GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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Walk by the Same Rule
(Part 2 of 4)
By Gregg Bing

What does it mean to "gain Christ?" Paul elaborates in verse 9-14.

Position—To gain Christ begins with our position, spiritually: "to be found in Him" (vs. 9). We are born into this world "in Adam" where we are spiritually "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1-3). When we trust in Christ as Savior, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ. God now sees us "holy and without blame," not because of any goodness in us or good works on our part (the works of the flesh), but simply because of our position in His Son (Eph. 1:4).

Personal Knowledge—To gain Christ continues as we personally experience Him living in and through us: "that I may know Him" (vs. 10). The word "know" means to get to know through personal experience. Paul wanted to experience Christ in three areas: 1) "the power of His resurrection" (walking in newness of life by the power of the resurrected Christ living in us—Gal. 2:20). 2) "the fellowship of His sufferings" (suffering for the name and cause of Christ, who is our life, knowing that all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution—2 Tim. 3:12). 3) "being conformed to His death" ( recognizing that we have been crucified with Christ to the things of the world, that our old sin nature, the flesh, is to be reckoned as dead, powerless—Rom. 6:11-13).

Purpose—To gain Christ centers on fulfilling His purpose for our lives: "that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (vs. 12). The words "lay hold" mean to lay hold on, to seize, to take possession of. Christ "laid hold" of us and saved us by His grace for a reason. He desires to use us in His service and for His glory. Paul desired to "lay hold" of Christ's purpose for His life and see this purpose realized in his daily life. This should be the mindset of every believer.

Pursuit—To gain Christ requires us to pursue one thing—Him: "to press on ... forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the mark ..." (vs. 12-14). The word "press" in verses 12 and 14 is translated from the Greek word "dioko" which means to pursue or to follow hard after. This same Greek word is also translated "persecute." All the zeal, time, and energy Paul once expended in persecuting Christ and the church, he now redirected in pursuing the excellence of knowing and serving Christ.

Prize—To gain Christ means that we keep our eyes focused on the ultimate goal: "to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (vs. 14). As he lived and served the Lord, Paul was continually "looking for that blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:13). Paul looked forward to Christ's coming for His Church with great expectation, knowing he would stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be rewarded for his service (2 Cor. 5:10). Having a mindset that values eternal things more than our temporary time here on earth has a powerful impact on our daily walk for the Lord.

"Therefore," Paul says, "let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind" (vs. 15-16). "This mind" is characterized by the things Paul describes in verses 7-14, things that are present in the mindset of a mature believer, things that enable a believer to grow into spiritual maturity. We are to exercise our minds in this direction, regardless of the level of our spiritual maturity. We are instructed to walk (order our steps) by this same rule, to think, reason, and purpose with this same mind. In brief, to growing, mature believers, Christ is our life (Col. 3:4); He is our "all in all." Paul expressed the essence of this mindset in chapter 1: "To me, to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21).

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Walk by the Same Rule
(Part 3 of 4)
By Gregg Bing



In our last issue, we looked at Paul's admonition in Philippians 3:15-16 that we "order" our Christian walk according to a certain "rule," a rule based on having the right mindset. Paul describes this proper mindset in the preceding verses of Philippians 3. Its essence is found in the words of verse 8. "... that I may gain Christ." This is the mindset of a mature believe, the mindset that will bring a believer to maturity.

Paul follows this admonition with some examples of this type of ordered walk, some positive, some negative.

Positive Examples

"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." (Phil. 3:17)

Paul directs us to become "imitators" of him. The expression "join in following my example" is in the imperative mood, meaning it is a command. The Greek word consists of two parts: (1) the word "mimeomai," from which we get our English words "mimic" and "mimeograph, means to imitate or to follow exactly and (2) the preposition "sun" which means "together with." All believers are to be of the same mind and walk by the same rule; all believers are to be imitators of Paul.

This does not mean that we are to become "Paulites" or worshippers of Paul, but, as Paul told the Corinthians, "to follow Paul as he followed Christ." Paul was quite humble; he never magnified himself, but he did magnify his office (Rom. 11:13) as an apostle of Jesus Christ, called of God to a unique apostleship to the Gentiles. We are to follow Paul in his doctrine, as the steward of the dispensation of the grace of God. We are to follow Paul in his attitude in faithfully serving the Lord Jesus Christ, the very attitude we find in Philippians 3:7-14.

Paul also directs us to "note those who so walk as you have us for a pattern." Paul's life was a pattern (type or example) for us to follow, but his was not the only one. There were others who labored with Paul in the ministry, both men and women, whose lives we should give special consideration to as well. Timothy was a young man whom Paul described as "likeminded," a man who sincerely cared for others (Phil. 2:20). Silas and Barnabas were fellow apostles who faithfully travelled and served alongside Paul even through times of great persecution. Aquila and Priscilla were a husband and wife team who "risked their own necks" for Paul (Rom. 16:4). We also need to take note of brothers and sisters in Christ that we know personally who "so walk" and learn from their example.

