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Two Minutes With The Bible
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nChrist
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PRECIOUS HERITAGE
«
Reply #15 on:
January 07, 2005, 05:05:11 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - PRECIOUS HERITAGE
Jan 7
PRECIOUS HERITAGE
By Cornelius R. Stam
The book, We Americans, published by the National Geographic Society in 1976, depicts a family of eight early settlers, four of whom are holding Bibles in their hands. The caption opens with the words: "Book of books, the Bible, was the end and means of the education of early Americans." This is confirmed by the Encyclopaedia Britannica, which declares that "The New England Primer... for 150 years widely used as a textbook, was largely composed of Scriptural and doctrinal material. Catechisms were taught in the public schools and prayer was offered twice a day" (EB under School and Curriculum in the United States). This does not mean that all our Revolutionary forefathers were saved, or regenerated by personal faith in Christ, but the evidence is abundant that they were, as a whole, God-fearing men, and this was bound to have a significant effect on their thinking and their conduct. And, indeed, there were among them many born-again believers.
Revolutionary times conjure up in our minds such pictures as Washington praying earnestly at Valley Forge, the members of Congress kneeling together in prayer for divine guidance, and the precepts of Scripture being pressed home again and again by those high in government, while the citizens in general trembled at God’s Word.
It goes without saying that our nation plays a strategic role in the affairs of the world. Our influence is great. However, America will not again exert the right kind of influence in the world until the Church of Christ recovers from her spiritual illness and our national leaders and the populace once more become at least God-fearing. The fear of God does not in itself save from sin’s penalty, but it is the first step toward salvation. Moreover, God’s Word declares:
"By the fear of the Lord men depart from evil" (Prov. 16:6).
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TWO ANXIOUS MOTHERS
«
Reply #16 on:
January 08, 2005, 02:36:34 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - TWO ANXIOUS MOTHERS
Jan 8
TWO ANXIOUS MOTHERS
By Cornelius R. Stam
Some time ago, in Chicago, a little baby was kidnapped right out of her mother’s arms in a hospital room, while another mother left her baby in a cardboard box on top of a garbage can.
We have the feeling that in all probability the woman who abandoned her baby -- and it probably was a woman -- was just as much beside herself as the one who had her baby stolen from her arms.
A Registered Nurse told us some time ago that the proportion of mothers who do not want their babies is becoming alarming. We do not believe that these women wouldn’t want their babies under normal circumstances. Everybody loves a baby! But in such cases sin has come in to bring trouble and shame and misery. Some of these mothers are unwed and have been disgraced; others are separated or divorced from their husbands or would have to bring their babies home to nothing but bickering and trouble. Still others have passed diseases on to their babies and wish that they had never been born.
This is how sin wrecks lives and homes, but it is wonderful to know that "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," as we read in I Tim. 1:15. How does He save sinners? First He bore the penalty of sin for us: "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). But He will save us from sin’s control too, if we let Him. Rom. 6:14 says to believers in Christ: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law but under grace," and millions have proved this to be true.
Salvation is more than a religious term, or a feeling or sentiment, it is actual deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, through the redemptive work of Christ on Calvary, where He "put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" for every one who simply but sincerely trusts Him as Lord and Savior.
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THE POWER OF GODLINESS
«
Reply #17 on:
January 10, 2005, 12:10:27 AM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - THE POWER OF GODLINESS
Jan 9
THE POWER OF GODLINESS
By Cornelius R. Stam
God would have us live as His own sacred possession, separate from this world-system, but godliness is out of style these days. Religious leaders in ever greater number are telling us that to win the world we must become part of it and to win the people of the world we must fellowship with them in the things they do and the places to which they go. But the believer cannot impress the world by conforming to it. And even if he could this approach would still be contrary to the Will of God, for His Word exhorts us:
"Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:2).
It is true godliness, consistent separation to God from this world, which most deeply impresses the lost to whom we bear witness.
True godliness exerts enormous spiritual power. It causes men to toil and sacrifice, yea to suffer and die for Christ and for others. It exerts a profound influence upon those with whom it comes into contact. A truly godly believer will win the respect of other believers and by his example encourage them to live godly lives, while at the same time his godliness will convict the lost, so that they will either be angered or will turn to Christ for salvation.
