Wade's Weekly Word

Joy to the world still remains God's goal. The Westminster Catechism asks the question: “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” (And I add, enjoying Him beginning Now and not just finally in in Heaven!). Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:17c, ".... he gives us richly all things to enjoy." We will one day fully and finally “enter into the joys of the Lord.”

The Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 5:1, contains the book of the generations of Adam and ends with a curse in Malachi 4:6. But the New Testament begins in Matthew 1:1 with the account of the book of the generations of Jesus Christ and ends with no curse in Revelation 22:3. Jesus birth is the Second Genesis, a new beginning, a new creation.

As we approach Christmas, we need to remember that it was actually a 33-Year event (33 is believed to be the age of Jesus’ death, burial resurrection, ands ascension). When there is a true celebration of the historical event of Christ’s birth, we should tell the four-part story of a complete Christmas. The baby in a crib, a man on a cross, a body in a tomb, and a King on the throne

Salvation is not a “hope so” salvation, but a “know so” salvation! It also does not depend upon our feelings, but upon His promises.

The Protestant Reformation stands as the most far-reaching, world-changing display of God’s grace since the birth and early expansion of the church. It was not a single act, nor was it led by one man. This history-altering movement played out on different stages over many decades. Its cumulative impact, however, was enormous.

Because God really does know it all, He never has to change His mind. He does, however, respond to some things conditionally based upon our asking, obedience and seeking or not.

This command by Jesus not to judge others could be the most widely quoted of His sayings, even though it is almost invariably quoted in complete disregard of its context. Many people use this verse in an attempt to silence their critics, interpreting Jesus’ meaning as “You don’t have the right to tell me I’m wrong.” A lot of people assume that they can maintain some sort of neutrality towards sin in the life of another person so as to never make any kind of examination, discrimination, discernment, or judgment. The Greek words translated "judgment" mean to judge, to examine, to critique, to discern).

In this age that insists on diversity, tolerance, pluralism, inclusivism, and universalism, we must announce unapologetically the singularity of the Christian gospel. This means that any intrusion that mixes or alters the uniqueness of the gospel renders it null and void.

When we begin to share Paul’s perspective, we will then begin to pray his type of prayers and be moved to also share his praise. For doctrine should lead to doxology as well as to duty. When we start praying “God Big Prayers” like these that Paul prayed in his prison epistles, life will become worship, and we will bless God constantly for having blessed us so richly in Christ, and pray fervently for God to bring in “the fullness of the times” so that “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth - in Him.”

The resurrection of Christ is not only an historical event, celebrated once every year, it is an experiential life and power that all believers are meant to live and operate in everyday!