Saturday 29 February 2020

Wondered At

For they are men wondered at. Zechariah 3:8

The world is to wonder at Christians just as much as it did at Christ, and for the same reason. 

But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness. 1 Corinthians 1:23

The stumblingblock is the sign. It is “Christ and Him crucified”. The Jews and Greeks were given the most wondrous sign that could be given and they stumbled at it. We are to present the same sign to the world. When the death and resurrection of Christ are fully manifested in our lives, they themselves will be signs greater than any miracle that we could perform. MPM

This is the Moment!

The loving, selfless God presided over a universe of harmony and peace. All was going perfectly, when for some inexplicable reason, in the mind of the highest of all created beings, the mystery of iniquity – selfishness, sin – arose, even leading to jealousy of God Himself. Lucifer began to spread his discontent among his fellow angels. Soon it took hold, leading to a war in Heaven, at the end of which he and his supporters were cast out.

Following the creation of this world, this fallen angel and his followers brought their destructive force down to tempt the new inhabitants of the earth with their agenda. These first created human beings, who were made in the image of God so that He could have the closest and most unique kinship with them, fell for the lies of Satan. So effective has he been that eventually every human who has ever lived on this earth since then has, with their fallen sinful natures, chosen to follow him in allowing self to rule. Every imaginable distortion of God's Way has been introduced to each of the inhabitants of this world, especially to His church – to those who would be saved by their own merits, and those who would be saved in their sins – he entices them to take "the sign for the substance; the end for the means", trying to prevent them from accepting Christ, the Substance and the Means, and enjoying what God had planned for their happiness.

One of the Godhead, the Creator of all things, out of Pure Love for His created beings had a Perfect Plan to solve all of the problems that had arisen from the acceptance of the mystery of iniquity – it would be the Mystery of God. He would leave forever His form as God Himself and actually become one of His own created beings. This would involve retaining His humanity for eternity. He willingly subordinated Himself for the salvation of all mankind. He would Himself demonstrate the original way of living in eternal, perfect, happiness and in the manner that has been continually enjoyed by all the citizens of the unfallen worlds in the universe.

All of the lies that had been spread about God would be thoroughly counteracted by this One life; there was now a Way to freedom, for every person on this earth; freedom from the self-inflicted bondage that had resulted from the sting of death, sin – selfishness, and He would personally work with each and every one of us, tailoring His approach to every individual.

From this moment on you can be free, even though you are “on death row”, and when He makes you free you “shall be free indeed”. He has provided a Way for you to live forever with Him. This is all that He was ever wanting, for everyone, from the creation of this world.

Because He is unable to use lies, force, coercion, intimidation or fear like His arch-enemy, He is only left with Love to appeal to you in the hope that you willingly accept His offer of intimate fellowship with Himself, of which marriage was to be an example and a constant reminder.

When self rules there is a continual restlessness that pervades every moment of time, a desire to constantly be inventing new and wondrous ways to exalt itself. What the Saviour of mankind demonstrated was a Way in which we can live a life of perfect trust and restfulness in Him, every moment now and eternally, of which His Sabbath rest is a weekly reminder.

All that He asks is that you realise your true state – a sinner facing eternal death, then, if you would like to accept His offer of eternal freedom from this “accursed thing”, that you just simply take Him at His word and believe that He will do what He has said that He will for you – perfect rest in Him and His Word forever.

You are now free from having to do anything anymore to prove to anyone what self has decided is the image that it wishes to portray. God's offer is so simple that no one can ever claim, “that is too difficult for me to do”. He can, and He will, do everything in and through you as He lives His life in you. “The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ”. Come to Him and rest – waiting on Him for every thought, word, action and place to go; just like He demonstrated when He willingly came to this earth to save us from our sins.

There is just one other point to bear in mind, if you choose to accept Him and give Him total management of your life you are now entering “the greatest battle that has ever been fought – the surrender of self to the will of God”, but please do not be afraid of this constant challenge; instead, join with all of those who have chosen to live with Christ in them, proclaiming - “Thanks be unto God Who giveth us the victory through our LORD Jesus Christ”.

