GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

[nChrist]

"The Power of His Might"
Part 3 of 4
BY RICHARD JORDAN
 



It is Col. 2: 10 that matches Eph. 1:21,22--not Col. 1:18. At this point perhaps we should examine Col. 1:16-18, for these verses hold the key to how Christ's headship over the heavenly government is for our advantage.

"For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
"And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

It is God's intention that Jesus Christ have the preeminence in "all things." Once again, the context of Col. 1: 16-18 clearly defines the "all things" being spoken of as those things identified in verse 16 --the positions of government created by Jesus Christ in heaven and earth. These are the "all things" that are to be "reconciled" in Col. 1: 20. 2 The reference is to the future restoration of the system of government originally established over heaven and earth.

It is clear from the prophetic program that Jesus Christ was to be head of" all things" in the earth. When He sits on "the throne of His glory" and reigns from Jerusalem, He will be "King of Kings" and "all nations shall serve Him." What was unknown until the revelation of the mystery was that He also had a plan to reclaim His position in the heavenlies.

From Genesis 1:2 until the raising up of the Apostle Paul, the issue in the program of God was the earth. Now with the revelation of the mystery, the heavenly places have become the focus. God will restore the earth to Himself through the nation Israel; the heavenly places through the Body of Christ. Then Christ will be head of "all things." This is what Eph. 1:9-10 looks to:

"Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
"That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are in earth; even in him."

In order for Christ to be preeminent in "all things," He needed the Body of Christ. Israel would be His agency to reclaim the government of the earth. But He would need a "new creature" a "new man "--to extend His reign into the heavenly places. Thus Christ has been made "head over the body"--"that in all things he might have the preeminence. "

Without the Body of Christ He could never reclaim "all" things. Thus Christ has been made "head over all things to the church" that is, to the advantage of the church, for the church is "His body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all"

In other words, it will be members of the Body of Christ whom He will use to fill up the positions of governmental authority in the heavenly places and through whom He will carry out the rule and business of His "heavenly kingdom" (II Tim. 4: 18 ).

What a position is ours! What power and authority has been exercised in our behalf! And it is in this power that we are to stand fast.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

"The Power of His Might"
Part 4 of 4
BY RICHARD JORDAN
 



WHY IT IS NEEDED

Our need for being strong in this power of His might goes much deeper than simply the momentary difficulties and vicissitudes of life. Consider Eph. 3:9,10.

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

"TO THE INTENT THAT NOW UNTO THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES MIGHT BE KNOWN BY THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD,"

You see, as we make known "the fellowship of the mystery"--as Body truth works in our lives--we manifest unto the angelic beings currently filling the positions of principalities and powers in the heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God in reconciling even those positions back under His authority through Christ. And what is that "manifold wisdom "? I Cor. 2:6·8 tells us:

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
"WHICH NONE OF THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD KNEW: FOR HAD THEY KNOWN IT, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CRUCIFIED THE LORD OF GLORY."

Simply by keeping a secret about what He would accomplish through the cross-work of Jesus Christ, God "spoiled principality and power" and "made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2: 15).

At Calvary God took the wise in his own craftiness! In the face of Satan's boasted "wisdom" all God had to do was keep a secret and Satan fooled himself into doing the very thing that resulted in assuring his doom.

Is there any wonder why Satan hates the truth of the mystery so? Is there any question that he would oppose those who proclaim it to others? Thus Paul says,

     "----BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT."

Our strength is in what God had done in Christ. It is this message of grace and glory Satan so bitterly hates. Yet this is the very truth that makes us strong as we rest by faith in who God has made us in Christ. It is this message we are privileged to cherish, to guard, to proclaim and with which to fill our lives.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

VICTORY ASSURED
By late Pastor Win Johnson


   So often the Lord's people ask the question, "Why," when they are called upon to endure suffering, pain, heartache and sorrow. Some become bitter toward the Lord about it. Some lose their testimony. Some begin complaining instead of praising. Some allow hardness of heart rather than meekness of spirit to prevail.

