What Shall I Render

Christ is the fulfillment of God purpose to save, rescue, and forgive (Psalm 40; Heb 10:1-10).

The Bible gives us clear simple language regarding the return of Christ Jesus. These words are not confusing; they are encouraging, and that is why they were written. (1 Thess 4:13-5:2)

While the Law of Moses and the Temple it offered had their place in God's purpose, they could never provide what God has provided in His Son. The disciples (apostles too) of Jesus had no idea of what all God would accomplish in the Son, because it had not yet been revealed.

God demonstrated His acceptance of the Gentiles in a miraculous sign, involving the Holy Spirit. These events made clear the former laws of clean and unclean from the Law of Moses were no longer in authority. God's new covenant is in His Son and the salvation it provides is for all men. Judaism no longer provides access to God.

Taking the name of Jesus with us is to remember all that He is, has done, and has given us, with us as we face the trials of this life. It is in His name, then, that we find rest for our souls.

The Son of God came down to defeat and destroy what we could not, sin, death, the grave, and darkness itself. He did this so that God could enthrone Him as King over all these things on our behalf. Oh what a kingdom we enjoy! (Col 1:13-14; Eph 1:17-23; Heb 2:5-8).

The kingdom of heaven is Matthew's phrase to remind his readers of where the King and His kingdom are from, as Jesus told Pilate: ... My kingdom is not of (from) this world . . . But now, my kingdom is from another place (heaven). (Jn 18:36)

Gentiles are granted the Spirit even without becoming converts to Judaism. The gospel message is seen to really be for all men. The gospel stands on its own, because it is the message of God in His Son. This gospel is noted as the "ministry of the Spirit" and contrasted to the "ministry of death", that is the Law (Acts 10-11; 2 Cor 3:7-18),

All these I have kept . . . , What do I still lack? . . . With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matt 19:20, 26).

We gain nothing, when we condemn God and seek to justify ourselves (Job 40:8; Matt 19).