Victory, in order to be victory, must be eternal. But the final victory over death is only the present victory over sin, a victorious life of perfect Righteousness by faith, which is the natural working out of the life of Christ in each one.

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

This is the moment!

Only One

Each day of our life has proven:
Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. Jeremiah 17:5

It is not enough to be independent of all men, we need to be independent of one's self. 
Lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5. MPM
Jeremiah continues in Vs 7 -
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5.

Let the thought encourage us that Christ pities the erring, and desires to comfort the despondent, and encourage the weak. He is fully acquainted with the peculiar trials of every life. He never misjudges our motives, nor places a wrong estimate upon our character. Men may do us injustice, we may suffer by calumny and suspicion, but the Saviour knows our inmost thought, and cannot judge our actions wrongly. We may tell him all our griefs and perplexities, and he will never abuse our confidence, nor turn a deaf ear to our complaints. HR October 1, 1877

Friday 28 February 2020

The Most Unfair and Illegal Trial In History

In the Jewish Legal system no man was ever to be convicted in a single day – always a 2nd trial the following day – time given to think/pray. 
If a judge proclaimed a person innocent on the 1st day, they could not change the verdict on the second day. But if a judge found a person guilty on the 1st day, they could change the verdict on the 2nd day.
In Jesus' trial there was no waiting until 2nd trial/day or final conviction before all smote Him, spat on Him, battered etc – punishment was not permitted like this.  
No Friday trial permitted before the Sabbath- “On eve of Sabbath or a Holy Day”.
No trial was permitted in the hours of darkness. Must be between morning sacrifice and evening sacrifice.
In the Jewish legal system, only one conviction was to be made per trial. In Jesus' trial He was tried 1st for sedition- the witnesses disagreed, inconsistent testimony. He should have been released then.
In Jesus' trial they bribed the witness/es, which was forbidden. Exodus 23:8
False witnesses were used. Under Jewish law they were to receive the same punishment that the accused was to get and the accused was to go free.
At Jesus' trial they had 2 trials all in one session. This was not allowed. 
Under Jewish law they were to seek every avenue to see that an innocent person was acquitted and not condemned.
Under Jewish law no trial was permitted before the morning sacrifice. There was to be a prayer prayed by the priest at the time of this sacrifice and it was to give the individuals time to also seek God's guidance personally in the matter. Nothing was to be done without prayer.
No man is to be condemned before at least 1 judge says that he is innocent. Caiaphas acted as defence council by himself, not before all the judges. “All those in favour” is not the true method of that legal system. He rent his High Priestly robe - the ephod, a capital offence = death.
Witnesses were the only prosecution in the legal system.
In Jewish law every judge was to give his verdict as an individual, not simultaneously, as in Christ's trial. It must start with the junior judges first, so that they could not be influenced by any other/s.
The trial must be held in the hall of the Temple Gazigh, but in Jesus' trial was illegally held in the High Priest's palace.
Judges were to be totally neutral. There was total enmity against Christ before He appeared – several times they had met to plan His death.
Jewish law stipulated that they not conspire against any person before the trial. In Jesus' trial there are at least 3 previous meetings recorded.
In the legal system, as it then stood, there were improperly elected judges, “privilege for duty”. They purchased their positions/commissions - for the highest bidder received it.
Under Jewish law every effort was to be made to acquit the innocent – but in Christ's case, every effort was made to convict the innocent.
It was a custom before the death of a condemned person, for a proclamation to be made that others might bear testimony/witness to his innocence. No such proclamation was made for our Lord.
No one could bring an accusation on himself – it is not allowed. Only 2 witnesses can do so.
If a quick decision was made, the High Priest's role was to acquit the person immediately.
If they were unable to decide, they were to go home, fast and pray and come back and even if all 71 accused and a young observer in the rear of the court could find a way to acquit, he was elevated to the Sanhedrin for life.
The 71 were seated in a semi-circle, on cushions, so that all had an equal view of the accused – they all saw the same thing.
Votes were counted by 3 parties (Left ,Right & Centre) plus the High Priest, so that there could be no doubt.
Even up to the point of the death of the accused, if a witness came forward with information that proved the innocency of the condemned, the Sanhedrin were to be called back and then a horseman would be dispatched to have the sentence stopped and the innocent released.
Not one person spoke up in defence of Christ on the day! e.g. Like Eve in Eden & the Israelites at Mt. Carmel. He speaks up for each one of us each and every day.

