Just sharing.

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Galatians 3 – The Law And Faith

The Apostle Paul explains the reason for God’s laws, which makes God’s grace even more amazing.

By Faith or by Works
The Apostle Paul addressed a very big problem for the Galatians, but also for a lot of believers, and that was legalism. Just after they were introduced to the gospel of salvation by grace and not by works, some cunning Jews came in to subvert the gospel by adding works to it. Even though many of them had been eye witnesses of Jesus’ crucifixion, they were “bewitched” (Gal 3:1), and told that they needed to completed their salvation by keeping the law, however, trying to keep the law as part one’s salvation, makes it an altogether different gospel, and one that can’t save!

He reminded them that “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Gal 3:6). When Abraham believed God, God accounted that to Him as righteousness. Today, if we believe in Christ, we receive the righteousness of Christ (2 Cor 5:21). Paul’s point is, “it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham” (Gal 3:7). This same faith was opened to Gentiles who trusted in Christ, and thus “all the nations [were] blessed” (Gal 3:8c). Regardless of who you are or how many works of the law you do, “those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Gal 3:9), but they’re not blessed by their works…but by their faith in Christ.

Law Keeping
Since it is in our nature to try and justify ourselves before God, we tend to think that our works will help us on the Day of Judgment. It’s almost subconscious in a way, but it is who we are by nature, however, Paul has a serious warning for those who try to justify themselves before God by keeping the law. He says that “all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them” (Gal 3:10). That’s bad news for us since none of us can keep the law perfectly.

James adds it’s not worth trying, since “whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (James 2:10). This doesn’t mean we head to the other ditch and think we can break God’s laws. We ought to strive to live by them, but still recognize we are not saved by obedience to the law. Paul says “it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith” (Gal 3:11). Only Jesus Christ kept the law with perfection, but He is God, and we are not. Our nature is to sin, but thankfully we’re forgiven and justified by Christ, standing in His righteousness before God (2 Cor 5:21), so “the law is not of faith” (Gal 3:12).

Imprisoned by Sin
We ought to give thanks to God that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Gal 3:13a). To try and keep the law is to put that curse back on us. Jesus has already redeemed us from the curse of the law, so there’s no reason to try and keep ourselves saved by keeping the law (Rom 7:19-20). It just can’t be done. I wouldn’t trust the best 10 minutes of my life to buy me a split-second in heaven! The law is good…it actually shows us what sin is (Rom 7:7), but the law cannot save. The law makes us all stand guilty before God and flee to the cross and our Savior. Paul wrote that “the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Gal 3:22).

The law shows us our only hope is the grace of God found only in Christ, so “before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed” (Gal 3:23), and that faith was revealed in Jesus Christ. Paul states that law takes away our excuses or disables our argument that we’ve done enough good things that we ought to go to heaven. He says, “we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Rom 3:19). The law condemned us all (Rom 3:23, 6:23), “so that every mouth may be stopped.”

Faith Alone
Since we know we can’t be saved by works, we must not go to the other extreme and think there won’t be any works. James wrote that “faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). God has prepared opportunities for good works in our lives (Eph 2:10), but we recognize those works don’t save us. We are not saved by works, but the saved will do works; but not to justify themselves. They are doing it as unto Christ (Matt 25:40). We are not saved by works but by grace (Eph 2:8-9), since “now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian” (Gal 3:25) of the law (Gal 2:23-24). We are set free from the curse of the law, and we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, so “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28).

Conclusion
The Apostle Paul was not the only one who battled legalism. We can battle it too, but it’s almost a silent invasion. It’s our nature to be seen by others and to do good works in front of people so we can get recognition, but there’s a hidden danger with doing good works. Many who have stated they believe in Jesus will be turned away on Judgment Day because they never had a saving relationship with Him, therefore He doesn’t even know them. They boast of their many works for the Lord, but those same “many” will be turned away forever (Matt 7:21-23). I love what Voddie Baucham said: “It amazes me that we believe this: that God would crush and kill His own Son, but let you slide.” In fact, He won’t. Without Jesus’ own righteousness accredited to you (2 Cor 5:21), you will stand before God and be judged according to your works. Scripture tells us that it will not turn out well (Rev 20:12-15). Repent and believe today and be redeemed from the curse of the law.

 

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God Is With Us to Help Us... Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5,6 NASB _____________ Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:25:26 KJV _____________ Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 NIV _____________ Thanks be unto God for his wonderful gift! Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Ye serve the Lord Christ.”

Colossians 3:24

To what choice order of officials was this word spoken? To kings who proudly boast a right divine? Ah, no! too often do they serve themselves or Satan, and forget the God whose sufferance permits them to wear their mimic majesty for their little hour. Speaks then the apostle to those so-called “right reverend fathers in God,” the bishops, or “the venerable the archdeacons”? No, indeed, Paul knew nothing of these mere inventions of man. Not even to pastors and teachers, or to the wealthy and esteemed among believers, was this word spoken, but to servants, aye, and to slaves.

Among the toiling multitudes, the journeymen, the day labourers, the domestic servants, the drudges of the kitchen, the apostle found, as we find still, some of the Lord's chosen, and to them he says, “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” This saying ennobles the weary routine of earthly employments, and sheds a halo around the most humble occupations.

