GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN HIS ASCENSION
Part 1 of 2
by ~ Jack Trumm ~



The ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven is the final event of his fulfilling all righteousness on our behalf, from His:

1. Death on the cross
2. The shedding of His blood
3, His burial
4. His resurrection
5. His ascension

As we have seen what the previous four events have meant for all of mankind, let us review what our Lord's passion has done for us.

1. His death (He died our spiritual death) Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

2. His shed blood (cleanses us from all unrighteousness) Romans 5:9 says, "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." In Ephesians 1:7 we read, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. And Colossians 1:14 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

3. His burial (our sin nature, or our old Adamic nature was buried with him.) Romans 6:4 it says., "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." And Colossians 2:12. "··Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

4. His resurrection (God regards us as being just or innocent, free, or being made righteous.) Romans 4:25 says, "Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

So this brings us to the final event of our Lord giving of Himself on our behalf, His ascension into heaven. Let's ask ourselves a few questions:

1. What does the word ascension mean?
2. How do we know our Lord ascended?
3. What does his ascension mean for us?

First. let's look at the word ascension or (ascend). What does the word mean, according to the Strong's Concordance? It means "to go up, arise, come up". So when we speak of our Lord's ascension, we are speaking of him ascending or going back up to heaven after his resurrection. So this brings up the second question. How do we know that our Lord ascended back into heaven? "And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." (Luke 24:50-51) "And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11) "Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things." (Ephesians 4:9-10)

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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST IN HIS ASCENSION
Part 2 of 2
by ~ Jack Trumm ~


So then, what does his ascension mean for us? First, we must understand that no man ascended into heaven before our Lord. "And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." (John 3:13) Seeing then that our Lord has ascended back into heaven, we too know that we will take part in this same ascension. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, tells us in II Corinthians 5:1-8, "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."  From this passage of scripture, we know that if our earthly house (that is our body) of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; and we also know that if we are absent from our body we are present with the Lord. Now in order to be with the Lord, (and he is ascended into heaven) then we too must ascend into heaven to be with Him. We know also from this passage that Paul is speaking of our soul and our spirit. So this then brings up the question, what about our body? What will happen to our body? Will it forever remain in the grave? Or will it rise up (ascend) from the grave? I Corinthians 15 : 51-52 says, "Behold I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." Also in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 it reads, " But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

So, we can see from these two passages that our bodies will rise up from the grave and ascend into heaven to be with the Lord forever. With all of this being said, this poses another question. To whom will this happen? Romans 3:22, says "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." Also in I Timothy 4:10, "For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe.

This wonderful gift of salvation is offered to everyone; but, it is given only to those that believe. Believe what?

1. Believe God concerning our need. The holy, righteous standard for everlasting life is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and we all come short of that. God has concluded all in unbelief and thru Paul says: "There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. " (Romans 3:10-18.)

2. Believe that Jesus's death and burial paid in full the penalty for sin. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation" (Romans 3:25). "blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross." "having made peace through the blood of his cross" "In the body of his flesh through death, to resent you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight." Colossians 1 :20, 22, 2:14)

The religious world would tell us we have to work for our salvation, but God's word says in Titus 3:5, "Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost." Also in Romans 4:5, "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." And in Ephesians 2:8-9, it tells us, "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."

So then with all of this being said, I would ask the reader, to whom or to what are you putting your trust for salvation? If it is in your efforts that you are relying on, or your own righteousness, you will come short because in Romans 3:21-24, Paul declares that Jesus Christ is the only righteous one and we all come short of it. But His death through shedding His blood justifies us freely, today, by His Grace. "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

So this again leaves us with one option, we must put our faith (or belief) in the five events of the cross of Christ. Have you done that? What better time than now. II Corinthians 6:2 says, "For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

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Distressing Times
by Steve McVey

I remember a few years ago standing on the border at the DMZ between South and North Korea. At the time, it was said that the most tense environment on the planet was that very spot. Signs warned us to stay in our car because landmines were sprinkled all along the side of the road driving toward the border. Soldiers stood there on the borderline at rapt attention, staring each other down with hatred in their eyes.