Negative Examples

"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things." (Phil. 3:18-19)

Paul warns that there are many whose walk is not ordered according to the right rule or standard. Their walk is so far off that they have become "enemies of the cross of Christ." This was not the first time Paul had warned the Philippians about these people. He had often reminded them in the past, and now he felt they needed to hear it again. Paul did not hesitate to repeat himself, especially in warning the saints about spiritual dangers (Phil. 3:1), even when the reminder brought him grief. Just thinking about those who walked this way caused Paul to weep. Paul had a genuine love and concern for others, and his heart was stirred when he encountered those who did not know the Lord (Acts 17:16).

Those who are "enemies" are filled with hatred and hostility. Paul warned about those who were not just "enemies of Christ," but "enemies of the cross of Christ." There are many religious groups who claim to follow Christ, especially in the areas of His teaching and His life, but they deny His finished work on the cross. The message of the cross is the gospel for this present age, the basis for our salvation, but the majority of religious people in the world hate this truth. Many are like the Jews of Jesus' day. They are religious; they have "a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). They are offended at the simple teaching that salvation is "by grace through faith" and that we are "complete in Christ" (Col. 2:10) without any religious works. To them, the "cross of Christ" is a stumbling block. Others are like the Greeks of that same generation. They are humanists; proud and self-sufficient. They consider foolish the teaching that man is, by nature, a sinner and in need of a Savior, and that man's salvation is only possible through the death of God's Son on the cross of Calvary. To them, the "cross of Christ" is foolishness.

Some have questioned if these "enemies of the cross of Christ" could include believers? It doesn't seem likely that a true believer could be an enemy of the cross, but believers can walk like these "enemies of the cross of Christ." That is why they are held up as a negative example, to warn us against walking as they do.

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Walk by the Same Rule
(Part 4 of 4)
By Gregg Bing


Four things characterize the walk of these "enemies of the cross."

1) "Whose end is destruction." The word "end" can mean their ultimate end, or it can refer to the result of such a walk. The word "destruction" can mean destruction, ruin, loss or waste. An unbeliever who remains an enemy of the cross of Christ throughout their life will perish. They will be separated from God and reside in the lake of fire for all eternity. A believer who walks like an enemy of the cross of Christ will not perish, but they will lose rewards, and such a walk will result in a wasted, ruined life.

Believers should seek to walk in such a way that our lives bring forth fruit, works that will stand the fires of the judgment seat of Christ and will endure to the glory of God.

2) "Whose god is their belly." The word "god" implies what they worship, serve, honor or value most in life. Rather than worshipping their God and Creator, their focus is on their own belly, satisfying the needs/wants of their own bodies, the desires of the flesh.

A believer's walk should reflect a desire to be "well-pleasing" to the Lord, a life more concerned with our spiritual life and relationship with Him rather than our mere physical existence.

3) "Whose glory is in their shame." They glory, boast, and rejoice in things they should be ashamed of; things that are not fitting, proper, or suitable. They have "debased minds," leading them to do things "which are not fitting" (Rom. 1:28.).

Believers should have nothing to do with these "unfruitful works of darkness." It is shameful even to speak about such sinful acts (Eph. 5:12). These types of deeds are not proper or suitable for those whom God has called "saints," meaning "holy ones" who are set apart for Him.

4) "Who mind earthly things." Here is the fundamental problem with those who walk as "enemies of the cross of Christ": their minds. Their thinking, their reasoning, their value system is centered on earthly things instead of on heavenly things. They have not counted the things of this life as "loss" that they "may gain Christ."

Since we have been "raised with Christ" we are to "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." We are to set our minds and hearts "on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1-2). We have been "crucified with Christ" to the things of this world. Our life is "hidden with Christ in God." Christ is our life! Our walk should reflect this wonderful spiritual reality.

This earth is not our home. Like Abraham in the land of Canaan, we are merely pilgrims, sojourners here on earth.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." (Phil. 3:20-21)

Our citizenship is in heaven. The King James Version reads, "Our conversation (conduct, manner of life) is in heaven." Both ideas are present in the original Greek word. We need to remember that we are heavenly citizens, and we need to think like heavenly citizens, even while living here on earth. What's more, we need to conduct ourselves like heavenly citizens. Our walk should be worthy of heaven and worthy of our glorious Lord who dwells there (Col. 1:10).

