“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13).

Paul knew the need for the brethren at Thessalonica, as well as everywhere else, to know the truth about those who died in the Lord.  They needed comfort and those words would bring it (cf. 1 Thess. 4:18).  There are multiple references where the emphasis of not leaving people ignorant is found (cf. Rom. 1:13; 11:25; 1 Cor. 10:1; 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:8; 2 Peter 3:8).  While some may declare, “ignorance is bliss,” such is not the case in the important matters of life.  Consider three products that come from an ignorance of the truth.

1. It Produces a Life Foreign to the Life of God. Paul wrote to the Ephesian brethren, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart” (Eph. 4:17-18).  Sin makes one vain, darkened, alienated and hardened so that such ignorance separates man from the life that God wants him to have.  If a man dies in his sins, he is eternally lost (cf. John 8:21).  If a man lives unto sin, his life is a continual struggle of bondage and following a path toward death (cf. Rom. 6:6, 12, 16-17, 20-21, 23).  Yea, he is living in death while he lives (cf. Eph. 2:1; 1 Tim. 5:6).  God who gave life knows what is best for man.  Walking with God is indeed the greatest blessing of life now and the life to come later.  This is one of the reasons why God gave his word to mankind in the Bible.
2. It Produces a Life Following the Lusts of the Flesh. Peter wrote, “As obedience children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance” (1 Peter 1:14).  Ignorance causes man to follow the lusts of his own heart and mind.  While he is foreign to the ways of God, he is well acquainted with the ways of the world.  Peter continued to address this mindset, where he wrote, “For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” (1 Peter 2:15).  The holiness of God (cf. 1 Peter 1:15-16) coupled with being a holy nation (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) demands holy living.  Ignorance of that truth only makes life fall into the pattern of the world around him.  Study carefully the lives of people who live in ignorance of the Bible and see how sin destroys.
3. It Produces a Life Failing to Have True Righteousness.  Paul wrote to the Roman brethren, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1-3).  Peter stated to certain hearers in Jerusalem concerning the death of Jesus, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers” (Acts 3:17).  Paul realized that his former actions and beliefs concerning Jesus were out of ignorance (cf. 1 Tim. 1:13).  True righteousness does not come accidentally or haphazardly.  It comes through submitting to the will of God (cf. Rom. 10:3).

Jimmy Clark

“And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness” (Eze. 33:31).

The Lord was letting Ezekiel know how the hearing of his words by the people was truly being perceived.  Outwardly, it appeared that genuine hearing was taking place, but inwardly, the words were falling on materialistic hearts.  Jesus would address such hearers in Luke 8:14.  How anyone hears the word of God has everything to do with bearing of great fruit or lack thereof.  Consider three ways how listening to the word of God can take place.

1. To Gainsay the Message. People who are steadfast in unbelief of the truth can listen to preaching and teaching but with an ear to find fault.  This is how the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees often heard Jesus.  All four gospel accounts reveal such kind of hearing (cf. Matt. 16:1; 19:3; 22:18, 35; Mark 10:2; 12:15; Luke 11:16; 20:23; John 8:6).  The apostles also faced a similar type of hearer (cf. Acts 13:8, 45; 22:21-22).  As long as the words harmonize with what one already believes to be true, hearing tends to be supportive.  However, if truth is given that shows the person must make the necessary changes to be right with God, it is not uncommon for a preacher or teacher to hear, “Well, you have quit preaching and gone to meddling.”  It is possible for people to visit an assembly and sit to be critical of everything said and done to seek to justify themselves in their own beliefs and practices.  Such is tragic for such hearer who will give account (cf. Rom. 14:12).
2. To “Get Through It”. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:2-3).  Is it possible that some today are simply enduring the preaching and teaching?  The Old Testament prophet Amos repeated the words of certain people in his day, “When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit?” (Amos 8:5).  The law and the prophets were publicly read every sabbath day (cf. Acts 13:27; 15:21).  However, “going through the motion” was often the practice of hearing it, for “their heart is far from me” (Matt. 15:8).  Amos was told to tell the people who cared little if anything for the word of God, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11).  Such is equally as tragic as the gainsaying hearer.
3. To Gladly Apply. Luke wrote of those devout Jews who heard the gospel on the day of Pentecost, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).  This is one of many such examples in the book of Acts (cf. Acts 4:4; 8:6; 18:8).  The Lord is looking for the diligent, cheerful hearer.  While some would not hear this way, such did not stop those who would.  Thanks be to God for such.

