GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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PHILIPPIANS 4:1-7
Part 2 of 3
By Pastor Paul Sadler





AN EXHORTATION TO UNITY

"So stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord" (Phil. 4:1,2).

It is noteworthy that Paul encouraged both of these women in regard to the issue at hand. He "urges Euodias" and he also "urges Syntyche" to stand fast and be of the same mind in the Lord. Usually when there is conflict in the local church such as we have here there are problems on both sides of the aisle. One normally raises a questionable issue while the other one's response to it is anything but Christ-like. This begins the descent into chaos, which oftentimes ends in a major division. Of course, Paul was hoping to head off a major crisis before it happened.

Paul's solution to the problem was to "stand fast in the Lord." Notice it does not say "stand fast for the Lord," but in Him. Euodias and Syntyche had been given a position in Christ; therefore, they were blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. They were accepted in the Beloved, forgiven, eternally secure---complete in Him! Whatever disagreements or shortcomings these two women may have had, they were one in Christ. The best remedy for any dispute within the local church is the acknowledgment of our oneness in Christ.

It has been said the local assembly is like a wagon wheel, the rim of the wheel representing the circumference of the faith in which all born again members are embraced and the members of the assembly representing the spokes in the wheel. Thus, when one spoke is broken or warped, the strength of the wheel is affected. We might say that the nearer the spokes are to the hub, the nearer they are to each other. Christ, of course, is the Hub, the center, soul, and bloodstream of all true Christianity and all true Christian unity. It is IN HIM that we solve our difficulties and find perfect harmony and unity.

You see, the apostle wanted Euodias and Syntyche to resolve their differences by being of "the same mind in the Lord." Rather than focusing on defending themselves, he wanted them to focus on the things of the Lord. In so doing, they would be reunited in a common goal to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery. The end result would be the restoration of unity within the assembly. If, however,these two women refused to heed his counsel, Paul recruits the help of an intermediary. Sometimes it takes a third party, who is more objective, to give direction to those involved that have lost their spiritual compass.

"And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel" (vs. 3).

We would suggest that the mediator here was probably Timothy, which he calls a "true yokefellow," one of many metaphors the apostle heaps on this dear brother ( Phil. 2:22). The term "yokefellow" according to,Thayer has the idea of being united in a common relationship ---a colleague.  Paul refers to Timothy as his "own [i.e. true] son in the faith" (I Tim. 1:2). This term "true" is only used by the apostle when he referred to Timothy and Titus. As Paul was dictating this letter he most likely paused and turned to Timothy, who was being sent to Philippi, and said: "I implore thee, Timothy, true yokefellow, help these [Gr. autos] women who labored with me in the gospel."

Paul isn't instructing Timothy to give Euodias and Syntyche a helping hand in the work of the ministry to lighten their burden, but rather to help them be of the same mind in the Lord. He wanted his colleague to remind these sisters in the Lord of their position and oneness in Christ. Paul adds how there was a time when they had labored with him in the furtherance of the gospel. The term "labored" here is the same word translated "strive" in Philippians 1:27. In track and field events each athlete strives to do his part for the team. Paul's heart's desire was to rekindle that team spirit these women once had in the Lord's service. As the old saying goes, there is no "I" in team!

In addition to Euodias and Syntyche, the apostle instructs Timothy to encourage "Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life." It could well be that Paul mentions these brethren in this context simply because they were disheartened over the circumstances at Philippi. Strife within the local assembly is enough to take the wind out of anyone's sails. A word of encouragement can go a long way in restoring one who has a broken spirit. While many brethren look for opportunities to criticize, it is far more honorable to be an "encourager." Paul was! No matter what the outcome at Philippi, he reminds them that their "names are in the book of life."

The Scriptures teach that from the foundation of the world every name has been recorded in the book of life. God has made reservations for all! Interestingly, the "book of the living" is a record of those who possess natural life, so when they die their name is removed (Psa. 69:27,28.), but there is an exception. Those who believe the gospel in their lifetime receive eternal life; therefore their names are sealed by the Holy Spirit on the basis of the finished work of Christ. With this in mind, the names of Euodias, Syntyche, Clement, and the other fellow laborers at Philippi are all permanently sealed in the book of life for time and eternity.

Little wonder then, that Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4). It is significant that we are to rejoice in the Lord, and with the above in mind, Paul adds, "again I say rejoice." As we saw in an earlier lesson, we are to rejoice in the great things He has done for us! You see, we are to rejoice that Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. Rejoice that we have redemption, even the forgiveness of our sins through His precious blood. We are to rejoice that we're justified freely by His grace. This is why the apostle places so much emphasis on this theme throughout the epistle Christ is the source of our joy!

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PHILIPPIANS 4:1-7
Part 3 of 3
By Pastor Paul Sadler



THE PEACE OF GOD

"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:5,6).

These passages indicate tempers must have been flaring at the assembly and that some of the discussions had become heated. The word "moderation" in the original has the idea of being gentle, mild mannered, patient, etc. Paul's purpose in stating this was twofold. First, it would help defuse the volatile situation at the assembly if they simply were gentle and considerate of one another, so the problem could be dealt with in a Christ-like manner. If they would merely stop wanting to have their own way, it would help to resolve the issue.Second, the apostle didn't want to see this assembly tarnish its reputation before the world, which, up to this point in time had been commendable. This is why he states, "Let your gentleness be known unto all men." Once it is known that those Christians are fighting among themselves, the person and work of Christ is disregarded in the eyes of the world.

