KING ETERNAL - PART 1

SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2023

In this new topic, which is highly enriched and blessed with successive parts, I wish to start by introducing to you, a great man of God, and apostle of Christ, whose gratitude to God in relation to his salvation process, remained ceaseless throughout his ministry days on earth. His name is Paul, formerly known as Saul of Tarsus. After examining his profound heart of gratitude, I concluded in my heart, saying, "God forbid that I should diminish the tonnage or mass of God's abundant grace and mercy upon my life."

Sincerely speaking, that is the last thing I will do in my lifetime, instead I will continually attribute quality-based importance or value to my salvation in Christ, which is eternal in nature. Sometimes, if not many a time, our salvation in Christ which is spiritual birth, including the process that led us to Christ, should be far more joyful than it is for many Christians in today's world, in view of Christ's sufferings and death. More below!

Reference: 1 Timothy 1:17 New International Version (NIV) "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

The above seasoned, versified solemnity is Pauline vivid doxology. Let's consider what led him to acknowledge God's greatness and eternality - in a praising manner. The very verse prior to our referenced Scripture reveals the reason:

"But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life" (1 Timothy 1:16 NIV).

That's a significant and far-reaching reason to praise God. Indeed, by taking into account who he was before his salvation in Christ, it resulted in his outburst of praise: "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." Why did he adore God's name? It was because of His redemptive plan exerted in his life, even though he didn't merit or deserve it as a notable murderer and wicked sinner (the worst of sinners). Think of his past: the outrageous actions he took against the Christian community. Seemingly, whenever he cogitated on God's saving grace which he received on a platter, somehow, he would still not believe it was real because from the human standpoint, he had no reason to earn it, bearing in mind that he constantly troubled the saints with severe persecution (Acts 8:1-3 NIV).

Scriptures like Psalm 96:7-9 (NIV) says, "Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." Furthermore, Revelation 15:4 (NIV) says, "Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." Beloved, any born again Christian who doesn't find time to reflect on God's love on their behalf, in relation to predestination, or whose heart is not greatly touched and moved to sincere worship or influenced by the deepest and most fervid emotion, when they cogitate on the great sufferings of Christ who died for them on the cross, doesn't come across to me as a serious Christian. In other words, they are yet to understand the weight and the worth of Christ's atoning sacrifice for their sins.

In the Old Testament Scriptures, we find an abundance of unique redemptive names given to God as they encountered Him in diverse manners, before His grace and eternal plan for the salvation of mankind was revealed. Few of them are: Jehovah Elohim - The Lord God (Genesis 2:4) Jehovah Jireh - The Lord will provide (Genesis 22:14) Jehovah Nissi - The Lord my banner (Exodus 17:15) Jehovah Rapha - The Lord that heals (Exodus 15) Jehovah Mekaddeskum - The Lord who sanctifies (Exodus 31:13) Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our Peace (Jugdes 6:24)

Do you have any of God's name you can remember or rather frame by artistry? Now begin to declare them, in honour and adoration to God because He alone deserves your praise and worship. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Guided Prayer: To the most high God in heaven: In my moments of highly concentrated enthusiasm, I just want to adore your name and acknowledge your noble and elevated excellencies, plus its sacred atmosphere that surrounds my existence, as a result of my salvation in Christ. Unto you, the Almighty God, be the glory, honour and adoration, in Jesus' Name, Amen!