GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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On Earth But Also In Heaven!
By Pastor Paul Hume



Someone asked another person who professed faith in Jesus Christ, 'What earthly good are you for heaven's sake?' You've heard it a hundred times about being 'so heavenly minded so as to be no earthly good.' Yet, it is terribly possible on the other hand to be 'so earthly minded and no heavenly good.'

The true believer in Christ Jesus today is rather an odd person!  By that we mean that he is, in a sense, to have his head in heaven and his feet on earth! Look at Paul's line of reasoning about this in his Epistle to the Colossians.  Paul writes: 'If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourselves to decrees ....?' (Colossians 2:20). Then follow Paul on into the next chapter: 'If (since) then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on things which are upon the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. '

The point of Paul's words seem to be that true believers in Christ have died (judicially) with Christ. They have experienced a spiritual resurrection insomuch that their life is 'hid with Christ in God.'  Where is Christ? He is seated at the right hand of God. So every believer is, in a very real sense, in heaven - right now!

Another passage makes this clear: 'But God...made us alive together with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus' (Ephesians 2:4,5,6). This seems so fantastic that it couldn't be real. But it is! We may not feel this truth very often, but we surely can believe it! By faith, resting upon the veracity of God's Word of Truth, we know we have been, as the hymn writer has stated:

'In the Beloved' Accepted am I,
Risen, ascended, and seated on high;
Saved from all sin thro' His infinite grace,
With the redeemed ones accorded a place.
'In the Beloved', God's marvelous grace
Calls me to dwell in this wonderful place;
God sees my Savior and then He sees me;
'In the Beloved', accepted and free.'

Now the truth of Philippians 3:20 becomes all the more bright: 'For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

But then going back to Paul's exhortations in Colossians 3, we find him being very 'earthly' to his advice. He says, 'Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.' (3:5) He speaks about our 'earthly body,' or 'our members which are upon earth.' Physically and bodily we are very much in this world and on this earth. But spiritually we are in heaven!

This is why the Apostle goes on in Colossians 3 to explain what a heavenly life is in a hell-like world! He goes on to tell us how to live a heaven-controlled life personally, domestically and vocationally every day. Meditate upon Colossians 3:5-4:6, and even commit it to memory. And let's gear our lives each day to keep in tune with heaven - where our real Life is - so that we'll be more earthly good in this holiday season!
Grace, peace and love, Pastor Hume

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THE IMMUTABILITY OF GOD
By late Pastor Lloyd Peterson




One of the last reminders in the Old Testament is that God is unchangeable. Malachi 3:6 declares, 'For I am the Lord God, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.' James reminds the twelve tribes that were scattered abroad and undergoing real testing that God does not change. He says I 'Do not err, my beloved brethren. 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 1:16-17. This message of the immutability of God is for people who feel insecure and need help. The message is good for all of God's people. Some time we are going to have to place more real confidence in our God. We are going to need something to rest in that cannot be found in this world. It is difficult for us to imagine the real meaning of immutability. We are natural and often, if not always, judge everything that we know by what we see about us. We, none of us, have ever experienced anything that is unchangeable. Everything that we can contact through our five senses reveals to us change and decay. However, we have our God who 'changeth not' What do we mean by this? Dr. Strong in his theology says, 'By this we mean that the nature, attributes and will of God are exempt from all change. Reason teaches us that no change is possible in God. Whether of increase or decrease, progress or deterioration, contraction or  development, all change must be for better or worse. But God is absolute perfection and no change for better is possible. Change to worse is equally as inconsistent with perfection. No cause for change exists, either outside of God or in God Himself.' We must not, however, confound this with God's immobility.

God does execute His decrees and acts within the confines of His will but this is not immutability.  It is a good thing that our God does not change, NO. 1 - He does not change in His attitudes. Mal, 3:6 reveals this. If He did then would His people in their failures be as He here declares - 'consumed'? He does not love one time and hate the next. He does not forgive and then remember our sins.

No. 2 - He does not change relative to His gifts. He does not promise or give and then change his mind in this matter.  Rom. 11:2 9 is a good verse to remember. 'For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.' A precious verse to me is II Timothy 2:13. 'If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful: He cannot deny Himself.'

No. 3 - He does not change relative to His purpose. Read these following verses. They are a message from God to you, my friend. Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:9 and II Timothy 1:9. Notice the phrase 'according to His purpose', This is for now and eternity. God has a plan for all ages and He, God, has incorporated us into this plan. His plan would fail if we were not there. What it is no one knows, but nevertheless it is there. I know that we are but dust and amount to nothing; but nothing plus God is everything' He is going to carry out His plan - that's why we are His forever.