Undoubtedly, there were believers in this assembly who were confused and anxious, not knowing what to do or where to turn for help. Paul knew that those who were directly involved in the skirmish were only thinking about defending themselves and had completely lost sight of how it was affecting those around them and the long-term ramifications to the Lord's work, not to mention the loss they were going to suffer at the Judgment Seat of Christ. For the sake of those who were victims of the circumstances Paul instructs them accordingly:

"The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

Essentially, the apostle is saying there is no need to become anxious or worry yourself sick over recent events---"the Lord is at hand." He is not saying the Lord's coming is at hand, instead the thought is,"the Lord is present." These believers were to realize the Lord was not far from any one of them. He is omnipresent---a present help in time of need! When a raging storm came up unexpectedly on the Sea of Galilee, the disciples thought it was time to pack their bags for eternity when the waves swept over the bow of the boat. But when the presence of the Lord appeared on deck the fears and worries of the disciples dissipated like the morning dew on a warm summer's day (Matt. 8:23-27). You see, Paul wanted those who were troubled at Philippi to know that the Lord was with them.

Furthermore, Paul tells them to pray, pray without ceasing! But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." There is nothing too small, nothing too great, to lay before Him, as it has been said. The Lord is interested in every aspect of our lives. Many times we go to the Lord in prayer and simply pray about things in general. Supplication, on the other hand, is more specific; it is seeking the face of God for example, with a deep burden for the salvation shall receive of a particular lost soul. Both are to be offered with thanksgiving because we know "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye  KNOW  "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:7).

Most understand this peace to be a tranquil life where they "lie down in  green pastures" and the Lord leads them "beside the still waters" as the Psalmist says. Paul, however, is speaking about the peace of God in the midst of times of trouble and turmoil. It is resting in the sovereignty of God, that He is in control of all things. Having this peace is looking beyond the tragedy, knowing that at that day all things are going to work out for our good and His glory. This is the peace of God that passes all understanding; it will guard your heart and give you peace of mind.

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THE APOSTASY
PART 1 OF 3
by Dr. Harry Bultema

The Thessalonian letters were written first and placed last. Many in our day say: "This position is all wrong for since they were written first, they should be placed before all the other Epistles," but let us be careful and not monkey with God's Word. Whenever man in the realm of nature tries to alter God's order, things go wrong. If he dams the rivers, there are floods in other places; if he uproots the prairies and plows the forest lands, there are choking sandstorms as a result, and this is especially true of God's Word. Not only were the books crystallized into the one canon by a special providence, but every book was divinely put in the right order. Regarding Paul's letters, the mono- gram in Christ binds them all together, but with this bond of union there is, at the same time, a remarkable order and progress of thought.

Romans: in Christ justified by faith.
I Corinthians: in Christ sanctified in church life.
II Corinthians: in Christ fellowship in church life.
Galatians: in Christ crucified to the world and law.
Ephesians: in Christ seated and blessed in the heavenlies.
Philippians: in Christ satisfied and beautified with joy.
Colossians: in Christ, the Head, complete.
Thessalonians: in Christ glorified and triumphant.

Now do you not see that you could not put the glory and the triumph, the victory and vindication of the believers first? Here was progressive revelation. High manifestations of truth as there may be in Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians, there is, nevertheless, an elevation of truth divinely revealed in Thessalonians which is still higher; the saints not only glorified in Christ but Christ glorified in His saints and to be admired by all believers in that day.

The apostle finds nothing to rebuke in this letter, except a wrong application of the second coming truth, just as we see this so often today. He starts this chapter with a prayer by the coming, parousia,

The Thessalonian saints had been shaken by a seducing spirit, acting through false words and even a falsified letter pretending to be from Paul as that the day of the Lord was present. (The unfortunate mistranslation: day of Christ at hand, has led to confusion.) Some thought that the terrible day of the Lord was actually present. He tells them that the awful day of the Lord could not come until there be first a falling away, an apostasy, the word he actually uses.

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THE APOSTASY
PART 2 OF 3
by Dr. Harry Bultema



What is this Apostasy?

I first want to state clearly what it is not. It is not the individual falling away of a believer or of many believers. Our life is hid with Christ in God, and from that treasure spot Satan and all hell can never dig it out. We read in fact that Christ Himself is our life (Col. 3:3-4), hence if our life were to be lost, our Christ would have to be forever lost, and this is utterly unthinkable.

Second, this apostasy does not mean that the Church will fall in ruins. Many speak of the Church this way but this is unscriptural pessimism for the Church cannot be ruined, since it is the habitation of God in the Spirit.

Third, this apostasy does not lie in the past as e.g. in the persecution under the Caesars, or in the Constantinian lapse into proud ecclesiasticism, or into Popedom, or into the Mohammedan swerving from the truth, because Paul clearly has his eagle's eye on the future things of the end time.

Finally this apostasy must not be sought in the mighty bulwarks of heathendom or Buddhism, Brahmanism, or Shintoism, because the apostle is clearly thinking of the sphere of Christendom. This word has been so little understood because Evolutionism with its gospel of advancement and progress and Postmillennialism with its unscriptural optimism have done their share to close the eyes for this unpalatable truth of Scripture. Most Christians, if thinking of the future at all, think of it as a climax, a rising line to be culminated in a happy man made world. Have we not fought two world wars to make a bright and joyous and a war less world full of freedom and plenty? All this makes it hard even for the Bible believer to fully grasp the apostasy of which the apostle is here thinking.

