Category: Jesus Christ as Creator

What’s the Bible Got to Do With Me? #1

Monday, May 13, 2013

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

One frequent charge the lost world levels against Christians preaching and teaching the Holy Bible is, “That ‘old’ book has nothing to do with me!” Is this a valid objection?

Genesis 1:1, the Bible’s first complete thought, declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Most people cannot get past that first verse, so they struggle to believe the next 31,000. Genesis 1:1 is such a simple verse, and yet it is much too difficult for many to believe. As one dear brother in Christ said, “The Bible is not hard to understand, the Bible is hard to believe!” If one were to believe Genesis 1:1 as is, he or she would have no problem believing God exists, and that He created heaven and earth for an intelligent purpose. These two basic facts would then imply that divinely-ordained laws and principles are in place, a methodical system to accomplish that original purpose of creation. But, sin disrupts this clear-cut scenario….

To avoid accountability, to ease one’s conscience, to blame-shift, and so on, the unbeliever simply ignores the testimony of creation’s existence as confirmation of an intelligent Creator (atheism), and/or he or she pleads ignorance regarding any knowledge of a personal relationship with that Creator (agnosticism). Either way, they discount the Holy Bible (which says there is an intelligent Creator God whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ, who wants us to intimately know Him).

Romans 1:21 summarizes: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” When one recognizes the God of the Bible as the one and only true God, but fails to worship Him, he or she is unthankful toward that God. The only result is an empty imagination and a darkened, foolish heart. It really is that simple.

Now that we know why arguments against the Bible are raised, we can proceed to analyze the common “the Bible has nothing to do with me” assertion….

Where Art Thou?

Friday, May 3, 2013

“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9 KJV).

The LORD God knew where Adam was, so why did He ask that question?

Bible critics often stumble over today’s Scripture and claim it is silly for God to be inquiring about Adam’s whereabouts. The scoffer overlooks two valuable pieces of information; this seemingly awkward verse contains doctrine that only a Bible believer can notice and appreciate.

Firstly, by asking, “Adam, where art thou?,” the LORD is prompting thoughts in Adam’s mind. Upon hearing God’s voice, Adam thinks, “I should be fellowshipping with Him. I should be right by His side, but look at me, fearful and hiding amongst the trees! My relationship with Him is severed!”

Secondly, nothing is hidden from God’s sight: God in His omniscience knows exactly where Adam is hiding and why he is hiding: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). By asking, “Adam, where art thou?,” the LORD is bringing Adam to the place of accountability. Adam is forced to confess that he is hiding from God because he has blatantly disobeyed God’s commandment: he has eaten the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so as any sinner does, he hides from the holy God of creation. God asked Adam and Eve four questions in Genesis 3:8-13, questions whose answers He knew—He asked them all to bring Adam and Eve to accountability.

Today, the sinner cannot be saved from God’s wrath until he or she comes to the point where Adam did—the sinner must come to understand his or her lost condition. It is not until one realizes he or she is dead in sin (“hiding in the bushes from God”), that salvation from that hell-bound course can be received.

Dear reader, are you in Christ? Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins? Or, are you in Adam? Are you like Adam, hiding from God due to broken fellowship with your Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ? In Adam? In Christ?

Where art thou, dear reader?

A Government Nonetheless

Thursday, May 2, 2013

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1,2 KJV).

If ever our government needed prayer, today would be the day!

When the Lord Jesus Christ placed Adam on the earth, man occupied an office of government for his Creator’s glory: “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” (Genesis 1:28). Not long after that, Satan (one of God’s fallen spiritual angelic-like creatures) enticed Adam to follow him in his rebellion against God’s authority. Adam willingly joined that policy of evil; today, Satan is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4)—he has usurped God’s throne in the earth.

Moreover, God did not formally institute nationalism (that is, post-Fall government and capital punishment) until Genesis 9:5,6, post-Flood, hundreds of years after the curse of sin was implemented: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

The Apostle Paul affirms the function of government in Romans 13:1-8: basically, God instituted nationalism to keep order in society by punishing criminals (cf. Genesis 9:5,6). While no government of the world is perfect (seeing as to they are led by sinful man), government should (does…?) deter and punish lawbreakers. Imagine, when Paul wrote today’s Scripture, tyrannical Roman Emperor Nero was reigning, persecuting and killing Christians!

Every day, let us pray for the people in our government—that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and that they would come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3,4)!

The Spirit of God and the Word of God #2

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1 Corinthians 2:13 KJV).

As today’s Scripture demonstrates, the Spirit of God never operates apart from the Word of God.

When God wants something done, He speaks it, and it happens. For instance, during the creation week, as described in Genesis chapters 1 and 2, we repeatedly read the phrase: “And God said… And God said… And God said…,” et cetera. The various systems of creation came into existence and became operational whenever the Lord Jesus Christ spoke: the heaven, the heavens, the earth, all life forms, and so on appeared whenever their Creator commanded them to be so. Furthermore, we read in Genesis 1:2: “…And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Although “God created all things by Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9), the Holy Spirit was also present during the creation week, and He too was active in the creation of the universe.

