He Sent Jesus

"He's always held all the keys."

The em-PHA-sis was on the wrong Syl-LA-ble, as the saying goes. A supposed “God heals today” devotional left me wondering where God is and “why, God why.” This comes from the Spirit, not me. Any version of “why, God, why” needs to be addressed specifically. There isn’t a ‘generic” answer or a way to give one without putting God in a bad light, and there’s only goodness in Him. Any answers to questions about God’s control over the devil come from the Word and the Spirit.

But before answering, ask God what He wants to say. Anyone can quote the Word as an answer without seeking Him. People do this all the time. But answers need to come from God. He’s who’s being addressed, so what does He say? I explain it this way: When writing fiction, you must make the hero the hero. Stories are written all the time with the focus on the bad guy, and suddenly you’re cheering for a criminal. When it’s God and the devil, God’s always on top. He’s far stronger and wiser, and He won. Why put the emphasis on the devil and leave God looking like He’s not done anything or doesn’t care?

“How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.” (Ephesians 1:3-6 MSG)

The truth is, God did something. He sent Jesus in a plan made before the foundation of the world. Whether it’s spoken or in writing, God’s Word shows the mercy of God. Our reply should show the mercy of God and NOT make people defensive and confused. I am not going to turn loose of this.

God didn’t just create man to have a family. He didn’t create man to test him. He didn’t create man, despite knowing what the devil would do, yet “submit” man to it. Man was created TO HAVE DOMINION so that God could become a man and DESTROY THE DEVIL (Genesis 1:28; 1John 3:8). It was all about this. All of it. That was not an insert that just happened or something “God allowed.” He made man in His image and after His likeness so that He could become man in order to die as the sacrifice and shed His blood. The heart and the blood were made so He could shed it. He became man in order to rise from the dead, out of the power of death forever. He’s always held all the keys. Always been the Christ. Always.

The second anyone opens their mouth and preaches any other gospel, they are WRONG.

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8)

Woman works into this. She was not an afterthought, because God realized Adam was lonely. She was not created because (insert joke) he was inept and (canned laughter) he needs her help. It is far more powerful than that. People are too busy making relationship jokes to see it. Nor is it strictly a picture of God and the church, though that is said in Ephesians 5. Nor is Song of Solomon only a picture of God and Israel. If you think that you have misunderstand “His banner over me is love” and all those descriptions of gazelles.

Eve was not created to make the first sin and to cause Adam to make the wrong choice. She wasn’t created strictly to bear children, although she is the one chosen. And children are a beautiful thing. She was created FROM ADAM, from where THE BREATH FLOWS, so that what was separated could become one again (Genesis 2:21, 24). God created woman for man then chose a virgin to bear His Son, to be His mother. So that no one could ever blame His conception on lust or physical things. It was not just so that it would be a miracle. But so that it would be holy. He was perfectly aware people would think otherwise, but that is not the truth. He shoulders all our misconceptions and misunderstandings with aplomb. Adam was created first, but it was Eve who would carry the Messiah and Adam who would raise Him to become the man that He is. Don’t think Jesus is up there Kingin’ it up and He’s forgotten His family and friends. He knows everyone. He loves everyone. He adores His parents and disciples. He adores you.

One thing we must know about God – Father, Son, and Spirit – is He is love. He doesn’t HAVE it or have to work on feelin’ it. It’s the completion of Him. He’s the fullest and finest expression of love. There’s no place in Him for hate or even exasperation. There’s no place IN HIM for wickedness. When the OT says God has wrath against the wicked or against wickedness that is true. But no one has to choose to be wicked. Think of it this way—the devil chose wickedness. He created sin. DON’T BE LIKE HIM. Because there is a cost for wickedness, there is punishment, but what our loving Father, what our generous Savior, and sweet Spirit want is holiness, meekness, goodness, and love.

I’d think the church had a grip on that. John 3:16 and all. Also, 1 John says God is love. Except there are still those giving “why, God, why” answers and making God look neglectful. Anytime anyone asks questions about the plan of God, the answer is always Jesus. Why God this, why God that. He sent Jesus. But why didn’t He (insert your doubt). He sent Jesus. Jesus defeated the enemy and gave us the authority to live free of his influence in all areas of our life. He sent the Spirit to answer all our questions (John 14:26). He united us with the Father who is Greatest of all (John 10:29). And He promised to return for us. Not because He’s waiting to see the earth and all of society collapse. The devil can’t pull that off. The Father sent Jesus.

“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.” (Ephesians 1:7-10 MSG)

Mountain Cross Image by TyliJura from Pixabay
Clouds and Sun Image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com