One of the things that helps us maintain such a worthy walk is to keep our focus on the future, on eternity. As we live and serve the Lord, day by day, we are to "eagerly wait for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Our hope, our expectation for the future is in Him. One day soon He will appear, and when He appears, we will appear with Him in glory (Col. 3:4). He will change our lowly bodies of flesh, and they will be conformed to His wonderful body of glory. We shall be "like Him" and we shall be "with Him" forever in our heavenly home.

Until that day comes, Paul encourages each and every believer to live a life ordered by the same rule, a rule I believe is summed up in this simple statement in Philippians 1:21: "to me, to live is Christ."

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HIGH-BORN
By Miles Stanford


"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:22).

The darkness of this place will in time turn us to the light of His face - "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6).

"When the believer has a real understanding that he belongs to that new place in glory, the Holy Spirit delights his heart with the things of that place. 'Set your affection on things above.' I used to pity those who are alone in the world. I pity no one now who has a room where he can find himself isolated from everyone, to be with the Lord Jesus where He is; where he can have his feathers oiled, to come out and face all the roughness here." -J.B.S.

"May the Lord lead us into the shelter of His holy presence, that we may daily grow in the elevation to which He has raised us, and consequently into moral distance from the old man which is so entirely estranged from the light and perfection of the Father's presence."

"If I am risen with the Lord Jesus, I must occupy myself with Him where He is, or I shall fall back to the things out of which He has risen; and the very fact that I am in the scene where He is not makes it the more necessary that I should be fellow shipping with Him where He is."

"We are conversant with man in death and sin and distance from the Father, for that is our state by nature; but to know the Man in glory, One in acceptance with the Father according to all His moral greatness, is new to us and magnificent. And according as we know Him there we become not only superior to, but distanced from, our own state with which we are associated.-J.B.S.

"For ... your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3).

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Buy the Truth and Sell It Not
by Pastor C. R. Stam



Every true Christian should understand that the truth costs. If you don’t think so, make it your own, value it, defend it, stand for it, and see if it doesn’t cost. Before you are through it may cost you far more than you had thought — hours of ease and pleasure, friends and money. Yes, the truth costs. Salvation is gloriously free but the truth costs — that is, if you want it for yourself. Many who know the truth won’t buy it. They won’t pay what it costs to say: “This is what I believe. This is my conviction.” The truth isn’t worth that much to them.

But in Prov. 23:23 God’s Word urges us: “Buy the truth”  ! Not, “Buy it if you can get it at a bargain; if the price is not too great.” No, “Buy the truth” ! Buy it at any price. It is worth far more than anything you can give in exchange for it.

And when you have bought it: “sell it not.” How many, alas, have bought the truth only to sell out again! For a while they valued and defended some God-given light from His Word, but presently they sold it again for something that seemed more valuable. Perhaps it was peace with others, or position, or popularity or some other temporal gain. They still gave mental assent to it but it formed no part of them. It was no longer a conviction.

Such should read again the Spirit’s counsel: “Buy the truth,and sell it not.” He does not say: “Don’t sell it unless you can get a very good price for it.” He says: “Sell it not.” Sell it not at any price. Buy it, no matter what it costs and when it is yours do not sell it for any price or under any consideration.

It is because the truth is so little valued in this indifferent age, that many of God’s people have become so spiritually powerless. They hold opinions instead of convictions, because they have given the infallible, unchangeable Word of God little place in their lives. God blesses and uses those who “buy the truth and sell it not.”

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Glorious Liberty Of The Children Of God
by Pastor C. R. Stam


       We Americans have, for over two hundred years,celebrated our liberty  as an independent nation on the Fourth of July.

 It does not follow from this however, that all Americans are now free. Far from it! Think of the millions of alcoholics and drug addicts,  bound with chains they only wish they could break. Think of the slaves  to immoral passions, to violent tempers, to malicious backbiting, not  to mention smoking and other habits they cannot control. No, the vast majority of Americans are slaves to–well, sum it all up in one word: sin.

 If God is a righteous Judge — and He is — He must of course, punish  sin. Romans 6:23 says: “the wages of sin is death”, but on the other  hand, thank God, I Corinthians 15:3 says:“Christ died for our sins”.

 The Lord Jesus Christ was no sinner; He had committed no crimes; there was no wrong He had to pay for; He had no death to die. It was our  death He died at Calvary, and we are saved from the penalty as we look  at Calvary and say: “This is not His death He is dying; it is mine. He is paying for my sin. I will accept this gift of God and trust Him as  my Saviour”.

 This is a wonderful truth: Death, the penalty of the Law, was inflicted on us — in Christ. Therefore the Law (i.e., the Ten Commandments) has no further claim on us. If it did, we would be  condemned all over again. This is why Paul says in Galatians 2:19: “I  through the Law am dead to the Law”. The Law may put a man to death,  but after that what can it do? Nothing. The Law has put him to death  (in Christ) and set him free from its own dominion.

