GRACE AND THE TRUTH - DAILY INSPIRATION

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~PAUL'S THANKFULNESS~

Scripture Reading:  2 Thessalonians 1:1-3.


The same three men named in 1 Thessalonians are named here as sending greetings. Paul's use of "we" (1:3-4, 11-12) is worth noting. More than one man was responsible for establishing this, and other churches. God's laborers work together, by His design to accomplish His work. Silas was Paul's primary associate on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:40). Timothy was a young man Paul had led to Christ (1 Tim. 1:2) during his first missionary Journey (Acts 13-14). It was Timothy who brought Paul news of the Thessalonian situation the first " time (I Thess 3: 12,6). These three men were those who brought the faith to and nurtured the Thessalonian Church.

Again Paul greets the Thessalonians with his characteristic "grace and peace" (vs.2). Paul wants his readers to experience these blessings in their fullest measure. Grace is God's unmerited favor bestowed upon all who receive Him (John I:12). "Peace" is the ending of the alienation that previously separated the unbeloved from God (Romans 5:1).

Paul thanks God for this Church because of the continual growth in their faith (gk. huperauxanei). He has seen their faith grow superabundantly or vigorously in spite of hardship and persecution. Paul often uses superlatives in his Greek expressions. The Thessalonians' faith in God continues to increase as well as their love for others (James 2:14-17). Is this a reality in Our lives?

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Accepted in the Beloved
By Pastor John McKay



"To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

Alfred the Great was made king of an ancient division of England known as Wessex. Early in his reign he suffered devastating losses at the hands of the Danes. His men scattered and he was reduced to hiding in the cottage of a simple herdsman. Dressed as a peasant, Alfred did chores for the family, and once was scolded for letting the bread burn. Although the humble family did not know who they were scolding, Alfred displayed patience and humility. After he regathered his forces and went on to victory over the Danes, he returned—we are told—to thank and repay the herdsman for the kindnesses shown to him. Needless to say, he was fully received and treated as their King.

In a much more significant way, the Lord Jesus Christ "came unto His own, and His own received Him not." The princes of this world did not know the hidden wisdom of God, "for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." He was "despised and rejected of men," and still is by this present world-system. Although the Lord Jesus is now in glory, the world continues to reject Him. The principle that we are being rejected because He is being rejected is found in John 15:20.

Ephesians 1:6 brilliantly shines peace, patience, and comfort unto us. The Heavenly Father "hath made us accepted in the Beloved." When our faith is in the Son of God and His death for our sin, grace makes us immediately acceptable to God because of the infinite merit of Christ, and His righteousness to us by that faith! If we are rejected now, at least one day, we shall be manifested as children of God.

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THE GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

St. Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, refers to those who receive “the abundance of grace” and “the gift of righteousness” (Rom.5:17) which God in love bestows upon all who trust in His Son for salvation.

The Bible declares that no man can ever stand uncondemned in the sight of God, the Judge of all, unless he receives righteousness as the gift of God's grace.

Quoting from the Psalms, the Apostle says in Romans 3:10; “It is written, there is none righteous, no, not one”. This is why Paul pitied those who continued to go about “to establish their own righteousness” (Rom.10:3). He knew that their struggle was utterly futile, that they needed to be saved (See Verse One).

Let us thank God that the Lord Jesus Christ took the condemnation and judgment of our sins upon Himself at Calvary so that His righteousness might be imputed to us by grace through faith. Regarding Abraham’s justification before God, the Apostle says: “What saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Rom.4:3).

Abraham’s justification, of course, was based on the fact that Christ was to die for sin, but Christ’s death is now past; it is an historical fact. Thus righteousness is now proclaimed through Christ and offered to all as a gift. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom.5:8 ). “God hath made Him to be sin for us…that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Cor.5:21).

But we must receive this righteousness as a gift, for “to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is counted for righteousness” (Rom.4:5).

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Does Christ Dwell in Your Heart ?
Part  1 of 2
by Ken Lawson, Pastor

That Christ May dwell in your hearts by faith ... Ephesians 3:17 a

The above scripture is an excerpt from Paul's prayer showing how he prayed for power and spiritual maturity for the Christians. What has perplexed many thinking students of God's Word is why he would request that "Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" when the Bible plainly teaches that all believers have already been indwelt by Christ. Paul exclaimed, "Christ liveth in me" and concluded, "Now if any may have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His" (Galatians 2:20, Romans 8:9).

