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June 25, 2009

THE UNKNOWN HYMN
by Cornelius R. Stam


"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out..." (Matt.26:30).

Often have we wondered what might have been the words of that sacred hymn, but God has seen fit to keep this from us for the present.

We have in our Bibles many great poetic expressions: the Song of Moses, the beautiful Magnificat, all the Psalms and many other poems, but the hymn that our Lord and His eleven apostles sang that night before leaving the Upper Room was evidently a well-known song, in which they could all join. We can almost imagine our Lord saying, "Before we leave, let's sing...".

We will not know the words of that hallowed hymn until we reach heaven, but we do know this: Our Lord and His apostles did not leave the Upper Room weeping and mourning. Though His soul had been deeply troubled as He approached the dreadful hour of His suffering and death, He could say: "What shall I say? Father save Me from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour" (John 12:27). Though deeply saddened by Judas' base betrayal, "having loved His own...He loved them unto the end" (John 13:1), and His words of comfort and cheer during these last hours are now crowned with the singing of a hymn--a hymn, a song of praise.

Though the words of that hymn are as yet unknown to us, the lesson of its singing should not be lost. If the Upper Room scene closed with the singing of a hymn, surely we may be given the grace to sing God's praise in the midst of our lesser trials. And if our Lord, "for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb.12:2), surely our burdens may -- and should -- be lightened through the knowledge that by His grace, "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (IICor. 4:17).

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June 26, 2009

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION
by Cornelius R. Stam


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[nChrist]

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June 27, 2009

THE BIBLE AND ITS AUTHOR
by Cornelius R. Stam


Back on the shelf she placed the book with a sigh. It was too dull and uninteresting to wade through. She didn't feel like reading anyway; in fact, she was utterly bored, and didn't feel like doing anything.

The next night was different -- very different. At a party she had met the kind of man she could really go for. He seemed interested in her too, and in the weeks that followed they saw more and more of each other, until she was sure she loved him.

One night he mentioned something about a book he had written, and somehow the title rang a bell with her. Where had she seen it? It bothered her that she couldn't remember. When she reached home, however, it dawned on her all of a sudden. This was the book she had found so boring. She hadn't even noticed the name of the author.

Taking the book down from the shelf again, she began reading. As she read page after page, she asked herself: "Why did I think this book was dry? Say, this is some book! I had no idea he could write -- and so well!" And thus, avidly, she continued reading far into the night.

Yes, it makes a great deal of difference if you know the Author -- and especially if you love him! How many believers in Christ there are whose most precious hours are spent in reading and studying the Bible -- a Book which once seemed dull and uninteresting to them! The reason? They have come to know and love the Author!

Our Lord said: "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). But how do we obtain the "life eternal" with which this knowledge is bound up? Our Lord said: "He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). Salvation is, after all, a love story to be believed, and by which we come to know Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.

[nChrist]

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June 28, 2009

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 Encyclopedia 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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June 29, 2009

RETARDED GROWTH
by Cornelius R. Stam


What joy and fellowship there is in gatherings where the newly-saved are present! In the spiritual realm, as well as in the physical, everyone loves a baby! But the joy that fills the hearts of loving parents is turned to bitter sorrow and disappointment if their babe fails to grow. The latter condition is as unspeakably sad and embarrassing as the former is joyous. Just so it is in the realm of the spirit. The "carnal" Christian has failed to grow. He continues in a state of protracted infancy. He must be kept exclusively on a milk diet because, though saved for years, he is still unable to "bear," or digest, solid food, still "unskillful in the Word" and needing to be taught the elementary things.

Retarded spiritual growth is evidenced in many ways, all of which come under the heading of carnality or fleshliness. The Corinthians, so sternly rebuked for their carnality by the Apostle Paul, are said to have been careless about morals (I Cor. 5:1), puffed up (I Cor. 4:18; 5:2), inconsiderate of each other (I Cor. 6:1-7; 8:1,9,12), stingy (II Cor. 8:6-11; 11:7-9). While possessing the Spirit, they walked after the flesh.