This is why II Tim. 3:12 says: "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Carnal Christians do not like to think about the word "all" in this passage, but it is there and stands as a rebuke to their lack of consecration to God. They have "a form of godliness" but deny "the power thereof" (II Timothy 3:5).
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In His Service
«
Reply #18 on:
January 10, 2005, 10:23:39 AM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - In His Service
Jan 10
In His Service
By Paul M. Sadler, President
Scripture Reading:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." -- Romans 12:1,2
As we stand on the threshold of another new year, we should stand ready to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has called us. Time is precious! Isaac Watts once said: "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away." Unlike eternity, everything in this life has a beginning and an end, as Solomon reminds us:
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die" (Eccl. 3:1,2). In the natural course of things, life and death are in God's control. But what takes place between these two monumental events will have a bearing upon us throughout eternity. Life is the dash that appears between the dates on every tombstone. And that little dash speaks volumes. For some it marks a conversion to Christ and all the spiritual benefits that come with it. But for others it is a chronicle of rejection and rebellion against God, with no hope of reprieve. Which is true of you? If the latter, there's still time to trust Christ and flee the wrath to come.
The question is, what will we do with the remaining time that's left before our dash is etched in stone? Paul says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13,14).
This passage has always amazed me. After 30 plus years of serving the Lord, Paul was still pressing toward the goal. He refused to allow the past to influence his life -- whether it was past failures or accomplishments. God has done a wonderful work here at BBS through the years, but we must not dwell upon past accomplishments or failures. Like Paul, we must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.
In the new year, may it be our desire that we might "know Christ, "that is, more fully, and experience the power of His resurrection. There is still much to be done, but with your help, we can leave a legacy of grace that will be long remembered after we lie in the dust of the earth.
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BANNERS TO DISPLAY
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Reply #19 on:
January 11, 2005, 01:51:39 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - BANNERS TO DISPLAY
Jan 11
BANNERS TO DISPLAY
By Cornelius R. Stam
If there is one thing that God would have His people do amid the rising apostasy of our day it is to show their colors. As the enemy comes in like a flood, even Bible-believing Christians are apt to hide a banner which they should unfurl and boldly display. That banner is Christ. How many believers fear to speak up for Him because His name is increasingly despised!
But, as in any war of any size, many and varied flags are carried into battle, this is so in the Christian conflict too, for the Bible, godly living, faithful comrades, etc., are all banners by which we should take our stand, flags we should display.
One such banner is fundamentalism, a slogan, a battle cry, which many believers are putting aside and hiding away just when they should display and wave it boldly. Some, recognizing the spiritual decline among fundamentalists, prefer to be called simply believers or Christians. We can appreciate this point of view but do not feel it is valid in this time of spiritual crisis.
At a time when the fundamentals of the Christian faith are being threatened as never before, we can do much to show that we stand for these basic doctrines, identifying ourselves openly with them by calling ourselves fundamentalists. The rapid pace at which the apostasy is rising about us makes it the more urgent that we display this banner. We believe that there is strong Scriptural support for this view, e.g., in Acts 23:6, where we read that Paul called himself a Pharisee to show that he stood for basic Bible
doctrine and against those who denied it.
Bible-believing Christian: show your colors!
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THE PROMISE GOD MADE TO HIMSELF
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Reply #20 on:
January 12, 2005, 08:28:24 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - THE PROMISE GOD MADE TO HIMSELF
Jan 12
THE PROMISE GOD MADE TO HIMSELF
By Cornelius R. Stam
"In hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before the world [or, "ages"] began" (Tit. 1:2).
"The Cretians are always liars" (Ver. 12). "God... cannot lie" (Ver. 2). What a contrast! And how reassuring to know that our salvation depends upon the Word of God, who cannot lie!
Our opening passage, above, however, states that God made this promise "before the world [or, "ages"] began."How can this be? There is no indication that He made this promise to the angels, and there was no one else to whom He could have made it -- except Himself, and this is exactly the truth of the matter. Have we not all made earnest promises to ourselves?
Before God ever made one promise to any man, He promised Himself that He would provide salvation and all the riches of His grace for sinners through Calvary’s finished work, and the promises later made to men were but progressive revelations of a firm purpose He had already made in His own heart of love. Paul, the apostle of "the mystery," refers to this blessed fact again and again in his epistles:
"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery... the hidden... WHICH GOD HATH ORDAINED BEFORE THE WORLD UNTO OUR GLORY" (I Cor. 2:7).
