GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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LIVING WITH SIN'S CONSEQUENCES
By Neil Anderson


Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord (Romans 12:19).


Forgiveness does not mean that you must tolerate sin. Isabel, a young wife and mother attending one of my conferences, told me of her decision to forgive her mother for continually manipulating her for attention. But Isabel tearfully continued, "She is no different. Am I supposed to let her keep ruining my life?"

No, forgiving someone doesn't mean that you must be a doormat to their continual sin. I encouraged Isabel to confront her mother lovingly but firmly, and tell her that she would no longer tolerate destructive manipulation. It's okay to forgive another's past sins and, at the same time, take a stand against future sins. Forgiving is not a codependent activity.

Forgiveness does not demand revenge or repayment for offenses suffered. "You mean I'm just supposed to let them off the hook?" you may argue. Yes, you let them off your hook, realizing that they are not off God's hook. You may feel like exacting justice, but you are not an impartial judge. God is the just Judge who will make everything right (Romans 12:19). Your job is to extend the mercy of forgiveness and leave judgment up to God.

Forgiveness is agreeing to live with the consequences of another person's sin. Suppose that someone in your church says, "I have gossiped about you. Will you forgiven me?" You can't retract gossip any easier than you can put toothpaste back into the tube. You're going to live with the gossip this person spread about you no matter how you respond to the gossiper.

We are all living with the consequences of another person's sin: Adam's. The only real choice we have in the matter is to live in the bondage of bitterness or in the freedom of forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, I give up my right to seek revenge or harbor resentment. I want to enjoy the freedom which comes from forgiving others.

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COLOSSIANS 1:22.

"but now you were reconciled in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable in his presence,"

The Greek phrase translated "but now" (nuni de) consists of the conjunction "De" with the adverb "nuni " and may be rendered but in the now or present time. Having discussed the Colossians' former, estranged and hostile relation to God in the previous verse, Paul shifts gears by use of this phrase to show their present standing with God. Paul's use of "nuni de" here and in comparable passages clearly denotes a change in God's reconciliatory program from His exclusive, legal relation to Israel to that which is centered in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ for both Jews and Gentiles in this present Church age (Rom. 3:21; Eph. 2:13).

The word translated "you were reconciled" comes from three words, which literally in reverse order mean to change down from. Good English equivalents are first, to reconcile, and second, to restore to favor. This word is used three times in the New Testament, all by Paul, conclusively indicating the Divine action used to change a sinner from an enemy relation to God unto being acceptable to Him (Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20).

Since the manuscript evidence available to us in relation to the form of this word here is divided, we will discuss the significance of both feasible forms presented. The first form means that this reconciliation was completed (aorist tense) by an outside agent (passive voice) upon the subject, "you" (second person plural). The second form means that "he" (God or Jesus Christ, third person singular) actively completed (active voice and aorist tense) the work of reconciliation upon the recipients, "you" as found in verse 21. Whichever way we go, the meaning is the same; it took a sovereign act of Deity to reconcile dead-in-sin enemies to God (cf. Eph. 2:4-5).

Paul says that they were reconciled "in the body of his flesh through death." The phrase translated "in the body" is in the locative case indicating the place where this reconciliation occurred, i.e., in the physical body of Jesus Christ (Matt. 27:58-59; Heb. 10:10). The word for "flesh" is in the genitive case and as such means that Jesus' body belongs to flesh as He was identified with the human race by actually taking upon Himself a flesh and blood body (Rom. 1:3; 1 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 2:14). Also, the pronoun is in the genitive case indicating that the body of flesh belongs to Him, hence, we have translated it "the body of his flesh." As the Apostle Paul painstakingly uses this language, his intent is unmistakable; Jesus Christ, although God, became a man, taking on a human flesh and blood body that was capable of bearing the sin of the world (Phil. 2:6-7; 1 Peter 2:24).

The purpose for this body was that "through death" or through the agency of physical death He might lay the basis for the reconciliation of men with God. The fact that Jesus Christ became a man, suffered a physical death bearing our sins, and was raised from the dead as a life-giving basis upon which God reconciles men to Himself is central to the Pauline Epistles, God's purpose in this Church age (Rom. 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:16-21; Heb. 2:9, 14).

Furthermore, the phrase the body of flesh is used one other time by Paul in Colossians 2:11, where he speaks of the circumcision-separation of "the body of flesh" from believers, i.e., the putting off of the body of sin, the old man (Rom. 6:6). Therefore, by using the same phrase in relation to our Lord, Paul may be referring to His flesh and blood body permeated with our sin, which He assumed in His body on the cross. It is certainly necessary to hold to the fact that when Jesus Christ died, His body was laden down with the sin of the world so He could be the sin substitute for all who are identified with Him and the basis of their reconciliation with God (Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:11-13).

The Greek word translated "to present" comes from the two words and literally meaning to stand beside and could also be rendered to stand or place by in similar contexts (2 Cor.11 :2; 2 Tim. 2:15). The fact that it is an infinitive indicates the reason for the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ was to present holy, blameless, and irreproachable men before God, in the sight of God, hence, "in his presence" Eph. 1:4; Jude 24).