   Job is a good example for us all. He apparently never knew the reason for his great sufferings but in the midst of his deepest trials, he was able to say, "I know that my redeemer liveth," and, "though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Job retained his testimony and his faith. He proved by experience that the Lord is tender and merciful and that I Corinthians 10:13 is true. "There hath no temptation (trial, testing) taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful Who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted (tried or tested) above that ye are able but will with the temptation (trial or testing) also make a way to escape that ye may be able to bear it."

   However, while Job didn't know the reason for his sufferings, God has revealed to us in His Word that Job's patience in suffering vindicated God and shut Satan's mouth. Satan was proved to be a false accuser and a liar.

   As we near the end of this age of Grace, those who are faithful to Christ must expect greater trials and more severe persecutions. They may often be called upon to suffer without knowing exactly why. Let us not forget, however, that, "If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him." The battle may be severe but the victory will be glorious. "Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," (I Corinthians 15:57). 

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

The Adoption of Sons
A Primer on this Wonderful Truth
By Keith R. Blades
 
In Romans 6-8 the apostle Paul teaches us about our sanctified position in Christ and how God is dealing with us today under grace and not under the law. As he does so he declares that in accordance with this God has adopted us.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; BUT YE HAVE RECEIVED THE SPIRIT OF ADOPTION, WHEREBY WE CRY, ABBA, FATHER. (Romans 8:14-15)

In this dispensation of grace we are the adopted sons of God. And this is a wonderful privilege of God's grace. However, unfortunately it is often not understood and appreciated as it ought to be due primarily to the restricted meaning given to the present usage of the word adoption. Today, when we speak of adoption we refer to the issue of someone, who is not the natural born child of a couple, being taken in by them and constituted a member of their family. By natural birth the child is not theirs, but by adoption the child legally becomes their own. This is the common meaning of the term today, and it certainly is an adoption. However, it is not what we should think of when we read about God adopting us. In Romans 8:14-15 Paul is not simply referring to the fact that we now belong to God being saved. He is not simply referring to the fact that we are part of God s family. Yet this is what is commonly thought. To adopt a child not naturally your own is only one kind of adoption. To adopt simply means to take something unto yourself and make it your own. Hence, there are other kinds of adoptions, especially in other cultures, one of which is the kind of adoption Paul refers to in Romans 8. In Hebrew culture, and even among the Greeks of Paul s day, parents adopted their own children. When they did this they recognized a level of maturity that their child had reached and they no longer treated him as a little child, but began treating him as an adult. By this kind of adoption the child was declared to be no longer in a state of childhood. He had now passed from childhood into adulthood. He was now declared to be a son and no longer a child, and he was now going to be treated as an adult by his parents. This is the kind of adoption Paul is referring to in Romans 8. This is made perfectly clear in Galatians 4 where he deals with it in quite some detail.

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. (Galatians 4:1-2)

Here Paul cites this unique cultural issue of adoption so common in his day. As he says, a father's own offspring is his heir. But for as long as he is a child, or is in the state of childhood, his father doesn't treat him any different from a servant. He may be lord of all being his father's heir, but he is not treated as such by his father for as long as he is in the state of childhood. Rather, in accordance with childhood and being a minor, the father deals with his offspring through the use of tutors and governors. The relationship between the two, therefore, is restricted and is on a puerile level. However, the father does not intend to always be treating his child as a child. There is an appointed time coming at which the father will no longer treat his child as a child, but will in accordance with his growth begin to treat him as an adult. This appointed time of the father is the time at which the father adopts his own child. He declares his offspring to no longer be a child in the state of childhood, but now he is an adult, a son. He has attained unto sonship. Being so his father is going to begin to treat him as such and deal with him accordingly. Again, this is the kind of adoption Paul is talking about when he declares that we in this dispensation of grace are now the adopted sons of God. Having adopted us God has put us into the position of adult sons. We possess sonship. He is not treating us like children. Instead, He is dealing with us as adults, as sons. The Privilege of Sonship in time past God's heirs did not possess the adoption of sons. Rather, as Paul points out in Galatians 4:3, they were children and God dealt with them as such.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: (Galatians 4:3)


The Law contract with its elements of the world functioned like tutors and governors and through it God dealt with Israel as the children that they were. However, the appointed time was coming when God would make provision so that He could adopt His heirs and begin dealing with them as adult sons and no longer have to deal with them as children. When Christ came, He came in accordance with the appointed time of the father.

