GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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WISE UNTO SALVATION
By RUSSELL S. MILLER,



Scripture Reading: II Timothy 3:15

What a contrast in II Timothy Three between the "Scriptures" and "evil men and seducers." The Scriptures are "holy" (Ver. 15) They are "given by the inspiration of God" (Ver. 16; 2 Pet. 1:21). And they are "profitable." The influence of "the unfeigned faith" (2 Tim. 1:5) of Eunice and Lois on Timothy caused the Apostle to write:
   "And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15).

This "salvation" wherein Timothy was "wise" was not merely the prophetic Scriptures, but "the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13). A companion of St. Paul, he learned "the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified" the Lord of glory" (I Cor. 2:7,8 ).

The "evil men and seducers" however, not only murdered the Lord Jesus Christ, but "resist the truth" and are "men of corrupt minds" (2 Tim. 3:11), who "persecute" (Ver. 11) the Lord's messengers. The world system is "ever learning, [but] never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (Ver. 7). And their profit in technology, what is it? And the Scriptures, which are "holy," do not consider them "godly," neither do they themselves.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God ....Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (I Cor. 1:18-21)

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The Ministry of the Four Absolutes
By Joe B. Mason



I was told that the Four Absolutes were taken from Christ's "Sermon on the Mount." They supposedly are to give something of a summary of that wonderful message. Further, this summary was expected to provide a short foot rule or standard for Christian conduct.

I gave attention as the speaker continued listing those four as follows:

Absolute Honesty
Absolute Purity
Absolute Love
Absolute Unselfishness

It was expected that this "foot rule" was to prove a constant challenge to every person. It was stated that God expects perfection, and in these absolutes, one could easily determine his own standing with God.

My reaction to this teaching was to accept it for serious consideration. I began to compare my own lifestyle with this so-called "foot-rule standard." at first I found honesty easy to meet. I had been taught to be honest by my parents who gave a fine example of this basic honesty. Purity, however, was a different matter. The speaker suggested that each one consider having his mind or thoughts made into a film to be presented to the public. Now I made haste to get to the next test.

With Absolute Love it was apparent that no one could measure to that high point. A person might love two or three persons, a blond perhaps, and so on. To love everyone was impossible. I recalled that the famous American, Will Rogers, once said, "I never met a man I didn't like." Oh, liking a person was one thing, but loving by Christ's standard was something else.

At last I came to the Absolute where I was confident of a high mark. I knew that my life was one of unselfishness. Soon, however, I remembered some not-so-unselfish acts, and then came the sad truth that my life was one wholly self-centered life. The underlying motive in all my action was for self. No one could measure up to this standard, I concluded.

The speaker seemed to have anticipated this thought, for he suggested, "The good is soon lost when the best is not aimed at." That was a true statement, I knew, but still I knew that I was far from measuring up to the demand.

As a believer, long after this message, I see now that it was a challenge that caused me to make an inventory of my life and my motives. For the first time in my life, it began to dawn on me that I was self-centered with little or no concern for God or for others. This conviction came to me slowly but surely. One night, following this message, I came to a decision. I was all alone and under deep conviction of sin. I realized that my entire problem was due to sin in my life. I invited Jesus Christ to be my Savior and my Lord and Sin Bearer.

In seeking much later to determine Scriptures to support these several Absolutes, I was able to find many. I saw that the Bible reveals that these are a practical challenge for every individual. After all, the Bible teaches, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23).

Every believer is in need of the transforming experience, that is, the new life which is given by Christ when we trust Him. It is in this way that a believer is made PERFECT by our loving God. Anything else than this perfection is insufficient before God. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read of this miracle of transformation in these words, "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." At conversion the individual is made a new creature in Christ. What a blessing, and what a transformation! Yes, and WHAT A SAVIOR!

For several Scriptures that support these Absolutes, I suggest the following:

Absolute Honesty - Romans 12: 17
Absolute Purity -I Timothy 5:2
Absolute Love -I Corinthians 13:1-2
Absolute Unselfishness - Philippians 2:3-4

There are many other Scriptures that may be found to point us to this high standard. It is, after all, the Word of God that is "quick and powerful." Still, I am everlastingly grateful for the challenge that came to me as a young man of age 23. I was a baptized church member. I supposed that I was a Christian. My religion, it turned out, was but a head knowledge. I needed a HEART TRANSFORMATION. Christ is well able to change any life. It is our part to yield to His call. The call is to be found on many pages of the Bible. One that has meant so much to me is found in Acts 16:31: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" What a true and blessed promise!

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Christmas "What Does It Mean?"
By Nancy Faries
Evansville, Indiana



Our pastor is very fond of acrostics. So, I'm going to use one of his teaching techniques to talk about the special time of year called Christmas. Of course, the word "Christmas" means different things to different people. For example, it would mean something entirely different to the secular world than it would to spiritual believers.

