GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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FITLY JOINED TOGETHER
By Ivan Burgener

   "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ, from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:15,16).

   "Speaking the truth"! What a contrast with the "cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive." The one seeks to edify and build up whereas the other seeks to destroy and tear down. But the desired progress is our "growing up unto Him in all things: We read of faith, full knowledge, a perfect man, the stature of the fulness of Christ and then the opposing "systematic deception."  But this is counteracted by being true or truthful in everything and growing up unto Christ."

   In Ephesians, spiritual growth is pictured in both Temple and Body:

TEMPLE

Built on foundation of apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) fitly framed together (2:21) Christ the Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

Grows into holy temple in the Lord (2:21) in Whom you are builded (2:22)

BODY

[Body. mentioned six times
in Ephesians chapters 4 & 5] fitly joined together (4: 16) Christ is Head (4:15)

Grows unto Christ (4:15) out of Whom...makes increase of the body unto building up in love (4:15)

No amount of activity, or meetings or advertisement or energy will produce growth. Spiritual growth requires life, health, suitable environment, sound food and walking in the light. But growth can be stunted or retarded by an environment lacking essentials of light, water or air. Of these, walking in the light is preeminent!

   Leagues, unions, societies, associations, and even fellowships cannot substitute for growth of the body being "knit together in love" which is the "bond of perfectness." Unity of the Spirit had the "bond of peace" (4:3). Unity of the body has the "bond of love" so fitly joined.

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The Church and the Blessed Hope
By John LaVier

One great reason for the religious confusion existing today is the failure to ascertain just what God's program is in this dispensation of grace. During the present age God is doing one thing, and one thing only. He is bringing into existence, and bringing to completion, the Church which is the Body of Christ. Needless to say, this is not a denominational church, in spite of what many zealous denominationalists may think. God says, "There is ONE body" (Eph. 4:4). Truly it has been the devil's trick to divide and subdivide the members of the ONE body into innumerable sects and religious groups, thus causing them to lose their testimony and discrediting them with the world.

The one true Bible Church is not an earthly organization, but a divine organism. It is the Body of Christ, and it is composed of every blood-washed, redeemed child of God. Every sinner saved by grace is a member of that body, and some day the last member will be added to the body, and then the body complete will be caught up to meet the Head in glory. We call this "the Rapture" of the church, and just when this wondrous event will take place can not be known.

The church was a mystery, not made known unto the sons or men in other ages. It was hid in the mind and heart of God from a bygone eternity. The prophets knew nothing about this church age, and the Lord did not choose to reveal it while He was here upon the earth. But after His death and resurrection, and His rejection by the nation Israel, He made known His secret purpose in this age through the Apostle Paul.

The present dispensation of the mystery is a signless, timeless, unprophesied period of time. The Rapture, which was also a secret, will end this age of grace. "Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (1 Cor. 15:51). "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout ... and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16, 17).

The coming of the Lord for the members of the Body is to be distinguished from His "Second Coming," when He comes to bring in the kingdom. The latter coming is the subject of much prophecy; the former of none. When Christ comes for the church, He only comes into midair and the saints are caught up to meet Him. When He comes "in like manner" as He went, He returns to earth and "His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives." His coming for the church will be a secret coming, unperceived by the world. When He comes to reign, "every eye shall see Him." His coming for the church precedes the Great Tribulation period. His coming in power and great glory occurs at the close of the Great Tribulation.

When the Lord raptures His church home to glory, there will undoubtedly be many separations. Every saved one will be caught away by the Lord, and every unsaved one, whether father, mother, brother, sister, wife, husband, or child, will be left behind. However we must not confuse this separation with that one spoken of by the Lord in Matthew 24:40, 41. In the so-called Olivet discourse of Mathew 24 and 25, neither the church nor the Rapture of the church are at all in view. Christ was not referring to the Rapture when He said, "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

In the above words spoken by the Savior, the one taken is taken away in judgment, and the one is left to enter the glorious millennial reign of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the secret revealed through Paul, the one taken is not taken in judgment, but is caught away by the Lord into eternal blessedness to be forever with Him in glory, while the other one is left behind to endure the terrors of the Great Tribulation, "because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved" (2 Thess. 2:10).

In closing may we ask if you are prepared for this wondrous event, the catching away of the Body of Christ? Are you a member of that Body? It is not sufficient to have your name on some church roll down here, but is your name written in heaven? If not, just now look by faith to Calvary, believe the gospel that Christ died for your sins, receive Him as your Savior, and God will save you by His grace. Then you too will be "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ" (Tit. 2:13).

