Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

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.”

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.

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!

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)!

A Creature of Darkness Not in Darkness

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:33,34 KJV).

Israel may not recognize her Messiah, but this devil does!

You would think that, after almost 2,000 years, the Church the Body of Christ would know its doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny. Alas, darkness prevails—as if Paul’s epistles were never written! The Body of Christ cannot adequately affect the culture around it for God’s glory because, like the lost world, not even most professing “Christians” know sound Bible doctrine.

Sadly, Satan and his cohorts usually know more about what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing, than His own people. Satan knows God is not dealing with Israel as He did before Paul’s salvation (many Christians still do not understand that). The devil knows that Paul is our apostle (many Christians still do not know that). Satan knows about false “bibles” (many Christians are still oblivious to that). The devil is aware that God is currently administering grace and not law (many Christians still do not understand that). The devil knows we the Church the Body of Christ are not “spiritual Israel” (many Christians do not know that either).

Spiritual ignorance also plagued Israel, as the LORD affirmed: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… thou hast forgotten the law of thy God” (Hosea 4:6). Hundreds of years later, we read in today’s Scripture that while Israel does not recognize Jesus as her Messiah, a fallen angelic spirit of Satan says to Jesus, “I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” That devil was more aware of God’s program than Israel, God’s earthly people, was!

We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour are “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Hence, let us walk in spiritual light: let us walk by faith in sound Pauline Bible doctrine and not be in darkness….

333’s 700th – Receive Ye the Word of God as Such

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV).

Beloved, only by God’s grace, we reach another milestone….

According to today’s Scripture, the Thessalonians received the message of grace they heard from Paul, Silas, and Timothy (1:1) and then they believed it. Notice, they recognized that this message was not of human origin, but the Word of the God of creation. The result? Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: their changed lifestyles “sounded out [‘echoed’] the word of the Lord” to the whole then-known world!

We do not look at circumstances to see God working: today, He is working “in [our] inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). If we want the God of the Bible to work mightily in our lives, today’s Scripture tells us how He does it in the Dispensation of His Grace. He takes sound Pauline Bible doctrine that we study, receive, and believe, and He uses it to “effectually work in [us].”

Thus, for the last 700 days, we have labored to provide you with as much sound Pauline Bible doctrine that we can possibly cram into these brief studies, to the intent that you will place your faith in that doctrine, enabling God the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.

Daily Bible studies such as these allow God to renew your mind, which He will then use to transform your life for His glory: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). Receive ye the Word of God as such, and with the eyes of faith, see Him work mightily in you!

Beloved, thank you for praying for us in this endeavor “to make all men see;” how we thank God for you and pray for you upon every remembrance. Onward to #800! 🙂

Never Look Back

Monday, April 29, 2013

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7,8 KJV).

I was recently encouraged to hear two dear brothers in Christ discuss their transition from being denominational preachers to grace preachers. The Apostle Paul summarized his in today’s Scripture.

Saul of Tarsus was a religious zealot: he was a religious leader of Israel, a wealthy Pharisee (Jesus had condemned Pharisees as self-righteous and greedy.) Jesus Christ and His Jewish believers were a threat to Saul’s religion; thus, Saul mercilessly hunted down and dragged these Messianic Jews to prison. In Acts chapter 7, through the prophet Stephen, the Holy Spirit pleaded with Israel’s leadership to accept Jesus as their Messiah. Alas, unbelieving Israel stoned Stephen to death—Saul witnessed it with pleasure! (Saul was highly influential in Israel’s fall before God.)

God’s wrath on wicked Saul of Tarsus, the whole world, and especially Israel, was swiftly approaching. Just before that wrath fell, God’s grace and peace interrupted it.

In Acts chapter 9, once Saul thought he had arrested every Jew in Jerusalem who had believed Jesus was Messiah, he headed north to Damascus to arrest Messianic Jews there. Before he reached Damascus, he personally met the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ and was never the same again! He trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and he quit his silliness in religion. For the next 35 years, he preached the grace of Jesus Christ, the Person he had so vehemently opposed.

Once he made the transition from the traditions of men to the message of God’s grace to us in Christ, Paul lost his fame and fortune (sounds familiar, huh?). His salary as a denominational leader dwindled, his “friends” scattered, and he was branded a “heretic” (sounds familiar, huh?). So what! In his own words, that was all “but dung” (today’s Scripture)—he “won Christ,” and never looked back… May we follow his ensample. 🙂

Purchase Not the House of Horrors

Sunday, April 28, 2013

“Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house” (Proverbs 17:13 KJV).

Reward evil for good, and evil shall “reward” thee….

One of the most valuable lessons history teaches us is man’s allowing evil to remain unpunished—nay, rewarded as though it were good—only exacerbates his troubles and frustration. Indeed, the whole world, every nation, every local church, and every household should memorize today’s Scripture.

Political and religious corruption is, at its root, the failure to deal with that sinfulness immediately, completely, or at all. If there are no negative consequences when evil is committed—yea, when evildoers are treated as innocent individuals, and rewarded with praise and other benefits—it is no surprise that additional wickedness will result (today’s Scripture).

For instance, when the Church the Body of Christ fails to scripturally and adequately address corruption within its own local churches and regarding its own leaders, then the lost world will use that as ammunition against Jesus Christ. Hence, Paul’s warning, “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear” (1 Timothy 5:19,20). This is meant to safeguard against the local church becoming the “house of horrors” of today’s Scripture.

Another example is the absence of godly parenting. Unless the child is disciplined and receives punishment, he will have no respect for the authority of his parents (let alone for God’s authority): “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15). Parents who allow their children to do whatever they want, who do not correct their children when they do wrong, will dwell within the abode of today’s Scripture.

A third example is political corruption: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). If a government is filled with crooks and liars, how can it expect its population not to be the “house of horrors” of today’s Scripture?

Heed today’s Scripture. Punish sin quickly, lest thou purchase the “house of horrors,” the abode that sinful man knoweth all too well.