No Accident

 No Accident                       1-11-2025

It has been said that"spiritual victory"is no accident.It is the outworking of fundamental truths taught in God's Word.It requires effort.In Matthew 8 an example of these truths is explained.Look.

Matthew 8:5-13

When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

 It is important to note that the Lord Jesus is not saying He had not found faith in Israel.Indeed He had found it multiple times before this encounter.But,He had not found such great faith.The Bible says that "He marveled.."Most versions use the word 'great'in place of 'such.' The point is this.Jesus is making a marked distinction between the faith that He had so far encountered in Israel and this Centurion's "great faith."

In Matthew 22 and 25,we have two parables which further explain the distinction in chapter 8.All of these passages are describing who will gain access to or exclusion from being a co-heir with Jesus.In chapter 8 the Patriarchs and the Centurion were people of great faith.In Matthew 22,an INVITEE to a wedding feast has not properly prepared himself to attend the feast,consequently he is not allowed to partake of the festivities and joy of the son's feast. In Matthew 25,three SERVANTS are given authority over their Master's property and are judged according to the return they provide the Master at His return. The most productive receives a commendation and a reward of more authority,on down to the non productive servant.This last servant loses his initial talent and is cast out into outer darkness.(though not relevant now,the outer darkness is not hell.)

 

 There are libraries written on these passages, but our intent here is simply to recognize a distinction.A distinction being made between believers and the manner in which they conduct their lives; which will lead to a distinction in their reward for service or lack thereof.That is all.We can leave the volumes of theological discussions for another day.

 

The Book of Hebrews was written in an attempt to persuade a group of Hebrew believers from apostasing because of intense persecution.There are two themes in Hebrews for our discussion.A distinction is made in the first chapters.The distinction being the superiority of Jesus as opposed to the angels or even Moses.Jesus,is the way to God's blessing and reward.They are being warned that if they apostasize,they will face judgment.They are given a choice in chapter 3 of becoming partakers or companions of Christ and entering His rest.If they reject the offer of being partakers and  choose to go back to Judaism, they will fall into a state of immaturity, described in chapters 5 and 6.Chapters 7-11 talk about Jesus's better sacrifice, then another offer of a "festal gathering" and the "assembly of the firstborn" in chapter 12.Let's take a brief look. Remember our focus is on the distinction.Look at this.

Hebrews 3:13-14

"But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

After being warned about developing an evil, hardened heart because of unbelief, the author of Hebrews makes this declaration.We or they can become partakers or companions in Christ if they hold fast their original confidence. Now some say this sharing in Christ is talking about our position in Him in salvation.Is the author talking about initial salvation here.No,I don't think so.Why?Because of the conditional clause"if" and the warnings that follow in chapters 5 and 6.If this is talking about salvation from hell, then it is salvation by works."If we hold," makes us responsible for our salvation in some form doesn't it.It puts the burden on us to maintain our standing before God.It contradicts among other things the eternality of eternal life.Do you remember in our last post we briefly discussed Psalms 45.A King was getting married.Because of His love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness,He is anointed "beyond his companions."Remember the mention of companions? Turn back to the first chapter once again.In the attempt to persuade these Hebrews of Jesus superiority to all else, the author of Hebrews quotes Psalm 45.We know who the King is, but who are these companions? Well,in this context, they are the ones who will "hold fast their original confidence." These companions in Psalm 45 were an inner circle of the King.The King had a greater anointing and these partakers, these companions in Hebrews are being offered that special status.Partakers of the glory of the King,and all that entails.But,in order to be a partaker of this,they must hold fast.Let's jump to chapter 12 and get a further look at this concept.

Chapter 12 is encouraging these Hebrew believers to endure and run patiently the race set before them.It speaks about the unpleasantntness of discipline.Contextually,this is addressing endurance in the midst of persecution.Difficult times and circumstances if you will.Towards the end of the chapter however, the author speaks about a coming Kingdom that cannot be shaken.In the midst of this discussion we read these words.

Hebrews 12:22-24

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." 

Speaking to the Hebrews,the author envisions a party in heaven.A festal gathering with angels in the heavenly Jerusalem.Then these words....."and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God..."

This is a mention of the inheritance rights of the firstborn.Looking all the way back into the Old Testament.Remember? There was a distinction made of the firstborn wasn't there? The firstborn received a double portion right? A distinction given only because one was the firstborn. 

In this context, we have a gathering of the firstborn with God and Jesus the mediator of a better covenant.This gathering contextually is speaking to the Hebrews IF they HOLD FAST.Is this a literal gathering? I believe it is.But,even if it is not do you see the principle being explained here?Not only here,but I have been persuaded that this is the theme of the entire New Testament.Once we are confident in the freeness and the eternal nature of our salvation, the rest of the New Testament is speaking to living the life to reap the rewards.Some believers will garner more commendation and reward than others.It will be based on the believer's manner of life.However,the judgment will be just.It will be the Lord Jesus Christ Himself judging our deeds along with our motivations.Why we did what we did.That is another post.I have more, but I think I will stop here.

