GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?
by C. R. Stam




We have shown in a previous article that God is for sinners and desires their good. We have shown how He proved this by paying for their sins Himself as God the Son at Calvary. But if this is true, how much more must it be so with regard to His own children who have trusted Christ as their Savior?

How often -- and how significantly -- the Apostle Paul uses the words "for us" in this connection!

In Eph. 5:2 we read that "Christ... loved us, and hath given Himself for us." In Rom. 5:8 we are told that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." In II Cor. 5:21: "[God] hath made Him to be sin for us." And in Gal. 3:13 we read: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us."

And the love that brought Him down from heaven to die in shame and disgrace for our sins is not affected by our many failures as Christians now. In Heb. 9:24 we read that our Lord has ascended to heaven "now to appear in the presence of God for us." In Rom. 8:34 we learn that He is "at the right hand of God" to "make intercession for us." And in Heb. 7:25 we read that He is able to save us "to the uttermost" because "He ever lives to make intercession for us."

Our failures now, after having trusted Christ as Savior, may -- and should -- trouble our consciences and thus hinder our fellowship with God, but this does not change the fact that we are God’s dear children through faith in Christ, who died for all our sins. Unworthy though we still may be, therefore, God would have us come into His presence to be spiritually renewed.

"What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US?" (Rom. 8:31).

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~HIS HUNGER~
By M. Stanford




"Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Ps. 107:8 ).

Our Father gave us the hunger to be justified (John 6 :44), and He gave us the hunger to be sanctified (Phil. 3:10). This same principle applies to our service, our sharing. He never pushed us, but drew us in loving kindness - and He would treat others likewise, through us.

"If we are not living near the Lord Jesus and are not where we should be, we neither have an appetite for spiritual things, nor can we feed upon Him who is the living Bread. When God pours into you a hunger for your Beloved and begins to reveal your privileges in Him, rejoice with great joy and gratitude toward God. If He did not put into our hearts the longing to know Him better and to have His very best, we would be satisfied with the least we could have and be saved." - C.H.MacI.

"How wondrous are the working and drawings of God upon a human heart! How little do we behold Him or know that which He is doing, as day by day He works down in the depths of our beings. The most favored place a child of God can be in, is to continually feel the drawing of God urging and constraining him to a greater hunger for Him."

"God never gives anything till the soul is ready to receive it. When you are ready you will long and hunger for it."

"For He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness" (Ps. 107:9).

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GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY & THE COMING DAYS
By Paul Hume


Scripture Reading: 2 Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 1:1-8; 9:20-21

Since I love to dabble with the weather, I remember several things in the past connected thereunto. I remember when I still lived in Minneapolis, Minn. how I was caught out in the open in the worst windstorm ever to strike that city. I knew that something radical was approaching that evening. My barometer was falling rapidly; hot, heavy, humid air was upon us; dark thunder-heads were piling up in the southwest; and the air was still as death. After several sharp thundershowers, a "burst" came from the northwest. Winds of above 100 miles per hour hit, blowing from between 80 and 11O miles per hour for almost a half an hour. Rains lashed the city, and great bolts of lightning struck here and there. Wires were down all over; store-fronts were sucked out (an evidence of tornado conditions); huge trees were uprooted in every block; and streets were washed out in places. What a mess the city was in! Yet, there had been ample warnings!

The "barometer" of time is telling us that terrible, unprecedented days lie ahead. The Word of God amply warns us, and even the secular leaders of our society are warning that civilization is on the brink of a world-wide catastrophe. The "barometer" is dropping. The huge storm clouds are gathering; and thunder is rumbling; and the air is deathly still (with not only its "air pollution;" but its antichrist poisons and lawlessness of every shade and hue). The "things which must speedily come to pass" (Rev. 1:1), (lit. are about to take place). The "consummation of the age" is upon us! Great and terrible days are at hand! What days are these in which to be living--days of great opportunities for the Gospel of the Grace of God!

