Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

October 17, 2007

THE BIBLE ON THE FLOOR
by Cornelius R. Stam

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

As I passed by my study the other night, I noticed that I had left a Bible lying on the floor next to a chair. In studying I had put it down momentarily to consult a reference book and had neglected to pick it up again.

Now, as I caught a fleeting glimpse of that blessed Book lying there, it bothered me; in fact it bothered me enough to make me go back and pick it up and put it where it belonged.

Then I began wondering why so trivial a matter had troubled me. Was it because I remembered how dad would never allow anything to lie on top of the Bible? Had mere sentiment confused my thinking?

Surely the Word of God is forever settled in heaven and that book lying on the floor was only paper, ink and a leather cover. Or was it? Was it not also the Word of God as given to us? And as such, was it not representative of God Himself? If our country’s flag must be treated with honor and respect; if it is sacrilege to treat it as mere cloth, how much more is this so where the Holy Bible is concerned!

No, it was not merely dad’s example that came to mind as I saw the Bible lying there: certainly it was not only that. Rather it was a Scripture passage of which he often reminded us; the inspired words of David quoted above:

"Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy name."

To be sure God would have us use His Word as a textbook from which to learn His will. It is no sign of reverence for this great Book to leave it lying untouched on the shelf. He would have us use it and study it, perhaps underlining important passages and marking significant connections. But with all this we must never forget to treat it with the reverence and honor due the written Word of God.

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October 18, 2007

In His Service
by Paul M. Sadler, President

Scripture Reading:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
-- Romans 12:1,2

As we stand on the threshold of another new year, we should stand ready to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has called us. Time is precious! Isaac Watts once said: "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away." Unlike eternity, everything in this life has a beginning and an end, as Solomon reminds us:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die" (Eccl. 3:1,2).

In the natural course of things, life and death are in God's control. But what takes place between these two monumental events will have a bearing upon us throughout eternity. Life is the dash that appears between the dates on every tombstone. And that little dash speaks volumes. For some it marks a conversion to Christ and all the spiritual benefits that come with it. But for others it is a chronicle of rejection and rebellion against God, with no hope of reprieve. Which is true of you? If the latter, there's still time to trust Christ and flee the wrath to come.

The question is, what will we do with the remaining time that's left before our dash is etched in stone? Paul says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13,14).

This passage has always amazed me. After 30 plus years of serving the Lord, Paul was still pressing toward the goal. He refused to allow the past to influence his life -- whether it was past failures or accomplishments. God has done a wonderful work here at BBS through the years, but we must not dwell upon past accomplishments or failures.

Like Paul, we must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.

In the new year, may it be our desire that we might "know Christ," that is, more fully, and experience the power of His resurrection. There is still much to be done, but with your help, we can leave a legacy of grace that will be long remembered after we lie in the dust of the earth.

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October 19, 2007

PAUL, NOT ONE OF THE TWELVE
by Russell S. Miller

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

These are Paul’s inspired words in Romans 11:13. He is not one of the Twelve Apostles as many teach today and certainly was not chosen to take Judas’ place. Acts 1:16-26 gives ample proof that Saul of Tarsus did not even qualify as a follower of Jesus Christ at that time, he was an unbeliever! He had not followed the Lord from John’s baptism “unto that same day that [Jesus] was taken up from us” (Acts 1:22). Listen to Paul’s own testimony as he later recounts his conversion before King Agrippa:

“And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities” (Acts 26:11).

When Paul finally does come upon the scene in the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 9:1,2 reveals him as “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (ITim.1:13), on his way to imprison and “put to death” Christ’s followers at Damascus (Acts 26:10). This is a far cry from being eligible for the position that Judas held with the disciples of the Lord. Paul was therefore most ineligible, for he had not seen Jesus Christ of Nazareth during our Lord’s earthly ministry! The qualifications for the position that Judas held are clear enough:

“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that He was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection” (Acts 1:21-22). The “lot” therefore fell to “Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26).

Later, when Saul finally did get saved, it is the Lord Himself who stopped Saul in his tracks, and saved him from further persecution of Messiah’s followers:

“And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? … And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus” (Acts 22:7-11).

Thus, Paul is specially “chosen” by God through whom God’s Son is to be revealed to all nations since the favored nation refused Messiah under their so-called “Great Commission.” This is what makes Paul’s ministry, and apostleship, so very distinct from that of the Twelve, and their kingdom gospel.