Listen Brothers and Sisters,all I wanted to do here is to show you that the "hard verses"are not necessarily hard.While some still remain difficult to get a grip on, the truth of the matter is this:Scripture does not contradict itself.It cannot be broken.It can be difficult.I still struggle with passages to this day.I know however and have been persuaded that these passages will be revealed to me in due time.I rest in the fact that God's salvation is indeed that..God's salvation.That being said,God has made that salvation conditional.That condition being belief in Jesus.Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.Being persuaded that Jesus is the Son of God,the Messiah,and He will give you eternal life if you just believe that!No work of any kind will suffice to obtain or to maintain that which God has done.And that brothers and sisters is truly good news,That is the Gospel.Once you read the New Testament in that context, the questions start to be answered.The contradictions fade away.

This doctrine of rewards will cause one to reflect on their past.It is good and even spiritually healthy to assess one's past as it relates to living the life.It is not healthy to stay focused on the failings of the past.Don't look too deep or too long, because the deeper you look into your human heart the worse it will get.The doctrine of rewards is designed to have the opposite effect on our outlook.Indeed,it is designed to get us to look away from ourselves, and focus on the Lord God and His will for our lives.As C.S.Lewis said,"It is not thinking less of ourselves,it is thinking of ourselves less."To the extent that we submit and abide in the presence of God,that is the level of our"companionship"that we will be rewarded for.Folks,true humility is not some sort of self abasement or soul annihilation.No,no.True humility is very simple.It is like salvation,a 5 year old can understand it.Humility is simply agreeing with God.It is saying that God is right in all circumstances and we are not.Many,many times that will require us admitting to Him that we are wrong and with His grace and by His power, aligning ourselves with what He says is right and true.There is no contradiction in God.If you don't hear a word I am saying,hear that.

A final word, finally lol.More than anyone else,Jesus Himself encouraged His followers to live in the light of future rewards.It is not selfish, self centered, nor improper for believers to look forward to rewards for obedience.Read these. Matthew 5:10-12, 6:1-6,10:40-42,16:27,24:45-46,Luke 6:23,and 35,12:43-44,14:13-14,19:17,Rev.22:12.

On and on and on it goes.There are many,many more.I leave with a quote from  a 19th century Baptist minister and theologian,Alexander Maclaren.

"I do not need to waste your time and my own in defending Christian morality from the fantastic objection that it is low and selfish because it encourages itself to efforts."

All we must do is believe

God Bless.

 

 

 

The Two Elements of Biblical Inheritance

 The Two Elements of Biblical Inheritance         01-07-25

The first aspect of Biblical inheritance which is guaranteed, is granted because of birthright.Look at Jesus's words in John 3.

John 3:4

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

In verse 5 Jesus uses the word "enter" instead of see.Entrance,not possession of the Kingdom is granted through birthright.This birthright is obtained through belief or it's synonym, faith in the Son of God,the Messiah,Jesus.As stated above, this aspect of inheritance is guaranteed and secured.Not only that, this inheritance is guaranteed by all three persons of the trinity. Father,Son,and Spirit.Look.

John 6:39-40

"And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and *I will raise him up on the last day.”*(Italics mine)

John 10:27-28

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."

Ephesians 1:13-14

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."

A question for you to kick around.If God is guaranteeing this inheritance of entrance into His Kingdom,that makes Him responsible for your safekeeping doesn't it? It exalts the Work of the Cross..yes? 

God gets all the glory...right? If that be so, then how can we,as fallen creatures, endeavor to claim responsibility for our salvation? Are any of the various requirements(works)either before we believe(repentance)or after we believe(obedience)sufficient?Think about that.What is the mentality that assumes we can offer anything of ourselves to a perfect God,ANYTHING that would be considered worthy in His courtroom?Because according to His Word,that is exactly where we stand outside the shed blood of Jesus.In a courtroom, before a perfect,just Judge.Just sayin"

This inheritance, obtained through spiritual birth by faith,is guaranteed by God and God alone.We must approach Him on His terms,for no other approach will be accepted.One last verse on this guarantee.

1Peter 1:4-5

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

This is the Good News,the Gospel.It,being salvation,is absolutely free;and it is absolutely eternal.All we must do is believe. However,there is a second element to this inheritance.This guaranteed, secure inheritance isn't all God has for us.A second aspect awaits us and indeed it will require some work.The good news is God's willingness to pay or reward us for all our labor in carrying out His directives.This inheritance is available to every believer entering the Kingdom. Vine's Expository Dictionary explains this element this way.

"It is conditional on obedience to precepts and faithfulness to God 'amidst opposition'" It is a reward in the coming age.It is an offer to share in the Messiah's glory.

A conditional aspect is found in the 8th Chapter of Romans.Look at this.

Romans 8:3-5.A choice is given to believers.We can live our lives according to "the flesh',or according to "the Spirit.'One empowered by the Spirit,the other,by the "flesh" or the old nature, like an unbeliever.We all have that choice;and,either choice will have consequences in this life and the life to come.Before we look at the 17th verse, we must be mindful of the fact that Paul in this chapter is speaking to believers.These folk have believed in Jesus,have eternal life, and have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.Let's look at verse 17.

