Lesson 5 The Life of CHRIST

The Incarnation of CHRIST as outlined in this lesson is The Traditional CHRISTmas Story. Many use the letter X in place of CHRIST to write Xmas. There are many folks around our town and country that simply takes CHRIST completely out of their life or uses HIM when HE is needed at crisis time. The lost world does not know any better, but, us as CHRISTians, know the CHRIST of CHRISTmas and yet we put HIM away and use HIM like we use a spare bed room. Apart from CHRIST, We are Dead! Sin is defined as failing to measure up to CHRIST'S Perfection. The best we can do apart from CHRIST is fail. Keep that little extra near by the next time you feel you don't need GOD around or the next time you think, I can do this all by myself. It's a sobering fact that we can only fail apart from GOD! As we read I Timothy 3:16 the Apostle Paul found the truth of the Incarnation of CHRIST, JESUS born as GOD in the Flesh, as mind-boggling, as we all do. " Great is the mystery of GODLINESS: GOD was manifest in the flesh." To know that a HOLY GOD came to this earth from the Portals of GLORY, for Me and You, so that We might have the Life HE has intended for us to have from the Beginning. A Perfect Life, through the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Baby JESUS in the manger in Bethlehem, the CHRISTmas Story, is what we celebrate in December. I am thankful for JESUS and HIS HOLY Birth, but, this was a part of the entire truth that JESUS came to die for our sins. That is what the Incarnation of CHRIST was all about. A HOLY, PERFECT, SINLESS, GOD, left Glory and All the Perfection there, to come to earth in the flesh in CHRIST JESUS, in the form of our human body full of problems and imperfections, that We may have life enternal and our sin debt be paid in full forever. John 1:14-18 is the outline text for todays study lesson. CHRIST was only here on earth for a short time, 33 years. Approx 3 1/2 years HE was in the Ministry. Before CHRIST came to this Earth to dwell among sinful men, sin had to be dealt with in a temporary manner. The Tabernacle was the place in which GOD dwelt with HIS people, it was the place in the center of Israel's Camp, no matter where they went, it was a temporary place where the High Preist made blood offerings to cover the sins of man for just a short period of time, until which time he had to do it again. Exodus Chapter 25 through the end of the book describes the construction and order inside the Tabernacle. Exodus Chapter 20-24 speaks of the Abrahamic Covenant and the Laws that the Jews had to live and obey, every day. There were some 639 of these laws. As you read about the Tabernacle try to visualize this truth concerning the construction..Not much was said about the outward appearence of the Tabernacle. The outside was not very attractive as we know the term. It was made of wood and some tentage material..Oh but the inside was a sight to behold..Gold, Precious Stones, the Finest of the Fine, you could say the inside of the Tabernacle was gorgeous, perfect, flawless. We need to remember that where GOD dwells, Beauty will abound. GOD dwells only in a perfect place. That counts Me Out, I am far from Perfect, But, My Savior is Perfect, I have accpeted HIM, now GOD sees me as Perfect. Thanks To My SAVIOR!! We see that Israel only used this tabernacle for about 35 years, again, just a temporary place. As I spoke about the tabernacle being a place where GOD dwelt, the Greek meaning for Dwelt simply states it means Pitch a Tent, shown again as temporary. As we begin to understand that before CHRIST came as GOD in the flesh, Sin had a huge price tag, and no one had enough of anything to pay Sin's price. Oh but as we read in Isaiah Chapter 53, GOD in the Flesh, JESUS CHRIST is the only answer and the only payment for Sin. In John 1:14 says that the Word was "full of Grace and Truth." The Law demands Righteousness, The Law blesses the Good, The Law demands blessings to be earned, The Law is connected with Moses and works..BUT..Grace is Kindness and Love of GOD our SAVIOR toward man, not by works of righteousness that we have done. Grace gives Righteousness to Man, Grace is with CHRIST and Faith, Grace saves the bad, Grace is a Free Gift. Galatians 2:15,16 and 3:10-12 speaks of Law and Grace. Grace is Law and Justice. Everyone must pay for their own sins, unless Grace steps in. Grace is Free given from GOD the FATHER through JESUS CHRIST. One must only accept it by simple child like faith. John 1:14 ( in fleshly form)  The meaning of the Incarnation of CHRIST. The comparisons between CHRIST and the Tabernacle..Temporary, Outwardly apperance unattractive, Where GOD met man, Center of Israel's Camp ( Numbers 2:17). John 1:14-18 reveals the Purpose of the Incarnation of CHRIST. Verse 18 reveals the Nature of GOD. Verses 14-17 reveals the Grace of GOD. Verse 14 reveals the Truth of GOD. GOD hates sin. If we decide to pay for our sin, by refusing JESUS CHRIST, we will burn in Hell forever. Eternal Torment and Damnation. I thank GOD when GOD looks at me, HE sees JESUS!!!! GOD can't even see me because I have accepted CHIRST and HIS Finished Work on the Cross!! The Grave could not hold HIM and Death couldn't keep HIM dead...Glory Glory Glory..What a GOD!!! The scripture reading and memorization for this week is John 1:14, Last weeks scripture was John 1:10-12. May GOD Bless our study and until next time is my Prayer!!