Uncategorized

Mar

2013

Why CCI? (The DNA of Christian Challenge)

[note color=”#d0fdf0″]

“Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’

“Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.

“Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

“The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God.” (Isa 52:6-10)

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Journal,

I believe that every congregation of Christian believers is unique in their own right. But I can only speak for the ministry that my wife and I founded in 1976. Many people don’t realize just how special and unique Christian Challenge International really is.

This past Sunday we celebrated our 37th Christian Challenge Homecoming Jubilee. There are never enough words to express the wonderful time we had. It really was past wonderful!

The day was filled with awesome worship, with special singing, with the Biblical dance, and dramas, and dinner-on-the-grounds. We had old-timers and new-timers there. What a joyful time. Guess what I love most of all is seeing how Christian Challenged has developed into a strong spiritual family through these many years.

As part of the celebration, Nathan asked Betty and me to share our testimonies. Afterwards he spoke about the DNA of Christian Challenge. I thought perhaps my readers would like to see that part of the celebration.

Here it is …

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/62563376[/vimeo]

Hope you enjoyed the video.

Your brother and friend in Christ always,

Buddy

Mar

2013

Live Life With a Clean Slate

[note color=”#a9f0f6″]

” … being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. …

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2Co 3:3-6)

“But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. … whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” (2Co 3:14-18)

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Journal,

One struggle that often confronts new believers has to do with the life that is given us in the new covenant. You’ve often heard me say that when folk try to live in the new covenant by measuring themselves against the former covenant of Law, it can hinder the flow of grace in their life.

The term ‘old covenant’ has a view towards the covenant of Moses, that is, the covenant of Law. That covenant is not the covenant of righteousness that believer’s today are called to live by.

The point is that the new covenant includes a life factor that was not available under any of the former covenants. It is this life-factor that the believer is to learn to live by.

John said,

“For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.” (Jn1:17)

And Paul said,

“I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” (Gal 2:21)

In these two statements we see a major distinction between the two covenants. It is in Christ alone that we come to realize the awesome life that is given us in the new covenant. If we try to add the Law to the covenant of Christ, we make grace of no effect.

We can never gain a righteous standing with God, based on our personal goodness, or the good works that we carry out. If that were the case, it could then be said that we, ‘earned our righteousness.’

No one can earn righteousness. We are given the very righteousness of God Himself through the working of the cross. It is God’s work and not our work that saves us.

This does not mean that God doesn’t give us good works to do. All believers will have their special assignments from the Lord. These are not works that save us. They are works that speak to our relationship with God.

Which brings me to what life in the new covenant is all about. I all begins with …

The Life That Was in Christ

To appreciate life in the new covenant the first place we need to look is at the life of Jesus as it is revealed in the gospels. I’m not simply speaking of the miracles that He did. Those were Messianic miracles that set forth who He really was. I am speaking of the life he exhibited.

John said,

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.” (John 1:4)

It was the very outflow of Life in Jesus Christ that astonished the people. It was God’s life in Him that drew the people to him.

What then does this have to do with new covenant life? It has everything to do with it. In one place Jesus said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

This statement tells us that Jesus came to give us a Life force, that had been outside the experience of man. The life He came to give us was evident in Himself. The life of God that indwelt Jesus, is the life that indwells new covenant believers.

This is why John later wrote,

“The life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us.” (1Jn1:2)

Once again the life John is speaking of was the spiritual life that was manifested in Jesus Christ. And it is this very life that is given to every true believer.

It is this life factor that distinguishes the new covenant from any and every covenant given prior to the coming of Jesus. Because of the fall of Adam, God’s life was not available to any person on this planet. Being born from above means that God’s life has been placed in our spiritual being.

It means the believer has passed out of the death side of the cross into the resurrection life side of God’s new creation.

It is …

A Covenant of, ‘It is Finished’

And so we have the former covenant [of Moses] which was a covenant of, ‘This you must do,’ to the new covenant of, ‘It is finished’, and a covenant of, ‘This I shall do.’

The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is both the author and the finisher of our faith.

The covenant of Christ is a covenant of God working His will in our heart, in our will, and in the total of our life. This work is can be done because the very life of God has been placed in the believer.

And yet in all the things that God does, a believer’s personal will is never damaged.

This is why a believer may have down-turns in his or her walk with the Lord, and yet in due course there is a restoration of full fellowship to God. It is because of the life that is in him or her. John said, “Greater is He who is in you that he who is in the world.”

This brings us to…

Learning to Live With a Clean Slate

In the covenant of Moses there was no true spiritual atonement. The most the sacrifice could do was to the sanctifying of the flesh. This simply means that God would accept the worshiper on the only level that the worshiper could be accepted at that time.

According to the Scriptures, the Old Testament sacrifices could serve as reminders of sin and of man’s need of a Savior, but they could not cleanse man’s conscience. The Bible says that these sacrifices could never make the worshiper “perfect in conscience.” (Heb9:9)

The Blood Will Never Lose It’s Power

But what of the cross? Christ offered himself as an ‘eternal‘ sacrifice for sin, and through His atoning blood, the believer is given a cleansed conscience.

Rather that having a heart that continues to speak of the condemnation of sin, the blood-atoned heart now speaks of grace and peace and righteousness.

At the very beginning the new covenant believer is instantly made aware of a new life principle at work and of his new relationship with God. His conscience has been cleansed.

None of this means that a new covenant believer is incapable of sin. Far from it. What it means is that the new covenant believer’s life remains continually under the influence of the atonement of Christ, and thus the believer always has access to the blood for cleansing.

And when the new covenant believer sins, and he will, there is a grieving that takes place in his inner man. This grieving is a work of the indwelling Spirit of Christ.

No true believer can live in a state of a defiled conscience. It hurts too much. Thus the Holy Spirit compels the believer to return to the blood of God’s lamb for a cleansing, and for a fresh start. This cleansing is available moment by moment, and at any point in time.

A continual walking in the light brings a continual cleansing.

John said,

” … but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1Jn 1:7)

The Blood Will Never Lose its Power

And so, it is one thing to know we are saved by the sacrifice of Christ, it is altogether another to walk with a cleansed conscience. Both John and Paul speak of this.

In one place Paul says,

“We do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.” (2Co4:16)

The term ‘renewed‘ is anikainoo. Its basic definition is to ‘make new.’ But it carries the idea of spiritual restorations. It can be translated that we are being made new in our spirit and mind, day by day. This is the living flow of the life that has been given us in Christ.

Paul added to this in saying,

“He saved us (Don’t you like that!), not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.” (Tit3:5)

Once again Paul is speaking of the new life renewal that the Holy Spirit continues to manifest in each believer.

The apostle is careful to point out that we were not and are not saved by anything we can do or have done in our own power.

James even gets in on this when he explains how a person is born from above. He said,

“In this exercise of [God’s] will He brought us forth by the word of truth.” (James 1:18)

It is so important to understand this. You don’t work God’s will in your life. God works God’s will in your life. This is why even repentance can be said to be God at work in our hearts.

