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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program. |
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These books of the bible are where believers in this dispensing
of God's grace should go for their day-to-day doctrine on
living. These books contain the revelation of the mystery,
otherwise known as the gospel of Jesus Christ. |
Click here to
contact LMM
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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity
is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that,
when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13 |
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THE
REAL
TEACHERS
OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY MAY BE
CLOSER THAN YOU THINK .....
 I recently read an article from “Israel My Glory” magazine which
covered the topic of replacement theology. In fact, I found it
very interesting that this particular month’s issue was devoted
to the topic of dispensations as well. Although LMM (Lighthouse
Mystery Ministries) would somewhat agree with Friends Of
Israel’s breakout of dispensations, there is still the major
issue (and disagreement) of the origination of the church
(assuming they mean church – Body of Christ) in which FOI
believes commenced at Pentecost as described in Acts 2. You may
be asking what a discussion on
dispensations
has to do with replacement theology but in fact it is
indeed this lack of understanding of
how God deals
with man that is the very core reason for embracing
replacement theology.
Worse,
there are fundamental, bible-believing ministries that teach and
take the bible literally (as it is meant) but do more to support
replacement theology then they even realize! FOI is one of those
ministries. This article is not meant to attack any particular
ministry including FOI, but I believe they represent a good number of
ministries local and abroad in their belief of the topic “replacement
theology” as well as other core issues that LMM is strongly
opposed to. By the way, I still am a subscription holder of the
magazine “Israel My Glory” and I do enjoy the articles with
discerning Berean glasses on.
First and foremost
LMM
stands in complete agreement with FOI concerning God’s future
purpose for Israel lest this ministry gets labeled anti-Semitic.
The apostle Paul, part Hebrew himself and trained at the feet of
Gamaliel, devoted three chapters (9 through 11) in the book of
Romans that clearly describe God’s future plan for the nation of
Israel and how her program has been put on hold during this
wonderful dispensing of grace. Although it may not be wonderful
from a national standpoint concerning Israel, but wonderful and
glorious in the fact that both Jew and Gentile can be
brothers through belief in the completed, all sufficient work of Jesus Christ.
In fact, no other “religion” offers such harmony, oneness and
love for mankind with so little to do as the "religion” of Jesus
Christ and its belief on His work which
is a free gift
(Romans 5) much to the chagrin and hatred of organized religion.
Friends, at a very top level, replacement theology centers on
the belief that the church of the Body of Christ has replaced
Israel as the organism that will receive all blessings and
promises from God. Further, this belief also has Israel cast
aside from God forever without hope!
If I could paraphrase from one of the article authors who
commented on the Body of Christ’s responsibilities and light
given I will do so now. He stated (in the FOI article) that the
Body of Christ has fared worse then Israel since more light
was given to her and in fact that is true. If I could
expound further with that thought….the Body of Christ has failed
miserably in her stewardship of God’s grace because more light
was indeed given and we have matched and eventually exceeded
Israel’s dullness! Thankfully for where sin did abound, grace
did much more abound! It is this dullness and sin that has
contributed to the embracing of replacement theology within the
Body of Christ (unknowingly and knowingly) because our
adversary, The Devil has blinded believers in their
understanding of sound doctrine. Unfortunately, too many pastors
and leaders are too interested in increasing numbers, making
money and getting man to like them rather than teach sound ,
grace-centered doctrine. It is easy to memorize scripture but
understanding the bible from a dispensation, literal viewpoint
approved before God is a whole new ballgame beloved. As Israel
rejected her prophets, the Body of Christ has rejected the
distinctive ministry of Paul; attempting to negate in his
special, God-ordained teachings.
....."The Devil has blinded believers in their understanding of
sound doctrine. Unfortunately, too many pastors and leaders are
too interested in increasing numbers, making money and getting
man to like them rather than teach sound , grace-centered
doctrine......"
But while
keeping with the point of our article let's continue with our
analysis of how replacement theology is actually taught
(inadvertently in some cases) by the ministries that denounce it
broken down to the following points:
-
The
teaching of "the Jew first" or the preeminence of
Israel's program.
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The
confusion of which gospel to follow today and the mixing of
law and grace.
