Two Minutes With The Bible

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April 1, 2008

"THE APOSTLE OF THE NATIONS"
by Cornelius R. Stam

Not Matthew, Mark, or Luke; nor Peter, James, or John, but Paul alone wrote Romans 11:13 by divine inspiration:

"FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES [or OF THE NATIONS] INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES [NATIONS]: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE" (Rom.11:13).

Note well that Paul did not magnify himself, but his office, to which he had been appointed by the glorified Lord Himself. In defending his apostleship before the Galatians he wrote:

"But I certify you, brethren, THAT THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST" (Gal. 1:11,12).

In many other passages the apostle claims to speak as a direct representative of Christ (See I Corinthians 11:23; 15:3; Ephesians 3:2,3; I Thessalonians 4:15; etc.).

To Timothy, Paul wrote concerning his own writings: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing..." (ITim. 6:3,4). This could not indicate more emphatically Paul's claim that his words were "the words of the Lord Jesus Christ", received from Him by direct revelation.

To the Corinthians, who questioned this, the Apostle wrote:

"...IF I COME AGAIN I WILL NOT SPARE, SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME" (IICor.13:2,3).

The proof of this claim? This was overwhelming indeed, for Paul was used more than any other apostle to found churches and lead men into the knowledge and joy of salvation. To the believers at Corinth he wrote what he could have written to many thousands of others: "The seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord" (ICor.9:2).

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April 2, 2008

GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF
by Cornelius R. Stam

Romans 1:18-20 declares that God has revealed Himself to man in creation. Not that we can learn His plan of salvation from creation -- far from it. But the creation: the glory of its star-studded heavens, the beauty of its flowers and sunsets, the sun and rain and crops to supply us with food, and the unchangeable laws of nature, all show forth, not only the existence of God, but His power, His love, His justice, so that man is a responsible being and, as Verse 20 says, "without excuse" for the deplorable condition in which he finds himself.

A believer, talking with an atheistic evolutionist one day, took out his watch, looked at it and put it back into his pocket, saying: "I have a wonderful watch; it keeps perfect time; never misses a second."

"What make is it?" the atheist asked.

"Oh, no make," answered the Christian.

"Well, who manufactured it?"

"Oh, nobody; it just put itself together somehow."

"Nonsense," said the atheist, "A watch can't just come into existence. Somebody had to design it and somebody had to manufacture it."

"True," said the Christian, "yet you expect me to believe that this universe, with its billions of stars and planets, all working together in perfect order, just came about by itself; that it had no Designer, no Creator and no one who keeps it running? Isn't that nonsense?"

No wonder Paul says that the godless are "without excuse," including even the vast majority of "religious" people, who salve their consciences by giving a small part of each week or each day to the performance of some religious rite but keep God out of their businesses, their politics, their social relationships -- their hearts.

But thank God, as He has revealed His power and glory in creation, He has revealed His mercy and grace, His plan of salvation, in the Bible, where we read how "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3), so that we might have "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

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April 3, 2008

BOLDNESS TODAY
by Cornelius R. Stam

Some may suppose that it would require little boldness today to proclaim grace in all its purity. Who is ever persecuted now, at least in free, enlightened lands, for preaching God's grace? Ah, but do not be deceived. Satan was no less active in his opposition to the truth when Constantine exalted the professing Church to prominence than when his predecessors persecuted the Church and sent its members to death by fire and sword. Indeed, the devil was doubtless more successful in Constantine's day than he had been when persecution raged.

Does any believer in the Word of God suppose that Satan has relented in his opposition to the truth today, just because men, at least in this land, are not burned at the stake or thrown to the lions? Do not be misled. Satan's enmity against God and against His Word continues undiminished. His hatred of "the gospel of the grace of God," is as bitter, and his opposition to it as determined as it ever was. But well does he know that the constant discouragements connected with being in the minority often succeed in silencing those who would stand against physical persecution.

Today Satan uses the new evangelicalism with its highly- organized, highly-financed campaigns -- and its woeful lack of doctrinal and dispensational teaching of the Word -- to neutralize the saints. Multitudes are attracted to these neo-evangelical extravaganzas, at which the participants are for the most part performers, and those who stand for the truth often feel very small as compared to the vast unthinking majority. But let us never forget that God uses "things that are not" to accomplish His work (See I Cor. 1: 26-29).

