GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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HEART OF ROMANS
By Miles Stanford


"Yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead" (Rom. 6:13).

Deliverance from the reign of sin, and liberty in the life of Christ, are set forth as a doctrinal unit in Romans Six, Seven and Eight. This area of truth has but one key---the Cross. This is the great master key to spiritual life and liberty.

When we begin to comprehend Six, we know that our death in Christ unto sin was completed at Calvary. When we have been in Romans Seven for a time, we come to realize that we have been struggling to produce that which God has already accomplished for us in Christ. When we thereby come to Romans Eight, we know at last that the Holy Spirit will produce in our experience what God completed for us on the Cross and in Christ our Life.

"In Romans Six we see the foundation of our deliverance --- the fact that we died with Christ; and also the conditions of our deliverance --- that we reckon ourselves dead unto sin and yield to God as those that are alive from the dead. Romans Eight tells us the means and the method of our deliverance--- that it is through the blessed Holy Spirit alone that we are actually delivered in everyday life, from sin's reign; the moment we cease from all our own efforts and let Him do all the work, He will begin delivering us from the power of sin. How long it takes some of us to come to the end of our own efforts can be seen in Romans Seven!" . W.R.N.

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4).

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UNITY  OF DESIGN
By Miles Stanford



"So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death" (Phil. 1:20).

If we look to other Christians as examples to follow, we will soon be discouraged by the prevailing low standard. If we look to Christ as our example, we will be utterly discouraged because of His infinitely high standard. Hence it is essential that we understand that the Lord Jesus Christ is our life; He is not a legal example to emulate, but the source of life from which we grow.

"It is not in any conventional standard of frames and feelings that the disciple is to find the measure of attainment required of him. It is not by any painful reproducing of another's spiritual history that he is to acquire the true comfort of spirit which he longs for. Outward imitation, though it be of the perfect Example Himself, has little place in the order of spiritual growth ---little place because little possibility. 'Without Me (i.e., apart from Me, in separation from Me) ye can do nothing.' To abide in Christ is the only secret of Christ likeness; for only thus is obtained the likeness of unity, which is perfect and enduring, instead of the likeness of conformity, which is only partial and transient." --- A.J.G.

"In the pathway of discipline and trial we learn by bitter experience the truth of Paul's confession, 'In me ... in my flesh dwelleth no good thing.' Coupled with that is the lesson that God waits with infinite patience, like the potter, to work out a design of grace and beauty with such frail material." --- M.H.F.

"And He is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in all things He might have the preeminence" (Col. 1:18 ).

2 Cor. 12:9  And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.

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FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST,  AND TO DIE IS GAIN
By Dale E. Price


I eased myself down on the couch in our living room to prepare for my upcoming Sunday school class. Matt, our seven year old, curled up next to me as Joshua, our ten year old practiced at the piano. The crackling fire, the cat perched atop his climbing tree, and the dog at my feet completed the picture of a perfect family evening. I opened my Bible to the first chapter of Philippians anticipating Paul's refreshing perspective on life.

Matt became increasingly interested in my study and began to peer over my arm at the passage. I asked him to read verses twelve through eighteen. We talked about Paul's imprisonment and how God was in control of every circumstance. It was exciting to share how Paul had used the opportunity to minister to the palace guards and how his example stirred up the courage of the brethren. Josh, jealous for equal attention, migrated from the piano to the couch to be with us. I asked him to read verses nineteen through twenty-seven. We talked about Paul's perspective on life and death; his desire to be with the Lord and yet his desire to be of service to the Philippians. We saw how Paul saw death and the avenue into the presence of the Lord, a gain of incalculable value.

Little eyes were heavy now. The boys were tucked in and kissed good night after we closed our day in prayer. I returned to the living room to complete my study. My wife, weary from her heavy load as a student, had gone to bed early. Our home was comfortable, warm, and quiet on this wintry evening. As I sat down, Paul's words in verse twenty-one kept ringing in my mind. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." I meditated on the passage and evaluated my own mind and heart.

What is it for me to live? For Paul his life was inseparable from the life of Christ. His will was to do Christ's will. What Christ valued, Paul valued. The members of his body were the members of Christ's. I recalled Paul's second epistle to the Corinthians and his words that we who live should no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf (2 Cor. 5:15). Then my mind turned to Romans 12:1-2 and I found that because of God's manifold grace and mercy I am to present my body, my mind, my life as a living and holy sacrifice to God. This is how I am to worship Him. I am not to be conformed to this world but I am to be transformed by the renewing of my mind in order that I might prove that perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2). Was I truly yielded to His will?

