Category Archives: Who is God?

Who is God and who are we in him?

Who is God?

Is Sin the Transgression of the Law?

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If you ask anyone who is somewhat familiar with the Bible and ask him what sin is, they would most likely answer that “sin is the transgression of the law.” Many would be familiar with this Bible verse as the definition of sin. That’s from the 1611 English translation of 1 John 3:4 in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible.

For over 20 years, I took it for granted and I believed that this verse in 1 John 3:4 is indeed saying that: “Sin is the transgression of the law.” But sometime in 1995, I learned from a church publication more fully what the apostle John really meant based on the original Greek word used and based on the surrounding context of the passage. It was an eye-opener for me. May I share this here with you too.

Only One Word in Greek!

Did you know that the five-word phrase, “the transgression of the law” found in 1 John 3:4 of the KJV is actually only one word in the Greek language? That Greek word is anomia. It is translated in many modern Bibles as “lawlessness” or “wickedness.”

The New King James Version, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, The NET Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised Standard Version and the English Young’s Literal Translation all translate the Greek word anomia as “lawlessness.” The New Jerusalem Bible translates it as “wickedness” but then again, it’s just one word, not 5 words.1

We can see that many modern Bible versions and translations render this one Greek word anomia as lawlessness.

What’s the Point?

So what’s the fuss all about? Well, it is this: while I can agree that sin indeed is “the transgression the law,” but that was not the point of John in his letter. The apostle John was not just merely giving a definition of what sin is. He was not just saying that sin is breaking the law. He already said that in the first half of 1 John 3:4a (KJV): “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law.” The last half (1 John 3:4b) is saying more than that! The surrounding context as well as the Greek word anomia will hopefully help us to understand John’s point much better.

The Practice of Sinning

The English Standard Version helps us to understand John’s point in 1 John 3:4: “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” The New American Standard Version and the NET Bible both say the same thing. Here we see that it is the habit or the practice of sinning that is at issue here.

What John really meant to say was that sin is a lifestyle, a way of life, a habit, that is opposed to God’s law, that is opposed to God’s will. He was not talking merely about the breaking of just one point of the law. In this verse, John was not merely trying to define what sin is. He was talking about the practice of sinning. John was talking about a wrong way of life—the bad habit of sinning, lawlessness. He said that no one who abides in Christ keep on sinning (ESV, 1 John 3:6). No one who is born of God makes a practice of sinning (ESV, 1 John 3:9).

A Life Living in Sin—Lawlessness

In context then, beginning with 1 John 3:1, the apostle John was reminding the early Christians just how great God’s love for them was that they should be called children of God. That’s what they were–the truth of who they were in Jesus Christ. As children of God, John reminded them that when Christ will appear again they shall be like him and they shall see Christ as He is (1 John 3:2)! What a great future ahead of them! They had hope of a wonderful future in Christ and therefore John urged them to purify themselves just as God is pure (1 John 3:3)!

Indicative: We are God’s Children!

In view of their special status as children of God in Christ, John was explaining to these Christians that they ought not to live a life living in sin—lawlessness or wickedness. They should no longer live a life going against God’s will and making a practice of sinning as a lifestyle or habit. That was the point of John. He was not just merely defining or stating a fact that “sin is the transgression of the law.” He told them to practice righteousness and love one another (1 John 3:1-10). This is applicable to us Christians as well today.

Imperative: Purify Ourselves!

For as long as we are alive, we will always be prone to sinning. We will always sin. But thanks be to God because he will always forgive us. God understands. Of course, this is not a license to make sinning a way of life. The apostle John reminded the early Christians not to make sinning a practice or habit, a way of life. He reminded them to purify themselves! Again, this applies to us as well. Let’s not make a practice of living in sin! Let us not turn God’s grace into a license to live a life of sinning! Let’s purify ourselves! With God’s help of course, he will make us pure! Let’s continue hoping in Christ!

“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:3-4).

1 While the King James Version is categorized as a word-for-word literal translation of the Bible, it may not always be the case all of the time. This Greek word anomia in 1 John 3:4 is an example.

Featured Photo Above: At White Island in Camiguin, Philippines. Youth campers about to embark on a new way of life in Christ by being baptized in 2005.



Life & Love, Who is God?

Does God Love Only the Elect?