Let us, who know and love the truth, then, determine by God's grace that nothing shall make us unfaithful to our glorious commission; that, whatever the cost, we shall faithfully and boldly proclaim to others the unadulterated gospel of the grace of God, "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery."

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April 4, 2008

A GIFT FOR YOU
by Cornelius R. Stam

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

In the light of the Pauline epistles these well-known words have become more appropriate than when our Lord first spoke them. Through Paul, Christ's redemptive work at Calvary has been proclaimed and fully explained. In this light, then, we suggest that our readers take the time to really meditate on this passage about God's greatest gift to man.

Think of the love that prompted it! "God so loved...." We were the "children of disobedience" and "by nature the children of wrath, even as others" (Eph. 2:2,3). We deserved judgment, "but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us," gave His best, His all, to save us (Eph. 2:4).

Think of its priceless value! "His only begotten Son -- everlasting life." Christ, the holy One, had to be given up to disgrace and death in order that our sins might be justly dealt with, and that we might become the rightful heirs of everlasting life (Rom. 3:25,26).

Think of your need of this gift! "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish...." How perilous not to accept "the gift of God, eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23)! What folly to spurn or ignore a gift we need so sorely!

Finally, think how gracious the offer! "...that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Whosoever believeth! Any sinner may have this gift by simply believing, accepting in simple faith what God says about Christ paying for our sins at Calvary. In fact, this is the only way we can become the recipients of this wonderful gift, for Rom. 4:5 declares:

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith [believing] is counted for righteousness."

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April 6, 2008

SEATED IN HEAVEN
by Cornelius R. Stam

God sees every believer in Christ as already in heaven. See what the Bible says about this:

"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:

"THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Eph. 2:4-7).

Most sincere believers, poorly taught in the Word, are concerned about getting to heaven, but as far as God is concerned they are already there. They have been "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). God has given them a position "in Christ."

We are well aware that most of God's people know little about this experientially, but God says that as far as He is concerned, they are already in heaven, and this is what matters. As Christ took our place on Calvary's cross, God now sees us in Christ, at His own right hand, the place of favor and honor. This is why the Apostle Paul says to believers in Christ:

"IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.

"SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.
"FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD" (Col. 3:1-3).

And all this by the free grace of God:

"WHO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN" (II Tim. 1:9).

Our hearts go out to those of our readers who have not yet received this "gift of the grace of God." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

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April 7, 2008

RELIGIOUS MIXTURES
by Cornelius R. Stam

The largest segment of the professing Church offers her devotees neither peace for the present, nor assurance for the future. She does not tell them that believers in Christ are given a position in heaven at God's right hand (Eph. 2:4-7). She even brings Christ down from His exalted position and offers Him to the world on a crucifix, requiring men to eat His flesh and drink His blood to be saved. And this when Paul, by the Spirit, so emphatically says:

"...yea, THOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH, YET NOW, HENCEFORTH, KNOW WE HIM NO MORE" (II Cor. 5:16).

Man's religion, especially in "the Church," is built upon an appeal to the senses. Her devotees are occupied with beads and bells, statues and crucifixes, candlesticks and sacred objects, robes and incense; so far has she departed from the teachings of Paul and from his declaration that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Cor. 5:7).

Lingering still among the types and shadows of primitive ages and mingling these with meaningless pagan rituals, she keeps millions from trusting and rejoicing in an already accomplished redemption.

We beg those who read these lines to look in faith to the risen, exalted Christ and to trust in His finished work:

"Who... when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3).

"This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Heb. 10:12).

This is clear enough. Our Lord came to earth to accomplish our redemption and, having accomplished it, He returned to heaven and sat down with His Father. The work was finished. And now He invites us to rest in His finished work.

"THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

"FOR HE THAT HATH ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Heb. 4:9,10).

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April 8, 2008

GRACE AND DEBT
by Cornelius R. Stam

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom. 4:4,5).

As we look back at all the Old Testament types: the physical types, the narratives, the sacrifices, we exclaim: "The cross was not an accident, nor an afterthought on God's part: He had it in mind all the while." Surely Paul was right when he said of believers that "[God] hath saved us and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (II Tim. 1:9).

It is on the basis of the cross, typified all through the Old Testament, that God now saves us by grace through faith alone, and the types show that this was indeed His eternal purpose. Furthermore salvation should be by grace through faith.

