Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. Hebrews 6:1-3
For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Hebrews 6:4-6
Basically, two doctrines of faith come from these verses from God’s Word. And this is the moment that your integrity in reference to personal Bible Study comes to bear. This also brings to question whether or not you are reading God’s Word for yourself, reading commentaries and/or listening to preachers and other ‘Bible Teachers’ for your understanding.
I know where I stand on these critical issues because of
· my personal Bible studies,
· commentary reading,
· and listening to others make comments concerning them.
And do not leave out a very large dose of prayer
Do not take what I have to give you as the truth. Refer only to God’s Word for truth. Read and Study diligently what the Word of God gives to you. You might want to use what I have to give you as a reference point, and that is okay. But do this for yourself first of all and then go to other places.
However, if you do not want to believe what I have to say, you can be wrong if you desire. Take that with a grain of salt, too. Ha.
Two of the critical means of studying Scripture also come to focus here as well; Deductive and Inductive methods.
Deductive - a proposition that is necessarily true independent of fact or experience.
Advice is that no one should study God’s Word deductively. Therefore, I will not say more.
Inductive - proceeding from particular facts to a general conclusion
Advice here is that persistence and diligence is the key are the keys to effective study. Finding the ‘nuggets of truth’ form Scripture does not come easily nor without prayer.
“Falling from Grace” and “Backsliding” are two cats that come from the same bag and they fight all of the time with no solutions. These two have real issues when faced with this biblical truth. “It is impossible…..then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt” Hebrews 6:4 & 6.
Have you ‘fallen away’ or ‘backslidden’? Look hard at this. For Baptists the question of ‘falling from grace’ is not an issue, and because I am Baptist I will not go there this morning; Tomorrow.
“Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” Proverbs 13:14-15.
Look for yourself, but this is the only verse in all of Scripture that uses the word ‘backslide’. I find it difficult to teach and preach the ‘doctrine of backsliding’ for this reason. Bad theology.
‘drift’ is found only in Hebrews 2:1-3, “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
‘drifitng’ is not found in the best translations, either. And I have heard great sermons using this analogy for ‘backsliding’ Christians. Be careful.
Now, with this said, look at the following verses with prayerful and careful understanding….Hebrews 3:12 – 4:3
Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME." For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, "AS I SWORE IN MY WRATH, THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST," although His works were finished from the foundation of the world.
Now, look at Hebrews 6:4-6 and compare with Hebrews 3:12 – 4:3.
That phrase “For it is impossible” looms large, does it not?, especially when connected to, ‘to restore them again to repentance” that is found in that same sentence.
Take you time to study this without reading commentaries, and referring to your pastor or favorite Bible teacher. Get this understanding from your personal study and prayer (discussion) with God.
One more comment. Be careful not to interpret God’s Word from personal experiences with other people or even your own. Rather, allow God’s Word to interpret the experience.
Enjoy in Him…..
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Movin’ on Up
Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.
This passage from Hebrews is replete with the kinds of information that are so often overlooked by believers. This information is the sort that will enable every person of faith to step away from the habits of life that cause anemic faith. In addition, the most pervasive life style among Christians is thinking that the flesh is more powerful than the Person of Christ who lives within. When Satan convinces people into thinking this, it will be difficult for that person to know abundant living in Christ.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:16-24.
Here is a warning:
Do not be foolish enough to believe that simply because a ‘profession of faith’ has been made that life suddenly becomes a ‘rose garden’. This is not the case. More often than not life often becomes more difficult because of the continuous spiritual battle that takes place. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
Billy Graham states, “Satan is a defeated foe! By His death and resurrection Jesus Christ conquered death and Hell and Satan! And someday that victory will be complete, and "the devil, who deceived them, (will be) thrown into the lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 20:10). Until that day, make it your goal to live for Christ and walk close to Him every day.” Seattlepi.newsource.com 52007.
One more thing, Satan is not like God. He in not omnipresent as is our Lord. That is to say he cannot be at all places at all time as is God. Satan is a created being having been created by his adversary, God. Remember that he has legions of demon spirits that do his bidding. Therefore, your daily battles are not directly against the Devil, but against his demonic spirits. Yes, as the angel of light he is fast, but he cannot be all over the world all of the time. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.
Christians and unbelievers are quite different from one another. One follows the Lord and the other does not because the unbeliever cannot do what he cannot do. “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-12.