But when the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. (Galatians 4:4-5)

The provision to enable God to deal with His heirs as sons and no longer have to deal with them as children was made by Christ on the cross. In view of it, God could adopt His heirs and the glories of sonship could begin to be enjoyed by them. God, however, suspended His program with Israel and they have yet to receive the adoption of sons. We, the members of the church the body of Christ, are the heirs of God in this present dispensation of grace. In accordance with the provision God has made through Christ for sonship to be a reality, and in view of the riches of His grace unto us, God has wonderfully adopted us, putting us in the position of adult sons and treating us as such. We are not being treated by Him as children under the tutor and governor system of the Law, but we are being treated as sons. (Israel will receive the adoption when God resumes and fulfills His program with them upon the conclusion of this present dispensation of Gentile grace. See Romans 9-11, especially 9:1-5; 11:1-36.)

The Glory of Sonship

There are many wonderful issues associated with sonship. There are also a number of differences between the way God dealt with Israel in treating them as children and the way He now deals with us as sons. One outstanding issue is that of the intimacy and direct personal union that now exists between God and us. Instead of tutors and governors, we possess the Spirit of adoption. Instead of intermediaries, God deals with us directly through the Holy Spirit.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;

but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (Romans 8:14-15)

And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)


As Paul says, the major mark of sonship, (and one of its most glorious features), is the issue of being led by the Spirit of God. When a father adopts his child the relationship becomes much more personal between the two, and hence much more intimate. No longer does the father want tutors and governors to come between him and his child. And no longer does the child need them. No longer does the father want his child's education limited to elementary and rudimentary things. Instead, having placed his child in the position of an adult son, now the father himself personally becomes his son's teacher and guide. The father now personally assumes the remaining education of his son. This is something not only looked forward to by the father, but it is also a wonderful liberty for the son. Going from tutors and governors to being personally dealt with by his father is an issue of great joy and relief to a son. The adoption commences a glorious intimate relationship never experienced under the tutors and governors. In full accordance with establishing this new intimate relationship that sonship brings, Paul says God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into (our) hearts. Possessing the Spirit of God to be led by Him is in direct contrast to the tutor and governor system of the Law. The restrictions of relationship associated with that system are not being employed with us. The weak and beggarly elements of the world associated with that childhood system are not the basis of God's dealings with us today. Instead, nothing less than the personal operation of the Spirit of God within is what we possess as sons. In view of this, just as with any adopted son, our hearts ought to overflow with joy and relief. Hence, Paul says that the Spirit cries Abba, Father.

And because ye are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, CRYING, ABBA, FATHER. (Galatians 4:6)


The doctrine of our sonship status is full of glory. Being adopted sons is one of the jewels of the riches of God's grace unto us in Christ. Yet it remains one of the most least appreciated aspects of God's grace that we are possessors of today. And this is a shame. This has been nothing more than a very short primer on this wonderful truth. Yet may this brief introduction to sonship motivate us all to learn more about this privilege of God's grace unto us, and most of all to live as the sons God has made us to be.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

"HE THAT IS SPIRITUAL"
By C. R. Stam


"He that is spiritual judgeth [discerneth] all things, yet he himself is judged [discerned] of no man" (I Cor. 2:15).
       
The truly spiritual man is so far above the wisest sages of this world, yes, so far above the mass of Christians with whom he comes into contact, that he can understand them, but they can never quite understand him.
       
We should all long to be truly spiritual, but what is true spirituality?
       
In the Pauline Epistles the human race is divided, by the Spirit, into four classes: the natural man, the babe in Christ, the carnal Christian, and the spiritual Christian.
       
All four of these are referred to in one passage of Scripture (I Cor. 2:14—3:4) and it should be noted that they are classified according to their ability to appreciate and assimilate "the things of God" as revealed in His Word.
       
