Category: Salvation

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #2

Thursday, August 3, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

After explaining how Abraham believed God’s words to him (verses 1-5)—and how Abraham was justified (declared righteous in God’s sight) by faith without works (see Genesis 15:6)—Paul takes up a second example (David as presented in today’s Scripture). Neither Abraham nor David knew all what our completed Bible would teach, but God expected them to believe what He had revealed to them in their respective points on the timeline of His plan for the ages.

David “also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” This “blessedness” is the joy of justification, the gladness of applied righteousness. David did not understand how Calvary would take care of his sin problem—the cross was 1,000 years into the future—but he knew God had cleared the debt (forgiveness) and given him righteousness (justification).

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Paul here reaches back to David’s words in Psalm 32:1,2. Since David was imperfect, his sin haunted him and made him miserable (see verses 3,4). Furthermore, because Israel was under the Law of Moses, David had to confess that sin and offer the appropriate animal sacrifice (see verses 5,6). Notice well how that concerned one sin: “Blessed is he whose transgression [singular] is forgiven, whose sin [singular] is covered” (Psalm 32:1).

Now, with us on this side of the cross, God has dealt with all our sins at Calvary. Observe how Paul made the nouns plural—“iniquities” and “sins”—in Romans 4:7. What David knew in part (forgiveness of one sin), we know in totality (forgiveness of all sins). Paul’s argument is thus: if David could rejoice in the little spiritual light he had, then we can and should rejoice even more because we have all revelation from God on the subject….

The Blessedness of Forgiveness #1

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin” (Romans 4:6-8 KJV).

What is this “blessedness?” How can we have it?

Read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? [2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. [3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. [4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. [5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. [6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, [7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. [8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. [9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.”

Under no circumstances could Abraham ever boast before God, for he was not justified by works. He was not made right in God’s sight by keeping rules and regulations. Instead, the Book of Genesis reports: “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted [reckoned, credited, considered] it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:3-6). Abraham just trusted God’s words to him, and God regarded Abraham as meeting God’s standard of rightness….

arC Ministries Is 16!

Monday, July 31, 2023

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV).

To our Lord Jesus Christ’s glory, arC Ministries celebrates its 16th anniversary today!!!

Sixteen years ago, as a 19-year-old college student, I endeavored to use Facebook to create a Bible study group for teens and college students. Thus, “ambassadors for the risen Christ ministries” was born. As I grew more in God’s Word rightly divided, I grew increasingly aware of the need for additional ministry projects. The more I had been learning drove me to share those precious truths with others. That eventually led me to look for supplementary avenues of ministry.

During these past 16 years, God’s grace has enabled us to continue the original group on Facebook. In addition, we have branched out quite a bit in other areas. This devotionals blog has been operating for over 12 years now. For the last 11 years, we have focused on developing and drafting a grace study Bible (now in its twelfth year). Other ministry projects include a 22-week newspaper ministry column (this devotionals blog’s predecessor), a YouTube channel with home Bible study videos, a Twitter feed, a full-length Bible studies blog, a college campus ministry, a nursing-home ministry, and our Bible-question-and-answer blog. Seven years ago, we launched our new main ministry website and now have a line of printed Bible study booklets available for sale there. Four years ago, we recorded and distributed our Old Testament Survey video series. Later that year, we launched our New Testament Survey video series (which will last a few years). We hear from people all over the world!

Our name says it all: we serve the risen Lord Jesus Christ, not some “dead Jew” and not ourselves. The original motto of our ministry was, “To equip ambassadors, and to encourage others to become ambassadors.” Our primary goal is to teach Christians, and our secondary goal is to evangelize the lost world. Sixteen years later, we still endeavor to uphold God’s Word (King James Bible) rightly divided, whether it be in edifying the Christian brethren or preaching the clear Gospel of the Grace of God to this lost and dying world. For those of you who have been with us from day 1, thank you for your prayer and encouragement. We pray for you upon every remembrance! There is still plenty more for the Lord Jesus Christ to do in and through us, so let us give Him all the praise and glory as we enter Year 17! 🙂

 

A Lost Love #8

Thursday, July 27, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

As Saul of Tarsus back in Acts chapter 9, the Apostle Paul met the Saviour Jesus Christ face-to-face. This was when he came to understand just how misinformed—just how lost—he really was. His righteousness meant nothing before God, so he was actually headed for Hell quite smug in his “goodness.” He was not good enough to merit Heaven, and he finally swallowed his religious pride. What mattered in eternity was God’s perfect righteousness available only by faith in Jesus Christ. If necessary, re-read Paul’s testimony in Philippians 3:1-11.

