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People of The Living God |
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June 2018
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
"PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME"
II Timothy 3:1
Randall Walton
Paul's second letter to Timothy gives a vivid description of the times in which we now live, a time which Paul said would be "the last days." There have been many different eras which have been "perilous times" since Paul wrote those well-known words, and the people who experienced those times undoubtedly believed they were living in the last days.
We have asked hundreds of people throughout the country whether they believe we are living in the last days. Invariably, the answer has been a resounding unanimous "yes." Millions purportedly believe that the second advent is so imminent that Jesus may come at any moment and catch away His church.
Yet, despite all these claims of believing in the immanency of the end of this age, we detect an underlying current of skepticism which is evidenced by circumstances which are contradictory to the professed claim. In plainer words, people who say they believe these are the last days do not live as if they truly believe it. If we all knew that Jesus would return two weeks from today, you can be sure that lives would change, people would be cleaning up their lives, praying, seeking God, making reparations, restorations, putting forth great effort to be ready to meet Him.
The fact that folks are not now doing the above gives room for us to wonder about their claims. Apathy abounds among the majority of professing Christians today. Sectarianism dominates the religious scene: thousands of those who expect to be raptured away on the same cloud of glory don't fellowship with each other while here on this planet earth. (Or do they expect each denomination to have its own "separate but equal" cloud?)
Of course, God never approved of apathy and sectarianism in any age, but let us hope that these negative qualities were not so prevalent in by-gone days as they are today.
The modern inhabitant of the earth would do well to pay attention to the warnings written on the pages of man's history. A famous chronicler, Edward Gibbons, after much research into the workings of the Roman Empire, compiled his well-known, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, in which he listed the five primary causes of the collapse of that great society. They are as follows:
1. The rapid increase of divorce and the undermining of the sanctity of the home.
2. The spiraling rise of taxes and extravagant spending.
3. The mounting craze for pleasure and the burtalization of sports.
4. The building of gigantic armaments and the failure to realize that the real enemy lay within the gates of the empire in the moral decay of the people.
5. The decay of religion and the fading of faith into a mere form, leaving the people without any guide.
If we hadn't already given credit to Gibbons for his masterpiece on Roman life, you probably would have thought we were writing a contemporary analysis of the United States of America.
Indeed, the evaluation of ancient Rome so closely resembles that of the U.S. today that the differences are negligible, and as surely as the Roman Empire was reduced to rubble and ashes, this nation is destined to the same fate, unless repentance is brought forth – quickly and sincerely.
Corruption runs rampant in our society as if there is no other way – in politics, business sports, religion, medicine, education, and entertainment. The love for money and the power it affords are probably at an all-time high. In fact, the corruption in our society and the love of money complement each other to the degree that all of the old values and standards of morality are passé: this is a day of reckless abandonment in every area of society.
A few years ago, Parade magazine carried a lead article entitled, "Why Children Run Away," in which it was stated that over one million runaway children (average age of 15 years) are on the streets in this country. "Over a third run because of incest and because of physical abuse. A small proportion are kids who leave school because of troubles or drugs or other problems. The rest are throwaways, kids kicked out of home." According to the article, most urban runaways turn to prostitution after about six weeks. "As a group, runaway children have a high mortality rate. They suffer from malnutrition, venereal disease, a high incidence of suicide, and they are frequently sexually exploited." This article from the past has not improved over the last few years but has steadily grown worse.
The reason for this contemptible condition is clearly shown by the testimonies of some of these youngsters: they are victims of a generation of degenerate adults who are hell-bent on pleasure, corruption, self-indulgence, perversion without love or natural affection. In them is the fulfillment of Romans 1:18-32.
We are living in the very heart of a nation which has rejected and defied the living God, a nation which has flaunted its ill-gained riches before a world of starving peoples, a nation who boasts on its coinage, "In God We Trust," while it encourages its citizens to indulge themselves in ungodly practices and teaches its children that God did not create them nor the universe.
There was a time in our history when the Bible was considered a vital part of the foundation of our nation, but those views are held no longer. The swearing-in ceremonies of our chief officials are significant in the fact that the Bible which is used is closed, a clear reflection of the attitude which prevails throughout the entire nation.
How long will the Almighty tolerate these conditions? We can't say when God's sword of judgment will fall upon this nation, but we can say with full assurance that it will! It is already evident that God is true to His word and He does not allow sin to go unpunished.
Those who have insisted on their civil rights(?) to practice sodomy are already paying a great price for their sins. The current scourge of the disease of AIDS is nothing other than God's answer to the rebellious. (We make allowance for those unfortunate few who are subject to the disease by heredity, or through blood transfusions.) God has gone on record that He gives mankind ample opportunity to alter his ways; failure on man's part to respond to the mercy of God through repentance and change invokes the awful hand of justice in retribution against the lawless and disobedient.
How soon? Only He knows! However, impending judgment should never be the motivating force which brings about changed lives. God's standards have been made available to man for centuries but have been disregarded, phased out, fought against, dispensationalized, and ridiculed; God's blessings have flowed upon a thankless people who have mistaken His bounties as approval of their wicked ways, and they continue to scoff and to live as if they believe He's dead.
We should all be impelled to forsake our own ways and follow Him closely just because we love Him (John 14:15), not for fear of what will happen if we don't. However, it is incumbent upon those of us who see that justice is about to demand a day of reckoning, to sound an alarm, blow the trumpet, or whatever else may be necessary and useful to awaken humanity to the realities of the day of the Lord. The prophet Isaiah declared that "when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness" (Isa. 26:9). O that men would learn the righteous ways of the Lord now, for the righteousness which they learn then will only be to teach them what could have been had they followed God previously.
THE RESTORATION
Curtis Dickinson
When people talk about the “restoration” of the church, they generally refer to running the church according to the directions the apostles gave in solving problems in the early churches. Often it includes restoring the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper to their rightful places.
Nothing wrong with that! But after that’s done, the church may still be a long way from “restored.”
The land is full of people who are happy to “go to church,” be part of the crowd, listen to the sermon and return home to a self-centered life. Through the week the truth of Christ is choked out by the cares of life and the deceitfulness (and pursuit) of riches (Matt. 13:22).
The message of Jesus – “Blessed are the poor in spirit” “Woe to you that are rich” – has been turned around, so that the ideal of a successful Christian is one who is comfortably well-off, secure, a member of a suburban church where no one comes in contact with the poor, where most members hunger and thirst for recreation instead of righteousness and the pure in heart are considered fanatics.
