GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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"Blessed Assurances"
Part 2 of 2
by Dennis Kiszonas

Paul's next phrase is, "We have ... "

 ''Therefore, having been justified by faith, "Paul writes, ''we have ... "

What does it actually mean to say, 'we have'? This is a present tense verb that indicates continual possession. An uninterrupted, continual possession of all of the following blessings. Having settled the matter of salvation, we presently and continually have as our constant possessions the blessings that are coming up. These are not blessings that come and go, or vary from day to day depending on our circumstances, or our obedience or faithfulness or spiritual experience, these are constants, real 'Blessed Assurances.' Things that every believer in Christ can be sure of all the time.

#1 Peace with God

"Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. " We have at all times now that we are saved, peace with God. He no longer has anything at all against us, in fact we can now be assured that He is "for us" -- ''If God be for us who can be against us?" Romans 8:31. Because of the cross where the Lord paid for everything we've ever done or ever will do wrong, God says to the believer that we have as our constant possession at all times, peace with Him. He is for us, on our side, in our corner.

Of course, we each have a personal struggle with an enemy who restlessly wants to convince us otherwise. Satan uses every possible circumstance, every possible "wile of the devil" to try to shake our confidence, and make us wonder if indeed God is really on our side at all. But as long as we remember and believe that God has nothing against us and is on our side, we are invincible, unbeatable.

I mean, as Paul says, If Almighty God is on our side--think of that!--then really, who can be against us--they try to be, but who can succeed against us if God is on our side?

But we need to always remember, it is ''peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This is all by the grace of God and not by our own worthiness, our own efforts and good works. It is all because of Him and His cross work for us. Believe it and be thankful forever!

#2 Standing in Grace

Romans 5:2 "through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. "

Not only do we have peace with God as our present continual possession through Christ, but also through Him we have "access by faith into this grace"

'Access' could well be translated here as a 'welcome.' Through the Lord Jesus, God actually welcomed us into His grace through faith. The red-carpet was rolled out, enemies were invited to come, even welcomed into this amazing grace when we put our faith in the Lord Jesus who paid the penalty in full for us.

And once we enter into this grace of God salvation by believing in the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we are now told even further, not only were we welcomed into this grace, but now we are 'standing in this grace.'  We were welcomed into this grace at the moment of our salvation, and now ever after we are standing in grace.

For one thing, that means that there is no way we can "lose our salvation." We're not standing in our own works, or our own faithfulness. We would all fail. But we are standing in His grace--"And if it is by grace it is no longer by works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." Romans 11:6. Our standing before God no longer depends upon our works but is in His grace. We are not standing in a performance system, but in His grace.

#3 We have a sure hope.

Paul finishes verse 2 by writing, "and (we) rejoice in hope of the glory of God"

We had read in Romans 3:23, that we all fall short of the glory of God. If we didn't let God save us by His grace, none of us would ever see the glory of God in heaven. Now, though, because of the cross and His grace, we are rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.

"Hope" here is not the weak sort of "hope" that we often speak of in English. We sometimes hear a person say, "I hope I'm going to heaven." That's more like "wishing" for it.

Like saying, "I hope it doesn't rain and ruin our picnic." That is a wish, some-thing that we want but are very unsure whether we'll get.

You can't "rejoice" in a hope like that! How could anyone rejoice in some-thing that they aren't even sure that they have?

This "hope" that Paul writes about though is not like that. It is a hope that is sure for the future. I am sure, I expect to see the glory of God, I know I'm going to heaven because the Lord has paid for everything wrong that I've ever done or ever will do, therefore I am rejoicing ahead of time. When a believer thinks about the Lord's coming for us, or when we think about dying, we see these things as events full of joy. We have here an assurance in the face of death and the uncertainties of life.

Let's stop and quickly review the blessings of these first two verses in Romans 5.

#1 We have peace with God -- He is on our side, He is for us-- at all times and in every circumstance.

#2 We were welcomed into His grace and now we are standing in His grace by faith in the Lord Jesus. We are not on a performance system to earn God's love or to keep this relationship alive. We are standing in His grace, and therefore it is, "no longer of works, otherwise grace isn't grace any more. " (Romans 11:6)

#3 We are rejoicing in our expectation ad hope of one day sharing in the glory of God in heaven. In the present we have peace and grace, for the future we have a sure hope of glory. What more could we ask?

Now we go on to a surprising statement in Romans 5:3-4. We might think that having God on our side, and standing in His grace would guarantee that our life would be "problem-free." No more worries about financial problems. No more concern that we might get cancer or die in a war or lose our job or have a divorce in our marriage or a problem with a child on drugs or in prison.

