“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14 New American Standard Bible
God sent His Son. Not a messenger, not some angel, or a manifestation. Not merely a representative. God the Father sent His only begotten Son. His Son became flesh. We who had never been able to see God; were now able to not only see Him, but to hear, & touch Him, being able to draw near to Him, and to relate to Him, as one man relates to another.
I love how some versions translate the word “dwelt among us” they translate it as: “tabernacled among us”. It floods my heart and mind with so many visuals of the tabernacle of David.
God’s Son didn’t come to earth to “hide out” or be some kind of secret agent, or spy. He came and reveled His glory; God’s glory flowing through a man.
His Son was full of “grace and truth”. This term “grace and truth” as written in the original Greek, put these two terms: grace & truth; together as inseparable (indivisible) from each other. So as it was written, you could not take grace away from truth; nor truth away from grace. Therefore, John could have said something like this:
{God who is Love, sent His Son; “The Word” into the world. God’s Word, was full of Grace; bound to Truth. He wore an earthly garment like us, but He was not limited by it; because He only revealed, the Glory of His Father.}
This brings me to a question.
What are we revealing?
Or better yet:
What are we, that are flesh; becoming?
The Word became flesh, but He lived like The Word. Don’t get it twisted; He was fully man while here on the earth because: one man (Adam) caused all men to fall, so one man (Jesus) came to redeem all men from the fall.
So, what am “I” becoming?
Some would say:
“Well, I don’t know; I’m just making it through life, the best that I can.”
Or:
“I want to do God’s will; but who can know the will of God. It’s so hard to find His will out. I don’t know what my destiny is.”
“So then do not be foolish, but understand (know) what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:17 New American Standard Bible
Oh, snap! We’re supposed to KNOW the will of the Lord!
“Ok, ok; I better scramble, to find out what His will is. I’ll try all these methods and systems that I see other people doing. Or, maybe I’ll get that new book, written by that famous Christian author. You know, that one that talks about “10 ways to know YOUR destiny” and “42 ways to recognize YOUR calling.”
What about?:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of HIS calling, what are the riches of the glory of HIS inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of HIS power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of HIS might”
Ephesians 1:18-19 New American Standard Bible
Our destiny & our calling; has been trumped, and elevated to a higher purpose. To a higher calling. It is no longer ours. It’s ALL His!
It’s His calling, His inheritance, His power, His might! And it’s not found in some new teaching or book or sermon series! It was written long ago! So let’s stop deceiving ourselves and letting ourselves be deceived.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”
Hosea 4:6 New American Standard Bible
Let’s get His knowledge…He wants us to get it…it’s there for us to get.
Do you want to catch a glimpse of His, here and now destiny/calling? Yes; this calling and destiny is here and now! Not pie in the sky, sweet bye and bye…..
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (power, authority) to become children (sons and daughters) of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”
John 1:12-13 New American Standard Bible
“For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it. It was to this that God called you, for Christ himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:20-21 Good News Bible
“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
John 17:22-23 New Living Translation
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you.”
John 20:21 Good News Bible
As the Father sent me, so I send you.
As the Father sent me, so I send you.
Since He has called you as a son/daughter and has bought you back and restored sonship; walk worthy of His calling regardless of suffering, persecution, and wrongs. Commune in union with Him. He is Love; so love one another. You have a high calling (I don’t know how it could be any higher). Jesus said as His Father sent Him, in like manner; He sends us.
Think about that! Our Big Brother showed us how to walk in the earth and commissioned us to DO as He did! Bringing Heaven; the reality of Love, to earth!
Sons and Daughters; never forget it!
February 8th, 2017 by Eric