The words translated "you," "holy," "blameless," and "irreproachable" at the end of this verse are all accusative, plural nouns, and in this relation are descriptive of one another. The first word describing the character of how these Colossian believers were presented to God is "holy," sanctified, and ones set apart (as a noun) for God's service (Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 7:34). Second, they were presented "blameless," without blame, and ones void of fault (as a noun) before God (Eph. 5: 27; Phil. 2:15). Third, they were stood in the presence of God "irreproachable," unindictable, and ones unable to be called into question (as a noun; 1 Cor. 1:8; Titus 1:6-7). Believers are acceptable to God and worthy to stand in His presence because they have been considered holy, blameless, and irreproachable since they were identified with the one who truly bears these qualities, Jesus Christ (l Cor. 1:30; 1 Peter 1:19).

By Charles Schiedler

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PRAYER PROMISES
By  Pastor Joel Finck

Scripture Reading: Matthew 21:22; Philippians 4:6, 7 ; Ephesians 3:20

It is popular these days to "claim" the great prayer promises of Scripture, regardless of to whom these promises were addressed. For example, we read in Matthew 21:22, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." This is certainly a remarkable promise, and countless thousands have attempted to claim it as their own. However, many have experienced great disappointment when their prayers went unanswered. Some suffer great disillusionment and conclude that "the Bible just doesn't work." Others undergo spiritual depression as well meaning "friends" tell them that they "just didn't have enough faith." If a few cases, some have even turned against God, concluding that He went back on His promise.

The solution to all these problems, of course, is to "rightly divide the word of truth." Christ's promise to His disciples in Matthew's gospel pertained specifically to them as participants in the kingdom program for Israel. God's prayer promises to the body of Christ in this dispensation are found in Paul's epistles, and in these, we never read that God will give us whatsoever we ask. Rather, God promises us that when we truly leave our requests with Him, then "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7). Sometimes God's withholding of what we ask is actually blessing in disguise, "for we know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Romans 8:26). Who knows what trouble we would heap to ourselves if we got everything we asked for? But praise God, He gives peace to the trusting child!

We emphasized the fact that in this dispensation of grace, God does not always give us what we pray for, but He does promise peace when we leave our worries with Him (Philippians 4:6,7). But just because God doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want them answered doesn't mean we should stop praying. Paul instructs us to "Pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17). Neither does it mean that God does not answer our prayers at all. Indeed, one of the greatest prayer promises in all the Bible is found in today's text.

"Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). Meditate on these words for a moment. Our God is certainly able to give us what we pray for, but Paul does not stop there. God is able to go far beyond our short-sighted requests and give us what is truly needed in our lives. Imagine a billionaire telling you, "ask what ever you want, and I will give it to you." Now imagine this same billionaire being someone who knew you intimately and loved you with all his heart, and saying, "trust me and I can do far more for you than you could ask or even imagine." Which of these would be a better promise? The wise man would choose the second.

This is exactly what God has done for His children today. He does not promise to give us whatever we ask, as He promised the twelve apostles of Israel. Instead, He tells us to leave our cares and requests with Him, then trust Him to do what is best. Do this by faith, and you will find true peace and blessing!

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TEACHING THE TRUTH
GIVEN TO NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES
PART 1 OF 3
By E.R. Campbell


As those who have had considerable experience in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering, and knowing that each part must be precisely fitted and designed to carry out its specific junction in relation to the whole, it distresses us to see people failing to distinguish between the various parts of the Bible. The vast majority, in this humanistic era in which we live, don't seem to recognize that each part is fitted and designed to fulfill a given function in God's total purpose for the ages.

First, we want to reaffirm the fact that the 66 books in the Bible ARE THE WORD OF GOD. This is a fact which the Holy Spirit has settled! It is not a question which is open for debate in our own mind. We feel that it is important to emphasize our unrelenting stand for the Divine inspiration of the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, in view of the weird things the unlearned say about those who honestly endeavor to distinguish the things which differ (2 Peter 3:15-16; Phil. 1:10). For those who discern to whom and during what age each portion of the Bible was written, it is a consistent whole. Those who refuse to make this discernment, and at the same time claim that the Bible does not contradict itself, thereby manifest their ignorance of its contents. Such naivete is inexcusable for one who professes to be a student of the Bible.

Second, we affirm on the basis of the Bible itself that it contains a record of what God has said to and for men from the beginning (Gen. 1:1) unto the time when Jesus Christ will give over the Kingdom to God the Father (1 Cor. 15:24). Looking at it from our vantage point, it contains many messages which were given in the past, a distinct message for the present, and a prophetic message for the future.

The truth revealed for a given period of time is not proportionate to the length of the period. The first eleven chapters in the Book of Genesis give us a very brief record which covers the span of time from the creation of the universe to the time when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees (1800 B.C. prox.). During this period of time God gave specific instructions to several different individuals, particularly, to Adam, Eve, Cain, and to Noah and his sons. These instructions primarily applied to what they were to do in their immediate environment.

