In God's Image! - Part 2

Good day. Today we are posting Part 2 of a six part newsletter series In God's Image! written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

​In God’s Image!     v18n48
Part Two

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2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)


Doctrine: something that is taught.


Reproof: to rebuke for a fault or misdeed.


Correction: the act or process of removing mistakes or errors.


Righteousness: 1 Corinthians 1:30, Christ is made unto me, righteousness.


Why, have we as believers, allowed so much to stand in our way to the kingdom of God? There are detours that come in all kinds of shapes, and sizes, but they are all distractions from the truth of Father’s Word.


Men! Most of you can give stats, salaries, and a vast array of other information regarding your favorite athletes; as well as give the standings and schedules of your favorite teams. We also know what fishing lures are good, and which scents to use for hunting season.


Women! Most of you are aware of what are the hot fashions and colors for the coming seasons. You are also aware of what the popular hairstyles are.


In all actuality, the list for the men and women could go on and on. The essence of the matter is though; how many of us know Father’s Word, and know it well enough to know beyond any doubt, that if the Son were to appear today, that you would be with Him and Father forever?


There are some times, (that is when I get in the flesh), that I wish that Father would not have asked me to serve in the ministry. That He would have called someone else to open the revelation of the mystery of the Gospel to. Being fully used of Father, at times has to be the loneliest that can be asked of a person. Most, do not want to have much to do with you. They think you are a fanatic, (which I am with the Word), that I am to picky with the Word, or that I have gone off the deep end, (and maybe even try to help me over). For some reason, most seem to think or believe that Father’s message should come in the form of an ice cream sundae.


If in fact, we are so on fire for the Word of  God in this country, why are there so many mind boggling problems, and such turmoil and unrest, in what we call the “church” of God? Why is there so much backbiting and bickering between the different denominations? Doesn’t Paul tell us in Ephesians the fourth chapter, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Who, or what are we following? God’s Word, or man’s traditions and doctrines?


Could it be, that we have established rules and regulations that allow us to do what we want to do, when we want to do it? Have we tried to keep God in a box, and limit His ability to what we can see and understand in the physical realm? Are we able to hear the Word of God for ourselves?


If in fact, hearing and obeying the Word of God is so popular, why in the past has it cost the lives of so many that held fast to “their profession of faith in Christ Jesus?” Who, and for what reasons was Jesus Christ of Nazareth put to death? Why was Stephen also put to death by the religious leaders of his day? Why was Paul, Peter and John put to death, and tried to be silenced?


For the most part, we have turned our backs to Father and the Word that He has given to us, for our benefit. We have to many things to do, and to many places to go; for God’s Word to have first place in our lives. When is the last time, that you put out an all out effort to be what Father wants you to be?


2 Chronicles 7:14-15 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. (KJV)


Hosea 4:6-7 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. (KJV)


We always hear these words, but always think that they are for someone else, or some other group. Yet, Father is quite clear to say, my people! Those who are called by His name!


2 Timothy 4:2-5 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (KJV)


1651  elegcho- reprove: 1) to convict, to refute, to confute a) generally with a suggestion of shame of the person convicted  b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose  2) to find fault with, correct  a) by word:  1) to reprehend severely, to chide, to admonish, to reprove 2) to call to account, to show one his fault, to demand an explanation  b) by deed:  to chasten, to punish.


2008  epitimao- rebuke: 1) to show honor to, to honor  2) to raise the price of  3) to adjudge, to award, in the sense of merited penalty  4) to tax with fault, to berate, to chide, to rebuke, to reprove, to censure severely, to admonish or charge sharply


3870  parakaleo- exhort: 1) to call to one's side, to call for, to summon  2) to address, to speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.  a) to admonish, to exhort  b) to beg, to entreat, to beseech, to strive to appease by entreaty  c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort, to receive consolation, to be comforted  d) to encourage, to strengthen  e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging  f) to instruct, to teach.


3115  makrothumia- longsuffering:1) patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance  2) patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.


Have we truly arrived at the place that Father wants us in His Word? Or, have we altered the Word of God to justify where we are at?


What if Paul the Apostle was able to step forth in our churches today, do you really think that he would be welcomed with open arms? When one of the first things that would come out of his mouth would be, “who has cast a spell on you?” “Who has caused you to rely on the flesh instead of the Spirit?” How long would Paul be welcome at your service? How long would he be welcome in your building or city?


We would find something wrong with him, so we would be able to justify ourselves, as to why we should not listen to him. It might be the clothes that he would wear. Perhaps, the accent that he might have. And don’t forget, that he had been in jail, (for speaking the truth in love). What would you find wrong with him? What excuse could you come up with, that you would not listen to the Spirit of God that was speaking through him?


It is easy to see and understand why none of the major denominations would have nothing to do with Paul, if he were around today! Yet, with all that Paul went through, Father was able to use this man to pen and record a good portion of the New Testament. To open to us the mystery of the gospel, and the message of Father’s grace.


How do I look? Since the day that we have first believed, most of us as Christians have wondered about who God is. Most fail to hear and see what the book of Genesis has to tell us.


Genesis 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (KJV)


We all need to stop, and look in the mirror, and what do you see? Is what you see, pleasing to you? Do you make funny faces, and grumble because you are not satisfied with what you see? Are you able to comprehend, that God created you in their image, and after their likeness? When we look in that mirror, we need to be able to see a unique and individual facet of God. Each of us, is a unique part of the body of Christ. What a wonderful and blessed thing to behold. Do you, or are you able to see God’s deep love for just you?


When we look in the mirror, we need to be cognizant of the fact, that when God created us, He said that all that He had created was good. We have to get to the point as Christians, in our relationship with God, that we are satisfied with how He created us. Yet, how often do we hear, or even speak words that are contrary to this?


Did you notice in the first part of verse 26, that God is talking in the plural. Here, we get our first glimpse at the plurality of God.


That you may know Him
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka


Next week: In God’s Image, part 3