One of the most marked indications of retarded spiritual growth is self-interest and party strife, as seen in the case of the Corinthian believers. They were spiritually small and petty, so that the Apostle had to write to them:

"For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
"For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?" (I Cor. 3:3,4)

Thus Peter's exhortation to "newborn babes" to "desire the pure milk of the Word" that they may "grow thereby," is prefaced by the words: "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings" (I Pet 2:1). The carnal nature is not appropriate soil for spiritual growth.

[nChrist]

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June 30, 2009

THE WONDER CURE
by Cornelius R. Stam


Most of us remember the drugstore product which swept the country like wildfire years ago and netted one man more than $3,000,000.00 in one year. It was called Hadacol. Whatever was wrong with you, Hadacol could cure it! Radio commercials and newspaper advertisements acclaimed its healing powers. Some small drugstores displayed signs over their doors reading, "MAIN ENTRANCE FOR HADACOL."

One humorous story was told at that time about a woman who was supposed to have testified over the radio: "Before I began taking Hadacol I couldn't read nor write; now I'm teaching high school!"

Some people seem to think that Christianity is like Hadacol was supposed to be. In fact, some evangelists give the erroneous impression that if one accepts Christ everything will suddenly go right. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Christian life is a battle, and we cannot win this battle without much diligent, earnest Bible study and prayer. In fact, it is this battle that makes the Christian life rewarding. Formerly we were "taken captive by [the devil] at his will" (II Tim. 2:26), but now God provides us with complete armor, including "the sword of the Spirit" and "the shield of faith" (Eph. 6:16,17), and says, "Stand fast." Indeed, James 4:7 says: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

God has enlisted every true believer in His "armed forces," as it were, and He encourages us each one to be "a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Tim. 2:3). Indeed, He expects this of each corporate assembly of believers as well, for Paul, by divine inspiration, wrote to the Philippian saints:

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).

[nChrist]

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July 1, 2009

WHICH APPEARING?
by Russell S. Miller


"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb.9:28 ).

When our Lord first came to earth, He came "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself". This one infinite sacrifice was the great anti-type of all the Old Testament sacrifices. They were offered "year by year continually" (10:1); indeed, "it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats" could ever "take away sins" (10:4). But Christ, by His one sacrifice, "the sacrifice of Himself", put away sin, settling the sin question forever for believers.

But what about the latter part of our text, concerning His appearing "the second time"? Does this refer to His Second Coming to earth?

Hardly.

The second time our Lord comes to earth He will not come apart from the sin question. Rather He will come in wrath to judge sin.

"Because He [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).

It is concerning this return of Christ to earth that we read:

"And in righteousness doth He judge and make war" (Rev.19:11).

Clearly, our Lord's appearing "apart from sin" cannot refer to His return to earth to judge the world for sin. And notice carefully: If our Lord were to catch up His Church after the Great Tribulation on His way to judge the world, as some teach, this would still be His return to judge the world for sin. Moreover, Hebrews 9:28 refers to our Lord's appearing, not to those who reject Him, but to those who "look for Him".

To these--and we are among them!--He will appear, not in wrath to judge sin, but in love, "apart from sin unto salvation". In other words, we have here another reference to the rapture of "the Church, which is His Body". True, we will receive rewards or suffer loss for our service and conduct as believers, but our sins were fully paid for by that "one sacrifice" in which "Christ was offered to bear the sins of many". This appearing, "apart from sin", then, is the "appearing" to which Paul so often refers, and in Titus 2:13 he refer to it as a "blessed hope".

"LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST" (Tit.2:13).

[nChrist]

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July 2, 2009

OPEN DOORS
by Cornelius R. Stam


"I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it" (Rev. 3:8 ).

This prophecy concerning the church at Philadelphia doubtless looks forward to a future day, but who can deny that it contains a lesson for our day?

When, in our walk through life, God sets before us open doors of opportunity, He clearly intends us to enter them. The only way to avoid entering an open door set before us would be to deliberately sidestep the opportunity. Alas, how prone we are to do this! Indeed, we often pray God for open doors when He has already set them before us and all about us.