The second period of time that is clearly recognizable in the Old Testament covers the span from Abraham's departure from Ur of the Chaldees unto the departure of his descendants from Egypt (Gen. 12:1 - Exod. 24:3). During this period God gave instructions to Abraham in keeping with his circumstances, made promises to him pertaining to his seed and their land, and instructed Moses to lead them out of their awful situation in Egypt. This period of time extended over approximately 400 years.

The third period covered the span from the giving of the Law to Israel (1400 B.C. prox.) unto the coming and death of Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:19; 23-24). The historical setting within which Jesus spoke that which is in the Synoptic Gospels was in this Law period. During this period, approximately 1400 years, God governed Israel through the Mosaic Law conjoined with the prophets. God's message during this period was designed to make Israel conscious of the exceeding sinfulness of sin (Rom. 3:19-20; 7:13). Jesus Christ's message, spoken during the latter part of this period, was a heightened version of the Law for the coming Kingdom (Matt. 5:17-48 ). These intensified laws will govern those living in the Messianic Kingdom, a time when "creation itself will be freed from the bondage of corruption," i.e., from the curse resulting from Adam's sin (Rom. 8:21).

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TEACHING THE TRUTH
GIVEN TO NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES
PART 2 OF 3
By E.R. Campbell



The fourth period covers the span from the resurrection of Jesus Christ unto the miraculous saving and commissioning of Paul as the Apostle of the Church (Acts 9:1-17). During this period of time the Twelve Apostles were offering the Messianic Kingdom to the nation of Israel with its accompanying sign gifts (Acts 3:18-26). Continuous resistance to their message culminated in the death of Stephen, the epitome of their rejection of Christ and His Kingdom, and the point at which God began to reveal the distinctly new unprophesied Church. The message in the early chapters of Acts up to the public ministry of the Apostle Paul (Acts 11:26) primarily pertains to the offer and extension of the earthly Kingdom and not the Church. Grievous error results, which is very inconsistent with Paul's later epistles, when Church doctrine is based on these early chapters.

The fifth period covers the span from the beginning of Paul's public ministry to the final laying aside of the nation of Israel (Acts 11:26; 13:9, 13; 28:26-28 ). During this period Paul was still preaching the Gospel first to the Jews (Acts 13:14-41; 14: 1; 17:1-3, 10, 17; Rom. 1:16). At this time he still possessed the power to perform miracles (Acts 13:11; 14:3, 9; 15:12), which were associated with his Messiah-verifying ministry to the nation of Israel (Acts 9:15). During this time the Truth of the Mystery was being progressively revealed to him (Gal. 1:12; 1 Cor. 2: 6-10; 2 Cor. 12:1, 7). On the one hand, Paul was confirming the fact to Israel that Jesus of Nazareth was the prophesied Messiah and King (Acts 13:23, 38; 17:2-3,7; 18:5), and, on the other hand, he was proclaiming Him as the unprophesied Head of something new, His Body, the Church (1 Cor. 11:3; 12:13).

The sixth period covers the span from the laying aside of the nation of Israel (Acts 28:28 ) to the writing of the last books included in the New Testament canon (60-90 A.D. prox.). Subsequent to God's final dealing with Israel as a nation (following the Book of Acts) there are no more sign gifts, miracles cease. Sign gifts were an integral part of God's dealing with Israel, but this dealing having ceased until the fulness of the Gentiles comes (Rom. 11:25), sign gifts likewise have ceased to exist. During this period physical entities, which were very significant in conjunction with Israel, appear to give way to their spiritual counterparts, spiritual circumcision and baptism (Col. 2:11-12). The Mystery, which was progressively revealed to the Apostle Paul, reached its ultimate and final revelation in the epistles he wrote during this period (Eph. 3:2-9; Col. 1:25-28 ).

Having given a brief resume of how God has spoken to men in different times and circumstances in the course of Divine history, in accordance with His eternal purpose, now let us focus our attention on that which He spoke through the Apostle Paul (Gal. 1:12) to the New Testament churches. Since we live, move, and minister in the same church age it is 100% logical that our message and ministry should, as exactly as possible, conform to that which was given to these churches. As we teach that which Paul taught, and as we don't teach that which he did not teach, why do some who profess the Name of Christ think that what we do is strange? From the positive point of view, what Paul taught the New Testament churches is the norm and standard for this present Church age (2 Tim. 2:2). From the negative point of view, what is beyond and contrary to what Paul taught is "another gospel"  Gal. 1: 6), or a perverted gospel . Gal.1:7), and the one teaching it is to be accursed (Gal. 1:8-9).

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TEACHING THE TRUTH
GIVEN TO NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES
PART  3  OF 3
By E.R. Campbell



Now let us consider the epistles which were written by the Apostle Paul. We will list these in the general order in which they were most likely written. The majority of Paul's Epistles were addressed to churches, namely, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Galatians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philippians. Four of his epistles were addressed to individuals, namely, Philemon, Titus, and 1 & 2 Timothy. One of his epistles was written to Jewish believers who had leaders, namely, Hebrews (13:7, 17, 24), which was apparently sent to one or more churches in Judea (Acts 26:20). Thus we may affirm that ten of Paul's Epistles were written directly to churches to give them the Truth necessary for their development and maturity.