It was my sins that He took this condemnation for. I will love Him for ever.
The fairest judicial system in history, given by Himself, the Merciful God, was used to illegally condemn Himself, the only innocent Man in this world's history.
He is my Advocate and Judge, in the only Judgement that matters, so, He knows what is like from both sides. Now that is really fair. 

100%

100% God.
100% Man.
He gave 100% of Himself to save 100% of mankind.
He personally gave 100% for me.
He is 100% mine.
If I give Him 100% management of my life....
100% of love to and for Him is the result.
I have 100% love to and for anyone He leads me to.
For 100% of time and eternity
He earned 100% of the title deeds to 
100% of the estates of the universe, twice.
He shares 100% of His inheritance with those who believe 100% in Him.
They will see Him 100% of the time from anywhere in the universe.

Thursday 27 February 2020

What is the Answer?


There is a massive wave worldwide to bring about social and behavioural change. Though they have never been right, practices that have been occurring for millennia, have now suddenly become totally unacceptable. We are all aware that the results of such highly publicised campaigns will be short lived and superficial at best, because it has always proven impossible for sinful, human beings to make any type of change that can be certain to last permanently – given the right stimuli, the trigger will be pulled and the (now unacceptable) behaviour repeated. In their attempt to change what are perceived to be urgent problems, that all understand to be wrong, the leaders of these “movements” seem to be forgetting the basic principles of human behaviour. While it gives them “their moment in the sun” of extensive media coverage, we know from past experience that nothing will ever really change in the area of particular concern unless there is a change in the way in which the problem is approached.
“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
“No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ.” ST January 4, 1883
Do we honestly think for one moment that anyone who is abiding in Christ would ever be participating in any of these sinful behaviours?
We all know the answer; It would be an impossibility!
So, on they go making a huge demonstration against these social issues, when doing so will not ever change one thing permanently. Under the pressure of these attempted social reforms the perpetrators may, at best, simply adapt their approach and continue this behaviour unabated.
So, what is the answer?
As Christians, though we should have been able to expect better, we have not been exempt from undesirable behaviour in our church, and if attempted at all, every effort to correct this behaviour, and to bring about the desired reform, has also been totally ineffectual; in fact, the undesirable behaviour is increasing and is becoming worse.
We know that Christ was able to bring about His reformation to the church and the world by drawing all who were willing to respond, with His love. Every category of humanity was represented in those who did accept Him and His reforms. 
Today's self-appointed reformers, who have been inspired by the trends in the world, in their zeal and excitement for change, can easily be tempted, as the church and many individuals have been throughout history, to resort to means not approved of by our God; these can include Satanic or Papal-like force, coercion, intimidation, fear, all the way down through the spectrum to the more simple human means of gentle persuasion, to bring about what they think needs to be changed. But, unless we are living with Christ in us and encouraging those we wish to convince, to firstly join with us in abiding in Him also, all attempts to bring about any change in our own lives, and what is believed to be needed in the lives of others, will be futile.
We can now ask the right question:
Who is the answer? 
We all know that if Christ is allowed to live His life in and through us, He will naturally produce true reform that will last for eternity – a very different approach to the problem than what we see demonstrated today in both the church and the world.


Wednesday 26 February 2020

Who Has My Heart?