I prayed, "Lord, transform and renew my mind. Cause me to yield to your perfect will and to allow you to possess all that I have, all that I am."

I now considered the second half of that twenty-first verse, Philippians chapter one, "and to die is gain." Did I really desire heaven over this life? Did I see death as gain? I remembered a recent episode with Joshua. Josh suffers from allergy-induced asthma. As he struggled for breath late one evening, he gasped, "I wish I was dead." I was shocked and hurt. How could my son, surrounded by a loving family, experiencing a happy childhood, wish to be dead. Then I thought of what I teach week in and week out; heaven is a wonderful place; this life is full of trouble; when we are absent from this body we will be at home with the Lord and be physically seated with Him in the heavenlies. My son saw death as I taught it, as the door into the presence of the living God. What I thought was his death wish was really a wish for a release from the sufferings of this life and a longing for the inexpressable joy of life eternal. I should have rejoiced at the faith of this child.

I prayed, "Lord, transform and renew my mind. Give me the faith of a child to see beyond the temporary securities of this life. Let me seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Cause me to set my mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Lord, give me your perspective on life that my hope might not rest on the things which are seen but on the things which are not seen.

The house was quiet as I moved off toward bed. I realized that God's Spirit must continually wage war with my flesh for control of my mind. Yet my spirit was at peace as I claimed His promise that He who had begun this good work in me would perfect it until the day of Christ (Phil. 1:6).

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Building Strong Believers FOLLOWING PAUL'S DESIGN
Part 1 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN
 

 
Paul's purpose in penning his treatise to the Romans is stated quite clearly at the outset:
 
      "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, TO THE END YE MAY BE ESTABLISHED;
      "That is, that I may be comforted together with you by THE MUTUAL FAITH both of you and me" (Rom. 1:11,12).
 
      The book of Romans is establishment truth, written to ground its readers in "the mutual faith. " That, of course, is not merely a reference to a desire to get them saved, for the epistle is addressed to those who already were saints (v. 7). Rather Paul's desire is that they be firmly fixed and settled in the same understanding of the grace of God to us in Christ that he had.
 
      Paul envisioned strong believers: Saints who would not be "tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine;" saints who would not circum to "the slight of men and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" saints who could endure hardness; saints who were spiritually tuff and resilient. He knew this did not "just happen," but that it was the result of being established in sound doctrine.

      After masterfully setting forth "the faith" he desired the saints to mutually share with him, he concludes with a further statement concerning the establishment procedure:
 
      "Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
       "But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
       "To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen" (Rom. 16:25-27).
 
      This concluding benediction has often been overlooked both as to its purpose and content. It is, in fact, a concise statement of Paul's design for the establishment of believers "in the faith."

      If it is "perfected saints" who are to be doing "the work of the ministry," as Ephesians 4:12 suggests, then it is vitally important that we be -- and that our ministries produce -- perfected saints. How better to do this than to allow the one who gave us this charge to also instruct us as to how to produce perfected, established and mature saints for the work! Hence Paul's explanation of how believers are established is basic to doing the work of the ministry his way. It is also, unfortunately, something that has too long been overlook.
 
      Examine again these verses: It is God Himself who alone has the capacity to establish -- to stabilize and make strong -- the believer. And just how does He do so? Paul clearly sets forth a threefold process:
 

"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you
 ACCORDING TO

MY GOSPEL,

 and 1

THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST ACCORDING
TO THE REVELATION OF
THE MYSTERY ...

----------------------------------
1. We are aware that some suggest this "and" should be translated as "even," but this is wholly without merit. While it is true that the Greek kai can have the sensive use of "even," this is not the normal usage and there is not the slightest reason to abandon the normal junctive use in this passage. Hence we are unaware of any modem translation that does so--to say nothing of the KJV

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Building Strong Believers FOLLOWING PAUL'S DESIGN
Part 2 of  5
BY RICHARD JORDAN
 
 
AND 2
THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS 3 .... "

      This three-fold design for the believer's edification is clearly defined:

      First to be laid is My Gospel: This is the foundation of God's purpose. Knowing the details of the gospel of grace committed to Paul gives an orientation to God's grace which equips us to live on planet earth for His glory.
 
      Next comes the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery: Here is the fullness of God's ultimate intention. Understanding His previously unrevealed plan to form a new agency, the Body of Christ, and its place in His overall purpose, gives us an orientation to God's goal and grounds us in His "eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

         Now we are ready for the Scriptures of the of the    prophets: This is the future of God's purpose. While the first two comprise the scope of the special message committed to Paul, the "scriptures of the prophets" encompass all of Scripture-in light, of course, of Paul's revelation. Understanding how the programs of prophecy and mystery unite into one great overriding purpose provides orientation to God's glory as we see these programs come to fruition.