As our text, above, declares: if man could earn his salvation it would be the payment of a debt, not the bestowal of a gift -- and God will never be indebted to anyone. He will never be in a position where He owes us, sinners, a debt. Nor will He ever allow us to disgrace ourselves and annoy others by our boasting about how we earned eternal life. But He can, on the basis of the penalty paid at Calvary, bestow salvation as a free gift. This is why we read:

"The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord" (Rom. 6:23).

"It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8,9).

God owed Abraham nothing, but seeing his faith He said, in effect: "This man believes Me; I will count his faith for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). And this He still does for those who trust Him, only He has now revealed the basis for this action: Christ's payment for sins at Calvary. This is why, in Romans 4:5, He forbids works for salvation and declares that the believer's faith is "counted for righteousness."

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April 9, 2008

HOW THE SPIRIT HELPS
by Cornelius R. Stam

"The Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" (Rom. 8.26).

A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. If one link in a chain will hold one hundred pounds, another fifty, and another ten, the chain as a whole will hold ten pounds, no more. This is why James 2:10 says:

"For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

Many people suppose that we will be saved or lost according to how good or bad we have been. This is not so. It is not a question of how good or bad we have been, but of whether or not we have sinned. A man need commit only one robbery to be a robber, burn only one house to be an arsonist, kill only one human being to be a murderer -- and commit only one sin to be a sinner. This is why the Word of God says that all are sinners.

How wonderful to know that in grace "Christ died for our sins" and that by simple faith in Him we may be saved and fully justified before God! (Rom. 5:6,8,10).

But born-again Christians find that the above principle is just as true of them as of the unbeliever. None of us is any stronger than his weakest point. Frightening, isn't it, especially when we consider that Satan constantly attacks us at our weakest point to wreck our testimony if he can.

But here is where the believer can rejoice that "the Spirit ...helpeth our infirmities" (Rom. 8:26). He dwells within to help in time of need, so that we need not fail (Rom. 8:11,12). This does not mean, however, that He takes control of us without being called upon, as He did "when the day of Pentecost was fully come." Unlike the Pentecostal believers, we live under "the dispensation of the grace of God."

What God provides by grace we must appropriate by faith. Thus in any given case we may have victory. Indeed it is concerning the weak brother in Christ that Paul declares by inspiration:

"God is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4).

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April 10, 2008

THE SPIRIT OF FAITH
by Cornelius R. Stam

It is thrilling to hear the Psalmist, though "greatly afflicted", say: "I believed, therefore have I spoken" (Psa.116:10).

It is thrilling too, to see the Apostle Paul, though "troubled... perplexed... persecuted... cast down... alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake" -- it is thrilling to see him take his stand with David and to hear him speak of having

"THE SAME SPIRIT OF FAITH", adding: "WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK" (IICor.4:8-13).

If only all who believe the glorious message of God's grace: that believers in Christ are accepted in Him, pronounced "complete" and baptized into one body by one divine baptism -- if all who believed these truths would speak out today, there would be a sweeping revival tomorrow in the Church, the Body of Christ. If, putting all other considerations aside, they would openly and honestly say: "WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK", the results would be as refreshing as far reaching. And they should speak, for this is "the spirit of faith".

But, alas, there are few who possess "the spirit of faith"; few who will stand, regardless of consequences, for the light God has given them. Some maintain a discreet silence because of the "fear of man"; others because they love "the praise of man". Both say: "One must be careful what one says, for these truths are not popular", but both alike are guilty of unfaithfulness to God and the truth.

With God's help, let us not be among them. Let us, where the truth is concerned, stand with David and Paul and say: "WE ALSO BELIEVE AND THEREFORE SPEAK!" Let us be among those who truly possess "the spirit of faith", who are determined to "stand fast in the faith" and ready to "fight the good fight of faith" (ICor.16:13; ITim.6:12).

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April 11, 2008

THE CAUSE OF RETARDED GROWTH
by Cornelius R. Stam

In the physical realm retarded growth may be due to some mishap or may be simply one of the results of the curse, having no direct bearing on the behavior of the parents, and certainly not of the child itself. In the spiritual realm this is not so. God has made abundant provision for every child of God to grow to spiritual manhood, and Paul rebukes the Corinthian believers for not having grown.