 Unsaved friend, God wants you to be free, really free. He Himself, paid sin’s penalty for you and wants you to rejoice in what Paul calls, “the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Rom.8:21),  freedom from the condemnation of the Law!

 Place your trust in the Christ who died your death and you will find how gloriously true it is that “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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The Church or the Rock?
By Pastor Ivan L. Burgener

   "And I also, I say unto thee that thou are Peter and upon this rock will I build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18 revised)

   The Lord spoke to Peter about a rock and a church and said the "gates of hell" would not prevail. But what does that mean?

   To many this is the foundation passage upon which to base the teaching that Peter is the head of the church and that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. But that interpretation is based upon assumptions.

   First, is Peter the rock? Peter's Greek name is PETROS, a masculine name meaning a "stone," such as a pebble one might toss or throw. The Greek word for "rock" is PETRA, a feminine noun meaning a massive rock or boulder-something that cannot be lifted or that will not budge. The Lord said one could build a house on a "rock" and even carve a tomb therein. See Matthew 7:24 & 27:60. Peter was not the rock and able commentators who read the Greek Language have known better.

   But what about the church? Did the Lord really say "the gates of hell would not prevail against the church"? His words were, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against IT." We all know "it" is a pronoun, but we do not all know that "it" refers to the church. Many have assumed so just like they assumed the Peter or his confession was the rock. But are we reading into or out of the verse?

   One cannot tell by any English translation but the Greek pronoun here translated "it" is not neuter, but feminine and singular. Our word "her" would be the equivalent, but that would not be good English.

   Since every pronoun must have its antecedant, our question is. Which noun in the sentence is both feminine and singular? There are two candidates: rock and church! Since both appear to be equally qualified, we must consider which fits the text and the context.

   What would it mean to say, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church"? Or, what would it mean to say, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against the rock"? And to what does the term "rock" refer? Surely Christ was the Rock that followed Israel in the wilderness and the Messiah was to be the Rock of their salvation. People want to make Peter's confession to be the rock, but which is greater, his confession or the Rock Himself?

   What are "the gates of hell"? In either case, what would it mean for them to "prevail"? Would you know the gates of hell if you saw them? What do they look like? Are they double-wide doors with hinges and latches? These questions are posed to help us consider what the Lord was talking about.

   Pursuing the word "gates," from Genesis 19:1 we learn that "Lot sat in the gate" of the city of Sodom and in verse 9, they said he was a judge indicating a position of authority. In Proverbs 31:23 the virtuous woman's husband was "known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land." Further tracing of figurative uses of "gates" will confirm that this word indicates authority or power, such as one might have in government.

   Our word "hell" comes from the Greek "hades" and its Hebrew equivalent "sheol." But both these words are often translated death or grave. For example in I Cor. 15:55 this same word, HADES, is alternatively translated "death" and "grave." But when one combines these two words, "gates" and "hell," the phrase "gates of hell" becomes the "power of death" or "authority of the grave."

   The idea of the "power of death" failing to prevail against the church is vague and uncertain. But to say that "the power of death" will not prevail against the Rock (Christ) clearly announces His resurrection! For the "power of death (or grave)" to prevail against Christ, would mean that the grave would hold Him and not let Him rise! That could not be!

   This explanation is offered as the only one for Matthew 16:18 and the Lord confirms it in verse 21, "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day." While Peter was praised for his earlier confession of Who Christ was, here he is sharply rebuked for resisting the Lord's own words that He would go to the cross! But that the "gates of hell" could not prevail should have been Peter's great eternal consolation! Hallelujah!

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A TIME OF CRISIS
By Charles W. Wages

Life is sometimes described as one crisis after another. We often think of a crisis as being an emotionally significant event that causes a radical change in that persons life. Sometimes the crisis is caused by events outside our control, such as accidents, wars, recessions, severe illness of self or loved ones. The causes of crisis are so numerous that we are all affected whether a believer in Christ or not. What is the answer to a victorious life in time of crisis?

It shouldn't take a severe crisis to bring a person to Christ, but often it does.

From Crisis to Christ

Sometimes a person needs a crisis in their life to see their need of salvation. Often, self dependant, successfully active people are blind to the fact that they are sinners by nature and practice. They are self-sufficient and self-reliant and never think of being blind and lost. The crisis often causes a person to see how helpless they really are and their need for Someone to help. The crisis doesn't save them, but their turning from self to the Saviour and trusting Him as Saviour and Lord results in salvation. The gospel of Gods grace is sufficient to save from the guttermost to the uttermost all who believe.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8-9)

Sometimes, a crisis turns believing people to greater service for the Lord. We could speak of this as,

From Crisis to Challenge

The apostle Paul spoke of a door being opened unto him to serve the Lord.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Cor. 16:9)

However, he was quick to write, and there are many adversaries. The devil is quick to respond every time an opportunity is offered the child of God to serve in some manner or capacity. The needed advice is given in verses, 13-14,

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all your things be done with love.

