fencepostdigest

The question is often asked, “How did we get here?” The only way to answer this question is to say, “We are reaping what we have sown.” There has been an argument for many years that supports the idea that the Church should not be involved in government. Not everyone agrees with this, and I am one of those, but because the Church has not been actively involved……here we are. Our government has aligned itself with every kind of evil that could possibly exist; almost to the place of not supporting Israel.

I remember an exercise in typing class, back yonder before computers and electric typewriters, which included this phrase, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Well, I will admonish our people today, “Now is the time for all righteous people to come to the aid of our Nation.” However, there are few of us, and those of us who are righteous before God must take our places at the ballot box on November 8^th. I am not making a political statement on one hand, but on the other hand this is a political statement because there is but one candidate that is standing for the causes of righteousness. I find it interesting that his name is Trump….short for trumpet. Could this be a ‘God thing’ or simply a coincidence? I do not believe in ‘coincidences’ for I know that Sovereign God is in control.

Necessarily, there are some men of God who are against Trump and there are some who are for him. Thankfully, those of whom I speak are not for Hillary Clinton, but are not in favor of Trump, either. The problem is that Trump will lose this contest if votes are cast for someone other than Trump or Hillary, and if this does happen….we all lose.

I suggest that God has already removed large numbers of people from the voting places because He will not allow them to vote. However, there is a remnant, I think, that have been given the opportunity to vote in favor of our Constitutional government and are saying that they will not because of the background of Mr. Trump. May I please remind everyone that far worse people than he have been in places of power throughout history, and some of them are found in the Word of God. King David, Solomon, Samson just to name a few.

Midian is about to fall and we know it, because we have in our hand we have the rest of the story. Gideon gathers up  32,000 men are willing to put their lives on the line in order to help Israel win. By reading Judges 8:10 we find that Midian has 135,000 warriors. We already see that Gideon has a real problem, but we hear God say the strangest thing, “Gideon, you have too many men!” In our understanding,  God’s reasoning is just wrong! However, God wants to teach Gideon to trust His judgment.

“The LORD said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’ Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'” So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained.” Judges 7:2-3  NASB.

Why does God sometimes allow His people to experience weakness even when the odds are against them? God wants us to rely upon Him in order to demonstrate His presence so that we will not boast about our personal power, “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God.” Psalm 20:7 and again in                         2 Corinthians 10:12-18, “For we are not bold to class or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves; but when they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are without understanding.But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ;not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you,so as to preach the gospel even to the regions beyond you, and not to boast in what has been accomplished in the sphere of another.But he who boasts is to boast in the Lord.For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”

 And in the face of certain defeat, God stands by His prophet and His people, ^“8And Gideon sent all the other men of Israel, each to his tent, but retained the 300 men; and the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. ⁹Now the same night it came about that the LORD said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands.¹⁰ But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp,¹¹ and you will hear what they say; and afterward your hands will be strengthened that you may go down against the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant down to the outposts of the army that was in the camp.¹² Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore.¹³ When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. And he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat.”¹⁴ His friend replied, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” Judges 7:8b-14.

The question for us to answer is simple, “Are we standing strong in the Lord when the odds are against us or are we not wanting to get out of the boat even for a moment?” Remember that Peter did get out of the boat and for a moment his faith in God allowed him to walk where no man had walked before. No doubt, we have often wondered what Peter may have missed out on because he did not keep his eye on the Lord. What are we missing when we have the same opportunities to get out of the boat? Gideon stepped out of the known and into the unknown, kept his faith in God and won a decisive victory. We, too, are able in Christ.

Similarities Between Liberalism and Calvinism in the SBC???.

With the verdict of the Grand Jury of the Brown Death in Ferguson, Missouri looms and the growing tension of the Immigration issue mounts, all that we must do is wait for the verdict of the Jury and the pen stroke of the President. All of the news sources are prophesying a ‘doomsday’ sort of outcome for both.

But wait! There is more, much more. The final word has yet to be determined. What about the Church? What are we to do? Jesus clearly points to many things, but here are three examples from our Lord:

Matthew 5:9, “The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God.”

Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth.”

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.”

No doubt, each of us has taken a political and emotional view of both of these powerful events that are unfolding in our Nation. While most of us are affected because of proximity, each of us is affected because of how these decisions will touch our communities and Nation. Proximity is not the issue, but each of us who is a Follower of the Christ must be involved because whether we like it or not, we have the choice to be peacemakers, salt and light in our local communities.

Notice that Jesus says, “the peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called the sons of God.” Realizing the truth of these words can only be known if, indeed, His Followers are the salt and light of the world. And we cannot be the salt if we are not somehow calming tensions and we cannot be the light if we are not proclaiming the Good News.

Jesus is Lord. BW

All Scripture References are taken from the NASB

“Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38.

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” KJV

“πετρος δε προς αυτους μετανοησατε και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εις αφεσιν των αμαρτιων υμων και λημψεσθε την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος” 1881 Westcott-Hort NT

“πετρος δε εφη προς αυτους μετανοησατε και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων επι τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου εις αφεσιν αμαρτιων και ληψεσθε την δωρεαν του αγιου πνευματος” 1550 Stephanus NT

Acts 2:38 is one of the more controversial statements to be found in the Bible in reference to baptism and salvation.  Some use this verse to say that baptism is necessary for salvation.  But observing  the verse and others in context the obvious conclusion is that baptismal regeneration simply is not possible.

The weakest form of biblical study used to conclude that Acts 2:38 which speaks of baptismal regeneration is ‘Proof Texting.’ In other words, particular verses are taken from various places to support a proposed doctrinal statement.  Unfortunately, utilizing this method of study removes all contextual evidence.

It is absolutely necessary to carefully observe what God’s Word says contextually in order to accurately understand what it teaches.  The Bible says many things about many subjects, but the question that must always be asked is, “What is being taught here?”

The meaning of the word, in Greek “εις” and in English “for” from the NAS and KJV New Testament Greek Lexicon:

The following discussion concerning the Greek grammar and syntax is from A.T. Robertson, “Word Pictures of the New Testament” Acts 2:38.

 “Repent ye (μετανοησατε). First aorist (ingressive) active imperative. Change your mind and your life. Turn right about and do it now. You crucified this Jesus. Now crown him in your hearts as Lord and Christ. This first. And be baptized every one of you (και βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων). Rather, “And let each one of you be baptized.” Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third. This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve. The first thing to do is make a radical and complete change of heart and life. Then let each one be baptized after this change has taken place, and the act of baptism be performed “in the name of Jesus Christ” (εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου). In accordance with the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:19 (ει τω ονομα). No distinction is to be insisted on between ει τω ονομα and εν τω ονοματι with βαπτιzω since ει and εν are really the same word in origin. In Acts 10:48  εν τω ονοματι ιησου χριστου occurs, but ει to ονομα in Acts 8:16 ; Acts 19:5 . The use of ονομα means in the name or with the authority of one as εν ονομα προφητου ( Matthew 10:41 ) as a prophet, in the name of a prophet. In the Acts the full name of the Trinity does not occur in baptism as in Matthew 28:19 , but this does not show that it was not used. The name of Jesus Christ is the distinctive one in Christian baptism and really involves the Father and the Spirit. See on “Mt 28:19” for discussion of this point. “Luke does not give the form of words used in baptism by the Apostles, but merely states the fact that they baptized those who acknowledged Jesus as Messiah or as Lord” (Page).Unto the remission of your sins (ει αφεσιν των αμαρτιων υμων). This phrase is the subject of endless controversy as men look at it from the standpoint of sacramental or of evangelical theology. In themselves the words can express aim or purpose for that use of ει does exist as in 1 Corinthians 2:7 εν δοξαν ημων (for our glory). But then another usage exists which is just as good Greek as the use of ει for aim or purpose. It is seen in Matthew 10:41 in three examples εν ονομα προφητου, δικαιου, maqhtou where it cannot be purpose or aim, but rather the basis or ground, on the basis of the name of prophet, righteous man, disciple, because one is, etc. It is seen again in Matthew 12:41 about the preaching of Jonah (ει το κηρυγμα ιωνα). They repented because of (or at) the preaching of Jonah. The illustrations of both usages are numerous in the N.T. and the Koin generally (Robertson, Grammar, p. 592). One will decide the use here according as he believes that baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing such remission. So I understand Peter to be urging baptism on each of them who had already turned (repented) and for it to be done in the name of Jesus Christ on the basis of the forgiveness of sins which they had already received.”

