Divine Sugar Sticks for July 2000

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Monday, July 31, 2000

Verse for Today!

2 Cor 5:21, “He made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

”He made Him” – God the Father made Jesus Christ
”Sin for us, who knew no sin” – Christ, being sinless is qualified as Saviour
”That” – purpose clause
”That we might be made the righteousness of God in Him”

At the point of salvation we receive the righteousness of the eternal Son of God qualifying us for Heaven and our guarantee. God looks at the believer and sees His Son’s righteousness in you, and you are accepted in the Beloved.

Eph 1:6, “To the praise of the glory of His Grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.”

Your Defense Attorney!

1 Pet 2:24, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

2 Cor 5:21, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Rev 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the Earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.”

B. The Father judged our sins when Christ was bearing them. Psa 22:1-6.

1 Pet 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:”

C. Since a person’s sins were judged once and for all at the Cross, they cannot be judged again! Rom 6:10, the Law of Double Jeopardy.

“For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.”

D. Therefore, since you can only be judged once for yours sins, Satan’s accusation are thrown out of court, because that sin was already judged at the Cross.

The basis of defense:
1 John 1:7, “The blood of Christ keeps on cleansing from all sin.” 

S.S.S. – Serious Students of Scripture

God’s disposition of the sins of the world:

A. Sins of the unbeliever.
    1. Christ bore his sins on the Cross. 1 Pet 2:24, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
He also rejected human good. Eph 2:8-9, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

    2. The unbeliever who rejects Christ stands on human good and this does not measure up, but his sins are never mentioned – because they have already been judged in Christ. Rev 20:12, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
They are condemned on the basis of rejecting Christ – John 3:18, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only Begotten Son of God.”

B. Sins of the believer.
    1. Christ bore his sins on the Cross.
    2. Therefore, when Satan accuses the believer in Heaven, Jesus Christ, our defense Attorney, pleads our case and the case is thrown out of court. He’s our Saviour-Lawyer!

The Roster of the Apostles

1. The 11 disciples were given the gift of apostleship, making them apostles to the Church.

2. The 11 as listed in Acts 1:13 are:
    A. Peter, Simon Peter
    B. James, son of Zebedee, the brother of John
    C. John, the brother of James
    D. Andrew, Peter’s brother
    E. Philip
    G. Thomas, doubting Thomas
    H. Matthew, the publican, tax collector
    I. James, the son of Aphaues
    J. Simon, Zelotes, Simon the zealot, Simon the Canaanite
    K. Judas the brother of James. Matt 10 and Mark 3. He is listed as Labbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus.

3. Number 12 was Paul. Rom 1:1, 1 Cor 15:9, Col 1:1

4. Number 13 was Barnabas. Acts 14:14, Gal 2:9

5. Number 14 was James, the half brother of Jesus Christ, the writer of the book of James. 1 Cor 15:7, Gal 1:19

6. Apollos appears to be an apostle. 1 Cor 6:4-9. Silas and Timothy also.

If you compare 1 Thes 1:1 with 2:6, Silas had a great ministry in witnessing and in the field of music. Timothy did not often use his Grace authority.

Unlimited Atonement!

Atonement means that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole human race – unlimited atonement.

1 John 2:2, “And He is the satisfaction for our sins and not for our sins only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”

2. Jesus Christ paid for the sins of all members of the human race, not just for the redeemed, the ones who accept Him. 2 Pet 2:1, ”Even those who deny the Lord that bought them.”

3. He died for all.

1 Tim 2:6, “Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
Heb 2:9, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man.”
Titus 2:11, “For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.”
Ezek 18:4, “Behold, all souls are Mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is Mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.”

4. Application of unlimited atonement to salvation.
    A. Jesus Christ died for all.
    B. Why? Because of Rom 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
        1. All have sinned. All were spiritually dead.
        2. Imputed sin. All sinned when Adam sinned. “In Adam all die …”
        3. 2 Cor 5:14-15, “If One died for all, then were all dead.”
        4. The volition of man is the issue in salvation. Will man choose for Christ or will man reject Christ?
        5. If man rejects Christ, He stands on His own good works.
        6. The issue at the Great White Throne judgment is human good.
        ”Judged according to their works,” Rev 20:12-15, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the Book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”

7. Unlimited atonement in the Old Testament.
Isa 44:22-23, “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto Me; for I have redeemed thee. Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.”

Jacob = unbeliever. Israel = believer.

Sunday, July 30, 2000

For “S.S.S.” – Serious Students of Scripture!

The Doctrine of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ

1. This vitally-important doctrine has been almost completely forgotten. Try to find a book on the doctrine of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is a central doctrine in the angelic conflict. Without it there would be no positional truth and no bumping of the angels.
   Heb 1:13, “But to which of the angels said He at any time, sit on My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”

3. There is no indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit until the ascension of Jesus Christ. Compare Acts 1 and 2 with 1 Cor 12:13.

4. There is no priesthood among believers without the ascension. The High Priest: Heb 1:2, Heb 1:13 and the whole context of the book of Hebrews.

5. It is impossible to have a Mediator without the ascension. 1 Tim 2:5, God the Father accepts Jesus Christ and we accept Jesus Christ as our Mediator. Job 9.

6. Jesus Christ would not be our Advocate without the ascension. Nor could He intercede for us. 1 John 2:1-2.

7. There would be no Church and no Rapture of the Church and no Second Advent without the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.
   

For “S.S.S” – Serious Students of Scripture!

An Athlete with Six Illustrations

2 Tim 2:5, “Striving for masteries.”

1. To get into the gymnasium one must be a citizen. To serve the Lord, one must be born again.

2. They live in the gym for ten months. Preparation. The believer is prepared by the filling of the Holy Spirit and the intake and application of the Word.

3. The athlete must answer all trumpet calls. The Christian must be obedient to the Word.

4. Knowing the Word and doing it is spiritual exercise.

5. Oil was used on the athletes.
   The Holy Spirit’s ministry in the believer’s life is described with oil.

6. Specific diet.
   You can only serve to the extent that you feed on the Word.

7. Rewards. 2 Kinds: Seen and Unseen.
   A. Seen. At the games, the winners received ivy leaves.
   B. Unseen at the games:
       1. They would ride around in the equivalent to a Cadillac.
       2. Ode to the athletes.
       3. Statue erected.
       4. 10,000 Dracma = $50,000
       5. Life-time pass to the games.
       6. Exemption from taxation.
       7. Children supported and fed.
   

Verse for Today

Gal 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even as we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

The “S.S.S” – Serious Students of Scripture!

Attacks on the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ
Satan made every attempt in Old Testament times to frustrate the line of true humanity and the virgin birth.

1. The murder of Abel.
When it became known that “the Seed of the woman,” the Lord Jesus Christ, was to come through Abel, Satan inspired Cain, the first religious man, to murder. So, the line had to come through Seth.

2. Angelic infiltration into the human race.
The attempt to destroy true humanity, the greatest attack made on our salvation. It was so successful that the line by which Jesus Christ could come into the world was narrowed down to one family, Noah and eight souls.

3. Several attacks on the line of Abraham.
    A. Sarah wound up in a harem in Egypt.
    B. Pharaoh commanded to kill the male line of Israel. Moses in Exodus 1.
    C. Pharaoh attempted to kill Israel immediately after the Exodus. Exodus 14.

4. Numerous attacks on the line of David.
    A. Jehosophat’s last grandson survived when mother, Atahila, attempted to kill him.
    B. Hezekiah, childless about to die because of discipline.
    C. Haman’s plot to annihilate the Jews. The Book of Esther.
    D. Prospect of Rahab being killed.

5. Joseph’s line.
He refused to have Mary killed when he found out she was pregnant, before he knew about the virgin birth.

Once Jesus Christ is born of a virgin, no longer does Satan try to attack the “Seed of the woman.”
Satan’s attack now is to: Distort, ignore, and discredit facts concerning the virgin birth and the Cross and central principles of salvation.

Saturday, July 29, 2000

Verse for Today!

Acts 16:30, “What must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”

The Book of Jude ... Your Protection From Apostates

1. Characteristics of apostates.
    A. Saturated with human viewpoint.
    Verse 8, “Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.”
    B. Despise authority. Verse 8
    C. Blaspheme God. Verse 8
    D. Mockers. Verse 18, “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly    lusts.”
    E. Lust-centered. Verse 18
    F. Trouble makers. Verse 19, “These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
    G. Human viewpoint because they are not possessors of the Holy Spirit. Verse 19

2. Categories of apostates.
    A. Lust for praise    Cain – the unbeliever
    B. Lust for money   Balaam – a believer
    C. Lust for power    Korah – a believer

3. Types of apostates
    A. Believers, verse 5, “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
    B. Angelic, verse 6, “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
    C. Unbelievers, verse 7, “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

Jude Part Two – Apostates and Illustrations From Nature

A. “Spots in love,” literally, “hidden rocks in shallow water.”
This destroys ships. The apostates sneak into fellowship dinners to gain acceptance and they destroy.

B. “Clouds without water.”
Water represents the Word. Unprofitable clouds in agricultural environment drift a great deal of the time.

C. “Trees.”
Autumn trees, which are expected to yield fruit. “Twice dead.” This is in the active voice, a result of their volition.
”Plucked up” is a passive voice, which receives the action of the verb, i.e., the judgment of God.

D. “Raging waves.”
They reach the shore and dissipate, destroying themselves by their own power. So apostates destroy themselves.

E. “Wandering stars.”
Great brief light. Apostates have short ineffective influence.

Jude Part Three – The Judgment of the Apostates

A. Jesus Christ at the Second Advent, verse 14, “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints.”
B. Jude as a pastor-teacher, verse 15, “To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.”

The defense against apostates:
A. The Word of God, verse 17, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
B. Identification of apostates. See their characteristics.
C. Personal worship, verse 20, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”
    1. Bible study growing to maturity.
    2. Prayer.

Offense against apostates:
A. Refute, verse 22, the Greek word. “And of some have compassion, making a difference”
B. Witness to unbelieving apostates, verse 23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
C. Have compassion on believers, verse 21, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
Don’t get mental attitude sins as a result of pressure from the apostates. Understand the doctrine of separation. You will not have rapport with them and from many of them you should separate yourselves.
D. Despise the false doctrine of the apostates, verse 23, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”

No one teaches Jude anymore.

Appointment, Lev 2:6

1. God’s appointment was for Jesus Christ only.
2. Jesus Christ was appointed to go to the Cross in eternity past. Eph 1:4, Psalm 2:7
3. Only Jesus Christ was elected to do this and only Jesus Christ has a destiny at the Cross. Isa 42:1, “Mine Elect.”
4. The believer shares the election and the destiny of Jesus Christ upon conversion. He hooks into the great Plan of God at that point.
5. Both election and predestination are the same as the Plan of God and descriptive of the Plan of God.
6. Election and predestination only apply to those who are in the plan of God, believers.
7. The free will of Jesus Christ’s humanity had to agree to go to the Cross. Heb 10:5-7, Matt 20:22, Matt 26:39
   

Grace Commands!

People always talk about keeping the Ten Commandments and yet when you ask them what they are, they don’t know them. But what about the Grace Commandments? Like …

2 Pet 3:18, “But grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to Whom be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
Notice the word “but” – a conjunction of contrast. A contrast from what? Well, the preceding verse. If you are not growing in Grace, you are groaning in disgrace.

Notice the previous verse of this contrast. You don’t stand still.

2 Pet 3:17, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away by the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness.”

How can you stop from falling? Grow in Grace!

You have a choice! Grow or groan.

Grace and Faith!

There are basically two principles in life: Grace and faith God initiates Grace to us and we respond to His Grace by faith.

If it is not Grace, it is not God.
If it is not faith, we have nothing with God.

Eph 2:8-9, “For by Grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”

What Peter, the First Pope, Thought was “Precious”

1. The trial of faith as being precious.
2. To them that believe in Christ, it is precious.
3. The precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
   These instances are in His first epistle.
   
   In the second epistle we have this:
4. Like precious faith.
5. And exceeding great and precious promises.

No pope ever spoke like that. The word precious is TIME', which means most valuable, most costly, most highly prized, and most worthy and honorable. And the people said Ahmen.

Friday, July 28, 2000

Verse for the Day!

Salvation is the same in the Old Testament as it is in the New Testament.
Rom 10:13, “Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Joel 2:32, “Whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”

John 4:41-42, “And many more believed because of His own Word. And said unto the woman, now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard Him for ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Acceptability

1. Would the humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ be acceptable to God the Father?

Heb 1:3, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image His Person and upholding all things by the Word of His power, who when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

Also Heb 1:13, “But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool?”
Heb 12:1-2, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

2. His acceptability indicated.

A. The completion of Christ’s work for salvation. Heb 10:11-12, “And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God.”
B. That the Person of God the Son satisfied the righteousness of God the Father.
C. That the work of God the Son satisfied the justice of God the Father.

3. The acceptance of Jesus Christ as a man meant the acceptance of His sacrifice, and means that the entrance into the presence of the Father is through faith in Jesus Christ.

4. Through His redemptive work, His ascension and session, the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished bringing many sons into glory. Heb 2:9-10, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became Him, for Whom are all things, and by Whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.”

5. Because the “God-Man” is accepted, every believer is also accepted by the Father. Eph 1:6, “Accepted in the Beloved.”

6. Because the “God-Man is seated,” every believer is seated positionally at the right hand of the Father.

Eph 2:6, “And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

The Doctrine of Adoption

1. Adoption today means taking someone who was not born into a family and making them a legal child.
2. The Bible must be interpreted in the time in which it was written. That is called isagogical teaching. Adoption then always has to do with children born into a family. Every father adopted his son at age 14, at which time he received adult status with adult privileges.
3. The Greek word THESIA means to place, to place one who is already a son or of son recognition. THESIA has been translated “adoption.”
4. Adoption is one of the 34 things which every believer receives at the moment of salvation.
5. Adoption is always connected with positional truth, being in union with Christ.
6. The baptism of the Holy Spirit enters the believer into union with Christ, which is the mechanics of adoption. 1 Cor 12:13
7. Christ is HUIOS, which means “adult son.”
8. When we are entered into union with Christ at the point of salvation, we become adult sons positionally. This is our adoption.
9. At the same time, we are entered into fellowship in time. This speaks of our experience in time and experientially we are called NEPHOS, which means “little children,” or sometimes BRETHOS, which means a babe on the mother’s breast.
10. As little children, we need to grow up. In 1 John 3:1 TEKNON is for sons, the one who is caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
11. As adult sons, we have the right of an adult, the operation of volition. Heirs of Christ, etc.
    

The Doctrine of Advents – Two Advents of Three Persons

1. First Advent.
    A. Satan
    Satan, chief of the angels, came into perfect environment and destroyed it and changed it into sinfulness. Gen 1:3

B. Christ
    Christ came to provide salvation. He came to bring man something which was greater than that which he had before in innocence. He came to solve the sinfulness which originated with Satan.

C. The Holy Spirit
    He came at Pentecost to provide in the believer, all of whom represent Jesus Christ on Earth, exactly what God the Son produced while He walked in His humanity on the  Earth while sustained by God the Holy Spirit.

2. Second Advent.
    A. Jesus Christ
    At the Second Advent of Jesus Christ, “Operation Footstool” provides 1,000 years of perfect environment.

B. God the Holy Spirit
    The Holy Spirit comes in the Millennium. Joel 2:28-29, 2 Thes 2:7. The Holy Spirit provides appreciation of Christ on Earth, when Christ is absent from the Earth, the Church Age. In the Millennium, Christ is present and visible and there be a new type of spirituality.

C. Satan
    At the end of the Millennium, Satan leads a revolt. Rev 20:7-9

“All Things Work Together for Good”

1. Rom 8:28 is for believers only.
2. Suffering is mixed with the Plan of God, resulting in Divine Good.
3. God has only a short time in which to demonstrate His love to the believer through suffering.
4. The Plan of God is perfect therefore, it is greater than any sufferings or problems.
5. Therefore when any suffering comes to the believer, God’s plan calls for maximum blessing.
6. Romans 8:28 refers to all believers. All things are not good. But they work together for good. All things work together for good for all believers.
7. How would all things work together for good when a believer is out of fellowship? God’s plan provides for Divine discipline. Well, what about a severe trial like an automobile accident? God’s plan for the believer is bigger than the trial. 1 Cor 10:13
8. This verse, as all verses of Scripture, is a Grace-faith cooperation all the way. It must be believed to be enjoyed.
9. Once this verse is understood, then other verses such as 1 Thes 5:18 make sense by faith and application. “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
10. Rom 8:28 is one of the basic anchor verses in putting your faith in the promises of God and resting in them.
    

Ambassadors for Christ!

2 Cor 5:20, “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ as God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead be ye reconciled to God.”

Eph 6:20, “For which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.”

1. An ambassador does not appoint himself. A believer is appointed by the Lord.
2. An ambassador does not support himself. Phil 4:19. God provides all our needs, the Doctrine of Divine operating assets.
3. An ambassador does not belong to the country where he is sent. The believer is not of this world, but of Heaven.
4. An ambassador has instructions in written form. The Word of God is for believers. Believers have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor 2:16
5. When an ambassador is recalled, it is because war is being declared. When the Church is recalled, hostility begins in the Tribulation. The Church is raptured before the Tribulation.
6. An ambassador does not take insult as personal. God takes care of His Name and Word and we are not here to defend it, but to spread it. The Holy Spirit takes care of the results.
7. An ambassador does not enter a country for his own personal interests. He is a representative of the country he represents. We believers, as ambassadors, represent the Lord Jesus Christ.
8. The privilege of being an ambassador is the highest calling. We are called to the highest calling for Christ.
9. Perspective in service. The prospect is reward. We serve Christ and we are rewarded in Heaven.
   

Anger and the Greek Use of the Word in Scripture

1. THUMOS – This is boiling of feeling or emotional turbulence, tantrums, and it is translated “wrath” in Eph 4:31. This type of anger is forbidden and involves the emotions.
   Luke 4:28 describes those in the synagogue as “filled with wrath.” Also look at 2 Cor 12:20, Gal 5:20, Eph 4:31, Col 3:8. In this passage, this wrath is not to be in the local Church.
   
2. PARAGISMOS – This is anger accompanied by antagonism, resentment, bitterness, exasperation. This anger is designed to make others angry. It is translated wrath in Eph 4:26. These emotional outbursts are forbidden. This is a mental attitude sin. Anger where individuals are angry, they burn on the inside. Eph 6:4
   

3. ORGE – This is mental attitude anger which can be legitimate.
   A. Legitimate ORGE
   This side of ORGE is commanded. It is legitimate when guided by the Word of God. Mark 3:5, Acts 13:9-11. This does not grieve the Holy Spirit.
   ”And when He looked around on them with anger, being grieved because of the hardness of their hearts,” Mark 3:5
   
       1. It is the mental attitude of resentment towards heresy.
       2. It is a mental attitude of resentment towards legalism.
       3. It is a mental attitude of resentment towards unbelief.
       4. It is a mental attitude of resentment toward religion or anything antagonistic to the Word of God.

“Be angry and sin not.” Loving Jesus got angry ...

Thursday, July 27, 2000

“We Sorrow Not as Others Which Have no Hope”

Regardless of your age, into your life at sometime or another some heartache or suffering or pain will occur. Regardless of your age, it may be physical or it may be mental, some tragedy will come into your life at some time.

”But we sorrow not as others which have no hope,” 1 Thes 4:13

We may find ourselves in a hopeless situation but we still have a hope. This suffering or pain or heartache that we have cannot be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us. Rom 8:18

So, we groan, but not for the pain to stop, as it were, but to receive a resurrection body. 2 Cor 5:2

Because we will be soon in the presence of our “Blessed Hope,” the Lord Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13

In His presence this is what we find:

Rev 21:4, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,”
”And there shall be no more death”
’Neither sorrow”
”Nor crying”
”Neither shall there be any more pain”
”For the former things are passed away.”

This covers it all – no tears, no death, no sorrow, no crying, no more pain. It sounds like Heaven to me!

A Full Revelation

A full revelation of the characteristics of faith is found in Hebrews 11, where we are reminded of the nature of faith. It makes the unseen real. It gives us the objective of faith and the basis of faith. And the Word of God and the God of the Word.

We see the activity of faith in the many persons mentioned and what they did. And the excellencies of faith and its rewards. For faith honors God to His glory, and God honors faith in its benefit and reward.

We have here a full revelation of faith.

The Holy Spirit’s Gifts and Administrations

A full revelation of the Spirit’s gifts and administrations is unfolded and made known for us in 1 Cor 12.

There are nine bestowments, verses 8-11.
And several particulars of these gifts in their workings, verses 27-30.

Christian Giving!

In 2 Cor 8 and 9 there is unfolded the worth and wealth of Christian giving. Money as such is not mentioned, but Christian giving is described as:

A Full Revelation of the Suffering of Our Saviour is Found in Isa 53

Who can estimate such richly laden sentences as:
”A Man of sorrows”
”Acquainted with grief”
”Bore our griefs”
”Carried our sorrows”
“Wounded for our transgressions”
”Bruised for our iniquities”
”With His stripes we are reconciled”
”Laid on Him the iniquity of us all”
”Cut off out of the land of the living”
”For the transgression of My people was He stricken”
”It pleased Jehovah to bruise Him”
”Put Him to grief”
”Made His soul an offering for sin”
”He shall bear iniquities”
”Poured out His soul unto death”
”And bear the sin of many”

I think we can cast all our cares on Him for He cares for us.

The student of the Word of God can find many instances in Scripture where the full revelation of any subject is mentioned.

The sufferings of Christ are described in Psalm 22.

The Good Shepherd giving His life for His sheep is in John 10.

The person and the work of God the Holy Spirit can be found in John 14-16

The evidence of being born of God in John’s first epistle as found in the sentence, “born of God” and “born of Him.” The new birth as recorded in John 3.

And the eight rewards which come to the overcomer as made known in the Book of Revelation.

Good studies for students of the Bible.

The Law of Sequence Found in the Bible

Sequence speaks of that which follows as a consequence. The JEHOVAH Psalm is a beautiful illustration of this law.

The word “Lord” occurs no less than 12 times in Psalm 27. “Lord,” or JEHOVAH, means the unchanging One who will cause things to be.

This thought of sequence or what follows is recognizing the Lord as the faithful One as seen several times. First we have faith’s avowal then faith’s blessing.

”JEHOVAH is my Light and my Salvation.”
The sequence is:
”Whom shall I fear?”

”JEHOVAH is the strength of my Life.”
The sequence is:
”Of whom shall I be afraid.”

”I may dwell in the house of JEHOVAH.”
The sequence is:
”In time of trouble, He shall hide me in His pavilion.”

”When my father and my mother forsake me.”
And the sequence is:
”JEHOVAH will take me up.”

If the psalmist had not seen the goodness of JEHOVAH, he would have fainted. But the sequence of seeing that goodness was he did not faint.

”To wait on the Lord” is to find the sequence of “good courage” and to have the soul strengthened.

Verse for the Day

John 1:11, “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not,”
”But”

John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.”

John 1:13, “Which were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh.”
”But”

”But of God”     ..... Born of God .....

“The Only Begotten” and the “First Begotten”

When Christ is spoken of as the Only Begotten, His eternal existence is before us, and His manifestation in time.

When He is declared to be the First Begotten, His resurrection is before us, and His present existence as the Representative of those whom He has redeemed.

The Only Begotten is the One who has been given for us. John 3:16

The First Begotten is the One who is coming again in manifest glory, hence His return is revealed. It is said, “When He bringeth His First Begotten into the world.”

Being the First Begotten, He is the guarantee of those who will be glorified with Him.

What Christ Took???

We always hear of Christ giving, giving, giving, but not of “taking.”

What did Christ take?

Heb 2:16, “He took” not on Him the nature of angels but “He took” on Him the seed of Abraham.”

The forcefulness of Christ’s taking hold of our nature when He first came, enhanced when we know the word “to take” is the one word used of Peter when Christ “caught him” as he was sinking into the water.

Matt 14:31, “And immediately Jesus, stretching out His hand, took hold of him and said to him.” The translators use the word “caught.” Christ has “caught hold of our humanity” by becoming man and thus making it possible for us to be saved. As Paul declares:

1 Tim 2:5-6, “There is one God and one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all.”

Two-Fold Knowledge

Writing to the saints at Corinth on the incentive to Christian giving, the apostle says,
”Ye know the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich,” 2 Cor 8:9

His Grace of underserved favor is manifest in that He who was intrinsically rich, rich in Himself in every way, for our sakes, on our behalf, became a “beggar” that we out of His beggary might be enriched.

It is not “through” His poverty, as a medium, for the word is EK, which means, “out of.” Out of His beggary comes our riches.

The word “poor” is the same as used in describing Lazarus as a “beggar.”

Out of His death comes life.
Out of His curse comes blessing.
Out of His ignominy comes glory.
Out of his judgment comes salvation.
Out of His hell comes Heaven.
Out of His darkness comes light.
Out of His emptying comes fullness.

Do we know Him like this? Hallowed knowledge! Life-giving knowledge. This is no mere knowledge of mere intellectualism. But the knowledge of the soul’s experience and the soul’s culture.

Taunts are Testimonies!

Recently the governor of Minnesota thought he was degrading Christianity and every one got all upset, when the poor soul only told the truth. To him it was a taunt, but to me it was a testimony!

He said Christians are weak and they need a crutch and something to lean on, because they are so weak. Don’t take offence, Christian. We are weak and we do have Someone to lean on, the Lord Jesus Christ. We lean on Him and we stay on Him.

The Governor’s taunts turned into testimonies.

They taunted Christ to come down off the Cross, and since He saved others, let Him come down and save Himself. Taunts turned into testimonies.

Thanks governor! Now, go back to wrestling.

What Do You Expect to See When You First See Christ??

Looking forward to the future bliss of God’s children, the Holy Spirit, through the apostle John, says in 1 John 3:2, “We know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

”See Him as He is!” Not as He was … He was the Man of sorrow and shame on the Cross.
But, “as He is” – He is honored and glorified.

A full description of Him as the Glorified One is given us in Rev one. “We shall be like Him.” And this we know because we are assured it shall be so.

”Like Him” – We shall be pure in nature, spotless in character, beautiful in form, clothed with light, perfect in body, incorruptible in being, and luminous in glory. What a prospect! Did you ever think of that??

What a hope! What manner of persons ought we to be with such a glory before us?
From Grace to Glory.

“No Place”

When Christ came into the world, there was “no room.” This word “room” is in other places given as “place” for Him in the inn. Luke 2:7

As Christ was about to go out of this world, His parting message and promise was, John 14:2-3, “I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto Myself.” Not to the “place,” but unto Myself.

Thus the two advents are related and connected again. And yet one other place connected them, and that is the place called Calvary. By an indissoluble and living bond these three places are united.

There must have been no place for us in the glory of His presence if He had not been in the place of incarnate love and vicarious death.

No room for Him means no room for us.

The place called Calvary places us in the place of the many mansions.

“A Just Weight”

The importance of recognizing the double aspect of Truth is essential to have an even balance in the mind of our thought and in the testimony of our utterance.

”For a false balance is an abomination unto the Lord.”
And on the other hand,  “A just weight and balance is said to be His,” Prov 11:1, Prov 16:11

Error is always a part of Truth and is sometimes hard to distinguish from the Truth itself  as Tennyson said.