Thus we hear,

“He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb7:25)

Even the prophet Jeremiah spoke of this Life. He said that a new covenant was coming that would not be like the covenant given to Moses. Listen to this quote as found in Hebrews:

“They shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.’ When He said, ‘A new covenant,’ He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.” (Heb8:11-13)

The Finishing Touch

Paul gave the finishing touch on how new covenant life works in a single statement. He said,

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

This is what Paul had in mind when he said, “For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2Co3:6)

In closing the study, I need to point out that Paul never came against the moral precepts of the Law of Moses. Those precepts never change.

What the apostle was teaching is that there is a higher spiritual law at work in the new covenant. It is called ‘the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ It is because of this Law of Life’ that God can write in our hearts all that belongs to Him.

Think about it. Feel free to add your thoughts or ask questions.

In the meantime, take time for this song written by Andrae Crouch, as sung by Clay Aiken. The Lord may have something He would like to say to you.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eP054w5Lc8[/youtube]

In Christ always,

Buddy

Mar

2013

City of God and Church of the Firstborn

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem …

“… and to myriads of angels to the general assembly and church of the firstborn … (Heb 12:22-24)

Journal,

The letter of Hebrews was written shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, in 70 a.d. It was written primarily to Jewish believers, but with cautions and warnings to the whole of the nation of Israel.

The scope of Hebrews includes –

[note color=”#d1def7″]That Jesus Christ fulfills all what God has made provision for with regard to man’s redemption … that He is truly the Son of God, was given the final and supreme authority over all that pertains to God … that He preexisted eternally, that He is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater than the prophets … that He is both the author and finisher of our faith, and that the covenant of Moses has been fulfilled entirely in the eternal covenant of Christ … and that the new covenant will have no earthly center as did the covenant of Moses; that the kingdom of God’s beloved Son is not simply an earthly kingdom, and has no need for an earthly center.[/note]

Hear the forewarnings …

The Warnings and Cautions

Jesus expressly says that His kingdom is not of this world, that no earthly institution could lay claim to being the kingdom of God, or to being the true Church. The church is a heavenly institution where the rule of God is fully expressed in the hearts of all who belong to Him.

Listen to the warnings and cautions to the Jewish nation, both from the book of Hebrews, and from the Lord Jesus.

“So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.” (Heb 13:13-14)

“Then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will.’ He takes away the first in order to establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:9-10)

“When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.

“‘For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, and surround you and hem you in on every side, and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.'” (Luk 19:41-44)

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.'” (Joh 18:36)

“Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or, “There it is!” For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.'” (Luk 17:20-21)

A Spiritual State of War

It is interesting to see how the world attempts to remove the name of Jesus, especially in regard to the political scene. How often do we hear politicians say, ‘And God bless America’, yet never make mention of the one name around whom all time revolves, the very One who became the heart and soul for the foundation of this great nation.

Think about it. Time is reckoned on the basis of a Man that appeared on our planet, 2013 years ago. ‘Anno Domini’ [a.d.] is Latin for, ‘in the year of our Lord.’ And politicians are afraid to speak His name?

There is much more to this than meets the eye. First, we must always keep in mind that the kingdom of Jesus Christ is not of this world. Those who framed the constitution of our nation were wise in disallowing the establishment of a state religion. These men were fundamentally Christian, and well understood the tyranny that takes place when a religious institution gains power over the people.

The point being that the Church that came out of the cross has no visible boundaries. It is invisible, indivisible, transcendent in nature, and fulfills itself with the redeemed of all the ages. The church is not the whole of the kingdom of God, but it belongs to the kingdom of God.

The book of Hebrews provides the description of God’s ‘born-from-heaven’ people. Listen carefully:

“But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church 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, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” (Heb 12:22-24)

Most Bible-believing evangelical groups today have this understanding. And while there are many groupings of Christians, we generally accord with the knowledge that the church is not an earthly institution. We are a people born of heaven, who are living on earth as aliens and strangers.

Yet, I find it interesting how some religious groups set about to physically trace their heritage back to the day of Pentecost, 33 a.d. It seems to me that they are missing the point of what the church is truly about. The church has never been a physical institution.

However, most believers today are regaining this understanding that the church is not of this world, nor is it represented by any particular religious institution.

Our ministry is very careful to make this distinction. For you who are interested, here are our Tenents of Faith.

[note color=”#ccdcec”]

Seven Tenets of Faith

I – WE BELIEVE that the sixty-six books commonly accepted by the evangelical Christian church, without benefit of the apocrypha or any other extra-Biblical writing, make up the whole of the Sacred Scriptures, and that these Scriptures alone contain the full and accurate revelation of that which pertains to God and to His creation. [Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14-17]

II – WE BELIEVE that the Church of Jesus Christ is made up of true believers from every age, kindred, and tongue, and that this Church is transcendent in nature, being the body of Christ, existing without schism in its spiritual essence, and that the Church has only one Great Shepherd and Bishop, Christ Jesus Himself. [Matt. 16:17-19; Col. 1:18; Heb. 12:22-24; 13:20,21; 1 Pet. 2:25]

III – WE BELIEVE that the Lord Jesus meets with every true gathering of Christian believers in the person of His Spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit, and that He oversees each local church body by the Holy Spirit, and by those whom He appoints as overseers. [Matt. 18:18-20; Rev. 1:17-20; 2:1; Eph. 4:11-13; 1 Pet. 5:1-4]

IV – WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the head of every Christian man and therefore the true head of every Christian family, and that the universal Church, the local Church, and every Christian man and family are each under the direct Lordship of Jesus Christ. (Col. 1:18; Matt. 18:20; 1 Co. 3:21-23; 11:3]

V – WE BELIEVE in the security of the believer, and that every believer is made complete in Christ at the new birth; that in the new birth, believers receive the Holy Spirit as part of their inheritance in the Lord. [John 1:16; 14:16-18; Eph. 1:13,14; Col. 2:8-13]

VI – WE BELIEVE in miracles and healings, in the power and gifts and operations of the Holy Spirit, in the providence and provision of God, and that He has given both instructions and promises as pertaining to these things in the Holy Scriptures. [Matt. 17:19,20; Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8; 1 Co. 12:27-31; 2 Co. 1:19-22; Heb. 2:4; Eph. 1:18-23; 3:20,21]

VII – WE BELIEVE that all authority in heaven and on earth rests in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that believers have been commissioned to do all things in His name, from casting out demons, to water baptism, to asking and receiving in prayer, and that believers in every place should bear witness to Jesus Christ by whatever means possible. [Matt. 28:18-20; Rev. 4:11; 5:13; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 24:46,47; Acts 2:37-40; Col. 3:17; John 14:12-14] [/note]

Perhaps we need a better understanding on what God meant, when He said…

Come Out of Her My People

The book of Revelation is often thought to chronicle what is called, ‘the times of Jacob’s troubles,‘ that is, the last seven wrap-up years of this age as we know it. These final seven years are fraught with political, government, and social upheavals, as well as Satanic influences rampant on earth, and includes the judgments that come from God.