      Notice that this is a progressive pattern, designed to set forth "the form of sound words" committed to our trust (II Tim. 1:13). And it is this form -- this pattern of divine thinking -- which produces the "godly edifying" that results in spiritual maturity. Let's look at it briefly.
 
"MY GOSPEL"

      This is a reference to the special message committed to Paul's trust by the risen Christ. Notice the two basic issues which lay the foundation for stability:

      First, it is "MY gospel" -- emphasizing the Dispensational Distinctions. Failure to recognize the distinctive nature of Paul's apostleship and message brings endless confusion as to where we stand in the program of God. Such confusion is foolish, however, for Paul plainly declares:


      "For I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES, INASMUCH AS I, AM APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES, I magnify mine office" (Rom. 11:13).
 
      Paul is our Apostle -- in contrast with Peter and the Twelve, who were Israel's apostles (Matt. 19:28, Gal. 2:8 ). Thus Paul's gospel is our gospel -- in contrast to that proclaimed by Peter and the Twelve before him (Gal. 1:11, 12; 2:6-9). This is all the more important when we remember Paul's solemn pronouncement that one day soon "God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel" (Rom. 2:16).
 
     But it is also "My GOSPEL" -- emphasizing Doctrinal Orientation. It is not enough to simply know who our Apostle is, we must also know what he has said to us. We must be oriented to the grace of God as revealed through Paul. It has too often been assumed that an understanding of the distinctive ministry of Paul automatically makes one a "grace believer." This simply is not the case. We must go on to an understanding of the grace and  love of God  to us in Christ  if we are to be genuine grace  believers!


2. This "and" is not kai but dia te, lit., "through also."
3. That this is both a legitimate and proper translation is evidenced by any first year Greek grammar book. Paul wrote as an apostle, not as a prophet and the attempt to make this a reference to Paul's epistles by translating it "prophetic scriptures" is little more than meaningless.

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Building Strong Believers Following PAUL'S DESIGN
Part 3 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN



      That Paul's gospel deals with salvation in Christ through His work on the cross is clear from I Corinthians 15:1-4. To Paul was delivered the capstone of divine revelation concerning the crosswork of Christ. In Romans he lays four essential foundation principles of grace:
 
      Justification by grace (Rom. 1-5): The finality of the cross is set forth here as nowhere else in Scripture. The justice of God is demonstrated to be free to give eternal life to anyone having perfect righteousness (1:18-3:20). Since we lack this righteousness, God Himself has thoroughly dealt with our sins and provided the needed righteousness through the cross of Christ. He is thus free to give both righteousness and eternal life to everyone who "believes in Jesus" (3:21-4:25). Now this "grace wherein we stand" provides complete security, both during present tribulations as well as into eternity future (Rom. 5).

      Living under grace (Rom. 6-8 ): The reality of the resurrection life through our total identification with Christ is next set before us. Because we are now "in Christ," we are called to live consistent with the reality of our position in Christ (6), the current program of grace (7) and the power of the Holy Spirit (8 ).
 
      These chapters offer the largely untapped keys for the believer's life in time: Romans 6 identifies the step that deals with the principle of sin and provides the answer to its power. Romans 7 demonstrates the struggle with the principle of the law and reveals the answer to its bondage. Romans 8 sets forth the walk based on the principle of "life in Christ Jesus" as motivated by the Spirit of life.
 
      Dispensation of Grace (9-11): The fall and future of Israel are examined so that no one will think Israel's program is still in effect today or that it has been done away with permanently. The present interruption of prophecy and its future resumption are clearly explained.
 
      Serving by Grace (12-16): The fruits of our Sonship status in Christ are practically demonstrated. These practical instructions in grace-age living give the believer a model for decision making by the "renewed mind" grace produces.
 
      Thus Romans gives the foundation for the grace-life. It gives members of the Body of Christ an understanding of how we have been equipped and motivated to live daily in the details of our lives by God's grace and for His glory.

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Building Strong Believers FOllOWING PAUL'S DESIGN
Part 4 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN



THE MYSTERY PROGRAM

      The next step in the edification process is built upon the previous. Once we understand who we are in Christ and how that new identity has equipped us with amazing divine assets, we are ready to move on to the advanced issues of just why God is forming the Body of Christ. This is the special focus of "the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery."
 