In some ways, I feel like the whole globe senses that kind of tension these days. The antagonism that exists between nations of the world and the growing ability for global destruction through nuclear power looms over us. The worldwide economic crisis has already impacted almost every one of us. Chances are very likely that if you aren't losing your job or your house, you know somebody who is. I don't remember a period in my lifetime when the world seemed more volatile. If you are confident about what the world will look like in five years, you're way out ahead of me because I can't begin to imagine.

What is the answer during these distressing times? It all comes back down to the foundational truth in the first four words of the Bible. "In the beginning God" says Genesis 1:1. The word "God" in the verse is the Hebrew name Elohiym. The word is plural and means, "rulers, judges, divine ones." The word points to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

During these difficult days, remember that there is an Eternal Godhead who has joined Himself to us to guide us through the challenging affairs of this world. All of my life I've heard preachers tell how things would get worse before the end and now that things are getting much worse, many of these same Christians act horrified by world events, as if they can't understand what is happening or why it is happening.

The answer is clear: It is happening because our Sovereign God is working out all things to complete His unfolding plan for the ages. There is a God who oversees every detail of this world. Things don't randomly happen. The same God who was "in the beginning" is the Ever-Present Ruler of all things even now. He is the Alpha (the beginning) and the Omega (the end) and everything in between.

It's normal to feel pain and express grief in distressing times, but in the midst of our feelings we can hold onto our God by faith. Not only does He have global events under control, but He also has the details of your life under control. Your job; your mortgage; your retirement account; your health; your future is all in His control. So trust Him even though you can't see what's ahead.

In the beginning, God. In the end, God. In the meantime, God. If our God is loving as we have always professed Him to be (and He is) and if He is all-powerful as we have always professed Him to be (and He is), then we can cling to Him now, knowing that whatever might happen in our world, our country, our family, or our individual life is okay. Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His supervision. So you can be sure that you have nothing to fear.

Feelings rise and fall, based on external stimuli. Faith remains steadfast, based on the eternal goodness of power of the One who holds us in His hand. So, when you're scared, look to Him. When you're confused, look to Him. When life makes no sense and you don't know what to do, look to Him. He will see us through.

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OF HIM ARE YE IN CHRIST
By Russell Miller

Scripture Reading: I Corinthians 1:30

To be out of Adam and "in Christ" is a very marvelous thing. No human effort or merit could accomplish such a thing. But the Lord Jesus Christ, through His finished work of redemption, has reversed what the devil through Adam wrought for mankind. The Bible plainly describes what we were in Adam and how "the works of the flesh" degrade his descendants.

"For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:3-5).

In what Christ accomplished is our position and standing "in Him", and instead of sin and unbelief Paul declares: "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification. and redemption" (I Cor. 1:30).

Praise the Lord. Now, by the grace of God, we may enter the presence of God's holiness without fear, for His wrath was poured out against sin upon His Son. This glorious position by virtue of just simply being "in Christ" is ours to enjoy forever. What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord!  May we never lose sight of it, nor what He did for us on that cruel cross.

"That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord" (I Cor. 1:31).

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FREEDOM'S FOUNDATION
By Miles Sanford


"I have been crucified with Christ, and I myself no longer live" (Gal. 2:20, Wms.).

Upon conversion, the new believer feels that every opposition to a joyous, fruitful Christian life has been overcome once for all. Later, when the world and self begin to insinuate themselves once again, he thinks that determination and self-effort will keep him free. Finally, after a seemingly endless struggle, the defeated believer is brought back to the Cross. Here is the source of liberation from the power of self and the  world.

"Sinners are not saved until they trust the Saviour, and saints are not delivered until they trust the Deliverer. God has made both possible through the Cross of His Son." ---L.S.C.

"The believer can never overcome the 'old man' even by the power of' the 'new' apart from the work of the Cross, and therefore the death of Christ is indispensable, and unless the Cross is made the basis upon which he overcomes the 'old nature,' he only drops into another form of morality; in other words, he is seeking by self-effort to overcome sin and self, and the struggle is a hopeless one." - C.U.

"Just as the Lord Jesus came into this world where this old humanity was and came into it not to ally Himself with it but to take it into death by the Cross, even so He now by the Holy Spirit, in regeneration, comes into us where there is this old fallen life and not to ally Himself with it, but to hold it in the place of death by the same means - His Cross." - N.D.

"But may it never be mine to boast of anything but the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world!" (Gal. 6:14, Wms.).

