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[nChrist]

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January 7, 2010

PAUL, THE MASTER-BUILDER
by Cornelius R. Stam


In I Corinthians 3:10, the Apostle Paul declares by divine inspiration:

"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise [instructed] master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon."

In what sense was Paul the master-builder of the Church, and what "foundation" did he lay? Did he not himself say that "other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ"? Yes, he did -- and in this very passage! He sought to lay no other foundation than Christ, but God had chosen him to proclaim Christ in a new way.

Some years previous our Lord had asked His disciples: "Whom say ye that I am", and Peter had instantly replied: "Thou art the Christ [Messiah], the Son of the living God" (Matt.16:16). This is how believers in general had recognized Him at that time (John 1:49; 6:69; 11:27; 20:31). Indeed, the Messianic kingdom was to be established upon Christ as God's anointed Son (Messiah means "anointed").

But with the raising up of Paul, God began to form "the Church which is Christ's body" (Eph.1:22,23; Col. 1:24,25). This is the Church of today, and it is founded, not on Christ as King, but as the exalted Lord and Head of the "one body" (ICor.12:13).

Paul does not present Christ as Messiah, but as Lord. In Romans 10:9 he declares:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as LORD, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Again in I Corinthians 12:3: "No man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Spirit". And again in Philippians 2:9-11, he declares that God has highly exalted Christ and given Him a name above every name, "that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father".

Have you confessed Him as your Lord and Saviour?


Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING

 

[nChrist]

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January 9, 2010

GOOD WORKS
by Cornelius R. Stam


Millions of people are striving to make themselves acceptable to God by good works. Such people can never be sure of salvation, for the simple reason that they can never be sure whether they have done enough good works or whether they have done them in the right way. Some suppose that heaven can be won if our good works outweigh our evil works, but this does not make sense either, for good works are what all of us ought to do and even one evil deed would prevent a just and holy God from justifying us or admitting us into His presence.

Let's not put the cart before the horse. God does expect good works from His children but not as payment for salvation, for eternal life and glory could not possibly be bought at any price. "Christ Jesus came into the world," says the Apostle Paul, "to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Then, having saved them by grace, He expects them to do good works out of gratitude.

It is interesting to compare Titus 3:5 with Titus 3:8:

Titus 3:5: "NOT BY WORKS of righteousness which we have done, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US."

Titus 3:8: " ...these things I will that thou affirm constantly, THAT THEY WHICH HAVE BELIEVED IN GOD MIGHT BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. ..."

Faith is the root; good works the fruit. Thus we read in Ephesians 2:8-10:

"For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

 

[nChrist]

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January 10, 2010

WHAT ABOUT ME?
by Cornelius R. Stam


Hebrews 2 states that unbelievers are, "through fear of death... all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Ver. 15). How often they must ask themselves: "What will become of me: finally become of me?" The best they can hope is that God will be merciful to them and accept them at last, but God cannot do this without a just basis, and since unbelievers have rejected His gracious payment for sin, they must remain under its condemnation. Many hope that physical death will be the end for them, but they fear that the Bible may be true and that death will not be the end.

This writer once talked with a profane barber who had boasted that he was his own "God," and would be until they put him "six feet under." To this we replied: "The Bible says that ‘it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this is the judgment.' You may not believe this, or accept it as the Word of God, but you can't prove it isn't so, and I would urge you to look into it carefully, asking God to give you light."

Here we ask the reader a very personal question: Are you saved? Have you accepted Christ and His payment for your sins, now standing before God "justified from all things," and "accepted in the Beloved"? If not, we beg you: do not delay. These are serious times and who knows how soon God will take His own away and bring this dispensation of grace to a close. Then it will be too late, so we urge you, face up to your sinful condition now, and place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who, in infinite love and grace, bore the burden of your guilt and condemnation at Calvary. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." (Acts 16:31).


Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING

 

[soulcraving]

Thank you I was looking for something like this

 

[nChrist]

Thank you I was looking for something like this

You're most welcome.

 

[nChrist]

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January 11, 2010

THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL
by Cornelius R. Stam


Twice in Galatians 2 Paul speaks of "the truth of the gospel." In both cases the Apostle had been forced to speak out to defend the purity of "the gospel of the grace of God."

