GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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


WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

It is hard to imagine that there can be much more. Yet, "in Christ" all of Heaven's blessings are at our disposal. What? What? What? Might they be? Now, we know only in part. What cannot be known this side of Heaven must await eternity when God will "show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). Herein is the promise that God will someday give believers a guided tour down the hall of Heaven's ivory palaces so that we can see all the crown jewels of grace.

In the meantime, what may be known and experienced is already revealed in the infallible Word of God. The Apostle Paul has recorded some of that which was revealed to him (2 Corinthians 12:1-7; Galatians 1:12; Ephesians 3:3). His first comment about the Grace Mountain is like that of a man who sees something that is beautiful, precious, and indescribably wonderful. He cannot contain his exhilaration! He cannot hold back but joyously shouts:

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

Here the Apostle Paul declares that God the Father ought to be blessed because He has blessed us. The Greek word for "blessed" or "blessing" is YOO-LO-GEY-TOS. It is the Greek word from which we get our English word eulogy, and it means to "speak well of something or someone." In other words, Paul is eulogizing God the Father because He has spoken well of us or rather done well for us by His provision of grace. It is a reciprocal act in keeping with the principle, "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

The blessings which initiated this response are blessings given and produced by God the Holy Spirit. As such, they are "spiritual blessings." Furthermore, these blessings are found both "in Christ" and "in heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). (Note also the phrase "in heavenly places" found in 1:20; 2:6; 3:10 and 6:12.)

It is worth pointing out that verses 3 through 14 are all one long sentence. It is as if Paul's inspiration and excitement had forbidden him to take a breath in his haste to broadcast some of the blessings of grace.  Here, we find that God's grace:

(1) Elects and Predestinates us (vss. 4a; 5,11). Election and predestination are like two sides of the same coin. What is true of predestination may be applied to the doctrine of election and vice versa. Theologians have argued, without resolve, the mechanics of these marvelous doctrines; nevertheless, all agree they both begin and end with God. On the other hand, it is reasoned that since this was decreed in eternity past, "before the foundation of the world" (Ephesians 1:1; 11; 3:10-11), it must refer to the Corporate Choice of "us" - meaning the Body of Christ - even as the Nation of Israel was elected (Romans 9:1-10). The Body of Christ, too, upon its revelation, was to function as an agent with special privileges, position and function for the execution of the plan of God, both in time and eternity. Greek scholars tell us that God made this choice "for Himself" - for His own satisfaction!

If the application, as here in Ephesians, is primarily to Corporate Election, then where does Personal Election fit in? In my opinion, Personal Election is the intimate - the up-close part of God's grace. It is the small picture, while Corporate Election is the distant part of God's grace - the big picture. Personal Election is warm, emotional and experiential; it is a part of the whole (Body). Corporate Election is doctrinal, theological and non-experiential; it is the whole (Body) and requires no decision or faith to receive, whereas, Personal Election is never independent of personal choice and faith in Christ. We reason then, since Christ is the KHRIS-TOS (gk) - the Anointed, the Elected One (Isaiah 42:1-7) - and we are united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), then the moment we believe we share His election blessings as "heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17).
Whatever else may be said or however else election may be explained, there is great comfort in knowing that the elections and callings of God have made us secure in Christ (Romans 11:29). If God said it, no matter what, God cannot go back on His Word (Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18 ). Praise God and give Him Glory!

 (2) Sanctifies us (vs. 4b). The same grace that called us and guaranteed our security is the same that has put the Body of Christ and the individual believer on display as a trophy of grace. God said, "That we should be holy [sanctified] and without blame before Him in love" (Ephesians 1:4; 3:10-11). Sanctification, like our election, is the result of being united with Christ. At the point of faith in Christ the very righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer's account (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-22). It is for this reason alone that we are called "saints" - as in verse one. Even the worst of believers is now made positionally "holy and without blame before Him." It was for this reason that we were chosen (cf. Romans 8:29) and put on public display "to be to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:6). Further, it was God's pleasure to allow the Holy Angels to see "the manifold wisdom of God" exhibited "by the Church" (Ephesians 3:10). Oh, such wonderful grace!

