Month: May 2013

Liberated!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:26 KJV).

There is something far worse than physical captivity….

Our nation was shocked to recently discover that, right here in the United States, four individuals were held captive and abused for several years. We will never fully understand the intense, extensive trauma those poor women endured. We need to pray for their soul salvation, that they trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour. The only way they can recover and return to any type of “normal” life is to have the Lord Jesus Christ’s hope and grace.

Just as physical captivity afflicts our bodies of flesh and blood, today’s Scripture speaks of a spiritual captivity whereby the soul is shackled in Satan’s slave market of sin. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).

The Apostle Paul, writing about people who have exclusively trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, confirmed: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him [Jesus Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6,7).

Today’s Scripture describes lost people, as well as deceived (denominational) Christians: they “oppose themselves,” meaning they live completely opposite to the way the Lord created them to live (2 Timothy 2:25). Satan has them trapped—the lost people (those dead in Adam) are going to an everlasting lake of fire and brimstone (sulfur), and the denominational Christians have shipwrecked spiritual lives!

The Gospel of the Grace of God—that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—liberates one from the penalty of sin (hellfire). Dispensational Bible study—that Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are God’s Word to us—liberates one from the power of sin (flesh-walking). What spiritual liberation!

Riches to Robbery

Friday, May 10, 2013

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth” (Proverbs 27:1 KJV).

Riches today… nothing tomorrow.

Our Lord Jesus Christ expounded upon today’s Scripture in Luke 12:16-20: “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” The rich man planned on enjoying his material possessions, but when death came, they went to someone else!

The Apostle James elaborated: “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that” (James 4:13-15).

Today’s Scripture and these two passages demonstrate that trusting in “uncertain riches” instead of trusting in “the living God” is unwise (1 Timothy 6:17). One may acquire all the “toys” he or she can possibly obtain within a lifetime, but, in the end, death leaves one and all utterly penniless. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (verse 7). “For riches are not for ever” (Proverbs 27:24a).

The good news? Eternal life is found in and through Jesus Christ, and that spiritual wealth we have in Him is everlasting… even death itself cannot rob us of that life and those possessions! 🙂

To Whom Are We to Pray?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV).

The Bible says we should be praying constantly, but to whom are we to pray?

Why not let God through the Holy Bible tell us how to pray?

“Giving thanks unto the Father” (Colossians 1:12). “I thank my God…” (Philippians 1:4). “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). “For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… that he would grant you…” (Ephesians 3:14).

Firstly, whom did the Apostle Paul address? He directly addressed Father God, not Mary or any other deceased saint, in prayer.

Secondly, how did Paul reach Father God? “In whom [Jesus Christ] we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him [Jesus Christ]” (Ephesians 3:12). “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

We approach God the Father through the merits of Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork. Jesus Christ has a perfect standing before God, and we have His righteousness because we are in Him (if we are members of the Church the Body of Christ). We cannot approach God on our own merits; thus, we must come through Jesus Christ. This is what it means to pray “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Interestingly, when we pray, we are actually praying with the help of the Holy Spirit who indwells us (Romans 8:26-27). The indwelling Holy Spirit links us to Father God in heaven, and when we pray, we are using the “mediatorship” of Jesus Christ.

So, we address God the Father in prayer, but we are using the merits of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit helps us pray when we are “at a loss for words.”

For additional insight about prayer in the Dispensation of Grace, please study the four model Pauline prayers—Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:9-11, and Colossians 1:9-12.

You can also see our study “Praying with Paul.”

Twice Healed

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house” (Matthew 9:6,7 KJV).

Many today emphasize Jesus’ miracle-working power, but few ever grasp why He performed those healings….

In the context of today’s Scripture (Matthew 9:2-8), and its parallel passages of Mark 2:3-12 and Luke 5:18-26, four people carry a man who is “sick of the palsy” (paralyzed, although plagued with involuntary tremors) and bring him to Jesus Christ in order to be healed. The Lord Jesus declared, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:5; Luke 5:20).

Some of Israel’s religious leaders are now irritated: “And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth” (Matthew 9:3; Mark 2:6-7a; Luke 5:21). “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7b; Luke 5:21). Jesus, God manifested in human flesh, read their minds (Matthew 9:4; Mark 2:8; Luke 5:22)! Today’s Scripture (cf. Mark 2:10,11; Luke 5:24) is Jesus’ response to their disbelief. His reply affords us an opportunity to see why He healed sick people during His earthly ministry.