What should we do? Be terrified? That would be human! But no, for us, we should "take courage" and "redeem the time, for the days are evil." We should "be looking [with expectancy) for that blessed hope," and bless the One Who is still on the throne, and Who is very much in control of things--even the Devil and evil men!

Great days are these, we say again; but greater is our Savior-God who is able "to guard you from stumbling" until that day!"

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~WHY, DID HE DO IT?~
By Pastor Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: Provo 16:4; Gen. 1:1-2:7

Why is the universe made up of many galaxies and solar systems so immense and vast that no human can ever begin to comprehend them?  Why is there a sun like ours along with millions of stars and several planets including the Moon which our country has been so interested in recently? Why is there a planet -- Earth -- which alone is habitable? (see Psa. 115:15-16). Why is there an atmosphere about six to seven miles deep surrounding our planet composed of 21% Oxygen, 78% Nitrogen, and 1% inert gases? Without this perfect balance in the atmosphere, or should the slightest change take place to upset that balance, death would come swiftly to all who live on Earth! Why the faithful cycle of evaporation, clouds, and finally precipitation? Why should two-thirds of the surface of this planet be covered by oceans? Why are some places virtually uninhabitable and unproductive--like the Sahara Desert--which seem like a terrible waste of valuable land? Why man? Why not something better than man? We could go on and on asking "Why?"

The answer is not given by merely citing certain scientific laws. The answer is found in the Word of God which makes it clear that all things which God made and the way He has made them function are simply for His pleasure! Look again at the statements in Genesis 1 Where God said "and it was good." Why was it good? Because "The Lord hath made all things for Himself." This is amplified in Colossians 1:16: "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." Thus Paul states in Romans 11:36: "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen." Even the wicked, says Proverbs 16:4, have been made by Him "for the day of evil." Yes, even sin, wickedness, and all its attendant miseries, while not having been created by God Himself, nevertheless, He has sovereignly purposed that it should serve His purpose to the praise of His glory!  "Since God is God, who dare challenge His prerogative? To murmur against Him is rank rebellion." Worship ye Him!

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THE GOD OF MIGHT AND MIRACLES
By  Pastor Paul Hume



Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41; .Psalm 147:18

We often hear John Peterson's hymn, "It Took A Miracle." The words in this hymn indeed reveal the sovereignty of our God in relation to the affairs even of "Nature."

"My Father is omnipotent,
And that you can't deny;
A God of might and miracles,
'Tis written in the sky."

In Mark's inspired account of the sudden storm on the Sea of Galilee, let us examine those wondrous words of our Lord when He commanded the winds and the waves: "Peace, be still!" A more exact translation reads: "Silence! Be muzzled!" Obviously He was not merely speaking out into the air. He was commanding Satan, the one who was behind this ferocious storm. We see in Job 1:19 that even Satan can control the weather. But where was God in this storm? True, in the Person of the Lord Jesus, He was in the boat with His frightened disciples. But what about the Father? Yes, He knew well what His beloved Son was going through, but He also knew that His Son had the authority over the winds and the waves to command them to be still. "And there was (came to be) a great calm." No wonder the disciples said one to another, "What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Far further investigation about His obvious control of the elements, turn to the prophecy of the book of the Revelation. Here we are given glimpses of things which definitely will take place in the heavens and on this earth during the future "Day of the Lord" (Rev. 1:10). See His control of the elements, and the sun, and the stars in chapters 6, 8, and 16! Is He in control today--during this Dispensation when He is "silent?" Indeed He is! No wonder the devout believer in Christ can find complete comfort in the words of Romans 8:28--even in relation to the weather and circumstances!

"Wondrous sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me."

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PEACE IN THE EYE OF THE STORM
by Dale E. Price



The storm is terrible. We have been struggling against the winds and the sea for hours in our small boat. There is no sign of it letting up, and the waves are beginning to crash over our bow. We're losing the battle. I am truly frightened.

