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This book of the bible is frequently and
erroneously
referred to as the start of "The Church, The Body of Christ".
99.44% of fundamental, bible-believing teachers and pastors
embrace this falsity as truth! The fact is, The Book of Acts is
primarily about the unbelief of Israel and God's postponement of
her program.
            
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For though
I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I
preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing
willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a
dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the
gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge,
that I abuse not my power in the gospel. - 1
Corinthians 9:16-18
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REMEMBER,
THE FOUR SYNOPTIC GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS
CHRIST WERE WRITTEN
TO
ISRAEL UNDER THE LAW:
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SINCE
PROPHECY IS SUCH A HOT TOPIC THESE DAYS, DID YOU EVER WONDER WHAT THE
TRIBULATION SAINTS WILL STUDY AFTER THE BODY OF CHRIST IS RAPTURED?
Doctrine
for
The
Tribulation Saints after the rapture of the Body of Christ:
Here Israel is now back at the forefront under the law against the
imminent judgment and earthly return of The Messiah, Jesus Christ.
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1 For this cause I Paul, the
prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If ye have heard of
the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to
you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the
mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye
read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as
it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the
same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the
grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his
power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is
this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men see what is
the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the
world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and
powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the
manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose
which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory -
Ephesians 3:1-13
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Creation From a "Grace"
Perspective - Part IV ....
I have always been
fascinated with the creation story recorded on the pages of
Genesis. However, in Ephesians 1, the apostle Paul mentions
something specifically for today's grace-age saints. The passage
in verses 1 through 6; (especially verse 4) may prompt us towards
further study as we learn about the richness of God's grace
which was planned before the creation account: - RICK
1 Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which
are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be
to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in
heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as
he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus
Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
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In part
three of our series we closely examined the biblical
references to God existing on planet earth prior to
the creation of Adam and Eve. In fact, there are
several scripture references as well as biblical
history detailing angelic activity! We discussed
these events to prove that God had used the earth as
a "Hall of Justice" and He changed His
administrative offices to the 3rd heaven when
Lucifer (who would later become Satan) fell... |
As
reviewed in our last study, we saw numerous accounts of angelic
activity and we closed with the Pre-Incarnate Christ renaming
Jacob to Israel!
This
name change is significant in that "Israel" means "prince".
God made it clear that that He would ordain His own prince
"Israel" to take back the land that Adam usurped over to Satan
when He disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden.
Let's do a quick analysis and
recap of how we got where we are today:
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God in His infinite love,
mercy and wisdom created angels to fellowship with Him and
to be steward's of the vastness He would create.
-
His highest ranking angel
"Lucifer" rebelled against God and wanted to be equal with
God. To add further insult, Lucifer, to be later known as
Satan, convinced one-third of
the angelic host of his plan to rule in opposition of God!
-
God ruled from the very
center of the universe amidst the stones of fire, on the
earth, in the area known as "The Fertile Crescent".
It was from this location that God set up what could be
called a "Hall of Justice" or Heavenly City Hall.
-
When Satan and the
angelic host rebelled against God He vacated His earthly
dominion (which became dark, without form and void) and
created mankind to be the steward of His domain.
-
God the Holy Spirit moved
or hovered over the waters prior to creating a place
suitable for man to exist. One pastor described the word
"moved" in the context of a mother bird brooding over her
young. After creating Adam, He then entrusted stewardship of
the earth to Adam.
-
Although God instructed
Adam and warned him to exercise dominion over a
potential threat, Satan in the disguise of a serpent
deceived Eve. Adam, indifferent to God's instruction sinned
willfully resulting in expulsion from the Garden of Eden!
-
We know that God's
creation, when given the choice to exercise their free will,
sinned against God. His angelic, heavenly creation attempted
to be as equal as God while His earthly creation
mankind thought he was as good as God by knowing what was
better for him!
-
Because of mankind's
rebellion and sin, God could no longer use him in the
capacity of stewardship. The angelic host had given their
heavenly authority to Satan and his demonic host while
mankind gave full reign of the earth to Satan! Please
note that 2/3 of the angelic host did not adhere to Satan's
plan of evil and serve God until this day.
-
Up until this point we
demonstrated throughout scriptures the angelic activity that
had occurred while specifically noting Jacob's encounter as he
saw angels ascending and descending on the earth.
