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People of The Living God |
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September 2024
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
COUNTERCULTURE
Curtis Dickinson
Jesus likened the entrance into His kingdom to a birth, to being “born from above,” or “born of God.” He insisted that His followers were to take on a completely new spirit with a new basis, new loyalties and a new attitude toward others. The new wine was to be put into new wine skins (Matt. 9:17).
The Christian faith and life was not something that “evolved” from Judaism, as some mistakenly think. It was a new and different way of approaching God, and this was one thing that so infuriated the Pharisees.
A complete break was to be made with the old covenant and its forms, so that the Christian might “enter into the Holy place by the blood of Jesus, by … a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Heb. 10:19,20). This did away with the use of the Temple and the Holy of Holies, for Jesus is our High Priest who has entered into the real Holy of Holies in heaven, and believers take the place of the Levitical priesthood, and are encouraged to boldly enter into the holy place (God’s presence) as “a holy priesthood” (Heb. 10:19-22, I Pet. 2:5).
No longer was Jerusalem to be the center of worship (John 4:21-24), nor was worship to be under the direction of a special clergy. Jesus promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). His disciples worship by presenting themselves “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom. 12:1). This is worship that takes place in the course of one’s daily activities which are conducted in keeping with the commands and example of Jesus.
Baptism is not only a burial into Christ’s death, but a resurrection “so we might also walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). “So we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter” (Rom. 7:6). The newness demanded by Jesus requires two things as set forth by Paul: the denial of worldly standards and a new way of thinking. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:2).
Aligning oneself with the “perfect will of God” changes a person’s whole aim in life. The standards of the world, its appeal to social status, its offer of pleasure and comfort, its greed for material accumulations, no longer have a place in one’s agenda. There is now a divine standard of a new creature. “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature” (II Cor. 5:17). He is unimpressed by “social status.” He seeks the stature of Christ, who is his example and pattern. The world moves in one direction, the Christian in another. Whatever motivates the doomed and hopeless person following the fashion of the world fails altogether to move the new creature. He is motivated by the Creator’s will. He doesn’t covet temporal power or wealth; he has his heart set on God.
This newness is to stand out in contrast to the world. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind…that you put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxes corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, that after God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth” (Eph. 4:17,22-24. Cf Col. 3:10, Gal. 6:15).
This means that the Christian is countercultural. The Christian purpose and style of life must run counter to the popular culture of the day, a culture in which every pagan concept is welcomed and the most depraved sins are tolerated.
It was precisely this countercultural attitude that was championed by Jesus when he warned the disciples that they would be hated and persecuted by the world. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own: but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you…If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also” (John 15:19,20).
The question is: What has happened to the countercultural message and witness of Christians today?
For one thing, the churches, in general, make it a point to conform to the compulsions of current culture. Churches, instead of seeking to demonstrate the difference between the newness of life in Jesus and the fashion of the world, choose professional leaders (clergymen) who seek the world’s approval and whose methods of promotion are as worldly as those they seek to convert.
The late David Wilkerson, noted author of The Cross and the Switchblade and minister of Times Square Church in Manhattan, writes that “too many young ministers today are relying on fleshly methods.” He says, “They are bringing into God’s house the very music that first incited rebellion and sensuality in this nation. They are polling a sin-saturated society to learn how they can lure non-believers into a church building…They are attempting to entertain the youth rather than confront their sins and emptiness with the simple, pure gospel.” (Pulpit Series, 1/17/00, Box 260 Lindale, TX)
This same thought was presented by Dr. Daniel Zager, formerly associate professor of Church Music at Concordia University, as reported in Christian News, 1/10/2000. He wrote, “Church music ought properly to be counter-cultural, by which I mean counter to the prevailing popular culture of our day.” Speaking at a symposium in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he said that books on how to reorganize churches for “growth” teach that you must “match your music” to the kind of people your church wants to reach. As stated by one pastor, “The music used should reflect the styles of music (rock, country, etc.) heard on the radio today.” This is to conform the church to the world, rather than to challenge the world to be transformed to the likeness of Jesus.
The church will never win men from the sickened and perishing world by imitating it. Christians mistakenly try to impress unbelievers by living like the unbeliever, but they only succeed in gaining their contempt.
Life is of value only as it fulfills the Creator’s purpose: to have man in His own image. Modern believers have lost sight of this goal, with the church more concerned with numerical growth, material security and social acceptance than with faith and righteousness. We need to return to the faith that says, “I count all (the human and worldly things and attainments) as refuse…that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8), the kind of faith that rejoices in suffering and persecution, that makes one stand firm with Christ when everyone else takes another course, the faith that looks only to the Lord and not to any system or ecclesiastical body.
