John 1:1-4 1. What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— Moses wrote in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God……” and in John 1:2-3 we find that Christ the Son of God was with God in the beginning as well. “He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.” John expresses that he is one of the living witnesses of the Christ before the Crucifixion. Most notably is that John had very vivid memory of his relationship with Jesus and calls Him the Word of Life. Jesus is the very expression of life. I AM the bread of life. John 6:35: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. I AM the light of the world. John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 9:5: While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” I AM the door. John 10:7: Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep." I AM the good shepherd. John 10:11-14: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me...." I AM the resurrection and the life. John 11:25: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies." I AM the way, the truth and the life. John 14:6: Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." I AM the true vine. John 15:1, 5: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Something of importance here is the very fact that NO ONE ELSE on the planet has ever been able to claim support for any one of these statements EXCEPT the Christ. 2. and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— His presence and foundation remains with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit…..the Three in One aspect of God. This is what John is telling us. God is manisfested to the Believer in the Person of Jesus Christ. How significant is it that the very Person who created all that we know lives in the heart and life of every Believer…..magnificent, awesome, inspiring and absolutely true. 3. what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. Fellowship of the Believer with God is incredible. There is no other religion in the world that is able to portray this relationship. There is some sort of connection that is found with a god of sorts, but none provides a personal relationship that results in a daily fellowship with the Creator of Faith. How awesome is this truth? 4. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. Completeness in relationship with the Savior of the world is found in the Cross. What joy and wonder!! From the moment of the conception of the Christ in the womb of Mary to the Resurrection is found the completeness of life in Him. Mary expressed her awe as did Paul on the Road to Damascus. Every person who discovered the truth of Salvation in Christ expressed great joy in that relationship with Him and not one walked away sad except for the Rich Young Ruler who refused Him. Jesus is Lord BW

The Power of One

The idea of ‘the power of one’ is not new. There are films, books, seminars, businesses and the list is almost indefinite. Looking at the message behind most films, books, seminars and businesses, the most obvious is that they are invalid in SOURCE of the power. Very few recognize that the Source of everything is God and without this recognition no validity is established. Without recognition of God as the Source there can be no validity.

On Thursday night as the University of Texas began the ballgame against Alabama there was no doubt in my mind that the Longhorns would win. However, when Colt McCoy left the game with a shoulder injury the validity to my claim was gone. Perhaps the reason that the Longhorns won the invitation to play in that game rested in the abilities of their quarterback. The awesome Power of One was obvious.

What is missing in the equation for most is the Source of that presence of power. Every event that suggests the Power of One without giving substantial recognition of the Source has lost validity no matter the reason.

Sapphira’s husband, Ananias died three hours previously and she enters the room where Peter stood and he says to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well." And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Acts 5:9-10.

This event found in Acts 5 is a small part, would be insignificant if Ananias and Sapphira had not agreed to not tell the truth about what they were giving to the Church. These two had chosen NOT to validate the Source of their existence and were therefore removed from the scene by God. The validity of their gift had been removed when they chose not to recognize Him.
Perhaps the most extraordinary occurrence follows in verses 5-13, “And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things. At the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's portico. But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, the people held them in high esteem.”

These Apostles consistently validated their Source as being the Holy Spirit. The significance those were fearful of the Apostles is the necessity of honoring God in everything. However, when Believers decide to honor the Lord in everything and follow Him explicitly we must recognize the consequences.

The most notable consequence is personal loss of status recognition by others. By recognition of the Power of the One who lives within us, the Believer must take the second seat…..
“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11.

Observing the Word of God

What we teach in the home and in the classroom will be the foundation of government in 30 years, by all means we must teach God's Word.

"Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I am teaching you to perform, so that you may live and go in and take possession of the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD has done in the case of Baal-peor, for all the men who followed Baal-peor, the LORD your God has destroyed them from among you. But you who held fast to the LORD your God are alive today, every one of you. See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever we call on Him? Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to Me, that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.'” Deuteronomy 4:1-10.