No. 4 - He does not change relative to His justice and righteousness. This is another of God's attributes; but let me incorporate it here. He accepted payment for our sins. He accepted His beloved Son; that is why He arose from the dead. Now this means a lot - it means that God cannot accept any other payment for sin. He said, 'This is my beloved Son'. Therefore, no one may come with their righteousness or life. If God accepted a person because they were good or religious or for any other reason than for and through the Lord Jesus, He must reject what He already accepted namely the Lord Jesus.

Beloved, we have a God that changeth not. This calls for service and dedication. How much we should appreciate our position in the risen Lord. Again, how much we should enjoy our rest in the Lord.

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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 3 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki



WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

It is hard to imagine that there can be much more. Yet, “in Christ” all of Heaven’s blessings are at our disposal. What? What? What? Might they be? Now, we know only in part. What cannot be known this side of Heaven must await eternity when God will “show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). Herein is the promise that God will someday give believers a guided tour down the hall of Heaven’s ivory palaces so that we can see all the crown jewels of grace.

In the meantime, what may be known and experienced is already revealed in the infallible Word of God. The Apostle Paul has recorded some of that which was revealed to him (2 Cor. 12:1-7; Gal. 1:12; Eph. 3:3). His first comment about the Grace Mountain is like that of a man who sees something that is beautiful, precious, and indescribably wonderful. He cannot contain his exhilaration! He cannot hold back but joyously shouts:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ! (Eph. 1:3).

Here the Apostle Paul declares that God the Father ought to be blessed because He has blessed us. The Greek word for “blessed” or “blessing” is YOO-LO-GEY-TOS. It is the Greek word from which we get our English word eulogy, and it means to “speak well of something or someone.” In other words, Paul is eulogizing God the Father because He has spoken well of us or rather done well for us by His provision of grace. It is a reciprocal act in keeping with the principle, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).

The blessings which initiated this response are blessings given and produced by God the Holy Spirit. As such, they are “spiritual blessings.” Furthermore, these blessings are found both “in Christ” and “in heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). (Note also the phrase “in heavenly places” found in 1:20; 2:6; 3:10 and 6:12.)

It is worth pointing out that verses 3 through 14 are all one long sentence. It is as if Paul’s inspiration and excitement had forbidden him to take a breath in his haste to broadcast some of the blessings of grace.  Here, we find that God’s grace:

(1) Elects and Predestinates us (vss. 4a; 5,11). Election and predestination are like two sides of the same coin. What is true of predestination may be applied to the doctrine of election and vice versa. Theologians have argued, without resolve, the mechanics of these marvelous doctrines; nevertheless, all agree they both begin and end with God. On the other hand, it is reasoned that since this was decreed in eternity past, “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:1; 11; 3:10-11), it must refer to the Corporate Choice of “us” - meaning the Body of Christ - even as the Nation of Israel was elected (Rom. 9:1-10). The Body of Christ, too, upon its revelation, was to function as an agent with special privileges, position and function for the execution of the plan of God, both in time and eternity. Greek scholars tell us that God made this choice “for Himself” - for His own satisfaction!
If the application, as here in Ephesians, is primarily to Corporate Election, then where does Personal Election fit in? In my opinion, Personal Election is the intimate - the up-close part of God’s grace. It is the small picture, while Corporate Election is the distant part of God’s grace - the big picture. Personal Election is warm, emotional and experiential; it is a part of the whole (Body). Corporate Election is doctrinal, theological and non-experiential; it is the whole (Body) and requires no decision or faith to receive, whereas, Personal Election is never independent of personal choice and faith in Christ. We reason then, since Christ is the KHRIS-TOS (gk) - the Anointed, the Elected One (Isa. 42:1-7) - and we are united to Him by the baptism with the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:12-13), then the moment we believe we share His election blessings as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:17).
Whatever else may be said or however else election may be explained, there is great comfort in knowing that the elections and callings of God have made us secure in Christ (Rom. 11:29). If God said it, no matter what, God cannot go back on His Word (Num. 23:19; Heb. 6:18 ). Praise God and give Him Glory!

