Category: The Nation Israel

Household Rules #11

Sunday, January 15, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

The Mosaic Law was not given forever; that dispensation was not meant to operate into eternity future. It was only given to Israel temporarily—namely, to prove to her that God would make her His people. The Jews could never do enough to please God: their religious efforts were utterly futile. Their nation would only exist because of God’s work. Although the Law was given to Israel, it showed all nations to be “guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). “Therefore by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (verse 20). Chapter 3 proceeds to explain how there came a dispensational change—Law to Grace. With that new dispensation came a new Gospel!

Another one of the major “household rules” in effect today is we are under grace, not law (Romans 6:14,15)—that goes for initial justification before God, a right standing before Him to go to heaven, as well as for daily Christian living, practical sanctification. Our performance will never measure up to God’s perfect standards. However, Jesus Christ’s performance at Calvary does please God. The Gospel of the Grace of God, Paul’s Gospel, is most clearly and succinctly defined in 1 Corinthians chapter 15: “[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you…. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

We have a sin problem, friends, and commandments cannot help us. Thus, Jesus Christ died for our sins, shed His blood to pay for those sins, that by simple faith in Him and Him alone, we can join the Church the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:1-22), the Holy Spirit can baptize us into Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), all because of what Christ did, not because of our religious works….

Household Rules #9

Friday, January 13, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

We read in Ephesians chapter 2: “[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: [13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

“[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both [Jew and Gentile] one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; [15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain [Jew and Gentile] one new man, so making peace; [16] And that he might reconcile both [Jew and Gentile] unto God in one body [the Church the Body of Christ] by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: [17] And came and preached peace to you [Gentiles] which were afar off, and to them [Jews] that were nigh. [18] For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

In addition to the Body of Christ, another one of God’s major “household rules” in the Dispensation of Grace is that the nation Israel is temporarily spiritually blinded and momentarily fallen. We read about that throughout Romans chapters 9-11, only in Paul’s ministry and epistles. Romans 11:25 says: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” When this the Body of Christ is concluded, and our Dispensation of Grace is over, Israel will return to her exalted status before God and prophecy will resume. Let us see other examples of today’s “household rules….”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does God mean, ‘I am Alpha and Omega?’”

Household Rules #8

Thursday, January 12, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

In Ephesians chapter 3, we find the answer: “[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:…. [9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:”

While the resurrected, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ revealed the mystery to Paul, the Holy Spirit used Paul’s preaching and writing to show that secret to everyone else. In our Dispensation of Grace, there is a special body of believers in Christ Jesus, an entity unknown prior to Paul. It is the Church the Body of Christ, “the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4), or “the fellowship of the mystery” (verse 9). The Body of Christ is made up of any Jews and any Gentiles who have simple faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins. This body of believing Jews and Gentiles was completely unheard of until God revealed it to Paul. Prior to Acts chapter 9, Jews and Gentiles were separate in God’s eyes. One of the major “household rules” today is God sees no difference between Jew and Gentile. He sees people either in Christ (saved) or in Adam (lost).

Keeping this body of believers separate from the nation Israel is crucial to our understanding of the Holy Scriptures….

Household Rules #7

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

You will recall that “dispensation” appears four times in the King James Bible (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 3:2; Colossians 1:25). It is the noun form of the verb “dispense,” meaning “to distribute or supply.” Friend, if it helps, think about when a pharmacist dispenses medication as per a doctor’s orders. In the Bible, a “dispensation” is a particular set of instructions (or “household rules”) that God gives to mankind for his faith and obedience during a particular time. God has not always dealt with man in the manner in which He deals with us today. Over time, God’s instructions to man change because man—not God—changes; we would do well to recognize and respect dispensational (transitional) boundaries.

For example, think about the Dispensation of Law God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. It was dispensed to Israel to govern her social and religious life for over 1,500 years. Those strict “household rules” were temporary. Law faded off the scene during the Acts period, as our Dispensation of Grace was being given to Paul—see today’s Scripture and Ephesians 3:2. (There are other dispensations in Scripture, but we have neither time nor space to discuss those right now. Our purpose here is to simply see two dispensations—Law (given to Moses for Israel to follow) and Grace (given to Paul for us, all nations/Gentiles, to observe).

As with the rest of the Bible, God progressively revealed the Dispensation of Grace. In fact, all the information contained in the Books of Romans through Philemon was given to the Apostle Paul during a 30-year period. Jesus Christ first spoke to Saul of Tarsus at his conversion in Acts chapter 9, and ended that revelation a few years after the Book of Acts closed. The capstone of Pauline revelation is 2 Timothy, his final epistle, penned just before his execution. We had better be sure we are following the latest revelation from God. If we are giving attendance to Pauline doctrine, we are observing our “household rules….”