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GOD'S TRANSFORMING GRACE
By Pastor Robert Roosendaal


"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, right and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:12, 13).

The religious world in the realm of Christendom is blinded to salvation by grace. The cults are unanimous in its rejection. Within the ranks of fundamentalism and evangelicalism much confusion remains. In the latter group there is further confusion relative to what effect this has in the believer's walk. Paul answers this in verse 14- "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works."

Let us learn how effective God's grace can he in the home: God's grace will create love to replace the sting of bitterness. A beautiful obedience to God's Word will terminate disobedience, and the miracle of harmony will prevail over disharmony. The grace of thoughtfulness will touch the heart and dispel indifference. Divine hope will triumph over the pain of hopelessness. The preeminence of Christ will blossom forth---no longer will Christ be ignored. Prayerfulness will certainly be victorious over prayerlessness. Unselfishness now enters in to bless the home and to dispose the shame of selfishness. The parents learn to excel in spiritual positives, avoiding the folly of nagging negatives. The hearts of lovers now offer praise to God and for each other to wipe out the depression of murmuring. Contentment will bring glory to God for His goodness. Our Wonderful Lord is the giver of rest and refreshment for those in turmoil, the restlessness and fatigue that afflict so many. God is willing to direct us in attaining meaningful goals to replace the aimlessness and indirection that makes life so dull. Emerging from a life of wandering and confusion, Christ will thrill our hearts with eternal joy. The loveliness of Christ will shine with glorious beauty while the lackluster of sin with its attractions, will fade away. God's grace can do all that and much more.

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MADE NIGH IN CHRIST
By RUSSELL S. MILLER,




Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:I3

God gave up the Gentiles in Genesis eleven when He saved Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The vile affections wherein they sinned wickedly against themselves were, and still are today, an abomination to the Lord. These impure and unnatural sins brought God's wrath upon Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19), and the Lord is no less displeased with such sinners today.

But He chose Abraham through whom to bless the world.
"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3). Remarkable difference!

When our Lord Jesus Christ came upon this earthly scene He found His own people as far from God as the Gentiles. In the temple He quoted Isaiah 56:7 regarding the deplorable conditions there: "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Mark 11:17).

And because this attitude toward the Messiah continued, God set the nation aside to raise up that other Apostle, who said to the saved Gentiles at Ephesians:
 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13).

It is because these Gentiles were saved, they had trusted in the finished work of Calvary's cross and were "made nigh by the blood of Christ", that they were "in Christ Jesus". It is this same "believing", upon which believers today are "baptized into Jesus Christ".

"In Whom, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

Perhaps now you'll believe.

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Three Things New
in Our Present Dispensation Today
By Pastor Art Sims
Part 1 of  3


One of the most important teachings any Christian can learn is that we today are living under a program of God that is called "the dispensation of the grace of God." The apostle Paul explained this in Ephesians chapter 3.

We are able to see, in this portion of Scripture, that "the dispensation of the grace of God" pertains to the status that Gentiles now have. This was revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ in the ministry of the apostle Paul. It was a mystery, never before made known, but was revealed and recorded in his ministry for our knowledge and joy in this dispensation.

Three Great Facts

Three great facts are specified in verse 6 of Ephesians chapter 3 that sum up the mystery of this dispensation. We will focus upon these three items. As we do, it is good to know that the word "fellowheirs" means joint-heirs, "same body" is joint-body and "partakers" is joint-partakers. This is because an important prefix is included with these words.

1. Joint-heirs (sukleronoma)
2. Joint-Body (sumssoma)
3. Joint-partakers (summmetocha)

Equality, togetherness! That's what these words are about. In contrast to the way things used to be, Gentiles are now fully equal, being joint-heirs in a joint-Body as well as joint-partakers of God's promise in Christ by the gospel. These realities distinguish our situation today from the way things were in former times.

Three Things New

Let us consider then, these three areas of truth. We will take the last item first because partaking of God's promise in Christ by the gospel ranks first in our experience. But of course, as soon as we partake of the gospel these other things immediately become true of us. But we will consider these items beginning with the fact that Gentiles today are joint-partakers of the truth of God.