Who has the heart? 
With whom are our thoughts? 
Of whom do we love to converse? 
Who has our warmest affections and our best energies? 
If we are Christ’s, our thoughts are with Him, and our sweetest thoughts are of Him. All we have and are is consecrated to Him. We long to bear His image, breathe His spirit, do His will, and please Him in all things.
SC 58

The King Is In Love


Whether true or allegoric, and though falling short of perfection, this well known and beloved story illustrates one of eternal importance to each of us personally:

There once was a king who found himself with a problem. As he had travelled around his vast  kingdom he had seen a beautiful girl in one of the villages and had fallen in love with her. The only trouble was that she was the daughter of his bitterest enemy. He could order that she be brought to him by force and command her to marry him but he didn't want to do that. He wanted her to marry him because she loved him for who he was as a person, not because he was the king and had forced her to do so.

Finally, he decided on a plan. He would disguise himself as a common man, go and live in the girl's village and try to woo her heart. He know that his enemy had told terrible lies to the girl, and everyone else in the village, about the king, so he felt that the plan that he had come up with was his only chance.

So, he carried out his plan. He moved from his magnificent palace to a tiny, old cottage. He changed his splendid robes for the humble clothes of an ordinary man, and he began his life in the village under the guise of a carpenter. 

He arranged circumstances such that he was able to meet the girl, and slowly, over the next few months went about doing all the things that young men in love do to win the heart of their lady love. He gave her beautiful flowers from his own garden and showered her with gifts. He took her on picnics into the picturesque countryside. Slowly the young woman began to fall in love with the king, while still unaware of his true identity.

Eventually the time came for the king to "pop the big question”. He chose his moment carefully, then getting down on bended knee, he asked this girl of his dreams if she would consent to join her life to his forever by becoming his wife. However, before allowing her to answer he told her that he had some important news to share with her prior to making her decision. With well chosen words he revealed to her that he was in fact the king.

She was shocked and exclaimed that this could not possibly be true as he was not at all like what her father and many others in the village had told her the king was like. He took from his pocket the royal seal as proof of the truth of his claim. Then he tenderly took her by the hands, looked lovingly into her eyes and said, “My darling, you have a big decision to make. Do you listen to and believe the untruths that you have been told about me, or do you believe that I am the person that you have come to know and love from personal experience? I can't take you to the palace just yet. I have to go back and prepare it for you. You will then be able to join me, meet my Father, and all of my most trusted friends. In the meantime I will keep in regular contact with you by email and regular phone calls. While awaiting my return you will not need to doubt my continued love – you will receive many reminders that I am waiting longingly for us to be together forever. If your answer is yes, then I do need you to do something for me while I am away. Could you please inform the citizens of your village of what I am really like. Let them know what you have found out from getting to know me. It makes me sad when they believe their king to be like the lies that have been spread. I know that this is a momentous decision for you to make. I know that you will be estranged from your father and all of his friends, but please remember the love that you have experienced from me and please, say yes, that you will be my bride.”

The beautiful young woman looked at the earnest face in front of her. She could see the love in his expressive eyes. She took a deep breath and said, “... “

That's the end of the story for now. It is still being played out. Our King “is waiting with longing desire” to hear your answer to His marriage proposal.

Tuesday 25 February 2020

Our Privilege


He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. 
It is the privilege of every Christian not only to look for but to hasten the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, (2 Peter 3:12, margin). Were all who profess His name bearing fruit to His glory, how quickly the whole world would be sown with the seed of the gospel. Quickly the last great harvest would be ripened, and Christ would come to gather the precious grain. COL 69 

Isaiah 58


The Spirit Of Prophecy has more commentary on Isaiah 58 than any other portion of Scripture in this Great day of Atonement:

After exposing our true condition in verses 1-4, the LORD opens up to us His Way.