How can He sleep through all this? Can't He feel the water sloshing in the bottom of the boat? Doesn't He know how perilous our situation is? Doesn't He care? Finally, I can't stand it, so I tell John to wake Him up. John shakes Him awake and tells Him we're about to die. But the Master is not afraid. Instead, He rebukes us for our lack of faith. He turns His face into the wind and rebukes the wind and the sea. At His command, the storm ceases, and the sea is calm.

We're amazed! Who is this man that can calm the storm?

On September 11, violent aggression crashed against our homeland. Waves of darkness, anger, sorrow, and fear assaulted our sense of safety and security. The winds of hate and violence tear at us, trying to rob us of our peace and joy. As believers in Christ Jesus, what can we learn from the disciples' experience described in Matthew 8:23-27? Three questions come to mind.

*    How could Jesus sleep in the midst of the storm?

Throughout Jesus' life we find Him at peace when circumstances cast others into a sea of doubt and fear. What did He know that they didn't? He knew and believed what He had taught in the Sermon on the Mount, that we are more precious to God than all of the rest of creation. He also knew that His life on earth was truly in the Father's hands. He knew God's prophetic Word that "He will command His angels concerning You to guard You in all Your ways. They will bear You up in their hands, so that You will not strike Your foot against a stone" (Psalm 21:11-12). Jesus could rest peacefully because He was resting in the hands of His loving Father, the hands of the God of all creation.

*    Didn't He care about their fears?

I John 4:18 tells us that "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear ... " He cared about their fears, but He cared more about their faith. In this world, we will have trouble. Do we believe that God is in control of every breath, every heartbeat, and every day of our life on earth? Romans 8:37-39 tells us that in the midst of famine, persecution, or the sword, we are more than conquerors. There is nothing in the vast universe that can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

*    Why did Jesus rebuke them for their lack of faith?

It was evening when they set out in that boat. The disciples had witnessed Jesus' miraculous healing throughout the day. Who did they think was in the boat with them? He rebuked them because their faith in Him did not extend to their immediate perilous circumstance. When we believe in Jesus Christ as God's only begotten Son, the image (exact representation) of the Father, full of grace and truth, we believe that our eternity is in His hands. Is it too much to ask that we trust Him with the troubles of this life? The reason we can walk through this life without fear is that we know the one that is in our boat, and we know the one whose boat it is.

Each of us must face our own doubts, fears, and insecurities in the midst of this storm tearing at our homeland. When we find His peace in the eye of the storm, we must lift our eyes to see those still struggling against the tempest. We must seek the ministry God has for us in our hour of national and international distress. I believe that there are three critical roles for believers and for Christian ministries as we confront this present darkness.

1. We must shine in the midst of the darkness. The greater the darkness, the more brilliant we must shine. If we only shine within the walls of our local assemblies or in our Christian camp facilities nestled in beautiful canyons or perched on lofty mountaintops, who will see? The pain and the loss of September 11 are still rippling through the lives of our friends and neighbors. We must actively demonstrate compassion, gentleness, peace, and love within our communities. Doors of opportunity for hospitality and gracious giving are open to us now. We must actively seek for those doors and then walk through them boldly.

2. We must be places of safety and security. The families of America need to know that there are still places of beauty where they and their children can be out of harm's way. Local assemblies must reach out to individuals and families in their communities to provide the Word of Truth, spoken in love, from hearts filled with God's compassion. In Christian camps, our selection and preparation of staff, our health and safety programs, the security of our grounds and facilities, and our emergency response procedure are all critical to creating and maintaining a safe camp environment for all our guests. We must remember that camp, in order to be camp, will never be totally risk-free. But we must be both diligent and prudent in our efforts to ensure that every child or family who attends our fellowship, every camper, or guest at our camps will be safe while in our care.