     This unprophesied program is, of course, in stark contrast with the long prophesied program preached prior to Paul. A simple comparison of Acts 3:21 with Romans 16:25 sets this forth conclusively: In Acts 3:21 Peter is preaching that "which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." The message of Romans 16:25, on the other hand, "was kept secret since the world began." If words mean anything, these are two different messages.

      Prior to the ministry of the Apostle Paul, Jesus Christ was presented as the prophet, priest and king of the nation Israel (Deut. 18:15, Psa. 110:4, Jer. 23:5, 6) -- all in accord with what God "spake by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began" (Luke 1:70, Acts 3:21). When we come to the ministry of the Apostle Paul, however, Christ is presented in a new way as the head of the Body of Christ. This unprophesied purpose of God is completely different from the way Israel and the prophets had viewed Christ.
 
      This unprophesied program was first revealed to and through the Apostle Paul. He declares:
 
      "For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
      "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 KNOW UNTO ME THE MYSTERY; (as I wrote afore in few words ... )
      "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 fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:1-6).
 
      It is vital that believers get the "big picture." Notice that Paul assumes the Ephesians had already grasp "the gospel" -- in other words, he assumes their prior grounding in Romans truth, just as Romans assumes the believer will proceed on to the further truths set forth in Ephesians. These are not two different messages but rather two aspects of one message: foundational truth and advanced truth built on that foundation.

      After being grounded in our equipping in Christ to function as members of the Body of Christ on planet earth (Roman's foundational truth), Paul now moves on to explain the place for this new agency in the plan of God. This is the special purpose of Ephesians. There we learn of our:
 
      Calling (1-3): The wealth associated with our calling as members of the Body of Christ is detailed so that we might "abound in wisdom and prudence." "The hope of His calling" -- what He has called the Body of Christ to accomplish; "the glory of his inheritance in the saints" -- how Christ will take possession of a redeemed universe through the saints; "the greatness of His power us-ward" sharing in Christ's authority as head of all things; these are the advanced truths which set forth the goal of God's present purpose.

"O the wonder of such an eternal purpose. It transcends all natural conception, that unaided, own faculties can never rise to grasp its magnificence, and hence the prayers of the 1st and 3rd chapters of the Epistle to the Ephesians -- that the eyes of your heart being enlightened, that ye may know, what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe ... that strengthened with all might by His Spirit in the inner man ... Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all Saints, what is the breadth and length, and depth and height and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

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Building Strong Believers FOLLOWING PAUL'S DESIGN
Part 5 of 5
BY RICHARD JORDAN
 
 
      These advanced truths erect a superstructure of divine edification in the believer's soul and provide a spiritual edifice of sound doctrine which gives a sense of our place in the overall purpose of God. With this "big picture" in hand, we are able to move on to the final step in Paul's pattern for our perfection:
 
"THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS"

      As the first step orients us to the grace of God and the second to the goal of forming the Body of Christ, this final crowning step in the edification process orients us to the glory of God to be manifest in the ages to come.
 
      Just as the great doctrinal books of Romans and Ephesians match the first two, the Thessalonian letters fit the third.
 
      I Thessalonians details the events surrounding the closing of the dispensation of grace and the exodus of the Body of Christ from planet earth. The Rapture is mentioned at the closing of each chapter and we learn details concerning its pre-tribulation scheduling (1:10), the judgment seat of Christ (2:19, 20), our subsequent presentation to the Father by Christ  (3:13), the actual details surrounding our catching up to meet the Lord (and our loved ones!) in the air (4:13-18 ) as well as the faithfulness of God to see these events to completion (5:23, 24).

      In like manner, II Thessalonians focuses on the revelation of Christ at his prophesied "second coming" and its distinction from His unprophesied coming. Again, this prophesied coming is detailed in two of the three chapters with one of the Bibles fullest descriptions of the rise and career of the Anti-Christ given in 2:3-12. II Thessalonians is clear that the only thing holding back these prophesied events is God's present purpose -- a purpose which has temporarily interrupted the prophetic program.
 
DIVINE DESIGN

      This edification process establishes the believer in the faith and provides the capacity for faithful service for Christ. This divine design can be seen embedded in the way Paul's epistles have been preserved and collated in God's word. Space doesn't allow a fuller presentation of this marvelous phenomenon, but the following will make the point:
 
       Romans not only stand first in the order of Paul's epistles, it is also the great book of foundational doctrine about the cross. The next great doctrinal epistle is Ephesians, which progresses on to the advanced mystery revelation concerning the church, the Body of Christ. The Thessalonian letters comprise the final great doctrinal book and focus on Christ's coming both in mystery and prophecy. By the way, the Pastoral Epistles (I Tim thru Phile) detail the functioning of the local congregation as the manifestation of the Body of Christ.
   
