James 5:16 "the effectual fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much"
For many years I have been a slothful, lazy, powerless, and aloof Christian. The lack of righteousness and impurity clouded my spiritual gaze. It hampered my peace, my hope, and specifically the effectiveness of my prayers.
However, I have come to learn the antidote to such Christian ineptness: Walking right with the Lord in all ways. Cutting the throat of sin at its very inception before it can take root. "The ax is already at the root of the trees". "Take every thought captive to make it obedient". The power of Christ is only bridled if we do not take an uncompromising approach.
To be righteous is to be right with God. When we are right with God we have put away the things of this world and have put on Christ. In Christ we are able to walk the straight and narrow path. Moreover, we are called to be holy as He is Holy. Meaning we are to set ourselves apart for honorable use. We are to dedicate our lives to the will of the Father. In light of this, we are given power through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that lives in each believer. Those Christians who look to stay right with God are promised as much.
In order to continue in righteousness a believer must submit to the daily task of mortification. The believer must look to the mortification of sin continually throughout each day and start anew on their endeavour. We must put to death the members of our destruction. However, we cannot do this ourself. Only through progessive righteousness brought by the power of the Holy Ghost can such a daunting task be accomplished.
Christian, the freedom bestowed upon us by the cross is much more than salvation, though that would be enough. It is freedom from the current besetting sins that plague our lives. It's freedom from all condemnation because their is no condemnation in Christ. My beloved, if we take serious the calling the Lord has put on our lives then we can unleash the power of God; that He has so freely given to us. The same power that made the heavens and the earth. The same power that parted the red sea and Jordan river. The same power that conquered armies, healed the sick, healed the lame, and raised the dead. That power is in each and every Christian. When I am walking right with the Lord I feel that power. Not my own power, but divine power that can be used for heavenly purposes. Christians, take hold of that power and be effectual followers of Christ. Feel the peace given to a subdued nature. Feel the vigorous life He wants for us all. Develop the gifts of the Spirit that have been hampered by the lusts of this world. Join me and let's enjoy the glory the Lord has willed for us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Sunday, April 26, 2015
The Joy of New Beginnings
After the year of release there is a year of restoration; a year of new beginnings. Though whatever the Lord will severe from our heart may be painful and though there must be a purging. There is always a fresh start right after. There is the unmistakable joy given with a second chance. When we are but dead in our sins we tarry through the night. We carry the weight of the world and the sin that comes with it. However, when Christ tears this out of our heart. When Christ surgically and meticulously slices our old heart out, he is assured to transplant it with a new heart. He gives us a new beginning and a new morning for us to be joyful in.
However, be certain Christian, that you understand that joy is wholly different than happiness. The state of being happy is swayed by emotions. Emotions are as fickle as the man who has them. They can not be trusted and thus are not the litmus test for joy. For even the unbeliever can be happy. Be those that are of the elect and have been adopted of Christ, and were chosen before the formation of the earth can be joyful. Paul writes that all the blessings of the Spirit were bestowed upon us by Christ, and one of the many blessings we can count on is Joy. Joy comes in any state of our life: through the good times, through the bad times, and even through the times of long suffering. Praise be to Jesus that joy comes in the morning no matter what state we are in. For everyday is a blessing and everyday that we are alive in Christ mark it as a day to be joyful. Amen, Amen.
However, be certain Christian, that you understand that joy is wholly different than happiness. The state of being happy is swayed by emotions. Emotions are as fickle as the man who has them. They can not be trusted and thus are not the litmus test for joy. For even the unbeliever can be happy. Be those that are of the elect and have been adopted of Christ, and were chosen before the formation of the earth can be joyful. Paul writes that all the blessings of the Spirit were bestowed upon us by Christ, and one of the many blessings we can count on is Joy. Joy comes in any state of our life: through the good times, through the bad times, and even through the times of long suffering. Praise be to Jesus that joy comes in the morning no matter what state we are in. For everyday is a blessing and everyday that we are alive in Christ mark it as a day to be joyful. Amen, Amen.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
I Esteemed Him Not!
