Wednesday, March 27, 2013

When We Were Yet Without Strength...

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (Rom 5:6).
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver


WITHOUT STRENGTH. Man could not fulfill the demands of God. He did not have the capacity to do so. He was weak and "without strength." The demands of God, though holy, righteous and good, we're simply too high for depraved and enslaved man. The law, as it were, was "weak through the flesh" (Rom 8:3). The ability necessary for pleasing God and being accepted by Him was not resident within us. We were without strength to stand before God. Well did Isaiah assess the situation.

"For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them; In transgressing and lying against the Lord, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter." (Isaiah 59:12-14)
Salvation, then, is not just a gift, it is a provision. That is, it has utility; it is effective. In salvation those who are without strength are saved from that condition and made strong. The Savior Himself is known for finding battered reeds but not breaking them off. He is known for finding smoldering wicks but not putting them out. Jesus is known for find men in a weak condition but He does not allow them to stay that way. Isaiah continued about how God would deal with such helpless people.
"Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." (Isaiah 59:15-16)
Why would God extend Himself in such a way. Why travel such distances to save such a wretched people? "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" (Ps 8:4). Saving man is the means through which God would show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness. In an eternal display of His wisdom and strength the Father sent Jesus to do His will and to bring many sons to glory. In due time, the Word was made flesh.

IN DUE TIME. When the Savior of all men appeared He said, "the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which is lost" (Lk 19:10). Each time He found one of these "lost" He found him "without strength." Furthermore, in our Roman chapter five, the condition of the lost is described as "without strength," "ungodly," and "sinners." The work of the Messiah was to gather these ones and make them fit for the Master's use. He strengthened the weak, made the ungodly righteous and turned sinners into saints.

Salvation isn't about rewarding the godly (for there were none), it is about delivering the ungodly and empowering them to overcome. We were not deserving of any reward other than death. And Christ Jesus saved us from such peril "when were were yet without strength" and while we were "yet sinners" (Rom 5:8). Truly His death was "in due time." When we needed Him most, when all hope seemed to be lost, when the wrath of God was abiding on us, when we were ungodly sinners without strength, "in due time" Christ died for us. And we would never be the same.

CHRIST DIED FOR THE UNGODLY. Extending beyond the wisdom of men, God determined to save men by presenting His own Lamb as a sacrifice for their sins. The Lamb "of God" was the sacrifice that put away sin once and for all. The Just died for the unjust, that the unjust might come to God (1 Pet 3:18). Let that truth sink in, "...in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Hear it again, Christ died for the ungodly thus taking away their guilt and their shame. And again, Christ died for the ungodly bearing their sin in His body on the tree. Christ died for the ungodly so that they might live unto God. Christ died for the ungodly so that they might become godly. Christ died for the ungodly in order to "finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness" (Dan 9:24). Rejoice, brethren, for your warfare has been accomplished!

Friday, March 22, 2013

The Assembly of Saints: Oneness and Unity (Part 2)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
"be of one mind" (2 Cor 3:11)..."with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 15:6)..."stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Php 1:27)..."fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind"..."be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous" (1 Pet 3:8)


Oneness, unity, intimate fellowship is desired by God and His people. It is an emphasis in the kingdom of God. It is to be sought after among other believers, yet forsaken among unbelievers. Oneness is an experience for those "in Christ Jesus."

Fellowship Among the Brethren of Christ. True unity, true fellowship, is only possible in the arena of righteousness. It seems as though many professed believers find their unity with one another on the basis of falling short in doing what God desires of them. This is no fellowship at all. Fellowship comes when we repent of wickedness and walk in the light. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn 1:7).

Fellowship among men is contingent upon their fellowship with God and His Christ, into which they have been called (1 Cor 1:9). Remember that the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile was not broken down except in Christ, “who is our peace” (Eph 2:14-15). Believers are united “in Him” and are made “one new man” in Him. 

Through abiding in Christ, believers have fellowship with one another. They have been gathered to the same One, as it is written, “unto Him shall the gathering of the people be” (Gen 49:10; cf. Eph 1:10). Wherever men are not abiding in Christ, fellowship is not possible and seeking it is not lawful. “For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (2 Cor 6:14). In salvation, believers are given by God to Christ and the result, among other things, is that they are one.

They Shall All Be One. The basis for oneness, and particularly in the gathering together of the church, is found in oneness with the Lord. In other words, unity in and of itself, avails nothing. The purpose of God is not just for men to be united but for them to be one in Him. Jesus prayed that they all be one. That all of the many believers be as one united body. He prayed that they all be one, “as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us” (Jn 17:21). This oneness with each other and with Deity would prove to the world the greatness of “the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim 2:10). Jesus continued, “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (Jn 17:22-23). There is an end, or goal, to this oneness in the people of God. It is completeness with God unto His glory and the glory of His Christ, in Whom it is possible.
In Reality, There Is Only One. Jesus’ prayer is answered in Him. Oneness is not something to be created by men or by the strategies of men. It is the experience of believers because they have been placed in “one.” Oneness is not accomplished by men. All those in Christ are one because Christ is not divided. We are Christ’s and Christ is God’s (1 Cor 3:23); They are one, therefore, we are one.  
There IS one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6). 
There IS one. We are in one. Our task is to endeavor to “KEEP the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph 4:3). This truth alone makes division among brethren sinful and offensive to God. Where oneness is not realized, strategies are not necessary, team building exercises are not necessary, REPENTANCE is necessary. Unity is created by God through the Spirit, our task is to maintain it through peace. So far as it depends on you...be at peace with all men.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