In Verses 4,5 he refers to his contest with those at Jerusalem who would have brought the Gentile believers under the law of Moses. Among them were "false brethren," he says, "unawares brought in... to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

In the second case he refers to a controversy with Peter who, having enjoyed blessed fellowship with Gentile Christians, had been intimidated by some of his Jewish brethren into separating himself from the Gentiles. Concerning this, Paul writes: "But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed" (Ver. 11). Why was Peter to be blamed? Verse 14 answers: Because he "walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel," i.e., "the gospel of the grace of God," in which believing Jews and Gentiles are "one body in Christ."

How we should all thank God for Paul's vigorous defense of the gospel of grace, under which all who trust in Christ as Savior are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the one true Bible Church (I Cor. 12:13).

Doubtless Paul's stand for "the gospel of the grace of God" stemmed from the fact that he himself had experienced the truth of this blessed message. As the chief of sinners he had been gloriously saved. All his power and prestige as a Pharisee, all his intellectual achievement, all his rigid Law observance meant nothing now, as in the presence of the glorified Lord he saw himself a sinner, the chief of sinners, and was saved by the matchless grace of God.

 

[nChrist]

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January 12, 2010

MERCY UPON ALL
by Cornelius R. Stam


Have you ever wondered how the pagan world got that way: idol-worshipping, wicked, gripped by superstition and fear?

The Bible supplies the answer in Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Three times in Chapter 1 we read of the Gentile world: "He gave them up... He gave them up... He gave them over...." Why? Because they had given Him up: "And even as they did not wish to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient [becoming]" (Rom. 1:28 ).

It would have been difficult to believe 30 or 40 years ago, that our young people would be dancing to the wild, exotic music of pagan lands (if this can be called music), or that our studios would be selling the twisted, hideous paintings of pagan art (if this can be called art).

When you wonder why the lovely melodies and harmonies of yesteryear have given place to the noise and din of today's "music"; when you wonder why the beautiful paintings of those days have been largely replaced by the masterpieces of chaos that surround us now -- why in so many ways we seem to be reverting to paganism -- read Romans 1.

All this is the natural result of a departure from God and His Word. Yet there is hope and assurance and joy in store for any individual who will yet heed the message of God -- particularly in the Book of Romans. Here we read how Jew joined Gentile in rejecting Christ, and God had to give them all up. But listen to this passage from Rom. 11:32: "For God hath concluded them all in unbelief THAT HE MIGHT HAVE MERCY UPON ALL."

That is, He gave up the Jewish and Gentile nations so that He might show His grace to any individuals who might turn to Him by faith in Christ, thus reconciling both (Jewish and Gentile believers) unto Himself in one body, by the cross (Eph. 2:16).

 

[nChrist]

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January 13, 2010

THE EMPTY TOMB AND A VACANT CROSS
by Russell S. Miller


"Concerning [God's] Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:3,4).

To crucify an innocent man, a righteous man, a holy man, shows how wicked men can be when ambitions, and traditions, and politics are placed above the Word of God. Our Lord's words in John 15:25 could not have been more true; "They hated Me without a cause." If ever there was a miscarriage of justice it was upon this dark and gloomy day!

The fact that Jesus Christ was "buried" is the proof that He died upon that cross. We don't bury people who are not dead. In that 24th Chapter of Luke, the believers--Christ's followers, were so depressed and discouraged and down-hearted because they had witnessed His death and burial (Luke 24:13-31). It was at this same place, in Joseph's tomb, that "Mary Magdalene and the other Mary" came to anoint His body, where the angel had said:

"Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay..." (Matthew 28:5-7).

The evidence of Joseph's tomb is more than remarkable, rare, or extraordinary, for it clearly manifested the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was astonishing, miraculous, and is most obviously evidence that no "gardener" had taken Him away. And what joy filled their hearts and souls when they saw the risen Lord.

However it is the Apostle Paul, who declares what was actually accomplished in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Colossians he has these words to say about the empty tomb and that vacant cross:

"And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with [Christ], having forgiven you all trespasses;
"Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it His cross;
"And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in [the cross]" (Colossians 2:13-15).

These things the risen, glorified, Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul, and inspired him to write fourteen epistles that Jews and Gentiles, yea, all the world, might know that Jesus saves.

And the Lord Jesus will save you, my friend, if you will simply believe:

"[He] was delivered for our offences, and [He] was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25).

