GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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TOUCH NOT!
By Miles Stanford


"I, through the law, am dead to the law" (Gal. 2:19).

The law will not touch us if we do not touch it.

"We were born in the first Adam. He was responsible before God to stand in righteousness. He failed. We were responsible in him and we failed. We sinned in Adam (Rom. 5:12,19). What did God do about it? He gathered us up into the Last Adam, and we died in Him. God allowed His holy law to condemn us utterly and the law, seeking to slay us, found us in Christ on the Cross and set upon us and slew us." -W.R.N.

"Law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth" (Rom. 7:1), but when it has cursed him and killed him the law has no more to say to him; and we 'are become dead to the law by the body of Christ' (Rom. 7:4), for we have died judicially with Christ on the Cross. The new life which we have in Him comes to us from Him in heaven, the risen and glorified Man before the Father." -H.F.W.

"There prevails a notion that the Lord Jesus was keeping the law for us and establishing our righteousness when He was here below. Now His life was necessary to vindicate the Father and His holy law, as well as to manifest Himself and His love; but the righteousness that we are made in Christ is another thought altogether - not the law fulfilled by Him, but the justifying righteousness of the Father founded on the Lord Jesus' death, displayed in His resurrection, and crowned by His glory in heaven." -W.K.

"The Ten Commandments require no life of prayer, no Christian service, no evangelism, no missionary outreach, no Gospel preaching, no life and walk in the Spirit, no union with the Lord Jesus, no fellowship of saints, no hope of salvation, and no hope of heaven." -L.S.C.

"Now we are delivered from the law" (Rom. 7:6).

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DEATH AND RESURRECTION
PART 1 OF 2
By Ike T. Sidebottom



Genesis, the book of beginnings, introduces us to God’s revealed truth concerning this timely subject. The book opens with the divine record of the living man, Adam, in “the garden of Eden,” and it closes with a dead man, Joseph, in “a coffin in Egypt.”

Adam was placed in “the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:15-17).

“He did eat” (Genesis 3:6). But death did not claim fallen Adam immediately. He “lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: and the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters: and all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died” (Genesis 5:3-5).

This same short clause, “and he died,” can be written after the names of all the sons of Adam who have made their departure from this life, except two. Enoch, “the seventh from Adam” (Jude 14), “walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). And “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11).

Across the ages, death has claimed it’s toll from all peoples. Regardless of race, color, or nationality, whether they are men of high estate or of low estate; learned or unlearned, rich or poor, all are subject to the call of death at any moment. The reason for this is, that by one man, Adam, “sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). This explains why the book of beginnings closes with a man in a coffin. However, we must remember that Joseph, the man in the coffin did not go down into death without hope of living again in his resurrection body.

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DEATH AND RESURRECTION
PART 2 OF 2
By Ike T. Sidebottom



When death overtook Joseph in the land of Egypt, his thoughts and his hopes were set upon another land. It was the land which God had sworn to his fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is why his parting words unto his brethren are so significant. He said unto them: “I die: and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you and ye shall carry up my bones from hence” (Genesis 50:24-25). He did not say ye shall carry up me, that is, the person that I am, from hence. Joseph, himself, had been gathered with his people at death, the same as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had been gathered unto their people (Genesis 25:8; 35:29; and 49:33). Therefore his request pertained only to his “bones,” the remains of the earthly house in which he had lived, and which was to be resurrected and live again in “the land which He sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” We also have positive truth that all of God’s children who have preceded us in death shall be raised to life again.

It was the psalmist who said, “I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness” (Psalms 17:15).

The prophet said, “Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise” (Isaiah 26:19).

Daniel was used of the Holy Spirit to enlighten us concerning the time, as well as the fact, of the resurrection of the righteous. He said: “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standest for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:1-3).

Jesus, in His conversation with Mary concerning the death of her brother Lazarus, said, “Thy brother shall rise again ... he that believeth on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:23, 25).

The apostle Paul stood before the Roman authorities and testified concerning his belief in resurrection life. He said, “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:14-16).

Later the apostle was moved upon to write again, as an able minister of the New Testament, saying, “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 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. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

Even these few scriptures, quoted above, are sufficient to prove the reality of death; and that we are, indeed, in the land of the dying. These references also confirm our hope in the resurrection of dead bodies of the saints of all ages.

