GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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ENCOURAGEMENT TO A WEARY SOLDIER
by C. R. Stam


During his ministry at Corinth, the strain of battle began telling on the Apostle Paul. He found himself haunted by fear and depression. Later he wrote of it.

"I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling" (I Cor. 2:3).

It must not be supposed that fearlessness was characteristic of a nature so sensitive as Paul's. On the contrary, he was often afraid. His, by the grace of God, was rather the courage that went on braving dangers in spite of his fears.

After having left the synagogue at Corinth, the strain of meeting, week after week, right next door, with all the embarrassing situations inevitably involved, may well have caused some of his followers, and possible himself, to question the wisdom and propriety of the step he had taken, adding to his mental depression (though this step, moving into the home of Justus, next door, was most appropriate under the circumstances). But the Lord was to endorse the act again in an unmistakable way.

It would appear from several passages in the Second Epistle to the Thessalonians (especially II Thessalonians 3:1,2), that this letter was written while Paul was becoming apprehensive about the work at Corinth and that it was after this that the Lord appeared to him in a vision to encourage him.

Let the reader try to place himself in Paul's position while reading Verses 9,10 of Acts 18 so as to appreciate its force more fully:

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, BE NOT AFRAID,--BUT SPEAK,--AND HOLD NOT THY PEACE:--FOR I AM WITH THEE,--AND NO MAN SHALL SET ON THEE TO HURT THEE;--FOR I HAVE MUCH PEOPLE IN THIS CITY."

Ah, tomorrow he could begin the work anew, assured in advance of the outcome! Whether he "continued" in Corinth (Verse 11) a year and six months longer or all together is perhaps impossible to ascertain, but we know that his ministry there was exceedingly fruitful.

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THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
by C.R. Stam


  St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive "the abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Romans 5:17) which God in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation.

 The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift of God's grace.

 Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; "It is written, there is none righteous, no, not one". This is why Paul pitied those who continued to go about "to establish their own righteousness" (Romans 10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they needed to be saved (See Verse One).

 Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham's justification before God, the Apostle says: "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Romans 4:3).

 Abraham's justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ was to die for sin, but Christ's death is now past; it is an historical fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to all as a gift. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8 ). "God hath made Him to be sin for us...that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

 But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5).

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"Gentiles and the Law"
Part 1 of 2
by Dr. Roland Icke



Romans 2:14-15 "For when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature the things contained in the law ... these are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts ... accusing or else excusing one another."

Though the conscience may be a guide, it can be deceived and become insensitive (seared) by sin (1 Timothy 4:2). From the creation of the world, God clearly revealed His eternal power and Godhead, so that those who violated their own consciences were without excuse when they vainly imagined their own wisdom, worshipped creatures instead of the Creator, and were given up to their own vile affections (Psalms 19:1; Romans 1:20-32). God remembers that we are but dust (Psalms 103:14). He promised a Redeemer and desires that no one should perish, but that all should come to repentance (Genesis 3:15; 2 Peter 3:9).

Ephesians 2:11-12 "In time past, Gentiles ... were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world"

Redemption for Gentiles apart from the Law, was revealed later in due time (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; 15:8).

Romans 5:12-14 "As by one man, sin entered into the world and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. For until the law, sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law, nevertheless sin reigned from Adam to Moses."

See also Genesis 2: 17; 3 :6-19, and Acts 17:30.

Galatians 3:8 "And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the heathen [Gentiles] by faith, preached the gospel before to Abraham, saying, 'in thee shall all nations be blessed."

The law was added because of transgression, in the hands of a mediator (Galatians 3:19). God gave Moses the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, with details of more than 600 civil, ceremonial, and health laws in their other chapters and in Leviticus, for "the children of Israel."

"Because God loved them," He sovereignly chose Israel to be a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, and gave them the Sabbath as a perpetual covenant, a sign between God and the children of Israel, not Gentiles (Exodus 31:14-18; Romans 2:14-15). All but the Fourth of the Ten Commandments continue as God's righteous standards for man's behavior, but impossible for sinful man to fulfill (Romans 6:14; 7: 12-24; 1 Corinthians 9:21). Jesus said that total love for God with heart, soul, and mind "is the first and great commandment." Love for neighbor as one's self is second and like unto it: "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets" (Matthew 5:48; 22:36-40).