I would strongly suggest that every student of God’s Word study in context, parallel texts. However, being objective outside of one’s particular theological prejudice is very difficult because each interpreter of God’s Word is prejudiced by denomination, personal history and theological studies.

An objective and contextual study of forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus Christ is consistent in Acts:

2:38, “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

3:19, “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;”

5:31, “He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

10:43, “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”

13:38-39, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

Contextually, the body of Scripture indicates that repentance and faith are required for salvation and baptism is done ‘because of’ personal repentance of sin and not ‘for’ repentance.  Baptism is identification with the Christ for those who have repented and recognized His forgiveness. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:2, “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” just as Believers are baptized into Jesus as His Followers.

We find that God’s Word is not teaching that baptism is for the purpose of salvation, but rather because God’s grace is applied in salvation.  Baptism is that which is accomplished in order to identify the new Believer with Christ because of God has done within us by His grace.

That is why it is said of Christians that we have died to sin and as a result are baptized into Christ and death:

Romans 6:1-11, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in so that grace may increase?May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of  us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.  We have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of Hi resurrecdtion, knowing that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin migh be done away with, so  that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died id freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him. For the death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

A statement concerning the manner in which Paul is using baptism is necessary. I would suggest that Paul is here speaking of a spiritual baptism and not water baptism because the use of water is not indicated. The Greek word ‘baptizo’ means many things and among them are the following, “to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk) to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one’s self, bathe and to overwhelm. The Greek word has been transliterated into English are reads ‘baptism’.

With that said, Paul is not referring to water baptism at all, but rather, ‘to immerse’ into Jesus Christ and not water. The two are entirely different and in this statement, contradictory at the same time. Believers or Followers of the Christ are not baptized by water for salvation, but are rather immersed into the Christ because of justification or death to sin. This, in fact, is Paul discusses throughout Romans chapter 6. Therefore, to force water baptism into the dialogue will not work.

“The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C. It is a recipe for making pickle sand is helpful because it uses both words. Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped ‘(bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptised’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptising the vegetable, produces a permanent change. When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. e.g. Mark 16:16. ‘He that believes and is baptised shall be saved’. Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent is not enough. There must be a union with him, a real change, like the vegetable to the pickle! Bible Study Magazine, James Montgomery Boice, May 1989.”  The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon “baptizo”

The Bible does not teach that man is justified by grace and baptism or by faith and baptism. Baptism is not included the gospel message in reference to salvation. In fact Paul writes the following:

Romans 1:15b-16,  ” I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

After Romans we are able to move into Paul’s discussion of water baptism in Corinthians and it is clear that water is the issue and not spiritual baptism about which he writes in Romans 6. The Apostle mentions the fact that he baptize in the Name of the Christ, but we must also point to his statement that he was sent by the Christ to preach the Gospel and not to baptize. If baptism is the prescription for salvation, Paul would certainly have made that the subject of his discussion here, but he does not do so. He writes, “I do not know whether I baptized any other.”  Just a thought.

1 Corinthians 1″14-17,  “I thank God that I baptized none of      you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”

Paul goes further in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,  “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”

Because Paul does not include baptism in the definition of the gospel, the question must then be asked, “Is baptism necessary for salvation and if so, why does Paul say ‘I do not remember who I have baptized’ and not express this as a requirement for salvation?”  It is because baptism is not necessary for salvation.

Luke writes that while Peter was preaching the gospel, people were saved and were baptized, “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?”  And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.” Acts 19:44-48.   .

