UNLIMITED SURRENDER?”

BY: J.FARRELL FISHER, Oct. 9-11, 2017

It’s without hesitation that I sense and say that our ‘modern-day’ religious philosophies have very little, if any, to do with Biblical Revelation! In fact many deny the validity of the Holy Word of God birthed in the minds and hearts of men and women, convicted by the Holy Spirit, converted by the inspired Word, and anointed as His messengers of Divine Truth!

In the inspired word of Hebrews 11:1-3 we read: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

Verse 6 of Hebrews 11 then tells us, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Are YOU a diligent seeker?). Not only Abel and Enoch, but we read of Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, with Hebrews 11:13 telling us: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”

Tell me about “what YOU are assured of,” tell me, have YOU embraced Christ or is your belief in Him one of ‘measured devotion’, AND have YOU “confessed” that you also are now a stranger and pilgrim on the earth, because your ‘faith’ is not measured but IS “unlimited full surrender” to the King of kings and Lord of lords? And that does declare you “a stranger and pilgrim on the earth”!

In Matthew 5:48 Jesus said about the “truly blessed disciples”, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” In Christ we’re not called to be “children in understanding” but from birth on BY THE SPIRIT, we are to be disciples of Christ who understand and commit to and follow Him in “Unlimited Surrender”!

In the ‘flesh’ there is a ‘maimed existence’ void of God’s presence, but in the “Spirit” we are birthed into the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ! That’s “new creations”, “new men and new women”, truly living under, in, and by, to us, the “new Spirit” who “guides us into all truth”!

Are you a possessor of ‘measured devotion’ or do you live in and by the power of unlimited surrender? Follow carefully Psalm 33:1-11 and verses 13-14 and verses 18-22!

Psalm 33:1-11 says: “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! (Righteous because of what you do or what Christ did on the Cross?). For praise from the upright is beautiful. Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.

For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.”

Verses 13-14 tells us: “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth;

Verses 18-22 then says: “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”

“Unlimited surrender” actually, effectively, and ultimately continues to, day by day, bless beyond measure because true disciples have birthed within them by the Holy Spirit an unflinching loyalty to the Word of God in Christ, “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest”! And didn’t the psalmist say, “Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You”? Where and in whom does your hope lie, if you have any hope?

But, for some, there IS the reality of “measured devotion”! Yes, there are limited limits of one’s ‘discipleship-loyalty’ because, for them, “Jesus asks too much”, which He never did – He just took your old life and old sin nature to the Cross and, yes, it WAS “crucified with Christ”, and seeking to resurrect what He carried to the Cross unveils one’s faith in himself and a lack of trust in what Christ did to give one new life, new hope, and a new eternal destiny!

In Philippians 3:10-14 Paul wrote: “…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Hear me! There IS a maturing process in one’s relationship to Christ! “Babies” in Christ sometimes ‘mess up’, ‘children in the faith’ also will ‘mess up’, ‘youngsters in the faith’ will ‘mess up’, and, dare I say it? Even Mature followers of Christ will, at times, yes, tragically ‘mess up’! But in 1 Corinthians 1:9 we read of God’s faithfulness! Paul wrote: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

In 1 Corinthians 2:1-4 Paul added: “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I have determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

“Measured devotion” is revealed in “professing folks” who are, yes, always looking inward to themselves as an explanation of whether or not they are ‘maturing’. Yet Paul said: “I take the sentence of death daily to the ‘old man’ that the resurrection life of Christ may be manifested in my mortal flesh!” So, in 1 Corinthians 2:9-12, Paul illumines true spiritual witness and spiritual understanding, saying, But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ But God has revealed them to us THROUGH His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things THAT HAVE BEEN FREELY GIVEN TO US BY GOD.” Glory! In fact, that’s a “GLORY! HALLELUJAH! PRAISE BE TO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFTS!” And, did Paul say, “freely given to us by God”? Yes, he did!

