Plurality of Oneness

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Elohim

Introduction

I have been praying about the lost connection between what we believe and how we live. Sometimes I feel the gap is based more on our lack of understanding on how we are to apply our theology than an unwillingness to obey. Having this conviction in my own life I decided to focus my devotion time on biblical theology with a focus on application. I am asking questions like, “How does this truth impact my heart and mind?” “How does this truth impact the actions of my life?” “How is this relevant to my day-to-day living?” What I have found is a deeper purpose for theology and a greater passion for application. This is my attempt at applied biblical theology. I plan to keep it short and to the point, often building on concepts over several days for the sake of a singular thought each day (actually each week...or so).

We begin with God. What you believe about God is of utmost importance because what you think about God will determine how you think about everything else in life.  As Patrick Morley states, "There is a God we want, and there is a God who is—and they are not the same God. The turning point in our lives is when we stop seeking the God we want and start seeking the God who is." 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1

Moses uses the Hebrew name Elohim to introduce us to the Creator. Elohim literally means “the powerful ones” or possibly “most high ones”.  This is the primary name used for God in the Old Testament and points to God as Creator, Sustainer, and Savior (Gen. 17:8, 24:7; Isa. 45:18; Ex. 3:6; Jer. 32:37). One of the overwhelming aspects of this name is that it refers to the one God in the plural, a “plural of majesty.” The first way scripture refers to God is in plural form and this name occurs approximately 2,570 times in the Old Testament. From the beginning God was revealing His divine nature as a community of more than one. God eternally exists in the power of Creator and in the community of the divine.

Wow! God is so overwhelming even a quick look at the first time He is mentioned in the Bible sends you into a deep awe and appreciation for who He is.  I want to walk in the confidence of God who is Creator. I want to live in community with Him, participating in the Divine nature (2 Pt. 1:4). Reflecting on the plurality of God’s oneness brings me to a renewed sense of reverence and humility before Him.  Our God is a big God!

The Purpose and Work of Ministry

Colossians- The Preeminence of Jesus Christ

Lesson Six: The Purpose and Work of Ministry

Last lesson we looked at Colossians 1:24-27 and learned that ministry involves suffering. Paul began to explain how the mystery that now has been revealed, namely, the person of Christ and Him living in all believers, gives us the certain hope of a holy and glorious presentation at the judgment seat of Christ (cf. vs. 22-23). The key is to have a steadfast faith which is produced by maintaining a focus on the hope of the gospel of grace (vs. 1:5).

We were also reminded that in our service to others, our life of ministry, we are identifying with Christ, serving for the benefit of others, and living out our calling from God. This is the only way we can experience joy through the times of suffering in ministry. 

In this lesson we will see Paul’s purpose and strategy in ministry and realize the hard work it requires.

Ministry aims at maturity (1:28)

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 

Paul taught people about Christ. This seems elementary or that it should go without saying, but think about it. How many times have you been to a ministry gathering where the person of Christ or His word was not the focus of the teaching? Paul was concerned with what people believed because it significantly impacts our spiritual lives. This is what chapter two will be all about, correcting heresy about spiritual growth, then chapter three Paul will teach the true way we grow up in Christ. 

Why did Paul focus on Christ and His truth when teaching? Because his goal was to present every man complete or mature in Christ (cf. John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Wisdom refers to truth with application. The ministry God gave Paul was a ministry of sanctification, an inner change because of Christ and His dwelling in believers (vs. 1:27, 2:2) that is manifested in our lives through the things we do. 

So we see Paul’s purpose- to equip believers toward spiritual maturity

We also see Paul’s strategy- to proclaim Christ with the truth of application 

Ministry aims at maturity.

Serving others is hard work (1:29-2:3)

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Ministry is not easy. Notice Paul considers it “labor” and “struggling” (cf. vs. 1:24). Working toward people living in victory over sin with a knowledge and wisdom of the scripture is no easy task. But now that Christ lives in us, the only way to be certain of success is to rely on the power He provides. If you serve in your own power you will be disappointed and in failure. The only way to experience the ministry of serving others the way God intends is to rely on the power He provides. We will see how to do this in chapter three. Here, we see Paul’s heart for serving others toward spiritual growth.