I. Joint-partakers

This most certainly is different from the way things used to be. In former times, Gentiles were secondary partakers. Indeed, they were like "dogs," waiting for the Jews to "first be filled." We see this in Mark chapter 7 where a Gentile woman came to our Lord Jesus Christ, requesting a favor from Him. He said to her.

"Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." Mark 7 :27

That woman's response to this was tremendous. She agreed. "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs." For this, the request she sought was granted. But clearly, the words spoken to her by our Lord Jesus Christ show that Gentiles, at that time, were not equal with the Jews.

Another text where this is evident is in Acts chapter 3 where the apostle Peter, preaching to his own people, the Jews, put it this way. 25  "Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed." 26 "Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities."  Acts 3:25,26

How clear this really is. "Unto you first," Peter said. They were the chosen nation of God and priority over others belonged to them.

The apostle Paul also acknowledged this same thing. When he preached to the Jews in Acts chapter 13, he said,
"It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46

These statements establish beyond question that, in time past, Jewish people definitely had priority rights over other people as first-partakers of God's truth.

But this has been changed. Now, in the dispensation of the grace of God, Gentiles are joint-partakers of the gospel, equal with the Jews. No longer, therefore, are the Gentiles "far off " but "nigh" (Eph. 2:13), 'and the Jews who "were nigh" (Eph. 2:17) no longer have priority rights over anyone else. Rather, "both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Eph. 2:18 ) being "joint-partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:6).

What wonderful grace this is! In no way was it deserved. But God has declared that the Gentiles are now "nigh" (Eph. 2:13). No longer, therefore, do Gentiles wait in line behind the Jews. Everybody is the same! Of course, Jewish people are still welcome to be saved, but just the same as everyone else. No more priority for anybody. Equality! That's what we have today in the dispensation of the grace of God.


Continued tomorrow

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Three Things New
in Our Present Dispensation Today
By Pastor Art Sims
Part 2 of 3


2. A joint-Body


The second great fact in Ephesians 3:6 is that Gentile believers are now joint-members of the same spiritual Body with all other believers in this day of grace. This means, of course, that Gentiles not only have equal access to God as Joint-partakers of the gospel, but more than this, upon believing the gospel, Gentiles become joint-members of the Church, the Body of Christ.

Thinking again about "time past, we know, that Gentiles worshipped God as strangers among the people of God. They had no hope of their own and a secondary status among the people of God was all they could expect. They became proselytes of Judaism and worshipped God as second class people in the religious life of the nation of Israel (See Numbers 15:14,26, Deut. 14:21, 23:20, 31:12, Acts 2:10). It is striking to read what a difference there used to be between the Jews and the Gentiles. An example is that the Jews were not allowed to eat the flesh of animals that died on their own whereas the Gentiles among them were allowed to eat those things. Deut. 14:21

Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God.

But today, things are not that way at all. Rather, in this present dispensation Gentiles are fully equal, being joint-members of the same Body with all other believers. This is far more than simply being included. According to Ephesians 2:15, God is now taking Gentiles who believe in Christ and Jewish people who believe in Him, and of these two, is making "one new man." In Colossians 3:10 and 11 we learn that, in this "new man," there is "neither" Gentile nor Jew but that Christ Himself is all in all. Thus, the Body of Christ is indeed a joint-Body. Fleshly distinctions no longer count within it.

What happens, as people become members of this joint-Body, is somewhat similar to an idea expressed by one preacher, who said, "There won't be any Baptists in heaven." He didn't mean, of course, that no one who has ever been a Baptist will be allowed into heaven, but rather that Baptists, after they get to heaven, won't be Baptists anymore. That's how it is with the Body of Christ. Individuals enter this Body as Gentile and Jewish sinners, but then, within this Body those fleshly distinctions disappear. We know this because, according to Colossians 3:11, there is "neither" Gentile nor Jew, but all are spiritually equal in the Church, the Body of Christ.

In our flesh we do have our differences and we have responsibilities before God with regard to these differences (children, parents, husbands, wives, etc.) But our position in the Church, the Body of Christ, is something else. Here, we are the same and this sameness should cause us to value and appreciate one another very much.

Again, what wonderful grace this is! No longer are Gentiles second class believers but fully equal in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Continued tomorrow

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Three Things New
in Our Present Dispensation Today
Part 3 of 3
Conclusion


3. Joint-heirs


One more great fact in Ephesians 3:6 is that there is a joint-inheritance that we share. Many teachings are presented in the Bible about the inheritance that God provides for His people. All believers, for example, inherit the righteousness of God (Gal. 3:6,7,18,29). In addition to this, the Jews have an inheritance promised to them, a land with special blessings guaranteed to them as descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But today, in the new dispensation of God, there is another inheritance, a joint-inheritance which all believers share together.