Our hearts and minds should be deeply concerned and grieved when elected officials in any town, county, state, Congress or the White House will recognize a god other than Jehovah God of the Bible. Our Nation was founded upon the precepts of God’s Word, the wisdom of Jehovah God, and we now have a government brimming with men and women who no longer observe Him as Creator God. Shame on us as a people for we are beginning to see the results of our foolishness as a Nation. There is but one alternative to avoid the punishment upon this Nation and that is to return to Him.

“See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it.” V.5.

Our Forefathers came to the shores of this Continent searching for freedom from an abusive government and possessed this land in the Name of God. As a people, we have come a very long way and somehow lost our Course that could very well change our Destiny.

“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” V.6.

A few years after celebrating 200 years of being “One Nation Under God”, many of us are content with allowing many ‘other gods’ in our tent. Other world nations continuously marveled at our economic, political and military power, but not so today. These same Nations are wondering if we are able to be a world leader any longer. We have become a Debtor Nation in many more ways than economics. No longer are we seen as wise and understanding.

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.” V.7.

Few of us have kept the Word of God available to our children and fewer schools are reading His Book in the classroom. For this foolishness we have leadership in our Nation’s Capitol who are honoring other gods and other books of wisdom apart from God’s Word and His Wisdom. When leaders uphold the religion of another god as being worthy above the God of Christian Faith, we are no longer heeding truth and power, but rather lies and weakness.

“But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. "It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so you shall perish; because you would not listen to the voice of the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 8:18-20.

AS Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to forget our God and we MUST not allow our people to forget Him. In doing so our Nation will perish.

License to Sin?

Some say that some people give others a ‘license’ to sin. That is not a novel idea because the author of sin is Satan, the father of lies. Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:42-44.

Looking across the pages of Scripture I have not found this idea that anyone gives to another a so-called ‘license’ to sin. However, what I have found is this, “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:14-15. However, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Man is in a mess, a very real mess and the mess was present before he was given possession of the Garden. At that time Satan has been around for a very long time before he was given opportunity to tempt Adam and Eve. And it is in this context that we can understand Paul’s previous statement, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” Recalling the events surrounding Adam and Eve, we know that they did physically escape the place of their sin, but the decision to leave Eden was God’s, not theirs. The scar of the sin was theirs to live with as the lives of their children are played out on the stage of darkness. They escaped the place, but horrors of their decision to follow the temptation of Satan remains to this very moment. The freedom to choose sin over righteousness continues. That is, the license to sin and the license to righteousness, as well. But in the end all is effectively accomplished according to the desires of God’s heart.

The desire of God’s heart is that mankind serve Him and Him only. Just as he instructed Moses and the Hebrews in the Wilderness of Sin,

"Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites.” Joshua 24:14-15.

"And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, The will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain, that you may gather in your grain and your wine and your oil. And he will give grass in your fields for your livestock, and you shall eat and be full. Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and he will shut up the heavens, so that there will be no rain, and the land will yield no fruit, and you will perish quickly off the good land that the LORD is giving you.” Deuteronomy 11:13-17.

Reading God’s Word indicates that everyone who loves Him holds in place the license to sin or the license to righteousness. Just because a person possesses a license to drive is not given permission to disobey traffic laws without penalties.

My brother was driving above the speed limit and was stopped by a policeman and given a ticket, or as his son told his mother, “Daddy was stopped by a policeman and the policeman gave Daddy a note.” In other words, the policeman asked him for his license to drive and despite his license to drive, was still presented a ticket because the speed limit was broken. A penalty was paid. The same has happened to me, as well.

The God of Heaven and Earth, the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ has presented us with the free gift of Eternal Life in Him, but this is not a license to sin. This is a an opportunity for everyone to go to Heaven despite our sin. Christ wants to live in the heart and direct the life of every person, but because He lives in the hearts of men and women is not permission or a license to sin. There remains no penalty for sin that is already paid for at Calvary 2000 years ago.