Football season, for all practical purposes, has finally drawn to a close. The time between seasons is called the ‘off season’ because preparation for next year has already begun. Things are happening everywhere. Coaches have lost their jobs, players move on, and unhappy supporters are making themselves known. “Just wait until next year’ is the rallying cry. Everyone will repeat another season next year, and this is repeated over and over again every single year. As the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes, everything has a season.
But things are different for the believer, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness..” Ephesians 4:21-24.
With this in mind, be encouraged in the Lord Jesus. You are different because of Him. And when you sin the Bible says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8.
This passage from Hebrews is replete with the kinds of information that are so often overlooked by believers. This information is the sort that will enable every person of faith to step away from the habits of life that cause anemic faith. In addition, the most pervasive life style among Christians is thinking that the flesh is more powerful than the Person of Christ who lives within. When Satan convinces people into thinking this, it will be difficult for that person to know abundant living in Christ.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:16-24.
Here is a warning:
Do not be foolish enough to believe that simply because a ‘profession of faith’ has been made that life suddenly becomes a ‘rose garden’. This is not the case. More often than not life often becomes more difficult because of the continuous spiritual battle that takes place. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
Billy Graham states, “Satan is a defeated foe! By His death and resurrection Jesus Christ conquered death and Hell and Satan! And someday that victory will be complete, and "the devil, who deceived them, (will be) thrown into the lake of burning sulfur" (Revelation 20:10). Until that day, make it your goal to live for Christ and walk close to Him every day.” Seattlepi.newsource.com 52007.
One more thing, Satan is not like God. He in not omnipresent as is our Lord. That is to say he cannot be at all places at all time as is God. Satan is a created being having been created by his adversary, God. Remember that he has legions of demon spirits that do his bidding. Therefore, your daily battles are not directly against the Devil, but against his demonic spirits. Yes, as the angel of light he is fast, but he cannot be all over the world all of the time. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.
Christians and unbelievers are quite different from one another. One follows the Lord and the other does not because the unbeliever cannot do what he cannot do. “Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart.” 1 Corinthians 5:11-12.
Football season, for all practical purposes, has finally drawn to a close. The time between seasons is called the ‘off season’ because preparation for next year has already begun. Things are happening everywhere. Coaches have lost their jobs, players move on, and unhappy supporters are making themselves known. “Just wait until next year’ is the rallying cry. Everyone will repeat another season next year, and this is repeated over and over again every single year. As the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes, everything has a season.
But things are different for the believer, “assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness..” Ephesians 4:21-24.
With this in mind, be encouraged in the Lord Jesus. You are different because of Him. And when you sin the Bible says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8.
Yes, you have moved up. Live like it!!!
Recognizing Christian Maturity
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”
Hebrews 6:1-3.
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:7-8.
As Christians, recognizing spiritual maturity is not too difficult, but from those that are scrutinized is always heard, “Who are you to judge?” or “Who gives you the right to judge me?” The art of observation is not so difficult when what we know and see is placed under the light of Scripture.
One of many things that we often hear is that ‘Jesus is our example,’ and indeed He is. With that being the absolute standard for the Christian life we must begin with Him. Therefore, maturity as believers contains two very simple, but quite difficult, elements.
Hebrews 6:1-3.
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” Hebrews 5:7-8.
As Christians, recognizing spiritual maturity is not too difficult, but from those that are scrutinized is always heard, “Who are you to judge?” or “Who gives you the right to judge me?” The art of observation is not so difficult when what we know and see is placed under the light of Scripture.
One of many things that we often hear is that ‘Jesus is our example,’ and indeed He is. With that being the absolute standard for the Christian life we must begin with Him. Therefore, maturity as believers contains two very simple, but quite difficult, elements.
In Hebrews 5:7-8 we discover that Christ:
* demonstrates reverence: Reverence is an attitude of deep respect demonstrated by awe and admiration. And the ‘key word’ here is ‘demonstration’.
*teaches obedience: Obedience is the state or quality of being submissive or subservient.
These qualities are the most difficult for immature or maturing Christians do not want to learn from others. Simply because one is an adult and becomes a Believer in Christ does not mean that suddenly ‘spiritual maturity’ belongs to them. And as Scripture indicates, many do not learn these things at all.
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14.