Through diligent, prayerful study of the Word, and with a sincere desire to obey it, the spiritual man has come to know God and the Lord Jesus Christ more and more intimately. Babes in Christ and carnal believers about him cannot "discern" him, simply because they have not come to know God as he. But he, having grown to spiritual maturity, quite understands them. He is among those of whom it is written:
       
"But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Heb. 5:14).

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

FITLY JOINED TOGETHER
By Ivan Burgener

   "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things, Which is the Head, even Christ, from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:15,16).

   "Speaking the truth"! What a contrast with the "cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive." The one seeks to edify and build up whereas the other seeks to destroy and tear down. But the desired progress is our "growing up unto Him in all things: We read of faith, full knowledge, a perfect man, the stature of the fulness of Christ and then the opposing "systematic deception."  But this is counteracted by being true or truthful in everything and growing up unto Christ."

   In Ephesians, spiritual growth is pictured in both Temple and Body:

TEMPLE

Built on foundation of apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20) fitly framed together (2:21) Christ the Chief Cornerstone (2:20)

Grows into holy temple in the Lord (2:21) in Whom you are builded (2:22)

BODY

[Body. mentioned six times
in Ephesians chapters 4 & 5] fitly joined together (4: 16) Christ is Head (4:15)

Grows unto Christ (4:15) out of Whom...makes increase of the body unto building up in love (4:15)

No amount of activity, or meetings or advertisement or energy will produce growth. Spiritual growth requires life, health, suitable environment, sound food and walking in the light. But growth can be stunted or retarded by an environment lacking essentials of light, water or air. Of these, walking in the light is preeminent!

   Leagues, unions, societies, associations, and even fellowships cannot substitute for growth of the body being "knit together in love" which is the "bond of perfectness." Unity of the Spirit had the "bond of peace" (4:3). Unity of the body has the "bond of love" so fitly joined.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

Titus 2:11-12
By  Marvin Duncan, Pastor


Scripture reading Titus 2:11-12

One of the reasons we are instructed to study the Word of God (II Timothy 2:15) is in order that we might be instructed by it so we will know how we are to live in this present evil age. Paul has been set forth as our example (I Timothy 1:16; I Corinthians 11 :1) and we are to learn from his LIFE as well as from his ministry. Yet, Paul tells us we have a better instructor. GRACE is to be our teacher and if we listen to this teacher, we will learn that separation is essential if the Christian is to walk pleasingly before our God.

In Titus 2:11, Paul says that the grace which brought salvation has appeared for all men and this teacher instructs the saints (verse 12) to deny "ungodliness" and "worldly lusts" To do this, there must be a separation of the believer from those activities that are so much a part of this world system. Yet, it is not enough for the saint just to live a negative life, that is, one that abstains from these immoral activities. There are many unsaved individuals who also abstain from ungodly activities and worldly lusts. Grace teaches the saint to go further than just living a NEGATIVE life. The saint is to live a POSITIVE life. The saint is to do something the unsaved, but morally upright person, cannot do. The saint is to live "RIGHTEOUSLY" and "GODLY" in this present evil age. No unsaved person can live righteously or godly.

There is much legislating of morality by many churches today, but this only produces an attitude that is negative-don't do this or don't do that. Let us separate ourselves from this negative attitude and adopt a positive attitude. Christianity is not a doctrine to be believed, it is a life to be lived. We, as saints, in this dispensation, are to LIVE "RIGHTEOUSLY " and "GODLY."

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

SET FREE TO LIVE



The greatest gift you ever have or ever will receive is the life you have been given in Jesus Christ. Receiving forgiveness for our sins is the secondary issue in the life of a Christian. God's purpose in forgiving us was so that He could give us His life. Divine life resides within you - think about that for a moment. Divine life resides inside you!

Do you see the possibilities that fact opens up for you? Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." He got the point. Do we? Do we really understand the truth that God places desires in our hearts and then empowers us to see those desires realized?