That's what I thought when I became a Christian. I thought that all my problems would be solved because now God is my Father and He's going to bless my life with abundance in every way---abundant health, finances, love from family and friends. All the good things in life would be mine. If you believe that, you're going to have some big problems in the Christian life! Just read the next verses--Romans 5:3-4:

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

There you have it: Tribulations are part of the Christian life--and Paul even welcomed them! If anybody ever tells you that problems are not going to be your lot when you're saved, just remember these verses. God says that tribulations are part of His plan for us and that we should welcome them because He allows them to come into our lives for His good purposes.

Of course, whenever we're facing problems, especially long, hard, problems that just seem like they're never going to be solved, we begin to wonder, why did God do this to me? Did I do something that caused Him to turn against me?

The devil just loves when we begin to question, and doubt God. If he can drive a wedge between us and God, he's got us beat.

At times like that we need to review verses I and 2. "I have at all times as my permanent and constant possession peace with God. He is on my side, He has nothing against me, it was all paid for by my Savior at the cross. And I am now standing in the same grace that I was welcomed into on the first day that I believed. And I am going to glory. So how can I think that God has somehow now turned against His word and His promises and has somehow turned against me?" Impossible! Unthinkable! "God is faithful.... "

So Paul writes, tribulations are part of life even for us who have God on our side, even while we're standing in His grace and on our way to glory.

Paul even says, don't just groan about those tribulations, but actually rejoice in them! They come for a good reason even if they feel awfully hard to accept. God uses tribulations in our lives to cause us to grow. "Knowing that tribulation produces perseverance ... character ... hope. "

Its "knowing" God's purpose in allowing the tribulations that causes us to have a new attitude about them.

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THE ONE SPIRIT
PART 1 OF 2
BY Pastor Richardson


Holy angels are spiritual emissaries of God. Demons( fallen angels) our spiritual beings, who assiduously carry out their  assigned  tasks by their prince(  Eph. 2:2; 6:12; Heb. 1:7, 14;1 Jon. 4;1). We should be more sensitive to the reality of the unseen evil spirit world around us ( 1 Corinthians 2: 8; 14:10; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 10:4; Galatians 5:17; Ephesians 3:10; 6:11–12; 1 Jon 5:19). God, the Holy Spirit, is the sole monitor and dispenser of all spiritual truth (Jon. 16:13). Although we be surrounded by a host of evil spirits we are indwelt by the omnipresent Holy Spirit ( 2 Kings 6:16; 1 Jon 4:4).


One of our shortcomings is our failure  to assess the vast chasm which exists  between the spirit and the flesh  ( Romans 7:18; 1st Corinthians 15:46; Galatians 5:17). Tyrannical flesh has dominated the world since the fall of man (Romans 8:3). Human efforts are impotent when they are used to combat the weakness of the flesh( John 6:63; 7:19; acts 7:53; 15:10. The first penalty exacted against  man's  disobedience was spiritual death,which is separation from God. Physical death followed in its wake (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; Hebrews 2:15; 9:27).


Some reputable religions reject vicarious atonement is the only antidote for sin. As a result they rule out physical death is a reality. The outcome has been that God's word is desecrated  and human ego is inflated( John 3:27;; 15:5). A perpetual  controversy is being waged between the forces of life and the forces of death, or between the spirit and the flesh.


A multitude of other duties of the Holy Spirit are equally indispensable in God's plan for his creatures. He was the renovator of the physical world for initial human habitation( Genesis 1:2). He alone is capable of developing spiritual growth in believers, as their comforter,  guide and  intercessor (John 16:14; Romans 8:26). Paul accents the necessity of walking in the spirit, as the secret of victorious living( Romans 8:4–13).

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of prophecy apprentices (John 16:13; 2 Peter 1:21). He provides access into both the heavenly New Covenant Kingdom and the new man ( body). Each requires different qualifications for admission ( John 3:3, 5; 1st Corinthians 12:13). All of these special attributes attest to the importance of maintaining the Unity of the Spirit. The application of this Unity guarantees unconditional liberty and perfect harmony within the body, when it is prompted by sincerity, conformity and confidence  (2 Corinthians 3:17).

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THE ONE SPIRIT
PART 2 OF 2
BY Pastor Richardson


Seducing spirits and influenced religious leaders to promulgate  an array of pseudo creeds which do not conform with the written Word. We must be able by the Spirit's enablement to discern between these conflicting voices (1 Timothy 4:1).

