Two Minutes With The Bible

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Two Minutes With The Bible - SCRIPTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - II Timothy 2:15


Jul 24

SCRIPTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - II 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" (IITim.2:15). It was "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery" (Rom.16:25) that first brought me into the message of God's wonderful grace. Though I had been taught Scripture, even in grammar school, I readily admitted my ignorance of the principle of II Timothy 2:15:

"STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY  DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH."

This verse of Scripture has given me an entirely different attitude toward the Word of God. In the denominational churches there was very little, if any, and mostly no importance placed upon the "study" of the Bible with a view to "rightly dividing the Word of Truth". This, the Spirit of God has done in opening my blind eyes to see what our loving heavenly Father has so graciously accomplished "in Christ" for poor sinners.

"For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us..." (Rom.8:3,4).

There have indeed been other Gospels (good news) proclaimed by men of other dispensations but God is not establishing a "kingdom" upon this Christ-rejecting earth today, nor is He carrying out the directives of the so-called Great Commission, in "the dispensation of the grace of God". See Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:20; and compare Romans 11:11,13; I Corinthians 1:17; 12:13; II Corinthians 5:14-21; 12:8,9; Ephesians 4:11-13; I Timothy 5:23; II Timothy 4:20; Romans 11:25. Christ is quietly working to form "the Church, which is His Body" (Eph.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 will change your life, and thinking. And you will be praising the Lord for the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ for this dispensation also.

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - HOW THEY SHINE!


Jul 25

HOW THEY SHINE!

By Cornelius R. Stam

Years ago, while preaching the Word at a Bible conference, I noticed a young lady in one of the front pews who wasn’t listening to a word I was saying.

I could understand, however, for evidently she had just become engaged to be married. Her eyes were focused on the ring on the third finger of her left hand, and her heart and mind, evidently, on the young man who had placed it there.

With a pleased look on her face, and cocking her head from one side to the other, she gazed at that diamond from every angle. No matter how she looked at it, it shone -- entirely apart from the quality of the stone. It shone because it spoke to her of him and of his love for her, and was the symbol of her betrothal to him.

For some time after I had concluded my message, my mind went back to that scene. The ring that had so occupied this young lady’s attention, made me think of the Bible, the very Book we had been studying that night. Examine that blessed Book ever so carefully; look at it from any angle and it shines! It made me think too of the grand Subject of that Book, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we believers have been "espoused... as a chaste virgin" (II Cor. 11:2). Unlike any earthly friend, He shines no matter how one looks at Him. Examine His words, His deeds, His personal attributes, from any angle and ever so carefully, and no matter how you look at Him HE SHINES!

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - THE SPIRIT OF PROMISE


Jul 26

THE SPIRIT OF PROMISE

By Cornelius R. Stam

"[Having] believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13).

Of all the wonderful Scripture passages on the eternal security of the believer in Christ, this is perhaps the most blessed of all.

"[Having] heard the Word of truth you believed," says the Apostle, and "[having] believed, you were sealed."

Now a seal speaks of finality and permanency, whether it be the official seal on an important document, the seal on an electric transformer or the seal on a jar of preserves.

But the most blessed fact of all is that the believer in Christ is "sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Mark well, he is sealed not by the Spirit but with the Spirit; the Spirit Himself is the seal.

Here, let us say, is a woman sealing jars of preserves with wax. The jars are sealed by the woman, but with the wax. Thus the humblest believer is sealed with the Spirit. It is He Himself who keeps us safe in Christ through all eternity.

And this is but the "earnest," the first installment, "of our inheritance" (Ver. 14), for the Spirit keeps us secure in "this present evil age" so that "in the ages to come" God might show "the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus" (2:7).

Little wonder the Apostle closes this passage on our security with those appropriate words: "TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY" (1:14).

What some theologians have called "the perseverance of saints" is not our perseverence at all, but God’s faithfulness. We have not persevered; He has preserved us by His grace for His glory.

