GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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RAPTURE IN THE FOUR GOSPELS?
By Joel Finck

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:40, Luke 17:36, 37

The very thought of the Rapture brings excitement to the child of God, for it offers the blessed hope of meeting the Lord  "in the air" without suffering the pain of death. But for the lost, it means facing the horrors of tribulation as God pours out His wrath on this earth. Truly, the rapture will separate the saved from the lost, as one is taken and the other left.

It is easy to see how many Bible students have concluded that the Lord was referring to the Rapture when He said, "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left" (Matthew 24:40, confer with Luke 17:36). Yet, we need to ask the questions, which one is taken, and which one is left? At the rapture, it is the believer who is taken (I Thessalonians 4:14-17).

When the disciples asked the Lord where the one would be taken in Luke 17:37, Christ replied, "Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together." This refers to the great feast which the fowls will have when the Lord destroys all unbelievers at His Second Coming (Revelation 19:17, 18 ). You see, Christ was not referring to the Rapture while He was on earth, but rather to the "revelation" of Himself as conquering King, It will not be the believers who are taken in that day, but the unbelievers who will be taken to death and judgment. The believers of the tribulation period will be left to enter the kingdom.

How important it is for us to "rightly divide the Word of truth" when it comes to the Rapture and the Second Coming. While one will be taken and one left at both events, the results will be very different!

Scripture Reading: John 14:1-3

Certainly one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture, John 14:1-3 has been used by many to demonstrate Christ's loving care and future provision for His own. Without diminishing the beauty of this passage in the least, it is important to see that it is not referring to the Rapture, as some would teach. "My Father's house" is often interpreted to mean "heaven." The "many mansions" are usually taken to be large homes lining heaven's streets; and receiving "you unto myself" is often assumed to be the "catching away" which Paul refers to in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, but a careful search of Scripture shows otherwise.

When casting out the money changers, Christ referred to the temple as "my Father's house" (John 2:16). Why should we interpret this expression differently a few chapters later? The word mansions in John 14:2 literally means an abode and is translated thus in verse twenty-three. The reference here is not to heaven, but to the millennial temple which will contain many "abodes" or "chambers." (See Ezekiel 40:7, 10, 12,16, 17, etc.) As the twelve judges of the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28 ), the apostles will dwell in the temple in these abodes (or chambers) during their millennial reign. Furthermore, when Christ said He would come again and receive them unto Himself, He was in Jerusalem at the time. He says nothing about catching them away to heaven. No, Christ will come again to Jerusalem to reign as King with the twelve apostles reigning with Him.

It was through Paul that God revealed Christ's secret coming for the Church, His Body, to rapture the believers to heaven to dwell with Him forever.

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THE INFLUENCE OF PAUL'S GOSPEL
by Russell S. Miller


The Gospel which the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul extended throughout the Roman Empire as Paul preached “the Gospel of the Grace of God” to saint and sinner a like. It affected the Hebrews, the Twelve Apostles, and Jews and Gentiles every where. His ministry influenced all the Churches of Gentiles; bishops and deacons; pastors and teachers; and households everywhere.

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 1:7).

Paul’s gospel has reached down through the corridors of time to such men of God as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wycliffe, John Hus, and John Knox, in the days of . Paul’s gospel shook all of Europe and England as these truths were being recovered. By the grace of God, such dispensationalists as John Darby and C. I. Scofield also furthered the cause of Christ. And in our day, J. C. O’Hair, Cornelius R. Stam, and Pastor Win Johnson have been used of God in the Grace Movement to increase our understanding of God’s Word, rightly divided, retaining the integrity of the gospel of grace. Paul’s gospel, “without works,” has also affected you and me. Would to God that all America could remember her roots, and why, and where it is that she has come from! This is why Paul declares that his epistles, and Jesus Christ, establish believers today:

“NOW TO HIM THAT IS OF POWER TO STABLISH YOU ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL, AND THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST,ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN,
“BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST, AND BY THE SCRIPTURES OF THE PROPHETS, ACCORDING TO THE COMMANDMENT OF THE EVERLASTING GOD, MADE KNOWN TO ALL NATIONS FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH” (Rom. 16:25,26).