From the casual observation it might appear that the Seven  Unities would not be adequate for solving all of the complex problems relating to the Body. For example, the basic precept of inspiration of the Word does not appear specifically in the Seven Unities. However, if we accept the ONE Spirit principle is our absolute guide, we would be bound to accept without reservation the entire Word as being inspired by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:4; 1st Corinthians 10 -11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 10–11;  2 Peter 1:21)

Likewise the doctrine of inbred sin is not incorporated in the seven-fold Unity of God. Yet, man cannot be convicted of sin except by The ONE Spirit ( John 16:9). It is the prerogative of that   ONE Spirit to confer all spiritual gifts upon members of the Body (1 Corinthians 12:11). Time would fail is to expand upon all the intricacies of the works of the Holy Spirit. The instructions in this Unity are not expressed in detail, but basics for further development in the Body truth are found therein.

The Unity of the Holy Spirit in the Unity of the Body are associated directly with the Unity of the ONE  Baptism, which will be discussed later (1st Corinthians 12:13). Thus, we see how closely knit are the Seven Unities within the one Unity of God. Each and all autonomy, yet they are inseparable (Acts 1:14; 2:1; Philippians 2:2).

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Led  by the Spirit
Part 1 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas




But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

With this simple statement the Apostle Paul taught one of the most important principles for living the new life in Christ. Transformation, a changed life, begins here with the ministry of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. We are changed by a person who has come to live in us permanently.

Receiving the Holy Spirit

Since the Holy Spirit is a "spirit," He cannot be felt, seen, touched. He is spiritual and not able to be sensed by physical senses.

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.  John 3:8

We can see & hear the effects of the wind, but we cannot see the wind itself. So with the Holy Spirit, we can see His effects, but we are not capable of directly sensing Him. For this reason there are many unscriptural ideas about the Holy Spirit. We must walk by faith here and believe what the scriptures teach about the Holy Spirit, rather than trying to actually see or feel his presence.

Paul writes to the Galatians that all believers are led by the Spirit. He came to live in us at the moment that we put faith in the Lord Jesus as our Savior:

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Galatians 3:2

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Galatians 4:6

We received the Spirit by the ''hearing of faith" ---that is, when we believed the gospel, we received the Holy Spirit into our lives. When we became sons of God, He sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. In the dispensation of grace that we read about in Paul's epistles, there is no believer who does not have the Holy Spirit. And we don't have to wait to receive Him, He comes into our hearts as soon as we believe the gospel.

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Led  by the Spirit
Part 2 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas


The Spirit's Leading

When the Holy Spirit entered in, He came to ''lead'' us. We often hear people saying things like, "The Spirit led me to do something," or "God led me to go somewhere." But this is not the idea that Paul is writing about in Galatians 5:18 because these experiences are just occasional, sporadic events in the believer's life, but the leading of the Holy Spirit is a constant experience. The Holy Spirit doesn't lead us only in rare occasions, but at all times.

It is helpful to put two verses side by side to see the point that Paul is making here:

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:18

.......for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:14

Both verses state that we are "not under law." One says, in contrast to being under law, that we are "led by the Spirit." The other that, in contrast to being under law, that we are "under grace." To be under grace is to be led by the Spirit, and to be led by the Spirit is to be under grace. Not passing, occasional experiences, but comprehensive descriptions of the Christian life today in the dispensation of grace.

We are not under law---not under a system in which blessings are earned by obedience and curses received for disobedience (this was God's plan for the nation of Israel, see Deuteronomy 28 for a full exposition of the operation of ''law.'') We do not earn our blessings a little at a time by obeying God because under grace we were blessed totally, with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, when we believed the gospel (Ephesians 1:3). And as for curses, the Lord Jesus became a curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13). There is no curse for us today.

Under grace we are completely released from the system of earning blessings or fearing curses, we are "loved." Instead of a system of law, we are given the Holy Spirit who leads us under grace. We do not always follow Him, but He is leading us every moment under grace.

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Led  by the Spirit
Part 3 of 4
by Dennis Kiszonas


Walking by the Spirit

The Holy Spirit came to live in us when we believed, and He came to lead us in our life for the Lord, not to drag us or force us--Paul writes to the Galatians:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage (slavery). Galatians 5:1

The leading of the Holy Spirit is not a leading that drags us on the end of a chain, it is freedom and not bondage.

