Category: Christian brethren

Liberated to Serve

Thursday, July 4, 2013

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13 KJV).

Today, as we in the United States celebrate the 237th anniversary of its independence, we invite our Christian brethren worldwide to rejoice with us concerning our freedom in Jesus Christ.

When we proclaim Romans 6:14—“Ye are not under the law, but under grace”—people tend to assume “loose living.” Does “grace living” really mean we can now live any way we want? Lest anyone be misled in that regard, God the Holy Spirit moved the Apostle Paul to write in the next verse, “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid [May God never let that happen!]” (Romans 6:15). Grace living is not Law-keeping, but it certainly is not Law-breaking either.

God still cares how we live, albeit He is not operating the “weak and beggarly” system of “bondage” (Law) that He once did with Israel (Galatians 4:9). God proved to the entire world that since Israel could not keep His commandments perfectly, no other sons of Adam (the Gentiles) could either: “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them [Israel] who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world [Gentiles] may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

We sinners cannot keep the Law. However, God in His grace provided us a way to escape that condemnation by sending Jesus Christ to offer Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross to pay for our sins. By simple faith in Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection as the fully-satisfying payment for our sins, we can now be “made the righteousness of God in [Christ]” (2 Corinthians 5:21). We can be delivered from the penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire) and the power of sin (flesh-walking).

Why are we Christians free? To selfishly live any way we want? NO! Today’s Scripture says we are liberated to now serve others, especially our Christian brethren, just as Jesus Christ selflessly served His Father and selflessly died on our behalf. That is grace living!!!!

You can also see our 2011 Fourth of July study “Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land,” which can be watched here or read here.

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.

Others Which Have No Hope

Sunday, April 21, 2013

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV).

Only by God’s grace, we are not “others which have no hope….”

I know a family that does not have the salvation found only in Jesus Christ, and they are troubled by the recent death of a member. The prospect of exactly what happened to her is completely beyond their understanding. They do not know what to believe. Today’s Scripture describes these people as “others which have no hope.”

When a Christian brother I know spoke to this family, and told them that he was as concerned for their souls as they were for her soul, they responded, “We go to church.” Beloved, this is the mentality of every religious person on earth, billions upon billions of souls who are risking their eternity by relying on some man-made institution!

Just as there is a “synagogue of Satan” in the Bible (Revelation 2:9), there is a church of Satan. It surprises many, but going to church can be just as dishonoring to the God of the Bible as a Jew participating in the devil’s apostate religious system of Israel. The vast majority of “Christian” churches today are apostate, preaching their theological system from a perverted modern “bible.”

Thankfully, we have hope in Jesus Christ, who took upon Himself the penalty for our sin and sins: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and he rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). As individuals who understand that we cannot work for heaven, and who have trusted alone in Christ’s finished crosswork for soul salvation, we have the peace with God. God is not mad at us anymore.

This eternal security is the basis for the peace of God. Our loved ones who have died also resting in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork alone, we will see them again (today’s Scripture). We do mourn their absence, but not hopelessly—we know where they are (“with the Lord;” 2 Corinthians 5:8), and we will be reunited with them one day (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). What comfort! 🙂

Churning, Wringing, and Forcing

Saturday, April 20, 2013

“Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife” (Proverbs 30:33 KJV).

There is more to today’s Scripture than meets the eye….

Today’s Scripture is an example of parallelism. Note the gerunds “churning, wringing, forcing” and their corresponding nouns “butter, blood, strife.” This grammatical structure is a teaching technique that God the Holy Spirit utilizes here in His Word to reinforce both comparison and distinction. He helps us understand deeper concepts by using simpler, more familiar ones.

Interestingly, one Hebrew word, miyts, is translated to render three diverse English words—“churning,” “wringing,” and “forcing.” Nevertheless, these three different English terms convey the same concept: effort vigorously applied to achieve a desired result.

So, what does today’s Scripture mean? It should be pretty obvious. If you churn (stir) milk long enough, butter will be produced. If you twist someone’s nose long enough, blood will gush out. If you anger someone long enough, strife (fighting) will result. (Notice the parallelism in this paragraph.)

“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with” (Proverbs 17:14). This verse likens the beginning of strife to a giant wall of water rushing forth—you had better leave quickly, or you will literally be swept away by a flood of conflict!

One of the main reasons why sinful man wants to argue is pride. He does not want to admit that he is wrong, that he is not the final authority, and that he is a feeble frame of dust that is subject to fallibility. Having one individual like this is bad enough, but when two such persons are gathered together, our Lord Jesus Christ anticipated the outcome—anger and a disagreement that, if not settled in a Christian manner, may never be resolved.

Today’s Scripture could not be simpler. If you do not want butter, churn not the milk. If you do not want blood to come forth, wring not the nose. If you do not want the argument, force not the anger.