Pastors have the difficult task of being the ‘shepherd’ of so many immature Christians. And as they teach from the pulpit the hard words of God, attacks come from these difficult souls because they have little understanding of who they are ‘in Christ’. The Pastor has been given the task that he holds because of God’s divine direction in His life, but to those whom he is attempting to give direction there is most often little cooperation.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” Ephesians 4:11-14.
Recognizing Christian maturity is not so difficult because this is so rare in any culture, anywhere. However, maturity in life is ours to achieve and we must become so in spite of who we are. Some of us are slow to learn and sometimes learn the hard way.
As a boy I would go with my Dad to constructions sites and often I would hear him say, “Do not go in there, something might fall on you.” On one particular day I did not listen to his advice and walked into a house that was being ‘framed’ and the carpenters were busy erecting the rafters above me. As I was walking under these men, a hammer slipped from someone’s hand and hit me directly on my hard head. Let me tell you, hard does not mean that I was protected from falling hammers. Hard meant that I was ‘smarter than my Dad’.
Guess what? Not since that day will I enter a building under construction where men are working above me. That sometimes hurts. I matured the hard way.
And so it is with so many Christians. They do not wish to listen to those that are more spiritually mature and sometimes get hurt in the process. So, how does one recognize spiritual maturity? Read the following:
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:14-21.
But you might say, “I cannot do that.” Who says that anyone can? But as Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV.
As Christ is in You, Are You ‘in Christ?’
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4
Is there a difference of what we might call ‘status’ among us Christians? Yes, but the word ‘status’ is the wrong term. Some have used the word ‘condition’ or even ‘position’ in an attempt to describe the obvious differences that are present among the community of believers. But we must be very careful in using terms of description because of the various levels of maturity within the Church. Aha. There it is ‘maturity’ and that is the word we ought to use because it often describes our journey of faith in Christ.
Observe what Jesus says in His Parable of the Sower…
“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Luke 8:14.
Paul says these things about maturity;
“I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-6.
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:13-16.
And to sort of put a semicolon on what I am content to say sums the thought of whether or not there is a difference of “Christ in you” and being “in Christ”, look at this:
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:24-28.
This, then, brings us to, at least, a partial conclusion. Christ is in me because He chose to enter my life when I asked Him to forgive me of my sin and to become my Savior and Lord, and I am ‘in Christ’, not because of the fact that He has chosen to allow us to be His chosen vessels of stone. “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5.
The Christian faith is a journey that does not end. Our journey is taken one step at a time and we must be careful so as not to believe that we are in a position or condition that might indicate that one person in Christ is somehow better than another or that we have a better status than another. For Christ has said, “ ‘when you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11.
We have no ‘position’ or ‘condition’ that we can boast of for we are all one in Christ and He is in us, not our choice, but His. For by His grace we are who we are. But, we do have opportunity to grow in His grace, and this is by choice….
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”
Hebrews 11-3.
“Therefore the Christian heart, since it has been thoroughly persuaded that all things happen by God's plan, and that nothing takes place by chance, will ever look to him as the principal causes of things, yet will give attention to the secondary causes in their proper place.” -- John Calvin
Is there a difference of what we might call ‘status’ among us Christians? Yes, but the word ‘status’ is the wrong term. Some have used the word ‘condition’ or even ‘position’ in an attempt to describe the obvious differences that are present among the community of believers. But we must be very careful in using terms of description because of the various levels of maturity within the Church. Aha. There it is ‘maturity’ and that is the word we ought to use because it often describes our journey of faith in Christ.
Observe what Jesus says in His Parable of the Sower…
“And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”
Luke 8:14.
Paul says these things about maturity;
“I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.” 1 Corinthians 2:3-6.
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:13-16.
And to sort of put a semicolon on what I am content to say sums the thought of whether or not there is a difference of “Christ in you” and being “in Christ”, look at this:
“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Colossians 1:24-28.
This, then, brings us to, at least, a partial conclusion. Christ is in me because He chose to enter my life when I asked Him to forgive me of my sin and to become my Savior and Lord, and I am ‘in Christ’, not because of the fact that He has chosen to allow us to be His chosen vessels of stone. “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5.
The Christian faith is a journey that does not end. Our journey is taken one step at a time and we must be careful so as not to believe that we are in a position or condition that might indicate that one person in Christ is somehow better than another or that we have a better status than another. For Christ has said, “ ‘when you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:7-11.
We have no ‘position’ or ‘condition’ that we can boast of for we are all one in Christ and He is in us, not our choice, but His. For by His grace we are who we are. But, we do have opportunity to grow in His grace, and this is by choice….