The definite article shows that he is thinking of a definite and clearly revealed apostasy. The Scriptural idea is that before the Lord reveals Himself to Israel and the world, there will be an open rebellion against His truth. Ere the nations will fight Him in Armageddon, they will generally fight His truth on earth, and it is this general decline from and antipathy to His truth that is called The Apostasy. It is a hostile standing away from the truth by those who had it in the Bible, now translated in a thousand tongues. This Apostasy will be a "not obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ," by Jew and Gentile, a not receiving of the love for the truth. It is a most remarkable fact that in the last half century we see a parallel movement in Judaism and Christendom. The Jews have in the majority broken with Moses and the Prophets, and those who bear the name of Christ have completely swerved away from the truth of the Gospel, and both Jews and Gentiles now try to find each other in a bloodless humanitarian gospel of brotherhood!

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THE APOSTASY
PART 3 OF 3
by Dr. Harry Bultema



In my own mind,  I am fully convinced that this is part of the predicted Apostasy, which shall sweep everything before it, except those who are rooted and grounded in Christ. The apostle thought of this when he warned in Ephesians 6:13 to take on the panoply of God, that the saints may be able to "withstand in the evil day and having done all to stand." So strong will be the pressure from hell that even with the all-armor of God the believer can only withstand and stand in that evil day of apostasy. Certainly this age has always been evil, but that is not the question; at the end of this age there will be special evils, so we have been clearly taught.

The same apostasy is in view in I Timothy 4:1; "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron. " He has the same thing in mind in 6:20,21, where we read: "O Timothy keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith" - "This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof; from such turn away" (2 Tim. 3:1-5). As Jannes and Jambres of old withstood Moses, so do these apostates withstand the truth. They are corrupt and reprobate concerning the faith. These apostates wax worse and worse. They will not endure sound doctrine. They turn their ears away from the truth and turn unto fables of Higher Criticism and Evolutionism, and all sorts of old wives fables. Thus, this apostasy has been clearly delineated in its rise, character, and result. As to its rise, it will be a movement away from the historic faith in the last days of this age, which synchronize with the last days of the Times of the Gentiles. As to its character, it will be anti christian; against the truth and against the ancient standards of morality, just as we see it in our day. The very foundations of our so called Christian society and civilization are shaking and subsiding. Many leaders have forsaken the Word, and as Jeremiah said of old, what wisdom is there left? As to its result, this apostasy will bring forth the Antichrist, and this dark some personality demands our attention next, and we shall see that the devil himself is the source, substance, sum and summation of it all. The Apostasy and the Antichrist shall come to their frightful climax.

My dear friend, if I would ask you where you expect to spend your winter or summer vacation you would give me a candid reply, but if I ask you, in the name of the crucified, coming Christ, where you will spend your eternity, what will then your answer be? You are offered at this very moment the gift of salvation in Christ; will you receive it? If you refuse this gift you cannot escape the damnation of hell (Matt. 23:33). The door of God's grace and glory is wide open with an invitation to enter in. Oh, do not refuse the Savior, but receive Him now as the gift of God's love and then you shall rejoice, even when soon this world will be wrapped in the flames of judgment. Come as you are and come just now!

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BASIC DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN PROPHECY AND THE MYSTERY


PROPHECY

Concerns a kingdom; a political organization
(Dan. 2:44, Matt. 6:10).

The kingdom to be established on earth
(Jer. 23:5, Matt. 6:10).

Christ to be its King (Jer.
    23.5, Isa. 9:6,7).

The kingdom prophesied "since the
world began" (Luke 1:68-70, Acts 3:21).

Israel to be given supremacy over the
nations (Isa. 60:10-12,61:6).

The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel's
instrumentality ( Gen. 22: 17,18, Zech. 8:13).

The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel's rise
(Isa. 60:1-3, Zech. 8:22,23).

Prophecy mainly concerns nations as such
(lsa. 2:4, Ezek.37:21,22).

Prophecy concerns blessings, both material and
spiritual, on earth (I Isa. 2:3, 4, 11:1-9, etc.).

Prophecy concerns Christ's coming to the earth
(Isa. 59:20, Zech. 14:4).

In prophecy salvation by grace through faith
alone is not contemplated.

The proclamation of the prophetic program committed
particularly to the twelve (Matt. 10:5-7, Acts 1:6-8, 3:19-26) .

The prophetic program revealed through
many of God's servants (Luke 1:70, II Pet. 1:21).

Old testament writers frequently did not understand the
prophecies made known through them (Dan. 12:8-10, I Pet. 1: 10-12).

i.e., Paul's own writings. Certainly not the Old Testament Scriptures. See the "now" in Eph. 3 :5.

"Those who question whether the items listed under this heading are associated with the mystery have but to search and see whether they can find them In prophecy.


THE MYSTERY

Concerns a body; a living organism (I Cor. 12: 12,27, Eph. 4: 12-16).

The body given a position in heaven (Eph. 1:3, 2:5-6, Col. 3:1-3).

Christ its living Head (Eph. 1:19-23, Col. 1:18.).

The body chosen in Christ before the world began, but "kept secret since the world began" (Rom. 16:25, Eph. 1:4-11, 3:5-9).

Jew and Gentile placed on the same level before God (Rom. 10:12, 11:32, Eph. 2: 16,17) .

The Gentiles blessed through Israel's obstinacy (Acts 13:44-46, Rom. 11:28-32).

The Gentiles blessed through Israel's fall (Acts 28:27,28, Rom. 11:11,12,15).

The mystery concerns individuals (Rom. 10:12,13, II Cor. 5:14-17).

The mystery concerns "all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies" (Eph. 1:3, Col. 3: 1-3).

The mystery explains Christ's present absence from the earth (Eph. 1:20-23, Col. 3:1-3).