 

[nChrist]

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January 14, 2010

THE PRIMARIES AND CHRISTIAN FAITH
by Cornelius R. Stam


The presidential primaries are now in full swing, with nearly all the candidates talking confidently about winning, but it has long been a question just how much these primaries mean. Some, indeed, have started by winning in the primaries and have gone on to become president. But others have done well in the primaries, yet have never even come close to being nominated by their own parties.

It's something like this with faith. The primaries are like mental assent, or intellectual faith. Before a person can be saved he must, of course, know about sin and salvation and must give mental assent to what the Bible says about these things. He must agree that Christ died for man's sins.

But while intellectual faith is a good start, it is not enough to save you. You must go on from there to trust yourself to Christ, who died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3), otherwise your intellectual faith has done you no good.

God wants our heart trust; it is this kind of faith that honors Him, and it is this kind of faith that saves. In Romans 10:9-13 He says:

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith: Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

If Christ is not a risen, living Savior, He is no savior at all. We must believe this in our hearts if we are to call upon Him for salvation.

Thank God that "He showed Himself alive, after His passion, by many infallible proofs" (Acts 1:3) and that millions have indeed found the peace and joy of sins forgiven through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His redemptive work at Calvary.

 

[nChrist]

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January 15, 2010

"HE SHALL REIGN"
by Cornelius R. Stam


For 2500 years "death reigned from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14).

During this period of history it was demonstrated that "death passed upon all men," not because the Law of Moses had condemned them to death, but simply because they were the offspring of fallen Adam, and depraved by nature. Entirely apart from the Law, "sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:15). Thus "death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had NOT sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression."

For 1500 years, under the law, "sin... reigned unto death" (Romans 5:20,21).

Sin had surely risen to its height during Paul's early years. Christ had been crucified and even after His resurrection His enemies had stood by that awful deed. Israel had joined the Gentiles in declaring war on God and His anointed Son (Psalms 2:1-3) and Saul of Tarsus was the leader of the revolt. It was no longer merely a matter of sin; it was now rebellion.

For 1900 years, "grace [has] reigned, through righteousness, unto eternal life, by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 5:21).

Thus we are now living under the reign of grace. As "DEATH REIGNED from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14); as SIN REIGNED "unto death" after "the Law entered" (Vers.20,21), so now grace abounds, THAT GRACE MIGHT REIGN "through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord" (Vers.20,21).

For 1000 years the Lord Jesus Christ will reign upon this earth (Revelation 20:1-6), as King over Israel and the nations.

The kingdom will then be delivered over to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24-28 ).

For all eternity the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will reign in the person of Christ (Romans 11:36; Ephesians 1:10).

Note: From Adam to the present day God has always been "on the throne", but rather than ruling directly, has overruled in the affairs of men.

 

[nChrist]

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January 16, 2010

THE VALUE OF ONE INDIVIDUAL PERSON
by Cornelius R. Stam


Just imagine! It had been three weeks since a big Air Force plane had disappeared over the Pacific with a crew of eight and a Navy enlisted man.

Now, in that general vicinity, the pilot of an Air Force cargo plane reported sighting a raft with one man standing up in it, waving for help.

Almost immediately the Air Force dispatched sixteen planes to the area and called upon all ships nearby to help, in the hope of finding this one man.

Again and again we have witnessed the almost unlimited effort and expense that men will go to to rescue even one of their fellowmen from death. This is as it should be, for it is only in this life that we can prepare for eternity and it is important that each of us should have the greatest possible opportunity to prepare, in case through carelessness we may have put this important matter off.

It was with eternity in mind that the Lord Jesus Christ paid the greatest possible price to save men from judgment to come, and what the Bible calls "the second death."

"Christ also hath once suffered for sins," says 1 Peter 3:18, "the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." Tit. 2:14 says that "He gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity." 1 Peter 2:24 declares that He "bore our sins in His own body on the tree," and in Galatians 2:20 St. Paul exclaims: "He loved me and gave Himself for me."

After three weeks alone on the ocean, the man referred to above was keenly conscious of his need. He stood up and waved frantically, in the hope that someone on the plane might see him and bring help. Some people, adrift in this world of sin and trouble, go on for many years before they become aware of their need-or at least, before they will acknowledge it. But not until we do acknowledge our sin and our need, can we expect help or salvation. "Christ

Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15). Good people do not need a Savior, but who is really good? Romans 3:23 says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," and our consciences bear witness. But let us rejoice that "Christ died for our sins," and trust Him for salvation.