James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

In mercy, God gave Israel "carnal ordinances" to be observed sincerely as a temporary atonement (covering) for man's failures (Leviticus 17:11; Acts 22:17; Hebrews 9:9-10). Instead of being the God-ordained witness to the Gentiles, observance of these ordinances became Israel's showpiece of "religious piety" (Romans 9:31-33). Peter called the Law "an unbearable yoke" (Acts 15:1 0).

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"Gentiles and the Law"
Part 2 of 2
by Dr. Roland Icke



Paul called it "the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2).

Galatians 4:4-5 "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law."

Jesus said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 15:24). He lived under the Mosaic Law and commanded His apostles to "obey the scribes and Pharisees, for they sit in Moses' seat" (Matthew 23:1-3).

John 1:17 "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Romans 11:32 "For God has concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all."

God determined "that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith" (Galatians 3:13-14). This is accomplished without the deeds of the Law (Romans 3:28; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 3:2-3).

Romans 3:20 "For by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

"But now in Christ Jesus, you [Gentiles] who were formerly far off are made near by the blood of Christ ... having abolished ... the law of commandments contained in ordinances," all of which were "nailed to His cross" in triumph (Ephesians 2:8-10,13-19; Colossians 2:14-15, 20). The Law served its purpose, revealed our inability to meet God's perfect standard of righteousness, and acted as our schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24). "God shall justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision by faith," no one by the Law. "He is the God of the Jews and also of the Gentiles (Romans 3 :28-31; 4:6).

Ephesians 1:22-23 "That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body [the Church], and partakers of His promises in Christ by the gospel."

2 Corinthians 5:19 "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ... "

The everlasting God commanded the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the previously secret (mystery) gospel for the salvation of all nations (Gentiles), for the obedience of faith (Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 2:7-8; 15:1-4). For God has "made Him [Christ] to be sin for us ... that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 ).

Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes."

He is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). We are to reckon that we died to sin, in Christ, when His blood paid our death penalty in full at Calvary (Romans 6:1-14). The mighty power of God was wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead (1 Corinthians 2:7-8; Ephesians 1:19-20).

Galatians 2:20 "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

"The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death," and given me a new life (Romans 6:3-4, 11; 8:2-4).

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are you saved through faith and that ... is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast."

Romans 5:8 "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

He asks that we believe the Gospel. Because of His great love, we should be motivated to serve Him even more diligently than we would merely by trying to obey His rigid laws (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; Ephesians 2:4-10).

Romans 11:33 "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out."

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EPHESIANS 5:30
"For we are members of his body,
of his flesh, and of his bones."

~GRACE AND THE BODY OF CHRIST~


Having accepted the free gift of eternal life by grace through faith, we become members of the Body of Christ. The significance of this distinctive position is clearly defined in God's Word but seldom recognized or appreciated by the reader. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized (Not by water, but by the Spirit-into His death) into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS" (Galatians 3:26-28 ).

"And He (Christ) is the Head of the Body, the Church; who (Christ) is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18 ).

"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. For the body is not one member, but many...Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular (1 Corinthians 12:12-14,27).

To fail to realize our position as members of the Body of Christ, is to miss much of the joy of our salvation. "Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (Eph. 4:7). "Rejoice evermore! For we are members of His Body of His flesh, and of His bones!"

Pastor Robert Hanna

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WHERE ARE YOU LIVING?
Part  1
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki


Introduction

I often ask people, "Where are you living? Is your life characterized by Romans Chapter Seven or by Romans Chapter Eight?" Now, let me tell you how important I think that question is. I believe that if anybody wants to get a handle on how to grow and be strong and victorious in the Christian way of life, they must understand the distinction between these two chapters. I do not know of any more important passage of Scripture for the Christian. Romans Seven and Eight illustrate the two operating principles that battle for control of the believer's life.

The man of Romans Seven demonstrates the pathway of defeat. He is a sincere person, a person who is anxious to know God, to please God and to serve God. He is trying to do what is right, but something is missing. Oh, he knows he's saved but it seems like the harder he tries the more he fails until finally - in abject failure - he comes to the place where he says, "I give up." I know that there are a lot of people like that. Perhaps you are like that or know someone like that. You're not alone! I can recall in years past, and occasionally from time to time, my life gets out of joint; something isn't quite right in my life. Thankfully, I have discovered that usually the problem is right here in Romans Chapter Seven!

