A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

The New Birth
 
"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures." (James 1:18)
 
The term "born again" has come into wide use in recent years--too wide and popular, in fact, for many who use it have little comprehension of its meaning. First of all, there can be no real Christian who is not a "born-again Christian." Jesus said: "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Ye must be born again" (John 3:3, 7).
 
The Creator of the new birth is the Creator of the universe, as the text declares. He begat us as a kind of first fruits of His creatures. The new birth is not a new leaf, or a new morality, but a new creation! "Except a man be born of . . . the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).
 
The miracle is accomplished through faith in Christ, believing the record of His saving work, as revealed by the Scriptures. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (1 John 5:1). "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:23).
 
Those who are truly born again will inevitably exhibit the characteristics of a spiritual birth, just as those who are born physically exhibit signs of physical life. As one characteristic of the new birth, "whosoever is born of God doth not commit |i.e., 'practice'| sin" (1 John 3:9). Another sign is that of true Christian love, for "every one that loveth is born of God" (1 John 4:7). Furthermore, "whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).
 
The new birth is not a religious cliché but a miracle generating everlasting life. "According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Names of God
 
"And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in." (Genesis 7:16)
 
Many stirring books have been written on the general subject of the names of God. Most of the names make use of one or two of the three primary names. The first is Elohim, meaning "mighty one." It is a uni-plural name--plural in form but singular in meaning and verb usage, suggesting the uni-plural nature of the triune Godhead, appearing in most English translations as "God." It most often is used when worldwide events or attributes are discussed, including creation, judgment, sovereignty, transcendence, and salvation. The second is Jehovah, meaning "the self-existent one," which appears as "Lord" in English translations. It stresses God's holiness, nearness, concern for man (especially Israel), hatred of sin, love of sinners, and His revelatory nature and communication. The third is Adonai, a more general term meaning master and used of both men and God. It appears as &quot ;LORD" in English Bibles.
 
For example, the name Elohim, the transcendent, uni-plural, Creator God, is appropriately used exclusively in Genesis 1:1-2:4, the account of creation from God's perspective. Throughout the rest of Genesis 2, the account of creation from man's perspective, the combination name Jehovah-Elohim is used. Man was at this point without sin, in full accord with his Creator, and experiencing the fullness of His love and communication. The curse, as related in chapter 3, changed things forever, and in chapter 4, Adam and his offspring, painfully aware that their sin has broken God-established relationships, relate better to Jehovah, the Savior. In our text for the day, we see Noah obeying the orders of Elohim, the sovereign judge, to enter the Ark, but Jehovah, the loving Savior, making them secure. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

You All
 
"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy." (Philippians 1:3-4)
 
One would suspect from his frequent use of the phrase "you all" that the apostle Paul had come from Alabama or Georgia! But, in his writings, "you all" is not a southern idiom, but a warm expression of Christian fellowship. His heart was burdened, not just for a few close friends and loved ones (as in most of our own prayers), but for "all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:2).
 
He assured the Philippian church that he was, in every one of his prayers, praying for "you all." He told them of his confidence in their continued growth in Christ, that it was altogether fitting for him to believe this of "you all," thankful that "in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace" (Philippians 1:7).
 
He wrote in a similar vein to the Thessalonians at the start of his (chronologically) first epistle: "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers" (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Paul had a long prayer list.
 
To the Roman Christians he wrote: "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world" (Romans 1:8). Then he wrote his benediction: "Now the God of peace be with you all" (Romans 15:33). He concluded his message to the Christians at Corinth: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all" (2 Corinthians 13:14).
 
Peter and John used the same expression in their writings, for they also were large of heart and concern. Finally, these are the very last words of the Bible: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen" (Revelation 22:21). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Written for Our Learning
 
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4)
 
Let no modern Christian ever think that he can ignore the Old Testament and base all his faith and practice on just the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, as vital as they are. Even the apostle Paul, who wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else, depended heavily on the Old Testament Scriptures for his exposition of the New Testament doctrines he had received "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:12).
 
For example, in the longest and most doctrinal of all his epistles--that is, Romans--he actually quoted from the Old Testament no less than sixty times, even though the epistle had been specifically addressed to Gentiles (Romans 11:13).
 
In his letter to the Gentiles at Corinth, after an extensive discussion of the Old Testament account of the experience of the Israelites in the wilderness, he said: "Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come" (1 Corinthians 10:11).
 