To wash feet may be servile, but to wash his feet is royal work. To unloose the shoe-latchet is poor employ, but to unloose the great Master's shoe is a princely privilege. The shop, the barn, the scullery, and the smithy become temples when men and women do all to the glory of God! Then “divine service” is not a thing of a few hours and a few places, but all life becomes holiness unto the Lord, and every place and thing, as consecrated as the tabernacle and its golden candlestick.

“Teach me, my God and King, in all things thee to see;
And what I do in anything to do it as to thee.
All may of thee partake, nothing can be so mean,
Which with this tincture, for thy sake, will not grow bright and clean.
A servant with this clause makes drudgery divine;
Who sweeps a room, as for thy laws, makes that and the action fine.”

 

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Titanic Day in a Pandemic



Prudence is the virtue needed in a crisis. So old stories teach us. The crisis has come and the old tales should be recollected.
Each year our family has recollected the sinking of the great liner RMS Titanic. I am not sure why, only that the story moves us and encourages us to be better people. A story like that can save us if we come to understand it.
However one begins the story of the good ship, the iceberg comes. Mistakes were made. There was heroism, of course, and lessons to be learned. People behaved well, some abominably. Snobbery worked deadly evil as classism often does: so many third class lives were lost that need not have been.

In the crisis, when all decisions counted and history books were recording actions, people showed themselves. The pressure revealed character. Some unexpectedly rose to the occasion, like a not-always-noble rich man who managed to pass on saving his own life. Some like Charles Lightoller were the heroes they had been before that time and would be again. Lightoller had survived one wreck already and would, as an old man, rescue British troops at Dunkirk. Others, one thinks of Bruce Ismay, had a night they wished to forget for the rest of their days.

The grinding spread of the consequences of the pandemic and American actions to stop it are wearing even for those not sick or on the medical front lines. For those curing our sick, burying our dead, delivering our food, these are harrowing times. We are in a historic crisis. For some, training and character provide them the courage and strength they need. Captain Smith is said to have ordered his crew to “be British” and if he did, Lightoller was a living demonstration.


The rest of us, like most of the crew and passengers of the great liner, are not so blessed. We could rise to the occasion or we could panic, play the fool, or simply be a cad. We could be the functionary at the White Star Line that sent band members’ families a bill for uniforms the band did not return. A different decision easily could have been made, but thoughtless, mindless rule following posted the bill.

Let us consider our words on social media in the light of the tens of thousands who have lost loved ones unexpectedly. Perhaps we could act in solidarity, best we can in words and deeds, with the medical professionals we know. Can we think of the postal employee or the UPS guy who gets our mail and packages to us? What of the grocery clerk? If history is not watching our millions of stories, the nation is bigger than even Titanic, than our children are. Our children’s children may ask about this time as I asked my grandparents about the Depression and the War.

What did we do? Did we binge on Netflix? Drink and eat too much? Or did we pray, do our duty, work as hard as we could even when nobody was watching. Did we pray for our leaders, of both parties, and find some way to help? As millions lose their jobs, perhaps even us, do we panic as if money was ever our salvation or we keep going?
There is nothing wrong with tears, mourning when time to mourn, but next we do what we can. If we are not Charles Lightoller, then we can at least follow him, emulate his courage (even if this is unnatural to us). We can measure our words, saying less, doing more. This is our moment: a crisis has come.
What will we do?

In a crisis the great people will achieve greatness, they will be courageous and some history will recollect. Prudence is the chief virtue for the rest of us. Now is the time, in fearful times, for prudence: carefully doing no more or less than what is needful. Find our duty and stick to that duty with charity to all. Prudence does not panic nor stay on the ship foolishly when the time has come to go. Prudence acts until there is no more action to take and then puts hope in God and eternity.
Why not work at loving our neighbor and helping restart the economy best we can?
We can be Christian.

 

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He gave himself a ransom for all Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth ______________ The Saviour (Messiah) would be for people of all nations Prophecy: "And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?" Genesis 18:17-18b ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:18,19 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5,6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Prophecy: "I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." Genesis 22:16-18 NIV ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:25-29 NIV ______________ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“They have dealt treacherously against the Lord.”

Hosea 5:7

Believer, here is a sorrowful truth! Thou art the beloved of the Lord, redeemed by blood, called by grace, preserved in Christ Jesus, accepted in the Beloved, on thy way to heaven, and yet, “thou hast dealt treacherously” with God, thy best friend; treacherously with Jesus, whose thou art; treacherously with the Holy Spirit, by whom thou hast been quickened unto life eternal!

How treacherous you have been in the matter of vows and promises. Do you remember the love of your espousals, that happy time — the springtime of your spiritual life? Oh, how closely did you cling to your Master then! saying, “He shall never charge me with indifference; my feet shall never grow slow in the way of his service; I will not suffer my heart to wander after other loves; in him is every store of sweetness ineffable. I give all up for my Lord Jesus’ sake.” Has it been so? Alas! if conscience speak, it will say, “He who promised so well has performed most ill.

