The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Timothy 1:17,
'Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
As Paul offers up his doxology to the object of his worship, God himself, he acknowledges some of his attributes. From this doxology, as well as all God reveals of himself in the pages of Scripture, we recognize that God is a spiritual being. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well he said, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." John 4:24.
In this very practical letter to Timothy, focusing on how the fellowship should order itself in this world, there is a surprising amount of reference to the spiritual realm and the beings that inhabit its environs. In addition to the acknowledgement of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, we read of created beings that dwell within this dimension of what could be referred to as the "spirit world."
Paul speaks of handing certain Christians over to Satan, one of God's malevolent creations that inhabits the spiritual realm and has his impact here in this world, "Among them [those who have rejected faith and a good conscience] are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme." 1:20. Paul speaks of "deceiving spirits" and demons that are the source of false teachings in later times, 4:1.
'Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
As Paul offers up his doxology to the object of his worship, God himself, he acknowledges some of his attributes. From this doxology, as well as all God reveals of himself in the pages of Scripture, we recognize that God is a spiritual being. When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well he said, "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." John 4:24.
In this very practical letter to Timothy, focusing on how the fellowship should order itself in this world, there is a surprising amount of reference to the spiritual realm and the beings that inhabit its environs. In addition to the acknowledgement of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, we read of created beings that dwell within this dimension of what could be referred to as the "spirit world."
Paul speaks of handing certain Christians over to Satan, one of God's malevolent creations that inhabits the spiritual realm and has his impact here in this world, "Among them [those who have rejected faith and a good conscience] are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme." 1:20. Paul speaks of "deceiving spirits" and demons that are the source of false teachings in later times, 4:1.
On the positive side, Paul makes reference to "elect angels", 5:21. Paul points out that God himself, "who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see" will bring about the second coming of his Son, Jesus Christ in his own timing, 6:16.
Because I live here in this life "under the sun", because I am focused on things here, because I get caught up with the activities and people here, it is good for me to pause from time to time and muse on what it is I do not see, what surrounds me and has impact on my life here as well as afterward. That spiritual realm exists and is populated with spiritual beings that have differing intentions for me and those I love.
These are things I would never know of apart from God sharing them with me in his word. A pretty good source of information, wouldn't you say?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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