One thing our joint-inheritance guarantees to us is a glorified body for every member of the Body of Christ, a physical body suitable for future activities throughout the heavens (Eph.1:14, 23, Phil. 3:21). God's Holy Spirit has been given to us as the earnest of this inheritance (Eph. 1:14).

Our joint-inheritance also includes rank for us and opportunities in the heavenly realm where Christ, our Head, is seated at the right hand of God (Eph. 1:18-23, Col. 1:12). It is very interesting to note that our Lord Jesus Christ, as Head of the Church, is going to reconcile all thrones, dominions, principalities and powers in both the heavens and the earth to their rightful place (Col. 1:16-20). Since it is as Head of the Church that He is going to do this, we can expect that at least some members of His Body will reign with Him in these realms. In Colossians 3:24, Paul refers to "the reward of the inheritance." We should realize, therefore, that our faithfulness to God now will be of tremendous value to us in that day.

All the wonderful things our Lord is now doing, and that He will yet accomplish through the members of His joint-Body, the Church, are exceptional displays of His grace. Not only are we saved by grace, but more than this, we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:5-7). These heavenly riches of grace belong to us by means of our joint-inheritance. Thrilling, unprecedented riches, never before revealed, but now made known for our knowledge and joy in this present day of grace!

According to Paul in Ephesians 3:10, heavenly beings are learning about the manifold wisdom of God by means of this present dispensation. There are many people on earth, neglecting and ignoring these things. But in heaven they are not ignored. How marvelous it is that the angels of God appreciate the unprecedented truth of God concerning the Body of Christ. They already knew about the nation of Israel and the earth but now by means of God's program today they know about a new Body of people, positionally seated in heaven. They observe with great interest as this Body is readied for its actual entrance into heaven where Christ, as the Head of this Body, will reign over all things. All these matters wonderfully fit together "according to God's eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:10,11).

These things are worth knowing. Obviously, God has put His truth concerning the dispensation of the grace of God into the Bible because He wants us to know it. We should seek to properly understand it, and in accord with Ephesians 3:9, we should desire, just as the apostle Paul did, "to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ."

What a joy it is to be living today in the dispensation of the grace of God. How fortunate we are to be joint-members of the Church, the Body of Christ. What a thrill it is to know that glorious things surpassing our comprehension await us because of the special order administered by our heavenly Father in this present day of grace.

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Prayer in the Age of Grace
Part 1 of 2
By Dr. Jerry Wayne Bernard

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saint . (Ephesians 6:18 )

We have the privilege of praying at all times and if God replies with "No!" to a prayer request, that "no" is not because of a lack of faith or sloppy behavior on the part of the one praying. It is for His  glory. One needs to learn from this and in this Age of  Grace that "No" from God is a good thing. We also need to take note and say "No" to others about many things they ask of us. Demonstrating grace on your part is not always saying "Yes!" to each and every request. "No" is seldom in the vocabulary of the faint of heart. It takes a strong person to say "No." Our giving must be tempered with the ability to say, "No!" or else we will be devastated in the giving. We are reminded to not toss our valuables to the hogs that will trod down in the muddy pen most of what is valuable. We are warned not to give in to the view of others in order to be seen as a protector. God is the giver and we are His channels to work through. Do it all to His glory.

We do not need to spend our time asking God for things in life for He already knows what we need and it is in His supply chest in heaven. It is coming to us and will arrive at the right time.

But my God shall supply all your need according to His
riches in glory by Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 4:19)

One certainly does not need to pray for God to keep one saved or make one more saved. Salvation is a completed act on the part of God. Paul tells the Colossians that God "delivered (not shall deliver) us from the power of darkness and translated (not shall translate) us into the kingdom of His dear Son; In Whom we have (not will have if we stay faithful) redemption through His blood (a past transaction), even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:13-14).

"Has Already Reconciled"

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled. In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight. (Colossians 1:21-22)

One does not need to be reconciled again and again after each  sin comes into the life. The words are: "hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death." The word "hath" means that it happened in the  past and is still effectual. This means that th salvation is eternal, based on the Cross alone, not as long as our human faithfulness or goodness continues. If there were anything that the  Saint must do in order to keep saved, no one could understand  Paul's statement:

Ye  are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 1:10)

Nothing can be lost, taken away or forfeited in the Believers life. In this we see that one cannot loose their salvation after they have  received Christ as their Savior.