In today’s Scripture, Paul has been saved for roughly 25 years (internal evidence suggests he wrote Romans during the opening verses of Acts chapter 20). Ever since chapter 9 of Acts, he has been meeting and preaching to lost Jews in synagogues scattered throughout the Mediterranean world. These are the very people of today’s Scripture, who, like he as Saul of Tarsus had been, are satisfied in their works-religion (Judaism). “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:3).

Re-read Romans 9:1-3. Paul felt sorry for self-righteous Israel, and he so was troubled for lost Israel, but it was neither sadness nor anger (emotions) that made him preach the Gospel of Grace to them. It was his renewed mind, his admittance that the Bible was right, that caused him to share his Saviour with them. No matter how “good” they were in religion, regardless of how hard they tried to be godly, they could never save themselves from their sins because they were not perfect. Still, their hearts had deceived them, and, as they heard the Gospel of Grace from Paul’s very lips, they shut their eyes and ears to the truth so as to keep (emotionally) clinging to their vain religious system all the more….

A Lost Love #7

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Instead of spite (negative emotions) or “warm fuzzy feelings” (positive emotions), what stimulated Paul to conduct his ministry was sound Bible doctrine he believed in his heart or soul. Here are some facts that constituted his renewed mind. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his [God’s] sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). No matter how “good” someone’s religious performance appeared, the Law of Moses pronounced that person to be a sinner who fell short of God’s glory (verse 23). Sinners cannot reach that perfect standard of all that God is (everything He believes and does).

Consequently, every sinner has innately and automatically merited the following penalty: “…unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [God will render to them; verse 6] indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;…” (Romans 2:8,9). This is man’s nature and destiny. His feeble efforts in religion (good works) indeed “clean up” the outward to some extent, creating an existence that imitates God’s life. Alas, his nature or inward makeup is unchanged. He is still dead in his trespasses and sins, separated from God’s life. As Saul of Tarsus in Judaism, the Apostle Paul knew all about this firsthand. Read Philippians 3:1-11.

Verses 7-9: “But what things [religious works] 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, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:….”

In today’s Scripture, Paul wanted lost Israel to learn this….

A Lost Love #5

Monday, July 24, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Consider how emotions can deceive Christians serving in ministry. For instance, the concept of an eternal Devil’s Hell might be deliberately omitted from “Gospel conversations/presentations.” Raw emotions lead these church members to suppose “no loving God would ever send people to such a horrible place!” Or, if they have loved ones depending on their religious performance to get into Heaven, they will not bother to share the Gospel of Grace at all, preferring to assume everyone will enter Heaven eventually. They care not to think their loved ones are on their smug way to everlasting punishment (where God’s justice will enforce His offended righteousness by punishing their self-righteousness). This is why and how the Gospel of the Grace of God is repeatedly compromised in denominational circles. It is not completely denied, just softened so it is not offensive. Or, the Christian might try to force a pure Gospel onto a person who has vehemently expressed no interest in believing. Emotions pronounce, “Keep talking, no matter how infuriated they get!”

Lost people have emotional attachments to their works-religions. For example, a loved one likely introduced them to that system, so to abandon it equates to disrespecting that person. It has been stated, “I will die a member of the religion of mom and dad.” They cannot bring themselves to admit the possibility their parents may have been wrong and deceased loved ones are actually in Hell right now. Furthermore, the error possibly stretches back centuries—many generations of one family, putting great pressure on the individual to shun Bible truth. To trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone might mean being barred from estate proceeds, social functions, and many other misfortunes. “I am doing the best I can, and I think I will make it into Heaven,” is nothing but their emotional seat trying to justify why they are in their spiritual position.

