PONDERING... Wherein did Christ's humiliation and exaltation consist?

A Catechism Study Outline Lesson

Wherein did Christ's humiliation and exaltation consist?

Christ's humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time. His exaltation consists in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, and sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

• Luke 2:7 ESV - "7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
• Galatians 4:4 ESV - "4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,"
• Isaiah 53:3 ESV - "3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
• Matthew 27:46 ESV - "46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" that is, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?""
• Philippians 2:8 ESV - "8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
• Matthew 12:40 ESV - "40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
• 1 Corinthians 15:4 ESV - "4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,"
• Mark 16:19 ESV - "19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God."
• Acts 17:31 ESV - "31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.""

Christ's humiliation consisted in His being born,

-When we talked breifly about this term, humiliation, last week, there was a little misunderstanding that needs carified. Humiliation can refer to embarrassing of harassing someone. However, in this context that is not a perfect fit. Could it have been embarrassing for God to become man, sure. Was it? No. Embarrassment would imply that He was unwilling or uncomfortable with the prospect of coming in human form. Though His life was uncomfortable, His decision was deliberate and He felt no shame.

-In this context, humiliation is looking more at the root meaning of the word--humble. Christ humbled Himself, made Himself to be less than He truly is, first when He was born as human baby. Remember He came as 100% man and 100% God. As I type this, I'm sitting up with my newborn baby, Adelynn Grace. Nothing in the world is as helpless as a newborn human baby. Coming down from heaven to live the full human life was an act of humility.

and that in a low condition made under the law,

-He didn't cheat the system. He came to live the full human exeperience in the way that we could not. He obeyed the law perfectly which means He subjected Himself to it. No shortcuts.

undergoing the miseries of this life,

-Again, He was truly human. He endured and suffered like all of us do, and more. We've talked frequently about the fullest form that this took on the cross. Here, He suffered ultimately. Remember also, however, he was raised by a poor family in ancient Israel. He didn't have the luxries or even modern sanitation that we've come accustomed to. He knew what it meant to be sick, hungry, hot, and physically miserable. Moreover, He experienced temptation and emotional hurt. He was betrayed by at least one close friend, rejected and disbelieved by His family, scoffed at by the public for doing what was right, and abandoned by those closest to Him when He needed them most. His day to day, like/more than ours, wasn't peachy.

the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross;

-These two are inseparable. We've talked about this at some length before, so I will be brief here (message me if you want more specifics). On the cross, Jesus endured the full wrath of God--our punishment, the curse of sin--in our place.

 in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

-For three days, He remained dead. Again, this was for us.

His exaltation consists in His rising again from the dead on the third day,

-Exaltation is basically the opposite of humiliation. It means "the raising up of". If we exalt a person, we focus on some positive charcteristic(s). In Christ's case, His exaltation was the revelation of His true nature and person. Everything about Him is good and worthy of exaltation.

in ascending up into heaven,

-In 1828, Webster defined ascension as: "1. The act of ascending; a rising. It is frequently applied to the visible elevation of our Savior to Heaven."

and sitting at the right hand of God the Father,

-His rightful place. The place of honor. Of course this is not to be taken completely literally as God is spirit and Jesus is God and God is not sitting at God's right hand in that sense. Oh, the great complexity of the Trinity! Jesus is honored in the highest possible way. 

and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

-Only the one who is worthy to judge the world will.  Exaltation. His rightful place. Every knee will bow. Every tongue confess-- Jesus Christ is LORD!

PONDERING... What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

NOTE: Quick hit this week on our catechism lessons.

What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Christ as our Redeemer executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. He executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us. He executes the office of a king in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

• Acts 3:22 ESV - "22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you."

• Hebrews 5:6 ESV - "6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.""

• Psalms 2:6 ESV - "6 "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.""

• John 1:18 ESV - "18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."

• John 20:31 ESV - "31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

• John 14:26 ESV - "26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

• Hebrews 9:28 ESV - "28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."

• Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV - "17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."

• Hebrews 7:25 ESV - "25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

• Psalms 110:3 ESV - "3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours."

• Matthew 2:6 ESV - "6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'""

• 1 Corinthians 15:25 ESV - "25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."

Christ as our Redeemer executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation.

Remember, His humiliation is His becoming man and dying for sin. His exaltation is His rising as Savior of the world. In these, He is our prophet, priest, and king.

Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

A prophet is one that foretells. He reveals salvation through His Word.

He executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us.

A priest was responsible for making sacrifices and standing between God and man. Jesus was our perfect sacrifice and stands continually between us and the Father.

He executes the office of a king in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

We are under His authority. He rules and conquers.

PONDERING... What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Note: This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What offices does Christ execute as our Redeemer?

