Two Minutes With The Bible

[nChrist]

July 14, 2007


UNTIL WHEN?
by Cornelius R. Stam

One of the greatest prophecies of Scripture is found in Psalm 110:1 where David wrote: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou at My right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool."

In Matt. 22:41-46 our Lord explained that this was a prophecy about Himself, David’s Son and Lord. Men might hate Him and cry "Away with Him!" They might nail Him to a tree and laugh and sneer at Him, but God the Father responds by saying: "Here, come sit at My right hand until I make your enemies your footstool."

We should never forget that according to Bible prophecy God’s response to man’s rejection of Christ was to be judgment and wrath. In Psalm 2 the question is asked why the nations rage and the people of Israel imagine a vain thing: that they can get along without the One whom God has anointed to be King. The Psalm depicts God laughing at their attempts to thwart His purposes and predicts that "the Lord shall have them in derision" and "speak unto them in His wrath."

At Pentecost all was ready for the judgment to fall. Christ had been crucified and "the last days" had begun, as Peter declared in Acts 2:16,17, quoting from the prophet Joel. But strangely, while some of Joel’s prophecy was fulfilled, or began to be fulfilled, at that time, the rest of it was not, for God did not -- and has not yet -- sent the prophesied judgment.

Thank God, in infinite grace He interrupted the prophetic program, delayed the remainder of its fulfillment and revealed to the Apostle Paul His secret purpose to offer to His enemies everywhere salvation and reconciliation by free grace, through faith in the crucified, risen Savior. In His Ephesian letter the Apostle asks whether they have heard of "the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward; how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery" (Eph. 3:1-3). Now, thank God, His eternal purpose in Christ is no longer a secret. While the day of grace lasts we may be "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24).

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July 16, 2007

THE CROSS AND THE CHRISTIAN
by Cornelius R. Stam

Nothing will prove so helpful to a Christian in overcoming sin as an appreciation of Christ’s death for sin at Calvary .The Bible teaches that:

1. The cross stands between the believer and his SINS: the wrong things he does, or is prone to do, in thought, word and deed.

"And you, that were once alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh, through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in His sight" (Col. 1:21,22).

2. The cross stands between the believer and his SIN. It is not only men’s sins that keep them out of heaven, but their sin; not merely what they have done, but what they are and what they will do; not merely their deeds, but their nature. But Christ’s death took care of this too.

"...by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin... But... much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many... That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:12,15,21).

"For [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, [Him] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).

3. The cross stands between the believer and his SINNING.

"What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ... Our old man [nature] has been crucified with Him... that henceforth we should not serve sin... let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof; neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those who are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God" (Rom. 6:1,2, 6,12,13).

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July 17, 2007

CHRIST THE SON OF GOD
by Cornelius R. Stam

St. Paul opens his Epistle to the Romans by stating that the Lord Jesus Christ was "declared to be the Son of God with power," or "powerfully declared to be the Son of God... by the resurrection from the dead" (1:4).

In Psa. 2:7, we have Christ, in prophecy, saying:

"I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee."

Our Lord was, of course, eternally one with the Father, but the word "begotten" here comes from Israel’s laws, referring to the time when the child was officially declared to be the father’s full-grown son.

But what day was He referring to? On what day did the Father officially proclaim:
"This day have I begotten Thee"?

The answer is found in Acts 13:33, where the Apostle states that God "raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm: Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee."

So our Lord was officially -- and powerfully -- declared to be the Son of God at His resurrection from the dead. But what did Paul mean in II Tim. 2:7,8, where he said:

"Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead ACCORDING TO MY GOSPEL."

The answer is that the twelve had proclaimed Christ as the Son of David, to sit on David’s throne. Theirs was "the gospel of the kingdom." But when the King and His kingdom were rejected, God raised up another apostle, Paul, to proclaim "the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24).

Christ was, indeed, raised from the dead to sit on David’s throne, and this will yet come to pass, but Paul has a message for us, here and now: that Christ was raised from the dead to certify our justification and to become the Head of "the Church which is His Body."

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July 18, 2007

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 rightly 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?” In other words, how can a holy God look upon a sinner and pronounce him righteous?

With this background let’s 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 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”.