Vs. 2:1-3

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

Paul was concerned for the Colossians, the people in Laodicea, which was a city about 11 miles away, and all the people he had not even met face to face. Notice Paul is “struggling for them.” His concern, purpose, and goal for those he ministered to consists of three primary things:

1. Their hearts would be encouraged
2. They would be knit together in love
3. They would attain the wealth of the full assurance of understanding about the knowledge of the mystery of God

Here again we see the importance of believers being a community of encouragement and love (cf. vs. 1:4). The absence of love is the presence of criticism and conflict. The first thing we must have in order to experience the encouragement that Paul is suffering and working for is to be a community of believers that is bound together in love.

Paul also desired that believers experience the blessing and riches of God that come from proper understanding of the mystery. Many false teachers were teaching heresy regarding spiritual growth. Paul is setting the record strait and saying that in order to grow spiritually you must experience the mystery of God, which is the person of Christ and Him living in you. 

It is in Christ that we find all the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. If we want to benefit from Christ being in us we must maintain our focus on Him. Not just in word, but in action.

Notice that Paul already had this understanding. His ministry wasn’t about him; it was about others receiving the knowledge he had, the understanding of proper spiritual growth. 

Ministry is about serving and suffering for others. It’s about putting other people before you and working toward people being encouraged, knit together in love, and having the proper knowledge of God and His Son Jesus Christ. Our lives should reflect this in the way we serve others and realize the joy of suffering, the goal of maturity, and the hard work of encouraging and loving others to understand the beauty of Christ. Although it requires suffering and hard work, helping someone to live their life more focused on Christ and to experience the glory of Christ living in them is the greatest impact you could ever have on anyone!

Israel Day Seven- Living Set Apart to God

Megiddo

Our first stop was Megiddo. This was another tough place to visit due to the pagan Ba’al worship that was practiced here. Throughout the scripture Megiddo is mentioned several times. 

Joseph defeated the king of Megiddo during his conquest (Joshua 12:7, 21). During the time of the Judges God allotted this city to the tribe of Manasseh, who failed to drive out all the Canaanites (No.33:52; Judges 1:27).  Solomon fortified this city as a place of defense (1 Kings 9:15, 10:26). Probably the most popular thing Megiddo is known for is the battle of Armageddon. This is when last great gathering of armies (good vs evil) will take place at the end of the tribulation, just before Christ returns to establish His kingdom (Rev. 16:13-16). In Hebrew, Har Megiddo, often translated Armageddon, means the “Hill of Megiddo.”

When we visited we focused on the Canaanite practice of Ba’al worship which revolved around the cycles of nature necessary for survival and prosperity, namely, growing crops, raising livestock, and the growth of human populations. There are so many gross practices of this pagan worship that I can’t recount them all there. Some of the worst parts are the practice were unnatural orgies and infant sacrifice, both led by the priests and priestesses. 

Ba’al had a mistress named Ashora, in Greek she is called Ischtar, and in English she is called Easter. She was considered the goddess of fertility and her ancient symbol was a rabbit and an egg.  Makes you think twice about the Easter egg hunt, especially if you have been there and realize its origins. It is perhaps one more way we as Christians could be set apart (sanctified) from one of the seemingly innocent practices of the world. We should celebrate the true reason for the season, the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We learned that Easter day would be better referred to as Resurrection Day! Amen?

Mount Carmel

Interestingly, our next step of Mount Carmel, which was considered Ba’al country and the place associated with its practice in Israel. We climbed to the top and saton the cliff and studied how when Ahab was king over Israel he had no problem dishonoring God and even strived to provoke Him to anger (1 Kings 16:29-33). He even went as far as to marry a foreign woman named Jezebel and allow her to worship her pagan god Ba’al (this is the exact reason God forbid Jews marrying foreign women). Ahab even set up an alter and a Temple to Ba’al and Easter (aka. Ashora or Ischtar) in Samaria.

The greatest thing about our visit here is when God proved Himself as true and Baal as false. This is where the prophet Elijah called down fire from heaven when the prophects of Ba’al could not. I would encourage you to read the biblical account in 1 Kings 18:16-45, esp. vs. 39 where the people fall prostrate and cried out the Lord of Elijah, “the Lord-he is God’” referring to the God of Israel as the true God! Read and celebrate God’s victory over pagan worship and pagan practice. Then think about how we can bring the light of Christ to a dark world. Not by imitating them in ignorance but showing how the One we worship is the only true being worthy of worship and how we celebrate Him alone. How has God called me to reflect the truth of Christ in a dark world of paganism?