      Thus Paul's epistles naturally lay themselves out according to his design for our "godly edifying:"

Romans:
Faith looking back to the Cross.
Ephesians:
Love looking around at the Church.
Thessalonians:
Hope looking forward to Christ's Coming.
Pastorals:
Fellowship working in the Congregation.

 
      About this edification process Paul wrote Timothy:
 
      "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
       "Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than GODLY EDIFYING WHICH IS IN FAITH: so do.
      "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned" (I Tim. 1:3-5).
 
      If we are to be -- and produce -- strong believes, able to be good soldiers instead of hopelessly confused and impotent spiritual wimps, we must obey this commandment.

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THE GOD OF PEACE
By John D. LaVier



The name God of Peace is used three times in the New Testament Scriptures: Romans 16:20, Philippians 4:9, and Hebrews 13:20. This name stands in contrast to God as He revealed Himself to Israel in the Old Testament. There He is many times called the Lord of Hosts. This is a warriors name. He is the Lord of the fighting armies and over and over again He fought on behalf of His people.

This name stands also in vivid contrast to the worlds past, which has known little of peace. From the very beginning of mans history upon the earth, even until the present moment, it has been a continued story of nation being pitted against nation and kingdom against kingdom. Strong nations and mighty empires have appeared upon the scene, flourished for a season, and then vanished away. They have fallen by two causes: (1) an inner decay of pride, envy, greed and lust, and (2) a strong enemy from without that warred against them and won.

As one reviews the worlds past history, as well as the present, when our armies are at war in Iraq, the Israelis and Palestinians killing each other, and the terrorists doing their dastardly work everywhere, the question arises: Shall this condition continue always, with nations rising, shining, sinning, sinking? It is then the name God of Peace comes to mind as the prophecy of a better day. God wants peace and in His own day and way He shall bring peace to the world.

Back in the days of the now defunct League of Nations, when many were congratulating themselves on the fact they had outlawed war, it was my privilege as a young man to speak in a certain denominational church. The subject assigned was World Peace. I was brash enough to tell them that in spite of mans rosy dreams and schemes, there would be no real peace until the Prince of Peace returned to rule and reign. At the close the pastor publicly took me to task, asserting that it was the duty of Christians to work for peace and brotherhood among men. He said: We pray Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven and when we thus pray we are praying for peace on earth. Later I called his attention to the three words just prior to the words he had just quoted. Those three words are: Thy kingdom come! Thank God, that kingdom is coming! Then Gods will shall be done in earth, and not before. Then the God of Peace shall send the Prince of Peace and He will usher in an era of universal tranquility. Then men shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks, and they shall learn war no more.

The blessed name God of Peace stands also in contrast to Satan, who is the real god of war. For six thousand years this arch-criminal has instigated war and strife among the nations. Satan wants war and God wants peace, but the question of who shall win is never in doubt. It may seem that Satan is having his way but he has nigh well run his malevolent course. Listen to what the apostle says in Romans 16:20, And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The God of Peace shall bring war against Satan, and then Satan will be shut up and sealed under lock and key, so that he can no longer deceive and seduce the nations of the world. Israel and the nations will then enjoy peace, when Satan is imprisoned and Christ enthroned.

Meanwhile, the believer may enjoy peace even in a world where there is no peace. The God of Peace sent His Son to die on Calvary and He made peace by the blood of His Cross. Then we read in Hebrews 13:20 that the God of Peace brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. Christ Himself becomes the believers peace. Then as we entrust our all to Him we have the Peace of God which passeth all understanding garrisoning our hearts and minds. And. too, we have the blessed promise: And the God of Peace shall be with you.

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What it Means to be Free From the Law
by Dr. Bill Gillham

When I was a kid, "Mr. Stone" owned two, new dream cars: a black Packard with white walls (like the bad guys drove in the 30s and a Lincoln Zephyr, the prototype of the Lincoln Town Car. Those babies could lay their ears back and fly. There were no highway speed limits. If we'd driven our old Chevy wide open it might have reached 40 mph for a few miles, and then it would have sounded like the pistons were swapping holes. Mr. Stone would blow by us doing 70! He might even strike his match on our car to light his cigar. Nah.

