Chapter 13 | Revelations in the Fourth Gospel

The insight achieved by the author of the Fourth Gospel into the nature and character of the Messiah is not the result of scriptural knowledge alone. Spiritual things such as these are only spiritually discerned.[1] It is the impression of this Spirit-led Christian that the author of the Fourth Gospel was likewise Spirit-led.

 

Certainly our Lord’s presence and actions added a great deal of inspiration to one who was discerning by nature, but there had to be more. All the disciples of Christ, including the twelve apostles, would have been schooled to one degree or another in the word of God for their day – what we call the Old Testament. Yet this gospel reveals deep things of God not revealed directly in the Scripture, nor are they all evident in the other three synoptic gospels.[2] These insights appear to be matched only by those claiming direct revelation from Christ himself; the apostle John, the son of Zebedee and author of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John, and the apostle Paul, author of the Letter to the Romans and many other letters of the New Testament.

 

First, it cannot be overlooked that the authorship of the Fourth Gospel isn’t claimed by name within the book; it’s intentionally hidden. Traditionally, that authorship has been attributed to the disciple whom Christ loved, and this is thought to be the apostle John, brother of James. Though John likely had a part in penning this gospel, it can be shown that there is another who can claim primary authorship.[3]

 

It is the opinion and conclusion of this Christian that Lazarus was the disciple whom Christ loved, and he warranted this affection primarily because of the faithfulness and discerning character he possessed together with God’s Holy Spirit. Who better to speak about life renewed in Christ than he who died and was resurrected? Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, represent the faithful of God in Israel (Mark 4:20; Romans 11:5-7), whose words of life bore the fruit of faith in their lives. Their greatest fruit of all was to recognize the suffering Messiah as Jesus Christ when he arrived,[4] and it appears to me to be a primary reason for Christ’s affinity toward them. I will attempt to enumerate some of the key insights that distinguish Lazarus’ writings from those of the other gospels, and will show how they align with those who received direct revelation from Christ.

L1 – The participation of the Logos for the New Creation

One of the clearly unique things about the work of God in Yeshua is Christ’s direct relationship to humanity. Not only is he the author of humanity, but he is also a participant in humanity, and it is due to that participation that he alone will also finish the work the Father has given him. The continued pouring out of God’s grace and mercy in Christ is an expression of his faithfulness in contrast to our faithlessness.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Fourth Gospel 1:1-3)

 

The Lord’s part in the new creation, as the focus of the mystery of God, was decreed by God before the ages. This is the redemptive work of Christ, revealed by the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of all. The Spirit has revealed this connection between the work of Christ in their day and the work hidden in the past; to make the Father known.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
(Fourth Gospel 1:9-14,16-18)

 

The author is establishing the irony and contrast the Creator of the world finds himself in when he eventually dwells among his creation. Irony in that part of his own people (the Jews) didn’t receive him, and the world did not know him, and a stark contrast between those who claimed to know the Father yet didn’t receive the son, with those who actually received the Son of God and believed. The latter are said to have been begotten by the will of God, and to them the Father is made known through the son.

 

John the Baptist was one of the first to testify and bear witness that Christ is the Son of God.[5] His origin is from heaven,[6] and it is from there that he was sent to make the Father known.[7] In this, the will of the Father is made known; to complete the new creation in humanity through the Son of God sent to them.

For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Fourth Gospel 6:38-40)

 

The last Adam alone is our source of eternal life and righteousness. He illuminates the mystery of God, hidden in ages past, so that we, the first to trust in him, might know the will of God; to complete the new creation in Christ for all those who will believe.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
(Fourth Gospel 12:26,36)

 

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Fourth Gospel 17:1-3)

 

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (Fourth Gospel 17:20-23)

 

The work of God in Christ involves the revelation of the Godhead to each person given to Christ so they might know God more fully. Though these chosen are the first to trust in Christ, they are not the only. The future work of Christ is to reveal the Father to all the world; so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

As the last Adam prepares to return to the Father, being just one person in the flesh, he assures his disciples that his Spirit, a comforter and teacher, will come to attend to many.[8] This Spirit is the continued presence of the light (of judgment) upon the world:

• The Spirit initially comes to bring truth in the testimony (witness) of Jesus Christ. He confirms Christ’s work; to correct the world by bringing them truth concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment.[9]

• Of sin – the basis of which is unbelief. So the conviction upon those touched by the Spirit is the need to believe. The truth is in whom that belief is directed – to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.[10]

• This leads to righteousness, attributed to those who believe (it is the gift of God), and brings the believer into a state where sin no longer exists because righteousness through faith displaces it – they are mutually exclusive.[11]

• To make way for judgment, Christ’s righteous judgment; the revelation of truth, which corrects gently so as not to break a bruised reed but to make one upright and whole again. To bring light into the darkness of this world so that men will see the prince of this world (Satan) and its systems of corruption for what they are – the catalyst for unbelief among men.[12]

 

In all that Yeshua the Christ accomplishes according to the will of God, we see him moving humanity from one judgment to another. The one judgment was brought upon us by the command of God and the free will expression of the first Adam, though it came through disobedience. The latter righteous judgment of Christ, which we’re now being led into, is an expression of united wills, Christ’s and ours, which leads to eternal life and the new creation.

