Thou shalt call his name Jesus
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and
see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and
walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said,
We will not walk therein.
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth
a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being
interpreted is, God with us.
JHWE the savior: John Wesley writes in his notes: Mat 1:21 Jesus That is, a Savior. It is the same name with Joshua (who was a type
of him) which properly signifies, The Lord, Salvation. His people Israel. And all the Israel of God.
Luk 2:21 And when eight days
were accomplished for the
circumcising of the child, his name
was called JESUS, which was so
named of the angel before he was
conceived in the womb.
Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed
them, and said unto Mary his
mother, Behold, this child is set for
the fall and rising again of many in
Israel; and for a sign which shall be
spoken against;
Here are two functions. To some He is a stumbling block in
the way over which they fall and to some He is a Rock in the
way on which one leans and is raised up. Some fall on the
Rock and are broken and restored, others bash their heads
against the Rock and become fools. Whoever falls at his feet
is raised up: whoever refuses to fall at His feet is brought low
never to rise. Sinners are cleansed, fools made wise and what
is lost is found.
Anna also prophesied:
Luk 2:38 And she coming
in that instant gave
thanks likewise unto the
Lord, and spake of him to
all them that looked for
redemption in Jerusalem.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come,
saith the LORD, that I will raise
unto David a righteous Branch,
and a King shall reign and
prosper, and shall execute
judgment and justice in the
earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be
saved, and Israel shall dwell
safely: and this is his name
whereby he shall be called, THE
LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must
be saved.
Here lies the problem. It is not that people don’t want to confess
that name or bear that name; in fact the popular proponents of
that name love to be seen in their robes and to be esteemed by
the world. This name is, however in enmity with the world as
the world cannot accept Him as the sole savior that will save
them from their sins for then they would have to separate
themselves from the world. According to the Scriptures, this
name is not one of many, it is the only one that can save us. He
is the sole high priest, Lord and king. As Christians we are to
bear that name, proclaim that name, have the faith of that
name and live that name.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels,
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into
glory.
Christ was God manifest in the flesh. In Him divinity and humanity
were united. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
He lived in this world a perfect life, revealing the character to
which, through divine grace, man may attain. In His life He left an
example that every true Christian must follow. No falsehood ever
fell from His lips. Never did He do a dishonest act. He stood forth
in unsullied purity and goodness, revealing what man must be
before he can enter the holy city. {ST, April 26, 1905 par. 3}
"The sower soweth the word." Christ came to sow the world
with truth. Ever since the Fall of man, Satan has been sowing
the seeds of error. It was by a lie that he first gained control
over men, and thus he still works to overthrow God's kingdom
in the earth and to bring men under his power. A sower from
a higher world, Christ came to sow the seeds of truth. He who
had stood in the councils of God, who had dwelt in the
innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, could bring to men the
pure principles of truth. Ever since the Fall of man, Christ had
been the Revealer of truth to the world. By Him the
incorruptible seed, "the word of God, which liveth and
abideth for ever," is communicated to men (1 Peter 1:23). In
that first promise spoken to our fallen race in Eden, Christ was
sowing the gospel seed. But it is to His personal ministry
among men, and to the work which He thus established, that
the parable of the sower especially applies. {LHU 69.4}
It is the world that needs a savior, not angels or unfallen beings.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life.
The world: that includes me, that places me on a level with all
the saints of God who needed salvation as much as did the
vilest sinners. This gift is as much for me as for anyone else
who was born in this world. Therefore:
1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a
stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
As fallen beings we cannot stand in the presence of God and live.
If we are to survive, we need something more than our own
righteousness or even the righteousness which is from the
law. We need the righteousness of Christ which stands on the
right side of the Father which the devil cannot refute or
topple and which the righteous judgments of God can not
condemn. Me they can topple and blow away like a feather
but if I point to the right hand of the father where Christ sits,
who adorns me with His righteousness, then they will have to
leave me unassailed.
Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Joh 11:26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never
die. Do you believe this?"