 (2) Sanctifies us (vs. 4b). The same grace that called us and guaranteed our security is the same that has put the Body of Christ and the individual believer on display as a trophy of grace. God said, “That we should be holy [sanctified] and without blame before Him in love” (Eph. 1:4; 3:10-11). Sanctification, like our election, is the result of being united with Christ. At the point of faith in Christ the very righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer’s account (2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 3:21-22). It is for this reason alone that we are called “saints” - as in verse one. Even the worst of believers is now made positionally “holy and without blame before Him.” It was for this reason that we were chosen (cf. Rom. 8:29) and put on public display “to be to the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph. 1:6). Further, it was God’s pleasure to allow the Holy Angels to see “the manifold wisdom of God” exhibited “by the Church” (Eph. 3:10). Oh, such wonderful grace!

 (3) Adopts us (vs. 5). God has no children that are not born to Him (Jn. 3:3,6-7; 1:12-13 and Titus 3:5-6). Our appreciation for this adoption comes from understanding that the Greek word HWEE-OTH-ES-EE-AH  is a compound word meaning, “to place as an adult son.” The meaning of this word was born out of the ancient cultures, where, during a private or religious festival, a son was publicly declared to be an adult son and given all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go with adulthood. By way of application, we rejoice to know that at the moment of our spiritual regeneration, we are placed into the family of God with all of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of an adult son. We are privileged to not only be saved by grace, but now to serve Him, worship Him, walk before Him, and to witness about Him.

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THE GRACE MOUNTAINS
Ephesians 1
Part 3 of 3
by Evangelist S. Lee Homoki

(4) Accepts us (vs. 6). The believer is embraced in grace. Once we are saved, our reception into the family of God is not some cold, formal, legal recognition, but, rather, a warm, loving, comfortable embrace “in the beloved.” So closely are we held in His arms that we, as His children, may embrace God the Father with the personal greeting ABBA-PATER (gk) - Papa Father. We will never be more accepted by God than we are right now. I believe this is reminiscent of and illustrated by the Father’s embrace of the prodigal son upon his return home.
When I think of our world and its sad and sinful condition and how much the children of Adam so desperately need God’s healing and comforting embrace, I am truly heartbroken. However, most in our modern day will, like the Jews of Christ’s day, refuse His embrace to their own hurt. Christ lamented this, saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not” (Mt. 23:37)!

(5) Redeems us (vs. 7a). The drama of the ancient slave market is our wonderful experience. As slaves to sin, we were in hopeless bondage unless the “bill of debt” could somehow be removed (Rom. 6:23; Col. 2:14). The transaction by which this was possible is called redemption. Redemption is from the Greek word APO-LOO-TRO-SIS  and means, “to be set free from the slave market as the result of a price paid.” Jesus Christ removed that bill of debt that was against us, not by paying silver or gold, but payment was made through “His blood” (Eph. 1:7,14; Col. 1:14; 2:14; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:20; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).  Now thank God, we are free from the slavery of sin, and free to serve God - never to go back into slavery again (Rom. 6:18; 7:6).

(6) Forgives us (vs. 7b). The immediate result of our redemption is our complete forgiveness (Rom. 8:1), the idea being that the consequences of our sin have been “carried away.” In the Old Testament this was symbolically pictured by the scape-goat, who carried away sin with him into the wilderness (Lev. 16:10). John the Baptist recognized the reality of this symbolism in Jesus Christ and declared Him to be “the Lamb from God which bears away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The debt against us is not viewed as simply canceled, but is fully paid as announced from the cross. Christ declared, “It is finished – paid in full” (Ps. 103:12; Heb. 10:17)! All of this is “according to the riches of His grace.”

(7) Informs us (vss. 8-10). Here is information about the overall purpose of God. This is inside information that has been hidden from the saints in the past concerning what God is doing in this present day and how it relates to a yet future dispensation: the “Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.” Here, God takes us into His intimate confidence. This is an amazing privilege. We are not left in the dark but enlightened concerning His eternal purpose and our future role in it. Paul refers to this verse in Ephesians Chapter 3:2-6 where he gives more details concerning this mysterious purpose of God:
If ye 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 ye 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; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel (Eph. 3:2-6).
It is this information and other areas of “wisdom” (Bible doctrine) that keep us from thinking and acting like a slave now that we are free. How wonderful it is to be both free and informed.

(8 ) Enriches us (vss. 11-12). The key word here is “inheritance.” This is not surprising since much has already been said about God’s riches and His desire to share that with those who are believers (Eph. 1:7,18; 2:4,7). We can only speculate as to what this future inheritance really is. We do know that we shall inherit jointly with Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:17; Eph. 3:6) and that it will take God the Father all of eternity to show us “the exceeding riches of His grace” toward us (Eph. 2:7). Verse 12 implies that this inheritance will be so great in us and toward us that believers will live to the “praise of His glory” throughout all eternity. Just think of it! Here we were nothing and nobodies, outcasts, ungodly and enemies of God; yet, He blesses us with a great inheritance! Grace greater than all our sins!