Three of the four epistles Paul addressed to individuals were written to his co-laborers, Titus and Timothy. These epistles, though addressed to individuals, with a minimal amount of personal instruction in them, primarily pertain to churches. They emphasize the need to guard against false teaching, to hold fast to sound teaching, and to maintain good works. They give us invaluable information on how a church is to function and govern itself.

The fourth of the individual epistles was actually addressed to both Philemon and the church which met in his house (vv. 1-2). Its message is directed toward a given believer in the church at Colossae, but it is applicable to all believers in like circumstances in all churches. In conclusion, even though four of Paul's Epistles were addressed to individuals, their contents universally apply to all New Testament churches.

Since there are some who don't believe the Book of Hebrews was written by the Apostle Paul, and who don't believe that the contents of this book are for the Church, we want to briefly touch on this issue, hoping to be able to deal with it more fully in the future.

In order to understand the Pauline authorship of the Book of Hebrews it is imperative that we identify with Paul, the Jew, who was hated unto death by many of his brethren according to the flesh (Acts 21:31; 23:12). We need to sit where he sat, walk where he walked, and become oriented with him in our perception of those who were his kinsmen (Rom. 10:1). Paul himself personally knew what it was to hate Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and to persecute His followers unto death (Acts 9: 1-2; 1 Tim. 1:13). He was aware of the fact that it took a Damascus Road miracle, the personal appearance of Jesus Christ, to effect his conversion. He knew the struggle involved in turning from the Law, and the sense of security it afforded, to the despised and rejected Messiah. He personally knew the ostracism and consequences of such a change. Positing the fact that Paul thoroughly knew the mind-set of those to whom he was writing, that he was a masterful communicator of the Gospel committed unto him (Gal. 1:12), both the anonymity and contents of Hebrews are what we would expect.

We who major in teaching the Truth given to the New Testament churches through the Apostle Paul are normal, on target, and accomplishing the will of God. Those who teach another gospel, a perverted gospel, and beyond that which Paul preached, are abnormal, off target, and beating the air (1 Cor. 9:26).

O Glorious Lord, what a good reminder this is of the desperate condition I was in when You justified me. I was not merely needy; I was spiritually dead. I thank You for burying that old life with Jesus in His tomb. I praise You for raising me with Christ to a new life. I rejoice in the radical nature of Your saving grace. Lord, by the power of the resurrection, lead me in the reality of newness of life, in Jesus name, Amen.

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How Much More
By Dr. Bill Gillham



Consider Paul's statement, "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:10).

There was a time in my pilgrimage when I breezed by this verse, assuming that it referred to my future in heaven. You see, I concentrated solely on the death of Jesus as the payment for my sins, never realizing that He accomplished much more for me than that glorious act. The phrase I just used-"much more"-came right out of the verse. I was unintentionally minimizing a significant part of Jesus' finished work. I believed that the reference to His life related only to a future heaven instead of our life on earth as well. I put all my doctrinal weight on His death and none on His life, and I believe that many Christians are making that same mistake.

You'll agree that the first half of this verse-"reconciled to God through the death of His Son"-references Christ's death as the way God saved you from everlasting hell. Then Paul writes, "much more . . ."You've gotta love those two words. God is not given to superlatives. After all, if you've never told a lie and you're incapable of ever doing so (Titus 1:2), your yes means yes and your no means no. So when God uses words or phrases like "much more," we ought to get ready for an important announcement. Here it is: "Much more, having been reconciled [a guarantee of heaven], we shall be saved by His life."Saved by His life? Saved from what? We are already saved from hell by the death of Christ in the first part of the verse, so what is this"much more" we get saved from by the life of Christ?

His life through you saved you from bearing the circumstances of living on earth! That's right. Christ's death saved you from hell below the earth; Christ's life saves you from hell upon the earth.

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TRUE BLESSEDNESS
by C. R. Stam


 It has been said that the word "blessed," in our English Bible, simply means happy. Thus the "blessed man" of Psalm 1 is a happy man and the "blessed God" of I Tim. 1:11 is a happy God. (We refer to the Hebrew and Greek words most often rendered blessed).

 To say the least, this is a superficial understanding -- or misunderstanding -- of one of the most wonderful words of Scripture. A fool can be happy, a drunkard can be happy, a wicked man can be happy, but none of these are truly blessed, for one who is blessed has a deeply valid reason to rejoice.

  Thus Psa. 1:1,2 says that the man who shuns "the counsel of the ungodly ," "the way of sinners" and "the seat of the scornful" and meditates and delights in the law of God, is "blessed." He is well off and has great reason to rejoice.

 Few, of course, would dare to claim that they have fully lived up to this passage in the Psalms, but God's Word has good news even for such. In Romans 4:6-8, St. Paul declares:

 "David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

 This blessedness is not a mere feeling of happiness. It is rather the state of being well off; with a deep and abiding reason to rejoice.

  Thus Psalm 40:4 says: "Blessed is that man who maketh the Lord his trust," and when the Galatians stopped trusting completely in the Lord and began leaning on their own works, the Apostle asked them: "Where is then the blessedness ye spake of?" (Gal. 4:15).

