GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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GRACE
Part 1 of 2
By John Baker

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:21

The first word we will consider is "GRACE." All that we have in Christ is by God's grace. Though grace is simple to believe, it is more difficult to understand. The characteristic of God's dealing since the cross is grace. Grace is now reigning. Where sin had at one time reigned, now grace reigns, through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:21). Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Romans 5:20). Grace overcame sin and death. Grace is the characteristic word for this present dispensation in which we are living. The apostle Paul was willing to lay down his life for this wonderful message of God's grace. "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

The characteristic way God is dealing with men, though we do not deserve it, is by grace. It is because of the finished work on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and what He accomplished there, that God now deals with mankind in grace. Grace is not some commodity that can be measured or portioned. Grace must be understood as an attitude in which God is dealing with the world. We have salvation and all the accompanying blessings by God's grace.


Scripture Reading: Titus 2:11

In the Bible the Greek word translated grace is "charis." In secular Greek, grace was the property of an act that inspired joy, beauty, and gracefulness. It came to mean the act itself - the grace, the favor, or the goodness. The act of doing something beautiful became the grace. It was a favor done without expectation of return. A simple definition of grace is unmerited favor. But grace is much more than this. Mercy can be unmerited favor. Grace is receiving from God that which we do not deserve. Mercy is not receiving from God that which we do deserve. God is merciful and loving. His righteousness cannot tolerate sin. Sin is between man and God. God loves the sinner and would be merciful to us. But He cannot be merciful to the sinner at the expense of His own righteousness. So God acted in His grace and sent His Son to pay for sin, and to take care of consequences of sin, forever. Now He can be merciful to the believer because sin has been taken out of the way.

It is by the grace of God that the best as well as the worst and every shade in between are saved. There can be no salvation from the penalty, dominion, or presence of sin apart from the God of grace and the grace of God. With the apostle Paul we can say "But by the grace of God I am what I am ... "(I Corinthians 15:10a).

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GRACE
Part 2 of 2
By John Baker


Scripture Reading: Romans 11:6

To better understand grace we can look at what grace is in contrast to:

1. Grace is the opposite of debt (Romans 4:4-5).
Debt is what someone owes. God is not in debt to anyone. He does not owe us anything. The world not only fell into sin, but murdered the only One who can forgive sin (the Lord Jesus Christ). If I could do anything to earn salvation, then God would owe it to me. That would be the opposite of grace. If I work for wages - the wages are due as debt. But this cannot be applied to salvation. No one ever obtained righteousness by worth or work. Grace then is God giving to the sinner, completely undeserved, salvation. Whatever God gives us is not out of debt, but out of the good heartedness of the Giver .

2. Grace is the opposite of works (Romans 11:6).
Works are what man does in an attempt to please God. If a man is saved by grace, then he cannot contribute one thing to his salvation. The minute one tries to add one work, as a requirement for salvation, he frustrates the grace of God. It is either all works or all grace. For if we add works to grace, it isn't grace anymore. This is perhaps the most direct and absolute contrast in Scripture. Grace is God acting according to His purpose. Work is man seeking to present to God a human ground for His blessing.

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:14

Grace is the opposite of debt and works and it is also the opposite of law.

3· Grace is opposite of the law (Romans 6:14).
The law stands for all man can and should do to meet God's righteous standard. Grace is the opposite. It is not what man does for God, but what God has done for man, in His grace. Grace takes away works legalism. We are not under law today, but under grace.

In summary: Grace is the opposite of debt -- God does not owe us anything. Grace is the opposite of w~rks you cannot obtain righteousness through good works. Grace is opposite of law -- you cannot keep the law to be saved.

We aren't saved because of who we are or what we have done. We are saved by grace. Grace is freely bestowed apart from man's efforts. The believer is under the grace of God and because of this, sin is defeated. Grace is based upon and displayed by the finished work of Christ.

Grace is a way of life. We live under grace. (Romans 7:5,6) Upon this basis, sin shall not have dominion over the believer, for we are not under law, but under grace. Grace is receiving from God that which we do not deserve freely out of the love and good heartedness of the Giver. Everything we have is by God's grace - justification, redemption, salvation, hope, glorification, etc. We should thank God every day for His grace.

