arrangement between you and God. The Lord will enable you financially and bless you spiritually as you in vest in His Ministry. Q . Riverside, California — “How can we maintain our first love to Christ?” A. This is a good question in such materialistic days. When an individ ual first accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour there is a happy en thusiasm and a joy that is some times almost overwhelming. Let us remember that an abiding love is something that grows on one. It is deeper and more far-reaching than any exhibition of enthusiasm or some sudden emotional burst of ex hilaration that overwhelms. We need to dwell regularly upon His Word. Then we should always seek to do His will, especially as it is revealed in His Word. After this we should keep our minds and hearts fixed wholly upon the Lord Jesus Christ. The prophet wrote, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee.” Let us live a life as nearly consistent with His holy will. Q . Medford, Oregon — “Please explain, ‘first-born’ which appears in Romans 8:29 and Colossians 1:15. Where in the Old Testament does it speak of animals having a . soul?" A, These questions are not related. “First-born” is a tremendously beau tiful and important statement. Let us look at Romans 8:29, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.” The Holy Spirit is stating God’s eternal purpose in His wonderful plan of salvation covered from Genesis to Revelation. God had one Son with whom He was so pleased that He desired others to be with Him. So, He put into opera tion the glorious plan of redemption whereby there could be others whose lives were patterned after this bless ed One. The first-born in Bible times,
Time for a little relaxationas Biola students have fellowship ontheRose Memorial Library lawn.
and still today in many areas, was the one who served as the pattern for the others. He was to take over after the father passed on. In Christ’s case, He had the right to do the priestly func tions of the Old Testament economy. Colossians 1:15 tells us that our Saviour “is the image of the invisi ble God, the first-born of every crea ture.” He was no created being, as is the case with man. He is the exact personality of God; He is the visible representation of the Father. Our Lord is the second person of the Trinity. He is before the law and all of creation was actually brought into existence to reflect His glory. If you have a concordance at home look through the Bible with the word “first-born” as your guide. It is a beautiful term. As far as animals having souls, we must remember that frequently trans lations will use soul and spirit inter changeably. Again, in the New Testa ment you will find passages that even have all three. In I Thessalonians 5:23, we read, “God preserve your whole spirit and soul and body.” In Ecclesiastes 3:19, the statement is. given, “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one (continued on page 22) 20
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