The very core and object of the gospel has been compromised with the pagan world culture. The hope which Jesus offers to dying humanity is an ultimate resurrection from the dead at which time faithful believers will be made immortal after the example of Jesus. But this goal has been shoved to the background, and in its place the pagan concept of an immortal soul has become the prominent doctrine. The church speaks of people as having “gone to their reward,” of their already enjoying the bliss of heaven, whereas Scripture everywhere teaches that mankind is mortal and that immortality will be gained only after a resurrection and judgment, and then only by faithful believers. The core of Christian doctrine is not the future life of spirit, but rather the resurrection of the person, so that the whole person becomes immortal, in an ideal creation. This goal furnishes the incentive to abandon the deformed and dying culture and dare to be different. “We shall be like him…and every one that has this hope set on him purifies himself, even as he is pure” (I John 3:2,3).
Belief in an immortal soul was the popular theology in the first century, but Jesus refuted it by holding the resurrection as the means to life after death. At Athens, the heart of the Platonic dogma of immortal soul, Paul challenged the scholars with the countercultural Christian teaching of the resurrection.
If Christians are to hold forth a message to the spiritually blind and morally insane world, we must first demonstrate that we do not conform to its culture. As more people conform to “political correctness” and cowardly tolerate abominable conduct, the more we are called on to make a countercultural stand.
It remains true that “the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (I Cor. 1:25).
May God strengthen and bless all of you who have “put off the old man with his doings, and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of Him that created him” (Col. 3:9-10).
INDWELLING
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16).
When you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, it is He who lives in you and through you.
Therefore, when you live, you live out the Holy Spirit. You do not mimic the Spirit, imitate the Spirit, or attempt to impersonate the Spirit.
The Spirit of Jesus lives through your body, your spirit, your personhood. It is He, not an impression of Him. “…the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.”
This relieves the believer of having to “work up” some religious personage. There are those who think they must manufacture some sort of spiritual persona. Such always comes across as artificial, for it is artificial.
When the Spirit of God indwells your human spirit, your human spirit becomes recessive so that the Spirit of God can become dominant. That is the practice of your surrendering everything to God. It is more than theology. It is actuality.
Therefore, when Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit, it was the very God within Him who spoke truth to the opposition. Likewise, it was the very God who empowered him to endure martyrdom.
That is why Jesus told the disciples not to prepare their speeches beforehand when hauled before the accusing councils. The Spirit of God in each disciple would speak through each mouth in the moment.
Consequently, when you wake up each morning, consecrate your body to the Holy Spirit. Invite the Spirit of Jesus to come afresh into your physical frame. He will do that.
When you go to sleep at night, invite the Spirit of God to indwell you throughout your sleeping hours. He will do that.
It is spiritual rebellion that grieves the Spirit of holiness. When you continue in that rebellious state, you push out the Spirit of God. He cannot indwell where sin is invited. He is a jealous God. He will not share turf with evil.
However, when you consciously will all over to the Holy Spirit, you have extended the invitation to Him to indwell you. This is the ultimate intimacy possible in this mortal existence.
The Spirit indwells temples not made with hands. The Creator God formed your body; the Creator God, therefore, is anxious to return to His creation by housing within you. He feels quite at home there, for He knew that frame in your mother’s womb. He brought it into being from nothing – ex nihilo.
Therefore, the body is to be kept hallowed. It is to be regarded with utmost respect. Anything that would blemish the temple must be abhorred. It cannot be tolerated. You desire your temple to be a sanctified vessel for the habitation of God Himself.
Today, do not preplan your religious presence; invite the Spirit of God to live through your very personhood and He will. He will then spontaneously bring to the fore what He desires from you. That is how you will be used as a holy instrument by Him in Kingdom furtherance.
You must not forecast what mood will come forth from you today. The Spirit of God will exhibit His own mood for the occasion. Let Him have free reign.
THIS GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM
Matt. 24:14
Randall Walton
In this day of great apostasy when the truth of God’s word is so brutally mistreated by the merchants of myth and fable, it is necessary that we stand in stern defense of the validity and integrity of the Holy Scriptures and its indomitable message of the eternal kingdom of the living God.