Is Christ’s Sermon on the Mount no longer applicable? When did He rescind it? Who gave Falwell and his Moral Majority the power to delete “Blessed are the peacemakers”? Is it really true that the popularity of a church shows that it is accomplishing Christ’s work? Then why did Jesus say, “Blessed are you when men shall reproach you, and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake?”
We still tend to see the “church” as the Sunday morning crowd attending to the carefully orchestrated worship directed by professionals. Some even argue over the order of the program, when there is no program outlined anywhere in Scripture! But there is an outline for the individual lives of all the members. What difference whether singing is done a cappella or to the accompaniment of a million-dollar pipe organ, if the worshipper has not come, contritely and humbly, to receive the mercy of God?
Restoration begins by restoring Christ’s life in individuals. One may change certain patterns in the congregation to more nearly coincide with the patterns given in the New Testament, and many claim that they are operating the “church” exactly “according to pattern,” although we find no completely uniform pattern among New Testament churches; but, even so, this is only the function of the group. The life of each individual is quite another thing. Reformers and restorationists have a burning ambition to change the policies of the church, but how often is that ambition matched with the desire to restore their own lives to the image of God as seen in the teachings of Jesus?
Christ was a “restorationist.” He would restore man to the image of God, right back to the original pattern. Therefore, His teaching was revolutionary. He by-passed the institutions, where the purpose of God had been totally hidden under matted layers of lies, and began with the individual. “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” He gave a completely new concept of happiness and joy, based upon a totally different value system.
It is time for another revolution. The society we live in has made up an arbitrary list of requirements for the successful and happy person: things, physical beauty, youth, sex, luxury, security! And “born again” church members often are just as intent upon attaining these goals as are the rest of the world.
Churches are filled with people who have been swept into it through well-planned programs without ever having considered the basic requirements given by Jesus: “If any man would come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” The world’s value-system must be challenged and denied in the Christian’s life.
What we need is a restoration of the values Christ preached and demonstrated. Meekness, rather than the ego-busting pride that makes us bask in the company of the highly esteemed and look down on the rest. Righteousness, which, after God, is to be first of all on our priority list. Mercy, which we can embrace only as we learn our own desperate need for it ourselves. Purity of heart, which means to have that singular ambition to be like Christ, to will the will of God.
Accepting Christ’s standard of values is the test of our faith. Can God really give us happiness without giving us all the artificial needs the world continually offers? Will He supply our needs, if we give our substance to the poor? In these days when lawsuits are the style, can we love our enemies and survive? To believe Christ is to believe that the life-style He outlined for us is the true pattern for a twentieth century Christian. If we do not take Him at His word on this, how can we believe He will come and grant us eternal life?
The world takes little note of all the discussion and debate over the “restoration” of church. It will pay attention only when the members of the church restore in their own lives the life Jesus exemplified. Then we may become the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”
GREAT AND PRECIOUS PROMISES
Alfred King
“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (II Peter 1:1-4, emphasis mine). The Apostle Peter encourages the saints by reminding them to embrace and stand firmly upon the divine promises offered to all members of the body of Christ. It is so easy to read through scripture, passing over those “great and precious” promises without realizing the hope and encouragement they offer the believer. Peter stresses the importance of taking hold of these God-given assurances and keeping them before our eyes at all times, especially when we are buffeted and tried. All disciples will have times when they will find themselves in a dry and wasted wilderness, being tried and tested, and may wonder where God is. It is during these times that we must be anchored firmly to the Rock, Jesus Christ. We can be assured that His promises are sure and that He will never leave us nor forsake us, even during the most trying and difficult times. Such is the confidence we can place in God and in His word.
In this article I would like to present just a few of the many, many promises given us in scripture, that it might encourage the reader and to bring more vividly to our attention those promises in order that they might truly become precious and personal as we read God’s word. To begin, it might be best to start with those promises offered to us while we were still sinners and to those who yet have not come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is probably the most familiar and most quoted scripture in the entire Bible. It comes from the lips of our blessed Savior and it reads, “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.” What a wonderful promise to any who will simply believe in Jesus Christ. It is in that simple faith alone that one comes to Christ and finds this God-given promise to be most assuredly realized as one makes that revolutionary transformation from death to life, from the kingdom of darkness into the glorious kingdom of God’s dear Son. There has never a soul come to Christ in faith to whom this promise was not fully experienced and most solemnly kept by Jesus Christ, for Jesus said, “him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). This promise from the Savior Himself can give hope to the sinner who sees his own desperate and deplorable need, just as it gave this sinner hope when I realized my need of a Savior and Jesus reached down His precious, nail-pierced hand for me. This promise was to this heart, truly exceeding great and precious.
The entrance into the glorious kingdom of God’s dear Son was that step into a kingdom of promises for the believer. For I have found the Lord is always ready to forgive and is plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Him (Psalm 86:5). Such a gracious loving Lord we serve, a God able to keep every promise to His people.
Psalm 23
Psalms 23 is a very well-known psalm and is read or quoted often. Consider some of the wonderful assurances God gives us from this Psalm. It is a psalm of many guarantees, so let us take notice of these pledges from God and how they issue in other promises of scripture, for it is through these “exceeding great and precious promises” that we become “partakers of the divine nature”.
To begin, let us consider the first three verses of Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.” The Lord: is likened to a shepherd who cares for his sheep. A shepherd realizes how vulnerable sheep are, not only as prey to carnivorous animals but also are subject to sickness, disease and other dangers which threaten them. They are not sufficient in themselves to survive alone in the wilderness, they must have special care. Sometimes they stray from the fold and cannot find they way back. The shepherd leaves the ninety and nine, goes out to seek that one lost sheep and tenderly bring him back to his safe haven. The Psalmist, then, likens our most precious Savior to a shepherd who watches over his own and cares for every sheep. However, the Shepherd of Psalms 23 is the Lord. Our Shepherd is the Shepherd who laid down his life for His sheep. He offered up Himself and today is our High Priest. He is not a priest who “standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins,” “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God”, “for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Heb. 10:11,12,14). It is this Lord Who is our Shepherd. Who can be likened to this Shepherd Who gave Himself for us and intercedes for every one of His sheep?
