Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

September 4, 2008

THE FRUITS OF THE RESURRECTION
by Cornelius R. Stam

The fruits of our Lord's resurrection from the dead are many and important.

First, there were immediate results. It silenced those who had ridiculed His claims, and struck terror into their hearts. It explained how the prophecies would be fulfilled which predicted the death of Christ and the kingdom glory to follow. It heartened His followers, making cowards bold, turning their fear into faith, their sorrow into joy and their despair into glorious victory.

Then there were also long range results, for our Lord's resurrection is a warning to unbelievers:

"Because [God] hath appointed a day in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31. See also John 5:22,27; Acts 10:42).

As to believers, first, Christ's resurrection from the dead assures us that our debt of sin has been fully paid:

"[HE] WAS DELIVERED FOR OUR OFFENCES, AND WAS RAISED AGAIN FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION. THEREFORE BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Rom. 4:25; 5:1).

Second, His resurrection gives us a living Savior to help us in our daily walk.

"WHEREFORE HE IS ABLE ALSO TO SAVE THEM TO THE UTTERMOST THAT COME UNTO GOD BY HIM, SEEING HE EVER LIVETH TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR THEM" (Heb. 7:25).

Third, His resurrection is the pledge of our own:

"FOR IF WE BELIEVE THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN, EVEN SO THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING [FROM THE DEAD] WITH HIM" (I Thes. 4,14; cf. Heb. 13:20).

"BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO, ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY, HATH BEGOTTEN US AGAIN UNTO A LIVING HOPE BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD" (I Pet. 1:3).

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September 5, 2008

THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP
by Cornelius R. Stam

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [Lit., sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15).

The position of the believer in the family of God is amply illustrated for us in the Epistles of Paul. In Gal. 4:1-5 the Apostle alludes to the fact that in the life of every Hebrew boy there came a time, appointed by the father, when the lad was formally declared to be a full-grown son, with all the rights and privileges of sonship.

It was now assumed that the young man would no longer need overseers to keep him in check. There would be natural understanding and co-operation between father and son. And so the "adoption" [Gr., son-placing] proceedings took place, indicating that the child, now a full-grown son, was no longer under law, but under grace.

"And because ye are sons," says the Apostle, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a [full-grown] son" (Gal. 4:6,7).

This is the position of every believer in Christ. He may, like the Corinthians, still be a babe in his spiritual experience (I Cor. 3:1), but in Christ he occupies the position of a full-grown son, and to grow spiritually it will do him no good to go back under the Law; he must rather recognize his standing before God in grace. This is why the Apostle says in Rom. 8:15:

"Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

A recognition of this position will do far more to help us live godly lives than will the "dos and dont's" of the Law.

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 September 6, 2008

THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH
by Cornelius R. Stam

In II Thes. 2:10 St. Paul declares that the apostates of the coming age will "perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they may be saved." This is something worth considering very seriously.

God calls this present dispensation "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2). During this dispensation faithful Christians are proclaiming "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24). This is the message of God's grace and love in giving Christ to die for our sins so that we might be saved from its penalty and power.

All, however, do not believe this glorious message or accept God's grace in Christ. These, the Apostle declares, will be left behind when our Lord comes, at the close of this dispensation, to receive His own to Himself. Because they rejected the truth, and the love it proclaimed, God will give them up "that they might believe a lie," and put their faith in Antichrist, "that they all might be damned who believed not the truth" (II Thes. 2:8-12).

It was infinite love that brought Christ to Calvary to suffer shame and disgrace for our sins, and this love is being proclaimed in this dispensation of grace. But this dispensation may be brought to a close at any time and bring in the day of God's wrath. How important then to accept God's love, and trust His Son without delay!

"Behold, now is the accepted time... Behold now is the day of salvation" (II Cor. 6:2).