Is not this the fast (true self-denial for the blessing of others)
that I have chosen (for you to demonstrate)?
to loose the bands (captivity to sin, Babylon) of wickedness,
to undo (point others to Christ)
the heavy burdens (“Come unto Me...”),
and to let the oppressed go free, (“free indeed”)
and that ye break every yoke (devil's galling one; selfishness)?
Is it not to
deal thy bread to the hungry (sharing His imparted daily spiritual bread),
and that thou bring the poor (“poor in spirit”)
that are cast out (disfellowshipped for truth)
to thy house (into true fellowship and edification)?
when thou seest the naked (in Laodicean self righteousness),
that thou cover him (offering Christ's righteousness);
and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh (no trust in man or self)?
Then shall thy light (His light in us)
break forth as the morning (“Daystar arise”),
and thine health (from His righteousness) shall spring forth speedily:
and Thy righteousness (His) shall go before thee (opening the way);
the glory of the Lord (“is risen upon thee”)
shall be thy rereward (“light of Midnight Cry behind us”).
Then shalt thou call (“ask anything in My Name”),
and the Lord shall answer (because of doing only His will);
thou shalt cry (“unto Thee”),
and He shall say, Here I am (“I will never leave you nor forsake you”).
If thou take away from the midst of thee (the church)
the yoke (of “doing” things to appear “good” and for the approval of others),
the putting forth of the finger (pointing out others faults but not correcting own),
and speaking vanity (either about self or idle words);
And if thou draw out thy soul (“a burden for souls”)
to the hungry (“for [His] righteousness”),
and satisfy (encouraging)
the afflicted soul (who is putting away sin in this Great Day of Atonement);
then shall thy light (His in you)
rise in obscurity (He will use “those who have not sought leadership”),
and thy darkness (during this time of “gross darkness”)
be as the noonday (“ye are the light of the world”):
And the Lord shall guide thee continually (“with Mine eye”),
and satisfy thy soul (“the hungry”)
in drought (present and future “famine for hearing the words of the LORD”),
and make fat thy bones (bringing a “good report”):
and thou shalt be like a watered garden,
and like a spring of water,
whose waters fail not (“Christ in you”).
And they that shall be of Thee (His faithful)
shall build the old waste places (backslidden church):
thou shalt raise up the foundations (lost foundational truths)
of many generations (4);
and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach (Sabbath reform),
The restorer of paths (old/original) to dwell (“safely”) in.
If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath (stop trampling on it),
from doing thy pleasure on
my holy day (including the Great Day of Atonement now);
and call the sabbath a delight,
the holy of the Lord (His holiness in us to keep it holy), honourable;
and shalt honour him, (humility first)
not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure,
nor speaking thine own words (waiting for His next words, deeds and place to go):
Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord (“delight to do Thy will”);
and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth
(“kings to the brightness of thy rising”),
and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob
(Holiness, artistic ability, health, prosperity, agricultural skill, intellectual superiority, national greatness) thy father:
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it (absolutely certain to happen at this time).

Monday 24 February 2020

A Long and Prestigious Line


You are a continuation of the long and prestigious line of "the faithful in all ages" since Abel, whose numbers at times have been perilously few, followers of “the Way”, and as such are invited to “come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven...” Hebrews 12:22-24.

So, let us all give thanks to Him and:

Love Him much, in pure gratitude for having been forgiven much.

Be “established in the present Truth”.

Willingly give “up the struggle that has been so unprofitable to you and the cause of God”, responding to His gracious invitation, and choosing to “come unto Me”.

Be forever finished with our own works, of doing things to appear “good” or righteous, and now calmly and completely rest in, and be “kept” by, Him.

Quietly give up trying to live by producing “the sign for the substance, the end for the means”; now understanding and possessing both the Substance and the Means.

Be “hungering and thirsting for righteousness”, His righteousness.

Delight in the freedom of willingly waiting on Him for every thought, word, deed and place to go.

Have found the things of this world to all be “vanity” and wish to only speak of our Beloved Husband; “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Be striving “with all the power that God has given to be among the 144,000”.

We are delighted that you have found us. 

Thomas


He has been most often referred to as “the doubter”, but today we see him as uttering the most profound things on each of the occasions that he was recorded:

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him. John 11:16

Well said Thomas - that is exactIy what we are to be doing each and every day; I die daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?  John 14:5

There is only One Way that we can know The Way; Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe. John 20:24,25

We have all fallen for the devil’s trap of this one at times, demanding to “see” the evidence, before we will believe.

And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith He to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:26,27

Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God. John 20:28
Now, that is the most perfect response that we can ever give!

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” Revelation 3:19; Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29

Thank you Thomas!