There are varied opinions about Revelation, but there is one statement that I find very compelling. It is where the angel of God says…

” … ‘Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.’

“I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues…'” (Rev 18:2-4)

To define fully what and who mystery Babylon may be, is not a simple task. Her tentacles have overreached through the ages. She changes colors and adapts to each age very well. One thing we know is that the mystery Babylon represents an earthly government power that functions within a framework of religion.

And why did God speak of mystery Babylon as, ‘Her’? There is a key there. Mystery Babylon has always had a pantheon of gods, with a primary worship to a female goddess.

Rather than taking up the task of trying to give an exact telling of this great mystery, let me simply draw attention again, to the one statement that let’s us know that mystery Babylon has some of God’s people in her. It is to His people who the Lord speaks through the angel, saying, “Come out of her, my people!”

What makes this even more interesting is that the statement, ‘Come out!’, carries a compelling that cannot be ignored. It models itself on the very command that God gave to Abraham, in telling him to come out of the land of the Chaldees (Babylon) –

“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you’…”. (Gen 12:1)

So, is God calling His people out of governing religious systems that have replaced Him with their assemblage of gods? Yes – Jesus said that His sheep would hear His voice and would not follow another.

Think about it.

That leaves us with one last issue. If the church has essentially no single government representation on the earth, where then are we to look?

Wow, I’m glad you asked that. Take time to read through these Scriptures:

[box title=”My Sheep Hear My Voice” color=”#91b5c6″]

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Luk 10:19-20)

“But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother.” (Gal 4:26)

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Php 3:20-21)

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev 21:1-2)

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create [new] Jerusalem for rejoicing and her people for gladness.” (Isa 65:17-18)

[/box]

As a final note, always remember that the church is in the world but not of the world. With this in mind, we are to gather in our respective appointed places of gatherings. Each local church body belongs to the body of Christ.

Are you getting the picture? I hope so.

Think about it. The Lord will help you to read between the lines.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRTVHrlucNU[/youtube]

In Christ Always,

Buddy

Mar

2013

Questions on Water Baptism

“As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water!’ What prevents me from being baptized?

“And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’

“And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’

“And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

“When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.” (Act 8:36-39)

Journal,

I occasionally receive questions about water baptism.

(1) Here is a question from our Ask the Pastor page:

“Why did the church stop baptizing in the name of Jesus, as it was in the book of the Acts of the Apostles?”

(2) Here is the request from a member of a forum:

“Could you discuss the role of baptism in terms of the early church. As you know; in ‘apostolic’ circles, baptism is tied to salvation using Peter’s response to the question: what must we do, and the statement that baptism doth also now save us.”

Let’s first look at question (1): “Why did the church stop baptizing in the name of Jesus…”

Here is my response to our Ask the Pastor question. (Edited for clarity.):

“According to the earliest Christian writings the Church baptized both ways. It appears that most did not see any distinction between baptizing in the name of Jesus or baptizing in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To them it was all about authority. Keep in mind that when reading the Acts of the Apostles you are reading a limited rendition of early church history.

“When you see the term ‘name’ in Scripture, it generally speaks of authority. So if Jesus told the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, He would have given them the express authority to do so. This is how the triune baptism was considered. It was done in and by the authority of Jesus.

“Actually water baptism could just have easily have been stated as, ‘By the authority of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’” It would not have really mattered. The issue comes back to the One who authorized water baptism and under whose authority does it come?

“There is another issue that needs to be considered. Calling upon the name of the Lord is something that the candidate does. What the minister says is not some magical formula in water baptism. According to Scripture, salvation is always in the mouth of the one coming to Jesus. For this reason the crucial issue is not with what the minister says, but what the candidate says.”

That was my Ask the Pastor response. Now for more thoughts.

Think about it. Is a person’s salvation to be placed in the mouth of the one doing the baptizing? Or, is salvation wholly a matter of the person being baptized? This is not a trite question. It reaches into the very heart of Biblical redemption.

If we say that our salvation is contingent upon the words that a minister speaks over us in baptism, then we then have placed ourselves in the same class as is found in the Roman Catholic Church, that is, with the doctrine of transubstantiation.

In this doctrine the priest has the ‘supposed’ power to change the wine and bread into the real blood and body of Christ, by simply saying the words, ‘hoc est corpus.’ Suddenly the elements are magically changed. Do we want to think that a minister has the power to cause a person to be saved by saying something over them? Hardly.

When is a person actually saved? Is he saved before baptism, during baptism, or after baptism? The answer is that baptism is for a person who had already accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Water baptism is a rite of affirmation, that is, it has to do with a covenant walk. As believers we are commanded to be baptized in water.

Now to the question (2). “Could you discuss the role of baptism in terms of the early church ….”

The question here involves what Peter meant in saying that baptism now saves us. Here is the Scripture in question:

“Corresponding to that [flood of Noah], baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Pet 3:21)

This is probably the most abuse water baptism Scripture used today. The simple side of this is that Peter is pointing to the affirmation of our faith in the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. This is why he said that water baptism represents our faith in Jesus, that it serves as an open appeal to God for a good conscience.

Lets now look at what Peter clearly defines as salvation. It is not fair to seclude one Scripture from the body of Scriptures to try and create a doctrine. This is what all eisgesis based, restrictive religions do. Listen carefully: (Eisegesis means ‘reading into’, instead of exegesis, meaning, ‘reading out of’.)

At the council of the church in Acts 15, it was called to decide how to handle all the Gentiles who were being saved. Not one time is water baptism ever mentioned. But what Peter has to say places salvation where it needs to be. Here are excerpts of statements made by Peter:

“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, CLEANSING THEIR HEARTS BY FAITH…” (Keep the statement in caps in view. It applies to what Peter said about baptism having to do with our appeal for a cleansed conscience as an appeal for our faith..)

Peter then says, “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” (Cf. Acts 15)

Peter is pointing to the fact that Cornelius and his household were saved before they were baptized in water. The command of water baptism came after they were saved. And this is where the confusion comes in on what Peter is talking about in his statement, “baptism now saves us.”

The apostle is dealing with types and symbols that are found in the Old Testament. Notice carefully how Peter begins his statement about ‘baptism now saves us.’ He says, ‘Corresponding to that.’ This is a single Greek term that speaks of an antitype that takes the place of the type.

In dealing with types and symbols, Peter is saying that water baptism alone is not the saving element. Water baptism is equal to a type in that it serves to confirm or reaffirm our faith in Jesus Christ. Thus water baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience, in saying that we truly believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Water baptism is a follow through of our faith. It is here that we fully and openly express our faith in Jesus Christ.

If this seems difficult to grasp, let me add something that many believers are unacquainted with. For the Jewish people, water baptism was a covenant rite. It expressed that the believer had entered into a covenant relationship with the God of Israel. In this sense no believer should feel that water baptism is not a necessary part of our walk with the Lord. It should never be downplayed. Water baptism is actually the first commandment of faith that follows our having received the blood atonement.