Believers in Jesus Christ are free in Him from the penalty of sin that will be committed by them. The freedom is to live in Him, not a license to sin, but the strength to live in freedom from the penalty of sin that has been cancelled. There is not fear for the sin committed, but rather the ability in Christ Jesus not to sin. This does not mean that sin will not be committed, but the ability to live without sin is certainly present. However, we will sin not because we are human, but because we will sometimes make decisions to sin rather than follow Jesus.

But John wrote, “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, you know the Father. write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” 1 John 2:7-14.

A License to Sin? Hardly so. However, to know Christ is freedom from the penalty of sin when sin is committed. And praise the Lord, Jesus paid the price one time and for all time. Not to be repeated over and over again…..remember
.Hebrews 6? If not, read it again…….

Jesus said,, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Do You Have THE Answer?

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect”1 Peter 3:15

I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is going to Heaven? After all, the Jew is the Chosen of God.” I have always answered, “No,” because Jesus Christ died for the sins of all people, but only those who have repented and asked for Him to be their Savior will go to Heaven. You see, we need Jesus and the righteousness of God that comes by believing in the Christ.

Questions about faith seem to come almost every day, from somewhere. And when the question comes about your personal faith in Jesus Christ, will you have The Answer?

Almost each day that I live, I ask someone the question, “How are you going to get to Heaven form where you are?” Would you believe that more than 8 of 10 people that I query have no idea? Amazingly enough, a lady working at a Chic Filet completed John 14:6 as I was quoting this verse to her, but she did not know how to go to Heaven!

My conclusion is that we who are Evangelical Christians are not prepared to share the message of Christ with people whose path crosses ours. As Peter writes, we must always “be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”

Reality Check

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."" Matthew 12:33-37.

Returning from Peru for our first Stateside Assignment was somewhat startling, but the second trip home in 1990 was even more amazing. Many things had remained the same, but so much had changed. Especially vehicles.

Because I had been witnessing the model changes from year to year, identifying a Chevrolet or a Ford product was easy. In 1990 we had been out of the States for six years and the models had changed so drastically during that time that no longer was it possible for me to look at a vehicle and know what it was. Today, after being in the States for 10 years, I have yet to catch up. They all look alike to me. But one thing is certain, a Chevrolet is just what it is, a Chevrolet and not a Ford, “for the tree is known by its fruit.”

Someone may say many things about character and profession or whatever else, but what we are will eventually be known. Our words and actions will, in time, expose who and what we really are. “How can you speak good, when you are evil?”

For this reason alone, Christians are Christians and those who are not simply are not. People keep company with those that they are most like, no matter who they may claim to be. There is an old saying that I use from time to time that tells the story of who we are, “The birds of a feather flock together.”

I have been a fan of the Texas Tech Red Raiders as long as I can recall. Living in Arkansas and being on staff with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention has not helped me when I preach in Arkansas churches week in and week out. I still cannot ‘Call the Hawgs’. One would have to be from Arkansas to do that.

However, I am not a Texas Tech Red Raider football, baseball or basketball team member only because I say that I am a Red Raider. A fan, yes, for many years. But am I a Red Raider? No. I have not paid my dues in order to be able to say that. I have a cousin who played for the Raiders way back in the 50’s. Jim Henderson is a Red Raider because he ‘paid his dues.’

We are who we are, and nothing can change that. Jesus Christ makes the difference in everything I both say and do. Being a Christian is not an attempt to be something I am not. Being a Christian is because of who He is living in my heart and life. He reveals himself through me, in spite of me. But His presence in my life enables me to be a Christian. I do good because of Him. "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks... for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Blessings In His Time

” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.." Galatians 6:9.

In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.

Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.

My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.

Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.

And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20

For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.

Blessings In His Time

” And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.." Galatians 6:9.

In our fast-paced, nanosecond world, patience is waning to say the least. I sometimes find it difficult to wait on my ‘slow’ computer to retrieve data in less than 5 seconds and then I recall that early home PC’s that required 3-5 minutes while loading something from the programmed cassette tapes. Patience.