Jimmy Clark

“It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost and is found” (Luke 15:32).

These words are the last words of the father to the older son in the parable.  The father in the parable could easily be viewed as the Father in heaven.  While there are no other words from the older son, it is fitting that the father had the last word.  Too often people want to tell God how things are or how they ought to be.  God the Father knows perfectly how to rule and will do so in keeping with all of his attributes.  Consider some other examples where God has the last word and the practical application that comes from it.

1. Human Suffering. Job stated after hearing the Lord, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further” (Job 40:4-5).  Again, “I have heard thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6).  It is interesting that the next verse states, “And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath” (Job 42:7).  The Lord tells them to offer sacrifices in keeping with His divine instructions, which was followed without comment on their part (cf. Job 42:8-9).  Humanity does not have the full answer for human suffering.  While sin brought suffering of all kinds, not all suffering is due to personal sin.  Suffering draws man to God, the source of help and comfort.  God has the final word on the tough questions.
2. Humbling the Mentality of Self-Interest. The Lord said to Jonah, “And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?” (Jonah 4:11).  This is how the book ends with God having the last word.  Jonah wanted God to utterly destroy the people of Nineveh.  He was especially angry when they repented at his preaching and God spared them.  Attitudes that are not in keeping with the mind and will of God must have a word from the Lord.  The Lord God can humble like no other.  When attitude problems arise in any situation, the word of the Lord is the approach.
3. Heavenly Judgment. Jesus stated, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22-23).  The Lord will have the last word in the judgment.  All the doctrines of men and the comments of human thinking will not change the word of God.  Jesus stated, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).  Jesus concludes the sermon of Matthew 5-7 with the emphasis of man continuing to hear his sayings and keep on doing them.  Some may start and not finish.  It is how one finishes that makes all the difference.  God’s word will stand.

Jimmy Clark

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove you own selves. Know ye not you own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Cor. 13:5).

One does not have to read very far in the books of First and Second Corinthians to know that they had troubles.  Paul is closing the book of Second Corinthians with the exhortation to evaluate oneself.  The Christian’s life is a constant development of spirituality.  Some progress more than others but all should be making progress.  Consider three areas of spirituality that will help everyone see where they are in this developmental process.

1. How to See People. Jesus said to the Jews, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24).  The Corinthians had some within the congregation that were judging based on outward appearance (cf. 2 Cor. 10:7).  Paul made it plain concerning God’s perspective.  “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).  When one sees people, how are they viewed?  Are they seen by the color of their skin?  Are they seen by the generation in which they are labeled?  Are they seen by the level of their formal education or lack thereof?  The world has many ways to divide people into demographic components.  God sees souls which takes away much of the divisive element.  Consider these passages (cf. Acts 2:41; Acts 27:37; 1 Peter 3:20; Heb. 13:17).  Growing in spirituality means growing away from the world’s standards of seeing people and seeing like God sees.
2. How to See Possessions. Jesus warned a materialistic man, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).  It is sad that people get caught up in the standards of the world.  Solomon wrote, “Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied” (Prov. 27:20).  While money is needed as a defense (cf. Eccl. 7:12) so is the wisdom to see it and use it.  Possessions must be seen from the stewardship model.  God alone owns all things (cf. Ps. 24:1).  Everything that man has and is belongs to God (cf. 1 Cor. 6:20).  The desire to become rich and loving riches have destroyed many a person (cf. 1 Tim. 6:9-11).  All that man does is to be to the glory of God (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31).  Ecclesiastes concludes with man’s entire existence and substance is to fear God and keep his commandments (cf. Eccl. 12:13-14).  Growing spiritually is to grow in good stewardship.
3. How to See Problems. Whether one is spiritual or not, trouble will come (cf. Job 14:1; Prov. 13:15; Matt. 7:14).  How one sees difficulties has much to say about one’s development in spirituality or lack thereof.  God’s servant, Job, experienced suffering and grew from it (cf. Job 42:1-6).  The apostle Paul did as well (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9-10).  Would that all would see difficulties like it is stated, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 4:17-5:1).

Jimmy Clark

“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:20).