This is why Paul speaks of the mystical side of water baptism in that the old man (or, the old master) is cut off in water baptism, and we now come fully under our new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

All the Jewish apostles placed a high premium on water baptism, but not in the sense that the blood is applied in water baptism. The blood is to be applied before baptism. Water baptism had to do with covenant authority, with the obedience of faith, with fellowship and communion. It had to do with community. No person was accepted into the community of faith without water baptism.

One of the best examples we have about types and shadows of the former testament involves Israel coming out of Egypt. The blood had been applied to their homes. This disallowed any judgment from God. They were saved in the sight of God. They actually belonged to Him. But there was a problem. They needed to identify more fully with Moses and not with Pharaoh. It could be said that they were still in Pharaoh’s territory.

Something had to happen before Pharaoh would completely release his hold on the people of God. What happened to produce this effect? Israel passed through the Red Sea. In the passing through the sea, the old life, the old master, and the old way of living was cut off. It was through the waters that they came fully under the authority of Moses.

Here is what Paul said: “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (1 Cor 10:1,2)

Yet the point must be made. They were God’s people before they came through the sea. Water baptism is an act of faith and any acting on our faith will have spiritual ramifications. (Every step of obedience does.) Peter is making a similar statement with regard to ‘baptism now saves you.’

It is not my desire to weary you by saying too much. I recommend that members view our Hebraic-Foundations studies. Skim through the list. You will find studies that deal with a great variety of subjects. (300+ studies at present.) Go to:

http://www.christianchallenge.org/hebraic-foundations/index.html

One study in particular speaks to the subject at hand. See HF021 – Bodies Washed With Pure Water.

Also take time for the ‘Archives’ on my Blog. http://buddymartin.net/blog/archives/

On a personal note, I have always baptized people in the name of Jesus. I do this out of tradition. Sometimes I will say something like this, “I baptize you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, who represents all that God is as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” However, I never discount another believer’s baptism. The issue for me is if the person has truly accepted Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Savior.

Here is one way that Jewish believers are baptizing in Israel. They say, “I baptize you in the name of Jesus Christ, who brings us to the heavenly Father, who graciously gives us the Holy Spirit.”

Does it really matter? Think this through for yourself and let the Lord help you with a better understanding.

[signoff]

Mar

2013

The Secret Hiding Place of God

“How great is Your goodness, which You have stored for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! You hide them in the secret place of Your presence, from the conspiracies of man; You keep them in the shelter from the strife of tongues.” (Psalm 31:19,20 nasb.)

Journal,

In Psalm 31, David expresses grief over the strife of life. But he also breaks forth into praises that speak to God’s love for His people through all the ages. As a prophet, David’s conveys the believer’s beauty of life in the Lord.

Listen:

v1: “For You are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.”
v4: “You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.”
v5: “Into Your hand I commit my spirit; you have ransomed me, O LORD, God of truth.”
v8: “And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.”
v19: “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear you, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men.”
v20: “You hide them [all God’s children] in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues.

David’s reference to the secret place of God’s presence can also be translated, “the secret of Your face.” The idea is that God hides His people from the view of their enemies, that is, by bringing them to the very place that He Himself dwells.

This wonderful truth is fully brought out in the new covenant. Paul said that the lives of all believers are now hidden with God in Christ.

But first let’s see how the tabernacle of Moses, sets forth this wonderful truth of our redemption.

The only furnishing in the holiest of holies was the ark of the covenant where two covering angels spread their wings over the golden mercy-seat.

Over the mercy-seat was a brilliant light. In the light was a form. The angels have their gazed fixed on the form over the mercy-seat.

Peter explains this:

“It was revealed to them [the Old Testament prophets] that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you from heaven-things into which angels long to look.” (1Peter 1:12)

The Angels, the Form, and the Mercy Seat

The angels gazing at the mercy-seat were expressing wonderment at the atonement of Jesus Christ, that is, both of His incarnation, of the work of the cross, and of His ascension to the throne of God.

The angels longed to see into God’s gracious work of redemption through Christ. Paul tells us that the Lord is instructing angels about His wisdom in the cross, and by His presence and grace in the Church.

In the Light over the mercy-seat was a form that only Moses was allowed to see. The form was the preincarnate Jesus Christ. We see this by tying the Old Testament and the New Testament together.

When the Lord rebuked Miriam and Aaron over their presumptuous attitude towards Moses, He said to them,

“He said, ‘Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, shall make Myself known to him in a vision. I shall speak with him in a dream.

“Not so, with My servant Moses, he is faithful in all My household; with him I speak mouth to mouth, even openly, and not in dark sayings,

“And he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against My servant, against Moses?'” (Num 12:6-8)

The Glory and the Image

Moses saw the glory and the image of the invisible God. He saw Jesus. To the Jews, God’s Messiah was known as the form of God, the glory of God, the image of God, and at times even the Shekinah of God.

Listen carefully. Paul said of Christ,

“Although He existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself…” (Phi2:6)

Any Jewish person reading Paul’s writings would immediately connect Jesus with the light over the mercy-seat and the form that Moses beheld.

Then we need to recall the bright Light that blinded Paul on the road to Damascus. What Paul heard was, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” He responded, “Who are You, Lord?” Keep in mind that both the Lord and Paul are speaking Hebrew.

Now back to the tabernacle. John wrote,

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

The glory that rested over the mercy-seat was now tabernacled in Jesus Christ. Paul specifically calls Jesus, “The Lord of glory” (1Co2:8)

It is on the Mount of Transfiguration that Jesus appears on the outside what He is on the inside. It says, “And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.” (Mat17:2)

Looking Past the Veil

David could see by the Spirit into the redemption of Christ, past the veil, and into God’s salvation plan that would stretch across the ages, eternity past and eternity future.

The secret place of God would take in all His people from ancient time on. The tabernacle was a picture-perfect symbol of God’s eternal purpose for all His people.

The Old Testament saints somehow knew in their hearts that the Lord Himself was their ever-present security in life. Moses said,

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or You gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” (Ps90:1,2)

Here Moses uses the same word that David used with regard to the ‘secret place’ of the tabernacle.

Once again think about the two cherubim with their golden wings spread over the mercy-seat. Listen again to David:

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, `My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.” (Ps91:1,2)

David uses the same word again which references the secret place of God’s presence, that is, the mercy-seat in the holiest of holies. God’s people dwell under the very presence and protection of angels.

The Treasured Ones of God

Here is where we come to the great mystery of God’s love for His people. The Psalmist Asaph speaks of God’s people as His ‘treasured ones.’ He writes,

“They make shrewd plans against Your people, and conspire together against Your treasured ones.” (Ps83:3)

These treasured ones are God’s people from the ages. The Hebrew for ‘treasured ones‘ addresses that which is covered by God, that which is hidden, or that which is kept secret. But it especially speaks of the secret of one’s heart. God’s treasured ones are the secret love of His heart.

The Psalmist puts things together when he writes,

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

“For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock [the Rock is Christ].