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TRUTH FOR THIS AGE
By late Pastor Win Johnson



Dr. William R. Newell wrote in the introduction to his exposition on Galatians: "Paul is the declarer the revealer of the Gospel to us. Take Romans to Philemon out of the Bible and you are bereft of Christian doctrine. For instance, if you were to take Paul's epistles out of the Bible, you cannot find anything about the Church, the Body of Christ, for no other apostle mentions the Body of Christ. You cannot find one of the great mysteries, such as the Rapture of the Church (I Thessalonians 4 and I Cor. 15) or the mystery of the present hardening of Israel (Romans 11) for no other apostle speaks of any of those mysteries. Paul alone reveals them. You cannot find the exact meaning of any of the great doctrines, such as Propitiation, Reconciliation, Justification, Identification, Redemption and Sanctification. You cannot find what is perhaps the most tremendous fact of every real Christian life, that of his PERSONAL UNION with the glorified Lord. Paul is the great Divinely chosen opener to us of TRUTH FOR THIS AGE."

With Dr. Newell's conclusions we are in hearty accord. Failure to see the difference between the revelation given to the Apostle Paul by the Glorified Lord (Galatians 1:11,12; Ephesians 3:1-9) and the rest of the Scriptures which are mainly concerned with God's earthly purpose in the Kingdom, has resulted in untold confusion among God's people. Though ALL SCRIPTURE is most certainly FOR us, not all Scripture is directly TO us or for our obedience. To the Apostle Paul was given God's message for this age. As a lady once said to this writer, "When I read the Pauline Epistles they just fit my need now."

Though every book in the Bible has instruction and blessing for me as a child of God, may I not make the mistake of applying truth meant for others at a particular time, to myself in this age.

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THE ABUNDANCE OF GRACE


Read Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

The grace of God is without limitation "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17)

Ever before us are the undeniable fact of our total undeservedness and the constant and consistent dispensing of God's abounding grace. God sets forth no conditional terms in order to be recipients. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). His free grace was offered to all who would believe for salvation. And after having so believed, we are provided with godly instruction in proper spiritual conduct pleasing to Him, which instruction is a further operation of His grace.

"God is able to make all grace abound toward you." (2 Cor. 9:8 ). So writes the apostle in this letter to the Corinthian church when admonishing and encouraging them to give freely of the substance which God supplies by His grace. The more receptive and responsive we are to the love and care provided by God's grace, the more freely does His grace shower upon us. Yieldedness, of course, is the key. The natural, human tendency is to become discouraged and desperate in the face of tribulation. "....But God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Pastor Robert Hanna

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"Walking With God"

    I recently realized why I find myself frustrated at times in my walk with God. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. It's simple, really. The problem is that God apparently likes to stroll and, for the most part, I'm not a stroller by nature. "Do you want to run around with me today?" I sometimes ask my wife before I start out on errands. Running around -that's my style.

    I like to run around and get things done. I want to make things happen. My Father, on the other hand, refuses to be rushed by His impatient boy. I really identify with what one man I recently read had to say on the subject: "I feel like running, but life is on a stroll. That's how God works." "Yep, I'm with you a hundred percent," I thought as I read his words.

    The irony of it all is that I, a man who constantly teaches people how to rest in Christ, still struggles with this. I even wrote a book on the subject (The Godward Gaze). Maybe I'll go back and read that book again.

    I love the practice of contemplative prayer each morning. It soothes my soul, calming my anxious thoughts and bringing me into the awareness of basking in Love too big to explain or even understand. If I let that early morning time slip, I feel the difference all through the day. It's not a legalistic practice for me. It's something I do because I love being loved and to be honest, as much or more than that, I love feeling loved by my heavenly Father.

    I want to learn to live in that place of awareness all day. Sometimes I do pretty well with it, then at others I take on the role of deity and try to manage every detail of my own life with perfection and exact precision. I work to make life fit my schedule and that's when I start to slip.

    Do you experience this type problem in your life? I don't think I'm alone in this. Patience isn't one of the top virtues in the life of most Christians. It has always been a challenge for people of faith. That's why a child named Ishmael was born. That's why there was once an Apostle named Matthias that nobody ever heard about again. Believe me, we're not alone.