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July 19, 2007

GRACE NOT EARNED
by Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever noticed that God does not hold the great men of Scripture up to us because of their personal goodness? Almost invariably their records are marred by failure and sin, but God bids us look at their faith, to see what their faith did for them. Even those who lived consistently good lives are not held up to us for their personal worth, because God knows their imperfections. Thus Rom. 4:2,3 says:

"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory— but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

And Verse 6 goes on to say about David:

"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."

This is because man cannot live a life good enough to make him acceptable to God, for with God only perfection is good enough. One sin spoiled the earth; God will not allow one sin to spoil heaven too. This is why in grace He gave Christ to die for our sins and to pay the just penalty for us. Because of the all-sufficient payment of Christ in our behalf, God can now be "just, and the Justifier" of those who place their faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26).

The famous eleventh chapter of Paul’s letter to the Hebrews bears out the fact that salvation, or acceptance with God, is obtained, not by human effort, but by faith. This great chapter on the heroes in God’s "Hall of Fame," begins with the words: "For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good report," and then goes on: "By faith Abel ...," "By faith Enoch...," "By faith Noah...," "By faith Abraham...," etc., and closes with the declaration:

"...these all...obtained a good report through faith..."

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July 20, 2007

“THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD”
by Russell S. Miller

It was “the acceptable year of the Lord” for Israel when our Lord preached the gospel of the kingdom during His earthly ministry. But because of their unbelief He had to add these words regarding their works: “Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country,” and thus predicting the very rejection of Himself in the “acceptable” year of the Lord (Luke 4:19,24; Matt.23:1-39; Luke 13:34,35)!

But His rejection was not confined to the three years of His earthly ministry. Even the following year after His resurrection, Israel refused to repent until finally God had to set the nation itself aside in unbelief (Luke 13:6-9; Acts 2:14-38; 4:11,12; 4:23-31; 7:54-60; 9:15; Rom.11:11-13,25) and consequently we hear the words of the Apostle Paul:

“FOR THIS CAUSE I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES,

“IF YE HAVE HEARD OF THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD: HOW THAT BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY…WHICH IN OTHER AGES WAS NOT MADE KNOWN UNTO THE SONS OF MEN, AS IT IS NOW REVEALED UNTO HIS HOLY APOSTLES AND PROPHETS BY THE SPIRIT” (Ephesians 3:1-5).

In this dispensation of God’s “long-suffering,” Paul, the Apostle of the Nations, in declaring “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27), made it unmistakably clear that salvation is solely by the grace of God alone. But the Apostle Peter also declared “that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you” (ITim.1:15,16; IIPet.3:15).

Thus the conversion of Saul, also known as Paul, is the pattern of salvation today:

“Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the GRACE of our Lord was EXCEEDING ABUNDANT with FAITH and LOVE which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING” (I Timothy 1:13-15).

In II Corinthians 6:2 Paul wrote the Corinthians concerning salvation and this long-suffering of God, and His attitude toward the unsaved today:

“For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

So for us Gentiles, God, in grace, has extended the acceptable year of the Lord for these 2000 years. And like Paul, my friend, your so-called “good works” won’t save you any more than they saved Paul; you must believe in Jesus. If God could save “the chief of sinners,” He can save you:

“FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED” (Rom.10:13).

And He will save you, my dear friend, just now, if you will simply ask Him. So why don’t you ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Saviour, and to save you from your sins, right now. God will hear you, if you will just ask Him, and He will save you for time and eternity.

“For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: Behold, now is the accepted time; Behold, now is the day of salvation” (IICor.6:2).

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July 21, 2007

DAVID’S BLESSEDNESS
by Cornelius R. Stam

"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom. 4:6-8).

Obviously David knew no more about the present "dispensation of the grace of God" than did Abraham, and he certainly did not live under the dispensation of grace. He lived under the dispensation of the Law, when sacrifices were required for acceptance with God. Had David said that the offering of sacrifices was unnecessary, he would have been stoned according to the Law.

But David, unlike many today, understood the purpose of the Mosaic Law: to bring man in guilty before God. In Psalm 130 he said: "If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee." He did not know how God could righteously acquit a guilty sinner, but he believed it to be a fact and rejoiced in Psa. 32: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered... unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity..."
 
Thank God, we now know the reason! God has revealed through Paul, the chief of sinners saved by grace, how He can be "just, and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). It is because "God hath made Him [Christ] to be sin for us, [Him] who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him" (II Cor. 5:21).

