Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 6, 2008

"GOOD FRIDAY"
by Cornelius R. Stam

There has been much debate among theologians as to whether the Lord Jesus Christ was actually crucified on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. Traditionally, of course, it is supposed to have taken place on Friday, but this writer has never been able to get very excited about such details. What matters is that Christ, the Creator, God in flesh, died in shame and disgrace and agony for sins He had never committed -- for your sins and mine.

But have you ever considered that this in itself is not necessarily good news? Many an innocent person has died in the place of some guilty criminal who has gone free through some miscarriage of justice. We didn't see anything good about this. When St. Peter addressed his kinsmen he blamed them for the crucifixion of Christ, saying: "Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you... as ye yourselves also know... ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:22, 23), and later he faced the Supreme Court of his nation and charged them with His death (Acts 4:5-11).

What then, was "good" about the death of Christ? Well, we come to this when we reach the Epistles of Paul in our Bibles. There the chief of sinners, saved by grace (ITim.1:15), exclaims: "He gave Himself for me" (Gal.2:20). He says: "God hath made Him to be sin for us... that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (IICor.5:21). He does not blame us for Christ's death -- though our sins helped to nail Him to that cross -- but proclaims the glad news that, "We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph.1:7). And why did He do this for us? "That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph.2:7).

So, for us who have trusted Christ as our Savior, the death of Christ at Calvary is indeed good news. We rejoice in it, sing about it, preach about it and all it has accomplished for a lost humanity. Little wonder Paul declared:

"God forbid that I should boast," except in one thing: "the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14).
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 7, 2008

THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY; PAST OR FUTURE?
by Cornelius R. Stam

Did our Lord actually ride in triumph into Jerusalem to become King of the Church? Or is His true triumph still to come?

True, the townspeople cried: "Hosanna! Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord" (John 12:12,13). But Jesus responded by entering the city, riding "an ass's colt" (Verses 14,15). Surely this was not a very regal sight! Once before, when He knew that they "would come and take Him by force to make Him a King, He departed...into a mountain Himself alone" (John 6:15).

He knew that it was not yet time for Him to reign. First must come the cross, then the throne. Zechariah had prophesied of this entry into Jerusalem, saying: "Behold thy King!" Look at Him! and then he describes His entrance: "Lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass" (Zech.9:9).

At this entry, "When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it" (Luke 19:41). At this entry He entered into the temple, looked about and went out again (Mark 11:11). It was His Father's house, but He could not worship there. It had become a den of thieves. No, this was no triumphal entry. Look at Him, meek, lowly, riding on an ass's colt, and then see Him coming again as Revelation 19:11-16 describes it. How different the symbolism!

Once meek, lowly, and "having salvation." Now, "in righteousness doth He judge and make war." Once, riding "an ass's colt." Now, "Behold! a white horse!" And those eyes, once filled with tears are now "as a flame of fire."

Our Lord's true triumphal entry is still future. According to prophecy He will come again, put down all rebellion against Himself, and reign in glory and power. Thank God He has not yet done so! In love He still points to Calvary, where He died for our sins and offers us the riches of His grace.

"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom.4:25).
_____________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 8, 2008

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE BELIEVER TODAY
by Cornelius R. Stam

Grace and faith are the characteristic features of the present dispensation. Not only is salvation now declared to be by grace, through faith, but the Spirit also operates in the believer by grace, through faith. He does not take possession of us and cause us to do what is right, but dwells within each believer (I Cor. 6:19) to provide needed guidance and the strength to withstand temptation, and we may avail ourselves of this provision by faith.

The Spirit, Who first imparted life to us will also impart strength to withstand temptation and overcome sin. In our inability to even pray as we ought, "the Spirit... helpeth our infirmities" and "maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:26). In our weakness we are "strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man" (Eph. 3:16) and God even stoops to "quicken [our] mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in us" (Rom. 8:11).

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh" (Ver. 12).

The implication from the above passage is that though sorely tempted we are debtors to the Spirit who dwells within and provides overcoming power.

The question, in times of temptation, is generally whether we truly desire to overcome, for we may overcome in any given case by grace, through faith. In the present dispensation it is not true that it is not possible for the believer to sin, but it is blessedly true that in any situation it is possible for him not to sin, for the Spirit is always there to help.
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 9, 2008

THE BABY JESUS AND THE LORD OF GLORY
by Cornelius R. Stam

All about us, at this time of the year, the "baby Jesus" is the subject of discussion and attention. Indeed, all year long the Babe in its mother's arms and the dying Sufferer on the cross are kept constantly before the masses, while our Lord's resurrection, ascension and present glory in heaven are given but scant attention. This is because so few have taken note of the great message of the Apostle Paul about the glorified Lord in heaven. In II Cor. 5:16, the Apostle wrote:

"...yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more."