L2 – In Christ Alone is Life Eternal

The divinity of Yeshua the Christ, the son of God, is undeniable.[13] Throughout the Fourth Gospel, the author records his revelation and our Lord’s own claims.

I am the bread of life (6:35)

I am the light of the world (8:12)

I am the door of the sheep (10:7,9)

I am the good shepherd (10:11,14)

I am the resurrection and the life (11:25-26)

I am the way, the truth, and the life (14:6)

I am the true vine (15:1)

 

It is the Spirit of God who gives life,[14] and that life comes through belief in the Son of God,[15] and it is that belief in the Son of God which leads to the intimate knowledge of, and relationship with, God, and finally, the gift of eternal life.[16]

Life In Christ, Not Death

One of the core revelations of the mystery of God in Christ is that of the indwelling of the divine Spirit in the hearts and minds of men and women (14:16-17). The reality of the Spirit of God in you was so foreign to the minds of the Jews of Christ’s day, it was considered blasphemes (Matthew 26:59-66; Fourth Gospel 10:31-39). Though Yeshua the Christ brought life and immortality to light before the leaders of his chosen people, they chose rather to cling to unbelief, and as a result, condemnation awaits them. There is no condemnation in Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (Fourth Gospel 3:16-18)

 

Any condemnation upon mankind was brought to light by Adam. There is only life and immortality in Christ for those who put their trust in him.

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
(Fourth Gospel 3:31-36)

 

Some insist that immortality is something we already possess, or is found elsewhere. To this Yeshua the Christ reminds all that he alone is the path to eternal life and immortality. He alone is the bread of life that came down from heaven, and this he has received from the Father.

And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (Fourth Gospel 5:37-40)

 

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”…

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”…

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Fourth Gospel 6:29-40)

 

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (Fourth Gospel 5:21-24)

 

When the appearance of life in Christ became more visible, the contrast of this new life against the first and second death that held all humanity captive became even more glaring. This corresponds directly to the revelation given to Paul and John, and of which they write extensively.

2 Corinthian 5:14-15

• One has died for all, therefore all have died.
• Yet those called to live live not for themselves but for him.

2 Timothy 1:10

• It is only in Christ that both deaths have been abolished, and life and immortality have been brought to life through the gospel.

Hebrews 2:10-15

• On the cross, Jesus Christ destroyed the power of death and those who enslave us with it.
• In doing so, he sanctifies all and leads many brethren to glory.

Revelation 2:10b-11

• Christ doesn’t fear the first death of the faithful. He has power over the first death and the second death.
• His concern is that they remain faithful and steadfast, even unto death (the first death).
• And he will give them the crown of life eternal at his next appearing. At which time, the second death will no longer have power over them either.[17]

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

• Having been reconciled to God in Christ Jesus, our pathway now leads to salvation and the eternal life which he brings. This is true whether we’re dead or alive when he comes.
• Those not yet reconciled to God are under his wrath, which continues to lead to the wages for their sin, death.[18]

 

Yeshua the Christ has resolved the conflict between death and life through his own death and life. All that remains is to lead those still in unbelief to the obedience of faith through his righteous judgment.[19]

L3 – His Mortal Life for our Eternal Life

With death resolved for the children of God, the Logos of God is revealed as the source of their future immortality. His victory over death as the Son of God and the Son of Man gives him the unique position of being the firstborn (resurrected) of many brethren to glory. Yeshua the Christ has already saved us from perishing in the first death by his death. God’s promise is that he will yet save us from perishing in the second death by his resurrection and life.

“For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (Fourth Gospel 10:17-18,27-30)

 

Here, Yeshua clarifies his resolution to humanity’s mortality and their captivity to death; the first death as a product of what Adam is, and the second death as a product of what Adam did. Christ provides the way to eternal life so that we do not perish. What then can we infer from this?

• Christ’s sacrifice was according to the Father’s will – a command.[20]
• Christ lays down his life willingly; he has a choice.
• His choice and victory over death is passed on to his sheep. By his choice in the Father’s will, he becomes a victor, not a victim.
• All in Christ still die the first death, indicating this is not the same as perishing. The first death is not a permanent death, by virtue of him who destroyed the power of death.[21]
• Perishing is equivalent to the second death, but it has no power over those inheriting eternal life in Christ Jesus.[22]
• Following the example of Christ, the first death is a living sacrifice unto God for the glorious life to follow. That living sacrifice glorifies God, who in turn glorifies those who follow Christ.[23]

 

The apostle Paul echos this very same perspective.