The trouble with the Corinthians was that they did not have much appetite for the Word; they did not have a passion to know and obey the truth, for the babe in Christ who "desires" the pure milk of the Word will surely "grow thereby." This was the trouble with the Hebrew believers too, for when the Apostle would have gone further into the great subject of Christ as "an High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek," he was forced to write:

"Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull [Gr., nothros, slothful] of hearing" (Heb. 5:11).

This is precisely the cause of the carnality among believers today. During World War II there were several occasions when parents came to the writer with letters from their sons in the armed forces, explaining that a code had been arranged by which "Johnny" could let them know to which theatre of war he had been sent, but that now it was difficult to understand his letter. Together we would sit down and study the letter in detail in an effort to make out exactly what it was that "Johnny" was trying to make his parents understand.

Such interest and concern over a letter from "Johnny"! And appropriately so, but do the majority of believers show such interest in the Word of God to them? They do not. They are satisfied with "the simple things," with knowing only a few passages which "warm their hearts." This is the root cause of the spiritual immaturity in the Church today.

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April 12, 2008

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF GRACE
by Cornelius R. Stam

"...the gospel... is come unto you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth" (Col. 1:5,6).

How wonderful to see the gospel of the grace of God do its work! Paul had never even seen the Colossians. He had only sent missionaries to them from Ephesus with the good news of the grace of God, but this had produced amazing results.

Wherever the gospel of the grace of God is preached in its purity it produces results. No one hearing that message can go away the same. Either he will consider it utter foolishness and be hardened by it, or he will see its vital importance and be softened by it. Ultimately he will either be eternally condemned, or eternally saved and justified by his response to that message.

"The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (I Cor. 1:18 ).

"Christ crucified... unto them which are called... the power of God and the wisdom of God"
(I Cor. 1:23,24).

"The power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:16).

Mark well: it is "the gospel of the grace of God," the "preaching of the cross," that produces such results. The law of Moses never did, "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh," God sent His Son to accomplish for us (Rom. 8:3,4). This is why Paul proclaimed, at Antioch of Pisidia:

"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" (Acts 13:38,39).

God's message to us is a message of love, proclaiming to even the vilest sinner that he may be "justified freely by [God's] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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April 13, 2008

THE TWELVE APOSTLES AND PAUL
by Cornelius R. Stam

In comparing the ministry of the twelve apostles with that of the Apostle Paul, we must observe carefully:

   1. The twelve were chosen by Christ ON EARTH (Luke 6:13) while Paul was later chosen by Christ IN HEAVEN (Acts 9:3-5; 26:16).

   2. Prior to Paul's conversion the twelve had known Christ only ON EARTH (I John 1:1). Even at His ascension to heaven "a cloud received Him OUT OF THEIR SIGHT" (Acts 1:9). But Paul knew Christ only IN HEAVEN, having never seen Him on earth (Acts 26:16; ICor. 15:8 ).

   3. The twelve represented their own nation. The number twelve has no connection with the "one Body" of Christ. As we know, Jacob of old "begat the twelve patriarchs" (Acts 7:8 ). From these sprang the twelve tribes of Israel. These tribes had twelve princes over them (Numbers 1:16). Even when Israel was ruled by kings there were still to be twelve princes -- one over each tribe (I Chronicles 27:22). Thus, as He went forth proclaiming "the gospel of the kingdom" our Lord chose twelve princes for the twelve thrones in the kingdom to come (Matt. 19:28 ).

      On the other hand, Paul, as one apostle, represents the "one Body," the Church of today (Rom.12:5; ICor. 12:13; Eph.4:4). However, he was both a born Hebrew and a born Roman, so represented believing Jews and Gentiles "reconciled...unto God in one body by the cross..." (Eph.2:16).

   4. The twelve were sent to proclaim Christ's kingdom "at hand" (Matt. 10:7), and later to offer its establishment on earth (Acts 3:19-26). But Paul was sent to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24), while the kingdom is held in abeyance.

   5. The ministry of the twelve was based on covenant promises (Isaiah 60:1-3; Luke 1:70-79; Acts 3:22-26). Paul's ministry was not based on covenant promises, but wholly on the grace of God through Christ (Rom.3:21-28; 5: 20,21; Eph.1:6,7; 2:7; etc.).