This message is better known by the word gospel, a euphemism which means “Good News,” “Glad Tidings,” or “Good Message.” The word gospel is first recorded in Matt. 4:23 where it is stated that “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…”
Strangely, one seldom hears the words, gospel and kingdom in the same breath today. It is as if the two have been totally disconnected. Men have succeeded in replacing the message of the good news of the kingdom with another message which they choose to call the gospel of grace. Their interpolation of the word grace has today become associated with aberrant behavior, amorality, and lawlessness. (See Jude 4.)
Throughout the New Testament the word gospel is used to describe various aspects of the one true gospel which is the “gospel of the kingdom.” For example, consider the following:
“the gospel.” Matt. 11:5 “this gospel.” Matt. 26:13 “gospel of Jesus. Mark 1:1 “gospel of grace of God.” Acts 20:24 “my gospel.” Rom. 2:16 “gospel of peace.” Rom. 10:15 “gospel of Christ.” Rom. 15:19 “Christ’s gospel.” II Cor. 2:12 “our gospel.” II Cor. 4:3 “gospel of your salvation.” Eph. 1:13 “gospel of God.” I Peter 4:6 “everlasting gospel.” Rev. 14:6
All of these expressions are included under the blanket of the “Gospel of the Kingdom of God.” There is no grace outside the kingdom of God; there is no peace except in the kingdom of God; there is no salvation apart from the kingdom; it is impossible to view Jesus Christ other than in and through the kingdom of God.
Therefore, if one expounds on the topic of salvation through Jesus Christ and His shed blood, he is declaring one phase of the good news of God’s kingdom: deliverance from sin, freedom from bondage, newness of life for the redeemed, translation into the kingdom of God’s Son (Col. 1:13). This is not “another” or a different gospel. It is part and parcel of the same message preached by John the Baptist, the Lord Jesus, Peter and the other ten apostles, and Paul and his associates.
The good news of the kingdom was given for the purpose of drawing mankind into the kingdom. It was to announce the fact that the kingdom was indeed “at hand,” within the reach of men, that its blessings and its government could be appropriated. It was meant to demonstrate that the King had arrived according to prophecy, that He was not only King (divine monarch) but also the expected Messiah who would rule and reign from the height of the universe’s most glorious and magnificent throne, the throne of the heavenly Father (Rev. 3:21).
Along with His declaration of the gospel of the kingdom, Jesus set forth the laws and the constitution of that kingdom, all of which are found in the four “gospels,” Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
The fact that the Jews rejected both the message and the Messenger in no way detracts from the legitimacy and relevance of the message. The fact that the majority of people today reject the message of Jesus does not detract from its validity and authority. The gospel remains the gospel of the kingdom of God and includes its orders, commands, and laws as set out most plainly in the words and sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings, and Lord or lords.
Blessings Without Responsibilities?
It is proper for us to consider the words and commands of Jesus as the Constitution of the kingdom. (“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9). It is likewise logical that His words and commands were intended for the citizens of His kingdom and not for the general populace. There are a few instances where Jesus exhorted the “lost” to “repent, or ye shall all likewise perish.” By and large, His commands were aimed at those who claimed to be His followers.
Consider, for example, His sermon on the mount as recorded in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. His first words were: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” I have heard countless sermons on the topic of the poor in spirit without this equation mentioned at all. Jesus did not say, “blessed are the poor in spirit” period. He stated emphatically that the kingdom is accessible only to the poor in spirit. There is a standard to be measured up to, a goal to be reached.
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Only those who mourn are eligible for the comforting – no one else need apply!
“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The phrase “shall inherit the earth” is generally emphasized with little or nothing being said about the necessity of meekness. Why? Jesus said, no meekness, no inheritance. Mankind demands the blessing without any obligation.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” No hungering and thirsting, no filling!
“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Mercy is here extended only to those who are merciful. Those who do not meet this requirement will not be shown mercy! This, of course, goes against the grain of the modern theologian who demands mercy without cost or responsibility.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Only the pure in heart? These are the words of the King!
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Do you want to be called a “child of God”? Then you must be a peacemaker. There are no options, exceptions, or second choices.
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Chap. 6:14,15). Forgiveness, then, is conditional – it is not automatic, done in advance, or without requirements. If you are not a forgiving person, don’t expect God to forgive you. This is a law of the kingdom. It is based upon justice, righteousness, and equity.
These, along with many others, show that the blessings of the kingdom of God are not freely and liberally showered upon mankind without a positive response from man. The Lord offers many wonderful blessings and benefits to the citizens of His kingdom, but He is absolutely right to expect those citizens to measure up to His standards and obligations. The Good News is that none of His standards are so high that the citizens cannot achieve or measure up to them.
