A Daily Devotional

[Soldier4Christ]

Salvation: A Gift From God

“As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given Him” (John 17:2).

If we trust Jesus for salvation, we can take no credit ourselves. Eternal life is a gift from God. The Lord stood before the tomb of Lazarus and called a corpse to life. What followed was no credit to the one who came forward wrapped in grave clothes. Jesus alone imparts life.

The fact that God chooses to save a people is cause for much celebration, and He alone is to be praised. Dead people do not have the ability to choose life.

One problem is that we think of walking and talking people as being alive when in fact they are dead. Jesus spoke the following words to walking-and-talking people: “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40). They may have thought they were alive, but life was missing, as far as Jesus was concerned. Millions know down deep that something very important is missing in their existence.

The apostle Paul described people prior to conversion as being “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). He underscored the implied truth in the prayer recorded in our text when he went on to write: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (v..

Another aspect of the text which should fill us with praise to Jesus is the part about “all flesh.” Jesus, the Creator and Sustainer of all life, has been given authority over “all flesh.” He owns us. The Father gave Him “power” (authority) over all. He is the One who keeps us alive. Doctors stitch together cuts, but Jesus heals and made the doctors.

It is one thing to give mental assent to these truths; it is something else to live them. May we praise God that salvation is a free gift, and rejoice that Jesus owns and cares for all who have eternal life.

[Soldier4Christ]

His Truth

“And he said, Blessed be the L SIZE="-1">ORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the L SIZE="-1">ORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (Genesis 24:27).

This verse contains the heart-warming prayer of Abraham’s servant when he realized God had led him to the home of Isaac’s future bride. It also contains the first mention in the Bible of the word “truth.” Illustrating the principle of first mention, it is significant that the truth of which it speaks is the truth of God. Scientists and educators today profess to be searching for truth, and many religions and philosophies profess to have the truth, but all true truth is of God! To look for it anywhere else is to be “ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (II Timothy 3:7).

Similarly, the first mention of “truth” in the New Testament is Matthew 14:33: “Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped Him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Truth is found in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit. “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13).

The holy Scriptures are made up of truth. “Sanctify them through thy truth,” prayed the Lord Jesus, “thy Word is truth” (John 17:17). “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth” (Psalm 119:142).

On the other hand, everything that is false (that is, contrary to the triune God and/or His inerrant Word) must have its ultimate source in the enemy of truth, Satan, “which deceiveth the whole world” (Revelation 12:9), “for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44).

The Lord’s “mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5), but “all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:.

[Soldier4Christ]

Many Called, Few Chosen

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen” (Matthew 20:16).

These words of Christ make it clear that being called by God and being chosen by Him are not the same. The two items are similar in the Greek, with the second somewhat like an extension of the first—that is, kletos and eklektos, or “called” and “called-out.” The same truth is emphasized again in Matthew 22:14: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Note also that the word for “chosen” (eklektos) is the word from which we get the English word “elect.” In fact, it is often rendered “elect” in the Bible.

It often seems, however, that the two words are used almost as synonyms. Both apply only to true believers. For example, those who are “called” are set out as distinct from all others. “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the [Gentiles] foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and [Gentiles], Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God” (I Corinthians 1:23,24).

Yet, as our text says, only a “few” of those that are “called” are also “chosen.” All Christians are “the called” of God, but only some of these are “chosen” by Him for some special ministry. For example, Paul was called “a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15).

Both the “calling” and “choosing” (or “election”) are strictly works of God. In fact, He has “chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).

And yet, we are also exhorted to “give diligence” to make both “(our) calling and election sure” (II Peter 1:10). Though the dual nuances may be impossible to comprehend with our minds, they are a blessing to the hearts of all who the “called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). For all “they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Omniscience Of God

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me” (Psalms 139:1).

The marvelous 139th Psalm consists of a prayer by King David to his King, the omniscient, omnipresent, holy, Creator God, the King of kings. In this psalm David reflects on and praises God for His majestic attributes, and by doing so, is driven to introspection.

David claims that God knows when we sit down or stand up (v.2). He even knows our thoughts (v.2). Furthermore, He knows our direction and habits (v.3). He knows our words better than we do ourselves (v.4). In everything, God knows and guides (v.5). “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me” (v.6), David claims, and neither he nor we, trapped as we are in finiteness, can comprehend this omniscience.

Where can we go to escape His omnipresence? (v.7). Neither to heaven nor hell (v.. Not to the air or the sea (v.9). Neither darkness nor light (vs.11,12) can shield us from His presence. In all, He leads and guides (v.10).