 Thus to be truly blessed is to be well off; with the greatest possible reason to rejoice. This is why the believer in Christ, saved and eternally safe in Him, is, like God Himself, "blessed for evermore."

THE POWER THAT COMPELS COMES FROM THE
SPIRIT WHO INDWELLS US.
THE MEASURE OF YOUR USEFULNESS IS THE
MEASURE OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
WE EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM THE
CHILD OF GOD
THAT GOES ABOUT TENDING TO THE BUSINESS
HE WAS CALLED TO DO.

--Richard DeHaan

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WHY GOD'S CHILDREN SUFFER
by C.  R. Stam


 Contrary to common belief, the Bible does not teach that all men are the children of God. Our Lord said to the religious leaders of His day: "Ye are of your father the devil"(John 8:44), but to the Christian believers at Galatia St. Paul wrote: "Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:26).

 As the children of Adam, it is not strange that we should have to bear suffering; for sorrow, sickness and death entered the world through sin (Rom. 5:12). But some people wonder why God's children, whose greatest desire is to please Him, should have to suffer along with others.

 There are several reasons for this. In the case of Job, God allowed His servant to suffer to prove to Satan that Job did not live a godly life for personal gain -- and Job was richly rewarded later for all he had borne.

 Further, God's people could not be of much spiritual help to others if they were exempt from the sufferings which others have to bear. In such a case the unsaved would say: "Yes, you can talk! You don't know what it is to suffer disappointments, sickness and pain, as we do."

 Then too, it must be remembered that even the most godly saint is not perfect and must at times be disciplined, "for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth" (Hebrews 12:6). This is done for our good, to keep us from sin and its consequences.

 Finally, suffering and adversity tend to make God's children pray more and lean harder on Him, and herein lies their spiritual strength and blessing. St. Paul said: "I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

 But there is a great twofold advantage which the suffering Christian has over others. First, his sufferings are only temporary and, second, they earn eternal glory for him.

 "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us afar more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

THE GREATEST DISCOVERY that any human being can make is the discovery of the ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST, and the utter worthlessness of man without Him. Christ is all, and in Him we have all. Without Him we are nothing, absolutely nothing. It makes no difference how many times we multiply ciphers: they will be devoid of all magnitude or quality until we place some digit before them. But, once a digit is placed before them, they take on meaning, value, significance.

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Now Is The Time
by Steve McVey


The online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, describes Martin Luther as a man “whose ideas inspired the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.” That's quite a statement to be said about a priest who lived 500 years ago.  The course of history was changed by one man who had the courage to point out that what people were being told at church was wrong and then had the courage to declare the truth.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit that after eight years of postgraduate study, I had never actually read Luther's 95 Thesis until I came across an English copy on the Internet. I'd only studied about it. You may remember that when he began to work toward The Reformation that would ultimately turn the religious world of his day upside down, Luther nailed a paper with his ninety-five complaints about the Catholic Church and the priesthood on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

You can Google it and read the English translation of what he had to say. The thing that strikes me is how bold he was. He didn't mince words, that's for sure. When told he must recant from what he had written, Luther is reputed to have said, “Here I stand. I can do nothing else. God help me.”

The Reformation came because of the resolute determination of a revolutionary who said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” Luther decided to stand firm on God's Word even if the whole church world opposed him.

It's amazing how the religious world has always opposed grace. Jesus dealt with it when He showed grace to people. The Apostle Paul dealt with it when he taught pure grace to the Galatians. Across the ages, those who find their value in their own religious performance have hated grace. They hate it because they're afraid.

They're scared that grace might be abused— that people might take it too far and go sin-crazy. They're afraid that people might stop doing the things at the church that make “the wheels of the bus go ‘round and ‘round.” They're fearful that, if it's true, they will have wasted their lives desperately trying to succeed in a system (legalism) that they now would discover isn't even the right playing field.

What's the answer for those who know and love the grace of God? Love the legalist and boldly proclaim the truth. I was a hardcore legalist for the first 29 years of my Christian life. I loved Jesus. I wanted to make a lasting spiritual difference in this world. I've often said that my problem wasn't a heart problem. It was a head problem. I just didn't understand grace for Christian living. Thank God, in 1990, all that began to change. Life has never been the same since.

We live in exciting times. The world has never been more vulnerable to destruction and disaster. That type of environment is ripe for the revolution of grace to gain momentum at an incredible rate.  People are willing to listen when they think that life, as they know it, may change for the worst.  Ahmadinejad, $4.00 a gallon gas, Iraq, Afghanistan, McCain vs. Obama, real estate bubble burst —the list of reasons why our future could radically change could go on and on.

God's prophets have always shown up in the face of impending disaster. That is happening now. He is raising up a host of grace prophets who are ready to take a stand and proclaim His grace in their towns. They are doing it in their churches, on their jobs, in their homes through Grace Walk Groups. They have a fire in their souls to share this message. They want to be revolutionaries of righteousness.