The Assembly of Saints: Oneness and Unity (Part 1)


Perhaps the psalmist said it best,
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalm 133)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
Dwelling with those of "like precious faith” (2 Pet 1:1) is a pleasant and desirable thing. It is pleasant to believers and to God. It is in that atmosphere in which healing and nourishment is provided. It is in that atmosphere that God can work. It is then, that precious ointment can be applied. It is then, in that gathering of the brethren, that God commands the blessing, even life for evermore. 
The Scripture records that "when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place" (Acts 2:1). Many have experienced being in one place with others. Fewer have experienced being of one accord with others. And far less have experienced the precious blessing of being “all with one accord in one place.” This is, indeed, the aim of the assembly of the saints. God will work in such an environment as evidenced by the blessing poured out on that day of Pentecost.

Fellowship, true fellowship, cannot be produced by fleshly means. Fellowship extends much deeper than association with similar people. Fellowship, like unity, is “of the Spirit” (Php 2:1) and must also be maintained in the bond of peace (Eph 4). 

Many times churches attempt to create fellowship by gathering like demographics together for a fleshly activity, such as sports or dinner. While they do this in the name of fellowship and unity they actually create the opposite effect - division. Separating believers on the basis of age, gender, and worldly interests causes division among the brethren. Unity based upon fleshly traits is both shallow and transient. It changes with the flesh.  

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are,” among other things, “hatred, variance...wrath, strife...envyings” and other things like these (Gal 5:19-21). By comparison, however, the fruit of the Spirit includes “love...peace, longsuffering” and things like these. Where there are people walking in the Spirit, there will be oneness with each other. Where people are walking after the flesh, there will be division among them and the saints and no amount of fleshly activity will supplant spiritual division. 

The church in Corinth was a carnal, or “fleshly” church and their many divisions were an evidence of this (1 Cor 1:10-13). “For ye are yet carnal” said Paul, “whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Cor 3:3). The “church of God which is at Corinth” was dividing itself on the basis of which man baptized each individual into Christ. “For while one saith, ‘I am of Paul’; and another, ‘I am of Apollos’; are ye not carnal?” (1 Cor 3:4). This mindset is after the flesh and is all too common in today’s churches. Men separate themselves from other brethren on the basis of men who taught them. “I am a Lutheran”, “I am a Wesleyan”, “I am a Calvinist”, they say. Or, “I follow the pentecostal movement”, “I am part of the reformation movement” or “I am a part of the restoration movement”. All of these are man-made divisions emphasizing a distinction in the flesh, and not in the Spirit. The truth is that regardless of the person who baptized you, “by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13) and as a result we are all one in Christ. The only necessary distinction is whether a person is in Christ, or not. Paul exhorts the brethren and the exhortation is applicable today. “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos” (or today’s version, “Who then is Calvin, and who is Luther, and who is Campbell”) these faithful men are “ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave every man?” (1 Cor 3:5).
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)
Amazingly enough, men have taken something that ministered unity - laboring together in the Lord - and used it to cause division. The flesh truly lusteth against the Spirit. In the flesh there is divisions all about, but in the Spirit there is unity. Oneness is not the result of fleshly similarity. It is the result of being made to drink of that one Spirit."

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Musings from Today

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
GIVE ME, NOW, HEAVENLY THOUGHTS
How precious are Your thoughts to me
How vast is the sum of them
Thoughts of heaven and the hope of glory
Washed white and crowned with a diadem

"Come up here," "Come up higher"
"Come and see," there's much to behold
A throne surrounded by a heavenly choir
A sea of glass and streets of gold

A spirit of wisdom and revelation
Increase my faith in things unseen
Fill my heart with Your contemplations
Show me Your glory and transform me


BORN AGAIN BY THE WORD OF GOD
Empty philosophy and worldly wisdom
Fire extinguished by the shield of faith
Truth is the manner of the eternal kingdom
Lies are vanguished by the word of grace

Blind, deceived, ignorant, distracted
Shepherdless sheep, wandering astray
Called, gathered, taught and led
He left 99, He sought, He saved

He became unto us wisdom from God
And the truth of God made manifest
The Bread of Life, the Son of God
The Light of the World, the Word made flesh

His words are spirit and they are life
By which the dead are quickened and souls refreshed
So, "Come unto Me," saith the Christ
"Come unto Me and you will find rest"

..."And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." (1 Jn 5:20)

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Preparing to Come Before God

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver
Generally speaking, the majority is usually wayward. This was true in the days of Noah (Gen 6:5-12). It was true in Sodom and Gommorah (Gen 18:20-33). It was true in the wilderness (Num 26:65). It was true in Elijah’s day (1 Ki 19:10), Malachi’s day (Mal 3:16-18), and our day. As Jesus said, “wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at” (Mt 7:13). Therefore, it is often the task of the believer to “save himself from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40).