Romans 8:17

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Both inheritances are seen in these verses.In this text,Paul has two forms of heirship in mind.In the Greek construction an acceptable English rendering could be,......heirs,on the one hand-of God,and on the other hand,co-heirs with Christ if we suffer...."

Guaranteed because we are children-heirs of God first, however a second heirship offered to those children who co-suffer with Christ as co-heirs.

This brings up an important truth to be examined.Is there a distinction made here and elsewhere between children, based on the quality of their lives here on earth.I turn your attention to Psalm 45.This Psalm,very high, exalted language.It is a marriage-love song.A king awaiting his princess bride.One verse is especially relevant to our discussion.Look at verse 7.

Psalm 45:7

"you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;"

Because this King loved righteousness and hated wickedness,....God anointed Him beyond that of His companions.See the distinction? The anointing was of greater value or it was an anointing that was not given to His companions. Have you ever wondered why Peter,James,and John were the only apostles to witness the glory of Jesus at the transfiguration? Why were Peter,James and John being pulled aside from time to time to witness great events?(Transfiguration,Jairus's daughter)They were also called out in some of His darkest times.(Gethsamane)The Bible does not give the answer.But,there is no doubt that these three apostles formed an inner circle.They seemed to have been given a special privilege of relationship with Jesus that the other Apostles were not given.That being said, look at 2 Timothy for a sec.

2Timothy 2:11-13

"The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live

with him;

if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself."

Contextually,in chapter 2 Paul is talking about walking the walk.Living the Christian life.Not too much about salvation here.Look closely at vs.12

"IF(caps mine)we endure, we will also reign with Him;if we deny...."

There is a reward awaiting those who endure. a co-heirship which amounts to at least a position of authority in Jesus's Kingdom.Those who endure are also going to reign.Not just live in or occupy, but reign in this coming kingdom.There is going to be honor,authority,and special privilege for those whose lives on this earth are judged worthy of such.We have seen two such examples of elements of a "worthy" life;Suffering and endurance, there are more.A distinction indeed between the children of God. Now,we can go on ad infinitum,in speculation about how this all works out.Not our purpose.All we need know for our purposes is this.There is a reward(s)awaiting believers at the Bema seat judgment.The details are not really described.There are different levels of reward, authority, opportunity based on our obedience and accomplishments for God's Kingdom and Glory.But,there is a negative side to this picture.According to the Word of God,these rewards,inheritaces can be forfeited.To be sure, lest there be confusion, the inheritance of entrance into God's Kingdom cannot,I repeat,CANNOT be forfeited or lost.It is eternal in nature and forever free of charge,for anyone who will believe or have faith in Jesus as THE giver of eternal life.Remember this please, this study is meant to show a differences distinction if you will, between what the Bible calls justification(salvation from hell)and sanctification(living the Christian life).The aim is to help recognize the difference between the two, when reading God's word.It is also of utmost importance, that when God gives us the opportunity to share the Gospel with an unbeliever,if it is only once!That we share with that unsaved one the accurate Good News of what God has done for man and woman.That being said, in our study, we will take a look at the negative aspect of possible loss of reward next time out.

Brothers and sisters,All we must do is believe.

God Bless.

Inheritance

 The Concept of Inheritance               1-4-25

Happy New Year!

Remember in our previous posts we talked about salvation being free and eternal.Free with respect to works.The only condition being that we believe in Jesus.Nothing else.Eternal meaning everlasting.Once we have it, we cannot lose it for any reason.And of course the first questions that arise are those of repentance, commitment, obedience, license to sin etc.It is the aim of this study to show that all of those concepts above are indeed relevant to the Christian experience.They are consistently taught in the Bible as commands that we will be held accountable for.However,they are NOT taught as commands that our salvation, our justification before God,is dependent upon.Our eternal destiny is determined by one, and only one requirement,simple childlike faith or belief.So,where does all the other stuff fit in? The doctrine of rewards.We will begin our look at this doctrine by looking at the Biblical concept of inheritance.

Here is a foundational truth of rewards.There are differences between God's children.Now,I can assure you,this is one of two concepts,the other being sin and it's pervasiveness, that are rarely taught in today's western church.We are all equal before the Lord is the stance that prevails today.But,is that what the Bible teaches? I have been persuaded over the years, that indeed the Bible does make distinctions between believing children.

The Scriptures speak of two different aspects or types of inheritance.One is because we are children of the Most High God.The other inheritance is because we are FAITHFUL children of the Most High God.The first inheritance is conditioned on faith in Jesus. It is guaranteed of all who put their faith in the Son of God and believe that He gives eternal life.The second is conditioned on merit or a more familiar term,works.A believer can possess the first and lose out on the second.Possession of the second inheritance is based upon good deeds or works and the avoidance of sin.A quick look at the Old Testament will give you an idea.I will give you the Scripture references so you can look them up.Israel's inheritance was a permanent gift from the Lord.(Gen.12:7,15:18-21.17:8,Ex.6:8)This was God's covenant with His people Israel.The land would be their's forever.However,there was more to the concept of inheritance than a guaranteed possession.There was an aspect that inheritance could be gained or forfeited.The most glaring Old Testament example is Moses.Moses,because of an act of disobedience lost his inheritance in the promised land. Look.

