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November 11, 2009

SEVEN TIMES A FAILURE
by Cornelius R. Stam


Despite man's natural tendency to boast, history has proved again and again that he is a failure, in deep need of God and His grace.

The Age of Innocence closed with man rebelling against his Creator and becoming a fallen, sinful creature (Rom. 5:12).

The Age of Conscience opened with one murder (Gen. 4:8 ) and before another age was ushered in "the earth was filled with violence" (Gen. 6:11).

Then came Human Government, but the world's first ruler made a spectacle of himself through drunkenness (Gen. 9:20,21). Little wonder we soon find the race intoxicated with its own importance so that God had to confuse their language at Babel (Gen. 11:4,7,8 ).

The Age of Promise came next, with Abraham failing to enter the promised land through unbelief (Gen. 11:31- 12:3). It closed with Israel, his seed, failing to enter the promised land through unbelief (Heb. 3:19).

The Age of Law began with Israel worshipping a golden calf before Moses had even gotten down from Sinai. Little wonder it ended with the rejection of Christ.

The Age of Grace commenced with the Apostle Paul, God's ambassador of love and grace, persecuted and imprisoned (Eph. 6:20). This showed man's attitude toward God and His grace. It will be brought to a close as man continues persistently to go on in his sin rather than accept redeeming grace through Christ (II Cor. 4:4; II Tim. 3:1-5).

The Kingdom of Christ, which is to follow the present age, will begin with our Lord rebuking strong nations (Micah 4:3) and will close with multitudes, who for a time had rendered enforced obedience, following Satan (Rev. 20:7-9).

How all this demonstrates man's need of God and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ! "All have sinned" (Rom. 3:23) but, thank God: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:13). Though surrounded by sin and rebellion, multitudes down through history have called and have been saved.

[nChrist]

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November 12, 2009

WHERE ART THOU? WHERE IS THY BROTHER?
by Cornelius R. Stam


One of the first questions of the Bible came from God Himself as He called to fallen Adam, hiding in fear from His presence: "Where art thou?" (Gen. 3:9).

Adam and Eve made a great mistake in running and hiding from God, for their plight was hopeless without Him. But none of Adam's children have done any better than he. In Psalm 14:2,3 we find the Lord scouring the earth, as it were, "to see if there were any that did understand [their need] and seek God," but the answer was, "No, not one." How grateful we may be that in grace He sought us, that the Lord Jesus Christ came "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10) and that "we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).

But another question follows naturally. This question too came from God Himself, as He asked the murderer, Cain: "Where is Abel thy brother?" (Gen. 4:9). Cain countered with another question: "Am I my brother's keeper?" but he soon learned that he was his brother's keeper as God drove him out of His presence, not only as punishment to him, but to teach us all that we are indeed responsible for those about us.

The unsaved, who have never responded to God's call: "Where art thou?" should remember that God also asks them, as He did unregenerate Cain: "Where is... thy brother?" By rejecting Christ as Savior men are also keeping others out of heaven -- others whom they might have been used to win to Christ, had they themselves been saved.

You say: "God will save those whom He has predestinated." That is only one side of the coin. Our Lord said to two cities of His day, that if the "mighty works" done in them had been done in Tyre and Sidon "they would have repented long ago" (Matt. 11:21), and God says that He is "not willing that any should perish" (II Pet. 3:9) and has "committed" to His people the "word" and "ministry" of reconciliation (II Cor. 5:18,19).

[nChrist]

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November 13, 2009

THE GOSPEL OF GRACE OF GOD
by Russell S. Miller


"Grace be to you, and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph.1:2).

The above verse is the theme of all the Epistles of St. Paul where we find how to obtain both "grace" and "peace". The words of this verse are found at the beginning of every one of his letters.

So, which would you rather have, the "grace" and "peace" of God, or would you prefer to see the Lord Jesus Christ on that "white horse" of the Book of the Revelation?

"AND I SAW HEAVEN OPENED, AND BEHOLD A WHITE HORSE; AND HE THAT SAT UPON HIM WAS CALLED FAITHFUL AND TRUE, AND IN RIGHTEOUSNESS HE DOTH JUDGE AND MAKE WAR" (Rev.19:11-16).

