Two Minutes With The Bible

[Brother Love]

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

By Cornelius R. Stam

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight..." (Rom. 3:20).

It is strange that so many sincere people can so misun-
derstand Gods written Word as to suppose that He gave the
Law "to help us to be good" or "as a rule of life."

The Law was not given to help us to be good, but rather
to show us that we are sinners and need a Savior. Rom.
3:22,23 says that "there is no difference, for all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God." How foolish, then, to
look to the Law for help. Though the Law provides for just
trial it does not help the criminal; it condemns him. Thus
the Bible teaches that the Law was given:

"That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be
brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19).

"For by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3:20).

"The law entered that the offense might abound" (Rom. 5:20).

"That sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful" (Rom. 7:13).

"It was added because of transgressions" (Gal. 3:19).

This leads us to St. Pauls great conclusion:

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight" (Rom. 3:20).

This makes sense, for doing a few "good" things cannot
right the wrongs we have done. Good is what we should do,
hence we should not expect to be rewarded for it.

But, thank God, "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3)
and "by Him all who believe are justified" (Acts 13:39).

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

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[Brother Love]

SIMPLE AS CAN BE

By Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever heard some preacher say: "There are
many things in the Bible which are hard to understand but,
thank God, the plan of salvation is as simple as can be."

Well the plan of salvation is simple IF we obey II Tim-
othy 2:15, "rightly dividing the Word of truth." Otherwise it
is far from simple.

The Apostle Paul wrote: "We conclude that a man is jus-
tified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). Yet
James wrote: "By works a man is justified, and not by faith
only" (James 2:24).

Again, at Sinai God said to Israel through Moses: "If ye
will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye
shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people ..."
(Ex. 19:5). But our Lord said, as He sent His apostles to
witness for Him that, "He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved... and these signs shall follow them that be-
lieve: in My name shall they cast out demons, they shall
speak with new tongues..." etc. (Mark 16:16-18). Thus, ac-
cording to their "great commission" water baptism was
required for salvation and miraculous signs were the evi-
dences of salvation.

Confusing? Contradictory? Not if we "rightly divide the
Word of truth." It was after "the law was given by Moses,"
after our Lords earthly ministry, after the commission to
the twelve, that God raised up another apostle, Paul, and
sent him forth with "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts
20:24).

It was Paul who was sent to declare: "But NOW, the
righteousness of God without the law is manifested..." (Rom.
3:21). "To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness"
(Rom. 4:5). "Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

By Cornelius R. Stam

The last great book of the Bible opens with the words:
"The revelation of Jesus Christ," and from these words it
derives its title: "The Revelation." In this book St. John
deals largely with the return of Christ in glory to judge and
reign.

II Thes. 1:7,8 tells us that one day "the Lord Jesus shall
be revealed from heaven... in flaming fire taking vengeance
on them that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ." This is what the book of the Revelation is basically
about. But this phraseology is also used in Paul’s epistles,
for in Gal. 1:11,12 he says:

"I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not after man, for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

Surely this is not the same "revelation of Jesus Christ" of
which John wrote. St. Paul refers not to "the revelation of
Jesus Christ" in glory, but to "the revelation of Jesus
Christ" in grace while He delays the judgment; not His
revelation to the world in person, but His revelation to the
world through Paul the chief of sinners, saved by grace.

In Verses 15,16 of Gal. 1, the Apostle says: "...it pleased
God... to reveal His Son in Me." What a revelation of grace
to a sin-cursed world when God saved Saul, His bitter,
blaspheming enemy! He tells about it in I Tim. 1:13-16,
where he says:

" was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious... Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING."

This is why Paul says: "...it pleased God... to reveal His
Son in Me." By saving the chief of sinners (as Paul calls
himself in I Tim. 1:15), God would show us that He is
willing to save any sinner, "for whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13).
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
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[Brother Love]

SEALED WITH THE SPIRIT

By Cornelius R. Stam

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13).

Most careful commentaries of the Bible make it clear that
the words "after that," in the above passage, actually have
an immediate result in view. Upon hearing (or heeding)
we believed, and upon believing we were sealed with the
Spirit.

What is perhaps even more important to note, is the fact
that upon believing "the gospel of... salvation," we are
"sealed with" the "Holy Spirit," not "by" the Spirit. There is
a difference between the two, which can be simply illus-
trated.