Prayer has oftentimes been slurred — it has been short, but not sweet; brief, but not fervent. Communion with Christ has been forgotten. Instead of a heavenly mind, there have been carnal cares, worldly vanities and thoughts of evil. Instead of service, there has been disobedience; instead of fervency, lukewarmness; instead of patience, petulance; instead of faith, confidence in an arm of flesh; and as a soldier of the cross there has been cowardice, disobedience, and desertion, to a very shameful degree.”

“Thou hast dealt treacherously.” Treachery to Jesus! what words shall be used in denouncing it? Words little avail: let our penitent thoughts execrate the sin which is so surely in us. Treacherous to thy wounds, O Jesus! Forgive us, and let us not sin again! How shameful to be treacherous to him who never forgets us, but who this day stands with our names engraven on his breastplate before the eternal throne.

 

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What is the Word of Faith or Positive Confession Belief?



Is the Word of Faith or Positive Confession movement biblical?

Power in the Word
There is power in the Word of God. Not so much in the word of man. Of course, our words can hurt others and they can also build others us. We know that “With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor” (Prov 11:9a), and that “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Prov 12:18). Clearly, words matter. For example, we know that “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov 15:1), but beyond this, is there power in our words…even supernatural power? We know God’s Word has power. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). The Word of God comforts the afflicted but afflicts the comfortable. On one hand, “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Cor 1:18).

God’s Word has the power to bring about what He wills. We can promise something by giving our word, but circumstances may prevent us from keeping our word, however there are no barriers to God and His Word. In referring to the universe, the psalmist wrote that God “spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm” (Psalm 33:9), and He says, “so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). When “God said, “Let there be light”…there was light” (Gen 1:3), but what about the power of words in human beings? Like, for example, in the Word of Faith movement?

Positive Confession
There has been a huge movement that has seemingly swept across the world and it’s called Word of Faith or Positive Confession. Word of Faith portends that Christians can access the power of faith or fear through words or speech. This has nothing to do with churches that go by the name of Word of Faith because this movement is nondenominational, and its appeal is often material things and not spiritual ones. They base their teachings loosely on Jesus’ saying, “whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matt 21:22), but what happens what they “speak in faith” is contrary to the will of God? Isn’t God’s will supreme over ours and infinitely better?

Word of Faith
One prisoner told me that God had informed him that a certain prisoner had a “dark soul,” whatever that meant, and I assumed it wasn’t good. He was sure God had told him in “his spirit” that this man claiming to be a believer was not who he claimed to be. The problem soon became apparent that he was wrong. The prisoner the man had accused of “having a devil” ended up living in a more godly manner than of all of them. What if, in child-like faith, a young child was told, “Speak to the cookie jar. Speak to it to be all full of cookies.” Clearly, God’s will is not for the child to gorge themselves on cookies, but to the child, it’s the perfect “word of faith” or positive confession. The child’s will is for a full cookie jar so they can eat them, but the parent knows that’s not good for them.

One Word of Faith preacher even said, “Speak to your wallet. Be full of money you billfold.” Some Word of Faith teachers quote Jesus to support their teachings. In one place Jesus said, “If you can believe! All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23), but what if the Apostle Peter had prayed in faith, believing that God would answer his positive confession that Jesus would not have to die on the cross? Remember, that was Peter’s will, however, Peter’s belief or positive confession would have no bearing on what the Father’s will was, because clearly, it was the will of the Father to send the Son to the cross (Isaiah 53:10).

God’s Will Verses Ours
We are told by Jesus to pray to the Father through His name, and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, but Jesus never says, “Pray to God the Father through Me that your will is done.” Jesus does say if you pray and believe, all things are possible, but never does our will supersede God’s will. What if we speak forth someone’s healing, but God’s will is to end their suffering and take them home to be with Him? Do human words have more power or is our will more important than God’s? Obviously not, so praying for God’s will is always best because at times, we don’t even know what to pray for (Rom 8:26-27). Praying for His will to be done here on earth is infinitely better than to pray for our wills to be done. A young child may want to play with a shiny new kitchen knife, but mom knows they’ll hurt themselves, and so she says, “No!” and puts them in a place the child can’t reach. In similar fashion, God’s ways are superior to our ways. What we pray for may not be for our best. God knows what’s best for us, even if it doesn’t look the best at the time (Rom 8:28). God is sovereign over all things. Our words, no matter how positive they are, are not sovereign over God’s will!

Rights-Based Faith


You cannot manipulate faith or positive confession to create wealth or material blessings. God alone has the power to make rich or poor (Deut 8:18; 1 Sam 2:7), so it’s wrong to teach a “rights-based” faith, where you deserve to be healthy and wealthy. They surmise that Abraham was rich, so why not them, but they fail to see that most of the members of the New Testament church were poor and had little power, money, or influence. Sadly, Word of Faith teaching often (not always) focuses on physical things rather than spiritual things…on possessions rather than on the Person of Christ! The point is, not many mighty, noble, or powerful are called (1 Cor 1:26), so it seems, the very ones the world despises are often the very ones God seeks to save.

Conclusion
Every faith healer will die someday. Every one of them will need hearing aids or glasses (or contacts) eventually. A physical healing is wonderful. God does heal today, but the greatest healing of all is spiritual. It is the new birth (John 3:3-7). God answers the prayer of the believing saints…don’t’ get me wrong, but He does not give human words the same power to create or effect the supernaturally as He does. God alone has this power. He may work through human instruments, but only if it is within the will of God and not the will of someone who makes a positive confession or has a word of faith. Sadly, if there is any real power in our words, it’s the power to hurt, shame, destroy, and even kill. There is the power of life and death in our words. Scripture does speak about the power of our words, but not in a good way. The Word of God says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Prov 18:21).