 (3) Adopts us (vs. 5). God has no children that are not born to Him (John 3:3,6-7; 1:12-13 and Titus 3:5-6). Our appreciation for this adoption comes from understanding that the Greek word HWEE-OTH-ES-EE-AH  is a compound word meaning, "to place as an adult son." The meaning of this word was born out of the ancient cultures, where, during a private or religious festival, a son was publicly declared to be an adult son and given all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go with adulthood. By way of application, we rejoice to know that at the moment of our spiritual regeneration, we are placed into the family of God with all of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of an adult son. We are privileged to not only be saved by grace, but now to serve Him, worship Him, walk before Him, and to witness about Him.

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

(4) Accepts us (vs. 6). The believer is embraced in grace. Once we are saved, our reception into the family of God is not some cold, formal, legal recognition, but, rather, a warm, loving, comfortable embrace "in the beloved." So closely are we held in His arms that we, as His children, may embrace God the Father with the personal greeting ABBA-PATER (gk) - Papa Father. We will never be more accepted by God than we are right now. I believe this is reminiscent of and illustrated by the Father's embrace of the prodigal son upon his return home.

When I think of our world and its sad and sinful condition and how much the children of Adam so desperately need God's healing and comforting embrace, I am truly heartbroken. However, most in our modern day will, like the Jews of Christ's day, refuse His embrace to their own hurt. Christ lamented this, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not" (Matthew 23:37)!

(5) Redeems us (vs. 7a). The drama of the ancient slave market is our wonderful experience. As slaves to sin, we were in hopeless bondage unless the "bill of debt" could somehow be removed (Romans 6:23; Col. 2:14). The transaction by which this was possible is called redemption. Redemption is from the Greek word APO-LOO-TRO-SIS  and means, "to be set free from the slave market as the result of a price paid." Jesus Christ removed that bill of debt that was against us, not by paying silver or gold, but payment was made through "His blood" (Ephesians 1:7,14; Colossians 1:14; 2:14; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19).  Now thank God, we are free from the slavery of sin, and free to serve God - never to go back into slavery again (Romans 6:18; 7:6).

(6) Forgives us (vs. 7b). The immediate result of our redemption is our complete forgiveness (Romans 8:1), the idea being that the consequences of our sin have been "carried away." In the Old Testament this was symbolically pictured by the scape-goat, who carried away sin with him into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:10). John the Baptist recognized the reality of this symbolism in Jesus Christ and declared Him to be "the Lamb from God which bears away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The debt against us is not viewed as simply canceled, but is fully paid as announced from the cross. Christ declared, "It is finished – paid in full" (Psalms 103:12; Hebrews 10:17)! All of this is "according to the riches of His grace."

(7) Informs us (vss. 8-10). Here is information about the overall purpose of God. This is inside information that has been hidden from the saints in the past concerning what God is doing in this present day and how it relates to a yet future dispensation: the "Dispensation of the Fullness of Times." Here, God takes us into His intimate confidence. This is an amazing privilege. We are not left in the dark but enlightened concerning His eternal purpose and our future role in it. Paul refers to this verse in Ephesians Chapter 3:2-6 where he gives more details concerning this mysterious purpose of God:

If ye have heard of the Dispensation of the Grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the Mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Ephesians 3:2-6).

It is this information and other areas of "wisdom" (Bible doctrine) that keep us from thinking and acting like a slave now that we are free. How wonderful it is to be both free and informed.

(8 ) Enriches us (vss. 11-12). The key word here is "inheritance." This is not surprising since much has already been said about God's riches and His desire to share that with those who are believers (Ephesians 1:7,18; 2:4,7). We can only speculate as to what this future inheritance really is. We do know that we shall inherit jointly with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17; Ephesians 3:6) and that it will take God the Father all of eternity to show us "the exceeding riches of His grace" toward us (Ephesians 2:7). Verse 12 implies that this inheritance will be so great in us and toward us that believers will live to the "praise of His glory" throughout all eternity. Just think of it! Here we were nothing and nobodies, outcasts, ungodly and enemies of God; yet, He blesses us with a great inheritance! Grace greater than all our sins!

(9) Seals us (vss. 13-14): It is often said that something is "signed, sealed and delivered." The "sealing" of God the Holy Spirit closely parallels what we mean by this expression. A seal confirms ownership and authenticates the object to which it is attached as being genuine. Furthermore, it is a guarantee of safe arrival. How wonderful that all believers are given this pledge from God that we belong to Him and that both we and our inheritance are destined to safely arrive in eternity.

