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April 29, 2010

THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
by Russell S. Miller


"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" (Galatians 6:14).

What does the world have to offer you, my friend? Does its "glamour" charm you? Are the politics of this world really bringing in the peaceful reign of Christ? Will the United Nations actually achieve righteousness? Or our leaders, in seeking to run the world without Christ, will they actually win these wars against terrorism? The blood that has been shed upon this earth, all seemingly in vain, has not yet brought about peace and righteousness. And sadly, we're discovering that the world is just that much closer than it has ever been before to the awful reign of anti-Christ.

If we would truly "win" in this world, and not lose, we shall have to follow the Apostle Paul, and his ministry, as he followed Christ. And then we shall be able to say with Paul, "what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" (Philippians 3:7,8 ).

It is not until we put away our so-called "good works," and trust Jesus Christ alone and His redemptive work on the cross of Calvary that we shall truly be on the "WINNING" team. As Paul goes on to say:

"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" (Philippians 3:9).

This is the kind of "gain" that the world, the flesh, and the devil cannot destroy. And because "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:3), the Apostle Paul rejoiced in what Christ accomplished in the cross:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; YET NOT I, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and the life which I now live in the flesh I LIVE BY THE FAITH of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

The One who rose to power, our wonderful Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, has done so "through the blood of His cross," and He "ever liveth to make intercession for us" (Colossians 1:20; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).

"IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Ephesians 1:7).

[nChrist]

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April 30, 2010

THAT BLESSED HOPE
by Cornelius R. Stam


We wish all of our readers a blessed New Year. For believers in Christ it will be the most blessed of all if this year turns out to be the year of our Lord's coming for His own. How long the present dispensation of grace will be prolonged we do not, and cannot, know. Even St. Paul, who was commissioned to make known the glorious truth of the rapture of the Church, did not know. He never dreamed that God would linger in mercy for more than 1900 years, for in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 he says:

"We who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall be caught up..."

Thus instructed Bible-believers in every generation since his day have rightly been on the alert for their Lord to come for them, for they know that "the days are evil" and every hour is an hour of grace.

To the Philippians the Apostle wrote: "We look for the Savior," to the Thessalonians: "[Ye]... wait for His [God's] Son from heaven," and to Titus he says that we should be "looking for that blessed hope, and the appearing in glory of ...our Savior, Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9,10; Titus 2:11-13).

With the Lord's coming and the close of "the dispensation of the grace of God" so much nearer than it was in Paul's day, we say to the unsaved: "Receive not the grace of God in vain.... Behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6: 1,2).

And to the saved we say: "Buy up the time," take advantage of every opportunity to win the lost to Christ, for "the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16) and the day of grace may soon be brought to a close.

[nChrist]

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May 1, 2010

THE NOBLE BEREANS
by Cornelius R. Stam


We have said that the Bereans were commended for listening with open minds to teachings which they had never heard before. Yes, when they were confronted with them. It was the Athenians, not the Bereans, who made it their policy to consider as many viewpoints as possible on every subject (Acts 17:18-21).

The strength of the Bereans was that they kept close to the Scriptures. When confronted with some new doctrine, they did indeed give it an interested hearing, but then "searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). Had they found anything in Paul's message which contradicted the Scriptures they would immediately have rejected it. And for this God calls them "noble." They were the truly great, the spiritual aristocracy of their day. Too many believers today aspire to be like the Athenians rather than the Bereans. They say they wish to have open minds, and this is good if it is remembered that an open mind is like an open mouth; not everything should be put into it.

The Athenians went to the other extreme from the Thessalonians, who would not even consider a new doctrine when confronted with it -- would not even consider it in the light of the Scriptures. The Bereans were the wisest of the three. They kept close to that blessed Book, and, when confronted with unfamiliar teachings, immediately subjected them to the test of Scripture.

This is the wisest course, even if only because we are all limited in time and strength. Obviously we cannot spend a great deal of time looking into the conflicting teachings of men without sacrificing a great deal of much-needed time for Bible study, and in the measure that we do this we are bound to grow spiritually weaker.

[nChrist]

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May 2, 2010

HAVE YOU HEARD?
by Cornelius R. Stam


"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward" (Ephesians 3:2).

Could it be that those to whom Paul addressed his Ephesian letter had not yet heard that God had committed to him "the dispensation of grace"?

Next to the death and resurrection of Christ, the conversion of Paul and his commission to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" was the greatest event in history . The apostles at Jerusalem had recognized the importance of Paul's part in the divine program. They themselves had at first been sent by Christ into "all the world," yet in Gal. 2:9 we find James, Peter and John publicly shaking hands with Paul in a solemn agreement that he should henceforth be the apostle to the nations.

