Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Imitate Christ – The Father’s Chosen Son – Pt. 4

God's truth
To truly I.M.I.T.A.T.E Christ’s life and habits, we must know who and what He represents – the WORD tells us that JESUS Himself is the Father’s WORD personified in the flesh, that He is the image and representation of the Father, as well as His glory, grace and truth. 
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and TRUTH. John 1:14

Truth – Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 

The WORD is God’s truth. A child of God who desires to please the Father will spend time studying and meditating on His WORD, seeking the Father’s truth to know His will. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we gain a true knowledge of the WORD and a revelations of the depravity within us. This awareness of our true nature causes us to repent and desire a more virtuous lifestyle. 
  • For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.

Many people however, seek after knowledge and learning around the WORD without having the truth of the WORD actually penetrate to soul and spirit,  judge the attitude of our hearts and so move us to holy living. Instead of allowing God and His Spirit to speak to us we seek out man's opinions about the WORD, listen to their podcasts, watch their video expositions, and follow enraptured as they debate their various opinions. 

Thus, we have gained a great familiarity with the WORD but have no knowledge of the TRUTH because we have accepted man’s wisdom over the Creator’s.
  • “…they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” Mark 4:12

If we strive only to acquire an abundance of worldly knowledge about GOD and His WORD, it profits us nothing since we lack TRUTH and all its holy attributes that impel us to imitate Christ. 

Truth also forms the foundation for our purpose as children of God, which is to love God and serve His people. If we are unenlightened to God’s truth we are unable to live it out, or use it to help others.

During His ministry on earth, Jesus used His Father’s truth to teach, rebuke, and comfort all whom He encountered. 
  • For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.  I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.” John 12:49-50.
The Son believed and trusted completely in the Father;s commands, speaking only as the Father spoke and the power of His words transformed many lives. As Christ imitators and followers, we are also expected to make the Father’s WORD the cornerstone of our lives.

The Father’s TRUTH is still powerful today and able to bring new life or death to any situation, our own and that of our loved ones, acquaintances and perfect strangers, as needed.

It pleases our Father to see His children help and edify one another for the building of His Son's Kingdom – and it is His TRUTH that sets us all free.

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8: 31-32

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are the One Eternal and Wise King and we adore YOU! Thank you for JESUS CHRIST Your Son and the Holy Spirit whom you have sent to help us to understand TRUTH and how to apply it to our daily lives. Thank you for teaching us that you are the only Wise God and Creator who alone can change lives and cause us to live in perfect fellowship with You as we learn to live in fellowship with Your Son. To you belong all dominion and power for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the Name of Jesus Christ our LORD. Amen.
Always by God’s Word and prayer,


Cecile

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