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Experiencing Peace In Threatening Times

I saw a throne standing in heaven, and One was sitting on the throne. - Revelation 4:2
by Steve McVey

American baby boomers are living in greater threatening times than any of us have seen in our lifetime. We are losing our jobs, seeing our retirement funds disappear, watching our homes go into foreclosure, wondering about the threat of terrorism against us, and being told that things will probably get worse before they get better.

We've been told all our lives that Christians can experience peace in the midst of the storm, but now that we're here that statement becomes more than a pious platitude. We've always believed it's true, but the question is, "How do we experience that peace?" The answers are in understanding that God is on His throne and resting in the truth about Him.

1. God is in charge. Sometimes we have to get back to basics. The greatest fundamental truth that will give you peace during these turbulent days is that God is real and He is in complete control of this world. Things aren't just happening. A Sovereign God is working out His eternal purposes within this tiny box we call time. History really is His story and He is working out the plot in this world one day at a time. The story has a happy ending and we need to remember that when we are living through some of the scary scenes in this eternal drama.

2. God is your Father and loves you dearly. This omnipotent God isn't indifferent toward your circumstances. He adores you and cares about your life more than you can possibly imagine. Sometimes our circumstances could lead us to believe that God doesn't care, but don't fall for that lie. He does care about you and won't abandon you in your trials.

3. Your Father is always superintending the details of your life. Whatever unfolds in your life, you can be assured that God is directing the details. He knows about your job security, you bills, your family, and your financial balance. This is a time when trusting Him is the only way you're going to get through this without falling apart emotionally. Choose to believe that He is guiding your steps.

4. You can trust Him regardless of what happens. None of us know the future. Committed Christians have already lost their jobs. Some have lost their homes. Many have seen their retirement accounts dissolve. Our God isn't Santa Claus, so you may not get what you want but you can be assured that our loving heavenly Father will be with you and will lead you forward one step at a time regardless of how things turn out. Your life source isn't found in the external, but in the Eternal. Remember that when times are scary.

These four statements sound simple, but they are profound. Read them again. Affirm their truth. Embrace them as the basis for your approach to life in these uncertain days. You can experience peace in the midst of threatening circumstances because Jesus doesn't just give you peace. He is your peace. Trust Him and you can know peace no matter what happens around you.

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WHAT IS GRACE?



Of all words used in the Scriptures, the most wondrous is the word "Grace," for it sounds out the well-springs within the Being of God and re-echoes throughout the Heavens and earth all that is meaningful in the knowledge of God, His essential character, His motivation, and His glorious goals. Although not always apparent in the King James version, it brings to us from God all that we shall ever know of joy, of gladness, of giving, of forgiveness, of acceptance, of divine favor to the sinner and to the saved child of God. This word "Grace" has within its meaning the breath of far-off glories and all the nearness that God alone can bring of Himself to us, and of us to Him in the Beloved.

The Greek word "Charis" (grace) is derived from the verbal form "Chario" (to rejoice). This basic concept, that the super-abundant, exceeding abounding joy in the heart of the Divine Giver is the motivating factor by which God the Father deals with His elect today, has been lost sight of. Man has been led to look to so-called "means of grace" rather than the God of Grace. This grace offers to mankind a free salvation, redemption, position, and hope completely unfettered by good or bad deeds. Thus God, through His "joy" brought about by the complete work of Christ at Calvary, has laid the foundation within each believer for a similar "rejoicing" in the realization of the perfections of Christ and His complete free gift.

Of all words in Scripture it is involved with and/or embraces the greatest joy, the greatest beauty, the greatest hope, the greatest giving, the greatest gains, and the greatest glory. Unless one sees the grace of God, one is poor indeed and the great central truths that were meant to strengthen, gladden and enrich our lives have been "hidden from us." Oh, believer, read your legacy!

This root word "Chairo" is translated "rejoiced" in Matthew 2:10, "When they saw the star (over where the young child was) they rejoiced (chairo) with exceeding great joy (chairo )." That this root word should be first used in the New Testament in connection with the Gift of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, was cause for great joy then - and should be to us now. It is also interesting that the word "grace" (charis) in the noun form does not occur in Matthew's or Mark's Gospel. In looking over the lists of the various derivatives of the Greek root in the New Testament one is immediately struck by the frequency with which these different words are used in the same context, as rejoicing (chairo) with great joy (chara).