Indeed scripture instructs us that we are indwelt by all three members of the Trinity. (See I Corinthians 3:16, 6:19 Ephesians 4:6, 2:21,22). This is true of the saints individually as well as the church body corporately. That the context addresses believers only, is proven by the fact that this epistle is addressed to "the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1). Also the previous verse in the context beseeches the Father to "strengthen them with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (v. 16). This is not the regeneration of the sinner but the empowerment of the saint.

The answer to this seeming difficulty is to understand the difference between our standing and state--or as some call it our position and condition. All believers in Christ have been baptized by the Spirit of God into Christ and thus have a standing in Him which is perfect and unalterable (1 Corinthians 12:13 Ephesians 1:4). God no longer looks at us in ourselves but "in Christ" as an abiding position. We have been "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" and this certainly includes the presence of Christ's Spirit in us (Ephesians 1:3).

However our state or condition in this world is far from perfect and requires our continual growth in knowledge and godliness. The goal of the Christian life is not to be saved (that is only the beginning) but to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Even the apostle Paul had to recognize that he had not yet attained to this spiritual objective (Philippians 3:10-14). While God is even now fashioning Christ's spiritual image in the believers, the final product will not be complete until our Lord Jesus Christ appears from heaven and changes our vile body (body of humiliation), that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:20,21).

With this in mind, we can see Paul's prayer for Christ to dwell in our hearts by faith refers to the believers state of dedication rather than their standing in Christ. Interestingly enough, there are several words in the Greek:. New Testament translated "dwell." This one means more than to simply inhabit. "Katoikesai" is made up of oikeo, "to live in as a home," and kata, "down," thus "to settle down and be at home" (Wuest).

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Does Christ Dwell in Your Heart ?
Part  2 of 2
by Ken Lawson, Pastor


To illustrate the distinction between a house and a home, I remember my former life as a salesman. With some people I called upon, I felt welcome from the time I entered their home. The friendly greeting and "down home" country demeanor caused me to relax and feel comfortable. Sometimes I accepted their invitation to supper and was treated like one of the family. But other people produced a completely different atmosphere. As I entered the house, I sensed strife and tension in the air and couldn't wait to complete my business and leave. So it is with our relationship with the indwelling Christ.

Some Christians walk after their own desires--giving little consideration to glorifying Christ in their mortal bodies. Likewise, when we allow bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice to characterize our life, the Holy Spirit is grieved (but does not leave us) for we are sealed by Him unto the day of redemption (the redemption of our body at Christ's coming for us) (Ephesians 4:30,31). Contrariwise, other Christians have "presented their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" and seek to walk in the Spirit (Romans 12:1, Galatians 5:16). In the measure that we follow God's will, Christ will settle down and be comfortable in our hearts.

The normal course of action when we realize the Spirit's grieving in us is, to obey God's Word and be filled with (controlled by) the Spirit. The parallel verse in Colossians 3:16 tells us that in order to do this, we should "let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." This "Word of Christ" to us Gentiles in this Dispensation of Grace refers specifically to Paul's epistles. (See Ephesians 3:1-9; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 1:24-27; Romans 11:13, 15:16; I Corinthians 14:37; II Corinthians 13:3; Galatians 1:11, 12; 2:2,7; I Timothy 2:4-7). Paul tells us the way of the sanctified life in Christ in Romans Chapter 6. We have been baptized (supernaturally identified, made one) with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection thus breaking the power of sin in our lives. Likewise we are to reckon this fact to be true of us personally. Then we are to yield ourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and our members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Romans 6:1-13).

Our Lord Jesus Christ condescends to live in the heart of a sinner saved by grace. What an honor to have such a guest in our hearts! Do we make Him feel at home? We have His promise, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). But "being strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" is the necessary prerequisite for Christ Jesus to reign as Lord in our hearts. Does He have free access to all parts of our heart life or do we exclude Him from certain things? He is our constant companion and guide. Let us clear away the old rubbish in the throne room of our hearts and fashion a habitation fit for a King. Only then can Christ settle down and feel at home.