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PERSONAL INFLUENCE
by M. Stanford


"I proclaim not myself, but Christ Jesus as Lord and Master, and myself your bondsman for the sake of Jesus" (2 Cor. 4:5, Cony.).

"God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shone in our hearts" (2 Cor. 4:6a).

All Christians are fit for heaven, but all too few are fit for earth. One of the true tests of one's spiritual growth is in one's influence: affecting others that they not only begin the Christian life, but "grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 ).

"We may be separated and yet not Christ like; we may be orthodox and yet not spiritual; we may be 'dead unto sin' and yet not 'alive unto God.' We may have cut ourselves loose from every form of worldliness but in so doing we have become critical and self-righteous. We may be loyal defenders of the faith, yea, ready even to lay down our lives for it and in so doing become bitter and unloving. "

"We may often have a measure of the power of the Spirit, but if there is not a large measure of the Spirit as the Spirit of grace and love, the defect will be manifest in our work. We may be made the means of conversion, but we will never help people on to a higher standard of spiritual life, and when we pass away a great deal of our work will pass away too." -A.M.

"One may have a great zeal in God's service, and may be used to influence many for good, and yet, when weighed in the balance of love, be found sadly wanting. In the heat of controversy or under unjust criticism, haste of temper, slowness to forgive and forget, quick words and sharp judgments, often reveal an easily wounded sensitiveness, which proves how little the Spirit of the Lord Jesus has full possession or real mastery of the life."
-A.M.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us" (2 Cor. 4:7).

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REDEMPTION
By John Baker

Scripture Reference: Ephesians 1:7

Redemption is one of the better-known words used by God to refer to the salvation we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament redemption was based on the concept of deliverance and of purchase. Israel's experience when they came out of Egypt is typical in many ways to what happens when a sinner is redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel was redeemed out of bondage in Egypt. The believer today is redeemed out of the bondage of sin. See Exodus 13:14-15. The sacrificing of the firstborn or redeeming of the firstborn referred back to the time in Egypt when Israel was set free from bondage. The words redeem and redemption are used many times in the Old Testament to describe what took place at the first Passover. This gives us the first definition for redemption which is deliverance.

Another idea put forth in the Old Testament for redemption is buying back. Leviticus 25 gives detailed instructions on how the land was to be held and purchased by the Israelites. The word redeemed, is used with the idea of buying back. So in the Old Testament redeemed is used to mean deliverance and to buy back. This Old Testament background will help us to understand what Paul means when he uses the word redeemed or redemption. The believer is delivered from the bondage of sin and bought back to God through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:14

There are three primary Greek words used in the New Testament which are translated redeem and redemption.

1. Agorazo-- to purchase in the market place.
"For ye are bought (Agorazo) with a price ... " (I Corinthians 6:20). "Ye are bought with a price, ..." ( I Corinthians 7:23). First of all, redemption is to be purchased by God. We are in the slave market of sin. We are under servitude of sin (Romans 6.17). God came along with sufficient price to buy us in this market. The price was the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. So the believer is purchased - redeemed. God has paid the price.

2. Exagorazo-- to be purchased away from or out of the market. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: ... " (Galatians 3: 13). The believer has been bought out of or away from the curse (condemnation) of the law. We were bought out of or away from the jurisdiction or servitude of the law. God has not only purchased us so that we belong to Him, but He has taken out of bondage and servitude to sin altogether.

3· Lutroo-- to set free -- to deliver -- to liberate
"Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14). All of this is involved in the work of redemption. We belong to God--the idea of purchase. He has taken out from bondage--the idea of security. He has set us free-- the idea of liberty.

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:12

Another word used for redemption is Apolutrosis which means deliverance on account of a ransom being paid. "In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7)· We have been delivered and set free on account of the ransom being paid. That ransom was the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we put it all together redemption means:
To be purchased by God and thus we belong to Him. He purchased out of or away from the slave market of sin. He set us free from the condemnation of sin and the curse of the law. All of this was made possible because the ransom was paid the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What are we redeemed from?
1.    Bondage of sin - Titus 2:11-14
2.    Bondage of the old life (vain conversation) -I Peter 1:18, 19
3.    Bondage to the law - Galatians 3:13, 4:4-5
4.    Bondage to these bodies of sin - Romans 8:23

Christ has redeemed from sin. He has redeemed us from the old life. He has redeemed us from the law. And one day we will realize the redemption from these bodies of sin. How long will this redemption last? "Neither by the blood of goats or calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).