Here is the attempt of the religious to fill the spiritual void of life with a mere intellectual faith.  Such only makes man empty.  The Scriptures are filled with passages that address things that are vain (i.e. being empty and/or unproductive).  There is an entire book in the Old Testament that addresses living life without fearing God and keeping his commandments; namely, Ecclesiastes.  Solomon wrote, “I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end” (Eccl. 3:10-11, ASV).  Mankind will always long for things eternal.  It is that part of man made in the image of God that thinks in those terms.  Such makes him unique among all of God’s creation.  One must properly fill the spiritual void of life just as man fills the physical, emotional and mental sides.  Consider three areas that fill the spiritual.

1. The Truth About God. Life is empty without God.  Paul wrote in Romans, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in the imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” (Rom. 1:21-22).  Luke records of words to the Galatians, “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:” (Acts 14:15).  Man may manufacture his own version of God and still be empty.  The real God is the God revealed in the Scriptures, not man’s imaginative creation visible or invisible.  There is no substitute for the true God.  Life becomes a life of false hope otherwise.
2. The Truth in the Gospel. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:” (1 Thess. 2:1).  That entrance is tied to the gospel that they brought.  “But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention” (1 Thess. 2:2).  Again, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts” (1 Thess. 2:5).  Paul exhorted Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth and shun profane and vain babbling (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15-16).  Vain talk is specifically warned throughout (cf. Eph. 5:6; 1 Tim. 1:6; Titus 1:10).  The gospel is God’s power to save (cf. Rom. 1:16) and that fills the spiritual need for the saving of the soul.
3. The Truth About Good Works.  One’s walk of life can be a “vain conversation” (1 Peter 1:18), a walk “in the vanity of their mind” (Eph. 4:17) and “vainglory” (Phil. 2:3).  One’s life must be a walk with God being “careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (Titus 3:8).  Warnings are given to avoid activities that do produce vanity (cf. Titus 3:9; 1 Tim. 6:20).  While there will always be pursuits in life that may fill up time, there is only one pursuit in life that is not in vain (cf. 1 Cor. 15:58 – “your labor is not in vain in the Lord”).  A working faith is truly a happy and fulfilled life.

Jimmy Clark

“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1:15).

Paul was warning Titus of the problem of being defiled in mind and unbelieving.  Titus would meet such people and would have to deal with them while at the same time speaking those things “which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1).  Satan knows what saves man (cf. Luke 8:12) and will do all that he can to keep the pure word of God out of the minds and lives of people.  The pure heart is able to see a thing clearly while the opposite is filled with confusion.  Consider three things that Paul tells Titus about the effects of believing error.

1. The Thought Processes Are Corrupted. Paul addressed the “mind” (Titus 1:15) being defiled.  The Greek word here translated “mind” (Titus 1:15) is the word meaning “the intellective faculty, the understanding, reason, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and of hating evil” (Thayer, p. 429).  The context has to do with people giving heed to fables and the commandments of men “that turn from the truth” (Titus 1:14).  These struggle with loving truth (cf. 2 Thess. 2:10) and thus desire to have something besides the word of God that is pure (cf. Prov. 30:5).  These become enamored with novelties.  Some of the most bazaar beliefs have been fostered by pride and self-seeking ambition.  Error becomes truth to this type of thinking.  This explains how people reason correctly with earthly things and faulty with spiritual things.
2. The Trained Conscience is Compromised. The faculty of proper discernment in judgment between right and wrong, truth and error is now compromised with such defilement.  Paul addresses the “conscience” (Titus 1:15) as well as the mind being defiled.  Once a person believes that error is now truth to them, the conscience is newly trained to defend the new positions.  Paul warned Timothy that such would happen.  “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:1-2).  What might at the first have been a struggle to believe now becomes very easy to accept.  Self-deception is the greatest danger of all deceptions.
3. The Tasks of Life Differ from the Claim to Know God.  Paul wrote, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).  Claims are not backed up with proper conduct.  The topic of grace is turned to license (cf. Jude 4).  Love is given to those who agree with these while strong protest is given to those who would seek to reprove.  Adultery, homosexuality, social drinking, etc. are either avoided in discussions or, if not avoided, tolerated and even acceptable in certain circles.  The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” becomes a comforting way of preaching difficult funerals.  Worship as man wills instead of worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24) becomes the model for “growing churches.”  The “I’m ok, you're ok” mentality in preaching and teaching appeals to the itching ears.  Isaiah himself dealt with the corrupting influence of believing error (cf. Isa. 5:20-21).