Christ as our Redeemer executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation. Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation. He executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us. He executes the office of a king in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

• Acts 3:22 ESV - "22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you."
• Hebrews 5:6 ESV - "6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.""
• Psalms 2:6 ESV - "6 "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.""
• John 1:18 ESV - "18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."
• John 20:31 ESV - "31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
• John 14:26 ESV - "26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."
• Hebrews 9:28 ESV - "28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him."
• Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV - "17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
• Hebrews 7:25 ESV - "25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
• Psalms 110:3 ESV - "3 Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours."
• Matthew 2:6 ESV - "6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'""
• 1 Corinthians 15:25 ESV - "25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet."

Christ as our Redeemer executes the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His state of humiliation and exaltation.

Remember, His humiliation is His becoming man and dying for sin. His exaltation is His rising as Savior of the world. In these, He is our prophet, priest, and king. 

Christ executes the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by His Word, and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

A prophet is one that foretells. He reveals salvation through His Word.

He executes the office of a priest, in His once offering up Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us.

A priest was responsible for making sacrifices and standing between God and man. Jesus was our perfect sacrifice and stands continually between us and the Father. 

He executes the office of a king in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

We are under His authority. He rules and conquers.

PONDERING... How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Note: This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Christ, the son of God, became man by taking to Himself a true body and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary, and born of her yet without sin.

• Hebrews 2:14 ESV - "14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,"
• Hebrews 4:15 ESV - "15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
• Luke 1:31, 35 ESV - "31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. ... 35 And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy--the Son of God."
• Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV - "26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself."

Christ, the son of God, became man

Let's not forget the significance of what we're talking about here. Christ is not the offspring of God, but rather God Himself. He is not a later development of the Trinity, but has always been. The designation "son of God" refers to his representative role in the incarnation. (I can go more into this later if any of you would like, just send me a message.)

by taking to Himself a true body

True human body. He's not like a mythical demigod with superhuman physical abilities (impenetrable skin...etc).

and a reasonable soul,

Ok, so I had to look into this is see where this terminology came from and what it meant. Apparently, there was a distinction being made at the time that the catechisms were penned between human and animal souls. Some were arguing that there was no distinction. The term reasonable was used to refer to a human soul (which is capable of spiritual reason).

being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the Virgin Mary,

And here is a great mystery. Mary had nothing to do with the conception of Jesus being a virgin. The Holy Spirit, through means that are of God, put Him in her womb. For some, this seems too "unscientific" to be believed. However, if God is God and He created all things, substains all things, controls all things.... would this be beyond Him?

and born of her yet without sin.

Though not concieved by earthly means, He was born in the natural way. Yet, He lived a perfect, sinless life.

PONDERING... What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?

NOTE: This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What sort of Redeemer is needed to bring us back to God?

One who is truly human and also truly God. Human because in human nature He might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that He might sympathize with our weaknesses. God because of His divine nature His obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that He would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.

• Isaiah 9:6 ESV - "6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
• Hebrews 2:17-18 ESV - "17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
• Acts 2:24 ESV - "24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it."

One who is truly human and also truly God.

These are the requirements. 100% God. 100% man. (See previous lesson "Who is the Redeemer?")

Human because in human nature He might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin;

Why human? First, so that when He lived a perfect life it would be without advantage. He was just a susceptible to sin as us, but sinned not.

and also that He might sympathize with our weaknesses.

Second, so that we now have a high priest who truly understands. Do not think that He cannot understand what you are going through. He fought sin. In fact, He was targeted directly by Satan. He fought more than us. He understands.

God because of His divine nature His obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that He would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death.

Only God could provide salvation. Only God could endure the punishment (full wrath of God) for sin and overcome.

PONDERING... Who is the Redeemer?

NOTE: This is part of a catechism study we are doing on Sunday mornings.

Who is the Redeemer?

The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, in whom God became man and bore the penalty for sin Himself.

• 1 Timothy 2:5 ESV - "5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
• John 1:14 ESV - "14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
• 1 Timothy 3:16 ESV - "16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."
• Colossians 2:9 ESV - "9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,"

The only Redeemer is the Lord Jesus Christ,

Good to keep this in mind. One redeemer: Jesus. The Lord: He who rules. The Christ: the Messiah, He who saves.

the eternal Son of God,

Eternal is key here. The title Son of God is frequently misunderstood. Jesus is not God's son in the natural or biological sense. Rather, He has been with God from the beginning (John 1:1/The Trinity). In ancient times, the eldest son represented the father. He would inherit the father's station, title...etc. Therefore, even while the father was living, the eldest son would be taken as this representation. Jesus is the Son of God because He, being God, represented God perfectly to us in human form.

in whom God became man

See above. This is called the incarnation. Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. Yes, allow your mind to be blown. Paradox? Sure. Contradiction? No. He is God.

and bore the penalty for sin Himself.

