenly Court (see also Genesis 3:22; Genesis 11:7; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Job 1:6-12; Job 2:1-6; Job 15:8; Isaiah 6:8; Jeremiah 23:18). However, other biblical scholars argue this phrase describes the Godhead – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit. At the beginning of creation, God the Father, God the Son – Jesus Christ (Word of God), and God the Holy Spirit were all actively involved in creation of the world (Genesis 1:1-3; see also Psalm 33:6; Psalm 104:29-30; John 1:1-10; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2). Nonetheless, all biblical scholars agree that the true and living God is speaking as the Creator-King and He is announcing His greatest work – human creation.

Sadly, all humans have been flawed by sin (Ephesian 4:18-19) because of the Original Sin or the Great Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, they immediately tarnished and damaged ALL humans (Romans 5:12-21). But through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the work of God’s Holy Spirit, we humans can have the divine and holy nature of God renewed from within (2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians  4:20-24; Colossians 3:9-10; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. . . . He (Adam) gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame. Genesis 2:7-8, 20-25 (NLT)

Reference

King James Version Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988.

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan,1992.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.

Bible Reading

Genesis 1 – 3

God’s Holy Word

But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You know they are true, because you trust those who taught you. Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right. Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be capable, having all that is needed to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (NCV)

The Holy Bible is God’s faithful and eternal true Word in written form. God’s Word was originally written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek by God’s Holy Spirit through human authors. This process is known as inspiration because God’s Holy Spirit was in complete control of the Holy Bible’s writing. Thus, the Holy Bible is “God-breathed” and eternally true. In our eagerness to learn the Holy Bible, we must never forget the Holy Bible’s purpose—to equip us to do good and right! Our knowledge of the Holy Bible should lead everyone to do good works in the world for God’s honor and glory (2 Timothy 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

The Holy Bible contains the complete divine answer to the deepest needs of humanity, gives light and wisdom in our human path, and instructs human on the path to our eternal well-being. With the help of God’s Holy Spirit, the Holy Bible can be read with ease by various kinds of people – young and old, highly educated and less well educated, ministers and laymen. Ultimately, the Holy Bible (also called Holy Scriptures) points to and provides everyone a fuller knowledge of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God of whom the Holy Bible so faithfully testifies.

The Holy Bible has two Testaments – the Old Testament and the New Testament. For the Old Testament, the standard language was Hebrew and Greek was the standard language of the New Testament. The Holy Bible must be read in its entirety to understand the full meaning to humanity and the eternal faithfulness of God. The Holy Bible has been written in many different translations and languages by imperfect men and women. Yet, the Holy Bible is eternally faithful and true in its entirety through the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

The first five books of the Holy Bible tell of the beginning of the Jewish race (Israel) and Israel’s culture. The next twelve books of the Holy Bible continue the history of Israel’s move into the Promised Land and establishments of a kingdom that lasted almost 500 years. Then, almost one-third of the Old Testament includes poetry. These poetry books explain the questions about human pain, God, life, and love. During the years when kings ruled Israel and Judah (Israel’s southern kingdom), God spoke through prophets. Though some prophets did predict future events, the prophets’ primary role was to call people back to the one true God (Yahweh).

The word “Gospel” means “Good News.” Almost half of the New Testament consists of four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ and the Good News He brought into the world as God’s incarnate Word. Each of these four books, or Gospels, has a different focus and different audience. Taken together, the four Gospels give a complete picture of the life of Jesus Christ and His teaching. About one-third of the Gospels are devoted to the events of Jesus Christ’s last week on earth, including His arrest, death by crucifixion, and resurrection.  The book of Acts continues the history of the period after Jesus Christ left human earth. The young church was nourished by the apostles of Jesus Christ. These apostles set down their teaching on Jesus Christ in a series of letters. The first thirteen such letters (Romans through Philemon) were written by the apostle Paul. Paul led the advance of the Christian faith to both the Jewish and non-Jewish (Gentiles) people. The other letters include Hebrews, James, 1 Peter and Revelation written by other faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Reference

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. New York: Zondervan, 1992.

Church People, Be Good and Kind to Others!

1 This letter is from John, the Elder. I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. 2 Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. 3 Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. 4 I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. 7 For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. 8 So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth. 9 I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. 10 When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church. 11 Dear friend, do not let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 12 Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth. 3 John 1:1-12 (NLT)

Third John was a personal letter written by the Apostle John to applaud good Christian behavior within the church and point out evil behavior we should all avoid.  Such good behavior included hospitality, friendship, truth, and generosity, while evil behavior included egocentricity, pride, and self-ambition. The Apostle John wrote his letter to encourage everyone to practice hospitality, continue to walk in the truth, and do what is right (see also Romans 12:9-21). How we treat others reflects our true beliefs in God’s goodness (1 John 3:10-14; see also John 13:34-35). Although we cannot see God, everyone can see God at work in the lives of His people (Matthew 5:14-16; John 13:34-35) as we encourage “one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24, NIV).