Was Mr. Stone a speeder? No, because there was no speed law, no baseline by which to differentiate between Mr. Stone and the rest of us oil-stained wretches. In God's time, the legislature passed a new law: Speed Limit 50 mph. After this, when Mr. Stone aired out his wheels at 70 mph, was he a speeder? Yes. Why? Law made the difference. "What shall we say then? Is the speed Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, Mr. Stone would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for he would not have known about speeding if the Law had not said, 'You shall not speed'" (Rom. 7:7, with minor changes). God's Law is a wakeup call for sinners to convince them that they desperately need a Savior—Jesus (Gal. 3:23-26). Law was never designed to keep Christians in line (Rom. 6:14).

My friend Lee LeFebre grew up reciting the Ten Commandments in church every Sunday. You'd think this would be a deterrent against sinning. But, it will produce the opposite results. What if you began each day by repeating, "Keep off the grass" ten times? This would tempt you to walk on grass that you'd hardly noticed before! Hammering away with "you oughts" and "you ought nots" is not God's plan for stimulating Christians to good works. Grace is to accomplish this desirable goal (Rom. 6:14).

Have you ever seen a bird dog that tucks its tail and cowers at your approach? Law likely produced that. Its master crushed its "spirit" by intimidating or perhaps beating it into submission. This animal has no joy. Its purpose for experiencing its created role (hunting) has been quenched by a hard taskmaster's abusive law. Were it possible to give it a personality inventory test this dog would register very low on self-worth. It may even feel unworthy to eat its master's food or feel guilty for breathing "his" air!

Consider, on the other hand, a bird dog that is owned by an agape master who has its best interest at heart. It was first taught the master's will through rules (law), reward and discipline, then trained how to best experience the role for which it was created (hunting). It "lives in vital union with its master" as they work and play together (Col. 2:6, LB). Its greatest delight becomes to simply please its master who's been careful not to crush its "spirit" like that of the first dog, but to bring its will into line with his own for the dog's best good as well as for his own pleasure.

This dog manifests a zest for living. He has a sparkle in his eye as he ranges out in a grid-like pattern according to his master's will. He is not restrained by a leash (law), but by the law of love for his master. He yearns to submit to his master's will. Obedience has become the joy of his life. This demonstrates "the law of love" which controls Christians (Rom. 8:2). This animal does not perceive himself as being controlled by a burdensome taskmaster, but as cooperating with his life-companion, the love of his life. Sure, at times he needs correction and because it's administered to him properly, he is the better for it. He delights all the more to please his master. Our relationship with our Spiritual Dad is very similar to this. Such obedience and love bring much joy to us and to Him as well. We were recreated in Christ to experience this on earth.

Can you identify with one of these dogs? Is the evil one beating you down with law, deceiving you into believing that an angry God, not Satan, is behind this? Or are you constrained by the invisible leash of Christ's boundless grace and love for you? The later is what you were recreated in Christ to experience. "For the love of Christ controls us…" (2 Cor. 5:14). Understanding this will be a fresh breeze to your spirit. Christians are motivated to live up to (or down to!) what they believe to be God's opinion of them. Believe the lie that you are a sorry, no-good, worthless sinner saved by grace and you'll act like it. Believe the truth that through Jesus you are the holy, pure, righteous, accepted, BODY OF CHRIST and you'll be highly motivated to live like it.

As I grew in Christ, I saw teaching about the Law that confused me. "God made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter (Law), but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Cor. 3:6). Does that say that Law "kills"? Yes. Look at the next verse: "But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones…" (2 Cor. 3:8 ). "Ministry of death?" Yes! Just to be sure we get it, God says it a third time, "For if the ministry of condemnation has glory…" (2 Cor. 3:9). God says the Law kills, and has the "ministries" of death and condemnation! How do we explain this?

"For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17). Notice, grace and truth were not imparted to man via Law—and it will never be so. Condemnation and death were imparted to man via Law—and it will always be so (Rom. 3:20-21). Many well-meaning mentors teach that keeping God's law is our means of attaining or retaining His acceptance. In fact, if you removed law from their sermon barrel, it might be a big step toward solving our paper shortage. Using law to motivate Christians not only fails to inhibit sin, it actually fuels sin's engine, and makes it stronger! Remember the "Keep off the grass" illustration. I realize that it may be difficult to accept this if it's is a new concept to you. This new concept, however, is as old as the New Testament. God wishes that mentors understood that grace, not law, motivates Christians to obedience. God designed it this way. Have you not noticed that the preacher who rails the loudest against sexual sin is often the one who runs off with his secretary?