Numbers 20:8-12

“Take the staff, and assemble the congregation, you and Aaron your brother, and tell the rock before their eyes to yield its water. So you shall bring water out of the rock for them and give drink to the congregation and their cattle.” And Moses took the staff from before the LORD, as he commanded him.Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

As an aside did you notice God's explanation of Moses's disobedience? 

"...Because you did not believe in me..."    Just Sayin'

Deuteronomy 32:48-52

That very day the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.”

Moses lost his right to possess inheritance of the promised land because of disobedience.However,Moses did not lose his salvation did he? I hope not!If Moses could not get in, then WOE IS ME! I am in big,BIG trouble!!Well,do not fret,I can prove that Moses did not lose his salvation.Look.

Matthew 17:1-3

 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.

 

 Moses and Elijah both made it in didn't they?Of course.Get the concept from the Old testament because it carries forward into the New Testament as it pertains to rewards for New Testament believers. Once again, an inheritance is given to all believers that is permanent and secure for eternity.In the Kingdom,Moses will surely possess his share of the permanent gift of the land.

 

 There is a passage in the New Testament that explains this concept but uses the entire wilderness generation.

 

 Look at Hebrews 3:16-19.

 "For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief."

 

 This passage is talking about the wilderness generation and their loss of inheritance or reward because of disobedience due to,once again,unbelief. Now here is the kicker.They were all saved.Yep that's right.Look.

 

 1st Corinthians 10:1-5

 "For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness."

 

 Look at the repeated use of the word "all." They all drank of the spiritual rock which was Christ.But,due to disobedience they were overthrown in the wilderness.

 

 Isaiah 57:13

"When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!

The wind will carry them all off,

a breath will take them away.

But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land

and shall inherit my holy mountain."

The only thing I want you to notice for now in this verse is the distinction God makes in this verse.If one takes refuge in God,he will not only possess the land, but he will inherit His holy mountain.This is a distinction we shall take up in a future post.

A final note.Inheritance in the Old Testament is different from our modern way of thinking on inheritance.In the Bible an inheritance was a present possession.It was received while one was still living.The word means "an allotted portion."How one possesses the inheritance is contextual.In the Old Testament it was possessed by casting lots, gifts, and meritorious works etc,.In the New Testament we see the idea once again of two inheritances.One guaranteed, one conditional.In the New Testament our relationship with Jesus the Messiah is tantamount.Both inheritances are connected with our relationship with Him.Both salvation and rewards flow from our level of "abiding in Him."It is possible that a regenerate or saved person can miss out on the receiving of an inheritance.

In ancient Israel,one became an heir by birth, but could forfeit his firstborn privilege due to disobedience.The nation had the unconditional promise of the land through Abraham,but they missed out on much of what God had for them due to disobedience.It is the same in the New Testament.There are going to be differences and distinctions in the rewards given to believers.All who believe in Jesus will take part in kingdom blessings, but their "inheritance"will not be the same.Without getting too detailed, inheritance as we think of it is something in addition to salvation.But,that is not really the aim of this post.I want to show you that those "hard verses" are harmonized.There is no contradiction in Scripture.It is not broken.We will stop here for now.We will look in some detail next time at the differences between the guaranteed first inheritance and the conditional second inheritance.For a head start go look at Romans 8:12-17.

Pay special attention to verse 17 and the word "if." KJV has "if"ESV has "provided"NASB has "if."The important point is the conditional nature of the word "if."

All we must do is believe.

God Bless

 

  

 

 

Belief

 The Biblical Concept Of Belief            12-21-24

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? When the Bible says if you believe in Jesus you have eternal life, what does that entail? It simply means to think or to be persuaded that something is true.Understanding rewards requires us to understand the distinction between faith, or belief and what the Bible calls works.The majority of mainline churches of all denominations in America,teach that one must have "necessary works"or "works that follow"initial salvation.Salvation is indeed free,but the works that follow are necessary.If the works that follow are "necessary"then this logically elevates works as a condition of salvation.Two lines of thought are prevalent.One being that initial salvation is indeed free.However,if you do not begin and continue in good works, you will lose your salvation(Arminianism); or if you do not continue in good works, you were never saved in the first place(Calvinism).There are tributaries of these basic doctrines, but it boils down to those two explanations.Obedience to the Word of God is taught as a requirement to escape final condemnation.Submission,making and keeping a commitment, repentance, lifestyle change and so forth.In other words, my fundamental acceptance before God is in some way related to my conduct or lifestyle.I am making myself responsible for my salvation through my efforts or works.This is at the very center or core of all man made legalistic modes of thought.There is a rule or a set of rules that I as a believer must abide by to obtain final salvation.Legalism is guilty of two discrepancies.It tarnishes the work of the cross making it incomplete.More importantly, and perhaps of much more concern, it robs God of His Glory.If man can offer God anything for his justification, necessary works being such,God's Glory is diminished.God will not allow that.

This is an effort to redefine the simplicity of faith or belief.Look at this.