This short New Testament Epistle centers around three people: Gaius, Diotrephes, and Demetrius. Gaius is called the “beloved” or “friend” by the Apostle John. Gaius faithfully followed Jesus Christ’s example of loving others and walking in truth (3 John 1:1-8; see also John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:6; 2 John 4). Because of Gaius’ goodness, the Apostle John blessed Gaius’ with physical health and spiritual health. On the other hand, Diotrephes was selfish, boastful, and argumentative person. Diotrephes was an example of how not to live as a Christian (3 John 1:9–11) as he did not reflect God's values of unity, love, and fellowship (3 John 1:9-11). Demetrius was the third person mentioned and he also followed God’s truth as Gaius (3 John 1:3, 4, 11-12). The Apostle John applauded Gaius and Demetrius as faithful and selfless servants of God with an excellent moral character.

God is good, and He acts with all goodness throughout the Holy Bible. To seek God is to seek the good (Amos 5:4, 6, 14). Throughout the Holy Scriptures, God is embodied in acts of love, mercy, kindness, justice, and fairness. The Holy Scriptures encourages everyone to “do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Hate evil and love what is good” (Amos 5:14-15, NLT). We are not to “neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16, NASB). Essentially, the good person is the one who lives in wholehearted devotion and love to God and lives in accordance with God’s righteous fruits towards others through the help of God’s Holy Spirit living within (see Isaiah 1:17; Micah 6:8; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Galatians 5:22-23; 3 John 1:11). To those who do good to others, God brings good upon them and they shall have life (Jeremiah 32:39-42; John 5:29).

References

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI:  Baker Book House Company, 2001.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament. Victor Books, 2001.

Good Deeds

Jesus Christ:  “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds (light, moral actions) shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)

These verses are part of King Jesus Christ’s augural address to the world, also called the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5:1-Matthew 7:29). The Sermon on the Mount is also Jesus Christ’s longest recorded sermon in the Holy Scriptures. In this Sermon, Jesus Christ explained the heart attitude and deeds that God the Father expects of all people and His blessings that follow obedience to Jesus Christ’s teaching through the help of the God’s Holy Spirit living within one’s heart (Matthew 5:1-16).

Jesus Christ explained that God blesses those who realize their need for Him and live a life surrendered to His will (Matthew 5:3; Luke 1:38). Also, God blesses those who are humble, seeks justice and mercy, works for peace, and do what is right (Matthew 5:5-10). These character traits (e.g., mercy, humility, justice, peace, goodness) are traits of God (God the Father, God the Son – Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit) and summarize God's righteous ways of living that He blesses and rewards with His special favor (grace), both physically and spiritually (Micah 6:6-8; see also Matthew 5:1-16). The Holy Scriptures repeatedly speaks of the faithful obedience to God that brings His blessings (see Psalm 1:1, 3-6; Psalm 106:3; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 119:1-2; Proverbs 8:32-33; Isaiah 56:2).

God (Yahweh) is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering (patient), and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6, NKJV). The Holy Scriptures are filled with deeds of God’s unending mercy, grace, compassion, patience, faithfulness, forgiveness, and fairness (justice) (see Numbers 14:17-19; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). Righteousness is good or moral behavior that conforms to God’s character traits. God wants everyone to follow (imitate) His unchanging character traits as a way of living each day (Ephesians 5:1-2). Good living is not an external thing through obeying rules and regulations. Rather, goodness comes from within – internal attitudes and intents of the heart. There is a blessing that comes to all that follows God’s righteous character from their hearts. 

Apostle Paul:  Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him. Ephesians 5:1-2 (TLB)

Both God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are the Light of the world (see John 1:4; John 8:12; 1 John 1:5). God is the Light (1 John 1:5) and Jesus Christ is also the Light from God that lights the way of life – as the pillar of fire lighted the way for the Israelites in the wilderness (see Exodus 13:21-22; Nehemiah 9:12). God’s Light or presence was visible in the pillar of cloud and pillar of fire in the Israelites wilderness journey, and also came to earth in the symbolism of the Jewish sanctuary (the Tabernacle and Temple). However, God’s Light came in a fuller way in the Person of Jesus Christ, “God with us” (John 1:1-14). God’s Light fills the entire world as the Holy Spirit comes into the lives of every genuine follower of God.

Apostle Paul:  My prayer for you is that you will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want you always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize you from now until our Lord returns. May you always be doing those good, kind things (the fruits of righteousness) that show you are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord. Philippians 1:9-11 (TLB)

God expects everyone, particular His followers, to carry on His Light through good deeds in the world (Matthew 5:14; Philippians 2:12-15). Our good deeds in the world brings honor and glory to God (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31). Remember, God did not save us through our good works because salvation comes only through faith in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). We experience God's mercy, grace, and salvation, when we accept and believe in Jesus Christ’s life and ministry as God’s only begotten Son (John 1:12-13; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4-7). Through this acceptance and belief, God also gives us a new and clean heart (Acts 15:9) and heart peace within (Romans 5:1). But having received His mercy and grace, God wants us then to share His goodness with others. God saved us to DO good works in the world and to reflect His good light and righteous fruit to others (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 2:4-10). God’s Holy Spirit enables His people from within to live good, upright, and moral lives for God’s honor and glory (John 14 – 16; Romans 8:1-3; Galatians 2:20). We are to live with positive light – living a loving relationship filled with truth, good deeds and service to others in the world while fleeing sin – selfishness, self-sufficiency, pride, greed, hate, and prejudice (see Matthew 5:13-16; Luke 10:25-37; James 3:13-18; James 4:7-8).

Apostle Peter:  Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul. People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things (deeds) you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again. 1 Peter 2:11-12 (NCV)

 References

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament. Victor Books, 2001.