 

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Let us be diligent to Obey Him Christ is Coming Again! Let us be diligent then to Obey Him Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I keep thy word. Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me. Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me according to thy promise to thy servant. Psalm 119:67,68,71,75, 76 RSV _____________ And if they are bound in fetters, And are caught in the cords of affliction, Then He declares to them their work And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves. He opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil. Job 36:8-10 NASB _____________ See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10 NIV _____________ We need a Savior because we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death... Thanks be unto God for his wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“I will make thy windows of agates.”

Isaiah 54:12

The church is most instructively symbolized by a building erected by heavenly power, and designed by divine skill. Such a spiritual house must not be dark, for the Israelites had light in their dwellings; there must therefore be windows to let the light in and to allow the inhabitants to gaze abroad. These windows are precious as agates: the ways in which the church beholds her Lord and heaven, and spiritual truth in general, are to be had in the highest esteem. Agates are not the most transparent of gems, they are but semi-pellucid at the best:

“Our knowledge of that life is small,
Our eye of faith is dim.”


Faith is one of these precious agate windows, but alas! it is often so misty and beclouded, that we see but darkly, and mistake much that we do see. Yet if we cannot gaze through windows of diamonds and know even as we are known, it is a glorious thing to behold the altogether lovely One, even though the glass be hazy as the agate. Experience is another of these dim but precious windows, yielding to us a subdued religious light, in which we see the sufferings of the Man of Sorrows, through our own afflictions. Our weak eyes could not endure windows of transparent glass to let in the Master's glory, but when they are dimmed with weeping, the beams of the Sun of Righteousness are tempered, and shine through the windows of agate with a soft radiance inexpressibly soothing to tempted souls.

Sanctification, as it conforms us to our Lord, is another agate window. Only as we become heavenly can we comprehend heavenly things. The pure in heart see a pure God. Those who are like Jesus see him as he is. Because we are so little like him, the window is but agate; because we are somewhat like him, it is agate. We thank God for what we have, and long for more. When shall we see God and Jesus, and heaven and truth, face to face?

 

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An answer to the “Why does God allow Suffering?” question




A few weeks ago now, I posted a surprising answer to the “Why me?” question. In that article I essentially make the point that one reason God allows suffering in our lives is so that we will be able to help others. But there are clearly other reasons, and we will never fully understand. One of the important reasons for us to grasp is expressed by Paul in what some have claimed is the finest chapter in the whole Bible, Romans 8:
Behind every bad thing that happens to us, God is at work, turning it around for our good

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28).

These words are incredibly hard for us to hear when we are in the middle of a real crisis, such as for example that caused by a mental illness. This is why we must learn their truth even when everything is going well so that we are prepared. For one thing is for sure: suffering is coming, however much we may want to pretend it isn’t. Jesus promised us as much when he said “in this world you will have trouble.” But he also promised us that he has overcome the world, meaning that the world does not hold any surprises for him.
What are some of the ways that suffering helps us. What is God doing in us when he allows suffering to come against us?
Suffering produces patience in us

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
(Jas 1:2–4).

It is impossible to endure unless you have something to endure through. Christians who have responded well to the white heat of the crucible of suffering come out the other side mature. It is this maturity that helps them to help others.
But there is more still to it than this.
Suffering allows us to demonstrate the power and life of God in this world

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10).

I’m sure you have met the kind of Christian who greets every difficulty in life with a grin that has been wallpaper pasted onto their face. You know the kind who when asked how they are says “God is being good to me” with what looks like a false smile on their face even when you know their world is falling apart. This is not the lifestyle that Paul advocates here. Paul experienced real emotions that were sufficiently dark that I suspect a psychiatrist would have offered him medication. He was afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. There was in Paul an emotional complexity, however. He stubbornly refused to allow hope to be driven away. This is crucial, and it is why Christians do grieve, but in a different way to those who have no hope.


This ability to hold onto God even in the midst of great sorrow is why Christians can and do get depressed, but the mature Christian will even in the middle of his darkest times have at least a glimmer of hope that remains ablaze. That small glimmer of hope needs to be nurtured by those around us at times. Jesus does not quench that faintly burning sparkand nor should we with well-meaning but foolish comments.

In the middle of suffering the supernatural power of God is revealed in us, broken vessels, and people ask “What is it that is so different about you?” But Suffering also has eternal benefits for us:
Suffering is connected directly to our eternal glorified state

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

We are in mysterious territory now. But it does seem that even as we feel the pain of death at work in our bodies and indeed minds, God is somehow directly turning that pain into joy that we will feel for eternity. I don’t want to speculate too much about this, but it seems to me that there may be a connection to the discussion we see in Job 1. Satan cannot grasp why God’s people would see him as worthy of worship unless he “does stuff” for them. We see that Job resolutely continues praise God and serve him even when things do not go well for him at all. Do we fall into the same trap that Job was accused of by Satan? Do we secretly believe that we have done some kind of deal with God and that because we are “good Christians” he somehow “owes” us a good life with no suffering? If so, when suffering comes we will surely not demonstrate the worth of our faith, and of it’s object to others. May God cause us to demonstrate his value at the hard times in our lives.