The fulfilling of these obligations is not a matter of merit or worthiness: doing what He said to do is a matter of respect, honor and love for the King and His commands. “If ye love me,” He said, “keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Ruler Now
The first mention in Matthew of the position of power and authority of Jesus is found in Matt. 2:6 where we read: “And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”
This word, Governor, comes from the Greek HEGEOMAI. In English, the same word becomes hegemony which means to lead or command, with official authority. This agrees with the statement, “that shall rule my people Israel.” His authority was demonstrated throughout His 3½ years of ministry: “For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matt. 7:29).
Thus, His ministry manifested His divine power and authority. His words were an expression of the laws of His kingdom. So potent were they that He said, “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). Further, His words will be the foundation stone of the judgment: men will be judged on the basis of their own response to the words of the Governor (John 12:48).
The question naturally arises, “But who is Israel?” Who is it that this ruler is to rule over? The answer is quite simple. Every true believer is an Israelite! “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). There is but one body of Christ, not two. There is not a spiritual Israel and a separate and distinct physical Israel. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
Therefore, the words and the rulership of Jesus Christ apply to every born again Christian who is a part of that “one faith.” There are no special classes of people in that one body; no elite, nor favorites, nor any who are exempt from the rule of the King.
When Jesus went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom, He wore no outstanding garments as a mark of His royalty. He displayed no signs of riches; He wore no gold or silver to attest to His Governorship. When John first saw Him, he declared: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world,” a plain acknowledgement of His power and authority.
He demonstrated the power and authority of the kingdom for 3½ years. He healed every sickness, disease, and infirmity; He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf; He controlled the raging seas and the unruly winds. He and His men boarded a ship and immediately they were at the other shore. Walking on water was no problem with Him, for the kingdom He represented was far superior to that of the physical realm. He was able to disappear from sight; without fear or favor, He twice entered into the temple and single-handedly overturned the tables of the money men, and He forcefully drove them out!
But the greatest stumbling stone in His ministry was the message which He declared. Multitudes gladly consumed the feast of fish and bread which He supplied, but they could not bear the words which He spoke. They weren’t really much different from people today. Millions want His salvation and blessings, but they will not have His teachings. And in rejecting His teachings, they are also rejecting Him!
The Good News of the kingdom must be preached, or published, in all the world as a witness, or testimony, before Jesus returns. We fully expect to have a part in the declaring of that glorious message. “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mark 16:20).
SALVATION
Larry Ax
Is this possible for me? Yes! Yes! Yes!
It is written in the Bible! (Romans 10:9-13)
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"WHOSOEVER"
Is this possible for you? Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Jesus loves you! He died on the cross for you! If you desire, Jesus will welcome you and give you Eternal Life! Hallelujah!
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
GRACE
Larry Ax
The common definition of Grace is "God's unmerited favor." Is there more depth to this word Grace? This word "Grace" is a word that ultimately glorifies God! It is illimitable, boundless, infinite, and without limit! What an awesome and amazing word!
Other superb words to help describe the Grace of God are listed below:
Love, compassion, tender mercies, peace, joy, righteousness, exquisite, glorious, lavish, profuse, splendid, resplendent, elaborate, magnificent, phenomenal, sufficient, etc.
I Peter 1:2 says "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, be multiplied."
I Peter 4:10 states "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
This multifaceted jewel is extremely priceless! Paid and given to by the precious Blood of Jesus! The above verses should stir us and get our attention.
However, there are other extremely important facets of Grace. In Hebrews 10:29 "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trod under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of Grace?”
We must be aware of the tremendous responsibility we have to never abuse the wonderful Grace package we have been entrusted with!
May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
GOD WORKING IN YOU!
Melody Ax
Philippians 2:13 states: "For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."
Are you a born-again Christian? If you are, the Holy Spirit is in you! Who is doing the work? Are you trying to serve God in your own power? We must understand that GOD is working in you both to will and do of His good pleasure. Hallelujah!
We can do nothing without Him. The work was accomplished at the cross! Thank you, Jesus. John 6:27 and 29 state: "Labor not for the meat which perisheth but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." What the work is BELIEVE on Him. Yes, we must believe what Jesus did for us on the cross. Do we truly believe? I asked the Lord that question. Then He says in Mark 9:23: "Desperate for any kind of help for his son, the man cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Jesus then healed the boy in Mark 9:24. We can cry out for help to Jesus to help our unbelief.