Examine the record of Paul's ministry and see how he thanked God for open doors (Acts 14:27;
I Cor. 16:9), grasping such opportunities as God set before him on every hand. He did not pull strings or ask his friends to use their influence to gain more comfortable or better-paying positions. He faithfully entered whatever doors God set before him. His best known requests for prayer for open doors came from Rome, where a prison door had closed behind him. Should not this put us to shame!

May God convict us of the inconsistency of praying for open doors while failing to enter the many open doors He has set before us! May He forgive us for ever being selective about working for Him! May He give us the grace to take advantage of whatever opportunities present themselves to us, "buying up the time because the days are evil."

[nChrist]

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July 3, 2009

IS "FAITH" THE "GIFT" OF GOD?
by Russell S. Miller


Is "faith" in Ephesians 2:8,9 the "gift" of God?

Some have taught that the Greek word here, for "gift", suggests that faith is the gift of God. Can this thinking really be justified in the light of what the Apostle Paul says of salvation in Romans 6:23? The answer is an emphatic "NO".

Meditate upon this for a moment: Who created us? The Scriptures reply with a resounding: "GOD". God, "who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9), created us in His own "image" and "likeness" (Gen.1:26). And this great and mighty Creator, who "formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen.2:7), put within this man, whom He had created, the ability to "seek the Lord" (Acts 17:23-27). This quotation from Acts is no less than the words of "the Apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom.11:13). Is there not within every one of us that vacuum that can only be filled with Christ? Yet the Apostle to the Nations declares:

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one" (Rom.3:10-12).

The Bible does not contradict itself here. God has built within every man, woman and child--upon creation--that ability within him to believe. He can discern the sky; he can choose whatever he pleases; he can believe a lie. If man is responsible before God, and he most assuredly is, then he may choose to "receive" the gift of God:

"For the wages of sin is death; BUT THE GIFT OF GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD" (Rom.6:23).

It is not that he is unable to believe the gospel, as we have demonstrated, rather it is a matter of his will. Consequently, man will stand to give an account to his Creator, for his faith--his ability to believe--is indirectly given of God in creation. Man, however, is a rebel from his birth, and intentionally disobedient. In the words of John 3:18, "...he that BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God". This is why his sinfulness is defined in terms of "total depravity".

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July 4, 2009

The Ministry of Comfort
by Paul M. Sadler, President


Scripture Reading:

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort."
-- II Corinthians 1:3

Since the entrance of sin into the world, the way of man has been anything but easy. Job seemed to have his finger on the pulse of the matter when he wrote, "... man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward." It is interesting though, that when calamity strikes, men are quick to blame God, or to ask why He allows such occurrences in their lives. But shall we blame God for what man has brought upon himself? God forbid! Man is a product of his own folly.

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12).

Some claim that if they had been back in the garden everything would have been different. I certainly have no reason to doubt them. In all probability, they would have pushed Adam aside to reach the forbidden fruit before he did! You see, God saw the entire human race in Adam, as only He could do. So when Adam stretched forth his hand to partake of the forbidden fruit, each of us were reaching for it as well -- we are his posterity, thus we share in his guilt. God could have condemned the whole human race to the Lake of Fire and have been perfectly justified in so doing. Thankfully, we did not receive what we justly deserved, for "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy" (Psa. 103:8 ).

HOW GOD COMFORTS US

"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God" (II Cor. 1:4).

Here, of course, the Apostle refers to believers. Our heavenly Father knows that we are frail creatures of dust, overwhelmed with sorrow, sickness and even death; not to mention the spiritual upheavals that come our way. Always sympathetic to our plight, He walks with us every step of life's journey comforting us in all our tribulations. The tribulation cited here by the Apostle Paul is not a reference to the Tribulation Period known as The Time of Jacob's Trouble. Paul is speaking of the personal tribulations he had encountered due to spiritual conflicts and poor health. Personal trials come in all forms: criticism, rejection, financial setbacks, sickness, bereavement, etc.

When sorrow overwhelms us like an ocean tide the Lord in His goodness is always present to comfort us in our time of need. But exactly how does God comfort us in the dispensation of Grace? We know for instance that the heavens are silent and that neither the Lord nor any of His angelic host visibly appear to minister to the saints today. During the administration of Grace the Lord, first of all, comforts us through His Word.