Suffering teaches us to trust in the God who delights in delivering us
None of what we have said in this post in any way negates the fact that God wants us to have a strong hope in him, and to believe that even in this life he will do us good, and act on our behalf. Real faith requires us to trust his sovereignty but also dare to believe that God will act. Having considered all that we have in this post, it is surely no wonder that at a very hard time in his own life, Paul could confidently speak of his certainty that God would save him out of his troubles:

We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again
(2 Corinthians 1:8–10)

 

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Worldly Friendship? From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:1-4 KJV __________________ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV __________________ For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:16,17 NASB __________________ And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. Romans 12:1,2 NLT __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“I am crucified with Christ.”

Galatians 2:20

The Lord Jesus Christ acted in what he did as a great public representative person, and his dying upon the cross was the virtual dying of all his people. Then all his saints rendered unto justice what was due, and made an expiation to divine vengeance for all their sins. The apostle of the Gentiles delighted to think that as one of Christ's chosen people, he died upon the cross in Christ. He did more than believe this doctrinally, he accepted it confidently, resting his hope upon it. He believed that by virtue of Christ's death, he had satisfied divine justice, and found reconciliation with God.

Beloved, what a blessed thing it is when the soul can, as it were, stretch itself upon the cross of Christ, and feel, “I am dead; the law has slain me, and I am therefore free from its power, because in my Surety I have borne the curse, and in the person of my Substitute the whole that the law could do, by way of condemnation, has been executed upon me, for I am crucified with Christ.”

But Paul meant even more than this. He not only believed in Christ's death, and trusted in it, but he actually felt its power in himself in causing the crucifixion of his old corrupt nature. When he saw the pleasures of sin, he said, “I cannot enjoy these: I am dead to them.” Such is the experience of every true Christian. Having received Christ, he is to this world as one who is utterly dead.

Yet, while conscious of death to the world, he can, at the same time, exclaim with the apostle, “Nevertheless I live.” He is fully alive unto God. The Christian's life is a matchless riddle. No worldling can comprehend it; even the believer himself cannot understand it. Dead, yet alive! crucified with Christ, and yet at the same time risen with Christ in newness of life! Union with the suffering, bleeding Saviour, and death to the world and sin, are soul-cheering things. O for more enjoyment of them!

 

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Hymnal Theology



What’s so great about all the old hymns? Maybe it was the fact that they were theologically sound.

Theology
So, what’s so great about all the old hymns? Aren’t they outdated or old fashioned? Or, are they more theologically sound than many contemporary Christian songs today? In our day, it’s not always theology (study of the “Word”) you hear in Christian songs but a “me-ology,” or Jesus is the lover of my soul, Jesus is my friend, and so on. When did we begin to separate from theology into the “me-ology” of “What can God do for me,” and not “What can we do for Him?” Cleary there are many contemporary Christian songs that are biblical in their lyrics, but sometimes the show and the sound is more important than the words. Don’t misunderstand me, there are hundreds of rock-solid Christian songs out there today, but the great hymns of the past were, for the most part, much more aligned with biblical principles. Here are a few old hymns to show you what I mean.
Amazing Grace
It is said that more people were moved to trust in Christ with this song than with any other, even rivaling Handel’s Messiah, although it is God alone Who saves, but this hymn is the most recognized and perhaps the most beloved of all Christian songs or hymns we have. Few are more biblically sound than this one. Grace is so amazing because none of us deserve it, so it is “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, That saved a wretch; like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” It’s so amazing because it’s a free gift (Eph 2:8-9) that came at an enormous cost to God (John 3:16).

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus
This old hymn nails the gospel by asking, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Only the blood of the Lamb of God “makes me white as snow,” and there is absolutely “No other fount I know” than the blood of Jesus. There is no other way but than through Christ and His sinless life, death, and resurrection that we can be saved (1 Cor 15:1-4; Acts 4:12), for “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb 9:22b), so it truly is, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus” that can wash our sins away…forever.

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
One man called the church today so much less evangelistic than the church of the 1st Century, calling them the “frozen chosen,” but the old hymn, “Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus” was very evangelistic in nature. We sing, “Stand up for Jesus. Ye soldiers of the cross; Lift high His royal banner, It must not, it must not suffer loss.” When you hold up a banner, you are telling others about the cross of Christ, so lift it high in word and in deed, so that they might recognize who Jesus’ disciples are, and that most vivid banner for the Lord is love, for it is by our love for one another that others will know we are His disciples (John 13:34-35).

Standing on the Promises
Standing on the Promises is one of those old hymns that give us hope in our old age, when we are sick, or when we’ve experienced a great loss (perhaps all three!). God has never let one precious promise ever fail, and neither will He for eternity. Our hope is in God, so when the trials and tribulations come, we can be “Standing on the promises that cannot fail,” even “When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,” so “By the living Word of God I shall prevail,” while “Standing on the promises of God.”
There is a Fountain
This old hymn, written by William Cowper (1731-1800), was among the favorites of the 18th Century, and no wonder because this hymn is one of the most vivid displays of the gospel, and just how salvation works in the individual. For example, it says that “sinners, plunged beneath that flood,” that is “Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,” enables sinners to “Lose all their guilty stains.” Without the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, a person will not confess their sins because they won’t admit there is sin. That means they will have no guilt over sin, but one man said “A man’s morality determines his theology.” A sinner doesn’t want to come to God and confess their sins, even though God’s wrath is abiding on them (John 3:36b), but only the Spirit of God can show them their need for the “fountain” and to be “plunged beneath that flood.”