(9) Seals us (vss. 13-14): It is often said that something is “signed, sealed and delivered.” The “sealing” of God the Holy Spirit closely parallels what we mean by this expression. A seal confirms ownership and authenticates the object to which it is attached as being genuine. Furthermore, it is a guarantee of safe arrival. How wonderful that all believers are given this pledge from God that we belong to Him and that both we and our inheritance are destined to safely arrive in eternity.


CONCLUSION

We have been privileged to look upon our wonderful “Grace Mountain.” God’s bright light of inspiration and revelation has been focused upon this mountain. We have been fortunate to gaze upon it, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to see it with both our head and heart!! How very rich we as believers are!

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PREVIOUSLY PREPARED
By M. Stanford


"Let the same disposition be in you which was in Christ Jesus." "For as much then as Christ hath suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves like-wise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh is at rest from sin" (Phil. 2:5, Wey; I Pet. 4:1).

Too late! too late! if we seek to deal with sin by reckoning at the moment it becomes an issue. Our stand and attitude from the beginning of each day is to be a settled matter as we rest in our risen Lord Jesus: the death of the Cross separates me from the enslavement of sin and self, and I continually abide in my new life, Christ Jesus. My life is "hid with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3).

"The reckoning believer is to meet every proposal of self-gratification armed with the mind to suffer in the flesh. Sin is the gratification of self, but 'he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from the domination of sin.'

"If you allow yourself to entertain a suggestion of self-gratification --- if you consider it, and give it a place in your mind --- you are defeated. You have laid aside your armor, and will fall an easy prey to the foe. But there will be no response to the suggestion or temptation if you stand armed with the mind to suffer in the flesh. That which is proposed to you is exactly opposite to what you are set for. It is suggested that you should be pleased and gratified in the very thing in which you are fully minded to suffer. You are now in conflict with sin --- not going along with it; you suffer in the flesh, and have ceased from the practice of sin." - C.A.C.

"So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills" (1 Pet. 4:2, Amp.).

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WHEN THE LORD ASKED WHY
by C. R. Stam

    There are two occasions when the Lord asked "Why?" that stand out from all the rest.

Once it was to God He cried it and once to Saul of Tarsus. Once to the Holy One and once to the chief of sinners. Once He cried it from the shameful cross and once from His glory in heaven. In each case the name was repeated.

In Matt. 27:46 we find the first anguished "Why?" as He cried: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The other is found in Acts 9:4, where He called from His exile in heaven: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?"

These two questions represent the greatest riddles of history and yet strangely, one of them is the simple solution to the other! Why did God forsake His Son? You will find the answer when you ask why mankind, represented by Saul, forsook and even persecuted God's Son. God's action, in giving Christ up to die, was the antidote to man's. Christ's death was the remedy -- the only possible remedy -- for man's sin. It was because of the utter unreasonableness of man's sin that God, to save him, had to be more than reasonable.

Saul had led his nation and the world in rebellion against Christ, but this is just why, in infinite love, God chose him to become the great apostle of grace, telling the world that "Christ died for our sins."

Hear him tell how he had been "a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious" but how "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant" (1 Tim. 1:13,14). Hear him say:

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief, Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting" (Vers. 15, 16).

Since the "chief of sinners" is now in heaven, there is hope for us all if we but trust in the Christ who died for us.

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Our Godly Peace Today
By K. Blades


The Godly peace is true and with us today. When we too through prayer intelligently commune with our Father about specific matters of His counsel and purpose with us as His "sons," it effectually works within us to displace disturbing thoughts about what may be happening to us and have them  replaced with the Godly thinking that produces peace.

For this reason after our sonship edification gets underway in Romans 8:14ff, and we are taught the fundamentals of God's specific counsel and purpose with us as His "sons" in this present dispensation, we are then immediately exhorted to make use of that knowledge as we encounter the inevitable "sufferings of this present time" and tribulations of this life. Hence, for example, in Romans 12:12 we are told to be,...


 Rejoicing in hope; patient in
tribulation; continuing instant
in prayer; (Romans 12:12)


Through what we are taught regarding God's counsel and purpose with us in this present dispensation we learn about the particular "hope" in which we should be "rejoicing." We also are taught to understand and appreciate a number of specific, fundamental reasons why we should be "patient in tribulation" when it occurs in our lives. Hence when such tribulation does occur, the issue for us is to think on the things that we are taught regarding God's counsel and purpose with us, and to commune with our Father about them by being "instant in prayer" in connection with them.

