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.

The Gift of Goodness

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:4-10 (NLT)

The true and living God (Yahweh) is eternally good, and He is abounding with loving-kindness, faithfulness, and forgiveness (Exodus 34:6-7; Ephesians 2:7). God is so rich in mercy, and He loves us so much (Ephesians 2:4; John 3:16). He wants goodness for our lives, not hurt (Jeremiah 29:11). Through His abundant love, God freely gives us grace, salvation, and forgiveness through faith and acceptance in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9).  These gifts from God are not from our works but free gifts from God received by belief through Jesus’ Name (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-9).  “All who believe in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins through Jesus’ Name” (Acts 10:43, NCV).

God graciously sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to earth as a human Baby as a gift to the world because He loves us so much (Luke 1:32-35; John 3:16). Simply by genuinely believing and trusting in Jesus Christ’s life and ministry as an act of God for human sins, we receive God’s gracious gifts (Acts 10:43). Through faith (belief) in Jesus Christ, God graciously gives us an abundance of gifts:  eternal salvation, heart joy, peace with God, and righteousness in God’s sight (Romans 5:1-2). Even more, God gives us His Holy Spirit and His Holy Scriptures (the Bible) to fill our hearts with His love, protection, and goodness (Romans 5:5; 2 Timothy 3:15-17). All of these wonderful gifts from God is NOT a reward for the good things we have done, but so we can be become more like Jesus Christ and continue to Jesus Christ’s good works in the world (Ephesians 2:9-10). Specifically, God gives us all His special blessings, including His Holy Spirit as His special Presences, to do good and help others in the world (Acts 10:38; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 1:10). “You know about Jesus from Nazareth, that God gave Him the Holy Spirit and power. You know how Jesus went everywhere doing good and healing” (Acts 10:38, NCV).

So, what is good in God’s eyes? Micah 6:8 tells us what God regards as good. “The Lord has told you, human, what is good; He has told you what He wants from you: to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God” (Micah 6:8, NCV). From our hearts, God wants everyone to do what is right, love others with compassion, and walk humbly with Him as the only true and living God of their lives (see also Romans 12:9-10, 21 Deuteronomy 10:12-13). The Holy Scriptures are clear that we are NOT to mistreat, hurt, and harass others. Instead, God wants everyone to do what is good, merciful, and honest towards others (Exodus 20:1-17). Worship is essentially wholehearted love, faith, and obedience to God and love and goodness to others (e.g., see Genesis 15:6; Genesis 17:1, 9; Hosea 6:6; Proverbs 1:7; Matthew 22:34-40). True spirituality and worship is doing good, seeking justice, living the truth, getting rid of oppression, being fair to others, protecting the orphans, and helping the poor (widows and the needy) (see Exodus 22:21-24; Exodus 23:2-12; Deuteronomy 15:4-11; Deuteronomy 24:12-15; Nehemiah 5:1-13; Psalm 140:12; Jeremiah 22:16; Amos 5:7-24; Daniel 4:27; James 1:27). These actions are symbols of God’s own good character (Psalm 146:9; Matthew 11:5). God is the source of all love and goodness (Genesis 1; Exodus 33:19; Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 12:28; Psalm 136; 1 John 4:16).

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:7-10 (NLT)

The opposite of good is sin. There have been many definitions given for sin. Sin essentially means “selfish individual needs” or a “me first” mindset. The “i” in sin focuses on selfish and personal needs, while ignoring God and others. Sin desires a person to place oneself in the center of one’s life and ahead of God and the needs of others (see Luke 4:1-13). Sadly, sin only brings sadness, depression, and death (Romans 8:13). Every action – whether good or bad – has results. If we live to please ourselves, we will reap a crop of sorrow and pain (Galatians 6:7-8).

The Holy Scriptures are very clear that God must be the center and focus of our lives and hearts FIRST (e.g., see Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:29-31) and then we are commanded by God to be good and love others (e.g., see Leviticus 19:18; Luke 10:27; John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14). The greatest gifts we can give to God and to others are to love and do good in the world, particularly those in need. The Holy Scriptures challenges us to love one another, keep on doing good, and to trust God for the results (Galatians 6:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:17; James 2:8, 14-26). If we do not give up doing God’s goodness in the world, God will causes everything to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

God wants us to always be ready to lend a helping hand to others, being kindhearted and courteous (Titus 3:1-2). Everyone who has put their trust in God must concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone (Titus 3:8) and keep on loving each other (Hebrews 13:1). God’s goodness and love will produce kindness to outsiders (Hebrews 13:2), sympathy for those who are in prison and those mistreated (Hebrews 13:3), and gladness with life (Hebrews 13:5).