Furthermore, Colossians, chapter one, makes it clear that God began something very new and different with Paul’s conversion—the Church which is the Body of Christ:

“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 HATH BEEN HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST TO HIS SAINTS:

“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col.1:24-27).

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October 21, 2007

BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM
by Russell S. Miller

The Apostle Paul not only preached the death of Christ but he also declared what was accomplished in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This no other writer Old Testament or New, had ever done before!

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom.6:3,4).

In Romans 6 Paul teaches us that when we got saved God took us back to Calvary, and made us one with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. Our old Adamic nature, “that old man” that we are all so ashamed of, was crucified with Christ: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom.6:6). Thus “sin [is] not to reign” in our “mortal body” (6:12). And what’s more, we have also “become dead to the law by the body of Christ” (Rom.7:4,6).

“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” (Eph.2:15).

But not only are we made one with Jesus Christ in His death, and set gloriously free, there is another very important reason for Christ’s burial, which again is only revealed in Paul’s epistles.

That Adamic nature has been buried in Joseph’s tomb with Christ. Yes, our sins, and that sin nature, has been put away forever out of God’s sight, and we are free (Lev.16:1-34; Heb.13:10-14)! Just as Jesus Christ was actually buried, so we have been buried with Him. “Therefore,” says the Apostle, “we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom.6:4). Yes, this is true, it has really taken place. And because you can’t reform that old sin nature, nor justify it, Paul here declares that the old Adamic sin nature must be buried, and we must reckon it to be so daily:

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom.6:11).

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October 22, 2007

DOES MISERY LOVE COMPANY?
by Cornelius R. Stam

We have all heard the statement: "Misery loves company." It is true that when one is sick or in trouble he does not feel quite so sorry for himself when he realizes that others are as unfortunate, and perhaps more so, than he.

However, some have used this phrase: "Misery loves company," in speaking lightly of hell. Perhaps you have heard someone say: "Well, if I go to hell, at least I’ll have lots of company." This is true, but the company the lost will have when cast out of God’s presence will hardly afford them comfort.

The Bible story of the rich man and Lazarus brings this fact out with great force. The rich man, you will remember, "fared sumptuously every day," while Lazarus "was laid at his gate, full of sores, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table."

In the process of time both died, and the rich man, having felt no need of salvation, suddenly was made to experience God’s wrath upon sin, for the sacred record says: "In hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments" (Luke 16:23). From his place of torment the rich man saw Lazarus with Abraham "afar off," but this surely afforded little comfort, while we do read that "Lazarus was comforted." The rich man, then, still with haughty superiority, asked Abraham to send Lazarus back to earth to warn his five brothers, "lest they come into this place of torment." He did not wish his brothers to join him in hell. "Misery" among those cast out of God’s presence, then, does not "love company."

The story is brought to a close as Abraham refuses the rich man’s request, explaining that if his brothers would not hear the Word of God "neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead" (Luke 16:31).

The way to avoid the lot of the rich man, then, is to believe the Word of God, particularly that part of the Word which tells how Christ died for our sins that we might be justified by grace through faith. Don’t be deceived by the old adage: "Misery loves company." Receive Christ as your Savior today.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

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October 23, 2007

THE ONE TRUE CHURCH
by Cornelius R. Stam

Religious people -- even sincere Christian people -- may divide themselves into various denominations or churches, but there is no indication in the Bible that God recognizes these divisions. Indeed, God makes it abundantly clear that in His sight there is but one Church, composed of all who truly trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. In I Cor. 12:12,13 the Apostle Paul declares by divine inspiration:

"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ:

"FOR BY ONE SPIRIT ARE WE ALL BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY...."

Again, in Rom. 12:5, he says:

"SO WE, BEING MANY, ARE ONE BODY IN CHRIST, AND EVERY ONE MEMBERS ONE OF ANOTHER."

Indeed, it is on the basis of the fact that there is but "one body" in God’s sight that He exhorts us to seek to "keep the unity of the Spirit":

"ENDEAVORING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.

"THERE IS ONE BODY...." (Eph. 4:3,4).

How can we become members of that "one Body ," the true Church? Ephesians 2 explains how Christ died for all, Jew and Gentile alike, "that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross..." (Ver. 16). Indeed the Epistles of St. Paul show how God "hath concluded... all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all" (Rom. 11:32), and offer to them reconciliation and salvation by grace through faith in Christ who died for our sins.

The question, then, is not: What church do you belong to? but, Do you belong to the Church, the Body of Christ, com- posed of all who have acknowledged themselves to be sinners in the sight of God and have trusted in Christ and His finished work for salvation?