But, “measured devotion” in place of or a substitute for “unlimited surrender”? In 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 the Apostle Paul writes a “game winning, historic, world series competition ‘heart-run’ between flesh and Spirit”, between the natural at its best and the spiritual rallying in “unlimited surrender”, and ‘religious do-gooders’ against the “new-born” sons and daughters of Christ’s eternal family! He said:

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent,” (Holy God defines fallen, self-inspired men as “those who are perishing” from those “who are being saved” because those who ‘are being saved’ rest in God’s wisdom and God’s redemptive power, not in their fleshly intellect!). Paul continued, Verses 20-25,

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

In which community have YOU chosen to live? The community of unbelievers, the community of “measured devotion” which is the one with self-limitations, OR the community, the family of God, the Bride of Christ who live in “unlimited surrender” to His sovereign rule? There’s an amazing word in 2 Corinthians 6:1-7:1 – don’t miss this!! It says:

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you NOT TO RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN. [Are there those who do?]. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. (Question! WHAT REALLY HAS YOUR HEART AND MIND?). Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them (the world, flesh, and Satan-devotees!) and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 7:1, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” “Measured devotion” OR “Unlimited Surrender”? Have YOU received “the grace of God in vain”? Measured devotion is ‘the treasure of self-effort at its best, leading to nothing’, but unlimited surrender is the eternal riches of being dead to the old man and living day by day in the fullness, the blessing, the ‘finished work’ of the Resurrected Christ!

In Jeremiah 1:8, as God called Jeremiah to ministry and service, He said to him and to every true child of faith in Christ, “…I am with you to deliver you!” Do YOU give the Lord Jesus His rightful place “in you” as your Lord and Savior, as the Master of your life, as, yes, Sovereign Administrator of your every- day step? Is Jesus King of your heart and mind? Is Christ Jesus “in you” as your Deliverer from your old sin-nature, your bondage to ‘devilish’ activity, and your fleshly allegiance to the world-influence around you that desires to maintain your allegiance to a “less than God devotion” but satisfying ‘personal desires’ without God interfering? Godless living is maniacal, manipulated by Satan, and spiritual insaneness! “God, move on the spiritual brainlessness by the Holy Spirit!”

Do you understand, comprehend, receive the Biblical revelation of, yes, “the virgin birth of Jesus Christ,” or do you side with the unbelievers, the skeptics, the doubters, the verbal refuters of what the Holy Bible tells us about our Lord and Savior’s virgin birth?

I was on a trip in September, 2014, with some very dear friends, and while on this trip a friend shared with me that a mutual friend of ours told him that he did not believe in the virgin birth although he attends church regularly. Being in the medical field he had determined that it wasn’t possible for a ‘virgin birth’ and he didn’t feel that a relationship with God was dependent on what one believed about Jesus Christ of Nazareth related to a virgin birth.

Without hesitation, I say to you, I do not agree but firmly believe in the Triune God of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – One God with three identities or three ministries for the sake of fallen mankind of which we all are a part because we came from Adam and Eve who “fell” and needed to be reconciled to Holy God.

It’s always interesting to read and re-read Genesis 1:26 where the Holy Word tells us: Then God said, [Question! Did He or didn’t He ‘say’?], “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” Verse 27, So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” “Us?” A lie, a figment of a man’s mind, an illusion that has nothing to do with fleshly reality?

But what is Genesis 3 about? Oh…there’s a serpent present! That’s the devil or Satan who, 1)Casts doubt on the Word of God, 2) Twists the Truth and distorts it, 3) Confuses humankind, 4) Speaks “the Lie”, [you can sin and not die], 5) Spews doubt, unbelief, and entices men to deception!

And Genesis 3:8 tells us about Adam and Eve [and all of fallen mankind!] who “hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God.” Men have been hiding from God ever since that day in the Garden of Eden and, of course, have even clothed themselves in all forms of religious deceptions.

Genesis 3:24 tells us: “So He drove out the man…and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” That’s an amazing, awesome revelation when you tie all of God’s Word together both Old and New Testament. A flaming sword? But in later Scripture we read of the “sword” that has been “dipped in blood”! Isaiah 34:5-6 tells us, “For My sword shall be bathed in heaven; indeed it shall come down on Edom, and on the people of My curse for judgment. The sword of the Lord is filled with blood. It is made overflowing with fatness, with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the Lord has a sacrifice in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Edom.”

No doubt this is an Old Testament picture of “shed blood” authored by God in both judgment and redemption. For to the rebellious and unbelieving it is severe judgment. For the repentant and believing and faithful, it is the shed blood of the Lamb of God poured out by God Himself!