In Hebrews 13:20-21, we read, "Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
Who is doing the work? Jesus Christ is doing the work in us to make us perfect in every good work to do His will!
In I Corinthians 3:7, it reads, "So then neither is he that planted any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." God makes the seed grow.
Sometimes this is hard for me. When I can't see things happen. I am like doubting Thomas at times. Then I remember what faith is as Hebrews 11:1 states: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We must believe the word of God, what it says, and not what man says.
We must believe that He is in control of every situation in our lives. He is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords" (Rev. 17:14). He will finish the work in you. Philippians 1:6-7 says "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." He (Jesus) will do the work, not you! I rejoice in that scripture; it gives me peace and rest in what Jesus did for us,
I would like to end with a prayer; Ephesians 1:16-19 (make it a personal prayer). Thank you Lord “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, That the eyes of our understanding being enlightened; that we 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.” Amen.
John 15:4-5 reads "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit for without me ye can do nothing."
FINDING BLESSINGS IN SUFFERINGS
Alfred King
The question has often been asked, “Why do the righteous suffer?”
The Apostle Paul was a man who faced tremendous opposition, persecution, dangers, and hardships that tested his endurance and dedication to the One who saved him so miraculously on his way to imprison Christians in Damascus. Paul listed some of his sufferings in his second letter to the Corinthian church, “…in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” (II Cor. 11:23b-27)
What did Paul find that would cause him to suffer such trials and oppositions? Where did he find the strength and perseverance to continue preaching the Gospel of Christ? He found something in God that the world, Satan, or his own human heart could not take away, no matter how much opposition and adversity he faced. There were many wonderful blessings and truths Paul found in God that took possession of his soul, and he refused to allow anything to take it away, including suffering. Consider his understanding of the promises of God.
Phil. 3:7-14: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Making a list from the previous verses in Philippians we find he willingly suffered in order to find and experience:
“the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.”
“win Christ”
“to be found in Him”
The righteousness of Christ gained through faith.
“to know Him and the power of His resurrection” (along with the fellowship of His sufferings)
“attain unto the resurrection of the dead”
“apprehend that for which I (he) am apprehended of Christ Jesus”
“the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
Paul had an understanding of the blessings and rewards of serving God even when it meant severe trial and testing. For Paul, the rewards far surpassed that which he would endure here in this life. Read his own words relative to suffering:
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom 8:18)
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor 4:17)
One wonders if Paul really considered his affliction to be light. Most of us today would view them as great afflictions. However, Paul considered his sufferings light in comparison to the glory that he found in God and the knowledge of the eternal blessings that he would gain when Jesus returns to gather His people together to ever be with the Lord in God’s eternal heaven.
We often hear it said today by the unconverted that they don’t want to become a Christian because they would have to give up so much. They would have to give up things they enjoy and sins they love. This is understandable coming from one unsaved, but the real shock comes when we hear words similar coming from the mouths of believers. It is obvious that those who feel this way do not understand or perceive the blessings God has promised to those who love Him. Again we turn to Paul’s word to gain a glimpse of what he saw.
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2:9-10)
When reading through the scriptures, we find many, if not all, Godly men suffered for their faith. It is safe to say that they did not always know the purpose behind the trials they faced. Let’s reflect on just a couple:
Joseph
Joseph had two dreams given him by God and each foretelling of a time when he would become a ruler, apparently even over his own family. He may have been unwise in telling his brothers those dreams and not keeping them between God and himself. But the record shows that he told his brothers, who were already having problems with Joseph because Joseph was their father’s favorite son. Jealousy plagued his brothers’ hearts and, when the opportunity to do away with Joseph and his dreams arose, they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt and sold him to Potiphar as a slave. The dreams that God gave Joseph brought about such hatred from his brothers that they determined to rid themselves of this thorn in their flesh. It seemed up to this point that Joseph’s dreams were not a blessing to Joseph but rather the cause of heartache and grief. It had brought about separation from his family to becoming a slave in a foreign land.
In spite of this heart-breaking event, Joseph kept his faith in God and served Potiphar as a faithful slave. As time passed, Joseph gained the trust and respect of Potiphar until one day Potiphar’s wife began to lust after Joseph. She attempted over and over to get him to commit adultery with her. Joseph made a statement that every Christian should determine in his own heart before he is tempted to transgress as Joseph was. “…how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9) (This is good to remember when faced with any temptation toward sin.) Joseph maintained his integrity and his devotion to God in despite the disappointments he faced.