A lie which is all a lie
May be met and fought outright.
But a lie which is part of truth
Is a harder matter to fight.

Therefore, we ought to pray that we may be saved from an “untheological devotion and an undevotional theology.”

Absolute Concepts in the Christian Life!

1. Absolute concept: Romans chapter 8, spirituality.
    A. A believer filled with the Holy Spirit is in fellowship and is spiritual. Rom 8:2
    A believer not filled with the Holy Spirit is out of fellowship, carnal. Rom 8:6, 1 Cor 3:1-3, 1 John 1:6

    B. Spirituality and carnality are mutually exclusive and therefore absolutes. Gal 5:9

    C. Vocabulary indicating the absolute status quo:

Relative Concepts in Christianity: Growth – Heb 5:11-14

A. From the standpoint of growth, all believers range from a baby to a mature believer, depending upon the amount of time spent “living in the Word.”

B. Five things characterize the mature believer:
    1. Knowledge. Maximum knowledge of the Word of God, 2 Pet 3:18
    2. Wisdom. Application of the Word of God to your experience, from the human spirit, Gal 1:28
    3. Faith. The constant transfer of the Word of God in the mind to the human spirit, resulting in a strong faith, James 1
    4. Grace. A maximum use of who and what the Lord is in your life, having absolutely no illusions about yourself. This is the constant viewpoint of Grace being used.
    5. Production. Increased production goes with maturity.

C. Maturity is not spirituality, but a mature believer is spiritual, the filling of the Holy Spirit, a greater amount of time than a baby believer. Production is compounded triple Divine Good.

Wednesday, July 26, 2000

Verse for Today!

Acts 10:43 “ To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His Name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins.”

The Hand of the Lord!

In the prophecy of Isaiah, “the hand of the Lord” is frequently said to be “stretched out” in judgment.  Isa 5:25; 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4; 14:26, 27
Five out of the eight times the words “for all His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still” occur.

Sin calls for judgment and the judgment is not abated until the purpose is accomplished.

The Trinity of Repetition!

Three times Christ uses the sentence, “Cannot be My disciple” in laying down the conditions of discipleship. Luke 14:26, 27, 33

Three times Christ reminded the Jews of the consequences of unbelief, namely they would “die in their sins” and “whither I go, ye cannot come.” John 8:21, 24

And three times Christ asked Peter the question, “Lovest thou Me?” John 21:16-17

Repetition is theological mucilage.

Two Small Words of Large Importance

“As” and “so” – The law of similarity

1. The “as and so” of love.
”As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you,” John 15:9
Who can fathom the unknowable and measure the innumerable love of God?

2. The “as and so” of strength.
”As thy days, so shall thy strength be,” Deut 33:25
The day may be long and dreary, sad and weary, but the key of His Grace fits the lock of our need and locks us into the chamber of His love, secluding us into Himself.

3. The “as and so” of service.
”As My Father sent Me, so have I sent you,” John 20:21
That sending meant for Him the humility of Bethlehem and the trial of temptation, the agony of Gethesame, the suffering of Gabbatha, the shame of the Cross, the victory of the resurrection, and the glory of the Father’s right hand and so it means to us.

4. The “as and so” of substitution.
”As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,” John 3:14
The necessity of His death is summarized in the word “must,” and the nature of that sacrifice is suggested the lifting up for as the uplifted serpent was like the serpent that caused the Israelites to be stung. So Christ was made sin for our sins.

5. The “as and so” of identification.
”As He is, so are we in this world,” 1 John 4:17
The associations of this sentence are that His love makes us one with Christ. Therefore, we are identified with Him in the acceptance of His worth and the completeness of His atoning work.

The Book of Proverbs abounds in these correspondences which may be found by the careful student of the Book of Wisdom.
”As cold water is to a thirsty man, so is good news from a far country,” Prov 15:25

The Law of Double!

It is said of a wise woman that all her garments are double. Prov 31:21

There is always the Divine side and the human side. God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. John 6:37
We are justified before God through faith in Christ without works. Rom 3:28
But we justify our faith before men by our own works. James 2:14-26

Jesus Christ said that our union with Him is double and He says therefore, “Ye in Me and I in you.” John 14:20
Our privilege is to be “in Him” and the secret of power is “He in us.”

The double of acceptance is seen when we recall that believers are “accepted in the Beloved,” through Divine Grace. Eph 1:6
And we are acceptable to the Lord when we do those things that are well pleasing to Him. 2 Cor 5:9

The double of love is brought out in John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16
God proved His love to us by giving His Son, and we prove our love to one another by compassionate help.

We have the double of assurance when we confess our sins.
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.”
He is not only “faithful,” but He is also “just” that is, that He is faithful in His love and righteousness in His act. Not only to forgive us of our sin, but also to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The importance of recognizing the two sides of any great thing is paramount. “For what God has joined together let no man put asunder.”

A Full Mention Principle

We are being told that the Bible does not give us a full revelation in any one section of any given Truth. But we find out that it does. A full mention of love’s traits is made known in 17 particulars. 1 Cor 13:4-13

It endures for it “suffereth long.”
It is benevolent in ministry for “it is kind.”
It is unsuspicious for “it envieth not.”
It is real for “it vaunteth not itself.”
It is humble because “it is not puffed up.”
It is thoughtful for “it does not behave itself unseemly.”
It is unselfish for “it seeketh not His own.”
It is sweet tempered for “it is not provoked.”
It is guileless for “it thinketh not evil.”
It is holy for “it rejoiceth not in iniquity.”
It is true for “it rejoiceth with the Truth.”
It is unbending for “it beareth all things.”
It is faithful for “it believeth all things.”
It is expectant for “it hopeth all things.”
It is lasting for “it endureth all things.”
It is unfailing for “it never faileth.”
And it excels for “the greatest of the Graces is love.”

Why? Because love is not a thing, but a Person.
”God is love.”

Tuesday, July 25, 2000

Verse for the Today!

Rom 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Salvation and the Power of God to Keep

Psa 17:8, “Keep me as the apple of Thy eye; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings.”

His keeping is instant, like the eye lid preserving the eye. His keeping is incessant, like the stream which keeps clean the stone lying in its bed.

Psa 19:13, “Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be upright and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”

His keeping is invulnerable like the warrior who is encased in bullet-proof armor.

1 Pet 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

Power to Speak

Acts 4:31, 33, “They were all filled with the Spirit and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Speaking without the Spirit is like talking in a foreign language to those who do not know the language. While speaking in the Spirit, every word is intelligible to those who hear.

Looking to ourselves, we will say with Jeremiah, ”I cannot speak for I am a child.” But filled with the Holy Spirit, we shall know the Lord’s assuring Word as He says, ”Behold I have put My Words in thy mouth,” Jer 1:6, 9

How many men owe everything in life to one young soul that trusted them when all was doubtful, one faithful love that kept them company as long as ever it could?

”I never was anything till I knew you,” wrote Tom Hood to his wife.

How true are those words, “I was never anything till I knew You,” applied to God the Holy Spirit, which is every believer’s testimony.

Power to Give!

Paul, in calling attention to the liberality of the churches in Macedonia, says, 2 Cor 8:3, “According to their power, I bear witness yea, and beyond their power they gave of their own accord:”

The moving power which caused them to give so frankly and fully was 2 Cor 8:1, “The Grace of God bestoweth.”

When the life of God is low in the experience of the child of God, then the giving will be small. When the warm heart of love is throbbing, then the willing hand of giving is liberal.

It is not then how little can be given, but how much is He worthy?

The principle that the spiritual believer observes is found in the Words of Christ’s prayer to His Father when He said, “All Thine are Mine, and Mine are Thine.”

When we know that what He has is ours, we recognize that what we have is His.

What have we that we have not received it from the Lord?

The Spirit of Christ!

One of the titles for the Holy Spirit is “the Spirit of Christ,” and He is that in many ways.

1. He is the Spirit of Christ because He rested on Him. Luke 4:18
2. He is the Spirit of Christ in that He testified of Him. 1 Pet 1:11
3. He is the Spirit of Christ because He unites us to Him. 1 Cor 12:12-13
4. He is the Spirit of Christ, He is given by Him. John 1:33
5. He is the Spirit of Christ because He acts for Him. John 14:16
6. He is the Spirit of Christ because He will gather us to be with Him. Rom 8:11
7. He is the Spirit of Christ because He makes us like Him. 2 Cor 3:18

The Spirit of Christ!

“No Place to Lay His Head”

The word for “lay,” which occurs in the sentence, “He had not where to lay His head,” is the same as rendered “bowed,” in referring to the fact that on the Cross “He bowed His head and gave up the Spirit.”

He emptied Himself of His glory that He might go to the gore of the Cross. Christ placed Himself under human limitations by being man.

1. He was born in a manger.
2. He was thirsty and asked for a drink.
3. He was dependent on others for His needs to be met.
4. He taught from a borrowed boat.
5. He slept in a tired body.
6. He was buried in a borrowed tomb.
7. And the only place He had to “lay” His head was on the Cross.

”And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father.”

The Lord was Whirled in the Rapids and Whirlpool of Calvary

Christ in His sufferings on the Cross exclaimed in prophecy, Psa 42:7, “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows have gone over Me.”

Jonah in the sea monster quoted this Psalm when he exclaimed, Jonah 2:3, “The floods compassed Me about and thy waves and thy billows passed over Me.”

Christ affirms Jonah’s incarceration was a type of His death and resurrection, therefore we are warranted in applying the words of the psalmist to Him.

Jesus Christ deliberately and of His own choice laid down His life.

“I Laid Down My Life; No One Taketh it From Me.”

In John chapter ten we have Christ’s five-fold declaration of His life.

1. “The Good Shepherd layeth down His life.”
2. “I lay it down of Myself.”
3. “No man taketh it from Me.”
4. “I have authority to lay it down.”
5. “And authority to take it again.”

His star of destiny was His death on the Cross.

”Deep called unto deep” on the Cross. “The deep” of man’s sin and Christ’s answer to it. “The deep” of God’s purpose and “the deep” of Christ’s fulfillment of it. “The deep” of God’s justice and “the deep” of God’s mercy.”

There is a Difference Between the Salvation Provided in the Death of Christ and the Acceptance of the Provision Made

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” Acts 16:31

This principle is very well illustrated in the following incident:
In 1829 and 1830, George Wilson in Pennsylvania was sentenced to be hanged by a United States Court in Philadelphia for robbing the mails and murder. Andrew Jackson as President of the United States pardoned him, but Wilson refused the pardon and insisted that it was not a pardon unless he accepted it.

That was a point in law never before raised in the U.S.A. The Attorney General said the law was silent on the point. The President was urged to call upon the Supreme Court to decide the point at once as the Sheriff must know whether to hang Wilson or not. Chief Justice John Marshall, one of the ablest lawyers, gave the following decision:

”A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends upon the acceptance by the person  implicated. It is hardly to be supposed that under the sentence of death he would refuse to accept a pardon, but if it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must be hanged.”

And he was hanged. Who was responsible for his death? No one but the man himself. The law said he must die. The President stepped in between him and the law and the man refused the pardon.

Indirectly the Supreme Court of the United States decided that the Truth of the atonement of Christ in making provision for the salvation of the whole world is only beneficial to those who receive Him as their own personal Saviour. The righteousness of God is unto all in its offer. But it is upon them that believe in its benefit.

Rom 3:22, “Even the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference.”

 Unto all. Upon all. Them that believe.

Taches and Loops

Little things are often of great moment in the Bible. Christ emphasized the “jot” and “tittle” of the Hebrew language, which are two letters of the Hebrew alphabet. A jot can correspond to an “I,” and a tittle to a “t.”

The “taches and the loops” of the tabernacle which kept the curtains together might seem to be unimportant, but they kept them from being bedraggled, Ex 26:4-11

”We are exhorted to yield our members in detail, as well as yielding our bodies as a whole,” Rom 6:13, 16. Therefore the Lord calls for:

The eyes of our attention. Psa 123:2, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that He have mercy upon us.”

The ears of our obedience. John 10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

The feet of our walk. Eph 4:1, “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Eph 5:2, “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” Eph 5:8, “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light.” Eph 5:15, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.”

The hands of our business. Ecc 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”

The lips of our testimony. Titus 2:1, “But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine.”

The speech of our tongue. Col 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with Grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

The heart of our affection. Col 3:12-14, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

The soul of our desire. SOS 1:7, “Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions?”

The will of our purpose. John 7:17, “If any man will do His will, He shall know of the Doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

The spirit of our intelligence. 1 Cor 2:11, “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”

The law of detail ...the hairs on our heads.

The Tracing of a Topic in an Epistle or a Gospel or a Book

Here are a few”
”In that day” in Isaiah.
”Thus saith the Lord” in Ezekiel.
”The kingdom of Heaven” in Matthew.
“Straightway” in Mark.
”The Son of Man” in Luke.
”Light and love” in John.
”The Holy Spirit” in the book of Acts.
”Righteousness” in Romans.
”Things of God” in Corinthians.
”Crucified” in Galatians.
”Riches” in Ephesians.
”Joy and rejoice” in Philippians.
”Christ” in Colossians.
”Christ’s coming” in Thessalonians.
”Better things” in Hebrews.
”Precious things” in Peter.
”Know” in 1 John.
”Truth” in 2 and 3 John.
”Blessed” and “overcome” in Revelation.

If you are looking for a subject or a topic, now you know where to go.

Each Thought Triggers an Emotion! ! !

“As a man thinketh in his mind, so is he.”
”Guard your mind with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.”

We started our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by a single thought.
”For with the mind man believeth unto salvation.”
”I will keep him in peace, peace because his mind stayed on Me.”

Can you imagine what kind of Christians we would be if each thought triggered an emotion, and this was our continual pattern of thinking?
Phil 4:8, “Finally brethren,”
”whatsover things are true”
”whatsover things are honest”
”whatsoever things are just”
”whatsoever things are pure”
”whatsoever things are lovely”
”whatsoever things are of a good report”
”if there be any virtue”
”if there be any praise”
”think on these things.”

”These things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you,” Phil 4:9

What it would be like when our mind triggered our emotions with these thoughts ...

Monday, July 24, 2000

Verse for Today!

Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.”

“Let Us”

“This is!”  In Case You Don’t Know What it is!

The Law of Distinctiveness

This law is finely and tersely made known in use of the word “this.” If students will look up the associations of the following sentences, they will see what a glorious unfolding of Truth there is found in this distinctive word in 1 John.

”This is the victory that overcometh the world,” 5:4
”This is He that came by water and blood,” 5:6
”This is the witness of God,” 5:9
”This is the record,” 5:11
”This is the confidence that we have in Him,” 5:14
”This is the true God and eternal life,” 5:20

The Law of Climax!

The Lord always has an end in view in calling attention to any given thing. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit speaks of the priesthood of our Lord in contrast to the priesthood of the past, He ends the whole of the teaching by saying,

”Now of the things which we have spoken, this is the sum, we have such a High Priest,” Heb 8:1

This is more definitely seen when we know that the word “sum” indicates a capital or a specific outcome. This may further be apprehended when we read such a sentence as we find frequently in the prophets.

”In that day,” meaning, of course, the time when Christ shall come in His power and glory to set up His millennial kingdom on Earth and if the prophecy by Isaiah alone is read, it makes known what will take place in that day.

“The Lord is Thy God”

It is frequently found in the book of Deuteronomy. It is found 20 times in chapter 16. And it looks like this: JEHOVAH-ELOHEKA, which is “The Lord thy God.”

Taking it in it use in the book of Exodus, we find it denotes the Lord’s relationship to His people and their responsibility to Him.

There are four definite thoughts namely:
Redemption  Relationship  Responsibility  Reward

Redemption by the Lord, “I am JEHOVAH, thy ELOHIM, which brought thee out of
the land of Egypt,” Exodus 20:2. Ransom by the blood of the atonement procures redemption by the hand of power.

Relationship to the Lord, “The Lord thy God.” Relationship is secured by redemption. The Son of God was our ransom that we might become the sons of God by His Grace.

Responsibility to the Lord, Exodus 20:3, 7. Privilege brings responsibility.

Reward by the Lord, Exodus 20:22. Obedience always brings blessing as well as bringing its own reward.

What is in a Name? “Lord JEHOVAH”

We remember that His Name is “holy and revered,” Psa 111:9.
Therefore holiness and reverence become us who bear His Name.

His Name is “pleasant,” Psa 135:3
Therefore let us gladly thank Him for who He is, “full of delight.”

His Name is “glorious,” Psa 72:19
Therefore, let us exult in Him for ever.

His Name is “excellent,” Psa 148:13
Therefore, let us speak well of Him.

His Name is “exalted,” Isa 12:4
Therefore, let us proclaim Him as the Supreme One.

His Name is “everlasting,” Isa 63:16
Therefore, let us count upon Him for continued blessings.

Our Redeemer from the age–Time past is Thy Name.

What do we find in this Name?
Joy, safety, supply, power, inspiration, victory, presence.

Sometimes we forget Who we are related to.

God Has a Plan for Your Life!

This is found for you in Ephesians 1:3-14

The first two verses of the epistle embody the salutation. Then we have the unfolding of the Divine Plan for you in Christ connected with the Redeemed.

Three points to consider: the Centralizer, the centralization, and the centralized.

The Centralizer is “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,” verse 3. Therefore, we read of the plan for your life.

1. He is blessing us with all spiritual blessings, verse 4.
2. His choice of us before creation, verse 4.
3. His placing us before Himself without blemish, verse 4.
4. His foreordination of us in Himself in adoption as His children, verse 5. This refers to place and not nature.
5. His sovereign act in doing all according to His good pleasure, verse 5.
6. His enhancing of His glory through His Grace, verses 6, 12.
7. His bestowment of Grace “in the Beloved,” verse 6.
8. His redemptive act by means of Christ’s sacrifice, verse 7.
9. His wisdom made known in His actions, verse 8.
10. His will unfolded in His revealed secret, verse 9.
11. His goal in summing all up in Christ, verse 10.
12. His mind revealed in our association with Christ, verse 11.
13. His sealing with the Spirit in claiming us as His own, verse 13.
14. His possession of the redeemed and their glory, verse 14.

God has a plan for your life!

Divine Power and the Resurrection of Christ, Eph 1:18-20

There are three “whats” of meaningful importance which God the Holy Spirit’s  illumination enables us to see.

”What is the hope of His calling.”

“What are the riches of the glory of His inheritance.”
”What is the greatness of His power.”

The sweep and substance of that power is apprehended as we ponder the seven words:

Power  Greatness  Exceeding  Power  Mighty  Working  Wrought

People Forget or Are Not Aware of the Fact that the Bible is a Spiritual Book to be Understood by Spiritual People

... Who are under the spiritual instructions of the spiritual Teacher, God the Holy Spirit.

One way in which the spiritual understanding can be exercised is to discriminate the words which are used in the translation of the Scriptures. The translators have put in words in italics to give the sense. But sometimes the italicized words, instead of giving the sense, mar it.

We are exhorted “to be looking unto Jesus. the Author and Finisher of our faith.” The word “our” is in italics, and mars the sense. If we leave it out, the text reads, ”The Author and Finisher of faith.”

Christ is the Prince and the Pattern of faith. And as the setting illustration, He was the One whose life and ministry was begun, continued, and ended in a life of absolute  dependence upon God. Therefore we are exhorted to consider Him, Heb 12:3

In Acts 2:41, 47 we are told how converts were “added” and the translators had supplied “unto them” and “to the Church.” The latter is not authorized by the best manuscripts. The inspired phrase found later on, “added to the Lord,” in Acts 5:14, suggests that the meaning  may be in all cases, added to Himself – a possible hint of the vast difference between Divine converts and human proselytes.

“Peace is not the end, righteousness is the end.”
 “If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

“My Little Children”

John the aged and “the disciple whom Jesus Christ loved,” in the solicitude of personal love, was concerned about “the little children.”

”Little children” is a term of tender regard. John used two relative words for “children.” TEKNON, which means an offspring. Therefore, believers who are not merely adopted but those who are born into the family of God, 3:1. John comes closer in his “little children” by using the word TEKNION, which occurs seven times in the epistle: 2:1, 12, 28; 3:7, 18;  4:4; 5:21

Remembering it is an all endearing word how practical it is, in such sentences as these:

My little children sin not.
My little children, your sins are forgiven for His Name’s sake.
Little children abide in Him.
Little children let no man deceive you.
My little children let us love in deed and in Truth.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome.
Little children keep yourselves from idols.

With What Words!

Truth  Fellowship  Know  Born of God  This  Manifest
These great words are life and love, of which we might say,

Life is the sum of all being.
Light is the sum of all knowledge.
Love is the sum of all moral excellence.

Besides these, there are seven things of God.

The Word of God, the basis of all authority, Eph 2:14
The love of God, the secret of all godliness, Eph 2:5, 4:9, 5:2
The will of God, the bliss of all Heaven’s glory, Eph 2:17
The children of God, the relationship of all privilege, 3:1-2, 10, 5:2
The Son of God, the Center of all revelation, 3:8, 4:15, 5:5, 10, 12, 13, 20
Born of God, the involution of all life, 3:9
The Spirit of God, the Power of all ability, 4:2

The soul of these words glows with an intensity of meaning. And it is vital with the energy of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday, July 23, 2000

Verse for Today!

John 10:28, “I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish, neither shall any one pluck them out of My hand.”

Thought for the Day!

The church has been singing what they call the Apostle’s creed. And it starts off like this:
”I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”

It is wrong! God the Father is not the Creator. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator.

Col 1:16-17, “For by Him were all things made that are in Heaven and that are in the Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers, all things were created by Him, and for Him.”

”And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.”

The Unbeliever Coming into This World is “Without” – Without Seven Things

1. Heb 9:22 – without the blood of Christ which alone can remit the past and release the sinner from the hold of sin.
2. Eph 2:12 – without Christ who alone can save, sanctify, and satisfy.
3. Isa 57:21 – without peace which alone can calm the mind and silence the conscience.
4. Eph 2:12 – without hope which alone can clear the vision and make the future bright with coming glory.
5. John 3:3, 5 – without life which alone can qualify to see and enter the kingdom of God.
6. Rom 5:6 – without strength, for the sinner has no ability to rise to higher things.
7. Jude 1:19 – without the Spirit, for those who are not the Lord’s are summed up in the destitution of their need as “having not the Spirit.”

Without the Spirit, without strength, without life, without hope. without peace, without Christ, without the blood of Christ.

Life – ZOA

Rom 6:11, “Alive unto God.” The Greek word is ZOA, which is a primary word “to live.” An interesting study is suggested by the use of the word as applied to the spiritual life. It is a God-imparted and a Christ-secured life, for Christ came by way of the Cross that we might “live through Him,” 1 John 4:9

It is a Christ-identified and a Christ-associated life for He says, “Because I live, ye shall live also,” John 14:19

It is a God-derived and Christ-sustained life as Christ declared, “As the living Father hath sent Me and I live because of the Father, so He that eateth Me, even He shall live because of Me,” John 6:57

It is a self-displacing life and a Christ-centered life, for all those who know Him cease “to live unto themselves, but unto Him,” 2 Cor 5:15

It is a Spirit-inscribed and a Spirit-indited for believers are the epistles of the living God and He inscribes His character on their inner being, 2 Cor 3:3

It is a Christ-indwelt and a Christ-revealing life for each indwelt believer recognizes what the apostle said, “I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me,” Gal 2:20

It is a brethren-considerate and a Lord-controlled life because brethren, who live unto the Lord, do not despise or judge each other, Rom 14:7-9

It is a saint-helping and a missionary-loving life. For it ever hears the voice of the missionary plea, “Now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord,” 1 Thes 3:8

It is a God-controlled and a God-goaled life for being, alive from the dead, we recognize that we are “alive unto God,” Rom 6:11, 13

It is good to know what kind of a life you have!

Amos and the Law of Repetition

Eight times in the book of Amos we have a connection there with eight people and we have this one peculiar sentence, “For three transgressions and for four I will not turn away the punishment thereof.” Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13, 2:1, 4, 6

Then follows a reason why God deals in punishment with the several parties which are associated with the eight times and God uses the word “because.” Christ in the Gospel of Matthew uses this personal sentence. “Verily I say unto you” no less than 30 times.

His Word is final and His Word settles everything.

Christ in His Teaching Used Many Similes!

The Saviour in His submission giving Himself over to die for our sins is: “Brought as a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before his shearers is dumb, He opened not His mouth,” Isa 53:7

The Lord’s love for His people is, “Like a Father who pitieth his children,” Psa 103:13. His love is true, tender, providing, constant, and eternal.

The Lord’s care and discipline is, “As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh  them, beareth them to her wings,” Duet 32:11. What an appropriate and beautiful simile of the Lord’s tender service. 

The Lord’s ministry and mindfulness is like a shepherd for his sheep for, “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,” Isa 40:11. He tends His own tenderly, watchfully, constantly, and well.

The Lord’s ability to secure His saints is happily expressed in David’s testimony when he says, “He maketh my feet like hind’s feet,” 2 Sam 22:34. When we trust Him, He makes our goings secure as we tread the difficult places in life.

The psalmist uses the word “like” in expressing his loneliness, sadness, and trial. “My days are consumed like smoke, and my bones are burned like an hearth. My heart is smitten and withered like grass. I am like a pelican of the wilderness, I am like an owl of the desert. Like a sparrow alone, a shadow that declineth and I am withered like grass,” Psa 102:1-11

Could a more mournful dirge be compared?

The Importance of the Word “Then” in the Law of Time!

Frequently the adverb of time, “then,” is used and gives the sequence of what follows.

The ”five thens” of Isaiah chapter six give us the subsequent steps in the prophet’s experience. The sight of the Lord’s holiness made him realize his sinfulness, “Then said I, Woe is me, for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

After that confession, “then flew one of the seraphim and placed a large coal upon the lips of Isaiah and said, Thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin atoned for.”

When he had been cleansed by his sin being answered for ”then he heard the voice of the Lord saying ‘whom shall I send and who will go for Us?” Having heard the voice, he could respond and say, ”then said I, here am I. Send me.”

Following the answer to the call, he spoke to the Lord about the message he had to deliver. “Then said I, how long?”

Then he said, woe is me.
Then flew one of the seraphim.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord.
Then said I, here am I.
Then said I, how long?

The importance of the adverb of time. “Then, then, then, then, then”

Thought for the Day!

“I do not know how philosophers will ultimately define religion. But from Micah to James it has been defined as service to one’s fellow man, rendered by following the great rule of justice, mercy, wisdom and righteousness.”

”The test of our worth is the service we render. Sacrifice yes, as an incident in service, but let us think only of the service, not of the sacrifice.”

”There was not yet a service worth rendering that did not entail sacrifice and no man renders the highest service if he thinks overmuch of sacrifice.”

”Let us pay with our bodies for our soul’s sake.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

The Law of Order! We Have Often Been Told to Put First Things First!

Some things are first in the order of time. Other things are first in the place of importance. Paul said in speaking of the soul of the Gospel, “I declared unto you first of all how that Christ died and rose again according to the Scriptures,” 1 Cor 15:3-4

Peter, in his speaking of the characteristics of the last days, says “Knowing this first that there shall come in the last days, scoffers walking after their own lusts and saying where is the promise of His coming?” 2 Pet 3:3-4

Christ uses the word “first” twice in the Sermon on the Mount and in both of these instances is to the first things in the order of time.
Matt 5:23-24, when one brings his gift to the alter and remembers his brother has something against him he is leave the gift and “first to be reconciled to his brother.”
”Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and these other things will be added to you.”