CONCLUSION

We have been privileged to look upon our wonderful "Grace Mountain." God's bright light of inspiration and revelation has been focused upon this mountain. We have been fortunate to gaze upon it, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to see it with both our head and heart!! How very rich we as believers are!

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DOES GOD INTERVENE IN THE AFFAIRS OF MEN TODAY?
by Russell S. Miller


There is a teaching these days, that the Lord does not answer the prayers of His saints; that He is not interested, nor does He care about His people today, nor what they do. Since this age of grace is a timeless, signless age, it is argued that God does not intervene in the affairs of men today.

It is, of course, quite true that as far as tongues, signs, and miracles are concerned God has laid aside the Faith Healer in favor of dispensing "grace" through "faith" in this dispensation. But to say that God does not intervene today is in grave error.

The Apostle Paul, and those who have followed his ministry down through the centuries, would tell you that God is very much alive today, and that He is still on His throne.

God is looking for "faithful" men and women to equip for the ministry (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). Men whose one desire is to know the truth, and to make it known. Men who will not be drawn away by false doctrine, but who will point the saved, and unsaved alike, to the Scriptures, and the heavenly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the Pauline epistles.

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 3:9).

But this error, that the Lord has set the age of grace in motion, only to take His hand away, allowing us to drift without any moorings (Hebrews 6:19), is unthinkable of God.

That the conversion of Saul of Tarsus was an unexpected event in history as far as prophecy was concerned is obvious (Acts 9:1-6). It certainly took Paul by surprise. And the devil has not yet gotten over the shock of it. But what is most important about Paul's encounter with Christ is the fact that for 2000 years now, the Gospel of Grace has shined brightly in this dark world. In short, this is the greatest intervention of God into the affairs of men to date, when He physically appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus (Acts 22:6-11). A surprise of grace that even the Prophets had not predicted (Colossians 1:26).

Beloved, God intervenes in the affairs of men every time a sinner trusts Christ as his Saviour. Every time the Gospel is preached God intervenes to "edify" His saints; to save men and women, boys and girls, from sin's degradation--from a Christless eternity, and conform lives to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29; 12:1,2; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 3:10). And, by faith alone, to delivers us from this present evil world system (Galatians 1:4). Question: Are you ready for the next event in God's "mysterious" program, the "catching away" of His Church?

"And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, [who] delivers us from the wrath to come" (1 Thessalonians 1:10).

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OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BIBLE
by C.  R. Stam

    There are four passages in the New Testament where adjectives are used to describe "the Word of God" and where we are informed of our responsibility toward it as such.

For example, in James 1:21 it is called the "engrafted" or "implanted" Word, and as such we are advised to "receive" it "with meekness" since it is "able to save [our] souls" The Word of God, indeed, does have a way of getting down underneath, of getting "under our skins," so to speak. It is not merely sown, it is planted into men's hearts and often makes them miserable as it convicts them of sin and of their need of salvation through Christ. When it does this, says the Apostle: "receive" it "with meekness" for it is "able to save your souls."

Then, in Titus 1:9, it is called "the faithful Word," and as such we are urged to "hold it fast." "God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent." We can safely count on His Word and act upon it.

Next, in Philippians 2:16 the Bible is called "the Word of life," and as such we are to "hold it forth." The Word of God alone has power to regenerate and give spiritual life. St. Peter says that believers are "born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever" (1 Peter 1:23). Thus we should "hold it forth" to lost men as their only hope of eternal life.

Finally, in 2 Timothy 2:15 it is called "the Word of truth,"and as such we are told to "rightly divide it." If we fail to rightly divide it, we can change the truth into error, for God has not always dealt the same with mankind. Abel had to bring an animal sacrifice for salvation (Hebrews 11:4). The children of Israel were told to "keep" the law "indeed" to find acceptance with God (Exodus 19:5,6). But later Paul declared by divine inspiration: "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" (Titus 3:5).

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THE LAW AND THE WRATH OF GOD
by C. Stam


Romans 4:15 clearly states that "the law worketh wrath," but so many people, it seems, do not wish to see this. Even some clergymen tell us that God gave the Law to help us to be good, when God Himself says the very opposite; that it was given to show us that we are bad and need a Savior.

"The law worketh wrath." Every criminal knows this and every sinner should know it, for the Bible has much to say on the subject. Rom. 3:19,20 declares that the Law was given "that every mouth may be stopped, and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God," and this passage goes on to say:

"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."