It is on account of the wickedness of men in seeking to run the world without Him that He judges the earth and makes war.

However, "...now is the Day of salvation" (IICor. 6:2). It is in this Day and Age of Grace that God is saving men and women, boys and girls, by grace through faith without works (Eph.2:8,9). We cannot earn heaven, of course, for our salvation is "the gift of God", purchased for us by Christ on Calvary's cross. Paul therefore declares in his Epistle to the Corinthians with regards to "the gospel of your salvation" (Eph.1:13):

"...How that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (ICor.15:3,4).

This redemption that is in Christ Jesus is ours by simple faith in Him.

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

Nevertheless, we can, and should, draw nigh unto Him, through faith in His blessed Word, the Bible. Read especially the epistles of St. Paul, over and over again, until they become part and parcel of yourself, for therein is our only salvation:

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

There is no peace in this world, so worth having, as "peace with God".

[nChrist]

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November 14, 2009

Anger Management
by Paul M. Sadler, President


Scripture Reading:

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."
-- Ephesians 4:26,27

Around the turn of the century, the Church was graced with an array of great preachers, but none were more tenacious and outspoken than Billy Sunday. He seemed to have a way of driving home a point. It is said that a woman once approached him after one of his meetings who was well known for her bad temper. She sought to defend her actions by saying: "But Mr. Sunday, although I blow up over the least little thing, it's all over in a minute."

The evangelist looked her straight in the eye and said, "So is a shotgun blast!! It's over in seconds, too, but look at the terrible damage it can do."

God created us with a wide range of emotions, each of which serves a purpose. Yes, even anger can be good. Contrary to popular opinion, anger itself is not sinful. Notice how the apostle words his above statement, "Be ye angry, and sin not." In essence, Paul is saying that we are well within our rights to be angry over an injustice or unrighteous circumstances.

The recent debate over "partial birth abortion" is a good example. We should be incensed by "abortion" in general and horrified by "partial birth abortions" in particular. Any procedure (usually performed at 7 or 8 months gestation) that allows the infant's head to remain in the birth canal while the abortionist forces a surgical instrument into the base of the skull to suction out the little one's brains is nothing short of first degree murder. Here a righteous anger is perfectly justified. In fact, there are scores of times in the Old Testament where the anger of the Lord is said to be kindled against His enemies (Num. 25:1-9; Jer. 12:13).

Surely our Lord is a prime example that anger itself is not necessarily sinful, for He knew no sin. Thus the Lord was well within the boundaries of godly behavior when He exhibited a righteous anger toward those who had made His Father's house a den of thieves (John 2:13-17). In the future Tribulation Period those who reject God's anointed and worship the beast and his image, "the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 14:10).

Carefully note, Paul adds to the phrase "be ye angry" a warning, "and sin not." Unbridled anger can easily turn into a fit of uncontrollable rage which normally leaves a path of destruction in its wake. Unchecked, anger that overflows into resentment almost always results in some form of retaliation. This may take the form of verbal attacks, threats, or even physical abuse.

In a worst case scenario, it is much like a volcano that builds pressure over a period of time and finally erupts. Whenever you watch a news report of a lone gunman who enters his former place of employment with a semi-automatic weapon and kills his supervisor and three other fellow workers, you are witnessing the eruption of pent-up anger. Another example is the believer who allowed his anger to get the better of him and shot an abortion doctor outside a clinic down south. With one pull of the trigger, this young man disgraced the name of Christ, labeled all Christians as radicals in the eyes of the world, destroyed his personal testimony, and ended up with life in prison. These are both cases where anger spun out of control with tragic results.

How to Deal with Anger

We are living in a day when philosophy says, "express yourself openly," "tell it like it is," "open up," "let it all hang out." However, the Scriptures counsel us to exercise restraint.

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). As we walk by grace through faith, temperance will enable us to keep our anger under control. But how does this work out in a practical sense? Those who fly off in a fit of rage permit their anger to take control of them. Consequently, the energy emitted from this emotion is usually misdirected at someone or something. Sinful anger tears down. Thus, in the heat of the moment things are often said and done which cause irreparable damage to relationships.

