an acrostic poem

(1)

The aim of the Father in giving the Word
Eternal in Heaven, His voice still is heard
Redemptive in function, revealing His grace
Purposes life in His loving embrace
Of Jesus the Water of Life we partake
God gave us His Word, and that no one can break
In covenants two God His mercy proclaims
Jesus the Savior has conquered hell’s flames
Christ Jesus, a name above all other names.

(2)

The aim of the Father in giving the Word
Eternal in Heaven, and settled, secured
Redemptive in function, revealing His love
Purposes life in His kingdom above
Of Jesus, the Giver of Life, we receive
God pardons all men who in Jesus believe
In covenants two God His mercy declares
Jesus the Savior our sin-burden bears
Christ Jesus, a name to which nothing compares.

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March 6, 2004
© 2017 Angela Umphers Rueger – All Rights Reserved

This poem (or poems, as there are actually two, and I couldn’t decide which one I liked better) is both an acrostic poem and a reverse acrostic poem. The initial letters of each line spell out the title of the poem, as you would expect. But the title is itself an acronym, and is defined by the first word of each line.

TERPOGIJC (pronounced “ter-po-jick”)

Rather a strange word, isn’t it? But it has come to mean much to me, and if you follow my posts throughout the month of June, then it will come to have meaning to you as well. This term was coined by a former pastor and college professor of mine (or maybe it was handed down to him by his mentor). Anyway, I learned it some time ago, and now wish to present to you Bible truths through the lens of “The Eternal Redemptive Purposes of God in Jesus Christ.”

In a nutshell, the Bible as a whole is God’s love letter to us. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” He formed the sea and the dry land; planted the first trees and flowers; created the animals, birds, and fish; and when He had it all ready, He created man and woman, Adam and Eve, and placed them in a beautiful garden, with the charge of tending it. He could have created them as animals, who live on instinct alone, or as angels, who worship God out of duty, but no. God created Adam and Eve with the ability to choose between right and wrong; He gave them a free will because He wanted them to choose Him as He had chosen them.

But God knew before time began that man would break that perfect fellowship with Him by choosing to sin, and he would need a sinless Redeemer to pay the penalty for that sin. Jesus Christ is the answer to man’s plight. His death on the cross was planned before creation. That is what is referred to by this phrase, “The Eternal Redemptive Purposes of God in Jesus Christ.”

The — There is only one way to heaven.  Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Eternal — The plan of salvation was put into action before time began.  Ephesians 1:4 “According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Redemptive — Redemption is the payment of a ransom. God paid my ransom to the devil because I could not.  Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Purposes — Salvation was not an afterthought; it was God’s plan all along.  2 Timothy 1:9 “Who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

of — God is the author of my salvation.  Hebrews 5:9 “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.”

God — It was the will of God the Father that Jesus Christ should die for us.  Galatians 1:4 “[Jesus] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father.”

in — Our redemption is available in Christ, and Christ alone.  Ephesians 1:7 “In [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

Jesus — The name Jesus refers to His human nature. He was born into this world so that He might identify with us, but He is the only child to ever be born without a sin nature.  Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins.”

Christ — The name Christ refers to His deity and lordship.  Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”

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