The time is now. Will you stand with us in proclaiming the grace of God? As you read the articles in this issue of The Grace Vine, you will see ways you can make a difference. Do it. The time is now. We've compromised the gospel long enough. God is doing something big in the arena of grace. Don't stand on the sidelines. Take your part in writing history—His story—as we spread the message of the grace walk everywhere.

[nChrist]

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DO OR DONE?
By late Pastor Win Johnson

We hear so much about what we must do, that one would think there was nothing that He had done. "Do," "Do," we have on every hand and how seldom do we hear "Done." The story has often been told and needs to be often retold, of an old Scotch lady who said to the moralist, "your theory is 'Do,' 'Do,' my theology is 'Done,' 'Done'." Thank God, in a world of so many unfinished things there is one thing finished---the work for our salvation is finished. "It is finished," said He Who did it and no one yet has ever been able to point out an unfinished thing in that redemptive work.

The Philippian jailer asked what he should "do to be saved" and learned that there was nothing to do for all had been done. Paul did not tell him to weep, to pray, to agonize, to do penance, or to do anything; he simply placed before him the one distinguishing requirement of the Gospel: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

The "done" takes away the "do." "Do" means human endeavor, "Done" means Divine accomplishment. "Do" is possible to man. "Done" is alone possible with God. "Do" satisfies the flesh, "Done" is grasped by faith. "Do" is the exercise of human energy, "Done" is the display of the Divine initiative.

Said a good man while praying recently ... "O God, we must crucify ourselves." His heart was right but the conception was contrary to the Cross. In the believer's sanctification, as in the sinner's salvation, the work has been done. It is not to be done again. We are not to be crucified with Christ, we were crucified with Christ. (Romans 6:1-11). We are not to crucify, God did this. We are to reckon; God gives faith for this.

Dear Lord, my deliverer, I praise You for rescuing me from the bondage of sin. I rejoice that You have brought me into the richness of fellowship with You. What a gracious plan You have provided — to make all of this available by means of Your faithful promises! Amen

[nChrist]

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WARNING

The tribulation is Coming!
Part 1 of 5
BY S. Lee Homoki


Text: Zephaniah 1:14-17

War! War! And more war! The storm clouds of war hang heavy over many other parts of our world today. The prospect of having "peace on earth" seems to be an impossible dream. Since September 11, 2001, the terrorists continue to lurk in the shadows awaiting another opportunity to strike. Each day's news brings an update of their damnable design to plant the seeds of fear in the hearts of men setting the stage for the time when "the powers of Heaven shall be shaken, "and men's "hearts will fail them for fear. "Warning! The Tribulation is coming!

Regardless of the outcome of this current reign of terror, we know, according to Bible prophecy, war will eventually encompass the entire Middle East and the whole world. I speak, of course, concerning the Tribulation and the great culminating battle of Daniel's "Seventieth Week" (Dan. 9:24-27) - the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:16).

If your thinking is along the same lines as mine, then you will be asking, "Why? Why? Why must there be bloodshed and war? Why must there be a Tribulation Period and a Battle of Armageddon? Why is the world in such a mess? How did it get that way?"

It's A Long Story!

It didn't happen overnight. Nor can all the blame or responsibility be placed upon one person or nation. However, if we view the world's history through Bible spectacles with the understanding that a major part of history and the role for world peace lies directly in the hands of God's chosen people Israel, then we know the why of the coming Tribulation Period. The fact is: It is impossible to understand history or where the future will take us by ignoring God's dealings with Israel. Israel was the "apple of God's eye" (Deut. 32:10). They were the "head" nation (Deut. 28:13), and as such, they were God's "witnesses" (Isa. 43:10). They dominated the Gentile world. They were the "kingdom of priests. " We can say with certainty, "The ball is in their court, " concerning the outcome of world history. Israel had a chance to impact the world for God's glory, but little by little they abdicated their responsibility and privileged position in the world because of their sin and unbelief (Rom. 3:1-2; 9:3-4). Gradually the "chosen people" became "not my people" (Hos.1:9).

Please note their steady decline:

(1) Israel's military superiority was lost with the blinding of Samson (Jud. 16:21).

(2) Israel's political superiority was lost with the blinding of King Zedekiah (Ezek. 21:25 with Jer. 52:11).

(3) Israel's spiritual superiority was lost with the blinding of Barjesus (Acts 13:4-13). At that time Paul declared, " ... we   turn to the Gentiles" (vs. 46). Gradually, the Gentiles' domination over Israel was complete. This "Times of the Gentiles" (Lk. 21:24) will continue until the end of the Tribulation and Christ's return to establish His Kingdom. Then, regenerate Israel will be restored to a place of power and glory (Isa. 2:15; Mic. 4:1-7).

[nChrist]

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WARNING

The tribulation is Coming!
Part 2 of 5
BY S. Lee Homoki




Because They Have Sinned Against The Lord

Our text (Zeph. 1: 14-17) tells us plainly that Israel "sinned against the Lord." It is not that the nations and peoples of the world have not sinned; of course they have and they are accountable to God (Psalms 9:17; Proverbs 14:34). Sin is man's worst blunder. Sin must be punished no matter where it is found (Galatians 6:7-8 ). It is entirely possible that God's judgment of the awful, wicked conditions of today's world will prove to be the final setting of the stage for the Tribulation Period - the "Time of Jacob's trouble." However, the specific, pointed, simple reason for the Tribulation Period is that Israel, as God's chosen vessel for the execution of His plan, had sinned.