We are also admonished in Galatians 6:10,

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

In 1 Thessalonians, chapter 1, the apostle Paul thanks God for the believers and their faithful work for the Lord. In verses 2 and 3, he writes,

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.

Note how the service of these saints is listed,


. work of faith
. labor of love
. patience of hope.

We must remember these saints were ministering in a time of great crisis and challenge. Also, it is . . . wonderful that these three virtues of service are those familiar three virtues found in 1 Corinthians 13:13,

And now abideth faith, hope, and charity (love); but the greatest of these is charity.

These three should be the basis for our service for the Lord in time of crisis, not the love of money or fame. Someone wrote,

Shamger had an ox-goad;
David had a sling;
Dorcas had a needle;
Rachel had a string;
Samson had a jawbone;
Aaron had a rod;
Mary had some ointment;
But all were used of God.

One thing is sure, that if we turn to the Lord in times of crisis, it will become a

Crisis to Victory

Who could forget or not be moved by the apostles cry of victory in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57,

 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.    But   thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We read much today about victories on the battlefront, and in the air, but to the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the spiritual victories are the most important. A soul saved; a prayer answered; a fallen believer reclaimed; the understanding of Scripture; the fellowship with other believers, etc. These are spiritual victories that build us up in the faith. We then can explain and proclaim,

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Phil. 4:13)

These are the things that bring victory out of every crisis. The saying of an enlightened saint is true today. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. In times of crisis let us turn to Christ, prevail in service, and rejoice in the victory.

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MORE THAN CONQUERORS
by C. R. Stam


Two boys fight in a back alley. Fists fly. Shouts go up from the other youngsters standing by. "Give it to ‘im! Let ‘im have it!"

Finally one of the two struts away with an arrogant bearing, head and shoulders wagging. He has won!

But has he? Look at him. He has a bloody nose, a black eye and welts on his face and arms. And if looks could kill he wouldn’t even be alive, for while his friends shout his praises, the boy he has beaten gives him a look that says: "Just wait." He has not won anything except, perhaps, a bitter and lasting enemy.

So it is with the wars that nations wage against each other. Necessary as it sometimes becomes to defend our liberties, our homes, our way of life, by force of arms, seldom does any nation actually win the war. Rather all lose, even the "victors," as in their "victories" they sow the bitterness and hate which are the seeds of future wars.

It is different, however, with "the good fight of [the] faith," for the Christian may come out of every battle stronger than when he went in. Only the Christian can say with regard to the heartaches and disappointments, the difficulties and obstacles, that cross his path: "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Rom. 8:37).

During Paul’s busy ministry for Christ he suffered a painful "thorn in the flesh," and "besought the Lord thrice" that it might be taken away. The Lord did not see fit to remove the thorn, but answered Paul:

"My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:9).

Paul’s response:

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (Vers. 9,10).

Let all go well, and we are prone to grow careless in our Christian lives. Adversity, on the other hand, makes Christians lean the harder and pray the more -- and therein lies their strength and their victory.

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Too Good to be True —But It Is
by Anabel Gillham



I Timothy 6:11 (NAS)
...and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness

Pursue: (1) to follow in order to overtake or capture; chase (2) to follow a specified course, action (3) to strive for

Paul told Timothy to steer clear of one thing especially-the love of money.

"Timothy, let me warn you about something. Men who have as their goal becoming wealthy expose themselves to all sorts of temptations. It's one of the most common traps that Satan will use in the world. These men become obsessed with money and how to get it, and will do all sorts of foolish and wicked things, passionately pursuing their desire for wealth. This can separate them from their faith and even destroy them and when they become aware of what they have done they agonize over their foolishness (I Timothy 6:9-10, my paraphrase).

Then, he told Timothy: Run from this trap, my dearly beloved Timothy. Instead of this, pursue . . .. Pursue what, Paul? Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. And you immediately retaliate: "I've tried and tried and tried-and I just can't be all of those things, Anabel. It's beyond my capability."

Let me share something with you that will set you free and completely amaze you-you'll shake your head with wonder and gratitude and whisper, "How incredible!"

What is righteousness? My Identity

What is godliness? My character

What is faith? My source

What is love? My motivation

What is perseverance? My mind-set

What is gentleness? My behavior toward others.

Do you realize that you don't have to pursue these things? They are yours! They are mine! How? Through our beloved Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the personification of all those things! He changed me. I am a new creation because of my relationship with Him! I AM all of those things-righteousness, godliness, love, perseverance, gentleness because He is-and He is in me-and will be through me.