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - RELIGIOUS MIXTURES


Jul 27

RELIGIOUS MIXTURES

By Cornelius R. Stam

The largest segment of the professing Church offers her devotees neither peace for the present, nor assurance for the future. She does not tell them that believers in Christ
are given a position in heaven at God’s right hand (Eph. 2:4-7). She even brings Christ down from His exalted position and offers Him to the world on a crucifix, requiring men to eat His flesh and drink His blood to be saved. And this when Paul, by the Spirit, so emphatically says:

"...yea, THOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH, YET NOW, HENCEFORTH, KNOW WE HIM NO MORE" (II Cor. 5:16).

Man’s religion, especially in "the Church," is built upon an appeal to the senses. Her devotees are occupied with beads and bells, statues and crucifixes, candlesticks and sacred objects, robes and incense; so far has she departed from the teachings of Paul and from his declaration that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (II Cor. 5:7).

Lingering still among the types and shadows of primitive ages and mingling these with meaningless pagan rituals, she keeps millions from trusting and rejoicing in an already accomplished redemption.

We beg those who read these lines to look in faith to the risen, exalted Christ and to trust in His finished work:

"Who... when He had by Himself purged our sins, SAT DOWN on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. 1:3).

"This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God" (Heb. 10:12).

This is clear enough. Our Lord came to earth to accomplish our redemption and, having accomplished it, He returned to heaven and sat down with His Father. The work was finished. And now He invites us to rest in His finished work.

"THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

"FOR HE THAT HATH ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Heb. 4:9,10).

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP


Jul 28

THE SPIRIT OF SONSHIP

By Cornelius R. Stam

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [Lit., sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15).

The position of the believer in the family of God is amply illustrated for us in the Epistles of Paul. In Gal. 4:1-5 the Apostle alludes to the fact that in the life of every Hebrew boy there came a time, appointed by the father, when the lad was formally declared to be a full-grown son, with all the rights and privileges of sonship.

It was now assumed that the young man would no longer need overseers to keep him in check. There would be natural understanding and co-operation between father and son. And so the "adoption" [Gr., son-placing] proceedings took place, indicating that the child, now a full-grown son, was no longer under law, but under grace.

"And because ye are sons," says the Apostle, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a [full-grown] son" (Gal. 4:6,7).

This is the position of every believer in Christ. He may, like the Corinthians, still be a babe in his spiritual experience (I Cor. 3:1), but in Christ he occupies the position of a full-grown son, and to grow spiritually it will do him no good to go back under the Law; he must rather recognize his standing before God in grace. This is why the Apostle says in Rom. 8:15:

"Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption [sonship], whereby we cry, Abba, Father."

A recognition of this position will do far more to help us live godly lives than will the "dos and don’ts" of the Law.

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS


Jul 29

CHILDREN AND GROWN-UPS

By Cornelius R. Stam

The Lord Jesus said to a religious leader of His day: "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). All true Christians have been born again by the Spirit of God (Tit. 3:5). They are therefore the children of God (Rom. 8:16).

Children are a joy in any normal household, but it is a tragedy when a child remains a child, physically, mentally or both. It is a tragedy too, that so many Christians, truly born again, remain spiritual babes -- they do not grow. They know that Christ died for their sins but have made no progress in grace or in the knowledge of the Word. To such Paul wrote:

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual [men], but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for hitherto ye were not able to bear [digest] it, neither yet now are ye able" (I Cor. 3:1,2).

Thus those who, spiritually undeveloped, were able to digest only the milk, or the simple things, of the Scriptures, were called "carnal" and "babes," in contrast to those "spiritual" believers who had grown in grace and were able to assimilate the deeper, richer truths of the Word of God. This is not a compliment to those who constantly boast that they are satisfied with "the simple things," and fail to study God’s Word, as II Tim. 2:15 commands. To such Paul writes, by divine inspiration:

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again... and are become such as have need of milk... For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But strong meat [solid food] belongeth to them that are of full age..." (Heb. 5:12-14).

A new-born babe in Christ is a joy to behold, but every born-again Christian should grow through the study of the Word. I Pet. 2:2 says: "As newborn babes desire the sincere
[pure] milk of the Word, THAT YE MAY GROW THERE-BY."