II Cor. 3:7,9 calls the Law "the ministration of condemnation" and "the ministration of death." Gal. 3:10 says that those who are "of the works of the law," i.e., who seek to make themselves acceptable to God by keeping the Law," are under a curse," because the Law can only condemn them.

Those who approach God, expecting eternal life in return for "good works" are offering Him their terms -- which He will never accept. God will not sell justification to those already under condemnation for sin. But He does offer sinners complete justification by grace because:

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made acurse for us: for it is written; cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree"(Gal. 3:13).

Thank God, those who trust in Christ, "having redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7), "being justified, freely by His [God's] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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PAUL'S PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
Part 2 of  2
TITUS 1:1-3
by James R. Gray




*THE AIM OF MINISTRY __ (Titus 1:1bl:

After giving his position, Paul states that this was "according to the faith of God's elect." What does that mean? It seems to indicate that Paul's position is dependent upon the faith of God's people, as to be regulated by it. We know from Scripture that is not the case (see Galatians 1:1,11-12, 15-17). Paul's position came directly from the Lord, and was not of man, nor dependent upon man.

The word translated "according" is the Greek word kata, and found in the accusative case. This is taken by Bible students in one of two ways: First, many take it to mean the standard of Paul's ministry, and is reflected in the translation of the KJV. This view takes it to mean "in accord with or in harmony with the faith which God's elect possess" (Homer Kent Jr, THE PASTORAL EPISTLES, 216). While it is true this may be the natural meaning, they recognized that it can be taken in the sense of purpose or goal. However, their objection to it is on the basis that this preposition is used four time here, and that this "rendering cannot be given to all four occurrences" (D. Edmond Hiebert, "Titus," THE EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE COMMENTARY, 11:426).

The problem is that this view must see the faith of the elect as some form of regulation. It may be denied by some (Hiebert, 11:426), but it is clearly the case. Kent openly confirms it. He writes:

Paul's ministry could be measured by this yardstick. Believers are responsible to test the spirits (1 John 4:1). Paul could be tested by comparing his preaching and teaching with the doctrine which the believers held (p. 216).

Second is the view that takes the preposition in the sense of purpose of goal. That the preposition kata "expresses the aim of Paul's apostleship, and not the standard" (A.T. Robertson, WORD PICTURES, 4:597). Those who hold this view would translate the preposition as "for" as does the NASV, or "in the interest of" as Hendriksen does (NTC: I-II TIMOTHY AND TITUS, 340). We prefer this view because it is exegetical sound, and fits well the context of the Epistle. And it does away with the problem of regulation based upon the faith of God's people.

This being the case, Paul's philosophy of ministry sees the aim of ministry as:

* FAITH.

Faith here is not objective in the sense of "the faith" (doctrine, or body of truth). There is no article in the Greek. It is the personal faith which starts with salvation and grows with edification. The aim of service or ministry is to promote and further the salvation and edification of God's people (Romans 1:5). This is done both by evangelism and edification.

* KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.

The word "acknowledging" is the Greek word epignosis, meaning a full or thorough knowledge. The aim of ministry is to bring people to fully acknowledge the truth. Again this is done both by salvation and edification. To acknowledge this truth "which is after godliness." Salvation and edification is to lead to godliness. Ministry is not to center only upon mind (intellectualism), but truth that changes lives. To conform and transform us to the image of Christ. Ministry which professes to convey truth, but does not promote godliness is a artificial ministry. A true philosophy of ministry must have as it's aim: faith, knowledge, and godliness.

* MOTIVATION OF MINISTRY (Titus 1:2-3):

"In the hope of eternal life." The connective "in" is the Greek word epi. It means "resting upon" or "on the basis of." To what does it refer? Some take it to refer back to Paul's apostleship. While this is true, it seems to limiting. It is better to take it as modifying the entire subject of the first verse. The attitude and aim of ministry rests upon hope, the hope of eternal life. "The faith and the knowledge spoken of have as their basis of action, or energy, the hope of eternal life" (THE EXPOSITOR'S GREEK TESTAMENT, 4:185).

Paul certainly sees hope as a vital and important aspect of his philosophy of ministry. It is the motivating basis of ministry. Paul says he toils and strives in ministry "because we have fixed our hope on the living God" (1 Timothy 4:10, NASV; also see 2 Timothy 1:12). He uses the hope set before us as a motivating factor in our lives as well (1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 2:12, 1 Timothy 4:7-8 ).