“And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.” (Psalm 27:4-6)

The Hebrew for ‘conceal‘ is the same word for God’s ‘treasured‘ ones. God’s people are His treasures in the earth and for all eternity. This allows us to have a better understanding of a kingdom parable about a treasure. Jesus said,

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field [world], which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matt13:44)

The treasure has to do with the kingdom of heaven. The story is the story of the cross. Jesus Christ gave His life for the hidden treasure. Jesus came to seek that which was lost. Now the treasure is hidden again, but this time it is hidden in Christ.

Paul said,

“For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” (Col3:3,4)

The Work is Finished

All we have read in David’s writings have their fulfillment in the finished work of the cross. Being hidden in Christ means that every believer is eternally secured from the power of darkness. We can never be separated from God’s love. Our life is placed in the Light of God’s very being. Peter said that our calling was into, “His marvelous light.”

While this may seem difficult to grasp, what we need to realize is that our faith is to be based upon our place in Christ. Our position in Christ is secured. We have already been raised up and seated with Him in the heavenly places.

Our concern is in living out our present life with the knowledge of our eternal placement. God gives us heavenly life as a foretaste of eternity. This is what believers are to learn to live by. Heavenly life is God’s oversight of our lives.

Did you know that God never takes His eyes off you? Listen to this conversation between David and the Lord:

[David] “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance.”

[Lord] “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Ps27:7,8)

Did you know that there is continually joy in heaven over each person who turns to the Lord? The joy of heaven is the joy of the Lord Jesus Himself. The reason Jesus endured the cross was the joy that was set before Him. The joy set before Him was all those whom the Father would give Him for all eternity.

Jesus said,

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. … This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.

“For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:37,39,40)

For God so Loved

You have come to love God because He first loved you. Once again, did you know that your joy in the Lord is a reflection of His joy over you? Did you know that the grace that flows in your life is not something that you earned? It is freely given to you in God’s Beloved.

There is only one question that needs to be answered. Are you right now trusting in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? Faith in Jesus alone is proof positive that you belong to Him. And if you belong to Him, then you are most certainly one of His treasured ones.

This is what the great apostle said:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Eph2:8-10)

Think about it. Have you met the Great I AM?

Much love coming your way,

Buddy

Feb

2013

How a Thief Made It to Heaven

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago–whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows–such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

“And I know how such a man–whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows– was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” (2Co 12:2-4)

Journal,

The Corinthian Church was struggling over the effect of false apostles who were making inroads into their group. These false apostles were arrogant and boastful in their claims of being apostles, while at the same time attempting to convince the Corinthians that Paul of not a true apostle.

It was in the face of these accusations that Paul felt it necessary to remind the Corinthians of his having laid the foundation for the Corinthian Church, of his apostolic journeys and trials and sufferings, and how these false apostles were perverting the gospel message.

Jude, the brother of Jesus, gives an ample description of the false apostles and false teachers:

“These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up their own shame like foam; wandering stars, for whom the black darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jud 1:12-13)

In dealing with these destroyers of the faith, it is also here that the apostle Paul is very careful not to overemphasize the fact of his having been caught up to the third heaven.

However, what makes this so fascinating is that the apostle is sharing some things that we know so little about. Paul had been ‘caught up’ into Paradise, that is, the third heaven, and heard things that he was not even permitted to speak. Yet in this short narrative we can learn a bit more about our heavenly home.

Let me begin with the terms that Paul uses. The first one is a term that applies to the future of all believers.

Paul was Caught Up

Paul is actually using a term that belongs to the doctrine of, ‘the rapture of the church.’ The Greek word for ‘caught up’, is the word, ‘harpazo’. This word is always used but one way in the Scriptures. It is a translocation word. It speaks of a sudden seizing, a catching up, a snatching away, a carrying off, a removing, or to take something by force of power.

Harpazo is used fourteen times in the New Testament and in each case it always speaks of translocation, or movement from one place to another.

Here is how it is used for the church:

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

“Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up [harpazo] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.” (1Th 4:16-18)

The apostle Paul uses the same term ‘harpazo’, to describe his having been caught up into the third heaven, and for what will happen to all believers in their time. We are going to where Paul went.

Where did Paul go. He calls attention to…

The Third Heaven, Paradise

The apostle equates the third heaven with the term Paradise.

To you recall what Jesus said to the thief on the cross? Listen:

“And he [the thief] was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!’

“And He said to him, ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” (Luk 23:42-43)

Did you take note that Jesus said the thief would be with him in Paradise.

Do you know that there are those who wish this story wasn’t in the Bible? Why? The reason is it blows apart most of their religious-minded thinking.

Take note – What credentials did the thief have that would qualify him to be with Jesus in paradise? He was at the least a common thief, and who knows what else.

The thief wasn’t baptized. The thief could not make any restitution. The thief did not go through a list of his sins by way of confession. (Certainly some of this is to be done, but they in themselves do not qualify us for heaven.)

Listen again, very carefully. When the other thief hurled abuses at the Lord Jesus, listen to this thief that spoke to Jesus –

“… [He rebuked the thief who hurled abuses] ‘Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

“‘And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.’

“And he was saying, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!'” (Luk 23:40-42)

Know what else this story does? It destroys the argument, ‘I don’t believe in death-bed repentance.’

If we would take more time to study the Scriptures themselves, and less time majoring on our religions, who knows what kind of person we would become. For one thing, we would likely become much more compassionate, more caring, and more loving of those around us.

If the truth be known…

The Only Way to Get to Heaven is the Way of the Thief

I know this sounds strange. But I’m begging you listen carefully to what thief had to say. It will help you understand why his way is the only way.

There are three components involved to make our passage into heaven. The thief had them all. Here is a brief summary:

We must recognize that there is no personal goodness in us that would qualify us for heaven. ‘We are justly under condemnation and are suffering justly. We are receiving what we deserve.’
We must realize fully that Jesus alone can save us, atone for our sins, and no other. Jesus was the perfect, without sin, sacrifice. ‘This man has done nothing wrong.’
We must believe in the Lordship of Jesus, and appeal to Him personally. ‘Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom.’

It Helps to Remember Where We Came From

I realize that when we become born again, we are no long considered to be sinners. The Bible actually sets forth that we are now saints. The word ‘saint’ means a holy one, that is, a person that belongs to God. This simply means that we are no longer judged as sinners.

But to think back on where we came from is good. The apostle Paul did this.

Listen –

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1Ti 1:12-15)

Why not take time for this song. It pretty much agrees with that the apostle had to say.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzlDvfeWp3s[/youtube]

In Christ always,

Buddy

Feb

2013

Life Can be Measured in Words

‘THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.'” (1Pe 3:8-11)

Journal,

When Jesus used the figure of speech about the ‘speck’ or the ‘log’ in one’s eye, He is calling attention to the issue of judging others by our standard of judgement. It is in that setting that the Lord speaks of the measurement of our life.

He said,

“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Mat 7:2)

Isn’t it odd how so easy it is to pass judgments on others. This does not mean there is no place for making judgments. There is just no place for making superficial judgments based on our limited knowledge. We do not know what is going on in a person’s life or in their heart.

