The Works of the Son

Posted on November 2, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Workmanship (Def): (Gr.): Poiema from Poieo: A product, i.e. fabric (literally or figuratively) something made

God (Elohim) is the Creator (cf. Genesis 1:1). In His capacity as Creator He has chosen to make all things through His Son:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him (the Word/the Son) and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3.)

There were two creations: The Genesis 1:1 Creation and the Ephesians 2:10 Creation. In the first Creation, God made Man and gave him dominion over the Genesis 1:1 Creation. In the New Creation, the Ephesians 2:10 Creation, Christ Jesus, the Son was given dominion over all things:

“For by Him (the Word/the Son) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible, and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers, all things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16).

Christ Jesus, the Second Adam, the Son of God now has “all authority. . . in heaven and earth“ (Matthew 28:18). We, as born again, born from above, born of God (John 3:3; John 1:13) saints of God have by the Ephesian 2:10 and the Colossians 1:16 Creation in the Son become a workmanship of God. This workmanship was created not to be dormant or idle, but unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10b).

The Works of the Son now become evident in and through the saints of God, as we were created in Him for this very purpose, to manifest His works unto His eternal glory. These works of the Son are the expressions of His Being, His Nature and His Person.These works are not our works to His glory, but His works through us to the Glory of the Father.

The Person of the Son is a vast study and revelation that is beyond our knowing in this dispensation of mortality. The Apostle John expressed this thought in his First Epistle:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

In the age to come, after we have been changed from “mortal to immortal” (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:50-53); then we shall behold Him and see Him as He is in Glory. The Apostle Paul writes of this in his First Epistle to the Corinthians:

“For now we see though a glass darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (I Corinthians 13:12).

To the extent we see Him now, we see Him by faith and not by sight. We see Him by revelation and in manifestation of His Glory through His Body by His Spirit working in us to reveal more of the Son to us, to the extent we are able to see and receive.

In this present age we are the workmanship, the product, the fabric of the Son as His Mystical Body. We were created in Him to show forth the works of the Son to the world to draw all men to the Son to the glory of the Father. These works of the Son are good works just as the Beloved Luke wrote in the Book of Acts:

“That word you know which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with Him” (Acts 10:37-38).

Though our passage illustrates but one manifestation of the works of the Son, the Scriptures are replete with others, whether offices (cf. Ephesians 4:11-12), ministries, operations and administrations (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6), and gifts (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).

Based on all the foregoing we may succinctly say, out of the Person of the Son flow forth the works of the Son through His Body, His Workmanship, that “we should walk in them.” This is glorious. This is a marvellous expression of the Son through His Body that “men may see your (His) good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16; cf. 1 Peter 2:12).

Jesus proclaimed:

“I must work the works of Him that sent Me, while it is day, the night comes when no man can work” (John 9:4).

Beloved, let us walk in the Day, in the Light of Christ. Let the works of the Son be manifest through us while it is Day. Let us look upon His Person and walk in His Light until that glorious day when we shall see Him face to face and know Him fully even as we are fully known to the glory of God.

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Do Not Miss Your Wave

Posted on October 26, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“When Jesus was come near, He beheld Jerusalem, and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong to your peace, but now they are hidden from your eyes'” (Luke 19:41-42).

As every surfer knows, it is about catching the wave. There is a moment, a right time, at just the perfect flow, as the water begins to crest that the surfer mounts the board to catch the wave. This moment of riding the wave is not predictable, but the trained surfer knows the signs and reads the motion of the ocean and prepares to seize the moment.

The Apostle Peter tells us:

“Have your behavior honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the Day of Visitation” (I Peter 2:12).

Visitation (Def): (Gr.): Episkope from Episkeptomai: Inspection, to go to see, visit by an overseer

Both our Lord Jesus and the Apostle speak to us of a time of visitation, examination, to see the condition of things under review, to find out if things are as they should be, or otherwise. The examination determines what is to follow, whether blessing or cursing, whether it is a time to harvest, or a time of passing over for the crop is ruined, wasted.

The Spirit moves in waves, in seasons, in movements. The Scriptures speak thusly:

“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand'” (Matthew 4:17).

