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September 27, 2009

What We Believe
by Paul M. Sadler, President


Scripture Reading:
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."
-- II Corinthians 3:6

We have been hearing from a good number of our readers who are confused, perplexed and even concerned over the doctrine of the New Covenant. Apparently there are a number of strange teachings floating around the Grace Movement on this subject, which has given rise for alarm among some of the brethren.

It is our firm conviction that the Body of Christ falls under the umbrella of the New Covenant. Paul clearly teaches in Romans that we are partakers of Israel's spiritual blessings (Rom. 15:27 cf. Eph. 1:3-14). There is absolutely no possibility that this could refer to anything other than the New Covenant. One thing that should never be overlooked, however, is the fact that Israel received it by promise whereas we are the glad recipients of it by grace (Jer. 31:31 cf. Titus 2:11).

As we know, one of the principal blessings of the New Covenant is the blood of Christ. This particular element can never be divorced from the covenant nor should it be. We have often said that if the Body of Christ has no connection to this covenant whatsoever, then our Savior must return a second time to die for the Gentiles. To us this is unthinkable. Christ died "once for all" (Heb. 10:9-12). Furthermore, the New Covenant shows that there is a connection between the two programs of God which highlights His eternal purpose. Surely, He is Lord of all.

Who could fail to see that Paul charges us to remember the blood of this covenant until the Lord comes: "This cup is the New Testament [Covenant] in my blood: this do ye... in remembrance of me. For as often as ye [Members of His Body] eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come" (I Cor. 11:23-26).

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September 28, 2009

TO HEAR FATHER SPEAK
by Cornelius R. Stam


"The voice of Thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook" (Psalm 77:18 ).

Fortunately dad was a builder, for with a family of ten, and missionaries and Bible teachers so often entertained as guests, it took a large home to accommodate us all.

Not only did we have a large home; it was also the highest house in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, with its rear, second-floor porch affording a commanding view of the city and its surroundings.

This porch came into its most memorable use during thunderstorms. Often when such storms gathered dad would say to mother and us children:

"Let's go out and hear Father speak."

Never will we forget those impressive occasions! From our "grandstand" seats we watched many a dramatic electrical storm and were thrilled to "hear Father speak" in the rolling thunder as His clouds poured out their rain on the city below.

By taking us out to see such "shows" -- God's shows -- dad accomplished two purposes. He helped to rid us of the excessive fear of electrical storms that unnerve so many people, and he gave us a small glimpse of the infinite greatness of our great God.

[nChrist]

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September 29, 2009

INEXPRESSIBLE JOY
by Cornelius R. Stam


Have you ever noticed that the Apostle Paul never speaks of his love for Christ? Rather he keeps talking about Christ's wonderful love to him. Neither does he exhort us to love Christ, but keeps telling us how Christ loved -- and loves, us. This is consistent with the message specially committed to him: "The Gospel of the Grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

The Law said: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God" (Matt.22:37). This is the very essence of the law. And we should love God, but the law cannot produce love, so God comes to us in grace and say: "I love you". This is why Paul's epistles are so filled with "the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus" (Rom.8:29).

The fact that God deals with us in grace does not mean that believers should not, or do not, love Him. The very opposite is true, for love begets love. It is when men come to know the love of Christ that their hearts respond to him in love.

Peter, like Paul, had once been a strict observer of the Law, but had since come to know the love of Christ in growing measure. The result: A deep love for Christ and the overflowing joy that accompanies such love. This is why we find in I Peter 1:8 those touching words that naturally overflow from the heart and lips of one who has come to know the love of Christ: "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory".

Yes, knowing and loving Christ does indeed bring inexpressible joy, but we cannot love him by trying. We must accept His love for us in faith so that our hearts may naturally respond.

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September 30, 2009

PAUL, THE PATTERN
by Cornelius R. Stam


Many religious people take the Lord Jesus Christ as their pattern in life. They call Him "The Great Example". When problems arise, they ask themselves: "What would Jesus do?" They seek salvation by "walking in His steps".

While our Lord's moral and spiritual virtues are indeed worthy of emulation, there were many details in His conduct which we should not imitate. For example, none of us would be in a position to pronounce upon the religious hypocrites of our day the bitter woes which our Lord pronounced upon the Pharisees of His day -- simply because we all have so much of the Pharisee in us.