    What's the answer? It's to keep learning the lesson, again and again if necessary. When we find ourselves rushed, anxious and tapping our fingernails on the table while we wait for God to hurry and catch up, we need to stop. Stop and realize what we're doing, then acknowledge our hyperactive frenzy before our Father. Yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit and affirm the truth that we don't control life in any way. We must intentionally choose to relax our grip on our circumstances and slow down our pace again.

    Life will be much easier on us all when we learn once and for all that we won't make God run. He's going to do what He's going to do, so we might as well slow down and enjoy the walk.

- Steve McVey
Grace Walk Ministries
www.gracewalk.org

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THE LOVE OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller

   “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12).

    If a man is dying, and you have the means to help him, would you let him die? Such was the case when Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of “the tree of [the] knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2:9). They fell into sin themselves, and plunged the whole human race into sin. But the Love of God had no bounds when “Christ Died For Our Sins” on that cross. As the wrath of God upon sin was poured out upon Christ at Calvary, so His love toward us is also unfathomable:

    “BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE  LOVED US,

    “EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH  CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved:)” (Eph. 2:4,5).

    “GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Rom. 5:8 ).

    Shouldn’t we, then, in love, be showing people from the Bible the love of God through Jesus Christ our Lord? It is not their “good works” that will save them from their sins, from hell, and from the Lake of Fire, but “faith” alone in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a matter of whether or not we believe what God has said in His Word about Jesus Christ. It is what Christ did on the cross that God accepts (Rom. 3:25), and as we accept Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf (Eph. 2:8,9), God “accepts” us (Eph. 1:6). Do you believe the truth of the Word of God or do you still believe  the devil’s lie? God loves us, each and every one of us, with an everlasting love, an eternal love. God places a very high  value upon all mankind. And because we are of “eternal worth” to Him, He is not willing that any should perish. He sent His “only begotten Son” into this world to pay the full penalty of our sins, Himself, at the extreme cost of His own life’s blood. How MUCH He loves us:

    “HE THAT SPARED NOT HIS OWN SON, BUT DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW SHALL HE NOT WITH HIM ALSO FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS?” (Rom. 8:32).

    Because of Calvary, therefore, and by faith in Jesus Christ, we may now walk in the light of His Word:

    “But after that THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR toward man appeared,"

    “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 3:4,5).

    As Christians, then, and representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, “…as workers together with Him, [we] beseech you also that ye receive NOT the GRACE of God in vain.

    “…Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:1-2).

    Do people ever consider how long “eternity” will last, or where they’re going to spend eternity? Have you ever considered what the consequences of your sin will mean—to you personally—at the “great  white throne” judgment of God? Have you ever given any thought as to what “fire and brimstone” really is? Or what your destiny in “the Lake of Fire” will really mean to you for all eternity?

    Paul’s words to the jailor at Philippi express the Love of God in His wonderful plan of salvation through our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:

    “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and  thy house” (Acts 16:31).

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STRENGTHENED WITH POWER
By Pastor Robert Hanna


"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit In the inner man" Eph 3:16


To the unregenerate soul, many of the declarations of the Apostle Paul are unfathomable. Most notable among these is the statement recorded in verse 10 of 2 Corinthians, chapter 12: "I take pleasure in infirmities (weaknesses), in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

The saint of God, however, can heartily empathize with this profound affirmation. He knows that the strength here referred to by the apostle is drawn from the power of God in Christ. We who are redeemed in Jesus Christ know full well that to struggle in our own strength is to tilt at windmills. Thus, Paul declares that "(his) strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9) He is saying that he gains strength only as the power of the indwelling Christ prevails. Hence the confident statement, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13).

As members of His Body we are specifically instructed, exhorted and admonished through His Word of truth. And He assures us of our ability to comply with His requirements by HIS strength, which will enable us to resist and persist in accordance with the walk of faith. "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" ( 1 Cor. 10: 13b).

And so Paul prays for us" ...to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man......