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying ‘The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the Gospel'” (Mark 1:15).

“He said to me, ‘Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this Book, for the time is at hand'” (Revelation 22:10).

There is a timing to our lives of faith. There are seasons. There are seasons for revival for the Church. There are waves to catch. The movements of the Spirit are well recorded in the annals of history. There is a fresh movement, and wave happening now. Whether on campuses of Universities, in our local communities, among all ethnic groups, of all faiths and religious practices, the Spirit of the Lord is moving.

We are in a season of renewal. This is a time of refreshing by the Spirit. This is a time of washing, cleansing, healing. This is the time for a new wave.

Do Not Miss Your Wave. That is the exhortation of the moment. Be awake, be observant; be quick to notice things happening in front of and all around you, as the Apostle has written:

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15).

The Spirit always does things His way, and the wise observe them, perceive them, recognize them and in the perfect timing of the Lord, catch them as a fresh wave and ride it out by the momentum and unction of the Spirit who produced it to the glory of the Father, and the exaltation of the Son.

Jerusalem missed its day of visitation and it grieved the Lord to His core. He wept over the City for there were things prepared beforehand for it and “things that belonged to their peace” which they missed when the wave of the Spirit flowed through. The new was missed because they were too fixed on the old and therefore the new “was hidden from their eyes”.

The Bishop of our souls is here (cf. I Peter 2:25). He has come to see, to examine, to grade and give His reward. Are we ready? Are we sleeping? Are we fixed on something other? What shall it be? Do Not Miss Your Wave.

“And this, knowing the season, that now it is high time for you to wake out of sleep, for now is salvation nearer to us than when we believed. The night is far spent, the Day is at hand; let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the instruments of Light” (Romans 13:11-12).

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The Planting of the Lord

Posted on October 18, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord; and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified” (Isaiah 61:1-3).

Planting (Def): (Heb): Matta from Nata: To strike in, fix in place, fasten, something planted, or a place of planting (a Garden or Vineyard)

The Prophet gives us a wonderful description of the many and sundry workings of the Messiah. The final working of the Spirit is His establishment of Zion as the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified. This theme of being glorified is repeated by the Prophet in another place in his writings, namely:

“Your people shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the Land forever, the Branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21).

From these passages we see that the working of righteousness in His people brings great glory to our God. The working of righteousness in Mount Zion, which is:

“The heavenly Jerusalem, the City of the Living God. . . the Church of the Firstborn, whose names are written in Heaven” (Hebrews 12:22-23a).

Mount Zion, the planting of the Lord, is according to the Psalmist:

“The joy of the whole earth. . .the City of the Great King” (Psalm 48:2).

The Prophet further tells us that it is from “out of Zion shall go forth the Law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3b).

The Planting of the Lord is to flourish in proclaiming the Good News, the Gospel of our salvation and to speak forth “the word of the Lord”. This planting of the Lord shall be a place of trees of righteousness, a place of great joy and gladness, a beautiful place of singing and praise to His glorious Name.

There is a caution to be observed when we speak of plantings, however. Jesus said:

“Every plant which My Heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up” (Matthew 15:13).

We must emphasize The Planting of the Lord. When the planting is not of the Lord, it will not remain. Even more specifically, the Father, Himself, will pluck it up by the roots. How many works of Man have been removed and are no more. Christ gave this warning to the Churches in the Letters from John:

“To the Angel of the Church of Ephesus write: These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, Who walks in the midst of the seven golden candelsticks. . .remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly, and will remove your candlestick out of his place, except you repent” (Revelation 2:1,5).

In his short Epistle Jude writes concerning those who walk after the flesh and carnal mind and not after the Spirit and the Mind of Christ:

“These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of the winds, trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots” (Jude 1:12).

But as the writer to the Hebrews exclaims:

“Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak” (Hebrews 6:9).

Indeed, the Lord is righteous and of His righteousness we have all received and grace for grace. We shall remain, we shall flourish, we shall prosper in the word of the Lord, for He shall cause His word to prosper in us. We, the planting of the Lord, shall receive the blessing, shall receive the early and latter rain and shall be nourished by Him in righteousness, that He might truly be glorified even as the Prophet has spoken.