It is sad that so many still know only "Christ after the flesh." They love to discuss the "gospel stories" about the "Man of Galilee," but find themselves strangers in the great Epistles of St. Paul.

Paul was the apostle for this present "dispensation of the grace of God." It is he who presents Christ in His present glory as the great Dispenser of redeeming grace, through the merits He won at Calvary. In Eph. 1:15-23 we have recorded for us the Apostle's prayer that we might be given "the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ" that we might come to experience...

"What is the exceeding greatness of [God's] power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,

"Which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places.

"Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world [age], but also in that which is to come" (Eph. 1:19-21).

Let us thank God that the baby Jesus died for our sins and became the risen, living Savior at God's right hand, abundantly "able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Heb. 7:25).
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 10, 2008

GRACE TODAY AND TOMORROW
by Cornelius R. Stam

Paul learned what thousands upon thousands of God's saints have learned from his day to ours: that it is often more blessed to experience God's grace in suffering than to enjoy deliverance from suffering, for in the former case we lean the harder and pray the more, and so are drawn closer to Him. Moreover, we find that His strength is made perfect in weakness and that when we are weak, then are we strong (II Cor. 12:9,10).

But even better things are in store for God's people: Some day, "in the ages to come," God will display to all the universe "the exceeding riches of His grace." How will He do this? "In His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:7).

Dear reader, have you accepted the grace of God in Christ Jesus? Do you believe that He loves you and that He "came into the world" to bear all the blame and shame and punishment that was your due, so that you might be "justified freely by His grace" (Rom. 3:24)?

If not, will you take Him at His Word now and come to know the truth of II Cor. 4:15:

"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God."

Whatever your past; however great or many your sins, take God at His Word. Believe that He loves you in spite of all. Believe that He has already provided the payment for your sins in Christ:

"In whom we have redemption. through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 11, 2008

A FREE GIFT FOR YOU
by Cornelius R. Stam

It seems that everything is going up in cost these days. Nothing comes down; everything goes up -- up -- up. Wages too are going up, but not as fast as the cost of living, for our dollars are decreasing in value all the time. This is why former President Eisenhower suggested we begin calling them dollarettes!

We should thank God, though, that there is one thing that has never gone up in price -- the salvation of precious souls. No price was ever put on this and none ever will be, for several good reasons:

   1. Because God is not impoverished; He does not need our money.
   2. Because if salvation could be bought, the rich would have an advantage over the poor.
   3. Salvation was fully paid for by God the Son on Calvary's cross, and to charge one penny for it now would be to cast reflections on His finished work.

Even in Old Testament times God made it clear that sacrifices and good works could not buy His favor. In Isa. 55:1-3, the prophet cried:

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
"Incline your ear, and come unto Me: Hear, and your soul shall live..."

Centuries later, after "the gospel of the grace of God" had been committed to Paul, he offered even better things to those who were willing to accept them. He declared that believers in Christ are...

"Justified freely by [God's] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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

"In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 12, 2008

THE NOBLE BEREANS AND THE BIBLE
by Cornelius R. Stam

Many Christian groups and organizations call themselves Bereans, but it is surprising how few people know what a true Berean is.

The 17th chapter of Acts relates how Paul called upon his kinsmen at Thessalonica and for three Sabbath days "reasoned with them out of the Scriptures", trying to show them that Jesus was the Christ.

Steeped in their own religion, however, the majority were unwilling even to consider the truths Paul proclaimed. Indeed, they resented the fact that some did believe and, in their bigotry, "set all the city on an uproar". Finally Paul's life was in such peril that the Christians there sent him away by night to Berea, a town about forty miles away.

At Berea Paul again sought out his "kinsmen according to the flesh" -- and what a different reception! Here is what the record says:

"These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11).

These people did not immediately close their eyes to further light. On the contrary, they gave Paul an interested hearing, listening with open minds to what he had to say. But they were not gullible either for, having listened to Paul, they subjected his word to God's Word, searching the Scriptures daily to see whether those things were so. For this God called them "noble". They were the true spiritual aristocracy of their day.

We should all be Bereans, spiritually big enough to listen with open minds to the teachings of men, and then big enough to subject their teachings to the Word of God, the Bible, to see for ourselves whether these things are so. Our Lord said: "Search the Scriptures... for... they... testify of Me" (John 5:39). As we do this we will find eternal life -- and more -- in Christ.
______________________

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 13, 2008

THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY
by Russell S. Miller

"How that by revelation He made known unto me the Mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

"Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

"Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

"That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph.3:3-6).