John 6:47

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." 

Is there even a hint at any of the commands mentioned above in this verse?

Well,how do we move from believe in Jesus to repentance,obedience or some such requirement? A number of ways.The one I am most familiar in my walk is the well known head versus heart.The most difficult twelve inches on earth is the distance between my head and my heart.If I did not believe something in my heart it did not matter if I believed it in my head.This was known as mental or intellectual assent.Another distinction that was and is made is the issue of dead faith.If I did not have necessary works,my faith was dead.In some circles today it is called spurious or false faith.Sometimes the word trust is used as a distinction of faith.You must place your trust in someone or something.Using those types of words and phrases clouds the simplicity of childlike faith.

To "believe in" or "believe that" about Jesus is the essence of saving faith.Look at John 20:31.This verse is the purpose statement of the Gospel of John.As far as I know, this is the only book in the New Testament that has such a purpose statement.

John 20:30-31

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

"...believe that.....by believing..."

John 8:24

 "I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”

 "...unless you believe..."

 

 John 16:7-9

 "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;.."

 "....they do not believe in me..."

 

 On and on and on.In the Gospel of John the word "believe" is used as the only condition for eternal life about 100 times.This usage of believe or faith expands to about 250 times in the New Testament as a whole.The concepts or ideas behind the words believe and faith are the same in the Greek and the English.Both languages describe the words as "thinking something to be true."Being persuaded or confident that what ever one is believing in,one is persuaded that it is true.In this context, faith or belief is the same idea as trust.There is no distinction. 

 

 Therefore,to "believe in," "believe this," "believe that," or"believe on,"Jesus is to believe something about Him.All the different phrases refer to the same act of saving faith.Look at the 11th Chapter of John.

 

 In this passage,Mary and Martha's brother Lazarus has died.As Jesus enters the city,Martha runs to meet Him and they have an exchange.We will pick up their conversation in 25th verse.

 John 11:25-27

 "Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

 

 In this passage Jesus explains something about Himself that is true.He is the resurrection and the life.He then tells Martha that if she believes that, she will never die or if she does die a physical death, she will still live.Does she believe this? Look at her reply.

 ..."I believe that you are the Christ....." Now compare that with John 20:31. She believed something about Jesus was true and at that moment, she received eternal life.It was the"Christ" that could make the claim of eternal life.To believe that Jesus was the Christ was saving faith.

  

 Jesus has this eternal life in Himself.Look at this.

 John 5:26

 "For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself." 

 John 5:21

 "For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will."

 

 Jesus has eternal life in Himself and He gives it to whom He will.In order to avail or obtain eternal life for one's self, one and only one condition is required.Indeed it is the only way that man may avail himself of the gift of God.One must come to God on His terms.Remember Cain and Able?Cain approached God with a sacrifice,but it was unacceptable.Why?It was not on the terms or conditions that God required.One last verse.

 

 Matthew 5:13

 

 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

 

 We are going to look more in Matthew when we begin talking about rewards proper.This passage,however,is relevant for our discussion about the nature of saving faith.This is one of the few times salvation is discussed in Matthew.The Gospel being a discourse to Jewish believers about the establishment of the Kingdom .But here,Jesus is talking about entering the Kingdom,not establishing it.Jesus uses a word that is somewhat misleading in the English.That word being "hard." While tribulation may be a cause,a better translation of the word would be pressed down or compressed.The way is compressed,which would result in affliction.In context though,Jesus is talking about the way of entrance being compressed.In other words,there aren't many ways,but a compressed way to enter the gate; the gate being the Kingdom of God.We will learn in John that Jesus is saying that He is the only way.

 

 What are you saying Ronnie? Just this. In order to obtain deliverance from eternal condemnation and avail ourselves of eternal life, we must come to God on His terms.Those terms being a belief in Jesus as the Son of God,the Christ,and the giver of eternal life.He paid the penalty for our sins,He was resurrected, and He has life in Himself.He gives this life to whomever He will.All He requires is that we believe.

 

 A final, comical example to grasp the concept of believing.Every time I look up,I see something that I have been told is the sky.Now,in my experience,I have also been told that the sky is blue.All these ideas or concepts have been told me since I was a child.So,today,when I look up,I see the blue sky.I BELIEVE that is the truth.I have confidence in and trust that that is the truth.Well,Ronnie what about if it is overcast?            No problem,I have already been alerted to the fact of overcast skies.I also believe that to be true.I did not do anything to ascertain those facts.I could have read them in a book if no one had ever told me.My point is this.I was not required to make any type of commitment.I did not have to get up and roll over on the floor every day,in order to enjoy the blue sky.All that was required was to believe that it was the sky and that the sky was blue.That is the essence of saving faith.Also,no matter what else I might try to add to to my belief system, any addition will never, never, ever, ever,change the fact that the sky is blue.That is what it means to believe.