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"Titus 2:11-12"
By  Marvin Duncan, Pastor



Scripture reading Titus 2:11-12

One of the reasons we are instructed to study the Word of God (II Timothy 2:15) is in order that we might be instructed by it so we will know how we are to live in this present evil age. Paul has been set forth as our example (I Timothy 1:16; I Corinthians 11 :1) and we are to learn from his LIFE as well as from his ministry. Yet, Paul tells us we have a better instructor. GRACE is to be our teacher and if we listen to this teacher, we will learn that separation is essential if the Christian is to walk pleasingly before our God.

In Titus 2:11, Paul says that the grace which brought salvation has appeared for all men and this teacher instructs the saints (verse 12) to deny "ungodliness" and "worldly lusts" To do this, there must be a separation of the believer from those activities that are so much a part of this world system. Yet, it is not enough for the saint just to live a negative life, that is, one that abstains from these immoral activities. There are many unsaved individuals who also abstain from ungodly activities and worldly lusts. Grace teaches the saint to go further than just living a NEGATIVE life. The saint is to live a POSITIVE life. The saint is to do something the unsaved, but morally upright person, cannot do. The saint is to live "RIGHTEOUSLY" and "GODLY" in this present evil age. No unsaved person can live righteously or godly.

There is much legislating of morality by many churches today, but this only produces an attitude that is negative don't do this or don't do that. Let us separate ourselves from this negative attitude and adopt a positive attitude. Christianity is not a doctrine to be believed, it is a life to be lived. We, as saints, in this dispensation, are to LIVE "RIGHTEOUSLY " and "GODLY."

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HOSEA 10:2
"Their heart is divided;
now shall they be found faulty:
he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images."



A DIVIDED HEART


"Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty " These words remind me of Hebrews 8:8 where it says "for finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel "

What was Israel's divided heart? It was that they were not true to God's Law but broke it in idolatry! They went whoring after other Gods. They forsook the God of Israel and were continually showing their breach of the Covenant of the Law. God in His long-suffering allowed Israel again and again to manifest their failure under the First Covenant because He was going to prove them to need a Savior who would mediate a better Covenant.

Finally, in Acts 7:53, the dispensation of law came to a dramatic close as Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, declared to Israel "who have received the Law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it!" Thus it is here, dispensationally speaking, "...that where sin abounded (under the Law) GRACE superabounded" (Rom. 5:20). Yes, indeed, God found fault with them in their divided heart, but that just showed them to be sinners like all the rest of us! God has effectively shown ALL (Jew and Greek) under sin that He might have mercy upon ALL (Romans 11:32). What is this mercy? "Christ died for our sins...was buried.....and rose again the third day....." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us..." (Galatians 3:13). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared righteous) by faith apart from the deeds of the Law" (Rom. 3:28 )." "Believe oh the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt
be saved..." (Acts 16:31)

Donald Webb, Bible teacher

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LITTLE-KNOWN REQUISITE
By Miles Stanford


"My beloved children, I am again bearing the pangs of travail for you, till Christ be fully formed within you" (Gal. 4:19, Cony.).

It is essential that we "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," for three reasons: (1) that our Father may be glorified; (2) that the Lord Jesus might be manifested in us; (3) that the Holy Spirit might have a suitable instrument through which to win and establish others .

"Paul had one great consuming purpose to be brought to birth by his sufferings for the Galatians, and that was the living expression of the Lord Jesus Christ in them. Nothing less could satisfy God, and nothing less than this should ever satisfy a servant of God. Numbers were still good in Galatia, activities well maintained and zeal unabated, but the Lord Jesus was being crowded out - and that is the greatest tragedy possible." --- H.F.

"It is a marvellous grace that we should be conformed to the image of God's Son. I think it is very sad that the highest thought which God has about us, and that which His heart is set on, is that which is least known by Christians; for I know no truth that is so little realized as union with Christ," - J.B.S.

"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (II Tim. 1:9).

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THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE SPIRIT IN SALVATION
By Pastor P. Hume


Scripture Reading: 2 Thes. 2:13-14; Eph. 1:13-14

It has been well stated that the blessed Holy Spirit of God is "the executive member of the Godhead." This is indeed true. The Father's plan to bring "many sons into glory" must be further carried out by the Son's purchase by His own blood of those "many sons" out of the slave market of Satan and sin and death. He died, was buried, and was raised again from the dead to save all whom the Father had given to Him (John 6:37, 17:2-.3). But unless the Spirit of God applies the redemptive work of Christ, then the Father's plan is again powerless!