On the other hand, His leading is not "carrying us" or ''bearing us." He leads us, but we need to follow Him, or as Paul writes to "walk by the Spirit" since we are now ''living by the Spirit." Though the Spirit is leading, He is not living the life in us all by Himself. As Paul wrote to the Philippians:

Work out (note carefully: not work for) your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13

He is at work in us to will and to perform, but we are the one who must work out what He is working in. How do we do that? Paul wrote to the Galatians:

This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:2-3

They received the Spirit by hearing the message of grace, the message of the cross, with faith, that's how they "began in the Spirit." Now Paul says, continue as you began. We go on believing in the message of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), we go on focusing on the cross. We are motivated under grace not by the offer of blessings---we have already been totally blessed, and not by the fear of cursings---He became a curse for us, but we are motivated by gratitude, by thanksgiving for what the Lord did for us on the cross.

The first ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives revealed to us in Paul's letters is found in Romans 5:5-6:

... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

The Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart under grace with the primary ministry of pouring out the love of God in our hearts, that's His love for us demonstrated at the cross where the Lord Jesus died for us. And as we focus on that love, Paul describes the proper response:

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

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TRUE UNITY
by C. R. Stam



There are many unions all over the world, but in only one place is true unity to be found: in the Lord Jesus Christ. The children of fallen Adam have always been divided. Adam's first two children could not get along together. One killed the other. And now that the race has multiplied there are about three billion separate, individual wills in the world. Some of Adam's children try to get along together amicably and enjoy some measure of success, but this always takes effort. It does not come naturally. Even the dearest lovers must be prepared to yield to each other's wishes frequently to get along well together. There is no true unity in this world.

But where Adam's children have been divided by sin, they may be saved and truly united in Christ. As Christ became one with us when He died our death (the wages of sin) at Calvary, so we may become one with Him as in faith we acknowledge that that death was not His but ours. This is what the Apostle referred to when he asked:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?" (Rom. 6:3).

This verse does not refer to water baptism, for no one can be baptized into Christ -- become one with Him -- by a physical ceremony. The only way to become one with Him is to accept by faith the fact that He died our death on the cross. The meeting place must always be Calvary. And as we acknowledge His death as ours and become one with Him, we automatically become one with each other.

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13).

Unity in Christ is not something for which Christians are to strive. It is a fact of grace to be recognized and enjoyed by faith. True believers in and out of all denominations have been baptized into one body, whether or not they recognize this.

Now it is for us to appropriate and enjoy this unity in Christ, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3) i.e., seeking to experience the unity which the Spirit has made. Only those who have been baptized into Christ by faith can appreciate the blessed oneness which believers may enjoy.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
Part 1 of  3
Pastor J. C. O’Hair

In Great Britain, France, Mexico and other countries, the United States maintain ambassadors. Such a representative of the United States is called “minister plenipotentiary and ambassador extraordinary.” As a servant of this country he is a servant full of power or authority, and, being the personal spokesman for more than 120 million people, with the President, the cabinet, the congress, the army and the navy behind him, he is truly a representative extraordinary.

Of course, the man selected for such an important ministry should be fully qualified for the position. In order that he may honorably and uncompromisingly protect the interests of his nation and people at the foreign court he must be exceedingly careful about receiving personal favors, concessions and gifts from official representatives of that foreign nation.

In the important act of establishing treaties and agreements between his own government and the foreign nation that has received him as United States representative, this ambassador is forwarded a government document from Washington, bearing the seal of the United States of America. signed by the President and the Secretary of State. In dignity, accompanied by his official attendants, the ambassador presents the document to the foreign court for the signature of the Ruler and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Thus treaties of possession, commerce and peace are made.

It is deplorable when such a representative is chosen, not because he is qualified for the post but to pay a political debt.

Surely it is a great privilege and a great honor to be an ambassador representing the United States.

It is not an easy task to persuade people that it is a greater honor and a greater privilege to be an ambassador for Christ, and the Kingdom of God. Note the statement of the Apostle Paul, recorded in II Corinthians 5:20. “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.”

This same apostle, in Philippians 3:20, says: “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” The word “conversation” here could be translated “citizenship” or even “politics.” There is a sense, then, in which the citizenship and politics of every representative of Christ is in heaven. But while here on earth, as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, those who belong to Christ have the very difficult task of trying to be pleasant among sinners, while at the same time being governed by Galatians 1:10; “for do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”

In His wonderful prayer, recorded in John 17, the Lord Jesus said concerning His disciples: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” John 17:16. The qualification for an ambassador is set forth in Colossians 1:12 to 15: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son; In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” In Colossians 1:12 the expression “hath made us meet” could be translated “hath qualified us.” In other words, before we can acceptably represent Christ we must qualify. We must be delivered; we must be redeemed. In Colossians 1:20 we are told how this is accomplished. It is through the blood of His cross. Here we note that by the blood of the cross of Christ the believer is reconciled and is at peace with God. We quote Colossians 1:20 to 22: “And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things it. earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled. In the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.”