Oh, I tried for so many years to BE righteous and godly, loving and determined, being all that folks needed me to be-gentle, thoughtful and kind. I must confess that I failed and then lived in depression for weeks because of my failure. But I refused to stay down: I'd painfully pull myself up, dust myself off and try, try, try again-and fail!

Then, I became an instructed Christian and found that all that I am or ever hope to be is wrapped up in Him-not my struggling and failing or my success and celebrations! That is faith. Faith is living like God tells the truth. Faith is walking like the person He made me to be. Faith is trusting Him to come through. Will He?

With apologies to Whittier: Alas for him who has not learned in hours of faith, the truth to flesh and sense unknown, that God's promises never fail and He will never deceive His own.

Meet the real you. Meet the real me. We're pretty neat people, you know. God made us that way! Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift to us-Jesus Christ (II Cor. 9:15)!

Acts 17:28, I Cor. 8:6

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TRUE BLESSEDNESS
by C. R. Stam


 It has been said that the word "blessed," in our English Bible, simply means happy. Thus the "blessed man" of Psalm 1 is a happy man and the "blessed God" of I Tim. 1:11 is a happy God. (We refer to the Hebrew and Greek words most often rendered blessed).

 To say the least, this is a superficial understanding -- or misunderstanding -- of one of the most wonderful words of Scripture. A fool can be happy, a drunkard can be happy, a wicked man can be happy, but none of these are truly blessed, for one who is blessed has a deeply valid reason to rejoice.

  Thus Psa. 1:1,2 says that the man who shuns "the counsel of the ungodly ," "the way of sinners" and "the seat of the scornful" and meditates and delights in the law of God, is "blessed." He is well off and has great reason to rejoice.

 Few, of course, would dare to claim that they have fully lived up to this passage in the Psalms, but God's Word has good news even for such. In Romans 4:6-8, St. Paul declares:

 "David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin."

 This blessedness is not a mere feeling of happiness. It is rather the state of being well off; with a deep and abiding reason to rejoice.

  Thus Psalm 40:4 says: "Blessed is that man who maketh the Lord his trust," and when the Galatians stopped trusting completely in the Lord and began leaning on their own works, the Apostle asked them: "Where is then the blessedness ye spake of?" (Gal. 4:15).

 Thus to be truly blessed is to be well off; with the greatest possible reason to rejoice. This is why the believer in Christ, saved and eternally safe in Him, is, like God Himself, "blessed for evermore."

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Do YOU demonstrate the power that works in YOU every day?
Part 1



Ephesians 4:11-13:
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets;
and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and
teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for
the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ:

Thus the perfecting, the finishing, the completing includes the building up of the body, not the tearing down; not the things that separate us and cause us to be diverse, but the things that unite us, bring us together, and what is that? Christ! How do you measure the fullness of Christ? It is not going to be done with a container, and I am not a vessel that can handle His fullness.

Verse 14-16:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to
and fro, and carried about with every wind of
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him
in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ:
From Whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure
of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.

Going to Strong's Concordance:

(G4883-sunarmologe6-From G4862 and a derivative of a compound of G719 and G3004 (in its original sense of laying); to render close jointed together, that is, organize compactly: be fitly framed [joined] together).

We have been given the truth! Do you believe it? Or are we:

 ... children tossed to and fro, and carried about by
every wind of doctrine.

Paul goes on in Ephesians to say, Grow up into Him." He is talking about children maturing in the Word based upon what they know to be true. He then adds to beware of:

... the sleight of men in cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Why is it every time Paul gives us something inspiring, he comes right back and says, "beware." Beware because there are vain philosophers. Beware because there are deceivers, sleight-of-hand cunning men. Do you think Satan is an ugly, grotesque, being who looks like he came out of a horror film? He doesn't look like that. He is an attractive, shining creature. The world looks to the pleasing of the eye, and Satan knows our weaknesses. That's how he "deceived" Adam and Eve -- the fruit looked pleasing (Gen. 3:6).

Let's look at that verse again in Ephesians 4:15-16:

... speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ:
from Whom the whole body fitly joined together
and compacted by that which every joint supplieth,
according to the effectual working in the measure
of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.

Consider what Paul is thinking about. He is talking about "complementing." This body, if we are all members of it, has to complement. We have to work together. We have to fit together. Even I, with my limitations, still have a God-given place in His order. And I am mandated to work together with you for the unity for it to increase. And what does it increase in? Love, charity, brotherly kindness. However you want to describe it, it goes without saying that I/we should have output with every input. That is what people see, and that is what people measure. I might be a small input, but I am still a part, and I have a function. My body is a vessel, a container.

This "body" has all kinds of parts --- they all fit together. And if they didn't, it and I wouldn't be full. That's the point Paul is making. "Fitly joined together" is a great Greek word --- to render closely joined together, or fitly joined together. Have you ever seen tongue and groove flooring? This picture shows how we are just all "tongue and grooved" together, and, therefore, fitly joined together to be complete.