Isaiah 53:3 ESV
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Any of a true believer will confess their genuine outlook on God before that blessed day! Before grace was received by faith through a gift from God, we esteemed Him not. Christ Jesus was knocking at the door, but knowing who was on the other side, I dared not open. With every rap at the door my enmity toward Christ was emboldened. My conviction grew stronger, but alas, He could not be let in. For there was another in my chamber. There was another that dwelled in my sanctuary, and who I could not let the Lord see, as if I could hide my pernicious lust for the world from Him. As if He didn't know who was on the other side. But yet, He still knocked and I esteemed Him not.
I traded His sweet presence for the failing and abhorrent sins of the world because I esteemed Him not. Oh! how dreadful was my state! How brazen were my actions. Neither did I seek His council nor drink of His living word. I esteemed Him not! What a depraved state and helpless bidding I was found in. What was within me? What was worthy? I esteemed him not! I would be a fool to count my deliverance as my own. Until the very day Jesus would harken His grace upon my life and instill the faith needed to except His providential gift, I reviled the thought. How blessed do I look upon a savior who would strive for a wretch like me. I could no more resist His grace once His heavenly bidding was sealed on my heart then I could resist the sin before His heavenly commendation.
Twas Christ who redeemed me and twas Christ who called. Yes, it was Christ who saved me; though, Twas I who was appalled. Surely, it was Christ who is the victor but twas I who became ineffably richer.
He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Any of a true believer will confess their genuine outlook on God before that blessed day! Before grace was received by faith through a gift from God, we esteemed Him not. Christ Jesus was knocking at the door, but knowing who was on the other side, I dared not open. With every rap at the door my enmity toward Christ was emboldened. My conviction grew stronger, but alas, He could not be let in. For there was another in my chamber. There was another that dwelled in my sanctuary, and who I could not let the Lord see, as if I could hide my pernicious lust for the world from Him. As if He didn't know who was on the other side. But yet, He still knocked and I esteemed Him not.
I traded His sweet presence for the failing and abhorrent sins of the world because I esteemed Him not. Oh! how dreadful was my state! How brazen were my actions. Neither did I seek His council nor drink of His living word. I esteemed Him not! What a depraved state and helpless bidding I was found in. What was within me? What was worthy? I esteemed him not! I would be a fool to count my deliverance as my own. Until the very day Jesus would harken His grace upon my life and instill the faith needed to except His providential gift, I reviled the thought. How blessed do I look upon a savior who would strive for a wretch like me. I could no more resist His grace once His heavenly bidding was sealed on my heart then I could resist the sin before His heavenly commendation.
Twas Christ who redeemed me and twas Christ who called. Yes, it was Christ who saved me; though, Twas I who was appalled. Surely, it was Christ who is the victor but twas I who became ineffably richer.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
To Know Christ
Hebrews 11:6 ESV
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
He rewards those who seek Him!
The plight of a Christian is wrapped in the knowledge and understanding that we are saved through faith. This faith is established through an out pouring of Christ's love. However, why is it that we stop short with the knowledge of our saving faith gifted to us by God? "If we draw nigh to God He will draw nigh to us". As a body we have concentrated on and have been steadfast on acquainting and adhering to the doctrine of salvation while neglecting the rewards associated with knowing the fullness of Christ. I do believe and can humbly attest to the monumental difference of knowing who Christ is as a savior, and knowing who Christ is in a deep and personal sort. Oh how I have lacked the sweetness of what Jesus had to offer for so much time. His reward is not just manifested in the eternal and future hope, though this would be good enough for me, but also very much in the present, which abounds with lavish gifts that only he can provide. Oh how beautiful is the landscape of my heart and how glorious is the present to know God. To taste and see is the sweetest reward our gracious maker could ever bestow upon us. Seek His word and pray for such desires and he will give you an insatiable thirst that not even all the world's geysers could quench. Seek earnestly to commune with him in prayer and your heart will be aligned with him straighter than the consultations of the stars. Oh how glorious to know thy God. How glorious it is to see thy glory. Is there a greater reward under heaven? I know of this reward that He speaks of when we seek him, because this reward is all but self evident. There is no greater reward than to have a relationship with Christ.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
He rewards those who seek Him!