Here we note that alienated enemies are made wholly unblameable and unreprovable because of what Christ did through death.

Peace and reconciliation by the blood of His cross. What a wonderful message God’s ministers have to proclaim to lost sinners. And what glorious good news the sinner may receive and be saved for time and eternity.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART 2 OF 3
Pastor J. C. O’Hair




We go back now to II Corinthians 5:17 to 21: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 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. 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. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

Here we note that the ambassador for Christ is a new creature. According to Ephesians 2:10 he is God’s workmanship, created anew in Christ Jesus. Man by nature belongs to the old creation. He is identified with Adam, the sinner. The most important transformation that can come to any man is to get out of Adam and in Christ; that is to be identified with “The Last Adam” Who is now the glorified Man in heaven. All who are in Adam are in sin, in the flesh, and under condemnation. If any man be in Christ there is a new creation. The new creature is no longer dead in sin. He is dead to sin. The believer’s old man has been crucified with Christ. He is in the Spirit. He is made accepted in Christ, the Beloved. He is complete in Christ. He is waiting to appear with Christ in glory. His citizenship is in heaven. He is in the world, but not of the world. And now he has a new responsibility. For unto him is committed the word of reconciliation. To him is given the ministry of reconciliation.

In these closing verses of the fifth chapter of II Corinthians we observe that it is not the sinner seeking God; but God, through ambassadors of Christ, seeking the sinner, and beseeching the sinner, in Christ’s stead, to be reconciled to God.

There is no more definite statement of the gospel, no clearer announcement of saving truth than we find in II Corinthians 5:21: “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

When the Lord Jesus Christ cried “finished”, and yielded up the Ghost on the cross, He was crowned with a crown of thorns, the emblem of the curse. He was made sin, although He knew no sin. The God of all grace ordained and permitted the cruel death of the sinless Christ, yea, offered up His well-beloved Son, so that poor unrighteous men might, by His infinite grace, through faith, be made the righteousness of God in Christ. Man’s only place of security and Divine blessing is in Christ.

This ministry of reconciliation is distinctively a Pauline ministry. More than a dozen times that great apostle emphasized the fact that he was the apostle, the preacher, and the teacher of the Gentiles; that unto Him the risen Christ committed the “dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles”; the “unsearchable riches of Christ for Gentiles”; “the mystery among the Gentiles”; and the “dispensation of the mystery.” Romans 11:13; Ephesians 3:1 to 3; Ephesians 3:8 and 9; Colossians 1:24 to 27.

According to Galatians 2:8, God was mighty in Peter in the apostleship of the circumcision. Peter received from Christ the keys of the kingdom of heaven and the so-called “great commission.” In his ministry, recorded in the early chapters of Acts, Peter preached unto Israel repentance and restitution; the gospel of the kingdom; the promises and blessings of the covenants which God made concerning Israel; but never once did he preach reconciliation to Gentiles. He did not refer to Adam. Never once did Peter preach to Israel, in those chapters, concerning the “old man” and the “new man”; concerning the “old creation” and the “new creation”. Peter did not preach concerning the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection; blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. Peter had no authority from Christ to even refer to uncircumcised Abram from whence came Paul’s gospel of the uncircumcision. It was unto Paul that the risen Lord committed the gospel of the uncircumcision, (Galatians 2:7; Galatians 3:8.) the ministry of reconciliation and the mystery concerning the Body of Christ. Invariably when we have the ministry of reconciliation we find linked with it the ministry of the new creation and the truth of the believer’s identification; out of Adam, into Christ. The word “atonement” in Romans 5:11 is a mistranslation. It should read “reconciliation”. Then follows the story of Adam and Christ, the old creation and the new creation, and the new creature’s identification with Christ. Romans 5:12 to Romans 6:12.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART THREE-CONCLUSION
Pastor J. C. O’Hair




Our mission today is to beseech sinners to believe the word of reconciliation; to believe that the document has been signed and sealed; that the Lord Jesus Christ provided this reconciliation and made peace by the blood of His cross. Truly with such a ministry we should know that we are ambassadors extraordinary and ministers plenipotentiary. How willing and eager sinners should be to accept this glorious gospel message, be at peace with God, reconciled to God, and be redeemed for time and eternity.