 

Olive Grove

At the bottom of Mt. Carmel is one of the oldest working olive groves in Israel. In Romans 11 Paul used the olive tree as an illustrative picture of the union between the two people’s of God, Israel and the Church (Romans 11:17-24). Basically, the nation of Israel is the root of our faith and the Church is an olive shoot that has been grafted in due to Israel’s unfaithfulness. However, we must never forget God’s original chosen people and the promises He has made to them. He has not forgotten the nation of Israel! We honor the nation of Israel as we participate in some of the blessings promised to her as a result of being grafted in as the new chosen people of God, the Church. The Bible Knowledge Commentary and the Nelson’s Commentary have great explanations of this passage.

Caesarea by the Sea

We traveled to the Mediterranean Sea and visited the ancient city of Caesarea. This city was founded by Harod the Great in 22_BC and was the place of Roman government for over five hundred years. Caesarea was the home of Roman procurators, included Pontius Pilate. It  was really cool to visit because half the book of Acts takes place here. Philip took the gospel here (Acts 8:40), Peter took the gospel to Cornelius and the Gentiles (Acts 10), Paul sailed to Tarsus from here after his conversion (Acts 9:30) and all of Paul’s missionary journeys either began or ended here. Paul stopped here while traveling from Ephesus to Jerusalem (Acts 18:22), he was taken here by soldiers when the Jews sought to kill him (Acts 23:23-33), he was imprisoned in the palace here for about two years (Acts 23:35), and Paul’s three defenses were made here, before Felix (Acts 24), before Festus (Acts 25:1-12), and before King Agrippa (Acts 26).

This was a great place to visit and soak in the place where so much New Testament history happened as the church was being established.

Ministry Involves Suffering

Colossians- The Preeminence of Jesus Christ

Lesson Five:  Ministry Involves Suffering (1:24-27)

Vs. 24-26

 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.

“rejoice in what was suffered for you”

This statement seems like an oxymoron in the sense that suffering and rejoicing don’t usually go together and rejoicing is not usually a product of suffering. However Paul gives us the reality of ministry and the attitude we must have. Being a minister to the Gentiles Paul suffered severely for the sake of the gospel (cf. 2 Cor. 11:24-28).

How was Paul able to rejoice in suffering?

1.    His suffering allowed him to identity with Jesus.

2.    His concern was for the churches- his focus was on others rather than himself.

3.    He was living out God’s calling (commission) on his life

“I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions”

Paul was enduring and serving on Christ’s behalf. Now that Jesus was gone, due to persecution till death, Paul was now receiving persecution because of his identity with Christ. Paul’s attitude was- Jesus suffered in His flesh for me, now I will suffer in my flesh for Him.

It’s important to understand that Paul is not meaning to imply that the sacrifice of Christ was not a sufficient payment for sin and now Paul was filling in where Christ fell short. This would be heresy and would go against everything Paul just taught about Christ in the previous section of chapter one.

Paul is saying that he is receiving in his flesh the continuing persecution people have toward Christ even though He is gone. Jesus was no longer around to be persecuted and Paul is receiving the persecution in His flesh that is meant for Christ (cf. Jn 15:18-21).

“for the sake of His body, which is the church”

Paul was suffering this persecution for the body of Christ, the Church, the believers. His service to others was focused on their spiritual maturity.

He sees this service as his ministry and allows him to rejoice in the suffering.

“servant by the commission God gave me”

Paul was living out God’s calling on his life and could do it for the joy set before him no matter what that entailed and no matter what trial that brought (cf. Heb. 12:2; Jm 1:2). Paul could rejoice because he was living out the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God (cf., Ro. 12:1-2).

As servants of God we must keep our focus on our identity with Christ, the benefit of others, and the calling of God in order to avoid bitterness or burnout but instead rejoice in our service.

What was God’s commission to Paul?

“to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.”

What a calling- to present the word of God in its fullness! As servants we must be about the entire Bible and present all that God has said. In context Paul is referring primarily to the new revelation of a previous mystery of God, namely, the Spirit of Christ indwelling believers (1:26-27) and the person of Christ Himself (vs. 2:2).

