Monthly Archives: February 2016

Multiplication – By God’s Design

22 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Spiritual

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Simple mathematics encompasses the understanding of addition and subtraction. For example, 2+2 = 4 and 3-1 = 2. In arithmetic, there is also the element of multiplication. 9×9 = 81 or 4×3 = 12. When two or more numbers are multiplied they increase at a higher number compared to simply adding each number. To multiply is to produce greater numbers based on the values that are given. In mathematics, it is better to multiply than to add numbers if you want to achieve a greater result. This is simply because it would take longer to add than to multiply.

Multiplication isn’t just a mathematical concept but it is God’s original plan concerning humanity. In the book of Genesis chapter 1, God gives the very first man and woman their task which is stated as follows:

Verse 28:

(KJV) “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

The key words in this verse are “Be fruitful, and multiply.” Why did God give Adam and Eve this instruction? If you look at verse 27 of this same chapter, it will shed light on what God desired:

Verse 27:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God, created he him; male and female created he them.”

The key point of verse 27 is that God created humanity in His image. Verse 27 and verse 28 took place before sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience. However, God created you and I, to be in the likeness of His own image. It was because of sin that the image of God in humanity became distorted which gave humanity a distorted image of ourselves and of who God is.

At the same time, the reason why God gave Adam and Eve the task to be fruitful and multiply was because God designed reproduction as His plan to reproduce His image and glory in the Earth. Many today and even in times past have had children for various reasons. Some have children because they desire to see a legacy lived on from their own offspring. Others have children because they want to transfer love to the next generation.

There are even those who desire to see themselves in their children as they are born and as they grow. However, God isn’t concerned with these reasons as much because none of these explanations have to do with reproducing God’s image in the Earth. Having children and even desiring to have them is a noble adventure, but it is God’s plan for the Earth to be filled with the image of Himself.

How does this happen? Here are a couple considerations:

1. There must be a spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ – For humanity to perpetuate the image of God, the acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior is the first step. Whether you have children or not, the image of God can be reproduced in the Earth. It just so happens that one of those ways is through the reproduction that comes from a male and a female. By God’s design, it is the standard for a man and a woman to be joined in marriage and to have offspring.

Of course, it is a known fact that not everyone can have children because there may be medical problems that do not allow for childbearing. However, God does not just use the birth of children for perpetuating His image. Discipleship is also the concept that God has provided to Christians. Matthew 28:19 says:

(NLT) “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus was talking to His own Disciples in this verse. God desires that we as humans know Him, but to do so, we must accept Jesus Christ. We must be born again through the Spirit (John 3:1-12).

2. Spreading the Gospel – The Gospel simply means, “Good News.” What is the Good News? The Good News is that Jesus Christ came to die on the cross for the sins of humanity. This means, that we now have a way of escape from the destruction that comes from living in sin. Christ’s atoning sacrifice gives you and I the opportunity to be redeemed from sin and to avoid Hell.

Jesus gives His disciples what is known as “The Great Commission.” This is stated in Mark 16:15:

“And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”

Multiplication comes when those who have accepted Christ, begin to share the Gospel to all people. It is through the spreading of the Gospel that reproduction of God’s image in the Earth can take place. It is passing on the remedy of Jesus Christ to someone who is suffering from the disease of sin. Once the person who is in sin accepts the remedy, then they can pass it on to someone else.

It should also be noted that satan has a plan for multiplication as well. His method is to spread sinfulness and evil to as many as He can. This is so he can stop the process of regeneration as it relates to humanity being reconciled to God through Christ. However, the key is understanding that God desires that we come to the knowledge of His love through Jesus Christ.

The first step is to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Do you know Jesus in the pardon of your sins? You have a tremendous opportunity to take part in the multiplication of God’s image in the Earth. By accepting Christ, you then have the honor of spreading the Gospel to someone else who is lost in sin. It is God’s design to not only multiply His image in the Earth but to reclaim humanity through Jesus Christ. Take part in this process by believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord, and be used to spread the Good News to the world.

Do You Know Jesus?

15 Monday Feb 2016

Posted by in Bible, Christian, Christianity, Faith, God, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Religion, Religious, Spiritual

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Most of us know what it is like to have a friendship or even a romantic relationship as it relates to daily personal life. It is the connection to one or more individuals that creates a sense of acceptance, emotional attachment, and intimacy. Only those who are closest to you, have a place reserved in your life as opposed to those who are only acquaintances who would be left standing on the outskirts.

It is the relationship and connection with those who are closely held to your heart, that creates a significant bond that is difficult to shatter under negative circumstances. In such relationships that are built, there is a commonality in addition to understanding one another. However, if one does not maintain a steady connection with those who are deemed important, there is a great potential for a loss of said connection which means the relationship no longer thrives.

