My Lord and My God

Yesterday a comment was posted to Thursday's Father, Son, Spirit, inviting the viewing of a two-hour video to "aid the quest for truth" on the identity of Jesus. I verified that the video is by Unitarians and sought to prove Jesus human alone and not God. The comment was deleted. I offer not apology but the following apologetic.

My Lord and My God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:1,14 (NKJV)

In 1985, after 23 years of hearing and reading the Bible—of believing Jesus to be the divine Son of God—I met Jesus the Word of God. The experience of hearing the Word speak with authority was love at first sight. In the 25 years since that day, the Bible has been my first and last authority for faith. It has yet to let me down. It has sustained me through every dark hour. It has lifted me up to pinnacles of love for God and neighbor of which I am otherwise incapable.

And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
~ John 20:28-29 (NKJV)

Having the Bible turn my world upside down made me willing to question everything I'd been taught and measure it against Scripture. When it was proposed to me in 1990 that Jesus being the Son of God did not make Him divine, I readily examined it with an open mind, in search of truth. The texts throughout both Old and New Testament which declare Him God are numerous. The voice of the Holy Spirit has confirmed them repeatedly. The testimony of countless Christians matches what I know by personal experience beyond a shadow of a doubt: Jesus could not do for those He touches the miracles He performs if He were less than God.

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
~ Philippians 2:9-11 (NKJV)

No entity but Almighty God may be worshiped. To Him alone do we bow the knee in prayer, in faith, in worship. To Him alone do we lift up voice and hands to praise, to exalt, to magnify as Lord. Angels refuse such worship and praise. True disciples of Jesus refuse such worship and praise. Yet Jesus accepted such worship and praise not only because He is worthy of it, but because it brings glory to the Father. Those who wish to exalt God do so by exalting Jesus.

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist... He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him.
~ 2 John 1:7-10 (NKJV)

For as long as I host this blog, it will not welcome or give space to those who masquerade as "Pastor" and declare on behalf of satan that Jesus is anything less than God made flesh in order to deny Him homage.

If I use two of the precious hours Jesus my Creator lends me in quest of truth, I will praise Him for the beauty of His creation. I will search out Jesus the divine Word of God in the Bible. I will bow the knee in prayer to Him Who is Savior of my soul, Lord of my life, King of my future.

Father Almighty, for as long as I draw breath, I will exalt Your Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and my God.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#knowingGod
Art image by Riek Jonker

Question of the Week: Why Separation?

The triquetra (from a Latin word meaning “three-cornered”) is an ancient symbol for the Trinity. It comprises three interwoven arcs, distinct yet equal and inseparable, symbolizing that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct yet equal Persons and indivisibly One God.

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When we speak with words such as "return" or "reconciled," we do imply separation. Is it possible that we both hold and not hold God within ourselves? Or that He does and does not live in us? And if God dwells in us, how can we be separated from Him and be empty?
~ Maureen

There are various kinds of separation. And since one God is expressed in a Trinity of three distinct personalities—Father in Heaven, Jesus the Son, Spirit Counselor—our types of separation with each Person is different.

"Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father."
~ John 6:45-46 (NKJV)

There is an order within the Trinity. The Father holds supreme authority above creation and creatures, over humanity and angels, and above the other two Persons of God. No one of the earth may see His face. The ugliness of our sin, however small we think it, separates us completely from His absolute goodness (or holiness), and makes us His enemy—with no permission to enter His presence. Accompanied by Jesus, we have the right to enter the Father’s presence in prayer, make peace with Him, and be adopted as His child. We are then fully reconciled to Him spiritually and have the privilege of as much time in His presence as we spend in prayer. But we will not see His face before the day we go to where He is, in Heaven.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
~ John 1:14 (NKJV)

Jesus is fully God. He expresses the Father in logic as the Word of God, in creation as its Maker, and in human flesh as God become Man. When we take in Scripture, we are in the company of Jesus the Word. In perception of creation (including of ourselves), we know the Creator. But Jesus the God-Man now resides in the Paradise of Heaven. We are physically separated from Him until we meet in Paradise upon physical death, or when we meet Him in the sky at the rapture.

"It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
~ John 16:7-8 (author)

No one is separated from the Holy Spirit. Named Paraclete, or Counselor, He is present in the voice of conscience which convicts any person of sin. The Holy Spirit may come upon a person in more strength and give the power to do what pleases the Father. The Holy Spirit comes into the person who entrusts himself or herself to Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will occupy as little or as much place as is given to Him. When He fills a person, His presence cannot be missed. When He is given a small measure of trust, He occupies a small space, and may even seem absent.