Here's a point that I think many of us, even those of us who have long been Christians, overlook. We often speak of Jesus, who is God, dying for our sins and rising again. Yet, I think sometimes we, or at least I did for a long time, overlook what was actually happening on the cross. What is the punishment for sin? Not just physical death, but Hell. So, if Jesus bore our punishment, took our penalty, He endured Hell--eternity of the full wrath of God--for us. That is why only Jesus could be our sacrifice. Who else could do this and rise again?

PONDERING... What is sin?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What is sin?

Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world He created, rebelling against Him by living without reference to Him, not being or doing what He requires in His law—resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation.

• 1 John 3:4 ESV - "4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness."

rejecting or ignoring God in the world He created,

REJECT'ING, ppr. Throwing away; casting off; refusing to grant or accept; slighting. (Webster's 1828)

IGNORING- refusing to acknowledge, or pay attention to

Everything in the world is made by and for God. When we refuse to give Him credit, let alone glory, we sin. We're missing the whole point.

rebelling against Him by living without reference to Him,

REBELLION- An open and avowed renunciation of the authority of the government to which one owes allegiance; or the taking of arms traitorously to resist the authority of lawful government; revolt. (Webster's 1828)

We rebel against God by not living by His design (loving the holy and all powerful creator). Many people are turned off by the notion that those who do not believe in Jesus, those who have not been saved by Grace, live in "hatred" toward God. However, what else is a deliberate rejection of authority? Is rebellion loving? Now, I know our concept of rebellion is colored by our context. When most American's think of rebellion, they think of the colonies rebelling against the British. However, even if rebellion is done for a good reason, is it done out of honor and respect for the one against whom your are rebelling? No. What if that rebellion, then, is against someone who deserves your honor, respect, love, and devotion?

(rebelling against Him by) not being or doing what He requires in His law

Furthermore, we rebel when fail to live up to His standards (everyday).

—resulting in our death

Before sin, their was no death in the world. This refers to both our physical and spiritual death (Hell).

and (resulting in) the disintegration of all creation.

Sin not only effected mankind, but the whole earth. Droughts, tornados, poison ivy...etc. None of this would have existed before sin.

PONDERING... Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

The fall brought mankind into a state of sin and misery. The sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin, together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it. All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

• Romans 5:18-19 ESV - "18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous."
• Romans 3:10 ESV - "10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;"
• Ephesians 2:1 ESV - "1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins"
• Psalms 51:5 ESV - "5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me."
• Matthew 15:19 ESV - "19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."
• Genesis 3:8, 24 ESV - "8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. ... 24 He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life."
• Ephesians 2:3 ESV - "3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind."
• Galatians 3:10 ESV - "10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.""
• Romans 6:23 ESV - "23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
• Matthew 25:41 ESV - "41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels."

The fall

When we sinned in the garden of Eden.

brought mankind into a state of sin

A state is "the condition of a person or thing, as with respect to circumstances or attributes" (Dictionary.com). Hence, the state of sin is our condition of being sinners. This is our most influential natural attribute. This answers the perspective debate: are men mostly good at heart or mostly evil.

Likewise, the fall brought us into this state. We didn't start this way.

and misery.

"...wretchedness of condition or circumstances" (Dictionary.com). This is the result of sin. We are captives. Slaves to sin. By nature, we oppose that which we need. Even when we're saved by Grace, we will continue to struggle against the state.

The sinfulness of that state whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin,

We talked about this last week. Adam, as our representative, sinned. We fell when he fell. We are held responsible.

the want of original righteousness,

Losing our original relationship with God, how we were made: in perfect communion with Him. Sin separates us from the righteous God.

and the corruption of his whole nature,

Like we said before, it is our state.

which is commonly called original sin,

Yep. (This state, or sin nature).

together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

We sin everyday in many ways.

All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God,

See above

are under His wrath and curse,

Sin results in punishment

and so made liable to all the miseries in this life,

The world was not like this originally...with all the hardships and suffering

 to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

Without forgiveness, we will suffer eternally in Hell.

This brings up all kinds of questions. Especially in the area of human understanding and "fairness". Was it fair for God to punish everyone for the sins of Adam? Was it an overreaction? I know a lot of people don't like to hear the "we're not God explanation" (though I find the point supremely valid...because we're not, and cannot claim to be better equipped than Him to do what is right.) However, we are not punished for what Adam did, but rather for our own sins. Yes, when He fell, we fell. However, if it had not been Adam, it would have been.... Anyone else. In his position, I would have done the same thing. God's plan is best. I trust that.

Also, Adam was chosen by God to be our representative. We choose representative today, too. However, our knowledge is limited, and sometimes our choices aren't ideal. God doesn't have this flaw. So, by chosing Adam to represent mankind, He was clearly choosing the one best equipped for this position.