As a result, any relationship whether familial, friendly, or romantic begins to suffer from a breakdown which can ultimately lead to a relational demise. This means that in order for one to have relationships that are built to thrive, there must be a continual connection and growth in each interpersonal relationship.

In the book of John chapter 8, the principle of knowing God through Jesus Christ is shown in verses 12 – 19. Jesus is speaking to Pharisees who were religious individuals who believed that life was better lived according to the Mosaic law rather than deviating from the law. Throughout scripture, the Pharisees can be seen challenging Jesus on various issues, however, Jesus would always bring them back into accountability and God’s truth.

Verses 12-13 in John chapter 8 says the following:

(NLV) “Jesus spoke to all the people, saying, “I am the Light of the world. Anyone who follows Me will not walk in darkness. He will have the Light of Life.”The proud religious law-keepers said to Him, “You are talking about Yourself. What You say about Yourself is not true.”

In verse 13, the Pharisees challenge Jesus regarding His statement that He is the Light of the world. One reason as to why the Pharisees misunderstood and believed Jesus to be a liar is because they were so caught up in their allegiance to the Mosaic law. The scripture in this translation refers to the Pharisees as “proud religious law-keepers.” This suggests that the Pharisees were arrogant and they bought into the lie that religion was superior to following the words of Christ.

Even in our world today, there are many who have placed much emphasis on worldly knowledge and human wisdom that there isn’t a reverence for the things of God. There are religious zealots who proclaim that what they believe is the truth, however, anything that stands outside of the truth of Jesus Christ is following in step with satan’s deceptions. The proof of this is that Jesus says in verse 12 that anyone who follows Him will not walk in darkness.

This means, that without Christ one cannot live in this life and navigate successfully because only Jesus is the light by which we have guidance to the path that God desires for humanity. Regardless of other religions or even those whose choose not to believe, Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only way to life. (John 14:6)

Jesus continues in the next few verses:

Verses 14-17:

(NLV) “Jesus said, Even if I speak of Myself, what I am saying is true. I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. You say as a man would say if people are guilty or not guilty. I am not saying anyone is guilty. But even if I did, it would be true. I am not alone. The Father Who sent Me is with Me. It is written in your Law that when two men agree about something, it proves it is true. I speak for Myself and the Father Who sent Me speaks for Me.”

Essentially, Jesus further states to the Pharisees that He is speaking the truth, but His truth is validated by God Almighty. Jesus says that He speaks for Himself, but it is God the Father who sent Jesus and speaks for Him. This makes it so that Jesus’ words are the final authority because it is God who has given Him the authority to speak with such truth.

However, notice that Jesus says in verse 14 that the Pharisees do not know where Jesus came from or where He is going. Verse 19 says:

(NLV) “The proud religious law-keepers asked Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus said, “You do not know Me or My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

Jesus’ words make it clear that the Pharisees did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. As John 14:6 states, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Without a relationship with Jesus, there isn’t a way to have a relationship with God the Father. The Pharisees did not know Christ in obedience or in following Him, which is why they never understood Christ’s words. If they were followers of Christ, then they would have known God for themselves.

The question that all of us must answer is whether or not, we know Jesus for ourselves. With all of the deception that exists in our world, it is very easy to think that one can have true peace, joy and understand love without knowing Jesus Christ. It is Christ who gives us the opportunity to know God because Christ is the only way to God.

The world we live in promotes all inclusive religion. One can worship Buddha or Allah and it still lead back to the same source. However, this notion is false and it is one of the many lies that satan uses to distort the clarity that God offers. Without having a relationship with Jesus Christ, then there is a loss in connection to God the Father.

God desires to know each human being in intimacy. Sin is what separates us from having an unhindered relationship with God. It was God’s plan that Jesus Christ would die on the cross as the atonement for the world’s sins. Without the shedding of Christ blood, there would be no other way to remove the stain of sin. There would also be a relational gap between humanity and God.

This means that because of Christ, we have an opportunity to know God. However, it takes a decision to know God through Jesus Christ. How do you do this? The first step is to come to the acknowledgement that you are a sinner and need a savior. If you don’t know Jesus Christ in the pardon of your sins, then you are living in sin. Once you have acknowledged that you are a sinner, and you have repented from your sin and turned away from your sin, it begins the process of a relationship with Christ.

For those of us who are in Christ, we must seek God daily through prayer, reading scripture, and worship. To know God is to have an ongoing and intimate relationship with Christ. It doesn’t just happen overnight as some may believe. Just like any human relationship, it takes time to experience growth and connection. The more you spend time with God, the more you begin to know Him and the more your life exemplifies who God is.

It is only through Christ that we are able to show love to a dying world, and to give sinners an opportunity the receive the invitation to know God through Christ. Regardless of what our world promotes today, the overarching truth is that Jesus is the only way to have everlasting life. He is the only way to know what love is, and how to love others. Do you know Jesus?