Romans 5:10-21

• Those living in Christ were reconciled to God while still sinners, but much more than that, they are saved by his life.[24]
• The free gift, which leads to righteousness and eternal life in Christ Jesus, is greater-than the sin and death that arose through Adam.

Romans 6:3-5,10-11,13,21-23

• Believers pass from death into life through water baptism in Christ, to be raised with him in everlasting life.
• In Christ, we exchange death to sin for life in Christ.
• Eternal life in Christ is a free gift, not to be earned and impossible to repay.

Romans 8:1-6

• The Spirit of life overpowers the law of sin and death.
• The flesh made the law weak in that it could not save us.
• By condemning sin in the flesh through his death on the cross, Christ fulfills in us and for us the righteous requirement of the law.
• We are admonished therefore to live in the Spirit.

Romans 14:7-9

• For those in Christ, our lives and our death belong to the Lord.
• He is the Lord of the living and the dead.
• He died and lives again for this very purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:8-14

• We carry the same rejection, persecution, and death of Christ Jesus in our bodies, which have been purchased by his blood.
• Yet contrast that with the life of Christ, which will also be manifested in our mortal bodies through the resurrection to glory he brings to us.

 

Christ has already shown his power over death in that he died for all. As we struggle to live in the Spirit, his life and light are magnified in us. Though we have not yet reached the fullness of the inheritance promised in Christ, we know it will be manifest in our mortal souls through the resurrection to glory he will bring us to in the new creation.

L4 – Eternal Life in Christ comes through the Resurrection

By resurrecting Lazarus, Jesus Christ shows God’s power over the death common to man. But the resurrection to mortal life is only the beginning, not the end. The finished work of God in Christ is to bring his children to glory and eternal life.[25]

Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
(Fourth Gospel 11:17-27)

 

There is a lot here to unpack, but perhaps the most significant claim is this – I am the resurrection and the life. Christ demonstrates this with power over the first death by raising Lazarus to mortal life. It is demonstrated again as power over the second death when God raises Yeshua from the dead to eternal life. In Christ, life is fulfilled and death is defeated.

Continuing with Christ’s claim, he challenges our thinking even more – Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. This is a condensed version of the very same claim Paul makes from his revelation about those who will inherit the kingdom of God.[26]

• Eternal life in Christ comes to believers through the process of resurrection.
• Those who die in Christ (the first death), live again; raised imperishable.
• Those who live and believe, they shall never die; this mortal body must put on immortality. They are alive when Christ returns, and they are changed. They did not die the first death except in baptism.[27]
• Likewise, all that are glorified in Christ will never die the second death. The second death has no power over them.[28]

 

Let’s continue then to look further into the resurrection of Lazarus from Christ’s perspective. There is much concern over the motivation for Christ’s delay in responding to Lazarus’ sisters’ plea. Christ’s obvious delay in regard to Lazarus’ illness doesn’t require speculation or concern because Yeshua asserts the underlying motivation for it – It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it (Fourth Gospel 11:4). This is not all that dissimilar to the man born blind whom Christ healed earlier.[29]

• Recall that Christ has bound himself to the will of God. This commitment supersedes his personal feelings toward Lazarus and his sisters.
• Christ takes the future resurrection that Martha has faith in and brings it into the present, through the life-giving Spirit within him. In doing so, he shifts her faith to the person of Christ and away from the abstract.[30]
• Yet Christ goes further, claiming I am the resurrection. What is lost then if we deny or devalue the resurrection by claiming to possess immortality now? Do we not in turn deny or devalue Christ?[31]
• Martha could not possibly be aware of any more about the resurrection than what she knew, yet she had abiding faith in the source of that teaching, however incomplete the teaching was. The revelation Yeshua was bringing now to her, her sister, and those witnessing the event is an important part of the mystery of God in Christ, which was hidden in ages past, but is now revealed in him.
• Mary’s approach to Christ, as contrasted against her sister’s, appears more emotional and less theological. She utters the same words as her sister, but conveys a different meaning. Not surprisingly, Christ responded accordingly – Jesus wept.[32]
• The physical nature of Lazarus’ resurrection is evident by his walking out of the tomb still wrapped in the linen burial cloth, from which he had to be freed. This can be contrasted with Christ’s resurrection to a glorified state in which he was no longer bound by his burial clothes. They were left behind in the tomb.[33]

 

Together, this illustrates the already, but not yet nature of our redemption. Though we’re called in the flesh and grow in the Holy Spirit, we know that Christ has overcome death for us, and our hope is yet future for the resurrection to glory promised us as a lasting inheritance.

