JESUS is GOD OUR SAVIOR
ἸΗΣΟῪΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΌΣ IĒSOUS CHRISTOS - JESUS THE χρίω chriō ANOINTED IS ΘΕΌΣ THEOS - GOD OUR ΣΩΤΉΡ SŌTĒR - SAVIOR
2008 Edited: 11/20/2017
In the beginning, we are all like the earth was when Θεός (Theos - God) first formed it. We are void of all πνευματικός (pneumatikos - spiritual) life, goodness, true εἰρήνη (eirēnē - peace) and soundness of νοῦς (nous - mind). Σκοτία (skotia - Darkness) covers us like a garment (Gen 1:1-2).
This σκοτία (skotia - darkness) is real and its δύναμις (dunamis - power) overwhelms us unless we get βοήθεια (boētheia - help) from Θεός (Theos - God). Θεός (Theos), from the very beginning teaches us the remedy;
"Then Θεός (Theos - God) said, "Let there be φῶς (phōs - light)"; and there was φῶς (phōs - light). Θεός (Theos - God) saw that the φῶς (phōs - light) was καλός (kalos - good); and Θεός (Theos - God) separated the φῶς (phōs - light) from the σκοτία (skotia - darkness)." Gen 1:3-4
And now, in this αἰών (aiōn - age) we are in, Θεός (Theos - God) has revealed even more to us. He has taught us that His Son, Ἰησοῦς Χριστός (Iēsous Christos - Jesus the Anointed One), IS the φῶς (phōs - light) (Isaiah 42:6; Luke 2:32; John 3:19; 2 Cor 4:6).
This φῶς (phōs - light) is compared to σοφία (sophia - wisdom), σύνεσις (sunesis - understanding), guidance, and ζωὴ αἰώνιος (zōē aiōnios - eternal life). While σκοτία (skotia - darkness) is compared to ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance), the opposite of φῶς (phōs - light), the opposite of γνῶσις (gnōsis - knowledge).
Θεός (Theos - God) says, "The way of the ἀσεβής (asebēs - wicked) is like σκοτία (skotia - darkness); They do not know over what they stumble." ~Proverbs 4:19
Θεός (Theos - God) says that all humanity is πλανάω (planaō - deceived) because they walk in this σκοτία (skotia - darkness) of ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance) to His Χριστός (Christos - Anointed One) who is called the λόγος (Logos - Word) of Θεός (Theos - God);
"...the ancient serpent, the one called the διάβολος (diabolos - devil) and Σατανᾶς (Satanas - Satan), WHO DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD..." Revelation 12:9
Θεός (Theos - God) warns us elsewhere:
"My people are destroyed from lack of γνῶσις (gnōsis - knowledge)..." Hosea 4:6
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Say to those with φοβερός (phoberos - fearful) καρδία (kardia - hearts), "Be strong, do not fear; your Θεός (Theos - God) will come, αὐτός (autos - He) will come with ἐκδίκησις (ekdikēsis - vengeance); with θεῖος (theios - godly) ἀνταπόδοσις (antapodosis - retribution) αὐτός (autos - He) will come to σῴζω (sōzō - save) you." Isaiah 35:4
“And a certain man was there, which had an illness thirty eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, Will you be made whole?” — John 5:5-6
On the other hand, Θεός (Theos - God) compares γνῶσις (gnōsis - knowledge) of His λόγος (logos - word) as a λύχνος (luchnos - lamp) that lights your way.
"Your λόγος (logos - word) is a λύχνος (luchnos - lamp) to my feet And a φῶς (phōs - light) to my path." Psalm 119:105
"The entrance of thy λόγος (logos - words) giveth φῶς (phōs - light); it giveth σύνεσις (sunesis - understanding) unto the simple." Psalm 119:130
"Θεός (Theos - God) is φῶς (phōs - light)." 1 John 1:5
And Θεός (Theos - God) has shined His φῶς (phōs - light) on the κόσμος (kosmos - world) THROUGH Ἰησοῦς Χριστός (Iēsous Christos - Jesus Christ) (John 1:1-14);
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus) said; "I am the φῶς (phōs - light) of the κόσμος (kosmos - world). The one who ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō - follows) me will never περιπατέω (peripateō - walk) in σκοτία (skotia - darkness), but will have the φῶς (phōs - light) of ζωή (zōē - life)." John 8:12
When we do not have the φῶς (phōs - light) of Θεός (Theos - God) in our lives, we περιπατέω (peripateō - walk) in σκοτία (skotia - darkness), ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance).