This verbal root "chairo" is translated "joy" in Philippians 2:17,18: "I joy and rejoice with you all," "do ye joy and rejoice with me." The context of this amazing "joy" is that neither Paul's activities, labors or soon execution were in vain if the "Word of Life" were held forth ... a joy more vast and outweighing the toils of life, a prisoner's chain, an executioner's sword. Could it be that if one has the plentitude of the Grace of God in Christ that all else is dwarfed beside it? Let us then pursue this treasure and with Paul say, "Rejoice (chairo) in the Lord always and again I say rejoice (chairo)" (Philippians 4:4).

That this root word should be translated "glad" should come as no surprise. "And when the Gentiles heard this they, were glad" (Acts 13:48.). This usage is in keeping with "joy and rejoicing." Frequently the Authorized Version uses this verbal form as the salutation, "Hail," a very poor translation indeed, for if the Israelite could greet his fellow with, "Shalom," peace, and the Apostle Paul his fellow believers with, "Grace be unto you" (Ephesians 1:2), etc. , so the translators could have come up with something better than "Hail, i.e. good luck. Rotherharm uses "joy," cf. "rejoice."

CHARIN

Next in our search to discover "What is Grace" we want to explore briefly "Charin," the accusative case (also a participle governing the genitive case). It is used in Scripture as a prepositional phrase and translated in the A. V. , "because of, for this cause" (Eph. 3: 1,14; Gal. 3:19), etc., This concept of "for another, on behalf of another," brings to mind the noble note Paul unconsciously strikes in the Philemon epistle when he writes, "If he owes thee ought, be charging this to my account" (vs. 18.). We are reminded, too, in II Cor. 5:19, "Not imputing their trespasses unto them." This imputation to another aspect of "grace" will be enlarged upon later under "Charis" grace.

Thus far we have seen that in the building up of this word "grace" we have "joy," "rejoicing" and "in behalf of." To this we would add still another building block.

CHARA (NOUN)

Almost without exception chara is translated "joy" in the A. V., a few times "gladness" and once "joyfully." The "cause of joy, the occasion of rejoicing, that which would bring forth gladness," as in Luke 2:10, "Bring you tidings of great joy." This was regarding the Saviour's birth, or His resurrection (Matt. 28:8.), or again as in John 15:11 where Christ seeks to make His disciples partakers of His joy as He had of His peace (John 14:27). The term "my joy" is emphatic and should convey the thought of ''the joy that is mine." This is mentioned again in John 3:29 and 17: 13, and this "joy" having its basis in the grace of God should be shared! How often we share our troubles but not our joys! The one requires a "lift," the other gives a "lift." Paul's prayers were "buoyed" up by this joy (Phil. 1:4). In the 25th verse of Philippians 1 we again encounter this word as "joy of the faith." Might it not be that Paul has handed us a veritable treasure here? Like a voyager desiring to "return home," like a weary traveler departing, so Paul desired "to be with Christ," where He is, and, to accomplish this, "power" was available (see Phil. 3:20-21). It is a hope each of us shares - but for two reasons Paul was willing to forego this: (1) their furtherance in the faith and (2) the "joy" of faith. Have any of us so great a price been willing to pay (to forego being with Christ)? Paul nearly dismissed it, as if to say the "joy" of faith, the joy "revealed," the grace for the advancement of believers in this is to cause more abundant "rejoicing," (boasting, in Christ, verse 26). Is not this the goal of grace - to boast in Christ, His merit, not ours, His truth, not our tradition, His revelation of grace., etc., through the Scriptures, not our reasonings?

CHARISMA (NOUN)

When we first encounter this word in Romans 1:11 Paul is anticipating a "prosperous journey" to the Roman saints in order to impart some spiritual gift, i. e. spiritual, ''free gift," a grace-gift. This was used of Paul in order to establish them. It is used within the context, not of sign gifts (though so used in Romans 12:6) but of the basic foundational truths of "the righteousness of God" (verse 17). In the Corinthian letter it is used of sign gifts (I Cor. 12:4, 9, 28, 30, 31). The great tragedy associated with confounding "this free gift" with the Giver Himself accounts for the great distress in the holiness movements past and present.