First things first!

Saturday, July 22, 2000

Verse for Today

2 Cor 5:21, “He made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

The Definiteness of Scripture

The Lord is always definite in His Truth and teaching. When the Lord speaks, it is for us to bow and obey. But when He speaks in a specific character and in a special way, it is for us to listen attentively and intensely.

This law can be illustrated from many Scriptures and we refer to Christ’s messages to the seven churches as found in connection with these words:

”These things”

1. The Holder of the stars.
”These things saith He that holdeth the seven stars,” Rev 2:1
The stars represent the ministers the Lord uses in His ministries to the churches. When they are held by Him and used in His service, He serves and speaks through them to purpose.

2. The First and the Last.
”These things saith the First and the Last, which was dead and is alive,” Rev 2:8
Between Him who is first in creation and last in consummation and revelation because He died for us and lives for us.

3. The Possessor of the two-edged sword.
”These things saith He which hath the sharp sword with two edges,” Rev 2:12
His Word cuts both ways as His message to the Church at Pergamos illustrates. It cuts into the inner life as well as the outward. He lays bear the heart of purpose and discovers where the life is barren and wanting.

4. The eye of fire.
”These things saith the Son of God who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire,”  Rev 2:18
The flame will not burn unless it has fuel on which to feed, but when there is the combustibility of sin, it will scorch and burn to the hurt of the sinner.

5. The Possessor of the Spirit.
”These things saith He that hath the seven spirits,” Rev 3:1
Isa 11:2, 3 reveals the Holy Spirit in His sevenfold character. The Lamb and the Spirit are always associated. The Bible begins with a brooding Dove and ends with a bleeding Lamb.

6. The Holy One.
”These things saith He that is holy,” Rev 3:7
He is holy and true. Holiness and truth are not merely attributes with Him. They express what He is in the essence of His being.

7. The faithful Witness.
”These things saith the Amen, the faithful and the true Witness, the beginning of the creation of God,” Rev 3:14
The Amen comes first. And the beginning last. Between the two He is revealed as “the faithful and true Witness.” Does this not reveal to us Christ in His life and ministry as the revelation of God? And as such, He is the Amen. So let it be. And as the beginning, He can make it to be, as He did in the beginning.

”These things.”

Thought for Today

“With all my heart I believe in the joy of living, but those who achieve it, do not seek it as an end in itself. But as a seized and prized incident of hard work, well done, when duty demands that it must be faced. Woe to those for who invite a sterile death, not for them only. But for the race. The death, which is insured by a life of sterile selfishness. But honor, highest honor, to those who fearlessly face death for a good cause.”

”No life is so honorable or so fruitful as such a death. Unless men are willing to fight and die for great ideals , including love of country, ideals will vanish. And the world will become one huge sty of materialism. And unless the women of ideals bring for the men who are ready to thus live and die, the world of the future will be filled with the spawn of the unfit.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

Redeemer From the Age–Time Past is Thy Name!

What do we find in the name? Seven blessings.

1. Safety
Prov 18:10, “A tower of strength is the Name of the Lord. Thereunto runneth the righteous and is safe.”

2. Joy
Psa 5:11, “They may leap for joy in Thee who are lovers of Thy Name.”

3. Supply
Psa 9:10, “Lord a refuge for times of destitution, then let them that know Thy Name put confidence in Thee.”

4. Power
Zech 10:12, “I will make them mighty in the Lord and in His Name shall they march to and fro, declareth the Lord.”

5. Inspiration
Psa 119:55, “I have remembered in the night Thy Name, O Lord, and have kept Thy law.”

6. Victory
Exodus 15:3-4, “The Lord is a warlike one, the Lord is His Name. The chariots of Pharaoh and his train hath He cast into the sea.”

7. Presence
Exodus 20:24, “In every place where I may mention My Name will I come in unto thee and will bless thee.”

What’s in a Name? Safety, joy, supply, power, inspiration, victory, and presence!

“All Things”

The little words of the Bible are large in their claim and revelation. The manifold, matchless Grace and love of Christ are seen in the use of the words “all things” in Ephesians.

All spiritual blessings, Eph 1:3
All wisdom, Eph 1:7
All things, Eph 1:10
All things, Eph 1:11
All the saints, Eph 1:15
All principalities, Eph 1:21, 22
All in all, Eph 1:23
All things, Eph 3:9
All the fullness, 3:19
All we ask or think, 3:20
All ages, Eph 3:21
All lowliness, Eph 4:1-3

Eph 4:6  “all” “all” “all” “all”   Four “alls” in one verse.
One God and Father of all
Who is above all.
And through all
and in you all.

He is sufficient for all His children under all conditions.

Believe it “you’all.”

12 Looks at John 3:16

The greatest possible need is in the conjunction “for.” It takes us back to the previous verses which speak of the necessity of Christ’s death because of man’s sin.

The greatest possible Being is made known in the second word of the verse, “God.”
The One who is love, light, and spirit. And who in His being is holiness, justice, Grace, righteousness, mercy, Truth, and wisdom.

The greatest possible word is found in “so,” “so loved.”
This is the shortest word in the Bible with the greatest of all meanings. There is no sounding to the depths of this ocean, and no possible attainment to its height.

The greatest possible love is reached in this “God so loved.”
Love is revealed in its highest form, in its greatest giving, in its broadest width, in its deepest depths, and in its unsearchable heights.

The greatest possible place, “the world.”
The world with its sins and sorrows, this world sanctified by the feet of Jesus Christ who walked upon it for our advantage and where He shed His blood for its benefits.

The greatest possible gift, “He gave.”
We cannot estimate what it cost when He gave His best. That giving pierced into the heart of His being, and into the pleasure of His purpose. This gift is the treasure in which all the gifts are found.

The greatest possible one, “His only begotten Son.”
The object of His soul’s delight. The express image of His Deity, the eternal Son of His partnership, the visibility of His personality, and the One of His holy equality.

The greatest possible offer, “Whosoever.”
There is no stint in His offers. No limitation in His love. No barriers in the way of His invitations, and no favoritism in His willingness to bless the unloving and unlovely.

The greatest possible power, “Believeth.”
Faith is an act of the will putting us in touch with the Infinite. The electric power of God’s energy flows into the grasp of faith’s receiving.

The greatest possible union, “in Him.”
The preposition EIS not only brings to the Lord, but into Him, and makes us one with Him even as the bud engrafted into the tree makes it one with it.

The greatest possible doom, “perish.”
Hell is in this word. The hell of a lost soul and an outer darkness of despair. The marring of the whole being. And the impossible helplessness by being held in the grasp of the sins in which the individual died.

The greatest possible blessing, “Eternal life.”
This is more than eternal existence. It is eternal felicity with Him who is eternal in His own love and holiness. For ever in the circle of His being in whom is all well-being.

The roots of all Truth are found in this Root of God’s planting. For this verse reveals God in His giving love, Christ is His atoning sacrifice, the Spirit in His quickening life. The Grace of God in its saving work. The wisdom of God’s eternal purpose. The energy of faith in its assimilating process. The externalness of Heaven’s glory and the throb of love’s forming ministry.

Friday, July 21, 2000

Verse for the Day

John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Thought for the Day

“For many months our government has preserved between right and wrong a neutrality, which would have excited the emulous admiration of Pontius Pilate, the arch-typical of all times.” 

–Theodore Roosevelt

Salvation

There is no word which is so large in meaning, lofty in its conception, and lasting in its blessing, as the word “salvation.” As the New Jerusalem will have 12 foundations, so the city of God’s salvation has 12 foundations in it.

1. God in His Grace is the Author. Titus 2:11
2. The Cross is the vicariousness of the atonement in its basis. 1 Pet 1:9-11
3. Man in his need as a sinner is its object. Acts 13:26
4. Faith in its reception of Christ is its inception. Rom 1:16
5. Deliverance, the many-sidedness of its blessings is its meaning.

Therefore the word “salvation” in the Old Testament is translated Help.
2 Sam 10:11, “And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee.”

Welfare in Job 30:15.
“Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.”

Health in Psa 42:11, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

Deliverance in Psa 18:50, “Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and showeth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.”

6. God’s Word is the witness of its promise in its assurance.
2 Tim 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

7. Joy is the secret of its gladness by obedience in its exultation.
1 Sam 2:1, “And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in Thy salvation.”

8. The Spirit in the Grace of His strength is its power.
Phil 2:12-13, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

9. Holiness of heart and life in their correspondence to Christ is its fruit.
2 Thes 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth:”

10. Christ in the beauty of His character is its embodiment.
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Isa 12:2, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.”

11. Fellowship with the Lord in all the partnership of His love is its privilege.
2 Cor 1:5-7, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”

12. Glory in its likeness to Christ is its consummation.
Heb 9:26, “For then must He often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.”

Our so great salvation!

Faith …  The Law of a Reliant Faith

Faith is the Grace that receives from the Lord what He has to offer and rests in the will of His Word.

The verb “to believe” denotes the steady resting of the soul upon an object outside of itself. For one person to rest, to depend, to trust upon another. Faith depends upon the living God. It has no reliance upon itself.

The same word is rendered “believe” in Gen 15:6 and it is rendered “nursed” in Isa 60:4, where it says, “Thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side,” referring to the eastern custom of the mother carrying her child astride upon the hip and with her arm around the body.

What better picture could we have of the act and the attitude of faith than the child resting on the mother’s hip and being supported by her?

Gen 15:6, “Abram believed in God and He counted it unto him for righteousness.”
Abram believed the Lord and the Lord undertook all the responsibilities of his salvation and need.

Believed!

The word rendered “believed” is translated “brought up” in Lam 4:5, “sure” in Psa 93:5, “verified” in Gen 42:20, “established” in 2 Chr 1:9, “faithful” in Num 12:7, “stand fast” in Psa 89:25, “assurance” in Duet 28:66, “steadfast” in Psa 78:8, and “trust” in Job 4:18

Reading these words into the meaning and association of faith, we may say of the man of faith:

1. He is brought up by the Lord’s ministry.
2. He is sure of the Lord’s love.
3. He is verified in the Lord’s Truth.
4. He is established in the Lord’s Grace.
5. He is faithful in the Lord’s service.
6. He is standfast in temptation for the Lord’s glory.
7. He is assured by the Lord’s promises.
8. He is steadfast in the Lord’s ways.
9. He trusts in the Lord himself.

Did you know that was you???

The purpose of John’s Gospel is that we might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing, we might have life in His Name, John 20:31.

That blessing which comes to the believer is “life.” ”Life” is one thing that throbs through the whole of the Gospel so that the whole telegraphy of thought runs along that wire of connection.

Some phase of life is seen in each chapter of John.
1. Life shining. 1:4
2. Life acting. 2:11
3. Life loving. 3:16
4. Life giving. 4:14
5. Life communicating. 5:24, 26
6. Life feeding. 6:35
7. Life satisfying. 7:37-39
8. Life instructing. 8:12
9. Life illuminating. 9:25, 35-38
10. Life abounding. 10:10
11. Life quickening. 11:25
12. Life communing. 12:2
13. Life serving. 13:1
14. Life comforting. 14:16
15. Life producing. 15:4
16. Life guiding. 16:13
17. Life interceding. 17:9
18. Life rejected. 18:40
19. Life accomplishing. 19:30
20. Life assuring. 20:31
21. Life commissioning. 21:15-19

”I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.”

I think we have enough here for Sunday School on Sunday.

Thursday, July 20, 2000

“Ye Know Not What Ye Ask,” Matt 20:22

How constantly this is true of our prayers, even when we seek for the highest of all things. These men when they preferred this request, were on a higher level of desire then they had ever reached before.

Carefully observe the contrast. He had just been telling them of His coming shame and death and also of His resurrection. It was then that they asked association with Him in his coming power. It was a request born of faith and characterized by the noblest
aspirations. Yet they did not know what they asked. They did not understand the cost. They did not understand the principle of precedence in the kingdom.

So it is often with us. The desires we express are well born, and in so far they are worthy. But our very limitations make it impossible to know whether or not they can be granted.

One element which can never be omitted from true prayer is that of submission. We must believe when we pray that not only is God generous, to believe that only will make us doubt it, when He denies. We must believe also in His perfect wisdom and justice, whether or not He gives or refuses to do so. That is the fullness of faith and it is only as we so pray that we can have perfect rest and peace.

We ask amiss.

“Now in the Morning as He Returned to the City He Hungered,” Mt 21:18

In this statement we find the merging in our Lord of the physical and the spiritual. There is no doubt that He was conscious of His physical hunger, but His action shows that His supreme consciousness was that of His passion for righteousness.

Quite apart from the significance of what He did in the sphere of His mission, this is a most arresting revelation of the Truth concerning His personality. He was perfectly human and therefore physically hungry, for hunger is a sign of health.

But the deeper note is that because He was so perfectly human, the supreme things of life, which are the spiritual, were still dominant and His action shows how to Him the physical is ever sacramental and the medium of the spiritual.

This is an ideal of life which we do well to consider. We are in danger in actual life of separating between the physical and the spiritual. We often lose our spiritual sense. We are physically hungry, or forget our physical needs when we are spiritual, ehether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do we do if unto the glory of the Lord.

The God-man teaches us that we do not live a divided life.

Formula for Fruit-Bearing, 2 Tim 2:10-26

1. Be steadfast in service, verses 1-7
2. Be submissive to suffering, verses 8-13
3. Be stern with strife-makers, verses 14-19, 23
4. Be compassionate toward the unbeliever, verses 24-26

Praise and Prayer, Philem 4

    B. To Him therefore all praise is due.
        1 Chr 29:13-14, “Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious Name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.”

C. It is the privilege of believers to approach Him as their God.

D. Our prayers and praises should be for others as well as for ourselves.

2. The circumstances – “Always”

3. The matter
    A. Of His praises on account of Philemon
        1. Love for Christ
        2. Faith in Christ
        3. Love to saints

    B. Of his prayers.
        1. That fruits may abound
        2. That others may be won
        3. That God may be glorified

4. The reason

The Gospel and Its Rejectors

Heb 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard Him.”

1. The absurdity of neglecting the Gospel of salvation. This will appear if you will consider the following.
    A. Its gratuity
    B. Its greatness
    C. Its endurance
    D. Its relation to us
    E. Its singleness

2. The impossibility for the Gospel rejectors to escape eternal punishment.
    A. The inseparable connection between sin and punishment
    B. God’s veracity
    C. God’s almightiness
    D. God’s justice
    E. The nature of Heaven

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
”He spared not the angels that sinned.”

The Anchor of the Soul

Heb 6:19, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.”

1. The nature of Christian hope
2. The characteristics of this hope
3. The importance of this hope
4. The certainty of this hope

The Verse for Today!

John 6:47, “Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath eternal life.”

You ... Me ... Life!

Joseph – a Type of the Lord Jesus Christ

Gen 49:22-24, “Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel:)”

1. His distinguished character
2. His grievous sufferings.
3. His unshaken constancy.
4. The glorious advancement.

By way of improvement we observe:

1. The purposes of God – whatever may be done to frustrate them – shall surely be accomplished.
2. God’s dearest children must always expect trials on their way to glory.
3. We should study to accommodate ourselves to the circumstances in which God has placed us.

The Flight From Egypt 

Exodus 14:15, “And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto Me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”

1. Their departure.
The foe behind and the sea in front and a mountain on each side.

2. Their dilemna.
Know not which way to turn.

3. Their Deliverer.
Man’s extremity = God’s opportunity

4. Their duty.
”Go forward.” This demanded faith.

5. Their determination.
They obeyed.

6. Their delight.
The song of Moses.

God is Not Able to Exercise Mercy Toward the Believer Out of Fellowship

Exodus 33:5-6, “For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.”

1. This would be inconsistent with His own perfection.

2. This would be ineffective for the happiness of the persons themselves.

3. It would introduce disorder into the whole universe.
Where humiliation is manifested, mercy may be expected. This appears:
    A. From the very mode in which confession is enjoined.
    B. From the experience of confession in all ages.

Application:
    A. Consider what obstructions you have laid in the way of your own happiness.
    B. Endeavor constantly to remove them.

The Sabbatical Year 

Lev 25:20-22, “And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: Then I will command My blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years. And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.”

1.  To remind them that God was the Great Proprietor of all.

2. To keep them from being earthly-minded.

3. To lead them to trust in the Lord.

4. To make them observant of His providential care.

The word “Sabbath” means rest. “And God rested.” Which was a memorial to the Grace of God that God provides everything.

The Personality of God the Holy Spirit

The use of the definite article as found in connection with “the” Holy Spirit declares His personality. There are two ways by which the Holy Spirit is spoken of. Namely, with and without the definite article.

In many places where the Holy Spirit is spoken of, where the definite article is omitted, the words “Holy Spirit” occur, which is HAGION PNEUMA, and is reference to what the Holy Spirit does and gives. Here is one passage:

Acts 2:4, ”They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

There is no article before the Holy Spirit because His gift is referred to.

But, where the definite article is used for the Holy Spirit, it is talking about His personality:
The Holy Spirit coming upon you, Acts 1:6
The Holy Spirit spake beforehand, Acts 1:16
The promise of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:13

The Deity of the Holy Spirit

2 Cor 3:18, “The Lord, the Spirit.”

KURIOS is applied to God in Matt 22:37 and to Christ in the oft-repeated sentence, “in the Lord.”

The same title is given to God the Holy Spirit in Acts 5:9. The sin of Ananias was against the Spirit the Lord. “Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.”

It means the one who is proprietor and has the right to rule and to command.

The Omnipresence and the Omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit

Psa 139:7, “Whither shall I flee from Thy Spirit?”

In the Heaven of immensity, in the hell of mystery, and in the Earth of secrecy, He is alike present.

Rom15:13, “The power of the Holy Spirit.”

As though He was the embodiment of all power, all the power of God located in God the Holy Spirit.

God the Holy Spirit as the Approver of Christ’s Worth

The Spirit in dove form rested upon Christ at His baptism, Matt 3:16, as the Father’s voice commended the Son.
The Bible opens with a brooding Spirit and ends with a bleeding Lamb.
The Dove approves the Lamb. When He rested upon Christ, it was as the Dove and when He came upon the disciples, He came as fire.

The Holy Spirit and the Grace of God

The Spirit’s personality is further stated in the operation of God’s Grace.
Rom 5:5, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, which is given unto us.”
1 Cor 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Eph 1:13, “In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.”

In the ordinance of the believer’s baptism.
Matt 28:19, 20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

In the prayers of the believers.
Rom  8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

In the relationship of God’s children.
Gal 4:6, “And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”

In the worship of the saints.
Phil 3:3, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
Eph 2:18, “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

In the witness of the Trinity.
1 John 5:7, “For there are Three that bear record in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these Three are One.”

The “I Wills” in the Book of Ezekiel

The Book of Ezekiel is full of prophetic fore-gleams and emphatic predictions regarding the Lord’s future plans for Israel. One particular thing about these predictions is the certainty of their utterance.

There are over 300 “I wills” in the Book of Ezekiel. A summary of them looks like this:

Seven phases of the Lord’s plan in relation to Israel.
1. Israel and the Promised Land.
2. Israel and the Great Tribulation.
3. Israel and their spiritual restoration.
4. Israel and their permanent establishment in the land.
5. Israel and the throne of David.
6. Israel and their blessing to others.
7. Israel and the Lord’s assurance to the nation.

They could have used this at Camp David. Camp David????

News Flash! From Camp David and the Mid-East Peace Talks

A Settled Three-Point Program!

Ezek 11:16-17, “Therefore say, thus saith the Lord God, Although I have cast thee far off among the nations.” “And although I have scattered them among the countries.” “Yet will I be a Little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.”

”Therefore, thus saith the Lord God, I will even gather you from among the peoples, nations, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered ‘and I will give you the land of Israel.”

Three-point program here:
1. First the fact of the dispersion of the nation of Israel.
They are currently a people without a land.

2.  The promise of the Lord to be a “Little Sanctuary” to the people of His choice, assuring them of His love and care and protection in spite of all their distress and disloyalty.

3. He will pledge Himself  to recover His people and gather them back to their own land.

Notice the emphasis in this promise:
”I will gather.” “I will be.” “I will give you the land of Israel.”

He further pledges Himself by the way He speaks of Himself. “Thus saith the Lord God.” That is ADONAI JEHOVAH – the One who has the proprietary rights, the immutable One who will come to be all that He has promised.

Oh, Oh, Camp David.

Another News Flash From Camp David

Ezek 20:34, 40, 41, “I will bring you out from the peoples. And will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm and with fury poured out. For in My holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord God, there shall all the house of Israel, all them in the land, Serve Me. There will I accept them. And there will I require your offerings and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.”

They must have missed this at Camp David!

“Doers of the Word, Not Hearers Only”

”Remember that to applaud Patriotic sentiments and turn out to do honor to the dead heroes who by land or by sea or air won honor for our flag is only worth while if we are prepared to show that our energies do not exhaust themselves in words.

”Not hearers of the Word only, but doers of the Word.” If we are prepared to show that we intend to take to heart the lessons of the past and make things ready so that if ever, which Lord forbid, the need should arise, our fighting men on sea or land or in the air shall be able to rise to the standard established by their preparedness in our service of the
past.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

Seven Times in the Book of Deuteronomy the Lord Declares His Love for Israel and it Can be Taken in a Predictive Sense

1. The Lord’s love is sovereign in its choice.
    Deut 4:37, “Because He loved thy fathers, therefore He chose their seed.”

2. The Lord’s love is selective.
    Deut 7:7, “The Lord did not set His love upon you,  nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people for ye were the fewest of all people.”

3. The Lord’s love is sacred in its remembrance.
    Deut 7:8, “The double reason for His choice was: ‘Because the Lord loved, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn to your fathers.”

4. The Lord’s love is sanctifying in its outcome.
    Deut 10:15-16, “The Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them. Circumcise the foreskin of your hearts.”

5. The Lord’s love is supplying in its bestowment.
    Deut 10:18, “He loved the stranger.”

6. The Lord’s love is strong in its determination.
    Deut 23:5, “Because the Lord Thy God loved thee.”
    This is why Balaam’s curse was turned into a blessing.

7. The Lord's love is singular in its benediction.
    Deut 33:3, “Yea He loved the people.”

Is the statement which is the crystal sentence in the midst of a cluster of blessings upon Israel in this passage. The Lord’s love in blessing Israel is the object lesson which commands our attention and stirs our love, animates our faith, and feeds our devotion.

And, gives us a Biblical view on Camp David and Mid-East peace talks.

Wednesday, July 19, 2000

The Sixth Cry From the Cross – TETELESTIA, John 19:30

1. The Saviour’s course on Earth was “finished.”
His life:
    A. As the incarnate Son of God
    B. Of poverty and toil
    C. Of weariness, hunger and temptation
    D. Of holy obedience and usefulness
    E. Of grief and pain

2. All that God in His Grace had made known before was fulfilled.
    A. The promises beginning with that of the fall
    B. The covenant with Abraham, Issac, and Jacob
    C. The prophesies
    D. The types

3. The work of man’s redemption was completed.
    A. Every obstacle was removed, symbolized by the renting of the veil
    B. The way of mercy was opened

4. This cry comprehends the future as well as the past.
As the oak is contained in the acorn and as the fruit is wrapped up in the blossom so the fruits of Christ’s redeeming work was contained in the death of the Cross.

”It is finished” – finished in the past with results that go on forever.

Psa 81:12, “So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart.”

This reveals a constant method of God with His disloyal and disobedient children when they will not go His way, He lets them go their own way. But it does not mean that He abandons them. It is rather that He permits them to learn by the bitter results of their own folly what He would have them know by communion with Himself.

How constantly the people of God have gone after the stubbornness of their own hearts only to find sorrow and anguish, and yet how constantly through that experience they have learned the perfection of the Divine way.

This is so because He is the God of all Grace.

”There is a way that seemeth right unto man but the way is a way of death.”

Psa 102:12, “But Thou, O Lord, shall abide for ever.”

These are the words that blaze out from this Psalm as revealing its true value. It is one of the seven Psalms that are Psalms of confession. The others are Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 130, and 143.

It is the song of one pouring out his complaint, but doing so before the Lord. The structure falls into three strophes:

Verses 1-11, verses 12-22, verse 22-28. This makes a clear distinction and a difference. The first and the last are pulsating with personal consciousness. Notice the reiteration of the pronoun in the first person singular. “I,” “my,” “me.” They speak of trouble and suffering and sorrow. And they are full of the sense of limitation. “My days, my days.”

He discovers a secret ... ”He weakeneth my strength in the way.”
What is the conclusion? ”The children of Thy servants shall continue and their seed shall be established before Thee.”

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The Lord’s Flock – Zeph 3:12-13

1. Their station.
    A. Afflicted
    B. Poor

2. Their character.
    A. Derived from confidence.
    ”They shall trust in the Name of the Lord.”
    B. Their confidence is founded in holiness.
    ”The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity.”
    C. This confidence is derived from their uprightness.
    ”Nor speak lies neither shall a deceitful tongue be in their mouth.”

3. Observe the privilege.
    A. The pasture, ”They shall feed and lie down.”
    B. The repose, “They shall feed and lie down.”
    C. Their security,  “and none shall make them afraid.”

Compared with “the Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down. I will fear no evil.”

Why God Laments!  Zeph 3:2

“She obeyed not the Voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.”

1. Four facts affirmed in our text are applicable to us today, as well as to the Jews of old times.
    A. Inattention to instruction.
        ”She obeyed not the voice”
    B. Incorrigibleness.
        ”She received not correction”
    C. Unfaithfulness toward God
        ”She trusted not in the Lord”
    D. Neglect of worship
        ”She drew not near to her God”

2. Application.
    A. What a caution we have in Zephaniah against apostasy.
    B. What concern and care does the Almighty manifest in using so many endeavors for the preservation of His people.
    C. What inducement to avail ourselves of the Grace, mercy, and forbearance of God.
    D. The non-realization of this design among a people exposes them to terrible retribution.

”My people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge.”

Self Examination, Haggai  1:5, “Consider Your Ways”

1. The nature of the duty
    A. Consider your ways by the innate power of knowing right from wrong.
    B. Consider your ways in reference to God, all-seeing and all-knowing Righteous God.
    C. Consider your ways in reference to the revealed will of God.
    D. Consider your ways in reference to immorality and a state of retribution.

2. Men shun the performance of the duty of considering His ways.

3. The performance of this duty is the only path to holiness and happiness.

”If we judge ourselves we shall not be judged.”
”Judgment must begin at the house of God.”

The Desire of All Nations!

Haggai 2:7, “And I will shake all nations, and the Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.”

1. The Desire as referring to the expectation of the whole human race.
2. The Desire as referring to the wants of the whole human family.
3. The Desire as referring to the happiness of the whole human family.

“Looking for the appearing of our great God and Saviour, our Blessed Hope,” i.e.,    happinesses hope.

Our Father! “If Then I be a Father,” Malachi 1:6

“A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My Name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy Name?”