The plight of a Christian is wrapped in the knowledge and understanding that we are saved through faith. This faith is established through an out pouring of Christ's love. However, why is it that we stop short with the knowledge of our saving faith gifted to us by God? "If we draw nigh to God He will draw nigh to us". As a body we have concentrated on and have been steadfast on acquainting and adhering to the doctrine of salvation while neglecting the rewards associated with knowing the fullness of Christ. I do believe and can humbly attest to the monumental difference of knowing who Christ is as a savior, and knowing who Christ is in a deep and personal sort. Oh how I have lacked the sweetness of what Jesus had to offer for so much time. His reward is not just manifested in the eternal and future hope, though this would be good enough for me, but also very much in the present, which abounds with lavish gifts that only he can provide. Oh how beautiful is the landscape of my heart and how glorious is the present to know God. To taste and see is the sweetest reward our gracious maker could ever bestow upon us. Seek His word and pray for such desires and he will give you an insatiable thirst that not even all the world's geysers could quench. Seek earnestly to commune with him in prayer and your heart will be aligned with him straighter than the consultations of the stars. Oh how glorious to know thy God. How glorious it is to see thy glory. Is there a greater reward under heaven? I know of this reward that He speaks of when we seek him, because this reward is all but self evident. There is no greater reward than to have a relationship with Christ.
In the image of Adam
Genesis 5:3 ESV
When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
This verse shows a stark and arrant contrast between the creation of the first man (Adam) and the creation of Adam's fallen posterity. When God created Adam, He created him in their image and in their likeness. Meaning Adam was created with the image and likeness of the triune God. However, we see that Seth was made in the image and likeness of Adam. We see that Seth is fully apart of the fallen state which Adam resides. Adam had an inability to propagate anything but a offspring that could bear the likeness of his depraved state. Let us notice that contextually speaking, God clarifies the state of Adam's posterity in Genesis 5 before reading the rest of the descendants of his line, as oppose to mentioning it in Genesis four with his first two sons. This is important because it emphasises what the line of Adam represents. It gives clarity to how the genealogy of mankind got to its current state. Until we are reborn under Christ Jesus, we are of the likeness of Adam, and bear the image of Adam's fallen nature. Once we are born again, we are then reborn unto the likeness of God and bear His image.
When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth.
This verse shows a stark and arrant contrast between the creation of the first man (Adam) and the creation of Adam's fallen posterity. When God created Adam, He created him in their image and in their likeness. Meaning Adam was created with the image and likeness of the triune God. However, we see that Seth was made in the image and likeness of Adam. We see that Seth is fully apart of the fallen state which Adam resides. Adam had an inability to propagate anything but a offspring that could bear the likeness of his depraved state. Let us notice that contextually speaking, God clarifies the state of Adam's posterity in Genesis 5 before reading the rest of the descendants of his line, as oppose to mentioning it in Genesis four with his first two sons. This is important because it emphasises what the line of Adam represents. It gives clarity to how the genealogy of mankind got to its current state. Until we are reborn under Christ Jesus, we are of the likeness of Adam, and bear the image of Adam's fallen nature. Once we are born again, we are then reborn unto the likeness of God and bear His image.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Might be Redeemed?
Titus 2:14 NKJV
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
We see that this verse says "might" instead of "will". Though this flies in the face of universal atonement, lets digress and look at its most simplistic of implications. It says He gave Himself for us, that He "might" redeem us. Well wait a minute, the Lord said "it is finished". What is this "might" redeem us thing all about? One might gloss right over this but we should understand that it authenticates all other scripture.
For grace we have been saved "through faith", for whosoever "believes" in Him will not perish and everyone who "calls" on the name of the Lord will be saved. This "might" is conditional. Though His love, crucifixion, and resurrection for us was an unconditional act. We are saved only through the condition that we except who He is. We must believe that we are in need of a savior and that Jesus is the son of God who came to save us.
Therefore, "He might redeem us", is a conditional statement. We must first empty our self and acknowledge the need of a savior in order to be redeemed. If you have not excepted the Lord yet as your personal savior, then follow me in this prayer:
"Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son. Thank you for bearing the cost of my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross on my behalf and rising again. I see now that I am a sinner and in desperate need of your saving grace. Please live in my heart and start an eternal relationship with me. Please forgive me for all my inequities. From this day forward I will live for you. Abide in me Lord, so I may worship you for all eternity. Amen!"
who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
We see that this verse says "might" instead of "will". Though this flies in the face of universal atonement, lets digress and look at its most simplistic of implications. It says He gave Himself for us, that He "might" redeem us. Well wait a minute, the Lord said "it is finished". What is this "might" redeem us thing all about? One might gloss right over this but we should understand that it authenticates all other scripture.
