Bits and Pieces – 42nd Edition – December 20, 2020

THE FULNESS OF CHRIST

“In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” [Colossians 2:9]

The ability to package immense Bible truths within a very few words was a gift given Paul by the Holy Spirit.  And probably no greater example is found than this statement that in Christ dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.  At this season when many focus on the birth of Christ, how few grasp even a little of the magnitude of the miracle that occurred when “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” [John 1:14].

Paul prayed elsewhere “That I may know Him” [Philippians 3:10]. This was towards the end of a life spent in the service of Christ, yet he still desired to know the Lord better.  We are faced with the reality there are some things we do know, and there are other things we ought to know, that are revealed in His Word.  But there are still things about Jesus we will never know.  We would need to be omniscient to fully understand the being of God.

“God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” [S.C. #4]. All that God is, is somehow miraculously funneled down into that earthly body and He alone can save the sinful soul.

His life is infinitely holy. His justice is infinitely right.  His Word is infinitely true.  His wisdom to understand our need is infinite.  His power to save is also infinite.  When remembering the Babe in Bethlehem, let us not forget the Sovereign on the throne.

C.H. Spurgeon commenting on the righteous sufferer in Psalm 34:20.

“He keepeth all his bones: Not one of them is broken.”

“This is a great comfort to a tried child of God… for up to this hour I have suffered no real damage from my many afflictions.  I have neither lost faith, nor hope, nor love.  Nay, so far from losing these bones of character, they have gained in strength and energy.

I have more knowledge, more experience, more patience, more stability than I had before the trials came.  Not even my joy has been destroyed.  Many a bruise have I had by sickness, bereavement, depression, slander, and opposition; but the bruise has healed, and there has been no compound fracture of a bone, nor even a simple one.  The reason is not far to seek.  If we trust the Lord, He keeps all our bones; and if He keeps them, we may be sure that not one of them is broken.”

It was announced on Wednesday that about 370 religious leaders worldwide, including Christian and Jewish, have signed a call to ban sex conversion therapy.  It is defined as any form of treatment or psychotherapy that aims to change a person’s sex orientation, or to suppress a person’s gender identity.

The Canadian federal government is already working on Bill C6.  Justice Minister David Lametti said [Toronto Star.  March 10, 2020], “Conversion therapy is premised on a lie, that being homosexual, lesbian, bisexual or trans is wrong.”   Lametti is therefore calling God a liar!  The Bible is clear, homosexual practices are wrong. [Leviticus 18:22. Romans 1:27. 1 Corinthians 6:9.  1 Timothy 1:10 etc. etc.].

Conversion therapy was obviously used in New Testament times for Paul speaks of those who were cleansed from a variety of sins, including homosexuality.  He said, “such were some of you.” [1 Corinthians 6:9].  They had been converted from their earlier sinful ways by the application of the gospel of Christ.

Genuine Christians need to pray earnestly that these modern ‘Balaams’ will not be able to succeed with their nefarious plans.  Though they may be of a mind to pass these sinful laws, let us pray fervently that the Lord will stop them.

Covid19 vaccines are all the talk now as the first of them is rolled out, starting in Britain.  Canada was number three and they were to be administered starting on Tuesday.  Priority is to be given to doctors, nurses and other health care workers who are working on the front lines of the anti-covid battle.  Next in line will be those in seniors’ homes.  The Toronto Sunday church services today will be held online only on sermonaudio at 11.00 am and 6.30 pm.  The pre-evening service prayer time will be at 5.50 pm on Zoom.  The Wednesday prayer meeting will be at 7.30 pm on Zoom.

Never in a hundred years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller, wearing a mask, and ask for money!