Σκοτία (Skotia - Darkness) is where the διάβολος (diabolos - devil) is (Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18; Ephesians 6:12). Σατανᾶς (Satanas - Satan) takes advantage of our ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance) (John 8:44; 1 Peter 5:8). Σατανᾶς (Satanas - Satan) uses our ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance) to manipulate us and lead us further and further away from Θεός (Theos - God). Even going as far as to impersonate messengers of Θεός (Theos - God) in order to lead many more ψυχή (psuchē - souls) astray;
"And no wonder, for even Σατανᾶς (Satanas - Satan) disguises himself as an ἄγγελος (angelos - angel) of φῶς (phōs - light)." ~2 Corinthians 11:14
Which is why it is URGENT for us to come to Θεός (Theos - God) on His terms and give αὐτός (autos - Him) all our καρδία (kardia - heart), ψυχή (psuchē - soul) and νοῦς (nous - mind) (which is the first and greatest ἐντολή (entolē - commandment)). Θεός (Theos - God), out of His ἀγάπη (agapē - love) and ἔλεος (eleos - mercy), informs us to do this for our own good.
When we are without Χριστός (Christos - Christ) in our lives, our ψυχή (psuchē - souls) know we are missing something. Something very important. We often work hard trying to find what it is we are missing. And many people are looking in all the wrong places.
"Enter through the στενός (stenos - narrow) πύλη (pulē - gate). For wide is the πύλη (pulē - gate) and broad is the ὁδός (hodos - way) that leads to ἀπώλεια (apōleia - destruction), and many enter through it. But στενός (stenos - narrow) is the πύλη (pulē - gate) and στενός (stenos - narrow) the ὁδός (hodos - way) that leads to ζωή (zōē - life), and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13, 14
What they find are cheap substitutions for the εἰρήνη (eirēnē - peace) of Θεός (Theos - God). People become addicted to these things because it temporarily causes a pacification of ἀγωνία (agōnia - anxiety) and depression. But Θεός (Theos - God) warns; "There is no εἰρήνη (eirēnē - peace), saith the Κύριος (Kurios - LORD) unto the πονηρός (ponēros - wicked)." (Isaiah 48:22)
People begin to realize that they have to submerse themselves deeper into their diversions to escape the reality of their devastating feelings of loneliness. They also begin to realize that over time the distraction is less and less powerful. Then these people become tormented when they find that what started off to be a pacifying of the νοῦς (nous - mind) has turned into a deep and dark addiction that causes continuous, everyday πνευματικός (pneumatikos - spiritual) θάνατος (thanatos - death) to their ψυχή (psuchē - soul).
Temporary highs and distractions
People have distractions. And there are many to choose from. Alcohol, entertainment, sporting events and even politics. Whatever it is people put their whole καρδία (kardia - heart) into, if it isn't Θεός (Theos - God), it's actually εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatria - idolatry). And εἰδωλολατρία (eidōlolatria - idolatry) will only bring πνευματικός (pneumatikos - spiritual) sickness.
Θεός (Theos - God) commands for all our attention to be placed on αὐτός (autos - Him) and His λόγος (logos - Word), the ἁγία γραφή (hagia graphē - Holy Bible). Then and only then will we be able to be used by Θεός (Theos - God) and serve αὐτός (autos - Him) correctly. Χριστός (Christos - Christ) says "My λόγος (logos - words) are πνεῦμα (pneuma - spirit) and they are ζωή (zōē - LIFE)." and, "I am that ἄρτος (artos - bread) of ζωή (zōē - LIFE)." (John 6:48) "Now are ye καθαρός (katharos - clean) through the λόγος (logos - Word) which I have spoken unto you." (John 15:3)
This "καθαρός (katharos - clean)" feeling spoken of by Χριστός (Christos - Christ) is what people are really looking for in this world. The cleansing of the νοῦς (nous - mind), ψυχή (psuchē - soul) and συνείδησις (suneidēsis - conscience). People have a filthy συνείδησις (suneidēsis - conscience) and many may not realize what's going on or what they can do about it. People want to know why they are troubled.