Romans Seven shows the life of the believer that has not yet discovered the truth of Romans Eight. Romans Seven shows the work and the energy of the flesh which is not capable of pleasing God. Oh, fleshly energy can try hard. The flesh does its very best, but the flesh can never satisfy what is needed (Rom. 8:7-8 ).

If you have a longing to serve God, if you are sick and tired of defeat, if you are tired of just coming up short, if you recognize that you are missing the victory and joy of the Lord in your life, then you need to come over to Romans Eight. The answer is found there.

Romans Eight tells us that the Holy Spirit is available to fit your needs. The Holy Spirit is working and has a ministry today that He never had in the Old Testament. Now, the Holy Spirit was in the Old Testament but not everybody was influenced or controlled by the Holy Spirit. In fact, in the Old Testament there was a different kind of a control. It was the external control of the Mosaic Law. The Law, the Bible says, was "holy, just and good" There was nothing wrong with the Law except it was weak. The Law could only say "do this," "do that," "don't do this," "don't do that," but it never told anyone how! It never empowered anyone. It only demanded. It never gave any Old Testament saint any power to execute the demands of the Law. That's why Romans Eight tells us the Law "was weak through the flesh."

It is only on this side of the Cross, and with the coming of the Dispensation of Grace, that we learn of the expansion of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Holy Spirit remains the most neglected person in the Godhead! I have observed in the Christian community (I think I am qualified to say this as I have traveled all over the country and been in over a thousand churches) that there is a great neglect today· and gross ignorance of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Romans Eight is where you and I need to go! This is where we need to live! This is where the joy and victory is found! This is the normal Christian life! And yet, I tell you that many Christian people have not yet discovered this truth. Oh, there are sincere Christians who are happy to hear about the Holy Spirit as long as the Holy Spirit is working "out there" safely at arm's length. But the idea of surrendering to the Holy Spirit, up close and personal, to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" - that is a little scary. The word filling means to be controlled: "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit. " You see the application here, don't you? The wine controls a person who is drunk. You have perhaps rubbed shoulders with or bumped into somebody who is inebriated and you say, "The wine has loosened up his tongue." He says some funny things. He says some sad things. He says some bad things. We say, "That was the whiskey talking." In like manner, a believer is to be controlled by the Holy Spirit in such a way that we are guided in what we say, where we go, and what we do to the glory of God.

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THE PINNACLE
by Douglas Falk

For in Him dwelleth all the Fullness
of the Godhead bodily.

And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head
of all principality and power (Col. 2:9-10, A.V.)

For in Him the entire complement of the Deity
is dwelling bodily.

And you are complete in Him, Who is the Head
of every sovereignty and authority (Col. 2:9-10,
Concordant Version).

Because in Him resides bodily every perfection
of the Divinity,

And you are perfected in Him, Who is the Head
of every power and authority (Col. 2:9-10, Ferrar Fenton).

Because in Him there is continuously
and permanently at home all the Fullness of the
Absolute Deity in bodily fashion.

And you are in Him, having been completely
filled full with the present result that you are
in a state of fullness (Col. 2:9,10, Wuest).


Never before has been and never again will be said so much in so few words. The grandness and the implications of these words can be easily missed due to the scarcity and simplicity of the words themselves. These words have given us a vantage point from which to relate all of God's dealings with the human race to the Person of Christ. It is, as it were, a pinnacle from which all else is seen and interpreted.

In verse nine (9) we have Christ being the embodiment of all the Fullness of the Godhead, and in verse ten (10) we have Christ being the Fullness (verb built on same root as "fullness") of ourselves. God's dealings with us and our dealings with God are both accomplished through Christ. Not only "through," but also perfect representation and interpretation of ourselves and God. Christ represents God to us and us to God. The interpretation that God has of us is Christ as well. When Christ faces toward us, we see the Fullness of God; when Christ faces toward God, He sees our fullness. The world knows little of verse nine; the religion of Christianity knows little of verse ten.

Verse nine:

This is the answer of mankind's searching for something beyond himself. It is this "seeking" that makes man, man; which makes him distinct from the rest of creation; that man feels deeply within himself that there is SOMETHING beyond himself. The search may be expressed in literature, myth, drama, art, history, story, or philosophy. The expression of the search may be simple or profound, but the ultimate search for answer has been found: it is given in this verse of Scripture.