If you are troubled to know under which one of the Lord’s commissions you are to labour, remember these words of Paul, “the gospel of the uncircumcison was committed unto me (Paul) as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter.” Galatians 2:7. And again Paul’s words in II Timothy 2:2. “And the things that thou hast heard of me (Paul) among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Again in Ephesians 3:1 and 2, “I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles”. . . “the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward”. Again, “the gospel which was preached of me is not after man . . . taught it by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Galatians 1:12.

“That I (Paul) should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles—I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” Romans 15:16 and 20.

Note what Paul says concerning himself, in I Corinthians 3:10: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me (Paul), as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation.”

When the risen Christ gave the so-called great commission, in Matthew 28:19 and 20, to Peter and his associates, he never hinted at the gospel of uncircumcision, the dispensation of the grace of God for Gentiles, or the ministry of reconciliation which some years later He committed, by revelation, to Paul who then declared, “I am the apostle of the Gentiles; I magnify mine office.” Romans 11:13.

The pity is that the Lord’s ambassadors today minimize Paul’s office instead of magnify it.

Well, fellow-Christians, our commission and message today is the word of reconciliation. That reconciliation message was not the commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20, because Israel had not yet been cast away and God’s word instructs us in Romans 11:15, “the casting away of them (Israel) be the reconciling of the world.” After Christ had been raised from the dead. Peter declared that He was raised from the dead to be a Prince and a Saviour to give repentance unto Israel. Acts 5:30 and 31. Christ raised from the dead to give repentance is quite different from the reconciling of the world because of Israel was cast away.

Now here is sufficient Divine authority for our ministry for the Lord, “hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” II Corinthians 5:19, “Hath given us the ministry of reconciliation.” II Corinthians 5:18.

In the context note our identification with Christ—II Corinthians 5:15—And also note why we labour as ambassadors of reconciliation: “the love of Christ constraineth us”; “Knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” II Corinthians 5:14 and II Corinthians 5:11.

Let us not be guilty of the spiritual crime of perverting the glorious Divine message of grace. In the message of reconciliation sinners are not to beg God to be reconciled to them and save them. Carefully note II Corinthians 5:20: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as thought God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

God beseeches the sinner. We pray the sinner. This is not the sinner seeking God and salvation. This is God beseeching the sinner to accept the perfect work of redemption accomplished by Christ. When He was made sin on the cross, God was reconciled. The reconciliation becomes mutual the moment the sinner believes God and receives Christ. We have a blessed ministry, a great responsibility, and a glorious privilege as ambassadors of reconciliation.

[nChrist]

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God Is For Me
By Steve McVey




“God is for me.” Can you make that statement with a deep sense of certainty? He is, you know. When things are going the way you want, God is for you. When life seems to be falling apart, God is for you. When the Philistines chased David down in Gath, he wrote, “This I know, that God is for me” (Psalm 56:9). What a time to make a declaration like that!

Many of us have found ourselves in a place similar to David’s situation at times. Life is closing in . . . the enemy seems to have us cornered and there appears to be no way out. Pleasant circumstances disappear before our eyes and the world turns dark.

At times like that, we may be tempted to cry out, “Why is God against me?” Not David. He assured himself with the truth, “God is for me.” He didn’t say, “This I feel, that God is for me.” There are many times in life that we don’t feel like God is for us. No, he said, “This I know, that God is for me.

Will you affirm this truth in your own life? God really is for you. Nothing can ever change His mind or heart toward you. If you are His child, His loving kindness toward you will last forever. (Read Psalm 136 sometime!)

Circumstances may be suffocating you at times, but God is for you! Negative feelings may seem to be strangling you, but God is for you! Life may not make sense at a given moment, but God is for you! Trust Him. When you feel like you’re drowning in an ocean of problems, cling to your Heavenly Father. He will prove Himself strong in your life by assuring you of His love.

Your circumstances may or may not turn out like you want, but He will hold you in His loving and sovereign arms and gently whisper His love to you again and again. Sit in quietness for a moment and listen to his loving voice assure you of that fact until, like the Psalmist, you may say, “This is know, God is for me!”

[nChrist]

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WHICH GOSPEL?
by C. R. Stam



A friend asks: "Have you heard the good news?" and you reply: "What good news?" Naturally! All good news is not the same. Yet few people follow this procedure when they read in the Bible the phrase "the gospel" -- which simply means "the good news." They have been taught that "the gospel is the gospel" and "there is only one gospel," but this is simply not so in the light of the Bible itself.

God has not proclaimed only one gospel, one item of good news, down through the ages, but many. He has qualified the word "gospel" by distinctive titles, just as a woman labels her preserves to distinguish the different goodies she has put up for the winter.