In Scripture when dealing with the Holy Spirit or His gifts the grammar always distinguishes between the "Giver" and the "gift." Those who seek the sign - gifts when the purpose and need for signs has ceased seek to "energize up" by the flesh what God had given previously as a "free gift." Now they strain, mutter and pray. Not even the great Apostle enjoined sign gifts after the testimony to Israel ceased, for the Jews required a sign (I Cor. 1:22) and had been promised signs (Psalms 72:18.). The "tongue" gifts of Acts 2:6-11 are vastly different from the useless, false, so-called sign gifts that produce only "confusion." No healing "aprons" to Timothy (I Tim. 5:22) but a "no water, little wine prescription." The free-gift aspect of Grace is further seen in Romans 5:15-16. Mankind has been acquitted! Sin is no longer the issue between God and man. A free gift has been imposed between God and man's guilt. Religious, natural man will not have this "gift of Grace." He will not believe that the only issue between God and mankind today is one of ''the Son," not sins. THE ONLY ISSUE BETWEEN GOD AND MANKIND TODAY IS ONE OF "THE SON," NOT SINS. DO YOU HAVE THE SON?

Right here confusion arises. Man has not been under the judicial judgment of God these many, weary centuries, so he wonders if God speaks at all. If he "acts" - not seeking an answer in the Scriptures - he draws conclusions from natural religion. That God should deal in free grace alone NOW (in view of Israel's complete deflection at the end of the Acts period) comes as a complete surprise to many! To those who would dictate "how" God must act. it comes with dismay and, needless to say, hatred to the dispensationalist! Have you "amened" the "free-gift" of God's grace? Have you taken God at His word when He states so clearly that "Christ died for your sins?" God has fully accepted the work He gave His Son to do. He desires to accept (en-grace) you with all the acceptableness of "the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

Romans 6:23 is a very fitting place to close this portion of this study. "The wages of sin is death - but the Free gift (charisma) of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

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A Jealous God
by Pastor C. R. Stam




 We heartily thank God for every politician, athlete, actor  or even criminal who comes to know Christ as Savior.  But  conversion alone does not qualify one for a place of prominence in Christian service.  This,especially in Paul’s epistles, is reserved for mature believers,wholly separated to  God and established in the truth (See especially II Tim.  2:21).

 When hearts beat faster because of the presence of some  glamorous personality on the Christian platform; when  such personalities receive adulation which belongs rather  to the Christ who died for them, God is dishonored and  displeased.

 True, the motive in procuring such “crowd-getters” may have been to reach greater numbers for Christ, just as some  of our spiritual leaders become yoked together with apostate unbelievers in evangelistic endeavors in order to reach  souls for Christ, but the end does not justify the means.  It  is never right to do wrong to accomplish some good end.

 Have we forgotten that God’s Word says: “I the Lord thy God am a jealous God” (Ex. 20:5) and “I will not give My   glory unto another” (Isa. 48:11)?  True we quote here from  the Ten Commandments, but remember, Paul in his epistles quotes all the Ten Commandments except one (re the  sabbath).  The covenant of the Law has been done away but  not the moral law itself, and God is the only Being who has  legitimate and urgent reason to be jealous of His glory.   Christian leaders are playing a dangerous game when they  give glory due to God alone to prominent personalities so as  to swell their audiences.

 It is time for the Church to realize that salvation is the  work of God and that true and lasting results will follow  only when we conduct His work in His way.

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THE UNITY OF THE BODY
By A. A. Sandoz


Scripture Reading: Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:4

David in the Psalms wrote concerning his physical body that he was, "fearfully and wonderfully made." The human body is a marvel when we think of how the brain being the control center controls all body functions. I could not move my arm unless the brain (the instrument of spirit or mind) first signaled the arm to move through the muscles and system of nerves. I am totally dependent upon the brain. The brain is probably the last unexplored frontier of medical science. The average brain weighs about three pounds and contains twelve billion cells. One scientist has stated, "The human brain is the most complex arrangement of matter in the universe."

The members of the human body bring before us another amazement, that each member is dependent upon other members. My fingers cannot function apart from my hand, likewise my hand cannot function apart from the muscles and tendons in my arm. If I close the fingers of my right hand in a door my left hand is quick to the rescue to free my injured hand. My left hand is ready to comfort my injured hand by holding it until the pain is relieved. Other parts of my body are affected as well, I may feel weak in the legs or experience pain in my arm, this being because the body is one.