Now when we do occupy our minds with this information, and do intelligently commune with our Father about our tribulation specifically in the light of this information, it effectually works to produce within us the Godly peace that our Father Himself has regarding our situation. The tranquilizing ministry of prayer occurs within us as the disturbing and distressing thoughts that we have in response to the tribulation are displaced by the effectual working of God's word regarding us, making it so that our thoughts become the same as our Father's thoughts, and thereby producing Godly peace within us.

And not only so, but Godly peace is able to be effectually produced within us throughout the entire range of sufferings, afflictions, tribulations, and trouble to which we can be subject in this present dispensation. Nothing is outside its range, or beyond its capacity. For it is produced within us by the excellency of the power of God's word to us, which in perfect accordance with God's counsel and purpose regarding us has been specifically written to address and deal with every form of suffering to which we are subject as His "sons."

Wherefore even when it comes to facing the extreme tribulations belonging to the policy of evil against us, as was the case when Paul wrote to the saints in Philippi, the tranquilizing ministry of prayer is effectual. Hence as they faced death and were being 'terrified by their adversaries,' Paul said to them,...

     4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
      5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at  hand.
      6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
        thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
     7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts
      and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Indeed our Father is "the God of peace." He truly has provided for us to have His peace - Godly peace-in all areas of our lives. Both within and without; from mild disturbances to the most extreme occurrences of carefulness, anxiety, or distress.

May it be that through our sonship edification and sonship prayer, as we learn both general and specific matters regarding God's counsel and purpose with us and commune with Him about them in prayer, that we truly learn to know our Father and love Him as "the God of peace" that He is, and thereby possess peace "always by all means." Especially may this be so as we frequently encounter and experience any of the common "sufferings of this present time," but more so as we are privileged to bear any of "the sufferings of Christ.".

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Recognizing The Sacred Nature Of Your Profession
by Steve McVey


"I'm thinking of entering professional ministry," a young man said to me. "What do you want to do?" I asked him. ''I'm not sure," he replied, "but I want to do something in ministry full-time. I want God to use my life and don't see much opportunity for that in my work."

I didn't get into a lengthy discussion with him since his remark was casually made in passing. It did remind me again, though, of the deception that so many Christians have fallen for in regard to their work. Like this young man, they think that the routine work on their job isn't that spiritual, compared to those who are pastors, missionaries, etc.

This common viewpoint is a ploy of the enemy to dilute the effect of Christ expressing His life through the lives of believers. The truth is that your profession, no matter what it may be, it is holy. Whether you are a teacher, a doctor, a clerk, a salesman - it makes no difference. Your work is holy because of who you are.

The word holy means "set apart." One of the greatest deceptions that has ever slipped into the minds of Christians is the idea that there is a difference between secular and sacred. Everything is sacred to the believer. The word "sacred" comes from the Latin, sacrum, which denotes something which is uncommon because of its intimate association with the Divine.

Christians are those who have become one with God through Jesus Christ. Everything in our lives is intimately associated with Him through our relationship to Him, thus making it sacred. Because Christ lives through you, all that you do becomes sanctified (made holy) because He is the One doing the work through you. Nothing is secular (common) to you because you are uncommon yourself.

The ground where Moses stood beside the burning bush was holy ground because God was there. The utensils used in the temple were holy because they were set apart to be used in service to Him. Your professional career is the context within which you have been placed to express Christ's life for at least one-third of your time each day. Consequently, your work is a holy endeavor.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ servants doing what God wants you to do" (Ephesians 6:6, The Message). When a pastor preaches or a missionary evangelizes or a seminary professor teaches, each is holy work. However, it is equally as holy when a Christian lawyer tries a case, or a salesman makes a sale or an OTR driver drives his truck. It's all holy because it has been sanctified by the Christ who indwells you.

So, whatever you do, see it as a ministry to your heavenly Father! In The Practice of the Presence of God, the monk, Brother Lawrence wrote: "The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament." Whether it is washing dishes or taking communion, it is all holy to the one whose life is Jesus Christ.

Don't view your work as secular. See it for what it is - a holy expression of Christ's life within you in the marketplace. To understand your responsibilities this way will elevate them to their rightful place as a vehicle through which you may glorify God.

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BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM
by Russell S. Miller


The Apostle Paul not only preached the death of Christ but he also declared what was accomplished in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This no other writer Old Testament or New, had ever done before!

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3,4).