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - MILES AND MILES OF SCRIPTURE


Jul 30

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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Two Minutes With The Bible - In His Service
 
 
Jul 31
 
In His Service
 
By Paul M. Sadler, President
 
Scripture Reading:

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."    -- Romans 12:1,2

As we stand on the threshold of another new year, we should stand ready to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has called us.  Time is precious!  Isaac Watts once said: "Time, like an ever-rolling stream, bears all its sons away."  Unlike eternity, everything in this life has a beginning and an end, as Solomon reminds us:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die" (Eccl. 3:1,2). In the natural course of things, life and death are in God's control. But what takes place between these two monumental events will have a bearing upon us throughout eternity.  Life is the dash that appears between the dates on every tombstone.  And that little dash speaks volumes.  For some it marks a conversion to Christ and all the spiritual benefits that come with it.  But for others it is a chronicle of rejection and rebellion against God, with no hope of reprieve.  Which is true of you?  If the latter, there's still time to trust Christ and flee the wrath to come.

The question is, what will we do with the remaining time that's left before our dash is etched in stone?  Paul says, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13,14).

This passage has always amazed me.  After 30 plus years of serving the Lord, Paul was still pressing toward the goal.  He refused to allow the past to influence his life -- whether it was past failures or accomplishments.  God has done a wonderful work here at BBS through the years, but we must not dwell upon past accomplishments or failures. Like Paul, we must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.

In the new year, may it be our desire that we might "know Christ," that is, more fully, and experience the power of His resurrection. There is still much to be done, but with your help, we can leave a legacy of grace that will be long remembered after we lie in the dust
of the earth.

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - DEMON POSSESSION


Aug 1

DEMON POSSESSION

By Cornelius R. Stam

The modern revival of E.S.P., fortune telling, astrology, magic, the Ouija board, the spirit seance and a score of other occult practices have caused many to wonder whether human beings may be possessed or controlled by evil spirits.

Many Christian people recall the cases of demon possession recorded in the Bible in connection with our Lord's earthly ministry.

There is indeed much evidence that there was a great outbreak of demon activity when Christ was on earth. This outbreak seems to have abated soon after the Lord's ascension to heaven, but many are asking: Has another such epidemic broken out?

Whatever the answer to this question, the Scriptures clearly indicate that the best defense against the activity of Satan and his hosts is sincere faith in Christ, of whom we read that, "having vanquished" the powers of evil at Calvary, "He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it" (Col. 2:15). It is on the basis of Christ's finished work of redemption that St. Paul joins believers in...

"Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet [fit] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col. 1:12,13).

Not only is the true believer in Christ "delivered... from the power of darkness," but upon believing he becomes "the temple of the Holy Spirit," a living shrine where Christ is worshipped. Thus St. Paul says again: "What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" (I Cor. 6:19). How then could the Christian's body also be the dwelling place of an evil spirit?

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - IF HE BE ABLE


Aug 2

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).

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - A TWOFOLD PURPOSE


Aug 3

A TWOFOLD PURPOSE

By Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever noticed the wording of the majestic statement with which the Bible opens?

"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1:1).

It does not say that God created "the universe," but "the heaven" and "the earth."

This is because God had a special purpose for the earth quite distinct from His purpose for the rest of the universe. This purpose concerning the earth and the nations to dwell upon it is progressively revealed in the Scriptures. We look forward to its glorious consummation when "the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" —- when the Christ who was crucified here shall come into His right, reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords.

But God also had a very special purpose concerning heaven which He kept hidden in His own heart of love until man’s sin and rebellion had reached their climax. Then He stooped down, saved the "chief of sinners" and used him to make known the wondrous secret of His purpose to offer to sinners everywhere, salvation by grace through faith alone, reconciling them to Himself in one body by the cross and giving them a present position and a future prospect in the highest heavens.

God’s purpose concerning the earth and Christ’s reign upon it is the subject of prophecy (Luke 1:68-76), His purpose concerning heaven and our exaltation there with Christ is the subject of "the mystery" (Eph. 2:4-10; 3:1-4). Into these two great subjects the Scriptures are basically divided.

________________________

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Two Minutes With The Bible - THE FOLLY OF WORLDLY WISDOM


Aug 4

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 Gal. 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."

________________________

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(My Note: Keep in mind this devotional was written many years ago.)