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"GRACE ABOUNDING IN PAUL’S MINISTRY"
by C. R. Stam

“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and THE MINISTRY WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.”
—The Apostle Paul in Acts 20:24.


“GRACE to you, and peace” (Rom.1:7);

“Being justified freely by His GRACE” (Rom.3:24);

“we have access by faith into this GRACE wherein we stand” (Rom.5:2);

“the GRACE of God, and gift by GRACE…is by one Man” (Rom.5:15);

“the abundance of GRACE and of the gift of righteousness” (Rom.5:17);

“where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound…that GRACE might reign” (Rom.5:20,21);

“for ye are not under the law, but under GRACE” (Rom.6:14);

“not under the law, but under GRACE” (Rom.6:15);

“there is a remnant according to the election of GRACE” (Rom.11:5);

“if by GRACE, then it is no more of works; otherwise GRACE is no more GRACE…. But if it be of works, then is it no more GRACE” (Rom.11:6);

“By the GRACE of God I am what I am; and His GRACE… was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the GRACE of God which was with me” (ICor.15:10);

“that the abundant GRACE might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (IICor.4:15);

“receive not the GRACE of God in vain” (IICor.6:1);

“ye know the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ” (IICor.8:9);

“God is able to make all GRACE abound toward you” (IICor.9:8 );

“the exceeding GRACE of God” (IICor.9:14);

“My GRACE is sufficient for thee” (IICor.12:9);

“I do not frustrate the GRACE of God” (Gal.2:21);

“the praise of the glory of His GRACE” (Eph.1:6);

“the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His GRACE” (Eph.1:7);

“the exceeding riches of His GRACE” (Eph.2:7);

“For by GRACE are ye saved, through faith” (Eph.2:8 );

“the dispensation of the GRACE of God… given me to you-ward” (Eph.3:2);

“Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly…singing with GRACE in your hearts to the Lord” (Col.3:16);

“the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant” (ITim.1:14);

“who hath saved us…according to His own purpose and GRACE, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (IITim.1:9);

“Be strong in the GRACE that is in Christ Jesus” (IITim.2:1);

“GRACE be with you all” (Tit.3:15).

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PAUL REJOICES
By RALPH F. BALOG

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:10

Whenever II Corinthians 11:22-33 is read don't you wonder wherein Paul would have anything to rejoice about? If anyone was looking forward to a glorified body, it was surely Paul. Truly he is our example of God's strength made perfect in physical weakness (II Cor. 12:9-10).

But in this later Philippian epistle, Paul's rejoicing is not for relief of his physical needs, but rather that other members of the Body of Christ were learning their responsibility to Paul. He was rejoicing this way because "ye were careful, but ye lacked opportunity." They had tried but could not reach Paul with their gifts of love. And for their efforts, Paul rejoiced.

In verses 11,12 and 13 Paul states he is not concerned with his physical needs. Whatever the Lord allows, Paul will accept. He states: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." In verse 14 he writes something similar to verse 10: "Notwithstanding ye have well done that ye did communicate with my affliction." Verse 17 tells why Paul was rejoicing: "I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Could this be anything less than the Judgment Seat of Christ where "our account" will be made known?

Nevertheless Paul expresses gratitude for the gifts sent through Epaphroditus which he says are "well pleasing to God." Again, though Paul rejoices, the end result is that it pleases God, and that is what really counts. May we learn from Paul to rejoice in the growth of fellow members of the Body of Christ as together we minister to each other's needs.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART 1 OF 2
By 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 favours, 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 in 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 unblamable 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.

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 wellbeloved 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.

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AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION
PART 2 OF 2
By J. C. O'Hair


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.

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 uncircumcision 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 youward". 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 masterbuilder, 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.

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A FORM OF GODLINESS
By JON D. BEKEMEYER, Pastor

Scripture Reading: II Timothy 3:5

One of the great perils of the last days is that people such as those described in II Timothy 3 (covetous, blasphemers, false accusers, fierce, traitors, etc.) also have a "form of godliness." It would be good if all the enemies of the Lord would identify them-selves as such, but instead, "they profess that they know God, but in works they deny him" (Titus 1:16).

True godliness is heartfelt devotion toward God. It exhibits a life that is pleasing to the Lord, because as the true believer seeks to live a godly life, the Lord enables him to do just that. Godliness is produced by the power of God.