-
United Nation's 1948 declaration of Israel's sovereignty and
its resulting orthodoxy.
To The Jew First
The
teaching that we are to witness to the Jew first and then
to the Gentile actually attempts to undermine God's program of
grace by putting Israel or those of Jewish faith in a position
of preeminence. While mixing Israel's future kingdom program in
with God's distinctive dispensing of grace, many scholars will
take the passages in Romans out of context as a defense that
believers are to go to the Jew first (in evangelism) and
then to the Greek (or Gentile).
16 For I am
not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek. - Romans
1:16
As an
example, Paul tells us that the gospel of Christ is the power of
God unto salvation to everyone who believes it. The "Jew
first" in this passage (and in Romans 2:9,10) in no way
denotes that any gospel message should be taken to the Jew
first! By Strong's definition of this passage, the word "first"
(Greek
proton) means:
Any
good news which is ordained by God is a powerful message
indeed but only to those that would take Him at His word
(faith). The power of God was a principal taken to and
originating from Israel and validated through the numerous
accounts of His greatness to His covenant people in the Old
Testament. Romans 3:1 captures the importance and profit for
mankind as it pertains to Israel with God working through
Israel in time past which is distinct from those members of the
Body of Christ. What is their advantage then today for us?
1 What
advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of
circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly,
because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
- Romans
3:1
We have
the bible, the oracles or word of God from them; Jewish
mediators, faithful men who took God at His word and passed it
along to us as Satan tried unsuccessfully to thwart the plan.
Further, the apostle Paul dedicated three chapters explaining
God's future for Israel in chapters 9 through 12 as noted
earlier.
Secondly,
the bible tells us that the gospel of Christ was taken to the
Greek (Gentile) also.
Strong's concordance says that the Greek word "also" (kai)
is a conjunction - meaning: and, even, with
additional meanings such as both, and likewise
which denotes no preeminence of either faction
friends. In fact, the gospel of Christ was taken to the Jews and
the Gentiles alike!
Which
gospel should we follow today?
But if I
do not differentiate between the gospel of the Circumcision
versus the gospel of the Uncircumcision (see
Galatians 2) which is Paul's gospel as he received it from
the risen Lord Jesus Christ I inadvertently mix together what
God has ordained as distinct which causes confusion. This is
how law and grace are mixed and being confused is where Satan
wants us. He wants us comfortably confused. This was the problem
that Paul had in mind when those from James were trying to teach
that you had to adhere to the law of Moses in order to be saved.
5 Even so then
at this present time also there is a remnant according to the
election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of
works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works,
then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. -
Romans
11:5-6
Even
Peter a steward of the gospel of the Circumcision, understood
the distinctiveness of Paul's message and met these men head
on as noted in Act 15.
Later in
his letters to to the Jewish strangers who had been scattered
abroad through persecution throughout Pontus, Galatia,
Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Peter in his second letter wrote
this:
13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore,
beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that
ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;
even as our beloved brother Paul also
according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things;
in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that
are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other
scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore,
beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye
also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from
your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in
grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
-
2 Peter 3:13-18
Israel's sovereignty and the influence of current day orthodoxy
on today's denominations
LMM
firmly believes that Israel as a nation today is
unbelieving Israel and as a nation does not embrace Jesus Christ
as Messiah The Son of God. Although many ministries believe
the United Nations declaration of Israel's sovereignty was God
ordained back in 1948, it was in fact secular at best and more
than anything was along the plans with our Adversary, The Devil.
After
belonging to both an orthodox church and a fundamental
bible-believing church I can tell you friends that replacement
theology is alive and well! In one denomination you have the
obviousness of the priests, ordinances and its mock temple while
in fundamentalism churches take on a Jewish flavor, call them
selves Judea-Christian and in fact study more proportionality
of God's dispensing of law than grace!
In
fundamentalism, for nearly 10 years I was a part of these erroneous
teachings and in similitude to the hair club commercial stated: " I
was not only the pastor but a member too".
Interestingly,
both institutions embrace the teachings of water baptism believing that
their way is the correct way. Ironically, they do not realize
that water baptism itself is another Jewish practice meant exclusively
for Israel's faithful in accordance to the law.