[nChrist]

Two Minutes With The Bible - PEACE WITH GOD


Aug 5

PEACE WITH GOD

By Cornelius R. Stam

When our Lord was born at Bethlehem, the angels proclaimed: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Today we see anything but peace on earth, for He, "the Prince of Peace," has been rejected, and this world will never know peace until He is in control. This is why the Father said to the Son: "Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool" (Matt. 22:41-45).

It is possible, however, for each individual to enjoy peace with God and to know that all is well as far as his eternal destiny is concerned.

Job 22:21 rightly says: "Acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace," and Psa. 25:12,13: "What man is he that feareth the Lord? ...His soul shall dwell at ease." Even when the multitudes were about to crucify Christ, He said to His own:

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

Every one of Paul’s epistles opens with an important official declaration which God sent him to proclaim to all men: "Grace be to you and peace." And he explains how we may have this peace.

By nature all of us have sinned against God, but in Paul’s epistles we are told that "He [Christ] is our peace" (Eph. 2:14), "having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Col. 1:20). In other words, we have sinned against God but Christ died for our sins so that we might be reconciled. And those who trust Christ and His finished work at Calvary are thus reconciled.

Surely this great truth could not have been more plainly stated than it is in Rom. 4:25; 5:1:

"[Christ] was delivered for our offences and was raised again for our justification. THEREFORE, BEING JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE WITH GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST."

________________________

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[nChrist]

Two Minutes With The Bible - SCRIPTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - I Corinthians 2:6,7,8


Aug 6

SCRIPTURE THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - I Corinthians 2:6,7,8

By RUSSELL S. MILLER

"Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought; But we speak the wisdom of God in a Mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:6,7,8).

The Spirit of God revealed to the Apostle Paul, that other Apostle, wisdom which none of the Old Testament writers knew. He says: "We speak the wisdom of God in A MYSTERY, THE HIDDEN wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory "Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:7,8).

It is evident that this "hidden mystery" was "ordained before the world," but few realize that it was first made known unto the Apostle Paul. His epistles are filled with the wonderful truths which this glorious "wisdom" affords the simplest of believers.

Beware though, for those who dare stand for this great revelation also discover that "the wiles of the devil" are hurled at them. "The preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of THE MYSTERY" (Rom.16:25) is, unfortunately, not a popular message for it puts to death the old man and his sinful nature.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this age 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.4:4).

Our adversary hates this great body of truth because it spells his utter defeat. For on Calvary's cross Christ accomplished more than the devil ever could have realized: "And having spoiled principalities and powers HE MADE A SHEW OF THEM OPENLY, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM IN IT" (Col.2:15). Had "the princes of this age known" what the cross entailed "they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:8).

"BUT GOD HATH REVEALED [THE HIDDEN MYSTERY] UNTO US BY HIS SPIRIT: For the Spirit searcheth all things, YEA, THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD" (ICor.2:10). PRAISE THE LORD!

________________________

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[nChrist]

Two Minutes With The Bible - THOU SHALT NOT SMOKE!


Aug 7

THOU SHALT NOT SMOKE!

By Cornelius R. Stam

Have you read about the clear law against smoking cigarettes in the state laws of Illinois? It’s been on the books since 1907 and here is what it says:

"Every person who shall manufacture, sell or give away any cigarette containing any substance deletrious to health, including tobacco, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100.00 or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days."

This law has been on the Illinois state law books for 96 years, but in late years, certainly, it hasn’t been enforced and most Illinoisans don’t even know it’s there. The reason is that so many people smoke cigarettes that the authorities don’t even try to enforce it.

The prohibition era demonstrated the fact that human behavior cannot be legislated. This is so even with the law of God. Some people think that the Ten Commandments were given to help us to be good, but this is not so, for the Scriptures themselves state clearly that they were given to show us that we are bad and need a Savior.

Rom. 3:19 declares that the Law was given "that every mouth may be stopped, and that all the world may be brought in guilty before God." Rom. 3:20 says: "By the law is the knowledge of sin."

This is why we read in Rom. 8:3 that "what the law could not do, in that it was weak [on account of] the flesh," God sent His Son to accomplish. Also in Heb. 7:19 we read that "the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did." This is the "better hope" that we proclaim: that through Christ we may have "the forgiveness of sins" and that "by Him all who believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38,39).

________________________

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