The mystery has only been revealed to saints in the sense that they are the only one’s experiencing it. The next verse reveals one of the great blessings of this new revelation of God.

Vs. 27

“To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

A mystery in the Bible is usually referring to something previously unrevealed rather than something not understandable. It was (and still is) hard for people to understand that salvation is a free gift of God that comes by grace, through faith alone in Christ alone. We will see in our later studies they also struggled with sanctification being by grace, through faith alone in Christ alone. However, the false teachers around Colossae taught believers needed to work hard for sanctification and live by the Law and Paul will explain the mystery of our freedom from the Law and sanctification by the Spirit of Christ, how this is our only hope for true sanctification and victory over the flesh. Christ prophesied about this blessing (cf. John 14:16-26; 16:5-15) and Paul begins to explain it here and will does so more fully in chapters 2 and 3. This was a mystery in the Old Testament but essential in the new dispensation of grace or the church age.

So even though Paul’s ministry of fully preaching the word of God involved suffering this suffering was for believers to experience victorious living. Paul began to explain how the mystery that now has been revealed, namely, that Christ lives in all believers and this gives us the certain hope of a holy and glorious presentation at the judgment seat of Christ (cf. vs. 22-23).

As you suffer in your service to others, your life of ministry, remember that in the sacrifice you are identifying with Christ, serving for the benefit of others, and living out the calling of God for your life. In this way we can experience joy through the times of suffering.

 

Israel Day Six - Dedication

Day Six - Dedication

We started day six climbing Mt. Gilboa, an extended ridge on the southeast side of the Jezreel Valley. This was a strategic site for Israel as the Valley was a route from Galilee to the north and Samaria to the south. This also made it a place of many battles.  Amongst other things, this is where Hosea prophesied great blessing on Israel (Hosea 1:10-11), where the Philistines killed Saul and his sons (1 Sam. 28:4-5; 31:1-5), and Judges 7 records that Gideon camped and chose his 300 men at the spring of En Harod, which sits at the base of Mt. Gilboa (also called Mt. Gilead). It was interesting to learn some of how Gidean chose his men. He looked for men who were alert, cautious, and aware of their surroundings. The men who drank from the spring by lapping water with their hands and keeping their heads up and eyes on their surroundings make up the 300 men he chose. Fighting with just 300 men ensured God would be glorified through their impossible victory over the Midianites because it becomes unexplainable. Gideon trusted God and often lived an unexplainable life, expect for the power of God. We were challenged to live unexplainable lives for God. Trusting Him to provide, give victory, and get glory through obeying not only what He has called us to but also the way He called us to do it.

Our next stop was Beth She’an, the capitol of the Decapolis, the region occupied by the Pagans and practice of Hellenism. As we came over the hill, possibly where the Garden of Eden might have been located, it was impressive to look down on the remains at Beth She’an. Although God allotted this area to the tribe of Manasseh they could not drive out the Canannites and before the time of Christ the city was renamed Scythopolis and occupied by the Greeks.

It was interesting to learn the 5 key elements of Hellenistic society:

1.     Gymnasium- the development of body and mind

2.     Theater- the center of drama and entertainment

3.     Arena- the place of sport and entertainment

4.     Agora- the practice of upscale shopping

5.     Temples- the worship of many different so-called Gods

In Hellenism the Heroes are athletes, entertainers, thinkers, and the wealthy. Humans are the focus and “I am a God and I want it all” is the motto they live by. It was not hard to see the parallel with our own culture. An earthquake destroyed this city in 7 seconds. We reflected on loving God and not the world knowing that the things of this world will soon pass away (1 Jn. 2:15-17). How can we influence a place like this to see the true God? What is it that we have that they don’t? Our story. We must tell our story. Many people know about Christ but not many realize what it means to their life to walk in a relationship with Him. Let us show and tell with our lives and words.

 

We then traveled to Susita, another city in the Decapolis and a great example to telling of what God has done in a place of Hellenism. This is where Jesus cast out the “legion” of demons from a man, cast them into about 2000 swine, then they jumped into the Sea of Galilee and drowned (Mark 5:1-20).  