The fact that Christ is all the Fullness of Deity bridges the gap between the distant heaven and the closeness of earth, between the Creator and the creature, between the outside and the inside, between the Divine and the human, between the spiritual and the material. The gap is not mended gradually, partially, or distributively, but in one sweeping move man's search has ended and has been infinitely satisfied regardless of when, where, or how the search is expressed.

Verse ten:

Verse nine is the answer to that which is outside of man; verse ten answers that which is inside of man, the conflicts he often experiences within himself - depression, loneliness, fear, weakness, guilt, doubt, shortcomings, separation, divorce, suicide, war, all are ultimately solved by having our fullness in Christ. Though our apprehension and experience of this fact light be gradual and timid, there is no better or other solution. Society desires us to think otherwise. It wants us to view ourselves as a mirror-image of itself, that it might in some manner control us physically and psychologically. We still we as a fact our fullness in Christ and in Christ alone. In this fullness we are indeed free from all bondage, in Christ we are accepted by God under all conditions, and in Christ we are fulfilled perfectly and completely.

Verses nine and ten;

All of this, either verse nine or ten, is done, solely, completely, and irrevocably through, in and by Christ. We cannot add to it, nor in any manner "help it along," because the solution is a perfect response to the problem; we cannot subtract from it or change it because the initial "doing" was not of us; nor can it be improved upon because it cannot be made any better; we cannot "diminish" it by giving it out since it is not ours to give; it cannot be sold regardless of the price we might offer, large or small, because it cannot be owned as chattel; we cannot presume to take any credit for it (not even our faith), nor claim it upon some supposed merit; indeed, aside from being a recipient, we had nothing to do with its proposing or fulfillment. We cannot fully comprehend! apprehend it because it is limitless. We can, however, reflect it because its implications are continually available; we can grow in it since its implications extend beyond our present boundaries; we can apply it to those who are the hardest to apply it to; we can be bold in it regardless of the arguments used against it; we can continually remind ourselves of it, for we certainly need to do so; we must, however, under all conditions and for all time, stand as its champion and defender since all else is against it.

Because these things are all of Christ, all the divisions and fences that either we make or have built around us or others of whatever nature, all are utterly demolished (and likely even a cause of humor). We probably do more to hinder than to help spread the very news that we seek to spread. If we would see that others do not need to look, think, believe, agree, follow, or worship like us - that we in turn do not need to conform to others to be accepted by God and pleasing to God.

The facts of Colossians 2:9-10 are true regardless of whether or not we see their import or importance; they are true without taking into account our naive conditions; they are true without distinctions, and they are true without merit on our part, and true because God wishes it to be so on His part.

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GRACE AND PEACE
by C.  R. Stam


    For many years this writer, along with the mass of religious people, supposed that the Bible phrase "grace and peace be unto you" was simply a beautiful, spiritual salutation. Thank God we have come to learn that it is much more than a salutation. It is an official proclamation.

    Every single one of the epistles signed by St. Paul opens with the declaration: "Grace be unto you and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." This was the theme of the message which he, as a duly appointed ambassador, had been sent to proclaim.

    To appreciate this fully we must remember that God had declared in prophecy that He would reply to the world's rejection of Christ with judgment. Psalms 110:1 pictures the Father saying to the Son: "Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Psalms 2:5 declares: "Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure."

    After the crucifixion and ascension of Christ it seemed that all was ready for the judgment to fall. As the signs of Pentecost appeared Peter declared: "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" (Acts 2:16) and it did indeed look as if the rejected Lord was about to return to "judge and make war," as Revelation 19:11 puts it. But now, instead of judgment and war, St. Paul proclaims grace and peace. Does this not indicate that in grace God interrupted the prophetic program to bring in the present dispensation under which God's ambassadors proclaim with Paul:

   "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound; that as sin hath reigned... so might grace reign" (Romans 5:20,21).

    Indeed, Paul the former persecutor was himself the living demonstration of God's grace to a Christ-rejecting world. In I Tim. 1:15,16 he declares:

   "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

    "Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting."

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SPIRIT-MOTIVATED SURRENDER
By Miles Stanford




"Keep on seeking the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God" (Colossians 3:1, Wms.).

When the Spirit of Christ has the hungry heart prepared, there will be surrender. No struggle; no questions. "We reason when we ought to repose; we doubt when we ought to depend. Confidence in our Father's love is the true corrective in all things." "For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him" (2 Timothy 1:12).