3. We must be places with an answer. Peter tells us in his first epistle that we are always to be ready" ... to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." When we can rest like Jesus in the midst of the storm people will ask why. Doors of ministry opportunity will open for us in the midst of the despair and devastation caused by sinful men. Children and families will come to us whose world has been turned upside down. Lives built on the shifting sands of wealth and false expectations of peace have been shaken. We need to bring them to the Rock, the Chief Cornerstone. They need to find in Him an anchor for the soul, sure and steadfast. They need to know that this anchor holds through every storm this life can throw at us. The spontaneous singing of "God Bless America" across our nation has moved many of us with hope for a true revival. I pray that they will all come to know, through Jesus Christ, the God to whom they are appealing.

*   Does the Lord still have power over the storm?

When Jesus calmed the wind and the sea, He demonstrated His authority and power over the storm. Does He have power over the winds of violence and waves of hatred assaulting us now? I believe that this storm, like the storm that terrified the disciples two thousand years ago, will test our faith. We must never forget that as believers in the Lord Jesus we are in His boat. We must rest in His peace. In the end, this storm will prove anew the demonstration of the power and love of God and an opportunity for believers to be God's loving ambassadors sharing the truth of the Gospel of God's Grace.

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The purpose of this ministry "Grace and the Truth" is to be a positive force in winning lost souls to Christ; and to enhance fellowship, to encourage, to strengthen, and to establish Christians who are committed to the truths in the Word of God. It is not the purpose of this ministry to rule over any local church or to establish a denomination, to be sectarian, or to be competitive with any organization. We promote personal Bible study for faith practice, and fellowship.
As we go forward with this purpose, We want to encourage you to study the Word, for help in this area subscribe to our in-depth daily devotions.   They are sure to "enhance fellowship," "encourage," "strengthen" and help "establish" us as Christians. We love you and our hope is in Christ.

(Colossians 1:27  ......... which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.)

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THE FAITH THAT SAVES
By Pastor Paul Hume


Scripture Reading: Mark 11:22; Galatians 2:20;  Hebrews 12:1-2


It has been truly said that Satan has a counterfeit for almost everything that God does (except to give Life). The Apostle Paul speaks of "another gospel" (2 Corinthians 11:4a; Galatians 1:6,9), "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4b: much of Christendom today worships this "Jesus!"), "another spirit" (2 Corinthians 11:4c: how prevalent is this "spirit" now); "false apostles of Christ"( 2 Corinthians 11:13: witness the Mormons and their chief apostle, Joseph Smith!), and "ministers of righteousness" (2 Corinthians 11: 15: how many priests and ministers fall into this category today!).

Obviously, therefore, there must be a counterfeit faith. We know there are many false "faiths" today ..the apostate Protestant "faith," the Roman Catholic "faith," and the Jehovah's Witnesses "faith" (and the like). Yes, many of the people involved in these false systems have "faith." I heard a liberal preacher on the radio only yesterday broadcasting from a popular church which is only four blocks from our church and exhorting his hearers that the way to keep one's life from being empty is to "have faith in God." This sounds real good. It even sounds Biblical!'

Did not our Lord exhort his wondering disciples in Mark 11:22, "Have faith in God?" But a more accurate rendering of this command makes the meaning clearer: "Hold to the faith of God!" True; saving faith is not naturally generated. All of us have a "natural faith:" e..g., we believe that the cooks in the restaurant where we are eating haven't put poison in our food; we trust the car in which we ride; we believe what history tells us about out great country, and etc. But the kind of faith which our Lord speaks of is identical to that which Paul speaks of: "...justified by the faith of Christ" (Galatians 2:16); "...I live by (or in) the faith of the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20); "...boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him" (Ephesians 3:12).

We have a blessed truth in Hebrews 12:2: "Look away (from all else) unto Jesus, the Author (that is, the Originator) and Finisher (that is, the Completer) of faith." True, saving faith comes from God in Christ Jesus. This faith saves. This faith sanctifies. This faith sustains. This faith pleases God. Does this faith operate in you?

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SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT
by C. R. Stam



"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" (Ephesians 1:13).

Most careful commentaries of the Bible make it clear that the words "after that," in the above passage, actually have an immediate result in view. Upon hearing (or heeding) we believed, and upon believing we were sealed with the Spirit.