Therefore as God's "prince" Jacob otherwise known as Israel would be God's
chosen nation to win back control of the earth! Please be
reminded that God in his infinite love wants to see his creation
to accomplish His will. Choosing man, who was created "lower than
the angels", would be the perfect choice! This model of God was
communicated to the apostle Paul who echoed the same as noted in
1 Corinthians 1:25-29:
25 Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of
God is stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren,
how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not
many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish
things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen
the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to
bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory
in his presence.
In order for Israel to
succeed it would have to rely solely on God to be its provider,
peace-maker, righteousness, banner and continual presence.
Israel would have to understand its limitations and shortcomings
but as we know since we have all sixty-six books of the bible at
our disposal it failed every test miserably and became
self-sufficient and self-righteous in the process!
After rejecting God
The Father through the beheading of John the Baptist,
rejecting God The Son through the cross and concluding
its utter hatred and rebellion towards God through the rejecting
of God The Holy Spirit at the stoning of Stephen, Israel
already divorced from God (ref. Israel's "whoredom" in
Hosea 1) would be ready for the judgment of God as described in
the prophetic books contained in the Old Testament as well as
the book of The Revelation of Jesus Christ! From God's
viewpoint, Israel would now be set aside without being given
national status or distinction; not even the 1948 edict
proclaiming her to be a nation (since that was ordained by
man
not by God)!
Now, before being
accused of being anti-Semitic I am a Zionist through and through
friends because I believe God is NOT finished with Israel. Not
only do I love Israel because they have guts but since I take
the bible literally I also know that scripture says Messiah will
return. As a matter of fact, I could devote pages and pages of
scripture and study material on what God has planned for His
chosen nation which is for a future time in His plan of events.
I think there is more secret anti-Semitism going on in
the form of religions that believe they have replaced
Israel friends. Even more anti-Semitic in my humble opinion are
those that do not understand the message of the grace of
God (as Christ revealed distinctly to Paul) and reside in many
of our fundamental, protestant denominations proclaiming
to be Judea-Christian while reading themselves into areas of the
bible not meant for them thus stealing promises to and for
Israel alone! With that segue lets talk about the purpose of The
Body of Christ.
To reiterate starting
from God's two-fold purpose in
Genesis 1:1
-
In the beginning God created the heaven and
the earth;
God would deploy free-will
agents to win back the earth (that Adam willingly gave up) AND
the heavens which is where The Body of Christ comes into play.
However, like Israel as a nation, the Body of Christ has failed
every test miserably, become self-sufficient and self-righteous
in the process of reclaiming the heavens for God.
"I
think there is more secret anti-Semitism going on in the form of
religions that believe they have replaced Israel friends.
Even more anti-Semitic in my humble opinion are those that do
not understand the message of the grace of God (as Christ
revealed distinctly to Paul) and reside in many of our
fundamental, protestant denominations proclaiming to be
"Judea-Christian" while reading themselves into areas of the
bible not meant for them thus stealing promises to and for
Israel alone!"
However, like Israel as a
nation, the Body of Christ has failed every test miserably,
become self-sufficient and self-righteous in the process of
reclaiming the heavens for God.
"LOVE WITHOUT HYPOCRISY"
by Russell S. Miller
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor
that which is evil; cleave to that which is good"
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Romans 12:9
The Pauline epistles have much to say about "Love Without
Hypocrisy". The meaning of hypocrisy is simple enough -- playing
a part rather than actually living the part. The television is
clearly an instrument of hypocrisy. The world is full of actors,
all pretending to be somebody they’re not, whereas believers in
Christ ought to be living a true life for our Saviour. The love
with which Timothy’s mother and grandmother cherished him,
however, was most assuredly not produced by Hollywood. What a
testimony his life and character was to the truth of God’s Word.
See II Timothy 1:5:
"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee,
which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother
Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
The word "unfeigned" is translated "without dissimulation" in
Romans 12:9 and "without hypocrisy" in James 3:17. It is also
found in II Corinthians 6:6; I Timothy 1:5; and I Peter l:22.
