THE FIRSTBORN OF THE FATHER
Monday, February 20th.
Pastor Chris
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:18).
Noticethat the Bible didn’t call Jesus the firstborn from Mary; rather, He’s called “the firstborn from the dead.” It’s talking about spiritual death, because Jesus died spiritually. Our sins were laid on him (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24) as He was the representative of all sinners. But upon fulfilling the righteous demands of justice, God raised him from the dead. Hallelujah!
When He was raised from the dead, God declared: “…Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee” (Acts 13:33). That’s why He’s called the first begotten or f irstborn of the Father. Before His death, He was called the only begotten of the Father.
Jesus being the firstborn of the Father means He’s the Head and we, the Church, are His Body. God raised Him from the dead together with His Body. We’re therefore inextricably one with Him. He heads up the new creation who are begotten of the Father.
The Bible says “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). He’s the first among us, and as He is, so are we in this world! Hallelujah!
He is the glory of God; and like Him, we’re the glory of God. The Bible says He has brought many sons to glory (Hebrews 2:10). He was the first to be born again; and like Him, we’ve been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever (1 Peter 1:23). Blessed be God!
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the vicarious death of Jesus in my behalf, who was delivered for my offences, and was raised again for my justification. Now, I walk in the consciousness of my oneness with Him, walking in, and manifesting your righteousness; reigning and ruling with Christ from the heavenly realms, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
|| Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. ||
|| Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified [are] all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, ||
|| John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and [to] my God, and your God. ||
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Mark 4:21-41 & Leviticus 16-18
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Matthew 16:1-12 & Exodus 1
We trust you have been blessed by this devotional. We invite you to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life by praying thus:
“O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He’s alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I’m born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I’m now a child of God. Hallelujah!”