These people were saved and praised God in a manner that  unbelievers are unable to because praising God is the outward expression of what God has done for and to the inner man; this is foreign to one who does not know Him. Paul addresses this in 1 Corinthians 2:12-14,  “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”

The Jewish audience Peter was addressing most likely was familiar with physical and spiritual baptism. Luke connects Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38 and the related events in chapters 10 and 11.In 11:15-16 he writes about the conversion of Cornelius and his friends as they were already saved and baptized by the Holy Spirit, “”And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. ‘And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Following in 10:47, “’Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?’ And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.” Obviously, if one has had a personal experience of salvation and have been baptized by the Holy Spirit a public demonstration of water baptism should certainly follow as the Bible clearly teaches.

In Acts 2:38 Luke connects repentance and baptism because it is contextually revealed that one must not be baptized in order to be saved.  God’s Words clearly expresses that baptism demonstrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.  It is not the baptism into Christ that saves us but the reality of His sacrifice which is recognized by faith Romans 6:3-5, “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?  Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection,”

Galatians 3:8, “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Luke writes about a large group of folks in Acts 10:44-48 who are saved before they are baptized. Baptism is not what saves but rather what a born again Follower of Jesus Christ does who is already saved.

Jesus is Lord. BW.

A Follower of Christ suffers the consequence of a sin, period. If you do not believe this, find a policeman and run a ‘stop sign’ in front of him. He will be obliged to give you an invitation to see the local Judge. Worse cross the yellow line into oncoming traffic and you may very well find yourself in the care of a Trauma Physician. And the list goes on and on and on. We pay for our sins now in a physical way and are able to find forgiveness from the Father. However, our earthly neighbor may not be so forgiving.
God’s Word contains many thoughts about the promise of God’s physical protection for those who are His followers. The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 121:3, “He will not allow your foot to slip;
your Protector will not slumber.” In verse 7 we find this “The LORD will protect you from all harm;
He will protect your life.” Earlier in Deuteronomy 31:6 as the Hebrews were entering the land
God had promised to them, He speaks to His divine presence and encouragement, “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”

This seems to indicate that God will protect His children from harm. Now the question arises, “Why do we hear about all of these Believers around the world who are suffering in persecution, illness, loss, accidents, and injuries? Have those who are living in Islamic countries living in sin and without God’s protection? Is God’s Word inaccurate or are we missing something here?

No. I would suggest that we must interpret the Old Testament within the context of the old Mosaic Covenant. Israel obedience to the Covenant resulted in various material and physical blessings from Yaweh because of their faithfulness to Him. Deuteronomy 28 begins with this statement, “Now if you faithfully obey the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the LORD your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the LORD your God: You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Your descendants will be blessed, and your land’s produce, and the offspring of your livestock, including the young of your herds and the newborn of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.”
With Hezekiah’s prayer in 2 Kings 20:1–6 we find him pleading with God after Isaiah tells him of God’s decision to terminate his life, “In those days Hezekiah became terminally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came and said to him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your affairs in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, “Please LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and wholeheartedly and have done what pleases You.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Isaiah had not yet gone out of the inner courtyard when the word of the LORD came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of My people, ‘This is what the LORD God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the LORD’s temple. I will add 15 years to your life. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”

It is important for every Believer to understand that the New Covenant found in relationship with Jesus Christ is our faith guide and not the old Mosaic Covenant. God does not promise to keep Followers of the Christ from physical harm. There are moments, however, when His protection from injury is quite obvious. We find this true for Paul and Luke when they survived the shipwreck in Acts 27. In the next chapter we are spectators as Paul escapes death as he endures a poisonous snakebite, Acts 28. I would not advise anyone to step off the end of a boat dock secured to heavy weights or challenge a Diamond Back Rattle Snake. DO NOT DO THIS after asking God for protection. I am willing to say that God would not be on hand to observe…….just a thought.

As a reminder, there is nothing wrong with asking for physical protection from God, but we must also understand that He is not obliged to grant our request. He has said that His Holy Spirit is present in the life of the Believer to provide strength the trials that will obviously come our way. In this way we certainly are assured of His spiritual protection. Every Follower of the Christ can certainly concur with James, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8. The key word here being ‘wisdom.’