"If a believer surrenders or lays aside anything without an adequate divine motive, he will either secretly hanker after it, and probably long to return to it, or he will take credit to himself for having given it up, and will thus reveal self-righteousness and spiritual pride.

"A certain school of religious teachers make much of 'surrender' as the way to attain blessing, but it ends in self-sufficiency, because the only motive that is presented for it is the acquisition of a better spiritual state, or power for service, or something of that kind. A divine motive and attraction is needed if souls are to be drawn into the race and prepared to surrender in a truly spiritual way,  and this divine motive and attraction is our risen Lord in Glory." --- C.A.C.

"Communion with the Lord Jesus requires our coming to Him in the Word. Meditating upon His person and His work requires the prayerful study of His Word. Many fail to abide in Him because they habitually fast instead of feast." ---J.H.T.

"Lord, Thou wilt ordain peace for us: for Thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O Lord our God, other lords beside Thee have had dominion over us; but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy name" (Isaiah 26:12,13).

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CHRIST IS RICH
Colossians 1:13-18
by James R. Gray


Paul in Colossians gives a great description of who Jesus Christ is to us as believers. Paul describes Christ as RICH:

Redeemer.
This describes Christ in relation to us. He is our redeemer. The work of redemption is to buy back that which is lost. Christ redeems us from the market place of sin. This did not come cheap. I Peter 1:18-19 tells us we have been redeemed with the blood of Christ. Silver or gold could not do it. Some has said that, "money is the universal passport for everywhere except Heaven, and the universal provider for everything except happiness." We have been purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28 ).

Image of God.
This describes Christ in relation to God the Father. He is the image of the invisible God. This reminds us that God is spirit and cannot be seen (John 1:18 ). The word "image" is the Greek word eikon, which means "precise copy, reproduction." Jesus is the image of God. He declared, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the father" (John 14:9).

Creator.
This speaks of His relation to creation. He is the "firstborn" of creation. This does not mean He was first created being. It has the idea of primacy more than priority. He has the place of prestige and honor. A place of honor deserved because He is the creator. For "by Him" were all things created. He is both the agent of creation and the purpose of creation, for all things were created "for Him."

Head.
This describes Christ in relationship to the Church, the body of Christ. Christ as head of the body implies two things: (1) Submission. The body is to be submissive to the head. It is the head that controls, rules, and guides the body. (2) Unity. The head and the body are not two, but a unit. The head and the body are one. However, it is the head that is to have the preeminence. (Colossians 1: 18 ). May He have first place in our life.

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THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
By C. R. Stam

       "Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

 How blessed to know that the Author of the blessed Book which has changed so many hearts and lives and homes is "the Spirit of truth."

 The Spirit did not, of course, reveal all truth at one time. "The Law was given by Moses;" later the prophesies were penned by men of God as they were "moved by the Holy Spirit" and still later our Lord uttered truth "kept secret since the world began."

 But even our blessed Lord, while on earth, did not lead His followers into all the truth which God would have His people know. "I have yet many things to say unto you," He said, "but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16: 12,13).

 But when the Spirit came at Pentecost, did He immediately lead the disciples into all truth? Not yet. They still proclaimed the prophetic program, the message which our Lord had taught them and committed to them (Luke 24: 45; Acts 1:2,3).

 It was not until some time later that the glorified Lord revealed "God's purpose and grace" to and through the Apostle Paul, and the Spirit in turn caused others to understand it (Gal.2:2,7,9; Eph.3:1-5; IITim.1:9).

 The glorious message revealed to Paul is the capstone of divine revelation, thus he says that it was given to him to "fulfil [complete] the Word of God" (Col.1:25).

 St. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than any other writer and in them we have the fulness of divine truth as God would now have us know and understand it!

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"SEARCH ME, O GOD"
By Miles Stanford


"I, the Lord, search the heart" (Jeremiah 17:10 ).

During the early, carnal years we are afraid to face up to the sinful nature within, not fully realizing that it was dealt with in condemnation to God's full satisfaction at Calvary. When we come to see that all the old nature was taken down into the death of the Cross, and in Christ Jesus we are completely clear of its penalty and power, then it is that we begin to welcome the work of the Cross upon all that of which the Holy Spirit convicts us.