Jesus said,

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.” (John 7:24)

I recently read an anonymous writing that had to do with the words of our mouth. Here is a part of that writing. See what you think.

The Gospel is Good News for Bad People

Our carnal natures constantly try to lead us astray and make us feel a sense of moral superiority, and we sometimes use the very scriptures to justify our position. It’s far too easy for us to unwittingly turn the beauty of God’s redemption into an ugly attempt to ‘fix the sinner’s sin’.

As it turns out, Christianity is not about bad people getting better. If anything, it is good news for bad people coping with their failure to be good. The Bible is not about a moral code to keep. It’s about a God who saves people that can’t keep the moral code.

The Bible is not a record of the best people making it up to God; it’s a record of God making it down to the worst people.

Unfortunately, many still believe they can control sin by controlling behavior. Victory over sin doesn’t come from behavior modification. It comes only through the gracious redemptive work of Jesus.

God is love. Heart change happens when you tell sinners what Jesus has done, not when you tell sinners what to do. Drowning sinners need the life line of amazing grace, not instructions on how to paddle harder and kick faster.

Jesus doesn’t say “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you a to-do list.” He says “I will give you rest.”

Spiritual transformation comes, not from looking at the rule, but from looking at the Ruler. …

Why is this such a crucial area. It is because…

The Life We Live is Built Upon Words

Some time back I did a study entitled, “When our words return home.” Now would be a good time to pick up some insights from that study.

In the world of words, what we speak does affect our lives in a deeply sobering way. What we say about Christ really is a matter of life and death. This is where the confession of Christ determines our salvation.

In speaking to His mockers, the Lord said,

“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt12:35-36)

Let’s put these Scriptures into their proper setting. The ‘evil’ man in this case is the blasphemer. There were those who contributed the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus to Beelzebul. Beelzebul was one of the names given to Satan, as lord of the demons.

Later Talmudic writers did exactly that. They contributed the works of Jesus to sorcery. The Talmudic writers will have to give an account for their words in the day of judgment. (Jesus calls them a brood of vipers. Their words are full of poison.)

What about the good man? The good man is that person who confesses Jesus Christ for who He really is, that is, as Savior and Messiah of Israel. Thus we hear the Lord say, “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Listen carefully to what Jesus said about our confession of faith in Him

“Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” (Mat 10:32-33)

Let’s Carry This Into Basic Life Issues

Now that we have that sobering issue of salvation before us, we also need to take a closer look at why even certain believers have so many spiritual problems in their life. One reason believers get into trouble spiritually is because they’ve either been snared by their own words, or they’ve been snared by the words of someone else. Do you find that strange? This is a Biblical truth. And this is one reason we need the Holy Spirit to help guide us through the process of life.

Words have the power to change us for good or for bad. Words carry messages and images. Words affect our thinking. They can capture our heart. They create memories.

Words have molding power. The very words we speak to our children can make a contribution to how they perceive themselves. This is why it is so important that we learn to speak the truth in love. We should never speak damaging words to our children.

My mom and dad divorced when I was rather young. A few years later they remarried. But my earliest childhood memories are of my mom.

The memories that stand out the most are from things my mom shared with me. She often spoke into my life with affirmations. She gave me an image of myself that helped to strengthened me for my future role in life as a minister of the gospel. There is a sense in that my mom empowered me for the future by the words she spoke.

However, this goes far beyond a mother speaking to her child. It is an issue that governs life itself. This is why Paul said that we should never let a ‘rotten’ word proceed from our mouth, that we should only speak words that will minister grace to the hearer. Rotten words produce rottenness. Words of grace fill the heart with truth and love.

Paul was not alone. James gives a detailed explanation on this issue of how our words will decide our very future. He begins his teaching on words by saying,

“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.“

Then he said,

“For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”

The word for ‘perfect’ in Greek speaks of something that has reached its goal, thus it generally refers to a spiritual maturing. A spiritual mature believer knows how to walk in the ways of the Lord, and knows how to speak in a way that is proper.

A Tongue Set on Fire

James has much more to say. He says the tongue is the member of our body that will direct our flow of life. Then he concludes this area of thought by drawing attention to the wisdom that comes from above. Rather than expand on this part, I would encourage the members to read all of James chapter 3.

We know there is a positive side to this and a negative side. But sometimes we have to look at the negative to stress the positive. David spoke of the man who refused to speak blessings to God’s people. He said,

“He did not remember to show lovingkindness … He also loved cursing, so it came to him; and he did not delight in blessings, so it was far from him. But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, and it entered into his body like water and like oil to his bones.” (Psa109:16-20)

It would be easy to say that this is Old Testament and does not apply to the covenant of Christ, but that is error. The laws that govern life don’t change. Peter picks up on this in the New Testament by quoting from David. Peter said,

“The one who desires life, to love and see good days, must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.” (Cf. 1Pet3:10)

It is so easy to think this issue of ‘words’ isn’t really very important. The truth is that there is nothing more important to a child of God than the words we speak. The minister in the pulpit must learn to speak from wisdom. He is very much accountable to God for the words that flow from his lips.

Learn to Speak Words of Life

It isn’t simply in the pulpit that we need wisdom. The spiritually matured person will know how to speak out of wisdom, with a spirit of gentleness. Have you ever noticed how the apostles could bring a rebuke where a rebuke was needed, and yet leave the person fully intact? This is because the Lord had given them authority to build up, but not to tear down. (Cf. 2Co10:8) The sage said, “Better is an open rebuke than love that is concealed.” (Pro27:5)

Even when we have a message to deliver that has strong corrections and even rebukes, we must deliver that message in a way that we are not damaging those of whom Christ loves. God loves His people and does not take lightly their being mistreated.

Think about it — Two men can speak on the same subject. One can turn the people off, no matter how knowledgeable he may be. The other can become a blessing to the people, no matter how little education he may have. What makes the difference? The sage said,

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly.” (Pro15:2)

Does this issue of the tongue speak to all our words? Yes! We must train our tongue to speak only that which will profit the kingdom of God and reach the souls of men and women. This is why there are such strong warnings against gossip and slander.

It’s not that we can never disagree over a teaching that does not seem to accord with the Scriptures. When Jesus warned the disciples to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees, he left us an example to follow.

We can warn about bad teachings. What we cannot do is judge or slander a brother or sister in the Lord, or become a talebearer where we are speaking to something that we have no business speaking to.

Nor is it an issue of never rebuking sin or sinners. Jesus often did this. Yet the bottom line is to keep in mind that the gospel itself means, ‘good news.’ Our job as believers is to bring good news to those who are hurting.

Isaiah said it this way:

“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” (Isa 52:7)

It All Begins in the Heart

This means that we have to set a watch in two areas. We must set a watch over our heart. We must set a watch over our lips.