1. Consider the trust assumed, “If I be a Father.”
    He has always acted as a Father to us.
    A. In bringing us into existence.
    B. In stamping upon us His image.
    C. In providing for our needs in the realm of nature.
    D. In redeeming us from sin.
    E. In adopting us into His heavenly family.
    F.  In arranging life so as to discipline us.

2. God’s appeal in view of this Truth, “Where in is My honor?”
    It is our duty to render honor to God, and this involves:
    A. Reverence towards Him.
    B. Obedience to His commands.
    C. Trust in His Grace.
    D. Submission to His chastisements.
    E. Revealing His image.

3. How this appeal should be responded to
    A. By serious reflection.
    B. By a true change of mind.
    C. In earnest prayer for the spirit of sonship.
    D. By constant efforts to honor God in the future.

”And the Spirit crieth, Abba Father!”

Building a House, Matt 7:24-27

“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

1. The two builders.
    A. They were equally impressed with the need of building a house.
    B. They were both resolved alike to obtain a house.
    C. They were equally well skilled in architecture.
    D. They both persevered and finished their structure.

2. Their houses.
    A. The chief apparent difference between the two edifices probably was this, that one of them built his house more quickly than the other.
    B. One was built with far less trouble than the other.
    C. The main difference lay out of sight, underground.

3. The common trial of the two houses.

4. The different results of the trials.

”A greater foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
”Except the Lord build the house, they that build it build it in vain.”

“Fear Not Him That Can Kill Only the Body,” Matt 10:28

The Cursing of a Fruitless Fig Tree, Matt 21:17-21

“And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and He lodged there. Now in the morning as He returned into the city, He hungered. And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”

1. The doom of things which do not meet the wants of the time.
2. The terrific prospect and meeting a disappointed Christ.
3. The perfect dominion of the spiritual over the material.
4.  The vast possibilities of undoubting prayer.

Mary of Magdala, Mark 16:9

“Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils.”

She was:

1. A great sufferer healed by Christ.

2. A grateful ministrant to Christ.
Luke 8:2-3, “And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.”

Mark 15:41, “(Who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him, and ministered unto Him;) and many other women which came up with Him unto Jerusalem.”

3. A faithful adherent to Christ.

4. A sincere mourner for Christ.
John 20:1-2, “The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him.”

John 20:11-18, “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing Him to be the gardener, saith unto Him, Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto Him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.”

Mark 15:47, “And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where He was laid.”

Matt 27:61, “And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.”

5. An honored messenger of Christ.
John 20:17-18, “Jesus saith unto her, Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to mM brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to mM God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things unto her.”

Direction for Life, Phil 4:8-9

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

A. A direction for thought.
    ”Think on these things.”

B. A direction for practice.
    ”These things do.”

C. A promise conditional on obedience to the two.
    ”The God of peace shall be with you.”

The Deity of Christ, Col 1:14-20

“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in Earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in Earth, or things in Heaven.”

Christ is Divine because:

1. He has redeemed us.
2. He is the Creator of all things.
3. All things were created for His glory.
4. His eternal pre-existence.
5. By Him all things consist.

Christian Comfort, 1 Thes 4:18, “Comfort One Another with These Words.”

1. Christians are often in circumstances to need comfort.

    A. In time of persecution. 
    2 Tim 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

    B. In season of affliction.
    Job 5:7, “Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

    C. In the prospect of death.

2. The words of Scripture are peculiarly calculated to give comfort, verses 13-17, and here is promised:

    A. A resurrection.

    B. A triumph with Christ.

    C. Rest in eternity.

3. The comfort be mutually administered, “Comfort one another.”

”The God of comfort will come to you in all tribulation whereby ye may be able to comfort them with the comfort wherewith you have been comforted with.”

The Eighth Commandment!

“The eighth commandment says, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ It does not say ’Thou shalt not steal from the rich,’ and it does not say ’Thou shalt not steal from the poor man.’ It reads simply and plainly 'Thou shalt not steal.'

”No good whatever will come from that warped and mocked morality which denounces  the misdeeds of men of wealth and forgets the misdeeds practiced at their expense. Which denounces bribery but blinds itself to blackmail, which foams with rage if a corporation secures favor by improper methods and merely leers with hideous mirth if the corporation itself is wronged.”

”The only public servant who can be trusted honestly to protect the rights of the public against the misdeeds of a corporation is that public man who will just as surely protect the corporation itself from wrongful aggression.”

”If a public man is willing to yield to popular clamour and do wrong to the men of wealth or to rich corporations, it may be set down as certain that if the opportunity comes he will secretly and furtively do wrong to the public in the interest of a corporation.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

Tuesday, July 18, 2000

The Redeemed in Heaven, Rev 7:9 and 10

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

1. The great number of the redeemed
2. The extensive variety of the redeemed
3. The beautiful appearance of the redeemed
4. The delightful song of the redeemed

Lukewarm Christians. Rev 3:15 and 16

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.”

1. Some reasons why lukewarm Christians are so distasteful to the Lord Jesus Christ.
    A. It is a direct insult to the Lord Jesus Christ.
    B. It is a mark of gross ingratitude.
    C. The lukewarm professor compromises the Lord in the eyes of the world by all that he does and says.
    D. Wherever there is a lukewarm Christian, he is out of place.

2. Several dissuasions against becoming a lukewarm Christian.
    A. As Christians you have to do with solemn realities.
    B. There have been times with you when these things did seem worthy of a warm heart.
    C. The day is coming when you will think these things worthy of your whole heart.

Christian Growth

2 Pet 3:18, “Grow in Grace.”

1. Grace in its strictest sense is the free favor of God to the unworthy.
2. We may overlook too much the importance of Christian growth.
3.  Having life by union with our Saviour, we grow in Grace by using the means of Grace.
4. That we may grow in Grace we need to use the means of Grace in their due proportion.
5. Nor are we to despise outward forms and symbols as helps in Christian growth.
6. He who will grow in Grace must be ready to suffer.
7. Growth demands earnestness.
8. Growth demands exercise.

The Gospel 

Titus 2:11-14, “For the Grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

1. What is here said of the nature of the Gospel.

    A. The name, “the Grace of God.”
    B. The subject, “bringing salvation.”
    C. The manifestation, “hath appeared.”
        1. None are excluded from its benefits, “to all men.”
        2. None are exempt from its appointments.

2. What the Gospel teaches.

    A. What it teaches us to deny? “Ungodliness and worldly lusts.”
    B. What it teaches us to do? “To live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.”
    C. What it teaches us to expect? “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Wise Counsel for Life

Col 4:5, 6, “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with Grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

The Conduct of Life is to be Regulated

1. According to the dictates of the highest wisdom.
    A. Christianity is a life, “Walk”
    B. Christianity is a life shaped and controlled by the highest wisdom, “Walk in wisdom”
    C. Christianity is a life that should be instructive to the non-Christian, “Toward them that are without”
    D. Christianity is a life that impels the seizure of every opportunity for good-doing, “Redeeming the time,” i.e., buying up the opportunities

Opportunity is the flower which blossoms for a moment and is gone for ever.

2. By judicious speech
    A. A Christian’s speech should be gracious, “Let your speech be always with Grace”
    B. Christian speech should be piquant, “Seasoned with salt”
    C. Christian speech should be practical, “That ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”

Direction for Life

Phil 4:8, 9, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

1. A direction for thought, “Think on these things.”
2. A direction for practice, “These things do.”
3. A promise conditioned on obedience to the two, “The God of peace shall be with you.”

”As a man thinketh in his mind, so is he.”

Parents and Children

1. Duties of children to parents.

2. Duties of parents to children

The Message of the Shepherds 

Luke 2:10-11, “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

1. How sure is God’s Word!
2. How wonderful are God’s ways!
3. How glorious is God’s salvation!

Today is the day of salvation.

Christian Ignorance

“My people are destroyed because of lack of knowledge,” Hos 4:6

1. It is destructive.
    A. What does it destroy?
    B. How does it destroy?

2. It is willful, a criminal ignorance.
3. It is God offending.
4. It deals out retribution.
    A. For themselves
    B. For their children

2 Cor 5:21, “He made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

1. Who was made sin for us?
2. What was done with Him who knew no sin?
3. Who did it?
4. What happens to us in consequence?

Monday, July 17, 2000

The Second Time Around

Jonah 3:1, “And the Word of the Lord Came Unto Jonah the Second Time.” This is a Word of pure Grace. It is in many ways the central Light of this wonderful prophetic story.

Judging by human standards, the highest and the best of them, we are inclined to say that when a messenger of God had so broken down as to withdraw from his work and decline to deliver a Divine message because he did not desire results to be produced by it which might conflict with his own conception of what was due to righteousness by such act he had for ever disqualified himself for service.

But it was not so in the mind of Christ. He did not cast away His servant because of the failure. He gave him his second chance.

“The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.”

There is nothing to be said except to utter words of wonder and amazement and thanksgiving that it is so. How many of us who have been called to deliver the Word of the Lord would still be doing it if it were not for the patient and perfecting Grace of God? Surely not many.

After having failed, the Lord again entrusts us with His Word and sends us again once more forth to declare it. Such Grace keeps the soul in the dust of self-distrust, but lifts it to height of confidence and loyalty.

”The Word of the Lord Came to Jonah a second time.”

Nahum 1:14, “I Will Make Thy Grave for Thou Art Vile”

Maybe that is why no one teaches the book of Nahum. This is the prophesy which sets forth more clearly than any other, the Truth concerning the wrath of God, in its national application. Its burden is that of vengeance and it contains three messages.

1. The statement of the verdict of vengeance.
2. The vision of the vengeance.
3. Vindication of the vengeance.

It was concerned with Nineveh and it was delivered almost certainly when she was at the height of her power, 100 years before Jonah had preached in her streets. She changed her mind and she was spared. In the interval, she had continued her oppressions and cruelties.

The sentence was that this great, arrogant, and brutal power should be buried.

All this is good tidings – that pride and cruelty and vice are doomed because God reigns is certain, and the certainty is comfort indeed. His wrath makes a full end it is irresistible, complete, and final.

”I will make thy grave for thou art vile.”

“And the Lord Answered Me,” Hab 2:2

The answer consisted in the declaration of a principle by which all men and movements in all ages must be tested. It is stated in the form of a double contrast. On the one hand between the proud and the puffed up, and on the other hand the just. The results:

The result in the case of the just is that “the just shall live by faith.”
The result in the case of the puffed up or pride is not stated. ”Puffed up” in itself means to “burst.”

So, here are two philosophies of life — pride and faith. The justified ones, the believers, live by faith.

“Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” 
“Pride goeth before a fall.”
”The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and pride the pattern of life.”

The same principle is brought out in Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews.

“It Was Made With Cherubim and Palm Trees, and a Palm Tree Was Between Cherub and Cherub and Every Cherub Had Two Faces,” Ez 41:18

In this chapter we have the prophet’s description of the temple itself, first its general structure and then its ornamentation. The dimensions as to the actual sanctuary were those of the tabernacle. The general form was the same.

The distinction was maintained between the Holy Place, verses 1 and 2, and the Holy of Holies, verses 3 and 4. Within he saw the ornamentation, the symbols of beauty and of suggestiveness. There were alternating cherubim and palm trees.

The cherubim constituted a part of the vision of God granted to Ezekiel at the beginning of his ministry. Here he saw two of the faces only, those of the man and those of the lion. The palm trees were the symbol of national or racial life in its full realization and glory. Thus into each palm tree, the eyes of a man and the eyes of a lion were ever looking.

God in His fullest expression of man and in His fullest sovereignty typified by the lion, is watching with complacency and satisfaction the full realization of His purposes as typified by the palm tree.

The temple is the center of life. Life in full fruition is watched over by the Lord in love and authority.

“If I say I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His Name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones and I am weary with forbearing and I cannot contain,” Jer 20:9

Here we have a remarkable state of the unveiling of the mind of Jeremiah and of the conflicting emotions responding to his mind sweeping over him like a storm, causing him to sing to the Lord and cursing the day he was born. In these particular words, we see the prophet in the deepest things of that consciousness which made him so great.

Under the stress and strain of his sufferings, he was tempted to abandon his work, to refuse to speak any more in the Name of the Lord. But when he attempted that to find release from suffering in silence, it was impossible for each silence became more intolerable than suffering.

The Word became a fire in his bones so that he could not contain himself. This is the burden of the Word of God. Perhaps only those who have experienced it can understand it.

To publish that Word at times brings suffering, but to refrain brings far more terrible sufferings.
Paul understood and he said, “Woe is come unto me if I preach not the Gospel.”

More suffering for not preaching than for preaching.
Not familiar in many pulpits today.

”Did not our hearts burn within us when He opened unto us the Scriptures.”

“There is!”

The army of Pharaoh had moved out of Egypt and the Chaldean army, fearing trouble from that quarter, broke the siege in order to deal with this new menace. Directly that Egyptian army moved and Jeremiah warned the people that no hope was to be entertained on that account. Nevertheless, the people were excited by the movement and full of expectancy that the fate predicted by the prophet might be averted.

It was under these conditions that the king sent for the prophet and asked this question, ”And the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, is there any Word from the Lord?” “And Jeremiah said, There is,” Jer 37:17

It was a question of fear — fear growing out of the fact that in spite of all this man’s weakness and wickedness, he knew the power of the Lord. Under stress of such fear, the question is often asked. And there is always the same answer. ”There is.”

There is always a Word from the Lord. No change in circumstances causes a change in His Word. His Word is never void of power and precedes irresistibly to accomplish that which He pleases.

You Never Know What a Day May Bring!

“I must go on my way today, and tomorrow, and the day following.” Would you believe that that is a declaration of the Gospel??

These Words of our Lord were uttered in an hour when the Pharisees, desiring to get rid of Him, told him that Herod was seeking His life. They form a part of His answer to them and to Herod. They reveal His own undisturbed outlook upon His work and the quiet intrepidity of His devotion.

The “today” and the “morrow” were days in which He would continue undisturbed in the exercise of His ministry of beneficial power. ”The day following” was “the third day” in which He was to be perfected. Looking back, as we are able to do, we know that “the third day” was the way of the Cross and all that issued from it. That “third day” was arranged by the counsel of God and not by the opposition of men.

To Him the whole pathway of power and the perfecting through suffering was marked out by God. No hostility of rulers or malice of kings could deflect Him by a hair’s breadth from that pathway.

”Today, and tomorrow, and the day following.”

What a plan! What a Man!

“Walking in Truth,” 3 John 4

1. The spiritual children of the apostle John walked in the Truth.

    A. Truth refers to our thoughts, words, and actions.
    B. The Word of God, including both Old and New Testaments, is a revelation of the Truth.
    C. Jesus Christ, our Divine Teacher, is called “the Truth.”
    D. To walk in the Truth implies a strict conformity to its sacred dictates in our experience and in all our works and ways.
    E. Those who walk in the Truth should be careful to hold it fast.
    F. We should examine ourselves daily whether or not we be in the Truth and how it affects our lives and conversation.

Jude’s Doxology — Jude 24 and 25

Let us adore Him who can keep us from falling.
Let us adore Him who will present us in His courts faultless.
Let us adore Him with highest ascription of praise.

John Had no Greater Joy Than to Hear That His Children Walked in Truth

A. Joy implies gladness and exultation either in possession or prospect of something which we deem good and excellent.
B. Men of the world who only mind earthly things feel joy and gladness in the things of time and sense.
C. But believers joy in spiritual and eternal blessings more than in the good things of life which are passing away.
D. Ministers of the Gospel joy in the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ and especially in those whom they have been instrumental in turning to the Lord.
E. It is certain that the beloved John, whose faith exceeded that of most men, had many pure and exalted joys.
F. But he had no greater joy than to hear that his children walked in the Truth.
G. The joyous feelings of the apostle would carry him forward in his great work with increasing ardor.
H. Happy are the people who are favored with a minister whose greatest joy is their prosperity in pure Christianity.

Saturday, July 15, 2000

What Did Enoch Have in Common With This Grandson???

There was no generation or generations gap! By the way, Enoch’s grandson was Noah!

Gen 5:22, “Enoch walked with God.”
Gen 6:9, “Noah walked with God.”

With, not ahead or behind, but “with God,” in fellowship with God.
”Can two walk together unless they agree?”

Thought for Today!

“Truth and righteousness are of no value whatever to the world until they are embodied in a personality. And there is only one source of Truth and righteousness. Except as they flow from Almighty God Himself they do not exist. No man can stand possibly for Truth and righteousness or employ their power except he is in a direct relationship with the Divine source. The wireless connection must be established with God at one end and man at the other. Then the man can explain boldly and truly with Paul, “I can do all things through Christ which strenghteneth me.”

”Does that sound like too much of a sermon? Tell me if you can, how to approach the mighty theme of Truth and righteousness with God left out.”

“Is the right to prevail?” “Are the great laws of righteousness to be fulfilled?” Where parties, or persons, or policies conflict, the choice must ever be in favor of righteousness.” “Righteousness exalteth a nation and righteousness exalteth a man.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

“Yet ...”

Psa 74:12, “Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the Earth.”

”Yet” is sometimes a vivid word. It is so here. Introducing us to a new realm of facts.

In the early part of the song, we have a graphic description of the uttermost desolation. The conditions were actual. All that the singer had said constituted a statement of facts which were patent. But there was more to be said and the psalmist introduced the more by this significant word ”yet.”

The great declaration is that in spite of all appearances, “God is King. And God is at work, in order for your salvation.”

The patent facts were indeed terrible. The holy country had been devastated by relentless foes. The sacred temple had been desecrated by fire. The city of the King had been reduced to ruins. Many of the people had been slain. The nation had become the scorn of their enemies. All the signs of Divine relationship had been obliterated. Things could hardly be worse to the eyes of sight.

Then came the declaration of what the eyes of faith beheld, in spite of all this apparent contradiction. God was seen as King working for your salvation.

”Yet ...”

1 Peter 1:24, “For all flesh is grass. And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof fadeth away.”

The next time you mow the lawn, remember this passage. Put it on your lawn mower. Think of all the progress made from Adam to Noah and all the advancements and treasures that were stored up. And then, they were “all swept away.”

1 Pet 1:25, “But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.”

Friday, July 14, 2000

Christ Said “I Have Magnified My Word Above All My Name,” Psa 138:2

Did you ever take into account how He has magnified it?

1. It is distinguished in its message!
The many qualifying words of the Word indicate its manifold message.

    A. It is a Word of life to quicken. 
        Phil 2:16, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.”

    B. It is the Word of faith to beget faith.
        Rom 10:8, “But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach.”

    C. It is the Word of reconciliation to assure.
        2 Cor 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.”

    D. It is the Word of God to slay.
        Eph 6:17, “And take the Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,”

    E. It is the Word of Christ to indwell.
        Col 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

    F. It is the Word of the Lord to reveal.
        1 Thes 4:15, “For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

    G. It is the Word of faithfulness to keep.
        Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by Sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

    H. It is the Word of righteousness to adjust.
        Heb 5:13, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”

    I.  It is the Word of incorruption to endure.
        1 Pet 1:23, 25, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” “But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.”

     J. It is the engrafted Word to fructify.
        James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.”

That is why the Word is magnified.

The Word of God is Dedicated to its Influence

When we call to mind what the Lord says He will do by means of His Word, we can see how beneficent and practical it is in its in-working and out-working. Let us confine our thoughts about it to Christ and His teaching.

He taught that the Word was a fruit-producer. 
Matt 13:23, “But he that received Seed into the good ground is he that heareth the Word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

He taught that the Word was a victory gainer.
Matt 4:4, “But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

He taught that the Word was a witnesser.
John 8:31, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed;”

He taught that the Word was a sanctifying obtainer.
John 17:17, “Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth.”

He taught that the Word was a love prover.
John 14:23, “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My Words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.”

He taught that the Word was a prayer answerer.
John 15:7, “If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”

He taught that the Word was a heart answerer.
John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

That is why It is magnified.

The Word That is Magnified is Definite in its Claim

The epistles to the Thessalonians illustrate the claims of the Word.

1. It is “the Word” in its authority.
1:6, “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit.”

2. “The Word of the Lord” in its message.
1:8, “For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.”

4:15, “For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

2 Thes 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as It is with you.”

3. “The Word of God” in its power.
2:13, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in Truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”

The Word Which is Magnified is Dynamic in its Operation

Notice what it says about His Word in the Book of Hebrews.
Heb 1:3, 2:2 4:12, 6:5, 11:3, 13:7

”Alive and powerfull,” “The Word of His power,” ‘The Word is steadfast,” “The good Word of God,” “The forming Word of God,” “The Word of God.”

There lies in the dynamite of God’s Word all the latent possibilities of the life of the Almighty.

It is magnified.

The Book of Acts and the Magnified Word of God, Divine in its Source

Take one book, the book of Acts. We find the Word referred to 35 times.

1. As “the Word of God.” 4:31; 6:2, 7; 8:14; 11:1; 12:24; 13:5, 7, 44, 46; 17:13; 18:11; 19:20. 13 times.
2. “The Word of the Lord,” 8 times.
3. As “The Word,” 13 times.
4. As “Thy Word” once. 4:29

Yes, It is magnified ... But we don’t magnify it as Christ did.

God is a God of Details. There are Specific Utterances of His

We read for example, “He telleth the number of the stars but of His understanding there is no number,” Psa 147:4, 5.
He can number, but He cannot be numbered.

A cob of maize will demonstrate there is never an odd row. There are rows of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 24. A slave was once promised his liberty if he could find a cob with an odd row. His  ingenious mind solved the problem by cutting a row out of a young cob and thus gained his liberty. The next time you bite into an ear of corn remember ... Divine Design.

The same law of regularity is found in the stem of a plant. Some branches are placed alternately, some opposite, and some are arranged spirally. In each tree there is perfect order. And the same law and order is found in the Word of God.

Nothing is left to man’s caprice and ingenuity. Everything reveals artistic design.
Divine Design. The Mind of Christ.

John Chapter 21 Reveals the Lordship of Christ in Contrast to the Self-Action of Man

Otherwise, the Grace of God and the work of man.

That self-action is specially brought out in connection with Peter and the disciples.

Self  self  self  self  self = dead works.

In John Chapter 21 We Find That Jesus Christ is Called Lord Eight Times

The word “Lord” is KURIOS in the Greek language of the New Testament.

Eight times Jesus Christ is called “Lord” in this chapter. Deity!

The God-Man, the unique Person in the universe. Equal with God, equal with man, the God-Man.

Thoughts From John Chapter 21 as to the Lordship of Jesus Christ

Ownership – “Ye serve as slaves the Lord,” Col 3:25
Authority – Therefore “The Lord’s Supper” is to be kept. 1 Cor 11:20
Power – Therefore we read “The hand of the Lord” was with the disciples,” Acts 11:21

All these thoughts are brought out in John chapter 21. Ownership is claimed when Christ speaks of “My sheep.” Authority is heard in Christ’s commands “to cast,” “to come,” and then “to follow.” The power is evidenced when He caused 153 great fishes to be caught in the net.

Peter learned his lesson to recognize Jesus Christ as Lord for in his first epistle, he urged them to whom he wrote to “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts,” 1 Pet 3:15.

The Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought For the Day

“I am proud of my Holland, Huguenot, and Covenanting ancestors and proud that the blood of that stark Puritan divine Jonathan Edwards flows in the veins of my children.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

“An adroit politician, if he excels in the use of high sounding words, may win votes and gain office by thus pandering to men who wish to hear their selfishness, their short-sightedness, or their timidity exalted into virtues, but he is sapping the moral vitality of the people he misleads.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

”Our foreign policy is waging peace.”

“How can you approach the mighty theme of righteousness and truth and leave God out?”

”There is but one piece of spiritual good fortune that surpasses having the friendship of a good man and that is to have a perfect marriage.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

A Challenge For Christian Senior Citizens

Psa 71:18, “When I am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not, until I have declared Thy strength unto this next generation.”

It is a plea at first for deliverance and in the course of it, the appeal is made to God to make haste. His dominate note, however, is that of the triumph of faith. He looks back over his life and recognizes the care of God from his birth and through all the circumstances of his life. That recognition is the inspiration of the prayer for help, and the secret of the note of confidence with which the song closes.

The particular words which we have emphasized reveal the true desire of old age. It is to be allowed the privilege to minister to the youth. The man, who through long years, has proved God, has a message for those who are facing life. They see but half, and it is a glorious half, but it needs the illumination of the whole, lest it should fail.

Moreover, there is nothing more calculated to keep the heart of age young, than to stand by the young sympathizing with their ambitions, heartening their endeavors, and stiffening their courage, by recounting the stories of the strength of God, the experience of His might.

When one is old and grey-headed there is inevitably a tendency to seek release and rest. Let that last phase of selfishness be guarded against, by the cultivation of comradeship with the young and the highest desire will be created. And that namely of this singer, for continual fellowship with God in order that the service may be rendered to them.

There is nothing more pitiful or else more beautiful than old age. It is pitiful when its pessimism cools the ardors of youth. It is beautiful when its witness stimulated the visions and inspires the heroism of the youth.

You can “grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Thursday, July 13, 2000

The Importance of the Scriptures in the Life of Our Nation

“Every thinking man, when he thinks, realizes that the teachings of the Bible are so interwoven and entwined with our whole civic and social life that it would be literally impossible for us to figure ourselves what that life would be if these standards were removed. We would lose almost all the standards by which we now judge both public and private morals, all the standards which we, with more or less resolution, strive to raise ourselves.”

Roosevelt quoted the Bible often, evincing his intimate familiarity with it. One biographical archivist examined his published works and found that he had so integrated Scripture into his thought processes, that there were actually more than 4,200 Biblical images, references, inferences, or complete quotations contained therein. And his unpublished letters, articles, and speeches contained hundreds, perhaps even thousands more.

– James Lever, The Roosevelt Mythos, 1923, page 191

Who Loves You!

“I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness,” Jer 9:24
”Continue Thy loving kindness unto them that know Thee,” Psa 36:10
”He will rest in His love,” Zeph 3:17
”With loving kindness  have I drawn thee,” Jer 31:3
”I have loved you,” John 15:9
”The love of Christ,” Eph 3:19
”God commendeth His love toward us,” Rom 5:8
”He first loved us,” 1 John 4:19
”God is love,” 1 John 4:8, 9
“And He will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee,” Deut 7:13
“Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee,” Isa 43:4 
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,” Eph 2:4
“Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us,”2 Thes 2:16

In his prayer for inner fullness and knowledge, Paul makes it clear that to know the unknowable love of Christ one must be rooted and grounded in love. To be able to comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of Christ whose love surpasses that of a woman’s, one must have a soul saturated with such in Divine love.

We love because He first loved us.

Grace and the Promises of God

All of God’s promises would be of no practical value if we did not have the revelation of His matchless Grace. Because of His Grace and power, He can accomplish that which He pleases.

”He will work and who will let it.”
Zech 12:10, ”I will pour upon the house of David, the Spirit of Grace.”
John 1:16-17, ”Grace upon Grace,” “Grace came by Jesus Christ.”
Eph 2:5, “By Grace are ye saved.”
Eph 1:3-7, “According to the riches of His Grace.”

Grace implies that we get — just the opposite of what we deserve!

1 Pet 5:10, “The God of all Grace.”
Rom 5:20, “Grace did much more abound.”
2 Pet 3:18, “Grow in Grace.”
1 Pet 4:10, “Good servants of the manifold Grace of God.”

