TAKE PART Our Father is so precious.

He took part of what we in the flesh take part in through His Son Immanuel, which is to say God with us. Obviously, He handled life in the flesh a lot better than we. This is the beauty of what He did. He showed those who are willing to follow His example how to live in the flesh without getting caught up in the ways of the world. Christ showed us how to handle Satan, and you will have a lot better life in the flesh if you follow His example. First, let's document the main reason Christ took part of flesh and blood. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Satan is death. With His blood on the cross Jesus paid for our sins allowing those who believe to overcome death. Life in the flesh can be painful at times. Immanuel was willing to take part in the pain of the flesh. Don't ever think for a moment that ot wasn't painful for Him on that cross. Jesus showed us the way to get it done in the flesh, and destroyed death, that is to say the devil, in the process. Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who thorugh fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. You may have lost a loved one this year. You know that loved one isn't spiritually dead. They are with the Father. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (II Corinthians 5:8). Don't be subject to bondage through fear of death. There is no need. Hebrews 2:16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Jesus could have taken on a supernatural angelic body, but He did not. You were born of woman, He was born of woman. Prophecy of His virgin birth, and of His being of the seed of Abraham was fulfilled to the letter. Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Jesus also took part in the flesh to pay the awesome price on the cross which allows those who believe on Him to wash their sins in His blood. Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted. Christ was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-10). He took part in the flesh, the pain, and the temptations to show you the way to overcome. You will always overcome temptation, if you handle Satan the way that He did. Are you willing to take part as well? God has already prepared your part. All you have to do is be willing to step up to the plate. Let's turn to the Book of II Peter. If you expect God to bless you, you must be willing to take part. II Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: This is written to those who understand the truth and have had their faith strengthened through the truth. I know it is written to many of you. II Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, (3) According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him That hath called us to glory and virtue; You can be a part of His divine power. I encourage you to take part. Be a participant. II Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. The word "partakers" in this verse is from the Greek word "koinonos" (koy-no-nos'), and it means a sharer or an associate. You can be a sharer or associate in divine power and nature. That is powerful! Satan and his lieutenants will run from those who share in this divine power through knowledge of the Word. Utilize the power wisely, and don't get on an ego trip. God is sharing His power with you. It isn't your power. II Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence; add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;(6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; Temperance means self-control and the ability to stay focused. Godliness is the divine nature we are discussing. II Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. (8) For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Take part. Participate in helping those of God's children who are lost in this world of darkness. Produce fruit for God. Blessings are sure to follow. When you are working with those who are lost, there is one thing you don't want to be a partaker of. Let's turn to I Timothy. I Timothy 5:21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou

observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partially. Don't show favoritism or preference to anyone. For example, don't treat those who are lost any differently than you would anyone else. Jesus was sent to the sinners of the world, and we are also to try to reach them. Don't show bias when doing God's work. I Timothy 5:22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. While we aren't to show partially in doing God's work, we aren't to allow ourselves to be dragged into sin either. What good is knowledge of God's Word, if you don't share it with those who need truth? On the other hand, don't take part in their sins. Keep your guard up. Turn with me to I Corinthians as we continue our study. I Corinthians 1:1 Paul, ca lled to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, "Sosthenes" means "saviour of his nation". The thought of saving people is instilled in this brother's name. I Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (3) Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is unmerited favor. None of us deserve grace, but if we believe on Jesus Christ and repent, we will receive grace. I Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; (5) That in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Have you been enriched by Him? You can't help being enriched, when you take part in His Word and work. I Corinthians 1:6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: (7) So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: If you are serving God, that testimony is also shared by you with others. If you are serving God, you will not be lacking in blessings. The coming of our Lord mentioned here is the second advent. I hope you are able to look forward to that day. I Corinthians 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is an important promise. Jesus Himself will confirm you on the Lord's day which is the millennium, if you follow His Word and partake of His grace. I Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. The word "fellowship" in this verse is a form of the Greek word "koinonos" (koy-no-nos'). Isn't that beautiful? He thinks of some as associates. Be sure to take part in that, my friends. I Corinthians 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind in the same judgment. Paul is urging all Christians to be of one body in Christ. Christ is the Living Word. If you are going to teach, teach His Word. Don't teach the words of men you might find in some pamphlet or quarterly that don't align with His Word. Division in the body will be the result. I Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Chloe was a woman. A woman who ran her house with discipline. She didn't put up with any nonsense. I Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, "I am of Paul", and :I of Apollos"; and "I of Cephas"; and "I of Christ". (13) Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Paul had received reports of divisions in the church. He is very aptly making the point that there is one body, and that body is of Jesus Christ. Jesus isn't divided, and neither should His church be divided. Take part in God's Word, not man's thoughts. Turn to Chapter 10. I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Do you have the faith to believe this promise? If you do there is never a good reason to worry or fear. Take comfort in this Scripture. I Corinthians 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. (15) I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. Anything that comes between you and God falls into the category of idolatry. I Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?

The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? The answer to both questions is an emphatic yes. I Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. If you are a Christian, you are a part of that one body and that one bread. His body, which is the bread, took the stripes, and we receive the healing (Isaiah 53:5). Think about that. Jesus Christ took a beating, and we get the healing. His blood was spilled, and that same blood washes away our sins from the book. He did so much for us. Isn't it fantastic that we now have the opportunity to take part? Be a participant. Take part. In His Service, Arnold Murray