If you do not trust Christ as your Lord and Savior now and you are caught unawares and lost for all eternity, you will never be able to say, "It was because God did not choose to save me." Whatever all the reasons involved in His electing grace, He does not accept the responsibility for your rejection of Christ. He says that the unsaved will perish "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." Don't gamble with the future. Receive God's gift of salvation now through faith in Christ.

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September 7, 2008

THREE TIMES WHEN THE LORD WOULDN'T ANSWER
by Cornelius R. Stam

In the various accounts of our Lord's earthly ministry we find three occasions when He declined to answer those who appealed to Him or questioned Him.

First there is the Gentile woman of Matthew 15:21-28. Her daughter was possessed of a demon and in her trouble she appealed to the Lord to help her, "but He answered her not a word." Finally, in His grace He did help her, but not until He had taught her the lesson that as a Gentile she had no claim on Him. As Romans 1:28 tells us, the Gentiles had been "given up" because "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge." In this connection we Gentiles should read carefully Ephesians 2:11,12 and see how utterly without hope we are apart from the grace of God.

Next there was a Jewess, in trouble of a different kind. She had been caught in adultery and was brought to him for judgment (John 8:1-11). Unlike the Gentile woman, she belonged to the chosen race and possessed God's holy Law, a distinct advantage -- unless you are a law-breaker. Our Lord also helped her in grace, but not until He had demonstrated that the law is the great leveler of mankind, bringing all guilty before God (Rom.3:19).

But finally we find how it was that our Lord could show grace -- and do it justly -- to both Jew and Gentile, for in the third instance we find the Lord Himself in trouble. On trial for His life before the representatives of Hebrew and Roman law, He is accused of all sorts of wicked crimes. But on this occasion too, He declines to answer.

First Caiaphas, the High Priest, said to Him: "Answerest Thou nothing? What is it which these witness against Thee? But Jesus held His peace..." (Matt. 26:62,63).

Next Pilate, the Gentile judge, said: "Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly" (Matt.27:13-14).

Why did our Lord not answer and defend Himself? Because He had come into the world specially to die for man's sins. Had the sinners of all ages been there to accuse Him of their sins, He would still have remained speechless for He stood there as man's representative, so that we might be "justified freely by God's grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.3:24).

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September 8, 2008

IS WATER BAPTISM FOR OUR OBEDIENCE TODAY?
by Russell S. Miller

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (ICor.1:17,18 ).

Is water baptism specifically for our obedience today? Since our Lord, in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:15-18, commanded His disciples to baptize, our opponents teach that we must be obedient “in baptism” also. But according to I Corinthians 1:17 the Apostle Paul was “not” sent “to baptize”! Why? In their efforts to follow the so-called Great Commission our Baptist friends have justified this practice by insisting that baptism has taken the place of circumcision. However, there is surely an inconsistency here, because when the apostles water baptized their converts, they were also still circumcising according to the Mosaic Law. And thus by their own argument, for if baptism has taken the place of circumcision as the Baptists teach, then baptism availeth nothing also:

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal.5:6).

Ah, my dear friend, if you have been confused and divided over this subject of water baptism, I beg of you, be willing, at least, to look into it. Water baptism, like Old Testament circumcision, has no more place in the program of God for this dispensation than do the sacrifices.

Brethren, it must be Christ, and Christ alone, for Christ is ever the touchstone between God and men. It is not water baptism, then, but the Cross of Christ that has the “power” to “save” today! God doesn’t say: There’s a Baptist, there’s a Methodist, there’s a Presbyterian, or there’s a Pentecostal. NO, the Lord says: Have you trusted Christ as your Saviour? If not, I beg of you, do it today.

“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased” (Gal.5:11).

“But God forbid that I should glory [boast], save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal.6:14).

Our Lord’s disciples preached the Kingdom Gospel which required repentance and water baptism, but Paul preached the Gospel of Grace based on the finished work of Calvary’s cross.

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September 9, 2008

THE CHRISTIAN HOME
by Cornelius R. Stam

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).