Jesus commanded the paralytic to arise from his bed and go to his house: the Bible says the man “immediately” jumped up and walked home (today’s Scripture; cf. Mark 2:12; Luke 5:25)!

Just as illness hinders the physical body from functioning properly, so sin disrupts the soul and spirit from doing what God designed them to do. Those crippled people the Lord Jesus Christ healed depicted Israel’s spiritual condition (impotent due to sin and laden with pagan idolatry), unable to be His vessels to the equally sinful Gentiles.

Why did Jesus heal sick physical bodies? The Jews needed a sign (1 Corinthians 1:22): “That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” To prove to Israel that He could heal their souls (forgiveness). The paralytic’s healing demonstrated that Jesus Christ indeed could deliver Israel from the greatness sickness of all—sin!

What a Show to Behold!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” (Ephesians 3:10 KJV).

The angels are watching, but what is the quality of the “programming?”

Angels have been around since just before the creation of man. As the LORD God reached down into the dust of the ground and fashioned a body of flesh and blood, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life, the angels just observed in silence. What was God doing? What was He making? When Adam stood up and walked around, the angels watched him. And just what was this odd creature’s purpose?

The angels beheld the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and they witnessed the results of sin on creation, which never seemed to operate properly anymore. For the last 6,000 years, the angels have watched man, and they still have no idea why God would ever want anything to do with such a pathetic creature, who has brought nothing to God but heartache.

In today’s Scripture, we learn that the angelic host that lives and functions in the heavenly places is watching us Christians. Imagine an amphitheater scenario—we are on ground level, and the angels are high up in the stands, watching us as we go about daily living. Paul even wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:9: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”

The angels expect shameful activities from lost, sinful man, but what do they see when they watch us Christians? Do they see the “manifold wisdom of God” as today’s Scripture mentions? Do they see a repeat of the life of Jesus Christ? Or do they see the manifold foolishness of man, a repeat of the life of Adam? If we members of the Church the Body of Christ would just let this sink into our thinking, it would certainly make a difference in the way we act toward the lost world and toward fellow Christians.

Messiah’s Feet Shod with Majesty

Monday, May 6, 2013

“And [John the Baptist] preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose” (Mark 1:7 KJV).

What did John the Baptist mean in today’s Scripture when he mentioned Jesus’ sandal straps?

God the Father commissioned John the Baptist to undertake a special ministry: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light” (John 1:6-8).

John the Baptist was Christ’s forerunner, a prophet instructed to herald the arrival of Israel’s Messiah-King, Jesus, the “Light.” Matthew 3:3 expounds: “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias [Isaiah 40:3], saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” “The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). The message John preached was the gospel of the kingdom: “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). John is announcing to Israel that her long-promised Messiah is about to present Himself to her, so she needs to accept Him.

During Bible times, one of the jobs of the servant was to untie and remove his master’s sandals. In today’s Scripture (cf. Luke 3:16), sinful John confessed to Israel that he is so lowly compared to the magnificent and holy Messiah Jesus whom is he is preaching, that he, as Jesus’ servant, is not worthy of even stooping down and untying his Lord’s sandals (John did not think he was good enough to perform one of the lowest types of service!). In fact, John declared in Matthew 3:11, “whose shoes I am not worthy to bear”—John said he was unworthy of also picking up Jesus’ shoes!

John cautioned Israel not to take Jesus’ arrival lightly (which they still did, despite that warning). Sadly, Israel ignored John’s message that even Jesus’ feet were shod with majesty.

A Great Spoil Meant to Be Shared

Sunday, May 5, 2013

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162 KJV).

God’s Word is a treasure, which we should be willing to joyfully share with all….

I recently spoke with a dear family member about salvation in Jesus Christ. Sitting in her home, I read and explained to her several salvation verses from the Holy Bible. Although she grew up in a religious home, she certainly heard many Bible concepts during my stay that she had never heard before. I have shared Bible truths with her on numerous prior occasions, so when that more recent opportunity arose, my heart rejoiced to share more of the Bible’s spiritual wealth with her.

In the context of today’s Scripture, the psalmist is penning the Bible’s longest chapter—176 verses that deal with God’s Word. The psalmist writes that he “rejoices at [God’s] word.” As a believing Jew, it thrills his heart to dwell on JEHOVAH’s thoughts and values (at that time, the commandments of the Mosaic Law). He cannot help but get excited as he reminiscences about the Old Testament Scriptures (remember, there are no written New Testament Scriptures yet). Earlier, he wrote, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (verse 111). He also confessed, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (verse 24).