Imagine living in the 1800’s and waiting for several weeks to receive mail from New York if your residence was in Santa Fe. History tells us that the Civil War did not actually end with the Surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. In fact, skirmishes continued for several months afterwards because of the difficulty in communication. Patience.

My father told the story of sitting around the radio with friends on Friday nights listening to the news on the radio….the room lit with a single light bulb. Not much of a ‘Foot Print; back in the early 1900’s, hmmm. Patience.

Recalling our days in Peru is filled with memories of waiting in untold lines for minutes and sometimes hours to accomplish a task that is taken care of in seconds on the Internet. Patience.

And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, "I have asked for him from the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:20

For years Hannah desired a child and she labored in prayer and upon the Lord she waited and waited and waited until He decided to provide. And then she literally gave her 3 year old son, Samuel, to the care of Eli. Faith and patience in the Lord always result in His blessings. Blessings beyond our ability to understand.

Universal Quests

"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." Thessalonians 5:1-11.

Observing people is something that I do a great deal of. Whether I am at the ‘Wally World’ or at the local gas station paying an unbelievable amount of money for a gallon of gasoline, I find myself looking at people. Rebekah is consistently reminding me not to ‘stare’.

What I find is quite interesting. As people are purchasing, whatever, the conversation always relates to the high prices. This has always been the case. I vividly recall the early 1970’s as the price of gasoline ‘took off’ from 25 cents per gallon to 31 0r 32 cents. “What are we going to do?” was the question and the same question is asked today as we are paying in the neighborhood of $3.50+ per gallon. Nothing has really changed except for the price of gasoline.

People everywhere have the same fears and desires….everywhere. The fears and desires may be energized by different forces, but those feelings of insecurity remain. There is no peace nor security except in the Christ.

The same quest is present everywhere, how to find peace or security in a volatile environment. Terrorism was an everyday event in Peru during the 80’s and early 90’s and everyone was very much aware of the presence of the ‘Shining Path’. No one was immune from the fear of their presence, whether in mountain villages or the metropolitan capitol city of Lima. The people who understood peace were the Christians. The same holds true today in a post 9/11 environment.

With the General Election of 2008 fast approaching, the question on everyone’s mind is ‘Who is the best candidate to hold the office of the President of the United States?’ With both candidates ‘at war’ with words and expressions of platforms, the electorate will soon cast their ballots and hope to find peace….but whether it be Obama or McCain, neither of them holds that key, either.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. vv 2-3.

We live in a day while those who are making proclamation of the Word of God are ignored. However, many preachers that I recall for my 60 years of life have been saying the very same thing. The point of reference comes directly from Scripture. “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." Hebrews 12:25-26.

The desire to know peace is universal, and many routes to discover peace have been devised. Thousands of religions are existent that make attempts for inner peace, but none exists in the mind of man or woman. Only God is the Author of Peace that is found in His Son, Jesus Christ, and His desire is everyone to find salvation. “For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” v9.

Busy Week

This past week was filled with all sorts of opportunities.

One week ago we began moving Robert and family from our house to theirs in Nashville, Arkansas...just about 25 miles to the north of us. And then....

Hurricane Gustavo hit the Gulf Coast and Patti's family came to Hope. They stayed in a local motel and a couple of the families stayed over at the Migrant Center.

Patti traveled most of the week visiting different Co-ops. She now has a cold and this will probably hang on for about 10 days or so.

Today, we will attempt to complete the move for Robert, Robin and family...among other things that must be attended to.

Masterpiece

Looking at books that contain printed copies of oil paintings accomplished by the old Masters is something I do quite often. Doing so gives me some ideas on how to become a little bit better when I smear paint on canvas. Smearing is the best that I am able to do in light of a Leonardo Da Vinci painting.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.

God's workmanship! Replace the word ‘we’ with your name, "______ is God's workmanship." You and I are a one-of-a-kind original masterpiece! Sometimes we may not feel like a masterpiece. Perhaps you may not have been treated like a masterpiece, but the One who created you says you are His workmanship. From the moment of conception, God has been placing into you the qualities, experiences and the capabilities to make a unique difference in our world.