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"FULFILLED AND FILLED FULL"
by Charles Wages



"That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (CoI.4:12).

   Man never finishes anything! Only God can bring something or someone to completeness or a "full end." That fact certainly leaves "man" out of creation and the "new" creation. In other words, "man" had nothing to do with the creation of the heavens and earth  (Gen. 1 : 1), or with salvation (the "new creation") (2 Cor 5:17). Because of the "riches of His Grace," we have been forgiven. We have been completely forgiven of all our sins. Colossians 2: 13 reads,

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses:"

   Previous to being redeemed or "forgiven all sins" we were considered "dead" according to God's laws and standards. However, God has "quickened" (made alive) us together with Christ.

   He has "fulfilled" the law (Rom. 8:2) Romans 10:4 tells us that "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth." This means that our Lord has fulfilled every demand of the law (Old Testament). The believing sinner has been declared righteous through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24).

   What God begins He is able to finish! In the very beginning God intended for His creation to be perfect and that is exactly what it was. The garden of Eden was a perfect place. There were no sins, no struggles, no suffering. A perfect environment for perfect people. Did the entrance of sin through the Devil abrogate, destroy, and deter God's ultimate plan for His original creation? The answer is no. In His own time we will see His plan completed. In 2 Peter 3:13, we read,

"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."

   Just like the first perfect "man," Adam, became imperfect through sin, the whole of God's creation has felt the detrimental effect. Yet, God's great plan was to bring the perfect "man," Christ, into the world to make "new" all who would believe in Him. This perfect man, the man Christ Jesus, by His perfect sacrifice for sin make all who believe in Him to be "new creations" ( 2 Cor. 5:17-19).

   From the human standpoint, it appears as if God's great plan for humankind and His physical creation has been dealt a death blow. Man surmises "God started something He can't finish!" What about the salvation He freely bestows upon all who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? Remember, God never begins anything He can't bring to completion, fulfillment, fruition, or "end." Please read Colossians 2:10 and then Philippians 1:6.

"And ye are complete in Him which is the head of all principality and power."

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

   Our first parents, Adam and Eve, inherited a perfect or complete environment unspoiled by sin and degradation. Their failure, in yielding to Satan's temptation, did not mean God's great plan failed. God sees the end from the beginning and the ultimate or completion of His plan and purpose (Rom. 8:28 ).

   Difficult for our finite minds to comprehend? Yes, but not difficult for God. In fact, if we believe God's Word, it becomes understandable. However, we may never fully understand while on earth, but we can believe it! A conscientious, careful reading of Romans 8:28-29 will do wonders in opening the eyes of our understanding and allow us to praise Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

    What privilege, what hope, what encouragement to know we have been saved to serve the Awesome, Almighty God. He is able and will finish all that He begins! We can say what the apostle Paul said of his trust in God.

"For the which cause also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

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MAKING REQUEST WITH JOY
By RUSSELL S. MILLER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:4

During Paul's first visit to Philippi, on that Second Apostolic Journey, there were many converts to Christianity. The man of Macedonia, Lydia and her household, the Philippian jailor and his house, some magistrates perhaps, the "damsel", and those personally addressed; at any rate, men and women from all walks of life, and with varied backgrounds, came to know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord through Paul's ministry there. It's no wonder "that old serpent" was unhappy! But what's important, and what caused the Apostle to rejoice most, was that these saints became established in "the revelation of the mystery" and had grown in Christ, so that when Paul wrote them there was not that admonition and rebuke, but instruction, praise and thanksgiving:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all MAKING REQUEST WITH JOY, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Phil. 1:3-5).

This is "the fellowship of the mystery " spoken of in Ephesians and, in this train of thought, the Apostle made his petition. You can see why Paul prayed for "all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi. with the bishops and deacons".

Of course the content of his prayer is found in Philippians 1:9-11; may it be found in our prayers as we minister 'for Christ's sake".