The "fire God's  jealousy," spoken of in our text  (vs. 18 ), is Israel's "baptism of fire" (Mal. 3:2-1; 4:1; Mt. 3:11- 12). (God uses this fiery baptism to cleanse the land of sinners and to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.

Many people speak about the "baptism of fire" as though it were some spiritual experience to be desired for themselves and others. Well, nothing could be further from the truth! The "baptism of fire" is associated with judgment and is a synonym for the Tribulation Period! It would be foolish for one to pray, "0 God! Baptize me with the Holy Ghost and fire" - he had better hope that God doesn't answer that prayer! A little time spent running Bible references to the "Day of the Lord" will manifestly prove just how terrible this "Time of Jacob's Trouble" really is and how desirable it would be to avoid it.

What Was Israel's Sin?

Israel's sin - how sad! Herein, as we have said, lies the reason for the Tribulation. It will not suffice to say simply that Israel sinned. What we need to do is to see and learn what the sins are, for which cause there must be a Tribulation. At the same time, this is no time for us to be pointing an accusing finger at Israel, when many of these same sins have been amplified in the professing church today. As I see it, there are several sins that bring the judgment of God.

Israel had:

(1) Rejected the Word of God (Jer. 13:10; Zech. 7:4-14). One of the most damaging indictments against Israel is that they were "destroyed for  lack of knowledge" (Hos. 4:6). Knowledge must come before application. You can't use what you don't know! This principle is so basic. In fact, I considered it so important that when I began this evangelistic and literature ministry 25 years ago, I named it "Bible Doctrines To Live By. " Knowledge of the Word of God is the foundation upon which we build the structure of our lives and ministry. Israel had rich blessings at their disposal. God had said, "What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:2). More than anything, Israel's neglect and refusal of Bible doctrine is at the heart of their trials and tribulations. The knowledge and application of the Word of God would have strengthened and stabilized the nation.

(2) Abandoned the Lord (Jer. 35:13-15; 2 Kgs. 17:13-23). If a person rejects the Word of God, as surely as night follows day, rejection of God will follow!

(3) Deserted the Sabbath (Ezek. 20:12-24; 22:8,26; 23:38 ). The seventh day, like the seventh year, taught a lesson in grace; namely, that God rested from the work of creation on the seventh day, and, thus, hallowed the Sabbath day/year. The intent of the Sabbath is that the believer should rest his soul entirely on the completed work of God. The reason we do not set aside the seventh day or year in this Dispensation of Grace is because God's plan was for man to rest the eternal welfare of his soul entirely in the redemptive work that Christ finished on the cross (Rom. 10:4). For the Grace believer in this dispensation, every day is a Sabbath! The rejection of the Sabbath was tantamount to the Jew's saying, "Please God, we'd rather do it ourselves, " or "We reject Christ!" or "We reject grace!"

[nChrist]

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WARNING

The tribulation is Coming!
Part  3 of 4
BY S. Lee Homoki



(4) Trusted in foreign alliances (Jer. 2:17-19; Hos. 8:8-10).

(5) Depended upon man (Jer. 17:5-9). Reasons 3 & 4 are very similar. They teach that the unregenerate man or carnal man, whether he be Jew or Gentile, will always seek the solution to his problems and the very meaning of life, independent of God. This proves once again that, "There is a way that seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death " (Prov. 16:25). The heart of man is incurably diseased and hopelessly corrupt (Jer. 17:9).

(6) Turned to idolatry (Isa. 2:8,20; Jer. 17:1-4). Israel's gods of stone , wood, precious metals or mammon were a poor substitute for Jehovah God, maker and ruler of Heaven and earth. The Psalmist has rightly said of Israel and their gods, "Their idols 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: noses have they but they smell not: they have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that made them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them" (Ps. 115:4-8 ).

(7) Relied upon human viewpoint (Jer. 17:9-11). Having, departed from the wisdom and strength of the Word of God, the Israelites, like today's Modernist, were left to stand upon the shifting, sinking sands of emotionalism and subjective thinking. They trusted their "vain imaginations" for direction. The wisdom of this world had turned them into fools!

(8 ) Followed a faulty value system (Isa. 2:7-8 ) Israel was entrapped by the kind of thinking and living that sacrificed the eternal for the temporal. Their priorities were all wrong. (God's commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord  thy (God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deut. 6:5) had been set on the back shelf.  Israel was content to pay lip service to God, while their hearts were moving farther and farther from Him (Isa. 29:13). The mistake Israel made was to think that they needed something more than the Word of God. It may be their thinking was like that of modern man who believes that his security or success depends on having more money, more possessions, or more government control etc., etc. The Apostle Paul would have reminded them, as he does us, that in all things Christ must have the "preeminence" (Col. 1:18 ).