For grace we have been saved "through faith", for whosoever "believes" in Him will not perish and everyone who "calls" on the name of the Lord will be saved. This "might" is conditional. Though His love, crucifixion, and resurrection for us was an unconditional act. We are saved only through the condition that we except who He is. We must believe that we are in need of a savior and that Jesus is the son of God who came to save us.
Therefore, "He might redeem us", is a conditional statement. We must first empty our self and acknowledge the need of a savior in order to be redeemed. If you have not excepted the Lord yet as your personal savior, then follow me in this prayer:
"Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son. Thank you for bearing the cost of my sins. Thank you for dying on the cross on my behalf and rising again. I see now that I am a sinner and in desperate need of your saving grace. Please live in my heart and start an eternal relationship with me. Please forgive me for all my inequities. From this day forward I will live for you. Abide in me Lord, so I may worship you for all eternity. Amen!"
Righteous Justice!
Why do we so freely except the doctrine of imputation through Jesus Christ but swallow the imputation of Adam like cough syrup? How many have said in their heart that it is unfair for Adam's sin to be reflected on our individual lives? How many have thought that this could not be justice? I know I have had these thoughts. Any critical thinking adult can't help but to at first have these prejudices.
However, out of the same mouth where we are are so freely able to except the propitiation of Jesus Christ, we condemn the other. If we look closely, we can see that it is by the same order, and the same thetical imputation that both were achieved. God's plan has not changed since the very beginning. Who He is today is who is from the beginning. One has always acted on the behalf of many. What should have been justice? Should we have all been on probation from the moment of birth? Or should a grown man full of the spirit and without sin who knew no wrong be our representative?
God in is divine sovereignty knew the simple answer to that question. He knew that the fair thing to do and the just thing to do is have a fully capable man be the federal head of our posterity. Though Adam failed at this just like we all would have, God gave His only Son who He knew would not fail. Who He knew His Son could represent the Father and mankind, and create a new covenant.
Yes, Jesus is known as the last Adam, not the second Adam or the next Adam. This is because when He died on the cross "it was finished". No other representative was needed. He had fulfilled the covenant that man could not keep. He had altruistically took what He did not deserve and fulfilled what God had intended from the beginning. God never changed His intended purpose and God never broke His covenant with Adam. God is immutable and ever faithful. He found a way to save mankind from a covenant they both had made.
No Christian, earthly justice would have been for mankind to suffer the wrath of the first covenant. However, God in His righteous justice found a way to atone for the wrath we so well deserve. Praise you heavenly Father. Praise you for your righteous justice. Praise you for loving us more than we have loved you. There is no evil deed in you. There is only love and I will worship you for eternity because an eternity of worship is the least you deserve. Amen!
However, out of the same mouth where we are are so freely able to except the propitiation of Jesus Christ, we condemn the other. If we look closely, we can see that it is by the same order, and the same thetical imputation that both were achieved. God's plan has not changed since the very beginning. Who He is today is who is from the beginning. One has always acted on the behalf of many. What should have been justice? Should we have all been on probation from the moment of birth? Or should a grown man full of the spirit and without sin who knew no wrong be our representative?
God in is divine sovereignty knew the simple answer to that question. He knew that the fair thing to do and the just thing to do is have a fully capable man be the federal head of our posterity. Though Adam failed at this just like we all would have, God gave His only Son who He knew would not fail. Who He knew His Son could represent the Father and mankind, and create a new covenant.
Yes, Jesus is known as the last Adam, not the second Adam or the next Adam. This is because when He died on the cross "it was finished". No other representative was needed. He had fulfilled the covenant that man could not keep. He had altruistically took what He did not deserve and fulfilled what God had intended from the beginning. God never changed His intended purpose and God never broke His covenant with Adam. God is immutable and ever faithful. He found a way to save mankind from a covenant they both had made.
No Christian, earthly justice would have been for mankind to suffer the wrath of the first covenant. However, God in His righteous justice found a way to atone for the wrath we so well deserve. Praise you heavenly Father. Praise you for your righteous justice. Praise you for loving us more than we have loved you. There is no evil deed in you. There is only love and I will worship you for eternity because an eternity of worship is the least you deserve. Amen!
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