In my experiences
of nearly 30 years of regular church attendance (excluding my
time spent as a deacon, elder and pastor) I can tell you that most
fundamental, bible-believing churches have Romanism and legalism baked
into their worship and ceremonies but stand alone in being the most
deceptive teachers of doctrine out of all denominations since they are
the closest to the truth while using God's word out of context!
There is so much
more that can be said on this topic friends including how the words
church, Gentile and gospel (which we did cover) to name a few actually
mean something different although they are the same. It is my
prayer that this article has stimulated thought and that we would open
our bibles to prove or disapprove man's teachings in light of the
glorious gospel of the grace of God!
___________________________
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Today's World News
Rome, Italy
- Being of both Hebrew and Roman ancestry, the apostle Paul gave us
two foundational books to each of his kinsman! The book of Romans in
 particular
had been used in time past in law schools of prestigious universities
for its model and eloquence for upcoming students and lawyers. Without
the book of Romans, the Christian faith according to the grace of God
would be void. There would be little known about the doctrine of
justification or our position of complete righteousness in Christ; less
known
about how we are sanctified or set apart as God's children for His
purpose. We would stumble even more so than we do today about our
understanding of law and grace; although that is really hard to
imagine since the Body of Christ is as dull as it is on this matter....
As with the theme
of this month's article, we would know nothing of God's future
plan for Israel and her hope to come through the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
We would not understand that He is using this time of unmerited,
abundant grace to provoke His covenant people to jealousy.
Without Romans we
would not be able to learn how to conduct ourselves with non-believers,
government magistrates and officials or employers although we still do I
good job at botching that up too I am grieved to report.
But being Italian
myself (or eye-tal-yen as my brother Bruce jokes) I can
truly appreciate Paul's burden and combat with religiosity and
orthodoxy. The fact of the matter is that both religiosity and
orthodoxy appeal to the flesh. I must tell you that on my commute home
from work, I pass some of the prettiest churches you'll see anywhere. I
always say to myself, wouldn't it be nice if what they taught aligned
with how nice it looks on the outside.
Interestingly,
these Roman saints started off in the right direction since Paul
commended them in verse 9 of the first chapter letting it be known
that their faith was spoken of across the whole world.
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"The bible tells us that they all (the inhabitants of Samaria)
gave heed to what this Simon had to say and personally I do not
think it is any different then what goes on today friends.
Believers need to "search the scriptures to see if those things
be so" but I am afraid that as long as pastors, priests and
leaders preach things that make their followers feel good,
everybody will be happy....people go home feeling good about
themselves and the numbers in the church grow at the expense of
sound biblical, doctrinal, dispensational teaching." -
chapter 8 excerpt from "Analysis
of Acts "
_______________________________________
JUST BELIEVE IT.
_______________________________________
Practicing bad doctrine is like
practicing a bad golf swing
(take it from a bad golfer) ....
 As a
young man I started to take up golfing on a pretty regular
basis. In my late teens-early /
twenties I had more time on my hands in between summer breaks
from college while trying to pass the days away missing my
girlfriend (and now my wife).
Unfortunately during that time of my life I also developed some
very bad golf habits while convincing myself that it was no big
deal!
More
recently my son decided to take on the crazy game of golf which
actually got me back into chasing the little white ball. However
this time I tried a little different tactic. My dad who is in
his seventies (chronologically and score) is an avid golfer so I asked him for some tips. In
addition, he introduced me to a friend of his who happens to be
the golf pro for one of the local courses in our area.
Bob
showed me several things that I was doing wrong and as an
ex-baseball player, I had to overcome some additional bad habits
since the golf swing is a different motion entirely!
On the
tee, golf balls were flying everywhere but straight; mostly on
the ground and mostly dreadful slices. Bob showed me some basic
fundamental approaches and he told me to cut down on my swing
and over time things got better. My tee shots were going
straighter and now it is the issue of practice and consistency
that will help me score in this crazy game.