Knowing that Christ is always acting within the will of God, it’s worth some time to explore some of the purposes underlying this event. By doing so, we gain a deeper insight into the will of God and his work in Yeshua.

• The basis for a contrast is established between the four days Lazarus was in the tomb and his body saw decay, with the three days our Lord will be in the tomb and doesn’t see decay.[34]
• The resurrection of Lazarus after four days is sufficient evidence to remove any doubt about Yeshua being the Christ, the Messiah. Not only does he heal the sick, the lame, the deaf, and the blind, but he shows the power of God to raise the dead.[35]
• The resurrection was also for the benefit of Lazarus’ family and Christ’s own disciples, that they might believe.[36]
• To provoke the Jewish leadership further.[37]
• To show the grace of God in that his son would die, not only in exchange for Israel and the Jews, but for the whole world.[38]

 

We can look further at the resurrection of Lazarus and compare it to the resurrection of our Lord, which was prophesied to occur within three days of his death, and glean some insight as to the perceived nature of death and the decay of the body that eventually sets in. There are at least two perspectives from which this contrast can be viewed;

1. Christ, whose body did not see decay or corruption, hints at the first; No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man (Fourth Gospel 3:13). Though Christ was born of the flesh, he was begotten by God. As far as his earthly life is concerned, he originated from heaven. This afforded him the distinction at death that his body would not see the corruption and decay of those made from the dust of the ground.[39]
2. In Chapters 1 and 3 of her book The Gospel According to Lazarus, Barbara Tucker points out the Jewish tradition about the decay of the body after death. “The Jews believed, perhaps superstitiously, that the spirit hovered over the body for three days, and on the fourth day, corruption and decay fully set in. The spirit then looked at the body, was repulsed, and went to hades or Sheol to await the final resurrection.” She goes on to attribute Christ’s delay to raise Lazarus as being necessary to extend into this period of corruption, thereby signifying the completeness of Lazarus’ death and the power of God over it. This would satisfy any “Messianic expectations about the timeframe of raising someone from the dead” as well as the prerequisites for identifying the Messiah to come.

 

Christ’s claims regarding his death and resurrection resulted in ongoing confusion for the Jewish leadership, even though the prophecy of Caiaphas the High Priest[40] stood in stark contrast to their expectation for the Messiah. Their tradition taught that the Messiah would remain, end their exile, and rule in his kingdom.[41] They made the mistake of applying the many prophecies about his second coming to his first.[42] This is fitting since most of the objectives of his first appearance were shrouded in the mystery of God.

L5 – Christ alone is the Light of Men

When considering all that Yeshua the Christ has done for us, the simplest and most profound is the divine illumination he brings to the world. His divine presence, his life as a man, and his future kingdom all illuminate what is otherwise a world of pitiless indifference and purposelessness[43] with what is nothing less than the divine intent of God; eternal life for all who will turn from the darkness and embrace the light. Let’s review numerous examples, recorded in the Fourth Gospel, of the various roles of Christ on our behalf.

He lights the way to permanent reconciliation with God, our heavenly Father.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (Fourth Gospel 1:12-13)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
(Fourth Gospel 3:16-17)

 

Those born of God’s will are born of water and the Spirit,[44] a birth which begins with reconciliation to God and leads to eternal life, of which Christ is the source and the Spirit the guarantor. His light is ultimately for everyone in the world.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
(Fourth Gospel 1:9-10)

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
(Fourth Gospel 17:20-26)

 

We see this light already manifested in his death and resurrection, and as the firstfruits of salvation for those who now know him. The rest of the world will not yet know him until he establishes his kingdom upon the earth. It is then that he will reveal himself to them in power and glory.

He illuminates the doorway for the mortal to embrace immortality, primarily by revealing to each one the Father. Some will respond to this light, others will not.[45]

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (Fourth Gospel 3:5-6,16)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (Fourth Gospel 14:6-7)

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Fourth Gospel 17:3)

 

The flesh and blood, the mortality given to Adam, was never intended to embrace immortality by its own hand. Yeshua the Christ, as the express image of the invisible Father, was always intended to be the source of eternal life from before the foundation of the world. He illuminates the darkness (which condemns us) with his righteous judgment so he can lead us into truth.[46]

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (Fourth Gospel 3:18-21)

The condemnation we find ourselves under already exists in the world as part of the first creation and as a result of the emergent free will expressed by Adam and Eve, though it came through disobedience.

 

He shines his divine presence on a hurting world to reveal to those God calls his children, a living, loving, and gracious Creator.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn; (Isaiah 61:1-2)

 

He is the light in the darkness, and pours out hope for the future upon those in despair.

