Category: Grace Living (Christian Life)

Be a Berean Bible Student

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11 KJV).

The believing Jews of Berea (verse 10) were certainly not like most professing Christians today. According to today’s Scripture, there are two defining characteristics of a Berean:

  1. “They received the word with all readiness of mind.” — A Berean will have a balance between an open mind and a mind that cannot be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). Lost people, and even some saved people, are so set in their ways they do not want to believe the Bible, especially if it contradicts what they have always heard in religion/church. We should be open-minded about what someone says, but we do not want to be swayed by every whim of religious leaders and hierarchies. What is most important is that we receive God’s Word—not “preacher talk”—“with all readiness of mind.”
  2. “They searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” — Here is man’s number one failure: he believes anything and everything except what God’s Word says. Even the average Christian is guilty of ignoring the testimony of God’s Word! Never depend on what the preacher says, and never depend on what I say. Rather than “going by what the preacher said,” these saints actually studied the Bible to determine if what the preacher said was really what God’s Word said. The Bereans compared what Paul said to the Old Testament Scriptures. God’s Word “rightly divided” is the standard whereby we judge the veracity or the dishonesty of anyone’s statements. Study the Bible “rightly divided” as 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs, believe the Bible “rightly divided” as 2 Timothy 2:15 instructs, and you will be a Berean Bible student… never mind you do not live in Berea! 🙂

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).

Not Walking By Sight, Literally

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV).

Two weeks ago Brother “G,” my friend and co-laborer in the Christian writing ministry, suffered a stroke, losing most sight in one eye. Currently, he has greatly limited vision in both eyes (years ago, his other eye suffered a stroke). Last week, after “seeing” my optometrist, I visited Brother G. However, as of three days ago, I have been enduring an eye infection. I am currently typing with sight in just one eye! 🙂

Case in point: in this fallen creation we all have troubles and adversity (they are “common to man”). Sin and its subsequent curse result in our sickness and ultimate death (Romans 5:12; Romans 8:20-22). But, even during sickness, today’s Scripture says we “bear it.” How?

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it” (Romans 8:22-25).

We Christians are “saved” from despair. While we suffer sickness, we have faith in the hope that, one day, these weak physical bodies will be redeemed and transformed into new glorified bodies (the rapture; 1 Corinthians 15:49-57; Ephesians 4:30; Philippians 3:20,21). Our destination, as members of the Body of Christ, is the heavenly places, where there is neither sin nor suffering.

After “seeing” doctors, Brother G and me still groan in sickness, but we are walking by faith, NOT sight. Literally, we hope in what “we see not.” 🙂

Pray for the Grace Saints

Saturday, October 1, 2011

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12 KJV).

For what should we pray? Notice in today’s Scripture that Epaphras prayed that his Christian brethren would “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” Epaphras wanted the saints to understand what God’s will was, and then he wanted them to allow God to accomplish His will by transforming their lives for His glory. That is our prayer for you, beloved!

Epaphras is not noted as a pastor or teacher (someone in the “spotlight”), yet he still had a vital role within the local church. He “laboured fervently… in prayers.” A praying saint is just as important to the Body of Christ as a church elder. Whether it is a saint silently praying for God’s Word to prosper and accomplish His will, or a saint audibly teaching God’s Word, every Christian is useful in the ministry.

Pray daily for the grace brethren to “stand perfect and complete in all God’s will.” They, like you, grow weary under the continual bombardments of this present evil world. They too need encouragement and strength, for they are also hated by the lost world and are belittled by the denominationalists and religionists. All over the world, there are clusters of grace saints, your brethren! You should be praying for them, and they should be praying for you.

In Ephesians 1:16, Paul writes: “[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;….” From verses 17 through 23, Paul explains what he prayed for believers (basically, that God would open their understanding, allowing them to comprehend the awesome work He was accomplishing by forming the Church the Body of Christ). Pray continually for the saints with that in mind.

The Apostle Paul, in one of the closing verses of his first epistle to the Thessalonians, simply wrote: “Brethren, pray for us” (1 Thessalonians 5:25). So, “brethren, pray for us”… for we are praying for you!

To a Wearied Christian Soldier

Thursday, September 29, 2011

“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well-doing” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV).

Job was in terrible shape—he lost his livestock, his children, and his health. He was so despondent that he wished he were dead (Job 3:3,9-13)! In fact, Job lamented: “My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul” (10:1).

Sometimes, a believer’s life can be downright depressing. We are hated and ridiculed for being Christians and labeled “hindrances to progress.” Our lives may be threatened and our family and friends will ostracize us because we serve the Lord Jesus Christ. The whole world is against God’s purpose and plan, thus it opposes us Christians. Oftentimes, it seems like we Christians are fighting a losing battle. Deception, corruption, and injustice are just so widespread. How will we ever reverse the course of this evil world? Rest assured that our Lord Jesus Christ will take of that mess at His Second Coming!