There is no place in all this world so wholesome and refreshing as a Christian home, a home where Christ is truly loved and honored.

This writer was brought up in such a home. There were ten of us: dad, mother and eight children. There was lots going on all the time, but a truly happy home it was, for dad and mother never let us get so busy with temporal things that we brushed eternal values aside.

On the basis that "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4:4), we read some small portion of the Bible before every meal, and had family devotions before retiring at night.

Result: all eight children have blessed the dear dad and mother who led them aright, morally and spiritually, and best of all, taught them the importance of trusting in the Savior who died for all our sins. More: five of the children and many of the grandchildren have given themselves for full time Christian service, and have become pastors, college deans, Christian writers and missionaries in various parts of the world.

This is not because we are one whit better than others, but because we have experienced the help and grace of God in our lives. And it all began as, one day, a young American, like Joshua of old, came to a decision and declared:

"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

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September 10, 2008

"SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD"
by Russell S. Miller

What is meant by the phrase, "separated unto the gospel of God"? The Word "separated" means simply "set apart" of course. God's children have always been "set apart" as sacred unto Himself. However, we must not confuse Paul (as many do) with the other apostles. Though he considered himself "less than the least of all saints" (Eph. 3:8 ) he was, nevertheless, "THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES" (Rom.11:13) and "a chosen vessel unto Christ" (Acts 9:15). But "chosen" for what? Ah, this is where our text comes in:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God" (Rom.1:1).

Since our subject is Paul's "separation unto the gospel of God", we would ask, what is this good news for which Paul is "separated"? And, as always, the Bible is the greatest commentary upon the Bible, because Galatians 1:15,16 answers that question clearly, increasing our light and understanding upon the subject:

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood."

God chose this man from before his birth, just as "He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world" (Eph.1:4). But wait there's something else--"He called him by His grace." I Timothy 1:15,16 confirms that there, in Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus, the great persecutor, was saved and called by the "grace of God" alone (Acts 26:13-19). But more, he is saved that God may "reveal His Son in him." It is this "revelation"--Romans 16:25,26--that he was "separated" unto!

A revelation that was not made known to the prophets! A dilemma that baffled the Pharisees! And frustrated Pilate in his own court room! The disciples did not comprehend it! And neither could the devil figure it out! A Mystery that even "the angels desire to look into"! This "gospel of God" concerned "His Son" and the types and shadows in prophecy regarding the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom.1:1; ICor. 15:3,4; Gal.1:11,12,16; IPet. 1:12).

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September 11, 2008

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 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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September 12, 2008

ALL FOR US
by Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever thought how much God has done "for us" in Christ?

In Romans 8:32 we read that to save us from sin, God "spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up FOR US all". In Titus 2:14 we are told that Christ "gave Himself FOR US, that He might redeem us from all iniquity...". In Romans 5:8 the Apostle declares that "while we were yet sinners, Christ died FOR US". Galatians 3:13 says that Christ was "made a curse FOR US".

Hebrews 9:12 states that "He entered...into the holy place [the presence of the Father], having obtained eternal redemption FOR US". And if we trust Him for this "eternal redemption" we may read further in Hebrews 9:24 that "Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands...but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God FOR US". Romans 8:34 asks who can condemn the believer in Christ, since HE [the Lord Jesus Christ] is now "at the right hand of God" and "maketh intercession FOR US".

Hebrews 6:20 declares that our Lord entered the Father's presence "FOR US" as our "Forerunner". Hebrews 10:19,20 therefore encourages believers to come to God in prayer: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to ENTER into the holiest by the blood of Jesus...a new and living way, which He hath consecrated FOR US...".

Just think how much God has done FOR US in Christ! He delivered His beloved Son to death FOR US, Christ gave Himself FOR US, died FOR US, became a curse FOR US, intercedes FOR US, entered heaven FOR US as a Forerunner, and consecrated "a new and living way" into God's presence FOR US, so that we may "come boldly unto the throne of grace" to "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb.4:16). "If God be FOR US, who can be against us" (Rom.8:31)?