For example, some years ago death took my great-grandmother. She always held a very special place in my heart and even to this day I get choked up sometimes when I think of her. My sense of loss would be difficult to bear except for the consolation I have received from the Word of God. The Lord has shown me that I need not sorrow as others who have no hope. Some day soon the trump will sound and the dead in Christ will be raised. Then we will be caught up together with all those departed loved ones who were saved, and so shall we ever be with the Lord! Little wonder Paul says, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

Another way the Lord comforts us is by bringing someone into our lives at just the right moment to encourage us in those times of despair. Surely we have a precedent for this in the life of Paul himself. The intensity of the spiritual warfare at Ephesus and Macedonia had taken its toll on the Apostle, both physically and spiritually. "Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus" (II Cor. 7:5-7). The arrival of Titus was a direct result of Divine intervention to not only encourage Paul, but also that he might lend assistance in the work.

Finally, God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but rather that we might comfort others. It has been given to us to carry on a ministry of encouragement to those who are in any trouble. Think of it, having already been the recipients of God's consolation, He uses us to put our arm around that dear Christian friend who is perhaps facing his first surgery and tell him, "we too had this same surgery a few years ago and the Lord saw us through it." With hope we can face any thing. That's why God has revealed to us the Blessed Hope that one day soon we shall be with Him. Truly He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. AMEN!

[nChrist]

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July 6, 2009

THE KEY TO AN EFFECTIVE PASTORATE
by Cornelius R. Stam


The humblest pastor, one who has had little opportunity for formal training and may have few natural endowments, may take heart in the knowledge that ultimately the key to true effectiveness in the pastorate is spirituality. And the greatest pastor, well educated and liberally endowed with natural talents, had better remember this, for a large and "successful" ministry is not necessarily blessed and honored of God, while a seemingly insignificant one may be richly blessed.

Remember, the Apostle Paul referred to himself as "unknown, and yet well known," as "poor, yet making many rich" (II Cor. 6:9,10). He could boast no great organizational backing, yet even his co-workers were called "these who have turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6). The truly spiritual pastor may know little about worldly matters, but he will give much time to the study of the Word of God and will be earnest and instant in prayer. He will not be self-satisfied, or high-minded, but will walk humbly, begging God every day to make him the pastor he ought to be.

The truly spiritual pastor will be "crucified unto the world" and will "flee [from] youthful lusts." He will truly love lost souls and the congregation God has entrusted to him and will toil unremittingly for their good. He will conduct himself as a servant of God and will trust God to use him for His glory.

How can such a pastor be a total failure? The key to a truly effective pastorate, then, is not intellectual endowment, or scholastic attainment, or a well-rounded education, or a thorough training, much less wealth or fame or personal magnetism; it is spirituality, with its desire to please God and to know and obey His Word, rightly divided.

[nChrist]

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July 7, 2009

THE MYSTERY
by Cornelius R. Stam


In Eph. 3:1-3 "the dispensation of the grace of God" is specifically called "the mystery" (i.e., secret). It is thus designated for two reasons:

1. It had been "kept secret since the world began, but now," through Paul, had been "made manifest" (Rom. 16: 25). "In other ages" it was "not made known" (Eph. 3:5). Rather, "from the beginning of the world" it had been "hid in God" (Ver. 9), "hid from ages and from generations, but now... made manifest to His saints" (Col. 1:26).

2. It was at the same time the explanation, the key, to all God's good news, including that which had been proclaimed in ages past. It explained how it was that Abel could be declared righteous by bringing an animal sacrifice, "God testifying of his gifts" (Heb. 11:4), how Noah could become "an heir of... righteousness" by building an ark (Heb. 11:7), how anyone could be saved under the dispensation of the Law, and how it is that we can be saved today by grace through faith alone.

Thus we have in Paul's epistles, not only the gospel [good news] of "the secret" (Eph. 3:1-3), but at the same time, "the secret of the gospel" (Eph. 6:19,20).