Grace imputed and Grace imparted must become Grace communicated.
Receiving the Gift, we must transmit it.

Once Jesus Christ saves us, we must tell others about His Grace.

John 6:39, “This is the Father’s will which hath sent Me. That of all which He hath given Me, I shall lose nothing but should raise him up again at the last day.”

There are at least five things that Jesus Christ related to His Father in this wonderful verse.

1. He was sent by the Father.
2. We were given to Christ by the Father. The Father gives the bride away.
3. It is His will that we should never be lost.
4. Being Christ’s own, our security rests with Him.
5. We are to be raised up at the last day.

”Lose nothing.”

And Christ will see to it that not one of His “given ones” will perish.

God wills our security and His Beloved Son provides it.

The God of Peace

Six times over in the New Testament we have the designation “the God of peace,” and its connections form a profitable Bible meditation. Peace is not only one of His attributes, but a part of His inherent nature. Phil 4:7, 9; Col 3:15; 2 Cor 13:11; Heb 13:20. He is peace and as such will destroy everything antagonistic to His peaceful nature.

Is it not comforting to know that Satan, the origin of unrest and disorder, was dealt a death blow at Calvary and that before long he will finally be vanquished.

Rom 16:20, “The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.”

Peace bruising????

He Said It!

This is faith’s answer to every accusation and every doubt and every fear. He said it!

The troubled sinner aroused to see that his body is but food for worms and his soul fit fuel for flames has heard the precious words. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
”Him that cometh to Me I will in no way cast out.”
”He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”
”Beloved now we are the sons of God and it doth not yet appear  what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.”

This is enough. He said it.

Heb 11:6, “He That Cometh to God ... a Rewarder of Them That Diligently Seek Him.”

Here we have two general principles regarding prayer. Namely, our conception of, and then our contact with God. Contact depends upon conception. It is only as we know Him that we can trust Him.

Our conception is of a two-fold nature:
We must believe that He is, meaning that He is real. And also that He is a Rewarder of those who accept His reality.

Is God real to you? Is yours the reward of seeking Him?

To address a man as “Father” implies the relationship of sonship.

Have you been born into the Divine family? If so, it is your privilege and joy of addressing God as your Father in Heaven.

Specific Promises in the Word of God for Wives!

As to the numerous duties, obligations, and responsibilities of wives, there are many Scriptures to guide them correctly as they seek to fulfill their function.

They should be adorned with modesty and sobriety.
1 Pet 3:3, “Those adorning let it be ... the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.”

They should manifest good works.
1 Tim 6:18, “Well reported of for good works.”

They should be virtuous.
Prov 31:10, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband.”

They should be a blessing to their husbands.
Prov 18:22, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing.”

They should have the confidence of their husbands.
Prov 31:11, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.”

They should be diligent, prudent, and kind to those in need.
Prov 31:13-31, “Let her own works praise her in the gate.”

They should try to win their unbelieving husbands.
1 Pet 3:1-2, “The woman that hath an husband that believeth not ... Save thy husband.”
1 Cor 7:13-16

They should ask for Scriptural instructions from their husbands.
1 Cor 14:35, “If they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home.”

Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob, were conscious that God must be obeyed and said to Jacob, in Gen 31:16, “Whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.” What can be more noble than that of a good wife seeking to strengthen a purpose the Lord hath kindled in her husband’s heart. Would be that we had more of such a noble order.

Ruled in her own house and was her husband’s pride,
Stood by him, when his heart sank down with grief,
And sang into his soul a melody she only knew.

The Distortion of Motherhood!

Rev 17:5, “The mother of harlots.”

This awful abominations of Romanism and of Babylon, the fountain head of all idolatry and corruption, have each been spoken of as the whore the harlot. Whoever or whatever this foul “mother” will be, there is evidence that she is to gather unto herself all forms of false religions.

”Sitting upon many waters” implies that she is to acquire to herself a sphere of world influence – using them for unholy ends.

Here we have the degradation of a sacred term “mother.” “The mother of harlots.” Surely there is nothing so abhorrent as one who has prostituted her functions and her privileges.

Prov 23:27-28, “For a whore is a deep ditch and a strange woman is a narrow pit.” ”She also lieth in wait as for a prey and increaseth the transgressions among men.”

Prov 30:20, “Such is the way of an adulterous woman. She eateth and wipeth her mouth and saith, I have done no wickedness.”

No wonder John was smitten with wonder as he saw this woman drunk with the blood of saints and of martyrs.

“Dirty Old Man”

You have probably heard this expression “There goes that dirty old man!” Which usually means an older man with a young woman. I was called a dirty old man because I was seen eating in a restaurant with a young woman. The young woman was 20, and I was 70. The only problem was, is that it was my daughter. But they didn’t know that, so they got triple compound discipline for judging me.

But there are more “dirty young men” than there are “dirty old men.” We come into this world as “dirty young men.” And we don’t need college, we need “cleansing.”

”Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way, by taking heed thereunto to Thy Word.”

Dirty young men need to be cleansed. I was once a dirty young man and now I am a clean old man. How did that happen? “By the washing of the water of the Word.” And “the blood of Christ keeps on cleansing me.”

Now I am an old man producing gold and silver and precious stones, standing on the top step in God’s Olympics.

Oldie Goldie!

What God Thinks About Children!

Isa 11:6, “A little child shall lead them.”

When Christ returns to Earth, the animal creation is to be so transformed that the young will have no fear of destruction. Then a den of lions will be as safe as a playground.  Isaiah’s much quoted phrase, however, can be used in various ways. Often children lead their elders in humility and innocence.

With a little child on his knee, Jesus Christ taught those around Him a much needed lesson on humility. It is not the first time that a parent has been led by the simple prayers and faith of a child to the feet of the Crucified One.

When brought up in good surroundings, children truly love the stories of Jesus Christ and as they turn to Him, they have an unaffected way of speaking about Him that causes older people to think.

But returning to the interpretation of Isaiah’s description of the Millennium, is it not blessed to know that the Lord is going to make the world a safe place for children to live in? What unbounded joy will be the portion of completed circles as they gather around the Lord in glory. These children are they the saved children, or those who hadn’t reached the age of accountability whom the Lord took home to be with Him???

”A little child shall lead them.”

Wednesday, July 12, 2000

The Uniqueness of the Ministry of the Genius of God the Holy Spirit

We find again and again in explaining the reason or ground for God’s action, the Holy Spirit will use a word like “therefore”  or “wherefore.”

1. The incarnation
Luke 1:35, “Therefore also after that Holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”
The Producer of the wonderful producement of the greatest production as evidenced in Christ, was God the Holy Spirit.

2. The inspiration
Acts13:35, “Wherefore He saith, Thou shalt not suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.”
The records about the Son of God are the revelation of God Himself to us in His Son.

3. Justification
Rom 4:22, “Wherefore it was imputed to Him for righteousness.”
Abraham’s faith credited God’s faithfulness and God put to His credit what Christ is and has done. Rom 4:23-25

4. Ascension
Eph 4:8, “Wherefore He saith when He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.”
He has gained rights for us and therefore we have a right to them.

5. Exaltation
Phil 2:9, “Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him.” Because He took the seven downward steps to the cross. Phil 2:5-8
God has given to Jesus Christ the seven upward steps to the glory.

6. Intention
”Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, a body Thou hast prepared for Me,” Heb 10:5
He was identified with us sinners that He might answer for our sins in His death.

7. Sanctification
Heb 13:12-13, “Wherefore Jesus also that He might sanctify the people with His own blood suffered without the gate.”
He went to the place of death that we might be separated to Him.

”Wherefore,” the genius of God the Holy Spirit displaying various doctrines out of one little word “wherefore.”

The Biblical Law of the Distinctiveness of Scripture

This law is finely and tersely made known in the use of the word “this” in John’s first epistle especially if we know that the same word is rendered “herein” and “hereby.”

If students of the Bible would look up the associations of the following sentences, they will see what a glorious enfolding of Truth there is found in this distinctive word.

”In this was manifest the love of God,” 4:10
”This commandment have we from Him,” 4:21
”By this we know we love the children of God,” 5:2
”For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments.” 5:3
”This is the victory that overcometh the world,” 5:4
”This is He that came by water and blood,” 5:6
”This is the witness of God,” 5: 9
”This is the record,” 5:13
”This is the confidence we have in Him,” 5:14
”This is the true God and eternal life,” 5:20

This must be the Book.

The “As” and “So” of Scripture

The “as” and “so” of love
John 15:8, “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you.”
Who can fathom the unknowable and measure the immeasurable love of God?

The “as” and “so” of strength
Deut 33:25, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”
The day may be long and dreary and sad and weary, but the key of His Grace fits the lock of our need and locks us into the chamber of His love secluding us to Himself.

The “as” and “so” of service
John 20:21, “As My Father sent Me, so have I sent you.”
That sending for Him meant the humility of Bethlehem, the trial of temptation, the agony of Gethsemane, the suffering of Gabbatha, the shame of the Cross, the victory of the resurrection, and the glory of the Father’s right hand. And so it means to us.

The “as” and “so” of substitution
John 3:14, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.”
The necessity of His death is summarized in the “must,” and the nature of that sacrifice is suggested, the lifting up,  for as the uplifted serpent was like the serpent that caused the Israelites to be stung, so Christ was made sin for our sin.

The book of Proverbs abounds in these correspondences.
”As cold water is to a thirsty man, so is good news from  a  far country,” Prov 25:25

The Importance of the Education of the Bible

“A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.”

–President Theodore Roosevelt

The Many Qualifying Words for the Word of God Indicate Its Manifold Message

It is the Word of life to quicken.
Phil 2:16, “Holding forth the Wword of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

The Word of faith to beget faith.
Rom 10:8,”But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach;”

The Word of reconciliation to assure.
2 Cor 5:19, “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.”

The Word of God to slay.
Eph 6:17, “And take the Helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God:”

The Word of Christ to indwell.
Col 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and  admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

The Word of the Lord to reveal.
1 Thes 4:15, “For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.”

The Word of faithfulness to keep.
Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by Sound Doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

The Word of righteousness to adjust.
Heb 5:13, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”

The Word of incorruption to endure.
1 Pet 1:23, 25, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” “But the Word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.”

The engrafted Word to fructify.
James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.”

Psa 138:2, “Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name.”
Therefore, we do well to glorify it above everything else.

Thought For Today

“Never indulge yourself on the sinner’s stool. If you did any harm, that won’t undue it. You’ll probably rake it up, the sinner’s stool is often the only available publicity spot for the otherwise totally obscure egotist.”

–President Theodore Roosevelt

Devoted in its Promises

The Word, as such, is coupled with what the Holy Spirit calls “The Word of all His goodness.”

Solomon confessed that not one Word of God’s great promised failed, 1 Kings 8:56, and the performance of them are continually referred to. (“Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised: there hath not failed one Word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.”)

Psa 105:42, “For He remembered His holy promise, and Abraham His servant.”

Acts 13:23, 32, “Of this man’s seed hath God according to His promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:” “And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,”

Acts 26:6, 7, “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.”

Rom 4:20, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;”

Gal 3:14-19, “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a Mediator.”

Heb 6:13-17, “For when God made promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no greater, He sware by Himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath:”

2 Pet 3:4 , 9,  13, “And saying, Where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

And if you connect them with these words:
"He, or the Lord, hath promised”

Ex 12:25,  “And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as He hath promised, that ye shall keep this service.”

Deut 12:20, “When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as He hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.”

Joshua 23:10, “One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you.”

Rom 1:2, ”(Which He had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)”

Heb 12:26, “Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.”

James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.”

1 John 2:25, “And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life.”

God keeps His Word.

Here is a wonderful story, true, about a President of the United States of America in the year 1902. I will quote it as it was spoken ...

”During the height of an intensely tense diplomatic showdown with Britain and Germany over their forcible recovery of debt service in Venezuela, several key military advisers were summoned to the White House. When they entered Roosevelt’s office, they found him furiously pouring over a well-worn Bible and an exhaustive concordance.

”After a long and uncomfortable silence during which the President never acknowledged their presence. one of the generals cleared his throat and addressed the great man.

’You asked for us, sir?”

”Without looking up from the volumes before him, the President responded, ”Well, just don’t stand there men. I need help. I can’t remember why I hold to the Monroe Doctrine. I know that it’s got to be in here somewhere.”

”Still not comprehending what he wanted them to do, the man moved toward his desk, whereupon the President handed each of them a Bible to peruse.

”Go to work, men,” he told them. “I can’t act without warrant. I can’t pronounce policy without precedence of precept.”

Roosevelt believed that there were absolutes. To his mind, true leadership must always be accountable to that set of unchanging principles, ones not affected by the movement of the clock or the advance of the calendar. And he believed that those absolute principles could only reliably be found in the Book of Books, the Bible.

Taken from pages 174 and 175 of a book called Carry A Big Stick, by George Grant.

Tuesday, July 11, 2000

Smart, Smart, and Not So Smart

Satan, the Bible tells us, is a genius, brilliant, and the most beautiful of all of God’s creations.

”God said ye shall surely die.” And Satan said, “Ye shall not surely die.”

In Gen chapter five, we have a list that goes like this:
”So-‘n-so lived and he died, so-‘n-so lived and he died, so-‘n-so lived and he died.” This proved that Satan was wrong. He lied. He was a Liar from the beginning.

But, I think (Danoology), that he outsmarted himself. Why? Because in that self-same chapter five of Genesis we have this, ”Enoch walked with God and God took him.”

Enoch never died. Satan was right, but only in Enoch’s case. But wait! He will be right again. We may be the generation that is alive at the coming of the Lord and “Behold I how you a mystery. We shall not all die.”

So, Satan, the Liar, told a truth. But I don’t think he meant it that way.
Danoology!

The Doctrine of Triplication

As the Godhead is a Trinity, so there are a great many instances where three things are relatively connected. 

There’s the threefold reference to the Father in John 17. When Christ speaks to Him as “Father,” and when He addresses His Father on behalf of His people, He says, Holy Father, and when He refers to Him it’s as Righteous Rather. John 17:1, 11, 25

Then there is a threefold evil. Sin is often coupled with transgression and iniquity but they cannot be substituted the one for the other. 
Sin is the missing of the mark of God’s requirement. Transgression is beyond the boundaries of God’s law. Iniquity is twisting what is straight and making it crooked.

Psa 32:1 tells us what God does with these. The threefold requirement of God.  There are three things which God requires from His creature, man.

Micah 6:8, “What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy,  and to walk humbly with God.”

Teddy Roosevelt wrote this in the Bibles given to men going to war in WW I.

The Setting Stones!

Of the onyx stones which were attached to the ephod of the garments of the high priest it is said in Ex 28:11, “Thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.” The setting secured the onyx stones and they were thus found.

The precious stones of the Word of God and His Truth are found in the ouches of their golden setting and they must not be torn from their association. Three persons are said to be “full of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus Christ, Stephen, and Barnabas.

Of Christ it is said, “And Jesus being full of the Holy Spirit returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,” Luke 4:1, 2, “to be temped of the devil.” Literally it says, “was driven by the Spirit.”

Does not the fact of our Lord being full of the Spirit tell us that that was the reason why he returned from Jordan? And further, “He being full of the Spirit,” the Spirit could lead Him to the place of temptation and victory.

Of Stephen we read, “But he, being full of the Spirit, looked up steadfastly into Heaven  and saw the glory of God and Jesus Christ standing at the right hand of God,” Acts 7:55. He would not have this steadfast gaze and that vision of the glory of the glorified Lord if he had not been filled with the Spirit.

And then the other instance is of Barnabas, “Full of the Holy Spirit he visited Antioch” and of whom we read, “Who, when he came and had seen the Grace of God, was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of mind they would cleave unto the Lord. For
he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith,” Acts 11:23-24.

The reason why he was glad when he saw the Grace of God demonstrated in the lives of the believers and exhorted them to cleave unto the Lord with purpose of mind was because like Christ and Stephen, he was full of the Holy Spirit.

It is the Spirit alone who can give us Grace to appreciate the work of God in others, and can use us to add others to the Lord.

Distinctive Scriptural Statements

The conciseness of Scriptural statements may be seen on almost every page of the Sacred pages. Ephesians chapter one gives us no less than 28 themes each of which is pointed to with the index finger of the definite article:

1. ”The God,” 1:3, 17
God, the Source of all things is variously revealed. As the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is made known as the Giver of all spiritual blessings because of the intimate relationship existing between Him and Christ and between Christ and the believers in Christ.
Therefore, the force and fullness of ”Our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. ”The Lord Jesus Christ,” 1:2, 15
All three names and titles are given in verse 2, and ”the Lord Jesus” in verse 15.
”Grace and peace” come from ”the Lord Jesus Christ” and “faith is in the Lord Jesus.”
As ”Lord,” He is the embodiment of peace. As ”Jesus,” He is the means of peace, and as ”Christ,” He is the center of peace.
Our faith is ”in Jesus” for He is the One who alone can save us, and it is the ”Lord” for He alone can keep us.

3. ”The Spirit of wisdom and revelation,” 1:17

The Holy Spirit in the Supreme personality is set forth. With His perceptibility and penetration, therefore, He alone can make us wise ”in the knowledge of Him” who is the Wisdom of God and the Apex of revelation.

Inner illumination is requisite, as well as outer revelation. Here are three distinctive themes. And there are 25 more all in the first chapter of Ephesians.

Monday, July 10, 2000

All the Offerings in the Old Testament Were “Sweet Savour Unto the Lord”

That is that which was “well pleasing to Him.” So, we find certain things in the New Testament which are said to be acceptable to Him. Rom 12:2

1. A surrendered being to the Lord is well pleasing or acceptable to Him. Rom 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

2. Consideration for others in the Lord is well pleasing to God. Rom 14:18, “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”

3. To minister to the need of God’s servants is well pleasing to God. Phil 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”

4. To recognize our responsibilities in earthly relationships is well pleasing to the Lord. Col 3:20, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Titus 2:9, “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;”

5. To have faith in God is to be well pleasing to Him. Heb 11:5-6, “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 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.”

6. To be good to others is to be well pleasing to God. Heb 13:16, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

7. To suffer wrongfully is to be acceptable to Him. 1 Pet 2:20, “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”


We are saved and called to offer up these spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God. 1 Pet 2:5, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
We are exhorted to offer service, after this kind, and well pleasing to God. Heb 12:28, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have Grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:”
And we should make it our aim to be well pleasing to the Lord for we have to stand before His judgment seat. 2 Cor 5:9, “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him.”

We may be assured that as we allow the Lord to be working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, Heb 13:21, “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
We shall be proving what is well pleasing unto the Lord. Eph 5:10, “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.”

The Gospel of “Unto”

As Aaron and his sons, the consecrated ones, Lev 8, were only allowed to eat the “remainder” of the offerer’s meal offering with “unleavened bread” in the Holy Place, Lev 6:16, so believers can only feed upon Christ as they are separated from the leaven of wickedness and dwell in the Holy Place of consecration to the Lord in the Spirit. Gal 5:9, 22-25

”Unto the Lord,” Lev 2:2, 8, 9, 12, 14, 16 strike another practical note. The Gospel of “unto” is emphasized again and again in the New Testament.

1. Turning unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s conversion. 1 Thes 1:9

2. Cleaving unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s faith. Acts 11:23

3. Living unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s life. Rom 14:8

4. Making melody unto the Lord in the heart is the law of the believer’s worship. Eph 5:19

5. Service done unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s work. Col 3:23

6. Ministering unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s ministry. Acts 13:2

7. Commending unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s sympathy. Acts 14:23

8. Giving unto the Lord is the law of the believer’s consecration. 2 Cor 8:9

The Gospel of “unto” ...

Leviticus and the Peace Offering

1.  The peace offering is typical of Christ, who by means of His death, has made peace for us. Col 1:20, “And, having made peace through the blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven.”

2. Has reconciled us to God. Rom 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

3. Brought us unto the place of possible enjoyment of the peace of God. Phil 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

4. Also knowing the God of peace and having fellowship with Him in the calm of His presence and the efficiency of His Grace. 1 Thes 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Heb 13:20-21, “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

The peace offering is the food of God and is typical of the satisfaction which the Father finds in Christ’s death for He and believers have fellowship with each other by means of it.

Shalom!

In the Old and New Testament, There Are Sacrifices Which the Lord Expects His People to Make

1. The sacrifice of a consecrated body. Rom 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

2. The sacrifice of a broken spirit. Psa 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

3. The sacrifice of thanksgiving. Psa 50:23, “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.”
Heb 13:15, “By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name.”
Psa 116:17, “I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the Name of the LORD.”

4. The sacrifice of joy. Psa 27:6, “And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

5. The sacrifice of a devoted life. Phil 2:27, ”For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.”

6. The sacrifice of righteousness. Psa 4:5, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”
Heb 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

7. The sacrifice of loving help. Phil 4:18, “But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.”
Heb 13:6, “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”

With such sacrifices, God is well pleased for their odor arises to Him as a smell of satisfaction as Noah’s sacrifice did. Gen 8:21, “And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”

The Importance of the Greek Word “SOMATIKOS”

When John saw the Holy Spirit descending upon Christ, he beheld Him as a dove. That this was no vapory, shadowy apparition as emphasized by Luke. In verse 3:22 he says, ”The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape.” The Greek word is SOMATIKOS, and it occurs in two other places in the New Testament.

In each, the word is applied to the body. The apostle says, “Bodily exercise profiteth little,” 1 Tim 4:8.

In calling attention to the corporate fact of Christ being the Treasury of Deity, we read, “In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,” Col 2:9

In the fact that each of the evangelists records that the Holy Spirit was seen in organic form, we have the assurance of His Divine personality. We cannot be but to emphatic or emphasize too often the personality of the Holy Spirit ... God is a Spirit — Not a ghost.

The Personal Pronouns That Jesus Christ Uses for God the Holy Spirit in John Chapters 14 and 16 Emphasize the Personality of the Holy Spirit

1. The personal Helper abiding — He will abide with you.
2. The personal Friend known — Ye know Him.
3. The personal Companion indwelling — He dwelleth in you.
4. The personal Teacher instructing — He shall teach you all things.
5. The personal Witness testifying — He shall testify of Me.
6. The personal Ambassador coming — I will send Him unto you.
7. The personal Comforter arriving — When He is come.
8. The personal Reprover convicting — He will convict.
9. The personal Title proclaiming — When He, the Spirit of Truth.
10. The personal Guide directing — He will guide you.
11. The personal voice declaring ... He shall not speak of Himself.
12.  The personal ear attending — He shall hear.
13.  The personal tongue rehearsing — That He shall speak.
14. The personal Revealer unfolding — He will show you.
15. The personal Glorifier enhancing — He shall glorify Me.
16. The personal Receiver initiating — He shall receive of mine.

These personal pronouns of the Lord Jesus Christ tell us plainly of the personality of the Holy Spirit, especially when we remember their connection and association.

He was to take the place of Christ — Another Comforter!

The Spirit of Christ!

One of the titles by which the Holy Spirit is made known is the title, the spirit of Christ, and He is this in many ways.

He is the Spirit of Christ because He rested on Him. Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He testified of Him. 1 Pet 1:11, “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He unites to Him. 1 Cor 12:12-13, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He is given by Him. John 1:33, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon Whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Spirit.”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He acts for Him. John 14:16, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He will gather us to be with Him. Rom 8:11, ”But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

He is the Spirit of Christ because He makes us like Him. 2 Cor 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

He communicated Himself to us and in so doing, communicates Christ.

There Are 13 Greek Prepositions Connected With God the Holy Spirit

Each one of distinct reference of importance. You could spend a lifetime on this study alone.

We will take one. “PROS” which means “face-to-face.”

The coming of the Holy Spirit towards the believer — PROS.

”PROS” occurs twice in connection with God the Holy Spirit with the accusative
and signifies the coming of one person to another.
As Nicodemus who came to Jesus Christ, John 3:2
Christ said of the Spirit “The Comforter will not come unto PROS you.”
I will send Him unto PROS you. John 16:7. Face-to-face.

Christ promised the Comforter or Advocate to carry on His work while He was away.
As the servant was sent by Abraham to get a bride for Isaac, after Isaac was bound upon the altar for sacrifice, so God the Holy Spirit was commissioned to come and get the bride for Christ after He had given Himself up in His atoning death, for it is the Spirit’s work to unite believers to Christ, the Head of the church by His immersing Grace.

The Holy Spirit as the “Infiller”

The highest form of expression and the most expressive and inclusive of all found in the Bible is “in the Spirit.”

To the expression implied in being in the Spirit, we are continually exhorted, “in the Spirit,” comprehends all the experiences embodied in being, “baptized with,” “full of,” “filled with,” “possessed by,” “poured out,” “resting upon,” “welling up,” “power,” “flowing out,” etc.

These include the various verses which express: bestowment, power, insight, revelation, guidance, gladness, witness, joy, inspiration, faith, healing, union, access, unfolding, love of, ministry, anointing, outlook, etc. All expressions of God the Holy Spirit.

We would do well to listen to what Jesus Christ says about the Holy Spirit and not doctor so-‘n-so.

The Omniscience of the Holy Spirit

“The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God,” 1 Cor 2:11.
Man cannot see nor understand the things of God, but the Holy Spirit is cognizant of all. He is the Custodian of all of God’s secrets and the Revealer of all He is.

The Omnipresence of God the Holy Spirit

”Whither shall I flee from Thy Spirit?” Psa 139:7. In the heavens of immensity in the hell of mystery and in the earth of secrecy, He is alike present.

The Omnipotence of God the Holy Spirit

”The power of the Holy Spirit,” Rom 15:13. The literal rendering of this sentence is
”power of Holy Spirit” as though He was the embodiment of all power. All the power of God is located in God the Holy Spirit.

The Eternalness of God the Holy Spirit

”Eternal Spirit,” Heb 9:14. He never was any other than He is. He cannot be any other than He is. And He can never be any other than He was.

Fathom This!

“Even as the Father hath loved Me, I also have loved you,” John 15:9. Put your name there at the end! This is surely Christ’s superlative Word concerning His love for you. There is nothing more to be said.

What the love of the Father is for the Son? Who can tell? The very suggestion fills your soul with the sense of a profound depth which cannot be fathomed, or heights that cannot be scaled, or breadths which cannot be encompassed, and of dimensions beyond our knowledge.

That love of God for the Son is the measure of the love of the Son for you! Yet how passing wonderful it is, when we remember that, however vast that love of God for the Son may be, that the Son is worthy of it, while we are unworthy of love at all.

Yet here is the glory and the Grace of His love. He loves us in spite of our unworthiness knowing that He is able to make us worthy. “Accepted in the Beloved.”

Two thoughts are immediately suggested, the first by what He had said before.
”Therefore doth My Father love Me because I lay down My life that I may take it again.”

And the second by what He added now, “I have kept My Father’s commandments and  abide in His love.”

The law of abiding in love is that of obedience. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

A Gift is an Extension of the Giver

It is not correct to say to any, whereas there is an element of Truth in it, that God refused Cain’s gift and therefore refused the man. Or, that God accepted Abel’s gift and therefore accepted the man.

God accepted the man, Abel. and therefore his gift. He refused the man, Cain, and therefore his gift.