Thinking such lofty thoughts should compel us to praise and thankfulness, as it did David, especially as it relates to our own creation and growth. God knew us in the womb (v.13) and controlled each stage of our embryonic development (vs.14–16). He knew and planned all the events of our lives (v.16). “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!” (v.17). They are innumerable (vs.17,18).

Reflection on God’s holiness makes David painfully aware of his own sinfulness, as it should us. Recognition of God’s nature should bring us to a place of submission and a desire for holiness, as well as a yearning to follow fully the omniscient God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (vs.23,24).

[Soldier4Christ]

When God Became Man



“Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst Him with glory and honor, and didst set Him over the works of thy hands” (Hebrews 2:7).

We cannot comprehend what it meant for the infinite Creator God to become finite man, even coming “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3). Nevertheless, we can, and must, believe it, for “every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God” (I John 4:3).

The Scriptures have given us a glimpse of the “emptying” that His incarnation required—the setting aside of certain outward aspects of His deity. He had been “so much better than the angels” (Hebrews 1:4), but He had to be “made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death” (Hebrews 2:9)—“put to death in the flesh” (I Peter 3:18).

The eternal Word “was God” (John 1:1), but it was necessary that “the Word was made flesh” (John 1:14). “The world was made by Him” (John 1:10), but “the princes of this world . . . crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:.

He, “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:6). That is, He was not fearful of losing His deity and, therefore, did not have to cling to His divine nature and attributes as He became man. Thus, He “made Himself of no reputation” (emptying Himself of the outward form of God), “and took upon Him the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7).

Yet that was only the beginning. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (II Corinthians 5:21). He suffered hell for us, that we might enjoy heaven with Him.

Because He was willing to be so humiliated, He will one day be crowned with glory and honor. “God also hath highly exalted Him, . . . that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:9,11).

[Soldier4Christ]

A Special Son

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

These opening words of the New Testament identify this “book of the generation (literally ‘genesis’) of Jesus Christ” as telling of the wonderful fulfillment of the promise to both Abraham and David of a very special Son.

To Abraham, God had promised: “Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son; . . . in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice” (Genesis 22:16,18). This prophecy was directed immediately through Isaac, but focused finally on Jesus Christ, Abraham’s greater Son. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).

Similarly, a unique promise was made to David concerning his own special Son. “I will set up thy seed after thee, . . . I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son. . . . And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee” (II Samuel 7:12,14,16). Once again, this promise applied precursively to Solomon, but ultimately to the greater Son of David, “made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, . . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3,4). He was greater than Abraham, greater than David, and even “better than the angels. . . . For unto which of the angels said He at any time, . . . I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to me a Son?” (Hebrews 1:4,5).

In the fullest sense, this Son was the fulfillment of the primeval promise of the coming seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). He is the virgin’s Son (Isaiah 7:14), the Son given (Isaiah 9:6), “the last Adam. . . . The Lord from heaven” (I Corinthians 15:45,47).

[Soldier4Christ]

Light In The Darkness

“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined” (Isaiah 9:2).

This beautiful verse is treated in the New Testament as a Messianic prophecy, fulfilled when Christ came into the world—growing up in Nazareth and then dwelling in Capernaum—both cities being located in “Galilee of the Gentiles” (Matthew 4:15). This was in the region once occupied by the ten northern tribes, and then devastated by the invading Assyrians when they carried the Northern Kingdom away into captivity.

This region had for centuries thereafter remained in spiritual darkness, even after the return of Judah from captivity in Babylon. But then Christ came and, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Thus His public ministry actually began in this land of darkness, “and the light shineth in darkness. . . . The true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:5,9).

Wherever Christ comes, the light comes, for He is light. He left heaven for Earth, saying: “I come to do thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:9). This great purpose of God “is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (II Timothy 1:10).

And yet, tragically, “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:19,20). Light is of benefit only to those who do not prefer the darkness. Nevertheless, to those who desire light Jesus says: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

[Soldier4Christ]

When The Angels Worshiped Christ

“And again, when He bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him” (Hebrews 1:6).

Jesus Christ is “the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father” (John 1:18), but the day finally came when He had to proceed all the way to Earth, and the eternal Word “was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). A little later, He would be “declared to be the Son of God . . . by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). By eternal generation, by the incarnation, by the virgin birth, and by the resurrection, He is in every sense God’s “first begotten”—His only begotten—Son.