Luke, the Beloved Physician

Friday, April 19, 2013

“Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you” (Colossians 4:14 KJV).

As I sat in the emergency room early this morning, I could not help but think about today’s Scripture, Paul’s friend and co-laborer in the ministry….

The Bible only mentions Luke by name in three verses—today’s Scripture, 2 Timothy 4:11, and Philemon 24. Let us look at these verses to learn more about this Christian in the Bible.

In today’s Scripture, we learn that Luke is a medical doctor, described by the adjective “beloved” (dearly loved). Actually, today’s Scripture is one of the closing verses of Paul’s epistle to the Christians in Colosse. Paul writes that Luke says “hello” to them (remember, in biblical times, unlike today, long-distance communication was very limited and just as slow). In fact, Paul is writing from his prison in Rome (Colossians 4:3,18)—Colosse is over 600 miles (966 kilometers) away!

When Paul writes to Philemon sometime later, he refers to “Lucas” (Luke) as one of his “fellow-labourers” (24).

Not too long after writing his epistles to the Colossians and Philemon, Paul pens his last letter, his second letter to Timothy. Paul’s ministry is coming to a close, and he writes, “Only Luke is with me” (2 Timothy 4:11). The beloved physician is still with Paul, right to the end of the apostle’s life. Actually, Luke is a great comfort to Paul in that dank, dark, lonely prison cell.

Although not explicitly stated in Scripture, it is highly likely that Luke wrote the third of the Four Gospels, the book we call “the Gospel according to St. Luke,” and its companion volume, the book of Acts (Luke 1:1-4; cf. Acts 1:1). Furthermore, the pronoun “we” throughout the book of Acts indicates that its author followed the Apostle Paul during his apostolic journeys (Acts 16:10,12,16; Acts 20:5,13; Acts 21:17; Acts 27:1,27; Acts 28:16); it may have very well been Luke.

What happened to Luke after Paul’s writing of 2 Timothy, we do not know. All we know is that this intelligent man was a great friend of the Apostle Paul, his brother and helper in Christ, the “beloved physician….”

God is Love

Thursday, February 14, 2013

“…God is love… God is love… We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:8b,16b,19 KJV).

The word “love” is used very flippantly in today’s world. Of the many who speak about “love,” few know what it is. On this Valentine’s Day, we offer sound doctrine from God’s Word to correct the misunderstandings of what love really is. What is love, according to God’s Word?

Today’s Scripture says that “God is love”—God does not simply love, but His very nature is love. What does that mean? In 1 John 3:16, we read: “Hereby we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us:” Our Apostle Paul put it this way: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s nature is love—selfless, self-sacrificing!

God’s Word defines love and charity in 2 Corinthians 12:15: “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.” Love is seeking the best interest of others, even if it costs you something (time, energy, resources, et cetera). Charity is love in deed (demonstrated, manifested in action). God loved us, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. It cost God the Father His Son, and it cost God the Son His life. What a selfless act!

Our nature in Adam is selfish, but our nature in Christ is not. Paul declares, “the love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, our Christian lives are driven and motivated by Christ’s love for us, not our love for Him. It is this unselfish love of Christ working in us that causes us to look on the things of others, to seek their edification and their benefit, not ours (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:1-11). This will result in charity, our selfless actions reflecting that love of Christ (2 Corinthians 12:15).

As the lost world observes our Christian service, they will see, “God is love.”

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The (2012) Bible study can be read here or watched here.

‘Twas the Sunday Night Before Christmas

Sunday, December 23, 2012

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15 KJV).

During the Christmas Season, we wonder how many people are visiting church for the second time this year (the other being Easter Sunday). How many will be going to church today—the Sunday before Christmas—just to feel “religious” or “holy?” How many really know Jesus Christ? For many, visiting a church building is just an obligation; they do not have faith in God’s Word and have no interest in God’s Word.

We do not go to church to “feel closer to God,” for if we have trusted in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we cannot be any closer to God than we already are in Christ! “[Before salvation, we were] without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh [close to God] by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:12,13).

Furthermore, we do not go to church in order to get God’s blessings, for God has already given us “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). We go to church, not because we are keeping Israel’s Sabbath day, since we are not obligated to observe Israel’s religious days (Colossians 2:16). We go to church to fellowship with like-minded believers and hear sound doctrine… more than twice a year, by the way.

In today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy that whenever he would assemble with fellow Christians, certain behavior was acceptable and other types of behavior were not (described throughout the epistle of 1 Timothy). Recall that when the Bible refers to “the church,” it refers to the body of believers, not the physical building in which they meet.

As we get opportunities, let us make an effort to reach these dear souls misled by all the vain religious tradition and Christmas commercialization, and may we tell them of the wonderful Christ Jesus whose name is found in Christmas!

*Based on the poem “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Saved from Religious Tradition!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16 KJV).