But if you’re not saved, my friend, I want you to know that salvation is full and free today, with no strings attached. It is based upon the virgin born, Son of God, and His shed blood on Calvary’s cross. This is why God will not accept your “good works” as substitutes for Christ’s finished work. You must believe that Christ’s death on that cross was for you. “…CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS…” (I Cor. 15:3). It is our “SINS”, your sins and mine, for which Christ died on that cruel cross. God wants to save you from your sins, and He will save you, if you will only believe. Won’t you just now place your faith in the Lord Jesus, and be saved for time and eternity? Oh, my friend, Jesus will save you from hell and the lake of fire, if you will only believe.

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"DEAD FAITH"
by C. R. Stam



Nothing in the Bible is stated more clearly or with greater emphasis than the blessed Pauline revelation of justification by grace, through faith, without works.

Romans 4:5: “To him that worketh not, but believeth...his faith is counted for righteousness”. Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith...it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast”. Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us”.

Yet James states, just as clearly that “faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone” (Jas. 2:17). He challenges professing believers: “Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith BY my works” (Ver. 18 ), and declares that “by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (Ver.24), since “faith without works is dead”.

Some have imagined a contradiction here, while actually there is none. There is a dispensational distinction, for to Paul had been committed “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:1,2). His was “the preaching of the cross” (I Cor. 1:18 ), offering salvation by grace, through faith alone, to all who would trust Christ as Saviour.

James, on the other hand, was an apostle of the kingdom, proclaiming the kingdom rights of Christ and offering a changed way of life on earth which had already been experienced by the disciples in Judaea (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35).

Hence with James the emphasis is on works, not because good works can save or even help to save, but because true faith inevitably bears fruit and we can judge true faith only by the fruit it bears. Our Lord said: “By their fruits ye shall know them”. Hence James' epistle abounds with such phraseology as, “ye see”, “show me”, “I will show you”, etc.

What we must be careful to remember is that according to both Paul and James, faith comes first, then good works. Faith is the root, good works the fruit. The absence of fruit indicates that the root is dead, that while there may be an intellectual assent, there is no true heart faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6).

The source of justification is grace; the basis, Calvary; the means, faith; and the evidence, works. Think this through; accept God's grace and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. He will cause you to produce good fruit.

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LOOKING FOR SIGNS OR LOOKING FOR CHRIST?
By Pastor Joel Finck

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3
With the increased activity in the Middle East, many "prophecy preachers" are claiming that the signs of the return of Christ are coming to pass. Of course, many of these same preachers and Bible teachers fail to recognize the difference between the Rapture and the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Before the revelation, or Second Coming of Christ, there will be visible indicators of His soon return. The disciples asked our Lord, "Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?" (Matthew 24:3) Notice that they asked what the sign would be not signs. In the Lord's answer, He pointed out that there would be wars, famines pestilences and earthquakes (verses 6 & 7), but that the end was not yet. Even during the tribulation, these things are not "signs of His coming" rather only the "beginning of sorrows" (verse 8 ).

The true "sign" of His coming is found in verse twenty seven, "For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." This takes place after the heavenly bodies are darkened (verse 29). "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven" (Matthew 24:30).

There will be no mistaking the sign of Christ's Second Coming, for God will "turn out the lights" in the universe right before Christ circles the globe like a flash of lightning. Later in the text, the Lord goes on to say, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only" (Matthew 24:36). How futile it is to set dates for the return of Christ, especially when based on supposed "signs" of His return!

Scripture Reading: Titus 2:13
As many Christians look for signs of the Second Coming of Christ, (See last lesson.) the apostle Paul urges us to look for Christ. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). It is important to recognize that the Rapture is the subject of the "mystery" (I Corinthians 15:51) and, as such, is not preceded by signs. The nature of this age is that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7)· This is true during the course of this age and concerning the end of this age.

While the Second Coming of Christ will be preceded by many prophesied events of the tribulation, the "secret" coming of Christ in the Rapture is imminent, and therefore has nothing which must precede it. Paul teaches the imminence (or "any moment coming") of the Rapture in I Thessalonians 4:17: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds .... " Paul clearly believed that he could be alive when the Rapture took place. If this is the case, how much more could the Rapture come at any moment in our generation!