He conquered Satan in the long fast of
the wilderness, and when he came to
him as an angel of light, offering the
dominion of the world in exchange for
his worship; he made sacrifices that will
never be required of man, as man can
never attain to his exalted character. His
whole earthly life was a demonstration
of perfect submission to his Father's will.
The course of Christ and that of Satan
present the complete contrast of the life
of an obedient with that of a disloyal
son. {3SP 77.2}
All may now obtain holy hearts, but it is not correct to claim in this
life to have holy flesh. The apostle Paul declares, "I know that in
me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). To
those who have tried so hard to obtain by faith so-called holy
flesh, I would say, You cannot obtain it. Not a soul of you has holy
flesh now. No human being on the earth has holy flesh. It is an
impossibility. {2SM 32.1}
The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification of body, soul,
and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with God.
Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to
improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great
changes can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws
of God and bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while
we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian
perfection of the soul.
Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly
forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what
God can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves
wholly to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from
all sin. The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through
faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank
God that we are not dealing with impossibilities. We may claim
sanctification. We may enjoy the favor of God. We are not to be
anxious about what Christ and God think of us, but about what
God thinks of Christ, our Substitute. Ye are accepted in the
Beloved. The Lord shows, to the repenting, believing one, that
Christ accepts the surrender of the soul, to be molded and
fashioned after His own likeness. {2SM 32.3}
Luk 18:10 Two men went up
into the temple to pray; the
one a Pharisee, and the other a
publican.
Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood
and prayed thus with himself,
God, I thank thee, that I am not
as other men are, extortioners,
unjust, adulterers, or even as
this publican.
Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the
week, I give tithes of all that I
possess.
Luk 18:13 And the publican,
standing afar off, would not lift
up so much as his eyes unto
heaven, but smote upon his
breast, saying, God be
merciful to me a sinner.
Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man
went down to his house
justified rather than the other:
for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.
Jesus the light of the world
Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light
unto my path.
Psa 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep
thy righteous judgments.
Light and obedience go hand in hand. Likewise disobedience
and darkness go hand in hand
Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light
of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but
shall have the light of life.
Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest
record of thyself; thy record is not true.
Joh 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record
of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and
whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go.
Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.
Joh 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone,
but I and the Father that sent me.
Joh 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two
men is true.
Joh 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that
sent me beareth witness of me.
Joh 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus
answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me,
ye should have known my Father also.
Joh 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in
the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet
come.
Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall
seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
He will not force you or coerce you, reject Him and He will
leave you:
Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye
shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot
come.
Martin Luther comments on this verse: “It is frightening when
He goes away because He takes with Him eternal life and
salvation and everything that God wants to give His own and
leaves behind death, the devil, sin and unhappiness. One sees
this in the Jews. In the Turks He is also gone. In Popery also.”
(Martin Luther, Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s. 75.)
Joh 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith,
Whither I go, ye cannot come.
Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from
above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.
Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for
if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Joh 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith
unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.
I said λαλέω laleō lal-eh'-o
A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, that is,
utter words: - preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare
G3004.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not
anything made that hath been made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness
apprehended it not.
Joh 8:25 Da sprachen sie zu ihm: Wer bist du? [Und] Jesus sprach
zu ihnen: Durchaus das, was ich auch zu euch rede. (Elberfelder)
Joh 8:25 Da sagten sie zu ihm: Wer bist du? Und Jesus sprach zu
ihnen: Erstens das, was ich euch eben sage! (Schlachter)
Joh 8:25 Da sprachen sie zu ihm: Wer bist du denn? Und Jesus
sprach zu ihnen: Erstlich der, der ich mit euch rede. (Luther)
Martin Luther comments that they wanted to know who He was
and not what He had to say. He, however, wants them to hear
what He has to say and then they would know who He is. The
Word must be the beginning then knowledge would follow. If we
refuse to listen then we will never know because it has been
determined that God wants to be unseen, unrecognized and
incomprehensible other than through His Word alone. It is
therefore for naught to undertake anything to achieve salvation
other than by His Word. He will not do it, He does not want it and
He wants it no other way. Therefore let His book, through which
He speaks to you, be recommended to you because He did not
write it for nothing so that it should lie there as though He were
speaking to mice or to the flies on the pulpit. One must read it,
think it, speak it and be moved by it being convinced that that it is
He Himself, not angels nor other created beings, that speaks to us
therein. (Martin Luther, Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s.