Our text says that when He first entered the world, born of the virgin, His heavenly Father called on all the innumerable angels in the heavenly host to bow down and worship Him. It is not clear whether this command is a quotation from the Old Testament or not, although it is cited in a passage which also quotes several other Messianic prophecies as applied to Jesus Christ. Psalm 97:7 and Deuteronomy 32:43 have been suggested as possible source verses, but neither of these seems to fit very well in context. Thus it may be that our text refers directly, and solely, to a specific decree of God, proclaimed throughout the universe at the time of the human birth of His Son, and recorded here alone. All the angels of the infinite cosmos bowed in solemn worship, but a special contingent was commissioned to watch directly over the birth, and proclaim the good news to those nearby. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:13,14). The angels saw and worshiped; the shepherds heard and told. And “all they that heard it wondered” (Luke 2:18).

[Soldier4Christ]

Ambassador In Bonds

“The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen” (Colossians 4:18).

Paul wrote six epistles from Rome, where he was imprisoned during the final years of his life. This short but pointed admonition is similar to that of the writer of Hebrews (perhaps Paul himself) when he wrote: “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them” (Hebrews 13:3).

It came as no surprise to Paul that he was placed under arrest. He told the Ephesian elders, “I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there. Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me there” (Acts 20:22,23), and this certainly came to pass. Paul was not only imprisoned, he was at times beaten, scourged, and kept in most inhumane conditions.

But when we remember Paul’s bonds, we should remember him standing in chains at the palace in Jerusalem, giving his own personal testimony (Acts 22), as he did also before King Agrippa in Caesarea (Acts 26). When we think of his imprisonment, we should remember his attitude was “that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places” (Philippians 1:12,13). Paul asked for prayer, “that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds” (Ephesians 6:19,20).

A modern equivalent of this is the imprisonment of Alexander Solzhenitsyn and others who have been imprisoned for their faith. We are to remember them in prayer before the Lord and rejoice that, as he stated in a recent article, “Christianity is not vanquished.” He echoes the words of Paul, who wrote: I suffer “as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the Word of God is not bound” (II Timothy 2:9).

[Soldier4Christ]

What “therefore” Is There For


“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58).

The frequently used adverb “therefore” usually signals a transition in Scripture from doctrinal truth to practical consequence. In our text above, the incentive for faithful service is the great truth of Christ’s resurrection, as discussed in verses 1–30 of the chapter, and the corollary truths of our own future resurrection, as in verses 35–57.

Note also the familiar exhortation of Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.” The basis for this “therefore” is the marvelous plan of God for both Israel and the Gentiles in the age to come, as expounded in Romans 11.

Another example is Philippians 4:1: “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord.” This “therefore” stems from the great truth of Christ’s second coming, when our present frail bodies will be transformed into bodies like that of His own glorified body.

The first three chapters of the book of Ephesians contain many wonderful doctrinal truths, and the last three chapters emphasize the consequent principles of practical Christian living. The transition from doctrine to practice urges us to live in a manner befitting our high calling in Christ. “I therefore, . . . beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1).

Finally, following his great affirmation of the plenary inspiration of the Bible, Paul says: “I charge thee therefore; . . . Preach the Word” (II Timothy 4:1,2).

It is good always to study the Biblical context of every “therefore,” to see what God has placed it there for!

[Soldier4Christ]

Meditation

“Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (Psalm 119:27).

The remarkable 119th psalm, with its 22 eight-verse stanzas, is the unique “song of the Word,” containing 176 testimonies or prayers concerning God’s Word—one for each verse. Eight times the word “meditate” or “meditation” is used, indicating the importance of this practice in relation to the Scriptures. In our text, this word is translated “talk,” but its basic thrust is to exhort us to meditate on the wonderful works of God, once we understand the way of His precepts.

The other seven references to meditation in this psalm are as follows: “I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways” (v.15). “Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes” (v.23). “My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes” (v.48). “Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts” (v.78). “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day” (v.97). “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (v.99). “Mine eyes prevent (i.e., anticipate) the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word” (v.148).

There is, of course, a counterfeit form of meditation (e.g., the so-called transcendental meditation and other forms of mysticism), not to mention useless day dreaming. These forms of meditation involve clearing one’s mind of all subjects, and allowing the mind to wander. In contrast, true meditation involves pondering with awe and thankfulness God’s wonderful Word, His ways and His works—in connection with prayer and the study of the holy Scriptures. An exercise of the mind as well as of the spirit, it is an exercise of great blessing, and is most pleasing to God.

[Soldier4Christ]

Understanding The Times

“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment” (I Chronicles 12:32).

