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This pilgrimage of the Magi points to the universal importance of the Babes birth in a manger. Note the purpose of the wise men was to worship Jesus. The star which led the Magi could not be a normal star but a divine illumination that led the wise men, this, and their visit itself also point to the fact that this was no ordinary birth. The word translated worship here means to crouch at ones master feet, to prostrate oneself to another, to adore.
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But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
The key verse in the book of Proverbs could very well be "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge". Our LORD Jesus is the foundation and rock that the Christian faith is built upon. On this foundation we begin to acquire knowledge by first fearing the LORD. I believe the next step on which to build is having an understanding of grace. Most of us know that grace means "unmerited favor", but let's take a few moments to look at some aspects of the LORD's amazing grace.
Ephesians 2:1 tells us that before one becomes saved they are dead in their sins. We also know from Romans that the wages of sin is death, spiritual death, so therefore we know the unsaved are doomed with for eternal life. What is spoken of though in Ephesians 2 when we read about sins, trespasses and walking according to this world? We find a definition in Romans 13:
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:13,14).
Likewise the "prince of the power of the air" refers to satan as he rules the sinful world but his time is but for a short while and running out, he will ultimately be defeated by Christ:
"Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out." (John 12:31).
Ephesians 2:3 tells us by nature we are children of wrath and this is why grace is needed, how much more excellent is grace than legalism:
"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves" (Romans 2:14).
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6-8).
God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. How wonderful is that good news! Also, according to Ephesians 2:6, He has raised us up with Him:
"Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12).
"Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).
And seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
"Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:20).
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3).
Note verses 8 & 9 of Ephesians 2 tell us that grace is a gift and not of ourselves, therefore we cannot boast. I'm sure many have met a person or persons who things just seem to come to them in life, they meet a beautiful spouse, get a job making an outrageously high salary and admit doing very little work, all their investments and business flourish and everything just seems to go their way. While on the other hand, there are some who although they try very hard yet stuggle with many burdens; financial, personal, health, nothing ever seems to go right. The flip side of this is grace. For those of us who have come to know Christ we must always remember to be humble; humility comes from grace, we must realize that we are no better than our neighbor, we are only saved because of grace and not our own works. Anyone who today thinks they are better than their neighbor should go back to Genesis 1:1 and start a notebook - bible 101 aaa and rethink the subject of grace. This may sound a bit harsh, but I say this out of love and it holds true to myself as well. So let's look again at some verses pointing to grace:
"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16).
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5).
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:28).
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Timothy 1:7-9).
"That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
In closing, we come to the final verse in this famous paragraph in Ephesians 2, verse 10. This speaks of the providence of God and how we are created for good works:
"Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2:14).
Note that brother Titus describes a Christian as one "zealous" for good works. This shows that a true child of God will manifest the LORD's grace in good works. This is different than a works gospel in that it is evidence of grace; a result of nor leading to. But remember, equally as wrong as a works gospel is those who believe they have a grace gospel but abuse grace as an excuse for not doing the will of God. They claim "i have grace and cannot lose my salvation", so therefore I can be a little slack in my witnessing, exhorting, being kind, and so forth. But, remember, these are commandments from God. Again, those who believe grace operates apart from being evidenced in good works better go back to Genesis 1:1 or read Ephesians 2:10 over several times slowly; the paragraph and verse close by teaching us that good works are actions of grace which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them:
"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love" (Ephesians 1:4).
"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling" (Ephesians 4:1-4).
May our LORD's amazing grace be with you all!
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