Oh, may His Prophets ever speak, and may we hear them gladly and prosper in the way (cf. II Chronicles 20:20).

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Live Prophetically

Posted on October 10, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“I can of My own self do nothing; as I hear, I judge, and My judgment is just because I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me” (John 5:30).

Judge (Def): (Gr.): Krino: To distinguish, decide, determine, perceive, discern

From our text the statement of Jesus is one of profundity that simply amazes the soul. Jesus, the Son of God Incarnate said that, “I can of My own self do nothing.” The Kenosis (emptying) of the Incarnation is shown to be complete by this saying. It is the supreme statement and example to us as to how we are to live before God.

Live Prophetically is the command to us as to how we are to live in Christ. Jesus lived as the Son of God in human form by one simple formula, live by what you hear from the Father. Jesus said:

“As I hear, I judge”

Live Prophetically and as you do you will hear from the Father. As you hear from the Father you will make decisions, you will judge, i.e., you will determine, perceive and discern God’s will. This is how Christ lived His life in this world, on earth as a man. In essence if you live as Christ lived, you will live by the word of the Lord.

“But Jesus answered and said, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds out of the mouth of God'” (Matthew 4:4; cf. Deuteronomy 8:3).

It was a simple statement from Satan to Jesus, “Command that these stones be made bread” (Matthew 4:3b). Jesus had the power to do just that. He could easily have turned the stones into bread. It was not a matter of ability, it was a matter of hearing. Jesus heard what Satan said, but He heard nothing from the Father. The Scripture says, “When the tempter came to Him, he said” (Matthew 4:3a). Turning the stones to bread was a temptation. Jesus had just finished a forty day fast.

“And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward hungry” (Matthew 4:2).

The fact of the forty day fast magnifies Christ’s self denial, self-discipline, and His absolute obedience to the Father to live prophetically.

A great example of a life lived prophetically is the Prophet Elijah. Elijah lived by the word of the Lord.

“Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord God of Israel lives before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years but according to my word’. And the word of the Lord came to him saying, ‘Go from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan'” (I Kings 17:1-3).

Elijah committed his life to live prophetically. Elijah spoke the word of the Lord he received, as the Lord commanded. He prophesied drought, he went to the brook Cherith by the word of the Lord. When the brook dried up, he went to Zarephath, to the widow there, whom the Lord commanded to sustain him (cf. I Kings 17:7-9).

After these things Elijah went to Mt. Carmel by the word of the Lord and called fire down from Heaven in the sight of all the people (I Kings 18:19-39).

Then Elijah failed. After Elijah killed the prophets of Baal, Jezebel threathened his life and Elijah ran away. The Lord did not tell the prophet to run away. Elijah ran away out of fear. After running into the wilderness of Beersheba, he was sustained by an angel. He then ran for forty days to Mt. Horeb and sheltered in a cave. Then the word of the Lord came to him at the mouth of the cave.

“After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?'” (I Kings 19:12-13).

So, the question is, what are you doing where you are? Are you where you should be by the word of the Lord? Are you there because you live prophetically? Or, are you where you are because of natural circumstances, because you decided to do it, because you were afraid, because where you are makes you happy. There is one reason we should be where we are, and that is because we heard the word of the Lord.

Sadly, there are few who live prophetically. Maybe we think this is just for prophets. No, this is for all the saints (true believers). This is not just for Pastors, this is for doorkeepers, janitors, drivers and cooks. This is for you, my brother, my sister. Yes, this is a challenge. This is an exhortation. This is the word of the Lord.

Live Prophetically. Begin today. Get before the Lord and surrender your will to His will. He will speak to you and let you know His will. Jesus said,

“I seek not My own will, but the will of the Father who has sent Me” (John 5:30).

Let the Father send you to your destiny. Arise, go where He sends you and live prophetically today.

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Against My Will

Posted on October 3, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“For if I preach the Gospel willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation of the Gospel is committed unto me” (I Corinthians 9:17).