It must be noted that Paul is not saying that we minister in order to obtain the hope of eternal life. We are saved by grace apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Both eternal life and hope are our possession here and now (Ephesians 4:4, Colossians 1:5, 27, Titus 3:7). However, this hope will not be fully realized until eternity. Hope is a present possession waiting for future realization. Thus, we minister because of the possession of the hope of eternal life. This hope energizes us to service.

This hope, Paul goes on to say, was promised, manifested, and committed (Titus 1:3). It was promised by a God who cannot lie. Manifested in the preaching of the Word. And committed to him by God's command.

Paul's philosophy of ministry is clearly revealed in this greeting to Titus. However, it is important to realize that this philosophy of ministry is not simply for the "professional" servant (pastors, evangelist, missionaries, etc). It is one that should be a part of everyone's philosophy of ministry. No matter how or where you serve God, you should exhibit the attitude of humility with authority, aim at evangelism and edification, and be motivated by the hope that is within you.

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Grace Is Bigger Than Your Sins
by Steve McVey


One of the most amazing aspects of God's grace is the way it blows sin right off the map of our lives. Make no mistake about it - sin lost the battle with God and is now a nonentity as far as its ability to stop His purposes for the life of the Christian. Are there consequences for our sins? We have all seen that often to be the case. Do our sins disqualify us from being used by God? Not at all.

David committed a horrible sin when he slept with Bathsheba, but after they were married and God wanted the temple to be rebuilt it was her son, Solomon, that He used to accomplish that project.

Peter flatly denied that he even knew Jesus, but when it came time for the sermon to be preached on the day of Pentecost, he was the man who God used that day.

Abraham had his wife Sarah tell a king that she was his sister so that the king wouldn't kill him to have a chance to take her. Despite his horrible and cowardly sin, God reaffirmed His intention to make him the father of a great nation many times afterwards.

The list could go on and on. It's a strange thing to hear debate in the church today about who God can and can't use. The fact is that God can use anybody He wants to use. I learned this truth even before I understood the grace walk. Years ago someone asked me about a certain, flamboyant TV evangelist. "What do you think of him?" I was asked. "He's an idiot," I responded in my "I-haven't-learned-a-thing-about-grace" way that was all too common back then. The woman then went on to tell me how God had used that man's ministry to transform her life. "What do you think now?" she asked. Without hesitation, I answered, "I guess God uses idiots!"

While my response was far from graceful, it's true. God uses idiots. I should know. He used me despite my years of legalistic idiocy. God can use you too. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you might have done something that is so terrible that your Father can't redeem your past and use your life for His glory. He can use you and He will use you.

Jesus came to put away your sin and He fully succeeded at that. (See Hebrews 9:26) We need to stop worshipping our sins by focusing on them and glory in the finished work of the cross. God's grace is bigger than our sins and He will use our lives for His glory. Let's just trust Him to do it!

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"The Splendor of His Glory"
By R.H. Schaefer


If then, you were roused
together with Christ, be
seeking that Which is
above, where Christ is
sitting at the right hand of God.

Be disposed to that which is
above, not to that on the
earth, for you died, and
your life has been hid
together with Christ in God.

Whenever Christ, OUR LIFE,
should be manifested, then
you also will be manifested
together with Him in Glory
(Col. 3:1-4).


Oh! that we could think God's thoughts! That we could see the Christ as God sees Him! As a young man recently wrote me, "Men do not reject Christ, what they reject is our (meager) concepts (and presentation) of Christ."  Oh! that we could think God's thoughts as He sees us as having been awakened because of our encounter with His Christ. For seeing this our seeking would irresistibly be drawn to God's Christ and to the realm or His enthronement above. God has placed a "death" in our path by virtue of uniting us with our Savior in His death and with our Lord in His seating. The lustre of this union pales all else besides. The most beautiful and attractive things on earth are but humble pointers of things above. The vast inner temple of life, that inner "secret hiding place" known to each of us and  to God,  is indeed "in spirit, His Temple" (Eph. 2: 22), and been kept inviolable and unprofaned as God's secret meeting place with us in Christ with Christ in Himself. All of  God's purpose for Creation is summed up briefly in this, that it all be made Christlike, or as Ephesians 1:10 aptly expresses it, "totaled up in Him," summed up in Him," "headed up in Him." Christ is the expression of what our life  is meant to be, Christ is the expression of what our life will yet be, hence the Colossian passage boldly expresses it, 'Christ OUR life."

