David Bunting
THE FAITH
The inspired word of God uses the word faith to communicate both personal conviction and persuasion as well as the body and composite of ideas, principles and teachings that are acknowledged and accepted as true. The collection of teaching from God through Christ the Son is identified in the New Testament as the faith. Jude wrote, “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3) The faith has been delivered by divine revelation. “But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.” (Galatians 3:23) The apostle Paul explains in chapter three of the Galatians’ letter how God’s promise to Abraham, the Law of Moses and the system of faith in Christ Jesus are all part of the heavenly plan to bring blessing to all men. Every individual must choose for himself whether or not he will believe the faith.
Truth Sets Men Free
The majority of people in the world are not free men, even if they are living in a society and culture where they enjoy political freedom. The Lord Jesus Christ taught, “The truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Jews then responded, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be made free’?” (v. 33) The Lord answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. . . . Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (vs. 34, 36) Like most of the Jews in the first century, men today do not realize they are shackled by their own sins and need to be made free by Jesus.
DEITY IN THE FLESH
Approximately seven hundred years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the prophet Isaiah foretold that a virgin would give birth to a son and he would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). “Immanuel” means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). The Being, who was the Word in the beginning, was with God and was God, “became flesh” and lived among men (John 1:1, 14). In Christ Jesus “dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9).
The Gospel Calls You
The gospel of Christ is powerful because it is the word of God and of His beloved Son. It is the truth that sanctifies; it is words of eternal life. If we will receive with meekness the divine revelation, it is able to save our souls (James 1:21; cf. Romans 1:16).
The Lord Jesus Christ sent out His apostles to preach the gospel and make disciples. “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14). “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” (10:15). The doctrine of Christ is designed to prick hearts and to lead men to conversion. It invites all to learn and to follow Jesus (cf. Matthew 11:28-29).
ONE HOPE
No hope. Two words that no one wants to hear. Hopelessness is a terrible circumstance in which to find yourself – that state of having no sign of a solution or an expectation of a favorable outcome. Such is the case of the individual who is without Christ, “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). And the one who hears the Lord say, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matthew 7:23).