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October 24, 2007

A TWOFOLD PURPOSE
by Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever noticed the wording of the majestic statement with which the Bible opens?

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).

It does not say that God created "the universe," but "the heaven" and "the earth."

This is because God had a special purpose for the earth quite distinct from His purpose for the rest of the universe. This purpose concerning the earth and the nations to dwell upon it is progressively revealed in the Scriptures. We look forward to its glorious consummation when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" — when the Christ who was crucified here shall come into His right, reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords.

But God also had a very special purpose concerning heaven which He kept hidden in His own heart of love until man’s sin and rebellion had reached their climax. Then He stooped down, saved the "chief of sinners" and used him to make known the wondrous secret of His purpose to offer to sinners everywhere, salvation by grace through faith alone, reconciling them to Himself in one body by the cross and giving them a present position and a future prospect in the highest heavens.

God’s purpose concerning the earth and Christ’s reign upon it is the subject of prophecy (Luke 1:68-76), His purpose concerning heaven and our exaltation there with Christ is the subject of "the mystery" (Eph. 2:4-10; 3:1-4). Into these two great subjects the Scriptures are basically divided.

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October 25, 2007

GLORIOUS CONSUMMATION
by Cornelius R. Stam

In Eph. 1:9,10 Paul makes a statement regarding the mystery which has baffled many students of the Word:

"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 on earth; even in Him."

This will be the glorious consummation of the mystery but we, of the dispensation of grace, are to show men and angels that true oneness is to be found only in Christ (Eph. 3:9-11).

The world knows nothing of this perfect oneness and, indeed, the Church does not experience it -- except in Christ. There is no true oneness anywhere -- in the world or in the Church -- except in Christ. We might illustrate this by two members of the body: our two arms. They hang from opposite sides of the body yet work together as one. But wherein lies their oneness? The answer is: In the head. It is the head which makes my arms and hands operate as one, and so our oneness as members of Christ’s Body, is in Christ, the Head. It is the recognition of Christ as our Head, then, and this alone, that can make us one, experientially. Thus the Apostle says:

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5).

Soon enough the Lord will take us out of this world and all those events will transpire which will finally bring in "the fulness of [the] times," when all in heaven and earth will be "gathered together in one... in Christ"! "What a day of rejoicing that will be"!

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October 26, 2007

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION
by Cornelius R. Stam

In his great Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul introduces himself immediately as "a bondslave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle," to proclaim God’s good news about Christ.

Paul’s "gospel of the grace of God" was essentially about the Lord Jesus Christ. He was always talking about Christ. His epistles are filled with Christ. Christ, in his message, was everything. This is in striking contrast to much of our modern preaching and evangelism, which is not Christ-centered, but man-centered.

The gospel Paul proclaimed was God’s good news about Christ and His power and glory in defeating Satan, overcoming death, paying for sin and nailing the Law to His cross.

This is why the Apostle calls his message "the good news of the glory of Christ" (II Cor. 4:4). To enter experientially into the truth of this good news is the greatest blessing one can possibly experience.

In Verse 4 of his introduction to the Roman Epistle, the Apostle declares that Christ was powerfully declared to be the Son of God "by the resurrection from the dead."

The resurrection of Christ had been both prophesied and proclaimed as a historical fact before Paul, but to Paul was committed a special message of good news concerning the resurrection. In his God-given message, Christ was raised from the dead to demonstrate that as God the Son He had paid the full penalty for sins that would have sunk a world to hell. Thus the Apostle writes to Timothy, his son in the faith:

"Consider what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David [this is how Christ had formerly been known] was raised from the dead according to my gospel, wherein I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even unto bonds" (II Tim. 2:7-9).

Read the Epistles of Paul and see how salvation by grace through faith always hinges upon the finished work of Christ for our redemption. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."

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October 27, 2007

THE WORD OF THE LORD
by Russell S. Miller

There is something terribly sad and wrong about this dogma that the Bible is just a book of fables. Oh no, the Bible is no storybook, not at all. The fact is that God’s Word is “divinely inspired.” As the Apostle Peter said:

“KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT NO PROPHECY OF THE SCRIPTURE IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. FOR THE PROPHECY CAME NOT IN OLD TIME BY THE WILL OF MAN: BUT HOLY MEN OF GOD SPAKE [AND WROTE] AS THEY WERE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST” (II Peter 1:20,21).