Against (Def): (Gr.): Akon from A Hekon: Unwilling, Nonvoluntary

The apprehension of the Apostle Paul (cf. Acts 9) by the Lord Jesus is a story of the Lord’s power to choose, to conscript, to compel and constrain one for His eternal purposes. The Apostle is the exception to the common rule and understanding, God will not make you do anything against your will. The Apostle understood the power and authority under whom he was being constrained, and he surrendered to his Lord.

“For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel” (I Corinthians 9:16).

Necessity (Def): (Gr.): Anagke from Ana Agkale: Constraint, Must Needs, Needful

Have you ever come up against the constraint of the Holy Spirit? The compelling of the Holy Spirit is relentless. You can tell when someone is resisting that compelling, they usually get very busy doing what they want to do to cover for the agitation going on deep in their spirit. Other times people do the opposite and go into isolation. The Prophet Jonah simply booked a ticket on a ship and headed in the opposite direction to where the Lord was sending him.

There is another common misconception and it goes like this: God knows my heart, He knows what I want and He will not ask me to do something otherwise. Oh, yes He just may. Where does this all lead us? The answer is simple, to the Cross.

Jesus, Himself had to address this issue. In Gethsemane He prayed:

“He went and fell on His face and prayed, saying ‘O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will'” (Matthew 26:39).

Against My Will is the true test for the disciple of Christ. The Master passed the test, and by the grace of God so can we. Entering into crucifixion, experiencing the excruciating death to my will, to what I want, be it noble or corrupt is the touchstone for every soul that would know Jesus.

There is a dark side to all of this and the Apostle knew it better than most: “woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel” (I Corinthians 9:16).

Woe (Def): (Gr): Ouai: Grief, Anguish, Affliction, Calamity

The Apostle was well aware of the grief, anguish, affliction and calamity that awaited him if he did not preach the Gospel because the constraint of the Holy Spirit was upon Him and to resist Him was futile and foolish, given the alternative consequences.

There is a fearful reverence that should go with doing things given to us from God against my will. Stubborness, selfishness, self-will and resistance must go to the Cross to be crucified. Eventually we must all bend the knee to the Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Almighty God, our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The calling of the Lord is a holy calling to the Lord. There are many lessons to be experienced as we learn Christ. The Lord was gracious with the Apostle Peter by letting him know the things that awaited him, even those against his will:

“Verily, verily I say to you, ‘When you were young, you girded yourself and walked wherever you wanted to go, but when you shall be old, you will stretch forth your hands and another will gird you and carry you where you do not want to go'” (John 21:18).

Martyrdom through the violent death of crucifixion awaited the Apostle and he knew it, accepted it and in the year A.D. 64 it was accomplished. Against My Will is not an easy task to bear. That is why God gives us more grace.

It is not only the ultimate sacrifice in which Against My Will applies. It is in the daily life of decisions, choices, obedience to the known will of the Father, where we must live and die, for when we die we live in the glorious freedom of the Spirit, the joy of the Lord, the peace of God, the love of Christ Jesus.

Are you ready? Let’s go.

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Love, Honor and Serve

Posted on September 21, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“Let love be sincere. Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Do not be slothful in business, be fervent in spirit as you serve the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11)

Love (Def): (Gr): Agape from Agapao: Affection and Benevolence, a Love Feast

The heart of the Lord Jesus may be expressed with these words, “Love all, Honor all, Serve all.” Love, Honor and Serve. What a wonderful way of expressing the divine nature in divine motion to us; like a mighty wind or wave washing over us, it can be felt in manifested glory.

The love of God is the sincerest love, the most genuine love, the most unconditional love known to man. This love has no pretense, no hidden motive, no deception, no manipulation for selfish interest. This love is pure, holy, lovely, beautiful, affectionate from a deep caring spirit. This love is boundless, limitless, inexhaustible, and eternal. It is exclusively the love of God.

Jesus taught us the love of God, saying:

“You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate you enemy’, but I say unto you, ‘Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you; that you may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven, for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust; for if you love them which love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same? If you salute your Brethren only, what do you more than others? Do not the publicans so? Be, therefore, perfect, even as your Father who is in Heaven is perfect'” (Matthew 5:43-48).