Our Lord Jesus Christ told His Jewish disciples, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he [a Person, not a force!], the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:12,13). Christ is referring to the (future) day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2), when He will baptize Israel’s believing remnant with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4,5). The Holy Ghost will then speak words through them so unbelieving Jews can hear God’s Word, know what God is doing, and how to be saved from their sins. Later, the Holy Spirit will cause those men to write the New Testament Scriptures (the “all truth” and “things to come”).

The Holy Spirit does not operate haphazardly, nor does He work apart from God’s Word. Wherever the Holy Spirit is, the Word of God is present; wherever the Word of God is, the Holy Spirit is present….

The Person of the Year

Monday, December 31, 2012

“Wherefore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11 KJV).

Behold, 2012’s “Person of the Year!”

At every year’s end, society selects a “person of the year,” someone who, either for better or for worse, influenced the past year’s events the most. While often considered an honor, some of the candidates are less than commendable. This is never the case for the true “Person of the Year!”

As intelligent creatures, we (should) realize that we have an intelligent Creator God. As Christians, we (should) value that which God honors. As Pauline dispensationalists, we (should) know what God’s Word teaches about Himself and His purpose and plan for us and for creation as a whole. Who is this Creator? What (or whom) does God esteem? Why did God create the heaven and the earth? The answer to all three questions is… JESUS CHRIST!

Sinful man does not like it, but Jesus Christ will be praised forever. The atheists, religionists, skeptics, non-Christians, agnostics, and all the other naysayers will be disappointed, for “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” is supreme. In fact, just before they are cast into the lake of fire, banished from His presence forever, they will bow before Jesus Christ, and admit His authority!

This past year, Jesus Christ was faithful, accomplishing amazing things in our lives. Some of us He saved this past year; He saved us from death, sin, hell, and ourselves. He saved us from false teaching: He gave us spiritual nourishment, daily renewing our minds as we studied and believed His Word, the King James Bible. He brought us joy, peace, and comfort in the midst of our trials and heartaches. Indeed, like He does every year, the Lord Jesus Christ has impacted the world the most… and to Him alone be the glory! 🙂

Dear saints, as we now close another year in the writing ministry, we have some fascinating daily Bible studies planned for next year. If you have any Bible questions or suggestions that you would like me to write about in a devotional or full-length Bible study, send the comments to me at arcministries@gmail.com. Thank you.

Tremble, Thou Earth, at Thy Creator’s Presence

Thursday, October 11, 2012

“Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob” (Psalm 114:7 KJV).

Psalm 114 provides a glimpse of God’s power over creation.

“When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; Judah was his sanctuary, and Israel his dominion. The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob; which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of water” (Psalm 114).

The above psalm is a brief narrative of God delivering Israel from Egyptian bondage, and her subsequent journey to the Promised Land. Notice at least three instances where the LORD demonstrated His power over creation:

  • Verse 3a: “The sea saw it, and fled” refers to God miraculously parting the Red Sea so Israel could pass on dry ground (Exodus 14:21,22).
  • Verse 3b: “Jordan was driven back” portrays God miraculously damming the Jordan River when Israel’s priests stepped into it, allowing the nation (following the priests) to enter into the Promised Land, due north of the Dead Sea (Joshua 3:7-17).
  • Verse 8: “[God] Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters” recalls God miraculously causing water to gush forth from the rock, quenching Israel’s thirst (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13). Interestingly, Psalm 114 alone—not Exodus and Numbers—identifies that rock as flint.

As the psalmist inquired, what “ailed” (troubled) the Red Sea, and the Jordan River, to do what they did? It was their Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ! They obeyed His commands. The whole earth—especially the “mighty” mountains, hills, rivers, and seas—trembled in reverence of their mighty Creator.

And yet, for us, “He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). WOW!

My Kingdom is Not of This World? #3

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36 KJV).

What did Jesus mean when He spoke today’s Scripture?

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Within these two realms, God also created governments: “For by him [the Lord Jesus Christ] 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).

God also made creatures to occupy those offices of government: He formed the angels to rule in heaven for His glory, and mankind to rule on the earth for His glory. One of God’s chief angelic-like creatures, a cherub named Lucifer, rebelled against God by wanting to rule for his glory: Lucifer proclaimed, “I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14b). This title “most High” means “possessor of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19,22). Essentially, Lucifer (Satan) purposed to usurp all of God’s authority, in heaven and in earth.

Satan was able to recruit a portion of God’s angels to follow him in his rebellion in heaven (Ezekiel 28:18; Matthew 25:41). When God placed man on the earth, man was to rule earth for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26,28). Unfortunately, man (Adam) willingly chose to relinquish his God-given authority to Satan, by sinfully following Satan in his rebellion against God (Romans 5:12).

Today, the governments of heaven (Ephesians 6:12) and earth (2 Corinthians 4:4) are in rebellion. Earth’s governments are corrupt because Satan is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). In fact, Satan tempted Christ with a proposal: if Christ would worship him, Satan would give Him the world’s governments (Matthew 4:8,9; Luke 4:5-7).