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits.”
Hebrews 11-3.
“Therefore the Christian heart, since it has been thoroughly persuaded that all things happen by God's plan, and that nothing takes place by chance, will ever look to him as the principal causes of things, yet will give attention to the secondary causes in their proper place.” -- John Calvin
Christ in You the Hope of Glory
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27.
There is absolutely no way to do justice with this in one sitting. Therefore, I may sit on this for a few days….
“Them” are the Saints as Paul describes them in v 26. If you are a believer, you are a saint. No halo here, just a regular saint just like the rest of us. Sorry about that, but if you want a halo go visit Michael Angelo.
…Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14.
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14.
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16.
The mystery of Christ is that He is in Heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father in power, AND that by His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, He continues to live in us….the believers.
But, rest assured that the mystery of Christ belongs completely to Him. No one has ‘a handle’ on the entire mystery. I suppose that I could, relatively speaking, sort of compare that mystery to that mystique that women hold over us men. We simply do not understand them…women that is. But look at this quote and the mystery is widened, “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.” -- Faith Whittlesley. Why anyone would go through that kind of pain…in high heals…continues to be a mystery to me.
There is one thing certain, and now I return to the mystery of Christ.) This is easier to grasp than the mystery of women.) I do not understand this, either. And this is the point at which I must depend upon the faith that God has graciously granted each of us. I just know that He is who He has said that He is. He is God, He is Christ, the Risen Savior who is seated at the right Hand of the Father, and He is Spirit living in me…the Hope of glory.
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:9-11.
This, then is the mystery. Why would He allow me to be one of the many vessels to contain Him? Herein lies the answer, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Yes, I will better understand this mystery in the by and by. But I know that I will have to wait for Heaven before I get more information about my wife……ILY.
There is absolutely no way to do justice with this in one sitting. Therefore, I may sit on this for a few days….
“Them” are the Saints as Paul describes them in v 26. If you are a believer, you are a saint. No halo here, just a regular saint just like the rest of us. Sorry about that, but if you want a halo go visit Michael Angelo.
…Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:20-22.
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14.
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14.
Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:2.
Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16.
The mystery of Christ is that He is in Heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father in power, AND that by His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, He continues to live in us….the believers.
But, rest assured that the mystery of Christ belongs completely to Him. No one has ‘a handle’ on the entire mystery. I suppose that I could, relatively speaking, sort of compare that mystery to that mystique that women hold over us men. We simply do not understand them…women that is. But look at this quote and the mystery is widened, “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.” -- Faith Whittlesley. Why anyone would go through that kind of pain…in high heals…continues to be a mystery to me.
There is one thing certain, and now I return to the mystery of Christ.) This is easier to grasp than the mystery of women.) I do not understand this, either. And this is the point at which I must depend upon the faith that God has graciously granted each of us. I just know that He is who He has said that He is. He is God, He is Christ, the Risen Savior who is seated at the right Hand of the Father, and He is Spirit living in me…the Hope of glory.
“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:9-11.
This, then is the mystery. Why would He allow me to be one of the many vessels to contain Him? Herein lies the answer, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Yes, I will better understand this mystery in the by and by. But I know that I will have to wait for Heaven before I get more information about my wife……ILY.
When Jesus Left
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:7-11.
What I am doing when I write these short statements concerning Scripture is something that dislike a great deal. Attempting to clarify a Biblical truth from Scripture taken from context is one of the worst things that anyone can do in studying God’s Word. However, with this in mind, please take up your Bible and read it!!
Contextually, Jesus is explaining to his shock-stricken disciples that He is about to go on His way. That is, He is preparing to go through the Cross enroute to returning to Heaven. Understandably, they refuse to believe Him as He attempts to share with them the reason for His return to the side of His Father.
We know, because we have in our hands the completed record of God’s written revelation to us, that Jesus has returned to the right side of God in Glory and that it is the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Hey, folks, Jesus is not here. “..I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away..”
Peter said this at Jerusalem,
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” Acts 2:29-35.
Jesus tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:5-7.
Paul wrote in his letter to Colossae, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2: 6-15.
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
All of this is said to underline the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who lives in us…Jesus is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. He saves us, and His Holy Spirit lives in us to empower us to live the life of Christ.
Tomorrow….Christ in us, the Hope of Glory…..but, I thought you said…I did.
