Gems for the Week
June 7 - 9
"God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him." (Genesis 1:26,27)
One of the ways in which man is made in the image of God is the fact that God is a Spirit. "God is a Spirit: and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth." (John 4:24) God gave man a spirit. Man is the only being that has a spirit, having been made in the likeness (resemblance) of God. Adam had a spirit so he was able to think about God and to communicate with God and God with Adam. The communication with God was certain. It was not long before man sinned and the connection was broken. Man is lost in his sin. God sent His Son into the world to save man from his lost condition. God justifies man by faith in Jesus Christ. When a man believes, he is saved. God then reconnects the communion of our spirit with the Spirit of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16) (Tim & Elaine Roach - Missionaries to Malawi)
N.J. Hiebert # 2999
"He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25)
It is not the measure of one's faith but the object on which it rests that gives security. A man had to cross a certain river upon the ice. He believed it to be dangerously thin, so he crossed on hands and knees, so as to distribute the load. As he reached the other bank, he saw a man drive a team of horses drawing a heavy load on the ice. It was strong enough to carry an army. The man's security depended on the thickness of the ice, not on his measure of faith. So the security of the believer depends on the finished work of Christ which can never break down and not upon the measure of his own faith.
Faith is not what we see or feel;
It is a simple trust
In what the God of love has said
Of Jesus as the Just
(Choice Gleanings)
N.J. Hiebert # 3000
"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
(Hebrews 13:8)
The believer is perfect in Christ; but, in himself, he is a poor feeble creature, ever liable to fall. Hence the unspeakable blessedness of having One who can manage all his affairs for him, at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens. One who upholds him continually by the right hand of His righteousness. One who will never let him go. One who is able to save to the uttermost. One who is "the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." One who will bear him triumphantly through all the difficulties and dangers which surround him. (Food for the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert # 3001