Thank you John for recording his words; they are all we need to know - 
N.B. the next words: 
And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. John 20:30,31

Sunday 23 February 2020

3AM


When God sends to men warnings so important that they are represented as proclaimed by holy angels flying in the midst of heaven, He requires every person endowed with reasoning powers to heed the message. GC 594

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:6-12

These truths, as presented in Revelation 14 in connection with ‘the everlasting gospel,’ will distinguish the church of Christ at the time of His appearing. For as the result of the threefold message it is announced: ‘Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.’ And this message is the last to be given before the coming of the Lord. GC 453-454. 

The soul-saving message, the third angel's message, is the message to be given to the world. The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are both important, immensely important, and must be given with equal force and power. The first part of the message has been dwelt upon mostly, the last part casually. The faith of Jesus is not comprehended. We must talk it, we must live it, we must pray it, and educate the people to bring this part of the message into their home life. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5. 1888 430


Willing Subordination


God (Christ) willingly subordinated Himself for the salvation of man.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8

Christ alone was able to represent the Deity. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone sufficient to accomplish this work. No verbal description could reveal God to the world. Through a life of purity, a life of perfect trust and submission to the will of God, a life of humiliation such as even the highest seraph in heaven would have shrunk from, God Himself must be revealed to humanity. In order to do this, our Saviour clothed His divinity with humanity. He employed the human faculties, for only by adopting these could He be comprehended by humanity. Only humanity could reach humanity. He lived out the character of God through the human body which God had prepared for Him. He blessed the world by living out in human flesh the life of God, thus showing that He had the power to unite humanity to divinity. 1SM 264

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. Philippians 2:9

Saturday 22 February 2020

Virgins For Christ


For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one Husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2

There are several online websites with names similar to “Virgins for Christ”. These websites represent those young women (and young men) who, as Christians, desire to maintain their sexual purity until they are married, as they realise that this is what is called for in the life of a professing Christian. In making this choice they are fighting against an absolute torrent of immorality in a world that is quickly coming towards its end. We all respect these young people (and older ones also) for the decision they have made and pray that in the strength of Jesus their Saviour, they will be able to uphold this important decision.

Throughout history there have always been individuals who have chosen to prematurely give away that very special part of themselves that our Creator only ever intended to be shared in a loving marriage relationship. Whenever humanity has lost its hold on Christ, it has then tried unsuccessfully to fill that empty space in the life with “fleshly lusts” — pre and extra-marital sex, alcohol, drugs, excessive amounts of food, etc., until we have arrived at the place where we are now; where what should have been the most loving and intimate time between a husband and wife exclusively, has come to be expected even in the most casual of relationships. 

We would have to question whether with some, underneath all of the bragging and bravado, there is not still a tiny hint of the voice of conscience trying to break through and be heard, but that once an individual has ignored this voice and has given into either their own sexual desires or the intense peer pressure that is being faced, they have thrown it all in and then tried to cover their guilt with more immorality, tried to drown it with alcohol and block it out with drugs, food etc.,. It’s as if they reason, “Well, I’ve done it now so it might as well be a good one!”, and then they often continue these practises, even openly and with no apparent shame. ”Whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. Philippians 3:19 There is another category who while overcome with guilt spend the rest of their lives trying to “do” good things to make up for it. Both of these groups have not had anyone to clearly point them to “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29, the only Solution to the sin problem that we all find ourselves faced with.

Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:46

From the sad state of affairs in this society that is soon to come to its end, like the apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 11:2 (see above), we can and must draw some timely spiritual parallels.