When one chooses by faith to Follow Jesus Christ for salvation the promised Holy Spirit immediately enters. That person is sealed for eternity and brought under God’s spiritual protection. No matter what future sins are committed or the attacks that old Slew Foot brings, Believers will not lose the salvation found in that faith relationship with Jesus Christ. We find this truth in Paul’s letter to his friend Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:8-11, “So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald, apostle, and teacher, and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.”
We are also reminded by Paul that sin is unable to separate the Believer from God’s love, Romans 8:35–39. “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
This is so because the Apostle John encourages the Follower of the Christ in 1 John 1:5-10, “Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say, “We don’t have any sin,” we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
Followers of the Christ are provided freedom from the dominion of sin. Paul writes in Romans 6:20-23 that we are no longer slaves to our sinful ways, but are born into a new life of holiness. “ For when you were slaves of sin, you were free from allegiance to righteousness. So what fruit was produced then from the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of those things is death. But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the end is eternal life! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul encourages the church in Philippi that God continues to “guard [our] hearts and [our] minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:5a-7), “The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul writes further in Ephesians 6:10-17 that God provides tools with which we can fend off the enemy’s spiritual attacks, “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.”

Jesus is Lord. BW

Two years have come and gone since my last visit and many things have happened along the way. God has never missed being my constant companion, just as He has promised,  ^“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:26,27. NASB.

Patti and I have had our share of joy and struggle during our 43 years of marriage and like most folks that I know who are alive to tell about them, we are all thankful to our Heavenly Father. There have been celebrations of births, birthdays, marriages, graduations, baptisms, welcome home from war, death and how to deal with illnesses of various kinds. But none of them have really been quite so personal as the day that we received the words of Patti’s physician that “It is Leukemia.”

Immediately I began to recall the struggles of my Dad who died from Colon Cancer 32 years ago in 1982. Those were difficult years as we heard more than one time, “Robert, you had better come home if you want to see Dad again.” This was a constant level of tension for more than 5 years. As it turned out, I saw Dad for the last time just 6 weeks before he finally breathed his last. Just before I left him on that day he gave me a great big hug and said to me, “I am going to be healed one way or the other. God will find a way to heal me now or I will be healed when I see the Lord in Heaven.” In that moment my Dad gave me assurance that he was okay, and my heart found peace with God.”

However, things have changed. This is my sweet wife who is the victim here and for the first time as a Believer fear began to creep into my heart, but just as suddenly the Lord assured me that He is my peace, and Patti’s peace. Certainly, we have spoken of what we are going to do, ‘if so and so’ takes place, but we have always known that God has always had a plan for our lives as individuals, family and as a couple. We are in this thing together. This is God’s plan for our family, that He is involved in everything that takes place in life.

Well, that took place on Patti’s birthday, and what a surprise party that was. I have always said that God is full of surprises, but never in a thousand years were we prepared for this one….”am I supposed to laugh here?”

The practical side of this experience is that God remains in command and He is true to His Word, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you…” As it always is, the Heavenly Father provides His peace when we are not looking. The Genesis Cancer Center is owned and operated by a Born Again Believer and he assured me of that in an interesting description of his chemo-therapy treatment area. In the floor of this area is large Cross uniquely inlaid and is really not noticeable. Twenty spaces are almost always occupied by patients receiving treatment and my guess is that most do not realize the symbol of care under their feet.

Here we are, 4 months from diagnosis and we are about to find out tomorrow if the therapy Patti has been receiving is working. The doctor has been encouraging all along and continues to be so. We have been praying and are confident in the prayers of countless friends and unknowns across this land and around the world. (Amazing what the internet has provided, isn’t it?) But most encouraging comfort of all are the words of our Lord, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” 

I must admit that I am grateful for His promised peace because without it my heart would be troubled and in fear.

Jesus is Lord. BW.

If we are concerned about what we do not understand about God’s Word, we will not have opportunity to practice what is known and understood.
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As I was attempting what to write about the certainty of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, the Lord directed me to these verses from His Word. I was then compelled to say nothing…..for He alone is Lord…….
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These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” John 5:24.
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.” John 10:25-29.