Salvation by grace through faith alone lies at the very heart of the mystery (Rom. 3:21-26,4:5, Eph. 2:8,9).

The proclamation of the mystery committed particularly to Paul (Eph. 3:1-3, 8,9, Col. 1:24-27).

The mystery revealed through one man: Paul (Gal. 1:1,11,12, 2:2,7,9, Eph. 3:2,3).

Paul both understood and longed that others might understand the mystery revealed through him. (Eph. 1:15-23, 3:14-21, Col. 1:9-10, 2:1-3).

QUIZ

1.    Which is the most important division of the Bible? 2. When and through whom was the old covenant (or testament) made? 3. When and through whom was the new covenant made? 4. What is the main subject of prophecy? 5. What form of government will prevail in the Messianic kingdom? 6. Where will the kingdom be set up? 7. What great change will take place in Israel with the establishment of this kingdom? 8. What will be the relation of the Gentiles to Israel in the Messianic kingdom? 9. What is the main subject of the mystery? 10. At what point in Israel's history did God begin to reveal the mystery? 11. What is the relative status of Gentiles to Jews before God today? 12. What is the relation between Jewish and Gentile believers today? 13. Where is The believer's position and citizenship today? 14. What erroneous method of interpretation have some theologians applied to the kingdom prophecies? 15. What has caused them to adopt this method? 16. How does this method of interpretation affect the rest of Scripture? 17. What is the relation of this method to the prevailing heresies of our day? 18. What is the solution to the problem which has caused some theologians to adopt this method? 19. Name five basic distinctions between prophecy and the mystery. 20. Give five Scriptures to show the importance of the mystery.

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Life More Abundant
Part One
Facing Death with Hope
By Gregg Bing

The Bible describes our time here on earth as "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). We might think that if a person lives to be 80, 90, or even 100 years that they have had a long life, but in comparison to eternity, our span of years comes and goes like a vapor. Many people assume that our time on earth is all there is. As they face the prospect of death, for themselves or for a loved one, they are filled with deep sorrow. There is a finality about death that leaves them feeling devastated.

While the prospect of one's own death or the death of a loved one is a time of sorrow, grief and loss, we need not face this time without hope and without comfort.

Life Beyond this Earth

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he reminded them that there is life beyond our time here on earth.

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16-18.)

Our physical life here on earth is temporary. The afflictions we experience in these bodies of flesh, the "outward man," are "light" and last only "for a moment." But, Paul stresses there is life beyond just the physical. We have an "inward man" that is spiritual and eternal. The sufferings we experience in this life will one day give way to a "weight of glory," a glory that far exceeds our present sufferings, a glory that will last for all eternity. The things we see and experience with our senses are temporary. There are things we cannot see with our physical eyes; there are eternal things that can only be seen with the eyes of faith.

Life More Abundant

When the Lord Jesus Christ lived here on earth, He said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). A person may have what the world considers to be a full life; maybe a life of many years, maybe a life with great financial success, maybe a life of great popularity, maybe a life filled with the love of family and friends: all things that people consider important. Jesus came to provide us with a life more abundant than anything the world can offer. Jesus came to give us life spiritually, a life of blessings that exceeds anything we experience in this world, a life that will last forever.

How did Jesus provide this abundant life for us? Jesus did not come into this world to teach us a way to live. It is true; Jesus was the greatest teacher who ever lived. We can learn many things from studying what He taught, but that is not why He came. Jesus did not come to provide an example for us to follow. Certainly, Jesus is the perfect Man. He lived a perfect, sinless life, a life that provides a wonderful example of a Man who humbled Himself and became obedient to the will of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-8.). However, trying to follow Jesus' example and live as He did will not bring us "life more abundant."

Jesus came into this world for one purpose: to die. This is why the eternal Son of God had to become a Man and take a body of flesh and blood—to shed His blood and die, that we might live. To many this makes no sense; it seems foolish. Why, they ask, did Jesus have to go through this?

Why is There Death?

People struggle with this question because they fail to understand two important truths. The first truth is that people, by nature, are sinful. We are born that way. The common belief is that people are basically good, and since God is loving and merciful, He will accept those who at least try to live a good life. While this assumption may sound reasonable to us, it is simply not true. The Scriptures tell us, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12). In Paul's letter to the Romans, he declared,

"There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one." (Romans 3:10-12)

We may not like to hear these things, but they are true. No one does what is right in God's eyes. Other people may consider us righteous, but God does not. "All of our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" in the sight of a perfect God (Isaiah 64:6). None of us will seek after God on our own. It is not in our nature. We turn aside and follow our own desires, not to please God, but to please ourselves. No one does what is good in God's sight. Again, we might appear to other people to have good character or to do good deeds, but the nature we are born with is a sinful nature. There is "nothing good" that dwells in us by nature (Romans 7:18.).

There are no exceptions to this, for "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Because of our sins, we "fall short" of God and His perfect standards. Why is this the case? Where did sin come from? When did it begin?

Sin began with one man: Adam. God created Adam and Eve to have a relationship with them. He placed them in a perfect place, the garden of Eden, where all their needs were provided. God met with them, walked and talked with them each day. They were allowed to freely eat from all the trees of the garden except one: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God warned Adam that in the day he ate from this forbidden tree, he would "surely die" (Genesis 2:17).

In spite of this warning, Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and, thus, sinned against God. Though they did not die physically that very day, the process of death began in their bodies. Bodies that had once been incorruptible were now susceptible to disease and pain. Bodies that had once been immortal could now physically die.