Remembering what we have said about the human body, as we turn to the Scriptures, Paul refers to the Church, the Body of Christ. This one body (Eph. 4:4) being a living organism is made up of believers which constitute the members. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body or control center and all members must look to Him for wisdom, knowledge, guidance and counsel through the Pauline Revelation (Col. 2:3). The Apostle declares, "We are members one of another" (Rom. 4:5). When one of the members of the Body loses a loved one and is sorrowing we all sorrow and would seek to comfort. When one is newly saved and rejoicing in the Lord we as members rejoice as well. There is a mutual dependence upon one another which constitutes the, "Unity of the Body."

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EPHESIANS 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world"


BLESSED SOVEREIGNTY

By His grace and mercy, our will becomes the Father's will when we choose the Saviour. May it ever continue!

As the master musician knows exactly how the symphonic rendition will sound before its notes vibrate upon the air, anticipating with accuracy every tone, cadence, and change of tempo, so God knows precisely what will occur and keeps it under control, though enacted by independent moral agencies. It is because God knows what the reactions of such 'free agencies' will be under any given set of circumstances, that He encompasses the inner circle of 'freedom' with His outer circle of sovereignty.

The will of man is guided by what he knows and what he desires. The divine method of reaching the will is by graciously increasing man's knowledge and by stimulating his desires, while on the divine side of this method there remains not the shadow of possible failure. The end is as certain as any eternal reality in God. On the human side, man is conscious of doing only what he actually does: he chooses as an act of his own volition to receive the grace God offers in Christ Jesus. By persuasion and enlightenment God realizes His purpose to the point of infinite completeness; yet no human will has ever coerced, nor will one ever be.

God's elective purposes are carried out in such an incomprehensible way through the internal and external influences of infinite love and wisdom that man is at no time conscious of any external compulsion, but only of choices and decisions in the exercise of his own free will. Knowledge of what God has accomplished by His own free will comes later by the channel of the Word.


".......being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" Eph. 1 :11

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"KNOWING GOD'S WILL"
By late Pastor Lloyd Peterson


We need to understand how to apply grace to the decision-making process of our lives. When grace rules a person's life his perspective changes on everything. He begins to understand that every detail of life flows from his relationship with God. Grace means that God does it all. We simply receive from Him, cooperating with the Holy Spirit by trusting Him moment by moment. To walk in grace doesn't mean that we are passive In matters of daily living. To the contrary, it means that we act in confidence, resting In the fact that it is God who will initiate, perpetuate, and consummate His plan for our lives.

Many believers fall short of the joy God intends for them because they fall to understand how His grace acts on our behalf to being to pass the wonderful plan He has for us. God has an awesome plan for your life. It isn't a cookie-cutter plan, either. He designed a special agenda that was uniquely created just for you. Before you were ever born, He saw you and customized His plan for your lifetime. (Ps. 139:16) One of the greatest joys in life is knowing that you are experiencing the very purpose for which you were created. Fulfilling the will of God Is not some elusive goal that can never be reached. It Is possible for Christians to enjoy the experience of knowing that we are in the very center of God's purpose.

The starting point for understanding the will of God must be grace. The legalist asks, "What is the will of God for me?" The will of God is not primarily a plan, but instead is a Person. Jesus Christ is the will of God. When one rightly relates to Him, doing the will of God becomes the natural result of our union with Him.

Many Christians act like a deist* when it comes to God's will. They look for God to show them his will so that they can then go out and do it.

So under grace, it isn't the Christian's duty to find God's will, but rather God will reveal His will to the one who rests in Him.  A person ruled by law will pursue God's will with sincerity and yet never be confident that he has discovered it. One who enjoys intimacy with Jesus will know it without struggling to find it.

* A Deist, basically recognizes very little personal interaction between God and has empowered the car (earth) to run, and now it is up to many where he drives it and how he runs it.

[nChrist]

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True Riches
by Pastor Cornelius R. Stam


Some years ago there came to this country a very poor young man. He found a job in the timber lands of Wisconsin. Being industrious he gradually accumulated some timber acreage of his own. Soon he began to prosper, and after a few years he invested in a lumber milling industry. Before long he owned more than one mill, and this led him to expand into northern Wisconsin and Minnesota. In a few years he was known as a rich man, investing in timber acreage in the far northwest and eventually owning valuable land by the thousands of acres, the very finest timber in the country. At the time of his death neither he nor his relatives nor friends knew what he was worth financially, he had become so wealthy.