Could it be that some twelve years later, when he wrote the Ephesian letter, there were any who professed the name of Christ who had not heard of Paul's special place in the program of God as the apostle of grace? Little wonder his words "if ye have heard" carry with them a touch of reproach.

It is possible, of course, that there were some among them, but recently brought into the Church, who had not heard, but what seems utterly incredible is that there should be even one believer at this late date who has not heard that after Christ and His kingdom had been rejected and the world was ripe for prophesied judgment to fall, God intervened, saving Saul, His chief enemy on earth, and sending him forth with "the good news of the grace of God."

This good news is based, of course, upon the fact that since Christ was the spotless Lamb of God, His death is accepted by God as full satisfaction for the sinner. Thus Paul, by divine inspiration, declares that believers are "justified freely by His [God's] grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).

[nChrist]

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May 3, 2010

IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME
by Russell S. Miller


“Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour” (John 12:27).

In the shadow of Calvary’s dreadful cross our Lord uttered these words concerning the purpose of God in His approaching crucifixion. And later, at Gethsemane, when that horrid hour arrived, the Son of God was deeply troubled, so terrible was the judgment of God upon sin:

“And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39).

In the above passage our Lord saw the accursed cross and the dregs of that “cup” He must drink on account of sin for your salvation and mine.

“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46).

When Christ was “forsaken” of His Father, the judgment of God that would have sunk a world to hell was poured out upon Jesus Christ. The sins of all mankind were laid upon Jesus Christ at Calvary. Our “sin” nature was placed on Christ, and He bore our “sins” away to that far country as well. When God abandoned His Son to the judgment of sin, He “forsook” His own Son that we might never be forsaken of God. What love and what grace! This is why Paul quotes the Lord in 1 Corinthians 11:24,25, and instructs believers to observe the Lord’s Supper “in remembrance of Him”. In this celebration, the Apostle Paul makes the bread a symbol of Christ’s body, “which was broken for you,” and the cup a symbol of His shed blood, and he states:

“FOR AS OFTEN AS YE EAT THIS BREAD, AND DRINK THIS CUP, YE DO SHEW THE LORD’S DEATH TILL HE COME” (1 Corinthians 11:26).

While we await His coming, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians explains precisely how God’s love can forgive our sins through Jesus Christ:

“IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE” (Ephesians 1:7).

It was not a conditional salvation, then, that Christ wrought for us upon the tree but a perfect and complete redemption was fully purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ on that cruel cross. If there had been another way surely “the only wise God” would have known. “…If there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the Law” (Galatians 3:21). But there was no other way! “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die” (Romans 5:7), but who would die for sinners? There was no one good enough to pay the price of sin, no one to stand between us and God, no one who could save us from our sins.

“As it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE…” (Romans 3:10-12).

No one but the Lord Jesus can save you from your sins, from Hell, and from the Lake of Fire. And just as there was “no cause” in the Lord Jesus for their bitter hatred of Him, so “without a cause” in us, God “freely” offers us salvation today:

“Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in JESUS” (Romans 3:24-26).

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

It is a really good idea to keep the all-sufficiency of Christ’s perfect sacrifice in our memory. “To seize on” this truth, and to “hold” this truth “fast”, and to “remember” that His death on that cruel cross was for our sins, and to never let it depart from our minds. Oh, keep this “in memory” and don’t ever forget that “CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS”.

[nChrist]

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May 4, 2010

WHY GOD WAITS
by Cornelius R. Stam


St. Peter was not wrong when he declared at Pentecost that the last days had begun (Acts 2:16,17). They had indeed begun, but God had a secret plan to give the world a period of grace before putting down its rebellion and sending Christ to reign.

This secret purpose concerning "the dispensation of the grace of God" is the subject of Paul's epistles. However, it is interesting to see how Peter's last message explains the reason for this interruption in God's prophesied program and the delay in Christ's return to reign. First, he says in 2 Peter 3:8:

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years years as one day."

Mark well, this is not our feeble explanation now as to the delay in Christ's return. This statement was made at the beginning of this time of waiting, at the dawn of the age of grace. But let us go on with Peter's declaration:

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (Ver. 9).

So the delay in Christ's return to judge and reign should not be counted "slackness" or laxness, but longsuffering. Thus the Apostle goes on to say:

"And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."

Where did Peter get this information? How did he know about "the dispensation of the grace of God"? Verse 15 explains:

"Even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you."