David’s blessedness may be ours too, if we will but do what David did: trust in Him who graciously forgives sin and (as we now know) justifies believers on the basis of the redemptive work of Christ.

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July 22, 2007

WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED AT CALVARY?
by Cornelius R. Stam

If the Bible makes anything clear, it is the fact that the secret of all God’s good news to men is centered in Calvary. It was because Christ was to die for sin that God could proclaim good news to sinners down through the ages.

It was not until some time after the crucifixion, however, that “the preaching of the cross” was widely proclaimed as a message by Paul in “the gospel [good news] of the grace of God” (ICor.1:18; Acts 20:24).

The proclamation of “the gospel of the grace of God” was the natural accompaniment to the revelation of the cross as the secret of God’s good news to man. In this proclamation of His over-abounding grace to sinners, everything centers in the cross.

According to Paul’s epistles “we have redemption through His [Christ’s] blood” (Eph.1:7), we are “justified by His blood” (Rom.5:9), “reconciled to God by the death of His Son” (Rom.5:10), “made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph.2:13), and “made the righteousness of God in Him” because “God hath made Him to be sin for us” (IICor.5:21).

The “covenant” of the Law was abolished by the cross (Col.2:14), the curse of the Law was removed by the cross (Gal.3:13), the “middle wall of partition” was broken down by the cross (Eph.2:14,15), and believers in Christ are “reconciled to God in one body by the cross” (Eph. 2:16). Little wonder Paul calls this message “the preaching of the cross”!

To the believers it is thrilling indeed, and how thankful we should be, to see the cross as God’s reply to Satan when, at first glance, it had appeared that the cross was Satan’s greatest triumph.

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July 23, 2007

GRACE ABOUNDING
by Cornelius R. Stam

In a letter to his spiritual son, Timothy, Paul wrote, some 1900 years ago, about his conversion:

" was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT..." (I Tim. 1:13,14).

And he follows this with the now-famous declaration:

"THIS IS A FAITHFUL SAYING, AND WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM CHIEF" (Ver 15).

Upon reading this statement by Paul, those who know their Bibles will immediately recall the words of Rom. 5:20,21:

"...the law entered, that the offence might abound, BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND; THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED... SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN..."

These two passages from the pen of Paul have a closer connection than may appear on the surface. The Apostle Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, had led his nation and the world in rebellion against Christ. "As for Saul," we read in Acts 8:3, "he made havoc of the church," and he himself testified to the Galatians: "Ye have heard... how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste" (Gal. 1:13).

Yet God, in infinite mercy, had saved Saul, not only for Saul’s own sake, but to make him the living demonstration of His grace. Thus in writing to Timothy, the Apostle goes on to explain:

"Howbeit, FOR THIS CAUSE I OBTAINED MERCY, THAT IN ME FIRST JESUS CHRIST MIGHT SHOW FORTH ALL LONGSUFFERING, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER BELIEVE ON HIM TO LIFE EVERLASTING" (I Tim. 1:16).

Let us, then, take our places with Saul, the sinner, and find salvation by grace through Christ, the Savior. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

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July 25, 2007
       
        The Teaching of Self-Esteem
        by Paul M. Sadler, President
        Scripture Reading:
       
        "Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince [refute] the gainsayers." -- Titus 1:9
       
        Satan never rests in his insatiable desire to corrupt the Word of God. A case in point is the present-day teaching of self-love, self-esteem and self-worth. The influence of this unsound doctrine has nearly permeated every strata of Christendom, including the Grace Movement. Like the beat of a drum, this theme is heard almost constantly from the pulpits of America and frequently appears on the pages of Christian literature. Beware when you hear or read: "It is important to feel good about yourself," "Learn to love yourself," "Probe your innermost self to understand why you think and feel as you do," "God sent His son to die for you because you are of great value."
       
        On the surface these phrases may seem commendable, but in reality they are diametrically opposed to the Scriptures. The above has been weighed in the balance and found to be wanting. For example: "The heart [innermost self]is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). Paul concurred when he said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, [old nature or self]) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18 ).
       
        The old man (self) is at enmity against God. He hates God and the things of God and left to himself he will not seek God. The Scriptures, from beginning to end, speak with a unified voice that the old nature is rotten to the core (See Rom. 3:9-18 ).
       