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September 13, 2008

THANKSGIVING
by Cornelius R. Stam

God's verdict upon the pagan world is that "they are without excuse, because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful..." (Rom. 1:20,21).

The Psalmist, on the other hand, declares:

"IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:

"TO SHOW FORTH THY LOVINGKINDNESS IN THE MORNING. AND THY FAITHFULNESS EVERY NIGHT" (Psa. 92:1,2).

Believers today have even more to be thankful for than did the Psalmist, for we can rejoice in what God has done for us through Christ and His redeeming work. Thus Paul, by divine inspiration, speaks of...

"GIVING THANKS UNTO THE FATHER, WHO HATH MADE US MEET [FIT] TO BE PARTAKERS OF THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN LIGHT:

"WHO HATH DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON" (Col. 1:12,13).

It is because of this "deliverance" that the humblest believer can cry with Paul: "Thanks be unto God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ!" (II Cor. 2:14) and "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" (I Cor. 15:57). How appropriate, then, are the following exhortations:

"In everything give thanks" (I Thes. 5:18 ) and "By [Christ], therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise... giving thanks to His name" (Heb. 13:15).

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (II Cor. 4:15).

Most of all, "THANKS BE UNTO GOD FOR HIS UNSPEAKABLE GIFT," our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! (II Cor. 9:15).

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September 14, 2008

THE END OF THE WORLD
by Cornelius R. Stam

There has been a great deal of discussion lately about some Hindu astrologers who have predicted that this world will come to an end this February. The fact is that some sincere Christians fear that these prophets might be right, since our Lord did speak several times about the coming "end of the world."

These Hindu astrologers, however, are wrong. This February will not see the end of the world, for according to the Bible the world, or earth, will never come to an end. The word "world," which our Lord uses in this connection, does not refer to the earth, or even the people on it. It is the old Greek word aion, or age. Several ages in God's program have already come to an end, and others will, but no matter what destructive weapons man may devise, the earth will never be destroyed. In Isaiah 45:18 we read:

"For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens: God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it; He created it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is none else."

But doesn't Rev. 21:1 predict "a new heaven and a new earth"? Yes, but the context clearly indicates that this refers to the future renewing of the present heaven and earth, not the creating of different ones. Verse 5 says:

"He that sat upon the throne: said, Behold I make all things new."

Note: He didn't say "I make all new things," but "I make all things new." There is a difference.

We should not be concerned about the end of the world, but rather about the end of this present age in which we live under "the dispensation of the grace of God," for God has never promised how long this will last. Every hour He delays the return of Christ to recall His ambassadors, is an hour of wonderful grace, in which men may be saved by grace, through faith in Christ who died for our sins. This is why Paul urges us:

"We then, as workers together with [Christ], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.... Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation"
(II Cor. 6:1,2).

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September 15, 2008

TRUE EVANGELISM
by Cornelius R. Stam

In St. Paul's mighty Epistle to the Romans he declares "the gospel [good news] of God... concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 1:1-3).

The good news which Paul proclaimed was essentially about Christ. He was always talking about Christ. His epistles were filled with Christ. In his message Christ was everything.

This is in striking contrast to much of modern evangelism, which is not Christ-centered, but man-centered. Dr. A. W. Tozer, shortly before his death, wrote:

"The flaw in current evangelism lies in its humanistic approach... It is frankly fascinated by the great, noisy, aggressive world with its big names, its hero worship, its wealth and pageantry... This gross misapprehension of the truth is back of much... of our present evangelical activity...

"This concept of Christianity is a radical error, and because it touches the souls of men it is a dangerous, even deadly, error... It is little more than a weak humanism allied with weak Christianity to give it ecclesiastical respectability... Invariably it begins with man and his needs and then looks around for God, while true Christianity reveals God as searching for man to deliver him from his ambitions."