The next Psalm, Psalm 24 expresses some of the characteristics and abilities of this Lord, Who is our Shepherd: Psalm 24:7-8 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Our Shepherd is the Lord, mighty in battle. Our Shepherd is The King of Glory. But the Psalmist continues in Psalm 24:9-10, “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.” Our Shepherd is The Lord of hosts. He is Lord or master of all the hosts of heaven. He is Lord of all angelic beings, of the four and twenty elders, of all the beasts of heaven and every living being. Our Shepherd is the One who holds the keys of hell and death. Our Shepherd is the One who created the worlds, the sun, moon and stars, the universe. He is the One who set the limits for the seas that they should come thus far and no further. He is our Shepherd and He has given unto us “exceeding great and precious promises” through which we can be partakers of His own divine nature. Therefore, let us not be discouraged when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death but realize our Shepherd is with us and will bring us through the dry and desolate wilderness.
Psalm 23:4-6: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” While the path to the promised land is through the wilderness, yet our Shepherd goes with us and continues to watch over us. He promised that He would never leave us but would go with us to the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). Not only does He pledge to go with us, He ensures that He will prepare a table for us, right in the presence of our enemies. The case of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail comes to mind. These two saints of God had been falsely accused, beaten, and thrown in the lowest prison where they were shackled hands and feet. The pungent odor of the rat-infested cell coupled with the waste of former prisoners filled the air, and the body naturally recoiled at the deplorable conditions. Yet at midnight, Paul and Silas sang praises to God, and their voices were heard throughout the prison. God had prepared a table before them in the presence of their enemies. As their praises reached the throne of God, He came forth and delivered them out of their distresses. This is our Shepherd, just as He was Paul’s and Silas’. “Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107). Our Shepherd is with us when we walk through the valley of death; but O, how often we miss that table spread before us because we perceive only the enemies and our present sufferings. When we realize our Shepherd is right there with us, He will bring us forth as gold, tried in the fire, and He will bring us out victorious.
Not only does He prepare a table before us, but He also anoints our head with oil and fills our cup to running over. The Holy Spirit is the anointing that brings joy, a joy full of glory and overflowing. It is the joy of the Holy Spirit that came so strongly upon Stephen when he was being stoned. As his life began to depart from him, he lifted up his eyes and, “he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55-56). So great did God’s grace rest upon this precious disciple that he kneeled down as his spirit departed from him and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). That same anointing is promised to every child of God as we learn to rest in God and allow Him to be our Shepherd.
There is certainty in these promises as the Psalm concludes: “Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me.” This is certain, absolute, if we can hear what the Spirit says. So let us have ears to hear and hearts to trust God in every circumstance of life. There are other promises contained in Psalms 23 and this is just one short chapter and a brief summary of the many promises contained in God’s word. Study the word of God and, as you do, look for promises and then stand firmly upon them. Victories are won by standing on the promises of God. The enemy will lie to us and tell us our Shepherd does not care. He will make us believe that “that great Shepherd of the Sheep” is not aware of our plight, that He doesn’t hear our cry, but such is not the case. Our Shepherd sits at the right hand of God, ever interceding for His sheep. His promises are true, so let us stand firmly in faith upon God’s word and allow God to bring about in us that which will produce His divine nature.
A TESTIMONY FROM PRISON
Jimmy Windham
First, let me greet y’all in Jesus’ precious name. Think about this: where or what would we have been if God’s loving kindness, tender mercies and grace hadn’t been upon us? Not a good thought, huh? But it should humble us knowing that, were it not for those attributes of our loving Savior, we would be no closer to God’s kingdom than some we see around us. This past week the West Yard here at Lee Correctional Institute in Bishopville, South Carolina, erupted into a riot that lasted for seven hours before the C/Os could organize enough power and force to take control of the situation. I know the man I used to be and, if not for those attributes placed on me by a merciful God, I would’ve been right in the midst of the violence swinging a homemade hatchet and knife protecting myself. These thoughts are merited today, for during that riot, that started on Sunday evening and has us locked down now ever since, seven young men died violently and 17 more were taken by ambulances or helicopter to local hospitals to stop them from bleeding to death because of severe stab wounds and cuts. This has brought the national spotlight on South Carolina’s penal system and, hopefully, will help to reform it. Then maybe men like me who have had a 180o turnaround (that shows), because of these attributes of Christ, will be allowed to be set free from these chains.
I don’t want to be free to do my own thing, for the cry of my heart is to be the mouth, hands and feet of God to bring change to some of the lives I touch every day, just as I do now. I don’t live as I live today to be a spectacle, for in here it is dangerous for me to be so passive and humble. But with Christ in me it’s not something I try to do, it’s His life in me that produces the fruits of the His Spirit and if I give up my life because of this then the joy that’s before me outweighs any stigma for following Christ in here and I would count it all joy. All the prisoners across the country have read about or seen on TV the news about the riot here at Lee Prison and many read my article in April’s TOT and probably wonder about me and my safety during the riot. I had no fear, for many years ago the Lord spoke to me and told me to memorize Psalm 91:1-16, for I need those promises and I quote them often. Readers, please take a moment to read them.
To dwell in the secret place is that place where God Himself invites us to come for safety and this place is good for every hour for God’s people. Paul told Timothy that in the last days perilous (dangerous) times would come (read it from II Tim. 3:1-5). But to be invited by God to dwell so close to Him as a baby chick under the wings of its hen mother is so safe and is what we need in these last days. God promised us that we would see a thousand fall at our side and 10,000 at our right hand but it wouldn’t come near us, but is the reward of the wicked, if indeed our hopes and trust is in God’s promises. So, God kept me safe and didn’t allow even a window pane in my dorm to be broken. There is a minority of praying men in my dorm and God heard our cries. God’s word is sure. Did we pray during the riot? Sure we did, but you mustn’t wait until troubles come to start praying. You need to keep a close relationship to God at all times. I’m not saying that He won’t hear your cry during a time of trouble, for His love and care is always directed towards you at all times. It’s just that if you’re walking in obedience and walking in the Spirit of God, you have power within you to speak to the forces behind the temporal things you see, to bind them up and bring peace to your situation.
In one such situation, when two gangs stood opposite sides of the top tier threatening each other, most of the population ran to their cells and dropped the bolt in the hole cut in the concrete floor to secure their cell door. I felt a strong warring spirit come all over me, and I ran to the center of the rock and started walking fast back and forth yelling in a loud voice, “Satan, I bind you up in Jesus’ name and I speak life to this dorm, not death and destruction. I command you to flee in Jesus’ name.” I did that for about 10 minutes. When I felt peace I looked up and both top tiers were empty. I hold a Bible study every night and behind me stood some of the ones I was teaching (Babes in Christ) and they were speaking Jesus’ name. So I know first hand that God has given us mighty weapons to war against the principalities and powers of the air, for I know that the angel of the Lord encircles us if we truly let God have control of our lives. Also, know this: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” No weapon formed against us can prosper.