The key is to focus on sound doctrine, not on our circumstances. We focus on the things we cannot see: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17,18).

As members of the Church the Body of Christ, we are heaven bound. This evil world system is not our home—that is why we are not welcome here! The present evil world in which we live is only temporary. Our world will not always be so dire and gloomy. One day, Jesus Christ destroy this heaven and earth, and He will create a new heaven and a new earth. We rejoice in that hope!

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). It is worth the suffering! 😀

Forked Tongues of Venom Versus Vocal Cords of Grace

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5 KJV).

In today’s Scripture James discusses the power of our tongues (our speech). Notice how God uses shocking language to describe our tongues. “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity… it setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (verse 6). “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (verse 8). Also, the Bible explains that we curse our fellow man with the same tongue we use to bless God (verses 9-12)!

Proverbs 18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Our tongues (speech) can give life or it can kill. Words can comfort a troubled soul, or drive that soul to suicide. It all depends on the choice of words, and the manner (tone) in which those words are spoken. Words are very powerful, so be careful what you say.

Proverbs 15:1 declares: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Words spoken in harsh, disrespectful, or condescending tones will anger an audience. But, gentle and loving words will deter provocation. Again, it all depends on the choice of words, and the manner (tone) in which those words are spoken.

James also wrote to the Jews: “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:26). Be careful what you say, and how you say it, because you can never take back those words you spoke.

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6). Use your tongue to “minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29c). Choose your words (and tone) wisely. The lost people are listening… your vocal cords should be echoing the message of God’s grace. Are they?

Just a Few

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13,14 KJV).

One-third of the world’s population professes Christianity. Are there really over two billion Holy Spirit-indwelt believers on earth? Of course not, for today’s Scripture says only “few” will ever trust in God’s Word for salvation. How can so many people be wrong? The Lord has always had a remnant of believers, never large crowds.

Of the millions of people on earth in Noah’s day, only eight (!) individuals believed God and came into the ark of safety (Genesis 7:7; 2 Peter 2:5).

There were not even 10 believers in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:23-33; Genesis 19:24-25)!

When Israel went to possess the Promised Land under Moses’ leadership, twelve spies were sent to search Canaan. Ten spies said that Israel could not defeat the Canaan’s inhabitants, thereby calling God a liar. Only two spies believed God’s promise to fight for Israel and give them the land (Numbers 13:27-33; Numbers 14:6-9).

In Elijah’s day only 7,000 men in the whole nation Israel were not worshipping the pagan god Baal (1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:4).

After three years of earthly ministry the Lord Jesus Christ had just 120 believers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15).

The majority was wrong in the above passages; the same is true today. Only a fraction of today’s two billion professing Christians are genuine, Holy Spirit-indwelt individuals. As King James Bible users, we are a sliver of that fraction. We Pauline dispensationalists who study and believe the Bible rightly divided, we are a fraction of that fraction of a fraction.

We are the smallest (Christians)… of the smallest (King James Bible users)… of the smallest (Pauline dispensationalists). But be not discouraged! God’s people have always been outnumbered. Still, in the end, God wins. Despite the fact that we are “just a few,” the victory is still ours in Christ. 🙂

Christ Crucified

Monday, September 26, 2011

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2 KJV).

Christ’s cross is seldom preached in Christendom’s “praise and worship” meetings. We Bereans know Christ crucified, yet religion emphasizes everything but. Most churches stress Jesus’ teachings and miracles, but our salvation is not found in anything that Jesus preached during His earthly ministry. Christ ministered to Jews under the Law (Matthew 15:24; Romans 15:8; Galatians 4:4,5). We are neither Jews nor under the Law (Romans 6:14,15; Romans 11:11; Galatians 2:16,20; Galatians 3:28).

Many claim to “follow Jesus”—but, which Jesus? The Bible speaks of “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:3,4); the “Jesus” of religion (the Four Gospel Records) is not the Jesus God wants us following today. We follow Jesus Christ as our Apostle Paul followed Him.

Paul did not follow Christ after His earthly ministry: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Today, in the Dispensation of Grace, we follow Christ according to His heavenly ministry as described only in Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon.

Recently, a clergyman used his weekly column to voice his concern in my local newspaper. Why was he so distressed? That souls were going to hell? No! His column’s theme was that he feared cigarette butts were greatly polluting our streets! There was not one word about how to be saved by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Not one word about Calvary’s cross or Christ’s shed blood. Sad.