To Paul particularly was committed "the gospel of the grace of God" which we proclaim today (Acts 20:24). Peter recognized this (Galatians 2:2,7,9), and closed his second epistle with the exhortation:

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 ).

[nChrist]

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May 5, 2010

SO VERY RICH (2 Corinthians 8:9)
by Cornelius R. Stam


So rich, so very rich, was Christ
Through past eternity!
As God the Son, with God enthroned,
The Heir of all was He.
So poor, so very poor, did He
As Son of man become!
From manger birth to shameful death
Rejected by His own.
For us, ah yes, it was for us
He bore such poverty.
That we by His redeeming grace
Might be as rich as He!

- C.R.S.

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May 6, 2010

THE SON OF A VIRGIN
by Russell S. Miller


In the Book of Leviticus God revealed to Moses how that life itself is in the chemistry of the blood; and that only "blood" can atone for sin:

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I [the Lord] have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul" (Leviticus 17:11).

The blood of Old Testament animal sacrifices, however, could not reconcile God and man, as the Apostle Paul says: "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:2-4).

This is where the Son of God enters the stream of humanity, and Mary is the real mother of the humanity of Christ, and a true descendant of David, whom God used to bring His Son into the world to save sinners. As Isaiah the prophet predicted: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." This is the quote in Matthew 1:23 concerning "the birth of Jesus Christ." But how can a "virgin" give birth to a child? This is a total impossibility with man, but God is not bound with man's impossibilities:

"Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:34,35).

Consequently none of Adam's tainted and sinful blood was coursing through His veins. The blood of Jesus Christ was divine. The Lord Jesus Christ did not inherit that old Adamic nature. There was no sin in Him, not a chance! And what we could not do because of the corruption that Adam's sin brought upon mankind, Christ accomplished through "the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20). Thus the blood of Christ is efficacious to save us from our sins, as the many references in the Epistles of Saint Paul declare:

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

"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13).

And in Hebrews, Chapter Ten, Paul writes these words concerning the perfect humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ, His deity, and virgin birth:

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD....For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:12,14).

And the Apostle Peter also makes this same declaration:

"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18,19).

God simply wants us to believe the Truth of His Word, placing our faith and confidence in what God has said about His Son, and upon believing, God's Word declares that He will save us for time and eternity. It's simply a matter of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

[nChrist]

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May 7, 2010

THE FOLLY OF WORLDLY WISDOM
by Cornelius R. Stam


Has not the world made great progress, intellectually, since Paul's day? Is this not evident on every hand? Of course! For one thing, our physicists have taught us how to kill each other much faster now. Moscow, London or Washington could be wiped out in a few minutes, and this is a considerable saving in time!

And think what has been accomplished in the field of electronics! We can now keep intelligent people glued to their TV sets for hours on end, their eyes riveted to shows which are often unwholesome, but sometimes at least entertaining and occasionally even informative. And think of the many time-saving devices in our homes! We are all saving so much time that we cannot even be hospitable to each other and our mental institutions are over-crowded with patients who have collapsed from enjoying all this leisure time.

Then consider our achievements in transportation! Our thoroughfares are crowded with automobiles whose drivers are getting jangled nerves in traffic jams and choking in the deadly carbon monoxide fumes, or else racing at high speeds, which is great fun until suddenly some object looms up ahead as if from nowhere. And the airplane! This is really something! We can now fly through the air with so much noise and commotion that innocent people for miles around our larger airports are kept awake nights. Of course, the minority should be willing to suffer cheerfully for the majority and it is important that great numbers of people get places fast, fast, fast.

But all this is nothing compared with what is going on in outer space. We now have all sorts of things orbiting around out there -- and it's not all debris. It includes some very sensitive instruments, serving us faithfully from day to day. Indeed, men from our earth have actually landed on the moon and have brought some of its rocks and dust back with them. Soon, maybe, we will have people from beautiful New England, or the breath-taking Rockies, or the lovely shores of Oregon, living on its barren wastes. Wonderful prospect! And we can always get the necessary billions from the taxpayers.