They’ll Know We Are Christians
Prior to Jesus’ death on the cross and subsequent ascension, He gave the disciples a new commandment, telling them to “love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). This love will be such a love that “all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). It will not be by our persuasion of biblical manuscripts, archeological evidence, or even apologetics that will convince others about Christ. It will be by our love for one another that people will know who are, and who are not His disciples (1 John 3:11-24). That’s why the world needs to see that “We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,” and only then will they “know we are Christians by our love, by our love.”

Conclusion
What old hymn or contemporary song would you put in the class of being biblically sound? I know there are hundreds that I could not possibly have space to write about. I’d love to know what you think and if you see the point that there is such a thing as “hymnal theology,” and that all hymns are not created as equally or biblically. We are told by Jesus to worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). Worshiping God in spirit alone with no truth is vanity…worshiping God in truth alone but not in the spirit is legalism.

 

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The Christ would both a King and a Priest Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth ________________ The Christ (Messiah) would be a prophet... Prophecy: "I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. According to all that thou desiredst of the Lord thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the Lord said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him." Deuteronomy 18:15-19 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Matthew 21:11 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world." John 6:14 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "And he (Jesus) came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people." Luke 7:14-16 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The Christ would both a King and a Priest Prophecy: "And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord: Even he shall build the temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." Zechariah 6:12-13 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord." John 12:12-13 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "NOW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;" Hebrews 8:1 ________________ Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“And lay thy foundations with sapphires.”

Isaiah 54:11

Not only that which is seen of the church of God, but that which is unseen, is fair and precious. Foundations are out of sight, and so long as they are firm it is not expected that they should be valuable; but in Jehovah's work everything is of a piece, nothing slurred, nothing mean. The deep foundations of the work of grace are as sapphires for preciousness, no human mind is able to measure their glory. We build upon the covenant of grace, which is firmer than adamant, and as enduring as jewels upon which age spends itself in vain. Sapphire foundations are eternal, and the covenant abides throughout the lifetime of the Almighty.

Another foundation is the person of the Lord Jesus, which is clear and spotless, everlasting and beautiful as the sapphire; blending in one the deep blue of earth's ever rolling ocean and the azure of its all embracing sky. Once might our Lord have been likened to the ruby as he stood covered with his own blood, but now we see him radiant with the soft blue of love, love abounding, deep, eternal. Our eternal hopes are built upon the justice and the faithfulness of God, which are clear and cloudless as the sapphire. We are not saved by a compromise, by mercy defeating justice, or law suspending its operations; no, we defy the eagle's eye to detect a flaw in the groundwork of our confidence—our foundation is of sapphire, and will endure the fire.

The Lord himself has laid the foundation of his people's hopes. It is matter for grave enquiry whether our hopes are built upon such a basis. Good works and ceremonies are not a foundation of sapphires, but of wood, hay, and stubble; neither are they laid by God, but by our own conceit. Foundations will all be tried ere long: woe unto him whose lofty tower shall come down with a crash, because based on a quicksand. He who is built on sapphires may await storm or fire with equanimity, for he shall abide the test.

 

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3 Things That Bring On Spiritual Attacks

What 3 things can the believer do that may bring on spiritual attacks from the enemy?
Obedience
Why do demons attack? What does the Bible say the reason is? May I suggest these 3 reasons that spiritual warfare happens. Demonic or spiritual attacks come from studying the Word of God, from teaching the Word, from obeying the Word of God, from sharing the Word of God, and from growing in the Word of God. Satan and his minions don’t waste their time on those who are not making a difference in the kingdom, so if you’re under spiritual attack, that’s good! That shows you are doing something right, and that you’re on the right side. The enemy doesn’t attack those who are headed down the broad path of destruction. To be sure, we’re not battling an enemy that we can see with our eyes, because “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12).

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The demons of darkness are opposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ and will do anything in their power to prevent people from being saved. They’ve gone so far as to have their own ministers (2 Cor 11:4), but they will do anything they can to make you lose your testimony or not share your faith. It should also be noted that demons may work through unbelievers to attack, insult, degrade, and persecute those who do believe, but that’s good because the truth is, “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim 3:12). Of course, not everyone that persecutes you is under demonic influence, but no doubt, some are.

The surprising thing is if someone claims to be a believer but has never suffered persecution. Something’s very wrong there, but if you receive verbal abuse for sharing Christ, then I say, “Good!” This too is a blessing (Matt 5:10-12; 1 Pet 4:14). I am not saying we should cram the gospel down people’s throat. No! Jesus never forced Himself on anyone, but if you are hated for your faith, or despised for what you write for Christ, then you must understand that they’re reading someone else’s mail. They cannot understand the Word of God without the Spirit of God (Rom 8:5, 7-9; 1 Cor 2:14, 2 Cor 4:3-4) like the children of God can (Rom 8:5-9). All we can do…no, all we must do is to love them…pray for them, and return good for evil (Luke 6:28). Be sure of this; grow in the Word of God and you’ll experience more spiritual warfare. Obey it, and look out!