I have
never had a pro give me a lesson before but I thought Bob was
pretty good. He was very patient and communicated very well with
humor mixed in which was good because I am really bad. Both my
dad and I want to make sure that the youngest namesake, my
son, starts off on the right foot through practice and golf
lessons in order to save him the aggravation while assuring he
does not develop any bad habits that will haunt him later on!
Although
we discussed my story about how I learned to play golf, there is
a point to all this. Bob
the golf pro told me that many, many golfers play the game well
and may even score decently but will be limited in how they
improve because they learned bad habits along the way. I began to think about how
many people can
easily convince themselves they are doing right, good and
correct while in reality are harming themselves even though the
results are impressive in man's eyes. As a matter of fact the book of Proverbs has something to say about that as well:
There is a way
which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways
of death. - Proverbs
14:12
Mankind can go through
his entire life going to church, doing well socially and
financially and be an outstanding citizen and moral person all
his life. But that testimony apart from Christ' will be
considered dung since the requirement for salvation is
based on Christ's merits not man's!
Friends, I can't explain
the magnitude of the thankfulness of being saved; knowing that I
have the certainty of heaven upon my death. As a matter
of fact, the Holy Spirit has sealed me as God has taken me out
of the marketplace for His very own! I have this salvation
accredited to my account because I believed that Jesus
Christ died for my sin and sin state on Calvary and nailed my
sins to that cross. He buried those sins with Him upon His death
for me and He rose again victorious so that I am alive in Christ
with Him. If that wasn't enough, He gave me His very
righteousness...His very standing of complete perfection was
accredited to me!
 I can't emphasize the importance of the
simplicity of believing that glorious message. Please note that
I am assured heaven not because I am great person....in fact I
am a wretched man but I am in good company since the apostle
Paul said the same thing about himself in Romans 7:24
24 O wretched man that I am!
who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
If the apostle stopped at that
verse, there would no hope for mankind....but he continued:
25 I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God;
but with the flesh the law of sin.
Thank God through Jesus Christ
and His righteousness I am able to serve God with a newness of life
despite the battles of the flesh!
Who then
qualifies?
If any person is a sinner they
have the qualifications (as I do) friends! Just believe the
simplicity that is in Christ as mentioned above. What Christ did for
man is true whether He believes it or not. Where man goes after
death is based on what he believes, not what denomination he hangs over
his building.
If you
have a burden for a friend or if you happen to reflect on the
eternal state of loved ones, share with them the simplicity that
is in Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit leads. I say that because
sometimes we may want to put a shoulder to the door and
neglect the environment, timing and leading of the Holy Spirit
while trying to have a discussion with someone....and we should
be sensitive to their needs. My greatest open doors came
when I took a genuine interest in the welfare of a person and on
a couple of occasions they became closer than a brother to me.
But I am
 certain I drove away more people by being a C2
(also known as a Crazy Christian). Thankfully, we
have the Holy Spirit cleaning up our mess and convicting the
world through Conscience, Creation and Christ. My prayer is that
we become reflectors of His light and that we do not grieve the
Holy Spirit so that we receive the crowns Christ had intended
for us as we stand as approved, workman of God; rightly dividing
His truths dispensed to us through Paul under the
glorious age of grace!
___________________________
...."In my experiences of nearly 30 years of regular church attendance
(excluding my time spent as a deacon, elder and pastor) I can tell you
that most fundamental, bible-believing churches still have
Romanism and legalism baked into their worship and ceremonies but stand
alone in being the most
deceptive teachers of doctrine out of all denominations since they are
the closest to the truth while using God's
word out of context!".....
___________________________
25 I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God;
but with the flesh the law of sin. |
COFFEE
CORNER
Hymn's That Fell With Satan
"O
JESUS I HAVE PROMISED"
I
suspect when most readers begin to glance at
this article they will automatically assume that the
thrust of this review will condemn rock & roll songs,
hip-hop or other alternative secular music. No
 matter
what music we listen to we should examine it's content
and context before making any judgments. I have
found that what would be considered "head-banging"
music by most people (or by spiritual leaders) actually
provides more doctrine and truth then some of the
cherished foundational church hymns.
Please
note that several of the hymns that we will be looking
at were written around the civil war or decades ago.
Please note this review is not meant to undermine the
difficult times of our country's past or discredit the
character of the author's but instead to simply study
the doctrinal content behind the songs!