The gift of Cain was a revelation of the man. The gift of Abel was a revelation of the man. The one was refused because of what he was as expressed in his gift. The one accepted because of what he was as revealed in his gift.

A gift is a revelation of the character of the giver.

”God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

What did you get for your birthday? For Christmas?

The gift reveals the giver.

The Death of the Lord Jesus Christ!

1. When He was on the Cross.
    A. Isa 53:3. He suffered great anguish extreme mental physical pain because He bore a heavy burden.
    B. Isa 53:6. God the Father laid on Jesus Christ the sins of the whole world.
    C. He bore our sins. 1 Pet 2:24, 2 Cor 5:21, Col 2:14, Heb 9:27, 28, Rev 1:5

2. He died twice.
Isa 53:9. After He made His grave with the wicked and with the rich in His death, the word here for “death” is “deaths,” intensive plural. Even in the Cambridge Bible it is translated “deaths.”
    A. He died spiritually — humanity not Deity — in bearing our sins. He had no fellowship with God during the time He was bearing our sins.
        1. Psa 22:1. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit turned Their backs on Jesus Christ on the Cross.
        ”My God” - the Father, “My God” - the Holy Spirit, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”

        2. Note also Matt 27:26, Mark 15:34. Jesus Christ at this point called the Father “God” while He was bearing our sins. But once it was completed and spiritual death was paid for, and atonement was an accomplished fact, He again called Him “Father.”

        3. Luke 23:46, “Father into Thy hands I commend my Spirit, and He gave up the Spirit.”

    B. He died physically.
        1. John 19:30, “It is finished.” Now He called Him “Father,” not “God” because spiritual death was lifted. The sins of the world had been judged. Fellowship was restored. Everything had been accomplished as far as spiritual death, bearing our sins.

        2. But Christ died twice that we might be born twice, even as Adam in his fall become spiritually dead and later died physically, so the Last Adam, Christ, identified with our sins in spiritual death and also died physically.

If you are not born twice, you will eventually have three deaths.

The Law of Spirituality

“The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus makes us free from the Law of sin and death,” Rom 8:2.

A Spirit-filled life is extensive in its meaning. There are several passages and phrases which have to do with a Spirit-filled life.
”Baptism” is the immersing Word and denotes the Spirit’s power. Acts 1:8
”Anointing” is the qualifying Word and speaks of His consecrating Grace.
”Sealing” is the claiming Word and avows His proprietary rights. Eph 1:13, Eph 4:30
”Enduement” is the endowing Word and proclaims His empowering ability. Luke 24:49
”Earnest” is the sufficient Word and tells of His satisfying efficiency. Acts 6:5
”Filled” is the overflowing Word and represents His constant inflow and outflow in life and service. Acts 2:4
”Filled in the Spirit,” not, “with,” is the most extensive Word which is used of His ministry.

The preposition EN should be translated “in,” not “with.”

The Spirit is in every believer as the Spirit of adoption. But it is not every believer that is in the Spirit. It is one thing to possess the Spirit, and it is another thing to be possessed by the Spirit.

Sunday, July 9, 2000

In Case You Miss Sunday School

Matt 10:29, “Not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father…”

Christ was not speaking of seraphim nor of saints, but of sparrows. And of one of them He said, that if perchance with broken wing, or fainting heart, it fell on the ground it is not alone for God is with it.

Notice carefully that the declaration is not without your Father’s knowledge, but “without your Father.” God not only knows, but He is with the falling bird.

Like a flash of light, these words enable us to see God’s world and God as Jesus Christ saw them. Nothing is outside of His knowledge, nothing is beyond the tender strength of His nearness. He is the comrade of the bird that man values at half a farthing. This conception of God creates the fear of Him that cancels all other fears. Knowing Him, we fear with the fear which is born of love.

Certain of our safety in His knowledge and nearness, we fear lest we should grieve Him or disappoint in any way. When that fear masters life, we become devoid of all fear as to what man can do to us.

He may kill the body, but that is of little moment. And even if he do, as we fall, the God who is with the sparrow, will be with us and that is the life of the soul today and for ever.

This superlative application involves all lower ones. Fear of pain, fear of poverty, of adverse circumstances, is canceled as we know this God, and walk the way of life in His company.

Matt 17:5, “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am Well Pleased, Hear ye Him.”

Thus a voice out of an overshadowing cloud, God broke in upon and corrected the confused and foolish suggestion of Peter, the dazed disciple. That it was a foolish suggestion might be shown in many ways. 
We should remember that Mark tells us that Peter said this “When he knew not what to say” and Luke that he spoke not knowing what he said.

Notice the emphasis of the Divine interruption. Peter suggested the retention of the three in association – Moses the Law giver, Elijah the reformer, and Jesus Christ the Messiah. The voice declared in effect that such an association was impossible. First of all because of who Jesus Christ was. “This is My Beloved Son.” This Peter had confessed at Caesarea Philippi, but evidently he had not realized the full significance of the fact.

The Son of God can never be placed on the same level as servants in the house of God, however faithful they may be.

Again because the Son came to deliver the full and final message of God to men when He has spoken, we have no need of any partial Truth revealed through others.

”Hear ye Him!” By that voice on the holy mount, Peter and all other Christian teachers are forbidden to look upon the Son of God as one among others.

In Him God has said everything that man needs to know.

“Have Ye Not Read Even This Scripture?”  Mark 12:10

A reference to the previous chapter, verse 27 will show that our Lord addressed these words to “the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders.” That is to say, they were spoken to the religious, moral, and civil leaders. That is to men who were certainly familiar with the sacred Scriptures. It is impossible to suppose that they had not read the Words He quoted. Many, many times. That is it was a familiar passage, which is suggested by our Lord’s use of the word “even” in His asking of the question. Not even this verse? And yet according to His meaning, they had not read this Scripture.

Here then emerges a matter of supreme importance concerning the reading of Scripture, and that more especially in the case of such as are devoted to the work of teaching and interpretation. A Scripture is not read rightly when the words are known, nor is it read until God’s meaning is discovered.

These men were face-to-face with the events in which the great principles declared in these Words were being carried out and they were blind to the events in their real significance because they had never truly read the Words with unprejudiced minds and so under the illusion of the Spirit of God.

We are constantly in peril of the same superficial and harmful reading of the sacred Writings. Therefore, we should never come to them without a due sense of our own weakness and in complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit.

The Hypocrisy of Love

Rom 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy.”

The 12th chapter begins the apostolic application of the doctrine of salvation to the actualities of life. After the statement of the great principles of true Christian life, Paul passes on to some general illustrations in a series of injunctions. Of these, this is the first. It is very simple, but it is very searching. Everything in Christianity proceeds out of the love of God. And its ultimate and glorious fruitage is that of love mastering men.

”The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, there is always a danger lest love should be professed when it is not possessed.

Or, on the other hand, that love should be untrue to its central element of holiness, therefore the warning of these words. Love must be without acting. For that is what hypocrisy really is.

The language of love, where love is not, is of no avail. Even the activities are which are properly those of love, practiced in order to make it seem as though we love, are of no value.

That is what Paul meant when he wrote in another epistle, “If I bestow all my gifts to feed the poor and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.”

Love, true love, Biblical love, comes from the fruit of the Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love.”

So, this love can’t come from an unbeliever, nor can it come from carnal believer.

There Goes Pride!

1 Cor 4:7, “What hadst thou that thou didst not receive.”

This is a Truth, the recognition of which will keep the children and the servants of God from being puffed up for the one against the other. The reference of the apostle was to the foolish pride which some were manifesting in himself, others in Apollos, and so on. He did not deny the importance of that in his ministry or that in the ministry of Apollos in which they were boasting.

He reminded them that in every case they had received as a gift that which had helped them. And this was as true to the case of one as of the other, in that of Apollos or of himself. Pride, therefore, was entirely out of place, instead there should have been gratitude and recognition of the value of the gifts bestowed upon others, which probably they had not shared.

The application of that principle was to the teachers as well as to the taught. Paul had nothing of his own. Neither had Apollos. What they had ministered, they had received. Therefore they were, as he had already said, “Ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

In their ministry, as administrators of the estate of the mysteries, there could be no place for pride. “God resists the proud and exalts the humble.”

Self Respect

“If an American is to amount to anything, he must rely upon himself and not upon the state. He must take pride in his own work, instead of sitting idle to envy the luck of others. He must face life with resolute courage, win victory if he can, and accept defeat if he must, without seeking to place on his fellow man a responsibility which is not
theirs.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1911

Something You Might Not Know About Your Saviour to Start the Week

In Leviticus chapter 2, we have the expression “unto the Lord” eight times, verses 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, and 16.

1. In all that Christ was and did, He ever was “unto the Lord.”

2. He walked in His Father’s ways. John 16:28, “I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”

3. He willed His Father’s will. John 5:30, “I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me.”

4. He spake His Father’s Word. John 14:24, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

5. He did His Father’s work. John 17:4, “I have glorified Thee on the Earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.”

6. He rejoiced in His Father’s love. John 10:17, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again.” John 15:9, “As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.”

7. He sought His Father’s aid. John 11:41, “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard Me.”

8. He aimed at His Father’s glory. John 8:49, “Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour My Father, and ye do dishonour Me.”

Saturday, July 8, 2000

“My Two Sons”

2 Sam 13:37, 39, “And David mourned for his son every day.” “He was comforted concerning Amnon seeing he was dead.”

What tragedy there is in these two sentences. They are concerned with two sons of David. Amnon was his first born, and he had fallen into sin after the pattern of his fathers. Absalom had secured the murder of his brother and as a result was a fugitive. Thus. in his family life David was reaping something of the harvest of those lower things of his own nature which had led him into sin. When the sin of Amnon had been made known to him, we are told he was wroth, but we are not told that he took any disciplinary action. How could he?

Surely he had rendered his own arm nerveless by the sin of the past. A very solemn consideration arises out of all of this. And it is that sin may be forgiven most surely so as to restore to the sinner the possibility of the sense of reconciliation with God, but the results, on the level of human relationships and experience in this life, run out. To the end of our earthly life we shall find how true it is that.

”God is not mocked for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap.”

Is that not also a proof of the beneficent character of the government of God? If in a world like this, forgiveness means that a man is released from all the result of sins committed in the past, even that blessing would become the occasion of yet more disastrous consequences.

Patriotism and Its Elements

2 Sam 10:12, “Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people and for the cities of God and the Lord do that which seemeth Him good.”

This is the language of the highest patriotism. The difficulties had arisen as the result of another action of David which had been prompted by goodwill, for he had sent to comfort Hanun the new king of Ammon upon the death of his father. The action had been replied to insultingly with the result that Israel was forced into war with these children of Ammon and the Syrians. As the battle was prepared for, Joab uttered these words to his brother Abishai.

Notice the elements of patriotism.

The first matter was personal to those called upon to fight. They were to be of good courage and to play the men. And all the arrangements for the conflict and its issue showed that these men fulfilled this responsibility.

But a deeper note is struck in what follows. They were to do all this for their people and for the cities of their God.

There was to be nothing of the passion for personal aggrandizement in what they did. They were to act for the high purposes represented in the people of God and the cities of God. Personal courage was to be inspired by relative consideration.

Then came the deepest note of all. When in view of the interests of the nation they had done all that was possible, then “the Lord doeth what seemeth good to Him.”

Men who thus prepare themselves for high enterprise, and then commit themselves wholly to the will of God are invincible.

When the Lord Tells You to Curse

2 Sam 16:11, “Let him alone, and let him curse. For the Lord had bidden him.”

Sorrows multiplied upon the head of David during those dark days. Ziba added to David’s grief by traducing Mephibosheth and suggesting that his kindness was ill-requited. It was all the more wicked in that it was untrue.

Shemei struck at the king when he was in the dust. When Abishai would have taken speedy vengeance on him, David forbade him, and in these words showed how he was even then placing higher interpretations upon life, than would have been possible to any man who was not, in the deepest of his life, in spite of all failure, a man after God’s own heart.

The action of Shemai was sinful. But David recognized the very hand of God in what he did so far as his own soul was concerned. He received the cursing of this man as a part of the discipline through which his God was bringing him. He expected that good would come out of it as the next words reveal.

”It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done unto me and that the Lord will requite the good for his cursing of me this day.”

This is a radiant illustration of the deep and inward peace given to any man who is living in fellowship with God in motive and desire. Such a man will receive all the sorrows which come to him as within the will of God for him and therefore as intended ultimately to bring him good and not evil.

Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.

A Second Time

1 Kings 9:2, “The Lord appeared to Solomon the second time as he had appeared to him at Gibeon.”

This second special appearance of the Lord to Solomon was very significant. Second appearances of the Lord are always significant. He appeared to Jonah the second time and that was significant.

It came at a critical time in Solomon’s life. Solomon had finished all the work prompted by his desires, both godly and self-centered. He had completed the house of God and his own house.

It is the hour when the accomplishment of work means the relaxation of effort. That is always a perilous hour and the greater the work done, the graver the peril. A life which has been full of activity, when that activity ceases, demands some new interest and will find it, either high or low, noble or ignoble. It was at such a moment that the Lord specially manifested Himself to His servant.

He declared that his prayer had been heard and answered but in order to continue in well-being, there were conditions which must be fulfilled. Thus the king was called to a new sense of responsibility as to his own life, and as to the administration of his kingdom.

The sequel is a very sad one. The conditions were not kept – either by the king or the people. And the ultimate issue was that of the destruction of the temple, and the driving out of the nation. When the temple goes, the nation goes.

That sad sequel, however, but does serve to reveal more completely to us the importance of heeding all those tender and strong methods by which our Lord is ever seeking to deliver us from failure. When one task is accomplished, He never leaves us a prey to the perils which follow.

For us Christ is always at hand and available, no longer needing to come in special ways, and it is for us to listen for His next Word, that we may continue in His will.

There is no retirement in the Lord.

When the Loving, Gracious Lord Got Angry With Solomon

God is love, but He is also righteousness and justice. Christ was angry.

1 Kings 11:19, “And the Lord was angry with Solomon.”

What a tragic sentence this is! In its setting it is a revelation of the anger of the Lord, which we do well to ponder. The reason for it is found in the story of Solomon contained in this chapter. Here we have the account of the degenerate act and the doom. The nature of the man had ever a strong animal side. His commercial enterprise led him into alliances with surrounding nations and following the oriental custom, he allowed his heart to go out after strange women.

The wrong thus begun, invaded higher realms and he built temples for these women. Inevitably there followed the demoralization of the king and the people until at last, ”The Lord was angry with Solomon.”

It is indeed a tragedy that the man who built the temple and in priestly dignity had presided over its dedication, crying to God for his abiding presence, should, seduced by the lower side of his old sin nature, turn from his loyalty and break the covenant.

This anger of the Lord is not passive anger.

”The Lord raised up an adversary unto Solomon,” Hadad the Edomite, verse 14
”God raised up another adversary unto him,” Razon, the son of Eliada, verse 23
”And Jeroboam, he also lifted up his hand against the king,” verse 26

All this was but Divine judgment and yet it was the natural working out of the evil heart which had possessed this king and the people.

This reads like today’s headlines. If God was angry with Solomon and the people, well what about the U.S.A.?

When a King Refuses to go Into Battle as Commander in Chief

1 Chr 20:1, “David tarried at Jerusalem.”

This is the only reference made in this book to the greatest sin and failure in the history of David. The insertion of the full story as given in 2 Samuel would not have served the purpose of the writer of this book. But we cannot forget the warning.

The story in Samuel is introduced by exactly the same statement concerning the tarrying of David at Jerusalem at the times when kings go into battle. This was the first step in that swift passage of sin. There is nothing more full of subtle danger in the life of any believer that he should remain inactive when the enterprise of God demands that he be out in the field of battle.

How many have found the peace of ease to be that of deadly peril when the demands of the Divine service were calling for strenuous endeavor!

There is a very old adage and very simple at which we are inclined to smile, but it is well to remember it. Not only in childhood, but to the end of the pathway.
Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.

If I ought to be at Rabbah with the army and I am tarrying at home in ease, then almost certainly some Bathsheba will present herself by whom I may be utterly undone.

She also sinned and shared the wrong of David, but neither would have been involved had David been in the true place on the field of battle. Out of the geographical will of God.

Thought for the Day!

“A churchless community, a community where men have abandoned and scoffed at or ignored their religious needs, is a community on the rapid down grade.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1911 to the Boy Scouts of America

The Devises of Men and the Direction of the Lord

Prov 16:9, “A man’s heart deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his path.”

This is a very profound word. The more carefully it is considered, the more challenging it becomes. It recognizes the freedom of the human will and then sharply defines the limitation of that freedom.

”A man’s heart deviseth his way.”

This is a recognition of the truth of which we are constantly reminded in the Word of God and that is namely, that the heart (the mind), which is the most potent factor in personality.
”As a man thinketh in his mind so is he. For out of the mind come the issues of life.”

It is also a clear declaration that conduct is directed by the mind. That is the measure of human freedom. Divine Institution number one is free will.

A man can and does devise his own way under the direction of his mind. If his desire be evil, the way devised is evil. If desire is good, the way devised is good. But that is not all the truth about life.

This also is true. “The Lord directeth his steps.”

Every action of a man, whether in answer to the inward desire of good or bad, is an action in a realm of law from which there is no escape. The steps of evil and the steps of good are directed by the Lord.

That is to say, no man can step outside the government of God and no man can devise a way that enables him to escape from God.

The warmth of the fire which blesses is God’s action. The heat of the fire that blasts is God’s action. I can devise my way with regard to the fire, but the steps I take are directed, governed, by God.

I can, if I will, answer the lusts of the flesh, devising my way accordingly, but God will direct my steps and the destruction which comes in the result. I can, if I will, yield myself to the lure of the Spirit, devising my way accordingly, but still God directs my steps. The realization of life which follows is the effect of that directing.

”Choose this day whom ye will follow.”

“Many Believed on Him”

John 8:30, “As He spake these things, many believed on Him.”

When this statement is read in its true connection and context with the record of the things our Lord had been saying, it is found to be a radiant revelation of the impressiveness of His personality. He had been speaking in an atmosphere of criticism and enmity. Moreover, He had sternly and openly rebuked and denounced the Pharisees.

Then He made to those very men and to that hostile atmosphere, superlative claims for Himself declaring that He worked and taught in fellowship with God, and that He always did the things that pleased God.

It was then, “As He spake these things, many believed on Him.”

Now, I don’t know if you feel this force or not, but the force of all this may be gathered if we try to imagine any other teacher making such claims. If we heard any man do so, we would at once doubt his sincerity, his truthfulness.

Yet when these people hear Jesus Christ make them – “Many believed on Him.”

There can be no explanation other than that of the harmony between the claims He made and the impression of His personality. He was what He claimed to be. And men knew it.

There was no escape from the impressiveness of His reality. Truth not only fell from His lips, it emanated from Himself.

And this quality is still pervasive, even when we find Him in the written Word.

“Jesus Standing on the Right Hand of God,” Acts 7:55

I was told growing up to stand up when a lady comes into the room. Later on in life, I learned that you not only stand up when ladies come into the room, but you also stand up for men whom you respect come into the room.

”Jesus Christ stood up when Stephen came into the room.”

The attitude of the Lord Jesus Christ here arrests your attention. The New Testament references to Him as having entered the heavenlies describe Him as having sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High. Here He was seen by Stephen standing.

The two figures of speech, “sat down” and “standing,” remind us of two aspects of His work on behalf of men. When He had made the offering that provided perfect and plenteous redemption, He sat down. All the work of salvation was completed. This is the attitude that speaks of the completion of His redemptive work. But, that work is being continued in its administration through all His witnesses who have fellowship with Him in the fullness of the Spirit.

Then Stephen having completed the testimony of life and speech and being about to consummate and crown that witness in agony and death, saw the Lord standing. It was to him the assurance of his Lord’s co-operation and fellowship.

The result is seen in that Stephen passed as his Lord had passed, commending his spirit to the Lord – and praying for his murders.

For the assurance of my soul as to its salvation, I see Him seated at the Father’s right hand. For the assurance of my soul in its service and suffering, I see Him standing.

Friday, July 7, 2000

Eph 5:18, “Be Filled With the Spirit”

This is a central word for believers. To the unbeliever, the Christian experience has no meaning. For them the first necessity is for them to be born of the Spirit, that they should receive Him. To those who have been so born of the Holy Spirit, the one and inclusive responsibility is that they should obey this command.

The filling of the Spirit is not an event which takes place once. It is rather a continuous experience which has to be maintained. The indwelling Spirit is a spring of water. As He is yielded to, He fills all the life and persistently to such an extent that the rivers overflow and running forth bring life to those beyond.

The filling is hindered when any part of the life is shut up against the Spirit, our constant responsibility that of yielding ourselves to His inspection, to His direction, to His effective operation. And as we do so, He fills and that means He cleanses and energizes and transforms the life and so passes out through the life in the influences which heal. The filling of the Spirit means the end of the self-centered life and the realization of a life that glorifies the Lord.

The filling of the Spirit is accomplished by the simple use of 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This takes us from being carnal Christians to spiritual Christians and from grieving and quenching the Spirit, to the filling of the Spirit.

Eph 4:30, “Quench Not the Holy Spirit of God”

Two ideas are brought before the mind in this injunction, and their interrelationship is very significant. The first is that of the character of the Holy Spirit, in that, Paul here with evident intention employed the full and solemn description, the Holy Spirit of God.” Every word of which is full of meaning, while laying the supreme emphasis upon the holiness of the Spirit.

The other is that of the deep love-nature of the Spirit, in that Paul speaks of Him as being capable of sorrow, for the simple meaning of the injunction is, cause not sorrow to the Holy Spirit of God.

The interrelationship of the ideals reveals to us the effect which sin produces on the Spirit of God. It causes sorrow. Perhaps no apostolic injunction, if its force be rightly apprehended, constitutes a more prevailing incentive to a walk which is in holiness and Truth.

So, there is a new fear lest anything we think or do or say should cause sorrow to the Holy Spirit of God. This new fear keeps the soul in living touch with the loving Lord, and so ensures its growth and strength and purity and beauty.

This is literally, “Stop grieving the Holy Spirit of God.” How? 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Don’t Register Your Sword!

Eph 6:17, “Take the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

The life of the believer in this world to its end, will be one of conflict. And the conflict will be more keen because it is waged against the dark forces of the underworld, “the spiritual hosts of wickedness.”

Toward the close of this letter, Paul dealt with this matter, recognizing the inevitability of the conflict, understanding its fierceness, and giving a description of the armor by the use of which is not only to stand, but also to withstand and having done all, to stand.

In this description, all the weapons are defensive except one. The only offensive weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The weapon itself is the Word of God.

Here the familiar phrase stands in its lovely splendor and for us connotes all that it truly stands for. It is first the will of God as it is made known to us. It is therefore centrally and supremely the Son of God in whom that will has been completely and finally spoken to men.

It is therefore the body of the writings through which and through which alone we know anything about Him. Notice carefully that the apostle here claims that this is the Sword of the Spirit. It is the one weapon by which He attacks and puts to flight the hosts of
wickedness which fight against God and against men.

Let us put perfect confidence in it, and moreover let us learn to use it with skill. It is the weapon by which we may attack and defeat all the evil forces which are massed against us in our spiritual conflict.

Don’t put your swords back in your scabbards yet. We are not in the Millennium.

Luminaries!

Phil 2:15-16, “Lights in the world, holding forth the Word of life.”

This is a very beautiful figure of the mission in this world for the believer in Christ. The word for “lights” is “luminaries.” “Luminaries” refer to the heavenly bodies, and mainly to the sun and the moon. The idea is not that of a lamp stand, but of the light itself.

This Greek word only occurs twice in the New Testament — here and in Rev 12:11, where speaking of the Holy City, John declared, ”Her light was like unto a stone most precious.” It was the light she received which is directly after described in the words,

”The lamp thereof is the Lamb, and the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof,” verses 23-24. What then the Lamb is to be in final glory to the City of God, the children of God are to the world today.

This function of shedding true light upon the darkness of the world will be fulfilled as “the Word of life” is held forth. To live by the Word is to shine in such wise that those who are in darkness may have guidance and help.

Dan 12:3, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as stars for ever and ever.”

Can You Count?

Phil 3:7-8, “I counted ... and I count.”

These words occur in the page of autobiography in which Paul employed his own experience as an argument in appealing to his spiritual children in Philippi. They refer to a mental and spiritual activity. The two experiences were separated by at least 30 years.

The first took place when Christ broke through upon him in all the radiant glory and revolutionizing power of His risen life. The second took place as he wrote in prison, amid all the difficulties and trials created by his apostolic ministry.

Between the time when he counted his gain loss and abandoned everything, and this hour, what experiences he had passed through! Nothing had occurred in any way which altered his first reckoning and decision.

And so to the “I counted” of the first revelation, he added “I count” of the present experience. And this should ever be so. We are never more in peril when we are trusting to a past experience. Yet how often it is done. We remember the day when the light broke in on us and it was a great day. It changed all our outlook. We yielded to the call and glory of the life in Christ. It was all excellent.

But what about the present? Is the old attitude maintained?

”I counted ...” “I count ...” Can you count as you counted??

Thought for the Day!

“When I left the presidency, I finished seven and a half years of administration during which not one shot had been fired against a foreign foe. We were at absolute peace, and there was no nation in the world whom we had wronged, or from whom we had anything to fear.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1913

“My Friend, My Beloved”

S.O.S. 5:16, “This is my beloved and this is my friend.”

This is the language of the bride. And it is the climax of her reply to the question of the daughters of Jerusalem. They had said, “What is thy beloved more than another beloved?” What is there in thy beloved more than what any other woman sees in her beloved? It is a perfectly natural question. And yet there is more, for that woman. The bride replies by describing him in all the wealth of oriental imagery. Yet any other woman might have used in describing her beloved. 

But at last, the truth is out as she says, “This is my beloved and this is my friend.” That is the truth and no description of the beloved is satisfactory except to the one employing it who all the while sees more than words are conveying to others. The application of this in the highest realms transcends the human level. No believer can describe the Lord because every description breaks down. That is why for instance no artist has ever satisfied any other than himself in portraying the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is questionable whether he has done that.

The supernatural wonder of our Lord is that He is the Altogether Lovely One to His bride, and so to all the multitude of souls which constitute the bride. Every one of us can say, ”This is my Beloved and this is my Friend.” And each can portray to others what that means. The wonder would be of the many colored Grace and glory of the Lord.

He said, “I no longer call you My servants, but My friend.” And it is reciprocal. He is our “Friend who sticketh closer than a brother.”

Stir Not Up Love!

S.O.S. 8:4, “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, no awaken love until it please.”

Here we have the voice of wisdom uttering a warning that is needed and is made powerful by the matchless love story. What is this warning? That love is so sacred a thing that it must not be trifled with. It is not to be sought. “It stirs and awakens of itself.”

To trifle with the capacity for it is to destroy that very capacity. This is the evil of all philandering. Would that these words could be sung into the deepest of all young boys and girls.

The tragedies of disobedience to the warnings are everywhere. Is there any application of these words possible in that higher realm which we have had in mind throughout all our studies? The warning to us is the peril of endeavoring to force an experience of love to Christ on others.

Our privilege is to introduce our loved ones, our children, and friends, everybody to Christ, but they must fall in love with Him for themselves. This revelation comes not of flesh and blood, but of the Father. We lead them to Him and He will awaken their love.