Yesterday’s post on my blog is titled “Father, Son, Spirit.” Those interested in my personal experience of relationship with these three Persons are invited to read more there.

© 2010 Anne Lang Bundy
Image source: anglicancatholic.ca

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This post originally appeared at Bullets & Butterflies. To see additional comments, click here.

Father, Son, Spirit

To the pilgrims ... elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience
and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
~ 1 Peter 1:1-2 (NKJV)

Father, Son, Spirit

I readily confess to obsession with God's Word, as well as to the drive to understand it for this primary purpose: to know God.

My “sub-obsession” is the names of God, because He is known in His names. While hundreds of names capture various dimensions of one God Who longs to be known, His inherent nature is of three distinct personalities: Father, Son and Spirit. He's simply too big to fit into one Person.

May I today share Whom those three Persons are to me personally?

The Father is mighty and majestic King. He created me with a purpose and plan for me, and to share mutual love. All I have is a gift from His hand, and I need never go without anything I truly need. He blesses me with direction and disciplines me. He can be stern but usually isn’t, because of His deep underlying affection for me as His little child. Though I may disappoint Him at times, He is never, ever disgusted with me, because He sees my icky thoughts, feelings, words and actions through the rose-colored glasses of His Son's blood.

His Son is the King's Prince Regent. He is in Himself exactly all the Father is, and makes the Father personal to me by both telling me and showing me. As the Word of God, Jesus uses logical words I can understand. As the Creator, Jesus speaks in pleasurable sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and sensations. As the Son of Man, Jesus didn’t just live inside flesh, He actually became as human as me without losing any of Who He is—and demonstrated how to touch and talk with and love people. My Friend Jesus came searching for me where I sat imprisoned on death row, set me free, brought me to His Father, and asked that I be adopted into His family. He is my someday Bridegroom, residing in Heaven until our wedding day. He left behind the Bible as His love letter, His church as the part of Him I can still touch, and His Holy Spirit as His heart.

Called Paraclete (“Counselor”), the Holy Spirit is as gentle as the most compassionate mother. From the inside of me, he breathes into my soul desire for the Father’s plan for my life. Though Jesus set my spirit free, my soul lives with the lingering filth of sin which the Spirit tenderly burns off and washes away, refreshing me and making me radiant as gold. As divine Valet, He clothes me with works attractive to my Bridegroom—the labor of love, the sacrifice of joy, the cultivation of peace. His flames singe without burning, His waves billow without drowning, His breath fills me without forcing.

All three are one God. All three are marked by personality of soul and are as tangible as the elements. If the Holy Spirit is formless wind, fire and water of God, Jesus is the earthly and physical expression of God. The splendor of Father in Heaven is as untamable and untouchable and real as magnificent thunder which reverberates in my ears and heartbeat.

My God, how I love You. Thank You for making Yourself so indisputably real in my life. Please use my words to make Yourself more real and better known to others.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
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Exhibit F: Counselor

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
~ Romans 8:14 (NKJV)

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
~ John 14:26-27 (NIV)

Paul's next compelling evidence in the case for Christ is His Spirit. The proof of the Holy Spirit's presence is not supernatural manifestation which may be duplicated by the enemy, nor is it easily manufactured emotion.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is manifest by Jesus Christ in human flesh. It first occurred at Bethlehem, heralded by a star and song of angels. It occurs each time divine light shines into the world's darkness through us, when songs of praise pierce through our pain to display peace.

Jesus' words that He leaves His peace with us were spoken in the context of us receiving the Counselor, and thereby receiving His reminder of Christ's words in the needed hour. This is compelling proof of divinity's existence: when we face what the world gives with untroubled hearts and no fear, grounded in the Word of God.

It may be had for the asking, and is ours when we yield to the Spirit's leading.

Lord Jesus, You know well the tribulation the world gives. You know well the darkness and pain of this world. You know well the joy and love of the Father's presence for which we long. Please draw our hearts to yield to Your Spirit, minute by minute, that we might know Your peace as well as You know us.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Eloah, Elohim, El / God

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Eloah, Elohim, El / God
prounounced: "el-OH-ah," "el-oh-HEEM," "ale"

The heavens declare the glory of God [El];
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
~ Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)

"Do not fear, nor be afraid ...
You are My witnesses.
Is there a God [Eloah] besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock;
I know not one."
~ Isaiah 44:8 (NKJV)

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.
~ Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

Three Hebrew names are all translated into English with the somewhat generic name "God."