The "appearing," or better, "manifestation" of our Lord is not a synonym for the parousia or presence, or: as the A. V. so frequently translates it, "coming."  The Second Epistle of Peter stresses the parousia while the first mentions the "manifestation." The temper of the two is quite different, the latter being identified with the Day of the Lord and of God (3:4, 10, 12) and the earlier with blessings (1 Pet. 1:7, 13, 20; 5:4), When the Colossian passage speaks of "whenever Christ ....  should be manifest" (Col. 3:4), of what is the text speaking? The A. V. translated "appear" rather than "manifest" but the latter is correct. The word used here (Greek (phanerothe from phaneroo) means simply "to bring to light, to view clearly, to see one as he is." This could be a mental viewing, or an actual comprehension of another in the fullness of his being. It is interesting that Peter in his second epistle (1:16-18 ) declares that he had  made known the power and presence (coming) of the Lord Jesus Christ,  i.e., His incarnation presence, but then he goes on to  speak of Mount of Transfiguration and the majesty seen there.

Peter had been in the "presence" of Christ for a number of years prior to the transfiguration where Christ is seen for the first time in the fullness of His being, garmented with light and His face shone like the sun--this was the manifestation that Paul saw on the Damascus road. 'The hope of the Body of Christ collectively am personally is epitomized and summarized in this wondrous Colossian passage:

Whenever Christ, OUR LIFE, should be manifested ...

whenever He is seen in the majesty and splendor of His being, what He really is in His fullness, then we see ourselves as God intends us to be. Surely that is the meaning of the rest of that Colossian passage:

... Then you also will be manifested together with Him ...

First John 2: 28 and 3: 2 shed some light upon the meaning of this word "appear" or "manifest." The first is used in conjunction with parousia:

If He is MANIFESTED we may have confidence and not be shamed from Him in the PRESENCE of Him.

'The second reference is self-explanatory as to the meaning of "appear" or "be manifest":

... and not yet was it MANIFESTED what we shall be, we know that if he (he? it?) is manifested like Him we shall be, BECAUSE WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.

Subjectively, we are transformed only as we see Christ.

Now, in the written Word that speaks of His person and work, hence, "that  Christ might be completely at home in our hearts by faith (not by sight) .

Objectively, then we too are transformed:

...manifested 'TOGETHER with Him.

Oh, to think God's thoughts with Him, to see as He sees, the whole and not merely the part!

Then the Colossian passage adds:

IN GLORY

This is truly the substance, the reality of the Shekinah (Heb. Shekinah, the dwelling place). It was out of this glory that the heavenly voice spake on the holy mount (2 Pet. 1:17) and it is uniquely "'The Magnificent Glory." It was always God's plan that we bear the heavenly image; that was true in the very act of creation itself. God's ultimate purpose for Israel was that they make known to the nations the glory of God. ''To awaken in His likeness" was the hope of ages past. But from now on forward whenever Christ OUR LIFE is manifested (Oh! so intimate is our oneness with Him!) that the manifestation will automatically be a mutual one. And, it will be IN GLORY, at one, at home in the splendor of His glory, wherever that is and wherever it might yet be. e Our destiny will be one with Him forever.

[nChrist]

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Now Means Now!
by Anabel Gillham



Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:1

Now (adverb): at the present time; at once (Webster)

I've been thinking about the difference between conviction and condemnation. When the Holy Spirit convicts me of something that I have done wrong, the thoughts will be something like this: “I really blew that! I was wrong. I should have thought before I said that. That was certainly not a Christ-like thing to do! I’ll go over the first thing tomorrow and make an apology. I am so thankful that He has promised to complete what He started. He still has a lot of work to do on me - that’s for sure!” In conviction there is hope - hope for changing fleshly patterns because of the power of Christ in me - hope for righting wrongs - hope for overcoming.

On the other hand, thoughts of condemnation will attack me - myself - not just my performance. For example, “I am such a loser. I do everything wrong. I should not be teaching or witnessing. What a sorry Christian I've turned out to be. I can’t do anything right.” There’s no hope in those accusations - just condemnation. Those words condemn me because of my poor performance and give birth to guilt, depression, disappointment, hopelessness, and a lot of other destructive thoughts.