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Life More Abundant
Part Two
Facing Death with Hope
By Gregg Bing

Another Type of Death

The sentence of death was more than just physical death; it also meant spiritual death. Spiritual death is separation from God. The very moment Adam and Eve sinned, they were separated from God. They felt the shame and the guilt of their sin immediately. They tried to cover their nakedness and guilt by making coverings for their bodies from the leaves of the trees. They tried to hide themselves from God amongst the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:7-8.). In judging them, God expelled them from the garden and no longer walked and talked with them daily, as He had done before their sin (Genesis 3:23-24).

When Adam disobeyed God, his sin and the consequences of that sin, death, passed upon all men. We read in Romans 5:12: "Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned." Because of Adam's sin, we all became sinners, for we inherited his sin nature. As a result, we are all under the same penalty for sin as Adam: death. "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The word "wages" means the just payment which is due for sin is death.

However, God is a loving, merciful and gracious God. He did not abandon us in this terrible state: "dead in trespasses and sins." God, in fact, "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4); His plan and purpose all along was to "reconcile" us or bring us back to Him. The problem is that God cannot accept us in our sinful state. God cannot simply overlook or excuse our sins.

The second truth that many people fail to understand is that God is absolutely holy and righteous. This is why we, as sinners, "fall short." God is holy, meaning He is separate from sin. God is so pure, He cannot accept what is wicked and sinful (Habakkuk 1:13). God actually hates sin. We don't often think of a God of love being capable of hatred, but He does hate sin (Jeremiah 44:4). (Though God hates sin, as we shall see, He loves sinners. We must be careful to make this distinction.) God is also righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4), meaning He always does what is right or just. A righteous God must judge sin, and the just reward (wages) for sin is death (Romans 6:23).

Our problem is that in our sinful state and with our sinful nature, we are helpless to do anything to change our miserable condition. How, then, can sinful people ever be accepted by a holy God? The answer is through the death of a substitute. Someone would have to die in our place to pay the penalty for our sins, but this substitute must be without sin. This requirement was illustrated when Israel lived under the law. The people were required to bring a lamb to die as a sacrifice to cover their sins, but these sacrificial lambs, these substitutes, had to be "without blemish" (Leviticus 1:3). Because all people are sinners, none of us is qualified to be a substitute for anyone else's sins.

The only Person who is without sin is God, therefore, only He could die as a substitute for people's sins. However, God is a Spirit (John 4:24). In order to shed His blood and die for our sins, God had to become a Man; He had to take on a body of flesh and blood. The eternal Son of God "was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14) so that He could provide the way for sinful men to be reconciled to God. The Lord Jesus Himself declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father, except through Me" (John 14:6). How did God accomplish this wonderful reconciliation?

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Life More Abundant
Part Three
Facing Death with Hope
By Gregg Bing




Life through Death

God's provision of salvation for a sinful world came at great cost to Him. He endured harsher sufferings than anything we face here on earth. Some of Jesus' sufferings we can identify with; sufferings we cringe at when we think about them. Jesus was subjected to extremely painful physical sufferings: beaten with a rod, crowned with thorns, scourged with a whip, and nailed to a cross for the slow, cruel death of crucifixion. Jesus suffered emotional anguish as well: rejected by His own people, the very ones He had created, abandoned by His closest friends, betrayed by one of those friends, and denied three times by another. Jesus suffered the social stigma associated with being crucified, a punishment reserved for the worst of criminals. He was publicly humiliated, mocked, and insulted as He hung on that cross for six long hours.

As terrible as these forms of suffering were, Jesus endured far worse. Philippians 2:8 says that Jesus "became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." The "death of the cross" has reference not just to death by crucifixion, but Jesus' death on the cross. God's sinless Son not only "became flesh;" He also "became sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21). As He hung there on that cross, Jesus Christ "bore our sins in His own body on the tree" (1 Peter 2:24).

Christ died for our sins in two different ways: He shed His blood and died physically for us because "without the shedding of blood there is no remission (forgiveness) of sins" (Hebrews 9:22), but Jesus also died spiritually. What does this mean? As Christ neared death, He cried out in agony, "My God, My God, Why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46). Because Jesus bore our sins, He was separated from God, completely and utterly forsaken by His Father. That is what spiritual death means. We can understand, to some extent, how it might feel to be forsaken by our own father, but Jesus' relationship with God the Father was closer and dearer than any relationship we have in this world. The agony Jesus experienced when His Father turned His face away was more painful than anything we can imagine. This dreadful judgment should have been ours, but He took it for us!

Why would God do this for us? The simple and wonderful answer is love. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). God did not love us because of any goodness or good works on our part. "God demonstrated His own love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8.). It was "not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10). The word "propitiation" simply means satisfaction. Christ's sacrificial death as a substitute for our sins satisfied all of God's holy and righteous requirements.

Just before Christ died, He cried out with a loud voice, "It is finished!" (John 19:30). His sacrificial work was complete, meaning that the wages (or penalty) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2) was "paid in full." God proved He was satisfied with Christ's sacrifice for our sins by raising Him from the dead after three days in the grave. Jesus was raised unto eternal life, never to die again (Romans 6:9-10), and because He lives, we can live as well.

The Gift of Life

Romans 6:23 begins with bad news: "the wages of sin is death," but it concludes with good news: "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The gospel, or good news, for all men is that "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

While Christ has paid the penalty for everyone's sins, and the gift of eternal life is available to all people, not everyone is saved and reconciled to God. Why not? Because the gift of salvation must be received by each person individually. We do not have to earn it or work for it, for it is a gift! Therefore, it is "not by works of righteousness which we have done" (Titus 3:5). Salvation is by God's grace; it is His gift to us, though a gift we certainly do not deserve. So, how is it received?