What is perhaps even more important to note, is the fact that upon believing "the gospel of... salvation," we are "sealed with" the "Holy Spirit," not "by" the Spirit. There is a difference between the two, which can be simply illustrated.

Here is a housewife, let us say, who is "putting up" jam or preserves and sealing each jar with wax. Now, the jars are being sealed by the woman, but she is sealing them with wax. Thus the Holy Spirit does not merely cause believers to be sealed and made secure. Rather He Himself is the Seal that keeps us eternally secure as God’s beloved children. We are sealed, not "by the Spirit," but "with the Spirit," -- the Spirit Himself the Seal!

It is wonderful indeed to know that before the bar of God, the simplest believer in Christ has been fully justified (Acts 13:38,39). But this is a court action, a matter of law and justice. Besides this, the Spirit, who first brought the sinner under conviction, now gives him life -- eternal life. This is why Rom. 8:2 tells us that "the law of the Spirit, [that] of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Thank God for the Spirit, who convicts, regenerates and seals every believer in Christ!

Ephesians 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,
Ephesians 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

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THE MARCH OF TIME
By Miles Stanford




"Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Ps. 37:7).

The difference between knowing the Lord Jesus as Savior and knowing Him as Life, is the better part of a lifetime; even for the hungriest of hearts. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).

"In receiving the Word of God by faith, there is first, light; then exercise of conscience; third, prayer---you are cast on God; fourth, the work of the Spirit to lead you into it.

"Not one of us is beyond the work of the Spirit in us. Many think, because they have the light of a truth that they are in the power and reality of it. No! you may have all the Bible, have much light, but there is no growth beyond the measure of the Spirit's work in us."

"Conception of a truth is one thing, and execution is quite another. Grace may have been furnished you with a true conception, but you must wait on the Lord to carry it out by His Spirit. The working out of a true conception is the real discipline."

"Do not be discouraged because you may not carry out your purpose at once; God will carry it out, but you must keep in the place where you will be preserved, in the circle of His interests.

"Moses had to wait forty years to carry out his purpose, which was a right one, though in the first flush the flesh sought to carry it out; but in the Lord's time, how fully every purpose of his heart was met ---all the way to the Mount of Transfiguration!"

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord* (Hosea 6:3)

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LOVED, TO LOVE
By Miles Stanford




"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).

His love is mine when I know what He did for me; my love is His when I know who He is to me - He who is Love, is my Life. He loved, and died; that I might live, and love. "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine" (Song. of S. 6:3).

"My Father, in His grace, has come in and ended my history in the flesh, by the Cross, and now by the Spirit I am brought into association with His Son at His own right hand in heaven.

"The Lord Jesus wins my heart in His humiliation; He satisfies it in His glory. A won heart is not necessarily a satisfied heart. But if a heart is truly won by the Lord Jesus it never will be satisfied without Him. No heart that is won is ever satisfied but in the company of the One who won it. Absence does not 'make the heart grow fonder'! You only discover in absence what you have gained in presence." -J.B.S.

"We talk of difficulties and perplexities. How little the heart is really in concert, in simple concert with the Lord Jesus! He has gone up to the right hand of the Father in greater power than ever, and He is using the elevation that He has gone to, to effect deliverance for me from all things that would break fellowship between Him and me. And He uses His Word to keep me from all that would interfere with that blessed communion."

"Thy Word have I hidden in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee" (Ps. 119:11).

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PERFECT IN CHRIST
By Pastor Floyd Baker


Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:28

"To whom (His saints vs. 26) 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 WHOM WE PREACH, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS: whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." Along with this we read in Ephesians 4:13, "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

Many times 1 Corinthians 13:13 is referred to and we are instructed that "love is the ultimate" in God's will for our lives. But this verse must be understood in the light of the context. Paul has been showing the transitory purpose of certain gifts such as prophecy, tongues, and knowledge and in this light love is said to abide. What we are to realize is "that which is perfect" is in view and in Colossians and Ephesians "that which is perfect" (same Greek word) is present. We do not minimize love but it has to be put into proper perspective. Love is not to be apart from the "full-knowledge" of God's truth for the administration of grace but along with it.