We believe because we have heard Him for ourselves.

What Solomon’s Mother Taught Him About What a Wife and Mother Should Be!

Prov 31:28, “Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praiseth her.”

There are two basic parts to this Proverb. Verses 1-9, the words of King Lemuel. Here he records the words of counsel from his mother to him. Verses 10- 31, he gives us a picture of that wife and mother. This picture is of a virtuous woman which is full of eastern coloring, but it is also full of beauty and in its deepest notes of universal application.

It is important that we recognize the true connotations of the word rendered here “worthy,” the thought is really that of strength. The woman who is celebrated is the one who realizes in all fullness and richness the capacities and glories of her womanhood, as wife and mother in the home. 

And description of her reaches its climax in these words. This is the caplet of rarest beauty upon the head of womanhood, that her children rise up and call her blessed. And her husband thinks and speaks of her as excelling all others.

The secret of this blessedness is revealed later in the words, “A woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

Wisdom blossoms into beauty in that woman, who by love and diligence, by knowledge and devotion, so trains her children that when they pass out from her roof into life, and through all the coming days, bless her and her memory with glad and grateful hearts. There are those of us who will do that through all our days and for ever.

Solomon never listened to his mother or to his father.

A Swine’s Snout!

Prov 11:22, “As a jewel of gold in swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.”

There are two couplets here. The first is that of a ring of gold and a fair woman. The second is a swine’s snout, as without discretion.

The Hebrew word for “discretion” means “without taste.” It stands there for the mystic intuitive quality in woman which is the result of her purity and love which makes her understanding, discreet, and capable of influencing others to finest issues in a way which is rarely ever possible to a man.

Now consider the Proverb: A ring of gold is beautiful and valuable, but in the snout of a swine it is out of place, and therefore degraded and vulgarized.

Beauty which is physical, is a gift of God. But if a woman possessing it lacks these spiritual qualities which are of her highest of all glories, that beauty is a peril to herself and all others.

If you were a Jew, what would you think of a gold ring in a pig nose?

When the Commander in Chief of the Army Refused to go Into Battle

2 Sam 11:27, “So the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.”

The Holy Spirit inserted this statement at the close of the account of the sad fall of King David. The fact that he did so is arresting. It would be soon to be self-evident as to leave no room for stating it.

This statement is a prelude to the next chapter with its account of the Divine forgiveness, rather than a close to the story of a wrong-doing. It was necessary thus emphatically to place on record the Divine displeasure. In the light of that statement, we consider the tragic story. And in doing so, we notice the downward steps following in rapid succession.

First, David tarried at Jerusalem. It was a time of war and the true place for the king was with his army. (Remember, Saul killed his thousands and David killed his thousands of thousands.)

Instead of going with his army, he remained behind, and so in the place of temptation.  David was out of the geographical will of the Lord. Any place other than that to which duty calls is one of danger.

And from this, the events moved rapidly but surely downward, and in briefest quotations we may indicate that movement. ”He saw and he sent and inquired.” “He took.”

The king had fallen from the level of purity to that of moral defilement. And because one sin leads to another, he fell lower yet and was guilty of base injustice to Urriah.

Even more fittingly in his own case than that of Saul and Jonathan might his words concerning their death have now been employed. How are the mighty fallen.

Sounds like current history in our country.

God and the Handicapped!

2 Sam 9:1, ‘Is there yet any that is left of house of Saul, that I may shew kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” There is an exquisite tenderness about this story. David’s love for Jonathan was still fresh.

We can easily imagine how in the days of his growing prosperity, the king would often think of the old strenuous times and of his friend’s loyalty to him under circumstances so full of stress and peril. For David, the house of Saul, which had caused him so much suffering, was redeemed by his love for Jonathan and therefore he instituted inquiry as
to whether were left any of that house to whom he might show kindness for the sake of his friend.

This inquiry resulted in the finding of Mephibosheth, whose lameness was tragic and pathetic in that he had been caused a fall on that awful day of Jezreel when his father and grandfather had fallen together.

To him the king restored the land of Saul and he set him as an honored guest at the king’s own table. David’s own account of this is that he “desired to show the kindness of God to him.”

This declaration recalls the words of the covenant made between him and Jonathan long before in which his friend had charged him to show him, “the lovingkindness of the Lord.” And also that he should show this same kindness to his house for ever.

In this action, David is seen as the man after the Lord’s own heart. If you are cripple, handicapped, you can sit at the King’s table and no one will know that you are crippled because they can’t see your feet. They are under the king’s table.

“Beer-Lahai-Roi,” Genesis 16:14

This was the name given to the well by the side of which Hagar, the bondwoman in Abraham’s household and the mother of Ishmael, had been visited and comforted by the Angel of the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is significant as revealing her experience. It has been variously translated like “well of a living, my Seer.” “The well of water after seeing.” “The well of Him that liveth and seeth me.”

There is a combination of three words here:
Beer – a well. Lahai – life. Roi – a seer or a vision.

To understand the suggestiveness, we need the context. The previous verse shows that she had seen God as the one who saw her. He therefore, was the Living One who cared for her life and comforted her. These then surely were the ideas given to the name. God was the one discovered as the Living One who sees. And that vision brought life to Hagar.

This whole incident is most illuminating, showing us that God is not unmindful of those who are outside the covenants made with the people called out to carry out His purposes.

He is always the God who sees. He is ever the Living God who acts according to what He sees. And in many ways which are beyond those of His special covenant with His chosen, He is giving life to those who see Him. However dimly.

Thursday, July 6, 2000

David Had a Lack of Domestic Tranquility, Because His Wife Despised Him … For Dancing

(He must have married a daughter of a Baptist minister.)

1 Chr 15:29, “She despised him in her heart.” The circumstances were those that brought the greatest joy to David. And Michal had no understanding of the reason for David’s joy.

Despised her husband for dancing, which gave expression to his joy.

The Ark was brought at last into the city and the account of how it was done showed that David learned the lesson that the death of Uzzah was intended to teach. After careful preparation of the tent for its reception, the ceremony of bearing it to its resting place was carried out. Companies of instrumentalists and singers were appointed and with high jubilation the Ark was borne by the priests into the prepared tent.

David, full of holy gladness, accompanied the glad procession playing and dancing. Michal looked at him and despised him.

The incident shows the perpetual inability for the worldly minded to understand the joy and gladness of spirituality. The external manifestations of the heart of joy of such as hold communion with God.

There will be no dancing unless it is absolutely necessary!

Solomon’s Wife Couldn’t Go to Church!

2 Chr 8:11, “My wife shall not dwell in the house of David, king of Israel. Because the places are holy, whereunto the Ark of the Lord hath come.”

These are the words of compromise. Solomon’s marriage with the daughter of the king of Egypt was a purely political act, arising out of the fact that he had made affinity with her father. 1 Kings 3:1

God had delivered His people from Egypt and there was never the slightest need, either military or economic, for such affinity. It was a political seduction which persistently threatened the nation, and which more than once cost them dearly. Having made the blunder and become affianced to this woman, Solomon sought to safeguard against the possible religious danger by building her house away from the city of David.

This compromise was a failure as compromise inevitably is and presently Solomon built houses for idol worship in Jerusalem for all of his foreign wives. Chapter 11 verses one through eight.

”Woe to them that go down to Egypt…”  for anything.

Instead of his wives worshipping the Lord, he worshipped Baal. “The children of darkness are wiser than the children of light.”

2 Chr 15:2, “The Lord is with you, while ye be with Him. And, if ye seek Him, He will be found of you. But if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”

This chapter gives us, with great detail, the occasion and the value of reforms wrought in Judah during the reign of Asa. But it is chiefly remarkable for the Word of prophetic interpretation. Azzariah, who uttered it, only appears here. He is mentioned nowhere else.

Yet it is an introductory word so brief that it that it only occupies half a verse in our Bibles. He revealed an all-inclusive philosophy of life under the control of the Lord.

Suddenly anointed by the Holy Spirit, this man appeared to the king and in this message gave direction to all his life and reign. If the message was brief, it was indeed weighty. The rest of the address consisted of illustrations of the application of that principle it declared to the then existing conditions and a direct appeal to the king.

The principle declared is of perpetual application. It only appears once, and only a half of a verse. But the Word of God is alive and powerful.

The King Sent Bible Teachers Teaching Throughout the Land

2 Chr 17:9, “They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.”

A newly-elected president sends out Bible teachers in all the cities of our country. With the ascension of Jehoshaphat to the throne of Judah, a period of very definite reformation commenced within the kingdom. In this chapter we have first the account of the king’s own relationship to the Lord, and the resulting blessing that came to him.

Then follows this most interesting account of how he made known the Word of God anew throughout the land. The specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting, ”The Book of the Law of the Lord.”

Those who went forth to work were priests, Levites, and representatives of the princes.

Thus, Jehoshaphat put into practice himself and by this special method provoked his people to put into practice the principles which Azariah had declared to his father.

Next presidential platform — the Bible to be taught in all the cities.

Ezra 7:6, “A Ready Scribe”

This phrase, descriptive of Ezra, is full of interest, as it is connected with the emergence of a new order in the life of the nation. And that namely, of the scribe, which continued through four centuries, and was found in strength numerically, but in spiritual degeneracy, in the times of our Lord’s earthly ministry.

During the time of the monarchy united kingdom, a scribe was a royal secretary. During the later period of the disrupted kingdom, the scribe had become a man whose business it was to copy and study the Law of God.

With Ezra a new order began. The scribe now became a man whose chief business was to interpret the Word and apply it in all the changing conditions of life and the new circumstance constantly arising. As messengers of the will of God, they took the place of the prophets with this difference.

Instead of receiving new revelation, they explained and applied the old. Of this new order, Ezra was at once the founder and the type.

The word “ready” does not apply to his pen, but to his mind. He was expert in exposition and application of the Word of God.

Ezra was an expository exegetic type of teacher.

A Forgotten Statesman

Neh 7:2, “For he was a faithful man and feared God above many.”

This is a description of a man whom Nehemiah placed in authority over the city of Jerusalem, after the wall was completed. The whole arrangements for the safety of the city were characterized by statesmanlike caution. Through all the country round about, there were enemies and the position of the partially restored city was therefore one of peril. Nehemiah was conscious of this and made the most careful provision as to the hour of the opening and closing of the city gates, and as to the arrangement for the watchers.

No greater mistake can ever be made in connection with the work of the Lord in difficult places that of the lack of caution. Carelessness is never the sign of courage.

True bravery prepares for the possibility of attack. The man who had built with sword in hand to completion, did not image with the swinging of the gates on their hinges, the time for anything like relaxation in watchfulness had come.

His choice of the governor was characteristic, for two reasons. Faithfulness to duty is the outcome of the fear of God and the fear of God always produces faithfulness.

Thought for the Day: Death

”No brave and good man can properly shirk death, and no criminal who has earned death should be allowed to shirk it.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1913

Did You Ever Notice When You Ask Someone to Pray With You, They Won’t?

Luke 9:18, “As He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him.”

This paradox is a revelation. He was not actually alone, for the disciples were with Him. But He was praying apart. A careful study of the Gospel narratives lead to this justifiable conclusion, that our Lord never prayed with His disciples. Often He left them when He would pray. When in their company He prayed. It was not in association with them, but in separation.

He commanded them to pray. He taught them to pray. He promised them the widest franchise in prayer. But His prayer was on a different plane.

His approach to God was different from sinning humanity. He had claims which men have, not those of identity of being and equality of sovereignty.

Thus, He ever prayed alone. His intercession is different from all others.

This is why the intercession of His mother and all the saints as of being of use or value by comparison with Him is utterly false.

We may ever be with Him as He prays, but He prays alone. Don’t ask Mary to pray to Christ for you. We pray to our Father.

Jesus Christ Was Glad When Lazarus Died!

John 11:15, “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there.”

This is a revealing Word and full of strength. The supposition is that if Jesus Christ had been at Bethany, Lazarus would not have died, for Christ would have healed Him. But because He was not there, he died. The Lord said for the sake of the disciples He was not there. And the sequel explains His gladness.

Death was no stronger in His presence than disease. But these men did not realize it.

They would think of death as the unconquerable. It was so to them. With disease men may grapple and fight and often overcome. But in the presence of death, they are helpless. It is beyond their control. Not so with Christ.

So He was glad that they yet had another opportunity to see His power.

We say another, for twice already they had seen Him raise the dead. Once in the house of Jairus, and once at the city of Nain.

How slow we are to believe! And that makes the gladness more beautiful as it reveals His patience.

What Can We Do Without Christ????

Luke 18:27, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

These words of our Lord are capable of two interpretations. They may mean that God can do what man cannot do. Or, that men are able to do with God, what they cannot do by cooperation with other men.

The second is the true interpretation. The first is true. And so evidently true that the saying of it under circumstances would have solved no difficulty. The second actually answered the difficulty in the minds of those who were perplexed.

If a wealthy man, whose power with his fellow man is ever great, cannot procure the right of entry into the kingdom of God, then what chance is there for any man? That was the problem. And the Lord’s answer immediately revealed the profound mistake that created the problem.

A man does not enter into the kingdom of God by acting with men. He must act with God. And directly he does so, and the impossible becomes possible.

”To whom shall we go, Lord? Thou hast the Word of eternal life.”

“Full of Grace and Truth,” John 1:14

In that phrase, John recorded the full and final impression made upon him and his fellow disciples, by their time of comradeship with Jesus Christ. They were written in all probability long years after that time of comradeship so far as His bodily presence was concerned was over. They lived with Him, traveled with Him, and listened to His teaching, watched His works, and above all, observed Him in all the circumstances of the varied days. And when the whole result needed to be written, John did it by saying, ”Full of Grace and Truth.”

The description moreover is given in a yet briefer way by the use of one word in the preceding parenthetical statement, “They beheld His glory.”

In the whole of that statement, the sublimest Truth is declared. It was, ”The glory as of the only Begotten of the Father.”

Here then we find the content of the glory of God. It is the unity of Grace and Truth. And here then we have the exposition of Grace and Truth. It is found in Jesus Christ.

These two ideas should hold our minds and direct our lives. God is Grace and Truth. Not the one without the other. Not the other apart from the one. In His government there can be no lowering of the simple and severe standard of Truth and there is no departure from the purpose and passion of Grace. To say that is to realize that the Cross was necessitated by the nature of God. Then when we would know Truth, we must know Jesus Christ, and when we would apprehend Grace, we must come to Christ.

I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me.”

”The law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ.”

A Tremendous Parenthetical Phrase

John 14:2, “If it were not so, I would have told you.”

These words are parenthetical in what the Lord was saying. But they are most suggestive, which means that there are some things in which He would not allow His own to remain in ignorance. “If it were not so, I would have told you.”

What He was saying at that time gives us a perfect illustration. He was going away and they were filled with sorrow. To help them, He told them that in His Father’s house there were many abiding places. That absence from this world, which is one of the abiding places in the Father’s house, means that the absent One is at home in some other abiding place, in the one great house of God.

They are not to think of Him as having ceased to be when they could not see Him. He had only gone to another abiding place to prepare for their coming and moreover He would come back to receive them when they should come. And it was about this that He said, “If it were not so, I would have told you.” If this world was the only place and this life were all, He would have said so.

”I go to prepare a place for you that where I am, there you may be also.”

“As it is Written”

Rom 3:4, “As it is written.”

This is not the first time we found this phrase in this letter. See 1:17 and 2:24. Neither is it the last occurrence. See 3:10-18, 4:17, 8:36, 9:15, 33, 10:15, 11:8, 26, 12:19, 14:11, 15:9, 21.

In all these cases, the formula of reference to the Old Testament is employed. Beyond these there are many other quotations or allusions thereto.

There are at least 73 verses in which such direct reference is found. And it is a most interesting study as to show the place the Old Testament occupied in the thinking of Paul and as it also reveals His method with them and so the real value of them.

In the first, he did not refer to any Old Testament Scripture in order to deny or correct the teaching. Every reference or allusion is to the Sacred Writings as authoritative.

These quotations are from such sections of the Hebrew Bible: Moses, Genesis, Exodus. Leviticus. Deuteronomy, the prophets, 1 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Joel, Habakkuk, Malachi, Psalms, Proverbs.

A careful study of these facts will help us to a right attitude toward the Old Testament.

“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God … ” Deuteronomy

Wednesday, July 5, 2000

1 Kings 3:12, “Behold I have done according to thy Word.” The Speaker here is God.

This was the answer of God to the request of Solomon. God commanded him to ask for a gift. And God gave more than he asked.

This answering of God to this new king was all of Grace. And we find here the strength and weakness of Solomon. He was strong in that he loved the Lord and walked in the statutes of his father David. The weakness of his nature was manifested in the affinity he had with Pharaoh and marriage with his daughter. Politically he seemed like an astute move, but it was utterably foolish.

The perils of mixed motives and a divided heart are very grave.

This appearing of God gave him a great opportunity and his choice again was due to the triumph of the highest side of his character. He asked for an understanding mind and God’s answer was full of gracious kindness. He gave him what he asked and superadded the things he might have chosen, yet showed his wisdom in passing them by.

Long life and victory are good things when they come as the direct gifts of God. Should a man from selfish motives choose them rather than the ability to fulfill the Divine purpose, they would prove curses and not blessings.

Solomon was a double-minded man in all his ways. “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Building Your House or God’s House?

1 Kings 6:38, “Sso he was seven years in building it.”
1 Kings 7:1, “And Solomon was building his own house thirteen years.”

It is impossible to escape the contrast between the words of these two verses. Moreover the contrast was evidently intended by the Holy Spirit for in His writing there are no chapter divisions. The two statements run right on like, “So was he seven years in building it. And Solomon was building his own house thirteen years.”

This doesn’t mean that the work of the temple was hurried. But it does show the place which his own personal comfort and luxurious tastes had come to occupy in the life of Solomon. That he should build for himself a palace which took nearly twice as long to build as the house of his God.

It is often by such simple and unexpected tests that the deepest facts of a human life are revealed. However strong our zeal may be for the house of God, and however accurate we may discharge our obligations in regard to it. If the proportion of time and possessions devoted to the things of our own ease and comfort be greater than the proportion devoted to the service of the Lord, our master passion is surely proven thereby to be selfish rather than Godly. It is details over Doctrine.

1 Kings 8:10, “The Cloud Filled the House of the Lord.”

The shining of the glory of the Lord in the house that Solomon had built was a radiant manifestation of the Grace of God. The thoughtful consideration of the whole account of the erection of the temple will show that in permitting it, God was accommodating His methods to meet human frailty, as He had done in the appointment of the priesthood and in the choice of a king. When David had desired to build, it was pointed to him that such a building was not by Divine request or command.

Nevertheless, God had permitted the building and now filled the house with His glory. The one permanent and unchanged link between the tabernacle and the temple was the Ark of the Covenant. It was when that sacred symbol of the Divine presence and authority found a resting place in the temple, that the mystic glory filled the building.

Over all human failure, Grace triumphs. And the shining forth of the Divine glory in the new temple was an evidence of that Truth.

”The Word took on flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth.”

Thought for the Day

“No man can lead a public career really worth leading, no man can act with rugged independence in serious crises, nor strike at great abuses, nor afford to make powerful and unscrupulous foes, if he himself is vulnerable in his private character.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1913

Bow and Arrow

2 Chr 18:33, “A certain man drew his bow at a venture.”

This is a most suggestive and significant statement revealing great facts of life which are not too often recognized by man. Ahab had done everything he could think of to secure his own safety in the day of battle. In arrant cowardice, he had caused Jehoshaphat to
enter the battlefield in his kingly robes, thus rendering him conspicuous, while he had disguised himself. The ruse was completely successful as far as Syria was concerned. The captains of the king of Syria were deceived.

Ahab was safe if there were no other eyes than those of the men watching him. But he was not hidden from the eyes of the Lord. One nameless man “drew his bow at a venture,” literally “in his simplicity.”

It was not even a venture in the sense of an attempt or a gambling against odds in the hope of killing the king of Israel. It was done in “his simplicity,” that is artlessly without any special intention other than that carrying on in the ordinary sense of the word.

This man was probably shooting arrows all day and he just continued in his simplicity not knowing that this one would be guided through all the confusion right to the mark by the unerring knowledge and power of God.

The refuge of lies never hides from the eyes of the Lord.

Tuesday, July 4, 2000

The Shortest Song!

Psa 117:2. “His mercy is great toward us, and the Truth of the Lord endureth for ever.”

This is the shortest song in all the collection. But there is none grander or greater when it comes to an expression of praise. Its note is universal, in that it appeals to all nations and all peoples to praise the Lord. The reasons for the appeal and consequently the inspiration of the praise of the Lord are set forth in this central statement. That which filled the heart of the singer was the sense of the greatness of the lovingkindness of God. And the sense that in that exercise of lovingkindness by Him there is no violation of righteousness.

”The Truth of the Lord endureth for ever.”

Here we have the same matter employed in a previous Psalm 115, brought before us again, the two elements which are eternally associated in the redeeming activity of God those namely of “Grace and Truth.”

“And the Word took on flesh and tabernacled among us and we beheld His glory as the only Begotten of the Father ‘full of Grace and Truth’.”

”The Law came by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by the Lord Jesus Christ.”

In all of Biblical revelation we are never allowed to forget this wondrous fact. What a strength and comfort for men and nations are found therein. If God stood for Truth alone, there would be no hope for us. On the other hand, if the Grace of God could act apart from Truth, we would equally be without hope, for Truth is the only strength and health of life, individually or socially.

We can imagine with what perfect joy our Lord sang this song as He moved to the uttermost in His sorrows, for He did so in full and perfect apprehension of the union of lovingkindness and Truth in God and in fellowship with Him.

Sing and Dance??

Psa 87:7, “They that sing as well as they that dance shall say, All my fountains are in thee.”

In the whole Psalter there is no song more perfect than this in its celebration of the ultimate establishment of the kingdom of God on Earth. The city of God is seen as the metropolis of that kingdom. It is the city of the King and so the city of law, the city of the foundation, that is of righteousness. It is the city in whose citizenship at last shall be enrolled even to those who have been the enemies of the people and purpose of God that is a city of peace.

Therefore, it is the city which inspires all song and dancing which is the expression of happiness. That is the city of joy. Righteousness precedes peace and results in joy.

These are the things of the kingdom of God. “Look Mom, I’m dancing.” Well, David danced so you can, too. There will be no dancing unless it is absolutely necessary!!

Health!

Psa 67:2, “Thy saving health.”

This phrase constitutes a poetic interpretation of the thought of one word of which it is a translation. The Hebrew word is one, and signifies quite literally salvation. It is salvation in the sense of deliverance, aid, and so nationally of victory. The conception in its national significance is very beautifully expressed in the phrase “saving health.”

The Psalm is a very brief one, but it breathes the very spirit of a clear understanding of the real meaning of the Hebrew nation according to Divine purpose. Its opening prayer is that God will bless and cause His face to shine upon His own people, in order that “His salvation may be known among all nations.” Its closing affirmation is that God will bless His own people and that as a result, “All the ends of the Earth shall fear Him.” 

This is the true interpretation of privilege. The people of God exist for the sake of all nations. They constitute the illustration of His saving health. The nations are taught the advantage of His rule and that rule discovered and obeyed always produces national health. Health is wholesome, completeness, the full realization of possibility.

God only is able to rule men so as to insure this state of health. God’s national and international health program. Salvation.

How is your health these days??

Lord   God   Lord!

Psa 38:21, 22, “O Lord, O my God, O Lord.”

These words reveal the deepest value of this song. It is the cry of a soul in bodily agony and mental anguish which he recognizes as the result of his own transgression and therefore does not rebel against.

However, it is a cry of such a soul to God. And the movement shows his knowledge of God, and how in his dire need, he is casting himself upon that God in all the fulness of the knowledge which he possesses.

The first movement speaks of his personal sufferings, both bodily and mentally, and is addressed to JEHOVAH. Verse 1.

The second movement describes the attitude of friends and foes, and this is addressed to the sovereign Lord, ADONAI. Verse 9.

The last movement is that of the prayer for deliverance and it is addressed to both JEHOVAH and ADONAI as God, ELOHIM. Verse 15.

In this final appeal, the three Names are found again. Here is a wonderful unveiling of the refuge and hope of a confessing soul.

This is the third of the confessional psalms. The others are Psa 6, 32, 51, 102, 130.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9 .

America and Americans!

”Is America a weakling, to shrink from the great world powers? No! The young giant of the west stands on a continent and clasps the crest of an ocean in either hand. Our nation, glorious in youth and strength, looks into the future with eager eyes and ‘rejoices as a strong man to run a race.’

”The American people ‘are slow to wrath,’ but when their wrath is once kindled, it burns ‘like a consuming fire.’

”Stout of heart, we see, across the dangers, the great future that lies beyond and we rejoice as a giant refreshed, as a strong man girt for the race, and we go down into the arena where the nations strive for mastery, out hearts lifted with the faith that to us and our children and our children’s children, it shall be given to make this republic the
mightiest among the peoples of mankind.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, Sept. 11, 1902

An Atheist’s Psalm

Psa 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.”

In this declaration, which is cause and which is effect? Does atheism result from folly or folly from atheism? It would be perfectly correct to say that each is cause and each is effect.

These words describe a vicious circle. Folly denies God, and the denial leads back to folly. When we remember that the Hebrew word here rendered “fool” has a moral note and refers to wickedness rather than weakness of intellect.

We are constrained to the view that the meaning of the singer was that immorality is the outcome of atheism. When, for whatever reason or by whatever method, a man says in his heart that there is no God, he becomes a fool. That is a vile person. This is ever so all wickedness is the result and denial of God.

The heart is the mind, which is in the realm of desire, when a man desires to be rid of God and of His government and His interference, and out of that desire formulates a denial of God, the process in itself is immoral and the issues are bound to be immoral. There is no realm of personality which needs more vigilant guarding than that of desire.

“As a man thinketh in his mind, so is he.”
”Guard your mind with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.”
”God gave them the desires of their heart, and sent leanness to their soul.”

An atheist is a person without any “invisible means of support.”

Who is on the Lord’s Side???

1 Kings 14:30, “There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.”

Te supreme tragedy of the situation was that neither the northern nation of Israel nor the southern one of Judah was right.

In the north, a false system of worship had been set up in the interest of supposed political expediency and the people were being swiftly corrupted thereby. In the south, the people were also doing that which was evil in the sight of the Lord and provoked Him to jealousy with their sins.

Thus, the whole nation was steeped in idolatry and utterly failing to bear to the surrounding nations the testimony to the purity and the power of the Divine government for the bearing of which they had been created. Then God is seen in acting in judgment. Unenlightened people, unenlightened through this very failure on the part of the chosen nation, became a scourge in the hands of God for the punishment of the chosen.

When the life of the nation is not employed in the fulfillment of Divine purpose, it expends itself in a process which is self destruction.

Thus the chosen instrument itself must pass under the destructive power of God. Judgment must begin at the House of God.

Arise and Eat!

1 Kings 19:5, “Arise and eat.”

The story of Elijah is very human and it appeals to us because it is so true to experience of life. His victory, when he encountered the prophets of Baal, then came reaction or a counter attack. Satan is a great counter attacker. The man who had stood erect confronting all the forces of evil, now fled for his life.