Many of the
hymn's we will explore were considered favorite's by
those who have moved onto glory while other's are
accepted as revered favorites. The problem here is that
although they may appear romantic, heartwarming and
sentimental, they contain no doctrinal basis! So
far we have analyzed two hymns including revered
favorites:
I
thought long and hard about what to call this particular
article so I listed some of the other titles that came
to mind but I am sure you get the picture!
Satan would have us only consider songs written by famous rock groups
to be on this list due to the filth and content
contained in them. Although they appear to be
obvious choices, they must be avoided. Man does not need
Satan's help in this regard for he is depraved in his
own way. Blaming the devil for man's sin was already
done in the garden beloved. But in all fairness; listen to the
words friends. I have heard outstanding rock & roll songs
and country songs that have factual, spiritual life
lessons in them. Just like "religion" many
are led to believe that since anything is labeled
Christian (including music choices) it must be good.
It is my prayer that you will read this article with an
open mind while yielding to the Holy Sprit as a good
Berean searching the scriptures to see if those
things be so"!
This latest analysis will be our third hymn to come
under the scrutiny of sound biblical, dispensational
doctrine.
"O JESUS I HAVE PROMISED "
-
Text: John E. Bode Music: Arthur M. Mann
O Jesus,
I have promised to serve Thee to the end; Be Thou forever, near me My Master and My Friend:
I shall not fear the battle If thou art by my side, Nor wander from the pathway If Thou will be my guide
O let me feel Thee near me to the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, The tempting sounds I
hear:
My foes are ever near me, Around me and within; But Jesus draw Thou nearer and shield my soul from sin.
O Jesus, Thou has promised to all who follow Thee; That where Thou art in glory, there shall Thy servant
be; And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end; O give me grace to follow, My Master and My Friend.
The hymn "O Jesus I Have Promised" follows the
same model of other songs that we have covered
previously in that the lyricist writes more about what
we will promise than what Christ has already promised to
us! I am immediately wary of any songs or hymns that
have the words "I" in them because what usually follows
are unwarranted commitments to God that are impossible
to keep. I truly believe that in most of these hymns,
the intent of the artists are to edify it's
listeners but the results are subtly deceiving.
Some time ago I counseled a brother in the Lord who was
quite a talented, self-taught musician. But there was no
coincidence with the fact that this person struggled
with eternal security while singing "beloved" hymns that
brought into question whether or not a person was saved!
I remember telling this person flat out, stop singing
this hymn because you are inherently reinforcing bad
doctrine to yourself as well as others.
For all I know he could still be singing the same song
during the worship service of the church I attended
previously, but the point of this is the impact music
and lyrics has on people friends. Look at the music
industries' bottom line. Drive down the highway and
through town and with windows down you'll hear all types
of music. If you are really lucky, someone who
wants to share their music with you will have their car
stereo turned up so loud, your car will rock in tune to
the base blasting through their speakers. By the way,
just because music has a Christian label on it doesn't
mean that it is necessarily good for the ears.
In analyzing the first stanza of our "hymn
on review" our lyricist is in trouble immediately after
the "I have promised". Friends, we can in
no way promise to uphold anything on God's behalf
yet alone the promise to serve Him to the end. In fact
we cannot even assume that what we do is serving
Him.....such as the sin of commission. To think anything
other than this minimizes our understanding of the
wretchedness of the flesh.
Next is the prayer for God to be forever near us. A
common theme in hymn's such as these are requests (by
man) of God; for Him to do more than he has
already given us at the cross! As emphasized in previous
reviews, we have all of God we are ever going to have
once we take God the Father at His word concerning the
all-sufficient work of His Son. As part of God's
operation of faith, he then send His Holy Spirit to live
in us until the day of redemption. God dies for us. God
lives in us God makes us righteous...what more is there
to ask for brothers and sisters in Christ?
In completing the first stanza, there is indeed nothing
to fear for believers. As a matter of fact, Paul told
young Timothy that fear was NOT of God, but let the
scripture do the talking here:
For
God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind. -
2 Timothy
1:7
We should be grateful today under grace that "the
battle" is not of flesh and blood. But it is
instead a battle of principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places according to
Ephesians 6:12
However, even though God is indeed "our guide" not only
by my side but tabernacling in me through His
Spirit...I am prone to blow it, to sin....to fall short.