The Hebrew El can also be somewhat generic. Its meaning is "mighty," and it's the same word used for a false god. When used of YHWH, its translation is sometimes "mighty" and sometimes "God." It is often used with other names—El Shaddai, El Elyon, El Olam—to emphasize the identity and might of God associated with those names. Used in combination with other names, various translations differ on which English word to use. Perhaps more important than whether El should be translated as "God" or as "Mighty" in any given context is an understanding that the name El cannot be separated from its definition "mighty."

The Hebrew Eloah is a singular masculine noun used in poetical and prophetic passages. It appears 51 times to refer to God, of which 41 occur in the book of Job (where it is two times used by God of Himself). Of the other ten uses, four times it is accompanied by the word Tsur as a name of God. Tsur means rock—not a stone such as for a sling, nor a larger building stone. This is a boulder or cliff. Think "Rock of Gibraltar." [More on that in an upcoming post.] When used outside the book of Job, Eloah appears in contexts which rebuke disobedience and idolatry, and emphasize YHWH is the one and only God to be heeded.

Elohim is plural—a majestic form of Eloah, suggested as thus a reference to the plural majesty of God. Baker & Carpenter’s Hebrew Dictionary defines that the plural form of this word may be regarded (1) as intensive to indicate God's fullness of power; (2) as majestic to indicate God's kingly rule; or (3) as an allusion to the Trinity.

Where El designates might, Elohim more clearly refers to supreme and final authority. Elohim usually refers to YHWH, but elohim is also used of earthly judges—absolute authority in the absence of a sovereign king. Elohim is also used in the Old Testament by Gentiles in contexts which evidence recognition of the supreme authority God (or the Creator God) in a polytheistic culture.

The very first words of Scripture affirm such preeminence with the words, "In the beginning, Elohim . . ."

Himself without beginning, and having within Himself the sole power to create, Elohim is the plural God who alone has a right to receive reverence and primary obedience from His intelligent creation—the supreme Authority Who seeks fellowship with children of dust.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Attiyq Yomim / Ancient of Days

For July, each post examines an Old Testament name of God.

Attiyq Yomim / Ancient of Days
(pronounced: "at-TEEK yah-MEEM")

"And the Ancient of Days was seated;
His garment was white as snow,
And the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was a fiery flame,
Its wheels a burning fire ...
And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days,
And they brought Him near before Him.
Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him."
Daniel 7:9,13-14 (NKJV)

Although the word "Trinity" appears nowhere in Scripture, examples of God's plurality abound.

Here is a striking Old Testament example. There is no question that the Ancient of Days is God. His antiquity goes to the beginning of days—the beginning of time itself. There is some indication that in heaven time may not exist, but that days are numbered only in the realm of earth, where varying peoples, nations, and languages dwell.

Daniel's description of God's throne in the realm of heaven closely resembles John's description in Revelation 4-5. And as in Revelation, God is both on the throne and is the One approaching the throne to receive it, for only He Who is God may possess the throne of dominion and glory which receives worship.

This One coming before the throne is described "One like the Son of Man." Although Son of Man was a favorite title Jesus often used for Himself, this is the only time that name appears in the Old Testament. A human is clearly a son of man and is not titled as such. Only the Son of God needs to be distinguished as the Son of Man. The Son's divine attributes are so far above His human attributes, it is as if Jesus must emphasize His humanity.

And so we have a view of Father and Son, of divinity and humanity, of heaven and earth, of antiquity from the beginning of days, and perhaps perpetuity where time does not exist.

The beautiful contrasts in the plurality of God make Him Who He is.

ANCIENT OF DAYS by Gary Sadler and Jamie Harvill
(© Integrity's Hosanna Music, Integrity's Praise Music)

Blessing and honor
Glory and power
Be unto the Ancient of Days
From every nation
All of creation
Bow before the Ancient of Days
Every tongue in heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory
Every knee will bow at Your throne
In worship
You will be exalted, oh God
And Your kingdom will not pass away
Oh, Ancient of Days.
Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth
Sing unto the Ancient of Days
For none can compare to Your matchless worth
Sing to the Ancient of Days.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.