Continued

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Life More Abundant
Part Four
Facing Death with Hope
By Gregg Bing

This wonderful gift of eternal life can only be received by simple faith in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished for us on the cross. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is not by any goodness in us—there is none! Salvation is not by any good works we do—there are none! Salvation is by faith, which means that we trust in God to save us from our sins; we rely upon His finished work on the cross, not on any of our own works.

When we hear the "word of truth, the gospel of our salvation" and trust in Christ as our Savior, God's Holy Spirit places us "in Christ" and seals us there "until the day of redemption" (Ephesians 1:12-14). We are "made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21), and "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). The moment we put our faith in Christ, we are "passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). This truly is "life more abundant!"

Life—Even in Death

What happens, then, at death, to those who have this abundant life in Christ? While spiritual death is separation from God, physical death is also a separation. When a person dies physically, their spirit is separated from their body. The body, which is made of dust, "will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The spirit of an unbeliever will be reserved for eternal judgment by God, but what happens to the spirit of a believer? Paul expressed the hope, or expectation, we have as believers in Christ in his second letter to the Corinthians.

"So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:6-8.)

Even though we are saved from our sins, as long as we live in these bodies of sinful flesh, we cannot enter into God's presence, thus we are "absent from the Lord." However, when we physically die, we become "absent from the body." Our spirits are separated from our bodies of sin, thus making it possible for us to be "present with the Lord." Paul spoke of death for the believer as a departure. He wrote to the Philippians of his desire "to depart and be with Christ which is far better" (Philippians 1:23). This is what death means to a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. When we physically die, our spirit departs from our body and enters into the very presence of the Lord, which, as Paul says, is "far better." In His presence, there is no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears, and no more suffering. The Psalmist David wrote that in the presence of the Lord there is "fullness of joy" and "pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).

This is the blessed hope of every believer in Christ. This is what we can look forward to, with expectation. We are confident this is what our future holds, because this is what God has promised us in His Word. Not only do we have the hope of one day being with the Lord; we also have the hope of being like Him.

Christ is our life, and one day He will appear in the air to take His church (all believers in this present age of grace) home to be with Him in heaven (Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.). When that day comes, those believers who have already died physically will have their bodies resurrected. Those believers who are still alive when He comes, will be caught up together with the "dead in Christ," and "we shall all be changed" (1 Corinthians 15:51-57). Our sinful, shameful bodies of flesh will be transformed and made like the glorious body of our risen Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20-21), and "so shall we ever be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). What a wonderful message of hope and comfort!

What About You?

Do you have this abundant life in Christ? Do you have this blessed hope in Him? If so, you can rejoice and take comfort in knowing what the future holds for you, even in facing death. If not, you are still lost, spiritually dead in your sins, and separated from God. However, you need not spend eternity in this miserable condition. You can be saved from your sins today. You can be reconciled to God and receive the gift of eternal life if you simply trust Christ as your Savior. He will give you such a wonderful life, a life more abundant than your mere existence here on earth. He will bless you with a life of love, joy, and peace—a life with Him that will last for all eternity.


MY PRAYER LORD

Father,
Now that I am "in Christ". From this moment on, I choose to have your son, Jesus Christ, live His life in me and through me. I consider myself dead to sin and alive to you, and I am counting on the Holy Spirit to make me aware when I forget my death with Christ and try to live His life for Him in my own human wisdom and energy. I choose to yield my total being to you as an instrument of righteousness, allowing no part of me to be used for sin. Thank you for making Christ and his life real to me. Glorify yourself through me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen,"
Romans 12:1

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RECONCILED UNTO GOD IN ONE BODY
By FLOYD BAKER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2: 16

"And that he might reconcile both unto God in one Body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby." Our word reconcile comes from the Greek word APOKATALLASSO and has the meaning, "to reconcile completely; to change from one condition to another, so as to remove all enmity and leave no impediment to unity and peace" (W.E.Vine). In your study of the Scriptures it is important to remember that the WORLD has been conciliated to God (11 Corinthians 5:19) but the believer is reconciled to God. In both instances it is God who has taken the initiative and in 11 Corinthians the appeal is to the unsaved to be conciliated to God while in Ephesians the action is completed. Believing Jews and Gentiles are not reconciled to each other but both to God with the end result being ONE BODY.

We see in our context starting with verse 11 that the Gentiles were "afar off, while the Jews were nigh." The Body of Christ is God's special purpose for the present administration and is called a "new man," and is not to be confused with His kingdom people and program. These are not Jews of the kingdom program becoming members of the Body of Christ but those who have been saved into the Body of Christ. We see that it is all made possible by the cross. To the Jew the cross was a stumbling block and to the Greek foolishness, but to us who believe, the power and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23,24). With Paul we declare, "Unto him glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

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RECONCILIATION
by John Baker



To understand reconciliation it helps to understand its antonym, alienation. Alienation means to be outside - isolated -separated - estranged. We must accept the fact of alienation in order to receive the great truth of reconciliation.

The unbeliever is in a threefold state of alienation:

* From the commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2:11-12
* From the life of God. Ephesians 4:17-18
* From God Himself. Colossians 1:21

In Christ we have been reconciled to God, to Israel, and have eternal life. Reconcile means reunite; reconnect; restore; or change completely the relationship.

Following are two non-doctrinal examples of reconciliation:

I Corinthians 7:10,11 - "And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife." In this case to be reconciled means to be reunited.

Mathew 5:23,24 - "Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." Here the exhortation to change enmity for friendship or a strained relationship for reconciliation. The idea is to change the relationship completely. To be reconciled is to be reconnected; to be brought into a friendly relationship and back on speaking terms.