What I am doing when I write these short statements concerning Scripture is something that dislike a great deal. Attempting to clarify a Biblical truth from Scripture taken from context is one of the worst things that anyone can do in studying God’s Word. However, with this in mind, please take up your Bible and read it!!
Contextually, Jesus is explaining to his shock-stricken disciples that He is about to go on His way. That is, He is preparing to go through the Cross enroute to returning to Heaven. Understandably, they refuse to believe Him as He attempts to share with them the reason for His return to the side of His Father.
We know, because we have in our hands the completed record of God’s written revelation to us, that Jesus has returned to the right side of God in Glory and that it is the Holy Spirit who lives within us. Hey, folks, Jesus is not here. “..I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away..”
Peter said this at Jerusalem,
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’ ” Acts 2:29-35.
Jesus tells us, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' John 3:5-7.
Paul wrote in his letter to Colossae, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.” Colossians 2: 6-15.
But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:9-13.
“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
All of this is said to underline the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who lives in us…Jesus is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father. He saves us, and His Holy Spirit lives in us to empower us to live the life of Christ.
Tomorrow….Christ in us, the Hope of Glory…..but, I thought you said…I did.
Why Did Jesus Come?
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:34-39.
Of all the statements in Scriptures, this must be one of the most disturbing, curious and difficult to grasp until the purpose of His coming is clearly understood.
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:1-9.
The last statement in the story of Zacchaeus is a powerful word when viewed in context and then compared to the last statement in the previous box. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus literally came to tear the culture of his day from its foundations. But the rift continues today as our culture in the United States drifts further and further away from her heritage.
Think for just a moment about your friends and family and where they stand in relationship to culture and faith in Jesus Christ. At the moment we are in thet midst of a election year that is focusing upon the faith of two men who are contestants for the Republican nomination. Both are deeply involved in their respective faiths and are being chastised for what they stand for. While culture says that there should be a ‘Separation of Church and State’, the media certainly makes it a point to seek answers from Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee concerning faith. The problem is not so much that ‘Separation of Church and State’ is the question, but rather the fear of having a man of faith, again, in the White House. Jesus Christ does indeed bring a sword, and not peace, into our lives.
Zachaaeus simply wanted a good look at this curious Jew that was causing so much conflict in society and at the places of Jewish worship. I have often wondered what he the two said to one another when Jesus walked with him to his house. Probably, “How are you doing today?” and “How about them Cowboys?” “Have you driven a Ford, lately?” I write this in light of possible small talk between, say, Billy Graham and yourself. Billy would come back and immediately ask, “Are You going to Heaven?”
No doubt, a similar line of conversation took place between Zachaaeus and Jesus because we find Jesus saying, “Today salvation has come to this house…” A sword came to this man’s household. Can you possibly imagine what took place after Jesus left……and ole Zach was alone with his family?
Having lived among a Catholic dominated culture for many years, stories of individuals coming to Christ out of Catholic tradition are frightening. These persons are often separated from family, friends and priests with insults and hatred. No peace there.
And what takes places within the heart of the person that begins his journey of coming to know Christ is almost never easy, especially for those who have no relationship with any kind of church. For those who have grown up with the idea that Sunday is for church like Monday – Friday is for school and work, the idea of coming to faith in Jesus Christ is as simple as putting on a pair of shoes.
However, there are some who come from lives that have never known what it means to go to a Bible Study or worship on Sundays. And these individuals are not necessarily ‘bad’ in the sense of being drug users, etc. That would be bad enough, but the result is the same. Friends and family are wondering what has happened to Jim or Sue. Why are they going to church and carrying a Bible now? No peace there.
What must be clearly understood about the Christian faith is that when one chooses to follow Christ some things will not have to change, things will change or change has not taken place at all. “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39. No peace in this, either.
This simply means that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Something completely new takes place. There is a show on television that is a rather amusing one and the storyline is always the same. Old houses are remodeled and when the job is complete there is no resemblance to what it once looked like. This is similar to what takes place I the life of a new believer. However, the change for the believer is forever and things to do not wear out…they keep on changing and improving. No peace there.