C Let's consider the letter "C" to begin our illustration. This could stand for "commercial," which is the aspect the secular world emphasizes. For those in retail sales, this season is the biggest money maker of the year. Many merchants receive over 50% of their annual income during these days. At this time, too, gift giving usually becomes such an obsession for many that they end up displaying some very unChristian attitudes at the stores. But for those of us who have believed on Him, the "C," of course, refers to "Christ," Whose birth we are commemorating. The ancient prophets amazingly predicted His unique arrival hundreds of years before it happened. Isaiah says, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel (meaning, "God with us" - cf. Matt. 1:22-23) " .. .For unto us a child is given ... and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isa. 7:14; 9:6). We now look back on this event in wonder and awe.

H is for the "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry of the Season." People go here, go there, do this, do that. It can become madness for those who miss the true point of it all. However, the "H" should be a reminder of "Heaven" that awaits those who are saved in this dispensation (Eph. 2:4-10; Phil. 3:20-21). It is a place of such utter peace and tranquility, that the earthly ills and frustrations caused by the frantic pace of this life will all be forgotten. This is why the Apostle Paul referred to it as "paradise" (II Cor. 12:2-4).

R stands for the "right" gift -- sometimes given for a wrong reason. In other words, some give gifts to win favor or to impress someone. Others simply give gifts mechanically, because it is the "thing" to do. Maybe that "R" should depict the only lasting "right" gift, which is the one that God gave in the Person of His Son. Romans 6:23 states, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

I The "I" could be the "icicles" of the winter season. This time of year marks the beginning of cold weather, which I personally dread. But to the spiritual person, the "I" might portray the fact that God the Son became an "infant" in order to qualify as man's Savior. Luke 2:11-12 declares: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. " But in truth, it's not the "babe" we should remember so much as the life of the man He became - the One Who suffered and died for us (Rom. 5:6-8,15-19). That's why Paul calls Him, " ... the man Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 2:5).

S The "s" is one I have to admit that I, myself, enjoy. It is "Shop, Shop, Shop 'till you drop!" But actually, I enjoy that in March, May, August, September. But seriously, The "s" should symbolize "Salvation." That is why the Apostle Paul could proclaim without reservation, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). He had experienced God's saving power first-hand, and knew that it would work for all who desired to be saved.

T For the secular world, the "T" might depict the "tree" to trim. ~Though representing no small effort, it seems that just about everyone perpetuates the age-old tradition of placing lights and ornaments on this annual fixture. But the word, "tree" can also bring to mind the tree that grew hundreds of years ago that made the Cross on which our Savior was crucified. I Peter 2:24 reveals that "[Christ] His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree. " He made this tree despite knowing the agony it would bring Him as He was judged on our behalf (Jn. 1: 1-3, 14).

M The "M" could picture, "Man." Too often the world sees man's desires as paramount, giving itself over to the fleshly indulgences of the occasion. But our "M" should be for the "Message" of God's Word announced for all to hear (Lk. 2:10, 13-14). That is, if we would only proclaim it, and if they would only listen. Romans 10:15-17 declares, "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ... So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Christmas is really about having people place their absolute trust in Jesus Christ to save their souls forever.

A The "A" has to stand for "abundance." Yes, at this time, everyone seems to want more and more. Here, people never seem to be satisfied or content. Children are usually disappointed with what they've received and appear to be unthankful despite a multitude of presents. Often, dissatisfaction is register-ed with parents because others received more than they did. Nevertheless, the believer's "A" should denote "appreciation." II Corinthians 9:15 reflects heartfelt gratitude by Paul for what God gave us in Christ. He says, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. " How different is the attitude of some, who "When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful ... " (Rom. 1:21). Gratitude should truly be the order of the day for everyone at this time of the year.

S The "s" identifies the "Sin" of greed that is rampant in the world during Christmas because everyone wants the many "gifts" that God bestows, but very few want the "Giver." It is a constant battle even for believers to fight against the temptation to covet what others have (Rom. 7:7; Eph. 5:3). Be that as it may, our "s" recognizes Christ's foremost title - "Savior." The angel made reference to this regarding the name of Christ prior to His conception. He said, " ... thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

We've gone through every letter which makes up the word "Christmas." By so doing, we've come to one outstanding conclusion: that is, Christmas is really about receiving the gift of salvation that is offered by God to all who will simply receive it by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). If you haven't already, won't you do so right now? If you will, I guarantee that then you will have a truly Merry Christ-mas. Again, the Bible tells us the real meaning of Christmas. It says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" Jn. 3:16). Won't you open this beautifully wrapped package of salvation and receive all the blessings it contains? Go ahead! It has your name on it!

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THE SON OF A VIRGIN
by Russell S. Miller

In the Book of Leviticus God revealed to Moses how that life itself is in the chemistry of the blood; and that only "blood" can atone for sin:

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I [the Lord] have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Lev. 17:11).