Quality of an Unconditional Gift

This salvation is by unconditional grace alone and will never be withheld because of demerit. In fact, its offer cannot be lessened  because of demerit. Grace ceases to be grace if God uses it as a bribe or is compelled to withdraw it in the presence of human  failure or sin. On the flip side of the coin, it cannot be exercised where there is the slightest degree of human merit. The quality of the gift of salvation is only in the finished work of Christ on  the cross. This finished work created an entirely new relationship between God and mankind.

No longer is there a select minority in God's favor. The whole world of mankind has been brought nigh unto God (Ephesians 2:13) through love and forgiveness for everything. God is now free to exercise unconditional grace on the basis of the cross, not on any kind of assumed worthiness of man.

After the cross of Christ, the sin question ceased. For sin was the transgression of the Law. Under the Law, man was in debt,  However, the death, entombment and resurrection of Jesus Christ  are the combined gift of God to the world without incurring indebtedness on the part of anyone towards God. The Age of  Grace contains a new quality and grand accomplishment called pure and simply the unconditional "gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8 ). What must be considered in the Age of Grace is the Son question It is not what one does with sin. It is what one does with the Son, God's gift to humanity (John 3:16).

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Prayer in the Age of Grace
Part 2 of 2
By Dr. Jerry Wayne Bernard



Sin in the graced life, in the Age of Grace

 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If We say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess Our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us Our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ( 1 John 1:7-9) .

Some sincere believers hold to the idea that they must describe or confess their individual daily sins, one by one in order get forgiveness and move forward in service for the Lord. In my younger days, I spent time in many all night prayer meetings where confession of sins was encouraged. Many sincere people spent the entire prayer time naming sins one by one in order to get forgiveness so that they could serve God

I remember my first all-night prayer meeting where we were encouraged to confess sins in order to be a better servant for the Lord. All of us wanted to be a better servant for our Lord. So, we confessed our sins. I began praying and the person next to me prayed out loud and started describing the awful things in his life. I stopped praying and started listening to this guy. He was a bad dude. I thought I knew him. He seemed like an all right guy to me that night as we came into the church building to pray. Then this woman on the other side of me began praying out loud. That's when I moved to the other side of the room and started praying under my breath, lying under a church pew. I was not going to let anyone in the room hear what I had to say. I named everything that I could think of and when I ran out of ideas, I started praying for the missionaries that I personally knew. I prayed for my high School buddies and their friends. I prayed for my family and all the pastors that I had worked with over the past three years. I looked down at my watch and five minutes had passed. I had the rest of the night on my hands. I found out that praying was not an easy thing to do.

Do you understand what that praying group was saying? They confessed in order "to get forgiveness." Their confession would have to be done in order to get forgiveness for unforgiven sins. The question begs to be answered: WHAT SINS ARE UNFORGIVEN?

When one takes a second look at this passage in first John, a different scenario arises to the top. The truth is that one confesses sins because they are already forgiven, not in order to develop a daily forgiveness. We must keep this fact in the frontal lobe of the brain that "the blood of God's Son cleanses us from all sin." Therefore, we can confess them to God and not get into any trouble for  they are already forgiven.

Confession is getting on God's side of the sin question and seeing sin as He sees it. The imposing question is how does God see sin? The answer is "forgiven, forgiven, forgiven." The truth is that the believer has already been "cleansed from all unrighteousness" and the confessor needs to see all personal sins as already cleansed. So, therefore, confess all your sins as forgiven already.

Eph 1:7  "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace"

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The Hope ...
Part 1 of 2
By John LaVier

The Hope of the Sinner

In Ephesians 2:12 the unregenerate man is described as "having no hope." However, though the unsaved man is hopeless, yet there is hope. But his hope of heaven and eternal life is not in some fancied worth or work of his, but is found alone in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Many have a false hope. Some trust to their character, morality, honesty or good deeds, but none of these will suffice, for God says, "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." The man who hopes to find favor in the sight of God because of any merit of his own is doomed to disappointment.