When the world was ripe for the judgment of God to fall, the Lord Jesus Christ in mercy and grace reached down from heaven to save "the chief of sinners," and in so doing "shewed forth all longsuffering" to this doomed world. Unlike the Twelve and their Kingdom gospel, Paul was made a minister of the Church and a dispenser of God's grace today. In Colossians, the Apostle Paul says:

"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.1:25-27).

Paul declares that those things concerning the Church were a "secret" hitherto "NOT made known" (Eph.3:5), "...HID IN GOD..." (3:9) and, "HID FROM AGES AND FROM GENERATIONS, but now is made manifest to His saints" (Col.1:26). He says that "this mystery" is NOT found in the Old Testament scriptures. Search and see that its absence is conspicuous. And furthermore, in Galatians, he states again exactly how he got his message:

"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).

Paul got his gospel from the Lord Jesus Christ. No man taught Paul the gospel that he preached. He "received" it "by the revelation of Jesus Christ." The fact that PAUL got this "knowledge" from the glorified Lord, Himself, boldly proclaims that he DID NOT preach Jesus Christ according to a prophetic gospel; rather Paul is specially "chosen" of God through whom "this Mystery among the Gentiles" was to be revealed to the world. The message that he preached in all fourteen of his epistles concerning "the revelation of Jesus Christ" are summarized in the words of Romans 16:25,26:

"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL, AND THE PREACHING OF JESUS CHRIST, ACCORDING TO THE REVELATION OF THE MYSTERY, WHICH WAS KEPT SECRET SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN,

"BUT NOW IS MADE MANIFEST, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Rom.16:25,26).

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 14, 2008

THE APOSTLE OF GRACE
by Russell S. Miller

"How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities" (IICor.12:4,5).

When the world was ripe for the judgment of God to fall upon it, the Lord Jesus Christ in mercy and grace reached down to save "the chief of sinners," and in so doing God "shewed forth all longsuffering" to a lost and dying world.

"And [Saul] trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).

It is most touching, after being caught up to the third heaven (IICor.12:1-7), that this once proud Pharisee should speak most humbly of the Christ who had saved him from such an eternal loss, making him "the Apostle of grace." In a number of passages Paul speaks with such gratitude of the matchless grace of God and his own unworthiness:

"For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:

"And profited in the Jews religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers" (Gal.1:13,14).

"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (ICor.15:9,10).

In Ephesians 3:7, the Apostle tells us that he is "made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, given unto me by the effectual working of His power.

"Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ" (Eph.3:8 ).

And Paul's apostleship is further confirmed in I Timothy 2:7:

"Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity."

The theme of Paul's epistles is "Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph.1:2). This is why Paul is "the Apostle of grace."

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 15, 2008

GOD'S POWER PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS
by Cornelius R. Stam

To Paul was committed the greatest revelation of all time. He was divinely commissioned to proclaim the glorious all-sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work. He made known God's offer of salvation by free grace to all who trust in Christ, along with their heavenly position, blessings and prospect in Christ.

Lest he should become puffed up by the glory of these great truths, God gave him what he called "a thorn in the flesh," an aggravating physical infirmity of some sort. "For this thing," he says, "I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me" (II Cor. 12:8 ). But the Lord knew better than Paul what was good for him:

"And He said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (Ver. 9).

How right God was! Every Christian knows that with brimming health and "good fortune" comes the tendency to forget our need of Him, while infirmity causes us to lean harder and to pray more, and this is where our spiritual power lies. Every believer should acknowledge this and say with Paul:

"Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities... for when I am weak, then am I strong" (Vers. 9,10).

Infirmities of the flesh are common even among God's choicest saints. What satisfaction there is, then, in resting upon God's Word: "My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 16, 2008

THE "RIGHTNESS" OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

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

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

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

It was Bildad who said this to Job, and Job replied, almost exasperated: "I know it is so of a truth, but how shall a man be just with God?" (Job 9:2). In other words, how can a holy God look upon a sinner and pronounce him righteous? With this background let us consider Paul's great declaration in Romans 1:16,17:

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

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

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

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 17, 2008

JUSTIFIED FREELY
by Cornelius R. Stam

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

It is wonderful to know that we sinners are not justified by praying, or paying, or saying, or sighing, or crying, or doing anything. We are justified freely, by the grace of God. But this passage from Romans will mean more to us when we learn how the word rendered "freely" here is translated elsewhere in the Bible. The same expression is found in John 15:25, where our Lord, quoting from the Psalms, said: "They hated me without a cause."

Why did men hate Him? He went about doing nothing but good: healing the sick, giving the blind their sight, causing the lame to leap for joy, preaching good news to the poor and deliverance to those who were bound. There was no good reason for crying, "Away with Him!" and "Crucify Him!" They hated Him "without a cause."