"According as HE HATH CHOSEN US IN HIM [CHRIST] BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD..." (Eph. 1:4).
"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, BEING PREDESTINATED ACCORDING TO THE PURPOSE OF HIM WHO WORKETH ALL THINGS AFTER THE COUNSEL OF HIS OWN WILL" (Eph. 1:11).
"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS OWN PURPOSE AND [HIS OWN] GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN" (II Tim. 1:9).
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"LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY"
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Reply #21 on:
January 14, 2005, 01:46:56 AM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - "LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY"
Jan 13
"LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY"
By Russell S. Miller
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good" (Rom.12:9).
The Pauline epistles have much to say about "Love Without Hypocrisy". The meaning of hypocrisy is simple enough -- playing a part rather than actually living the part. The television is clearly an instrument of hypocrisy. The world is full of actors, all pretending to be somebody they’re not, whereas believers in Christ ought to be living a true life for our Saviour. The love with which Timothy’s mother and grandmother cherished him, however, was most assuredly not produced by Hollywood. What a testimony his life and character was to the truth of God’s Word. See II Timothy 1:5:
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
The word "unfeigned" is translated "without dissimulation" in Romans 12:9 and "without hypocrisy" in James 3:17. It is also found in II Corinthians 6:6; I Timothy 1:5; and I Peter l:22.
The word "love", of Romans 12:9, was not produced in Hollywood either. It is that "love of God" (Rom. 5:5,8; 8:35) that eternally secures believers in Christ with "all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies" (Eph.1:3). But our local assemblies would do well in "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts" (Tit.2:12). This would produce so much more for the cause of Christ through "His constraining love" (IICor.5:14). If believers of all walks of life would only "be filled with the Spirit" (Eph.5:18) they would not "fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Gal.5:16). This is why Paul writes Timothy:
"Now the end of the commandment is charity [agape] out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned [without hypocrisy]" (ITim.1:5).
Peter wrote to the Jewish remnant, "scattered throughout" Asia Minor, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (IPet.1:22).
"A pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith" produces the kind of true love, that balance in the Christian life, that brings forth fruit, unto God.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Gal.5:16).
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WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
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Reply #22 on:
January 14, 2005, 01:49:17 AM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Jan 14
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
By Russell S. Miller
Thank you for that "good" question.
God’s plan of salvation today is not difficult to understand.
"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). There is no one exempt from sin. We are ALL guilty of breaking the Laws of God. We are sinners by nature and by choice, because we also choose to sin.
"The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23). There is a penalty for sin. You go to work every day and at the end of the week you receive your wages. "The wages of sin is death..."
"...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Eternal life is a gift. You cannot buy it, or earn it, or deserve it. It can only be received as a free gift because Christ paid the penalty of sin with His own blood. The love of God, therefore, has provided a way back to God in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord.
"...CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS...was buried, and rose again the third day..." (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
He died for our sins because there is no other way in which man could be redeemed.
He was buried that our old Adamic nature "might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Romans 6:6).
He arose from the dead to prove that our debt of sin, and its penalty, has been FULLY paid (Romans 4:25).
"Therefore being justified BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).
Does it get any better than this? Yes, indeed it does, for we read in Ephesians 2:7:
"THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHEW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS".
God is very patient, kind, and loving, and longsuffering, but He will not be mocked of men. Consequently there is a "Hell" and "the Lake of Fire" awaiting all who reject this gift of salvation in the person of His Son, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is clearly taught in Revelation 20:11-15.
When the Philippian jailor asked, "What must I do to be saved?", the Apostle Paul answered: "BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED..." (Acts 16:30,31).
This is the one really important issue of life, and there is no time like the present, to make that decision to trust Jesus Christ as your own personal Saviour and Lord.
If you cannot say, "I know I am saved and I'm going to Heaven", then I exhort you to trust Christ as your Saviour, right now, and God will bless you with all the bounty of Heaven, and more.
"BUT GOD COMMENDETH HIS LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US" (Romans 5:8).
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BUT NOW
«
Reply #23 on:
January 15, 2005, 02:18:56 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - BUT NOW
Jan 15
BUT NOW
By Cornelius R. Stam
The words "but now" are found in many places in the Bible, but most often in the Epistles of Paul.