Nevertheless, Joseph was accused, condemned and sentenced to an Egyptian prison where he remained for several years. Still, Joseph retained his relationship and love for God. In the end, after God lifted him from the prison and placed him in a position of power in Egypt, he began to see the hand of God in all his sufferings. He made the following statement to his brothers when they came to Egypt to purchase food, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.” (Gen. 50:20)
Job
When one speaks about trials and sufferings, Job always comes to mind. Job suffered as much as any man could suffer. In Job the first chapter, we have the account of all that Job possessed: “And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” (Job 1:2-3)
The thing that makes suffering so difficult is that the sufferer doesn’t know why this has been his lot. The question “Why?” always comes, but no answer follows. Job had no understanding of what had taken place in heaven, which event was the cause of Job’s sufferings. As Job sat in the ashes and scraped his boils with a broken piece of pottery, the grief of his loss was overwhelming. Losing his wealth was bad enough, but the loss of his seven sons and three daughters was devastating, demoralizing and unreconcilable to Job. Where was God in all this? Why had such tragedy struck him all at once? And when he thought it could get no worse, his wife came to him and said, “… Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” What a penetrating stab to his heart were these words from the wife of his youth.
Some have condemned Job’s wife for her words to Job, but we must remember that she was facing the same trials as Job, and seeing her husband in such a horrible and detestable state, she found herself not as strong in her faith as was Job. Job’s response to her was, “‘Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?’ In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (Job 2:9-10)
One of the most amazing accounts in scripture with regard to suffering is Job’s words when it was told him that he had lost everything, including his ten children. It is recorded in Job 1:20-22, “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, ‘Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”
Did God leave Job or forsake him? Of course not. After the trial was over, God blessed Job with more children and twice as much wealth as he originally possessed. But it was the spiritual gain that was most valuable to Job and a lesson most valuable to us, also. In the end, Job made this astounding statement, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5). Job had gained a fresh revelation of God, a deeper comprehension of God’s character and power, and through this he entered into a more intimate relationship with Him. What value can be placed upon such a reward?
Job honored God in a way that principalities in heaven, in earth and in hell can never question nor dispute God’s integrity, His honor nor His wisdom. God’s ways are always the best, and we as humans living under a veil of secrecy, live by faith that the God we serve knows what is best for us and places us where He can use us to bring glory to His name. There are some who have been kings, others beggars. Some are healthy and vigorous while others lay infirmed and unable even to provide their basic necessities. Some are paralyzed, dependent upon others for their care, and others are so active they cannot sit still. Yet, in every case, God has a plan for every life and can use each one who will put their faith in Him. Each one is important in furthering God’s kingdom in the earth.
For the poor of this world and the infirmed, let us remember these men of faith. For those who are going through suffering and feel they have lost much in order to serve God, remember the spiritual blessings God has promised far outweigh the pleasures of this life. The great deceiver has promoted the lie that if one possesses wealth, fame, popularity and prosperity, he will be happy. How many have believed the enemy’s lie only to arrive at the place where they are miserable and turn to drugs, alcohol, sex or other worldly pleasures in search of peace and happiness? And sadly, many when finding that nothing the world promises gives peace, take their lives.
As Christians, we must remember that whatever we go through, the spiritual blessings far outweigh material things, and the things we suffer are working out things that will bring glory to God if we faithfully endure unto the end. Sit and evaluate the blessings your salvation brings and what it means not only now in this life but eternally. Jesus promised His peace, His joy, and His love to His people, and there is nothing the world can offer that compares to that which God gives. Unfortunately, many believers never find that peace because carnality still remains strong in their hearts. Jesus asked a very important and pertinent question that we all need to consider: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matt. 16:26)
There is a song that says, “Count your blessings name them one by one. Count your blessing see what God has done.” Keeping one’s mind on the spiritual blessings God has given us will overshadow our material blessings or lack thereof and even our physical health. If we suffer joyfully, and worship God during those trying times they will bring us into a deeper relationship with God.
Note:
In the August issue of “The Testimony of Truth” we stated in the article, “Rank Fatalism,” that there would follow several articles written by Harry Miller which would address one of the common errors of modern Christianity. “Twentieth Century Fatalism” is the first of the articles dealing with this subject.