Others realize in some measure their sinful condition, but turn to some system of religion to afford them a standing before God. To Israel of old God said, "And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt-offering." To all who trust in any religious effort, or put confidence in anything other than the blood of Christ, God still says, "Not sufficient." A man may perform a multitude of rites and ceremonies; he may be baptized, partake of the bread and wine, and observe holy days and Sabbath days; he may hope that any or all of these will save his guilty soul, but all is to no avail. The Word declares: "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).

There is only one hope for any sinner, and that is in the One who died on Calvary's cross for the sin of humanity, Who was buried and rose again, Who now lives as the one and only Saviour at God's right hand. If the sinner will trust in Jesus Christ and rely alone on His precious blood and finished work, then he will have a hope. The hope of the believing sinner is "the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due season." All that the sinner needs is Christ. Nothing more than Christ is needed, but nothing less than Christ will suffice. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for their is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The Hope of Israel

We see Israel today as a people scattered and peeled, but is there yet hope for this once-favored nation? Romans 11:1 provides the answer. First comes the question, "Hath God cast away His people?" This question is followed by the divine answer, "God forbid." Then comes the statement of the following verse: "God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew." Though now for a season they have been blinded and forsaken of God, there is still for them a glorious future.

Israel's hope is expressed in the words of the Spirit-filled Zacharias, who prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed His people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David ... that we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He sware to our father Abraham" (Luke 1:68-73).

The above words of Zacharias were uttered by him at Christ's first coming. The nation, though, did not receive Christ. Therefore, the fulfillment of Israel's hope was postponed, and now awaits the second coming of the Christ. When He appears again the second time He will come as Israel's Deliverer, to save them from their enemies and from the hand of all that hate them. "There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Rom. 11:26). All Israel will then be saved. They will be planted again in their own land, and Christ Himself will be in their midst on David's throne ruling and reigning in righteousness.

Continued tomorrow

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The Hope ...
Part 2 of 2
By John LaVier


The hope of Israel is the kingdom of the heavens established upon earth, with Israel in a place of supremacy. The nations today are in confusion because they are headless, but when the kingdom is here Israel will be at the head, and no longer the tail, and Israel's Messiah will be King over all the earth.

No fact is more clearly taught in the Scripture than that of Israel's regathering and restoration. "Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock" (Jer. 31:10). Just as surely as the scattering was literal, so surely will the gathering be literal. Israel will be gathered out of all the nations whither the Lord has scattered them, and will yet dwell in the land promised by God to Abraham and his seed after him.

Israel must first go through the awful time of great tribulation foretold by the Saviour, during which God will purge out their dross. Thus they will be prepared for the place of headship and responsibility which is to be theirs in the kingdom. They will be saved out of this time of Jacob's trouble when Christ returns as the Rider on the white horse. They will then look on Him whom they pierced and the nation will be converted. Israel's conversion will result in the conversion of the world. All nations will be blessed through Israel. "In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you" (Zech. 8:23). Then the fulfillment of the prophetic Word: "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee ... And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." This is Israel's hope.

The Hope of the Church

While Israel's hope awaits fulfillment, God is calling out the Church, the One Body of Christ. Israel has the hope of the coming kingdom, its center to be Jerusalem and its King the coming Messiah, and even beyond that they have the better hope of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, with the names of the twelve tribes on the gates thereof. There is, however, reserved for the Church an even more glorious hope. Already God sees us, as members of the One Body, seated in the heavenlies in His Son. "He hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." We are already there insofar as God is concerned. We are there positionally in Christ our Head, and some day we will be there actually. "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body." We look for the Saviour, and to be conformed to His image; to have a glorious body like unto His, a body sinless, deathless, incorruptible, clothed with beauty and splendor. This is the hope of every saint of God: "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

In the opening verses of Colossians 3 we are told: "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Israel's hope is in things on the earth. The Church's hope is in things above. We have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ, and these heavenly places are "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come."

The Church is "looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God, our Saviour Jesus Christ." We wait to hear His voice, to be caught up to meet Him, to be like Him, to be for ever with Him. When Christ our life thus appears, we shall appear with Him in glory. Who can tell what is in store for the Church, then all glorious, and without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing? Then we shall be with Christ far above, at God's right hand where there are pleasures for evermore. Then in the ages rushing toward us, and to worlds as yet unborn, God will show forth in us, the Church, the exceeding riches of His grace. We will have an eternity of bliss in which to magnify His Name and to be to the praise of His glory. Even now as we contemplate the realization of our hope, it should make us sing above all the trials of life, knowing that any sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Now blest in heavenly places,
In Christ at God's right hand;
And filled with all His fullness,
Complete in Him to stand.
Sing to the praise and glory,
Of Him who thus hath shown,
Such gracious love and mercy,
To call us for His own.