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There is a belief that God loves only those who are considered to be the elect—that is, the chosen ones, the Church or the believers. This limits the love of God for only a few selected ones. All unbelievers are excluded. They are not loved by God—because, according to this reasoning, they have not been elected or chosen by God. It’s their fate, whether they like it or not. God is the Potter, humans are the clay. This is the logic behind this belief. Is this biblical truth? Is this the God of the Bible as revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ himself?

God Loves Everybody

Thank God that is not true. The truth is, God loves absolutely everybody. He so loved the whole world that he was willing to give his Son for the salvation of everyone. In his heart he is not willing that any should perish (John 3:16). He did not come to condemn people but to save (John 3:17). The God revealed to us by the Lord Jesus Christ is a God of love. God is love (1 John 4:8). Everything he does is because of and results in love.

Israelites Commanded to Love their Neighbors

The ancient Israelites were told to love their neighbors as they loved themselves (Lev. 19:18). It was nothing new. But I have a feeling the Israelites misunderstood it for centuries until the time when Jesus came on the scene some 2,000 years ago. To them, this command to love their neighbors was only applicable to their blood relatives, their fellow Israelites! They continued to despise the Gentiles and considered them as lowlife—”Gentile sinners” (Gal. 2:15).

In other words, many Israelites had a limited view of God’s love. They thought God only loves Israelites. They thought that the command to love their neighbor was applicable only to their immediate neighbors–that is, their blood brother Israelites and not Gentiles!

Jesus’ Command: “Love Your Enemies”

Jesus corrected that erroneous concept of God’s love by explicitly saying, “Love your enemies” (Matt. 5:43-48). In this passage, Jesus clarified the scope of God’s love. It was not only limited to a few. Here we are all commanded to not just love our close friends and neighbors but to also love those whom we hate. Jesus was saying that the Jews should not limit their love to fellow Israelites but to also love the Gentiles whom they hate. Jesus did not limit God’s love. He intentionally went to Samaria to encounter and meet Gentiles. Jesus loved everybody and not Jews only. God loves all of us. This is what Christ reveals to us in Scripture.

God’s Blessings: For All—Good or Bad

Notice further what Jesus is trying to explain in Matthew 5:43-48. God’s love is not limited for the righteous only. He sends his blessings (the sun and the rain) to all—the righteous and the unrighteous, the evil and the good!

Israel Chosen to be a Blessing to Others

What for were the Israelites chosen then? Why were they elected? Well, God tells us in Genesis 12:1-3 that they were chosen to become a blessing to others. Why? Because God loves everybody. Why is the Church elected? To show forth his praises so that all may believe in God (1 Pet. 2:9, 12). Why? Because God loves everybody.

God Loves Everyone!

So don’t believe the lie that God loves only the elect, a limited few who happens to be called “believers.” That is very much against the teaching of Jesus himself. Jesus commands us to love not only our friends but even our enemies—everyone. The truth of the matter is, Jesus is the Elected One and through him all of humanity has been elected—absolutely everybody. Everybody is included, elected and loved by God through Jesus Christ. God loves everyone!

Life & Love, Who is God?

Is God Relational or Transactional?

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God is relational, not transactional. What do I mean by that? Well, the Bible says that God is love. He loves the whole world and not just a few. God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit has always been relational within their union and communion in the Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit have always been mutually indwelling and mutually loving each other within their one being. God, who created all things through Jesus Christ, has always loved the whole world—all of humanity and all of creation. God is not a contract-God.

Conditional Love

The teaching that God will love us only if we repent and believe is just that—a conditional kind of love. It’s not really love at all. It’s a legal, transactional or contractual kind of “love” where God will only love us if we repent, believe and obey. God is not that kind of God. He is not a contract-God.

It’s All About Loving Relationships

The truth of the matter is, God has always been concerned about loving relationships—not legal transactions or contracts. That’s who God is. He is love. We have always been loved by God. This is exactly the picture being portrayed in the parable of the lost son. Jesus himself gave this parable to reveal to us who the Father really is. The father in the parable both loved his sons—whether good or bad. Although the younger son committed a grievous offense, what was foremost in the mind of the father was that his son was back! The Father was patiently waiting for the son to come back home and when he returned the father was overjoyed! That’s love! The father did not wait for the younger son’s apology before accepting him back. That’s love.