TWENTIETH CENTURY FATALISM
Harry R. Miller
Like the Stoic of old, today's Muslim calmly accepts as his lot whatever prosperity or adversity comes his way, believing that such has been decreed for him by the gods of destiny. Fate, he says, determines all conditions: what is to be will be; nothing can change it. If this is true and the future is a sealed and settled affair, then it naturally follows that nothing anyone can do will have the slightest bearing upon it; therefore, it is useless to waste any effort in the attempt. The God of the fatalist cannot be invoked for man; there is no such thing as a prayer that will move Providence on behalf of the creature in distress.
There is no other philosophy in the world more sterile, more hopeless, than this. No other teaching can compare with fatalism in quenching man's every urge to seek the attention or favor of Heaven. Such a doctrine puts FINIS to all desire of a human being to please the Almighty.
There are two passions, either of which can move man to serve the Lord: fear or love. Fear may cause the creature to serve the Creator, but only if he feels that what he does may have some bearing upon the reactions of Providence in his behalf. When men are convinced that their actions have no effect one way or another upon their lives, they, by nature, gravitate to selfish indulgences and complete disregard of the higher powers.
The tyrant uses fear as an instrument in driving his slaves. But as a propelling force upon moral beings, fear is one of the basest of forces and has no genuine moral value. Moral beings were created in the “image” of the God of love; therefore love is the most potent “drive” in the universe – for free moral agents.
Love is fraternal; it must be nourished by reciprocation. Love cannot continue to exist for any length of time as a one-sided attachment; there must be active response from the object of devotion; this is the very law of the nature of love. No true lover of God ever regards Him as a tyrant; neither does he think of Him as being indifferent to man's pleas and supplication. Communion with God is a reciprocal relationship, and it not only involves abstract beliefs of ethical standards, it also has potent bearing upon a man's everyday life: the practical problems, social and economic, as well as spiritual.
When love is the motive for serving God, it is completely right and natural for man to feel that the Lord will be concerned about his welfare. Since all power belongs to the Creator, and all things are at His disposal, it is perfectly reasonable and proper for His creatures to expect Him to be moved to help them in their hour of need. The doctrine of fatalism offers no such hope; nor is it capable of inspiring any genuine devotion in the hearts of those who accept its teachings.
Since the days of John Calvin, professing Christendom has been torn between two completely diverse schools of thought on the subject of free moral agency. The Calvinists took the position that man's eternal destiny was determined by the arbitrary will of God before the creation of the world. According to the proponents of this theory, man hasn't a word to say in the matter of choice: God chooses whom He will, and those who are not chosen are automatically rejected. This choice is not made or predetermined upon any condition or quality of character within the creature; nor upon any act which God foresaw that the creature would do.
There is very little difference between Calvinism and the fatalistic belief of paganism, except that Calvin called his particular brand of fatalism, “Christianity.” Logical thinkers can only conclude that if the Creator has foreordained all things either to be or not to be, there is certainly nothing to be gained through prayer. What benefit would there be in any effort to please the powers above? Why toil and try to “put to death the deeds of the body” if there is no possibility of reward? If “fate has already determined what is to be,” then why not “eat, drink and be merry,” since we cannot change the foreordained course of the gods? Such doctrine certainly savors of heathen superstition. It is incompatible with logic and reason and should have no place in the Christian church.
The unrelenting version of Calvinism taught by the old-fashioned “hardshell Baptists” was just a little bit too paganistic for the twentieth-century fatalists; however; certain scholars have worked out a sort of hybrid doctrine, reminiscent of Calvinism, although greatly modified, and called it “The Doctrine of Grace.” According to this revised form of the doctrine, freedom of choice is every man's right BEFORE CONVERSION: free moral agents are vested with the ability to choose or reject salvation through faith in the gospel. In other words, the Lord had no part in man's choosing; the choice was purely of the human will and subject to the vagaries of human nature: it is wholly unpredictable. And since God is not the author of such a choice, this doctrine destroys election and predestination.
The object of creating such a “hybrid fatalism” was an attempt to rationalize the unreasonable pagan ideas of absolute, unyielding and irresistible dogmatic forces of the Divine will. This much-loved synthetic “hybrid” was served upon the gilded platters of the most popular professing Christian churches, where it was palmed off as offering freedom of choice to all free moral agents, yet it also offered the dazzling inducement of “eternal security” after conversion.