289.
Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that
sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have
heard of him.
Joh 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the
Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing
of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left
me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If
ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.
Free from the bondage of sin
Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were
never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made
free?
Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but
the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free
indeed.
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me,
because my word hath no place in you.
Joh 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do
that which ye have seen with your father.
They wanted temporal relief and not freedom from the
bondage of sin.
Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father.
Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do
the works of Abraham.
Joh 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the
truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
Joh 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We
be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Joh 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would
love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I
of myself, but he sent me.
Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye
cannot hear my word.
Only the sinless One can save from sin
Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your
father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the
father of it.
Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
Joh 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the
truth, why do ye not believe me?
Joh 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore
hear them not, because ye are not of God.
Committing the sin against the Holy Spirit
Joh 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not
well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?
Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father,
and ye do dishonour me.
Joh 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh
and judgeth.
Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he
shall never see death.
Joh 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast
a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a
man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
Joh 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead?
and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Joh 8:52 …. 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste
death.'
This is the medicine that is prescribed by the great physician. For
many this medicine is too bitter to swallow. Think about how
much we are willing to spend to prolong life for a brief period
of time but to spend this price to receive life eternal is scoffed
at.
Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is
nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say,
that he is your God:
Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I
should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I
know him, and keep his saying.
Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he
saw it, and was glad.
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years
old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Before Abraham was, I am.
Joh 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid
himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of
them, and so passed by.
How do I keep His word when my character is bent and distorted
and Satan tugs at my sleeve? Firstly God leads and secondly He
corrects as a father corrects his son. Also, I must submit to this
chastening in order to produce fruits of righteousness.
2Co 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in
Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in
every place.
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with
sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Joh 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and
appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your
fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My
name He may give you.
God permits us to come into straight places so that we can
learn by experience that He is able to save to the uttermost.
That we can learn that one little word of His is stronger than
the gates of Hades, that our extremities are His enabling, that
our weakness is our strength that our righteousness is filthy
rags that our hope is in nothing less than Jesus and His
righteousness. In fact to believe in Him is the fulfillment of the
first tablet of the Law and thus a commandment.
1Jn 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe
on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as
He gave us commandment.
Rejection of the Law is rejection of the Son. Rejection of the Son
is rejection of the Father. The world receives neither. History
repeats itself and they cry for the release of Barabbas.
Luk 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this
man, and release unto us Barabbas:
So it was and so it still is. The pearl of great price was not
recognized for what it was because it did not suit their version
of salvation and thus they rejected it.
Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake:
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Mat 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in
the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of
His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Mat 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or
sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My
name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal
life.
If they treated Him thus, they will treat the true followers of
Christ thus. True Christianity is a cross. The cause is faith in
Christ and in His Word and this cause alone is of value and
from the Devils perspective, worthy of persecution. Of course
the manner of dealing with the persecution must be of the
similitude of Christ with all longsuffering and humility. Their
crime is they want Christ and Christ alone to the exclusion of
all others. Syncretism is not a worthy compromise to them.
They are kings and priests of the Most High not (as Martin
Luther said) because they wear crowns and scepters and are
dressed in fine silks and purple, but because they have passed
from death to life, shame to them is honor, the Devil to them
a straw man, their sin is exchanged for righteousness, their
misfortune is their fortune and their poverty their riches.
Nothing can separate them from the love of God.
Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in
me.
Isn’t it strange that the world should hate the one who came to
save it, that they should be offended at the one who made
the blind to see, who raised the dead and healed the sick.
Martin Luther asked the question: “If someone considers such
a savior a devil, what kind of God must they then have?”
Many are so learned, that they cannot accept the simple
stories of the Bible. No matter how simple some of these
stories may appear, they are the power of God. In this book
you will find the swaddling clothes, but it is Christ who is
wrapped in them, and angels sing His praises.