The Lord wants us to be ready for Christ to return and catch us away at any moment, rather than looking for signs. This way we will be motivated to ever be diligent in our own Christian life, knowing that there will be no warning before His return for us. Furthermore, if we knew even an approximate time of the Rapture, some might become lazy like the Thessalonians and refuse to work while waiting for Christ's return. God truly displayed His infinite wisdom when He told us to look for Christ, not for signs.

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THE CROSS. THEN CONSECRATION
By Miles Stanford



"The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom. 8:7).

The Cross is the altar upon which God sacrificed His Son. It is upon this same Cross (take up your Cross "daily"), this same altar (the place of death), that I am to be consecrated to God as "a new creation" (II Cor. 5:17). This eventuates in my intelligently yielding myself to Him as one who is "alive from the dead" (Rom. 6:13).

"God asks us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him (Rom. 12:1). Until we have done this, there is nothing else we can do. But notice that this exhortation comes after Romans Six. There is a reason for this order - crucifixion comes before consecration. Uncrucified self refuses to be consecrated (to say nothing of God's refusing to accept it). That is why so many people with all sincerity walk down the aisles again and again, consecrating uncrucified self to God." - H.D.

"We must learn to know Him and to love Him. Then we will not have to struggle to move into consecration. The heart will lead into it. A lover never thinks about giving himself to a loved one. He cannot do otherwise. He loves to do it. Is there not here a key to consecration? Why do we not yield? Because we do not love. Why do we have to fight the battle and vow and groan and struggle? Because we do not know Him."
By M. Stanford

"That I may know Him. . . and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Phil. 3:10).

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IS NOT ONE ENOUGH?
By Pastor  Joel Finck

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:20
Growing up in a small church, it was common to hear Matthew 18:20 quoted as a sort of consolation for poor attendance at Wednesday prayer meeting. "We might be small in number," the Pastor would lament, "but remember that 'where two or three are gathered together' the Lord is
there."

Though no one ever questioned this interpretation, the thought must have crossed someone's mind, "Is not one enough for the Lord to be there?" Of course, it is! Paul reminds us in Ephesians 3:17 that Christ dwells in our very hearts by faith. Why, then, does the Lord tell His disciples when "two or three are gathered" in His name, then He will be in the midst of them?

The answer to this question is the context in which it was spoken. In Matthew eighteen, the twelve apostles are instructed concerning church discipline in the kingdom. (Confer with Matthew 16:19 & 18:15-18.) In matters of judgment, the law required at least two or three witnesses for a matter to be established (Deuteronomy 19:15). Therefore, as the twelve apostles exercise judgment in the kingdom, they will have to abide by the legal requirement of two or three witnesses. When two or three agree together on any matter of judgment, the Lord will execute it according to their request (Matthew 18:19). Then, to officially seal the matter, Christ the King will personally attend the trial and sentencing (verse 20).

We can thank the Lord that even if we must stand alone, the Lord is with us, as He was with Paul: "At my first answer no man stood with me .. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me" (II Timothy 4:16, 17)·

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CONSTANT CARE
By M. Stanford




"The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust" (Ruth 2:12).


The Lord Jesus not only died for every sin in our life, but He lives for every second of our life. We cannot rest in Him until we realize that there is never an instant that He is not caring for us. It is as though each of His own were His only one.

"So many saints are disturbed, so many are restless, because they are not living in the knowledge that they are under the care of the Lord; and then there is no power to walk. Why have you so little power in walk or service? It is because you are not yet clear that the Lord is caring for you, that He is in all watchfulness over you, that He has let down the strong pinions of His protecting care till they sweep the ground around you, and, if you are wise, you will creep up close under His wings, into the very down."- J.B.S.

"It belongs to the nature of our pilgrimage and life of faith, that we cannot see the land for which we are bound. If only thou hast bid farewell to thy past, have confidence in thy God; trust Him to bring thee into a better land than the one thou art leaving. Should we find that Divine things do not at present correspond with our hopes, we may be quite sure they will eventually exceed our expectations; we shall realize above all we ask or comprehend." - ---O.S.

"And a man shall be like an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; like rivers of water in a dry place, like the shadow of a great rock in a weary land" (Isa. 32:2).