Certainly we cannot be saved by "following Christ," or striving to live as He did. His perfect holiness would only emphasize our unrighteousness and condemn us. He came to save us, not by His life, but by His death. "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS" (1 Corinthians 15:3), and sinners are "reconciled to God by the death of His Son" (Romans 5:10).

But God has given us a pattern for salvation. It is none other than the Apostle Paul, the chief of sinners saved by grace. Hear what he says by divine inspiration:

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15).

Paul, as Saul of Tarsus, remember, had led his nation and the world in rebellion against God and His Christ. He was "exceedingly mad" against the disciples of Christ and "breathed threatening and slaughter" against them. Why then, did God save him? He goes on to tell us in the next verse:

"Howbeit [but] for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting" (Ver.16).

The moral: Take your stand with Paul. Admit you are a sinner and his Saviour will save you too.

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October 1, 2009

MILES AND MILES OF SCRIPTURE
by Cornelius R. Stam


How much, I wonder, do the Christian parents among our readers show their children their love for the Word, and for Christ, and for the souls for whom He died?

For many years I worked with my father, first full-time, then part-time, as a city missionary in Paterson, N.J. All during these first years dad and I walked to work together each morning -- a little over a mile.

Do you know how we invariably occupied ourselves on the way? By quoting Scripture passages on some particular subject. One morning we would quote as many passages as we could on the deity of Christ, another on His death or resurrection; others on His love, power, grace, or other attributes and characteristics. Sometimes, for days or weeks on end dad would use these morning walks to ply me with questions such as: "What Scriptures would you use to deal with a blaspheming unbeliever?" or "a self-righteous person" or "one who rejects Christ on intellectual grounds?"

In this way we covered "miles and miles" of Scripture, as it were, and this in addition to Scripture reading before every meal at home, and again before we retired for the night. And all this again in addition to the oral and written Bible teaching of many of the great Bible expositors of that day, whose teachings we studied with deepest interest.

What a precious heritage! We wish that more of our Christian young people today were as well off. Parents: it's strictly up to you. What are your priorities? What are you willing to pay -- in terms of pleasure, ease or financial "success"? Do you set an example to your children -- and others -- by really putting God first?

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October 2, 2009

Paul's Two Roman Imprisonments
by Paul M. Sadler, President


Scripture Reading:

"For 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 of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing."
-- II Timothy 4:6-8

Approximately two years after being delivered into the hands of Roman authorities things had apparently gone well for the apostle, therefore he anticipated his soon release from prison. Thus he writes to the church at Philippi: "For I know that this [their prayer for his release] shall turn to my salvation [deliverance from prison]" (Phil. 1:9).

We believe that Paul did in fact enjoy a short period of freedom which enabled him to continue his apostolic journeys. We know, for example, that according to the Acts record the apostle never visited Crete on any of his previous apostolic journeys. Paul did sail around the island on his way to Rome as a prisoner, but it was not until his release from his first Roman imprisonment that he actually visited Crete. The apostle's brief stay on the island was long enough to see that the churches there were in a state of chaos (Titus 1:10-16). Consequently, Paul leaves Titus behind, his companion in travel, "to set in order the things that were wanting" (Titus 1:5).

Probably from Crete Paul made his way to Corinth where he writes to Titus to inform him that he planned to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12). It could well be that the apostle was apprehended at Nicopolis and taken again to Rome for preaching Christ. This time however, the sentence would go against him. So without hesitation he writes to Timothy, since it was nearing winter, to bring his cloak and also the Parchments (II Tim. 4:13).

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October 3, 2009

GOD'S WORD TO US
by Cornelius R. Stam


In charging Timothy to "preach the Word," the Apostle does not mean, as some have supposed, that the pastor should draw his sermon material equally from all parts of the Bible. True, "all Scripture" is given so that the "man of God" may be fully equipped for his ministry. But in this same letter the Apostle Paul indicates that the Scriptures must be "rightly divided" (II Tim. 2:15) and that his own God-given message is the Word of God in particular for the present dispensation of grace (See II Tim. 1:7-14; 2:7-9). Thus the Apostle declares by inspiration that believers are established by "my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom. 16:25).