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. Titus 3:8 (NLT)

So, let us all make a promise that this coming year and the years thereafter to focus on loving God with all our whole hearts, souls, minds and strengths and being good by genuinely loving one another. The core of Christian living is hating what is evil, holding on to what is good, and loving each other like brothers and sisters (Romans 12:9-10; see also John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7-21; 1 John 5:18). So, clothe yourself with good acts (Revelation 19:8) and make a commitment to live in goodness (Revelation 2:1-3:22). As we live this good and true life of loving God and loving others, God gives us many blessings to enjoy (Galatians 5:22-23) through His Holy Spirit.  

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message Bible)

Your love must be real. Hate what is evil, and hold on to what is good. Love each other like brothers and sisters. Give each other more honor than you want for yourselves. Do not be lazy but work hard, serving the Lord with all your heart. Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times. Share with God’s people who need help. Bring strangers in need into your homes. Wish good for those who harm you; wish them well and do not curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad. Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are. If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone. My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with His anger. It is written: “I will punish those who do wrong; I will repay them,” says the Lord. But you should do this: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. Doing this will be like pouring burning coals on his head.” Do not let evil defeat you, but defeat evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21 (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.

The Amplified Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.

The Message Bible. Colorado Springs, CO:  NavPress, 2002. 

Revelation’s Christmas Story

A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. . . . She gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her Child was snatched up to God and to His throne. Revelation 12:1-2, 5 (NIV)

John, the beloved apostle and personal eyewitness of Jesus’ ministry, wrote three New Testament literatures inspired by the Holy Spirit: the Gospel of John, the three Epistles, and the book of Revelation. In his book of Revelation, John gives us the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth in heaven (Revelation 12). Many biblical scholars believe Revelation 12 describes our Christmas day.

At Revelation 12, the apostle John describes an extraordinary event or vision in heaven. John sees a woman in heaven clothed with the sun (God’s glory). Through great struggles and pains, she gave birth to a Son, a male Child to rule the nations. Prior to giving birth, this woman struggles with evil and overcame evil to give birth to a Son (Revelation 12:3-4). Evil desperately tried to destroy and prevent the royal birth in this great heavenly conflict of good verse evil. King Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus as a Baby embodied evil’s attempt on earth to destroy Jesus and His heavenly mission (see Matthew 2:7-8, 16).

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)

This Son born is our Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 12:5; see also Psalm 2:2, 7-9)! Even before His arrival to earth, Jesus had overcome and defeat evil in heaven to bring salvation and peace into the world (Luke 2:14). Jesus is the Son who rules all nations of the world (Luke 1:31-33; Luke 2:30-32; see also Psalm 8; Daniel 7:13-14). Amazingly, Jesus’ entire life on earth, from His miraculous birth to His sacrificial death and resurrection, is compressed into this scene from Revelation 12:1-5. The royal Son is born and is then caught up to the throne of God (Revelation 12:5; see also Acts 1:9-11). Most important, the royal Son is the Son of God and our Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6; see also John 1:1, 14) as He is part of the eternal Godhead – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit (Revelation 19:16).

For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us. The government will rest on His shoulders. And He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of His ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)

Biblical scholars have put forth many views on the identity of the woman from Revelation 12. There are three viewpoints:  (1) the woman is the virgin Mary; (2) she is the church; or (3) the woman is Israel. The majority of biblical scholars find that the woman of Revelation 12 represents Israel (see Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 66:7–8; Micah 5:2; and Romans 9:4–5). There is no biblical basis to believe that the virgin Mary experienced Revelation 12:6.  Moreover, the woman cannot be the church as the church did not give birth to Jesus. The Lord Jesus Christ gave birth to the church as He is the master Builder and Foundation of the church — of all believers (see Matthew 16:18; I Corinthians 3:11). Most important, the woman overcame evil by bring forth a Son to “crush” the head of evil (see Genesis 3:15). Now, all believers of Jesus Christ share in this victory over evil (see Romans 16:20).