The blood of Old Testament animal sacrifices, however, could not reconcile God and man, as the Apostle Paul says: "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:2-4).

This is where the Son of God enters the stream of humanity, and Mary is the real mother of the humanity of Christ, and a true descendant of David, whom God used to bring His Son into the world to save sinners. As Isaiah the prophet predicted: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." This is the quote in Matthew 1:23 concerning "the birth of Jesus Christ." But how can a "virgin" give birth to a child? This is a total impossibility with man, but God is not bound with man's impossibilities:

"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:34,35).

Consequently none of Adam's tainted and sinful blood was coursing through His veins. The blood of Jesus Christ was divine. The Lord Jesus Christ did not inherit that old Adamic nature. There was no sin in Him, not a chance!And what we could not do because of the corruption that Adam's sin brought upon mankind, Christ accomplished through "the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). Thus the blood of Christ is efficacious to save us from our sins, as the many references in the Epistles of Saint Paul declare:

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

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:13).

And in Hebrews, Chapter Ten, Paul writes these words concerning the perfect humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His deity, and virgin birth:

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD....For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb. 10:12,14).

And the Apostle Peter also makes this same declaration:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:18,19).

God simply wants us to believe the Truth of His Word, placing our faith and confidence in what God has said about His Son, and upon believing, God's Word declares that He will save us for time and eternity. It's simply a matter of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

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The Gift
by Steve McVey


When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary 2000 years ago, she was told that God's Spirit was about to come upon her and as a result she would give birth to Divine Life. What a shocking realization for a young Jewish girl. Her world was about to be forever changed. The question of her morality was about to come to the forefront. Her soon-to-be husband would need a visit from no less than an angel in order to believe her story. Her Child that was to be born would turn the religious applecart of His day upside down. Yes, things were about to change --- in a big way. Christmas might seem sentimental to us today but when Jesus Christ was born it was shockingly radical in almost every imaginable way.

Someone has rightly said that grace which isn't disruptive isn't really grace. Deity breaking in on humanity and taking over, forever altering our lives and our circumstances, changing the way we see God, ourselves, and others. It's unsettling, to say the least. It takes control away from us and forces us to live in the place of constant faith, where some days are horribly wonderful and others are wonderfully horrible.

Jesus didn't come to make our lives better. He came so that we might die, right along with Him. In our CO-crucifixion with Christ, He took away the old life we inherited from Adam and gave us another one in its place. The life He has given to us stands in stark contradiction to life as we used to know it. This Life isn't better. It's new.

In "This Life" we don't live for ourselves, but for others. We don't seek to gather but to pour ourselves out for the benefit of those around us. We don't assert our own agendas, but rather lay them down and allow Him to express His agenda through us in whatever way He chooses. We quit trying to be religious in an attempt to impress God, ourselves and others and begin to learn to be real, acting like who we really are in Him. We stop scrambling to carve out an enviable life for ourselves and instead just yield to death --- the one we experienced with Him on His cross.

Mary had to die to a lot as the baby Jesus grew inside her. She died to the way she had  anticipated her life would unfold. She died to her reputation. She died to the right to manage or even understand her life's circumstances. She died to her religious check and balance system where good girls have good things happen in life and bad girls get the bad stuff of life. She began to realize early on that God's ways aren't our ways, but they are better. She learned to yield to Him and in her "be it unto me according to thy word," (Luke 1:38 ), the door opened for the rest of the world to see the divine life she had been given by God's Spirit.

So it is to be with us. Let us choose to embrace Christmas in all of its implications. Let's give up our agendas, our reputations, our rights and yield to the growth of Christ, first within us and then through us so that all the world may see His glory. Let us agree with His Spirit that we will gladly embrace every disruptive aspect of grace that shakes us out of our comfort zones, breaking away the things that interfere with living as our authentic selves, and causing us to come to more fully and intimately know Him. To embrace His life and to see it grow in us --- to see His life be produced through us --- that is the greatest gift anyone could know. That is indeed a God-sized gift.

May you and your family be richly blessed during this Christmas season and may you cherish The Gift that exceeds everything this world has to offer.

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THE VIRGIN BIRTH
By J.A. Verleur



"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel" (Isa. 7:14)

This familiar verse sparkles like a translucent gem in Isaiah's grand prophecy. It was during a time when Israel's history was fraught with crucial dangers, affecting domestic, social and religious life, that Isaiah's promise of the coming Redeemer brought new hope to the faithful few who still were looking for the Messiah. Of course, leading minds of decadent paganism ridiculed and repudiated the virginal birth, impeccable life and substitutionary death of a coming Christ. Since human nature has not changed, we are not surprised to find the forces of religious nihilism attacking the preliminary step of God's redemptive act in time: the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus. These forces. flanked by lax Liberalism have been engaged to DE-Christianize Christianity by placing reason above history, creating a faith without mysteries and peddling these atheistic and agnostic views to the gullible many. Let us briefly examine the Word of God and notice the attention arresting Asterismos (a figure of speech calling particular attention to some point of subject) "Behold." The exact Hebrew text reads: "Behold the virgin is pregnant and is bearing a Son and thou shalt call His name Emmanuel." The translation, however, reads in the future tense. Why the discrepancy? The introductory words, "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold ..."  will help to understand the accuracy of the future tense. The prophet foretells future events so realistically because to him they appear as already having taken place or about to be taking place.