As I’m writing this, I glanced out my cell’s window and some senators from the South Carolina Senate came down to walk through the war zone to see first hand how they can reform this broken system. Hopefully, now something will change in our penal system. I had hoped they would’ve come by my cell so I could’ve elaborated on what we really need, which is for a spiritual revival in here that would change the hearts of these men. I believe if my voice were heard by the body of Christ in our churches across the nation and we’d all start fasting and praying for reform and changes for this lost society of prison, then and only then the violence would stop and these young men would want to go home to their praying mamas and daddies. I’ve got grandchildren and great grandchildren that I’ve never seen or held in my arms, and y’all know God never intended for it to be like this. I may spend the rest of my life in here unless Jesus comes again in my lifetime. But I know this: live or die, all my trust is in Christ and I’m on the winner’s side. So all you inmates in prisons across this nation, I want to say again that: “If only in this life our hope is in Christ of all men we’d be most miserable.”
All my hope is in Jesus.
Jimmy Windham #127054
SCCC
A prisoner of Jesus Christ
GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES
A Testimony To The Editor From Jimmy Windham
The Editor
As the editor of “The Testimony of Truth,” Brother Jimmy Windham and I have been communicating for over six years now. His testimony unveils the great love of God and reveals the power of God in changing the hearts of men from stone to that of flesh, making it pliable in the hands of the Creator. I felt to share with our readers one recent chain of events in which Brother Jimmy was used not only to bring one to the saving knowledge of Christ, but also used to save this same man from death.
Brother Jimmy tries to minister to inmates whenever opportunity arises and, a few months back, he was able to minister to a Muslim, whom I will for the sake of privacy, call Steve. Steve heard the Gospel and accepted Jesus as his Savior. There was not a lot of time in which these two could share together before Brother Jimmy was moved to another prison. From there he tried to find out about Steve to see if he were standing firm in the faith. Through the grapevine, he heard that Steve had returned to his Muslim faith, wearing the Muslim garb. Of course, this discouraged Brother Jimmy greatly. He called me expressing his disappointment and his frustration. Over the years Brother Jimmy had told me of the many gangs within the penal institutions. I have also read about some of the problems if one decides to separate themselves from their gang. This is not something the gangs embrace favorably. Steve was seriously threatened with retribution and even possible death. In speaking with Brother Jimmy, I told him not to give up on Steve but to continue to pray for him and assured Brother Jimmy that I would also.
After a few months, Steve was transferred to the Lee Correctional Institute, the same prison Brother Jimmy was in but in a different section of the prison. (Lee C.I. incarcerates about 1500 inmates.) Brother Jimmy and Steve did manage to get to speak to each other briefly, and Steve told Brother Jimmy that he had not returned to the Muslim faith but only outwardly did so in order that he could be protected and safe. However, during the week before the riot, Steve had begun to receive threats on his life. He told Brother Jimmy that he was scared and so much so that he was shaking when he spoke to Brother Jimmy about it. On Thursday, before the riot (which occurred on Sunday) Brother Jimmy talked to his supervisor trying to get the supervisor to see about moving Steve out of dorm 3. However, all efforts failed. On Friday, two days before the riot, Brother Jimmy saw the captain over dorm 2 and asked her to see if Steve could move to her dorm. She said her dorm was full. On Saturday, Brother Jimmy again saw the captain over dorm 2 at breakfast and pleaded with her to get Steve moved. She said she did have one room that was empty because they were waiting for a certain prisoner to arrive but was delayed in being transferred. She told Brother Jimmy that she would look into it on Monday. Brother Jimmy begged her to let him go that day and help Steve move. She finally agreed to allow him to go and Brother Jimmy and Steve gathered up all Steve’s belongings and moved them to dorm 2.
Dorm 3 was one of the dorms where the riots broke out. Brother Jimmy said that men were going around looking for certain others they wanted to kill. However, by the grace of God, Steve was finally safe and, after the riot, he sent word to Brother Jimmy that God had spared his life, and it was because God had put a burden on Brother Jimmy’s heart and the prayer which reached heaven that saved him. What a tremendous testimony of how God moves among His people and watches over those whom He has adopted into His divine family. God is still on the throne, and He blesses and keeps us all through His precious blood. Please, remember to pray for these brothers and all those believers who are incarcerated in our prisons. Also, let us all continue to pray that God will bring others to the cross through the testimony of these whom God has delivered from the hand of their enemies and from the devouring power of our arch enemy, Satan. Praise God for His wonderful love and grace that brings salvation to lost humanity!
“EVEN AS I OVERCAME”
Harold Scullin
We live in a day of great spirit activity. It seems that as long as there is a religious atmosphere created, that almost any expression or experience that people wish to manifest is acceptable. Is that what the Scriptures teach?
Isaiah 4:1 portrays the religious state of this present time. “In that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, we will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel, only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.”
In Revelation 17:1-6, John saw a woman sitting on a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy. This woman was arrayed in purple, and scarlet colour and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls. She had a name written upon her forehead, Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth. This woman was drunken with the blood of the saints and with blood of the martyrs.
In each of these Scriptures, there is a spirit of irreverence toward that which is considered sacred or holy. The seven women of Isaiah 4:1 and the woman, Babylon the great, “profess that they know God; but in works deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16).
The Bride of Christ is also portrayed as a woman. In Revelation 21:2, John saw the Holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven prepared as a bride for her husband.” In verse 10 of this same chapter, an angel showed John that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. In Revelation 19:7, John wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and HIS WIFE hath made herself ready.”
In the word of God, all religious institutions and organizations are portrayed as women. The above Scriptures expose both classes or groups of people – those who serve God in truth according to the Word of God and those who “only want His name to take away their reproach.”
