26/11/13

For His Name Sake

Ezekiel 36:22 - Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.


If we read the Bible we see Jesus became the first Protestant, He was born in a Jewish family but He led His disciples out of the Jewish Church. Initially they were called a sect of Jews and were given the name 'People of The Way' for their way of life was different for the way of life of main stream Jews.

The children of Abraham born out of flesh (Jews) were called 'People of Covenant', but the covenant that God make with them was via blood of animals and circumcision of the flesh. Whereas the children of Abraham born out of faith through Jesus Christ (Christians) are called 'People of the New / Better Covenant' which God make via the Blood of Jesus Christ and the circumcision of the heart.

The Jews are called Israel (Prince of God) but Christians become Israel for Jesus came to make His people Sons of God through the Power of the Holy Spirit. The first true Israelite was none other than the seed of Jacob that is Jesus Christ for He demonstrated His authority in God in Him.

We see Jesus, Paul, Stephen and others rebuked the Jews especially the Pharisees for being white washed tombstones, very religious people, but yet spiritually dead inside and very far from God and far from the understanding of the Word of God and Kingdom of God. But we see the Jews were blessed by God and even thou the world went against them (at time God Himself) yet the Lord protected them through the worst of situations.

Did God do it for He loves them?

Today's message tells us God did great things to protect the Jewish nation not because He loves them but only because they have associated His Name to themselves.

We need to understand one thing today the world does not know Christianity therefore does not know God or the real Israel therefore God sustains the Jews till then, for His Name sake. Today also as Israel is facing problems, the Lord is confirming He will take them through it for His Name sake.



[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are God of all creation of every race and kind of people. You chose certain people at a particular time to make yourself know so that through them You would reach out to the world. Lord, You desire to save all yet only a the names of few are written in the Book of Life. Lord, we pray your real Israel may come to existence, that your Power be manifested in them and through them. That the world may know You alone are God and God of all mankind...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference ]
Romans 2:17-20, 28-29
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)