DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY By Frank J Manasseri

In our quest to learn more about the King of the Kingdom of God we must embark on a quest to discover the Lord Jesus Christ “As He Is Today.” Therefore I submit the following series for our prayerful and thoughtful consideration of the scriptures.

The following is submitted by the author not as a completed work but as a journey in progress. This quest to personally know Jesus Christ “As He Is” may take a lifetime, and one must be willing to be open to new information based upon truth of scripture alone and not speculation, feelings or experiences.

DISCOVERING THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST “AS HE IS” TODAY
By Frank J Manasseri

INTRODUCTION

This is a Biblical study of the plan of salvation, which after the counsel of His own Will, the Father God, along with His only begotten Son, set in motion before the foundations of this world.

The goal of this work is to present information that will be both challenging and enlightening concerning Jesus Christ (The Messiah). What is written in the following pages may challenge some traditional theology in such a way that it will encourage the reader to join the ranks of those noble Berean’s who after hearing the scriptures, “searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11 (KJV)

THE REVEALING OF THE CHRIST

Today many are seeking to learn more about this Jesus of Nazareth who claimed to be the Son of the True God. During the days of His earthly ministry, Jesus presented a challenge to His disciples when He asked them, “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?”

There was a significant purpose for His inquiry. This one simple question provoked a response that unleashed a revelation from heaven concerning the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

The Lord desired to know what the people were saying about who He was, but of more importance to Him, He desired to know who the disciples believed He was. Why was this so imperative? Why didn’t the Lord just simply announce who He was to everyone? Jesus knew He was the Christ, the Son of the living God, and He certainly did not need any man to confirm or validate this truth. He knew that only the Father could truly reveal the Son and that only the Son could truly reveal the Father .

In this revelation from heaven one may begin to develop an intimacy with Him, for what one thinks of Jesus Christ is the most singularly important factor for those who deeply desire to enjoy an intimate relationship with Him and to know Him “AS HE IS” today.

In this record some thought He was John the Baptist, while some thought He was Elias, Jeremiah or some other prophet that had been reincarnated. Opinions have not changed much since the time when the Lord Jesus asked this question of His disciples. Even today, individuals still have a myriad of opinions as to who they think Jesus of Nazareth is.

Many so-called Biblical scholars hold symposiums designed to share information, in-sights and opinions hoping to find the answers to who Jesus really is. By the confession of their mouths they speak and declare who they think He is. Their conclusions are like the opinions recorded in this section of scripture – some are correct, and some are wrong.

Why is it so important to the Lord that people accurately know who He is? The proper answer to this question will determine the quality of an individual’s personal relationship with Him. If one thinks He is just one of the many prophets or just another holy man, then the relationship will not be based on truth. However if one accepts, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, then this relationship is built upon the solid rock of truth.

The Father God’s love for mankind was and is continually manifested through His only begotten Son. The selfless life of sacrifice and service of Jesus the Christ is plainly illustrated as we journey through the pages of the Bible. The Son of God declared the Father to His followers and to all those who would listen.

To be continued …

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Can salvation be lost?

Can one lose their salvation?

The way I see it those who have been saved or received salvation have been for ever emancipated by Christ.

True followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are no longer in bondage, or slaves to sin. This is due to Christ’s finished work on the Cross which has emancipated us to live in the Liberty which is in Christ.

Denying the power of the Cross of Christ is blasphemy!

The Cross to some people is foolishness, but to others it is the power of God unto salvation! For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. To deny salvation is to deny the power of the Cross, and thereby it is blaspheming God.

When the Lord said “It Is Finished” He meant it!

Therefore anyone who accepts Jesus of Nazareth as Lord are empowered by the power of the holy spirit to overcome sin and the world’s way of living. This is why Christ said that we should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The gift of holy spirit delivers people from the bondage of being children of disobedience, which at one time we all were, and gives them the power to become the children of obedience.

Once an individual has been saved, they each have the personal responsibility to live in the grace, and mercy, of that salvation which is due to the pure precious blood that Christ, as our High Priest, sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in the heavenly Temple.

This ongoing process of salvation is called sanctification. Sanctification is the process all followers of Christ, while living upon the earth, go through as they steward their salvation which in the first place came from God via the gift of faith by grace.

During this process of sanctification we now have a choice which we never had before when we were walking in the darkness of our past. The choice we have been given is to choose not succumb to sin. All normal people know that to never succumb to sin is impossible. This is why, if we do succumb to sin, we have and Advocate or High Priest (Jesus Christ) who makes intercession for us in the Holy of Holies in Heaven.

When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

He has called and enabled us to reign with Him in His Kingdom and gave us power to be obedient in order to accomplish this high calling in Christ Jesus.

May we all continue to walk worthy of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus!

Simply put, I was saved at the cross. I am continually being saved every day through sanctification, and I will absolutely be saved and changed at the Resurrection.

Bottom line is that salvation is all about God and His mercy, grace and faith. Salvation is not about us and whether or not we have the ability to keep it. Because if this were the case, we would all be forever lost.

Salvation

One time my pastor taught on receiving more favor from God. It was the title of his newly published book. The subject puzzled me so I made an appointment to see him.

When I met with him I told him that each morning I look into the mirror and say, “Thankyou Lord! You saved me from an eternal Hell and torment into eternal glory and joy ! All I have to do is accept your free gift by grace.”

How can I get any more favor than this? I have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. How can I receive more?

He looked at me, laughed, scratched his head, and said, Wow!

It was a short visit.

When I was saved, I became a masterpiece, a one of a kind creature, created by God unto good works which were ordained before the foundation of the world.

What does this mean to me? To me this means I have to know my Boss, and my ear needs to be tuned to His voice, my eyes need to see what He wants me to see, so that He may empower me and lead me into those good works He would have me accomplish for Him.

Many times He gives me a desire to accomplish something, and when I move by His nudging, I begin to realize that it is He who motivated and empowered me. He gets all the glory. I am merely His workmanship and His workman.

Without a cooperation with the Boss in any church, there is nothing left but fleshly role playing, which I really have a hard time handling. This is why when asked, “What church do you attend?” My answer is usually, I am an ambassador at large to the body of Christ and as such I attend any church I where I am led. I belong to the Body of Christ and I am growing into my rightful place in the Kingdom of the Lord.

We were created to serve Him, and if we are truly serving Him, we must commune and cooperate with our Boss.

We Are Already There by Frank Manasseri

Seated with Christ in the heavens
Abiding in the Secret Place of the Most High
Beneath the shadow and safety of the wings of the Almighty
Far above all principalities and powers, and dominions

We prostrate ourselves with our High Priest
We worship as the Father sits on His Throne
Surrounded by the sacred mist of vivid rainbow colors
We are already in His presence in the Holiest of All

Abiding in the Father and His Son
The Light of all creation
In His Holy place
We are already there!

Praise His Holy Name forever, and ever, and ever.
Amen!

Psalm 27:4 (KJV)
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.