 

 Now,I will be the first to say that one does not have to believe the good news of a salvation that is absolutely free and absolutely eternal.But,and in my opinion it is a big but.BUT,in order to believe that some type of works are required to avail and maintain salvation, you are going to have to harmonize the verses teaching free and eternal with those that require works.I believe the verses teaching free and eternal outnumber those that do not by about 10-1.Remember Jesus said that"scripture cannot be broken.It is a daunting task and to be truthful,I do not believe that it can be done.To harmonize those verses however,is rather easy when one allows for a doctrine of rewards.Rewards are not man's invention.They are not some theologian's effort to win an argument.No matter what persuasion you belong to,no matter what you have been taught,rewards are a Biblical truth.The problem we have is determining what the reward is.What do you mean Ronnie?Just this.The folk that believe some type of work is required, see Heaven as the reward.We believe and then we persevere and endure for our reward.....Heaven.But,my question is "How can heaven be a reward, when it requires effort as all rewards do."That is the essence of a reward.The Biblical sense of reward is a payment for service rendered.How,then,can salvation be free?If our only reward is eternal life in heaven,where is the"free gift"that Paul speaks of in Romans?

 

 How many times were you told that salvation is free but discipleship is costly? How many times have you told someone else that very same thing?I personally have been told and taught that very thing all my Christian life.Where and how did we begin to add repentance, lifestyle etc.,to the salvation side of the equation? This is my thought on that subject.We,as the church,in my generation at least, have neglected the study of God's Word.For sure we read devotionally.But,do we study the Bible?As a whole,I do not believe we do.As for me personally,I did not undertake the study of the Bible until a few years ago.I read devotionally for most of my Christian life.It took an"incident" in church to set me on the course of finding out"why I believe what I believe."My quest goes on and will continue until God takes me home.

 

 Well Ronnie doesn't doctrine divide? Yes,it does.And sometimes it is humbling and even painful to be shown that I am wrong in certain of my beliefs.Joseph Garlington wrote a book many years ago entitled"Right or Reconciled."I read it and it was a great book.His book however dealt more with relationships than doctrine.While there is great truth in that title as it relates human interaction;when it comes to sharing and teaching what God's Word says,I would rather be right than reconciled.Remember the Apostle James words.Teachers will receive the stricter judgment.So,with that said,read this post carefully.We must grasp this idea of belief for the doctrine of rewards to make any sense.We must be able to recognize when verses are talking about justification(salvation)and sanctification(discipleship).On the next post, we will begin looking at the concepts and doctrines of Biblical rewards.Hope you will still be interested.

 

 All we must do is believe.

 

 God Bless.

 

  

  

Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon On The Mount                       12-17-24

In our study of rewards we will begin with one of the most quoted and read passages of Scripture in the Bible.The passage's relevance is discovered when we find out just what Jesus was teaching. Is this a passage about salvation? As the Phillipian jailer asked Paul,"What must I do to be saved?"Could Paul have answered by directing him to this passage? No,he could not have.This passage has nothing to do with going to heaven.Let's take a look.A chronology of sorts is significant for our understanding of this teaching.

According to Matthew 4:12-17,Mark 1:14-15,and probably Luke 3:20 Jesus began His public ministry after John the Baptist was arrested.

Matt 4:12-17

"Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee. And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum........ 

..........From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mark 1:14-15

"Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

In John's Gospel Jesus gives two discourses about personal salvation early on.(John 3:1-21 and 4:1-26)These two discourses took place before the Sermon on The Mount.We can determine this by the references in John 3:24 and 4:1,which show that John the Baptist was still active.If you consult a harmony of the Gospels you will see that Jesus spent a good deal of time with His disciples before He launched His public ministry.This is significant,for Jesus spent much of that time indoctrinating the disciples about the truths of salvation and eternal life.We know this by the references in John 1:35-51 and John 2:11 that speak to the disciples already being believers.They are with Him as He evangelizes Sychar in John 4.

OK Ronnie so what?Just this.There is no good reason that the disciples shoulder would have construed the sermon as being a pathway to eternal life. This sermon was not a discourse on what was required to enter the Kingdom of God.They were already believers.So what was the Sermon all about.It was a message about the true righteousness of God.It was an explanation of what kind of righteousness God required to enter His Kingdom based on one's merit. In other words what were the works that God requires if we are to go to heaven on our own goodness.Look at Chapter 5:20.

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

This is the basis for the entire sermon.In first century Israel there was a fervor that the Messiah was soon to come.People were asking what kind of righteousness would the Messiah be looking for?What was required to enter the Kingdom?The Pharisees of the day taught a righteousness based on observance of the Law.That is why we read about the controversies on Sabbath keeping, blasphemy, adultery, eating with sinners, on and on and on.Religion dependent on outward observence, rather than inward conformity.

Jesus comes along and says 'OK you want to know what kind of law righteousness God requires?I will show you.'The "righteous demands" of the Law and Prophets."

Jesus had a dual audience here a crowd of followers and the disciples.

Probably most were believers,but it is assumed some were not.At any rate these chapters describe what salvation and eternal life would look like if it were based on human merit.This is what First Century Judaism looked like.Pharaisacal righteousness.This same question confronts 21st Century people.Do we require works for justification? Repentance,turning from sin, lifestyle change? Going to church, tithing....?If we do, then these chapters are a tiny sampling...a small taste of the demands of the Law.Every jot and every tittle must be observed.If you violate the tiniest command you are guilty in all,ALL points.Let's look at just a few examples of what this means.This is the type of righteousness that"exceeds"the Pharisees.This will get you into heaven based on your goodness.