Time and place often fade from the mind of the prophet since 4000 years, or 700 years, as in this case, do not constitute a factor with God. However, there are two more factors to be considered. The word Ecce (Behold) connotates futurity (Isa. 3: I; 8:7; 19:I, etc.). Passingly, the prophet could neither have Achaz' son in mind nor his own son since Achaz' son was then already eight years old and Shear-Jashub (see 7:3) was already with his father at the king's court. Consequently they are, by the very fact of birth and age, excluded from this prophecy. In addition, the child's name, Immanuel, occurs for the first time in the Old Testament. No child born of human parents could ever be given this name which means "God with us."

The Virgin

The next step in meeting the points at issue is to establish the meaning of the word "virgin." Here, too, theologians, philologists and exegetes are at loggerheads. The Hebrew text reads "ha almah. " The definite article is used. In Hebrew, or Greek, whenever the definite article is used it specifies and determines the meaning of the word to which it is joined. Therefore, a particular person is meant by ha almah. A look at the concordance reveals that but three times this word is accompanied by the article ha. Altogether the word almah occurs seven times (Gen. 24:43; Ex. 2:8; Ps. 68:25; Prov. 30:19; Song 1:3; 6:8; Isa. 7:14), with the article only three times. (1) In Genesis 24:43 the context clearly reveals the meaning of the word almah, or virgin (vs. 16). (2) In Exodus 2:8 the word occurs again. This time it is used of Miriam, Moses' sister. (3) The last occurrence is our text. The Greek equivalent of ha almah is he parthenos, the word used of Mary, the mother of our Lord.

Parthenogenesis

Turn our attention to the miraculous conception; we are admittedly confronted with an impenetrable mystery. But before the scoffers laugh away this profound problem, let them explain the mystery of life: the natural birth. What is life? The latest  dictionary cannot supply the answer to this riddle. There are two sciences. biology and geology, both affirming as one of their most basic generalizations, that life only comes from preexisting life. The science of geology informs us that there was a time when the earth was a molten mass of exceedingly hot gases. No life could possibly have existed thereon. Science affirms also that life has not been found on any other planet. Therefore, life must have been produced by a Living Cause, independent of, and external to, the Universe. Similarly, the science of biology states in the language of Tyndall, "I affirm that no shred of trustworthy experimental testimony exists to prove that life in our day has ever appeared independently of antecedent lite." Reinke, another eminent biologist declares. "Under no circumstance can chemical and mechanical forces produce a living being." All are agreed that life came mysteriously and independently of any natural causes. Hence, since blind chance is ruled out by all reputable scientists, we are confronted once again by the Giver of all life, God. But if we cannot explain this life, why then question the life super induced without the intervention of virile semen? Cannot God, Who wrote all biochemical laws, go above and beyond these in producing life without the male semen? Of course, those who refuse to admit God's omnipotence and man's limitation will not tolerate these truths. They would rather limit God and deify man!

Virgin Birth in the Economy of Nature

But science has demonstrated the fact of virgin birth among certain species of both animal and vegetable kingdom. Mostly these observable facts are noted among creatures of a rudimentary scale of development. Among the Annelids (any of the earthworms, etc.), noted examples are the Sylla Vivipara and Chaetogaster diastrophus. With the Syllu, males are unknown. The second class showed forty-five generations to have occurred parthenogenetically. "A few insects," writes Menge, "give birth to living young, but by far the greater portion develop from unfertilized eggs. It takes place with the bees, when the queen bee lays eggs which become drones." E. Slosson, the late noted chemist, observed the dandelion to produce plant seed without pollenization, i.e., fertilization of the pollen - a kind of vegetable virgin birth. These examples have not been given to adduce proof for the virgin birth of our Lord. Yet it is fair to ask: " If God could have endowed these creatures with the unknown and unbelievable method of propagation, would it have been more difficult for Him to bring about the birth of His only begotten Son in a parthenogenetic manner?" (Vecchierello).

To deny the virgin birth is to deny the virgin life; it sends the Virgin Mary down the centuries as a fallen woman; it makes Christ the illegitimate son of a weak-willed Jew; it denies the Scriptures and in short, is nothing else but arrogant and arrant folderol. Thank God someday the "Seed of the woman" will be acknowledged as the Lord of Life, the One Who came into the world as an infinitesimally small human cell, conceived of the virgin Mary, begotten by the Holy Spirit, crucified under Pontius Pilate, raised again the third day and coming back again to vindicate His righteous claims which, among others, include this wondrous birth.