So it is not merely the words on the page that are inspired, for the men who wrote those words were also inspired of God, as He “breathed” His Word into their very beings. Consequently, we can place our complete confidence and trust in the Acts of the Apostles, in the Prophets, in the Law of Moses, and in the Psalms, and particularly in THE EPISTLES OF SAINT PAUL.

“ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is PROFITABLE for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, THROUGHLY FURNISHED UNTO ALL GOOD WORKS” (II Timothy 3:16,17).

The Old Testament foretold of the coming of Christ—of His death, burial, and resurrection—and just as this prophecy was fulfilled to the very letter, so He is coming again. First, to deliver the saved from “this present evil world” (Gal.1:4). And then, according to the Book of Revelation, to reclaim what is rightfully His, by Creation, pouring out His wrath and judgment upon all those who have rejected “the Word of His grace” today (Acts 20:32; Rev.19:11-16).

In the New Testament, God manifests HIS GRACE toward sinners and awaits upon them to believe “the Gospel of His Son” before the prophesied judgments are poured out upon this world (IIThes.1:1-12). And thus the gravity, the seriousness, and the extreme importance of believing God’s Word, rightly divided!

Few realize that we shall all give account to that Great Eternal Being, not merely of our actions, and words, but “of the thoughts and intents of the heart” with regards to what He has said in His Word about sin (Heb.4:12). Let us not forget that this JESUS, whom men nailed to the cross of Calvary, who bled and died for the sins of the whole world, AROSE FROM THE DEAD, and He is coming again.

In the Epistles of Saint Paul, however, the Apostle writes about the Lord’s coming for believers before those judgments of God are poured out upon this doomed planet:

“For this WE SAY UNTO YOU BY THE WORD OF THE LORD, that…WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS, TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (IThes.4:13-18 ).

Be a true Bible student, then, as the noble Bereans of Acts 17:11 were, “and search the Scriptures daily, whether these things are so.” Consider what the Apostle says in God’s Word, and remember: God is not your enemy; He loves you with an eternal love and sent His Son to pay the awful penalty for our sins.

My friend, “Jesus” will save you from your sins, from Hell and from the Lake of Fire, and from an eternal loss, if you will simply ask Him (Rev.20:11-15). Do it today.

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October 28, 2007

THE RESURRECTION DAY
by Cornelius R. Stam

In Psalm 2:7 we find the prophetic words: "I will declare the decree: The Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son: THIS DAY have I begotten Thee."

Should we ask: "What day?" or "When was Christ officially declared to be the Son of God?" We will find the answer in Acts 13:33:

"God hath fulfilled the same [promises] unto us... in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

So it was at Christ’s resurrection that the "decree" was made and He was "declared" to be the Son of God -- "begotten" in the larger sense of the word.

This agrees with what we find in the first chapter of Romans, where St. Paul speaks of God’s good news,

"Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power... by the resurrection from the dead" (Rom. 1:3,4).

This is a wonderful truth. It was Christ’s resurrection from the dead in power that proved that He was indeed God the Son. And more wonderful still: it was our death He died at Calvary, so that He might impart to us this everlasting resurrection life. In Eph. 2:2,3, we are all declared to have been "the children of disobedience" and therefore "by nature the children of wrath," but see how this passage continues:

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved), and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-6).

Thus, because of Christ’s finished work of salvation, those who place their trust in Him are given His resurrection life and "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3). This is their RESURRECTION DAY!

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October 29, 2007

IT’S YOUR ATTITUDE
by Cornelius R. Stam

Many people fear that they will never reach heaven. Some try not to think about it, while others struggle to "be good," hoping that they will finally "make it." Very few, comparatively, are sure of heaven.

The real pity is that so few understand what it is that keeps people out of heaven. If you are confused about this, just remember that according to Scripture, it is not one’s sins that keep him out of heaven, but his attitude.

God has made full provision for our sins. "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3) and "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace"
(Eph. 1:7).

But God has made no provision for a self-righteous attitude. He gave the Law "that every mouth may be stopped and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (Rom. 3:19). Thus He does not want you to keep saying things in your own defense. In fact, before you can know God as your Savior, you must recognize Him as your Judge, righteously condemning you as a sinner.

Often, when capital crimes are involved, the defendant’s attorney will tell him: "It will be to your advantage to plead guilty and to throw yourself on the mercy of the court." This is especially true of us as sinners in the sight of a holy God. If we will only plead guilty and cast ourselves upon His mercy we will find Him more than gracious, for He has already paid the penalty for our sins Himself.