But the shed blood of the Lamb of God is the blood of Jesus WHO IS THE LAMB OF GOD! Jesus IS Immanuel, “GOD WITH US,” because the perfect Lamb of God was and is the sinless sacrifice determined by God, yes, even BEFORE the foundation of our world as we know it! Revelation 13:8 clearly tells us of the Lamb ‘slain from the foundation of the world.”

And the other interesting truth found in Genesis 3:24 is that “the flaming sword which turned every way, TO GUARD THE WAY TO THE TREE OF LIFE,” but in your compromised minds you’ve never seen the ‘tree of life’ as the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus? Have you never seen the sword of the Lord as the Word of God that never fades away? Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

What did our Lord and Savior and Master of life tell us in Matthew 4:4, yes, quoting His WORD from Deuteronomy 8:3? “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

Oh, hear me, I am firmly convinced that God wants to put His FINGER-PRINT, His PALM-PRINT on our lives by our receiving the Word of God as our true ‘bread of life’ – and He does so through the LIVING WORD, JESUS, and the WRITTEN WORD, His Holy inspired Word!

Before I attempt to fully examine “The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ,” after reading Deuteronomy 8:3, I want you to carefully examine Deuteronomy 8:11-19!! “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today,…

Lest – when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;…

When your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock;…

Who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and the He might test you, to do you good in the end – then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’…

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.”

Oh, I see – you believe in “the Lord your God” but you do not accept Jesus as Emmanuel or the Holy Spirit who guides us into all Truth? And you do not accept that it takes God Himself as the Lamb, the sacrificial Lamb, who would be the “sacrifice” for your sin? I want you to examine carefully Isaiah 7:14 where the Immanuel prophecy tells us: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” [Or, “God-with-us”].

The Hebrew terminology for the word “virginity” is the word b’tulah, but Isaiah’s word that he was inspired to write was ‘almah’ or ‘a young woman of marriageable age’ because young women of that Old Testament age WERE (mostly) VIRGINS and their marriage preparation was purity of body as well as purity of heart! I’d say that’s a little different from godless societies!

Genesis 24 is such a powerful word for parents today as it unveils Abraham’s heart and spirit concerning a marriage partner for his son Isaac. Abraham had sent a faithful servant to find, not an unbeliever or immoral woman, but a bride for Isaac who was of his God’s calling and expectation of a, yes, holy bride, pure and set apart to honor God through her devoted life to her husband. The servant found Rebekah, and Deuteronomy 24:16 says, “Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her…”

In Genesis 24:26-27 we read about this Godly servant: Then the man bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.” Did you notice, were you alerted as a parent, has it been your consideration to lean upon the leadership of Holy Almighty God, in both the dating patterns and marriage choices of your children?

Hear this servant in Genesis 24:42-44 and verse 48! “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, ‘Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,’ and she says to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,’ – let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’ Verse 48. “And I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.”

But what about the New Testament revelation of ‘virgin’? In Matthew 1:23 we have a direct quote of Isaiah 7:14 but with the Greek word of ‘parthenos’ specifically used and defined as ‘virgin’. I also find Luke 1:1-4 extremely important. Luke, the physician, wrote: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things written from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.”

Did you pause and reflect upon verse 4? “that YOU MAY KNOW THE CERTAINTY OF THOSE THINGS IN WHICH YOU WERE INSTRUCTED” –CERTAINTY? You mean a physician who walked with Jesus Christ the Promised Messiah knew that Jesus was virgin-born without a doubt?

Both Matthew and Luke, inspired by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, assured by the Holy Spirit, tell us that Jesus was birthed in a supernatural way, that a virgin was blessed with the seed of God Himself in her womb apart from a human, sexual event, and that she, yes, birthed the Son of God!

How would one define “the deity of Jesus” apart from the virgin birth? Adam’s ‘fallen race’ was and is desperate for DIVINE INTERVENTION – why? Because Holy God requires DIVINE REDEMPTION, DESTINED AND DEFINED RECONCILIATION, and A DISTINCT RESURRECTION. Luke 2:6-7 tells us: So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

I tell you, if you are not awed by Luke 2:8-14, I’d reach out for a miraculous healing of a hardened heart and a stubborn, un-submissive mind! It says: Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid…

Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”…

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

And I believe as I continue reading in Luke 2 that I hear the ‘doubters’ description of Simeon as “Silly Simeon,” as “Sickly Simeon,” or as “Short-changed Simeon in the brain”: Luke 2:25-35 tells us, And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him….