But the best of it is that while we have aspired to reach the moon, and even Mars, we've got a Great Society going on earth; a Society whose wild pagan music has all but replaced the beautiful melodies and harmonies of the classics, and whose twisted "art" reflects the bewildered confusion of our times; a Society in which children and young people are corrupted, women are robbed and raped, and men, women and children are murdered in the streets. Oh, it's wonderful! The young people demonstrating at our universities for the right to use filthy language if they want to, and demanding a greater voice in running our institutions of learning; the minority groups marching to protest their various grievances, the rioting and bloodshed, the burning and looting! And meantime, ever so quietly, our most sophisticated mob syndicates are running fine motels and other business organizations -- and pouring an ever-increasing flow of narcotics, pornographic literature, etc., into our enlightened community, judges and juries doing what they can to favor the criminals and, should any of them land behind prison bars, the parole boards are there to help get them released as soon as possible, so that our happy society may benefit from their experience and our mental and penal institutions may be further enlarged. Surely we've never had it so good.

Thanks be to God for the truth of Galatians 1:4:

"[Christ] gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world [or, "age"] according to the will of God and our Father."

[nChrist]

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May 8, 2010

How to Have Boldness
by Paul M. Sadler, President


Scripture Reading:

"And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."
-- Ephesians 6:19,20

In our modern day there is a great demand for instant success. We read frequently of how many have risen to fame and fortune practically overnight. Seldom, however, do we hear of the hours of labor, practice, sacrifice and discipline it took to build that career. Most times we only hear and see the end result. Many have been deceived and disillusioned to think that they can have fame and fortune with little or no effort.

In these days in which we live, the world seems to have a powerful influence over the lives of many believers. For this reason many members of the Body of Christ are looking for that book, conference or seminar that will be a shortcut to spiritual maturity. When it comes to our spiritual lives and having boldness of faith we want instant results with little or no effort put into it. As a Pastor, I would have to say that to have boldness in the faith as the Apostle says, there must be three key ingredients.

Time:

Just as physical growth takes years, spiritual growth also takes time. As we come to spiritual maturity we become more and more confident to speak out for the Lord. It takes time to learn that we have to take our eyes off of ourselves which causes us to be reluctant to speak because of the fear of men.

Discipline:

It takes discipline to sit down with the Word of God and study to acquire a knowledge of the Scriptures. We don't mean just reading the Bible devotionally. It is said that we retain only about 20 percent of what we read. But, if we read and study, we retain about 60 percent when comparing Scripture with Scripture. The better equipped you are in the Word of God the more comfortable you will be to share the truth, rightly divided.

Consistency:

If we are to gain the respect of others in order to more effectively minister the gospel, we must be consistent with the truth. Don't sound an uncertain trumpet, be able to substantiate what you teach with the Blessed Book. Not only should we speak the truth in love consistently, we must also live the truth. Our lives are the only Bibles some men see. That's why the Apostle Paul warns us to put "away lying, [and] speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another" (Ephesians 4:25). True boldness in the faith does not come naturally, it is something we grow into as we increase in the knowledge of Him Who has called us into the glorious light.

[nChrist]

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May 9, 2010

SCRIPTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - 2 Timothy 2:15
by RUSSELL S. MILLER


"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).

In my "study" of God's Word "rightly divided" the Spirit of God opened my blind eyes, and has given me an entirely different outlook upon the Word of God. Though I had been taught Scripture in grammar school, yet my ignorance of this principle, 2 Timothy 2:15, was evident.

There have been other Gospels proclaimed by men of other dispensations but God is not establishing their "kingdom" upon this Christ-rejecting earth today, nor is He carrying out the directives of the so-called Great Commission during "the dispensation of the grace of God." See Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:20; and compare Romans 11:11,13; 1 Corinthians 1:17; 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; 12:8,9; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20; Romans 11:25; to discover Israel's loss, and our blessings in the Body of Christ.

Then compare that "...which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21) with that "...which was KEPT SECRET since the world began" (Romans 16:25,26) to learn the difference between God's program for Israel and the nations; and His heavenly program for the Body of Christ as revealed through the Apostle Paul.

"What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded...unto this day" (Romans 11:7,8 ).

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:42,43).

The "kingdom" was taken from the nation because of Israel's unbelief, and given to the "Little Flock" of Messiah's followers.

"Fear not, Little Flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

Nevertheless, in the raising up of the Apostle Paul, the kingdom was postponed and the nation was set aside because of Israel's unbelief:

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their [stumbling] salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy" (Romans 11:11).

"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office" (Romans 11:13).

Today, because Israel has been set aside in unbelief, the Lord Jesus Christ is quietly working behind the scenes to form of Jew and Gentile "the one new man" of Ephesians 2:15, and of the "twain," to form "the Church, which is His Body" (Ephesians 1:22,23). God has had other churches in other dispensations but not until Paul did He begin "the Body of Christ."