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THE BOND OF PEACE
By ROBERT E. HANNA,

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:3; Colossians 3: 14

As members of the Body of Christ we are in Christ and Christ indwells us; we are "one with Him". This complete identification with Him constitutes our standing. Our walk of faith determines our state. Our constant goal must be the ceaseless effort to make our spiritual state worthy of our perfect standing. The Apostle Paul clearly defines our position in Christ and our spiritual responsibilities accordingly. Having explained in meticulous detail our relationship to Christ as His Body members, Paul exhorts us: " ... walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:I).

The desire of every heart is to attain perfect peace. But the believer already possesses perfect peace. "For He is our peace ... " (Ephesians 2:14). Knowing this, what a powerful incentive we have to please Him. Greater confidence is ours than that of saints of God in any other age. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:3, 4).

Our apostle gives us perfect guidelines for our walk of faith. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23,24) " .. endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

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RIGHTEOUSNESS WITHOUT THE LAW

Four hundred and thirty years before God called Moses to the Mount to give him the commandments and ordinances He entered into a covenant of grace with Abram. Galatians 3:17. Genesis 15:13. When God told Abram what He would perform, Abram believed God, and it was counted to Abram for righteousness. Genesis 15:6. What a glorious gospel! What precious good news! Because a sinner believes in the ability and faithfulness of God, he is reckoned righteous in the sight of that God. If a man should keep the whole law and not offend in one point he would be righteous or right. Jesus Christ did this, therefore He is called "Jesus Christ the Righteous." Abram was not Abram the Righteous because he kept the whole law, but he was righteous because he accepted by faith the promise of a coming Redeemer, a promise made by God four hundred and thirty years before the law was given. So far as his standing before God was concerned, Abram was just as righteous as if he had kept God's righteous law. The righteousness of God was imputed to him because he believed the gospel, which was before the law. Galatians 3:8. That same righteousness of God, which is perfect, flawless, unimpeachable, is imputed to every sinner who by faith receives Jesus Christ Who was delivered for our offenses and raised again for our justification. Romans 4:22 to 25. Christ on the cross was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. II Corinthians 5:21.
*****
God's gift is eternal and that gift is free; Because Christ the Lord of glory died on Calvary's tree.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
Part 1 of  3
Pastor J. C. O’Hair

In Great Britain, France, Mexico and other countries, the United States maintain ambassadors. Such a representative of the United States is called “minister plenipotentiary and ambassador extraordinary.” As a servant of this country he is a servant full of power or authority, and, being the personal spokesman for more than 120 million people, with the President, the cabinet, the congress, the army and the navy behind him, he is truly a representative extraordinary.

Of course, the man selected for such an important ministry should be fully qualified for the position. In order that he may honorably and uncompromisingly protect the interests of his nation and people at the foreign court he must be exceedingly careful about receiving personal favours, concessions and gifts from official representatives of that foreign nation.

In the important act of establishing treaties and agreements between his own government and the foreign nation that has received him as United States representative, this ambassador is forwarded a government document from Washington, bearing the seal of the United States of America. signed by the President and the Secretary of State. In dignity, accompanied by his official attendants, the ambassador presents the document to the foreign court for the signature of the Ruler and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Thus treaties of possession, commerce and peace are made.

It is deplorable when such a representative is chosen, not because he is qualified for the post but to pay a political debt.

Surely it is a great privilege and a great honor to be an ambassador representing the United States.

It is not an easy task to persuade people that it is a greater honor and a greater privilege to be an ambassador for Christ, and the Kingdom of God. Note the statement of the Apostle Paul, recorded in II Corinthians 5:20. “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

This same apostle, in Philippians 3:20, says: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “conversation” here could be translated “citizenship” or even “politics.” There is a sense, then, in which the citizenship and politics of every representative of Christ is in heaven. But while here on earth, as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, those who belong to Christ have the very difficult task of trying to be pleasant among sinners, while at the same time being governed by Galatians 1:10; “for do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

In His wonderful prayer, recorded in John 17, the Lord Jesus said concerning His disciples: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16. The qualification for an ambassador is set forth in Colossians 1:12 to 15: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” In Colossians 1:12 the expression “hath made us meet” could be translated “hath qualified us.” In other words, before we can acceptably represent Christ we must qualify. We must be delivered; we must be redeemed. In Colossians 1:20 we are told how this is accomplished. It is through the blood of His cross. Here we note that by the blood of the cross of Christ the believer is reconciled and is at peace with God. We quote Colossians 1:20 to 22: “And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things it. earth, or things in heaven. 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.”

Here we note that alienated enemies are made wholly unblamable and unreprovable because of what Christ did through death.