1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that
hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;
1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the
flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and jointheirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be
revealed in us.
Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not
only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Martin Luther said that to pick up the cross is the same as
voluntarily picking up the wrath of the devil, the world, the
flesh, sin, and death and carrying it on our shoulders. Only
acknowledge righteousness by faith and the cross will follow
automatically. Hypocrites will not acknowledge the first part
so they not only refuse to pick up the cross but they
themselves become persecutors and murderers of the pious
who carry the cross.
Martin Luther struggled to reconcile Paul and James with regard
to the tension between works and grace calling the epistle of
James the epistle of Straw. Isn’t it interesting that James, the
brother of Jesus, the one who grew up with Him, should
emphasize the law and works whilst Paul, who was a Pharisee
blameless with regard to the law, should preach grace?
If we are not prepared to suffer the fate of Christians, which is to
suffer for righteousness sake, then we are not Christians.
Compromise with sin is not sufferance but the avoidance
thereof. Being pious does not save one (there are pious
people in all religions). Being a “good person” or a
philanthropist does not save one for:
Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together
become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not
one.
To be saved means to be transformed:
2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become
new.
2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation;
2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world
unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and
hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be
ye reconciled to God.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In this walk no one has arrived; it is a battle and a march. It is not
holiness but striving towards holiness, it is not spiritual health
but a striving towards spiritual health and it is not being but
becoming. Legalism, on the other hand claims attainment and
is a denial of the cross which is the death knell to legalism and
the crowning of grace. Presumption claims victory over sin
which is Christ’s prerogative alone. I can only overcome in
Him. Whoever does not have the love of Christ in his heart
will succumb to this world and to the powers controlling it.
Paul sums it up succinctly:
Php 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already
perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which
Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended;
but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Php 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.
Php 3:15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this
mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal
even this to you.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same
mind.
1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let
him glory in the Lord.
It is not I who am holy; it is He who is holy. It is not I who stand
firm as a rock; it is He who stands firm as a rock. Presumption
say’s “once saved always saved”.
Eze 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely
live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity,
all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his
iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God:
on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if
thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be
cut off.
Martin Luther comments on this text: “A ‘works saint’
(Werksheiliger) will, on the grounds that he is presumptuous
and relies on his piousness, not be saved thereby. And David
and the thief on the cross need not despair on the grounds of
sin as though they should be lost because of them; rather one
should stay on the right middle road and take heed not to fall
into sin. For although God has promised grace and
forgiveness of sin, he has not promised that if you fall you will
necessarily return, just as Saul and Judas did not return. It is
not within our power to take hold of grace. Therefore one
must fear God who is the enemy of both presumption and
despair.” Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s. 240.
By faith we become one with Christ the power of redemption
and eternal life. I receive His life and righteousness in
exchange for my sin and death.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned
every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the
iniquity of us all.
Where is the repentant Christians sin? It is laid on Christ. No
longer need he plague himself with confessed sins and strive
to rid himself of the stain for they have been blotted out, the
slate has been wiped clean. He must rest and no longer dig in
the dunghill of his past for the Lord has done a new thing.
More than that, He has bound him to himself.
Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his
bones.
All the world’s riches, pomp and glory, and all the worlds’
wisdom on one heap would be as dung compared to Christ
the author and finisher of our faith and our salvation. We may
truly boast in Him and in this case with pride not humility.
Jer 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he
understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising
lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For
in these I delight," says the LORD.
2Co 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the
Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.
This is our mission and although it sounds easy enough it is the
most difficult thing to do since it requires self denial and
perseverance in the face of great opposition. Self must be
buried in Christ for all eternity, a price too high for most. On
the surface it smacks of slavery and it is slavery to
righteousness but without it universal happiness is
compromised for all eternity. If, however Christ’s will
becomes our will, then it is no longer slavery but brotherhood
because His will has become our will. Total trust is taking God
at His word. He created us, he knows our frame and our
needs but he does not require blind obedience untempered
by reason, He invites us to come and see by experience that
Lord is good.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the
man that trusteth in him.