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JUSTIFICATION
By John Baker


Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1

     Job asked the question "how should man be just with God?" (Job 9:2) In 1515 an Augustine monk studying the book of Romans saw Romans 1:17 "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. "This was the beginning of change in Martin Luther's life and the beginning of the reformation.

     Justification means that upon the basis of the Justice of God, man can be justified. How can a man be just before God? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

     Justification==the gracious act of God declaring righteous the sinner who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

     Note the following:
     1. Justification is an act, not a process. No one believer is more justified in God's sight than any other. Justification has to do with standing not state - with position not condition. Upon believing, a person is instantly given a righteous standing before God.
     2. Justification is unchanging. Once God declares that we are righteous through the Lord Jesus Christ, the sin question is settled once for all.
     3. Justification is not the same as regeneration. Regeneration gives a new life. Justification gives a new standing before God.
     4. Justification is not the same as forgiveness. If I am forgiven, I am still guilty. Being justified means I am declared not guilty.
     5. Justification is not the same as pardoned. A pardoned criminal is still a criminal. Justification removes the guilt.

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-3

     Justification is not something God does only on His books. Justification results in a new standing and a new life. In myself I am dead and condemned. In Christ I am alive and justified.

     What are the marks of justification in the believer's life?

     1. Peace with God (Romans 5:1)
When we were unsaved, we were at war with God, alienated (Romans 5:10). We cannot have peace until we have righteousness. Because Christ died on the cross and rose again, we have righteousness (II Corinthians 5:21) the moment we believe.
     2. Access to God (Romans 5:2).
Not only is there peace with God, but there is access to God. We have a new standing before God. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith.
     3. Hope in the glory of God (Romans 5:2).
We not only have peace with God and access to God, but we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. When you trust Christ as your Saviour, you have a standing in grace and can rejoice in hope.

Justification is the gracious act of God whereby He declares the sinner righteous in Christ. We are justified by grace - not human merit. We are justified by faith - not works. We are justified by His blood because Christ died for us. We are justified unto life and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

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EVERLASTING LIFE
by C. R. Stam


Romans 8:2, when correctly read, is a most blessed passage of Scripture. To get the sense we should place a dash between the words "Spirit" and "of." Thus it would read: "For the law of the Spirit -- of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

When a sinner places his trust in Christ as Savior he is justified before the bar of God, because Christ’s death and righteousness are imputed to him. This is a judicial matter.

But at the same moment something else happens: the Spirit regenerates and gives new life (Tit. 3:5). This is a law, an inexorable, unchangeable law. The sinner who sincerely places his trust in Christ as Savior is given life by the Holy Spirit. It is always so; it is never otherwise.

I John 5:12 says: "He that hath the Son hath life...." John 3:36 says that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" and Col. 3:3 declares that the believer’s life is "hid with Christ in God."

Thus the Apostle could say: "The law of the Spirit, [that of] life in Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Adam forfeited his life by sin, but the believer’s new life can never be forfeited, for this life is nothing less than the life of Christ, in whom the sinner has already died and paid for his sins -- and in whom he now stands perfect and complete before God.

It is a law, a fixed unchangeable law, that sin brings forth death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; et al). This is called "the law of sin and death," but the believer has already died for sin in Christ and has been given new life by the Spirit. Thus "the law of the Spirit," that of "life in Christ," has made the simplest believer "free from the law of sin and death."

Thank God for "the law of the Spirit," everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

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THE SUPREME CRITIC
by C. R. Stam



About 1900 years ago St. Paul wrote to Timothy, with regard to the sacred Scriptures:

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (II Tim.3:16).

This truth has been confirmed by overwhelming evidence, and those who have tried, through the centuries, to overthrow the Bible have been about as successful as a man trying to overthrow the Rock of Gibraltar with a pea shooter.

Furthermore, the Word of God towers above the clergy as well as above the laity. The Bereans were called "noble" because they put the words of even the great Apostle Paul to the test of Scripture, to see if he taught anything contrary to it.

That blessed Book is the Supreme Critic. If we overlook vital doctrine, it is the Book that will "teach" us. If we handle the Word deceitfully, it is the Book that will "reprove" us. If we go astray in our conclusions, it is the Book that will "correct" us. Where moral questions are involved, it is the Book that will "instruct us in righteousness." Well do we remember when we were first convicted by the Bible as the written Word of God -- and we have never ceased to thank God for the blessed results.