Our author does not mention this or the fact that if I
do blow it as described above, nothing changes in my
standing and position in Christ!
..."It is not God
who needs to move it is us that needs to move our eyes
towards sound doctrine in which Paul says will make us
steadfast and unmovable in our faith!"...
Moving on to the second stanza our writer
requests that he feel the presence of God while in this
world. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss how
God relates to man today under His dispensing of grace.
Prior to God dealing with man in abundant grace
(revealed exclusively to Paul), he dealt with man
nationally through Israel under
the
law. In addition, during the time Jesus walked the
earth, man could expect miracles because Jesus performed
many of them....to prove that He was God! With the
completion of cannon ( the "that which is perfect"
from 1 Corinthians 13) God ceased to deal with man
through outward manifestations and miracles. In this
case, we would be subjecting our selves to the wiles of
Satan or those that would teach corrupt doctrine if we
are waiting for physical signs from God.
With dazzling sites attracting the flesh and foes
closing in while temptation is around, the writer again
expects God to move more than he already has through His
Son. Expecting anything else would imply that Christ's
sufficiency was NOT enough friends. It is not God who
needs to move it is us that needs to move our eyes
towards sound doctrine in which Paul says will make us
steadfast and unmovable in our faith!
As we complete our analysis, the third stanza
does have some doctrinal truth contained in it when
speaking of our glorious position with Jesus Christ.
However, the writer again erroneously writes of the good
he will do and the promises he will keep while asking
God for more grace!
When Paul asked Christ to remove "his thorn in the
flesh" Jesus did not respond;...."Oh, sure Paul I must
have short-changed you ...here you go...I am glad that
you asked to draw from my heavenly grace bank....make
sure you do that every time you need to....
NO!...Instead,Christ said; Paul
MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE:
for my strength is made perfect in
weakness! Beloved do we really need to ask any more from
God? Do we really need to sing a dirge or ask amiss even
though it sound so romantic?
Let
this review stir your heart, your mind and your will as
we as good soldiers fight the good fight without
wavering proclaiming sound grace-centered doctrine!
___________________________
A FREE
GIFT FOR YOU
by
Cornelius R. Stam
It seems
that everything is going up in cost these days. Nothing comes
down; everything goes up -- up -- up. Wages too are going up,
but not as fast as the cost of living, for our dollars are
decreasing in value all the time. This is why former President
Eisenhower suggested we begin calling them dollarettes!
We should
thank God, though, that there is one thing that has never gone
up in price -- the salvation of precious souls. No price was
ever put on this and none ever will be, for several good
reasons:
Because God is not impoverished; He does not need our money.
Because if salvation could be bought, the rich would have an
advantage over the poor. Salvation was fully paid for by God the
Son on Calvary’s cross, and to charge one penny for it now would
be to cast reflections on His finished work.
Even in Old Testament
times God made it clear that sacrifices and good works could not
buy His favor. In
Isaiah 55:1-3,
the prophet cried:
"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye
to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat;
yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and
your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently
unto Me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight
itself in fatness.
"Incline your ear, and come unto Me: Hear, and your soul shall
live..."
Centuries
later, after "the gospel of the grace of God" had been committed
to Paul, he offered even better things to those who were willing
to accept them. He declared that believers in Christ are...
"Justified freely by [God’s] grace,
through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"
(Rom.
3:24).
"For the wages of sin is death, but the
[free] gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord"
(Rom.
6:23).
"In whom we have redemption, through His
blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His
grace"
(Eph.
1:7).
___________________________
"Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus
Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from
this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father."
|
been revoked".
Joe
knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able
to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after
further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was
not the intended recipient but instead "copied" or "cc'd" as a
reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost
his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to
be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO
mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for
those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for
Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!
In a much similar example, when
we
read the bible, identifying our TO
mail is very important lest
we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without
understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our
"cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently
"read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend.
The result when this happens: confusion!
(see