“Conversion,” we are told, means acceptance of the gospel of Christ; just “accept the finished work of grace,” or say “I accept Christ is my personal Saviour.” Some of the more earnest advocates of “hybrid fatalism” insist that the believer must have a “born-again” experience. They have an altar and require deep repentance for past sins, then water baptism seals the work. The “convert” is then practically in “the fold,” for “ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED,” he is told. Here we have a post-conversion predestination – if there ever was an illogical, irrational, and unscriptural doctrine this surely is it. Predestination could only be of God's making, surely not of man's! Yet, this newly devised doctrine would make God's act of predestination subject to the unpredictable choice of the creature.
The “hardshell” Baptist brand of Calvinistic fatalism did nothing to inspire men to good works: it was sterile of Christian virtues in a sort of negative way. However, the “hybrid fatalism” got a bit out of hand and began to develop into a fanatically religious anti-work doctrine. The doctrines of “grace” were set in opposition to Christian works: to work in the sense of “working out your own salvation with fear and trembling” came to mean that one had “fallen from grace.” “Faith” in Christ, in a sort of abstract way, is considered the ideal attitude toward God; but to expect God to be so pleased with one's works that the hand of Providence would be moved to do something concrete to help the individual in this life in relation to “making his calling and election sure,” is unthinkable to the modern Calvinist.
Carnality among professing Christians began to come into its own as different ones of the religious establishments, known as “Christian” started accepting these doctrines of grace founded on “hybrid fatalism.” The world has been pleased to accept this new brand of so-called Christianity since it requires so little – “just believe,” or better still, “just accept.” The majority of advocators of this new gospel openly declare that their doctrine is not “THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST;” they say Jesus taught the “Gospel of the kingdom” which is so filled with law that it must have been only for the Jew. Paul is said to be the author of this new religion which is called “the gospel of grace.”
As soon as the world realized that professing Christians were actually serious about this matter of a religion without works, full and running over with free grace, they began to flock into the professing church by tens of thousands. “Join the church of your choice” is the popular admonishment; the implication being that any church will assure your salvation. The spellbinders cry that “God is a good God,” implying that He is so good that He overlooks all transgressions, and will close His eyes to every weakness of mankind – “Just believe”!
“The faith which was once delivered unto the saints” has very little place in most of the affairs of present-day-Christendom, since it is not compatible with the idea of “once saved, always saved.”
This revamped version of fatalism has been in vogue now for over a century. One of the founders and advocates of this strange doctrine was Dr. C. I. Scofield; author also, of the prodigious notes incorporated in the work popularly known as “The Scofield Bible”; which infamous work, so skillfully designed, diabolically lends discredit to the work of Christ by means of a theme woven throughout the notes from Genesis to Revelation which teaches the postponement of the kingdom of God.
The “Gospel of the Kingdom” as it was preached by Jesus and His disciples bristles with laws, commands, duties, obligations and responsibilities: concepts definitely at variance with all fatalistic teachings. Since proponents of this so-called “gospel of grace” could not tolerate the Lord's teaching that the kingdom was then at hand, they explain that it was not at hand after all because the Jews rejected His message and, therefore, the kingdom was postponed for another day that is even yet far in the distant future. They further declare that the apostle Paul introduced a NEW GOSPEL: “the gospel of grace” – for the “church” only.
When this monstrous heresy was first declared, the evangelical churches cried out against it in holy horror. But as the decades rolled by, certain carnal men of “the cloth” began to realize the stupendous commercial value of the new gospel. Crowds and money spell success to many modern churchmen, and the new gospel produced an unprecedented harvest of both: multitudes and millions.
Many churches are becoming veritably swamped with new members: the world seems to be clamoring at their doors. Multimillion-dollar building programs are underway. Many “old barn”-like structures are being torn down to make way for the “greater barns” embellished with every artifice known to the ecclesiastical trade. The new Christian religion has become so popular that some places of business have now instituted what they call “prayer breaks” (time off from work for a short period of prayer or meditation), and honky-tonk juke-boxes blare away hyped-up versions of the songs of Zion. The movies also have amalgamated entertainment and religion in their films; possibly in an effort to supply a religious fig leaf as a covering for their strip teasers. No matter what the reason – “The people love to have it so.”
This so-called “gospel of grace” is modernism's doctrine of fatalism in disguise; it does violence to everything taught by Christ; it denies election, foreordination, and the just acts of Providence. It is actually as anti-Christian as any pagan religion, and far more dangerous.
We will offer as proof for these allegations, the following arguments:
1 – We will explain how any form of fatalism discredits the person and government of the creator.
2 – We will set forth the principles of free moral agency.
3 – We will present the Biblical proof for election, and explain its import.