In Romans 6 Paul teaches us that when we got saved God took us back to Calvary, and made us one with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Our old Adamic nature, “that old man” that we are all so ashamed of, was crucified with Christ: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. 6:6). Thus “sin [is] not to reign” in our “mortal body” (6:12). And what’s more, we have also “become dead to the law by the body of Christ” (Rom. 7:4,6).

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Eph. 2:15).

But not only are we made one with Jesus Christ in His death, and set gloriously free, there is another very important reason for Christ’s burial, which again is only revealed in Paul’s epistles.

That Adamic nature has been buried in Joseph’s tomb with Christ. Yes, our sins, and that sin nature, has been put away forever out of God’s sight, and we are free (Lev. 16:1-34; Heb. 13:10-14)! Just as Jesus Christ was actually buried, so we have been buried with Him. “Therefore,” says the Apostle, “we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). Yes, this is true, it has really taken place. And because you can’t reform that old sin nature, nor justify it, Paul here declares that the old Adamic sin nature must be buried, and we must reckon it to be so daily:

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11).

[nChrist]

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"SPIRITUAL ATTAINMENT"
by Charles Wages


The Bible clearly teaches that "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."

There is no doubt but that God is interested in children growing properly in grace and knowledge, Spiritual attainment is not something to be grasped after for personal or selfish gain, but to know God and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Just as an athlete exercises in a gymnasium so should the Christian be actively engaged in God's world. This activity should not be just "beating the air," but actually participating in vital, worthwhile endeavors in accordance with God's will and Word. Four things that aid in spiritual attainment will be briefly discussed. The order in which they are given does not necessarily effect their relative importance.

Concentration

Concentration or intense interest in what a person is trying to accomplish is of utmost importance to attainment of goals. The apostle Paul states in Philippians "this one thing I do," in reference to "pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Then again in Colossians 3:2, he says, "set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" Concentration of the sun's rays on a combustible material will set it ablaze, in like fashion if we give our strict attention to something for God, it will bring results.

Abstaining

Abstaining or holding off from partaking or participating in certain things is important to spiritual attainment. Sometimes things we don't do are just as important as things we attempt to do, in our over-indulged generation, the thought of restraint or self-denial is rejected by most people. The truth concerning abstaining as taught in the Scriptures is not confined to marriage and food,  but principally concerns "holding off from" evil, religious doctrine. For instance in 1Thessalonians 5:22, we are admonished to "abstain from every form of evil." When we consider that one of the major characteristics of this present evil age is "having a form of godliness,  but denying the power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:5), we conclude that God would have us not partake of or participate in religious error. Even the Gentiles were instructed by the apostles at Jerusalem to "abstain from meat offered to idols."

Nourishment

Nourishment of the proper sort is important to spiritual attainment. It is common knowledge that the Bible uses items of physical food to teach some of its greatest spiritual lessons. Our Lord did this time and time again. Bread, meat, milk and honey are just few examples. But we understand the Word to tell us of a more important form of nourishment Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:6, "If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou  hast attained."

In Colossians 2:19, we are instructed that our nourishment comes from the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ.  Someone has said that we should take this spiritual nourishment and (1) study it through, (2) pray it in (3) put it down  (4) work it out, and (5) pass it on.

Proper Attitude

A proper attitude is absolutely necessary to spiritual attainment The wonderful passage found in Philippians 4:5-9 is so appropriate when we think of our attitude and what it should be. We need to read and reread this passage.

We might say our attitude could be found in three respects (1) Our attitude toward God and His Word, (2) Our attitude toward men, and (3) Our attitude toward ourselves. It follows that if our attitude is proper and the way our Lord would have it, we will attain spiritually for the glory and honor of our Head.

EXERCISE thyself
rather unto
godliness. For
bodily exercise
profiteth little;
but godliness is
profitable unto
all things,
having promise
of the life that
now is, and of
that which is to come.

[nChrist]

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The End Of The World
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam


There has been a great deal of discussion lately about some Hindu astrologers who have predicted that this world will come to an end this February. The fact is that some sincere Christians fear that these prophets might be right, since our Lord did speak several times about the coming “end of the world.”

These Hindu astrologers, however, are wrong. This February will not see the end of the world, for according to the Bible the world, or earth, will never come to an end. The word “world,” which our Lord uses in this connection, does not refer to the earth, or even the people on it. It is the old Greek word aion, or age. Several ages in God’s program have already come to an end, and others will, but no matter what destructive weapons man may devise, the earth will never be destroyed. In Isaiah 45:18 we read:

    “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens: God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it; He created it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is none else.”