How often the Apostle insists that his message is the Word of God! To the Thessalonian believers he writes with joy:

"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God..." (I Thes. 2:13).

Thus the Apostle writes to Timothy, in this his last letter:

"Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me..." (II Tim. 1:13).

"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men..." (2:2).

"Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel" (2:8 ).

The charge to "preach the Word," therefore, refers to "all Scripture" in general, but to Paul's God-given message in particular. This is obvious, for it is in urging Timothy to faithfully carry on in his place that the Apostle charges him to "preach the Word."

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October 4, 2009

DON'T TELL HIM A THING
by Cornelius R. Stam


    Many years ago the writer's father, then a city missionary, received a telephone call from a prominent liberal clergyman.

    "Peter," said the clergyman, "I've got a young man here in the outer office who seems to be in great distress. He says he feels he's so great a sinner that he's overstepped the line and God won't forgive him. Now you've had a lot of experience with such people. What shall I tell him?" The clergyman didn't even know how to help a troubled soul.

    "Don't tell him a thing; I'll be right over ," said dad, and he left immediately to deal with the young man himself. Dad knew very well what was the matter with this young lad. The Holy Spirit had convicted him of his sin (John 16:8 ). The lad had come to see himself as he really was -- as God saw him, and sees any unsaved person, no matter how religious.

    No person ever comes to see his need of a Savior until he has first come to see himself as a condemned sinner before God. And it is only when we come to see ourselves as we are in the sight of a holy God that there is hope of salvation.

    The self-righteous do not see their need of a Savior. What would He save them from? What have they done that is so wrong? This is the way their reasoning goes. It is only when we begin to appreciate the holiness and righteousness of God that it dawns upon us that our condition is hopeless without a Savior.

    Strange, is it not, that so many people have pictures hanging on their walls of our Lord crowned with thorns or hanging on a cross, yet do not really know Him as a Savior, their own Savior.

    But when we have been convicted of our sin and our hopeless condition before God, we are ready to take in the words spoken by Paul to the trembling jailor at Philippi:

    "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

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October 5, 2009

SICKNESS AND SIN
by Cornelius R. Stam


One thing that really concerns this writer about modern life, is how sin is constantly called sickness. A man commits some moral outrage and they say he is sick -- they even tell him that.

I went to see a man some time ago who had fallen into unspeakable immorality and it had caught up with him. For years his sanctimonious life had been a sham; now the mask was torn off and he was in trouble -- deep trouble.

I had been telling him that now his best course was to make a clean confession -- to the courts and to God. But someone else had gotten to him first. While he stood by, listening, this man had told his wife: "You must get Jim to see that he's sick and needs help. I'm not condoning what he has done, but I'm hopeful that if he gets the proper help he can be cured."

What a way to evade the sin question! Of course the man was sick -- I imagine you and I would be sick too if we lived as he had been living! But let's get this straight: His sickness came from his sin, not his sin from some sickness. He would have been far better off to sob out his heart in contrition before God for his sin than to excuse his conduct on the grounds of illness. Romans 5:12 says: "By one man sin entered into the world and death by sin," and Romans 6:23 says: "The wages of sin is death."

The sobering fact is that while there may be differences in the kinds of sins we commit, or in the degrees of our sin, Romans 3:23 declares that there is no difference in this, that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

This is why we are so pleased and proud to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God," how Christ paid the penalty for our sins that we might have a perfect standing before a holy God, "being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" (2 Corinthians 9:15).

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October 6, 2009

THE EYES OF THE LORD
by Cornelius R. Stam


"The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).

The meaning of this famous passage of Scripture is clear, and its truth has been demonstrated a thousand times over. God is constantly searching, as it were, for men whom He can bless and use in the fulfilling of His purposes, but for whom, and through whom, does He accomplish His ends?

He does not need the world's influential giants, for He says in Zechariah 4:6: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." He does not need the world's great thinkers, for our Lord, while on earth, prayed: "Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight" (Matthew 11:25,26). Indeed, St. Paul declares, in 1 Corinthians 3:19: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."