Honor (Def): (Gr): Timao from Timios: To prize, fix a valuation upon, Revere, Esteem, Belove

“Honor all men, love the Brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (I Peter 2:17).

Simon Peter, Apostle and eyewitness of Christ’s majesty (cf. II Peter 1:16), knew firsthand the honor, glory and splendor of Christ Jesus. He also knew this honor was to be freely given to all, including to the wives of all who marry “that prayers would not be hindered” (cf. I Peter 3:7).

To honor is to prize, to value, to revere, to esteem. How many marriages fail from the failure to give, not love, but honor.

Beloved, let us give honor to all, not just to God, or to those in authority, but to the least among us, to the poor, to those without status, position, or name. This comes from the Father.

Serve (Def): (Gr): Douleuo from Doulos: A slave, in Subjection, Subserviency

Love, Honor and Serve, our theme, our calling from the Lord to “Love all, Honor all, Serve all”.

The Apostle knew this well:

“Paul, a servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).

Paul in conformity to the Master wrote concerning Him:

“But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant (doulos), and was made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7).

Brethren, this is our calling. This is our commandment to follow. This is our assignment and commission. Let us follow the Lamb wherever He leads. He gave us His example. He is the pattern. His is the nature of it all. His is the nature in it all, and by His Spirit we will

Love all, Honor all, Serve all for the Glory of His Holy Name, Jesus.

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The Exercise of Dominion

Posted on September 13, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“He has made us Kings and Priests unto God, and His Father, to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen” (Revelation 1:6).

Dominion (Def): (Gr.): Kratos: Manifested Power, Strength, Might, Great, Force

To study the life of the Lord Jesus in the Incarnation, i.e. in His human form, brings one to the place of absolute awe and wonder of the perfection, completeness of that Life, in the exercise of dominion over all things earthly, human, of mankind in mortality, in flesh and blood, in weakness and under the limits of being Man.

In the Kenosis, the emptying of omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, and assuming all the limitations of human existence; yet, in the exercise of dominion Christ lived in absolute obedience to the will of the Father, lived a sinless life, though “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:13).

In the Exercise of Dominion, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God with Divine Nature, in Hypostatic Union, i.e. the union of the divine and human natures in One Being; this Jesus lived in manifested power over sin, Satan, demons, sickness, death, and nature itself (“even the winds and waves obey Him”).

This Jesus, according to the Apostle John, is:

“the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, hath made us kings and priests unto God. . .” (Revelation 1:5-6a).

Even to think upon Jesus is to be astonished. This Jesus who laid down His life, said:

“No man takes My life from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father” (John 10:18).

That saying of Jesus is the definition of the exercise of dominion. It is the exercise of absolute power, authority, and force in one Being over everything, even life and death itself. Indeed, “to Him be Glory and Dominion forever and ever. Amen.”.

Jude, the Brother of Jesus in his Epistle exclaims:

“to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” (Jude 1:25).

The Apostle Peter echoes this, writing:

“To Him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen” (I Peter 5:11).

The Exercise of Dominion is in Christ, the Son, and in the Spirit which has been given to the saints, who have been made “kings and priests unto God”. Kings and Priests exercise dominion in their realms and offices in which they serve. Kings have sovereignty in their kingdoms and exercise dominion in their domains. Priests are in a position of authority as the representatives and servants of God in all things pertaining to God (cf. Hebrews 2:17).

Christ, as Head over His Body, has infused His Body with His Spirit whereby we have been empowered by His Spirit for the exercise of dominion and to reign in life as saints of the Most High. As the Apostle expressed it:

“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

Be encouraged, my Brethren, we have been freely given more than we know and certainly more than many are experiencing. The Exercise of Dominion is for all who are in Christ, for all who have been born of His Spirit, to all who have received the “gift of righteousness”. It is time we begin to “reign in Life by One, Jesus Christ”.

Jesus is Lord and His commission to us stands:

“All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you, and lo I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

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The Call of Liberty

Posted on September 8, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“Now the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty” (II Corinthians 3:17).