Jimmy Clark

“Then they cried with a loud voice, in the Jews’ speech, unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city” (2 Chron. 32:18).

Here is an example of those who would seek to destroy the peace of God’s people.  Troublers were in existence in Thessalonica (cf. 2 Thess. 1:6) as well as among the congregations of Galatia (cf. Gal. 5:12).  It is sad to think that there are some who would seek to disturb the peace of a people in order to advance their agendas.  It is written of one who hindered the progress of the conquest of the promised land in the days of Joshua, “And the sons of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed” (1 Chron. 2:7).  One of the things that the Lord hates is “he that soweth discord among brethren” (Prov. 6:19).  Both Old and New Testaments give insights concerning troublers.  Consider three principles about such.

1. Militantly Work to Hinder Real Progress. When the early church was being hurt by certain troublers who would bind things that God did not bind, a letter was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch to bring needed peace.  It was stated, “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commandment” (Acts 15:24).  This Judaizing element was troubling the Gentiles and seeking to make the church something different from what God intended it to be.  Luke recorded of certain Jews in Thessalonica who did not believe the gospel how that they militantly “set all the city on an uproar” (Acts 17:5).  They accused Paul and the brethren of proclaiming decrees contrary to Caesar (cf. Acts 17:7), which was a false accusation.  Luke states, “And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things” (Acts 17:8).  The workers of Satan do not sit idly by while the gospel is spread.
2. Misrepresent the Facts. When Zerubbabel and the chief of the Jewish fathers would not let certain ones join with them in the rebuilding of the temple, it is stated, “Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building” (Ezra 4:4).  A thorough reading of the report from these troublers to Artaxerxes the king (cf. Ezra 4:11-22) shows that they misrepresented the history of the rebellious Jews with the remnant that was faithful to God and the kings of the nations.  It is a common ploy by troublers to group all of God’s people with certain hypocrites to seek to discredit the whole.  Another way to misrepresent is seen where Paul addressed certain troublers who “would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:7).  Some error mixed with some truth creates great trouble as well.
3. Mistake Who are the Real Troublers. Certain unbelievers in Philippi accused Paul and his companions, saying, “These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city” (Acts 16:20).  They themselves were the real troublers while Paul and his were the ones who were helping the city.  Such confusion is like to that of the conversation between Ahab and Elijah (cf. 1 Kings 18:17-18).  Troublers are both deceiving and being deceived.

Jimmy Clark

“And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” (Gen. 3:9-10).

Here is the first time the Bible records an example of fear.  There was no fearfulness between man and God before sin entered.  Fear came when sin came and has been problematic ever since.  Consider three things to be learned about fear from this account.

1. Fear Runs From God. The very solution to fear is to be found in God and yet the man and the woman were hiding from God (cf. Gen. 3:10).  How common is the practice that when man makes mistakes that he runs from God?  Jonah ran from God (cf. Jonah 1:3, 10).  David wrote, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whiter shall I flee from thy presence? (Ps. 139:7).  The passages following imply that the omnipresence of God is impossible to avoid.  The Lord desires people to be drawn to Him, not run from Him.  James wrote, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:8-10).  God’s people should learn the truth as revealed in the Bible that God does not want fear to create isolation and separation from Him.
2. Fear Resorts to Excuses. Adam stated, “The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat” (Gen. 3:12).  Excuses are found throughout the Bible for failure to admit personal responsibility.  Aaron said to Moses after being confronted about the golden calf, “Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief” (Ex. 32:22). King Saul said to Samuel after not obeying the Lord, “They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed” (1 Sam. 15:15).  The man after God’s own heart was consumed with guilt in his silence over his sin (cf. Ps. 32:3-4) and clearly said when Nathan revealed his sin, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13).  David would write of this admission, “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Ps. 32:5).  Let life be without excuses.  Face the facts and do not try to cover up wrongs.
3. Fear Requires Redeeming Love. The Lord God said in view of Adam and Eve’s sins, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15).  This is the first reference to Jesus and the price to be paid to redeem man.  John wrote, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love castest out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).  The first love to deal with fear is the love of God.  Jeremiah wrote, “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jer. 31:3).  That love motivates man to love in return (cf. 1 John 4:19).  It is and appreciation for redeeming love that replaces fear with faith and faithfulness.  Sin separates; God draws.