Here is a housewife, let us say, who is "putting up" jam
or preserves and sealing each jar with wax. Now, the jars
are being sealed by the woman, but she is sealing them
with wax. Thus the Holy Spirit does not merely cause be-
lievers to be sealed and made secure. Rather He Himself is
the Seal that keeps us eternally secure as God’s beloved
children. We are sealed, not "by the Spirit," but "with the
Spirit," -- the Spirit Himself the Seal!

It is wonderful indeed to know that before the bar of God,
the simplest believer in Christ has been fully justified (Acts
13:38,39). But this is a court action, a matter of law and
justice. Besides this, the Spirit, who first brought the sin-
ner under conviction, now gives him life -- eternal life. This
is why Rom. 8:2 tells us that "the law of the Spirit, [that] of
life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin
and death." Thank God for the Spirit, who convicts, re-
generates and seals every believer in Christ!
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

THE "WILFUL SIN" OF HEBREWS 10:26

By Russell S. Miller

It is asserted that the "wilful sin", here, does not apply to this dispensation because, as members of the Body of Christ, God has already given us eternal security in Christ as Paul declares in his epistle to the Romans:

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
..NAY, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that [nothing] shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom.8:35-39).

Please note that the Hebrews also have "eternal salvation" (5:9), "eternal redemption" (9:12), and "eternal inheritance" (9:15).

So today, those who trust in His finished work of redemption, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, have "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance":

"FOR EVEN CHRIST OUR PASSOVER IS SACRIFICED FOR US" (ICor.5:7).

"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb.9:12).

Now, on the other hand, there is "no more sacrifice for sins". Those who reject His all-sufficient sacrifice for sins, whether Hebrews or Gentiles, reject "eternal salvation", "eternal redemption", and "eternal inheritance", and do so, "wilfully", as those who rejected Christ on the day of Pentecost. There is no other sacrifice in the sight of God. If you miss Christ, the only thing left is "eternal judgment" (Heb.6:2), because God has made no other provision for sin:

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb.10:26,27).

Therefore I implore you, do not tread "under foot the Son of God", nor count "the blood of the covenant" an unholy thing, and do not despise "the Spirit of grace" (Ver.29).

"VENGEANCE IS MINE; I WILL REPAY, SAITH THE LORD" (Romans 12:19).
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

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[Brother Love]

THE RIGHTNESS OF GOD

By Cornelius R. Stam

St. Pauls great Epistle to the Romans has much to say
about "the righteousness of God"; in fact, this is the theme
of the Book of Romans. Sad to say, however, the Bible is so
little read and studied of late that many people do not even
know what the word "righteousness" means.

Actually, every man, woman and child should know
about the righteousness of God -- or, to simplify the word --
the rightness of God. It is most important to understand
that God does always and only that which is right. He can
do nothing and will do nothing that is not right.

Thus God cannot and does not merely forgive sinners and
smuggle them into heaven, for this would not be right. As
Job 8:20 says, "Behold, God will not cast away a perfect
man, neither will He help evil doers," for neither would be
right.

It was Bildad who said this to Job, and Job replied, al-
most exasperated: "I know it is so of a truth, but how shall a
man be just with God?" (Job 9:2). In other words, how can a
holy God look upon a sinner and pronounce him righteous?

With this background let us consider Pauls great decla-
ration in Romans 1:16,17:

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.... for therein is the righteousness [i.e., the rightness] of God revealed...."

True, the love of God is also revealed in the gospel, but
what made Paul so proud to proclaim the gospel is the fact
that it tells how God dealt "righteously," or rightly, with
sin, paying its just penalty Himself at Calvary so that He
might offer salvation to all by free grace.

Thus the Apostle declares in Romans 6:23: "The wages of
sin is death [this is its just penalty] but the [free] gift of God
is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

THE OLD NATURE IN THE BELIEVER

By Cornelius R. Stam

The believer who would be truly spiritual must recognize
the presence of the old nature within. It would be dan-
gerous not to recognize a foe so near.
       
The old nature in the believer is that which is "begotten
of the flesh." It is called, "the flesh," "the old man," "the
natural man," "the carnal mind."
       
Just as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God"
(Rom. 8: so that which is of the flesh, in the believer,
cannot please God. "The flesh," as we have already seen,
is totally depraved. God calls it "sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3),
warns that it seeks "occasion" to do wrong (Gal. 5:13), and
declares that "the works of the flesh" are all bad (Gal. 5:
19-21).