He is the God man, the creator, the redeemer. He did not leave
us orphans but made Himself of non effect for our sakes and
demonstrated His love for us that while we yet sinners He
died for us.
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of
his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down
on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none
other name under heaven given among men, whereby we
must be saved.
Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for
whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ,
1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made
unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption:
1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him
glory in the Lord.
All our wisdom is foolishness and all our righteousness filthy rags
so if we glory let us glory in the Lord. Therefore, if you want to
be strong and stand against the wily attacks of the Arch
Deceiver, then:
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might.
Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me.
Mar 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are
possible to him who believes."
Faith is a mighty mover and faith in Christ the mover of
mountains. Only through this mighty faith can the world be
overcome. Therefore faith in Christ is mightier than the
world, principalities and powers. Nothing, not even the
gates of hell can overcome it, indeed, they tremble.
Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in
my name, he will give it you.
Our prayers are not answered because of any righteousness in
and of ourselves, but prayer must be based on the promises
of God from where its power is derived. We cannot weary
Him with our prayers, He is our friend.
Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your
heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
There is also a condition to prayer being answered. We need to
listen to Him and stay with the Word for He is the Word and
the Word testifies of Him. Our evidence is the Word for the
Spirit apart from the Word is a deceptive Spirit as the Spirit is
manifest in the Word.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the
world.
If you seek righteousness then seek it in Christ for apart from
Him there is no righteousness.
2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no
sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world.
Martin Luther said that the world will hate you anyway so what
difference does it make if you are dead to the world. Let the
world rant and rave while the Christian sails on.
If you fall stand up in Him.
1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye
sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
Gal 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us
from this present evil age, according to the will of our God
and Father,
The Devil is a master at making large sins small and insignificant
and small sins great so that they crush us to death, but we
have an advocate and therefore we should not dwell on sin
but forsake them and carry on. As Christians we need not be
crushed nor need we despair but we walk by faith. Of course
the devil will whisper in our ears that we are not good enough
– away with such thoughts, they are not the issue, the issue
is, is Christ good enough. Is there then nothing that I need do?
Yes there is - Confession and repentance – these are the
conditions that we need to meet.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even
the forgiveness of sins:
Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are
sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to
call them brethren,
Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in
the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was
bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was
upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Christ was treated as we deserve,
that we might be treated as He
deserves. He was condemned for
our sins, in which He had no
share, that we might be justified
by His righteousness, in which we
had no share. He suffered the
death which was ours, that we
might receive the life which was
His. "With His stripes we are
healed." {DA 25.2}
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with
God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Not by any power inherent in us are we justified or sanctified
but in Him we cry “Abba Father”
Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express
image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of
his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down
on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
We may be cheerful. God does not want any sour faces on this
ground; the Lord does not want anyone in gloom and
sadness; He wants you to lift up your countenance to Him,
and let Him just pour upon it the brightness of the light of the
Sun of Righteousness. --Manuscript 42, 1894. {Ev 488.1}
This grace in no way signifies a grace that is cheap; it comes at a
price – it cost the life of the Son of God. Moreover, it requires
of us the crucifixion of the old man of sin and the surrender of
all that we are..
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with
the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
His word is truth and light. We ignore or disbelieve His Word at
our own peril. The Word is inexhaustible, Its height and
breadth and depth no one can fathom. It brings life and yet it
is marginalized or ignored and gathers dust on shelves.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth
nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and
they are life.
Here we find peace. Not as the world gives but peace even in the
midst of turmoil:
Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not
as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye
might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
This is not a peace that leaves the world in peace and slumber –
this kind of peace the world seeks – no this is a peace that
brings a sword but can itself not be broken because it finds a
shelter under heavenly wings. Not the ranting of the world,
Satan or the flesh can rob the Christian of this peace if he is
rooted in Christ.
Oh that we:
Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he
sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that
toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
It is His will that I be saved. Only my choice can prevent it.
Joh 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me
may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory
which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the
foundation of the world.
Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.