Paul adds here in Ephesians, "let not the sun go down upon your wrath." We should never allow our anger to simmer overnight. This will only cause it to become more deeply seated. "Neither give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27). You see, if you fail to handle things in the proper manner, you may well be giving Satan an opportunity to drive a deeper wedge in your relationships with others. Surely, we are not ignorant of his devices. Always remember, Satan is an opportunist.

[nChrist]

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November 16, 2009

THE SINS THAT ARE PAST
by Cornelius R. Stam


In Chapter 3 of St. Paul's letter to the Romans he declares that God has set forth Christ as a satisfaction for man's sin and that redemption is obtained by faith in "His blood," or His payment for sin at Calvary, entirely apart from works, religious or otherwise (Rom. 3:21-26).

But in this same passage he states that this "remission" concerns the "sins that are past" (Ver. 25). What does he mean by this? Some have taught from this verse that when a sinner turns to God for salvation all his sins are forgiven up to that time and now that he is saved he is henceforth responsible for himself. But this would mean that God saves men by His grace only to turn them over again to their own weak and sinful natures. If this were the case, the converted sinner would be lost again the same day, for what Christian believer is wholly free from sin?

Paul rather looks back here at past ages and declares that we now know and proclaim that men like Abel, Noah and Abraham, and also like Moses, David and Daniel (who lived under the Law) were actually saved by the redemption wrought by Christ, although Christ's death was still future in their day. In other words, Christ died, not only for the sins which we have committed, but also for the "sins which are past." The believers of past ages simply believed what God told them then, and God counted them righteous (Gen. 15:6) on the basis of Christ's coming payment for sin.

We have the same truth set forth in Hebrews 9:15, where we are told that Christ's death availed also "for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant," i.e., the Law.

How blessed we are to live at a time when God's plan of salvation has been fully revealed, and that we can now look to the Lord Jesus Christ and exclaim with Paul:

"He loved me, and gave Himself for me!" (Gal. 2:20).

[nChrist]

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November 17, 2009

INEXCUSABLE
by Cornelius R. Stam


The second chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans is a dark, sad passage, but it opens the door to the richest blessing the human heart can contain: salvation by grace.

The opening words: "Therefore thou art inexcusable," are blunt indeed, but God exposes our sinful condition only so as to save us from it.

This is where most philosophies and the Bible clash head-on. Most philosophies close their eyes to the sinful nature of man. They argue, generally, that man is inherently good, while overwhelming evidence bears witness that he is inherently bad. Therefore human philosophy offers no salvation from sin and its just penalty. Only the Bible does this with its "gospel [good news] of the grace of God."

In Paul's day the Greek philosophers condemned the uncivilized pagans for their open immorality and wickedness. But while preaching virtue these moralizers themselves practiced vice, and God said:

"Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things" (Rom. 2:1).

It is the same today. Multitudes of self-righteous people are outwardly cultured and moral, but they forget that God looks upon the heart and sees hate as murder, jealousy as theft and the lustful look as adultery. He considers, not what we do, outwardly, but what we desire to do or wish we dared to do. He sees the desires and motives of the heart.

But thank God, "Christ died for sinners" -- guilty sinners, and all who come to God by faith in Christ are "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

"Inexcusable," or "justified freely by His grace," through faith in the Christ who died for our sins? Which will it be?

[nChrist]

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November 18, 2009

A TALE OF THREE CITIES
by Cornelius R. Stam


In Thessalonica Paul reasoned out of the Scriptures for three sabbath days with men who were unwilling to be convinced (Acts 17:1-9). The bigotry of these Thessalonians not only kept them in spiritual darkness, but it moved them to bitter opposition to the truth, so that they persecuted Paul and Silas and even followed them to Berea, stirring people up against them.

Bigotry has the same effect today. Let us never close our minds so as to keep error out, for in doing so we will only shut new light out and close old errors in. Moreover, it is but a small step from shutting out new light from God's Word to engaging in bitter opposition against it.

The Athenians went to the other extreme. They lost interest in what was old and clamored only to hear new things (Acts 17:21). Yet when Paul came to them with the good news of the gospel of grace, some "mocked" while others, more polite, said: "We will hear thee again of this matter," and turned away (Verse 32).