But not so! The Holy Spirit has been sent into the world on a special mission. This mission is to glorify the Son of God in saving and sanctifying those whom the Father, chose in Christ before the foundation of the world. What does this work of the Holy Spirit include? He first draws the sinner to Christ (John 6:44). This is also referred to as being the "sanctification of the, Spirit" in 2 Thessalonians 2:13. By this, the Holy Spirit woos and draws and sets apart the one who is "dead in trespasses and sins" to Christ. He also convicts the sinner of "sin, righteousness, and judgment" (John 16:8-11). He pricks the conscience and brings the Word of God to bear upon it. Then He grants "the hearing of faith" (Rom. 10:8,17; Eph. 1:13). He causes the sinner to "hear with understanding" (see Matthew 13:23 on this). Never is the sinner told to work up his own faith in order to be saved. Rather, God grants every sinner "the hearing of faith"--a gift from God (Eph. 2 :8-9)--in order to be saved. Then the Holy Spirit regenerates the one who believes on Christ Jesus. That is, He imparts the Life of Christ into his spirit, and, as Romans 8:10 states, the "spirit is life on account of righteousness." Remember, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). At the same time He baptizes the one who believes into Christ and thereby makes him a member, of "the church, which is His body." He also, at that same moment, takes up His permanent dwelling in the believer, and He becomes the seal of God (as well as the new nature) in the believer.

Wondrous salvation! Do you have Him in your heart today?

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LOST AND RECOVERED TRUTH
By J. O'HAIR


     For nearly fifteen centuries many of the blessed truths of redemption were lost and the so-called Christian Churches carried a program of a Christian religion so corrupt, so paganized, that even the simple message of salvation was lost in the religious mixture. We doubt not that there was a remnant according to the election of grace, but so far as the masses were concerned, they knew nothing of the Pauline truth.

     With all Christendom under the control of corrupt religious leaders, with ecclesiastical man-made hierarchies, it was no easy task to deliver the deluded people from the corruption. How to get at them with the message was a real problem. It required much suffering, much prayer, much labor, and much time, to get to them with the message of justification by faith. But multitudes were reached and thousands delivered, and the reformation was on. It was truly a religious revolution. It was a glorious step toward the recovery of lost truths.

     Other "reform" preachers followed Luther. Little by little the grace message was uncovered and glorious church truths were recovered.

     About one hundred years ago, a number of servants of the Lord sounded forth the Blessed Hope of the Church. Many messengers of grace proclaimed the truth that there was but one Church of Christ; that that Church was not Israel; that the members of that Church are not under the law; that God's purpose in this age is not to Christianize the whole world and bring in the kingdom, but to gather out a people for His Name. They are called Premillenarians, or Pre-millennialists, because they teach that when the last member of the Church has been added, the Lord will return for His Church. Then He will return with His Church to deliver the Nation Israel out of the great tribulation and then establish His kingdom on earth.

     Surely these Premillennial Grace preachers recovered for the Church many blessed truths that were buried beneath the decrees, traditions and heresies of ecclesiastical lords over God's heritage. The messengers of grace, who sought to separate Israel and the Church, to shew that there were dispensational changes in God's dealings with different people, to deliver Christians completely from the law, and to convince believers that God has a special election purpose in this dispensation of grace, were branded as false teachers, heretics, and trouble makers. They were maligned and persecuted. False charges were brought against their characters in an effort to discredit their testimony. Their opponents would not meet them with an open Bible but hated them, condemned them, because they dared to teach contrary to established Church practices and denominational doctrinal creeds.

     But observe what has taken place within the past century. There are multitudes of Premillennialists who are looking for the Blessed Hope and who are not entangled with Israel's yoke of bondage, or expecting the Kingdom to come before the King comes. But the majority of these Premillennial Grace preachers have followed their forerunners and instructors into the serious blunder of believing that the Nation Israel was set aside with the death of their Messiah. The truth is, that Luke 21:20 and Matthew 22:7 did not have fulfillment until after the close of the "Acts" period, some thirty years after the death of Christ. Israel had the privilege of national life, temple worship, and peaceful habitation in Jerusalem until after Paul reached Rome as the prisoner of the Lord; first for the "hope of Israel" and then for "the mystery." Acts 28:20; Ephesians 6:19; Colossians 4:3.