I challenge you to make only one resolution each year. Resolve to experience life in Christ to the fullest. After all, that's exactly why He came. (See John 10:10)

Charge into the remaining months of 2008 with a new boldness that you've not appropriated before now. Determine to identify the God-given dreams that may be buried in your heart and bring them back out into the light of day. Jesus wants to do some unique things through you in this world. Submit yourself to Him and cooperate with His Spirit and watch miracles unfold in your life!

Cast off old mind sets that hold you back in life. Renounce the lies that bind you. Ask your Father to stretch you in your ability to see things that are not visible in your life yet as though they are real. After all, "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) I don't mean empty positive thinking. I'm talking about breaking free from a negative mind set about God, about yourself and about life.

Let your assumptions about 2008 be based on the viewpoint that your Heavenly Father gushes with love for you. He "longs to be gracious to you" and is just waiting for the chance to "have compassion on you." (See Isaiah 30:18 ) It thrills Him to pour out His goodness on you!

Let's stop waiting "for the other shoe to drop." Don't appropriate bad things. Life is full of disappointment and heartache, but you have divine life residing in you! The life of Christ will overshadow anything that may strike you in 2008.

Don't limp through life. Instead, run or skip. For that matter, dance your way through the coming months! God's kingdom really is a party. It's all about "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Laugh with Jesus this year.

You have been set free to live. The world is full of dead men walking, but you don't fit that category. You have been made alive with Christ (see Ephesians 2:5) and now have the ability to live in His resurrection power. (Phil. 3:10)

What are you going to do with the rest of this year? Your Father invites you to join Him on a days journey where He intends to show you some things you don't expect. He plans to work in you and through you. He plans to reveal more about Himself to you and to show you every day how much He loves you.

Relax. Be yourself. You have nothing to prove. Just live. Know that you are accepted by God and that, with that truth in mind, there's nothing left to prove. Enjoy the remaining 2008 by letting Jesus live through you each day. That's all He wants and all we need.

By Steve McVey

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

THE BOND OF PEACE
By ROBERT E. HANNA, Pastor

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:3; Colossians 3: 14

As members of the Body of Christ we are in Christ and Christ indwells us; we are "one with Him". This complete identification with Him constitutes our standing. Our walk of faith determines our state. Our constant goal must be the ceaseless effort to make our spiritual state worthy of our perfect standing. The Apostle Paul clearly defines our position in Christ and our spiritual responsibilities accordingly. Having explained in meticulous detail our relationship to Christ as His Body members, Paul exhorts us: " ... walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called" (Ephesians 4:I).
 
The desire of every heart is to attain perfect peace. But the believer already possesses perfect peace. "For He is our peace ... " (Ephesians 2:14). Knowing this, what a powerful incentive we have to please Him. Greater confidence is ours than that of saints of God in any other age. "For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory" (Colossians 3:3, 4).
 
Our apostle gives us perfect guidelines for our walk of faith. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ" (Colossians 3:23,24) " .. endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

THE PEACE OF GOD
By JON D. BEKEMEYER, Pastor
 

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:6,7; Colossians 3: 15

It is important to distinguish between peace with God and the peace of God. Peace with God is a positional truth resulting from our justification (being declared righteous) by faith. Our righteous standing means that the enmity between ourselves and the Lord has been removed and there is now peace (Romans 5:1). On the other hand, the peace of God is a practical truth relating to one's personal experience with the Lord.
 
A believer may know of his position in Christ and still lack inner peace. The pressures of society today are very extreme and many believers are tormented by anxiety and turmoil within. As long as this continues one can never be all that he should be for the Lord.
 
The Biblical cure for anxiety is found in Philippians 4:6,7: take everything to the Lord in prayer and supplication. This verse indicates that such prayer does not involve meaningless generalities, but specific requests. The promised result is not the same as that which was promised to the Twelve in connection with their special enduement with power ("Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do"), but the promise of peace. The circumstances may not change. The difficulties may not go away. What we are promised is the peace of God, a peace that is beyond comprehension.

Lest any reader feel short-changed, we should all reflect on what a great blessing this is. Though the Lord does not promise to change the circumstances, He does promise the ability to victoriously endure them. Truly, "Godliness with contentment is great gain."

