It’s a matter of fact v24n14

It’s a matter of fact!

Part 5

V24 n14

People often think, when reading the Bible, that it was only relevant for the people of that time, and for the place that it was written to. Therefore, they dismiss or set aside a vast majority of that which is in the Bible, which is God’s authoritative prescription for our spiritual well being. In this ever changing world, customs and traditions change from day to day, but God’s Word is constant, it is the same every day, and will be that way forever, just as His faithfulness and love is the same always.

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. KJV

Hebrews 13:8, Jesus Christ is always the same, yesterday, to-day, and forever. (Moffatt translation)

[Jesus Christ the same yesterday] In all past times there was no way to the holiest but through the blood of Jesus Christ, either actually shed, or significantly typified. Today-- he is the lamb newly slain, and continues to appear in the presence of God for us. Forever-- to the conclusion of time, he will be the way, the truth, and the life, none coming to the Father but through him; and throughout eternity, it will appear that all glorified human spirits owe their salvation to his infinite merit. (from Adam Clarke Commentary)

God’s commandments or laws have not changed since the beginning of what we know, and perceive to be time. They (God’s laws and commandments) do not change, just as God does not change. As Psalms says, that forever O Lord, thy Word is settled or established in heaven. That His faithfulness is to all generations. (Ps 119:89-92)

Faith, is by hearing now, giving audience now to the message delivered by and through the Word of God, and then becoming obedient to that Message that was once delivered. Allowing this Word, His Word, to become an actual and real way of life.

Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: 2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. KJV

Each generation tries to adjust or adapt God’s Word for their culture, for their customs, and for their time. They will change the meanings of words to adapt them to their lifestyle and customs, rather then allowing the Word of God to bring the change to their life.

There it stands as an absolute proposition, that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever;" that is, that he is unchangeable. The evident design of this independent proposition here is, to encourage them to persevere by showing that their Saviour was always the same; that he who had sustained his people in former times, was the same still, and would be the same forever. The argument here, therefore, for perseverance is founded on the "immutability" of the Redeemer. If he were fickle, vacillating, changing in his character and plans; if today he aids his people, and tomorrow will forsake them; if at one time he loves the virtuous, and at another equally loves the vicious; if he formed a plan yesterday which he has abandoned today; or if he is ever to be a different being from what he is now, there would be no encouragement to effort. Who would know what to depend on? Who would know what to expect tomorrow? For who could have any certainty that he could ever please a capricious or a vacillating being? Who could know how to shape his conduct if the principles of the divine administration were not always the same? At the same time, also, that this passage furnishes the strongest argument for fidelity and perseverance, it is an irrefragable proof of the divinity of the Saviour. It asserts immutability-- sameness in the past, the present, and to all eternity but of whom can this be affirmed but God? (from Barnes' Notes)

Isn’t it amazing, that the same Word of God, that has not changed in the last two thousand years, is just as clear today, as it was back then. His authoritative prescription is the same, for those that want to serve Him, to give audience to His Message, and then allow it to become an actual way of life; as this is what pleases the Father.

From the immutability and eternity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though their ministers were some dead, others dying, yet the great head and high priest of the church, the bishop of their souls, ever lives, and is ever the same; and they should be stedfast and immovable, in imitation of Christ, and should remember that Christ ever lives to observe and reward their faithful adherence to his truths, and to observe and punish their sinful departure from him. Christ is the same in the Old-Testament day, in the gospel day, and will be so to his people for ever. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

Do you allow the influences of this present evil world, to be greater in your life then that which God and His Word asks of you? How easy is it to be pulled in, or lead by that which the crowd or majority are doing? Whether it be in the words one uses to carry on a conversation, or the conduct by which one lives, is it the example of the world that you are following; or the example given by God and His Word?

Did you notice in the scripture from Deuteronomy, that it tells us that if one hearkens diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, then the blessings will come upon you, they will overtake you. Yet, how often does one hear Christians saying how lucky they were? If one is hearkening diligently to the voice of the Lord, and obeying His authoritative prescription, it says the blessing will be there in His appointed time. There is no luck involved! It is a matter of obedience to God and His Word!

Just as Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever; so too, the Christian must be constant and consistent in their walk with God in His Word. The basics, or the foundation of God’s Word which we learned yesterday (precept upon precept, line upon line), must continue within us, for one to be effective in that which they hear and learn from God this day (today, if you will hear His voice, and harden not your heart), which will then keep one established in and on the proper foundation for that which will come tomorrow.

1 Corinthians 3:11, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. KJV

Acts 4:10-12, 10 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. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. KJV

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation of our relationship with the Father. Many ask why I call God, Father, and think that it is wrong for anyone to be so personal with Him. Yet, the Word is quite clear to tells us, that He is our Father. Jesus Christ in giving us the outline for prayer in Matthew chapter six, tells us to pray “our Father”. And, if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then His instructions are the same for us today, as the day He spoke that to His disciples. One must have that personal and intimate relationship with the Father, to be called one of His.

Romans 3:3-4, 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. KJV

Today, will you hold the facts of God’s Word to be true, or will you follow man’s traditions and doctrines?

That you may know Him,

In the service of Jesus Christ.

Larry Gazelka