Jesus picked out 6 commandments of the Mosaic Law and contrasted them with the Pharisees notion of righteousness.Look at Matthew 5:21-47.

1)Murder as opposed to anger.

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

2)Adultery as opposed to lust.

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

3)Divorce

“You have heard that it was said, You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart."(Ladies this has a dual application (smile))

4)Oaths

“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn."

In those days if you made a promise to God or man it had to be fulfilled.Every word that came out of your mouth while making this oath to God OR man had to be performed.Else you became a lawbreaker, condemned to damnation.

5)Retaliation

“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil."

In a word non resistance.

60 Love your enemies

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

If you violated just one time any to the above mentioned commandments you were doomed.Now,add the Law in it's totality,613 separate commandments required of God.You were liable to judgment if you violated just one. Wait there's more.Not only did the Law require outward ceremonial observance,it required INWARD conformity.What do you mean Ronnie? In verses 3 though 12 of Matthew 5,Jesus introduces the idea of character.These Beatitudes show that God's righteous requirements were also character based.Not only were you responsible for your behavior, you were also to have purity of heart and motive ALL the time.If you missed the mark in the area of character, you were a lawbreaker.One single impure thought or motive....lawbreaker.Total,absolute purity and perfection in thought and deed.Does this give us a clue about how hopeless the human condition truly is? You see..if there were any way that we as humans could atone,God would have done it.There was no such way.Only the cross would suffice.With that understanding of the righteousness and Glory of God,do you see the insanity of telling an unbeliever that they must stop doing something,or start doing something to keep from going to hell? It happens every day.Most of the time it has to do with sins that are obvious.Rarely are folks told that they have to stop being angry with their brother or sister.Even more rare is anyone told that they have to be perfect in thought and deed.And if that is not enough, we teach that salvation is free, but one must have good works to maintain it.Or worse yet,one is told that if they don't continue in good works until they die, then they were never saved in the first place.That may sound ludicrous and it contradicts every passage in the New Testament that speaks to salvation being a free gift; and that eternal life being just that..eternal.Neverending,everlasting.As I said in my first post...NO HUMAN WORK WILL SATISFY GOD'S REQUIREMENT FOR JUSTIFICATION,SALVATION.Either in the present tense of the unbeliever's life or in the future tense of the new believer's life.Not initial repentance, not confession of sin or remorse of any type, not asking Jesus into your heart, praying the sinner's prayer, quitting any of the multitude of sins that pervades our entire being,NOTHING.

God requires only one condition to be delivered from hell, the lake of fire.ONE AND ONLY ONE.What is that Ronnie. BELIEF. PERIOD. Here are a few samples.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

John 5:24

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life."

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Revelation 22:17 (One of the last sayings of the risen King)

"The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

Well,Ronnie if the Sermon on the Mount isn't about getting into heaven, what is it about? Glad you asked. This beloved passage introduces us, among other things,to the vast body of Old and New Testament Scripture concerning the doctrine of future, eternal rewards.

If you don't get anything out of this entire post, please get this.

Salvation is a free gift of God requiring only a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.In the nest post we are going to take a look at the Biblical concept of belief.What does it mean to believe in Jesus?What does it mean to have faith in Jesus?Once we get that settled, we will look into the details of this doctrine of rewards.

All we must do is believe.

God Bless

In A Courtroom

In  a Courtroom.                                                              10-5-21

Have you ever noticed the legal language used in the Gospel of John? It is used throughout the Gospel in differing circumstances. The noun judge or the verb to judge is used 14 times in the Gospel. The verb “to prosecute,to condemn”are used.”Penal servitude,” a Greek word that Paul uses in Romans is in the Gospel of John. Words such as eyewitness,testimony, testify,witness appear multiple times in the Gospel. There is a reason for all of this legal imagery. This Gospel is written for the purpose of bringing people to faith in Jesus.

John 20:31

“but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

That is the purpose statement of the Gospel of John. To bring people who are unbelieving and condemned,to a saving knowledge of Jesus the Messiah. In order to accomplish this purpose,John employs courtroom language to make unbelievers aware that they indeed are in a legal proceeding when salvation from hell is the subject. Now,John does not elaborate on this courtroom setting,but the Apostle Paul certainly does in Romans. Paul portrays God as a judge before whom the whole world stands accused. Not only accused but condemned with no remedy save one. There is much to be said about the futility of offering anything to God as payment for sin in His courtroom. The perfect nature and character of a Holy God render any attempt (see repentance,turning from sin,prayer,praise,worship and all other human attempts at satisfying Him) laughable. In this courtroom,where the standard is total perfection and holiness,we as human beings stand as Paul somewhere says “without God and without hope.”