This chapter lists the numbers of men from each of the tribes of Israel who cast their lot with David in his conflict with King Saul. All these numbers are given except those of Issachar, but of these it was said that all their brethren followed their 200 leaders in turning to David. The reason for their unanimity in this decision was that these leaders “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” It was time to “turn the kingdom” to David, “according to the Word of the L SIZE="-1">ORD” (I Chronicles 12:23). God had given them a Benjamite, Saul, as king for a time, but now David had been anointed, and it was the time to give “the sceptre” to Judah, according to the prophecy of their father, Jacob, given over 600 years before (Genesis 49:10).

How desperately we need leaders today who are spiritual “sons of Issachar,” understanding these times! Christ told the apostles: “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons” (Acts 1:7); it was more urgent that they proceed to witness for Him “unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:.

Nevertheless, He would return to the earth in some generation, and that generation should be expected, when they would see all these things, to “know that it is near, even at the doors” (Matthew 24:33). They could understand the signs, and even though they should never attempt to guess the date, they could “look up, . . . for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28), when they would see “these things begin to come to pass.”

The signs are everywhere, yet few of our leaders—Christian politicians included—seem to understand the real meaning of these times. Christ is “even at the doors!”

[Soldier4Christ]

The New Creation


"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature" (Galatians 6:15).

In the original Greek text of the New Testament, the word translated "creature" is the same as "creation," so the apostle Paul, in our text, is stressing the vital importance of being a "new creation" in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is nothing less than the mighty Creator of Heaven and Earth (Colossians 1:16), and the very same creative power which called the universe into existence must be exerted on each lost sinner to create in him a new nature, capable of having the eternal fellowship with God for which man and woman were created in the beginning.

This new creation is not only for the purpose of saving their souls, but also for transforming their lives. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Cor-inthians 5:17). Although good works can never bring salvation, salvation must inevitably bring good works, for we are thereby "created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Paul exhorts us to continually "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:24).

Adam and Eve were originally created "in the image of God" (Genesis 1:27), but that image has been grievously damaged by unbelief and overt sin. Although still resident in man -- in fact, distinguishing him from the animals -- this divine image must be renewed through saving faith in our Creator/Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Therefore, the Scripture reminds all true believers that they "have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Colossians 3:9-10).

[Soldier4Christ]

The Bible Stands!


“Thy Word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160).

Very few books survive very long. Only a few survive the first printing, and science books, especially, get out of date in just a few years.

But one book is eternal! The Bible stands! Even its most ancient chapters are still accurate and up to date. Furthermore, despite all the vicious attacks of both ancient pagans and modern humanists, it will continue to endure. Jesus said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away” (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). Even after everything else dies and all the bombastic tirades of skeptics and secularists are long forgotten, the Word endures. “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:.

Note the oft-repeated testimony to this same effect in Psalm 119. In addition to the comprehensive promise of today’s text, this great “psalm of the Word” also contains these affirmations: “Forever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven. . . . Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. . . . The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: . . . Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them forever” (Psalm 119:89,111,144,152). Founded forever, inherited forever, settled forever, lasting forever! God is eternal, and His Word was true from the beginning.

Men may, in these last days, arrogantly think they can “take away from the words of the book of this prophecy” (Revelation 22:19), but such presumption will only “take away (their) part out of the book of life,” and the Bible will still stand. “The Word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the Word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (I Peter 1:25).

[Soldier4Christ]

Loaded With Blessing

“Blessed be the LORD, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah” (Psalm 68:19).

As we come to this year’s end, it is salutary for the believer to think back over the days of the year and to meditate upon his blessings. He may, indeed, have experienced defeats and losses, disappointments and injuries in great number. If he is honest with himself, however, the Christian will always have to acknowledge that his blessings far outweigh his burdens. God has “loaded us with benefits,” and is even working in and through all the trials and hurtful things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

In our text verse, the words “with benefits” have been supplied by the translators. Some might, therefore, conclude that the verse could mean that God is daily loading us with burdens, instead of benefits. The context, however, assures us that the emphasis is really on His blessings. For that matter, even a burden can become a blessing, if we take it as a gift from God for our spiritual benefit.

Therefore: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2). “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

He has given us “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). Far more importantly, He is “the God of our salvation.” Whatever else we have, or don’t have, in this life, we have the great gift of eternal life, through faith in Christ and His finished work of redemption. We have it every day of the year and are daily ready to meet the Lord, whenever He calls. Each day we have the indwelling presence of His Spirit, the illuminating guidance of His Word, the daily provision of all real needs, and the assurance of His love. He has surely loaded us with benefits!