Household Rules #6

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

Second Timothy 2:15 is the only verse in a King James Bible that tells us to “study” Scripture. (And you need a King James Bible to have that word “study!”) Not only so, 2 Timothy 2:15 also tells us how to study Scripture. We let the verse speak for itself: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Please draw your attention to the phrase, “rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Immediately after the exhortation to “study… rightly dividing the word of truth,” a warning appears in verse 16: “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” What are these “profane and vain babblings”—these evil, empty, nonsensical words—that we should avoid? Verses 17 and 18 do not leave us to wonder: “[17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.”

Since they did not “rightly divide the word of truth,” Hymenaeus and Philetus were guilty of a grave error. They said the “the resurrection is past already.” By doing this, they overthrew the faith of some Christians. The words “past already” in verse 18 convey the idea of a timeline or schedule. These hereticks claimed the Rapture (resurrection of Christians in the Church the Body of Christ) had already occurred. Their audience was forced to conclude that, with the Rapture passed, they were living in Israel’s prophetic program (the wrath of God, commonly called “the seven-year Tribulation”).

It was a most serious error. Hymenaeus and Philetus were not dividing the household rules God had given the Body of Christ through Paul, from the household rules God had given the nation Israel through her apostles and prophets. As professing “Christianity” shows us today, such a blurring or removal of dispensational boundaries still makes the Bible confusing and burdensome.

They had better heed today’s Scripture….

Household Rules #5

Monday, January 9, 2017

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God” (Colossians 1:25 KJV).

And, just what is this “dispensation of God which is given to [Paul] for [us]?”

The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted Paul, “the apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), with what the Bible calls “mystery” truth (Romans 16:25,26; 1 Corinthians 2:6-8; Ephesians 3:1-9; Colossians 1:23-29; et cetera). “Mystery” means God kept it hid in Himself until He revealed those secrets exclusively to Paul. Therefore, Paul is a very special servant (steward) of God in Scripture. Paul distributes to mankind—especially Christians, God’s people—what they need to know about God’s current dealings with them. Never forget it!

Sadly, in many local churches today, very little emphasis is placed on Pauline doctrine. His epistles, the 13 books of Romans through Philemon, are largely ignored. Whatever Scripture is read or expounded is usually from the “Old Testament,” especially the Four Gospels. Many church people are sincere when they say, “I follow Jesus’ words because He is our pattern.” Oh, but how they are so sincerely wrong!

Jesus’ earthly ministry is certainly God’s Word and work, but it was God’s Word and work before He revealed the mystery to the Apostle Paul! God has given us further revelation since Jesus’ earthly ministry. Even the Lord Himself, in John 16:12-14, predicted more Bible truth coming to Israel: “[12] I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. [13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.”

In addition to more divine revelation concerning Israel’s prophetic program (the penning of the Books of Hebrews through Revelation), God would deliver to all of mankind some un-predicted doctrine (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon). He would dispense some “household rules” for all nations to follow—“the dispensation of the grace of God” given to the Apostle Paul….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What was wrong with Leah’s eyes?”

A Life That Will Please

Wednesday, January 4, 2017

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us who alone can live a life pleasing in God’s sight!

Everyone does “good” deeds. Yet, doing “good” is not necessarily good. For instance, people often do “good” just to receive praise/reward, make up for their wrongs, feel good, et cetera. Furthermore, despite our “good” deeds, we have plenty more bad ones! Pride, lying, evil thoughts, being a false witness, and being contentious are some of the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Mankind cannot even keep 10 simple rules from God. However, religion continues to urge us to keep seven sacraments, utter various prayers, give assorted offerings and “tithes,” attend numerous feasts and festivals, and perform sundry other tasks to “hopefully” please God and avoid hellfire. Whether we attempt to keep a church’s laws, our laws, or God’s laws, our flesh is far too weak to ever measure up. Just look at what God’s religion did to Israel—how much worse some man-made religion does to us!

As Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, a religious leader of Israel. He was a nitpicker concerning Law-keeping, and yet, after his soul salvation, he admitted that all of his religion was “but dung” compared to Jesus Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-11). Even for the Christian, to live a perfect life is impossible (read of Paul’s miserable existence in Romans chapter 7). Paul had to forsake his vain religion and learn today’s Scripture: the Christian life is NOT the performance of the Christian, but the Lord Jesus Christ living and working in the Christian, as the Christian walks in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to him or her!

If we trust a Saviour who will save—the Lord Jesus Christ—and trust a Book that will teach—the King James Bible—we can redeem the year for the great God and our Saviour, “who loved [us], and gave himself for [us]!” 🙂

The Misunderstood Messiah #5

Friday, December 30, 2016

“Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41 KJV).