“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,

whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

My heart faints within me! (Job 19:23-27)

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Fourth Gospel 8:12)

 

He is the light in the world to do the works of the Father, the works prepared for him on our behalf. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we become Christ’s presence on earth in his absence, to do the works God has prepared for us.[47]

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Fourth Gospel 9:1-5)

L6 – Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

The scope and completeness of the work of God in Christ Jesus is summarized by Christ himself in the Fourth Gospel: I am the way, and the truth, and the life.[48] Since Christ’s statement is a summary, it’s worth taking some time to delve into the many ways that each of these is manifest in our Lord for us. We’ll begin to see that these are not merely nouns describing the characteristics of the Son of God; they also describe a process by which he achieves the will of God; leading many sons and daughters to glory.

The Way

As the way to the Father – it is only through faith in Christ, whom his disciples have seen, that they can approach the Father, who they have not seen. The Son of Man is the express image of the Father. He alone has made the way to the invisible Father possible through his visible manifestation in the flesh,[49] so that we can once again walk in his presence, cleansed and unstained from disobedience and unbelief. This Christ achieves through forgiveness and sanctification.

 

The way to forgiveness – it is only through the body and blood of Yeshua that we have forgiveness of sin. More than that, sin is removed as far as the east is from the west.[50] Our Lord and Christ condemned the sin that once condemned us, enabling us to be sanctified through his shed blood, so that we can stand firm and confident with him in the presence of the Father. Now Christ gave his blood not only for those who follow him but for all the world. All that remains is for the world to see and hear the call of God to forgiveness and to choose.

 

The way to sanctification – by his shed blood and our like suffering, we show ourselves faithful to the one from whom we receive life and breath and all good things upon the earth. His cleansing of our hearts doesn’t remove the knowledge of good and evil revealed to us through the first Adam but it does lead us into the righteousness in Christ through the obedience of faith. Most importantly, it leads us out of the lie of the serpent; that we could achieve godliness on our own, independent of God and his Christ.

 

The way to reconciliation – Yeshua the Christ removes the pride of life which distances us from God, and reconciles us with the Father; to seek his will and purpose above our own. In this reconciled state, we are no longer under the wrath of God intended for the unrepentant and unbelieving.

 

The way into righteousness – with our state changed through Christ, we are given liberty from the condemnation of sin and death which oppressed us, and are free to dwell in his righteousness, not our own. By living in his righteousness, we learn to suffer willingly as he suffered, to overcome the world as he overcame, and to grow in the grace and wisdom of God and the character of Christ; that we might live as he lived – according to every word which proceeds from the Father.

 

The way out of darkness – those God calls are chosen out of the world and are brought into the light of truth and life; into Christ Jesus. The light they receive is not intended for themselves alone, but to serve and proclaim this light to the world.[51]

 

The way to a life of faithfulness – we have the example of our Lord and Christ who was faithful to the will of the Father, even unto death, and as a result, was seated at God’s right hand, the recipient of all power and glory. Similarly, we are called into Christ as an expression of God’s faithfulness, that we might grow in faith and trust in him who will complete in us what he has already done in Christ Jesus.[52] In the parable of the talents, the master invites those who are faithful servants into his joy. They applied their belief in ways that produced growth,[53] represented by talents. They received praise from their master – well done, and greater responsibility. He that succumbed to fear did not grow. What he had was taken away, and he was cast out of the master’s presence.[54]

God is faithful and will fulfill in those chosen and faithful what he has already completed
in Christ.[55] When our Lord returns to complete his work in the world, it is the called, chosen, and faithful who will accompany him in power and glory.[56] This is another expression of the already, but not yet nature of Christ’s work in us. The fullness of that work in us will be revealed when he appears to the world in power and glory.

 

The way into the wisdom of God – Yeshua the Christ is the manifestation of God’s vast and deep wisdom, and has called many to walk in that wisdom. Though much of it was shrouded in mystery for ages, it is revealed in Christ our Lord. Yet even that revelation requires the Spirit of God to discern. The apostle Paul had received a glimpse of that wisdom and responded with praise:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
“Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

 

And what is the inspiration for this praise? It is a single statement and the summation of all that God is doing on the earth – For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. (Romans 11:32)

 

The way to justice and righteous judgment – the righteous judgment revealed to us in Christ overflows with the mercy and grace of God. Though the world was faithless, he remained faithful and gave his only beloved Son that we might be reconciled to him. Though the world abounds in injustice, he will make straight their ways.

Oh sing to the Lord a new song,

for he has done marvelous things!

His right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness

to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation of our God.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;

break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,

with the lyre and the sound of melody!

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

the world and those who dwell in it!

Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills sing for joy together

before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness,

and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98)

 

Though they walk in darkness, he doesn’t allow them to stumble into destruction, but gives his beloved Son to lead them into justice and righteousness. Not according to their many failings, but according to his faithfulness.

The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light;

those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,

on them has light shone.