No more children ...

... the verse continues. So we have to grow up! Are we making an increase in the body here? Is this all there is supposed to be? Are we all the parts? Are there more parts out there? Who in our lives can we touch with this truth that might help the body grow?

.... unto the edifying of itself in love.

Lack of love for everyone shows we are not filled up. So now given the knowledge that I have shared with you intellectually, are you more complete? Maybe feelings have emotionally grabbed you which say, "I'm not quite filled yet, and I need to do something different." Do you believe that you are "Complete in Christ"? That is where it starts. Are you filled up? Are you still trying to add to what Christ has already done? If so, then you are saying that Christ was insufficient for you and YOU are greater because it takes your effort. That effort we contribute is waste!

We are full! ! We have been filled!! Believe it!! This is where it starts, and then we demonstrate it by showing this fullness in our lives. Showing others the life that is within us, the hope that is within. Instead of strife, let's focus on what we agree upon and show others the Love of Christ! So, in summary, there are at least 32 things that Christ did to "fill up" the believer.

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THE CHURCH WHICH IS HIS BODY
By Pastor Joel  Finck

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1 :22, 23

Many Christians believe that every time the word "church" appears in Scripture, it refers to the same thing. This is unfortunate, for this thinking has led to much error and confusion. The fact is, at least three churches can be distinguished in Scripture.

The first church we find in the Bible is "the church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38.). This was the Old Testament congregation of Israel. Some would object to calling Israel a church, but this is exactly what the Holy Spirit calls her. In fact the Hebrew word for "congregation," found numerous times in the Old Testament, is equivalent to the Greek word for "church" (see Psalm 22:22 & Hebrews 2:12). Yet, the Old Testament Israelite church is not the church of today.

The next church we read of in Scripture is yet future. Christ spoke of it in Matthew 16:18 where Christ told Peter, "I will build my church; and the gates of hell (Gk. 'hades') shall not prevail against it." This church is still future, for it is begun with a resurrected people. The "gates of hades" is not a reference to Satan's forces, an many teach, but a reference to the entrance (and exit) of the place of the dead (cf. Isaiah 38:10 where "gates of the grave" is literally "the gates of sheol" ---sheol being the Heb. equivalent to the Gk. hades).

The third church is the church of today. Paul calls it "the church which is his body" (Ephesians 1:22, 23). All true believers today are members of the Body of Christ, the one true church in this dispensation of grace. Are you a member of this church?

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THERE IS BUT ONE FAITH FOR THE BODY
Part 1 of 3
By Pastor Byron Richardson



Faith is another spiritual element which might need some elucidation. On its face it might appear that only one kind of faith has been dispensed among men. That would be impossible, since all have not heard and believed the same report ( Rom. 10: 14) .

Surely, no one would claim that Noah's faith, as strong as it was, could equal the abounding faith which Paul delivered, and which is God's own unlimited transmitted Faith. Even Peter's faith could not measure up to this kind of Faith. James referred to a diluted type of faith, as compared even with Peter's faith (Jas. 4:6; 1 Pet. 3:18.). The Unity of Faith will lead eventually to the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

Faith, as we know it from Paul, did not exist among men before it was revealed to him (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:23, 25). Faith, which was exercised by the patriarchs was acceptable for them, but it was of a relatively reduced quality when compared with Paul's Faith.

Paul pursued some earthly Kingdom tenets for a short while after he acquired knowledge of the New Covenant (Acts 28:8.). This he did to vindicate his claim to Apostleship. Also, he accepted the earthly Kingdom environment into which he was introduced. Acts does not reflect the Body anywhere, and it contains little relating to the New Covenant.

Redemptive Blood is mentioned only once in Acts (20:24). Justification also is referred to once (13:39). We should not expect to find much Grace in a Kingdom oriented book (13:43; 15:11; 18:27; 20:24). We must realize that Faith and Grace have existed since Abel, but that they have increased steadily since then (Gen. 6:8; Jno. 1:17; Rom. 5:2; Titus 2: 11; Heb. 4:16; 11:4; 1 Pet. 4:10).

Paul did not compromise when he followed contemporary Kingdom teachings. Acts bridges the gap between Israel's earthly Kingdom of Heaven, and her heavenly New Covenant Kingdom, but not the Body. For the sake of the Jews Paul did things which might be questioned under Grace (Acts 16:1-3; 21:20-26; 28:8.). Every vestige of the earthly Kingdom of Heaven vanished in his prison epistles, but New Covenant principles remained as the basis for his teaching.