(9) Hardened their heart (Jer. 19:15; Hos. 5:4; Ezek. 3:7). Like the hands of a working man, the hearts of the rebellious Israelites grew calloused with the passing of time. They hardened their hearts as in the days of the "provocation in the wilderness" (Heb. 3:8 ) until they were "past feeling" for God. God gave them up (Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:8,28 ), even as He gave up the Gentiles, because unbelief, too, had hardened their hearts (Rom. 1:24,26, 28 ).

(10) Succumbed to drunkenness and drug addiction (Jer. 13:13; Isa. 28:1,7), Drunkenness proved to be the perverter of all moral conduct and character for Israel. Recently, while preaching in a federal prison, the warden told me, in a private conversation, that most of the incarcerated men would not have been there had there not been involvement with either drugs or alcohol.

(11) Apostasy in the pulpit (Jer. 23:9-40; 2 Chron. 15:3; Isa. 56:9-12; Lam. 4:13-14). The profane prophets and priests taught what the people wanted to hear, not what the people needed to hear. The people needed truth and compassion to bind up their wounds and make them strong; but the pagan pastors of Israel destroyed and scattered the flock "by their lies and by their lightness. " These ancient theological liberals, like their modern counterparts, taught the lying imaginations of their own heart and not the council "out of the mouth of the Lord" For these, God reserves His worst condemnation (Hos. 4:9).

(12) Corrupt political leadership (Isa. 3:12-15; 9:16; Ezek. 22:67). Israel was dead at the top. If the head is corrupt, then the body becomes corrupt Everything rises or falls on the quality of leadership! A tried and true principle - then and now! It is true in all walks of life - business, home, sports, etc. It is certainly true in politics and government. As goes the national leadership, so goes the nation.

[nChrist]

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WARNING

The tribulation is Coming!
Part  4 of 4
BY S. Lee Homoki


(13) Widespread crime and violence (Ezek. 7:11,23-24; Hos. 7:1; Isa. 1:21). Death, mischief, destruction and fear stalked the streets of the ancient world. It spreads like a disease. Do you remember when you could go for a leisurely walk down the street, park or mall? Do you remember when we could leave our car or house unlocked? Is there a lesson here that our modern society needs to learn?

(14) Complete moral and spiritual breakdown in all segments of society (Hos. 4:2; Ezek. 22:1-12, 24-31; Jer. 7:8-10). Israel's character, justice, honor, and righteousness are gone. The foundations of Israel's society and nation are gone. Corruption, like leaven, infuses the whole nation from top to bottom. No one is exempt; even the most impeccable failed to keep the conditional clauses of the covenants (2 Kgs. 17:15; 18:12; Isa. 24:5-6; Jer. 34: 18-20). The nation of Israel had been given specific guidelines for the operation of the Kingdom. These guidelines are called the Covenants; they had two divisions - unconditional clauses and conditional clauses. In the conditional clauses, God said in effect, "If you will do this, then I will do this. " This is illustrated in Deuteronomy 27, 28 and 30:1-6. The history of Israel is replete with examples of Israel's circular obedience and disobedience. The Tribulation Period represents the final stage in Israel's disobedience and judgment (Lev. 26).

(15) Fallen into pride (Jer. 13:17; Ezek.16:49; Isa. 2:9-17). The proud heart will not bend even when it knows the consequences of its disobedience. God's Word is proven to be true - "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov.16:18 ).

(16) Neglected evangelism (Isa. 43:1-28; 56:3-8 with Mk.11: 17-18 ). Israel had been given the custodianship of the truth that would set men free - not just the Israelite, but all men. The nation of Israel was elected of God to be a "kingdom of priests" (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6) to the whole world. However, Jesus said that the appointed place and people for the worship of God had deteriorated into a "den of thieves. " In Matthew 23:37 He laments, "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" Evangelism was the thing closest to the heart of God. He said He was "not willing that any should perish."

(17) Turned to the cults and the occult (Isa. 2:6; 2 Kgs. 17:17). This was strictly forbidden and was a manifestation of the depth of Israel's departure into spiritual darkness.

Does this partial list of Israel's sins bother you? It bothers me! I am deeply concerned. These are the sins that provoked God to wrath! One day, and I don't believe it will be in the too distant future, Israel and the whole world will be placed into the "winepress of God~' wrath" (Rev. 14:I 9-20; 19:15) during the Tribulation! All the references in this study are in some way, either directly or indirectly, connected by context with the "Time of Jacob s trouble. " God will use this strong disciplinary action to cleanse Israel for their future role in Christ's Kingdom.

Somewhere near the middle of the "week" seven years of Tribulation, Israel "will look upon Him Whom they have pierced" God has promised that "Before they call, I will answer" (Isa. 65:24; 58:8-9). Praise the Lord! The Apostle Paul says at that time, " ... all Israel will be saved" (Rom. 11:25-26)!

Conclusion

Only a blind man would fail to recognize that this list of Israel's sins paints an accurate picture of the sins of the world we live in today - 2005! Question: If God has and will judge Israel for their sin, will He dismiss the sins of this Christ-rejecting world? I guarantee you, He will not. If they do not repent, they "shall likewise perish" (Lk. 13:3-5).