Nor is the old nature in the believer one which improves
by its contact with the new. It is with respect to "the flesh"
in the believer, even in himself that the Apostle declares
that in it "dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18), that it is
"carnal, sold under sin" (Rom. 7:14), that it is "corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts" (Eph. 4:22), that it is at
"enmity against God," and is "not subject to the law of God,
NEITHER INDEED CAN BE" (Rom. 8:7).
       
"The flesh," even as it remains in the believer after salva-
tion, is that which was generated by a fallen begetter. It is
the old Adamic nature. It is sinful in itself.  It cannot be
improved. It cannot be changed. "That which is born [be-
gotten] of the flesh is flesh," said our Lord (John 3:6), and it
is as impossible to improve the "old man" in the believer as
it was to make him acceptable to God in the first place.
       
The "old man" was condemned and dealt with judicially
at the Cross. Never once is the believer instructed to try to
do anything with him or to make anything of him, but
always to "reckon" him "dead indeed" (Rom. 6:11), and to
"put him off" (Col. 3:8-10).
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

GODS WORD TO US

By Cornelius R. Stam

In charging Timothy to "preach the Word," the Apostle
does not mean, as some have supposed, that the pastor
should draw his sermon material equally from all parts of
the Bible. True, "all Scripture" is given so that the "man of
God" may be fully equipped for his ministry. But in this
same letter the Apostle Paul indicates that the Scriptures
must be "rightly divided" (II Tim. 2:15) and that his own
God-given message is the Word of God in particular for the
present dispensation of grace (See II Tim. 1:7-14; 2:7-9).  
Thus the Apostle declares by inspiration that believers are
established by "my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ
according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25).
       
How often the Apostle insists that his message is the
Word of God! To the Thessalonian believers he writes with
joy:

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God..." (I Thes. 2:13).

Thus the Apostle writes to Timothy, in this his last letter:
       
"Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me..." (II Tim. 1:13).

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men..." (2:2).

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel" (2:.
       
The charge to "preach the Word," therefore, refers to "all
Scripture" in general, but to Pauls God-given message in
particular. This is obvious, for it is in urging Timothy to
faithfully carry on in his place that the Apostle charges him
to "preach the Word."
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

Growing Old Gracefully

By Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reference:
"Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity."
-- I Timothy 5:1,2

The Apostle Paul deals with many different types of relationships in his epistles, but perhaps the most delicate relationship is with those who are older in years.  Like the seasons of the year, each of us gradually grow older until we find ourselves in the winter of our lives.  The first 70 years are normally filled with vim and vigor as we fulfill the desires of our heart.  But if by reason of strength we survive beyond this point the Scriptures indicate that the days ahead
are going to be filled with labor and sorrow.  Labor, in the sense that even the mundane things of life, such as rising from a chair, becomes burdensome.  To complicate matters further, sorrow surrounds us like a tattered garment as death robs us of those we love.

Little wonder that Paul admonishes us to esteem the senior members of the Body of Christ as fathers and mothers.  Their plight deserves our sensitivity and their years of experience our respect.  Furthermore, it will serve us well to remember that someday soon we will be the patriarch or matriarch.

In Ecclesiastes wise old Solomon, stricken in years himself, describes the aging process that creeps up on us like the leopard that stalks its prey.

"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1).

Someday the grim reaper will stand at the foot of our deathbed and the "mourners [will] go about the streets" whispering: Has he passed on?  Beloved, there are thousands of ways to leave this earthly tabernacle, but perhaps the most common today is when the "pitcher is broken at
the fountain."  In short, a fatal heart attack.

"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (vs. 7).

The sting of death is sin, but thanks be unto God that Christ died for our sins thereby removing its sting.  Thus, according to Paul's epistles death is merely a passage way into eternal life for all those who believe (I Cor. 15:55-57; Heb. 2:14,15).  No one looks forward to growing old, but hopefully we will do so gracefully and with dignity.  
As they say: "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself."  The blood of Christ is our eternal life insurance policy which has a rider guaranteeing our future resurrection!
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Subscribe at:
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Jemidon2004]

dang dude...someone likes the Berean Bible society...lol. No prob. I don't fault you for that at all...i'm just curious as to why I don't see much of the works of some of the old church fathers on here. The great theologians like Wesley, Spurgeon, Sproul, Pink, Edwards, Winthrop, Moody...just to name a few. I can understand two minutes with the Bible but there is a world of information and great writings out there that some Christians won't even know about unless we tell them about em. I personally love reading the sermons of Spurgeon, the Illustrations of Moody, and the writings of Pink. You get a glimpse into the depth and thought that these men had and the deepness of their words. Now that's not to take the place of daily Scripture by no means, but they are good for 'sparking' your devotional life if it is weak. It sure has done mine, and i'm 16...lol. Just a few thoughts and may God bless you.