Instead of subjectivism, we need objectivism….

A Lost Love #4

Sunday, July 23, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Dear friends, we must constantly (!!) be on guard against emotional revolt, making sure our emotions do not dictate to us what we should think or do. Emotions are deceptive, so if we allow them to control us, we will live in a fantasy world as opposed to reality. For example, remember when you watched a television show or movie. Depending on the actions you saw and the dialogue you heard, you moved from feeling anger to feeling sadness to feeling happiness to feeling peaceful to feeling distressed. People sob as they observe the tragic scenes, leap for joy when they see the pleasant situations, and scowl when they view the frustrating scenes. Of course, what they are watching is all make-believe—but it “feels” real, it “seems” real, because dominating emotions have no thinking process attached to them. Emotions are stupid or brainless. How can we ever expect our lives to function if we rely on this foundation of sand? It literally does not make sense.

The Bible tells the truth: sin forever changed human makeup. If we doubt this, we just need to look around at society and agree with the Scriptures. When Adam and Eve rebelled against the LORD God, human nature was significantly altered. Spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional modifications were introduced—and they are passed down from Adam to each and every successive generation. The key to solving all these problems is not therapy sessions with a “positive thinker,” endless drug usage, alcoholic beverages, or any of the other “solutions” man has developed to cope with his symptoms (minor) instead of addressing his sickness (major). The disease is sin, and it afflicts Christians and non-Christians alike. Christians conducting ministry based on emotions are on dangerous ground, and the non-Christians they are trying to reach are in an equally perilous condition. Let us see how the renewed mind remedies the matter for both parties….

A Lost Love #3

Saturday, July 22, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

“And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled [was amazed!] because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching” (Mark 6:1-6; cf. Matthew 13:53-58).

In the above passage, we gather how the Lord Jesus’ own family, friends, and neighbors were in unbelief—the very people who had grown up with Him in Nazareth for 20 years. Additionally, even His half-siblings (four younger brothers [named above] and at least two younger sisters [unnamed]) through His mother Mary were in unbelief. “For neither did his brethren believe in him” (John 7:5). One brother, James, became a believer at some later time, possibly because of Christ’s resurrection (Galatians 1:19; cf. 1 Corinthians 15:7).

As it did Paul in today’s Scripture, so it deeply grieved the Lord’s heart that His people could have no faith in God’s words to them—even after the overwhelming proof they heard and saw. It was not an evidence problem, but a heart problem that caused them not to believe. These lost loves we ourselves (literally) know all too well….

A Lost Love #2

Friday, July 21, 2023

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1 KJV).

Just the other day, an aged friend in ministry for several years now, shared with me the news of one of his recent undertakings. Let us see how his sentiments and efforts match those of Paul in today’s Scripture.

Ministry is not easy—especially when dealing with loved ones, the people we know quite well, those with whom we come into contact often. It should concern us when we learn they have no personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They may be religious, faithfully attend church, pray frequently, talk about “God,” and read “holy books,” but they are without forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and righteousness. We want so desperately to warn them of the perilous fate that awaits them. How we try to reason with them of their need of Christ’s finished crosswork as a fully-satisfying payment for sins. Yet, they are comfortable where they are. They will not believe the Gospel of Grace in their heart. “Leave me alone. I am ‘good enough, I ‘keep the Law,’ I am doing the best I can, I will never forsake my denomination/religion,” and on and on and on and on they go with their flimsy excuses as to why faith in Jesus Christ alone is not their preference.

When the Apostle Paul ministered to unsaved Jews in synagogues throughout the Roman Empire, he encountered these sorts of people by the thousands. Read today’s Scripture in context: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:1-3). Zealous, religious, passionate, devout, enthusiastic, pious, fervent, sincere—but lost as lost could be! Billions of souls today fall into such a category, and, whether we know it or not, we meet them on a daily basis. They sit in our church buildings, labor in our workplaces, sit in our classrooms, live in our neighborhoods, shop in our stores, and perhaps stay in our homes (!)….

Liberated to Serve

Tuesday, July 4, 2023 🇺🇸

“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 247th anniversary of our nation’s 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!!!!

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