In this passage, the word translated "examples" is the Greek tupos, from which we derive our word "types." Thus the experiences of the Israelites were actually revealed by God to be "types" of Christ and our relation to Him. Therefore, in addition to the many explicit prophecies about Christ in the Old Testament, many other Scriptures can be profitably expounded as "types" of Christ. Indeed, in all the Old Testament Scriptures, as Christ Himself taught, are "things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Foolish Characteristics
 
"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise." (Proverbs 12:15)
 
The book of Proverbs has much to say about those whom the writer calls fools. Actually, about ten different Hebrew words are used in Proverbs that translate as "fools," "foolishness," etc., and such words occur almost 100 times in that one book. Assuming the human writer was Solomon (the ultimate writer was, of course, the Holy Spirit), it is noteworthy that the reputedly wisest man of all time had more to say about fools than did anyone else. At the same time, he used the words "wise," "wisdom," etc., at least 125 times!
 
Our text uses both, contrasting the self-satisfied fool with the wise who listen to good advice. Such contrasts are abundant in Solomon’s proverbs, and we would do well to take them to heart. Note a few of these "pithy maxims," as men have called them.
 
"The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall" (Proverbs 10:8).
 
"It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom" (Proverbs 10:23).
 
"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident" (Proverbs 14:16).
 
"Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise" (Proverbs 17:28).
 
"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards" (Proverbs 29:11).
 
"The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools" (Proverbs 3:35).
 
There are many more, of course, but the wise reader will profit even from these. Indeed a wise person will "hearkeneth" unto good counsel and thus some day "inherit glory." HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Great Reward
 
"Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets." (Luke 6:23)
 
Sometimes great rewards are promised to those who help locate dangerous criminals, or to those who win a lottery, but such pecuniary rewards are trivial compared to those awaiting all the faithful servants of Christ. The "great reward" promised by Christ in our text is specifically for those believers who willingly have endured hatred and ostracism, reproach, and slander "for the Son of man's sake" (v. 22).
 
Such rewards are distinct from salvation, of course, for that reward is given only "to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly" (Romans 4:5). "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour" (Titus 3:5-6).
 
That is, salvation is a free gift, received only through personal faith in Christ and His sacrificial death for our sins. Rewards, on the other hand, are earned by faithful witness and work for Christ. In that day when "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10), many will learn to their dismay that, although they have indeed received everlasting life, they will have very little reward. For "the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3:13)--not the quantity, but its quality and fidelity to God's Word. Then, "if any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved" (v. 15).
 
We need to remember that one of the last and thus most significant promises of Christ was: "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Revelation 22:12). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

Behold, He Cometh
 
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him." (Revelation 1:7)
 
This striking verse, which deals with the return of Christ, contains several aspects well worth our study.
 
First: "Behold, he cometh." This event is still future, but it is as sure as if it had already taken place. Christ will return.
 
Second: "They shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30). His coming "with clouds" was also prophesied in Daniel 7:13, Matthew 26:64, Acts 1:11, and elsewhere.
 
Third: "Every eye shall see him." Who is included here? Certainly everyone living at the time, both Christian and non-Christian. But also the saved dead and raptured saints will be present (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Can it be that the unsaved dead will likewise "see" Him come? Those who died without Christ should be vitally interested. Either the coming rebellion will defeat Christ and free their spirits from Hades, or they will soon face certain, final judgment.
 
Fourth, notice the different reactions. His tormentors will be in horrible distress; those who "pierced him" will be in inexpressible anguish as they realize the awful consequences of their actions. Who pierced Him? Certainly Israel, but the collective sins of all men of all ages pierced Him. Some have gained forgiveness and will gladly see Him come; others have refused and will "wail" at His return.
 
Saints in heaven and on earth will delight in His coming. To them, it means release from persecution, justice on their persecutors, and a righteous kingdom established. It will mean questions answered, imperfections removed, the curse repealed. Any distress felt for friends and loved ones still living in rejection will be swallowed up in the rightness of the action. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Faith Is the Victory
 
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5)
 
The favorite hymn from the last century entitled "Faith Is the Victory" contains many allusions to scriptural concepts and passages. The theme, as is repeated in the chorus, is "faith is the victory, . . . O glorious victory, that overcomes the world."
 
The primary passage used for the source of this hymn is in our text, where we see that it is the Christian--the one "born of God"--who "believeth that Jesus is the Son of God" who "overcomes the world." The victory comes through faith.
 
Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers rise,
And press the battle ere the night, Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know, That overcomes the world.
 
