Category: Jesus Christ

One Mediator #9

Sunday, April 21, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

It is as plain and simple as English can be. We do not need to attend seminary (Bible cemetery!) and study foreign languages for 10 years to understand today’s Scripture: Jesus Christ alone is the one mediator between God and men. As works-religion Israel must learn, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ!], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…” (Hebrews 10:11,12).

Long ago, a little girl enrolled in a religious school reported to her mother how a Roman Catholic nun that day had given the class a lesson on prayer and mediatorship. The nun instructed these children (under age 10) how to pray. With all heads bowed and all eyes closed, that nun led these little children in prayer to ask “Jesus” for candy. When everyone finished praying, the nun ordered them to lift their heads and open their eyes. In utter disappointment, the youngsters noticed there was no candy on their desktops! The nun guided the children to again bow their heads, close their eyes, and pray for candy—except now they would pray to “the Virgin Mary.” After they begged for Mary’s intercession, they were thoroughly amazed to find candy on their desktops. In these dear little impressionable minds, and upon their naïve hearts, an indelible mark was made: for the rest of their lives, they would always remember how Mary provided what Jesus cannot (or will not)!

Yet, that is not all. The little girl revealed something disturbing to her mother (a woman with whom I talked). In class, this clever and curious student had peeked during the Mary prayer whereas her classmates had their eyes shut. She had seen the nun’s helpers quietly running around the classroom with bags of candy and placing these treats! Beloved, this kind of dishonesty abounds in religion, people who will deceive anyone and everyone so as to preserve their denomination or theological system. Beware of them!

One Mediator #8

Saturday, April 20, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

Just as the Book of Hebrews declares, Israel must learn how the Old Covenant of Law (including its Levitical priesthood) will give way to the New Covenant (and its Melchisedecian priesthood of Jesus Christ). “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (Hebrews 8:6). “And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (Hebrews 9:15). “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24).

John the Apostle added, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate [intercessor] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:…” (1 John 2:1). Christ’s shed blood that will ratify the New Covenant at His Second Coming, is the same shed blood that allows us in the Dispensation of Grace to come before Father God (see today’s Scripture, plus verses 6 and 7).

Nevertheless, countless intermediary beings or inanimate things are presumed to play some role in men’s fellowship with God. Whether “Mother Mary” (the so-called “co-mediatrix and co-redemptrix”), or angels, or departed saints in Heaven, or sacraments, or priesthoods, someone or something is being used as a vessel, channel, or vehicle to “get closer to God,” to elicit blessings or answers to prayer from Him. Frankly, these are nothing more than Satan’s policy of evil sidetracking hearts and minds away from the Lord Jesus Christ. These “other mediators” serve no purpose whatsoever—save to blind the minds of them which believe not, to hide the Gospel of the Grace of God from Hell-bound sinners, that they stay out of God’s will of being saved through Jesus Christ’s mediatorship (see 2 Corinthians 4:3,4).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

One Mediator #7

Friday, April 19, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

In Judaism (especially detailed in Leviticus, and briefly summarized in portions of Hebrews), the Levitical priests in the Tabernacle and the Temple served as mediators between the LORD God and Israel. They offered sacrifices for the Jewish people, burned incense for the Jewish people, annually appeared before the Mercy Seat for the Jewish people on the Day of Atonement, and so on. These sons of Aaron were Israel’s representatives before JEHOVAH God.

However, when Jesus Christ came to Israel during His earthly ministry, the nation preferred to retain their watered-down religion instead of recognize His mediatorship. The writer of the Book of Hebrews, penning his work during Acts, expounds: “By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable [nontransferable] priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore” (Hebrews 7:22-28).

Alas, due to church tradition (especially Roman Catholicism), Christendom has retained some elements of Judaism (a priesthood, an elaborate system of sacrifices and holy meals, altars, candles, prayers). Like with apostate (unbelieving) Israel in New Testament times, when Hebrews and today’s Scripture were written, these “aids to worship” served only to distract from the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished crosswork (of which the Law of Moses foretold). Whether lost Israel or pagan Gentiles, all had inferior mediators between God and men. This is still true….

One Mediator #6

Thursday, April 18, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

The mediator between God and men can take God by the hand and mankind by the hand, and join them together. “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both” (Job 9:32,33). As God in human flesh, Jesus is both God and man (see John 1:1,14). Notice, He is “the man Christ Jesus” (today’s Scripture). Being undiminished Deity and full humanity in one Person, He alone can mediate between the two parties. This is exclusivist, and, understandably, quite offensive and very controversial.