We can know everything of the highest importance in this universe by studying Θεός's (Theos's - God's) λόγος (logos - Word). Θεός's (Theos's - God's) λόγος (logos - Word) separates φῶς (phōs - light) from σκότος (skotos - darkness). And if we thoroughly know Θεός's (Theos's - God's) λόγος (logos - word) we will be able to understand all things.
"κακός (kakos - Evil) men understand not κρίσις (krisis - judgment): but they that seek the Κύριος (Kurios - LORD) understand ALL things." (Proverbs 28:5)
There is no separation between Θεός (Theos - God) and His λόγος (logos - Word). There is no teaching about Θεός (Theos - God) anywhere other than Θεός's (Theos's - God's) written λόγος (logos - word).
"Above all, you must understand that no προφητεία (prophēteia - prophecy) of γραφή (graphē - Scripture) comes from the prophet's own ἐπίλυσις (epilusis - interpretation). For no προφητεία (prophēteia - prophecy) was ever brought about through human initiative, but ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi - men) spoke from Θεός (Theos - God) as they were carried along by the πνεῦμα ἅγιον (pneuma agion - spirit holy)." 2 Peter 1:21
"All γραφή (graphē - Scripture) is θεόπνευστος (theopneustos - God-breathed) and is ὠφέλιμος (ōphelimos - useful) for διδασκαλία (didaskalia - instruction), for ἔλεγχος (elegchos - conviction), for ἐπανόρθωσις (epanorthōsis - correction), and for παιδεία (paideia - training) in δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosunē - righteousness), so that the ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos - man) of Θεός (Theos - God) may be τέλειος (teleios - complete), fully equipped for every ἀγαθός (agathos - good) ἔργον (ergon - work)." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The λόγος (logos - Word) of Θεός (Theos - God) IS Θεός (Theos - God) (John 1:1). And this "λόγος (logos - Word)" is Θεός's (Theos's - God's) introduction of Himself to humanity. "λόγος (logos - Word)" [of Θεός (Theos - God)] is actually more than just word. It is the English translation of the Greek word λόγος (LOGOS). λόγος (LOGOS) involved the νοῦς (nous - mind) behind the word. λόγος (Logos) is the expression of that νοῦς (nous - mind). So "λόγος (logos - Word)" [of Θεός (Theos - God)] is much more than just word. There are no other inspired teachings outside of Θεός's (Theos's - God's) written λόγος (logos - word). I don't care what any voice says to you. I don't care If you have had dreams, visions, hallucinations, or "after life experiences". IF they do not line up with the teachings of the Bible, then they are NOT of Θεός (Theos - God).
"But even if we or an ἄγγελος (angelos - angel) from οὐρανός (ouranos - heaven) should preach a εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion - gospel) contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be ἀνάθεμα (anathema - accursed)!" Galatians 1:8
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely." Rev 22:16-17
I, Thomas Richards, only write these things because I have experienced Χριστός (Christos - Christ). I am a μάρτυς (martus - witness) of His ἀνάστασις (anastasis - resurrection). And Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus) saved me over 28 years ago from a very miserable existence filled with ἄγνοια (agnoia - ignorance) and σκότος (skotos - darkness). And I know He can do the same for you through πίστις (pistis - faith). Even if you don't fully realize it now, the more you learn of Him through γραφή (graphē - Scripture), the more you will understand Him. "Θεός (Theos - God) is ἀγάπη (agapē - love)." (1 John 4:8) And His ἀγάπη (agapē - love) through Ἰησοῦς Χριστός (Iēsous Christos - Jesus Christ) is extended to you right now. Χριστός (Christos - Christ) stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Will you open your heart to receive His πνεῦμα (pneuma - spirit) and ζωή (zōē - life)?
You can be saved!
God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!
Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."
Updated with proper terminology:
You can be saved!
Θεός (Theos - God) loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If Θεός (Theos - God) is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your ἁμαρτίαι (hamartiai - sins) which have separated you from a holy Θεός (Theos - God) and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to Χριστός (Christos - Christ) in 1997!
Say, "My Κύριος (Kurios - Lord) and my Θεός (Theos - God), have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus) Χριστός (Christos - the Christ) died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my ἁμαρτίαι (hamartiai - sins). I believe Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus) raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of Θεός (Theos - God) listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Κύριος (Kurios - Lord) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous - Jesus). Thank you, Θεός (Theos - God), for saving my ψυχή (psuchē - soul) and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."