This first verse harks back to several battles in the Old Testament where Israel, through faith in God, conquered many foes greater in number and better equipped than they. But the symbolism goes further. The word for "world" is the Greek word kosmos, implying, in context, the world system of thought arrayed in opposition to God. "We know that we are of God, and the whole world |i.e., kosmos| lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19).
 
Strangely enough, Scripture here does not say that through faith we will overcome and gain the victory. Rather, it explains that faith itself is the victory. Evidently, with victorious faith, the overcoming is automatic.
 
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Faith: Our Shining Shield
 
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." (Ephesians 6:16)
 
The second verse of the hymn "Faith Is the Victory," reflecting the teaching of 1 John 5:4, depicts the soldiers of light as they march into battle. Our Commander-in-Chief has erected His identifying banner over the troops and His "banner over is love" (Song of Solomon 2:4). How does love identify us? "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (1 John 5:3). "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35).
 
His banner over us is love, Our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints above, With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith they like a whirl-wind's breath, Swept on o'er every field;
The faith by which they conquered death, Is still our shining shield.
 
The saints of yesteryear, who in faith have battled victoriously, give us great confidence. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:1-2).
 
Their armor, and ours, is listed in the classic passage of Ephesians 6:10-18. Our sword, identified as the "word of God" (v. 17), is "quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). Our faith is our shield (as in our text) which protects us from the wicked one.
 
But it's not over until it's over, and "the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. . . . Death is swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:26, 54). When it's over, our faith in the work and person of our Lord Jesus Christ will have provided a glorious and everlasting victory. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Onward to the Fray!
 
"And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city." (Joshua 6:20)
 
The third verse of the hymn "Faith Is the Victory" portrays the attack-phase of the battle. The foe stands in dread array, also poised for the fight. The prepared troops attack without hesitation, with a well-formulated battle plan.
 
On every hand the foe we find, Drawn up in dread array;
Let tents of ease be left behind, And onward to the fray!
Salvation's helmet on each head, With truth all girt about:
The earth shall tremble 'neath our tread, And echo with our shout.
 
This last line recalls the episode in our text. The entire nation of Israel had marched for six days around the city of Jericho. On the seventh day they marched around the city seven times, and then the priests blew their trumpets and the people shouted. What kind of battle plan was that? But God had specifically instructed them to do it this way. They had seen Him work many stupendous miracles on their behalf and their faith was great. Their unwavering obedience resulted in a glorious victory.
 
Today's warriors of faith have the same Commander-in-Chief, and access to His mighty power. Furthermore, He provides the "whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth" (Ephesians 6:13-14). Faith must be faith in the truth. Faith in a lie will not stand. "And take |literally 'receive'| the helmet of salvation" (v. 17). Each warrior, saved "by grace . . . through faith" (2:8), immersed in truth and obedient to the Commander, is assured of complete and overwhelming victory. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

In Jesus' Conquering Name
 
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37)
 
The first verse of the well-loved hymn "Faith Is the Victory" describes preparation for the battle between the forces of light and darkness. The second verse tells of marching into battle, and the third, of the actual attack. For the soldier of faith, empowered by love and obedience to the commandments of God, the victory is assumed. The last verse relates the rewards of victory and a commitment to wise governing, once the battle is over.
 
To him that overcomes the foe, White raiment shall be giv'n;
Before the angels he shall know, His name confessed in heav'n.
Then onward from the hills of light, Our hearts with love aflame;
We'll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus' conq'ring name.
 
Jesus, when the Apostle John saw Him in His present glorified, victorious state, made this promise to the churches: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5).
 
Earlier, He had made a companion promise: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In this life we will have battles to fight, but the ultimate victory has already been won.
 
As He left this world following His resurrection, He said: "Go ye therefore . . . and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20). No wonder, then, as we see in our text, we are "more than conquerors" in every situation, as we battle in Jesus' conquering name. "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

By Faith
 
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
 
This great verse, evidently a definition of faith, appears to be somewhat obtuse, but it can be properly understood. The word "substance" carries the sense of reality, or assurance. The same author uses the word to explain that the Son of God took on human "substance," consisting of "the express image of his person |or 'substance'|" (Hebrews 1:3). The word "evidence" is more properly translated "proof." The passage teaches, then, that faith provides the reality and proof of things which we can't see directly. They are as sure to us, through faith, as are things we can see directly.
 
Faith enters into the picture whenever we attempt to understand something outside the realm of empirical observation. This surely includes creation. "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11:3). Creationist faith is certainly reasonable faith, in stark contrast to evolutionist faith which believes in ordered complexity from disorder, without any ordering mechanism or outside intelligence.
 