The same is true with the older son. Despite his bad attitude and resentment against his younger brother, the father both loved his two sons. This is not about transactions or contracts before one get’s saved.

God’s Great Love

In fact, when the father saw his younger son afar off, he ran to meet him, hugged him and kissed him! He was overjoyed to see his lost son back again! Regardless of his sins he loved his son all the way. No conditions! Just pure godly love of a father to his son. He immediately organized a party to celebrate the return of his lost son. That’s great love!

God’s Love Not Transactional

That’s how God the Father loves us too! While we were still sinners, the Father allowed Christ to die for us (Rom. 5:8)! He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet.3:9). That’s great love! That’s unconditional love. Not a transactional, legal or contractual kind of love–which is no love at all. God doesn’t love us only when we’re good. He loved us even when we were still “bad” and unbelievers. Even before we believed, he already loved us. He doesn’t love us only when we believe. And all of us are all sinners—all of us were unbelievers before we became believers. God loves us all the way all the time! All of us! How great is the Father’s love for all of us!

For Further Study:



Updated 3/14/2020

Life & Love, Who is God?

The Gospel Truth: It is Finished

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The Objective Reality

Christ has already done everything that’s needed to be done in order for us to be saved. “It is finished,” Christ said. It’s already a reality. Christ’s atonement is sufficient and effective for all—past, present and future. It’s for everyone—for all (universal atonement). “It’s a done deal” as the saying goes.

This is similar to President Abraham Lincoln’s declaration in 1863 that the black slaves were now free—the Emancipation Act. It was already a reality but some slaves were unaware of it or did not believe it. They continued living as if they were still slaves when in reality, they were already free. They continued to live in misery unnecessarily. It was already true whether they believed it or not. It was really, truly and in actual fact, objectively true that they were already free according to law! That’s the objective truth!

The Subjective, Personal Experience

Some of the slaves believed that they were already free while some others did not. Those who did not believe or were unaware of the Emancipation Act* continued to live in misery as if they were still slaves. Those who learned and believed that they were already free really did enjoy and they experienced for the first time what it was like to live like a free man!

Christ did everything that was needed to save all of us. In fact, in so far as Christ is concerned, “it’s a done deal.” Without asking for our permission, Christ has already died for us even while we were still sinners. That is, even before we had asked for forgiveness, he has already died for our sins on our behalf as our substitute and representative — as our High Priest, our Mediator. He has already saved us by and through his grace. And this applies to all.

Personal Response, Participation

In view of the objective truth, how do we respond? Let us welcome this wonderful good news! We should accept this truth! Let us change our minds (repent) and believe the good news! Let’s enjoy and participate in God’s life and love in Jesus Christ! Let us become who we really are in Jesus Christ! This is the abundant life! This is the good news! Join the fun and enjoy it!

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Who is God?

Dead, Buried, Raised and Alive in Christ

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flagellant

The city of San Fernando, Pampanga is famous worldwide because of what people here do during Holy Week. There are more devotees who crucify themselves and beat themselves up (self-flagellation) all over the city than anywhere else in the world. I would suppose that there were even more devotees who crucified themselves and beat themselves up decades ago. They have an amazing zeal for the Lord! But sad to say, not according to knowledge.

Zeal

Although strongly discouraged by the Catholic Church, but still there were a lot of devotees once again last Good Friday, who crucified and beat themselves up—for various reasons: panata (vow), thanksgiving, an appeal to God for something or maybe a ticket to heaven. As to sincerity, they are very sincere. There’s no doubt about it. As to correctness of practice, I’m reminded of Romans 10:1-2 where it says, “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.”

Knowledge

The Old Testament prophet Hosea also had the same thing to say in Hosea 4:6, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” It is really sad to know that there are a lot of needless and wrong practices that our people are doing but they do it anyway because they believe they are doing what is right. Additionally, I heard on TV news that some devotees do it because it has become part of their tradition to do it regularly! It’s really shocking that some allow themselves to be nailed to the cross every year!

But the Lord does not want us to stay in the dark about the truth on salvation. God said in, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior,  4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God wants us to know the truth about salvation!

Despising the Lord’s Sacrifice

Without realizing it, these devotees may actually be despising the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross some 2,000 years ago. Why do I say that? Because, when they do crucify themselves, it’s like they’re saying to the Lord that his sacrifice is not enough. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is insufficient to cover for all their sins—that’s what it implies. They think that they need to add their own personal sacrifice by beating themselves up or crucifying themselves in addition to what Christ had already done on the cross. They think that by doing that, God would be pleased. But God is a loving God and he is not after blood. God says, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13).