How does this apply to the alienation of Jew and Gentile? (Ephesians 2:11,12) The barrier between Jew and Gentile has been broken down and both have been reconciled unto God in one body. This was accomplished at the cross where Christ slew the enmity (see Ephesians 2:13-16). There is a new relationship in the body of Christ between Jew and Gentile. There is a new relationship between both Jew and Gentile and God. Both Jew and Gentile have been reconciled by the cross and brought into a new relationship with God described as the one new man; the body of Christ. The previous priorities by the Jew have been put aside. The Gentiles were alienated and separated, but now, they have been brought nigh through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off (Gentiles), and to them that are nigh (Jews), For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:17,18.).

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (II Corinthians 5:19). Through the death of Christ God changed completely the position of mankind (the world) in its relationship to Himself. The Bible never states that God is reconciled. God's righteousness never changes. God is immutable-never changing. Through the finished work of Christ on the cross, God sees the world reconciled. He is not changed or reconciled Himself.

Some Scriptures that talk about reconciliation are:

Romans 11:15 - The casting aside of Israel is the reconciling of the world.

Colossians 1:20 - all things are reconciled.

II Corinthians 5:19 - whole world reconciled.

From these references we conclude that reconciliation does not necessarily mean salvation. Reconciliation does mean that the world has been brought into a position or relationship to God whereby He can deal with the world in grace instead of wrath. In simple terms, reconciliation means man has been made saveable. This was all made possible by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole world was not saved, nor is the whole world going to be saved. At the cross of Calvary God made reconciliation; this is an accomplished fact. Now, because of this accomplished fact, God can deal with the world in His grace. In II Corinthians 5:19 it says that God is not imputing our sins, but instead He is offering peace. Because of the cross, and what was accomplished there, God is able to deal with the world in His grace. The world has been reconciled through the blood of His cross. Man has been made saveable. The world is so altered, so changed in its position in respect to the holy judgments of God that it is rendered saveable.

II Corinthians 5:20 exhorts believers "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." As Christ's messengers we have been committed the word (or message) of reconciliation. We are to go forth in His behalf, beseeching others to appropriate this reconciliation as their own. Having been reconciled - be ye reconciled is not double talk. Man still has to accept God's grace and reconciliation. This is where faith comes into the picture. We are to put our trust in His finished work and appropriate the truth of reconciliation as our very own. God is beseeching the world to receive the reconciliation which has been made. God is offering peace and reconciliation and we are to be His messengers.

One of the obstacles between man and God is the law. This is God's standard and it condemns all, for none can meet God's standard. The Lord Jesus Christ took away this obstacle at the cross and the world has been reconciled. The demands and condemnation of the law have been satisfied, the guilt has been paid for, and the heart can be changed through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is all possible because God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.

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Jesus Christ the Same
By John LaVier

(Written May 1953)

A verse that has been much misunderstood is Hebrews 13:8. There we read: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever." Along with this verse we ought to read the verse following, which says, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines," for many divers and strange doctrines have been taught using Hebrews 13:8 as a proof text. There are those who say that since Jesus Christ is the same, we should expect Him to work in the same manner today as He did in the days of yore. They are trying to duplicate the miracles of Jesus of Nazareth and the result is confusion and fanaticism.

Jesus Christ is ever the same insofar as His essential character and deity are concerned. He is the unchanging One, reminding us of Psalm 102:25-27, "Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed. But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end." Yes, He is ever the same, and He could truly say, "I am the Lord, I change not." He is the Eternal Christ, the first and the last, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord God Almighty.

But though Christ is the same as to His Person, even the most casual study of the Word ought to convince us that His program for His people is not always the same. When Christ was here upon earth He was a minister of the circumcision (Rom. 15:8.), sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 15:24). If He is still in this character today there is not much hope for the Gentiles. He was in the midst of Israel as their Messiah and King, and they were preaching the gospel of the kingdom and all the kingdom signs were being manifested. However, Israel would not receive Him as King, and so the kingdom program was postponed. After the death and resurrection of Christ, and after Israel refused the offer of repentance in the book of Acts, God turned away from the Jew and turned to the Gentile. Then He brought in the dispensation of grace, the Secret made known through Paul, and what He is doing today is something far different than what He was doing when the Lord Jesus Christ was here upon earth.

In Matthew 9:35 we read that Jesus went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Then in Matthew 10:5-7 He commissioned the disciples, commanding them not to go to the Gentiles, but only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and they were to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand. Now this is certainly not God’s message for the present dispensation. Instead of preaching the gospel of the kingdom today we are to preach the gospel of the grace of God, and that is an entirely different thing. The gospel of the kingdom had to do with the establishment here upon earth of the visible, Messianic kingdom that was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, with Israel in the place of supremacy as the head and not the tail. The gospel of the grace of God is God’s good news that while Israel is for a season set aside, He is reaching out to all mankind, and that today "there is no difference between the Jew and the Gentile: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him, and whosoever (Jew or Gentile) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:12). God is willing to save by grace any sinner who will put their trust in His Son. We are saved by grace, apart from Israel’s law and apart from human works of any kind, and it is through faith, without sight or signs of any kind.

When the Lord was here on earth He was presented as King, the promised Messiah and Redeemer of Israel. When He came into Jerusalem in lowly humiliation, riding on an ass’s colt, the people went forth to meet Him, and cried, "Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (John 12:13). Now we see Him in a new position, in heavenly exaltation, at God’s right hand, and He is not there as King of Israel but as Head of the Church, His Body. Now those who are saved are likewise made to sit at God’s right hand, as members of Christ’s Body, with a heavenly hope and calling. There is assuredly a big difference between the kingdom to be established here on earth, and the Body of Christ completed and caught up in the rapture to meet the Lord in the air and to be forever with Him in glory.