Liberty (Def): (Gr.): Eleutheria from Eleutheros: Unrestrained; to go at will, Freedom

The Apostle in the text above, and in context with the passage in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians contrasts the freedoms we enjoy in Christ by the Spirit of the Lord versus the restrictions imposed by Moses under the Law. Just as the Law was very confining, the Spirit is very libertating. The Call of Liberty is a powerful call to those who seek the Freedom that is to be found in Christ Jesus by the Spirit of the Lord.

Jesus, Himself, acknowledged His calling as the Messiah when in the synagogue He read the text of the Prophet Isaiah, who prophesied:

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted; to proclaim Liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

As recorded in the Gospel of Luke:

“Jesus came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up, and as His custom was He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day and stood up for to read. There was delivered to Him the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, and when He had opened the Book, He found the place where it was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at Liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:16-18).

The significance of this reading from Isaiah cannot be overstated, as confirmed by the Gospel text:

“He closed the Book and gave it again to the Minister. He sat down and the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. He said to them, ‘This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears'” (Luke 4:20-21).

The Call of Liberty is a call frought with risks. People like their ways, their form, their traditions. They do not want these things disturbed. In declaring His Messiahship in their midst, He really disturbed their peace. The Scripture Jesus read was no ordinary one. It was one of those Scriptures reserved for the Messiah. When Jesus said, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears”, He was declaring before them all, “I am the Messiah”, and they knew it.

The end result of Christ’s declarations was the people:

“Rose up and thrust Him out of the City, and led Him to the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them went His way” (Luke 4:29-30.).

For as long as Jesus was willing, He lived in complete freedom to serve the will of the Father, to minister to the people ‘To preach the Gospel to the poor. . .to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at Liberty them that are bruised”.

The Call of Liberty is a powerful call to those who hear it, obey it and follow it in their walk with the Lord. Though man tries to restrain, the spirit of those who heed the Call of Liberty, is unrestrained in the Spirit of the Lord. Though man tries to confine, the spirit of the liberated man walks in freedom.

The Apostle, though in prison wrote to Timothy:

“Remember that Jesus Christ of the Seed of David was raised from the dead according to my Gospel; wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound. Therefore, I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (II Timothy 2:8-10).

The Apostle knew the Call of Liberty upon him and lived in the glorious liberty of the Spirit even in the midst of chains and prison bars around him. His witness, his testimony, his Epistles, his prayers, his meditations, his communion in the Spirit with his true Master continued even as he suffered trouble. . .even unto bonds”.

Friend, have you heard the call? Are you free? The Call of Liberty is sounding forth to all who can receive and discern it’s voice. Heed it’s call today. Respond. Say yes. Follow wheresoever He leads.

It is the Lord who calls. It is the Spirit who is drawing you into Himself and where He is there is Liberty.

“Stand fast, therefore, in the Liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

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His Marvelous Light

Posted on September 2, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“You are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, an Holy Nation, a Peculiar People; that you should show forth the praises of Him who called you out of Darkness into His Marvellous Light” (I Peter 2:9).

Marvellous (Def.) (Gr.): Thaumastos from Thaumazo: To be wondered at, wonderful, to admire, a marvel

When mysteries are revealed, when riddles are understood, when the unsolvable is solved, we marvel at the revelation, the solution discovered, the words understood when our eyes are opened to a new reality. Indeed, it is marvelous, especially when it was given by His Marvellous Light.

Jesus said to the Chief Priests and Elders of the People:

“Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the Corner, this is the Lord’s doing and it is marvellous in our eyes'”? (Matthew 21:42).

This is, indeed, a thing in which to marvel; the Lord’s doing. Oh, that our eyes were only open to it, so we can see things clearly in His Marvellous Light.

In the vision of John, when the saints assemble a marvellous happening occurs in heaven as they:

“Sing the Song of Moses, the servant of God, and the Song of the Lamb, saying ‘Great and marvellous are Thy works, Lord God, Almighty; just and true are Thy ways, Thou King of Saints. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy Name? You only are holy; for all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your Judgments are made manifest'” (Revelation 15:3-4).