Yes, unsaved friend, it will be to your eternal advantage to plead guilty before God and to cast yourself upon His mercy, "for the wages of sin is death, but THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom. 6:23).

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October 30, 2007

WHY CHRIST CAME
by Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever asked yourself why the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world? Have you ever "searched the Scriptures" to find out why? The majority of religious leaders and their followers seem to think that Christ lived on earth to teach us by His words and His example how we should live. But let’s think this through.

Our Lord did indeed show men how they should live with each other and before God. But what were the results? Did the people say: "How wonderful! Now we know how to live together and enjoy life! Let’s follow His teachings and the world will be a happier place to live in!" Is this what they said? Far from it! As the record indicates, they hated Him, they ridiculed Him, they heckled Him and finally nailed Him to a cross.

As to His example: Have you ever seen how a jeweler will put a diamond on a piece of black felt to show it to a prospective customer? The diamond is seen most clearly in all its brilliance against a dark, black background -- and vice versa. In the same way, man has never really followed Christ’s example -- he couldn’t. Rather, the pure white light of Christ’s holiness only shows up the dark, black character of the human heart, and man by contrast stands rebuked and condemned.

But why, then, did Christ come into the world? The whole volume of Scripture bears witness to St. Paul’s answer in I Tim. 1:15: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners."

Consider the Old Testament types and prophecies. Consider its Psalms and poems. Consider the words of Christ Himself and you will see that He came, not to live, primarily, but to die -- to die "for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3), to pay our penalty that we might be justified -- cleared of all the charges which the Law held against us.

These same Scriptures also declare that He, the Prince of Peace, arose from the dead and will come again as King of kings and Lord of lords. But meantime we may trust in the rejected Savior and enjoy "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).

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October 31, 2007

THE APOSTLE OF GRACE
by Cornelius R. Stam

The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was an amazing event. Saul loathed the very name of Christ. He blasphemed Him and caused others to be tortured so as to compel them to blaspheme that holy name. He led his nation and the world in rebellion against the resurrected, glorified Christ -- the world which had already disowned and crucified the lowly Jesus.

But as Saul went to Damascus, still "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1), God did a wonderful thing. Rather than crush the leader of the world’s rebellion, He saved him. Christ broke through the heavens, as it were, to speak words of pity to His greatest enemy on earth. As a result Saul’s rebellious spirit was broken and in one moment the pitiless persecutor became the docile, indeed the devoted follower of Christ.

More than this, Saul of Tarsus, the persecutor, became Paul the Apostle. To him the glorified Lord committed "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2) and "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). Now he went everywhere proclaiming grace, telling men how God loved them, how Christ had come into the world and had gone to Calvary to pay man’s debt of sin so that believing sinners might be saved.

"The gospel of the grace of God," found in Paul’s epistles, does not blame anyone for the death of Christ. Rather it presents the cross as good news. It declares that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). It says that "God hath concluded them all in unbelief that He might have mercy upon all" (Rom. 11:32) and that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). Thus the vilest sinner may believe and rejoice in the consciousness of sins forgiven.

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November 1, 2007

"NOT ASHAMED"
by Cornelius R. Stam

The Apostle Paul uses three wonderful phrases in Romans One: “I am debtor” (Ver.14), “I am ready” (Ver.15), and “I am not ashamed” (Ver.16).

As God’s appointed Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul declared: “I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise”.

The gospel now was no longer to be confined to Israel, but was to go to all nations, and Paul felt himself a debtor to proclaim it, first because God had appointed him to do so, and second, because he held in his hands that which would save the lost. He was morally obligated — and so are Christians today.

Notice: the Apostle did not say, “I am debtor, but” and then begin to give a thousand excuses, as so many Christians do. He said: “I am debtor…SO…” and his fidelity to his call is seen as he adds: “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel” (Rom.1:15).

Oh, that the millions of Christians today would join Paul and say: “I AM READY to preach the gospel with all that is in me”.

But in Verse 16, the Apostle explains why he was ready to put his all into proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; unto the Jew first and also to the Greek [Gentile or Nations]” (Rom.1:16).

Many thousands of Jews had already come to trust Christ as Saviour, but the good news of Christ’s finished work of redemption was — and is — “the power of God unto salvation to EVERY ONE that believeth”.

Surely there is no other way. None of the pagan religions can give the assurance of salvation. They all represent efforts to find or earn salvation. Only the gospel, the good news of our Lord’s payment for sin can give us the knowledge, the assurance and the joy of salvation from sin.

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