The X-Factor
With a background in electronics there is a tendency to attempt to analyze everything as one would a mathematical problem. In electronics anything that can be reduced to a mathematic formula and converted to an electrical signal can be displayed in an audio or video signal. Of course the signal must be applied to circuits and presented to audio or video hardware for it to be intelligible to the human eye or ear.
For some months, that can be equated to a number of years, a puzzle if you will, has been very troubling. To return to the mathematical analysis mode there has been a search for the X–factor that can be inserted into a formula that is troubling to solve it.
The question that suggested the formula can be simply stated; “Why are there so many (converts to Christianity) that profess a rebirth experience; but, few live a life that exemplifies it? As it has been stated by one man, “I am impressed with the life of Christ depicted in scripture; but, I am disappointed to see those who call themselves his followers living like His enemy the devil. What is the X–factor that causes the formula to be unsolvable?
What is it that after the brain has received the signal from the “hearing of the Word”1 there is a disconnect between the ear and the mouth?” The disconnect is in the eye of the beholder. The answer is fairly simple in concept but complex in carrying it out to fruition. The X–factor is faith. At this point mathematical analysis seems to break down. It requires exacts and faith is not an exact scientific reality it comes from the spiritual realm. It is real and it is true but it must come from the Father (God) not men.
Scripture begins to teach a sequence of events that actually began in eternity past2 that is mentioned in the first chapter of the Bible and that event in the sequence of God’s plan for mankind reaches a semi-climax in chapter three.3 A genealogical line has been introduced in Adam that will finally, in the three gospels, end in the fulfillment of promises that are described in Psalm 2.
Israel has been called a “covenant” people.4 The Creator of the heavens and the earth chose, by making a covenant with a series of descendants of Adam, through Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel), Judah, David and Solomon. JHVH The Almighty God made a promise to David to raise up a descendent of David to remain on his throne forever. That is the one called the Messiah (Jeshuah Ha’amashia; the one who would save His people). He would come in human form, the fulness of the Godhead in the flesh to offer himself a willing perfect sacrifice for the sins of the entire world.5
“God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it. He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.”6
God begins a the selection of a people who will produce a redeemer to purchase back that which Adam forfeited in the third chapter of Genesis i.e., dominion of the entire earth.7
Jeshuah Ha’amashia (the Messiah) came as God prophesied. He was born of a virgin who conceived a son by the Holy Spirit. In this God/man (wholly God wholly Man) that lived a life in perfect obedience to the law of Moses. One perfect life offered willingly for all the lives corrupted by sin (disobedience). “He who knew no sin was made sin for us.8” Righteousness is imputed to all those who are “born again of the Spirit9”
All these things were not done in a vacuum there were eyewitnesses to all these events in God’s sequence of events. Note: there are no references to time where God is concerned, He is the Eternal God, the one who was, is and will be eternally.10
To return to the point of departure the X–factor, faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keeps thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” (Psalm 121)
God has given the Holy Spirit to help and keep the Christian in his sojourn. He has provided from before the foundation of the earth to provide all their needs. He has given the “full armor of God.”11 He has authorized and given credentials for the work.12 He has provided grace equal to every need to succeed.13 He has given the Holy Scriptures that is sufficient for faith and practice and he has given the Spirit and the Son to intercede on their behalf before the Father. “And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:27) The sceptic, the atheist, the pagan are all waiting for the Christian to demonstrate a life that reflects those qualities that enforce his claims.
- Romans 10: 17
- Psalm 2: 6-8; Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
- beginning in 1: 26 and ending in 3: 1-21
- Moses returning from Sinai with the stone tablets; God swore a covenant with the all the people
- John 3: 16-17
- Numbers 23: 19-21
- Genesis; book of beginnings Chapter 1
- II Corinthians 5: 21
- Romans 4: 23-24
- Alpha and Omega; Revelations 1: 8; John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the word, etc.
- Ephesians 6: 11-18
- Matthew 28: 19
- II Corinthians 12:9
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