The Holy Spirit isolates - brings to mind - the sinful act. Satan, however, makes broad, all-inclusive accusations against my person/character/integrity. God will never condemn me. Why? Because He knows me - my new heart, my desire to please Him, my love for Him - and He doesn't expect me to perform perfectly. That’s His program - conforming me to the image of His Son. “Conforming” means there’s work to be done - changing my performance, the things I do - not my identity. There is, therefore, NOW no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

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FULL PROVISION
By Miles Stanford



"Let him ask in faith and have no doubts; for he who has doubts is like the surge of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed into spray. A person of that sort must not expect to receive anything from the Lord - such a one is a man of two minds, undecided in every step he takes" (James 1:6-8, Wey.).


First, we are to rest in the fact that our Father has made full provision for all our needs; positionally, we are complete in the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it is that we can trust Him daily for His "exceeding abundantly above." "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19).

"It is true that all God requires of us we lack; but it is also true that all we need He supplies. The believer can give thanks that God has supplied all his need as to standing, and He engages to supply all his need as to walk. But while we see our Father's requirement, and recognize His provision, let us not overlook our responsibility.

"When we fail it is to this our failure may be traced. It is not because the provision has been insufficient, or unavailable, or afar off - but because the channel has been obstructed, the avenues of the soul have been closed, so that the need has remained unsupplied. Our responsibility lies in the exercise of faith." - E.H.

"I will not think of the infinities of my need, except to lead me to the divine simplicity of the infinity of His supply." - H.C.G.M.

"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him" (1 John 5:14,15).

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WORKMEN - APPROVED
Scripture Reading: II Timothy 2: 15-18



What will happen if we do not try hard to please God in correctly handling His Word? We will no doubt be disapproved. " ... the fire shall try every man's work ... " What we do is based upon what we believe the Bible teaches. If we have a careless or mistaken approach to Holy Scripture, it can ruin our works. This is why we must strive diligently In our study of the Word. Our careful study will give us the full knowledge of the right divisions of the Bible that will enable us to handle every detail properly. First, must be the overall approach, then will come the interpretation of the details. Surely we have known people who understood the exact particulars of the Old Testament sacrificial system, or the words of Christ in the Gospels, or the New Jerusalem, yet did not know where they fit in the overall program and purposes of God. Let us be better students than that!

Our text presents some possibilities of danger if we do not diligently study God's Word. First, profane and vain babblings can come in. Second, ungodly conduct can result. Third, the word of error can produce decay in someone's life. Fourth, faith can be overthrown by mishandling the Bible.

Bad doctrine and its companion, evil conduct, combine to produce shame. The worker that produces this cannot be approved.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." Will you he that workman?  Are you that workman today? Can you say that you are correctly understanding and explaining God's Word? If so, you are a worker, approved now and hereafter.

[nChrist]

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THE GREATEST
By Miles Stanford



"We love Him, because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

We first come to know something of the Lord Jesus' love by what He did for us; but that is only the basis for coming to know His love in what He is to us. The first is known at the Cross, the latter is entered into through personal fellowship with the risen Lord.

"There are three steps in appreciation of His love for us. First, I learn that He loves me so much that He saved me. He is our treasure; 'My Beloved is mine' (SS 6:3). The second step of affection is the consciousness that He loves me so much that He has a right to me. He would have me for Himself. 'I am my Beloved's' (SS 6:3).

"The third step is the consciousness that He loves me so much that He wants my company. 'His desire is toward me' (SS 7:10). Love's delight is found in the company of its object. May we know in a deeper way, and in a fuller measure, the sweetness of personal intimacy with 'the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me' (Gal. 2:20).

"Much ministry is lost upon us as to any practical result, because we are not prepared to be detached from things here, so as to be simply here for Christ. And the preparation for this is to come personally under the influence of the blessed attractiveness of the Lord Jesus. When we sit under His shadow with great delight, everything else becomes so small, and loses its hold upon our hearts."--- C.A.C.

"But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (II Cor. 3:18 ).

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No Forwarding Address
by Steve Me Vey

Sometimes people have the mistaken notion that grace plus faith equals a happy lifestyle at every moment. That's a dangerous doctrine because it forces those held captive by it to fake it even when life seems to be crumbling around them. To feel and act normally in devastating circumstances isn't an option for them because they have wrongly thought that faith means any situation we face can never knock us down and we certainly can't let ourselves admit negative feelings. That view stands in sharp contrast to the Apostle Paul's words about the way he felt during great times of trial. (See 2 Corinthians 1 :8-9 and 4:8-9)

Melanie and I recently endured one week of time in which we faced six different situations that threatened to forever change our lives in very painful ways. In fact, three of the situations involved health issues among family members that could lead to death. It was a week in which we felt like we were in living hell. It seemed like God had moved and forgot to leave a forwarding address with us. My prayers seemed to fall back on my head and I didn't want to talk to anybody.