Having returned from a very refreshing Bible study meeting, I shall recount for you some of the highlights.

Although brief, our Bible study meeting was a spiritual “jumpstart!” Firstly, we discussed how, if we neglect to study the Bible “rightly divided,” as 2 Timothy 2:15 clearly declares, we will wind up in confusion, and our Christian lives will be in shambles. Secondly, we learned that the order of the Bible’s books—particularly Paul’s epistles—is no coincidence. It is meant to spiritually grow Christians from “babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1) to “full age” (Hebrews 5:14). If we fail to recognize how God has constructed His written Word—how God the Holy Spirit arranged the Bible’s canon (the order of its books)—it will hinder our spiritual maturity.

God purposed the wisdom contained in the Bible to help us know Him and what He is doing. Alas, sin and religious tradition keep us ignorant, shackled, and miserable, which makes Bible study burdensome and impossible. Oh, but what joy to simply study the Holy Scriptures as God designed them to be studied, for they radically transform the way we think! Oh, what a thrill it is to simply believe the Holy Bible, for it certainly revolutionizes our lives!

How refreshing it was to hear a faithful servant in the ministry teach God’s Word dispensationally. It was thrilling to see new Christian faces. How encouraging it was to see curious souls turning the pages of Scripture, and writing notes. Surely, I was “godly edified” (1 Timothy 1:4), and indeed the rest of the class was, too. These dear saints were just as eager to soak up sound Pauline Bible doctrine as I was. We share life in Christ, and it was very enjoyable to fellowship with them, eating and talking with them.

By simple faith in the precious Bible doctrine we learned yesterday, we saved ourselves from religious tradition (see today’s Scripture), and we rejoice in this liberty in Christ (Galatians 5:1)! 🙂

Give Attendance to Bible Study Attendance

Friday, November 23, 2012

“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13 KJV).

Due to “the fellowship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9), we grace Christians should give attendance to fellowshipping with each other.

In a few hours, I will be privileged to assemble with fellow grace believers, individuals who have trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and who also understand and appreciate the special message and ministry that our ascended and glorified Lord gave to the Apostle Paul. I will be meeting many of these Christians for the very first time. How thrilling!

Literally, had it not been for God’s grace, none of us would be saved, and we would have probably never even met. We Christians are all partakers of the grace life in Christ, and it is around this precious Bible truth that we are united forever. Because of our salvation, all of us members of the Body of Christ are eternally linked to one another. We will be spending a literal eternity with each other, so we might as well get a head start now! 🙂

There will be about four hours of Bible study. During that time, we hope to cover basic grace doctrine, and especially how God the Holy Spirit has arranged the books of the Bible’s canon to accomplish our edification (building up, strengthening). This priceless doctrine that we learn, we can then apply to life by faith, and we can also share it with fellow Christians and the lost world.

When our King James Bible says, “give attendance” in today’s Scripture, it means, “pay attention to.” As the Bible declares here, we should emphasize three elements in the local church: “reading, exhortation, doctrine.” We should not only read the Bible, but study it and consider what we read. We are to pay attention to “exhorting” (urging, encouraging) our Christian brethren to continue in sound Bible teaching and grace living. Lastly, we are to pay attention to doctrine itself, for sound doctrine sets us apart from the cults, sects, denominations, and false religions of the world.

Attending Bible studies is very profitable—both now, and (more importantly) forever….

Tabernacle

Friday, November 9, 2012

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1 KJV).

This body of flesh and blood will be “dissolved” one day, but the Bible teaches a new, glorified body will replace it.

Genesis 2:7 describes the three-fold division of a human: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground [physical body], and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life [spirit]; and man became a living soul [soul].” Our visible, physical body houses our invisible soul and spirit. Originally, that physical body was to last forever. But, when sin entered the world, it became subject to death (when the soul and spirit leave the physical body). Hence, our physical body is a “tabernacle” (tent), a temporary abode that must be resurrected one day.

The oldest Bible book asserts, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms [maggots] destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God;” (Job 19:25,26). Yes, short of the Lord’s coming, this physical body will die and “sleep in the dust of the earth” (Daniel 12:2). Nevertheless, the Lord will awaken its remains, and return the spiritual body to it (the bodily resurrection of John 5:28,29).

When we stand before the caskets of Christian loved ones, and observe their lifeless bodies, we take comfort that they are not really there, for their soul and spirit are with God in the third heaven. Their “tabernacle” is empty, and for the Christian, “to be absent from the body, [is] to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). At the rapture, they will receive a new glorified body like unto Jesus Christ’s resurrected body, and then we Christians who are alive and remain will receive our glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:49-56; Philippians 3:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Finally, all Christians will be caught up in the clouds to meet Christ in the air, to forever be with Him.

This body is not here to stay…. it is a “tabernacle.”