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

BE ON YOUR GUARD
By R.B. Shiflet

One of the strongest appeals that the Apostle Paul makes to believers is that found in Colossians 2:4-23, in which he warns us against letting Satan capture our minds. This section of the epistle is bounded on either side by the word “hid,” and its key message is the fulness of Christ as the only answer to the emptiness of human reasoning. Note how in verse 3 he refers to Christ, “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” and in chapter 3, verse 3, he says to us as believers, “ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Between these passages that tell us that all true wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ and that our own lives are also hidden in Him, he calls attention to (1) The Purpose of our Enemy, (2) The Plan of our Enemy, and (3) The Protection Against our Enemy.

THE PURPOSE of our Enemy

The aim of our foe is stated in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest any man spoil you.” The term “spoil” means to “rob,” or to “make a prey” of, or to take one captive. It is obvious that a loose hold on the truth of our fulness in Christ will make one an easy victim to this method of deception. Just as surely as the truth makes free, error genders to bondage. One who fails to see the truth of our completeness in Christ and His fulness does not have a balanced view of truth and can be easily led astray.

It is interesting to note the bait that Satan uses to reason aside the weak brother that he takes into captivity. For the carnal believer, such as those at Corinth, he uses the coarse appeals of the flesh with all of its lusts. But for the “spiritual” Christian who still has an unbalanced view of truth, he may use a “spiritual” bait—as is suggested in Colossians 2:18. This may come in the form of “visions,” superior claims to holy living, or any effort to attain spiritual progress through fleshly efforts or wisdom.

THE PLAN of Our Enemy

The enemy usually lures us aside through an emphasis on an empty, deceitful kind of wisdom. He bases this, according to our chapter in Colossians, on three things:

First, he uses man-made teachings, or the traditions of men. Bible teachers tell us that the word “tradition” as used here is found thirteen times in the New Testament, and it is usually used in a bad sense. Note, for example, where the Pharisees were charged with making the Word of God of none effect through their traditions (Mark 7:2-7). How much of the church programs of today are nothing more than traditions of men, with no Scriptural basis!

Second, Satan would lead us astray by keeping us in the elements, or rudiments of the world. The term “rudiments” means “first steps.” The Hebrews were told that these rudiments or elements belonged to childhood, and the mature believer was charged to leave them and go on (Hebrews 5:12-6:3). The Galatians were told that these rudiments would only gender bondage (Galatians 4:3). In Colossians 2:20, the believer is told that he is dead with Christ to these rudiments, and that he therefore should not be subject to carnal ordinances. By way of contrast, he is told to set his affections on things above, not on things on the earth. Believers who live in the shadow days of external ordinances miss the joy of the reality, who is Christ; those who feel that they can worship only with these worldly elements fail to see that we are citizens of heaven and in the sight of God are “seated with Christ” in heavenly places even now.

Third, if Satan cannot lure us through traditions of men and rudimentary ordinances, he will make the intellectual appeal. He will reason us aside through wisdom of words, making the cross of Christ ineffective (1 Cor. 1:17); he will try to get us so involved in the wisdom of this world that we will fail to see that it is only foolishness to God (1 Cor. 3:19); he will lead us into fleshly wisdom, frustrating the grace of God (2 Cor. 1:12); and he will make the wisdom from beneath so, attractive that we neglect the wisdom which is from above (James 3:15-17).

THE PROTECTION Against Our Enemy

The entire Colossian epistle is written to give us the protection we need against these tactics of our enemy. It may be summarized in one or two verses: “For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10). This completeness in Christ is the exact opposite of the empty, vain life that Satan has to offer. Are we really aware of what we have? YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM! If I am complete in Christ, then nothing a preacher or a church can do for me in the way of ritual or religion is needed. As a matter of fact, we can add nothing to completeness. We are Complete in HIM. If we believe this, may we act upon it and make Christ the center and circumference of our lives. May we rejoice in Him, glory in Him, do all that we say or do in HIS name, giving no occasion to the flesh, but doing all for His honor and glory. Only then will the purpose and plan of our enemy be foiled and our protection against him be sure.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