Peace and reconciliation by the blood of His cross. What a wonderful message God’s ministers have to proclaim to lost sinners. And what glorious good news the sinner may receive and be saved for time and eternity.

[nChrist]

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART 2 OF 3
Pastor J. C. O’Hair




We go back now to II Corinthians 5:17 to 21: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Here we note that the ambassador for Christ is a new creature. According to Ephesians 2:10 he is God’s workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus. Man by nature belongs to the old creation. He is identified with Adam, the sinner. The most important transformation that can come to any man is to get out of Adam and in Christ; that is to be identified with “The Last Adam” Who is now the glorified Man in heaven. All who are in Adam are in sin, in the flesh, and under condemnation. If any man be in Christ there is a new creation. The new creature is no longer dead in sin. He is dead to sin. The believer’s old man has been crucified with Christ. He is in the Spirit. He is made accepted in Christ, the Beloved. He is complete in Christ. He is waiting to appear with Christ in glory. His citizenship is in heaven. He is in the world, but not of the world. And now he has a new responsibility. For unto him is committed the word of reconciliation. To him is given the ministry of reconciliation.

In these closing verses of the fifth chapter of II Corinthians we observe that it is not the sinner seeking God; but God, through ambassadors of Christ, seeking the sinner, and beseeching the sinner, in Christ’s stead, to be reconciled to God.

There is no more definite statement of the gospel, no clearer announcement of saving truth than we find in II Corinthians 5:21: “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

When the Lord Jesus Christ cried “finished”, and yielded up the Ghost on the cross, He was crowned with a crown of thorns, the emblem of the curse. He was made sin, although He knew no sin. The God of all grace ordained and permitted the cruel death of the sinless Christ, yea, offered up His well-beloved Son, so that poor unrighteous men might, by His infinite grace, through faith, be made the righteousness of God in Christ. Man’s only place of security and Divine blessing is in Christ.

This ministry of reconciliation is distinctively a Pauline ministry. More than a dozen times that great apostle emphasized the fact that he was the apostle, the preacher, and the teacher of the Gentiles; that unto Him the risen Christ committed the “dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles”; the “unsearchable riches of Christ for Gentiles”; “the mystery among the Gentiles”; and the “dispensation of the mystery.” Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1 to 3; Ephesians 3:8 and 9; Colossians 1:24 to 27.

According to Galatians 2:8, God was mighty in Peter in the apostleship of the circumcision. Peter received from Christ the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the so-called “great commission.” In his ministry, recorded in the early chapters of Acts, Peter preached unto Israel repentance and restitution; the gospel of the kingdom; the promises and blessings of the covenants which God made concerning Israel; but never once did he preach reconciliation to Gentiles. He did not refer to Adam. Never once did Peter preach to Israel, in those chapters, concerning the “old man” and the “new man”; concerning the “old creation” and the “new creation”. Peter did not preach concerning the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection; blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. Peter had no authority from Christ to even refer to uncircumcised Abram from whence came Paul’s gospel of the uncircumcision. It was unto Paul that the risen Lord committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, (Galatians 2:7; Galatians 3:8 ) the ministry of reconciliation and the mystery concerning the Body of Christ. Invariably when we have the ministry of reconciliation we find linked with it the ministry of the new creation and the truth of the believer’s identification; out of Adam, into Christ. The word “atonement” in Romans 5:11 is a mistranslation. It should read “reconciliation”. Then follows the story of Adam and Christ, the old creation and the new creation, and the new creature’s identification with Christ. Romans 5:12 to Romans 6:12.

[nChrist]

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART THREE-CONCLUSION
Pastor J. C. O’Hair




Our mission today is to beseech sinners to believe the word of reconciliation; to believe that the document has been signed and sealed; that the Lord Jesus Christ provided this reconciliation and made peace by the blood of His cross. Truly with such a ministry we should know that we are ambassadors extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary. How willing and eager sinners should be to accept this glorious gospel message, be at peace with God, reconciled to God, and be redeemed for time and eternity.

If you are troubled to know under which one of the Lord’s commissions you are to labour, remember these words of Paul, “the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me (Paul) as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7. And again Paul’s words in II Timothy 2:2. “And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Again in Ephesians 3:1 and 2, “I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles”. . . “the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward”. Again, “the gospel which was preached of me is not after man . . . taught it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12.

“That I (Paul) should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles—I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” Romans 15:16 and 20.

Note what Paul says concerning himself, in I Corinthians 3:10: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me (Paul), as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation.”

When the risen Christ gave the so-called great commission, in Matthew 28:19 and 20, to Peter and his associates, he never hinted at the gospel of uncircumcision, the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles, or the ministry of reconciliation which some years later He committed, by revelation, to Paul who then declared, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles; I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.

The pity is that the Lord’s ambassadors today minimize Paul’s office instead of magnify it.