The psalmist clarifies that he delights in and rejoices at God’s Word as one who has discovered a magnificent treasure: “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (today’s Scripture). Earlier, he wrote, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (verse 72). In verse 14, he stated, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

God’s Word should thrill us Christians just as it excited the psalmist. The Holy King James Bible is a great Book of spiritual wealth, but we should be willing to share it, and we should not hide it. God’s Word is a treasure, a great spoil meant to be delighted in and shared—so, delight in it, and share it!

Why the Firstborn Son?

Saturday, May 4, 2013

“And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of the cattle” (Exodus 12:29 KJV).

What was so special about the firstborn in Egypt that the LORD slew them?

Every casual Bible reader knows the context of today’s Scripture. Israel has been enslaved in Egypt for centuries, and the LORD has sent Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh to command Pharaoh to release Israel. Once Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh the first time, Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go and rather afflicts Israel with even more hardship (Exodus 4:1-23). So, the LORD demonstrates His power via ten plagues He poured out on Egypt. Unbelieving Israel will come to understand that Moses is God’s spokesman, and unbelieving Egypt will come to understand Israel is God’s people.

Moses and Aaron continually appear before Pharaoh, and Pharaoh refuses to let Israel go every time. Pharaoh is becoming more and more callous toward God’s Word: his heart is hardening and it is becoming increasingly stubborn. The tenth and final plague the LORD executes on Egypt and its pagan idols is the death of the firstborn: every firstborn in each Egyptian household, both of livestock and people, is slain by “the destroyer” that passes over Egypt (Exodus 12:23).

“For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD” (verse 12). Again, why the firstborn son? Exodus 4:22,23 explains: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: and I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.”

And thus, by slaying Egypt’s firstborn sons, God demonstrated to Pharaoh that Israel was His firstborn son.

Where Art Thou?

Friday, May 3, 2013

“And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” (Genesis 3:9 KJV).

The LORD God knew where Adam was, so why did He ask that question?

Bible critics often stumble over today’s Scripture and claim it is silly for God to be inquiring about Adam’s whereabouts. The scoffer overlooks two valuable pieces of information; this seemingly awkward verse contains doctrine that only a Bible believer can notice and appreciate.

Firstly, by asking, “Adam, where art thou?,” the LORD is prompting thoughts in Adam’s mind. Upon hearing God’s voice, Adam thinks, “I should be fellowshipping with Him. I should be right by His side, but look at me, fearful and hiding amongst the trees! My relationship with Him is severed!”

Secondly, nothing is hidden from God’s sight: God in His omniscience knows exactly where Adam is hiding and why he is hiding: “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). By asking, “Adam, where art thou?,” the LORD is bringing Adam to the place of accountability. Adam is forced to confess that he is hiding from God because he has blatantly disobeyed God’s commandment: he has eaten the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so as any sinner does, he hides from the holy God of creation. God asked Adam and Eve four questions in Genesis 3:8-13, questions whose answers He knew—He asked them all to bring Adam and Eve to accountability.

Today, the sinner cannot be saved from God’s wrath until he or she comes to the point where Adam did—the sinner must come to understand his or her lost condition. It is not until one realizes he or she is dead in sin (“hiding in the bushes from God”), that salvation from that hell-bound course can be received.

Dear reader, are you in Christ? Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for your sins? Or, are you in Adam? Are you like Adam, hiding from God due to broken fellowship with your Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ? In Adam? In Christ?

Where art thou, dear reader?

A Government Nonetheless

Thursday, May 2, 2013

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1,2 KJV).

If ever our government needed prayer, today would be the day!

When the Lord Jesus Christ placed Adam on the earth, man occupied an office of government for his Creator’s glory: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). Not long after that, Satan (one of God’s fallen spiritual angelic-like creatures) enticed Adam to follow him in his rebellion against God’s authority. Adam willingly joined that policy of evil; today, Satan is “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4)—he has usurped God’s throne in the earth.

Moreover, God did not formally institute nationalism (that is, post-Fall government and capital punishment) until Genesis 9:5,6, post-Flood, hundreds of years after the curse of sin was implemented: “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.”

The Apostle Paul affirms the function of government in Romans 13:1-8: basically, God instituted nationalism to keep order in society by punishing criminals (cf. Genesis 9:5,6). While no government of the world is perfect (seeing as to they are led by sinful man), government should (does…?) deter and punish lawbreakers. Imagine, when Paul wrote today’s Scripture, tyrannical Roman Emperor Nero was reigning, persecuting and killing Christians!

Every day, let us pray for the people in our government—that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and that they would come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3,4)!