The sage said,

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, from it flow the springs issues/forces/determinations) of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you.” (Pro4:23,24)

David adds,

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psa141:3)

Finally we have this very stern warning to those who would claim covenant privileges, and yet ignore how they should be speaking and acting:

“What right have you to tell of My statutes and take My covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline, and you cast My words behind you. … You let your mouth loose in evil … You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son…” (Psa50:16-21)

So, do our words have a way of coming home to live?

What do you think?

Blessings,

Buddy

Feb

2013

Did God Come as a Man – The Story of Jesus and Israel

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.

“His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (Mic 5:2)

Journal,

I would like to follow two interconnecting tracks for this study. The first has to do with the question, ‘Who was Jesus from eternity?”

The second track has to do with the question, ”How should Christians look at the nation of Israel?’

As for who Jesus was from eternity, let me share a video that deals with this subject from both the Old Testament prophets, and the new covenant apostles of the Lamb. The video will keep me from having to list many Scriptures that speak to the issue of who Jesus (Hebrew, ‘Yeshua’] really is.

Afterwards we will take a closer look at the nation of Israel, and how Christians should view that small nation at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo3gh2mnOtw[/youtube]

And now for how Christians should view …

The Nation of Israel

[pullquote align=”left”]A senior member of Iran’s parliament on Saturday vowed that no amount of offensive or defensive capabilities will save Israel from destruction at the hands of its Muslim neighbors. – Israel Today[/pullquote]

What was the last question the apostles asked Jesus just before His ascension?

Listen carefully:

“So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying,

“‘Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them,

“‘It is not for you to know times …

“… or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.'” (Act 1:6-8)

Notice that Jesus did not evade their question. In fact He answered it by saying, “It is not for you to know the times of epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”

It wasn’t for the apostles to know the time that the kingdom would be restored to Israel. He then gave to them their instructions that would carry into the church age. They would be given power to serve as His witnesses in all the earth.

This brings us back to the prophecy of Micah:

“…One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.”

Israel Under Kingdom Rule

The Lord had already told the religious minded Jews, that they were going to lose the benefits of being under the direct rule of God. (This is what the term, ‘kingdom of God’ means.)

He did this by way of a parable that pictured how the Jewish people would crucify their own Messiah. Listen –

“Jesus said to them, ‘Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘”THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES’?

“‘Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” (Mat 21:42-44)

The direct rule of God would be removed from Israel. In turn it would be given to the people of the Messiah. The prophet of old said that God’s new Messianic people would be given a new name. The new name would identify them as the people of God.

Thus we hear the apostle Peter say,

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;…

“… but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” (1Pe 4:14-16)

It important to keep in view that the people of Messiah consists of both Jews and Gentiles. We have been made a special people in all the earth and will always be God’s chosen people.

So a question remains, ‘How, then, can the kingdom of God be restored to the nation of Israel?’

It all begins with the salvation of this tiny nation.

The Salvation of Israel

It is also important to understand that no person on this planet, Jew or Gentile, can be saved aside from acknowledging and receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

This is exactly what is going to happen to the nation of Israel. The prophets and the apostles foretold this coming event.

First the prophet –

“In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the one who is feeble among them in that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the LORD before them.

“And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.” (Zec 12:8-10)

Now hear the apostle –

“For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery–so that you will not be wise in your own estimation–that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,

“‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.’

“THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.” (Rom 11:25-27)

When does this happen? Jesus said that no one knows. However, the Bible does give us a very important clues.

We just read one of the clues spoken to us in the book of Zechariah. It will happen when the surrounding nations decide to invade Israel and Jerusalem.

So …

What should Christians feelings be towards Israel

Betty and I have walked the streets of ancient Jerusalem. I’ve stood at the gate called beautiful. We’ve been on the Sea of Galilee in stormy weather. We’ve been to Masada, to Nazareth, to Jericho, and many other places.

We’ve been to the Western Wall. (Also called the Wailing Wall.) We marched with about 5000 Christians through Jerusalem to the Knesset, and there we prayed for Israel.

How should we feel about Israel? We should both rejoice and we should pray for Israel. We should laugh with her. We should weep with her. Her redemption is drawing nigh.

Oh yes, there is much more to be said with regard to Israel coming back under the direct rule of the Lord God. After all, when Israel accepts Jesus Christ as her Lord and King, then we have the fulfillment of what the Lord said,

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!

“For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’“ (Mat 23:37-39)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIS-i7eYsms[/youtube]

In the meantime listen to this wonderful song by the Hoppers, ‘Jerusalem’.

Always in Christ,

Buddy

Feb

2013

Whatever Happened to Time

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.'” (Jas 4:14-15)

Journal,

Sometime it is hard for me to wrap my mind around time itself. Has it been almost fifty years since I married this beautiful lady in my life? And has it been forty-eight years since I preached my first gospel message?

Wow, whatever happened to time?

Has it really been almost thirty-seven years since we held our first service at Christian Challenge? I was just thirty-five. Betty was thirty-three. Nathan 11, André 8, and Shana, 2 years old. In fact we held our first service on Shana’s second birthday.

Here I am, knocking on seventy-three.

Whatever happened to time?

I especially find it odd, that after having been a world traveler almost all my life, that I would end up in the very city where I took my first breath. (The truth be known, I wasn’t actually raised in Pineville, Louisiana. I was born here because of the Huey P. Long Charity Hospital.)

But, yes, I dearly love Pineville, Louisiana. Pineville is an awesome small city with its great city government and its law against the sell of liquor.

For my readers who would like to know a bit about Pineville, take time for this video. It was provided on ‘Today in America with Terry Brawshaw’.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBfVZdH5QjA[/youtube]

This brings me to…

A Story in Time

When we relocated our ministry from Boyce, Louisiana, to Pineville, in 1978, I placed a special prayer before Lord God. I ask the Lord to please let Christian Challenge become a blessing to this city.

Have we become a blessing? I think so. I’ve had people tell me that Christian Challenge is a stabilizing influence in Pineville. Perhaps this is because we’ve made so many friends among the clergy here.

An example of this is that in 1988, a small group of we pastors began meeting each Wednesday morning at a restaurant in Pineville, for a time of fellowship.

These were simply friendship meetings. Nothing official. No agenda aside from getting to know one another. The meetings began to produce a friendship and a bonding among pastors that has lasted to this very day.

Oh yes, there have been changes such as when a pastor needs to relocate, or when one of the brothers is called home. But it seems that the Lord always brings a new pastor to the group.

And would you believe where these pastors come from? We’ve enjoyed our friendships with nondenominational, United Methodist, United Pentecostal, Assembly of God, Southern Baptist, Wesleyan, Charismatic, Church of Christ, Church of God, and others that slip my mind.

I think the community is well aware of this special group. The point being that when pastors love one another and are able to create friendship such as we have in our group, it sends a message to the churches and to the community at large.

Twenty-five years! Wow, whatever happened to time.

[One other thing I haven’t mention is that my oldest son, Nathan, has served on the city council for a several years. That goes with the prayer of, ‘Lord, let our ministry become a blessing to this city.]