P.S. I got a friend whose pastor was John MacArthur...just about everything he posts is by ole johnny boy. let's not make the mistake of letting just one preacher and writer shape our theology..unless that is the Holy Spirit...God Bless

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to Jemidon2004,

You need to look around more. You will find the Morning And Evening Devotions from Spurgeon every day in the announcements section. You will also find the Hoekstra Devotion in the General Theology area. There's a fairly big variety of speakers in Two Minutes With The Bible, and they are all excellent. You will find much more if you take a look.

These are all publications with no copyright or distribution problems. Their only rule is nobody can charge a penny, and they request that the author and distributor be posted with the message. I think that I get all of the ones posted on the forum each day, and they are an excellent addition to your regular Bible study.

Love In Christ,
Tom

[Brother Love]

CAN THE LAW SAVE?

By Cornelius R. Stam

This writer does not wear clerical garb, but somehow
when he visits a church away from home, someone is apt to
step up to him and ask: "Are you by chance a minister?"

Acts 13 tells how this once happened to Paul and Bar-
nabas. They had entered a synagogue as strangers and
simply sat down to listen. After "the reading of the law and
the prophets," however, the leaders of the synagogue sent
someone to ask them: "If ye men and brethren have some
word of exhortation for the people, say on" (Ver. 15). Some-
how Paul and Barnabas had been recognized as men of God.

The custom at that time was to read a passage from the
Law and then some passage in which the prophets urged
the people to observe the Law. This was followed by an ex-
hortation by one or more of the religious leaders present.

In this case Paul did have a word of exhortation for the
people, but it would be somewhat of a surprise. Getting to
the point of his message, he preached to them about Christ
and the resurrection and closed his talk with the following
words:

"Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Vers. 38,39).

Exhortation? Yes, the Apostle was saying in effect:
"Dont trust in the Law for salvation -- trust in Christ, who
died for your sins." This makes sense and it agrees with the
Bible as a whole. "By the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom.
3:20); "it was added because of transgression" (Gal. 3:19);
"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the
curse" (Gal. 3:10); but "Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us" (Gal. 3:13).
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, with-
out the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). And then he exhorted
them further not to "despise" this divine truth.

It should be obvious that the Law can only condemn sin-
ners, but it is also a fact that Christ died for sinners, to save
them from the condemnation of the Law.

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Subscribe at:
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
Berean Bible Society
N112 W17761 Mequon Road
P.O. Box 756
Germantown, WI 53022

Web Site:
http://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/
Gospel Books, Materials, & Free Mailings

Email: berean@execpc.com

[Brother Love]

THE RESURRECTION MOURNING

By Cornelius R. Stam

"But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping" (John
20:11). Why did she weep? Because the tomb was empty!
What needless sorrows follow in the wake of unbelief!

Those tear-dimmed eyes did not see the evidence of the
Lord’s resurrection. And when the angels asked: "Why
weepest thou?" she said: "Because they have taken away my
Lord, and I know not where they have laid Him." Poor
woman! She would rather have found His body there!

But here are two on their way to Emmaus, no less sor-
rowful. They are talking together about all that has hap-
penned during the past few days and "[as] they communed
together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near and went
with them, but their eyes were holden that they should not
know Him. And He said unto them: What manner of com-
munications are these that ye have one to another, as ye
walk, and are sad?" (Luke 24:15-17).

The word "walk" here does not mean to walk on but to
walk about -- to wander aimlessly. They were on their way
to Emmaus, but they were so brokenhearted that they did
not care whether or not they got there.

What had caused them to give up hope? Listen to their
own explanations: "We trusted that it had been He which
should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the
third day since these things were done" (Luke 24:21).

They had given up hope because this was the third day
since the Lords crucifixion, yet this was the very day He
was to rise from the dead, according to His own oft-
repeated promise.

Mary weeps because the tomb is empty! The two disciples
are brokenhearted because this is now the third day since
His death! We smile at the irony of unbelief.

But what about ourselves? The risen, glorified Christ
exercises far greater power and offers far greater blessings
to believers now than His followers of old knew anything
about.