God's Gifts to His Church
by Paul M. Sadler, 
                                                                         

                    "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry." -- Ephesians 4:11-13                   

                    Paul warns us about those who, whether wittingly or unwittingly, would spread unsound doctrine among us. We are living in a time when some of the brethren seem to deem it important to find something new. Of course, it is not our intent to discourage anyone in regard to exercising the "Berean spirit." However, care should be taken not to undermine the foundation upon which our faith rests. We do well to remember that the "Doctrinal Statement" our forefathers forged for us was a product of intense debate with the denominational leaders of their day. Each plank of the statement was carefully crafted as a defense and confirmation of the Fundamentals of the faith and Paul's gospel. Therefore, let us not be too quick to challenge those things which are "tried and true."

                    At this late hour, there are those who tell us that the "gifts" of evangelists, pastors and teachers or pastor-teachers are no longer in operation today. Some have even gone as far to say that the enabling "gifts" have also passed. This flies in the face of our "Doctrinal Statement," which has served us well for over fifty years. It states:                   

                    "The gifts necessary for the ministry of the Body of Christ are those enumerated in Eph. 4:7-16. Of these, only the gifts of evangelists and pastor-teachers are in operation today. "

                    Here in Ephesians, one of Paul's later epistles, the apostle sets the tone for the course of this dispensation. Clearly, the context of this portion concerns itself with the gifts God has given to His Church. It is true that the gifts of "apostles" and "prophets" passed with the completion of the Word of God (I Cor. 13:8-13 cf. Col. 1:25). Once the Word of God was dispensed, these two offices and the gifted men who held them were nonessential. We now have something far better, the written revelation that they handed down to us, which is to be obeyed in matters of faith and practice.

                    There is no indication, whatsoever, that the gifts of evangelists, pastors and teachers have ever been withdrawn. In fact, Paul plainly states their purpose: "For the perfecting [maturing] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying [building up] of the Body of Christ. "And how long shall this continue? "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge [Gr. epignosis -- full knowledge] of the Son of God" (Eph. 4:13).

                    Surely, it could not be said there has ever been a period in Church history, past or present, that the "unity of the faith" has been attained, much less a "full knowledge" of the Son of God. But this is exactly what we are being asked to believe; that is, the unity of the faith has been attained. Perhaps, we should put this to the Berean test.                   

                    Creation: Some believe God created all things in six literal twenty-four hour days. Others teach the "ruin and reconstruction theory" that God created, destroyed and re-created. This is commonly called the "gap theory" which places millions or billions of years between the original creation and the re-creation.                   

                    Redemption: The battle has raged for centuries over whether Christ died for the sins of all mankind or merely for the sins of the elect. Which do you believe?                   

                    Things to Come: It is well known there are those who believe the events covered in the Book of Revelation are entirely futuristic. Many would challenge this assertion as absurd. They teach that the early chapters of the Apocalypse describe the various stages of Church history up to the present "Laodicean" age. If we agree that there are two camps of interpretation on any Biblical subject, then we have yet to come into the unity of the faith.                   

                    There is not one scintilla of evidence that the "unity of the faith" has ever been attained by all. Even in Paul's day, the saints were wielding the sword of the Spirit against one another (II Tim. 1:15 cf. 2:17-19). In addition, we must inquire: Has the Church come to a full knowledge of the Son of God? That is, of His person, work and present heavenly ministry. We shall answer this question with a question: Has the Church, which is His Body, acknowledged the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery?                   

                    The "unity of the faith" and a "full knowledge" of Christ is a goal set before us that will never be fully attained until the Rapture. Thus, the responsibility of Gods gifts to His Church is to proclaim the whole counsel of God in light of the Pauline epistles. Why? that the saints might be established in the faith!                   

                    There is also an experiential side to this truth as well. When God called me into the ministry nearly thirty years ago, it was definitive. Other pastors have testified of similar experiences, which confirms that the "gifts and callings of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:29). Beware of those who would rob you of this precious truth! 