Revelation 12:1: John was shown a woman clothed with the sun, the moon was under her feet. She was clothed with great light, her testimony. Jesus spoke about this same state in Matthew 13:43, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun.” Our light is to shine forth with the glory of God upon His truth. The moon is associated with the darkness; this speaks of the powers of darkness that were under her feet. She was not controlled by these evil forces; rather these evil beings were in subjection to her. Colossians 1:13: “Who hath delivered us from the powers of darkness.” Luke 10:18-20: “Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY.” Matthew 16:19: “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shalt be loosed in heaven.” This woman that John saw had a crown of twelve stars. This woman was in subjection to the government of God
Consider another fact concerning this woman in Revelation 12:1. She is with child and she is travailing in birth pangs to be delivered (Rev. 12:2). She brought forth a man child who was “TO RULE THE NATIONS WITH A ROD OF IRON: her child “WAS CAUGHT UP TO GOD AND HIS THRONE” (Rev. 12:5). Notice the two identifying features of this man child – “rule the nations with a rod of iron” and “caught up to God in His throne.”
In Revelation 2:26,27, we read, “And he that OVERCOMETH and KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to pieces.” Here is the same identifying mark as that of the man child.
Also we read in Revelation 3:21, “TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH will I grant TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Again, the same identifying mark as that of the man child.
Since the man child and the overcomer will posses the same identifying marks, it would seem they are one and the same person. In other words, for an individual to attain to the state of the man child, he must do as Jesus said, “overcome as I overcame.”
Is this inferring that the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, had to overcome? It not only infers that Jesus put forth great effort to overcome, but it is stated in very plain, direct words that only those who “overcome as He overcame” will be granted the right to sit with Him in His Father’s throne. That places tremendous responsibilities upon every individual that professes to walk with Jesus.
What was it that Jesus overcame that so pleased the Father that He gave Him a “name that is above every other name, and highly exalted Him and seated Him at His own right hand of power and authority, and caused His glory to rest upon Him” (Eph. 1:20-22; Heb. 1:3; 8:1; Phil. 1:9)?
Before the world began, the Father desired a family of sons with whom He could fellowship. These sons would be one with Him. They would be partakers of His Divine Nature, and immortality. He would share the glories of His heavenly kingdom with them.
Sin entered the universe through the rebellion of Satan and the transgression of Adam and Eve. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Jesus was to have a part in this great program of the Father.
Before Jesus came to this earth, He was confronted with decisions in which He had to make a choice. To do the will of the Father meant a complete surrender of His own will to the will of the Father. He could not lean to His own understanding, nor speak His own words, nor do His own works. He would be misunderstood, misjudged, abused, ridiculed, and even die a most ignominious death.
We have His decision in His own words. “I came down from heaven not to do My own will, but the will of Him that sent me” (John 6:38). This meant a complete surrender of His own identity. He denied Himself of ANY SELF EXPRESSION. His love for the Father and His plans were greater than His desires to express His own plans and wishes. He was willing to crucify His own fleshly desires and wishes and to take up His cross, daily, and follow in the way the Father would direct Him. HE LOVED HIS FATHER.
Jesus confessed that, “I do nothing of myself; but as My Father hath taught me, I speak these things” (John 8:28). Here, the great Creator God, the Lord Jesus, humbled Himself and became completely dependent upon the Father. “The words that I speak unto you, I speak not of Myself” (John 14:10). Again in John 12:49, “The Father which sent me, He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
In the garden, just before His crucifixion, He prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me, nevertheless not My will, but thine be done.” “and being in agony, He prayed more earnestly and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:42-44).
When they came to take Him in the garden, He spoke to them, “Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray the Father, and He shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt. 26:53) Here is evidence that He deliberately denied Himself to ask help of the Father. In Luke 22:52,53, “Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves. When I was with you daily in the Temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but THIS IS YOUR HOUR, AND THE POWER OF DARKNESS.”
The Creator of the universe, of men and all earthly creatures, willingly, and deliberately submitted and surrendered Himself into the hands of this fiendish crowd. They took Him, tried Him unjustly, condemned Him to die, finally crucified Him – The Lamb of God.
“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. He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, YET HE OPENED NOT HIS MOUTH: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare His generation? for He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken” (Isa. 53:5,7,8).
Those who profess the Lord Jesus Christ have been promised that they will share in His glory; is it then not just and right that they “OVERCOME AS HE OVERCAME”?
“As thou hast sent me into the world, EVEN SO HAVE I SENT THEM INTO THE WORLD” (John 17:16).
Just as the Father gave Jesus the words He was to speak and the works He was to do, just so has the Father left written instruction for those who desire to walk with Jesus and to please Him.
Our first responsibility is found in Luke 10:27, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with ALL THY HEART, and WITH ALL THY SOUL, and WITH ALL THY STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL THY MIND.” Complete devotion is an absolute for every individual that has had an experience of being “born again.” Complete devotion is a command – “THOU SHALT LOVE.”
To make sure that we understand just what is required of you and me, Jesus stated, “He that loveth father or mother more than me IS NOT WORTHY OF ME: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is NOT WORTHY OF ME. And he that taketh no his cross and followeth after me is NOT WORTHY OF ME” (Matt. 10:37,38). And to make doubly sure that we understand the seriousness of His words, He said, “Whosoever he be of you that FORSAKETH NOT ALL THAT HE HATH, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE” (Luke 14:33).
Simple, plain, direct statements, easy to understand, but very demanding in their content.
Jesus has actually called His people to be as He was here in the flesh, on this earth. Mathew 5:48, “Be ye therefore PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.” Also, “BE YE HOLY: FOR I AM HOLY” (I Peter 1:16). These are Divine commands, “BE YE.” The Lord God is searching, looking for a people that “IS WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE, HOLY AND WITHOUT BLEMISH” (Eph. 5:27). Convincing scriptures – aren’t they?
Some of God’s sheep have been ensnared in this universal system of religious confusion – “Babylon the great, full of names of blasphemy, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth.” The call to those who see the hypocrisy in these religious institutions is, “TO COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE” (Rev. 18:4). “Let us go forth therefore unto Him WITHOUT THE CAMP, BEARING HIS REPROACH” (Heb. 13:13).
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made HIMSELF OF NO REPUTATION, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
“OVERCOME EVEN AS I OVERCAME.”
THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD
Harry Miller
The most important factor in any form of government is its dependability: its quality of being reliable. Relative to the government of God, both time and eternity must be taken into consideration.
Heaven’s government, like any other form of administration, must rest upon the integrity of the Sovereign. The quality of all management rests upon the ability of the manager. No amount of legislation can substitute for deficiency of the management. If the kingdom of heaven is to endure throughout eternity, then the very nature of things demands that the Sovereign be not only resolute, but absolute, as well, in every relation to His law.