These are Scriptures that have changed my thinking, and they will change your life, and thinking also, if you will simply test things that differ. Search the Scriptures to see if these things are so. You will also be praising the Lord for the principle of "Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth."

[nChrist]

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May 10, 2010

"THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST"
by Russell S. Miller


The men that the Lord has raised up, and divinely inspired to write the books of the Bible, have spoken about the many judgments of God. Some of the more prominent judgments are:

1) When the Lord returns "with power and great glory" to resume His royal rights to this earth (Matthew 24:27-31);

2) The Judgment of the Nations, often called "the sheep and goat judgment" where those nations who have blessed His people will be rewarded, but the wicked shall be cast into "everlasting fire" (Matthew 25:31-46);

3) The Great Tribulation when the seven seals, and the seven trumpets, and the seven vials, shall mark the end of Satan's global power in this world-system (Matthew 24:15-26; Revelation 4:1--16:21; 20:1-10); and

4) The Great White Throne Judgment of the unsaved dead of all the ages (Revelation 20:11-15).

But none of these passages speak about "the Judgment Seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10) because this is distinctly Pauline. This judgment deals with the service that each believer has rendered to God, in this dispensation of grace, since the day of his conversion to Christ. In several of Paul's epistles he declares that "we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ" (Romans 14:10). This will be an awesome day, though a great day of rejoicing, for some, more so, than for others.

In I Corinthians 3:9-15 Paul speaks about those who build upon the foundation that he laid, and warns, "Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

"FOR OTHER FOUNDATION CAN NO MAN LAY THAN THAT IS LAID, WHICH IS JESUS CHRIST" (1 Corinthians 3:10,11).

Many have built upon Christ with "wood, hay, and stubble", when they should have "built upon this foundation [with] gold, silver, [and] precious stones".

"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the Day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is..." (1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

In regards to "the Revelation of the Mystery" of Romans 16:25, Paul points out the paramount importance that "stewards" are to be "found faithful" in the Lord's service:

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Corinthians 4:5).

So this Judgment Seat occurs when "THE LORD COMES" for His Church, for us, the members of the Body of Christ. It will be seen then, how vital it was, to have "walked worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Christ" (Colossians 1:10). Paul's words in Galatians 5:16 have not been spoken for naught. Yes, you're eternally secure in Christ and, no, God does not change His mind when you "sin against Christ", but walking in the "flesh" affects your service for Christ, "so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Galatians 5:17).

"SO THEN EVERY ONE OF US SHALL GIVE ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF TO GOD" (Romans 14:12).

[nChrist]

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May 11, 2010

THE "RIGHTNESS" OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[nChrist]

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May 12, 2010

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


Each year at Christmas-time, the "baby Jesus" is the subject of discussion and attention. Indeed, all year long the Babe in its mother's arms and the dying Sufferer on the cross are kept constantly before the masses, while our Lord's resurrection, ascension and present glory in heaven are given but scant attention. This is because so few have taken note of the great message of the Apostle Paul about the glorified Lord in heaven. In 2 Corinthians 5:16, the Apostle wrote:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[nChrist]

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May 13, 2010

THE RIGHTNESS OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam


There are many theological words which most people -- even most Christian people -- do not understand. Among these is the Bible word "righteousness". Actually, though, this word is very simple and we ought to understand about God's righteousness even before we learn of His love.

Righteousness is simply an old word for rightness. When we say that God is righteous, we simply mean that what He does is always right; that He will not and cannot do anything that is not right. This is why Paul declares in Romans 1:16, 17:

"I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...FOR THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS [rightness] OF GOD REVEALED..."

We are proud to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God because it emphasizes God's rightness. The gospel does not tell us that God will overlook our sins or wink at them and smuggle us into heaven. It doesn't tell us that He will forgive us if we are sorry enough or do enough good deeds to counterbalance our sins. By no means.

The "gospel of the grace of God" is based on His rightness. It is the wonderful message that "Christ died for our sins", that He paid for them Himself so that He might justly offer us forgiveness and declare us righteous.

Romans 3:26 puts it beautifully. There the apostle declares that since our sins were paid for by Christ at Calvary, God can now "be just -- and the Justifier of him who believes in Jesus".

For centuries religious people have said to each other: "We must be truly sorry for our sins and do all the good we can and surely God will forgive and accept us". But this is not the gospel. The gospel gives us more solid ground to plant our feet upon. It says to every man, woman and child: "Your sins were PAID FOR by Christ at Calvary. Trust in Him and you will be saved". This is gospel [good news] indeed, for it is based on the just payment of the penalty for sin.