A mere form of godliness is not enough. Unbelieving Israel had a form of godliness.  These religious people "followed after the law of righteousness," yet they did not attain it (Romans 9:31). They had at "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Romans 10:2).

So it is with those described in II Timothy 3. To them godliness has nothing to do with the genuine working of God, it is simply a system. They deny the power of true godliness.

Just as there are those who deny the power of true godliness, we are to deny ungodliness. We live under grace today, and this grace enables us to live godly lives in the midst of an evil world (Titus 2: 12).

May we be totally dissatisfied with mere outward form, and insist on true godliness----the genuine working of God in our lives. He alone can give the increase. He alone deserves the glory.

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THE MIDDLE WALL OF PARTITION
by Russell S. Miller


“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

“Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain ONE new man, so making peace;

“And that He might reconcile both unto God in ONE BODY by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

“And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

“For through Him we both have ACCESS by one Spirit unto the Father” (Eph.2:14-18 ).

On that Day that Christ Died, we know that “the veil in the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom...” (Matt.27:51), but the meaning of this terrific event is hidden from the understanding of Jew and Gentile until we come to the Epistles of St. Paul. In the book of Exodus, God “put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel” (Ex.11:7). In giving the Law of Moses, He “put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (Lev.10:10; 11:47; 20:25). And in the Prophets, God condemned the priests for “violating” His law and “profaning” His“holy” things: “...they have put no difference between the holy and profane...between the unclean and the clean...and I am profaned among them” (Ezek.22:26).

But in Paul’s Gospel, the Apostle declares that “there is no difference” today, between Jews and Gentiles: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom.3:22,23). Israel was “nigh” but through their unbelief the Jews had become as “far off” as the Gentiles. And Paul further points out that God is now dealing with all mankind today—by His grace:

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:12,13).

This should not too difficult for us to understand. It simply shows that there is now no longer  a difference between Jews and Gentiles today. And this, brethren,  this occurs before Acts 28; before  Acts 18:6; before Acts 13, but after Acts 2. It shows that with Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, and the commencement  of the dispensation of the GRACE of God, that “the middle wall of partition” was broken down. It shows that the gospel of the grace of God is to all peoples and nations without distinction today (Acts 9:15).

God has put an end to all the bigotry, prejudice, and biased opinions of religious men and women! The Lord Jesus has “abolished the enmity”  through “the blood of His cross” making, “in Himself, of [the] twain ONE  new man,  so making peace” (Eph.2:15). Thus Paul’s exhortation:

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

“And be ye kind one to another,tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Eph.4:31,32).

Clearly, then, this wonderful“access” to God that all peoples have today is first revealed to the Apostle Paul by our Lord Jesus Christ in Romans, Ephesians, and Hebrews:

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19,20).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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THE LAW MISUNDERSTOOD
by C. R. Stam



There are three misconceptions that most people entertain about the law of God and its Ten Commandments:

Most people have a vague notion that the law always was in existence and that it must have been given to the first man, Adam, or soon after. Actually, God gave the law to Moses for Israel about 1500 B.C., after about 2500 years of human history had elapsed (John 1:17). So mankind lived on earth for about 2500 years without the law or the Ten Commandments.

Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to mankind in general, while, in fact, it was given to Israel alone (Deuteronomy 5:2,3).

Most people suppose that the law and the Ten Commandments were given to help us to do right. Even some clergymen teach this, although the Bible clearly teaches that they were given to show us that we are guilty sinners. It is true that the law, while given to Israel, also shows the Gentile that he is a sinner. This is why Romans 3:19 says:

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God.”

But most important of all: Few people realize that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins to deliver us from the just condemnation of the law. This is taught in the following Scriptures:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…” (Gal.3:13).

“For God hath made Him to be sin for us, [Christ] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (IICor.5:21).

“For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are NOT UNDER THE LAW, BUT UNDER GRACE” (Rom.6:14).

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From Grace And The Truth Ministries
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~VICTORY BY GRACE~
Read: 1 Cor. 15:54-67


"Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God!" (1 John 5:4,5). Carnal man has not the capacity nor the means to fortify himself against the destructive forces of this world. As vessels of clay we know only discouragement and defeat. So long as we walk the earth we are subject to its evils and temptations. Each of us has the same struggle as that described by the Apostle Paul.