The nature of moral beings and the demands of eternity require that the law of the kingdom be such that it can never be changed, altered, or repealed by ANY BEING.
The very nature of God the Father makes it impossible for Him to repeal any law that He has declared. There are no afterthoughts with the Creator: “known are all His works from the beginning of Creation.” Since He foresaw and foreknew all things, His judgment was based upon knowledge, not upon speculation.
No heavenly legislature drew up a charter for God’s kingdom; neither did He take counsel from a supreme court. God, our Father, is complete and supreme in every attribute of character and nature. Since man was created in the image of God, it follows that the nature of man demands the government of God. In the creation of His laws, the Lord has only confirmed that which is suited to, and founded in, man’s nature, relations, and circumstances.
None of these laws are the result of arbitrary dictation; but they are based upon principle. The governmental foundation of the Father’s kingdom is righteousness, truth, and mercy.
There are many evidences in this world of the Father’s selfless devotion to His creatures. Consider some of the many indignities that He has endured in dealing with the lawless. Even His patience with His saints should prove to all men that He is most merciful, and supremely charitable.
Unlimited mercy and charity can undermine the authority of a home, a state, or a nation. The God of creation would soon lose control of His universe if He were to issue special privileges of unlimited mercy to any of His creatures. Since God is impartial, He could not contradict Himself by issuing license to any man. Sin is the transgression of His law. How could a just administrator grant a license to certain individuals to break His law?
There are some who claim that a converted man is not subject to THE LAW OF GOD, but has been given a special dispensation of grace whereby he is free from both law and penalty. Would this not constitute a special privilege? Did Christ come to earth in order to give His followers a license to be lawless? Is the “born again” experience merely a vaccination against the penalties of sin?
We contend that the Scriptures teach that God’s law is eternal. It was a sin for Cain to murder his brother, even though the ten commandments had not yet been published in his day. “Thou shalt not kill” is an eternal commandment. Such an act would do violence to any realm. Before the world was, this act of murder was a SIN; long after the world passes this command will still stand. Down through the ages of eternity this command will remain a part of the divine law.
Some may ask – will God not forgive a murderer? Yes, He will forgive even murder, but He will not grant a murderer license to continue to kill. Forgiveness of any sin is granted UPON CONDITION that the sinner will not repeat his sin. Through Jesus Christ the sinner was provided A WAY by which he might be delivered from sin and be reconciled to God. No man can be reconciled to God WHILE HE REMAINS IN HIS SINS.
A sinner is a law breaker; a saboteur of heaven’s kingdom. Once he is convicted of his sins of rebellion, and he desires to do so, he REPENTS and forsakes his wicked ways. He then fully intends to forever-after practice obedience. Upon this ground, only, can man approach the throne of grace. In bitterness of hating his own life, the repentant soul finds access to God through Christ, and he is then reconciled. A new spirit and a new heart are given to such a man; and becoming a “new creature” he sets his face toward the heavenly kingdom. Such a man is acceptable to God. But let that man fall into the snare of the devil and be overcome with temptation, and he again becomes a sinner. Oh, yes, he is a believing sinner; never-the-less, he is still a sinner. If he attempts to cover up his sin, and continue to practice religion, he becomes a hypocrite. But if the man is honest, he will be deeply grieved by his transgression, and the Spirit of the Lord will deal with him, and keep him under conviction as long as there is any possibility that he may repent.
Sin is always dealt with through bitterness of soul. It is not easy, for “the way of the transgressor is hard.” Sinning and repenting cannot be lightly indulged in by any man. Repentance must be sought, and it is not always easy to find. Esau “sought repentance” with “strong crying and tears,” but was unable to find it (Heb. 12:17).
As a means for man’s salvation, Jesus “died for the sins of the whole world,” but forgiveness and reconciliation are still judicial acts of the Almighty; and these are only dispensed when the conditions please the Lord. Jesus said, “no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father” (John 6:65).
If tears and prayers were all that God required of those who would repent of their sins, then RECONCILIATION would rest in the will of man. Then, whenever man desired to sin, all he would need to do would be to have his fling and then return to the place of prayer and he would be forgiven. Such conditions would be virtually an annulling of GOD’S LAW: an abridging of the force of the penalty of divine precept. Justice would then be at the mercy of the lawless. SUCH IS NOT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
Paul said: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, WE ESTABLISH THE LAW” (Rom. 3:31). Jesus said: “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt. 5:18).
Christian brethren, it is time that we “fear God, and give glory to Him” by being OBEDIENT TO OUR SAVIOUR’S COMMANDS. Let the ministers of the Lord heed the “great commission;” “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU” (Matt. 28:19,20).
LED BY THE SPIRIT
Charles Woodard
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness” (Luke 4:1).
It seems conclusive from this and other verses that the two experiences of being “Full of the Holy Ghost” and being “Led by the Spirit” are contingent upon one another.
Many Pentecostals and Charismatics emphasize speaking in other tongues as the evidence of the experience of the infilling of the Spirit, but I have never heard them require being “led by the Spirit” as equally necessary.
Holy Scripture reveals that the positive experience of being “led by the Spirit” is the sign and proof of divine sonship: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14).
This is not some vague impression but a definite, direct order from God (Eph. 5:18). Jesus was under the direct guidance of the Spirit to proceed into the wilderness. It was the positive counsel of God that led Him to the woman of Samaria (John 4:4-42), and through this “leading of the Spirit” many of that city were saved. The apostle Paul was “led of the Spirit” not to preach the word in Asia as he purposed, but to go to Macedonia (Acts 16:6).
To be “led by the Spirit” is to be led by the Word. The Spirit and the Word agree, so one will never be led contrary to the Bible. Christians will never be led into fornication or adultery, divorce or remarriage. Regardless of how corrupt and sinful this world becomes, those led by the Spirit will walk in the paths of righteousness.
What a wonderful work it is to have this Divine guidance! The very thought that One Who knows the past, present, and future will guide our pathway of life is almost beyond comprehension. In the natural, man tries to direct his life by unsure signs and changing circumstances. “In Christ” and “led by His Spirit” we experience Divine influence, loving guidance, Godly preservation and protection, and God’s wisdom and faithfulness.
The experience is eternal! It begins at the new birth and continues throughout eternity. As long as we are faithful, he is faithful: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).
