18 August 2013

Sunday's Quote of the Day (With Explanation)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Phillipians 1:21, KJV)


For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity]. (Amp.)


This verse certainly seems simple enough, but what does it mean? Is there more than what we learned in Sunday School, so many years ago?

Quite possibly. You see, one of the mistakes of the modern era in Christian teaching is that folks tend to speak as though "Christ" is Jesus' last name.

Nope.

Christ is the English translation of Cristos ... which is the Greek translation of Masiah (Messiah) which means "anointed one" or "the anointed".

Anointed? With what?

Once again, the Bible provides that definition, as Acts 10:38 describes 
... how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. [Emphasis added - Ed.]

That verse not only tells us with what Jesus was anointed, but what it was for. 

We who call ourselves Christians (literally, "little Christs"), do we seek His power? Are we baptized in (or with) the Holy Ghost and power? Are we using it for doing good, and healing all who are oppressed of the devil?

After all, that's why Jesus came, and it's what He expects us to do.

So we must ask: if not, why not?

7 comments:

Stephen said...

Excellent question. Okay, are we expected or should we believe we have the power of the Holy Spirit? I've seen, many years ago, 'preachers' place their hands on others and scream, heal. Really? Is this the power? I'm lost.

Old NFO said...

Good question. I think we do what we can as we live our lives...

Rev. Paul said...

Stephen, the proof in the pudding (as it were) would be if the person really got healed.

The apostles in the Book of Acts used to lay hands on new believers & pray for them to receive the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" as a separate event, apart from the forgiveness of sins when they were saved-and-baptized.

Yes, we can still ask for that baptism, because the Holy Spirit is still in the earth today. People still get healed today, and it's not about publicity or TV cameras.

NFO, at the risk of disagreement, it's not about what we can do. It's about expecting (and allowing) God to use His power - through us - to affect those we minister to. That explosive, dunamis power, from which we get the modern word 'dynamite'. It's that power of God which makes noticeable, immediate change(s) in our lives.

Stephen said...

Thank you.

Rev. Paul said...

You're welcome, Stephen. My pleasure.

PioneerPreppy said...

So you are saying keep your mind open and live your life as God intended and heed his call or do the works he directs?

Rev. Paul said...

Both, actually.