This Book condemns men as sinners before a holy God, but presents salvation free and complete through the vicarious death of Christ at Calvary.

"Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

" For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Rom 5:10)

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A STEADFAST HEART
By Pastor Dick Ware



Speaking of the "upright" in Psalm 112:7-8 say: "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is FIXED, trusting in the LORD. His heart is ESTABLISHED, he shall not be afraid..." In other words, his spirit, soul, and body are in one accord, "in singleness of heart." His decision and conviction to trust and serve the Lord are firmly fixed. As to his position and practice in righteousness, he is immovable.

This upright person is controlled from the inside out by God. The heart or spirit (Ps. 78:8 ) is to be exerting authority and power over the mind and the behavior. "He who stands steadfast in his heart ....has power over his will.. (1 Cor. 7:37). "The heart or spirit is to tell the soul or mind what to think, then the mind gives the orders to the body. The outcome is a disciplined character and self-control. Therefore, "...Purify your hearts you double minded (James 4:8 ), "and" may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23)."

When it comes to "trusting in the Lord," the Bible also says concerning those who are of unstable and unfixed hearts; "..He who DOUBTS is like a wave of the sea DRIVEN AND tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a DOUBLE-MINDED man, UNSTABLE in all his ways (James 4:6-8 )." Notice his heart and mind are being moved from the outside. Satan delights in overthrowing the Christian in this way!

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, BE STEADFAST, IMMOVABLE, always abounding in the work of the Lord, KNOWING that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58 )!"

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GIVING THANKS IN THE CHURCH
By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Psalm 35: 18

"I will give Thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise Thee among much people." This Psalm begins with David's plea, "Plead my cause, 0 Lord, with them that strive with me: Fight against them that fight against me." This Psalm like so many of David's is written out of adversity and a plea for God to intervene on behalf of His servant.

David in anticipation of God's deliverance declares he will give glory and praise to God that "much people" will be aware of what God has done. Note his statement in verses 27 and 28, "Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause:
Yea, let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long."

By way of application we too should give God praise for all that He has done and continues to do for us. Many times in our prayer meeting we might ask, "who can share with us an answer to prayer that God has given this past week?" Many times we bring our requests before the Lord and never really expect God to answer. Paul declares in Colossians 4:2, "Continue in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving." Like David of old we too should "give praise in the church" and among much people. This should not be a time for self glorying but a real time of thanking God and encouraging His people. David did this in many of the Psalms and Paul does it in Ephesians 1:3, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (I Thessalonians 5:18 ).

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"GRACE ABOUNDING IN PAUL’S MINISTRY"
by C. R. Stam

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and THE MINISTRY WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.”
—The Apostle Paul in Acts 20:24.


“GRACE to you, and peace” (Rom. 1:7);

“Being justified freely by His GRACE” (Rom. 3:24);

“we have access by faith into this GRACE wherein we stand” (Rom. 5:2);

“the GRACE of God, and gift by GRACE…is by one Man” (Rom. 5:15);

“the abundance of GRACE and of the gift of righteousness” (Rom. 5:17);

“where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…that GRACE might reign” (Rom. 5:20,21);

“for ye are not under the law, but under GRACE” (Rom. 6:14);

“not under the law, but under GRACE” (Rom. 6:15);

“there is a remnant according to the election of GRACE” (Rom. 11:5);

“if by GRACE, then it is no more of works; otherwise GRACE is no more GRACE…. But if it be of works, then is it no more GRACE” (Rom. 11:6);

“By the GRACE of God I am what I am; and His GRACE… was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the GRACE of God which was with me” (I Cor. 15:10);

“that the abundant GRACE might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (II Cor. 4:15);

“receive not the GRACE of God in vain” (II Cor. 6:1);

“ye know the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Cor. 8:9);

“God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you” (II Cor. 9:8 );

“the exceeding GRACE of God” (II Cor. 9:14);

“My GRACE is sufficient for thee” (II Cor. 12:9);

“I do not frustrate the GRACE of God” (Gal. 2:21);

“the praise of the glory of His GRACE” (Eph. 1:6);

“the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His GRACE” (Eph. 1:7);

“the exceeding riches of His GRACE” (Eph. 2:7);

“For by GRACE are ye saved, through faith” (Eph. 2:8 );

“the dispensation of the GRACE of God… given me to you-ward” (Eph. 3:2);

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing with GRACE in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16);

“the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant” (I Tim. 1:14);

“who hath saved us…according to His own purpose and GRACE, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (II Tim. 1:9);

“Be strong in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus” (II Tim. 2:1);

“GRACE be with you all” (Titus 3:15).