Now, I'm not teaching that since we are "not under Law" (Rom. 6:14), we can violate God's Law with abandon while He smiles at our antics like an indulgent Grandpa—Boys will be boys. Absolutely not! We're like a sparrow in the prison exercise yard that is governed by a higher law (aerodynamics) than the inmates (gravity). The new creature in Christ is governed by "the law of love (agape)," which is written on his heart (Heb. 10:16)—and this includes a passion to do the will of God. Christians wish they could overcome their sin (Rom. 7:15). That's a ten! Paul verbalizes our desire, "For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man" (Rom. 7:22). Does that sound like we crave sin? Ridiculous! The reason that God can trust us by taking us out from under the Law is because He has "written [the desire to obey Him] on our heart and mind" (Heb. 10:16). You might say we're on a love tether. Love motivates us to obey.

[nChrist]

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SCRIPTURAL CONFUSION
By Pastor Bob Hanna

God has provided for our comfort and security, His plan, purpose, demands, blessings, requirements and final, eternal destiny. We have, as it were, a complete road map to guide us through the course of our entire life span in accordance with His will. We are in possession of His complete revelation in convenient form: the Holy Bible. The Book is to be found in nearly every place where human beings dwell. It is cherished by many as though it were a talisman or phylactery. Millions of church goers carry it in and out of their respective places of worship once a week. It is loosely quoted, carelessly studied and ignorantly disrespected for what it is: the Word of God.

The vast majority of believers rely on the utterances of preachers, evangelists and other platform speakers as the authority re God's communication with His people. The result is that there is needless frustration, fear, doubt and insecurity tormenting their lives. In the course of his missionary journeys the Apostle Paul preached in the Jewish synagogue in Berea, having just spoken to the church at Thessalonica. The writer of the Book of Acts writes, "These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Good advice! The Bereans listened attentively to Paul's address, then they turned to the real authority (the Scriptures) for verification.

Paul instructed young Pastor Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). Two excellent guidelines: rely on the Scriptures as the one true authority for confirmation, and make a concentrated effort ("study to") to properly allocate ("rightly divide") the word of truth. To rightly divide the word of truth is to define what is spoken, to whom it is spoken, under what circumstances, with what intent and in what context and time frame. Unless one studies Scripture for himself, he will never gain the knowledge and confidence to mature into a testimony pleasing to God.

[nChrist]

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"ACCEPTED"
by C. R. Stam
         

 In Ephesians 1:6 the Apostle Paul sings a doxology, as it were, "to the praise of the glory of God's grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved".

 In the story of the Prodigal Son it is touching to see the father accept his wayward son back to his bosom --- and so generously! He does not merely admit him back into his home; he clothes him with his best robe, puts a ring on his hand, shoes on his feet and kills for him the fatted calf so that they call all to "eat and be merry" in celebration of his return.

 But the prodigal was after all the father's son, whereas Paul bids us "Gentiles in the flesh" to remember that originally we were "without Christ...aliens from the commonwealth of Israel...strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12).

 Hence it is even more touching to contemplate God's gracious acceptance of us who were not sons but "aliens" and "enemies" (Col. 1:21).

 The word "accepted" in the above passage actually comes from the word "grace" (Gr. karis) with which the verse begins: "...His grace, wherein He hath engraced us in the Beloved One".

 Thus God looks upon us now with delight; He delights to favor and bless the believer because He sees him in Christ, His beloved Son.

 This passage reminds us how God once broke through the heavens to declare: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (Matt. 3:17). And now He is delighted with us and blesses us with "all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies" because we are in Christ, the "Beloved Son". Not that we have attained to this position, far from it, for "HE hath MADE us accepted" --- HE hath engraced us in the Beloved. 

[nChrist]

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MINISTRY OF LIFE
By M. Stanford
 
"Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain" (Phil. 2:16).

Many Christians are bogged down between the nursery and the schoolroom; between the playpen and the workshop. These resist the weaning period; but the hungry-hearted are eager to have their feelings replaced by faith.

"It is true that the Father does take up those who are spiritually immature and permit them to speak His words years before they fully understand their import; but He does not wish any of us to stop there. We may go on that way for a while, but is it not true that from the time when He begins in us His work of formation through discipline and chastening, it growingly dawns on us how little in fact we know of the true meaning of what we had been saying?

"Our Lord intends that we should reach the place where we can speak, with or without manifest gifts, because we are that which we share. For in Christian experience the spiritual things of God are less and less outward, that is, of gift, and more and more inward, of life. In the long run it is the depth and inwardness of a work that counts. As the Lord Jesus Himself becomes more and more to us, other things - and this must include even gifts - matter less and less. Then, though we teach the same doctrine, speak the same words, the impact on others is very different, manifesting itself in an increasing depth of the Spirit's work within them also."