When the time came for him to die, however, he could not take one cent of his riches with him, for as I Timothy 6:7 says: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we carry nothing out”.

It seems difficult for most men to learn that “a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15). They close their ears to the words of wisdom spoken by the Lord: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal” (Matt. 6:19,20).

The truest, most lasting riches of all are referred to in II Corinthians 8:9, where the Apostle Paul says: “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich”.

And these riches may be had by faith — by accepting them as a gift, for “the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

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The Great Deceiver
by Pastor Paul M. Sadler


    “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.” — Habakkuk 2:15

There are many passages in the Word of God, such as the above reference, that are timeless principles. While the alcohol industry goes to great lengths to get people to believe that drinking is a harmless way to have a good time, the facts are otherwise. It is very careful never to advertise the alcoholic who is dying of cirrhosis of the liver or the homes that have been destroyed by strong drink. And of course, there’s always a voice in the crowd that says a few social drinks will never hurt anyone. Most recovering alcoholics, however, tell a much different story of how their slide into a life of drunkenness all started with social drinking.

    “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Prov. 20:1).

Many years ago, I was driving through Apollo, Pennsylvania, where I saw a mangled piece of wreckage alongside of the road. Upon slowing down, I discovered it was an automobile, or at least what was left of it. Apparently someone survived the crash because there were beer cans strategically placed beside the car with a sign, which read, “And they told us we were going to have fun!” Someone lied.

Contrary to the world’s view that alcoholism is a disease, the Word of God calls drunkenness a sin (Gal. 5:19-21). Excessive drinking is not a disease; it is a matter of choice. Although some drunkards overcome their addiction through programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, apart from faith, all too often they return to their drinking ways when confronted with a crisis. The world’s answer to the problems of this life is, “I need a drink.” However, the answer is not found in the bottom of a bottle. The answer is a personal relationship with Christ!

Everyone reading these lines has a family member, a dear friend, or a neighbor who struggles with this temptation. Yes, even believers wrestle with this sin, as Paul makes very clear:

    “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness….But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:12-14).

The best thing we can do for those who grapple with this addiction is to show them our love and support. It is important to share with them that they are dead to this sin in Christ and therefore, it doesn’t have to control their life any longer. Since alcoholism is such a deeply seated problem, encourage them to search out a godly pastor or Christian counselor who can assist them in a better understanding of Romans, Chapter 6.

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KNOW YE NOT?
By Pastor Marvin Duncan


Part 1. - The Book Of Romans
Part 1 of 2

There are many things the apostle Paul would have the members of the Body of Christ know and in our last study we saw some of the things he would not have us to be ignorant of concerning this dispensation of the Grace of God. Today, I would like for us to consider a phrase used by the Apostle Paul to call attention to something that is very important for all of God's redeemed of this dispensation to know. That phrase is, "KNOW YE NOT." As Paul presented the message of the Mystery to the different Gentile congregations, he expected them to grasp everything he taught about God's program for today. Yet, after Paul left these different areas, he received word that some of the Saints had not fully understood what he had taught, or they had neglected to put into practice some area of teaching that was necessary if these Saints were to walk well pleasing to our Lord. When writing to these congregations after hearing of their failure to live up to the teachings he had given them, Paul brings up these different doctrinal points by challenging his readers with the phrase, "KNOW YE NOT." He then proceeds to repeat the doctrine they were failing to put into practice in their personal lives.

In the Book of Romans we have three subjects that are introduced with the phrase, "KNOW YE NOT." Let us look at these passages and see if we can gain a fuller insight into Paul's teachings concerning the message of the Mystery which had been "HID IN GOD" (Ephesians 3:9) and "KEPT SECRET, SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN" (Romans 16:25).

Baptized Into Christ

Not only did the Saints of Paul's day lack a good understanding of the doctrine of baptism, many today are confused about what Paul taught in Romans 6:3, when he wrote:

"KNOW YE NOT, THAT SO MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?"