What did our Apostle Paul preach? “Save the planet?” Christ’s earthly ministry? No, today’s Scripture says he preached, “Christ crucified.” Today, the message of Christ’s cross is the foremost issue, not His earthly ministry. Paul’s Gospel—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This message, the Gospel of the Grace of God, is the most important message we proclaim, for it alone is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16b).

Separate Unto Truth, Do Not Unite in Error

Sunday, September 25, 2011

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV).

As the years pass, there is an increasing cry for unity among all (38,000+!!!) “Christian” denominations. The goal of the “ecumenical movement” is to have all “Christians” of every denomination ignore their doctrinal differences, and fellowship! Today’s Scripture screams against such foolishness. (Actually, the ecumenical movement is preparing society for the one-world religion of Revelation chapter 17.)

Opposed to the ecumenical slogan, “Come as ye are, we accommodate all faiths!,” Scripture declares: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Now, please understand that the Bible says God loves all people: Jesus Christ shed His sinless blood to pay for the sins of the world (1 Timothy 2:3-7; Hebrews 2:9; 2 Peter 3:9; et al.). However, most of them are lost, never having trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary. Instead, the world’s religious people make every attempt to please God with their own “good” deeds, thereby ignoring Christ’s finished cross work.

As King James Bible-believing Pauline dispensationalists, we cannot unite with religionists and denominationalists because they deny the clear teachings of the Holy Bible. We refuse to embrace man’s “wisdom” and church tradition. Paul continues in 2 Corinthians 6:15: “What concord [agreement] hath Christ with Belial [Satan]? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel [unbeliever]?”

God does not want us fellowshipping in any religion or any denomination. Religion is satanic and anti-grace. If you compromise God’s truth and unite in error, your Christian life will be polluted and destroyed.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). As grace lifers following the Apostle Paul as he follows Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), we have unashamedly chosen to separate unto truth, and we unapologetically refuse to unite in error.

Mine Own Familiar Friend

Saturday, September 24, 2011

“Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9 KJV).

For some three years, he was one of Jesus’ closest friends. His name meant “the praised one.” He “had [kept] the bag;” as treasurer of the twelve apostles, he was one of the most trusted apostles (John 13:29). At the Last Supper, he sat behind Jesus, guarding His back. If there was someone to die fighting for the Lord Jesus Christ, he appeared to be that person. Until….

While eating that final meal with His apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ warns them: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one shall betray me” (John 13:21). The apostles look at each other, wondering of whom Christ is speaking. “Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered him. Then Jesus said unto him, That thou doest, do quickly” (verses 26,27).

The apostles, according to verses 28 and 29, misunderstand this to mean that Judas, since he is the treasurer, is being sent to buy for the feast or give to the poor. According to John 13:18, today’s Scripture was fulfilled when Judas Iscariot, who ate the bread that Christ dipped, betrayed Him. Today’s Scripture was written some 1,000 years before it happened!

As God, Jesus Christ foreknew Judas would betray Him (John 6:64,70,71), but imagine how shocked the other eleven apostles were to see Judas—“the praised [and trusted] one!”—guiding those who would arrest Jesus! Ironically, the Bible revealed that Judas was “a thief,” who previously stole from the apostles’ treasury bag (John 12:4-6)!

We have all had “friends” who have stabbed us in the back. Those who gained our trust, only to later greatly harm us. The Lord Jesus Christ’s most trusted apostle and “friendliest” (“familiar”) friend did the same to Him.

Brethren, we Christians rejoice to endure backstabbing for God’s glory as Jesus Christ endured it!

The Precious Blood of Christ

Friday, September 23, 2011

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” (1 Peter 1:18,19 KJV).

The term “redeem” means “to buy something back that which was originally yours.” When God created Adam (the first man), mankind was in complete fellowship with God. There was no sin or death. That all changed when Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6,7). Sin had ruined God’s perfect creation. There, in Eden, God lost the human race to sin and mankind became part of Satan’s policy of evil, “the power of darkness” (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 2:2).

Coming up through the Scriptures, we see God setting His plan into motion. Somehow He would redeem man, and restore the fellowship He and man had once shared. God purposed in Himself to die for man—God would become a man to shed His sinless blood for our sins. The sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, has “purchased us with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

First and foremost, Jesus Christ died to redeem the nation Israel (today’s Scripture). Matthew 20:28: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many [Israel]” (cf. Luke 1:68). But, 1 Timothy 2:5,6 says: “the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” When we come to Paul’s ministry (“in due time;” see verse 7), God reveals that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for Israel and for everyone else (us Gentiles!).

Just as God will restore Israel at Christ’s Second Coming (Acts 3:18-21; Romans 11:26-29), Christ has restored us unto Himself now: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law…” (Galatians 3:13). If you have not done so, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, His dying for your sins, His burial, and His resurrection for your justification, and God will save you forever.