Water baptisms were Mosaic purification ceremonies, many of which were associated with the Priesthood of Israel. It also extended into other areas as well (2 Chron. 30:17-18; Mark 7:4; Jno. 2:6; 11:55). This part of the Law has been transferred by some into the New Covenant, and even into the Body. Baptismal regeneration as practiced by John the Baptist, Peter at Pentecost and other Kingdom adherents has invaded modern Christendom, thereby adding to the confusion.

For centuries orthodox religions have tried to establish, extend, advance, build and bring in the Kingdom. Nearly every church had adopted this as its objective. This strong impulse comes from prior ages which stressed good works, instead of the Grace of the New Covenant or the Body. This is but another flagrant case of inserting extraneous issues, which sabotage God's orderly processes.

We should shun even the slightest deviations from truth, however innocent they might appear to be. The Seven-fold Unity should be our constant guide and stay. By neglecting this precious heritage we could be guilty of perpetuating legalism without being aware of it, or of its consequences.

Our Lord will not reign over the earth for only a thousand years, which is but a day in God's sight (Kingdom of Heaven). His final rule will extend over the entire universe in perpetuity (Isa. 9:7; Dan. 4:3; Luke 1:32-33; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 11:15). It should be obvious that the earthly Kingdom of Heaven (Millennium), the heavenly New Covenant Kingdom and the Kingdom of God are among things that differ. The Kingdom of Heaven (Millennium) will be stationed in the present world, but it will not be of this world (Jno. 17:14; 18:36).

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THERE IS BUT ONE FAITH FOR THE BODY
Part 2 of 3
By Pastor Byron Richardson




The ONE Faith as stated in our text is the only Faith which has been designated as a free GIFT (Gal. 2:20; Eph. 2:8.). This astounding fact is found only in Paul's writings. Such Faith cannot be earned, measured, equated, produced, reduced or mixed with other kinds. We are of the opinion that this Faith inures to the sole benefit of members of the Body, since only Paul mentions it.

The quality of Faith varies proportionately with the amount of revelation available in each dispensation. We search in vain for evidence to corroborate our erroneous assumption that the faithful from every dispensation are eligible to dwell in the Heaven of Heavens. The New Covenant opened the door to the New Heaven only.

Furthermore, we were surprised to learn that no part of Heaven became available to Israel, until the Apostle John opened it to them under the New Covenant (Jno. 1:12, 29; 3:16; 14:2-3; 20:31; 1 Jno, 3:1), Even then the prospect was only a heavenly City. All segments of God's plan must be reconciled, or we shall be vulnerable to Satan's vicious attacks upon the truth, caused by ignorance of God's Word.

This particular brand of Faith may be cited as the very essence of divine Faith, It exceeds all human faith, which can be measured by human deportment. Such limited faith tends to vacillate considerably. God's innate Faith is constant, and it is not subject to man's estimation.

Certain saints express more faith than do others, who are less saturated with the Word rightly divided (2 Cor. 10:13). This vicarious Faith is the same in kind to each recipient, but it differs materially in degree from person to person. The results depend upon individual responses (Rom, 12:1).

God imparts His own Faith through His Word illuminated by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 10:17; 12:3), In this unilateral transaction God's intrinsic Faith displaces human faith, when it is permitted to do so.

God is the author of all types of faith which have been dispensed in all eras (Heb. 12:2). He bestows unprecedented Faith upon the Body, over and above that of the New Covenant. Such superb Faith cannot be questioned, since it is God's perfect Faith bestowed as a legacy. As stated, this Faith is conferred upon the Body in proportion to each member's ability and willingness to assimilate His Word (Rom. 10:17) It is not imputed to members of the Body, as it is under the New Covenant. It is transferred to that select group without any change in its original character and intrinsic value.

According to Paul's Gospel, human faith is mediocre as with the Faith which is granted to us as a free Gift (Eph. 2:8.). This substitutive type of Faith is potent enough to make God's Righteousness ours as a free GIFT (Rom. 5:17; 9:30; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9). The kind of faith imputed under the New Covenant results in a lesser position than does that under the Body. The superior Faith allocated to the Body is not imputed faith, as it is under the New Covenant, but it is a substituted Faith (1 Jno. 5:4).

Most evangelists expect outbursts of emotion to accompany regenerative experiences. Many converts become disturbed because their initial impressions did not meet their expectations. They came to them as a still small voice, rather than in an earth shaking tumult (1 Kings 19:11-12). First contacts with the Gospel often are mild and disappointing. The twelve Apostles were called into service without ostentation. There is no record that Paul's converts responded with hilarity.

When Nicodemus was convicted of his spiritual need there was no spectacular display of either agony or ecstasy. Spiritual relationships are established when one changes ones attitudes and views toward spiritual matters. No outward signs of emotion are required for entering into the fellowship, either of the New Covenant or the Body. Such demonstrations belong to Israel and the earthly Kingdom.