Afterwards the man who was possessed wanted to follow Jesus but Jesus did not let him go along and told him to“Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” The man went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed’ (Mark 5:19-20).

Sometimes Jesus leaves us right were we are to influence the place we know best, even a sinful, rebellious, seemingly impossible place. Our calling is to tell those around us what great things the Lord has done and how He had mercy on us. The cool thing is Jesus returned to this place and over 4000 people followed Him around listening to His teaching (Mat. 15:32-38) and 300 years later the city became a Christian center. One of the authors of the Nicene Creed would come from here. Amazing what the faithful testimony about the great things and mercy of God can do. It’s almost unexplainable!

 

Our Last stop of the day was the Jordan River. This river connects the Dead Sea in the south to the Sea of Galilee in the North (70 mile distance but 110 miles of winding river). So many things happened along this river and in connection to it. A few things include God identified this as the eastern border of Israel (Num. 34:10-12; Ezk. 48:47:18), large bronze objects of Solomon’s temple were cast (2 Chron. 4:16-17), Elijah and Elisha crossed over the Jordan on dry ground (2 Kings 2:7-14), Joshua and the nation of Israel crossed over into Canaan on dry ground with the Ark of the Covenant (Josh 3:13-17), John the Baptist baptized here (Matthew 3:5-6; Mark 1:5; John 1:28), and this is where Jesus was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9).

We focused on Joshua and the fact that the Priest had to trust God to stop the river after they stepped in while carrying the Ark (Josh. 3:14-17). Since all of us had already been baptized (and the water was low with a strong current) we chose to honor the Jewish custom of Mikveh and dedicated our head, heart, hands, and feet to the Lord by sprinkling water in all those places.

Mikveh is a ceremonial bath where a person immerses himself in living water to become ritually clean according to Jewish law and was done before entering the Temple or Synagogue. It is the background to Christian Baptism. For us, it was a meaningful time with God as we rededicated our whole selves to God. We want His truth in our heads to penetrate our hearts and be lived out in our hands and feet. May everything we do be done to reveal the heart and actions of our great God! 

Colossians: Three Truths about Jesus

Colossians- The Preeminence of Jesus Christ

Lesson four: Three Truths about Jesus Christ

The preeminence of Christ (1:15-23)

The false teachers attacking the church at Colossae were undermining the supremacy of Christ. They were not denying that Christ was important but they were incorporating other things into their worship and compromising the place of Christ.

So Paul is going to remind and explain why Christ is the sole focus of our worship and our spiritual lives.

Jesus is the perfect image of God (1:15)

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

“image of the invisible God”

The Greek word translated "image" (eikon) does not imply a weakening or a feeble copy of something (like a copy machine or picture). It implies the illumination of its inner core and essence.

The concept of "image" in the scripture seems to involve three things:

1.    Likeness - Christ is the exact likeness of God, a mirror image (Heb. 1:3)

2.    Representation - Christ represents God to us (Heb. 1:3)

3.    Manifestation - Christ makes God known to us (John 1:18)

While God made man in His image (Gen. 1:27), Christ is the image of God (cf. John 1:18; 14:8-9; 2 Co. 4:4).

“the firstborn of all creation”

This refers to His place of rank and authority. In the Hebrew culture the son referred to as the firstborn was not always the first son in birth order but was a phrased used of the son of first priority. Paul is saying that Christ is the One who should be of first priority and be the first authority in our lives.

It is important to point out what this verse does not intend to say. It does not mean that Christ was the first thing God created. The Greek word for first-born and first-created are different. Second, the following verses show that Christ is the One who created, and that all things were created through Him and for Him.

Jesus is the eternal Creator (1:16-18)

 1:16

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

We see three things about Christ and creation in the verse:

1.    Christ is the originator of creation – It is “by Him” all things originated.

2.    Christ is the agent of creation – It is “through Him” that all things were created. He is the architect and the builder.

3.    Christ is the goal of creation – Creation is “for Him”.

One day all of creation will glorify God through the worship of His Son Jesus Christ (cf. Phil 2:9-11).

1:17

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

“He is before all things”

In context Paul is pointing out that Christ is before all things in two ways:

1.    Temporally in that He is preexistent and existed before creation

2.    Authoritatively in that He is in a place of authority before anything created

These truths show that Christ is no creature. If He were created, He would have had to create Himself. To do that He would have had to exist before He existed, which is impossible.