Courtesy of religious tradition and paganism, there is a prevailing myth that “there are many ways to God.” However, that is not what the Bible says. If we are Bible believers, we will simply believe the Bible. It says what it means, and it means what it says. We can disagree with it if we want, but that does not change what it means or change what it says. Paul’s writing here is not the only word on the subject. Here is another primary verse pertinent to the discussion: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).

Peter preached in early Acts: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10-12).

Indeed, however, in our world of endless pleas for “tolerance” and “open-mindedness,” few are tolerant of the Bible and few are open-minded concerning the Bible…

One Mediator #5

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

The Greek word Paul used in today’s Scripture is “mesites,” from “mesos” (“middle”). Our King James translators rendered it “mediator,” someone who is a “go-between.” A mediator must naturally have something in common with both parties between whom he is mediating. He needs to understand and address both sides of the issue, so as to accomplish peace between them.

Re-read Job 9:32,33: “For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” As we stated earlier, this is Job describing God who is “not a man, as I am.” Also, at the time of Job, there is no “daysman” (mediator, moderator) between God and Job (a man) or God and men (humanity as a whole).

With a completed Bible in hand, we see entirely what Job saw only in part. Today’s Scripture tells us: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;….” As noted in our prior comments, the “mediator” must share something with both parties. In this context, we see “God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:3). Compare to Isaiah 43:11: “I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.” The only Saviour in the Bible is JEHOVAH God.

The Bible repeatedly states in various ways—“a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11); “the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (John 4:42); “a Saviour, Jesus” (Acts 13:23); “the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20); “our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 1:10); “the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 1:4); “our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13); “Jesus Christ our Saviour” (Titus 3:6). “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world” (1 John 4:14). “Jesus” is the Greek form of the Hebrew “Joshua” or “Jehoshua,” meaning “JEHOVAH-Saviour” (see Matthew 1:21). Jesus and JEHOVAH are definitely the same Person….

One Mediator #4

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

The context of today’s Scripture is prayer (all the way from verse 1 down through verse 8). Praying for rulers is especially accentuated, but prayer for “all men” (all people, men and women) is also encouraged here. Verse 4, a further explanation, declares how God wishes “all men” (all people) would be “saved” (delivered from, or healed of, their sin problem). After all, this is in keeping with the title of God in verse 3, “our Saviour.” (The other part of God’s will is that all saved people come unto the knowledge of the truth—that is, they learn why He saved them.)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The barrier of sin has separated the sinner from God, so salvation from sins involves the restoration of that sinner’s relationship with God. A mediator is required to repair the fellowship. Although Job of 3,500 years ago had limited insight into his situation (he failed to understand the cause of his prolonged suffering), he nevertheless had come to terms with the fact he was a sinner. He desired to have a mediator before God so his matter would be discussed and resolved in some “courtroom.”

Job expressed his thoughts in the following words: “For he [God] is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both” (Job 9:32,33). Three components must be isolated and analyzed here. Firstly, this “daysman” is a mediator—“day” referring to the time set for the man (mediator) to facilitate the judgment or deliberation. Secondly, “betwixt” is another word for “between.” Thirdly, “that [he] might lay his hand upon us both” is the Bible’s definition of a mediator or arbitrator or umpire. The mediator will serve as a bridge between both parties, a peacemaker to end the hostility, and a conciliator to establish friendship….

One Mediator #3

Monday, April 15, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

Let us read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

“God… our Saviour” desires all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (verses 3,4). Verse 5, today’s Scripture, is a further explanation: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;….” The details are in verse 6: “Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” Paul’s apostleship, how we learn this information, is provided in verse 7: “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; ) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

Concentrate on verse 5, today’s Scripture: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;….” The word “mediator” comes to us from the Latin term (identical spelling) that means “go-between, intermediary.” Someone is attempting to settle disputes, reconcile, or bring about an agreement between two warring parties. You might have even recognized its Latin root “medius” as the origin of “median” (“middle”). Someone is mediating between the one (Father) God and men (humans), His name is Christ Jesus, and He gave Himself as a ransom for all people so they could commune with Father God….

One Mediator #2

Sunday, April 14, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

Feelings or emotions can be extremely deceptive, particularly because they cannot think for themselves. Additionally, they fluctuate or change with the passage of time. As proof of their untrustworthiness, we can all recall times when someone did us wrong. Reliving that moment, it feels like that person mistreated us only seconds before. We feel gloom or fury. Though the incident might have taken place decades ago, we want to strike back at them now!