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation–having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14.

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:5-9.

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:13-14.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:21-24.

Jesus is Lord.
BW

“My little children, I am writing these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours, but also for those of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1,2. HCSB

 My little children
It is important to understand that John loves the Body of Christ and this calls into memory Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing[a] her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.” As Paul writes concerning that a husband is to love his wife just as Christ loves the Church and John seems to writing with a similar idea. Every member of the Body of Christ should love one another as Christ loves His Body, the Church

 I am writing these things so that you may not sin.
For some reason far too many Believers have the mistaken idea that we can live with certain liberties knowing that forgiveness is available for sin. They will say that all that is necessary is to confess and receive forgiveness. By reading 1 John1:8,9 it is possible to assume such an idea. Certainly, this promise is available for those who do sin, however these words do NOT provide a credit card for sin.

 “But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous One”
Take note of a most important statement…..if anyone does sin……John is NOT writing in the expectation of sin, but rather he writes of his confidence that God has provided us with the ONLY righteous protection those insurrections against the New Covenant between Himself and Man. That Provider of protection is Jesus Christ, His Son. In Him we find Him standing between us and just condemnation from God the Father.

Call attention to Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus that is found in John 3:18. “Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.” The key to understanding the relationship between the Christ, the Advocate, and the folks that claim to have this forgiveness is “Anyone who believes…..” That is to say, the one who has chosen to walk by faith and to live according to the standards put forth by the One who is called the Christ. This Standard is exceptionally high and is NOT to be taken lightly. We who claim to walk as Believers, that is, Followers of the Christ have a difficult task ahead, but is made much easier when we walk by faith in the One who saves and not by our sight.

The right and availability to sin is NOT a part of the New Covenant with the Christ.

 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins,
Propitiation is an antiquated word that is very seldom used except by church goers and I would suggest that we use the term, reconciliation. Again, this word is seldom used in most communities except when speaking in economic circles. However, this is the language of God to us. Therefore, propitiation, atonement and reconciliation as defined by Webster:

1.  the reconciliation of God and humankind through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ
2. reparation for an offense or injury

The definition “the reconciliation of God” says it best for this discussion. Jesus has paid the price for our offense and injury toward Holy God. We must remember that our sin is NOT only against man, but rather against God.

In Psalm 51 we find the confession of King David for his sin which originated with his sexual sin for Bathsheba. There is no question that David’s transgressions were not without silence, but were raging and engulfed many people. He sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah, his family, his own body, his men, and the Nation under his rule. “Run from sexual immorality! “Every sin a person can commit is outside the body.”[a] On the contrary, the person who is sexually immoral sins against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18. The most tragic result of the sin is that it interrupts our relationship with God just as David says in Psalm 1:4, “Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight. So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.” We must remember that we sin against the Creator, Savior and Judge of mankind.

In the end we must understand that sin never remains a deep dark secret that will not harm others. The dark side of sin is revealed in the lives of those who are affected. Our sin is never as private as we would like to think. Sin never remains in our closet Therefore, the responsibility of every Believer is to live the life that the Scriptures call for, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires of your former ignorance but, as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.” I Peter 1:14-16.

 and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.
And this is one of the many statements that confirm that Christ died for the sins of every person int the world and His forgiveness remains for anyone who believes on His Name. Those among us who claim, what I might call, “The Predestination Factor” manipulate God’s Word in order to formulate doctrinal statements not found in the context of Holy Writ.

Certainly, Christ died and resurrected for the redemption of His Church. The Church is the Body of Believers who have been reconciled by faith in Jesus Christ. We know this by what is found in Paul’s hand in Ephesians 2:8-10. “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.”

Verse 10 reminds us that we are created for good works toward God. We are not created for sin against Him. Our good works are not for our gain, but are a result of our faith in the Christ. Paual writes, “Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.” Philippians 3:8b,9. Simply stated we live a life of righteousness because of a living faith in the Savior. We do not live to sin expecting forgiveness. However we are expected by God to live a life of righteousness in order that we might not sin. “My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”

Jesus is Lord
BW

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