Same Thing in Colossae

This is exactly the same situation we find in Colossae during the time of the apostle Paul. There was a Colossian heresy that spread in the local church of Colossae. The apostle Paul heard about the heresy so he wrote them a letter—an epistle. These “heretics” claimed that Christ was not sufficient for salvation. These “heretics” claimed that the Colossian Christians needed to add some other supplements so that they will attain salvation like keeping the Sabbaths, new moons and other rituals. These misguided Colossians were not denying Christ. They were actually Christians too but were being forced by other fellow Jewish Christians to also keep the law of Moses. What they were claiming was that Christ was insufficient for salvation. Some other requirements or rules were needed in order to be saved. And Paul was alarmed so he warned them.

Fullness of God in Christ

Paul argued in Colossians 1:19-20: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”

Christ was complete. Christ was all that they needed. They needed no other supplement to be saved. Everything that’s needed to be done in order for us to be saved has already been done by Christ. Through Christ, God had planned all along to reconcile the whole of humanity and all of creation to himself. Through his blood shed on the cross, he made peace.

Christians Given Fullness through Christ

God is capable and able to wipe out all of our sins. Colossians 2:9-10 says, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.” That is, Christians are complete and full in Christ. They were given fullness in Christ. There’s nothing more that we need other than the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation.

Benefits of Being in Christ

In Colossians 1:11-17 it says, “In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

These verses are packed with information. Take note of the following: 1) the Christian Colossians were circumcised in Christ, 2) they were buried with Christ in baptism, 3) raised with Christ—resurrected, 4) God made them alive in Christ and, 5) through Christ they were forgiven of all their sins. God made them alive—it was all God’s doing.

Since Christians are in Christ, they have been implicated in whatever the Lord did in behalf of humanity. Colossians 3:11 says, “Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Christ is our Substitute and Representative. He lived and died on our behalf. He assumed all that was supposed to be our penalty for sins which we committed. He assumed it on our behalf. Christ is our “all” and is in all. He “wants all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:3-6).

This is absolutely for everyone—all of humanity and all of creation. Not only is God’s plan to reconcile all of humanity to himself but also the environment, all of creation too. There will be a new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. There will be peace. There will be order, when Christ restores all things to himself. Acts 3:21 says, “He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

Qualified, rescued, brought, redeemed, forgiven

Colossians 1:10-14 says, “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Who is Christ Anyway?

In Colossians 1:15-17 it says, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

Through  Christ we have redemption, forgiveness of sins. Christ being Creator of all things, his life is worth more than all of his creation. His sacrifice is more than sufficient to pay for all our sins past, present and future. No need for other supplements. Colossians 2:8-10  says, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.”

Yes, we have been given fulness in Christ! No need for other requirements or supplements in order to be saved! What wonderful truth!

Buried with Christ

Colossians 2:12-17 says, “having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

We died with Christ

In Colossians 2:20-21 it says, “Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: 21 ‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'”

Having been raised with Christ, some Christian reminders

Colossians 3:1-14  says, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Put to Death the Sinful Nature

Colossians 3:5-11 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”

Indicative and Imperative

Since God has already reconciled us, it is just but right that in return we love, obey and follow him. We don’t obey in order to be saved, but rather we obey God and follow his commands because we love him. We obey God because it is the right thing to do. It is but right that we respond to God’s love with loving him in return.

Colossians 3:12-15 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

The Meaning of Resurrection Sunday

This is what Resurrection Sunday should mean to us. It’s a time when 2,000 years ago, The Son of God became human, he was born, he lived, he was crucified, he was buried, he rose, he was resurrected, he is alive and we have all been reconciled and beloved in Him. We have been implicated in what he has done as our Substitute and Representative.  We have fullness in Christ! He is all that we need!

Let us therefore carry on with the Christian journey with this in mind. We have hope, we have love, we are victorious because we are in Christ. Our salvation is secure. Let us continue to persevere and hope and wait until the second coming of the Lord. Brethren, God loves you, you are in Jesus Christ. And we can live a happy and abundant life in Jesus Christ even right now even as we wait and hope for a wonderful future.