LISTEN: After typing this up, I listened to this sermon. The last half addresses this question, but the whole thing is worth listening to. http://www.ligonier.org/learn/sermons/death-adam-life-christ/

PONDERING... What do the Scriptures principally teach? --AND-- What does the law of God require?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

What do the Scriptures principally teach?

The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

• 2 Timothy 1:13 ESV - "13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
• Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV - "13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."

The Bible teaches us who God is and what He calls us to do.

What does the law of God require?

Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.

• Matthew 22:37-40 ESV - "37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.""

Personal Obedience 

This is the reason why growing up in church is not enough. I grew up hearing, "God has no grandchildren." It's true. People aren't saved because they are "church people". It doesn't matter how devout your family is, or even how involved you are in church stuff. Salvation is personal. You must personally believe in Christ and give Him your life. 

Perfect Obedience 

This is the reason why Jesus died. We needed a perfect Savior that would offer the perfect sacrifice because even our obedience is tainted by imperfection. Nonetheless, the Bible does call us to this. We are to strive to live like Jesus. We are sinners saved by grace, but must not use that as an excuse to just keep sinning.

Romans 6:1-4 ESV - "1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Perpetual Obedience

This is the reason "19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us" (1 John 2:19 ESV). We are to continue in our obedience. Christianity is not an on-again, off-again relationship. It is a life-changing, life-time commitment. 

ALSO, this is a reason I am so thankful for grace! Knowing that we are all saved sinners, I praise the Lord that He is gracious and merciful with me.

Love God with all our Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

I usually break this down by moving the "soul" part to the end and saying it like this: Love God with everything you feel, think, and do....forever.

Love our Neighbor as Ourselves

In the same manner that you care for yourself. I think sometimes we take the severity of this command for granted. Do we ever truly care from anyone else in the same way that we care for ourselves? Do we feed them when they're hungry, clean them when they're dirty, cover them when they're cold, embrace them when they're broken, look out for what is best for them? That is what God commands.

What God forbids should never be done. What God commands should always be done.

Yeah, I think this is pretty straight forward.

John Wesley Quote for Thought:

"Loving the Lord God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength is the first great branch of Christian righteousness. You shall delight yourself in the Lord your God; seeking and finding all happiness in Him. You shall hear and fulfill His word, "My son, give me your heart." And having given Him your inmost soul to reign there without a rival, you may well cry out in the fulness of your heart, "I will love You, O my Lord, my strength. The Lord IS my strong rock; my Savior, my God, in whom l trust.'' The second commandment, the second great branch of Christian righteousness, is closely and inseparably connected with the first: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love—embrace with the most tender goodwill, the most earnest and cordial affection, the most inflamed desires of preventing or removing all evil and bringing every possible good. Your neighbor—not only your friends, kinfolk, or acquaintances; not only the virtuous ones who regard you, who extend or return your kindness, but every person, not excluding those you have never seen or know by name; not excluding those you know to be evil and unthankful, those who despitefully use you. Even those you shall love as yourself with the same invariable thirst after their happiness. Use the same unwearied care to screen them from whatever might grieve or hurt either their soul or body. This is love." (As printed in the New City Catechism).

PONDERING... How Many Persons Are There In God?

This is part of a catechism study we're doing on Sunday mornings.

How many persons are there in God?

There are three persons in the one true and living God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

• 2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV - "14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
• Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV - "4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one."
• Jeremiah 10:10 ESV - "10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation."
• Matthew 28:19 ESV - "19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

BREAKDOWN

One God-

John Piper makes this observation: "The word "Godhead" is needed because we shouldn't say that there are three persons in God. No, there are three persons who are God."

This is crazy complicated, but complication does not negate truth. One God--only one.

Three Persons-

"...the term "persons" in relation to the Trinity does not signify the limited individuality of human persons, it does affirm the personal relationship, particularly of love, within the triune Godhead."--The Portable Seminary pg 93

Same in Substance-

Last week we talked about "what" God is. All three members of the trinity are everything that God is.

Equal in Power and Glory-

Those God demonstrates submission and humility through His trinitarian nature (The Son submits to the Father; the Father glorifies the Son; the Holy Spirit points to the Son...etc), there is no hierarchy. This is a common misunderstanding that comes from forgetting that they are one God. (I know, we can't even speak of it without almost muddying the waters...)

SUMMARY

This is probably one of the most difficult, and often controversial, discussions in Christianity. Basically, we need to come to terms with what we can and cannot understand. Faith is not blind. As we have addressed many times, we have evidence to support belief in the Bible as the Word of God. This Bible teaches that God is Trinitarian--One God. Three Persons. We cannot wrap our minds around this. Then again (as I've said before), we're not God.

RESOURCES TO CONSIDER:

http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2013/04/24/what-do-we-mean-by-person-and-essence-in-the-doctrine-of-the-trinity/

http://carm.org/trinity