        Consequently, our old man (self) has been crucified with Christ. Paul made reference to this when he wrote to the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ [i.e. his old man]: nevertheless I live [Paul's new nature]; yet NOT I [self], but Christ liveth in me." We are to put off the old nature and put on the new, which is created in holiness and righteousness (Eph. 4:22-24). It is futile to improve one's self- image, especially since God abhors any attempt to do so. Rather, we are to conform ourselves to the image of His dear Son. Thus, those of the household of faith are to live accordingly:
       
        "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let us esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:3-5).
       
        Self takes great pleasure in acclaim, indulgence, approval and praise. It glories in all these things. But are we not robbing God when self is esteemed more highly than His glory?
       
        "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).
       
        Shall we permit the "love of one's self" doctrine to overshadow the love of God in Christ Jesus? God forbid! May God help us to stand against this insidious teaching that essentially robs God of the glory that is rightfully due Him.

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July 26, 2007
       
        "DEAD FAITH"
        by Cornelius R. Stam
        Nothing in the Bible is stated more clearly or with greater emphasis than the blessed Pauline revelation of justification by grace, through faith, without works.
       
        Romans 4:5: “To him that worketh not, but believeth...his faith is counted for righteousness”. Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace are ye saved, through faith...it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast”. Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us”.
       
        Yet James states, just as clearly that “faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone” (Jas.2:17). He challenges professing believers: “Show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith BY my works” (Ver.18 ), and declares that “by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (Ver.24), since “faith without works is dead”.
       
        Some have imagined a contradiction here, while actually there is none. There is a dispensational distinction, for to Paul had been committed “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph.3:1,2). His was “the preaching of the cross” (ICor.1:18 ), offering salvation by grace, through faith alone, to all who would trust Christ as Saviour.
       
        James, on the other hand, was an apostle of the kingdom, proclaiming the kingdom rights of Christ and offering a changed way of life on earth which had already been experienced by the disciples in Judaea (Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35).
       
        Hence with James the emphasis is on works, not because good works can save or even help to save, but because true faith inevitably bears fruit and we can judge true faith only by the fruit it bears. Our Lord said: “By their fruits ye shall know them”. Hence James' epistle abounds with such phraseology as, “ye see”, “show me”, “I will show you”, etc.
       
        What we must be careful to remember is that according to both Paul and James, faith comes first, then good works. Faith is the root, good works the fruit. The absence of fruit indicates that the root is dead, that while there may be an intellectual assent, there is no true heart faith, and “without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6).
       
        The source of justification is grace; the basis, Calvary; the means, faith; and the evidence, works. Think this through; accept God's grace and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord. He will cause you to produce good fruit.

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July 27, 2007
       
        IS IT EVER RIGHT TO LIE?
        by Russell S. Miller
        "By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace" (Heb. 11:31).
       
        We surely had a good discussion at the Bible study on "Rahab, the harlot". No doubt she was guilty of more sins than "harlotry" as a simple reading of the text of Joshua 2:1-24 would indicate. That she also lied is an obvious conclusion. And "yes", she could simply have said, "If you wish to search the house, please do so", and left the outcome to God. But in her "little" faith she sought to help God out instead, perhaps in fear of her life, as Abraham and Sarah before her had done (Gen.16:1-16). But lest you should judge this new believer too harshly—what might your reaction have been, had you been in her given circumstances (Gal. 6:1)? Remember, please, that our God is not only a God of justice, as at Jericho, but He is also merciful, kind, and gracious. He is more willing to bless us than we are to be blessed.
       
        Is it wrong to lie? Of course it is wrong to lie, under any circumstances.
       
        But like Jacob, that old "supplanter" or "deceiver" (Gen.27:36), this dear soul wanted the blessing of God more than any thing else in her whole life. That God honored her faith, not her lie, is clearly seen in the words of the Apostle Paul:
       
        "BY FAITH THE HARLOT RAHAB PERISHED NOT WITH THEM THAT BELIEVED NOT, WHEN SHE HAD RECEIVED THE SPIES WITH PEACE" (Heb. 11:31).
       
        A question: How is it possible that God’s Son, who "cannot lie" (Tit.1:2), our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, should have come through the line of these renowned sinners, if not to die for sinners on Calvary’s cross?
       
        "IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE" (Eph.1:7).
       