There are many Christians today who believe a water ceremony is being spoken of in this Romans 6:3 passage. Paul would not be talking about a water ceremony here because he had already taught that Water Baptism was not to be practiced in this dispensation of the Grace of God (First Corinthians 1:17). Water Baptism was given to the nation of Israel as a ceremony that identified the recipient into the Priesthood. In as much as there is no priesthood for the Body of Christ, there is no water ceremony to be practiced today in this dispensation of the Grace of God.

A majority of the problems surrounding the subject of BAPTISM would be answered if we recognized the fact that BAPTISM is a Greek word that has been inserted in our English text. If we are to understand what the writers of Scripture meant when they spoke of Baptism, let us use the English word, IDENTIFY or IDENTIFICATION, when we see this Greek word in our English text. In every place where the subject of Baptism is spoken of, we will find some kind of identification being referred to. This can be seen in Romans 6:3 if we use our English word, IDENTIFIED, in place of the Greek word, BAPTIZED. In this passage, Paul is talking about our oneness with Christ. The doctrine that had been missed by these Roman Saints was the fact that when Christ died on Calvary's Cross, God saw every believer as having died with Him there. It is this identification with Christ that gives us the power to overcome Sin. Not only were we identified with Christ in His death, we were also identified into His burial and His resurrection. This is why Paul encourages the Saints to live the resurrected life right now. (Romans 6:3-6).

Paul wanted these Saints at Rome (and all the members of the Body of Christ) to know that we already have the victory over sin. Because of our having died with Christ, Sin no longer has any claim upon us. Sin cannot dictate to, or exercise control over, a dead person. This is Paul's point in this Romans six passage. Since every believer died with Christ, and because of this death Sin has no claim upon, or power over, those who are IN CHRIST, why is it that so many Christians are not free from sin in their lives? The answer is simple. These Saints whose lives are weakened by sin have never understood the teaching of Romans 6:3. They do not know that Sin no longer has any authority over their lives. They have never put into practice the truth of Romans 13:14, where Paul said:

"PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, TO FULFILL THE LUSTS THEREOF."

Because most Saints do not know that Sin is powerless due to our death WITH CHRIST, they ALLOW Sin to work in their lives. They even make allowances for sin in their lives by saying, "I can't help doing the things I do because this is the way God made me." This statement is just an excuse to satisfy the desires of the flesh and blame God for their actions.

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Can God Forget?
by Pastor Ricky Kurth


 “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more” (Heb. 10:17).

 We know that God forgives the sins of His people, but does He forget them? It would seem so. Our text suggests that He “will not remember” the sins committed against Him by His children (Isa. 43:25). Believers have always found a great deal of comfort in this blessed thought.

 But then God calls upon us to likewise forgive others “even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph. 4:32). Doesn’t this suggest that we too should forgive and forget? Perhaps you are thinking, “But Pastor, you don’t know what they did to me!” True, but was it more than what was done to God when men crucified His Son?

 Remember, God’s vow to forgive and forget the sins of His people includes even the brutal murder of His only begotten Son. We are tempted to think, “Well, it’s easy for God to forget,” but such is not the case. God says of the sins of unbelievers that He “will NEVER forget ANY of their works” (Amos 8:7). How then can this God of “total recall” forget our sins? Does His memory have a convenient “on/off ” switch that makes it easy for Him to forgive and forget? If so, then we who do not have such a switch would have an excuse for forgiving but not forgetting. But if God has such a switch, would He not also have to erase His memory of Calvary, or else forever wonder why His Son had to die? But it cannot be that God could forget the Cross, for Revelation 5:6 joins John 20:27 to reveal that the Lord’s resurrection body will forever bear the scars of the Cross, making it impossible for God—or us—to ever forget His sacrifice for our sins.

 What then is the answer to our question? Can God forget our sins? Perhaps the reader has noticed that we never read that God will forget the sins of His people, but rather that He “will not remember” them. By a deliberate act of His “will” He chooses to act toward us AS IF He has forgotten our sins, on the basis of the blood of the Cross. That’s how fully and completely He has forgiven our sins. And if we are to forgive others “as”God forgave us, then we too must choose to act toward others as if we have so fully forgiven their transgressions against us that we have forgotten them—also on the basis of Christ’s shed blood. This and this alone is complete forgiveness of others, and it is high spiritual ground indeed.

 May God help us to begin the new year with a slate wiped clean of “all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking...with all malice” (Eph. 4:31).