"The natural man cannot bear the thought of being searched by God; he cannot stand to think of being found out in his true condition and character. But to the truly hungry believer it is a positive comfort to be assured that God knows everything about us; He knows the very worst that can be discovered. He has searched out all that we are, and in spite of all He has thoughts of blessing concerning us. There is, therefore, no fear of anything coming to light that might cause Him to change or reverse His thought of blessing and acceptance." - C.A.C.

"Our acceptance with God in Christ is perfect, and therefore unimprovable. It never alters; never varies. And it is very important for us not to mix the acceptance itself with our enjoyment of it. Our acceptance is 'in Christ,' and therefore eternal; the enjoyment is 'by the Spirit,' and therefore (because of the working of the flesh) often hindered." - J.B.S.

"The sense of His goodness removes the guile of heart that seeks to conceal its sin." - ].N.D.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" (Jeremiah 29:11).

[nChrist]

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APPREHENDED TO APPREHEND
By Miles Stanford


"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord" (Phil. 3:8 ).

Positionally, our Father subjected our old nature to the Cross and its resultant death. Experientially, He applies the work of the Cross to our old life, thereby progressively holding it in the grip of that death. He is "unforming" the old nature in death, and conforming the new nature in life.

"Life more abundant requires that what He did for us shall be made good in us. In His Cross He dealt with our sins, and He also dealt with ourselves; but that is something which has to be made good progressively. It is as we ourselves are dealt with in the power of the Cross that the way is made for His life to express itself in ever deepening fulness.

"The fact is that it is the old life which is in the way of the new life and its full expression. It is the natural life which obstructs the course of the divine life. Thus what has been done for us has to be done in us, and as it is done in us that life becomes more than a deposit, more than a simple, though glorious possession; it becomes a deepening, growing power, a fulness of expression." - T. A-S.

"You may have been in the fires and have been having a pretty hard and painful time in your spiritual life, but that only means that God has been preparing you for something more. No, God is not a God who believes in bringing everything to an end. He is always after something more. And if He has to clear the way for something more by devastating methods (Cross), well, that is all right, for it is something more that He is after. There is so much more, far, far transcending all our asking or thinking."

"I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12).

[nChrist]

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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 1 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki





The Book of Ephesians is one of three great doctrinal epistles written by the Apostle Paul. In Romans believers are taught that we are justified in Christ, seeing we have been crucified, buried and resurrected with Christ. In Ephesians believers are taught that we are sanctified in Christ, seeing we are now seated with Christ in the Heavenlies. And in 1 Thessalonians believers are taught that we are glorified, seeing that we shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. All of the other Pauline Epistles, though they contain much doctrine, seem to have been written to remedy either doctrinal or practical failure.

As an aid to our study, it is helpful to recognize that the Book of Ephesians is divided into two parts. The first three chapters have to do with the believer’s prosperity as found in the grace of God, and the last three chapters have to do with the believer’s performance in the grace of God.

Since this series of studies will deal only with the first three chapters of the Book of Ephesians, we will need only to title the first three chapters:

1.   “The Grace of God Planned” (Chapter one);
2.   “The Grace of God Applied” (Chapter two);
3.   “The Grace of God Revealed” (Chapter three).

The Book of Ephesians may be likened to a beautiful, snow-capped mountain range. As such, it is the highest mountain range found in the Bible, since it reaches into “the heavenlies.”  In my opinion, the very highest peak of this beautiful mountain is Ephesians 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.

Any traveler, who moves across “America the Beautiful,” will be impressed and awe-struck the very first time his eyes fall upon the beautiful, breathtaking, snow-capped Rocky Mountains of Colorado! It is a refreshing and never-to-be-forgotten sight! In like manner, the sensibilities of our soul and spirit are touched, as we travel over the terrain of Scripture, the first time our attention is arrested by the mountain peaks of grace! We find it to be breath-taking and refreshing and our hearts are compelled to applaud and sing, “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.”

Oh, what a wonderful thought that a member of Adam’s fallen race - one that deserves nothing but the wrath and condemnation of God, one “dead in trespasses and sins” - should be offered the gift of forgiveness and eternal life without any respect to human worthiness - a gift conferred entirely by the empty hand of faith (Rom. 1:18; 3:18; Eph. 2:1). “…Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling” (“Rock of Ages”).