"For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD...For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 7:22-25; 8:2).

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or peril, or sword! ....Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:35,37).

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory .....The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"
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HOSEA 10:2
"Their heart is divided;
now shall they be found faulty:
he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images."

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A DIVIDED HEART


"Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty " These words remind me of Hebrews 8:8 where it says "for finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel "

What was Israel's divided heart? It was that they were not true to God's Law but broke it in idolatry! They went whoring after other Gods. They forsook the God of Israel and were continually showing their breach of the Covenant of the Law. God in His long-suffering allowed Israel again and again to manifest their failure under the First Covenant because He was going to prove them to need a Savior who would mediate a better Covenant.

Finally, in Acts 7:53, the dispensation of law came to a dramatic close as Stephen full of the Holy Spirit, declared to Israel "who have received the Law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it!" Thus it is here, dispensationally speaking, "...that where sin abounded (under the Law) GRACE superabounded" (Rom. 5:20). Yes, indeed, God found fault with them in their divided heart, but that just showed them to be sinners like all the rest of us! God has effectively shown ALL (Jew and Greek) under sin that He might have mercy upon ALL (Romans 11:32). What is this mercy? "Christ died for our sins...was buried.....and rose again the third day....." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us..." (Galatians 3:13). "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified (declared righteous) by faith apart from the deeds of the Law" (Rom. 3:28 )." "Believe oh the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31)

Donald Webb, Bible teacher

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YESTERDAY , TODAY and TOMORROW
GOD'S TIMETABLE  Part 1 of 4
By ~. Jack Trumm ~



It's been said that you can buy a newspaper and find out what happened yesterday. You can turn on the radio, television, or computer and find out what's happening today, but thank God, you can open your Bible and find out what's going to happen tomorrow. Actually, the Bible can tell us about and explain all three (yesterday, today and tomorrow).

GOD'S TIMETABLE

First of all, to learn where we are on God's timetable, remember this: the status of the nation Israel tells us where we are on God's timetable. Like the hands on a clock, this points to where we are in God's dealing with mankind.

Let's take today for example. What is the status of the nation Israel today, as far as God's word is concerned?

1. They have been set aside in unbelief.
2. Currently, they have no covenant relationship with God. (In fact no nation has.)
3. They are in partial (or temporary) blindness, and are being avoided (even considered enemies) by God as He blesses the Gentiles and focuses on them for the time being. Paul writes, "as concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes." (Romans 11:28 )

We can see from a brief study of the Bible, from Genesis 12, all the way through the rest of the Old Testament, and continuing through the four gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and through the first seven chapters of the Book of Acts, God's focus of attention is His nation, Israel. The Book of Acts records the failure of the nation Israel to believe the claims of Christ, and their failure to accept the offer of their King and Kingdom nationally for the time being. Then with Paul's conversion, calling and message, we learn of Israel's temporary casting away or being set aside and avoided.

We can look around us, study current events and see that Israel still remains in unbelief, and still wails at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, crying out for God to speak to her. She wishes God would focus on her as in the days of old, and speak to her as in days of old. She remains in unbelief and blinded to this very day. So then, from examining Israel's current status and looking at the Bible, we can see where we are on God's timetable.

OUR YESTERDAY

The Bible explains our yesterday. It tells how God chose Israel to be his favored nation, and how He gave the Gentile nations over to their own lusts. Paul writes, "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like unto corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." (Romans 1:21-25)

From then on the Gentiles are avoided, and often times ordered to get out of the way as God placed Israel into the promised land. And so from Genesis 12 unto Paul's conversion in Acts 9, the Gentiles are avoided by God and ignored. Paul wrote,"Wherefore remember, that ye being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands, that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." (Ephesians 2:11-12)

In our yesterday, God's focus, His attention was on His favored nation, Israel. Even in our Lord's earthly ministry He made it very clear saying, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel" adding, "It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to the dogs. " (Matthew 15:24,26) He commanded His disciples, saying, "Go NOT into the way of the Gentiles, and into ANY city of the Samaritans enter ye NOT: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." (Matthew 10:5-6) And in further clarification, to the Samaritan woman our Lord Jesus said, "Ye worship ye know not what, we (Jews) know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews." (John 4:22)

Continued