God Manifested
In the Flesh

Colin Melbourne

© 05-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
Holy Bible, KJV 1 Tim 3:16

God Was Manifest in the Flesh

Can the saints of God read this sentence without their hearts spinning somersaults of joy? Here we have rich food indeed. A man can live in the desert with this and never go hungry or thirsty. It encapsulates the central theme of the Gospel, from eternity to eternity: Almighty God reaching out to you. Receive it, believe it, and tell it!

I love the NIV for its clarity, and ease of comprehension; it sometimes emphasises the deity of Christ more than the KJV. But in this particular case the NIV falls short stating, he appeared in a body, which is limp lettuce compared to the KJV's, God was manifest in the flesh. Now that's real tasty food, though as usual, the original version is better still.

Tyndale: God's Outlaw

84% of the KJV NT was lifted word for word from William Tyndale's 1534 translation, which in my opinion is invariably superior. Bill feeds us the more earthy: God was showed in the flesh. Even a ploughboy can understand that: Jesus Christ is Almighty God in the Flesh.

Praise Him you saints!

All the fullness of the Godhead

The KJV committee wisely retained Tyndale's translation of Col. 2:9

For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

All the fullness of the Godhead lives in Him bodily. Meditate on that Gospel truth.

Everything of Almighty God that can be contained in a human body was present in the LORD Jesus Christ. All the fullness...

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him... Col. 1:19 NIV

Yet He looked so ordinary, He passed for a humble Jewish Carpenter from a dusty dump of a town like Nazareth.

That either confuses or inspires you.

Co-Heirs with Christ

Believer! Look in the mirror, and read out loud the rest of that Scripture: (The NIV is best)

And you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority. Col. 2:10

Who me?

If you are a born again Spirit-filled believer, God is telling you that you have what Christ had. That is what it says.

You can do what Jesus did, continuing His ministry on earth; healing the sick, casting out devils, and proclaiming the Good News in His Name. Which is why Jesus promised,

Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. Jn. 14:12

Your Healing Ministry

There's your healing ministry on a plate. Don't tell me the age of miracles has passed. You're too late, I've read the Book, and I've discovered it works. Christ said I can do what He did, I believe Him, and He endorses my child-like faith in Him, and continues His ministry on earth through me. And you too when you only believe. That's always been His plan for you.

'Oh not me Preacher, I'm as dumb as a doorknob, and weak as water. You do it and I'll sponsor you.'

No Sister, no Brother, you're perfect material for God to use: Listen:

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Co 1:27

That's you and me: foolish, weak: and chosen. Here's what He says next:

In Christ Jesus

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 1 Co. 1:30

In Christ Jesus, God's eternal Ark.

Say, 'I am in Christ Jesus!'

Your righteousness won't drive out demons, your holiness doesn't impress the Devil, but we don't rely on ours, we have The Redeemer's!

That's what gets the job done, and puts every evil thing to flight if we only trust and obey.

Take your stand on the unmovable Gospel foundation,

Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:27b

By faith in His Name we call those things that are not, as though they were Ro. 4:17, and Father looks down into the pitch darkness of this filthy sinful world and says,

'Look Son there's one of Ours shining like a star and using Your Name in faith.'

'Yes Father, a chip of the Ol'Block!'

And the Holy Spirit declares: Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

And it is so.

Make it happen today, use your faith in Jesus' Name boldly, and you'll see the glory of God made manifest again.