Have you ever felt like that? Maybe you feel that way now. The climate of our world is certainly conducive to widespread personal problems in people's lives. Financial threats, health scares, and a general sense of instability in the world make these trying days for all of us at times.

If you find yourself in a situation like that right now, you can be assured of a few things that can help you if you'll believe them. First, know that you aren't abnormal. When we face our own trials, sometimes it seems like things are going well for everybody else and we wonder why it can't be that way for us. The reality is that you may not know what others are going through. You can be sure of one thing - you aren't unique in the fact that you're facing the troubles you have. God hasn't singled you out to bring down disaster on you. The rest of us are there at times too.

Secondly, you can know that your Father hasn't abandoned you. Even when heaven seems silent, God is with you. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit have placed you squarely in the center of their divine group hug and nothing can move you from that place. So when you don't feel it, at least choose to know it, because it's true.

Finally, know that your problem will ultimately pass. Things will change, either now or later. So, until they do, cling to Jesus and know that He is clinging to you and will not abandon you.

It's okay to feel emotionally low. Job did. (See Job 23:1-10) Paul did. (See the verses referenced above.) Even Jesus did. (See Luke 22:40-44) Just because you feel low doesn't mean your faith is low. Jesus is your Faith. So lean on Him and rest in His faith until the storm passes.

[nChrist]

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THE VALUE OF BIBLE STUDY
by C. R. Stam


"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" (II Tim. 3:15).

Timothy was a fortunate young man. His father was not a believer in Christ, but his godly mother made up for this lack as, day after day, from his earliest childhood, she taught him the Word of God. As a result he came to know Christ at an early age and later became St. Paul’s faithful co-worker and close associate in making known the wonderful "good news of the grace of God."

In his very last letter the great Apostle Paul recalls Timothy’s "unfeigned faith... which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice" (II Tim. 1:5).

If only we had more such mothers and grandmothers today, with husbands to help them! If only our American children were not set adrift on a restless sea of human speculation, but were taught the eternal truths of God’s Word, the Bible!

We all need to "know the Holy Scriptures," not only because they teach reverence for God and build moral character, but most of all because they "are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith... in Christ Jesus."

The theme of the Bible, the Old Testament as well as New, is the Lord Jesus Christ, the riches of whose saving grace are unfolded to us in the Epistles of Paul, the chief of sinners saved by grace. It was to Paul that God committed the preaching of the cross of Christ. He it is who tells us about the riches that flow from Calvary. He it is who tells us, by divine inspiration that:

"...WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH [CHRIST’S] BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph. 1:7).

"THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Eph. 2:7).

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THE LIVING GOD
by C. R. Stam


"My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God" (Psa. 42:2).

The recent "God is dead" theory had little true comfort or satisfaction for men in trouble or sorrow.

For years we supposed that the term "the living God," in the above passage, had reference to God’s power to help, in contrast to the impotence of dead heathen idols. A careful examination of the context, however, leads us to believe that it has rather to do with His ability to respond. The gods of the heathen, by contrast, were like children’s dolls; they could not even change their countenance or respond in any way.

"The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.
"They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
"They have ears, but they hear not, neither is there any breath in their mouths" (Psa. 135:15-17).

But the true God is a living God. He does see, hear and respond. The Psalmist, in Psalm 42, compares himself to a stag, panting with thirst. It is sometimes supposed that the scene is one of a stag pursued in the chase, but the passage says nothing of this. Palestine is a dry land and entirely apart from being hunted down, a deer might well pant for streams of running water.

Be this as it may, the stag, in this passage, is not seeking for help; he is thirsting for refreshment, and so did the Psalmist long for the refreshment of fellowship with God, the living God.

How wonderful it is that we may know the living God through faith in Christ! This is why the Apostle Paul declares in Heb. 10:19:

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. "

By His death at Calvary our Lord tore away the veil that kept us from entering into God’s presence, and now in response to our need He says:

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb. 4:16).

Yes, God is a living God!