Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2012 13:01:40 GMT -7
So we used Greek as a tool that has given us word definitions. Greek grammar, syntax and context has given us the word meanings. We have then laid it all in front of the backdrop of refuting Gnosticism. Now we've come to the Devotional. All of this work, sometimes seemingly mere intellectual work to some, leads to confidence in making simple yet powerful devotional statements. As Paul Washer has said, all the years of seminary and language training is to break verses down into a thousand bits and pieces of what lies behind every simple statement that is made, if it is to be accurate. For me, I say “a simple statement is only as good as it is accurate”.
Devotional based upon the Exegesis:
1. The Word of Life is Personal- He is not the metaphysical IT of an impersonal energy force. The Son of God, the eternal Word of Life who speaks into existence all creation, and who gave that creation the very essence of life, revealed Himself by taking on humanity in order that He would be personally involved with His creation. He demonstrated a personal nature, a personal care and a personal concern for His creation that was witnessed over a long period of time, the affects of which, lasted the rest of the lives of His followers.
2. The Eternal Life became flesh. He is The Everlasting Life who had no beginning, yet he took on humanity, experiencing humanity and being experienced as a human to be heard, saw, beheld and touched, yet while at the same time, also being experienced as The Word of Life, The Eternal life, The Son of God, and The Christ.
3. The creator was not some lone deity; separated from, lesser than, or in opposition to the authority of a supreme being. He has always existed in a face-to-face equality existence toward the Father. When they experienced the Word of Life in the flesh, they had fellowship not with The Son alone, but with the Son AND His Father.
4. The Creator has neither denied redemption, nor left redemption to another. He is The Eternal Word Himself who is seeking out this personal relationship. It is same Son of God, Jesus Christ; The Messiah; The anointed One who sought out, became flesh, and announced His redemptive work to His creation.
5. The joy of experiencing His personal nature, His personal care and His personal concern is not limited to a special few with secret knowledge; the superior ones; “The pnumatikoi”. No, The Apostles have brought a report of their experience back to us “in order that” (for the purpose that) - anyone might receive it, be filled, and share in that same joy that is common to all who experience The Word of Life.
Devotional based upon the Exegesis:
1. The Word of Life is Personal- He is not the metaphysical IT of an impersonal energy force. The Son of God, the eternal Word of Life who speaks into existence all creation, and who gave that creation the very essence of life, revealed Himself by taking on humanity in order that He would be personally involved with His creation. He demonstrated a personal nature, a personal care and a personal concern for His creation that was witnessed over a long period of time, the affects of which, lasted the rest of the lives of His followers.
2. The Eternal Life became flesh. He is The Everlasting Life who had no beginning, yet he took on humanity, experiencing humanity and being experienced as a human to be heard, saw, beheld and touched, yet while at the same time, also being experienced as The Word of Life, The Eternal life, The Son of God, and The Christ.
3. The creator was not some lone deity; separated from, lesser than, or in opposition to the authority of a supreme being. He has always existed in a face-to-face equality existence toward the Father. When they experienced the Word of Life in the flesh, they had fellowship not with The Son alone, but with the Son AND His Father.
4. The Creator has neither denied redemption, nor left redemption to another. He is The Eternal Word Himself who is seeking out this personal relationship. It is same Son of God, Jesus Christ; The Messiah; The anointed One who sought out, became flesh, and announced His redemptive work to His creation.
5. The joy of experiencing His personal nature, His personal care and His personal concern is not limited to a special few with secret knowledge; the superior ones; “The pnumatikoi”. No, The Apostles have brought a report of their experience back to us “in order that” (for the purpose that) - anyone might receive it, be filled, and share in that same joy that is common to all who experience The Word of Life.