The Athenian spirit too is still rife today. Many are constantly giving up the old and looking for something new, sure that the latest fashions, the latest statistics and the latest advice must be best. This is why the New Evangelicalism has gained so many followers in our day.

Significantly, the story of the noble Bereans falls between those of the Thessalonians and the Athenians in our Bibles. These Bereans possessed true spiritual greatness. They gave man's word respectful consideration, whether old or new, but then subjected it to careful examination in the light of the Word of God. They received Paul's word, we read, with open minds, and then "searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Verse 11). For this God called them "noble." They were the spiritual aristocracy of their day.

May God help us to be neither "Thessalonians" nor "Athenians," but true Bereans. If we follow men we drift on a sea of human speculation, for men disagree on the most vital issues. Only as we stand on the infallible, unchangeable Word of God can we be sure that we have the truth.

[nChrist]

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November 20, 2009

SEATED IN HEAVEN
by Cornelius R. Stam


God sees every believer in Christ as already in heaven. See what the Bible says about this:

"BUT GOD, WHO IS RICH IN MERCY, FOR HIS GREAT LOVE WHEREWITH HE LOVED US,
"EVEN WHEN WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, HATH QUICKENED US TOGETHER WITH CHRIST (BY GRACE YE ARE SAVED),
"AND HATH RAISED US UP TOGETHER AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS:
"THAT IN THE AGES TO COME HE MIGHT SHOW THE EXCEEDING RICHES OF HIS GRACE IN HIS KINDNESS TOWARD US THROUGH CHRIST JESUS" (Eph. 2:4-7).

Most sincere believers, poorly taught in the Word, are concerned about getting to heaven, but as far as God is concerned they are already there. They have been "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph. 1:6). God has given them a position "in Christ."

We are well aware that most of God's people know little about this experientially, but God says that as far as He is concerned, they are already in heaven, and this is what matters. As Christ took our place on Calvary's cross, God now sees us in Christ, at His own right hand, the place of favor and honor. This is why the Apostle Paul says to believers in Christ:

"IF YE THEN BE RISEN WITH CHRIST, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE, WHERE CHRIST SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD.
"SET YOUR AFFECTION ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.
"FOR YE ARE DEAD, AND YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD" (Col. 3:1-3).

And all this by the free grace of God:

"WHO 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).

Our hearts go out to those of our readers who have not yet received this "gift of the grace of God." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

[nChrist]

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November 21, 2009

THINGS NEW AND OLD
by Cornelius R. Stam


When our Lord had finished His familiar discourse on "the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven," He said:

"THEREFORE, EVERY SCRIBE WHICH IS INSTRUCTED UNTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE A MAN THAT IS AN HOUSEHOLDER, WHO BRINGS FORTH OUT OF HIS TREASURE THINGS NEW AND OLD" (Matt. 13:52).

A new era had just dawned in the world's history. A new message was being proclaimed. John the Baptist had begun to cry: "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" and the Lord Jesus and the twelve had taken up the same message.

Some listened eagerly, others turned away -- among them many of the scribes, the Bible teachers of the day. They did not welcome any new teaching. Yet Christ's message of the kingdom in no way conflicted with the Old Testament Scriptures. Indeed, it was based on the Old Testament and confirmed by it. This is why our Lord reminded His hearers that the right kind of scribe would bring forth out of the treasure-house of Scripture, things both new and old.

How this lesson is needed today! Some cast away precious treasures out of the Bible, contending that they are old and out of date. Others, while clinging tenaciously to old truths, reject new light. While mere professors of religion too often cast aside old truths with the complaint that they are outworn, true possessors often reject new light simply because it is new. They vie with each other to be orthodox instead of vying to find more light from the unfathomable Word of God.

Is it possible that we have drained the Well of Scripture dry? Are there no more precious stones in that exhaustless Mine? Have any of us received all the light that shines from the Holy Bible?

Then, cost what it may, let us keep digging into the Scriptures, that as we minister to others we may bring forth out of the divine Treasure-house things both new and old.

