The primary evidence
of genuine Christianity is the believer’s demonstration of love. As Jesus
Christ declares, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.” (John 13:35, NKJV) Since JESUS CHRIST is the
ultimate manifestation of divine love, our theological definition of love is directly connected to His
person and work. LOVE IS THE CHRIST-ANOINTING – spiritually activated in
our thoughts, attitudes, words, decisions, actions and ministries for the
express purpose of transforming lives, increasing faith, restoring
relationships and authenticating witness.
When Adam and Eve made
the fatal decision to disobey God’s foundational command, the global door was
left wide open for Satan to become the “prince of the power of the air.” Indeed, he has been broadcasting lies and
deceit ever since. In fact, by virtue of humankind’s failure to hold up
our end of the divine covenant, Satan was LEGALLY POSITIONED to become ‘large-and-in-charge’ in
this world system. (Genesis 2:8-15 and Ephesians 2:2)
Nevertheless, onto the
stage of human history enters JESUS CHRIST. Oh, how I love Jesus, for He
broke down the restrictive post-fall barrier that stood between God and
man. He transcended an immeasurable distance, overturned a wall of spiritual
separation (erected from the base materials of sin and shame) and restored all
who would believe to full and free fellowship with our Creator.
ONLY JESUS (acting
as VERY GOD and VERY MAN) was able to satisfy the
righteous demands of God. Mankind lacked
the capacity to save himself, although he would have been ‘justly required’ to
do so since we had deliberately broken the created covenant relationship and
separated ourselves from God. ONLY JESUS – acting as ‘very God’ and ‘very
man’ – had the ability to resolve the dilemma of the justice of God that stood
in direct opposition to the grace and mercy of God. AS A MAN, Jesus assumed the obligation
to restore that lost relationship. And AS GOD, He had the capacity and ability
to “overcome the world,” (John 16:33 and I John 5:4-5)
To recap, JESUS CHRIST
is VERY GOD and VERY MAN. He WAs MAN-ENOUGH to have vicariously experienced
every possible pain, pressure and problem in the Garden of Gethsemane and on
Calvary; yet, he WAs GOD-ENOUGH to
become our “great high priest that is passed into the heavens…touched with the
feeling of our infirmities…in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)
He was MAN-ENOUGH for
his own natural body to hunger and thirst – but He was GOD-ENOUGH to receive a
little boy’s lunch and transform it into a super-abundant and sumptuous feast
for thousands.
He was MAN-ENOUGH to
have been a homeless traveler, for He said about Himself, “Foxes have holes,
and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his
head.” (Luke 9:58) Yet He was GOD-ENOUGH to declare “In my Father’s house
are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you…that where I am, there you
may be also.” (John 14:1-3)
He was MAN-ENOUGH to
have wept at the gravesite of His dear friend, Lazarus. Yet He was
GOD-ENOUGH that every person on the planet is invited to cast “all care upon
Him, for He cares” so much for us. (I Peter 5:7) Hallelujah! What a
living and loving Lord! Stay tuned…more
to come tomorrow.
Sisters and brothers,
be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO
MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!
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