... being committed to reformed teaching means teaching right from the bible what the bible says, with a focus on Scripture as the only foundation and truth for a life committed to Christ (John 17:17; Rom 15:4). Since all Scripture is breathed out by God, inspired through his Holy Spirit, and given to us for teaching, correction and training in righteousness, we are to take it seriously (2 Tim 3:16). This means teaching “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God!” (Rom 10:17ff). Faith is an active part of our coming to and serving Christ. We come to him by faith and never in our own strength, never thinking, “I am a good person” or “I’m not that bad”. We come to faith through grace, and it is by faith and grace alone we are made the joint heirs of faith in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:16-23; 2 Tim 2:8-10).
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Like a gemstone which shows brilliance and beauty as it is turned and viewed from many angles, the perfection of Christ in his role as the Creator, the Perfect Man and the Perfect Savior, are unpacked with great detail, demonstrating the beauty of the nature, which Christ added to the perfection of his person as the Son of God, was a human nature which is an integral part of the salvation narrative.
The superiority of Christ, and the fulfillment of the “Eternal Promise of the Christ”, and the “One Superior Gift” represented in Christ are all found repeatedly in the broader context of the letter written to the Church.
... we reflect upon “The Eternal Promise of the Christ” as the “One Superior Gift: echoed in the Law and the Prophets, and fulfilled in the gift of Christ's birth, life, death and resurrection. Everything the Lord has presented to us in his Word, through the Law and the Prophets, is given as a gift to testify of Christ, to lead us to him as our only propitiation, that is the One Superior Sacrificial Gift, which could take away the sins of the world, Christ the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Is 53:7; Acts 8:32).
The words which Mary hears summarize the centuries of scriptures, prepared by the Spirit of God to testify of the Christ, his love, hope wisdom and service as our holy Prophet, Priest and King.
To reflect upon the presence of Christ in the whole of Scripture, we must also be faithful to the words which the Lord has provided to us.