[nChrist]

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November 22, 2009

SPIRITUAL VICTORY
by Cornelius R. Stam


If we go to the Scriptures and claim, by faith, the Spirit's help in overcoming our sins, we enter into the enjoyment of the fullness of spiritual life and blessing. If we fail to do so, we wither and die --- as far as our spiritual experience is concerned. We can never lose our salvation, of course, for "everlasting life" was obtained by faith in Christ, not by walking in the Spirit. This is confirmed by the fact that the same apostle who pleads: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God," hastens to add: "WHEREBY YE ARE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION" (Eph. 4:30).

But failure to appropriate God's gracious provision for victory over sin does result in death as far as our Christian experience is concerned. This is what the Apostle means, when he says, by the Spirit:

"FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED IS DEATH; BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND PEACE" (Rom. 8:6).

"FOR IF YE LIVE AFTER THE FLESH, YE SHALL DIE: BUT IF YE THROUGH THE SPIRIT DO MORTIFY [PUT TO DEATH] THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, YE SHALL LIVE" (Rom. 8:13).

To the careless Corinthians, the Apostle Paul exclaimed:

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19,20).

[nChrist]

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November 23, 2009

CHRIST IN US
by Cornelius R. Stam


It has been well said that if there is anything good in any man it is because it was put there by God. And something good -- a new nature -- has been imparted by God to every true believer in Christ.

While there is still within us "that which is begotten of the flesh," there is also "that which is begotten of the Spirit," and just as the one "cannot please God," so the other always pleases Him.

Adam was originally created in the image and likeness of God, but he fell into sin and later "begat a son in his own likeness, after his image" (Gen. 5:3). It could not be otherwise. Fallen Adam could generate and beget only fallen, sinful offspring, whom even the law could not change. But "what the law could not do, in that it was weak [because of] the flesh, God, sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin," accomplished, "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:3,4).

As Adam was made in the likeness of God, but fell, so Christ was made in the likeness of sinful flesh -- though without sin -- to redeem us from the fall, that by grace, through the operation of the Spirit, a new creation might be brought into being, "the new man which after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph. 4:24).

Thus in addition to our fallen Adamic nature true believers, through faith, have also become "partakers of the divine nature" (II Pet. 1:4). This is the "inner man" of which Paul speaks in Eph. 3:16, and this "inner man" delights to do God's will (Rom. 7:22).

The Adamic nature, which Scripture calls "the flesh," is that which was generated by a fallen begetter. It is sinful in itself, even in the believer. It cannot be improved or changed. But "that which is born [or begotten] of God" always pleases Him. It was begotten by the Spirit of God Himself. This is why our Lord said to Nicodemus:

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; that which is born of the Spirit is spirit....Ye must be born again" (John 3:6,7).

[nChrist]

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November 24, 2009

GOD, WHO CANNOT LIE, PROMISED
by Cornelius R. Stam


"In hope of eternal life, which GOD, WHO CANNOT LIE, PROMISED..." (Tit. 1:2).

In the Mediterranean Sea there lies an island which in Paul's day had a very bad reputation. It's name is Crete. To Titus, a pastor sent to evangelize the inhabitants, the Apostle Paul wrote: "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said. The Cretians are always liars..." (Tit. 1:12), and he added: "This witness is true" (Ver. 13). Paul knew this to be a fact, for he had labored among them. Indeed, even secular history bears witness to this trait of the Cretians, for we are told that in ancient times to call a man a Cretian was to call him a liar.

How wonderful that St. Paul had succeeded in establishing a few small Christian assemblies on this island and that Titus was now laboring there as his successor! And how reassuring that to Titus and these few believers, surrounded on every hand by people who could not be trusted, Paul could write about "eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised"!

"God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good?" (Num. 23:19).

Thank God, millions have trusted His Word, especially about salvation through the all-sufficient and finished work of redemption wrought by Christ at Calvary, and they have found it to be blessedly true.

In dozens of passages of Scripture God has promised eternal life to those who trust in Christ and His payment for sin. "Christ died for our sins" (I Cor. 15:3). "[He] was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification" (Rom. 4:25). "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31). Take Him at His Word; His promise is good. "GOD, WHO CANNOT LIE, PROMISED."

[nChrist]

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November 25, 2009

"THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY"
by Russell S. Miller


"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [hindereth] will [hinder], until he be taken out of the way.