Oh, what joy and gladness come from the gift of salvation and eternal life! I think Abraham demonstrated this ecstasy when he, though he was beyond “hope” and as good as “dead,” received the promise of justification from God Who was able to “quicken the dead” - he “laughed” and gave “glory to God” (Gen. 17:17; Rom. 4:17-23).

WHY? WHY? WHY?

When first we beheld the beauty of this Grace Mountain, and every time we have passed by since, our hearts were filled with wonder! Oh, may we never lose the wonder of it all! At the same time, a great rush of questions passes through our mind. These are questions like: Why? Why, dear God, did you ever make such a beautiful plan as grace to deal with Your creation? Why this plan and not some other plan? Or, why any plan at all? I think the song writer asked it best:

Who am I that a King would bleed and die for? Who am I that He should pray “Not My will - Thine” for? The answer I may never know, why He should ever love me so, That to an old rugged cross - He’d go For who am I?

[nChrist]

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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 2 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki


It may be that we will never fully know the answer to that question this side of Heaven; however, the answer seems to lie in the essence or nature of God. One of God’s major attributes is love (1 John 4:8,16). It would be hard to imagine a God of love with no one to love and no way to love sinners. According to Ephesians 2:4 it seems clear that it is the love of God that gave birth to the plan of grace:

But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved); And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6).

How do you explain the love of God? How do you plumb its depths? I believe God did what He did simply because of Who and What He is. He did what He did just because He wanted to! God is the greatest lover in the universe. In the language of our text we are told that God’s work of grace was:

1.   “according to the good pleasure of His will” (Ephesians 1:5);
2.   “according to His good pleasure” (Ephesians 1:9);
3.   “according to the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:11; 3:11).

HOW? HOW? HOW?

God’s plan of grace was such a gigantic undertaking that it seems to dwarf all of the other creative acts of God. In fact, Ephesians 2:10 says that grace and its accomplishments are a “masterpiece” (POY-AY-MAH-Gk.), created in Christ Jesus. So we quite naturally question: How? How could God accomplish this? What were His resources?

The answer is found both in God’s omnipotence and His riches. In Ephesians 1:19 and 3:20, we are told that it was “according to the working of His mighty power.” Elsewhere, we are told that it was accomplished:

1.   “according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7; 2:7);
2.   “according to the riches of His mercy” (Ephesians 2:4);
3.   “according to the riches of His glory” (Ephesians 3:16).

How rich is God? He is very rich! Thankfully, God does not give out of His riches but rather “according to His riches.” God told the Apostle Paul His “grace was sufficient” to supply his need (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, spoke of the little mouse living in the granaries of Egypt who, after seven years of plenty, feared he might die of famine. Joseph, the ruler, might have said, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” The “grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant” (1 Timothy 1:14) to develop the plan and workings of grace with plenty left over!

WHO? WHO? WHO?

Now, we ask, “For whom then was this great plan of grace designed?” Is it really possible that we, as members of Adam’s fallen race, are the objects of such grace? In amazement, we lift up our voice with the psalmist who asked, “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him and the Son of Man that Thou visitest him?” The answering echo from this great Mountain of Grace is, “Yes! Yes! It is for you dear sinner” (1 Timothy 1:15), and especially for you who are in Christ.

The riches mentioned above are unmistakably identified as the “unsearchable [untraceable] riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8 ). These resources are not only inexhaustible but also not to be found in the preaching of the Old Testament prophets. This is not to say that the Old Testament saints did not enjoy or experience God’s grace and glory, but, rather, that they did not know it in all of its fullness as it is now known since the work of Christ on the cross was completed. Nor did they know the far-reaching consequences of that work as revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. The world had never seen such great grace as this! With the revelation of the Mystery, God has now “made known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had afore prepared unto glory - even us [the “Body of Christ” - the “One New Man”] - whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles” (Romans 9:20-24; Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 3:26-29).

Through God’s grace plan a new ministry of God the Holy Spirit provided a baptizing/identifying work that would position believing Jews and Gentiles “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:13). This new position is big news! It is mentioned 16 times in Chapter One of Ephesians and 27 times in the Book! Being “in Christ” opens the door to the storehouse of grace blessings.

All of these grace blessings, and much more, are bestowed at the moment of salvation! This seems too good to be true! And, if this were all that came to us through the plan of grace, it would be enough to cause us to rejoice throughout all eternity.