Yet in the midst of our pitiable state,the Gospel of John,as do other Books of the Bible,hold out hope, But,especially the Gospel of John. Using courtroom language to draw our eyes to the hopeless state we exist in,John points us to the Messiah, the Son of God,who has the gift of eternal life. And what must we do to obtain this gift and be declared not guilty and righteous before a perfect God? Ninety nine times John tells us what to do in his Gospel. Ninety nine times. Believe. Believe.Ninety nine times.That is the totality of our responsibility toward a perfect God to escape eternal condemnation. 

Think about this.Just what is it that you,me,or anyone else can offer God for our justification? Anything? NOTHING. God makes the rules in His courtroom and He says the ONLY thing I can do is BELIEVE. Nothing else will or can satisfy. Not only that. For believing in Jesus the Messiah we receive eternal life,never to be lost. That is a far cry from what we as humans try to add to His requirement because of our pride. But,He will not allow it. No boasting about ANYTHING in His presence.

That dear brothers and sisters is why they call the Gospel ,Good News. Good news to the drug addict,the alcoholic,the prostitute…….but also good news to the doctor,lawyer,bus driver and the self righteous. Good news to all of humanity.

All we must do is believe.

God Bless

rewards

The Doctrine of Rewards 11-16-24

Have you ever been confused about something you read in the Bible? Even worse, have you ever read a verse or verses that seemed to contradict what another verse or passage said? Well,welcome to my world.(smile)I have read and still read passages that seem to contradict.Indeed that don't fit my human understanding.But,that can't be. How do you know that Ronnie?What makes you so self assured? Well,it has nothing to do with me.It is because Jesus said so.Yep.Jesus the Lord Himself said Scripture could not be broken.Where did He say that Ronnie? Look here.

John 10:34-35 34 "Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken"

Without trying to get into the meaning of this verse(Psalms 82:6). When Jesus used that word "broken" He was saying that Scripture could not be set aside.He was stating the doctrine of inerrancy.He was saying that there were no mistakes in Scripture.He was saying that Scripture was not contradictory.Indeed,Scripture actually interprets itself.There are no contradictions.Well,Ronnie you sure fooled me cause it seems to me that there are all kinds of confusing verses.Yeah I know it is confusing.Here is a clue to the solution.Read the Bible in context and read it literally.I hope to show you how that works in practical usage.Now,that being said, shortly into this study I am going to give you a list of verses that seem to contradict. Just bear with me and you will see. I once spoke with a homeless person and told him that all he had to do to go to heaven was believe in Jesus.As he sat there thinking about what I had said, he replied to me that no one had ever told him that.He said that all he had ever heard was how he needed to stop sinning and start going to church.He needed to do this and that, stop this and that,on and on.I told him that what he had heard was NOT the Gospel of salvation, and shared with him again the message of simple faith.Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.The conversation ended and he went on his way and I,mine. I don't know if he came to a saving faith or not.That chance encounter long ago is a prime directive for sharing this study.Look at this verse.

1 Corinthians 9:27 24 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

In this verse Paul entertains the possibility that he might fail as a Christian. Many today teach this verse as if Paul were saying that it was possible for him to lose his salvation.This is encouraged by the KJV use of the word"castaway." In Romans however, he states that God will justify all that He called, using the past tense.Look.

Romans 8:29-30 29 "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

Do you see the use of the past tense?If He called you,He justified you,He glorified you.If He justified you,He glorified you.All past tense.The only action that is missing is sanctification.The gradual process of being conformed into the image of His Son.More on that later.Much more!

This is not a study on salvation.However,in this introduction it is imperative that we answer two questions.Maybe you can't answer these questions due to what you have been taught.I have seen people in church videos, during a question and answer session, literally break down.Standing in a sanctuary, in tears because they didn't know the answer to those questions for their personal lives.Beenin church for years and did not know whether they were saved at that particular moment.Why? Because of contradictory teaching from the pulpit due to doctrinal error.If you are one of those,I hope this study will clear your thinking and provide for you the assurance of your salvation.Here they are.

1( Is salvation from hell(justification) a gift.Is it free of charge?

2)Is the gift of salvation from hell eternal.Is it neverending?To put it another way.Is it possible to lose your salvation due to lifestyle,apostasy?

The author believes the answer to the above two questions is in the affirmative.Yes,God's gift of salvation from the lake of fire is free of merit.We as human beings can't do anything to earn it.NOTHING.All we must do is believe in Jesus. The author also believes that at the precise moment of believing,the person believing is granted eternal life.Eternal life in the present tense at the very moment of belief.The author also believes that this life which is eternal can never be lost for ANY reason.Neither can it be taken away or given back. If any of those conditions were true, the life given would cease to be eternal.

Dwell on these questions.Think and pray about them.If you are unsure,I believe this study will provide the answers to both of those questions.In addition, the study will look at the issue of accountability we as Christians face at the Bema Judgment.We will do this by focusing on several different threads or concepts found in Scripture.Judgment,Kingdom,Distinctions,Inheritance,The Sermon on the Mount,Characteristics of what the Bible calls "overcomes"and, of course the title of the study,REWARDS.It isn't as lengthy as it seems but it will take several parts to do it justice.Hope you enjoy it.More than that,I hope it will clear up any confusion you may have about the harmony of Scripture;and I hope it will lay to rest any fears you have about your eternal destiny.

God Bless.