"And then shall that wicked [one] be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:

"Even him [anti-Christ], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders" (IIThes.2:7-9).

In this world-system "the mystery of iniquity" is connected with foreign intrigue, espionage, politics, and liberalism, but this short study shall focus upon the professing church with its modernism, ecumenicalism, and neo-evangelicalism. There is no principle, or cause, that these men will not sacrifice upon the altar of their global economy and one world religion. And this wickedness was already at work in Paul's day under the guise of different names, but nevertheless just as subtle:

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him" (IICor.11:4; see also verses 13-15).

Satan, of course, is responsible for all the confusion, wickedness, and lawlessness that is in this world. It is Satan who "hates" our "Liberty" in the Lord Jesus Christ and seeks only to "steal" and to "kill" and to "destroy" (John 8:44; IICor. 3:17; John 10:10). But the "love" of God was manifested in the cross of Calvary where "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS" (ICor.15:3,4).

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (IICor.4:3,4).

Nevertheless God has not given us "the spirit of fear" but rather He has commissioned us with "the mystery of godliness" today, and equipped us with the ability "to make all men see WHAT IS THE FELLOWSHIP OF THIS MYSTERY, which from the beginning of the world hath been HID IN GOD, who created all things by Jesus Christ" (Eph.3:9) until He takes us, His blood-bought Church, out of this sinful world. Such preaching, in the power of the Holy Spirit, will suppress "the mystery of iniquity" (Rom.1:16-18; IITim. 3:5) and further the cause of Christ in this world.

The commission, which God has given members of the Body of Christ -- Romans 16:25,26 -- has been ridiculed and slighted even by Christians for many long years now. It is about time they woke up to the stark and stern reality, that Paul's Gospel hinders the ministers of iniquity!

[nChrist]

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November 26, 2009

THE TRUTH
by Cornelius R. Stam


The Bible is unique among books as Christ was among men, in that it is the only book that claims repeatedly and consistently to be the truth.

It begins with the majestic words: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." It does not argue the case; it simply states it. The sacramental introduction to the prophecies is: "Thus saith the Lord," and a hundred fulfilled prophecies prove that the Bible is indeed the Word of God -- the truth.

Without apology it refers to:

    * The "manifestation of the truth" (IICor.4:2).
    * The "knowledge of the truth" (IITim.3:7).
    * Those who "have erred concerning the truth" (II Tim.2:18 ).
    * Those who "resist the truth" (IITim.3:8 ).
    * Those who "hold [hold down, suppress] the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom.1: 18 ).
    * Those who "turn away their ears from the truth" (IITim.4:4).
    * Those who "believe and know the truth" (ITim.4:3).
    * Those who "acknowledge the truth" (Tit.1:1).
    * Our Lord said to His Father: "Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).
    * Paul wrote to those who were saved when they "heard the word of truth, the gospel of [their] salvation" (Eph.1:13).

Where the truth is concerned God's Word is all we need, for:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction in righteousness;

"That the man of God may be perfect [complete], THOROUGHLY FURNISHED unto all good works" (II Tim.3:16,17).

[nChrist]

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November 27, 2009

OUR ONLY BOAST
by Cornelius R. Stam


"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ..." (Gal. 6:14).

St. Paul was once a proud Pharisee, smug in his self-righteousness. In Philippians 3:5,6, he lists some of the things in which he took great pride:

"Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless."

But everything was changed since that day when the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Suddenly he had seen himself a lost, condemned sinner in the sight of a holy God and had tasted the matchless grace that could reach down from heaven and save even him. He knew now that he could not stand before God in himself, or "on his own two feet," as we say. His only safety before the bar of God was to take refuge in Christ, as he says in Verse 9:

"And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Now he knew, as we all should know, that he really had nothing to boast of as far as his own standing before God was concerned. For the rest of his life, however, he did constantly boast of one thing: the cross, where the Christ he had so bitterly persecuted had died for his sins that he (Paul) might be justified before God. All else of which Paul boasted was embraced in the cross of Christ. This too is really the only thing we have to boast of and the most godly saint will enthusiastically join Paul in saying:

"BUT GOD FORBID THAT I SHOULD GLORY, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME, AND I UNTO THE WORLD."