And full of beauty is the story of the Lord’s method with his overwrought and fearful servant. Before entering into that communion with him which was for the correction of his false attitude of fear, He commanded him to eat, thus ministering to his physical welfare.

The psalmist explained it by saying “He knoweth our frame. He remembered that we are dust.” How often the way to spiritual strength and mental renewal is let us never forget that the Word of the Lord to His servant of old under these conditions was first “Arise and eat.”

He had much to say to Elijah afterwards and much to reveal to him, but He prepared him by renewing bodily strength.

A wonderful understanding God is ours.

He Has the Truth But I Hate Him!

That is a verse and I have experienced it.

1 Kings 22:8, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, Micaiah the son of Imlah. But I hate him...”

This was the hatred of an evil soul for the Truth. Ahab knew in his heart that Micaiah would not fear or flatter him, but only declare the Word of God. This he construed into personal hatred. Notice the following words. “He doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”

What a revelation this is of the degradation of a soul which follows upon evil courses. This man knew, none better, the true function of the prophet to be that of expressing the Truth, as made known by God. He still desired the supernatural interpretation which came from the prophetic Word, only he wanted it to be in his favor. He was not seeking the Truth, but only such messages which would be for his own personal advantage. This is the lowest level to which a soul can sink. There are those who hate the prophet of God still, because he has no care other than to teach the Word of God.

It is not the man but the message. “I hate him.”

The Lord’s Work!

“It is very essential that a man should have in him the capacity to defy his fellows if he thinks they are doing the work of the devil and not the work of the Lord. But it is even more essential for him to remember that he be most cautious about mistaking his own views for those of the Lord.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1900

I Would Not Let Him Go!

S.O.S. 3:4, “When I found him, whom my soul loveth, I held him, and would not let him go.”

This is the language of the bride. It is that part of her account in those days when her lover was wooing her and after her beloved had come to her and passed. The night came and she thought of him and began to search for him in the city inquiring of the watchmen and at last she found him. And then she held him and would not let him go.

On the human level as a story of love, this is very natural and very beautiful. Love creates a perpetual dread lest the loved one should be lost. And this reaches the subconscious in the daytime.

Then follows the search and the new grip upon the loved one when he is found. All of this is poetic and true interpretation of the power of love when it masters a life.

When we make the story figurative and interpretative of those higher relationships of the soul with the Lord Jesus Christ, it becomes a wonderful revelation of the love of the sensitiveness of the life which is really in love with Christ.

We are only safe as long as the dread of the loss of our Beloved keeps us ever sensitive and watchful. Whether either in a dream or in a reality, we lose our sense of His presence let us search for Him. And then in the finding, with new devotion, let us hold Him and refuse to let Him go.

Monday, July 3, 2000

Thought for the Day

“You are not going to make any new commandments at this stage which will supply the place of the old ones. The truths that were true  at the foot of Mt. Sinai are true now.”

–Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, New York, September 8, 1906

The True Christian!

“The true Christian is the true citizen, lofty of purpose, resolute in endeavor, ready for a hero’s deeds, but never looking down on his task because it is cast in the day of small things., scornful of baseness, awake to his own duties as well as to his rights, following the higher law with reverence and in this world doing all that in him lies, so that when death comes he may feel that mankind is in some degree better because he has lived.”

Wisdom Applied

Prov 19:27, “Cease, my son, to hear instruction, only to err from the words of knowledge.”

The voice is that of a father deliberately counseling his son not to listen to instruction unless he intends to obey. The truth involved is that it is better not to know, than knowing, to fail to do. And this cuts to the pernicious heresy, which is yet so largely held, that knowledge in itself is power. But it is not so in any realm of life – scientific, economic, artistic, or moral.

Knowledge is only powerful when it is the inspiration of activity in harmony with itself.

The application of the Truth in this Proverb is in the real of wisdom and so of things moral and spiritual.

”Be not hearers of the Word only, but be ye doers of the Word.”

Wisdom Applied

Prov 20:27, “The spirit of the man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”

The Hebrew word here rendered “spirit” is the same word rendered “breath” in Genesis, which says that “God breathed into his nostrils ‘the breath of lives’.” This refers to soul life, which distinguishes man from all animals. By that soul life he is separated from the animal world. 

Wisdom says that soul life is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the deepest things in the personality of the man. Within ever soul there is light. It is the instrument of God. It illuminates life. It is that by which man is kept face-to-face with Truth.

Let us make no mistake about it, the most evil man knows that his works are evil. No specious arguments can prove to the soul life of a man that wrong is right and that impurity is pure. The soul life cannot cease to be.

Therefore, there is this awful mystery of retribution: “In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in Torments.” That is the light in the soul life.

Wisdom Applied!

Prov 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go and even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

There is probably no Proverb in all the Proverbs that has not been more frequently quoted than this, and also has been more persistently misunderstood and misinterpreted.

It is a brief and complete revelation of the true method with a child. In order to correct apprehension, everything depends upon the real meaning of the words “in the way he should go.” That is not an accurate translation and the question arises is what is the way in which a child should go?

A more literal translation of the Hebrew at once answers the question. Literally, “Train up a child according to his way.”

In every child there are special and peculiar powers. The true training of a child, therefore, is that of discovering what those powers are, and of developing them.

It is a disaster to prepare a program for a child without consulting the peculiar life of the child and then endeavor to compel the child to conform to that ideal.

In the training of children, the first business of those responsible must be that of considering the children themselves. The need is for individual work. No two children are alike. They cannot be trained in groups.

Wisdom Applied

Prov 23:1, “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently him that is before thee.”

Here we have wisdom applied in certain human interrelationships. These particular words commence as to how the man walking in wisdom, that is in the fear of the Lord is to deport himself when he is the guest of a ruler. In such a case, the man would consider his host rather than his hospitality. He is to keep his eyes on the ruler.

And, in context, it says that the things to be guarded against are the desire for wealth and any methods which are unjust to others.

The application is that how many a young man has been robbed of the finest things of his manhood like truth, justice and honor because he has been bribed by the hospitality of men of influence whose lives are impure, and who in their hospitality had ulterior motives of the basest.

The old adage of never looking a gift horse in the mouth. Or, after all that I have done for you ...

Wisdom Applied!

Prov 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the Lord, happy is he.”

The word “perish” is literally “to cast off all restraint,” which literally means “to break loose.” The condition is that of anarchy and anarchy is lawlessness, not being without law, but refusing to be bound by the law. That is the one fundamental problem with people. John declared it when he wrote “sin is lawlessness.”

We are living in the day when lawlessness is rampant. Men have been breaking through covenants, regulations, agreements, refusing to abide by any decisions – even those of our appointed leaders, or to those to which they themselves have agreed.

In this word of wisdom, the reason for this casting off of restraint is given. It is their lack of vision. No vision of what they are doing or the consequences.

The lack of the vision of the Lord issues in lack of vision in all.

July 4th Special!

Psa 60:4, “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the Truth.”

”A flag displayed.”

This is the central light of a great song, revealing the singer’s understanding of the “true function of a nation.” When Moses won the victory over Amalek, Moses built an altar and called the name of it “JEHOVAH NISSI,” the Lord our Banner. That was indeed the flag of Israel.

The nation existed to display the glory of the Lord before all the nations. “Old Glory.” When in her appointed warfare against the forces of evil, she was victorious, that flag was honored. When she was defeated, the flag was disgraced.

This song was written in a day when the hosts of the Lord has been defeated. The conception of the meaning of the national life of Israel revealed in these words accounts for the anguish of the singer as he contemplates the discomfiture and the defeat of the people of God.

The sorrow of the singer was caused by the disgrace done to the flag by the dishonor done to the Name of the Lord. This conception accounts also for the change in the Psalm to the note of confidence as to the ultimate victory.

This sense of responsibility for the Truth about the Lord for the honour of His holy Name. which is the surest guarantee of victory.

Believers are the pillar and the ground of the Truth, and when the believer fails, the Truth suffers.

Fly the flag!

If you are honest, you will notice how that when people get older they become more self-centered and selfish. Believe me, I know!

Well here is a cure for your mother or grandmother or father or grandfather. Or you!

Psa 71:18, “When I am old and grey-headed, O, God, forsake me not. Until I have declared Thy strength unto the next generation.”

When one is old and grey, there is inevitably a tendency to seek rest and release. Let that last phase of selfishness be guarded against by the cultivation of comradeship with the young. And then the higher desire will be created. That of this singer for continued fellowship with God in order that service may be rendered unto them.

There is nothing more pitiful or more beautiful than old age. It is pitiful when its pessimism cools the ardors of youth. It is beautiful when its witness stimulated the visions and inspires the heroism of youth.

”Until I have declared Thy strength until the next generation.”

Throw away your handicapped parking signs! Stop emphasizing your weakness and emphasize the Lord’s strength.

Praise the Lord!

Psa 146:1, “Praise ye the Lord ... O my soul.”
Psa 147:12, “Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem.”
Psa 148:1, 7, “Praise ye the Lord from the heavens, from the earth.”
Psa 149:1, “Praise ye the Lord … in the assembly of the saints.”
Psa 150:1, “Praise ye the Lord.”

This one fact of the collection of these Psalms bear witness. Whether the prevailing tone be major or minor, whether the song be a dirge of sadness or of gladness, we praise the Lord.

Because His thoughts for us are for good and not evil and His methods with us, whether gentle or severe, are all the methods which lead us to blessedness.

Free Will!

Psa 101:1, “I will.”

This Psalm is attributed to David. In its first movements, verses 1–4, it records the ruler’s decisions concerning himself. In its second movement, verses 5–8, he declares his decisions concerning the administration of his kingdom.

It is a Psalm of volition, Divine Institution number one, free will! That is why we emphasize these two words, “free will.” They run through all its stanzas. All the way through the singer is exercising his free will.

The important thing is that he is responding. “I will.” And that is all the matter of principle importance. And the nature of his decisions and the order of his decisions are instructive.

This king is seeking to act in every way in harmony with the only one King of kings and Lord of lords. And he will govern according to the Divine standard.

The Rock

Psa 28:1, “My Rock.”

Here these words “my Rock” are directly synonymous with the title JEHOVAH and they constitute a proper name. The figurative idea has emerged before in these Psalms. See Psa 18, 2, and 31.

In this case, the figure is positively employed as a designation for God. This then may be an excellent place at which to pause and consider the suggestiveness of the title “Rock.”

It is the one figure that in the realm of nature suggests abiding strength and immutability. The story of the rocks, as we are able to read it, is the story of the
complete victory of principle over passion. At last, the fixed is reached, the unchangeable, and so the ultimate in strength. It is a remarkable fact that in all the old literature, “Rock” is reserved as a figure of Deity. It is used for false gods as well as for God, but never for man.

All this should be kept in mind when we consider the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in which He said that He would build His church on a rock.

Back to the Psalm we notice how this conception of God as the Rock, as the immutable One, gave this singer perfect confidence in the midst of grave perils and inspired his prayer for his people.

P.S. He was not speaking of Peter.

Job 32:8, “There is a spirit in man and the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.”

This statement if full of interest, in that it reveals the method by which the Lord makes Himself and His thoughts known to man. The first sentence, “There is a spirit in man,” reveals man’s capacity for receiving communications from God. The second sentence, “And the breath of the Almighty giveth understanding” shows how God makes use of that capacity.

In God’s essential nature there is a spirit and that is a Divine creation and of the Divine nature. And that makes it possible for man to have direct and intelligent dealing with God. The “breath of God” reaches that soulish-life of man and gives understanding and that is communication to man the thoughts of God.

That God should speak to man is not supernatural but natural. The deepest truth about man is that he was created with the capacity to fellowship with God. This capacity is destroyed by sin, but it is restored by Grace.

The Word’s Commentary on the Word

Psa 33:4, “For the Word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in faithfulness.”

In these words, the reason for praise is inclusively declared and everything which follows is illustration of the Truth so declared. The reason then for praise is that of the perfection of God in Word and work.

His Word is right. And His work is ever in faithfulness.

The illustrations cover a wide area:

1. There is reference to the principles of His government, verse 5
2. Then to the might and majesty revealed in creation, verses 6–9
3. Then to His active overruling in national affairs, verses 10, 11
4. Then to His special government of His own people, verses 12–22

In all this we find the true secret of our confidence and our joy. The Word and the work of the Lord are ever one. His Word never returns to Him empty. It accomplishes that which He pleaseth. It prospers in the thing whereto He sends it.

How significant it is that amid the sacred mysteries concerning the birth of Jesus Christ and of John, “No Word from God shall be void of power.”

God has given us His Word! Let us never forget that His work will be according to His Word. To rest in that assurance is to be perpetually inspired to give thanks.

Talk to Me!

Psa 35:3, “Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.”

So trying were the circumstances, so poignant the pain, that he was at least in danger of losing his assurance in God. Therefore, he pleads that God would give him the inward sense of certainty. ”Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation.”

It was a request for the renewing or strengthening of the inner communion with God, which is ever the secret of strength in days of turmoil and of sorrow. How constantly we are driven to cry out to God. It is the reasonable cry of faith and it is safe to say that it is always answered.

When the presence of circumstances is such as to create a sense of weakness to such an extent that we feel in danger of collapse, then we need some reinforcement within –stronger than the pressure from without.

And this is ever to be found in communion. The human side of communion is that of this very prayer for the speech of God – direct, immediate, and reassuring.

The Divine side is that of an answer.

Sunday, July 2, 2000

July 4th

”All daring and courage, all iron endurance, of misfortune, all devotion to the ideal of honor and the glory of the flag, make for a finer and nobler type of manhood.”

–Theodore Roosevelt

Heroism

In July 1918, when the youngest Roosevelt son, Quentin, an aviator in France was reported to have been shot down and unaccounted for T.R. inserted the following remarks into an address to the Republican state convention in Saratoga, New York:

”The finest, the bravest, the best of our young men have sprung eagerly forward to face death for the sake of high ideal, and therefore they have brought home to us the great truth that life consists of more than hard, conscienceless, brutal striving  after purely material success, that while we might rightly care for the body and the things of the body, yet that such care leads nowhere unless we have thought that for our own souls and for the souls of our brothers. When these gallant boys on the golden crest of life, gladly face death for the sake of an ideal shall not we, who stay behind, who have not been found worthy of the great adventure, shall we not in turn try to shape our lives so as to make in this country a better place to live in for these men and for the woman who sent these men to battle and for the children who are to come after them.”

Spectators of the Conflict

God has a deeper purpose in the suffering of His children then even their personal perfection. We have the clue in the words of Paul.

”To the intent that now, unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places, might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God,” Eph 3:10

An unseen cloud of witnesses is eagerly watching the conflict carried on in the arena of this little world. God is unfolding to the angels of light and to the hosts of darkness, ”The eternal purposes of His Grace” in His dealings with His redeemed children on Earth.

The adversary challenged the integrity of Job in the council of Heaven and God’s honour was in question. How little did Job realize that “the Lord had given and the Lord had taken away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.”

And again, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

How little the church today realizes the issues which hang upon her faithfulness or that God would find among them those who trust Him. And a larger number of saints whom He could trust.

Psa 69:20, “Reproach Hath Broken My Heart”

Christ died of a broken heart. Six times over in Psa 64 the word “reproach” occurs. Reproach, dishonour, and shame borne for others.

The bearing of our sins, the hiding of the Father’s face on account of it, was what broke His heart.
Here we have the reproach of Christ  and the offense of the Cross in all its awful solemnity.

Psa 69:20, “I was poured out like water, my heart is like wax, it is melted.”

Christ died of a heart attack – For you and me!

Died of a Broken Heart

Death from a broken heart is very rare. It is caused by the intense mental emotion. The loud cry, the fact of death occurring so soon, the effect of the spear thrust, all points towards this being indeed the cause of our Lord’s death. It tallies with His own Words.

”Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down my life that I might take it up again”
”No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of Myself.”

By wicked hands, He was crucified and slain. By the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God that He was delivered to death. By His own will He laid down His life.

These three statements are all true in the mystery of the great sacrifice for sin.

”He made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Joy!

The word, “joy” or “rejoice” occurs 16 times in the book of Philippians. And throughout it is the rejoicing in the midst of tribulation.

Thus Paul had rejoiced in his jail at Philippi, when at midnight, with bleeding backs, he and Silas sang praises. Thus he rejoiced now, chained to a roman soldier for his very bonds furthered the spread of the Gospel. 

Thus he exhorted his beloved Philippian converts to rejoice because they are allowed to suffer for Christ. Phil 1:29
He rejoiced in his converts, his joy and crown. Phil 4:1
In their growth 1:3-6
Again in their ministering to his necessities even in Rome. 4:10-19
Above all, he rejoiced in Christ. 4:4

What God Says About the Unbeliever

1. Lost – John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

2. Condemned – John 3:18, “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God.”

3. Deeds are evil – John 3:19, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

4. Under His wrath – John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

5. Children of the devil – John 8:44, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

6. Full of sin – Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”

7. Hate the light – John 3:20, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.”

 What God Says About the Believer

1. Forgiveness – Luke 7:28, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of  women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
   Eph 1:7, “In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,  according to the riches of His Grace;”
   
2. Regeneration – John 3:5-7, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”
   “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” 1 Pet 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
   
3. Eternal life – Heb 5:9, “And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;” John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
   
4. Sonship – John 1:12, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:” Rom 8:16, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him;”
   
5. Kept – John 10:28, 29, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” 1 Pet 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
   
6. The Holy Spirit – John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” 1 Cor 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
   
7. Glory – John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I  would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 17:24, “Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” Rom 8:30, “Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.”
   

What God Says About the Old Sin Nature

1. It cannot please God.
Psa 51:5, “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
Eph 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;”
Rom 8:8, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Jer 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

2. It cannot obey God.
Mark 7:21-23, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Eph 2:2, “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

3. It cannot understand God.
1 Cor 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
1 Cor 1:18, “For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”
Rom 3:11, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”

”They that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

Because God is Not Pleased With the Old Sin Nature

Therefore there is need for a new nature.

1. How is the new nature received? 
1 Pet 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
John 1:12, 13, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

2. What is the new nature? 
2 Cor 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Gal 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”
Col 3:3, 4, “For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”
Phil 1:21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Col 1:27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”
1 John 5:11-12, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”

”You are a new creature in Christ.”  The new man.

The Conflict in the Life of the Believer

1. The old sin nature is not removed at salvation. 
1 John 1:8, 10, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.”
Rom 7:18, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
Gal 5:17, “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

2. God’s provision for victory over the old sin nature. 
Gal 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Rom 6:6-7, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.”
Gal 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”
Rom 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
1John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Eph 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”

The Difference Between an Animal and a Man

1. A believer has a spirit, soul, and body. 
1 Thes 5:23, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Heb 4:12, “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

2. The new spirit is received at the new birth. 
1 Cor 2:12, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

3. The new soul.
2 Cor 3:18, “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
Gal 2:20, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.”

4. The new body. 
Phil 3:21, “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.”
1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.”

Faith is a Key to the Lock

1. Faith saves.
Eph 2:8-9, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Luke 7:50, “And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Rev 1:5, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the Earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,”

2. Faith justifies.
Rom 5:1, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

3. Faith gives everlasting life.
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that  whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.”

4. Works cannot save.
Eph 2:8-9, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is   the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Gal 2:21, “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Rom 3:20, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”
Acts 13:39, “And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
Titus 3:5, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit;”

”Not of works” “Not of works” “Not of works.”

The Right Place for Good Works

1. The right place for good works.
Eph 2:8-10, “For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Titus 3:8, “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.”

2. How to have good works.
Phil 2:13, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

”Created unto good works”

Created in you and now work it out

Wisdom Applied: Nine Tenths of Wisdom is Being Smart in Time

”He who is slack in his work is brother to him that is a destroyer,” Prov 18:9

In this Proverb a principle is involved which has many more statements in other well- known words in the Word of God. It was in the mind of Deborah when she cursed Meroz for not coming to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

It found explicit statement when our Lord said, “He that gathereth not with Me scattereth.”

James recognized it when he wrote, “To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, it is sin.”

It means that in life there can be no neutrality. Every man lives in the midst of a conflict between good and evil. And he must and does take part therein.

If he is not helping the Lord against the mighty, he is helping the mighty against the Lord.

His abstention is a gain to the foe.

Saturday, July 1, 2000

“Heirs Together of the Grace of God,” 1 Pet 3:7

What a sweeter and purer home life our nation would have if only newly wed couples   would make this appealing promise the motto of their united life. The young husband for example, would learn that his partner is not to be his slave or drudge, but his equal and companion in the Lord. He would also understand his wife’s limitations as the weaker vessel and not overburden her accordingly.

Surely Peter’s phrase “heir’s together” is one of the most expressive terms of the union and communion existing between husband and wife. How precious a sight it must be for the eyes of the Lord to gaze down upon two blissful souls united in Grace as well as in marriage. Marriage is a union of Grace.

”Heirs together of the Grace of God.” It is where Grace meets Grace.

Bowing together in the family altar committing all that concerns their life and home to the Lord’s tender care. Being heirs together, implies that there is a mutual understanding in all things.

God grant our country many more like the one Peter pointed out.

”Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

“Two are Better Than One, the One Will Lift Up the Other,” Ecc 4:10

Together two trusting souls can prevail against any intruder, especially when the Lord is the Third Party and forms a three-fold cord that cannot be broken. What God has joined
together …

In any companionship formed, the Lord must be the unseen Partner. Instead of a bi-unity, it must be a trinity. Each of you will require the other and both of you will certainly need the Lord before you travel far along the highway of your wedded life.

As understandings, cares, trials, and sorrows arise, may you remember that two with God is always a majority.

Let pray and faith and holiness produce that dual companionship which is ever the bulwark of a good home.

“Wives, Husbands as it is Fit in the Lord,” Col 3:18

The fitness that Paul writes about is not according to the accepted and accustomed standards of society, but according to Divine standards, “as it is fit in the Lord.”

A thoroughly Christian home will not be characterized by unwarranted demands. Forceful and unloving husbands, bitter and inconsiderate wives, who act against a God-enlightened conscience, are certainly not “in the Lord.”

How many loving couples started out with high and happy hopes, who met with sad disappointment at the bend of the road where unreasonable demands were made?

Can this verse be read by two young people who have promised to love and cherish each other until parted by death? Well, just take Paul’s words and have them ever before you.

”As it is fit in the Lord,” such an arrestive motto will safeguard as well as sweeten your whole marital relation ship as you turn this motto into a motive for living, “In the Lord,” “Fit in the Lord.”

Is it fitting in the Lord?

“Let Your Speech be Always With Grace Seasoned With Salt,” Col 4:6

Co-heirs of the Grace of God should have between them speaking Grace. We take great pains to see that our house is well furnished, but we are not as careful and deliberate about household speech as we are about the choice of carpets and furniture.

Tongues are not loving, tender, and cheerful in their speech as they should be. There must be a strong endeavor to keep out all incessant petty strife if the home is to become the brightest and the sweetest spot on Earth in those who dwell within its walls.

Conversation should always be elevating, enlightening, and enjoyable and not as unprofitable as the talk Job referred to when he said,

”Make my speech nothing worth,” Job 24:25
”Excellent speech becometh not a fool,” Prov 17:7
”Sound speech that cannot be condemned,” Titus 2:8 Lack of communication is one of the greatest problems in marriage. And sins of the tongue are high on the list of the worst sins.
Think what it can do to a marriage!

Promises For Newlyweds

Assuming that a couple, drawn to each other, have calmly and prayerfully considered their growing love for each other and ultimately marry in the Lord.

Has the Bible any advice and guidance to offer the newlyweds?
Are there any promises for them to claim as they stand together at the portal of their united life? There are!

Is it not a wonderful insight into the Divine character that those who have plighted their troth are remember by God Almighty?

Male Israelites were liable for military service from 20 years and upward, Numbers 1:3. But God made a merciful exemption in the case of those who were newlyweds.

Deut 20:7, “What man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? Let him go and return to his house. Lest he die in the battle and another man take her.” Shades of WWII.

Deut 24:5, “When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war neither will he be charged with any business, but he shall be free at home for one year and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken.”

Cheer up his wife for a year! How considerate God is! You know, that “mean God” of the Old Testament!

The Mosaic Law and regulations were Divine commands and this one relative to the newly married man carried with it a promise of a year’s uninterrupted bliss where both man and wife would have time to adjust themselves to their life together.

What a wonderful, thoughtful God we have!

Psa 45:15, “With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought.”
Matt 25:5, “Behold the bridegroom and the bride cometh.”
John 3:29, “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth by. Rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice, this my joy is therefore fulfilled.”

Gen 18:19, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him. And they shall keep the way of the Lord.”

A home which puts Christ first and is bathed in prayer never breaks apart. When the first family was formed, family prayer began with the head of the family as the priest.

There can be no true family life without family Christianity. And family Christianity is best sustained by family worship. The proverb has it that “A home without prayer is like a house without a roof.” A family that prays together, stays together. Family prayer is the bond of family love, the cement of domestic tranquility, and the sweetener of home life.

Whom God hath made the head of families
He hath made priests to offer sacrifice
Daily let part of the holy Word be read
Let the body and the soul have bread
For look how many souls in the house be
with just as many souls God trusteth thee

Wives Also Receive Much Notice in the Bible

And they have promises they can claim as their husband’s helpmate.

They may not be selected from the ungodly.
”Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of the Caananites,” Gen 24:3, 26:34-35

They have to be taught how to love their husbands and children.
”Teach the young women to love their husbands,” Titus 2:4

They are to reverence their husbands.
”The wife see that she reverence her husband,” Eph 5:33

They are to be faithful to their husbands.
”Let not the wife depart from her husband,” 1 Cor 7:2-5, 10

They are to be subject to their husbands.
”Thy husband he shall rule over thee,” Gen 3:16, Eph 5:22, 24, 1 Pet 3:1

They are to obey their husbands.
”Obedient to their husbands,” Titus 2:5, 1 Cor 14:34

They are to remain unto death with their husbands.
”The woman is bound to her husband as long as he liveth,” Rom 7:2-3

The Component Parts That Make for a Good Marriage!

 We begin with the husband to whom many promises are given.

”A man shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh,” Gen 2:23-24, 1 Cor 7:2-4 , Mark 10:6-8
”Should have authority over the wife,” Gen 3:16, 1 Cor 11:3, Eph 5:23.
”Thy husband shall rule over thee.”

Should have the deepest respect for his wife.
”Likewise ye husbands give honour unto thy wife,” 1 Pet 3:7

Should always love your wife.
”Husbands love your wives.”  “So love his wife,” Eph 5:25, 33

Should have constant delight in his wife.
”Rejoice with the wife of thy youth,” Prov 5:18, Malachi 2:14-15

Should have a life-long companionship with his wife.
”What God hath joined together, let not man put asunder,” Matt 19:3-9

Should always comfort his wife.
”Elkanah her husband said unto her, Hannah why weepest thou?” 1 Sam 1:8

Should not leave the unbelieving wife.
”How knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?” 1 Cor 7:11-16

Should place Christ before the wife.
”If any man come to Me and hate not his wife,” Luke 14:26, Matt 19:28

The wives are coming up next.

Thought for the Day!

The Lord Jesus Christ is Lord of Heaven and hell!

It only takes only two little words to go to Heaven.

”I will.”

Don’t add another little word to it, because it will send you to hell. ”I will not.”

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