Remember that you and I are "created in Christ Jesus for good works." You are an original! You are priceless. For this reason alone, He died for you because no one else could pay that price. Your are beyond value.
Perhaps you have been rejected, ignored, hurt, or abused. It might be that you are criticized by folks who do not know who you are. But all of these negative messages are saying that you are not worth much and that you not good enough. However, people do not determine your worth. It is God who determines your value because you are His workmanship.
There are three words in this verse that define our personal worth, "in Christ Jesus." He paid for your sin with His life. God's Son died for you. That' is how much He believes you are worth!

Can a Christian Live Apart from Christ?

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

Did you read what Jesus says? “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness…”

When He said this, Jesus was confronted by unbelieving Jewish leaders who had brought an adulterous woman to Him so that He would pronounce judgment on her. A moment later, Jesus makes these remarks to some believing Jews that are witnesses to those attempting to entrap him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32.

Jesus points out to his disciples after hearing their questions concerning the threats he is receiving from his enemies, "Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." John 11:9-10.

Many people I have known who have claimed that they had made a profession of faith, but somehow became sidetracked and returned to the way that they had previously lived before becoming a Christian. But now they want to ‘rededicate’ their lives and live for the Lord. But we find in John 11:10 that, “if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him." One ‘stumbles’ because the light, that is Jesus Christ, is not a part of he/her life.

If there could be such a thing as rededication, look again at the following…..
"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." Matthew 12:43-45.

While we are here, let us take time to look suspiciously at this oft-used word ‘rededication’. I find it fascinating that this word is not to be found anywhere in the Word of God. Why look any further??? Why use it except to satisfy our desires to soften the blows of message of Jesus that states, "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Mattheew 7:13-15.

The phrase "fish out of water" refers to a person in an unfamiliar setting. And I have been referring Christians and nonbelievers, without saying so, who are attempting to live outside of their environments.

1. Christians, when they sin, are immediately convicted of their sin by the Holy Spirit for Jesus said this about Him, “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 16:8-11.

2. Unbelievers are members of Christian churches, whatever ‘flavor’ they are, being ‘comforted by well meaning Christians who say, “when we sin, God forgives our sin.” But they do not understand the words of Paul when he writes, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

For number 2 I have taken 2Corinthians 5:17 from its context, but let us put it in the context that Paul was writing to as he states, “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. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:11-20.

These verses are pregnant with information, but there are only a few that must be looked at within the context of our subject matter.

1. answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For those that were ‘born again’ and became involved in the life of the local church and leave for a season of time but return and ‘rededicate their lives’…this is for them when they say, “Look at what I did, and did, and now am doing.” HOGWASH!!

2. and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. The Church of Jesus Christ must look at the heart of those that want to ‘rededicate’ themselves and return to the Lord. One cannot leave and return, leave and return….look again at Hebrews 6…..

3. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. Note that Paul writes, “If anyone is in Christ”…. According to Jesus, nothing can snatch His own from His hand, and as Paul wrote to the church at Rome, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39.

Christians cannot separate themselves from God in Christ, no matter how hard they may try or how they may sin because of the Holy Spirit who lives within the heart of the believer. 1 John 4:4-6 reports the following, “you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

The crazy fish is flopping around on the floor of the Science Classroom and Jackie cries out, “Get real fish, you cannot swim on the floor……” Christians cannot live without Christ no more than a non believer is able to survive in the midst of Christians……

Fish cannot survive out of water…..

But they are able to do a great many push-ups, and really fast!!!

It is Impossible

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

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. Hebrews 3:12 – 4:3

The issue in Hebrews is unbelief and disobedience. These are those that have fallen away and were not able to enter into His rest. This passage speaks directly about those folks who came out of Egypt having been led by Moses. My personal contention is that we cannot lose our salvation, that is, fall from grace and neither is a believer able to ‘backslide’ into the condition that he was before becoming a born again believer in Jesus Christ.