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

PERFECT PEACE
By DONALD W. WEFFALD,

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 26:3

'Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

This verse expresses a general truth that is true for every believer in every dispensation. As the Psalmist said, "The Lord will bless His people with peace" (Psalms 29:11). And our Lord assured His disciples, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). Paul, our Apostle, tells us that the fruit of the Spirit, among other things, is "peace" (Galatians 5:22).
 
In the Hebrew "perfect peace" is actually the word "shalom" repeated. It is a figure of speech, called epizeuxis, used for emphasis. Here it has the meaning of "much peace, great peace," that is, "full genuine well-being." The King James translation is a good one) for it takes into account the difference in language form. The same word "shalom" (Hebrew, peace) is used the same way in Isaiah 57:19 and Jeremiah 6:14 where it is translated "peace, peace."
 
Our verse is part of a song that looks forward to the restoration of Israel and Judah in a time called "that day" (Isaiah 26:I). "The first four verses sing of Jerusalem, the city of God, of its strength, its walls, gates, righteous inhabitants and the peace and trust that reign in its dwellings" (Bultema). Israel's peace, as well as ours, depends upon the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). It will be experienced by those of steadfast mind who trust in the Lord. "Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:4).

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

THE SUPREME IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S WORD TO THE BELIEVER
 by C. R. Stam

    The Bible will always have first place in the life of the spiritual Christian.

    It is of utmost importance that we understand this, for some who feel themselves quite spiritual give much time to prayer, but little, if any, to the study of the Word. Such have actually fallen for the subtle trick of the adversary to play upon their natural human pride and cause them to exalt self and push God into the background.

    In saying this we do not for one moment minimize the importance of prayer; we only stress the supreme importance of the holy Word of God. In this we are surely Scriptural, for David says, by  inspiration:

    *"For Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name" (Psa. 138:2).

    Of those who would still object and place first emphasis upon  prayer rather than upon the Word, we would ask one simple question: Which is the more important, what we have to say to God or what He has to say to us? There can be but one answer to this question, for obviously what God has to say to us is infinitely more important than anything we might have to say to Him. Our prayers are as fraught with failure as we are, but the Word of God is infallible, immutable and eternal.

    Yet some, having fallen for one of Satan's "devices" and feeling  quite spiritual about it, are like the talkative person to whom one listens and listens, occasionally nodding his head, but receiving little or no opportunity to "get a word in edgewise."  They do all the talking, but give little time listening to what God has to say to them.

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________

[nChrist]

CALLED THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD
by Russel S. Miller


"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace, To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood" (Gal. 1:15,16).

From the moment of his birth, Paul, like Jeremiah (1:5) of old, was selected by the Lord to "preach among the heathen" (Gal. 1:16). But unlike Jeremiah, Paul was not called to be a prophet. In Romans 11:13 he states the reason for which God had called him:

"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office" (Rom. 11:13).

In Ephesians 3:8, we read these words concerning his ministry:

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ."

The Lord was in Paul’s life from his birth, working behind the scenes in his early training, his schooling, being also "brought up in [Jerusalem] at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" (Acts 22:3). In other words God had Paul, and this dispensation of grace, in mind all the while and "worketh all things after the counsel of His own will" (Eph. 1:11).

It was at Damascus -— upon the conversion of this Saul of Tarsus -— that Christ began to reveal Himself unto him! Acts 9 marks the beginning of "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in Paul’s life (Gal. 1:11,12; Acts 26:16-18; I Tim. 1:15-16).

"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (I Tim. 1:14).

Thus, we discover that both before and after Acts 28 the Apostle’s afflictions were on account of his God-given call to minister the gospel of the grace of God.

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for His Body’s sake, which is the Church; WHEREOF I AM MADE A MINISTER, according to the dispensation of God WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME for you, to fulfil the Word of God; Even THE MYSTERY which has been HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, but has NOW been made manifest to His saints" (Col. 1:24-26).

It was concerning THIS call and ministry of grace that Paul wrote Timothy: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (II Tim. 4:7).

_____________________________________________________
From Grace And The Truth Ministries
If this devotion has been a blessing to you,
please share it with others.
The Word of God is so needed in our troubled world.

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship
of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been
hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.
_______________________________________________________