Notice the words Paul uses to describe his God-given instructions to present every man "perfect in Christ Jesus." "To which end also I am constantly laboring to the point of exhaustion, engaging in a contest in which I am controlled by His energy which operates in me in power" (Wuest).

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GODLINESS IN AN UNGODLY DAY
by C. R. Stam

It is an interesting fact that the words "godly" and "godliness" are not found in Paul's writings until we come to the Pastoral Epistles, the very epistles that have so much to say about evil days and evil surroundings.

 In the epistles to Timothy we read about the "perilous times" with which this present dispensation of grace will be brought to a close, while in the letter to Titus we read of "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers," of "liars... evil beasts... lazy gluttons," whom Satan would use to neutralize the work and witness of God's servants.

 To Timothy and Titus, these young men of God, the Apostle had much to say about godliness, and we must not forget that Paul's words to them are also God's Word to us, believers in Christ, who indeed appear to be living in the closing days of the dispensation of grace, surrounded by a steadily-rising tide of evil and an ever-growing number of wicked, godless men.

 We do not mean to imply that the Apostle does not deal with the various phases of the Christian life in his other epistles, but rather that here in the Pastoral Epistles he wages a sort of campaign for individual godly living in the midst of increasing apostasy and godlessness.

 May God help us, in our character and conduct, to exhibit "the power of godliness," the spiritual power that comes from putting Christ first in all things.

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THE POWER OF GODLINESS
by C. R. Stam


   God would have us live as His own sacred possession, separate from this world-system, but godliness is out of style these days. Religious leaders in ever greater number are telling us that to win the world we must become part of it and to win the people of the world we must fellowship with them in the things they do and the places to which they go. But the believer cannot impress the world by conforming to it. And even if he could this approach would still be contrary to the Will of God, for His Word exhorts us:

   *"Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and accept- able and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2).*

   It is true godliness, consistent separation to God from this world, which most deeply impresses the lost to whom we bear witness.

   True godliness exerts enormous spiritual power. It causes men to toil and sacrifice, yea to suffer and die for Christ and for others. It exerts a profound influence upon those with whom it comes into contact. A truly godly believer will win the respect of other believers and by his example encourage them to live godly lives, while at the same time his godliness will convict the lost, so that they will either be angered or will turn to Christ for salvation.

   This is why II Tim. 3:12 says: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Carnal Christians do not like to think about the word "all" in this passage, but it is there and stands as a rebuke to their lack of consecration to God. They have "a form of godliness" but deny "the power thereof" (II Timothy 3:5).

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WHAT'S BEHIND OUR MORAL DECLINE?
by C. R. Stam



One does not have to be a prude to conclude that our country is suffering a serious moral decline. Our rulers and law enforcement agencies seem powerless to cope with it. Campaigns to check it seem vain. J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI warned us again and again that the alarming rate of this downward trend would spell ruin for America if not checked soon. But what most people fail to realize is that behind this moral decline there is a spiritual decline. America has departed from God and His Word.

Paul's letter to the Romans tells us how the heathen got that way. Rom. 1:21,22 says: "When they knew God they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools," and the verses that follow tell how God finally had to "give them up" to "uncleanness" and "vile affections" -- all because "they did not like [wish] to retain God in their knowledge" (Ver. 28 ).

St. Paul further describes them in Eph. 4:17-19, as walking "in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." This, sad to say, is an accurate description of increasing numbers in America today. They are throwing off restraint and going after uncleanness "with greediness."

But this is not liberty, it is enslavement. It is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. It does not indicate superior intelligence, but grossest ignorance, and is the result of alienation from God.

How much better off are those who have come to know God through Christ! Of these the Apostle says:

"And you, who were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight" (Col. 1:21,22).