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REJOICE EVERMORE
By JOHN McKAY, Pastor

Scripture Reading: I Thessalonians 5:16

Do you know how God dealt with people before this present Age of Grace began? He dealt with the people immediately before our age by means of Law. It is called the Age of Law, or the dispensation of law through Moses. The law could make nothing perfect (Hebrews 7:19). The law made Moses tremble with fear (Hebrews 12:21). It had a shadow of good things to come, but could not "take away" sins. (Heb. 10:1-4). God's grace today has made us accepted in Christ, has given us absolute righteousness for our official standing, has provided forgiveness of sins, and grants mercy and peace for our present condition. What a striking contrast between Law and Grace!

The chapter in the Bible known as First Thessalonians five also contains some striking contrasts. The believers under Law did not know the times and the seasons. The believers under Grace do know about them (verses 1-5). Israel under Law will go through the tribulation, but the Body of Christ will not go through the tribulation (verse 9). National Israel never recognized Christ as their Saviour, and never knew what He accomplished for them when He died. The Church under Grace does know, by means of Paul's Epistles, just what the Saviour accomplished, and does have His presence with us (verses 9-11). Those under the Law were to sanctify themselves by obedience. Those under Grace have the Lord Himself as their Sanctifier and Preserver (verses 23-24).

Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul would command or exhort believers today to "rejoice evermore" and "give thanks" in everything? We live in the marvelous Age of Grace. We should know what we have and rejoice in it!

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LAW VS. GRACE
By John Steiner


Romans 4:15, clearly states that "the law worketh wrath." But so many people do not wish to see this. Even some clergymen tell us that God gave the law to help us be good, when God speaking through Paul the apostle says the very opposite: that it was given to show us how bad we are and need a Savior. Could it be that some do not wish to  see themselves as law breakers? Or, as a person who stands guilty and condemned by the law of God?

"The law worketh wrath." You know every criminal knows this, and every sinner should too because the Bible has so much to say on the subject. A criminal understands that breaking the law has a consequence (especially if he's doing jail time for it). And in the Bible, breaking God's law always carried with it a consequence.

After the penalty for our sin was paid by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, He chose to reveal insight to man regarding the purpose and intent of the law. Through Paul, God now shows us what the purpose was and is to bring about "the ministration of condemnation" and "the ministration of death." (II Corinthians 3:7, 9) It was to stop every bragging mouth, and bring us before God as we really are: guilty. "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and ALL THE WORLD MAY BECOME GUILTY BEFORE GOD. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: FOR BY THE LAW IS THE KNOWLEDGE OF SIN." (Romans 3:19-20)

Paul said, "I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, 'Thou shalt not covet .' But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I FOUND TO BE UNTO DEATH." (Romans 7:7-10)

By the way, who would be considered under the law today? Would it not be anyone who seeks to make himself acceptable to God by keeping the law? In Galatians 3:10-14, Paul tells us that these people are under a curse. The law only condemns them. "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that NO MAN is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, 'The just shall live by faith. "

Here Paul quotes the law and the prophets, but is giving added revelation now with it saying: "AND THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH, but the man that doeth them shall live in them. CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US FROM THE CURSE OF THE LAW, being made a curse for us: for it is written, 'Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.' That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. "

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LAW VS. GRACE
Part 2 of 3
By John Steiner


   Those who approach God expecting eternal life in return for good works are offering God THEIR terms which He will never accept. God will not sell justification or righteousness to those ALREADY UNDER CONDEMNATION FOR SIN! But now He does offer sinners complete justification by grace because, again, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, 'Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree! 'Under the law, God through Moses, commanded:

   "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he is to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree. His body shall not remain all night upon a tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day, (for he that is hanged is accursed of God) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God gjveth thee for an inheritance. " (Deut. 21:22-23) Could it be that being hanged pictures being cursed because he is being suspended between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of earth so-to-speak? And that this depicts being a citizen of neither? And consequently the "cursed man" should be avoided since he is cursed? THANK GOD He sent Jesus Christ to become that curse in our place! Thank God, those who trust this good news are given God's righteousness for it is bestowed upon them as we read in Romans 3:21-22 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Do believe that? This is difficult for many people to accept, especially the religious, but here it is written in the Word of God, "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested .. "