Making a Difference
We know from Scripture that only God can take or give life. Satan has no power to kill, but sometimes we fear him and give him too much credit, but God limited what Satan could do to Job, telling him, “the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12). Sometimes we think that Satan is omnipresent. Especially when people have told me that Satan is attacking them. I am leery of that because Satan is a created being, and he can only be in one place at a time, so if 10 people claim they are being attacked by Satan, and all at the same time, we know it’s not Satan because he’s not omnipresent. As a created being, he can only be in one place at a time. More likely, it’s demonic influence. We give him too much credit. First of all, He is God’s Devil.
Satan doesn’t waste his time on individual members of the church as much as he does in influencing world leaders and inspiring false teachers, prophets, and pastors to proclaim a gospel without repentance and faith. I’m not big enough of a problem for Satan to waste his time on me, but he’ll likely delegate some of his demons to harass me, but again, that’s good. They don’t waste their time on those headed down the broad path of destruction, or on those who are lukewarm believers. They make no difference in the kingdom, so the Devil most likely spends his time attacking the most effective evangelists, teachers, preachers, or missionaries, but he also spends his time on world leaders and influential people that are financing evil practices. I’m small peanuts to him, but rather, He is the prince of the power of the air (2 Cor 4:4), influencing or controlling those who are the most influential in human affairs. Demons don’t waste their time on those who are wasting their time. They go after those who are making a difference.
Prayer Time
When I am praying to God, it seems as though all kinds of unwholesome thoughts start to enter my mind. It’s almost like a full frontal attack. It becomes hard to concentrate, and my mind begins to think on things that are anything but godly, so I double down and ask God’s Spirit to protect my mind while I pray, and it does help, but it seems the more I pray, the more I struggle with thoughts that are not from God. When the enemy tries to break the lines of communication, you are under spiritual warfare. If demons can keep us from praying, then we’ve lost our most important contact in the universe. We can get too busy to pray. At other times when I pray, it seems I’m flooded with thoughts of worthlessness, feeling unworthy to even talk to God. The enemy may even send me thoughts where I doubt my own salvation, but then I return to the Word and to prayer. It is warfare my friends. Like the movie War Room, there’s an invisible war going on, and what makes it most deadly is that the enemy is invisible. We don’t think about what we don’t see…and that’s just what they want. To unbelievers, an enemy that doesn’t exist is no enemy at all, but for believers, they are all too real.
If they can make you feel like you’ve never really been saved, then you’ll feel it’s useless to pray to God. The enemy hates the idea that believers are cleansed by the blood of the Lamb forever, and that Satan and his demon’s fate is sealed forever, so when you’re under spiritual attack, do what Dr. Irwin Lutzer said: “When the enemy reminds you of your past, remind him of his future” (Rev 20:9-10). Quote that Scripture if necessary. We know the end…but so does He! They cannot rob anyone’s salvation, but they can rob the joy of your salvation. This happened to King David, but for a very good reason (Psalm 51:12-14). When a believer feels condemned and has lost their joy, they’re less likely to witness for Christ, but they are also less likely to pray to God. That vicious cycle repeats itself until the lukewarm believer makes no difference at all. That kind of believer will experience fewer spiritual attacks because they live the Christian life in a way that makes little or no difference to God. They may lose their assurance and their joy. If that happens, you can be sure there will be less witnessing, and there will be less prayer. All of these things will keep you from spiritual attacks, but being under spiritual attacks is good. It shows you’re making a difference, and being in the battle, you know you’re on the right side, so when you feel least like praying, is the very time you need it most!
Conclusion
The Bible speaks about leavening as representing sin because it puffs up and grows, and leavening works best in lukewarm water, so the more a believer sins, the more lukewarm they become…and they may reach a point where even the demon’s won’t waste their time because they’re no longer effective for Christ. The way to stop spiritual attacks is to stop obeying Christ, stop making a difference for Christ, and stop praying to God through Christ, but if you do these things, then you will be under spiritual attack…and contrary to how we might think, that’s actually a good thing. As Paul Chappell once said, “The devil doesn’t persecute those who aren’t making a godly difference in the world.”

 

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The God of all comfort I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 NIV __________________ Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV __________________ These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NASB __________________ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 ESV __________________ Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.

 

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“Yea, thou heardest not; yea, thou knewest not; yea, from that time that thine ear was not opened.”

Isaiah 48:8

It is painful to remember that, in a certain degree, this accusation may be laid at the door of believers, who too often are in a measure spiritually insensible. We may well bewail ourselves that we do not hear the voice of God as we ought, “Yea, thou heardest not.” There are gentle motions of the Holy Spirit in the soul which are unheeded by us: there are whisperings of divine command and of heavenly love which are alike unobserved by our leaden intellects. Alas! we have been carelessly ignorant—“Yea, thou knewest not.”