Humanity was created to be in a very close and intimate relationship with its Creator. No one and nothing else was to be permitted to violate that sacred circle. Unfortunately the human family had barely begun before it gave in to outside pressure and chose to follow what “felt good” at the time. Our first parents gave away that very special part of themselves that was to always and only be reserved for the One who wanted to be their Husband, and each one of us has followed along in their footsteps — “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Romans 3:23

Once we have been stung with “the sting of death” 1 Corinthians 15:56, and realise that fact, each individual is faced with a choice. We can throw our hands in the air and choose to “make it a good one”, or we can come to that slain Lamb — our precious Jesus — “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” Hebrews 12:2. Through His shed blood we can be recreated into a “chaste virgin”; and not only that, through His indwelling, we can be “kept by the power of God through faith” 1 Peter 1:5, so that we never violate our spiritual (or our natural) bodies again by giving into temptation. Our part to play in this miracle of miracles is to believe that God can and will do what He says He can, and is willing, to do. But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

It is our prayer that each one of us might allow ourselves to be transformed into, and presented, “as a chaste virgin to Christ”, with “a pure faith” and espoused to our perfect Husband — the Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider


Let us consider how we are regarded by our Creator — 

Genesis 1:26,27
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Deuteronomy 32:18
Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

Psalms 139:14,15
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.My substance was not hid from Thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Isaiah 43:7
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isaiah 44:2
Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee.

Isaiah 44:24
Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, and He that formed thee from the womb.

Isaiah 46:3,4
Hearken unto Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by Me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Isaiah 49:1
The Lord hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath He made mention of my name.

Isaiah 49:5
And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be His servant.

Isaiah 49:15,16
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands.

Jeremiah 1:5
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

Zechariah 13:6
And one shall say unto Him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of My friends.


“You can be absolutely certain that there is no one in the universe more precious to Him than you.”


Abundant Life


I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

So far as God is concerned, no difference is made between Christ and us. By pursuing the same course that Jesus took, the same results will follow in our case. Jesus recognised what the Father was to Him in all His life, and so we do not find Him thinking, planning, speaking, acting, or claiming anything for Himself, but leaving all things to His Father. Although Christ has sent us forth, just as He Himself was sent, we, instead of committing everything to God, take matters into our own hands. We are afraid that if we did not, sometimes at least, take the initiative, nothing would be done. Others expect us to take action, and although we do not actually know what is the best thing to do, we feel pressured to do something. The Lord bids us to trust in Him “with all the heart”, and not even “to lean to our own understanding”. 

Christ was dependent on His Father through every step of His life. If God had not given Him the word to speak, it would never have been spoken, for He had none of Himself. If God had not revealed to Him the course to take, nothing would have been done, for He came not to do His own will. Christ “emptied Himself” and if the Father had not filled Him, He would have remained empty. If we acknowledge our Laodicean smugness, confess our own helplessness and emptiness, repent and wait on the Lord at all times, is there any danger that our life record will be a barren one? It was not so with Christ. If we find ourselves in some situation where it might seem that we should speak, and the Lord gives us no word to speak, we are not to conclude that the Lord has overlooked us and decide to take the matter into our own hands, but know that the Lord has nothing for us to say, and that, at that time, silence is golden. Jesus was brought into circumstances that to human eyes, it would seem that every consideration demanded instant and energetic speech, but the Father gave Him nothing to say, and so “He answered not a word”.

Jesus had such confidence in His Father that He could wait for Him to give the right word or act, and the Father was never found wanting. He never disappointed His Son, and He never will disappoint those who “commit their way unto Him”, leaving Him “to will and to do of His own good pleasure”, and who are prepared never to speak another word, perform another act or go anywhere, that does not originate with Him. “They shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” Isaiah 49:23. 

There was nothing in Christ that was not of the Father. Since He lived by the Father, and there was nothing in His life that came from any other source, every thought and word and action was a revelation of God’s way. It is to be the same with all Christ’s followers. It is not possible for Christians to regard this matter with indifference. No one may excuse himself by saying that the standard is too high for anyone to live up to, and no one may think that he will reserve to himself the privilege of thinking his own thoughts and speaking his own words occasionally. Christ draws a sharp line of distinction between those who “deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him”, and those who “love the praise of men” and esteem anything above their Lord. He says, “He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory.” John 7:18. Whoever seeks his own glory cannot receive Christ, for He is meek and lowly in heart. It was for this reason that the Jews could not believe on Christ, and the same difficulty in us, will prove just as fatal. “How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another?” John 5:44. 