   But how shall we interpret the words "But now" in this passage? When was this "Bestowed righteousness" due to trusting in Jesus vicarious death first shown, or revealed? Was it revealed at Calvary? No, nothing is explained of the accomplishment there yet. Was it revealed at the so-called "great commission"? No, not one record of the commission contains one word about justification given through the merits of Christ's death. (Only that remission of sins could be issued to those repentant of the murder of Christ and water baptized demonstrating faith that He is the Son of God.) Was it at Pentecost then? No, not even at Pentecost. There the convicted murderers were still told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

It was not until Paul that this blessed message went forth. It was Paul and no one until Paul who declared "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested." The reason for this is that up to the point of Paul's conversion, God was still honoring and answering the prayer of our Lord Jesus on the cross. There our Lord prayed, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do," (Luke 23:34) And the Father answered that prayer giving Israel (nationally) the opportunity to demonstrate repentance and faith in Jesus as the Son of God after the coming and testimony of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Remission of sins and the Holy Spirit was given to those who obeyed the Apostles command to be water baptized in Jesus' name. (See Acts 2:36-39, Acts 3:19-20, Acts 5:30-32, and Acts 8:35-38 ) But with the stoning of Stephen, and the great wave of persecution that resulted from it, it was evident that Israel did not wish to be the instrument of blessing to the world for they were sticking with their rejection of Jesus Christ from a national standpoint.

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LAW VS. GRACE
Part 3-3 Conclusion
By John Steiner




So, no, this righteousness bestowed "upon them that believe" was not possible until it was revealed, and announced. At Calvary our salvation was purchased but not proclaimed that way until through Paul. And who better to be the herald of the grace of Christ than Saul, also called Paul. After all, by the inspiration of God, he called himself  the chief of sinners, and less than the least of all saints, because he persecuted the Jewish church and wasted it. He hadn't repented or shown any signs of faith for he was "yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter" when he was stopped by the Lord in "exceeding abundant" grace and love.

Paul received the message of grace directly from the Lord himself by direct revelation. In a similar way as John the apostle received the Revelation concerning the tribulation period and the Day of our Lord's judgment, Paul by direct revelation received the message which is in affect "now" or during "this present time", or the "Day" of grace and the "Day of salvation".

Paul tells us "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." (Galatians 1:11-12) He says "If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward. How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when you read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." (Ephesians 3:2-5)

So when Paul says "but now ... "rest assured that these are the very words of our Lord Jesus Christ and that he is only speaking in behalf of the Lord in this day of grace. And so as a scripture writer he says, "But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, (this message) we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ,  that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:22-26)

So what about you my dear friend? Do you know what it means to experience bestowed righteousness? Or are you still under the curse of the law, still trying to do the impossible feat of keeping the law perfectly? Jesus Christ was "made a curse for us" by enduring the cross, and bearing our penalty. Put your trust completely in His finished work there in shedding His blood and YOU WILL experience His bestowed righteousness. Take advantage of God's gracious offer while it's still being made. We have no promise of tomorrow, so this may be your last day, hour, or minute for that matter. And besides that, God may decide to move on with his dealings with man, and begin to show His other attributes such as His righteous judgment. For under His righteous judgment, the great tribulation period, His dealings with man will not be so gracious as they are today in the Day of Grace. Under the dispensation to come you will need to endure to the end in order to be saved. But for now, God is offering you the same kind of grace He showed Paul on the road to Damascus. So don't pass it up, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)

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UNWARRANTED DISAPPOINTMENT
By Miles Stanford


"Oh, wretched man that I am!" (Rom. 7:24).

The result of, and penalty for, reliance upon the flesh, is Romans Seven. The result of, and reward for, dependence upon the Holy Spirit, is Romans Eight.

"Self-disappointment is a very different thing from self-judgment. Indeed, if there were true self-judgment there would never have to be self-disappointment. If in honesty and sobriety of heart I have judged 'that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing,' I shall certainly not expect anything from myself, and it has been well said that where there is no expectation there can be no disappointment.