No, it is not upon the world's great ones that God bestows His blessing and power; it is rather upon the humblest believer whose heart is right with Him. Thus it is that by divine inspiration St. Paul wrote to those in ancient Corinth who had trusted Christ as their Savior:

"Ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory [boast] in His presence" (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

To those of us who believe that God created the Universe from nought all this is perfectly consistent and it gives us confidence that He can bless and use even us.

[nChrist]

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October 7, 2009

GRACE AND DEBT
by Cornelius R. Stam


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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October 8, 2009

THE PEACE OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam


"Peace with God" is one thing; "the peace of God" is another. To enjoy the latter, we must first experience the former, for the peace of God, ruling in our hearts, is the result of "peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ."

St. Paul declared by divine inspiration that "[Christ] was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification" and that "therefore, being justified by faith," we, who once were at enmity with God, may enjoy "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 4:25; 5:1). The result of "peace with God" is "the peace of God," the peace that He gives to His own amid all the troubles of life. This is why the Apostle wrote to the Roman Christians:

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing" (Romans 15:13).

While only those who are at peace with God can -- and should know "the peace of God," it does not follow, however, that all those who are at peace with God necessarily enjoy "the peace of God." Believers can enjoy "the peace of God" only as they practice Philippians 4:6:

"BE CAREFUL [ANXIOUS] FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD."

As we follow these instructions the promise which follows will certainly be fulfilled.

"THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING, SHALL KEEP YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Ver. 7).

As believers in Christ "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28 ). Therefore we should not be constantly overwhelmed and defeated by the adversities of life, but should heed the exhortation; "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts" (Colossians 3:15).

"NOW THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACE ALWAYS BY ALL MEANS" (2 Thessalonians 3:16).

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October 9, 2009

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


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

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

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

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

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

[nChrist]

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October 10, 2009

A GOOD JOB
by Cornelius R. Stam


As Loren stood with his father, gazing at a beautiful Minnesota lake, the little four-year-old asked: "Daddy, who made this lake?" "God made it," replied his dad, "and God made those trees and all this beautiful scenery."

There was a moment's silence. Then, placing his hands on his hips, little Loren said: "He sure did a good job!"

Yes, He did, yet this scenery was nothing compared with the glory this earth will know when Christ returns to reign. If earth's rivers and lakes, its mountains and valleys, its landscapes and seascapes can now be so breath-taking, so awe-inspiring, what will be its beauty when prophecy is fulfilled and the curse removed!

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them [God's people, Israel] and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

"It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God."

"...for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

"And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water..."

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (Isa. 35:1,2,6, 7,10).

[nChrist]

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October 11, 2009

IF HE BE ABLE
by Cornelius R. Stam


"Either his uncle... or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him, or, if he be able, he may redeem himself" (Lev. 25:49).

Under Old Testament law one who had failed in business could sell himself, or be sold, into slavery, his master paying off his debts in lieu of salary. The slave could be redeemed, however, by his uncle or any near relative who could afford to pay off his debts, or, says our passage: "if he be able, he may redeem himself."

"If he be able"! Significant qualification, for what bankrupt slave was ever able to redeem himself!

In this way God would teach us an important lesson about salvation from sin. All of us have failed in business, as it were. We have amassed a huge debt of sin against God and our fellowmen, and have become morally and spiritually bankrupt.

We have many who are "nigh of kin" to us, but they are unable to redeem us because they themselves are bankrupt sinners. There is One, however, who has an infinite store of righteousness with which to pay our debt and redeem us. Indeed, He did pay the penalty for all our sins when He, the Holy One, died in shame and disgrace as a sinner on Calvary's cross.

He, the Lord Jesus Christ, is our blessed Kinsman Redeemer, for as Adam's children "are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same" (Heb. 2:14) that He might redeem Jew and Gentile; "made [for] a little [while] lower than the angels for the suffering of death ...that He by the grace of God, should taste death for every man" (Heb. 2:9).

There are many, alas, who will not face up to their condition. They somehow think that they can still redeem themselves. To them God says: "Do it, if you are able!" To the rich young ruler who asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life," the Lord said "You know the law... this do, and you will live."

But who of us has perfectly kept the law of God? Who of us is not a repeated law-breaker in the sight of God? Who is able to redeem himself? Why not then turn from self to Christ, our rich Kinsman Redeemer, "In whom we have redemption, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).