AN UNPLEASANT, YET FAMILIAR, ENVIRONMENT
King Hezekiah was charged with such a task.  Prior to his reign, the people were in ruin as a result of wicked leadership, namely, Ahaz. 
And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz. For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, "Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me." But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the Lord, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the Lord God of his fathers. (2 Chronicles 28:22-25)
Something needed to be done and quickly. Repentance was in order and, as always, it had to be immediate; “while it was still called today.” This was as needful a time as any, so Hezekiah called an assembly...and God showed up.

PREPARING THE PEOPLE AND THE PLACES
Men are not permitted to come before God while defiled. They cannot, “come as they are” when “as they are” is defiled. They must prepare themselves to stand before God. They must be washed, they must be cleansed, they must be purged from all things that corrupt. This is what salvation is all about. Salvation prepares us to stand before God. And God uses the assembly of the saints in His purpose of preparing the people. This truth is seen in Hezekiah’s work in preparing the priests to once again minister in behalf of men in things pertaining to God (Heb 5:1).

He Opened the Doors. There was no time to waste. The very first thing on the king’s agenda was to open up the way to God’s presence. And so, “in the first year of his reign, in the first month, [he] opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them” (2 Chr 29:3).

Gathering the Priests. Next, Hezekiah gathered the priests and Levites together (2 Chr 29:4). The work that needed to be done in order to prepare the people before God was not a work he could do alone, so he gathered others. The work to be done was not something that could be done with only a few; Hezekiah needed many men, but not just any men, he needed the men of God. Knowing that “the Lord hath chosen [them] to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that [they] should minister unto Him and burn incense” (2 Chr 29:11), Hezekiah gathered “the priests and Levites” together so he could speak to them. 

Sanctify Yourselves and the House. Holy people are required to do holy work. The priests and Levites, having neglected their ministry and followed after Ahaz, were far from holy. Hezekiah charged them, “sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God” (2 Chr 29:5). 

God is not honored by worship and praise offered by unholy people. In fact, it is detestable to Him. He has said to His people through Isaiah the prophet, “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot [endure]; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting” (Isa 1:13). Before Hezekiah could restore temple worship he had to gather together the priests. And before the priests and Levites could minister unto Him, they had to sanctify themselves and the house of the Lord. 

Carry Forth the Filthiness. The Holy places must be cleansed from filthiness if God is going to accept what is done in them. Not only did the people have to be holy but the vessels and tabernacle itself had to be cleansed, and that with blood. The priests could not simply wash themselves and go offer sacrifices. They had to “carry forth the filthiness” (2 Chr 29:5) that was resident in the holy place as a result of the sins committed during the reign of Ahaz. 

Sin Defiles Everything It Touches. The necessity of the sanctification of the priests and Levites and the holy place was due to the defilement caused by their iniquity. 
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken Him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs. Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. (2 Chronicles 29:6-7)
The people has sinned and had forsaken God. They were extremely busy in religious things but they were not worshipping God. They turned their faces from His house. He was not prominent in their minds and was being neglected in hearts. They worshipped and served other gods in His stead. The places that were set apart for God they used to serve others. The result of all of this was defilement and corruption. They couldn’t just repent. They couldn’t just stop their wickedness and start to live to righteousness. While this was required it was not ALL that was required. The people and the places had to be cleansed, sanctified.

Determination to Recover. Hezekiah, a holy man of God, was burdened by the condition of Israel. Their waywardness vexed his soul and God’s punishment upon them was more than he was willing to bear. He knew the reason for their suffering, “the wrath of Lord” was upon them. Hezekiah was determined to correct this condition. “Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us” (2 Chr 29:10). Oh, that their were more men today who would have this in their hearts.

Be Not Negligent. Hezekiah’s charge to the priests and Levites was simple, “be not now negligent” (2 Chr 29:11). Their charge was not to do something foreign or unknown to them. Their charge was to do exactly what they were chosen to do. No man-made philosophies or strategies of recovery were necessary. They didn’t need a program of steps to take them from here to there. What they needed was to do the first things, the things they were chosen to do.

PREPARING THE PEOPLE TODAY
Through this account we can see the things that are required for a defiled people to recover themselves and once again serve their Lord acceptably. The doors to God must be open. The priests must be gathered and sanctified. The house of the Lord must be sanctified. Sin and its guilt and defilement must be put away. The people must be determined to recover themselves and they must not be negligent in walking according to their calling. No assembly of saints can be pleasing to God until the people themselves are pleasing to Him. God will not accept offerings until the ones offering the gifts are accepted. In Christ, we are accepted (Eph 1:6). In Christ, we have access to the Father (Eph 2:18).