Yes, Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever, and He never changes, but He has surely changed His program for His people in this dispensation.

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Thank God
Lessons from the Book of Job
By Lori Gardner


The book of Job is a fascinating study for many reasons. We get a glimpse of some of the interaction between God and Satan. It is comforting to read that Satan is limited and that God can make a "hedge" of protection around his people. We see the wonders of creation and rejoice in the power behind it as we ask the age old question, "Why do the righteous suffer?" Along with these lessons, we also find several things for which we can give thanks to God.

Thank God
For a True Friend

Job lost ten children, his livestock, and most of his servants in one day's time. Then he was stricken with "sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown." As soon as they heard the news, three of Job's friends came to visit him. At first, they sat silently with him because they saw his "grief was very great." Then they felt they had to speak in order to help Job make sense of his misery. Their speeches cover many chapters and they are full of accusations, and self-righteousness. Each friend, in his own long-winded way, said the same thing, "Job, if you were really innocent, you would not be suffering" (Job 4:7; 8:6; 11:6). Job found no comfort or peace in their words.

There are times when the most sincere words from our friends are not enough to comfort us. Thank God we have someone that loves us unconditionally, and knows our every need. John 15:13 describes the characteristic of a true friend, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The Lord Jesus Christ is that friend, the One who gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He assures us in His Word, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb.13:5; Deut. 31:6). Nothing can separate us from His love (Rom. 8:38-39). We are told to cast all our care upon Him, knowing that He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7). When we feel desperate, His answer is, "My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:10).

Thank God
For His Mercy

Job's friends insisted that he must have done something terrible to deserve such suffering. There are times when we suffer consequences for the choices we make, but Job's calamity was not brought on by any particular sin on his part. The Bible describes Job as "perfect and upright, one that feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1). He was considered to be these things because of his faith, which is why God held him up as an example to Satan (Job 1:8; 2:3). The Lord knew that no matter what happened in Job's life, he would "hold fast his integrity."

Mercy means not getting what we really deserve. Job was only seen as perfect and upright because of God's mercy. The Scriptures tell us that we are all born in sin and deserve death as a result (Rom. 5:13; 3:23; 6:23). The only way we can escape a life of misery and eternal separation from God is by receiving by faith His gift of salvation. We can rejoice in the fact that according to His mercy He has saved us (Titus 2:5). It is through Him that we are made righteous (2 Cor. 5:21). Thank God we don't get what we deserve.

Thank God
There's More to Life

In Job 19:13-24, he laments over his circumstances. Physically, Job had become skin and bone. All of his family and friends had forgotten him, and even his wife found him repulsive. In spite of all of this, he still had the hope that one day things would be better. He says, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26). Job knew that one day he would be in the very presence of the Lord and all of his suffering and heartache would be over.

The Apostle Paul wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable" (1 Cor. 15:19). Believers have assurance from God's Word that the sufferings of our present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us (Rom. 8:18.). We simply cannot imagine the things which God has prepared for those that love Him (1 Cor. 1:9; Is. 64:4). Thank God believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can look forward to a blessed, heavenly future.

Having endured these hardships, the latter part of Job's life was blessed more than the beginning. He lived one hundred and forty more years, saw four generations of sons grow up, and died being old and full of days.

Man cannot begin to understand why God works the way He does. Job summed it up well when he said, "I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from thee" (Job 42:2). God is all powerful and all knowing. He has a reason for everything He does. We may not understand it, but we can be thankful that everything He does is because of His love for us.

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The God of Peace - Part 1 of 7
By K. Blades



Peace. Even the sound of the word has something soothing and pleasant about it. Though not strictly classified as an onomatopoetic word, it possesses the essential quality of such, both in English as well as in other languages. It has no sharpness in sound nor in appearance; no jarring impact occurs when it is spoken, heard, or read. Rather in accordance with its meaning it possesses the exact opposite features, being quiet in sound and gentle on contact.

Hence in meaning and in sound the word "peace" is welcomed by our inner man. It is no intruder or unwanted guest. Of all the visitors that come 'knocking on the door of our mind,' peace is one that we long to see and readily receive. It is the most welcome of guests. Moreover we want it to reside with us; to make itself at home with us. It can never overstay its welcome, for it is always welcome. Because of this we are grieved whenever peace takes its leave, and when unwanted guests arrive to take its place in our minds. We are not at ease and relaxed when we are intruded upon by such characters as stress, distress, grief, sorrow, perplexity, anxiety; carefulness, worry, fear, dread, despair, and the like. Their visits are always unsettling and up-setting. Hence we long to see them leave, and for peace to pay us a visit again.

Peace, therefore, is something we much desire. We also view it as a most precious commodity. For often we will seek it at great cost; sometimes even at all costs. This is because there is little that compares with 'being at peace,' both in our inner man and in our relationships with others. In view of this, being 'at peace' is often the consummate expression used by psychologists and the like when referring to what best characterizes 'good mental health.'

Now peace in its various forms and occurrences is not only something that we naturally desire in the details of our lives, it is also something that God Himself wants us to possess. Hence He has fully provided for us to have it, and as such He both deliberately and constantly extends it to us. In fact understanding and appreciating the reality of this is so fundamental to our relationship with God, and to our fellowship with Him in our daily lives, that He has Paul preface each of his epistles to us with this very offering by saying,..

"Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ:"