But doesn’t Rev. 21:1 predict “a new heaven and a new earth”? Yes, but the context clearly indicates that this refers to the future renewing of the present heaven and earth, not the creating of different ones. Verse 5 says:

    “He that sat upon the throne: said, Behold I make all things new.”

Note: He didn’t say “I make all new things,” but “I make all things new.” There is a difference.

We should not be concerned about the end of the world, but rather about the end of this present age in which we live under “the dispensation of the grace of God,” for God has never promised how long this will last. Every hour He delays the return of Christ to recall His ambassadors, is an hour of wonderful grace, in which men may be saved by grace, through faith in Christ who died for our sins. This is why Paul urges us:

    “We then, as workers together with [Christ], 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).

[nChrist]

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THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
by C.R. Stam


  St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive "the abundance of grace" and "the gift of righteousness" (Rom. 5:17) which God in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation.

 The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift of God's grace.

 Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; "It is written, there is none righteous, no, not one". This is why Paul pitied those who continued to go about "to establish their own righteousness" (Rom. 10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they needed to be saved (See Verse One).

 Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham's justification before God, the Apostle says: "What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3).

 Abraham's justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ was to die for sin, but Christ's death is now past; it is an historical fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to all as a gift. "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8 ). "God hath made Him to be sin for us...that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).

 But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:5).

[nChrist]

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The Wisdom
Of God

and the Wisdom
  Of the world
By Dr. Lloyd A. Peterson

Paul, in writing to the Church of Corinth, contrasts the wisdom of God with the wisdom of the world: There is much more to this than may appear on the surface. It is really the Kingdom of Light in contrast to the Kingdom of Darkness. It is Divine Wisdom contrasted with Satanic wisdom.

Most of us have a very poor conception or understanding of the authority, power and wisdom possessed by Satan. Ezekiel, the prophet, speaks of Satan's wisdom in chapter 28 and verse 12: 'Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.'  Another translation is 'Thou art the finished pattern' and still another 'You complete the sum', that is of wisdom and beauty.

That the prophet is speaking of Satan is evident because verse 13 declares that he was 'in Eden the garden of God'. It also declares that be was created. This could not be said of the King of Tyre, of whom Ezekiel had been speaking. It also speaks of him as 'the anointed cherub'. verse 14.

When God created Lucifer, He gave to him wisdom and beauty. He probably was the highest of God's creation. He must have had beauty, for Ezekiel's description of him is beyond our grasp. His covering was of beautiful stones, nine of which are found in the garment of the high priest. Compare Ezekiel 28:13 with Exodus 39:10-13. This latter suggests that he was a priest-king in God's original creation. He perhaps was at the very footstool of God, next to God, an intercessor for the then existing creation. He was given authority and power.

Little do Christians realize this. Acts 26:18 says 'To turn them from darkness to light, and from the power (authority) of Satan unto God'. Col. 1:13 says 'who hath delivered us from the power (authority) of darkness'. When Scripture speaks of Satan as 'the God of this world'  it means that God gave to him the authority, power and wisdom of rulership of this planet.

Job 1 shows him as the steward of this earth. The Savior acknowledged his authority and power. He, the blessed Son of God, did not contest with him but answered in the temptation by saying 'It is written'. Jesus at one occasion said to the disciples, 'the children of this age are in their generation wiser than the children of light'. Luke 16:8. We are told to be 'wise as serpents'.

Oh! that we as the children of God may fully realize the spiritual warfare that exists. 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' Eph. 6:12. We could be so much more victorious in Christian experience. How dare we but flee to the Lord when the tempter strikes. Jude reminds us of this need when he said, 'Michael, the archangel, when contending with the Devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.' Jude 9.

This is the reason for the contrast of wisdom in I Cor.l, Christ is presented as the wisdom of God. 'For the preaching of the cross (the Word of the cross, or Christ of the cross} is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God'. Hebrews 4:12 says 'For the Word of God, (the logos of God, the Savior) is quick and powerful'. See the following verse where this word is personified and identified 'Neither is there any other creature that is not manifest in His sight'.

Again Paul, in Corinthians, says that Christ to the Jew is a stumblingblock and to the Greeks foolishness, 'but unto them which are called ..... the power of God and the wisdom of God'.

In the Proverbs the writer, divinely inspired, quoting the Savior says, 'counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength'. Prov. 8:14. No little wonder then that the writer says, 'Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding ... Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not ... Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.' Prov. 4:1, 5, 6.