     Because of this serious blunder these Premillenarians could not, or did not, recover the high and blessed truth concerning the One New Man of Ephesians, Beginning the Dispensation of the Grace of God and the Dispensation of the Mystery with the day of Pentecost, continuing with Israel's water baptism, they have made little or no attempt to obey Ephesians 4:3 to 7 or Ephesians 3:9.

    Until students of the Word of God are willing to advance from 33 A.D. to 63 A.D. with the desolation of Israel, they cannot see the difference between the Pentecost Church of Acts 2 and 3 and Body Church of Ephesians 1:19 to Ephesians 2:21 So long as they insist on the baptisms of the Pentecost Church, instead of the one baptism of the Body, they will not see, or make others to see, the dispensation of the mystery.

    Most of the Premillenarians who will not see, are resorting to the same tactics and methods as their opponents employed in the beginning of their movements. But regardless of the sacrifice, persecution, and suffering, we must march on for the recovery of the glorious truths concerning the Body of Christ.

[nChrist]

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The Christian and the Sabbath.
By John LaVier

If Jesus observed the seventh-day Sabbath, and if Paul, many years later, also seemed to observe it, then why do we gather for worship on the first day of the week? When was the Sabbath changed from the seventh day, Saturday, to the first day, Sunday?

These are interesting questions, the answers to which can only be found in the Word of God. In Exodus 31:13,17 we learn that the seventh-day Sabbath was a sign between Jehovah and the children of Israel. It was a part of the Mosaic law, and when Jesus Christ was here on earth, as a minister of the circumcision, He did not in any way interfere with Israel's law program. He was made under the law, He lived under the law, and He died under the law. As one with His nation, He kept the law and observed the seventh-day Sabbath (Luke 4:16). Christ did not come to bring an end to Israel's law regime. He said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matt. 5:17).

Remember, the law was given to Israel. The nation and the law stood together. When Israel rejected and crucified Christ and then continued in their rejection, God cast the nation away, temporarily (Rom. 11:1-5). Paul writes in Romans 11:25, "That blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." Surely those today who claim to be Israel, or who confuse Israel with the body of Christ, are also blinded. When Israel was thus set aside, the law, and all religion, including Sabbath-keeping, was set aside as well. When Paul was called out and sent to the Gentiles with the gospel of the grace of God, he resisted every attempt to put the Gentiles under the law. The council at Jerusalem was convened for that very reason, for some had said, "That it was needful to circumcise the Gentiles, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." Even Peter saw the folly of trying to force the law upon the Gentile believers who had been saved by grace, without the deeds of the law or any religious works. He said, "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" (Acts 15:10). The decision of the council was, "As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing" (Acts 21:25).

Some time after this, Paul wrote to the Gentiles, "For ye are not under the law, but under grace" (Rom. 6:14), and that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth" (Rom. 10:4). He also wrote that Christ had "blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross," and that therefore no man should judge us "in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days" (Col. 2:14-16). The word "Sabbath" means "rest" and the believer, in this dispensation, does not rest in a day, but in a Person, and that Person is the Blessed Son of God Himself.

While it is true, as stated in our question, that Paul seemingly did observe the Sabbath, let us note that during the early part of Paul's ministry the gospel was to the Jew first. He said, "It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you." Naturally, in endeavoring to preach to the Jews, the best time and place to contact them would be in their synagogue on the Sabbath day. See Acts 9:20; 13:14; 14:1; 18:4; 19:8.

When Paul thus gathered with the Jews, it was simply that he might reach them. He was becoming a Jew to the Jews, that he might gain the Jews, but nowhere did he ever tell a single Gentile to observe the seventh-day Sabbath. In fact, it would seem that the Gentiles were accustomed to fellowship and worship on the first day of the week, as for instance at Philippi, "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them" (Acts 20:7). That this was the usual procedure seems to be indicated by 1 Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him." Nowhere, though, is the first day of the week referred to in Scripture as the "Christian Sabbath," nor even as the "Lord's Day."