…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… Hebrews 6:4-5

Be very careful with ‘proof texting’. That is, removing a text from God’s Word in order to prove a point. Always, always, always study God’s Word within the context of the message of Scripture. Never, never remove form the context any text to prove doctrine. Do not bring your personal experiences nor what others have said to you to the Lord’s Table. Allow Him to provide the meal and you feast upon it….leave it in context.

With that in mind….look at verses 4 and 5 and study them within the message of Christ found in the following passage.
The Jews then gathered around Him, and were saying to Him, "How long will You keep us in suspense? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. "I and the Father are one." Jews picked up stones again to stone Him. John 10:24-31.

The message of Christ is, "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father's name, these testify of Me. "But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep. "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. " within this framework, look again at Hebrews 6:4-5

…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…

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. Hebrew 4:2

And now we must consider the ideas of ‘backsliding and salvation lost or falling from grace’. There is no gray area here because of these two phrases, ‘It is impossible’ and ‘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’ that precede and follow ‘…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…

One might say, but I know ‘so and so’ who was saved, that is to say, ‘walked the aisle, made a public profession of faith, was baptized by the Pastor, joined the choir, stopped drinking, smoking, using drugs, foul language, fornication, gossiping, pornography, country western music, playing the drums, bought a hybrid car, cut his hair, pulled his pants up and all those other sins. He began to follow the straight and narrow.’ Four or five years later he became disgruntled with the Sunday School teacher and a deacon and jumped right back into all of that stuff, but Praise the Lord, he came to church this morning and Rededicated his Life to the Lord. Why, he even burned his guitar this afternoon. He was just ‘backslidden’.

And I have a piece of the original Cross of Jesus Christ that was given to me by a certain TV Evangelist that visited Golgotha and picked up this sliver of wood. He sent it to me with his blessing because I gave him $5.00 so he could stay on the air, and I want to give it to you.

Fish cannot swim out of water…..

And tomorrow I will give you the reasons why. In the mean time, study and read God’s Word before listening to others. Including me.

Falling from Grace?

The doctrine of Falling from Grace is a curious thing for me, and I admit that what is said here is prejudiced by what I know to be true in Scripture. From what I have read and understand, at least in part, this statement of faith tells us that one can be saved, lost and saved again….repeatedly. And at the same time I have sat on numerous occasions listening to those that profess this and have heard them say that “God saves perfectly and completely, and that salvation does not depend upon the good works of the believer.” And, in almost the same breath, say that if one sins that salvation is lost.

The following studies will continue the previous statement concerning “Falling form Grace”. But once again, everyone is responsible to the Lord Jesus to be faithful in Bible reading and study. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

Read this text in its entirety, 2 Timothy 2.

“For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed”
1 Corinthians 15:9-11.

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

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.” Galatians 1:5-7

There are all varieties of ‘gospels’ out there….sort of a buffet kind of experience. Anything from those that want to get rich to those that want to have miracles in order to know God. We once would say, “turn your dial” but today we say, “push the button” change the channel and you will find the gospel that will fit your situation. And the truly astounding thing is that each of those that ‘market’ their gospel will certainly say that they have been given ‘knowledge’ of the truth. “?”

By the way, the word ‘gospel’ is defined as being, ‘something regarded as true and implicitly believed.”

“Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” Galatians 5:2-6.

Paul is speaking directly to those who were known as Judaizers. These were Jews who wanted to hang on to their Jewish traditions and follow Christ at the same time, and as Paul is indicating this cannot be done. From what can be seen within the context of this Scripture, these people were not followers of Christ and were never ‘born again’. Again, read the context….

“For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-30.

Receiving ‘knowledge of the truth’ is different from receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. No need for explanation here.

“For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-5

Reading the entire first chapter of Jude and following really gives understanding to all that the Bible tells us about relationship with God…..

For all that we can know about God, no one has the complete answer that will satisfy their own prejudices and doctrines that are designed by man. However, we must begin with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. And for those of us who, indeed, know Him…..see you in Heaven.

Backsliding?

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…..

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.

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.

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

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.

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.