"He that believeth on the Son [of God] hath everlasting life" (John 3:36).

 

[nChrist]

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January 17, 2010

THE DAY OF ITCHING EARS
by Cornelius R. Stam


For the professing Church the day of theological controversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word on every tongue. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the Church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differences and emphasizing those doctrines on which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines of Scripture are neither denied nor affirmed; they are ignored. But little matter, for the objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the Church is "strong" and commands the world's respect.

Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among evangelical believers too. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures the truths they believe and proclaim. Theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objective but too often convictions are compromised and the truth watered down by such undertakings, with the result that the Spirit's power is sacrificed for numerical strength.

No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before the Word and Will of God. Nor can the Church ever be truly united and strong unless she puts God's Word and Will first and takes her place in the world as Christ's embassy on alien territory (See 2 Corinthians 5:20).

 

[nChrist]

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January 18, 2010

RELIGIOUS MIXTURES
by Cornelius R. Stam


The largest segment of the professing Church offers her devotees neither peace for the present, nor assurance for the future. She does not tell them that believers in Christ are given a position in heaven at God's right hand (Ephesians 2:4-7). She even brings Christ down from His exalted position and offers Him to the world on a crucifix, requiring men to eat His flesh and drink His blood to be saved. And this when Paul, by the Spirit, so emphatically says:

"...yea, THOUGH WE HAVE KNOWN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH, YET NOW, HENCEFORTH, KNOW WE HIM NO MORE" (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Man's religion, especially in "the Church," is built upon an appeal to the senses. Her devotees are occupied with beads and bells, statues and crucifixes, candlesticks and sacred objects, robes and incense; so far has she departed from the teachings of Paul and from his declaration that "we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Lingering still among the types and shadows of primitive ages and mingling these with meaningless pagan rituals, she keeps millions from trusting and rejoicing in an already accomplished redemption.

We beg those who read these lines to look in faith to the risen, exalted Christ and to trust in His finished work:

"Who... when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Hebrews 1:3).

"This Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).

This is clear enough. Our Lord came to earth to accomplish our redemption and, having accomplished it, He returned to heaven and sat down with His Father. The work was finished. And now He invites us to rest in His finished work.

"THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD.

"FOR HE THAT HATH ENTERED INTO HIS REST, HE ALSO HATH CEASED FROM HIS OWN WORKS, AS GOD DID FROM HIS" (Hebrews 4:9,10).

 

[nChrist]

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January 19, 2010

PAUL'S CLAIMS
by Cornelius R. Stam


Paul's Spirit-inspired claims for the distinctive character of his apostleship leave no room for doubt. Consider a sampling of these.

Romans 11:13: "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE".

Galatians 1:11,12: "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is NOT AFTER MAN.
"FOR I NEITHER RECEIVED IT OF MAN, NEITHER WAS I TAUGHT IT, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST."

Ephesians 3:1-3: "For this cause, I PAUL, THE PRISONER OF JESUS CHRIST FOR YOU GENTILES,
"If ye have heard of THE DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD, WHICH IS GIVEN ME TO YOU-WARD:
"How that BY REVELATION HE MADE KNOWN UNTO ME THE MYSTERY...."

Colossians 1:25: "...I am made a minister, according to THE DISPENSATION OF GOD WHICH IS GIVEN TO ME FOR YOU, to fulfill [fill full, or complete] the Word of God".

I Timothy 2:5-7: "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus;
"Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
"WHEREUNTO I AM ORDAINED A PREACHER, AND AN APOSTLE (I SPEAK THE TRUTH IN CHRIST, AND LIE NOT); A TEACHER OF THE GENTILES IN FAITH AND VERITY."

Titus 1:2,3: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie; promised before the world began;
"But hath in due times manifested His Word THROUGH PREACHING WHICH IS COMMITTED UNTO ME, according to the commandment of God our Saviour."