Did you ever notice the magnitude of the insult put forth toward Jesus Christ in today’s Scripture?

Once Christ replied with sound doctrine (verses 42-47), Israel’s religious leaders simply resorted to name-calling again (verse 48): “Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?” A Samaritan was half-Jew/half-Gentile, and “the Jews [had] no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). Notice Jesus was insulted twice more—they called Him a “Samaritan” and “devil possessed.” Throughout the rest of John chapter 8, Israel’s religious leaders continue arguing with Jesus and nearly stone Him to death (verse 59)!

Why did Jesus not simply “zap” these religionists and instantly throw them into hellfire? They belittled and blasphemed Him several times in this one account, and then attempted to murder Him, but rather than Jesus killing them with His spoken word (which would have been justified), He only conversed with them. Why?

Remember, when the Apostles James and John saw how the Samaritans refused to accommodate Jesus, they asked Him if He wanted them to call down fire from heaven and consume those sinners, He replied, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:55,56). This First Coming of Christ was His “meek and lowly” coming: He did not come to judge man’s sins, but to die for them!

Even today, God is still not pouring out His wrath on wicked mankind (2 Corinthians 5:19), creatures who still snicker at Jesus Christ, deceive others in His name, persecute His saints, ignore His Word, and “rub His nose” in their sins. Lost mankind is wasting God’s grace and mercy that He is offering so freely. When His grace is finally exhausted, the undiluted wrath that has accumulated will finally be poured out (His Second Coming). May we trust Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour now so we have our sins forgiven now, lest we face that angry, righteous God in judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)!

For more information, you may also see our archived Bible Q&A: “Did God ‘rape’ Mary?”

The Misunderstood Messiah #4

Thursday, December 29, 2016

“Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41 KJV).

Did you ever notice the magnitude of the insult put forth toward Jesus Christ in today’s Scripture?

Society’s anti-Bible, anti-Christian attitude is nothing new. While today’s Bible-believing, Bible-quoting Christian is accused of “hate speech” and “bigotry,” the “non-narrow-minded” face no repercussion for their slandering of the Lord Jesus Christ and their trampling His Word under foot. Due to sin, the world is upside down, and when the Christian attempts to expose it, he or she is to blame. The world wants Romans 3:4 to read, “Let every man be true, but God a liar!”

Like the (self-righteous) Pharisees of old, lost mankind, despite religious participation, has no capacity to stop sin. Never become angry at the world and never let their behavior puzzle you. Sinners do nothing but sin: by nature, man literally knows nothing but sin. As Jesus said to the lost Pharisees, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do” (John 8:44a). What they need is not simply to stop their activity (sins); they need a new nature from God! Today’s Scripture demonstrates the Pharisees’ willful ignorance of their sinful state.

Like the (“educated”) Pharisees of old, lost mankind, despite several degrees, has no capacity to understand the Bible. The Pharisees studied their Old Testament scrolls, yet they were equivalent to today’s average seminary graduate—years of Bible “study” and no (!) Bible understanding. Today’s Scripture demonstrates the Pharisees’ willful ignorance of one of hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that foretold Jesus Christ’s coming. They had plenty of philosophy and religion, but they had no capacity to understand and appreciate the Bible. People today do not need degrees to comprehend the Bible; they need the Spirit of God! “But the natural [lost] man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned [judged, evaluated]” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotional arc….

The Misunderstood Messiah #3

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

“Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God” (John 8:41 KJV).

Did you ever notice the magnitude of the insult put forth toward Jesus Christ in today’s Scripture?

The Pharisees are personally attacking the reputation of Jesus Christ, attempting to humiliate Him by saying, “We be not born of fornication.” After denigrating His virgin conception (that is, His deity), they exalt themselves by declaring, “We have one Father, even God.” What irony!

Notice Jesus’ response: “If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me” (verse 42). Had these Pharisees really known God on an intimate level, they would have understood His Word (that is, their Old Testament Scriptures) prophesied the coming of the Man they were now ridiculing. Had these religionists believed the prophecy that God had sent His only begotten Son, they would not have insinuated that Jesus was “born of fornication.” They would have known what He meant by the words, “I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.”

Alas, God’s Word was “foolishness” to their dead souls (1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus explained why they misunderstood Him: “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:43,47). They could hear the sound of Jesus’ voice, but could they hear with comprehension? Nay, they were spiritually dead, not of God like they claimed. Thus, Jesus told them, “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (verse 44).

The Pharisees were spreading lies about Jesus Christ because they were lost. Lost mankind has not changed one bit….