There are matters within which we ought to have seen, corruptions which have made headway unnoticed; sweet affections which are being blighted like flowers in the frost, untended by us; glimpses of the divine face which might be perceived if we did not wall up the windows of our soul. But we “have not known.” As we think of it we are humbled in the deepest self-abasement. How must we adore the grace of God as we learn from the context that all this folly and ignorance, on our part, was foreknown by God, and, notwithstanding that foreknowledge, he yet has been pleased to deal with us in a way of mercy!

Admire the marvellous sovereign grace which could have chosen us in the sight of all this! Wonder at the price that was paid for us when Christ knew what we should be! He who hung upon the cross foresaw us as unbelieving, backsliding, cold of heart, indifferent, careless, lax in prayer, and yet he said, “I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour ... Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life!” O redemption, how wondrously resplendent dost thou shine when we think how black we are! O Holy Spirit, give us henceforth the hearing ear, the understanding heart!

 

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How The Exodus Typifies Salvation

The Exodus of Israel from Egypt is a great example of salvation.

The Bondage of Sin
The Apostle Paul wrote that “the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God” (Rom 8:20-21), but before believers were saved, they too were held in bondage….the bondage of sin, and a bondage as secure at Israel’s enslavement in Egypt. They could not set themselves free, and neither can we. They needed the help of an outside hand. Paul told the church at Galatia that “when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods” (Gal 4:8), and to those things that “are not gods” include lust, envy, money, pride, possessions, power, and so on, so “In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world” (Gal 4:3). Sin puts us in bondage, “For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved” (2 Pet 2:19b). The believer should understand “that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom 6:6), but until that happens, we are as much in bondage to sin as Israel was to Pharaoh.

.Separation from God
Our sins not only hold us in bondage, but the Bible says that “your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). To the sinner He says, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15). Since we know that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23), that same “all” remains separated from God. Israel could not worship God until they were released from their bondage and set free, but they could not affect their own separation from sin any more than the sinner can separate himself or herself from sin. It takes the supernatural work of God (2 Cor 5:17, 21).

The Roaring Lion
Pharaoh is very much like Satan. He does not want us to be set free, so after Pharaoh released the Israelite slaves, he changed his mind and began pursing them again. Lot’s wife learned that you can leave your sinful life behind, but to look back with apparent regret shows Lot’s wife never repented. She still desired to go back to her former life. So too did many of the Israelites. They grumbled and complained at every turn, but they didn’t complain when Pharaoh and his Egyptian army came after them. They cried out to God. In similar fashion, Satan and his minions want us to return to the pigsty…the one the prodigal son left behind, so we are told to “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). He wants you to be like Lot’s wife…after knowing the way to salvation, he desires you to take your hand off the plow (Luke 9:62), but such as these are not worthy to be Jesus’ disciples.

God’s Calling
The history of redemption is a history of God’s calling. God called Noah, Abraham, Moses, and later the entire nation of Israel. It was God Who made the first move. It was God Who granted us the ability to repent (Acts 5:31, 11:18; 2 Tim 2:24-26). It was God Who called Saul and changed Him into Paul. Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:44), and “no one can” is universal, just as universal as the fact that we all sin and fall infinitely short of God’s glory (Rom 3:10-12, 23). The Bible teaches that “no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father” (John 6:65). Israel could not come to God, so God had to come to Israel to save her. The very same thing applies to us. We should rejoice because “it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given” (Matt 13:11). Israel didn’t figure out that there is a God, but God sought them and brought them out of Egypt. Neither can we “figure it out.”

The Payment for Sin
Before the Exodus could occur, the nation Israel had one thing that they had to do, and that was to apply the lamb’s blood to the doorposts. This would ensure that the firstborn in that house would not die. Today, we are only saved “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet 1:19) because “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb 9:22). By trusting in Jesus and His atonement, the payment God demands for our sins is covered by Christ, and we receive the righteousness of Christ that we need to stand before God (2 Cor 5:21).

Conclusion
God alone has saved us. It was by His hand alone, just as in the case of Israel’s Exodus. We cannot boast or brag about freeing ourselves from sin or saving ourselves because it is “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). If you have repented and put your trust in Christ, you’ve had your own personal exodus…an exodus from the bondage of sin, an exodus from the separation from God, an exodus from the roaring lion Satan, an exodus from the desire of the things of the world, and an exodus from the wrath of God (John 3:36), however it was from a strong hand that you were delivered. Israel could not deliver themselves any more than we could set ourselves free from sin and avoid God’s wrath by our own hand. God alone saved you (Acts 4:12). It was His divine, sovereign act of love that He had Jesus become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21), so for us, we must all “strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb 12:14).

 

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Jesus is the Prince of Peace For Unto Us A Child Is Born... Prophecy Fulfilled in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth _____________ Jesus is the Prince of Peace, bringing peace between A Holy, Righteous God and sinners like you and me. Prophecy: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Fulfillment: "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Colossians 1:20 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "These things I have 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 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ And, He is the wonderful counselor in Isaiah 9 as well Fulfillment: "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" Matthew 13:54 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "But he passing through the midst of them went his way, And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power." Luke 4:30-32 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Colossians 2:2-3 _____________ We need a Savior because we are sinners, and the wages of sin is death... Thanks be unto God for his wonderful gift: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God is the object of our faith; the only faith that saves is faith in Him.