 

[nChrist]

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January 20, 2010

SALESMEN AND SOLDIERS
by Cornelius R. Stam


It is true indeed that salvation is bestowed by grace and received through faith -- entirely apart from works, religious or otherwise. But it is equally true that it costs to embrace the truth and costs even more to stand for it, rather than selling out. This is why Proverbs 23:23 exhorts us to "buy the truth and sell it not". In this sense we are not to sell the truth. Yet in another sense we are salesmen of the truth, urging men to buy it.

As we do this we find that there are those who would actually seek to hinder men from buying the truth. Yet it is not primarily they who oppose our efforts, but Satan and his hosts.

"FOR WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PRINCIPALITIES, AGAINST POWERS, AGAINST THE RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD [age], AGAINST SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS [wicked spirits] IN HIGH PLACES" (Ephesians 6:12).

This is why God's salesmen must also be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). We must make the glorious message known despite the opposition. We must "put on the whole armour of God" and meet our adversaries with "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God" (Ephesians 6:11,17). When they would shut our mouths we must pray for ourselves and each other:

"...that utterance may be given unto me, THAT I MAY OPEN MY MOUTH BOLDLY, to make known the mystery of the [Paul's] gospel.
"...THAT THEREIN I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK" (Ephesians 6:19,20; Romans 16:25, 26).

This, by the grace of God, is our prayer and our resolve.

 

[nChrist]

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January 21, 2010

WHO'S TO BLAME?
by Cornelius R. Stam


This writer was a bit irked, recently, to read the following paragraph in one of our leading Chicago newspapers:

"Professional thieves and joy-ride-happy teenagers are not to blame for most auto thefts. It's true that they are the ones who do the stealing -- but the careless motorist must bear the blame... When not in use, cars should be locked."

Just think this through: More than 1,000 cars stolen every day throughout the nation, but those who steal them should not be blamed -- the owners should be blamed for not making it impossible for the thief to steal his car!

Man has always been a master at "blame shifting." Adam said to God, in effect: "It's not my fault; it's that woman you gave me." Eve said: "Don't blame me. The serpent deceived me," and ever since, the descendants of the first couple have been adept at shifting the blame.

But now it's getting so that the courts defend and protect the criminals and even blame the innocent for not making it impossible for the criminal to act! It is a shame that we have to lock our cars against theft -- and it is a stigma on our society. Some judges don't see it that way, but God does. Read Romans 2:2:

"But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who commit such things."

We may all be grateful, though, that it was the very justice -- as well as the love -- of God, that caused Him to take on Himself human form and pay for our sins at Calvary. God cannot overlook sin, yet He loves the sinner. This is why He paid for all our sins at Calvary, and this, too, is why we may now be "justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31).

 

[nChrist]

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January 22, 2010


BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH
by Russell S. Miller


"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death" (Romans 6:3)?

It is a sad commentary indeed that after 2000 years the vast majority in fundamentalism still labors under the so-called "great commission" and, consequently, is manifestly confused and divided over the subject of water baptism. However this "baptism" of which Paul speaks here in Romans 6:3 is so absolutely absent of water that most of those who water baptize fail to see that believers in the dispensation of grace are actually "baptized into His death". This is why Paul can write in Galatians 2:20:

"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."

And not only that, but the Apostle further states that it is the old Adamic nature in all of us that was crucified with Christ:

"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, THAT THE BODY OF SIN MIGHT BE DESTROYED, THAT HENCEFORTH WE SHOULD NOT SERVE SIN" (Romans 6:6).

And what's more, in this baptism, "...the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul writes by divine inspiration in I Corinthians 12:13 that upon believing in the Lord Jesus Christ we are baptized into the Body of Christ:

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." And this was revealed to Paul "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:11,12).

We have been so completely identified with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection that Paul goes on in Romans 6 to declare:

"Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4).

No wonder the Apostle exhorts:

"God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14).

 

[nChrist]

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January 23, 2010

PEACE WITH GOD, ACCESS TO GOD AND THE HOPE OF GLORY
by Cornelius R. Stam


According to Romans 4:25, Christ was delivered to death for our sins and then raised from the dead because He had fully settled our debt. The results of this mighty work of redemption are marvelous indeed to ponder over.

First, it means for every believer in Christ, that "being justified by faith we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1). If Christ has paid for our sins and the barrier between God and us has been removed, why should we not enjoy peace with God? Why should we not rise in the morning, go about our work during the day and retire at night with complete confidence that all is well; that we are at peace with God and that He loves us as His very own?

