One Small Seed Newsletter – Edition #273, January 2024
Grace and peace in Jesus’ name:
The word “peace” is used over 400 times in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The word “grace” is used over 167 times and 80% of that use is in the New Testament. John the Apostle said in Chapter 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”. Anything Jesus said while in the flesh was the things we should set our sights on and with determination press toward the mark of the High calling of God in the likeness of Christ Jesus. Some may say this is impossible, but why would God go through the process if man wasn’t able to achieve the goal? Remember, there is nothing impossible with God, but there are a lot of things that are impossible with man if God isn’t in him.
There are other important words that we should learn and understand in order to find the truth, that is, Christ in us. One word is the word “faith”; without faith it is impossible to please God. Paul said in Romans 4:20-21 (speaking of Abraham), “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: and being fully persuaded that what he (God) had promised, he was able also to perform”. When speaking about faith, we are referring to a positive approach to the subject. When speaking about truth, we are confirming the absoluteness of the subject. Truth reflects the attributes of God, which are the qualities that we should seek to duplicate and reflect.
The biggest problem lies within us. What, when, where, why, and how keeps the truth in shadows, to the point that it becomes too complicated and hard to understand. Also, because there are too many advisors trying to explain the process, the question always arises: What is truth? To be entangled in the web of mystery will drain your mental capacity and strength and it’s not necessary. When I wrote what, when, where, why, and how, I left out “who”, which is the basic element of the statement. From God’s position “who” is the ones he created, chastised, redeemed in love. From our perspective, God is the “who” we should be concentrating on because it was He who gave us the way, the truth, and the life (eternal).
Our approach to being a Christian interferes with our grasp of truth sometimes, but there are many clues and keys in the scripture that lead us on the right way. And example is given unto us by John the Baptist in Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”. The works of John the Baptist were equal to the rituals under law, which were to exemplify, illustrate, typify and represent the spiritual meaning, that would be introduced when Jesus began his ministry.
Another clue was that John was still under the law, and he was the one who introduced the Messiah to the Jews. Also, since Jesus was still teaching under the law, his message was to enlighten and bring to the forefront many of the mysteries that had been hidden by the rituals of the law. When Jesus came he was the bright and morning star, which represented the Truth about all the things that the Jews did. A little each day, through his three and one half years of exposing the truth, the Light, the door , the sheepfold, the sacrificial Lamb, and the fulfillment of his purpose, which was his coming in the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
Another clue is that the duty of a Christian is to fear God, and keep his commandments, Ecclesiastes 12:13. A better answer is in Deuteronomy 10:12, “And now, Israel (the called out of today), what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul”. When it says “with all your heart and soul” it is serious about that and anything outside of that is called sin. But this is where grace enters the scene; sin is forgivable if it isn’t an abomination to God. One of those abominations is willful sin and willful ignorance.
When Jesus said that he came into the world to save sinners, he wasn’t degrading anyone. In fact he came into the world because God loved everyone and wanted them to walk on his path, so they could live in peace, love, and joy; do what they were created to do and to use their brain to the fullest of their ability. The wisdom of God is illustrated on every line of the Bible. This is the reason we have it and have had it for 4,000 years. This is why Jesus admonished his disciples to go into the world and preach the Gospel: (this is the will and word of God). Israel disobeyed the will and way of God and consequently they were left desolate. If they had followed the will, the way, and the word of God, they would have avoided the baptism of fire in 70 A.D.
Your friend in Christ,
Rodney Roberts
Edition 272 of One Small Seed Newsletter emphasizes the Christmas season’s significance beyond gift-giving. It’s a reminder that God reigns supreme and that each breath is a divine gift. Light symbolizes divine truth in Christianity—rooted in the scriptures—that guides our words and deeds. Our talents, as gifts from God, should be dedicated to His service. The newsletter closes hoping the reader’s celebration of Jesus’ birth yields year-long peace, love, and joy.