“in Him all things consist”

Not only is Christ not subject to creation He is actually the sustainer of creation.

1:18

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

“He is the beginning”

Christ is the beginning of the Church because not only did He birth the Church, He is the “head” of the Church in authority and power, as well as the One who supplies it life and vitality.

“the firstborn from the dead”

This speaks to two things:

1.    Of the few people who have been raised from the dead Christ is the first-born, meaning He is the one with highest authority and importance.

2.    Christ is the first person to be resurrected from the dead and experience a glorified body, never to die again. Others could be viewed more as resuscitation than resurrection.

This resurrection and glorification is the basis of Him offering life to us. He promises that all who believe in Him will also be raised from the dead and glorified.  Because of this truth about Him and His promise to us, He is given preeminence in all things within in the Church.

Jesus is Preeminent in Redemption and Rewards (1:19-1:23)

1:19-20

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,

It pleases God that His Son is supreme and that He is fully God and fully human on earth as a man. and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

“reconcile all things to Himself”

To reconcile means to have a change in relationship between two parties from hostility to harmony. The world is in disharmony with God because of sin. Christ, “through the blood of His cross,” made peace and harmony between God and man. Now, because Christ has paid for the sin of the entire world (1 Tim. 4:10), God can receive those who believe in Christ. Now that God and man are now in a state of harmony through the reconciliation of Christ man is now savable and can experience personal or individual reconciliation (cf. 2 Co. 5:18-21). Note- OT salvation was based on the yet future death of Christ that brings reconciliation- Ro. 3:23-25. 

Paul uses the truth of reconciliation to look forward to the believer’s presentation at the judgment seat of Christ, the time just before he enters the Kingdom. All believers will stand before God and receive the inheritance of their rewards (1 Co. 4:5). As we will see, the end goal of reconciliation is not salvation but sanctification that results in a holy presentation at the judgment seat of Christ.

1:21-22

And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

As unbelievers they were “alienated and enemies” is two ways:

1.    In their mind – what the believed

2.    In their wicked works – how they lived

We thought and lived in rebellion of God yet the blood and death of Christ still brought the peace of reconciliation. He did this…

“in the body of His flesh”

Paul probably pointed this out because the beginning of Gnostic heresy stated that to be alive spiritually one must come through a spiritual being, not a human being. They were basically denying the deity of Christ, something Paul established just prior to this verse.

The point is that we have been reconciled for a reason. Christ has reconciled us not only for salvation but also for a holy presentation at the judgment seat of Christ, which requires our faith and hope in the resurrected Christ.

“to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight”

The key word is “to present.” Paul is speaking about our presentation at the judgment seat of Christ. Not our position in Christ but our presentation by Christ. This presentation is about the rewards we will receive based on our life here and now (1 Co. 3:10-15; 2 Co. 5:9-10).

Last week we looked at verse 1:12 and learned that positionally we have been qualified to be partakers of the inheritance because we have been saved through faith in Christ. Here we learn this includes a holy presentation at the judgment seat.

1:23

if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

The word “if” is a first class condition in Greek which is used to speak of a situation the author assumes to be true for the sake of the argument and therefore carries the idea of confidence.

Paul was confident that they will “continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast” and since it’s assumed they will do this (indeed) it’s assumed they will have a holy presentation.

Although all believers will be presented holy in position not all believers will be presented holy in practice. If we want to have a holy presentation and receive an increased inheritance we must continue in the faith, not being moved away from the hope of the gospel. Again we see the importance of the “hope of the gospel,” the assurance of eternal life, as the foundation for sanctification (cf. 1:4-5 and blog lesson two in this series).

The hope we have in the gospel is the sure promise of eternal life to all those who believe in Christ for it (Jn. 3:16). If we do not have this promise of the gospel the gospel will not produce the fruit of sanctification the way God has designed. If we do not have this hope there is no way we can be grounded and steadfast, and therefore be in danger of moving away from the faith that results in a holy presentation.

Because of whom Christ is and His place of authority, He should be the sole focus of our lives. Let us live in submission to Him as our head, as our authority, as the supreme person in our life. And in this way receive a “holy presentation” by Christ when we stand before God.