Bible Question:
In having read the book umpteen times over the past 1/2 centry, apon my most recient re-reading of it, a thought just came to mind. Keep in mind John 1:1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Now consider what Jesus states in John 14:21. "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." “And will manifest (show) myself to him.” Now... My thought is, "He has manifest Himself to me in His word." I believe, but have yet researched it, that scripture states something to this affect, elsewhere. Many take this passage literally. I firmly believe that, just like the rest of scripture, depending on the specific circumstances, this passage can be taken either way. literally or figuratively. Having no desire to get into a doctrinal discussion on the matter, I would like to ask, what passages you would provide in support, or contrast to this thought? |
Bible Answer: Dear Shythiyl, Matthew Henry claimed with reference to Ephesians 3:18-19: “There is a spiritual manifestation of Christ and his love made to all believers. When he enlightens their minds to know his love, and the dimensions of it enlivens their graces, and draws them into exercise, and thus enlarges their comforts in himself - when he clears up the evidences of their interest in him, and gives them tokens of his love, experience of his tenderness, and earnests of his kingdom and glory, - then he manifests himself to them; and Christ is manifested to none but those to whom he is pleased to manifest himself.” Ephesians 3:14-19(KJV) 14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. In support I would offer: Colossians 2:9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Proverbs 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. It’s the love of God that is manifested to us and the manifestation of that love that we emulate to others as well. And it’s conditional: that we love Him and that is made known through observing and keeping his commandments, which is love in its fullness. Romans 8:38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. WOS |