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