These two words are deeply significant, for they indicate a change in program. If my secretary is transcribing some dictation and I say: "But now I would like you to take a letter," this indicates a change in program.
So it is with this phrase as we find it in Rom. 3:21: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested." Prior to this time God’s people were under the Law. There was no other way to approach Him.
But though under the Law, they constantly broke the Law, so that those who sought salvation by the Law stood before God condemned rather than justified. Thus the Apostle says in Verse 20:
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested" (Ver. 21).
How can this be? How can a man be declared righteous apart from the Law? The answer, the only answer is, by grace through faith in Christ.
Though perfect and sinless, Christ died for sin. Whose sin? Yours and mine. Thus as Paul declares in Acts 13:38, 39:
"Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and by Him all who believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28).
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ARE YOU READY?
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Reply #24 on:
January 16, 2005, 06:50:33 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - ARE YOU READY?
Jan 16
ARE YOU READY?
By Cornelius R. Stam
I wonder what finally became of Molotov? Most of us know only that he was expelled from the Communist Party and was later recalled to Moscow to answer for what Kruschev, of all people, called "barbarous crimes"! Molotov, "the hammer," was active in the Communist Revolution since 15 years of age. A close friend of Stalin, he served Soviet Russia variously as Secretary of the Central Committee, Premier of USSR, its Foreign Minister and its Representative to the UN.
But in 1957 Kruschev, jealous of Stalin’s popularity, dismissed Molotov from the Presidium and sent him away as ambassador to ’Outer Mongolia’. Now disgraced along with his old friend Stalin, this once popular hero of the Soviets was discarded by the system he championed. Pathetic, but he deserved it.
Contrast this with the Apostle Paul. He had been great, prospering in his religion above many of his equals, being "more exceedingly zealous" of the traditions of his fathers (Gal. 1:14). But he gave all this up and counted it loss for "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ." Serving Christ amid unceasing persecution, he said:
"But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel [good news] of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).
Yes, and in his last recorded words before Nero beheaded him, Paul said:
"I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown..." (II Tim. 4:6-8).
What a triumphant way to go! And you, my friend, can go that way too -- if you can say with Paul, "I am ready." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).
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Growing Old Gracefully
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Reply #25 on:
January 17, 2005, 03:16:14 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - Growing Old Gracefully
Jan 17
Growing Old Gracefully
By Paul M. Sadler, President
Scripture Reference:
"Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." -- I Timothy 5:1,2
The Apostle Paul deals with many different types of relationships in his epistles, but perhaps the most delicate relationship is with those who are older in years. Like the seasons of the year, each of us gradually grow older until we find ourselves in the winter of our lives. The first 70 years are normally filled with vim and vigor as we fulfill the desires of our heart. But if by reason of strength we survive beyond this point the Scriptures indicate that the days ahead are going to be filled with labor and sorrow. Labor, in the sense that even the mundane things of life, such as rising from a chair, becomes burdensome. To complicate matters further, sorrow surrounds us like a tattered garment as death robs us of those we love.
Little wonder that Paul admonishes us to esteem the senior members of the Body of Christ as fathers and mothers. Their plight deserves our sensitivity and their years of experience our respect. Furthermore, it will serve us well to remember that someday soon we will be the patriarch or matriarch.
In Ecclesiastes wise old Solomon, stricken in years himself, describes the aging process that creeps up on us like the leopard that stalks its prey.
"Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them" (Eccl. 12:1).
Someday the grim reaper will stand at the foot of our deathbed and the "mourners [will] go about the streets" whispering: Has he passed on? Beloved, there are thousands of ways to leave this earthly tabernacle, but perhaps the most common today is when the "pitcher is broken at the fountain." In short, a fatal heart attack.
"Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (vs. 7).
The sting of death is sin, but thanks be unto God that Christ died for our sins thereby removing its sting. Thus, according to Paul's epistles death is merely a passage way into eternal life for all those who believe (I Cor. 15:55-57; Heb. 2:14,15). No one looks forward to growing old, but hopefully we will do so gracefully and with dignity. As they say: "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." The blood of Christ is our eternal life insurance policy which has a rider guaranteeing our future resurrection!
