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Monday, June 16,
2008
Passing
Grade
1 John 4:1-3 Beloved, believe
not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many
false prophets are gone out into the world. (2) Hereby know ye the Spirit
of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh
is of God: (3) And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is
come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist,
whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the
world. (KJV)
Strong’s definition for
‘try’:
1381 dokimazo (dok-im-ad'-zo); from 1384; to
test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve:
KJV-- allow, discern,
examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.
Would you like to do a
spiritual test to see if it makes the grade; then why not ask a spiritual
question? What is one of the first things one asks when they wish to identify
someone? How about the name, or what name they go by? A name will give the
identity of a person, who they are and what their family lineage is. When
you ask someone their name you will find that the first name they give is
quite common with mankind, say for instance John. When I think of the name
John, different people and personalities come to mind. However when you ask
them the rest of their name then it narrows the field and identifies them
with a certain family. When one names the name of Jesus they speak of a
common name among mankind, one that many have used. However when you use
the name of Jesus Christ you have now identified a man sent from heaven, a
man now seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for His
people. By giving the complete name you now give an accurate complete
account of who you are dealing with, the one and only name under heaven
whereby we can obtain salvation. You know, this test that is being referred
to, was given by another man, one I know passed it himself.
Matthew 16:13-15 When Jesus
came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying,
Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that
thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the
prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (KJV)
As we see in the above verses
someone else also gave a test to see who knew the true identity of the Son.
As we see all these names were common among mankind, well known by many,
yet not what our Lord was looking for. So what is the answer our Lord was
revealing to His people and wishes to reveal to His people concerning
Himself?
Matthew 16:16-18 And Simon
Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (17)
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for
flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in
heaven. (18) And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. (KJV)
There’s that name again, the
complete name that gives the whole answer our Lord was looking for back then
and is still looking for today, those that truly wish to serve Him in
Spirit and in truth. You know what people, if Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and forever, then that name, the answer Peter gave, would
still hold true today would it not? Furthermore, if you look at the source
of where Peter got his response you see it came from a God who cannot lie
and who thought it was important enough to make mention of it. A builder
wouldn’t dare erect a building without having a firm foundation to build
on, so why would God’s people try to build on anything less than what was
approved by God?
John 17:1-3 These words spake
Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is
come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: (2) As thou hast
given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many
as thou hast given him. (3) And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (KJV)
The Lord’s prayer shortly
before His departure from this earth clearly spells out who He is and the
one name that will give us eternal life. Again I reiterate that if this
name was good enough for Him and got Him access to the heavenly realm as well
as an eternal reward, would it not be good enough for you? If our own Lord
and Savior used this name to describe Himself then obviously it is meant
for us to use as well in order to gain access to the kingdom of God.
Luke 2:25-32 And, behold,
there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was
just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost
was upon him. (26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he
should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. (27) And he
came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the
child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, (28) Then took he
him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, (29) Lord, now lettest thou
thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: (30) For mine eyes have
seen thy salvation, (31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all
people; (32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people
Israel. (KJV)
Interesting to see again what
was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit; something that made it complete.
While most everyone was looking in the outward realm and saw a child named
Jesus, the spirit was revealing Christ the inward man that would bring a
spiritual enlightenment to a fallen world. What or who do you see when
reading the scriptures, do you just see and acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth
or has God revealed something deeper, beyond the realm of the flesh for you
to see also?
Galatians 1:11-12 But I
certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. (12) For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it,
but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV)
You know whether it was
Peter, Paul, or our Lord Jesus Christ, they all had one thing in common and
one name that identified them with God. They all knew personally for
themselves who our Lord is and what name He acknowledges as His. If someone
comes your way this day to see where you stand, will you be able to pass
the test or will you end up like many, giving man’s answer to a heavenly
question?
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