In Jesus the Sword of Truth comes and the life of the Christian really knows no peace because the turmoil of daily living in a sinful world is a continuous battle between good and evil. No peace there because the believer finds that the battle is on going until Jesus comes……
The real reason that we sometimes fail to have peace as believers is that we fail to follow the words of Christ. In this there is no peace of mind and heart. For Jesus has said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27. The key to understanding Christian peace is, “Not as the world gives do I give to you.” This is one of the critical statements that must be understood. Peace in the Middle East and the dreams for political peace as we understand and desire peace is not the same that Christ speaks of. The peace that Christ brings is not as we hope for and desire it to be.
Remember that the Jews of Christ’s day rejected Him for the same reason that He is rejected today. His peace is spiritual in nature, not political. For this reason alone, the peace that Christ brings is not what we will ever see in the Middle East. Sorry about that, Christ brings the sword, not peace……
Of all the statements in Scriptures, this must be one of the most disturbing, curious and difficult to grasp until the purpose of His coming is clearly understood.
He entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:1-9.
The last statement in the story of Zacchaeus is a powerful word when viewed in context and then compared to the last statement in the previous box. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Jesus literally came to tear the culture of his day from its foundations. But the rift continues today as our culture in the United States drifts further and further away from her heritage.
Think for just a moment about your friends and family and where they stand in relationship to culture and faith in Jesus Christ. At the moment we are in thet midst of a election year that is focusing upon the faith of two men who are contestants for the Republican nomination. Both are deeply involved in their respective faiths and are being chastised for what they stand for. While culture says that there should be a ‘Separation of Church and State’, the media certainly makes it a point to seek answers from Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee concerning faith. The problem is not so much that ‘Separation of Church and State’ is the question, but rather the fear of having a man of faith, again, in the White House. Jesus Christ does indeed bring a sword, and not peace, into our lives.
Zachaaeus simply wanted a good look at this curious Jew that was causing so much conflict in society and at the places of Jewish worship. I have often wondered what he the two said to one another when Jesus walked with him to his house. Probably, “How are you doing today?” and “How about them Cowboys?” “Have you driven a Ford, lately?” I write this in light of possible small talk between, say, Billy Graham and yourself. Billy would come back and immediately ask, “Are You going to Heaven?”
No doubt, a similar line of conversation took place between Zachaaeus and Jesus because we find Jesus saying, “Today salvation has come to this house…” A sword came to this man’s household. Can you possibly imagine what took place after Jesus left……and ole Zach was alone with his family?
Having lived among a Catholic dominated culture for many years, stories of individuals coming to Christ out of Catholic tradition are frightening. These persons are often separated from family, friends and priests with insults and hatred. No peace there.
And what takes places within the heart of the person that begins his journey of coming to know Christ is almost never easy, especially for those who have no relationship with any kind of church. For those who have grown up with the idea that Sunday is for church like Monday – Friday is for school and work, the idea of coming to faith in Jesus Christ is as simple as putting on a pair of shoes.
However, there are some who come from lives that have never known what it means to go to a Bible Study or worship on Sundays. And these individuals are not necessarily ‘bad’ in the sense of being drug users, etc. That would be bad enough, but the result is the same. Friends and family are wondering what has happened to Jim or Sue. Why are they going to church and carrying a Bible now? No peace there.
What must be clearly understood about the Christian faith is that when one chooses to follow Christ some things will not have to change, things will change or change has not taken place at all. “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39. No peace in this, either.
This simply means that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Something completely new takes place. There is a show on television that is a rather amusing one and the storyline is always the same. Old houses are remodeled and when the job is complete there is no resemblance to what it once looked like. This is similar to what takes place I the life of a new believer. However, the change for the believer is forever and things to do not wear out…they keep on changing and improving. No peace there.
In Jesus the Sword of Truth comes and the life of the Christian really knows no peace because the turmoil of daily living in a sinful world is a continuous battle between good and evil. No peace there because the believer finds that the battle is on going until Jesus comes……
The real reason that we sometimes fail to have peace as believers is that we fail to follow the words of Christ. In this there is no peace of mind and heart. For Jesus has said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27. The key to understanding Christian peace is, “Not as the world gives do I give to you.” This is one of the critical statements that must be understood. Peace in the Middle East and the dreams for political peace as we understand and desire peace is not the same that Christ speaks of. The peace that Christ brings is not as we hope for and desire it to be.
Remember that the Jews of Christ’s day rejected Him for the same reason that He is rejected today. His peace is spiritual in nature, not political. For this reason alone, the peace that Christ brings is not what we will ever see in the Middle East. Sorry about that, Christ brings the sword, not peace……
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