But more: Verse 2 goes on to say that by Christ we also have "access by faith into this grace wherein we stand." If the barrier of sin has been removed and we are at peace with God, what is there to keep us out of His presence, especially when He Himself bids us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need"? (Hebrews 4:16). How wonderful to have a standing before God in grace! to be at peace with Him and to enjoy free access into His presence by faith!

But there is still more. Not only does the believer in Christ enjoy peace with God and access to God, but, as this same verse says: "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." "Hope" in the Bible is, of course, more than a wish. It is an eager anticipation of wonderful things to come. Hebrews 6:19 says: "Which hope we have as an anchor to the soul, both sure and stedfast." Man has always been afraid of the glory of God. When the glory of the Lord shone round about the Judaean shepherds "they were sore afraid." This was because "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). But the simplest believer in Christ may rejoice in the anticipation of sharing God's glory some day.

 

[nChrist]

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January 24, 2010

MERCY AND GRACE TO THE “CHIEF” OF SINNERS
by Russell S. Miller


When the world was ripe for the judgment of God to fall, indeed now seems overripe and long overdue, the Lord Jesus Christ reached down in mercy and grace to save “the chief of sinners,” as Paul later calls himself in I Timothy 1:15.

In saving Saul of Tarsus, God has “shewed forth all longsuffering” to this lost and dying world. Consequently, the Lord’s words to Ananias concerned Paul’s conversion, his apostleship and commission, and also speaks of God’s grace to us all when the very next prophesied event was the judgment of God. Contrary to the Great Commission, then, Acts 9:1-6 marks a new beginning as to the administration of God in the affairs of men today:

“…for [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for My name’s sake” (Acts 9:15,16).

Notice that the order of Paul’s commission is the reverse of that given to the Twelve! Saul of Tarsus, the one who had persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ, is specially “chosen” of God through whom “God’s Son” is to be revealed to “all nations.” Since the favored nation had rejected Messiah and refused “the Kingdom of Heaven” on earth under their so-called “Great Commission,” God sent forth the Apostle Paul to all nations with a new message and ministry, “to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God” (Acts 20:24), from the moment of his conversion.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, PUTTING ME INTO THE MINISTRY; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious; but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

“AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS EXCEEDING ABUNDANT WITH FAITH AND LOVE WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, THAT CHRIST JESUS CAME INTO THE WORLD TO SAVE SINNERS; of whom I am chief.

“Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, FOR A PATTERN TO THEM WHICH SHOULD HEREAFTER believe on Him to life everlasting” (1 Timothy 1:12-16).

Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He will make a real difference in your life, if you will just ask Him to save you. Won’t you do it today?

 

[nChrist]

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January 25, 2010

THE OLD NATURE IN THE BELIEVER
by Cornelius R. Stam


The believer who would be truly spiritual must recognize the presence of the old nature within. It would be dangerous not to recognize a foe so near.

The old nature in the believer is that which is "begotten of the flesh." It is called, "the flesh," "the old man," "the natural man," "the carnal mind."

Just as "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:8 ) so that which is of the flesh, in the believer, cannot please God. "The flesh," as we have already seen, is totally depraved. God calls it "sinful flesh" (Romans 8:3), warns that it seeks "occasion" to do wrong (Galatians 5:13), and declares that "the works of the flesh" are all bad (Galatians 5: 19-21).

Nor is the old nature in the believer one which improves by its contact with the new. It is with respect to "the flesh" in the believer, even in himself that the Apostle declares that in it "dwelleth no good thing" (Romans 7:18 ), that it is "carnal, sold under sin" (Romans 7:14), that it is "corrupt according to the deceitful lusts" (Ephesians 4:22), that it is at "enmity against God," and is "not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).

"The flesh," even as it remains in the believer after salvation, is that which was generated by a fallen begetter. It is the old Adamic nature. It is sinful in itself. It cannot be improved. It cannot be changed. "That which is born [begotten] of the flesh is flesh," said our Lord (John 3:6), and it is as impossible to improve the "old man" in the believer as it was to make him acceptable to God in the first place.

The "old man" was condemned and dealt with judicially at the Cross. Never once is the believer instructed to try to do anything with him or to make anything of him, but always to "reckon" him "dead indeed" (Romans 6:11), and to "put him off" (Colossians 3:8-10).