This Divine guidance and Heavenly control produces a conscious separation from the world. A holy detachment from carnality takes place without human effort. The Spirit-led person does not try by his or her own feeble effort to walk in the way of the Lord, but is “led by the Spirit” in His power: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:18-19).
Do you perceive the greatness of this experience? The “eyes of our understanding” are opened! We no longer walk in the night of spiritual death. The devil’s darkness is dispersed! We know the promises of our Heavenly Father! The vast riches of His inheritance come into view! The treasure of resurrected life won by our Elder Brother Jesus Christ becomes ours! No longer are we blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine – we are established upon the Solid Rock.
This is our earthly inheritance while still upon this earth. We, as pilgrims and strangers have received our Heavenly citizenship; our spiritual passport is valid and our journey is begun. Hallelujah! The song says, “I’m on my way to Heaven and the journey grows sweeter every day.”
Blessed experience of guidance! The stipulation of willingness to follow is paramount: “If any man will do (Gr. is willing to do) his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17).
In a sensuous world ruled by emotions, this spiritual walk is foreign and strange to those who are led thereby, with demands for “rights” by both sexes and all social classes, with accent on humanism or “self will.” It seems unbelievable to them that there can be a people who voluntarily submit their will: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Not what we want but what He wants. Not our will, but His will be done. Joy, peace, and rejoicing come to us as He works His will in our lives.
To be “Led by the Spirit” is a choice. It is not an automatic pathway: “choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15). One “chooses” to submit to the lordship of Christ and be led by His Spirit. Let us not try to distinguish between “carnal Christians,” nor between those who know Him as “Saviour” but not as “Lord.” I cannot speak for others, but as for me and my house, we must serve the Lord. We must be “Led by the Spirit.”
What is the “condition” of this Holy guidance? There is really only one paramount condition. The blood of Christ must continually be applied to the doorpost of our heart. All known sin must go! One cannot indulge even the slightest sin in freedom. How does one appropriate this freedom from the “law of sin and death?” “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Gal. 5:18).
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT IS THE MEANS OF OVERCOMING SIN.
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT IS VICTORY OVER THE FLESH.
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT IS THE CRUCIFIXION OF AFFECTIONS AND LUSTS.
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND GODLINESS. As Brother McKeever of Omega Ministries teaches, we should become bond-slaves to Christ. SIN SEPARATES FROM GOD! “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isa. 59:2). Is it possible to have complete victory over sin? Yes! “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). The “law of the Spirit” overcomes this “law of sin:” “For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2). Hear it! Free from the law of sin and death!
What, then, is the means of this FREEDOM FROM THE YOKE OF BONDAGE?
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT, WE WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE (Rom. 6:4).
BEING LED OF THE SPIRIT, OUR OLD MAN IS CRUCIFIED (Rom. 6:6).
Sin has no more dominion over the one who is “led of the Spirit” (Rom. 6:7). Not only are we free from the “law of sin,” but we are also free from the “law of death:” “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him” (Rom. 6:8-9). More than free, we are “alive unto God:” “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11). “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:22). “Led of the Spirit” we are:
Free from sin;
Servants to God;
Have fruit unto holiness;
And in the end, everlasting life!
Praise God!
ARMINIANISM OR CALVINISM
Part 4
Warren Berry
In the previous part of this study, I expressed myself fairly strongly on how I perceive the teaching of “Unconditional Election” portrays God. It is not my intention to slander or demean any true Christians who hold to the teachings of Calvin, yet at the same time, I do want to emphasize the underlying thread, woven clearly into this teaching reflecting a God who seems anything but the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, much less of Peter, James, John and Paul. While I want to be gentle and compassionate as I “Tiptoe Through the Tulips” lest I anger, stir up strife, or even more seriously crush any serious servant of Jesus Christ, the seriousness of this point is more critical than can be addressed without making some very plain and possibly shocking statements. I pray that those who read this will not take any statements as an attack on them personally but will realize I am addressing the doctrines only and not those who may hold to those doctrines, nor do I judge any man, for judgment is for God alone.
As I mentioned in the last segment, the third point of Calvinism, which is “Limited Atonement,” is very closely related to the second, that of “Unconditional Election.” These two walk hand in hand and, consequently, much of what I wrote previously will be pertinent to this point also.
“Limited Atonement” (also referred to as “Particular Redemption”): “Christ's redeeming work was intended to save the elect only and actually secured salvation for them. His death was a substitutionary endurance of the penalty of sin in the place of certain specified sinners. In addition to putting away the sins of His people, Christ's redemption secured everything necessary for their salvation, including faith which unites them to Him. The gift of faith is infallibly applied by the Spirit to all for whom Christ died, therefore guaranteeing their salvation.”
The Arminian article which opposes the Calvinist’s view is Article II: “On The Atonement”: “That, agreeably thereto, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, died for all men and for every man, so that he has obtained for them all, by his death on the cross, redemption, and the forgiveness of sins; yet that no one actually enjoys this forgiveness of sins, except the believer, according to the word of the Gospel of John iii. 16: “God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”; and in the First Epistle of John ii. 2: “And he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Calvinism, then, teaches that God chose a certain number of people to be saved and, thereby, leaves all those not chosen to face eternal death and hell fire. It states that Jesus died only for those elected (specifically chosen) by a sovereign God. Jesus’ death was substitutionary, meaning that Jesus took the place of the elect only and not for the sins of the whole world. If one is not chosen by the Father, then Jesus did not atone for that person’s sins. This is the meaning of “substitution,” and only those for whom Jesus died can be saved. As stated in the doctrine of “Limited Atonement,” Jesus’s sacrifice provided everything necessary for the salvation of the elect of God but provides nothing for those not chosen. They are without hope.
I have always thought that Calvinism was very close to universalism and have told several Calvinist friends concerning my view of this point in their teaching. However, recently I read that Calvinists think that Arminianism is only one step away from universalism. Universalism is the teaching that all mankind will be saved, for Christ’s atoning sacrifice was so sufficient as to save all men. This is the perspective from which Calvinists apparently view Arminianism, for they approach the atonement of Christ as being completely perfect, fully sufficient and saving absolutely. This is why they believe that Jesus’ atoning work can only be for those chosen by God the Father. Their reasoning is that if Christ died for the sins of the whole world and some be lost, then the atonement was not perfect or fully sufficient, for if it were, the whole world then must be saved. You cannot have it both ways. If the atoning sacrifice of Christ Himself was fully accepted by God, then either all men will be saved or the predetermined, predestinated, elect few for whom the atonement would apply alone would be saved. That predestined few would be those for whom Jesus died and not for the rest, and those not chosen would be lost.