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RECEIVING THE WORD ... WITH JOY
By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 1:6

"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." What a beautiful example of the power of God's Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who received the gospel of salvation. We need to take note that even though it was "with much affliction" it did not hinder the "joy of the Holy Ghost." How thankful Paul and Timothy and Silvanus were in the way that these believers had responded to God's

The joy that they had in the Lord was reflected in their daily lives, and why not? They turned from idols, made by the hands of man. Idols that were cold and lifeless to serve the "living and true God." They now had a God who was alive and interested in every detail of their lives. One who loved them and demonstrated that love by sending His Son into their world to die for them; and as verse 10 makes clear, He is a living Saviour and is coming to meet them in the clouds and in the air. You can feel the excitement in their lives as you read this chapter.

The "joy of the Holy Ghost" made them "ensamples to all that believe in Achaia as well as Macedonia. As the apostle states, "Your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing." Dear child of God, how great is your joy in the Lord. Are you discouraged, downhearted, defeated? If so you need to fasten your eyes on the Lord and not on yourself. God is on the throne. "All things do work together for good to those who love Him." May our joy be complete in Him. Amen.

[nChrist]

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THE CROSS AND THE SPIRIT
By M. Stanford




"But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Gal. 6:14).


The Lord Jesus carried out the work of the Cross as to our eternal position. The Holy Spirit carries out the work of the Cross as to our present condition. "He will take the things that are Mine and will transmit them to you" (John 16:15, Amp.).

"We cannot separate the Cross from the Holy Spirit. We can have no Easter and no Pentecost, until we have first had a Good Friday. Through the Cross alone we are prepared for life in the fulness of God; only he who is crucified with Christ can be a vessel unto honor. Our 'old man' must be crucified with Christ, and in His resurrection we find the roots of our new life. Whosoever loses his life, shall find it. We must learn the lesson of the Cross, as condemned and rejected ones, who have been crucified with Christ.

"Then the door will be open for a life of power and blessing. All that belongs to death must be turned over to the death of the Cross, even as the body is laid away in the earth, because it belongs to the earth. The Holy Spirit, the Eternal Spirit, is unchangeable. He brought Christ our Head to the Cross, and us His children with Him. For this work in us is twofold. On the one hand, it leads us to death; and on the other hand, to that life which God has placed within us, and which leads from glory to glory." - A.M.

"And all of us, with faces uncovered, because we continue to reflect like mirrors the splendor of the Lord, are being transformed into likeness to Him, from one degree of splendor to another, since it comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18, Wms.).

[nChrist]

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THE "WILLFUL SIN" OF HEBREWS 10:26
by Russel S. Miller

It is asserted that the "wilful sin", here, does not apply to this dispensation because, as members of the Body of Christ, God has already given us eternal security in Christ as Paul declares in his epistle to the Romans:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... NAY, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that [nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom. 8:35-39).

Please note that the Hebrews also have "eternal salvation" (5:9), "eternal redemption" (9:12), and "eternal inheritance" (9:15). So today, those who trust in His finished work of redemption, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, have "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance":

"FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US" (I Cor. 5:7).

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb.9:12).

Now, on the other hand, there is "no more sacrifice for sins". Those who reject His all-sufficient sacrifice for sins, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, reject "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance", and do so, "wilfully", as those who rejected Christ on the day of Pentecost. There is no other sacrifice in the sight of God. If you miss Christ, the only thing left is "eternal judgment" (Heb. 6:2), because God has made no other provision for sin:

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb. 10:26,27).

Therefore I implore you, do not tread "under foot the Son of God", nor count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, and do not despise "the Spirit of grace" (Ver. 29).

"VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD" (Romans 12:19).