"Oh, what peace we often forfeit! Oh, what needless pain
we bear!" All because we do not take God at His Word.
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Two Minutes With The Bible By Pastor Stam

Mailing Address:
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P.O. Box 756
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Web Site:
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[Brother Love]

The Day of Reckoning

By Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading:
"But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds."
-- Romans 2:5,6

Few would disagree that we live in a cruel world where sin besets us on every hand.  Who will ever forget the senseless terrorist attack on the World Trade Center where 3,000 souls perished.  Such atrocities oftentimes bring cries of protest as to why God doesn't do something with those who commit such hideous sins?  To keep things in prospective, according to Proverbs 6:17 the sins of pride and lying, of which we all are guilty, are even a greater abomination in the sight of God than hands that shed innocent blood.  The reason for this
is because they are sins that fuel these types of brutalities.

GOD'S GRACE

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" (II Cor. 5:19).

During the age of grace God has reconciled Himself to His enemies and is not imputing their trespasses unto them.  This could not be said of those who lived under the Law for God did at times impute their sins to them with catastrophic results.  When the Children of Israel committed the sin of idolatry 3,000 souls fell by the edge of the sword in judgment (Ex. 32:15-28).  The sin of disobedience committed by Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire resulted in their death
by fire (Lev. 10:1,2).  The sin of murmuring brought severe
consequences when Miriam was plagued with leprosy.  Aaron, her brother was quick to beseech the Lord to "lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly" (Num. 12:1-15).  Little did Korah, Dathan and Abiram realize that when they committed the sin of rebellion the earth would open up and swallow them and their families (Num. 16:28-34).  
These are but a few samples of sins imputed to those who dared to trespass against God.

Today under grace, God is not imputing (to put to one's charge) the world's sins unto them, but rather is giving every man, everywhere, an opportunity to be saved.  To help our understanding of this truth let us say that a bank gives you an unlimited line of credit.  As a display of grace the banker tells you that there will be no payments, interest or service charges imputed (that would be grace), but will require full payment on the account at the end of 25 years.  
Recklessly, you go on a spending spree running the account into the hundreds of millions of dollars.  Suddenly, you are confronted with the reality that you have mounted a debt that you will never be able to repay in this lifetime or the next.  As the day of reckoning approaches you work and work to satisfy the debt, but to no avail.  
About that time someone you have never met offers to pay the entire debt on your behalf, all you must do is believe that he is able and willing to pay the amount owed.  What will you response be to such a gracious offer -- belief or unbelief?  While God is not imputing sins at this hour the unsaved are accountable for those trespasses if they reject Christ's vicarious work on their behalf.

They who continue in unbelief are storing up sins, which will one day condemn them at the Great White Throne Judgment, yet to come.  Those who are behind the murder of defenseless citizens may think they have evaded the arm of justice, but they are sadly mistaken!  The angels of God are recording all of these evil deeds.  When they stand before the righteous Judge at the end of time, the books will be opened and every man will be judged according to his works (Rev. 20:1-15).  Their sins that have reached to heaven will plunge them into the depths of torment.  They shall not escape the justice of God!

But isn't God a God of love, surely He would never condemn anyone to hell?  Yes, "God is love!"  He loved the world so deeply that He sent His only begotten Son to this earth to die for our sins -- there is no greater demonstration of love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends.  But God is also holy and righteous and when it comes to the matter of sin His justice must, without exception, be satisfied.  
Always remember, any infraction against God's infinite holiness requires an infinite penalty.

Those who reject God's gracious offer of reconciliation, refusing to receive His provision of salvation, will be found in their sins.  God will be left with no other recourse, other than to confine the unbelieving to a destiny of eternal torment.  If you end up in the Lake of Fire, unsaved friend, you will have no one to blame, but YOURSELF!  God sent His Son to save you.  Christ died for your sins, was buried and rose again.  The gospel has been preached, and you have been warned!  Now the matter rests with you -- BELIEVE ON THE LORD
JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED! (Acts 16:31).

Heed these words of St. Paul before it is too late: "Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... by which also ye are saved."
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; "And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (I Cor. 15:1-4).
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[Jemidon2004]

Hey dude, Sorry about jumpin the gun...lol. Ur right, I do need to look around more...i had just been staying into the theology section but i hadn't checked the announcements...that's what I get for being a redneck. Gotta learn to watch more. Thanks for the reply pea dude. just what the doctor ordered. Well i'd best get back to my studies, catch ya laterz. I hope to get more involved when i have some more time on me hands...school...gotta love it. Ya'll take care and God Bless, thanks for the correction pea dude. Lord Bless ya

In Christ,
Joshua