As I stated in the previous paragraph, it seems to me that Calvinism runs closely parallel to Universalism, although I can see how the argument stated above does bring to the table some good points for discussion. First though, let me present why Universalism seems closely related to Calvinism. Reformed Theology rests strongly upon God’s sovereignty and points out people whom God sovereignly elected for certain necessary duties to fulfil His divine will. Pharaoh, Judas, and Jacob and Esau are the ones most often mentioned. According to Reformed Theology, these men were positioned before the world began to do what they did. Pharaoh resisted Moses and God in refusing to free God’s chosen people. The Bible states in Exodus 9:16, “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee (Pharaoh) up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth,” and Paul quotes this scripture in Romans 9:17. It is also claimed that Judas was chosen by God’s sovereign will to betray Jesus. If this is true, then these men did the will of God and therefore should be saved. The perfect atonement should then be applied to Judas and Pharaoh since they were obedient to the will of God in fulfilling His designed plan for their lives. Now, this is a real stretch because we know they will not be saved and scripture states, concerning Judas, it were better that he were never born (Mark 14:21). Which doctrine then rests more closely to Universalism?
Maybe I have wandered off-course here, but the point is that both parties have their particular issues which they bring forth in opposition to the opponent’s view. The question in this discussion is: Did the death of the Son of God atone for every man, woman and child ever born, or was it only sufficient for those elected to salvation by God the Father? We must all be realistic enough to acknowledge that there are portions of scripture from which questions arise for which we do not have definite answers. This exists from both of the views in consideration. All who study scripture endeavor to come to some conclusions that, at least, satisfies their own minds and hearts, yet at the same time acknowledging that they cannot always be dogmatic about the specific conclusion. It is merely a possibility from our perspective. If we are all honest, I believe we must confess that none of us know and understand everything that was accomplished at the cross. Therefore, let us come with humble hearts and open minds to learn of God by the power of the Holy Spirit and not merely and only by the intellect of human minds.
The Arminian position relative to the Atonement is that Jesus died for the sins of the whole world and not only for an elect few. However, atonement is not handed out like leaflets at a political rally. Rather those that receive it must believe the Gospel when it is delivered unto them. Their faith is the key that unlocks the door which allows the blood of Christ to cleanse them from their sins. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). But the question still persists: Was the atonement a substitutionary work? We often sing songs about how, “Jesus Took My Place”, or “When He was on the Cross, I was on His Mind”, etc. etc., and we sing them with little thought about what we are saying or whether it is scriptural or not. Jacobus Arminius, in considering the substitutionary work of Christ, believed that Jesus was the substitute of those whom God knew through foreknowledge. In Peter’s first epistle, which he wrote to the churches in Asia, he wrote: “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit” (I Peter 1:2). It was from the foreknowledge of God that he based his doctrine of substitution upon. However, John Wesley rarely spoke of God’s foreknowledge when addressing this topic. Rather, his position revolved around free will.
Wesley taught that the sin which incurred in Adam was transferred to his descendants, he believed that when Jesus came, He brought in prevenient grace. Prevenient grace is God’s mercy preventing man from being totally evil, rather it enabled him to choose good over evil. It is for this reason that sinners often do good things and many times seem to outshine those who call themselves “Christians.” It is God’s prevenient grace. This grace gives man the capacity to choose right over wrong and also enables him to come to the saving knowledge of God. If man rejects this grace, he is responsible for his decision, and it is not laid upon a sovereign God. Man is not forced, rather he is drawn by the Father, for Jesus promised that if He were lifted up, He would draw all men unto Himself. Wesley also believed strongly in complete sanctification as the Apostle Paul taught. In I Thess. 5:23, Paul wrote to the body of believers in Thessalonica, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Wesley believed that a Christian should live a holy life in this present evil world and that this was possible only through God’s grace coupled with the choices man makes in his walk with God. The purpose of this discussion is not to go into sanctification specifically so I will leave this to a later time.
It seems to me that the teaching of free will is extremely important in this discussion and it appears that most Arminians do not understand the doctrine of free will as the Bible teaches it. (Nor do Calvinist understand it either.) The issue is that man, in his fallen state and spiritually dead-state, cannot choose God, therefore he cannot find in himself the ability or power to humble himself, repent, or even hear the Gospel, for he is dead. There must, of necessity then, be a work of grace in the heart and life of the sinner before he can come to Christ in salvation. Whether you take the Calvinist’s view or the Arminian perspective, the only way a sinner can be saved is by the unmerited and free grace of Jesus Christ. Those Arminians who believe that there is something good in them that they can of themselves choose God and boast of that goodness are legalists and probably have never truly come to genuine salvation in Christ Jesus, for God’s salvation is all of grace and nothing for which man can boast. While I cannot accept the teaching of “Unconditional Election” nor “Limited Atonement”, neither can I believe that a sinner can come to Christ in salvation except the Father draw him. But when God draws a sinner, He at that moment provides free grace enabling the sinner to truly repent and be saved. If there is no drawing, there is no salvation no matter how religious the results may appear. The “whited sepulchers” who compassed land and sea to make one proselyte, who when he was made, they make him twofold more a child of hell than they themselves, brought about a false salvation, a self-righteous, legalistic form of godliness, and created a religious people void of any conversion or salvation. So it is today. Many people are accepted as saved, brought into the churches, made worship leaders, Bible teachers, teachers of the children’s classes who have never been saved but have become merely religious. Unfortunately, many are legalists who attempt to browbeat souls into heaven. Others teach a shallow gospel which is a hollow shell of the wonderful, transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus came to save sinners and to transform them into His likeness. Anything short of this is not the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. To continue in sin that grace may abound is the teaching of the false church. The teaching of those who bring its subjects into the bondage of legalism is also the false gospel. I will close with a scripture from Colossians 2:23, first from the KJV and then the Amplified Bible. (I’m not a fan of the Amplified version but I do like the way the Amplified clarifies this verse.) “Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (KJV) “Such [practices] have indeed the outward appearance [that popularly passes] for wisdom, in promoting self-imposed rigor of devotion and delight in self-humiliation and severity of discipline of the body, but they are of no value in checking the indulgence of the flesh (the lower nature). [Instead, they do not honor God but serve only to indulge the flesh.]” (AMP)
(to be continued)