The "gospel of the kingdom" and the "gospel of the grace of God" are not the same, and certainly the "gospel of the circumcision" and the "gospel of the uncircumcision" are not the same.

When we come upon the phrase "the gospel" without any qualifying title, we should immediately ask: "Which gospel?" and invariably the context will provide the answer. Luke 9:6, for example, simply states that the twelve disciples went about "preaching the gospel," but Verse 2 of the same chapter explains how the Lord had sent them "to preach the kingdom of God" -- not the cross, but the kingdom, since He, the King, was in their midst. These disciples could not have engaged in "the preaching of the cross," as Paul later did, for it was not until at least two years later that the Lord "began" to tell them how He must suffer and die (Matt. 16:21) and Peter "began to rebuke Him" (Ver. 22)and none of the twelve even understood what He was talking about (Luke 18:34).

But whereas "the gospel of the kingdom" had been committed to the twelve while Christ was on earth, "the preaching of the cross" (as good news) and "the gospel of the grace of God" was later committed to the Apostle Paul and to us (1 Cor. 1:18; Acts 20:24).

Today we do not proclaim the kingdom rights of Christ. Rather we proclaim "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7).

[nChrist]

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THE GOSPEL OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller


This phrase, the gospel of God, found seven times in the New Testament, is mainly used by the Apostle Paul (Rom.1:1; 15:16; II Cor. 11:7; I Thes. 2:2,8,9), though it is also found in I Peter 4:17. But the Apostle Paul says that the gospel of God was promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures. So the question, What is this gospel of God, is worthy of our inquiry and finds its answer in the fact that God has always had good news for Adam and his sinful, sorry, helpless sons and daughters in whatever the prophets and Moses did say should come. And this is now revealed in the Pauline revelation:

That Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles? (Acts 26:22,23).

This is why Paul tells us in Galatians 1:16 that God's Son is revealed IN him, NOT in the prophets, and this is confirmed in I Peter 1:12. Paul's gospel is therefore the revelation of Jesus Christ? in all that God had promised and in all that God kept secret regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It is, of course, blessedly true where the Lord Jesus Christ is concerned that all the types and shadows of the Mosaic sacrificial system (Heb.10:1-4) mysteriously pointed forward to Christ and Calvary's cross. Thus we can see the importance of I Corinthians 15:3,4:

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.

Here Paul incorporates that which God had promised afore with that which he had received and delivered to the Corinthians, and to us. And this he calls the gospel which I preached unto you? (I Cor. 1:1-3). Isn't this the very key that unlocks our understanding here? It was not CONTRARY to the Scriptures that Christ died for our sins, but rather it is in ACCORDANCE with the Scriptures.

IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE (Eph. 1:7).

Now it becomes clear that the saints of old were not saved on the basis of the Mosaic Law. Rather their atonement awaited the merits of Christ's propitiatory sacrifice on Calvary's cross as revealed though Paul:

NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US? (Heb. 9:12).

BUT THIS MAN, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD (Heb. 10:12).

It is faith in the blood of Christ that saves us today. No longer does the Mosaic Law, or water baptism, nor Peter's call to repentance in Acts 2:38, have any merit, but faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ:

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 [FAITHFULNESS] OF JESUS CHRIST unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference? (Rom. 3:21,22).

And who, but the Apostle Paul, could write more appropriately concerning God's Son Jesus Christ our Lord and the Good News that awaits believers!

Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Rom. 3:24-26).

[nChrist]

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"Yet Not I, But ..."
By John LaVier


Twice the Apostle Paul uses this phrase, "Yet not I, but ". In his epistle to the Galatians he wrote:

"I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

This testimony of the great apostle belongs to all who have been saved and made members of the Body of Christ, and identified with Him "who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification." Each one can say, "I was crucified with Christ." This is clearly brought out in Romans 6:3-4:

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into His 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."

This applies to every believer, and the baptism mentioned has not one drop of water connected with it.

When Christ died on the cross He not only died for our sins, but we died with Him. His death was our death. His resurrection our resurrection, and now His life is our life. We reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God, and by faith we can say, "I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." This great truth is expressed in a separated life, a surrendered life, a life lived in the faith of the Son of God.