During this age of grace God does not want man to be religious, but righteous. Those who turn away from the grace of God to religion, or to the weak and beggarly elements of the law, with its observance of days, are called "foolish" and "bewitched" and the inspired apostle said that he was afraid of all such. See Galatians 2:21; 3:1-3; 4:9-11.

However, even though we do not observe Sunday or any other day of the week because of commandment or legal constraint, and while we recognize the fact that every moment of every day should be dedicated to the Lord, yet we do praise Him that we live in a land where we are permitted on one day of the week to lay aside our secular tasks and to come together for the worship and service of the Lord. Surely this is pleasing in God's sight, and He will hold us accountable for our use or abuse of this great privilege. It is a sad commentary on our times to note that America is fast changing Sunday into "Fun-day." It only proves that we are living in days when men are "lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God."

[nChrist]

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RIGHT DIVISION AND PRACTICAL LIVING
By R.B. Shiflet



It is a common thing in our time to hear a believer say, “I'm not concerned with dispensational Bible study; I'm just going to preach the gospel and emphasize the walk of the believer.”

This feeling has no doubt come as a reaction to the hair-splitting policy of many of our Bible teachers and the confusion that has come from an effort on the part of some to force their dispensational views upon others, or to make these views a test for fellowship. In an effort to get away from a dispensationalism that has degenerated into little more than “profane and vain babbling,” many have tried to forget  2 Timothy 2:15, and have reached a position that is untenable.

In the first place, we cannot preach the right gospel without dividing the Word of truth to some degree. The term “gospel” merely means “good news,” and God’s Word contains many messages of good news. Not all of them are directed to us, however. God had the good news of the kingdom proclaimed to Israel, but Israel rejected this good news. Today, He is offering the gospel of the grace of God, the glorious gospel of Christ, and unless we study the Word with a view to the right division of it, we will be preaching the wrong gospel, or a perverted gospel. Such is the case when men bring carnal ordinances, works, the law, miracles, signs, a healing program, Sabbath keeping, etc., into the gospel message today. Any man, then, who preaches a clear message of grace, has practiced the right division of the Word to some degree.

Secondly, one cannot live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world without dividing the Word of Truth correctly. Note 2 Timothy 2:15 in its context: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the master’s use, and prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim. 2:15-21)

Note verse 16. “Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” Shun means to turn one’s self about in order to avoid. Profane means unholy. Vain babblings are empty discussions of useless matters. To increase is to advance, and ungodliness is absence of fear or reverence for God. This, you will notice, is placed in contrast with rightly dividing the Word of truth.

Next follows an example of two who, failing to divide the Word, have come into grave error. Through this error in doctrine, brought about as a result of failure to study the Word dispensationally, the faith of some has been overthrown. The teachers given as an example have been holding that the resurrection was already past. Perhaps they had taken Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:5-6, “even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus;” and failing to divide the Word right, had taken these words to teach that the only resurrection was a spiritual one, and that it was past, that is, it took place when we believed.

After showing the dreadful results of failing to heed the exhortation to right division, comes the assuring statement that God knows His own, but His own should depart from iniquity and strive to be vessels of honor. How can this be done? “If a man therefore purge himself from these (who fail to divide the Word and overthrow the faith of some) he shall be a vessel unto honor.” The interesting word in this verse is “purge.” Harper’s Analytical Greek Lexicon defines the original word as follows: “to cleanse thoroughly; purify; purge out; eliminate.” Thayer shows that it means: “to avoid defilement from one, and so to keep one’s self pure.” The word is a combination of two words, one meaning “utterly,” the other meaning “to cleanse or purify; to free from every admixture of what is false; to prune.” Isn’t this in itself a process of right division? If we study the Word of truth and rightly divide it, we shall know which things to purge from our lives. We will know what must be pruned out in the way of ungodly moral practices that were not brought into our dispensation.

What will be the result of this purging? We shall be vessels unto honor, consecrated, profitable for our Master’s use, and fit for accomplishing unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). For further proof that the “rightly divided life”—utterly free from admixture—is dependent upon a rightly divided Word, see 2 Timothy 3:16-17. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

“Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work” (2 Thess. 2:16-17). Doctrine and deed are inseparable!