Speaking of time, I’d like to share another video. It goes back to the earlier days of Christian Challenge, reaching back to the thirty-seven years ago.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwA-cc-UxjM[/youtube]

Well, did James say it well enough? Is time like a vapor that appears for a little time?

Something to think about.

Always in Christ,

Buddy

Jan

2013

Is There No Balm in Gilead

“Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved.

“For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am broken; I mourn, dismay has taken hold of me.

“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has not the health of the daughter of my people been restored?” (Jer 8:20-22)

Journal,

You can almost feel the anguish of God’s heart when He asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”

Then we hear this from the prophet Hosea:

“So My people are bent on turning from Me. Though they call them to the One on high, none at all exalts Him. … My heart is turned over within Me, all My compassions are kindled.” (Hos 11:7-8)

Then again as Jesus weeps over Jerusalem:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather you together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Behold your house is being left to you desolate! For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He [Jesus] who comes in the name of the Lord.'” (Matt23:37-39)

Is it possible that we are seeing a repeat of this in the visible church today? Did not the apostles warn us of a falling away in the last days of the church age as we know it.

This brings me to the background for…

The Balm of Gilead

What did the prophet Jeremiah mean in asking if there was no balm in Gilead? There is a spiritual implication in this statement that we need to look at carefully.

Josephus said that “balm” was first introduced to Israel when the Queen of Sheba gave it as a gift to Solomon. Thereafter the Balsam tree came to be cultivated on Mount Gilead. Gilead region became noted for its physicians and its curative balm.

The balm of Gilead was used both as a perfume base and as a curative anointing oil. People believed it had miracle medicinal powers. After Christ, a curse was placed on any Hebrew who gave the balm recipe to a Gentile. (According to Rabbinic Judaism.)

And so we have a costly and precious anointing oil whose fragrance was wonderful to the smell and whose curative powers was known all over the Roman Empire. It was so costly that rarely did any common person own any of it.

But there is a spiritual lesson to be had.

Let’s talk about…

Heaven’s Curative Balm

It is here that we need to go to the deeper spiritual significance of the balm of Gilead. In ancient time the prophets were seen as spiritual physicians. They often brought God’s healing Word and wisdom to the sin-sick souls of men. Thus the sage said,

“There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Pro 12:18)

The prophet’s message normally included an admonishment for repentance. The ancients were taught that repentance was actually a form of worship when it came to daily life. Repentance was a continual making of minor adjustments and sometimes major adjustments, in keeping on a righteous course of life.

It was in times for major adjustments that the prophet-physician could be found bringing healing “balm” to those who would repent.

And so we have the statement, “Is there no balm in Gilead?”

But Gilead had gone too far. The balm had been rejected. The inhabitants were steeped in idolatry. They cared nothing for the prophet’s message of repentance. Listen to the preceding statements made about the Gileads:

“Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done? They certainly were not ashamed, and they did not know how to blush…

” ‘At the time of their punishment they shall be brought down,’ Says the LORD. ‘I will surely snatch them away,’ declares the LORD…

“‘Why have they provoked Me with their graven images, with foreign idols?’

“Harvest is past, summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Jer 8:12-20)

All this brings us to…

The Healing Balm of the Covenant of Christ

The Spirit of Jesus gives to us the healing balm of heaven. His blood alone can bring heaven’s healing to the sin damaged soul. The Holy Spirit effects the healing, yet it is the tongue of the righteous through whom the healing often flows.

Thus we hear Jesus say of the born-from-above people of God,

“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'” (Joh 7:37-38)

Every spiritually-minded believer has a capacity to bringing living, healing waters, or, as you will, God’s heavenly balm, into the life of a sinner, or into the life of a believer who has suffered a relapse into sin. The balm of heaven is designed to bring life wherever death is at work.

With this in mind let me share a prophetic dream that the Lord gave me many years ago.

A Signature Dream

A signature dream is a dream given by God. It always has His seal and signature on it. These kinds of dreams can be both instructive and prophetic.

The dream – I was walking across a large open field. It was dry. The grass was dead.

As I reached the other side of the field, I looked back over my shoulder. There I saw a group of people at a distance. They were looking down at where I had walked, then they would look up at me.

I wondered why they were looking at me. When I looked at where I had walked, every one of my footsteps had green grass springing up in it.

The next morning I pondered on the dream. The meaning seemed fairly obvious, but I felt totally undeserving. After all, who was I?

But I remember something the apostle said.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2Co 3:5-6)

Living as a Life Giver

Yes, I am a life bringer.

Yet the truth is that all believers are to be God’s spiritual life-healers on planet earth. The water of life and the healing balm of heaven are simply two ways of saying the same thing. We are to bring the balm of heaven to tortured souls. In this sense all believers can be considered spiritual physicians. (Much as were the prophets of old.)

What then of God’s weeping, and God’s compassion, and of God’s dismay? I believe that deep within the heart of every child of God are those same feelings for the lost man and for the relapsed Christian.

Could it be that the Lord weeps over the church today?

Do you recall the confession of the Laodicean church? O yes, it was heavy into the confession message. Laodicea said,

“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”

How did the Lord respond? He said,

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.” (Rev 3:17-18)

Isn’t this odd? Here you have a church that is blind to its own condition – not only blind, but naked – and the eye salve could well represent that heavenly balm that is given to a repentant believer.

Back to the balm —

There is no sin so deep that the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse and purify it away. The result of the blood of the Lamb being applied results in a soul filled with a wellness and a sense of holiness. The consciousness of the sin(s) no longer remains. The sin is as though it never happened.

Such is the purified soul, and once again the restored believer begins to feel the passions of Christ for the lost man.

Are you struggling in your life? Do you need the Balm of Heaven applied?

Think about these things.

In the meantime, listen to this wonderful African-American spiritual by Mahalia Jackson, titled, “There is Balm in Gilead.” — To appreciate spiritual songs, you need to identify somehow with the slavery days of yesteryear —

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFMY4V7RdbU[/youtube]

In Christ always,

Buddy

The Life That Was in Christ

A Covenant of, ‘It is Finished’

Learning to Live With a Clean Slate

The Blood Will Never Lose its Power

The Finishing Touch

The Warnings and Cautions

A Spiritual State of War

Seven Tenets of Faith

Come Out of Her My People

The Angels, the Form, and the Mercy Seat

The Glory and the Image

Looking Past the Veil

The Treasured Ones of God

The Work is Finished

For God so Loved

Paul was Caught Up

The Third Heaven, Paradise

The Only Way to Get to Heaven is the Way of the Thief

It Helps to Remember Where We Came From

The Gospel is Good News for Bad People

The Life We Live is Built Upon Words

Let’s Carry This Into Basic Life Issues

A Tongue Set on Fire

Learn to Speak Words of Life

It All Begins in the Heart

The Nation of Israel

Israel Under Kingdom Rule

The Salvation of Israel

What should Christians feelings be towards Israel

A Story in Time

The Balm of Gilead

Heaven’s Curative Balm

The Healing Balm of the Covenant of Christ

Living as a Life Giver

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