Have you ever wondered why God so honored Solomon in his choice for wisdom? (l Kings 3:5-12) Here is the answer: it was not general understanding that Solomon prayed but it was for the Wisdom of God, or as Paul states it in 1 Cor. 2:15-16, 'He that is spiritual judgeth all things ..... For who hath known the mind of the Lord ... that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ'. Again, Paul says in Romans 8:7 'the carnal mind is enmity against God', therefore, 'Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.' Phil. 2:5.

Do you see, my friend, the contrast of the wisdom of this world and that of God? Christ is the Wisdom of God. In Him, with Him and through Him alone is there victory. No little wonder on the Mount of Ascension, after Satan's power was broken, He said to the beloved disciples, 'All power is given unto me, go ye therefore.'

Yes, we agree with Paul that Christ is the power of God, and the wisdom of God., ... of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord'. 1 Cor. 1:24, 30-31.

[nChrist]

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My Job is God's Will?
by Pastor Ricky Kurth


“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters… doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:5,6).

Surely what was true of servants and their masters applies equally to employees and their employers. Thus our text suggests that Christians involved in secular labor are “doing the will of God.” Of course, Paul says that we are to labor and work with our hands “the thing which is good” (Eph. 4:28 ). So unless you are an abortion doctor or some such thing, when you go to work, you are doing the will of God, and your work clothes are just as holy in the eyes of God as the vestments that Aaron wore when he entered the presence of the Lord, whether you wear a white collar or a blue collar.

Is it possible then that secular employment will earn rewards for Christians at the Judgment seat of Christ? The Apostle Paul says yes! If such labor is done “not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart,” and if it is done “as to the Lord, and not unto men,” then Paul unequivocally asserts “that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance” (Col. 3:22-24).

There is even evidence to suggest that those involved in secular labor who then faithfully support the ministry can look forward to rewards equal to those given to Christians directly engaged in the Lord’s work. God instructed Moses:

“And divide the prey into two parts; between them that took the war upon them, who went out to the battle, and between all the congregation” (Num. 31:27).

When “wicked men” tried to ignore this plain command of God (I Sam. 30:22), David insisted:

“…as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff; they shall part alike” (v. 23-25).

Secular labor constitutes half of the fourth commandment (Ex. 20:9,10), and is also a commandment of grace. When the Thessalonians got so excited about the Rapture that they quit their jobs in eager anticipation, Paul twice reminded them that he had “commanded” them not to do this (I Thes. 4:11; II Thes. 3:10). He then re-issued the command (II Thes. 3:12) and further commanded them to “withdraw” from any who wouldn’t obey these commands (II Thes. 3:6-10). Thus we see that working for a living is a commandment of God given to members of the Body of Christ through the Apostle Paul.

Finally, if you are considering entering the Lord’s work, you should know that throughout Scripture, God called to His service men who were already demonstrating their faithfulness and dependability in secular employment. God called Moses when he was tending his father-in-law’s sheep, Gideon as he was threshing wheat, David as he was shepherding his father’s flock and several of the apostles as they were fishing or mending their nets.

[nChrist]

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BYPASSING THE DEATH SENTENCE


The modern teaching of consecration, which is tantamount to the consecration of the "old man," seeks to bypass the death sentence and, therefore, only leads to frustration and failure. When, however, you and I are prepared in simple humility to make the FACT of our death with Christ our daily basis of life and service, there is nothing that can prevent the uprising and outflow of new life to meet the need of thirsty souls around us.

Here is the crux of the matter. The question is, which life is to be consecrated to Him, the old self-life or the new Christ-life? God can accept absolutely nothing from the old. He sees and acknowledges only that which is centered in His Son, Who is our life. Hence God has but one stipulation for consecration: "Yield yourselves to God as those that are alive from the dead" (Romans 6:13). This is our only ground and from this platform we are to count ourselves dead unto sin (the sin nature), self, the Law and the world, and alive unto God in Christ risen; to walk "in newness of life" (Romans 6:4, 11).

God asks us to present our bodies as living sacrifices to Him (Romans 12:1). Until we have done this, there is nothing else we can do. Notice that this exhortation comes after Romans 6. There is reason for this order -- crucifixion comes before consecration. Uncrucified self refuses to be consecrated. This is why so many people walk down the aisles again and again, consecrating uncrucified self to God.

A careful study of all the Epistles of Paul will show that they are written on the basis of the cross set forth in Romans 6 ---the fact that God consigns the old fallen Adam-life to the cross, and has nothing to say to it. God deals with all believers on the ground "in Christ you died." But the church of Jesus Christ ignores this fact. It treats the fallen creature as capable of self improvement, and the meaning of the cross bringing to death the old Adam race as fallen beyond repair, is thus nullified.   (Selected)