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. (Isaiah 9:2,6-7)

 

As the way out of captivity and oppression, and into liberty – the work of God in Christ has been, since before the foundations of the world, one of goodness toward all humanity. Again, he sends his beloved son, not to dispense condemnation, but to bring liberty and freedom from that which oppresses them.[57] Christ’s underlying purpose was to bring liberty to the poor, the oppressed, and the captive and blind. Though there were physical examples of this as a demonstration of his divine power, the true application was spiritual in nature (a supernatural one):

• The Jews under Roman rule were an example of the oppressed, and some through faith found their freedom (liberty) in their Messiah.[58]
• Others were oppressed by demons; spirits fallen in character and constrained to this physical realm.
• Though some suffering from literal blindness were healed, mostly Christ reached out to the spiritually blind; that they might see and recognize the deceit which has blinded them to the true nature and likeness of God, to which Yeshua the Christ was the express image and example of.
• The same applies to captives, those captive to the deceit and lies of the world. This is why Christ refers to himself and the Father’s word as the source of light and truth. The world’s captivity is to the darkness, yet God’s calling is to the light of truth. All humanity is captive to the condemnation of sin and death. From this, more than anything else, Christ promises freedom and salvation.
• Yeshua brought no great wealth or even monetary relief to the poor in Judea. Though he did feed them on occasion, he mostly pointed them instead to the bread of life. Again, we see a spiritual application made for those who were poor in spirit.[59]

 

The way to peace, true peace – humanity is oppressed by the anxiety of life and the fear of death. Yet Christ brings liberty not only for the body but for the mind and the spirit. It is through the gift of God’s Holy Spirit that Christ leads us into that peace. It is a Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.[60]

 

The way into God’s rest – as the Lord of the sabbath, Yeshua leads us into his rest, where our righteousness does not come by the works of our own hands or will, but by the will of him who has secured righteousness for himself and for all who will commit to him.[61] Just as Christ is the means to enter God’s rest, we enter that rest by the gift of faith. Those who insist on entering that rest by their own righteousness will fail,[62] but those who believe and put their trust in the Son of Man enter that rest and dwell in it with him.[63]

 

The way to a new creation – Yeshua the Christ, the Son of God, is the firstfruit of all creation, having been resurrected to glory.[64] He is both the example and the means by which each of us can have a part in the new creation.[65]

The Truth

Jesus Christ is the manifestation of truth.[66] And the nature of that truth? The awareness and knowledge of God is gained by the indwelling of the Spirit of God.[67] Christ, being the express image of the Father, is the Father’s manifestation to those he has called to himself. As one with the Father, he is the source of truth. It is this truth that the world lacks.[68] It is this truth that leads the world to life everlasting.[69]

 

The truth of the Father – the foremost truth of Yeshua is the knowledge he brings as one with the Father. In his life, his words, and even his death, he pours forth grace and truth. By him, we have come to see and know the Father.[70]

 

The truth in Christ leads to life – the words of truth Yeshua received from the Father were not the words of condemnation, but of life eternal.[71] In Christ, eternal life is not only available to a remnant of Israel, but is being delivered to the Gentile nations as well.[72] In this way, all can come to victory over sin and death and enter into the sanctification of Christ, which leads to eternal life.[73]

 

The truth in Christ produces liberty and freedom – Christ did for the sinner what the law and sacrifice of animals could not do – provide freedom in the form of victory over sin and death.[74] This liberty in Christ was proclaimed in ages past by the prophet Isaiah, and recorded in Luke’s gospel. For this very purpose, Christ came into the world to lead many into the kingdom of God.[75]

And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:17-21)

 

A truth which bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit – the power and witness of the Holy Spirit –[76] brings the truth of God in Christ Jesus to light, that those who believe would no longer walk in darkness.[77] In this light, the Holy Spirit of truth will declare all things that are in Christ, even things still to come.[78]

 

Truth in the knowledge and wisdom of God – it is the knowledge and wisdom which Yeshua, the Son of God, brings to the world; a truth and knowledge that is eternal life.[79] Through the Holy Spirit, those who believe in Christ learn the hope to which they were called; the glorious inheritance which awaits you at the resurrection of the saints by the power and might of our Lord.[80]

 

Truth as the basis for worship – Christ expanded the context of worship to go beyond word and deed and into Spirit and in truth.[81] This form of worship produces maturity and the character of Christ,[82] leading us to become partakers of the divine nature.[83]

The Life

It’s not accidental that as the source of all life, we find eternal life is made available only through the death and resurrection of the Son of Man. Christ is, as we’ve seen previously, the resurrection from the dead and the life to come.

For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Fourth Gospel 6:40)

 

The life our Lord and Savior leads us to includes immortality and something more – glory and honor from the Father.