Once more Paul used "Yet not I, but ..." when he wrote to the Corinthians:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am; and the grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Cor. 15: 10)

He had mentioned himself as a witness of Christ risen from among the dead. He saw the Lord, and his whole life was changed. He was as one born out of due season, a type of Israel's regeneration yet future, when "They shall look on Him whom they pierced." That great vision on the road to Damascus made of Paul not only a believer in the Deity and Messiahship of the Lord Jesus Christ, but he became the faithful servant of the Lord. It made him humble. Though he was by the will of God the great Apostle to the Gentiles, the one to whom was made known the truth of the mystery and to whom was given an abundance of revelations, yet he called himself "the least of the apostles" and "less that the least of all saints." He boasted that he had labored more abundantly than the other apostles, but he added, "Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." He ascribed it all, not to himself, but to the grace of God.

These two expressions, "yet not I, but Christ" and "yet not I, but the grace of God," describe the entire ministry of Paul. Two things he magnified and glorified, extolled and exalted: Christ, and the grace of God. In all things, in all his messages and personal testimony, an exaltation of Christ and complete effacement of self are the great leading marks. He made his boast in Christ. He magnified Him and the grace of God which had been bestowed upon him.

How little of this self-effacement we see today. How many exalt themselves, boast of their attainments, their service, their ministry, their converts, instead of glorying in an all-sufficient Savior and the all-sufficient grace of God. The "Soli Deo Gloria," to God alone be the glory, is often forgotten. May the Lord help all of us in all our service for Him, of whatever nature it may be, to magnify Christ and the grace of God and to seek His glory only.

[nChrist]

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Superiority of Christ
Part 1 of 2
By Pastor  Gregg Bing

Paul's letter to the Colossians was written to correct false teaching which was prevalent in his day and which continues to lead people away from the truth even today. The Colossians were being exposed to a combination of ideas from gnosticism, legalism, and asceticism. These false teachers denied basic truths about Jesus Christ which are critical to our salvation. For instance, they denied the superiority of Jesus Christ, refusing to acknowledge His deity and relegating Him to the position of a created being. Paul addresses this issue in the opening chapter of Colossians.

Image of the Invisible God

Jesus Christ is declared to be "the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15a). The word "image" is translated from the Greek word "eikon" from which we get our English word "icon." It is used of an image, a figure, or a likeness. Jesus Christ, however, is not just "like" God or "similar" to God, He is an exact representation or manifestation of God. John refers to Him as the eternal "Word" (Greek "logos") who, in the beginning, existed "with God" and who existed "God" (John 1:1-2). This Word then became flesh and dwelt among us, allowing us to behold the glory of God (John 1:14). Jesus Christ, in His incarnation, "declared God" to men enabling them to see the invisible God (John 1:18.). This is what Jesus meant when He said to His disciples, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" (John 14:9). The writer of the book of Hebrews described Jesus as "the express image of His (God's) person" (Heb. 1:3), an exact reproduction of the person, substance, essence, and being of God.

Firstborn Over All Creation

Jesus Christ is described as "the firstborn over all creation" (Col. 1:15b). Cults such as the Jehovah's Witnesses use this statement to try and prove the inferiority of Jesus Christ to God the Father. They claim this statement implies that Christ was the first creation of God. A careful analysis of this passage, in its context, shows that these assumptions are absolutely false.

The word "firstborn" is not the same as the idea of "first created." What does "firstborn" mean? The underlying Greek word is "prototokos" which literally means "first born," and is found eight times in the New Testament. It is used three times for a firstborn son in a family: two times of Jesus as the firstborn of Mary and once of the firstborn sons killed in Egypt at the first Passover. The other five times "firstborn" is used, they speak of Christ, but with a different emphasis.

In Hebrew culture, the firstborn son was in a position of prominence over the children who were born after him and was given special privileges as his birthright. These privileges included a double portion of the inheritance, spiritual headship over the family, and the father's blessing which officially recognized the firstborn's position and authority over the rest of the children. However, firstborn privileges were not always given to the physically firstborn son. Jacob was chosen of God over his older brother, Esau, to have both the birthright and the blessing of his father, Isaac. God would later say of Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), "Israel is My son, My firstborn" (Exo. 4:22). Similarly, Ephraim was blessed above his brother, Manasseh. Though Manasseh was Joseph's oldest son, God referred to Ephraim as "My firstborn" (Jer. 31:9). In the 89th Psalm, God speaks of anointing "My servant David" (verse 20) and making him "My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth" (verse 27). Though David was the youngest of Jesse's sons, God made David the firstborn giving him the authority and privileges of this position. While this passage does refer to David, the son of Jesse, it also seems to point beyond him to the greater Son of David, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, as God's Firstborn, will one day reign as King over all the earth (Psalm 89:27-29).

When Christ is called "the firstborn over all creation" it does not have anything to do with Him being born of or created by God the Father. It simply means that He holds the position of authority and blessing over all created things. Why does He hold this prominence over all creation?