In hating Christ, and seeking His life, the Jews showed what was their real feeling towards the Father. They professed themselves very jealous for the honour of Jehovah, because they thought He was altogether such an one as themselves, but when they became acquainted with His true character, as revealed in His Son, many of them hated Him without a cause. They were filled with the murderous spirit of Satan, and at the first opportunity they put the Son of God to death. Satan’s spirit has not changed, and it animates all who do not allow God to think and speak in them. In “seeking their own glory”, they are repeating that which caused Satan’s fall from heaven, and changed him from the covering cherub to the prince of devils. While the professed church of Christ seeks it’s own glory, Satan can do much to further his own plans through its unconscious instrumentality, but when its members become like their Lord, and let God speak and work in them, Satan’s wrath will be speedily aroused against them and he will stir up his followers to destroy the members of Christ’s body. All in whose hearts Christ dwells by faith may know that He by whom they live is the object of Satan’s deadliest hatred, and that they themselves will share his rage, but they may know also that Christ’s perfect victory over all the power of the enemy is theirs as well. 

One of the most remarkable things about Jesus was the way in which He distinguished between right and wrong. Puzzling questions were often brought to Him, but were always solved with such wisdom that they were dumbfounded. We need the same wisdom, the “eyesalve” that He promises, for the traditions of men, false theories, and considerations of expediency have so confused the distinction between right and wrong in men’s minds, that many honestly believe wrong to be right and right to be wrong. Selfish interests always cloud the judgement, and bias the decision, but Christ was swayed by none of these. He sought only the will of God, and listened only to His voice. 

It was never intended that the experience of Jesus, in these matters, should be an exceptional one. God does everything in perfect righteousness because that is the law of His being, and that same law He puts into our hearts. It is perfectly natural for Him to do right, and it will be the same for those who let Him dwell in and write His law in their hearts. They will judge righteous judgment, will speak words in season, and always do the right thing in the right way, because God’s way is in their hearts. God Himself is their Life. They, like Christ, do not need that any man teach them. We are not our own, to do with as we please. He will come in and take complete possession. “Christ demands all”, “He must have entire management of the life”. Whatever appears desirable in the life of Christ, men are called to partake of. He reserves nothing for Himself, but makes all who receive Him joint heirs with Himself. 

It is our thoughts that keep us from God. Those who continue to think their own thoughts will seek Christ in vain, for where He is they cannot come. Am I prepared to say that the old self shall no longer be allowed to have a single thought, however natural;  a word to say – no matter how important it may seem;  a single feeling – however gratifying; not a single wish or work –  however right; or a place to go – no matter how inviting? If you would truly and fully abide in Christ, then prepare yourself to part for ever from self, and not to allow it, even for a single moment, to have anything to say in your inner life, remembering that, “no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work.” If you are willing to permit this, come entirely away out of self, and to allow Jesus Christ to become your life within you, inspiring all your thinking, feeling, acting, in things temporal and spiritual, He is ready to undertake the charge. In the fullest and widest sense the word life ever can have, He will be your life, extending His interest and influence to each one, even the minutest, of the thousand things that make up your daily life. 

Look with holy fear on the enemy, self, struggling to get free from the cross, seeking to allure you into giving it some little liberty, or else ready to deceive you by its profession of willingness now to do service to Christ. Remember, self seeking to serve God is more dangerous than self refusing obedience. Look upon it with holy fear, and hide yourself in Christ: in Him alone is your safety. Abide thus in Him; He has promised to abide in you. He will teach you to be humble and watchful. He will teach you to be happy and trustful. Bring every interest of your life, every power of your nature, all the unceasing flow of thought, and will, and feeling, that makes up life, and trust Him to take the place that self once filled so easily and so naturally. Jesus Christ will indeed take possession of you and dwell in you; and in the restfulness and peace and grace of the new life you shall have unceasing joy at the wondrous exchange that has been made - the coming out of self to abide in Christ alone. 

The life of Christ has shown what humanity can do by being partaker of the divine nature. All that Christ received from God we too may have. COL 149

When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. FLB 113

The impartation of the Spirit is the impartation of the life of Christ. DA 805