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SO VERY RICH (II COR. 8:9)
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Reply #26 on:
January 18, 2005, 10:09:26 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - SO VERY RICH (II COR. 8:9)
Jan 18
SO VERY RICH (II COR. 8:9)
By Cornelius R. Stam
So rich, so very rich, was Christ
Through past eternity!
As God the Son, with God enthroned,
The Heir of all was He.
So poor, so very poor, did He
As Son of man become!
From manger birth to shameful death
Rejected by His own.
For us, ah yes, it was for us
He bore such poverty.
That we by His redeeming grace
Might be as rich as He!
- C.R.S.
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THE LAW AND THE WRATH OF GOD
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January 19, 2005, 03:51:16 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - THE LAW AND THE WRATH OF GOD
Jan 19
THE LAW AND THE WRATH OF GOD
By Cornelius R. Stam
Romans 4:15 clearly states that "the law worketh wrath," but so many people, it seems, do not wish to see this. Even some clergymen tell us that God gave the Law to help us to be good, when God Himself says the very opposite; that it was given to show us that we are bad and need a Savior. "The law worketh wrath." Every criminal knows this and every sinner should know it, for the Bible has much to say on the subject. Rom. 3:19,20 declares that the Law was given "that every mouth may be stopped, and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God," and this passage goes on to say: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight; for by the law is the knowledge of sin."
II Cor. 3:7,9 calls the Law "the ministration of condemnation" and "the ministration of death." Gal. 3:10 says that those who are "of the works of the law," i.e., who seek to make themselves acceptable to God by keeping the Law, "are under a curse," because the Law can only condemn them.
Those who approach God, expecting eternal life in return for "good works" are offering Him their terms -- which He will never accept. God will not sell justification to those already under condemnation for sin. But He does offer sinners complete justification by grace because:
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written; cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Gal. 3:13).
Thank God, those who trust in Christ, "having redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7), "being justified, freely by His [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).
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Euthanasia
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January 20, 2005, 10:38:25 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - Euthanasia
Jan 20
Euthanasia
By Paul M. Sadler, President
Scripture Reading:
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." -- Hebrews 9:27
It is our firm conviction that every believer in Christ should strongly oppose euthanasia on the grounds that it runs contrary to the revealed will of God. Euthanasia is the deliberate act of prematurely terminating the life of someone who is hopelessly ill. This is normally achieved through the controlled inhalation of carbon monoxide, by a lethal injection of drugs or withholding nourishment. Those who are advocates of this unwholesome rationale believe that it is morally acceptable to end the pain and suffering of a loved one whose life would otherwise be meaningless. In the name of compassion Michigan's infamous "Dr. Death" has assisted in many such suicides, proclaiming himself to be an angel of mercy.
Thankfully most physicians still hold to the Hippocratic oath, which states that every effort should be made to preserve life. But even more importantly, man has no moral right to terminate a life that has been given by God. It has been appropriately said: "Suicide doesn't end the pain, it only lays it on the broken shoulders of the survivors." Many seem to have forgotten that it is God "in whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10). We sympathize, of course, with any family who has a loved one who is terminally ill. Nevertheless, to cut that life short may send them to a Christless eternity when they might have otherwise believed before their natural death. Also, we may never know how many souls in the medical profession have been saved because they were in the presence of a dying saint or family member who was faithful in sharing Christ. The Lord's consolation at such times is "MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE!"
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LET IT GET YOU DOWN
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January 21, 2005, 03:30:53 PM »
Two Minutes With The Bible - LET IT GET YOU DOWN
Jan 21
LET IT GET YOU DOWN
By Cornelius R. Stam
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 3: 14).
When adversity strikes, the world keeps telling us:
"Don’t let it get you down," but believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have learned that it is good to let troubles and difficulties get them down -- down on their knees. A native evangelist in Africa sat outside his hut discouraged and unhappy. Trouble and disappointment had brought "great coldness" into his heart and he seemed ready to give up. The Lord, he felt, had utterly forsaken him.
As he sat there, though, his little girl kept nudging him and saying: "Daddy, go inside and pray ." Finally it worked! The evangelist went inside, poured his heart out to God and arose feeling sure that the Lord would see him through.
It is good for us to get down on our knees before God. There is no attitude more appropriate to the redeemed sinner. And as we pray, often falteringly....
"The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
"And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:26-28).
"Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God.
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding. shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6,7).
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