"But I feel sure that many young believers, and I dare say some old ones too, are very familiar with the wretched and depressing experience of self-disappointment. They have made many fresh starts; they have often been stirred up, and have made up their minds to be more for Christ; they have thought, 'I shall do better now; I am more earnest about it than I was before'; but it has all ended in disappointment.

"They have no idea that they are trying to improve themselves; they would repudiate such a thought; they suppose that they know better than to look for good in themselves. And yet their disappointment is the plain proof that, in spite of all their knowledge of Scripture, they have expected to make themselves different, for they are disappointed because they have not succeeded in doing so." --C.A.C.

"The soul that turns back upon itself to learn God's judgment about it, and what His dealings with it are likely to be, is not leaning upon what the Father is - is not standing in grace. Neither our joy nor our peace is dependent on what we are to Him, but on what He is to us - and this is grace." --J.N.D.

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him" (Ps. 62:5).

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BE, TO DO
By Miles Stanford


"The Spirit of truth takes of what is Mine and will make it known to you" (John 16:15, Wey.).

Fruitful service results from growth, not works. All sharing must be motivated and governed by life: "the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:2).

"The Holy Spirit came to reproduce the Lord Jesus in the lives of men and women. The Church is that or it is nothing; the teaching relates to that, or it has no meaning. Any movement of the Spirit is in that direction, or we have entirely misunderstood. He came to conform us to the image of the Son; everything has to be tested by that.

"All our activities and efforts and energies and expenditures; all our sacrifices, our movements and our teaching: everything that has become a part of 'Christianity' has to be measured by the one rule - is it resulting in the reproduction of the Lord Jesus Christ in the lives of men and women, so that it is demonstrated from heaven that He is as truly here in this world now as ever He was in history?" T.A-S.

"It is a mistake to measure spiritual maturity merely by the presence of gifts. They may be present and they may be valuable, but the Spirit's object is something far greater - to form the Lord Jesus Christ in us through the work of the Cross. It is not merely that a man does certain things or speaks certain words, but that he is a certain kind of man. In the long run it is what we are, and not simply what we say or do - and the difference lies in the formation of the Lord Jesus within."

"The Father first uses the active talents of His servants; then He polishes the other side of the stone, making the passive graces shine - patience, meekness, etc."

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal. 4:19).

[nChrist]

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SIN vs. SINS
By late Bob Hanna


Scripture Reading: Romans 12:12,13

"There is none righteous, no, not one ... For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:10,23). The apostle Paul, though the most faithful of all saints of God, wrote of himself, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18 ). And King David confessed, "Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalms 51 :5).

No unregenerate human being can claim God's approval or eligibility for eternity in His presence. Salvation cannot be attained by good works or moral principles. Even if it were possible to live a life of perfection (which it is not), this wouldn't purchase a ticket to heaven. If one were capable of never having committed any sins, such a performance would not qualify him to be called righteous. Why? Because the issue is not a matter of sins, but of sin -- the state of sin.

Our father Adam willed us his guilt and condemnation. "Wherefore, as 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 inherent guilt places condemnation on every descendant of Adam, " ... even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression" (Romans 5: 14). Guilt by association!

Thank God, He provided a solution to our hopeless condition. "For if by one man's [Adam's] offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8 ).

[nChrist]

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THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY
by C. R. Stam


Grace and faith are the characteristic features of the present dispensation. Not only is salvation now declared to be by grace, through faith, but the Spirit also operates in the believer by grace, through faith. He does not take possession of us and cause us to do what is right, but dwells within each believer (I Cor. 6:19) to provide needed guidance and the strength to withstand temptation, and we may avail ourselves of this provision by faith.

The Spirit, Who first imparted life to us will also impart strength to withstand temptation and overcome sin. In our inability to even pray as we ought, "the Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" and "maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:26). In our weakness we are "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16) and God even stoops to "quicken [our] mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (Rom. 8:11).

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (Ver. 12).

The implication from the above passage is that though sorely tempted we are debtors to the Spirit who dwells within and provides overcoming power.

The question, in times of temptation, is generally whether we truly desire to overcome, for we may overcome in any given case by grace, through faith. In the present dispensation it is not true that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but it is blessedly true that in any situation it is possible for him not to sin, for the Spirit is always there to help.