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (Fourth Gospel 12:23-26)

 

Yeshua the Christ, the last Adam, is the only source of this life and honor. He has made the way to this completed life possible, and he is the one who sustains it. Appropriately, he is called the bread of life.[84] The bread he gives is for the life of the world.[85] The Son has life from the Father, and willingly gives that life to those who feed on him.[86] In addition to being the bread of life which sustains us forever, he is also the word of life – the Logos of God.[87]

• His is a word of power and grace poured out on a suffering people, that through faith they might grow to trust in him.[88]
• His words are truth and a source of freedom from the condemnation associated with sin and death.[89]
• He not only brings us this word of truth that we might know that he was sent from God, but he prays to God that we continue in the unity of that truth and be sanctified by it.[90]
• His words are judgment and life eternal, now and in the future.
  If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
  (Fourth Gospel 12:47-50)
• His word lives in those who keep it.[91]
• His word cleanses those who hear and abide in it, and through that word bear fruit.[92]
• His words are Spirit and life,[93] and in them is the intimate knowledge of God; O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (Fourth Gospel 17:25-26)

L7 – The light in Christ is God’s Righteous Judgment revealed

Judgment, in and of itself, is a neutral process. It can lead to multiple outcomes as a result: a result that is favorable to the object of judgment, an outcome that is neutral, or an outcome that is unfavorable to the object of judgment. An underlying theme in the Fourth Gospel is the connection between the light which Christ our Lord brings to the world in its various forms and the righteous judgment he achieves in the process. The challenge is in recognizing what that righteous judgment leads to – becoming children of light.[94]

 

Let’s see how Christ is the light of judgment for the world; for some now, and for the rest of the world later.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (Fourth Gospel 3:17-18)

 

Note that there is no condemnation from God or Christ for those called or led into belief through faith and have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:1-11). Condemnation remains only on those who remain in unbelief. This is the state to which we are born in the flesh, the state to which we are led by Adam (Fourth Gospel 3:5-6), according to the will of God (Romans 11:32).

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” (Fourth Gospel 3:19-21)

 

Light takes the form of judgment because Yeshua, the Son of God, brings the light of his presence and his truth into the darkness – where untruth (deception) dwells. The contrast represented by light and darkness reaches into the depths of knowledge and wisdom, but not earthly knowledge or earthly wisdom.

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (Fourth Gospel 17:1-3)

 

The knowledge and wisdom that matters is that of the work and will and character of God and his Christ. This wisdom and knowledge is the basis for all wisdom and knowledge, as it bears fruit to eternal life in Christ our Lord. The light of Christ’s truth brings a form of judgment into the lives of believers. They are convicted by the Holy Spirit and the words of life recorded in Scripture. There they see the need, by the grace already rendered to them, to respond to that grace with obedience. This is how Christ later says – “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”[95]

The underlying focus of this statement is the impact pride has on what we see or don’t see regarding the spiritual work God and his Christ are engaged in. Christ’s healing of the man born blind is a perfect example.[96] Note the gratitude and humility of the blind man who can recognize the God in Christ and the blindness of the Pharisees who could not. Their blindness was not due to the loss of sight, but to the abundance of pride. This is evidenced when observing the blind man’s response and contrasting it with the Pharisees’ response.

 

Jesus Christ comes to shed light and truth to those willing to accept him according to his words and deeds. Though they can not see God, they’re able to recognize him in the Son of Man. The Chief Priest, Scribes, and Pharisees, however, claim to know God even more than the Son of God. Who is the more blind?

 

We can see then that the light of truth Christ brings into the world is a form of judgment, a form of judgment that has a favorable outcome, eternal life for those who come under that judgment willingly via their relationship with Christ. Yet Christ’s work does more than redeem humanity. It changes the fruit of our previous lives in disobedience, which results in condemnation and death, and turns it into justification and life. Now he does this through his death and through our death.[97] By overcoming death with life, he flips death upside down, and where there appears only victims and loss, he produces victory and eternal life. This is the nature of Christ’s righteous judgment; moving humanity past death, from victim to victor.

 

When seen through the eyes of the new creation, Christ is moving us from the judgment of condemnation introduced by God and the first Adam to the righteous judgment leading to eternal life revealed by God and his Christ, the last Adam. This process starts with hearing and recognizing the voice of the Son of God. This connection between Christ’s righteous judgment and life is recorded in the Fourth Gospel.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead [those whose lives lead to condemnation] will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. (Fourth Gospel 5:25)

 

This is the process as it’s applied to the firstfruits of salvation – those who will hear. This same process will be applied again when Christ rules on earth, having revealed himself to the world.

For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs [those dead and buried] will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
(Fourth Gospel 5:26-29)

 

The authority to judge in righteousness isn’t for punishment only. Any punishment administered by the Lord may serve as a form of correction, but its ultimate purpose is to lead the disobedient into repentance and life.[98] This he’ll do through their death if necessary in order to satisfy the will of God and to complete the work given to him as the judge. This judgment started with Abraham and the covenant of faith, continues with his firstfruits of salvation and doesn’t end until the Great White Throne judgment.