Well, fellow-Christians, our commission and message today is the word of reconciliation. That reconciliation message was not the commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20, because Israel had not yet been cast away and God’s word instructs us in Romans 11:15, “the casting away of them (Israel) be the reconciling of the world.” After Christ had been raised from the dead. Peter declared that He was raised from the dead to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel. Acts 5:30 and 31. Christ raised from the dead to give repentance is quite different from the reconciling of the world because of Israel was cast away.

Now here is sufficient Divine authority for our ministry for the Lord, “hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” II Corinthians 5:19, “Hath given us the ministry of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:18.

In the context note our identification with Christ—II Corinthians 5:15—And also note why we labour as ambassadors of reconciliation: “the love of Christ constraineth us”; “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Corinthians 5:14 and II Corinthians 5:11.

Let us not be guilty of the spiritual crime of perverting the glorious Divine message of grace. In the message of reconciliation sinners are not to beg God to be reconciled to them and save them. Carefully note II Corinthians 5:20: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as thought God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

God beseeches the sinner. We pray the sinner. This is not the sinner seeking God and salvation. This is God beseeching the sinner to accept the perfect work of redemption accomplished by Christ. When He was made sin on the cross, God was reconciled. The reconciliation becomes mutual the moment the sinner believes God and receives Christ. We have a blessed ministry, a great responsibility, and a glorious privilege as ambassadors of reconciliation.

[nChrist]

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LOOKING AHEAD
by Pastor Elvin C. Myers


Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11-14

We live in the present but we look to the future. There is nothing wrong with that. We, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, look for His appearing when we shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the clouds of heaven. When Paul wrote to pastor Titus he called his attention to the "blessed hope and glorious appearing" of our only Lord and Savior. At the present time things are not going well in our country. Many Americans are no longer ashamed of immorality, concerned about the disintegration of home and family, or the increase of crime of every description. Our government is bewildered by problems for which it seemingly has no solutions. Saddest of all is the decline of the church in America.

 Instead of sound expository Bible doctrine, we hear more and more a philosophy of Christianity and religion. This should not really surprise us. Paul told Timothy in II Tim. 3 that in the last days "perilous times shall come". The list that follows can hardly be a description of the ungodly world. The world has had all these unfavorable features since Adam and Eve began having children. Verses 2-7 are describing the decrease of godliness within the professing church.

The preaching of the Word of God, rightly divided, with a strong emphasis on Pauline dispensational theology is accepted by very few Christians. Sin is becoming more acceptable and tolerated. As a new year begins, and as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, let's make it our resolve to follow the admonition of Rom. 12:1-2, namely reasonable service, unconformed to this godless world system, and daily renewing our minds through the Scriptures, making every effort to please the Lord who bought us. If we follow Paul and "continue thou in the things thou hast learned," we will not go astray doctrinally. Cheer up, it's not going to get any better for the believer this world.

[nChrist]

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Experiencing Peace In Threatening Times

I saw a throne standing in heaven, and One was sitting on the throne. - Revelation 4:2
by Steve McVey

American baby boomers are living in greater threatening times than any of us have seen in our lifetime. We are losing our jobs, seeing our retirement funds disappear, watching our homes go into foreclosure, wondering about the threat of terrorism against us, and being told that things will probably get worse before they get better.

We've been told all our lives that Christians can experience peace in the midst of the storm, but now that we're here that statement becomes more than a pious platitude. We've always believed it's true, but the question is, "How do we experience that peace?" The answers are in understanding that God is on His throne and resting in the truth about Him.

1. God is in charge. Sometimes we have to get back to basics. The greatest fundamental truth that will give you peace during these turbulent days is that God is real and He is in complete control of this world. Things aren't just happening. A Sovereign God is working out His eternal purposes within this tiny box we call time. History really is His story and He is working out the plot in this world one day at a time. The story has a happy ending and we need to remember that when we are living through some of the scary scenes in this eternal drama.

2. God is your Father and loves you dearly. This omnipotent God isn't indifferent toward your circumstances. He adores you and cares about your life more than you can possibly imagine. Sometimes our circumstances could lead us to believe that God doesn't care, but don't fall for that lie. He does care about you and won't abandon you in your trials.

3. Your Father is always superintending the details of your life. Whatever unfolds in your life, you can be assured that God is directing the details. He knows about your job security, you bills, your family, and your financial balance. This is a time when trusting Him is the only way you're going to get through this without falling apart emotionally. Choose to believe that He is guiding your steps.

4. You can trust Him regardless of what happens. None of us know the future. Committed Christians have already lost their jobs. Some have lost their homes. Many have seen their retirement accounts dissolve. Our God isn't Santa Claus, so you may not get what you want but you can be assured that our loving heavenly Father will be with you and will lead you forward one step at a time regardless of how things turn out. Your life source isn't found in the external, but in the Eternal. Remember that when times are scary.