Tozer was right in this. God's good news for the world is about Christ and His power and love in defeating Satan, overcoming death, nailing the Law to His cross and paying for man the just penalty for sin, so that all who believe might be justified. This is why Paul's gospel is called in Scripture "the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24) and "the gospel 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 enjoy.

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September 16, 2008

CHRIST AND POLITICS
by Cornelius R. Stam

Astronaut John Glenn in politics -- running for the U. S. Senate! It seems odd to think of him in a political role, but evidently he feels he can serve his country best in politics.

But did you ever think of Christ's relation to politics? He came into this world, remember, as a King. The very opening words of the New Testament are: "Jesus Christ, the Son of David..." (Matt. 1:1). This emphasizes the fact that He came from the royal line. John the Baptist had gone forth as the King's herald, to prepare His way, and the twelve apostles proclaimed His royal rights as they preached "the gospel of the kingdom." This was all in fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy:

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David..." (Isa. 9:6,7).

Instead of crowning Him King, however, they nailed Him to a cross and wrote over His head His "accusation": "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews."

Actually our Lord had come especially, this first time, to be rejected and crucified for the sins of men. Psalm 22, Isaiah 53 and other Old Testament passages had predicted that at His first coming He would be despised and rejected. Matt. 20:28 says of this coming: "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many."

Our Lord did not die an untimely death; the cross was not a useless sacrifice. He knew that man's greatest need is moral and spiritual -- that his sins must be paid for if he is not to be condemned forever before the court of eternal Justice. So in love He came to be rejected and suffer and die "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (I Pet. 3:18 ).

He will come again to judge and reign as all prophecy indicates, but for the present He deals with mankind in grace. Eph. 1:7 says that "in [Him] we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" and Rom. 3:24 declares that believers are "justified freely by [God's] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

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September 17, 2008

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CALVARY
by Cornelius R. Stam

Three times in Romans 5 we read that Christ died for us. Verse 6 tells us that He died for us in our weakness, Verse 8 that He died for us in our sin, and Verse 10 that He died for us in our rebellion.

First, Verse 6 says: "For when we were yet WITHOUT STRENGTH, in due time Christ died for the ungodly".

Men sometimes try to make themselves acceptable to God by human effort, but they never succeed. We can't walk or run to heaven, we can't even fly there, and we certainly can't climb there --- not even by doing good works, for good works is what we ought to do, and we should not expect them to counter-balance our sinful thoughts and deeds. Anyway, heaven is God's and He says we cannot gain it by works:

"For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph.2:8,9).

Next, Romans 5:8 says: "God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet SINNERS, Christ died for us".

Many people feel shut out of heaven, not merely because of a sense of helplessness, but because of a sense of sinfulness and condemnation. To such God proclaims the glad news that "Christ died for sinners", and "came into the world to save sinners" (ITim.1:15). At Calvary He paid the just penalty for sin --- for the sins of all mankind --- so that we, by faith, might be "justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.3:24).

But Romans 5:10 goes even further, offering hope and grace to those who have resisted God's grace and rejected His Son, for here the greatest Christ-rejecter of all time, now gloriously saved and changed, declares:

"When we were ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Rom.5:10).

And so the helpless, the sinful, yes, and the rebellious, can find acceptance with God if only they will turn from their sin and failure to Him. "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:31).

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From The Berean Bible Society

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[nChrist]

September 18, 2008

BECAUSE HE LOVED US
by Cornelius R. Stam

Why did the Lord of glory
Leave His heav'nly home,
To come to earth and suffer here
For wrongs He had not done?

Why did He go to Calv'ry
To bear the shame and loss,
And give His life for sinners vile
Upon th' accursed cross?

Why?...Because He loved us,
And longed that we might be
His very own -- not only now,
But through eternity.
-- C.R.S.

________________________________________________
Two Minutes With The Bible
From The Berean Bible Society

If you would like to ask a question or make a comment
regarding the content of this article, please email:
berean@execpc.com
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