And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.”

And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Did you leap over Luke 1:27? That’s when Luke unveiled the answer to every man’s unbelief! “For with God nothing will be impossible!” “THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST?”

FIRST, THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST WAS ETERNALLY PLANNED IN THE FATHER’S HEART BECAUSE GOD THE FATHER KNEW WHAT ‘MAN’ WOULD DO. The author of Hebrews had no doubt about Jesus but only divine unveiling. In Hebrews 1:1-3 we read, God, who at various times and in various ways, spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, THROUGH WHOM ALSO HE MADE THE WORLDS; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

I encourage you to reflect upon those words and receive God’s Word to us in verse 2, [God] “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, THROUGH WHOM ALSO HE [JESUS] made the worlds…” Before the world was, Jesus IS! As the world was being made, it was Jesus in design, Jesus in implementation, and Jesus with His eternal signature revealing Himself: DIVINE IN PURPOSE, DIVINE IN ITS PRINCIPLES, DIVINE IN ITS PRECIOUSNESS, DIVINE IN ITS ETERNAL PROGRAM, [Glorifying the Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!].

Have you ignored John 1:1-4? 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 nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

Oh, but then one comes to Colossians 1:15-18! It says, ‘God illumining His eternal purpose through Christ Jesus,’ : “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that IN ALL THINGS HE MAY HAVE THE PREEMINENCE.”

Have you forgotten or overlooked Isaiah 43:21? “This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.” And in Isaiah 43:25 our Lord speaks: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” I don’t know about you but I am awed as I read that our Lord and Savior blotted out our transgressions by the covering and washing in and through His blood “for My own sake”!! I sense our Lord saying to us that through the Cross our Lord and Savior WANTED TO DRAW US TO HIMSELF! HE WANTS YOU AS AN ETERNAL PART OF THE HOLY, DIVINE, ETERNAL FAMILY who are placed “under His wings”! “For my own sake” means Jesus is forever blessed and enriched through your relationship with Him.

Does Hebrews 1:10-12 encourage you as you sense our world today is in our Lord’s hands? And: “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; and they will grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will fold them up, and they will be changed. But You are the same, and Your years will not fail.”

I John 1:1-4 is such an encouraging passage about experiencing true joy in your life of faith. It says: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”

SECOND, THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST WAS PROPHETICALLY ANNOUNCED. It’s not possible to include all prophetic announcements about the VIRGIN BIRTH OF CHRIST, but you need to know that in the Old Testament there are at least 700 verses concerning the coming of the Messiah, and He was, is, always will be Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

I’ve already shared earlier Isaiah 7:14, but it’s so important for you to wrap your mind and heart around and on the Holy verse! Do you understand also the Christmas hymn entitled “Joy To The World”? Isaiah 9:6-7 announces: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Did you see it? “His government, His name, His kingdom, His throne, His rule and reign”!! [But He doesn’t rule your heart, your mind, your very life, because you believe “Jesus was only a man – not Emmanuel?”]

Look carefully at the prophetic announcements of His Virgin Birth because, yes, He IS ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’! What were those announcements? His ‘Kingdom’ was to be and is a “Blood-Bought Kingdom,” a ‘Kingdom’ that was and is “Sacrificial In Nature,” a ‘Kingdom’ that was and is “Ruler-based,” a ‘Kingdom’ that “Shines with the Light of God’s Glory,” a ‘Kingdom’ that is “Holy Presence Dominated,” and a ‘Kingdom’ of “Eternal-Mission Purpose” designed, implemented, and empowered by God through “vessels” like you and me!

Have you overlooked Isaiah 61:1-3? Yes, it IS about Jesus!! “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified.”

Oh, and I challenge you: Receive for yourself Isaiah 61:7!! “Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; Everlasting joy shall be theirs.”

Even in the New Testament there is prophetic utterance as in Luke 1:67-79, and the Dayspring came!!

