GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 415 April 4, 2012
GOD WORKS IN 3's
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" Matthew 28:19.
In the Word of God, numbers reveals God's meaning. Unity is seen by No. 1; Division, by No. 2; Trinity by No. 3; and, Creation by No. 4. Of course, there's more; such as, No. 7 that equals Perfection and No. 8, standing for the New Birth.
I think most have the truth on NUMBERS down pretty good. Most have learned that the Holy Trinity is true; no matter if we talk about Creation to service. In every aspect, we see Three Persons working; just as the above verse of Mt. 28 informs us. Without question, the Word of God shows the truth in a NUMBER of ways.
Okay, God works in 3's; which, is crystal clear in the Baptismal ordinance; but, where to begin? Since, Number 4 shows the creation, let's begin there. And here, as I type the word 'creation,' I notice some movement, peripherally to my left. Turning my head, I see a squirrel just outside my window. He is getting some water out of a receptacle in the front yard. But, in a moment, the squirrel squanders off in the grassy area. I smile. God's creation is great. I love it!
Now, think for a moment. If Adam had not sinned and FALLEN from God's grace, the squirrel would come on over to me. I might pet or feed him. But, Adam messed up and the world has not been the same. Man lost his ruling position by Adam's decisions. But, we aren't too hard on the first Adam; for, all of us would have done the same thing. Hence, God comes to the rescue. It's the reason and purpose of God entering His creation. God came to save us by sending His Son to "right" Adam's error.
Because of Jesus and His work, there's a new heaven and earth coming. When it does, I'll pick up the squirrel and smile, all over again. But notice God's plan. The first creation was physical. It was FALLEN. Jesus came to do the job of fixing Adam's sin. Jesus, the Christ has given mankind the promise of a new heaven and earth. So, when God looked down through time and saw the end, we know that the LORD had that day in mind. God always intended to save His creation. I'm so happy know the Lord. AMEN!
Thus, until Jesus arrived during His first advent, God worked physically through man – Israel first, but now, through the church. In Christ Jesus, we see God working in man, redeeming the spirit of man by the Holy Spirit. Redemption is the meaning of the New Covenant; speaking directly to our spirits. Thus, when man comes to Jesus for salvation, it is a Spiritual working that man and God gets involved, together. The curtain is removed and our spirits go directly to God's throne. IT'S A NEW COVENANT blessing.
But, at the same time, we must forsake the physical world as John instructs. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (4:24). However, man continues on i the same creation; which, will change when God combines the PHYSICAL with the SPIRITUAL in the New Creation. It sure seems that God likes what He created. The Good LORD just had to send His Son to fix the mess up that the first Adam did. WHAT A CREATION.