        Yes, it cost our blessed Saviour His life’s blood to save us from our sins, so terrible is sin in the sight of God—even a little white lie! As God could save Rahab, by grace, so He can save you too, if you will only believe Him.

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July 30, 2007
       
        ASLEEP IN A STORM
        by Cornelius R. Stam
        What a disappointing scene! A terrifying storm, souls in danger of death, but Jonah, the man of God, fast asleep.
       
        Sailors are not soon frightened in a storm, but this time the fury of the gale was so great that “the ship was like to be broken” and even the sailors were driven to their knees “and cried every man unto his god” (Jonah 1:4,5).
       
        Can it be that Jonah, the only man aboard who knew the true God, was sleeping? Sleeping while souls were perishing? This was the shameful truth, and not one of us would blame the terrified captain for rudely awakening him and crying: “What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!” (Verse 6).
       
        But let us not be too ready to condemn Jonah, for we may be more guilty than he. Surely the world today is passing through a fearful storm and souls all about us are in peril of their lives. If they do not accept God’s way of salvation; if they do not trust in Christ, they will perish. And what are we doing about it? Are we pleading for them in prayer? Are we doing what we can to reach them for Christ? Or are we fast asleep?
       
        “What meanest thou O sleeper? Arise, call upon thy God!” And when you have cried to God in behalf of your unsaved relatives, friends, and business associates, He will send you to witness to them of Christ and His love. Not until you have talked to God about them will you be ready to talk to them about God.
       
        Politically, morally, spiritually, the night is dark, the storm is raging and souls are perishing, but “God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts” (IICor.4:6). “…We are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as do others” (IThess.5:5,6).
       

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July 31, 2007
       
        FULL ASSURANCE
        by Cornelius R. Stam
        It is wonderful to have the full assurance of salvation, and it is God’s will that every one of us enjoy this assurance. Toward the close of his life the Apostle John wrote by divine inspiration:
       
        "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life..." (I John 5:13).
       
        There are three bases upon which believers in Christ may enjoy the full assurance of salvation: First, God urges every true believer: "Let us draw near, with a sincere heart, in full assurance of faith..." (Heb. 10:22). This is the full assurance that results from simply believing God; much as a child implicitly believes what his father has said and is absolutely sure that it is true. God says: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3:36). We may simply -- and with good reason -- believe His Word and enjoy the full assurance of faith.
       
        Second, we may enjoy what Heb. 6:11 calls "the full assurance of hope." The hope of the Bible, however, must not be confused with wishing. The Christian’s "hope" is "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast" (Ver. 19). It comes from having proved God. Thus the full assurance of hope is the confidence that results from having accepted God’s Word.
       
        But third, and best of all, is what Col. 2:2 calls "riches of the full assurance of understanding." This full assurance is God’s reward to Christians who study His Word and His purposes, beginning with His plan of salvation as revealed in "the gospel of the grace of God." When one not only believes God’s Word, but begins to understand it he cannot but be gripped by its sublime reasonableness, its powerful logic, and its provision for his deepest needs, and thus he comes to enjoy "all [the] riches of the full assurance of understanding."
       

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 August 1, 2007

MERCY TO ALL
by Cornelius R. Stam

    Years ago, during Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia, I asked a class of boys: "Who is the most respected, most honored, most loved man of all history?" Immediately hands shot up, as one said this and another that. One boy said Mussolini was the most beloved and honored, but the others laughed at that idea. Finally, one sincere-looking lad said: "Jesus." But he was as far off as the one who had suggested Mussolini.

    We wish that our Lord were as greatly honored, respected and loved as He should be, but He is not. Rather He is widely rejected and blasphemed, while many are hypocritical in pretending to worship Him.

    Without question the most honored, most respected, most loved man of all history is Abraham, proudly owned as "father" by millions of Jews, millions of Mohammedans and millions of professing Christians. Clearly this is why God used this man to demonstrate to all mankind how we may be declared righteous before a just and holy God. Note what Romans 4:2,3 says about this:

    "For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to boast; but not before God.
    "For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

    Thus God uses the most beloved, respected man of history to demonstrate the fact that salvation is received by faith alone. And thus the Apostle concludes:

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

    In every age men have been saved by doing what God commanded them to do then. Now He tells us to do nothing, but simply to trust in Christ, who died for our sins. This is God’s plan of salvation.
   

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