And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.

(Fourth Gospel 12:44-48)

 

As Yeshua the Christ completes his earthly kingdom reign, the light of his truth will have gone to all the ends of the earth and out to all the nations. It will displace the deception and darkness so prevalent in the current age. Notice that Christ doesn’t judge those who choose not to keep his words. He doesn’t need to. Those who do not hear or do not accept his words have their judgment already in the condemnation which awaits them – death, the second death.[99] Their rejection of the source of life from the last Adam leaves them under the condemnation of God’s command[100] brought about by the first Adam; in dying, you shall surely die.

Christ’s first appearance on earth was to achieve the redemption of humanity from sin and the resulting condemnation and death. But his work doesn’t end there. He must now move a segment of the world into obedience to God as an example to the others, as a kingdom of priests to share his glory and his work to bring into subjection all authority and power.[101]

 

When Christ our Lord appears a second time, it won’t be to address redemption from sin and death[102] but to do what’s necessary to lead Israel and the nations into obedience to God; this is the underlying work in his earthly kingdom. Near the end of that kingdom comes the Great White Throne judgment, when the books are opened and the dead, resurrected to physical life, will be confronted with Christ’s righteous judgment. Notice what will be used to execute that judgment – the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day (Fourth Gospel 12:48).

 

The same words of life that judge his firstfruits of salvation today will judge the living and the dead in his earthly kingdom tomorrow. And what will be the outcome for those who hear and receive his word at that time? Nothing short of eternal life.

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” (Fourth Gospel 12:49-50)

 

What of those who do not hear or receive his words of life?

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
(Fourth Gospel 3:18)

 

Christ does not condemn them because condemnation and death already await them, since they reject him who is the source of life.[103] Theirs is the second death, a death of judgment from which there is no hope of resurrection.[104] So the power Christ holds over death is freely exercised throughout the time since his kingdom was established on earth to the time when he hands the completed kingdom over to his Father. This is repeatedly echoed in his words of life, and one example is in the Fourth Gospel.

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
(Fourth Gospel 5:21,24)

 

Notice here that Christ adds the distinction about the transition the believer makes from death to life comes through a resurrection (vs 29). The death referred to here includes all death:

• First, we share in Christ’s death[105]
• By sharing in Christ’s death, the penalty for sin is satisfied[106]
• Christ is our only hope for resurrection from the first death and into life eternal[107]
• The immortality offered in Christ is not subject to the second death[108]
• Nor do we come under the Great White Throne Judgment of the last day[109]

 

The way and truth of Christ leads to eternal life for those who’ve surrendered to truth,[110] and our judgment comes as we live and follow those same words of life. The way, which leads into Christ’s death and reconciliation with God, will ultimately result in eternal life with Christ at the first resurrection. Blessed are they.[111]

L8 – Eternal Life is Given to those God Chooses

Notice that the gift of immortality is given according to the will of the Father and the Son. It is God who determines the timing and distribution of this gift. It is God who calls each to repentance in his appointed time.[112]

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
(Fourth Gospel 15:15-16,19)

 

Yeshua the Christ has chosen those whom God has called to himself.[113] The apostle Paul delves into this calling and election repeatedly to encourage those who are called according to his grace and purpose for their life in Christ, the power and the wisdom of God.

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1:21-24)

 

Paul goes on to remind us that although we can have confidence in this calling, we must remember by whom and in what context we were called. In this context, we can remain humble and boast only in our Lord.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

 

We are to remain faithful to the God who calls us into fellowship with his Son. In this, God shows that he too is trustworthy;[114]

• To sustain you until the end
• To keep you guiltless
• To see you’re not lacking in any gift of character by grace
• To enrich your speech of him
• To enrich your knowledge of him

 

We can therefore remain confident that we dwell according to the will and purpose of God now and in the world to come.

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (Fourth Gospel 6:39-40)

 

If one steps back and looks at the work God is doing in Christ, we can recognize the process by which Christ is achieving God’s will for us. In order to bring his siblings, complete, perfect, and immortal before the presence of the invisible God and Father of all creation, a pathway must be made to get us from the incomplete, imperfect, and mortal nature of our origins to the image and likeness of Christ. Along that pathway, a transition begins, a transition from darkness into light, from deception into truth, from unbelief into belief, from self-trust to trust in God. At the end of this pathway, we find our inheritance in Christ, a revelation of glory; the glory of the last Adam who led us along the path, and that glory he shares with the children of God in the form of a resurrected and eternal life in the presence of God. This is the new creation in Yeshua the Christ, a mystery revealed in the last Adam; to complete a work started with the first Adam to lead many sons and daughters to glory.