The Apostle experienced His Marvellous Light to which he bore witness before the people in Jerusalem:

“It came to pass that, as I made my journey and was come near to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a Great Light round about me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me'”? (Acts 22:6-7).

Paul’s encounter with His Marvellous Light was the turning point of his life. It turned a persecutor into an Apostle, an enemy of God to a friend. One encounter with this Light and you will be changed forever. Your eyes will be opened, though for a time you may be blinded by the Light, for the brightness thereof (cf. Acts 22:11).

The Prophet knew of this Light and wrote:

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light; they that dwell in the Land of the Shadow of Death, upon them has the Light shined” (Isaiah 9:2; Matthew 4:16).

His Marvellous Light has shone into our hearts by faith and has changed us forever.

“For God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).

The Marvellous Light of the Lamb is the Light of the City of God, the New Jerusalem, the Church, the Ecclesia, as revealed to the Apostle John by vision and revelation thereof:

“The City had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it for the Glory of God does give it Light, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. All the Nations of them who are saved shall walk in the Light of it, and the Kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it. The Gates of the City shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there” (Revelation 21:23-25).

The Marvellous Light of the Gospel is shining. Come to the Light and be saved. Turn from the darkness and let the Light shine upon you. See all that is to be revealed: the hidden wisdom of God (II Corinthians 2:7); the Mystery hidden from ages past (Colossians 1:16); the Riddles (Ezekiel 17:2); come to the Light and see, let the:

“eyes of your understanding be enlightened, that you may know. . .” (Ephesians 1:18a).

It is all there to be wondered upon, to be admired; indeed, it is a marvel in His Marvellous Light.

“In Him was Life, and the Life is the Light of men” (John 1:4).

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Received by Right

Posted on August 24, 2024 by AntiochCMI

“He came to His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him He gave the right to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name” (John 1:11-12).

Right (Def:) (Gr.): Exousia from Exesti: Lawful token of privilege, Freedom, Force of Control, Power, Authority

In the economy of God there is a transaction that has the force of authority to take possession, to receive by lawful privilege, to secure by claim. In that economy there is a giving and receiving, or in the reverse as in our text, a receiving and a giving.

“To as many as received Him, He gave the right to become the sons of God.”

In the economy of God when you receive the Truth, God gives you Freedom.

“You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

In the economy of God there is a taking what is offered. Things are not forced upon one but are freely offered. That which is offered can be refused, as in the case of Israel when the Father offered His Son, the Messiah, to them, He was refused.

“He came to His own, and His own received Him not.”

The Psalmist did not refuse, as he states:

“What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord” (Psalm 116:12-13).

It is a sad state of affair when God, in His sovereign wisdom and knowledge of us offers us what He knows we need, but we turn Him down because His offer is contrary to what we want. We refuse Him while all the time professing how much we love Him. Jesus warned of this:

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the Sadducees'” (Matthew 16:6).

The Pharisees and Sadducees professed their love for the Law of God, for the Temple, for the Sabbath, for Circumcision, for the Feasts, and for the Traditions, but when God offered them what they really needed, a Savior, they refused Him and demanded His death because He was a threat to their system and control. How many times do we refuse God’s offer when it goes against our will, our plan, our style, our way of life. That is the opposite of what God intends in His economy of offer and acceptance or acceptance and giving.

In contract law one of the key elements that makes the contract binding is offer and acceptance. When the offer is accepted you receive by right. When the contract is bound, sealed, executed, you can receive by right all that is in the covenant to which the parties agreed. You can take by right and privilege that which is yours by entering into the legal and binding Agreement.

Even God Himself can receive by right all who come to Him by faith, for, indeed, He purchased them by His own blood. He redeemed us to Himself and can now call us His own, His possession. With His redeeming blood, He can now exercise full authority, power, and lawful force and claim of control over His inheritance. The Apostle knew this and wrote of it in his Epistle to the Ephesians:

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the Glory of His Inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:17-18).

God has all authority to receive by right His saints, whose we are and to whom we bow the knee and worship and adore. May His Name be praised forever. Amen.

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