Jimmy Clark

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things with do appear” (Heb. 11:3).

The word translated “worlds” (Heb. 11:3) is from the word meaning “age” (Thayer, p. 19).  However, it also is used figuratively under metonymy to denote “the worlds, the universe, i.e. the aggregate of things contained in time” (Thayer, p. 19).  Such is the usage in Hebrews 11:3 as well as in Hebrews 1:2.  The visible universe came into existence through the spoken word of God.  David wrote, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Ps. 33:6).  Peter equally confirms this, where he wrote by the same Holy Spirit, “by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:5).  Ponder three considerations about God’s physical creation.

1. Awe-Inspiring. After the Lord gave Job a lengthy discussion of the creation and the sustaining of that same creation by none other than God himself (cf. Job 38-41), Job stated, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:2-3).  Truly, looking intently at the universe and taking the Bible in hand to see it clearly brings a reverence and awe of the Creator behind it.  Whether one stands on the shores of the ocean or the top of a mountain peak or the rim of a great canyon, the eye is not full nor can words express the fullness of the physical creation of God.  Colors in three-dimensional view with powerful movements of every shape and kind will always catch the attention of all living creatures.  All should stand in awe of the supernatural power that brought nature into existence.
2. Arranged by Intelligent Design. David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1).  From Genesis 1:1 to the book of Revelation, the hand of God is shown to have made the material universe with special point of emphasis to where man lives on earth.  God did not simply speak atomic matter into existence and then let it evolve into its various forms.  Genesis one gives the message of intelligence design.  Discoveries in science only reveal that what the Bible said has always been so.  The complexity of DNA, the reproduction of all things “after his kind” (Gen. 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25) with many other details too numerous to give in a short article declares that nature did not happen by chance.  Various scientific laws (i.e. Laws of Thermodynamics) deny organic evolution for the existence of matter.  Scientific foreknowledge (i.e. life in the blood –Lev. 17:14; paths of the sea – Ps. 8:8) show to man how infinite is God’s knowledge.
3. Answers to the Creator. All of life is to respect and respond appropriately to the One who created.  Paul wrote of those who rejected righteousness, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25).  Creation owes everything to the Creator.  The full teaching of the Bible bears this out (cf. 1 Peter 4:19).  May the physical creation merely point man to a greater hunger for God.

Jimmy Clark

“Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” (Heb. 1:2-3).

These are some of the most descriptive words of the person of Jesus in concise form to be found anywhere in the Bible.  They address his work as the spokesperson for God, the sacrificial offering for the sins of all and the sovereign who sits at the right hand of God.  Consider these three great qualities of the Son of God.

1. Revealer: Prophet. It is clearly stated that God has spoken “by his Son” (Heb. 1:2) and that he is the one who holds all things “by the word of his power” (Heb. 1:3).  When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John with two of the great Old Testament prophets in his presence, the Father declared of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased; hear ye him” (Matt. 17:5; cf. Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35).  John stated of the Son of God, “And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).  When Jesus was asked that he might show the Father, Jesus stated, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works” (John 14:9-10).  Even the last book of the New Testament is an indicator that Jesus is the true revealer.
2. Redeemer: Priest. It is stated, “he had by himself purged our sins” (Heb. 1:3).  The book of Hebrews has as its major theme that of the priesthood of Jesus.  “Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Heb. 8:1).  Furthermore, “For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer” (Heb. 8:3).  Jesus offered the greatest sacrifice, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:14).  His redemption is provided even for those under the first testament (cf. Heb. 9:15).
3. Ruler: King.  It is equally stated after providing redemption through his own sacrifice that he “sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3).  He is truly the priest on his throne (cf. Zech. 6:13; Heb. 12:2) established after the order of Melchisedek (cf. Heb. 7:15-22).  He has “a kingdom which cannot be moved” (Heb. 12:28).  It is clearly affirmed of his authority, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col. 3:17).  The Hebrew people, as well as all nations, have before them the promised Messiah to provide all that is needed for life and happiness.  Believing his word, following his steps and giving the sacrifice of praise to him is truly a blessing.

Jimmy Clark