But in the same way we might ask: "Why should He die for sinners? Why should He pay for their sins? He had done nothing wrong." Ah, it was in love that He deliberately gave Himself into the hands of sinful men, that He, the sinless One, might pay for their sins. He did not die His own death, for death is "the wages of sin." He died our death, paying for our sins. So, as men hated Him "without a cause" (except their own sinful condition), so Christ has "Justified" believers "without a cause" (except His own divine love).

And so it is that we can now proclaim the glorious news that God has sent us to tell all mankind, that His righteousness is conferred "upon all those who believe," and that believers are "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 18, 2008

THE WORKS OF THE FLESH vs. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
by Russell S. Miller

Adultery heads the list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, with fornication and uncleanness following second and third in succession. There is a world of sinners out there, unrestrained with unbridled lusts, to which the Lord sends His ambassadors with "the message of reconciliation" (II Cor.5:14-21).

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revel-lings, and such like..."

It was adultery that ruined King David, for when it came time for the king to go to war, he was on his rooftop:

"And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon" (IISam.11:2).

Did the Lord have this in mind when He said: "Whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt.5:28 )? It is truly "from within, out of the heart of man, [that] proceed evil thoughts"; and "adulteries" are at the top of this list in Mark 7:21-23 also.

Again, in Romans Six, the Apostle Paul speaks of the works of the flesh as unfruitful and leading to death: "What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death" (Rom.6:21). In Colossians, we read that these works of the flesh originate from within, and pointing to the Christ of Calvary's cross, Paul says: "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, YET NOW HATH HE RECONCILED IN THE BODY OF HIS FLESH THROUGH DEATH, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight" (Col.1:21,22).

Consequently, there is real "joy and peace in believing" (Rom.15:13) as God's grace saves and transforms lives so that Christ may be seen, and not the works of the flesh.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22,23).

It is only right that there are laws against the works of the flesh, but how could there be laws against the fruit of the Spirit? A striking contrast indeed!

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 19, 2008

THIS IS FOR JESUS
by Cornelius R. Stam

Visiting a young pastor and his family some time ago I observed a touching example of true Christian stewardship.

It was nearly time to go to church, when the pastor's wife reached for a small box containing a few coins and handed it to her little boy. The coins represented the boy's earnings received for jobs done, good behaviour, etc.

Seriously the boy contemplated the contents of the box and took from it two dimes -- a substantial portion of the whole. Then looking up at me he said earnestly: "This is for Jesus".

Several Scriptural lessons about Christian giving came to mind as we observed this simple incident.

This little lad had already been taught the responsibility of participating systematically in supporting the work of the Lord (ICor.16:2). He gave "as he purposed in his heart"; no one suggested how much he ought to give (IICor.9:7). After thinking it over carefully, he gave sacrificially (IICor.8:7,9). He "proved the sincerity of his love" (IICor.8:8 ), for it was with sincere, childlike affection that he said: "This is for Jesus".

Most of all, perhaps, his gift was a living demonstration of Paul's exhortation in Romans 12:8: "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity". There was no fanfare, no boasting, no evidence of any feeling that he was doing a lot for the Lord; just an attitude of simple, humble satisfaction that he could join others in supporting the work of Christ.

How much we, who have too often been hardened through the years, can learn from children!

[nChrist]

________________________________________________
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
_________________________________________________

November 20, 2008

"THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH"
by Russell S. Miller

Some suppose that somehow, in the final analysis, their "good works" will outweigh the bad works they do and God will accept them into His heaven. But is it good works that save?

Of the first two children born into this world, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground--that, which his works had produced--with which to worship the Lord, while Abel, his brother, offered the sacrificial lamb that God required.

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb.11:4).

God rejected Cain's offering because he had not obeyed the Lord God. But a far greater sacrifice than Abel's has been offered on our behalf. "Christ died for our sins" (ICor.15:3). Now the question must be asked, Have you believed the Lord in this? As long as men continue in unbelief, and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they will remain angry and bitter and wicked sinners in the sight of a thrice Holy God.

Such are the deeds of those who place their will over the written Word of God, as their evil doings are reported daily over radio, TV and in our newspapers.

But God is able to turn "the wickedness of men" into the greatest good, as we have seen. For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know "that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." (IICor.5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history--the crucifixion of Christ--would bring "to nought" all this world's wisdom. Little did they know, that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ:

"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:8 ).

Study God's Word, especially the Epistles of St. Paul, and discover that Christ IS the great Victor over sin, death, the grave, and hell. You will also be rejoicing in all that He accomplished on Calvary's cross--"the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (IITim.2:10), and His "more excellent sacrifice", to which all the types and shadows pointed.

"The preaching of the cross" constitutes the obedience of faith today. It is therefore faith, and faith alone, in the finished work of Christ that saves:

"NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US" (Heb.9:12).