Matthew and Luke’s Gospel give the human birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem just outside of Jerusalem (Matthew 1: 18-2:23; Luke 2:1-20). With human wrinkles and cries, Jesus entered the human world as a Jewish baby Boy to Mary and Joseph. Jesus was wrapped in strips of cloth laid in a manger inside a stable (Luke 2:5-6). Jesus was born a human Baby, died as God’s humble suffering Servant and Passover Lamb on the Cross, and will one day return to earth as the powerful, conquering King and Judge (Psalm 2:8-9; Psalm 110:1-2; Revelation 19:16). Until His return, the Holy Bible, particularly the book of Revelations, reminds all God's people to live righteous (good) lives (Revelation 19:8), fully devoted and faithful to Jesus (Revelation 14:12). 

So be encouraged! Jesus has overcome evil, and He gives victory to His faithful people (Romans 16:20). Christmas is a time for celebration of Jesus’ coming into the human world as the God-Man. “She will have a Son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God is with us.”  (Matthew 1:23, NCV). Jesus is the “Light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory” (Luke 2:32, NLT). With Jesus’ coming (the first advent) to a rustic stable in Bethlehem, He brought the world redemption and salvation for all people who believe (Luke 2:25-38). 

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the Baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the Child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as You have promised. I have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared for all people. He (Jesus) is a Light to reveal God to the nations, and He is the glory of Your people Israel!” Luke 2:25-32 (NLT)

References:

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.

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

Come and Follow Jesus

The following day John (the Baptist) was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at Him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying?” “Come and see,” He said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”). The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow Me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very Person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His Name is Jesus, the Son of Joseph (the legal or earthly father of Jesus) from Nazareth.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity (truth and honesty).” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then He said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the One who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” John 1:35-51 (NLT)

In these brief verses, we learn Jesus’ complete identity. Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:36), Rabbi – Hebrew word for “Teacher” (John 1:38), Messiah (John 1:41), Son of God (John 1:14, 18, 34, 49), and King of Israel (John 1:49). Upon meeting Jesus, these first disciples were forever changed. These disciples were so impressed with Jesus that they could not help but tell others, “We have found the Messiah!” Andrew’s “the Messiah” (John 1:41) and Nathanael’s “the Son of God” (John 1:49) together match Peter’s later declaration “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

The word “Messiah” is a Hebrew word that means "Anointed One," and the Greek equivalent is “Christ.” For the Jews, Messiah essentially means “Son of God” (see Matthew 26:63-64; Mark 14:61-62; Luke 22:67-70). Later the expression “Son of David” was a synonym for “Messiah” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 10:47-48). There was some confusion among the Jews as to the role of the Messiah. Some believed the Messiah would be a Suffering Sacrifice as described in Isaiah 52:13-53:12, while others believed the Messiah would be King (see Isaiah 9:6-7 and Isaiah 11). Jesus was both the Suffering Servant of God and King. Jesus even explained that His sacrificial death on the Cross had to come before His crowning glory (Luke 24:13-35). But Jesus’ first disciple knew He was indeed “the Son of God, the King of Israel” (see also Psalm 2; John 4:25, 29; John 18:33-37).

Amazingly, Jesus personally called Himself “Son of Man” (John 1:50-51). The title “Son of Man” was one of Jesus’ favorite descriptions of Himself. Jesus used this title eighty-three (83) times in the four Gospels. The Jews knew that “Son of Man” was a title for their Messiah (John 12:34). The title “Son of Man” speaks of Jesus’ kingship, humanity, and divinity. Jesus was both fully God and fully man (John 1:1, 14 see also Daniel 7:13; Matthew 26:64; Mark 8:31). As God, Jesus is our link or “ladder” between heaven and earth to reconcile us to God the Father (John 1:51; see also 2 Corinthians 5:11-21). Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” and “No one comes to the Father” except through Him (John 14:6, NKJV). Jesus came down from heaven to bring people to God. The summary of John 1 is clear: Jesus was God in human flesh! “Come and see” (John 1:46) and follow Jesus.

References:

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

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament. Victor Books, 2001.