In today’s Scripture, when Christ claimed His kingdom was “not of this world,” He meant that His kingdom would not originate from the evil world system underlying today’s governments. His reign would restore earth’s governments to God (Colossians 1:20).

Inexpensive Yet Priceless

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162 KJV).

For little to no cost, we can obtain the priceless Word of God.

Recently, I was browsing through a store, and I found King James Bibles (Old and New Testaments) for only US$1! In fact, I have seen them sold for a fraction of even that meager price! I could not help but tell myself, “Millions of dollars are wasted each year on worthless books. Imagine how many of these King James Bibles that revenue could buy!” (King James Bibles are even distributed for free.)

There are many books in the world, but only one is truly priceless, of immeasurable value. God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is the Creator’s mind on the printed page: “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Why is the Bible priceless? “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8,9).

The Holy Bible is truly priceless because it alone contains the precious words of God. All other books are written by men, whose minds are finite and whose hearts are flawed (with sin). Contrariwise, the prophet Isaiah reminded Israel that our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, thinks on an entirely different plane than we do—a plane that exceeds ours! Just as we struggle to comprehend the height of “the heavens” (outer space) above earth, we attempt to fathom the methods and manners (“ways”) of God and the “thoughts” of God.

In today’s Scripture, the psalmist confessed that he “rejoiced at [God’s] word, as one that findeth great spoil [treasure].” The psalmist understood, as we (hopefully) do, that God’s Word is to be rejoiced over, that it should be delighted in, and the object of our joy. When we consider Who inspired and wrote it, and how He preserved it through time so we could study it today in this devotional, we join the psalmist in declaring, “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” 🙂

Ignoring the Creator #2

Friday, June 15, 2012

“Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 2:29 KJV).

In the context of today’s Scripture (verses 26-32), the nation Israel is guilty of ignoring her Maker, JEHOVAH (the LORD). Instead, she worships pagan idols as though they deserve her allegiance. This blasphemous activity still occurs today…. albeit worldwide.

Our world abounds with idols: money, education, sex, drugs and alcohol, statues, religious leaders, and unquestionably self! In the scientific world, the preeminent “god” is certainly not Jesus Christ: the emphasis concerning origins is not on our intelligent Creator, but on some mystical, impersonal, inanimate, random process known as organic evolution. (Scientists still cannot explain how non-life spontaneously developed into life.)

“[They] worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator [Jesus Christ], who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25b). Israel had reduced herself to such ignorance—praising wooden and stone idols as though they had given her life. God responded in judgment (the Babylonian captivity of 606 B.C.).

We live in the Dispensation of Grace, so God is extending grace, mercy, and peace. However, God’s wrath against pagan idolatry will not be postponed forever. As God cautioned rebellious Israel, “…but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble…” (verses 26-28).

In the day of God’s righteous wrath against idolatry (Tribulation), no idol will be able to deliver wicked mankind, just as Israel’s pagan gods could not save her from God’s chastisement (Babylonian and Assyrian captivities). All the silly idols man has reverenced and faithfully served these past 6,000 years will prove themselves to be totally worthless.

Why not worship the true and living God, the Lord Jesus Christ, “who loved and gave himself for you” (Galatians 2:20d), by trusting in His finished crosswork on Calvary as sufficient payment for your sins? Unlike pagan idols, Jesus Christ is your Creator, so He alone is worthy of your praise, love, and dedication. Do not ignore your Creator! 🙂

Ignoring the Creator

Thursday, June 14, 2012

“Wherefore will ye plead with me? ye all have transgressed against me, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 2:29 KJV).

In today’s Scripture, the LORD through the prophet Jeremiah is rebuking the nation Israel. Why is God angry with them?

God formed the nation Israel during her Egyptian bondage, ultimately delivering her using Moses. From that time (circa 1500 B.C.), to the time of today’s Scripture (circa 630 B.C.), Israel has continually disobeyed God’s Old Covenant (Law). About a century before Jeremiah spoke today’s Scripture, God had punished and deported Israel’s ten northern tribes using the Assyrian armies. Now, Jeremiah is warning that God will soon overthrow Israel’s southern kingdom using the Babylonians (it eventually happened!).

Today’s Scripture and its context describe why God is upset with the Jews, especially those in the south (Judah). “As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets. Saying to a stock [wooden idol], Thou art my father; and to a stone [idol], Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. But where are thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for according to the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah” (verses 26-28).

“Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people [Israel] have forgotten me days without number” (verse 32).

Israel is worshipping stupid idols of wood and stone, and claiming they gave her life, joy, and blessings! We snicker at such foolishness, but how many today worship the “intellectual golden calf” of evolutionary theory, claiming the creation randomly gave rise to our lives?! Praising a mindless, random, inanimate force (evolutionary theory) as though it gave us life is as foolish as Israel worshipping mindless, inanimate “gods” who she claimed gave her life!

“[They] worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator [Jesus Christ], who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:25b).