13th December 2023
Incarnation, perfection, salvation!
“Behold, the virgin shall be with a child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 (NKJV)
Recently in a zoom meeting with other Christians in India, the minister asked me to give a short message of about 20 minutes. Although this request was out of the blue, I could choose my own theme, and something which I had been mulling over recently was the subject of incarnation, perfection and salvation. A quick prayer, and the message I gave was translated and the scriptures quoted were read in their native tongue. Now I would like the opportunity to share it with you.
The message began with a quote from John 1:1-3, 14: ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning…All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’ Next to Luke 1:31-33, which recounts the angel Gabriel speaking to Mary: “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David…and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Of the many many scriptures in the Old Testament which prophesy about the Messiah’s birth, I chose and focussed on Isaiah 9:6-7: ‘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…Prince of Peace…Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end…’
He was made perfect, as we read Hebrews 5:8-9: ‘…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him… ’. He was made of flesh like us. He was tempted as we are, but without sin. He is the Lamb of God who came to be the perfect sacrifice, atoning for the sins of all mankind (John 1:29).
There are many scriptures with respect to our salvation in Jesus, but I will conclude with Titus 2:11-14: ‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.’
I hope this message may kindle in your hearts the desire to know all about the Lord Jesus Christ. For there is no other name given by which we can be saved.
Prayer
Abba Father, I thank you for sending your only begotten Son, who willingly chose to die for us sinners, to save us. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Study by Natu Moti
About the writer:
Natu Moti is a deacon in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Gracecom Birmingham
All Saints Church
George Road
Birmingham B23 7QB
Local congregational contact:
David Gibbs
Email: birmingham@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church