This great secret, revealed to and through Paul, has rightly been called the capstone of divine revelation, for it concerns God's eternal purpose in Christ. Through Paul, the chief of sinners saved by grace, God has now made this glorious secret known to us (Eph. 1:9) that we, in turn, might make it known to others (Eph. 3:9).

[nChrist]

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July 8, 2009

EVERLASTING LIFE
by Cornelius R. Stam


Romans 8:2, when correctly read, is a most blessed passage of Scripture. To get the sense we should place a dash between the words "Spirit" and "of." Thus it would read: "For the law of the Spirit -- of life in Christ Jesus, hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

When a sinner places his trust in Christ as Savior he is justified before the bar of God, because Christ's death and righteousness are imputed to him. This is a judicial matter.

But at the same moment something else happens: the Spirit regenerates and gives new life (Tit. 3:5). This is a law, an inexorable, unchangeable law. The sinner who sincerely places his trust in Christ as Savior is given life by the Holy Spirit. It is always so; it is never otherwise.

I John 5:12 says: "He that hath the Son hath life...." John 3:36 says that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" and Col. 3:3 declares that the believer's life is "hid with Christ in God."

Thus the Apostle could say: "The law of the Spirit, [that of] life in Christ, hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Adam forfeited his life by sin, but the believer's new life can never be forfeited, for this life is nothing less than the life of Christ, in whom the sinner has already died and paid for his sins -- and in whom he now stands perfect and complete before God.

It is a law, a fixed unchangeable law, that sin brings forth death (Rom. 5:12; 6:23; et al). This is called "the law of sin and death," but the believer has already died for sin in Christ and has been given new life by the Spirit. Thus "the law of the Spirit," that of "life in Christ," has made the simplest believer "free from the law of sin and death."

Thank God for "the law of the Spirit," everlasting life through the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins.

[nChrist]

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July 9, 2009

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH
by Cornelius R. Stam


"Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

How blessed to know that the Author of the blessed Book which has changed so many hearts and lives and homes is "the Spirit of truth."

The Spirit did not, of course, reveal all truth at one time. "The Law was given by Moses;" later the prophesies were penned by men of God as they were "moved by the Holy Spirit" and still later our Lord uttered truth "kept secret since the world began."

But even our blessed Lord, while on earth, did not lead His followers into all the truth which God would have His people know. "I have yet many things to say unto you," He said, "but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16: 12,13).

But when the Spirit came at Pentecost, did He immediately lead the disciples into all truth? Not yet. They still proclaimed the prophetic program, the message which our Lord had taught them and committed to them (Luke 24: 45; Acts 1:2,3).

It was not until some time later that the glorified Lord revealed "God's purpose and grace" to and through the Apostle Paul, and the Spirit in turn caused others to understand it (Gal.2:2,7,9; Eph.3:1-5; IITim.1:9).

The glorious message revealed to Paul is the capstone of divine revelation, thus he says that it was given to him to "fulfil [complete] the Word of God" (Col.1:25).

St. Paul wrote more books of the Bible than any other writer and in them we have the fulness of divine truth as God would now have us know and understand it!

[nChrist]

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July 10, 2009

THE NEW CREATION
by Cornelius R. Stam


In Romans 5:12 God tells us how we are all related to the first man, Adam:

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... so death passed upon all men..."

This verse clearly indicates that every child born into the world since Adam has partaken of Adam's sinful nature.

Parents sometimes wonder why their children act as they do. The answer is simple! Every child is related to rebellious Adam by physical birth, and soon rebels like Adam, whose offspring he is.

In Scripture we are told that God "commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5:8 ).

When you are in trouble and someone comes to your aid, are you not automatically drawn to that person? Should we not then be attracted to the One who cared so much for us that He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:7,8 )?

Through natural birth we partake of the sinful natures of our parents back to Adam, and frequently we even have the same physical features as our parents. How touching, then, to know that the Lord Jesus Christ took on Him "the likeness of men" (apart from sin) and, as the God-man, died for our sins upon the cross, where sinful men (people like us) nailed Him! As we recognize this and place our faith in Him, a spiritual birth takes place and we become the children of God (John 1:12). More than this, we become members of the Body of Christ, God's new creation, for "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation" (II Cor. 5:17). "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10).