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April 14, 2008

PAUL AND HIS GOOD NEWS
by Cornelius R. Stam

St. Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans by declaring that he has been "separated unto the gospel [good news] of God" (1:1). This agrees with Galatians 1:15,16, where he says:

"It pleased God, who separated me, from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me..."

The last book of the Bible tells of the coming "revelation of Jesus Christ" in glory, to judge the world and reign on earth, but here in Galatians we have "the revelation of Jesus Christ" in Paul, the chief of sinners, saved by grace. The salvation of Paul, the one-time leader of the world's rebellion against Christ, indicated God's willingness, yes His desire, to save sinners. Thus it was appropriate that God should choose him as the apostle of His grace, making the good news known "to all nations for the obedience of faith."

Let us not suppose, however, that Paul's gospel concerned only himself or God's grace to him. Apart from Christ's payment for sin at Calvary God could not justly have saved Paul -- or any of us. Thus the Apostle goes on, in Romans 1, to explain that this good news which God has sent him to proclaim is "concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (1:3).

All through Paul's epistles he proclaims salvation by grace, on the basis of Christ's finished work of redemption:

"Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

"Who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification. Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (4:25; 5:1).

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, that... grace might reign through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (5:20,21).

So the message of salvation by grace is essentially good news about Christ and what He has wrought to purchase our redemption.

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April 15, 2008

"REST"
by Cornelius R. Stam

In Hebrews 1:3 we read how the Lord Jesus Christ, "when He had by Himself purged our sins, SAT DOWN on the right hand of the Majesty on High". The tenth chapter of the same book tells us why He sat down:

"Every priest standeth, daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Christ] after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God ...FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HATH PERFECTED FOREVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED" (Heb.10:11-14).

There were several articles of furniture in the Old Testament tabernacle, but no chair. The priest could not sit down, for the work of redemption was not yet finished. His daily sacrifices only emphasized the fact that "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Heb.10:4).

"But this Man [Christ Jesus] sat down", because by His death on Calvary -- by that one offering -- He paid for all our sins and "obtained eternal redemption for us" (Heb.10:12; 9:12).

This is why Paul, by divine inspiration, now insists that salvation is "by grace", that "it is the gift of God", received "by faith" and "not of works, lest any man should boast".

God has much for His people to do, but before we can do anything for Him we must learn to trust Him for our salvation, to rest in the finished work of Christ. God is satisfied with Christ's payment for sin and together the Father and the Son are depicted as seated in heaven because the work is done. And now God would have us simply trust Him, entering into His rest:

"There remaineth therefore a REST unto the people of God, FOR HE THAT HAS ENTERED INTO HIS [God's] REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Heb.4:9,10).

"Unto 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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[nChrist]

April 16, 2008

BUY THE TRUTH AND SELL IT NOT
by Cornelius R. Stam

Every true Christian should understand that the truth costs. If you don't think so, make it your own, value it, defend it, stand for it, and see if it doesn't cost. Before you are through it may cost you far more than you had thought -- hours of ease and pleasure, friends and money. Yes, the truth costs. Salvation is gloriously free but the truth costs -- that is, if you want it for yourself. Many who know the truth won't buy it. They won't pay what it costs to say: "This is what I believe. This is my conviction." The truth isn't worth that much to them.

But in Prov. 23:23 God's Word urges us: "Buy the truth"! Not, "Buy it if you can get it at a bargain; if the price is not too great." No, "Buy the truth"! Buy it at any price. It is worth far more than anything you can give in exchange for it.

And when you have bought it: "sell it not." How many, alas, have bought the truth only to sell out again! For a while they valued and defended some God-given light from His Word, but presently they sold it again for something that seemed more valuable. Perhaps it was peace with others, or position, or popularity or some other temporal gain. They still gave mental assent to it but it formed no part of them. It was no longer a conviction.

Such should read again the Spirit's counsel: "Buy the truth, and sell it not." He does not say: "Don't sell it unless you can get a very good price for it." He says: "Sell it not." Sell it not at any price. Buy it, no matter what it costs and when it is yours do not sell it for any price or under any consideration.

It is because the truth is so little valued in this indifferent age, that many of God's people have become so spiritually powerless. They hold opinions instead of convictions, because they have given the infallible, unchangeable Word of God little place in their lives. God blesses and uses those who "buy the truth and sell it not."

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