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Quietness and Assurance
Part 1 of 2
By Ike T. Sidebottom

The world is in chaos and disturbance. Doubt and anxiety is manifested among the multitudes. Even the seasoned saints are not always confident and quiet before the Lord.

How can the human heart have "quietness and assurance" in the midst of worldwide disorder? God answers our question in the language of our text.

"And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever" (Isaiah 32:17).

Such righteousness must be imparted to us from God through His Son, Jesus Christ. "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6), but His righteousness is perfect, and brings to the trusting soul peace, quietness and assurance.

The heavenly Father wants us to have His peace and glorify His name through a quiet and confident life of faith.

Our Gentile Fathers

had their opportunity to know God and to glorify His name, but they refused to do so; and "their foolish heart was darkened" (Romans 1:18-23). Wherefore:

"God gave them up to uncleanness" (Romans 1:24).

"God gave them up to vile affections" (Romans 1:26).

"God gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Romans 1:28 ).

The moral and spiritual apostasy into which they drifted is pictured in Romans 1, verses 29 to 32, Read these verses and see the Gentile world "guilty before God."

What About the Jew?

He is no better. The Jews had the advantage in every way: "Chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles, of God" (Romans 3:l-2). However, "We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, they are all under sin" (Romans 3:9).

"Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).

The Gentile's mouth having been "stopped" by his guilt as revealed in Romans 1:18-32, and God's perfect law having "stopped" the mouth of the Jew, who was under the law, "every mouth" was stopped and "all the world" became "guilty before God."

"What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit" (Romans 8:3-4).

The law was never given that men should be made righteous by their own good works; on the other hand, God gave the law that man might have a scriptural "knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20).

"As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse." Why is this true? Because "It is written, cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them" (Galatians 3:21-22).

God's perfect law demanded more than fallen man could deliver. That is why the "righteousness of God without the law is manifested, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe" (Romans 3:21-22).

This very righteousness of God is imparted to every one who is really trusting in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. God the Father "made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

O blessed truth! Marvelous grace.
God's dear Son has taken my place.
In His own body He bore all my sin.
Now I am infinitely righteous in Him.

"Full Assurance"

is used three times over in the Word:

"The full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:22).

"The full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2).

"The full assurance of hope" (Hebrews 6:11).

"Full assurance of faith" was exercised by Paul when he said, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12). We cannot exercise faith without knowing it. If we have faith in the soundness of the bank in which we deposit our money, that faith gives us confidence concerning the safety of our deposit and we feel at ease about it.

The one reason why so many believers lack the "full assurance of faith" is due to their lack of knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. Once the believer thoroughly understands the revealed facts upon which his safety in Christ is resting, he becomes quiet and confident about his soul's salvation.

continued tomorrow

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Quietness and Assurance
Part 2 of 2
By Ike T. Sidebottom


"The full assurance of understanding" means a spiritual understanding of at least

Seven Outstanding Facts
upon which the believer's safety and security rests.


1.   The finished work of Christ on the cross of Calvary for our sins. He said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). On the day of His resurrection, "By His own blood He entered in once into the Holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12). See 1 John 5:11-13.

2.   The present work of Christ at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He is the believer's "Advocate with the Father" (1 John 2:1). When we sin He represents us, pleading His own blood for our forgiveness.

3.   The Father's faithfulness to His Son in answer to His prayer. The Son prayed, "Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me" (John 17:11). We know that the Father heard this prayer (John 11:42); therefore, we know He must grant the petition (1 John 5:14-15).

4.   The specific promises of God have been made and He cannot lie. He has spoken concerning His own, saying, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish" (John 10:27-28 ). See also Philippians 1:6 and Romans 8:31-39.

5.   The choice of God the Father could not have been a blunder on his part. We are told that all the saved people of this age were "chosen" in Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:3-4). We were chosen to fit into that "holy temple" of Ephesians 2:19-22. Do you think He would build us into the structure and then have to tear us out?

6.   The sealing of the Holy Spirit was "until" a specified time; namely, the "redemption of the purchased possession" (Ephesians 1:13-14). The saint, or saved person, is sealed by the Holy Spirit the moment he is saved. That moment he becomes the purchased property of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The seal of the Spirit is God's mark of ownership upon the saint until he is redeemed or taken in body and soul into God's glory.