Moreover, it is no secret that a great many senseless crimes from time immemorial have been committed because someone hastily acted on impulses and emotions. Emotions are not grounded in reality, so they prompt us to behave irrationally: we cry during tragic scenes of videos, and jump for joy with delightful images. Although these films are pretend, our emotions influence and convince us the events are real!

What we need to recognize is that a large number of people are of a particular persuasion (belief system) or pursuing a course of action (conduct) not because it is truth or appropriate, but merely because they have an emotional attachment to it. Their parents raised them in it, their religious leader recommended it to them, so to abandon it is to (as they see it) desecrate their memory or betray them. When you try to reason with them and show them how they are going down the wrong path, they decline to hear because they were never depending on reason anyway. It makes them that much more difficult to reach with the truth (which does require logic).

It is highly critical that we base our lives on objective truth (sound Bible doctrine—Bible verses rightly divided) as opposed to subjective or personal things (emotions/feelings, speculations, hunches, and so on). If we have founded our life on emotions, we need to call ourselves “emotion-believers.” If we have established our life on tradition, we should label ourselves “tradition-believers.” If we claim we are Bible believers, then we will believe the Bible, especially today’s Scripture….

One Mediator #1

Saturday, April 13, 2024

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV).

According to Sacred Scripture, the Holy Bible, how many mediators are there between God and men?

Lately, I was watching a video about a young man who was killed while saving his father’s life. The father was spared, but sustained multiple injuries. It was really a sad case, for the suspect was hard-to-find—but he was finally brought to justice. One of the young man’s teachers stated in an interview that, since the young man died a hero, he was now praying TO that deceased young man!!!!

In a similar case, a ministry coworker was just explaining to me how his friend is a member of a works-religion cult. This group teaches God can be reached through various means including dead saints, angels, church leaders, and holy meals. She argued these are “vehicles” or ways to God, and, like that of the aforementioned teacher, her view can be found in multimillions of hearts and minds.

Let us be frank, dear friends. Our emotions cannot (!!!) be trusted because sin has corrupted our internal makeup. They will definitely lead us astray if we are not vigilant. If you talk to people going through challenging circumstances (the death of a loved one, financial troubles, health problems, and so on), they will tell you some truly strange things they believe and/or are considering. It is these types of individuals who will fall victim to scams—willing to do or pay whatever they can to have the loved one back or communicate with that loved one, to have economic relief, to be healed of the disease, and the like. Con artists prey on such desperate people by giving them false hope, cheating or tricking them into supposing all kinds of wild and farfetched ideas.

Actually, I will never forget one when I spoke with a trusted Christian friend whose wife had died. Never in a million years would I have ever guessed the absurdities, the false doctrine, he would share with me shortly after she departed. Someone had conned him… and he refused to be moved away from that position. If we can deny emotions’ power from running our lives, we can be enabled to live in reality instead of fantasy….

Two Sons and Two Fathers

Thursday, April 4, 2024

“And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:” (Luke 23:18 KJV).

One son will be liberated to live, and the other Son will be sentenced to die!

At the time of Christ’s trial, Barabbas is a prisoner (Matthew 27:16). Barabbas is a murderer, a robber, and guilty of “insurrection,” or rebelling against the government (Mark 15:7; Luke 23:18,19; John 18:40).

It is Passover. Roman governor Pontius Pilate has a custom that, at the feast, he releases a prisoner, whomever the people desire (Matthew 27:15; Mark 15:6). “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified” (Matthew 27:20-22).

Israel’s chief priests, rulers, and common people all demand Christ’s crucifixion and Barabbas’ release, so Pilate gives the sentence (Luke 23:23-25). Guilty Barabbas is set free to live, and innocent Jesus Christ is condemned to be crucified. While Barabbas’ involvement in the matter seems insignificant upon first glance, God included it in His written Word because to provide us with an amazing illustration!

“Barabbas” means “son of the father.” Barabbas is a criminal, and he represents sinful, rebellious mankind who is worthy of death. He is bound by sin, and faces eternal death. Spiritually, sinful mankind is the son of Satan—man is of his father the devil (John 8:44). Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, God, “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21), but took upon Himself our sins and was punished in our place.

Innocent Jesus Christ took the place of guilty Barabbas, which actually represented Christ taking the place of the whole world, suffering God’s wrath on our behalf! “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust…” (1 Peter 3:18). Thus, through Christ’s finished crosswork, we sinful sons of Adam (and Satan) can be freed from sin, and we can become the righteous sons of God.