Faith is extremely important in God's economy: "Without faith it is impossible to please him" (Hebrews 11:6) in any area of life. "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). Likewise, we live by faith: "The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20). Furthermore, "by faith ye stand" (2 Corinthians 1:24) steadfast as a Christian, and "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). We are to "follow after . . . faith" and "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
 
Since this list comprises only a sampling of things which must be done in, by, or through faith, it is no wonder that it "is the victory that overcometh the world" (1 John 5:4). JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

Wages or a Gift
 
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)
 
This wonderful verse has been used by the Holy Spirit countless times to bring a person to the point of salvation, and rightly so. Seldom did the author of Scripture pack so much into so few words, and seldom is the gospel of salvation more clearly and succinctly presented.
 
Perhaps the key to this verse and its teaching is the little word but, for marvelous contrasts hinge on it. In fact, pointing out the parallel but contrasting statements has proven to be an effective witnessing tool. Let us consider these individual contrasts.
 
First, wages versus gift: Wages are something that must be earned, while a gift cannot be earned; it is free. The wages of employment follow directly from having done the work, just as the wages of sin follow directly from having done the sin. Similarly, the gift of God follows directly from God’s own character. He is a loving, gracious God, who freely showers His gifts on those who will accept them.
 
Second, sin versus God, or sin versus the sinless one: We might even define sin as the opposite of godliness. Sin is the deed which merits the wages, while God is the being who gives the gift. Sin is a wrong action, attitude, or thought, while God is a person, active and loving. Sin takes; God gives.
 
Third, death eternal versus life eternal: Conscious existence in separation from God versus conscious existence in communion with God. Sin brings death, surely and permanently; God gives eternal life.
 
This gift of eternal life is not given capriciously, however; it is based on the work of Jesus Christ, the one who Himself collected the wages of our sin. The sinner who accepts God’s gift, through Jesus Christ, can hardly fail to recognize Him as Lord. JDM

[Soldier4Christ]

The Spirits in Prison
 
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." (1 Peter 3:18-19)
 
Just who were these imprisoned spirits to whom Christ preached when He had been "put to death in the flesh"? This has been a controversial verse, so one should not be dogmatic in discussing it. However, the idea that these were souls in purgatory to whom Christ was offering a second chance is clearly wrong, for Hebrews 9:27 declares plainly that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
 
One point often overlooked is that the word "spirits" can apply to angels as well as human beings. In fact, when it occurs in the plural, as it does here, it refers specifically to angels in at least 26 of its 30 occurrences.
 
This strongly suggests that these were evil spirits to whom Christ was (literally) "proclaiming" the victory He had won over Satan when He had "once suffered for sins" on the cross (the same word is translated "proclaimed" in Luke 12:3--"proclaimed upon the housetops"). These fallen angels had tried to corrupt all flesh "in the days of Noah" (1 Peter 3:20; see Genesis 6:1-4, 12), and therefore had been cast "down to hell" and "delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (2 Peter 2:4).
 
But as Peter had preached on the day of Pentecost: "His soul was not left in hell, . . . . This Jesus hath God raised up" and "hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:31-32, 36). Thus, He is now our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom some day soon "every knee should bow, . . . in heaven, and. . . in earth, and . . . under the earth" (Philippians 2:10). HMM

[Soldier4Christ]

For Our Justification
 
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25)
 
We rejoice greatly in Christ’s resurrection, knowing that He has promised that "because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19). But it is also very important to realize and remember that if He had not been raised from the dead, we would still be lost sinners, separated eternally from God. He was raised, Paul reminds us, "for our justification."
 
The immensity of the load of sin which Christ bore with Him on the cross is beyond comprehension. He had to "taste death for every man" (Hebrews 2:9), for He was the offering "for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). Since "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), were it not for the infinite power, as well as the infinite love, of both the Father and the Son, such an infinite weight of sin would seem impossible to overcome, so Christ would die forever, and we would be lost forever. How could we ever know that we had been forgiven and that He had paid the awful price that would suffice for our salvation? How could we ever be acquitted, and declared righteous before God?
 
That is exactly what the resurrection of Christ assures! "By the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life" (Romans 5:18). His infinite righteousness has more than balanced the terrible weight of "the sin of the world," and He was able to take it away (John 1:29). Although the wages of sin must be death, "the free gift is of many offences unto justification" (Romans 5:16).
 
This gift of total and eternal justification is free because of His love, but even a free gift must be accepted before it can be possessed. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). HMM