7.   The believer's union with Christ is such that could never be broken. God, Himself, adds each believer to the Lord (Acts 5:14 with I Cor. 12:13 and 27), and "whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it, or anything taken from it" (Ecclesiastes 3:14)."The church, which is the body of Christ," is an organism, like a human body; and not an organization, like a legislative body (1 Corinthians 12:12). Each saved person has been baptized, by the Holy Spirit, into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13) and is an essential member of that organism (Ephesians 5:29-30).

God tells us how He adds His blood bought children to the church of the one body; but He doesn't say anything about taking a disobedient child out of that body. Just one missing member, in the day of our glorification, would violate the truth set forth in Ephesians 5:25-27.

"The full assurance of hope" can never be realized apart from faith and understanding. Hope has to do with the unseen future (Romans 8:24-25).

In Hebrews 6:10-12, the believer is admonished to minister diligently "unto the end," and follow "them who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

In Colossians 1:24-27 the believers are reminded of Paul's "sufferings" for them and for "His body's sake, which is the church." He declared this dispensation to be a mystery, which had been "hid from ages and from generations." Then He makes it clear that God, who gave him the mystery was through him, making it "manifest to His saints." God wants the saints to know the "glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which, is Christ in you, the hope of glory." This hope will be realized when our Lord calls for the "church which is His body."

Let us not get our "hope" mixed with that of Israel or that of the Bride. Our hope is not resting upon the "promises made unto the fathers;" because this dispensation was hid from past ages and generations. We are not holding out to "the end." We are waiting for the glory. Keep looking up! He may come for us any moment.

Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for righteousness, the work of which is peace, and the effect of which is "quietness and assurance for ever."

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PAUL'S THANKFULNESS

Scripture Reading:  2 Thessalonians 1:1-3.


The same three men named in 1 Thessalonians are named here as sending greetings. Paul's use of "we" (1:3-4, 11-12) is worth noting. More than one man was responsible for establishing this, and other churches. God's laborers work together, by His design to accomplish His work. Silas was Paul's primary associate on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40). Timothy was a young man Paul had led to Christ (1 Tim. 1:2) during his first missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). It was Timothy who brought Paul news of the Thessalonian situation the first time (I Thess 3: 12,6). These three men were those who brought the faith to and nurtured the Thessalonian Church.

Again Paul greets the Thessalonians with his characteristic "grace and peace" (vs.2). Paul wants his readers to experience these blessings in their fullest measure. Grace is God's unmerited favor bestowed upon all who receive Him (John I:12). "Peace" is the ending of the alienation that previously separated the unbeloved from God (Rom.. 5:1).

Paul thanks God for this Church because of the continual growth in their faith (gk. huperauxanei). He has seen their faith grow super abundantly or vigorously in spite of hardship and persecution. Paul often uses superlatives in his Greek expressions. The Thessalonians' faith in God continues to increase as well as their love for others (James 2:14-17). Is this a reality in Our lives?

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CONSIDER CHRIST

In Hebrews 3.1 sinners and saints are told to 'consider' Christ. In Hebrews 12.3 they are told to 'consider' Gethsemane and Calvary, the precious shed blood of the Creator of the universe, the Author and Finisher of our faith. God does want you to 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' ... 'LIVE.'

You can afford to forget every other problem, every other phase of this life, until you 'STOP' and 'CONSIDER' Christ and Calvary. Why did the Creator of the heavens and earth die between malefactors on the cross? Why did He wear the crown of thorns? Why did His Father forsake Him? We are told in the closing verses of the fourth chapter of Romans, that Christ was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. We are told in Romans 3:24 to 28, that this was necessary that God might be both just and merciful. We are told in Hebrews 9:12 that Christ by His own blood entered 'once' into heaven, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Let us accept at full face value the words of Christ in John 10:17 and 18, "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life. I have power to lay it down: I have power to take it up."

Eternal life is God's free gift to believing sinners. (Romans 6:23). God will have all men to be saved. (I Timothy 2:4 to 7). Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. So 'STOP' ... 'LOOK' , .. 'LISTEN' ... 'BELIEVE' ... 'LIVE.' You may stop, look and listen, but if you do not personally receive Christ by faith, you will die in your sins. (John 8:24).