"Our Father's hand is on the helm. We are being guided, even when we feel it least. The closed door is as much His Providence as the open, and equally for our good and the accomplishment of His own great ends. And one learns at last it is not what we set ourselves to do that really tells in blessing so much as what He is doing in and through us."


"Thou wilt show me the path of life" (Ps. 16: 11).

[nChrist]

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THE APOSTASY 
PART 1 OF 3
by Dr. Harry Bultema

The Thessalonian letters were written first and placed last. Many in our day say: "This position is all wrong for since they were written first, they should be placed before all the other Epistles," but let us be careful and not monkey with God's Word. Whenever man in the realm of nature tries to alter God's order, things go wrong. If he dams the rivers, there are floods in other places; if he uproots the prairies and plows the forest lands, there are choking sandstorms as a result, and this is especially true of God's Word. Not only were the books crystallized into the one canon by a special providence, but every book was divinely put in the right order. Regarding Paul's letters, the monogram in Christ binds them all together, but with this bond of union there is, at the same time, a remarkable order and progress of thought.
 
Romans: in Christ justified by faith.
I Corinthians: in Christ sanctified in church life.
II Corinthians: in Christ fellowship in church life.
Galatians: in Christ crucified to the world and law.
Ephesians: in Christ seated and blessed in the heavenlies.
Philippians: in Christ satisfied and beautified with joy.
Colossians: in Christ, the Head, complete.
Thessalonians: in Christ glorified and triumphant.

Now do you not see that you could not put the glory and the triumph, the victory and vindication of the believers first? Here was progressive revelation. High manifestations of truth as there may be in Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians, there is, nevertheless, an elevation of truth divinely revealed in Thessalonians which is still higher; the saints not only glorified in Christ but Christ glorified in His saints and to be admired by all believers in that day.
 
The apostle finds nothing to rebuke in this letter, except a wrong application of the second coming truth, just as we see this so often today. He starts this chapter with a prayer by the coming, parousia,
 
The Thessalonian saints had been shaken by a seducing spirit, acting through false words and even a falsified letter pretending to be from Paul as that the day of the Lord was present. (The unfortunate mistranslation: day of Christ at hand, has led to confusion.) Some thought that the terrible day of the Lord was actually present. He tells them that the awful day of the Lord could not come until there be first a falling away, an apostasy, the word he actually uses.

[nChrist]

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THE APOSTASY 
PART 2 OF 3
by Dr. Harry Bultema



What is this Apostasy?

I first want to state clearly what it is not. It is not the individual falling away of a believer or of many believers. Our life is hid with Christ in God, and from that treasure spot Satan and all hell can never dig it out. We read in fact that Christ Himself is our life (Col. 3:3-4), hence if our life were to be lost, our Christ would have to be forever lost, and this is utterly unthinkable.

Second, this apostasy does not mean that the Church will fall in ruins. Many speak of the Church this way but this is unscriptural pessimism for the Church cannot be ruined, since it is the habitation of God in the Spirit.
 
Third, this apostasy does not lie in the past as e.g. in the persecution under the Caesars, or in the Constantinian lapse into proud ecclesiasticism, or into Popedom, or into the Mohammedan swerving from the truth, because Paul clearly has his eagle's eye on the future things of the end time.
 
Finally this apostasy must not be sought in the mighty bulwarks of heathendom or Buddhism, Brahmanism, or Shintoism, because the apostle is clearly thinking of the sphere of Christendom. This word has been so little understood because Evolutionism with its gospel of advancement and progress and Postmillennialism with its unscriptural optimism have done their share to close the eyes for this unpalatable truth of Scripture. Most Christians, if thinking of the future at all, think of it as a climax, a rising line to be culminated in a happy man made world. Have we not fought two world wars to make a bright and joyous and a war less world full of freedom and plenty? All this makes it hard even for the Bible believer to fully grasp the apostasy of which the apostle is here thinking.
 
The definite article shows that he is thinking of a definite and clearly revealed apostasy. The Scriptural idea is that before the Lord reveals Himself to Israel and the world, there will be an open rebellion against His truth. Ere the nations will fight Him in Armageddon, they will generally fight His truth on earth, and it is this general decline from and antipathy to His truth that is called The Apostasy. It is a hostile standing away from the truth by those who had it in the Bible, now translated in a thousand tongues. This Apostasy will be a "not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," by Jew and Gentile, a not receiving of the love for the truth. It is a most remarkable fact that in the last half century we see a parallel movement in Judaism and Christendom. The Jews have in the majority broken with Moses and the Prophets, and those who bear the name of Christ have completely swerved away from the truth of the Gospel, and both Jews and Gentiles now try to find each other in a bloodless humanitarian gospel of brotherhood!