These four statements sound simple, but they are profound. Read them again. Affirm their truth. Embrace them as the basis for your approach to life in these uncertain days. You can experience peace in the midst of threatening circumstances because Jesus doesn't just give you peace. He is your peace. Trust Him and you can know peace no matter what happens around you.

[nChrist]

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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN HIS BURIAL
By  Jack Trumm



We want to look at the next event - and that is our Lord's burial and see why this is important in the gospel message and what it means for us today.

First of all, why is the burial of our Lord so important in the gospel message for today? After all, is it not the normal thing to do when someone dies - to bury them? It would seem to be the decent thing to do. Yet Paul stresses the burial of Christ in his gospel message when he says in 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."

So again we ask the question, why would God reveal to him to emphasize the burial of Christ? The answer to that question is found in Romans 6:3-8, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, for if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."

Also it says in Colossians 2:11-12, "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

The first thing we want to emphasize is the baptism in Romans 6:4. It is not referring to water baptism, but it does say "we are baptized into Jesus Christ." And it also says, "we are baptized into his death." The word baptized here means submerged or identified with, and that is exactly what happened to anyone who trusts Christ as his or her Savior - he or she is identified with Christ's death, or in other words Jesus Christ has died your spiritual death, when Christ died on that cross he took our sin nature (which we inherited from Adam) and put it to death. "For when we were yet without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly." "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:6, 8 )

Seeing then that Christ has died our spiritual death, we can see then in Romans 6:4 that "we are buried with him." In other words when our Lord's body was buried, our old nature or sin nature was buried with him.

Because of this wonderful part of the gospel, (the burial of Christ) God sees the believer as one who is made righteous because of what our Lord has accomplished through his death and burial. Seeing then we are identified with our Lord's death and burial, this brings up the question. Who identified or who baptized us into the body of Christ? Is this accomplished by a pastor, bishop, or a teacher of the word"? Let's go to God's word for the answer to this question. I Corinthians 12:13 tells us "for by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body ..... ". It is God the Holy Spirit that baptizes, or identifies us with the death and burial of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So then as believers, God sees us as being made righteous because of our Lord's death, burial, and resurrection. Once again I think it is important to stress the fact that it is not by anything which we have done, but rather it is by all that HE has done.

"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works (or anything we have done) lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

In conclusion, What does the burial of Christ mean to us. It means, Our old adamic nature is buried with him in His burial. Praise God for this. In our next edition, we will look at the resurrection of Christ and see what it means for us.

[nChrist]

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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN HIS RESURRECTION
Part 1 of 2
By Jack Trumm

Continuing our study of the five events of our Lord's sacrifice, starting from His death on the cross to His ascension into heaven, we want to look at the fourth event - His resurrection.

Let's start by asking ourselves a few questions.

   1. Did He really come back to life after He died on a cross, shed His blood, and was buried?

   2. If He did rise from the dead, what was the purpose of it?

   3. What does His resurrection mean for us, as believers?

   4. What does His resurrection mean to unbelievers?

We shall start with the first question, did He really rise from the dead? Most of the religious world believe that He did, but let's go to the scripture to prove that He did.

First, the proof of an empty tomb and the testimony of an angel. "And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted: You seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen: he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." (Mark 16:5-6)

Secondly, the proof of all who saw Him alive again with their own eyes, "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that he was seen of James; then all of the Apostles. And last of all he was seen of me (Paul) also, as of one born out of due time." (I Corinthians 15:3-8 )· "To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Acts 1:3)

So, here we have several quotes from God's word to prove that Jesus did rise from the dead. So then this brings us to our second question concerning his resurrection. What was the purpose of His resurrection. Once again we need to go to the word of God for the answer.

Paul writes by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, ''Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ; whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (I Corinthians 15:12-17)

What this tells us then, if there is someone seeking to be saved, and he or she comes to the understanding that what Christ has done on the cross of Calvary, through his death, by the shedding of his blood, and was buried and he or she truly believes (faith) this, but does not believe that Christ rose from the dead, then their belief (faith) is vain, and they are yet in their sins. So we can see then from this passage of scripture how important it is for us to believe that Christ did indeed rise up from the dead. For Paul includes this important part of the gospel in his message.

"Moreover, brethren I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand: By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." (I Corinthians 15:1-4)

Again Paul writes "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)

This then brings us to the third question.  What does his resurrection mean for us, as believers.

First of all the resurrection proves that God is completely satisfied by the offering for sins of the Lord Jesus Christ. His holiness and righteous standard has been met in His once for all sacrifice, by His death of the cross. So we know by the resurrection that our sins are indeed forgiven.

"But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead: Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:24-25)

Secondly, when we believe, the Holy Spirit (by Spirit baptism) places us into the resurrection of Jesus Christ and now we can walk in newness of life, in the same spirit and power that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

"Know ye not; that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (Romans: 3-5)