THIRD, THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST WAS AND IS SCRIPTURALLY, HISTORICALLY, AND PERSONALLY EVALUATED. Don’t you find it amazing that the Gospel of Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus Christ? And you don’t know WHO HE IS OR WHERE HE CAME FROM? [Read it carefully in Matthew 1:1-17.] Oh, but then Matthew, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes Matthew 1:18-25 telling us, Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit…

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit…

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, ‘God with us.’”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”

Have you thoroughly evaluated Galatians 1:1-5? And have you personally experienced the intent of God in revealing Christ Jesus to you? In Galatians 1:15-16, 22-24, Paul reveals God’s divine intent for every true believer:

Galatians 1:1-5, Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me. Grace to you and peace from God the Father AND our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 1:15-16, But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me…”

Galatians 1:22-24, And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.

Are you of the “mind-set” that ‘Jesus is not divine – never was, never is, and never will be?’ This is why Paul encouraged and challenged and informed the church at Colossae and us in Colossians 2:8-10, “Beware least anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.”

Oh, then Paul unveils for us God’s pointing to His purpose, His pleasure, His perfection in you and through you! He wrote in Colossians 3:1-3, 10, 15-17, the following: If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Verse 10, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him…

Verses 15-17, And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord . And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Do you remember Pontius Pilate asking the people as Jesus was brought before him, Matthew 27:22-26? Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Then the governor said, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, saying, “Let Him be crucified!”

When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.” And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.”

And when YOU stand before Holy God in your day of judgment before Him, He’ll ask you: “What did you do with My Son WHO IS THE PROMISED MESSIAH and SAVIOR who is called the Christ?” – What will be YOUR answer?

FOURTH, THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF JESUS CHRIST, YES, REQUIRES BELIEVING AND TRUSTING AND OBEYING GOD HIMSELF. In Hebrews 10:26-29 we read: “For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries…

Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment do you suppose, will be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”

The author of Hebrews, inspired, yes, by the Holy Spirit, wrote in Hebrews 10:31 and verses 35-39, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God… Verses 35-39, Therefore do not cast away your confidence which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: ‘For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.’ But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”

And how does Hebrews 11:6 awaken our souls and spirits? “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Question!! Do you believe the Gospel of Christ is eternal? It’s not simply a New Testament revelation – it’s always been in the heart of Eternal, Compassionate, Merciful, Gracious, and Loving God. He tells us in Hebrews 11:23-28 as we read about the faith of Moses: “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command…

By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharoah’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward…

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.”

Holy God then calls US: Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

If I were you, I’d search diligently “the grace and mercy of God,” and especially if you’ve doubted for yourself and then discerned that He is not what or who God and Himself and you have decided because it does determine your eternal future past this earthly existence! In Hebrews 12:12-17 we read: “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord; Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;…

Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

Hear me! And hear God’s Holy Word! Holy Scripture is not man’s best of fleshly, mental rationalism but DIVINE REVELATION! And it is not the modern-day philosophy of ‘churchianity’ but Resurrection Life, Power, Purpose, and Hope in and through Jesus Only!

Did you know that in the Old Testament alone that it is recorded over and over: “This is what God says”? What about the New Testament? Let me give you a taste of what New Testament disciples stood on: I Peter 1:18-21 says: “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you…”

Again, the author of Hebrews so longed to awaken unbelieving hearts even in those who professed faith in God only but couldn’t accept “blood redemption” in and through the Crucified Christ who was known as Emmanuel – “God in Flesh!” In Hebrews 3:1-2, 5-6, 12-14 and the BIG “IF” in verse 14, plus Hebrews 4:11-12, 14-16, we read: Hebrews 3:1-2, “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.”

Hebrews 3:5-6, And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Hebrews 3:12-14, Beware brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ IF we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end…”

Hebrews 4:11-12, Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:14-16, Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I close this study with a vital passage written by Paul in Ephesians 1:4-14, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Himself,…

That in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both of which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him, who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory…

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Yes, to the praise of His glory, Jesus Christ, born of the virgin, lived a sinless life, sacrificed His life on the Cross for us who were dead in our trespasses and sins, but washed in His blood, we are free from the law of sin and death, and rejoice evermore in the Son of God, our Savior and Lord, our Resurrection Life, Resurrection Power, and Resurrection Eternal Hope! That is: Jesus Only!!