The word "love", of Romans 12:9, was not produced in Hollywood
either. It is that "love of God" (Rom. 5:5,8; 8:35) that
eternally secures believers in Christ with "all spiritual
blessings in the heavenlies" (Eph. 1:3). But our local
assemblies would do well in "denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts" (Tit. 2:12). This would produce so much more for the
cause of Christ through "His constraining love" (II Cor. 5:14).
If believers of all walks of life would only "be filled with the
Spirit" (Eph.5:18) they would not "fulfil the lust of the flesh"
(Gal.5:16). This is why Paul writes Timothy:
"Now the end of the commandment is charity [agape] out of a pure
heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned [without
hypocrisy]" (I Tim. 1:5).
Peter wrote to the Jewish remnant, "scattered throughout" Asia
Minor, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that
ye love one another with a pure heart fervently" (I Pet. 1:22).
"A pure heart, a good conscience, and unfeigned faith" produces
the kind of true love, that balance in the Christian life, that
brings forth fruit, unto God.
"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh" (Gal.5:16).
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Today's World News
Book of The Month Club:
Philippians 1
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in
Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always
in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident
of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to
think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both
in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all
are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long
after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that
your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere
and without offence till the day of Christ. 11 Being filled with the
fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and
praise of God. 12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the
things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the
furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in
all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in
the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the
word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;
and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not
sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of
love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then?
notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know
that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation
and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all
boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body,
whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and
to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my
labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait
betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is
far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for
you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and
continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That
your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming
to you again. 27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel
of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may
hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind
striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing
terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of
perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it
is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also
to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me,
and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 2
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also
on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to
be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon
him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And
being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath
highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven,
and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you
both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without
murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the
sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse
nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the
word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not
run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 17 Yea, and if I be offered upon
the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you
all. 18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. 19 But I
trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also
may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I have no man
likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek
their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22 But ye know the
proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in
the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I
shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I trust in the Lord that I also
myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you
Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier,
but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed
after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that
he had been sick. 27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had
mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have
sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that,
when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less
sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and
hold such in reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh
unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service
toward me.
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
Philippians 3
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to
you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of
dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3 For we are the
circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 4 Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof
he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of
the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews;
as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the
church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But
what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea
doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the
knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law,
but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which
is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and the power of his
resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made
conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might attain unto the
resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained,
either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend
that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I
count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be
perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God
shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same
thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which
walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have
told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that
it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
Philippians 4
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I beseech Euodias,
and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I
intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers,
whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are
lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which
ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and
the God of peace shall be with you. 10 But I rejoiced in the Lord
greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again;
wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I
speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. 12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how
to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full
and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have
well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye
Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning
giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent
once and again unto my necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I
desire fruit that may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and
abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were
sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable,
wellpleasing to God. 19 But my God shall supply all your need according
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now unto God and our Father
be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
The brethren which are with me greet you. 22 All the saints salute you,
chiefly they that are of Caesar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and
again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto
God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep
your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
-
Philippians 4:4-7
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COFFEE
CORNER
Hymn's That Fell With Satan
"PASS ME NOT"
I
suspect when most readers begin to glance at
this article they will automatically assume that the
thrust of this review will condemn rock & roll songs,
hip-hop or other alternative secular music. No matter
what music we listen to we should examine it's content
and context before making any judgments. I have
found that what would be considered "head-banging"
music by most people (or by spiritual leaders) actually
provides more doctrine and truth then some of the
cherished foundational church hymns.
 Please
note that several of the hymns that we will be looking
at were written around the civil war or decades ago.
Please note this review is not meant to undermine the
difficult times of our country's past or discredit the
character of the authors but instead to simply study
the doctrinal content behind the songs!
Many of the
hymn's we will explore were considered favorite's by
those who have moved onto glory while other's are
accepted as revered favorites. The problem here is that
although they may appear romantic, heartwarming and
sentimental, they contain no doctrinal basis!
I
thought long and hard about what to call this particular
article so I listed some of the other titles that came
to mind but I am sure you get the picture!
Old-time grace preacher
Cornelius Stam who has since moved on
to glory (referring to the songs sung
in many churches today) once said that when Satan fell
from heaven he fell into the choir pit.! I think that is
an excellent evaluation of some of the songs that are
sung by believers today friends. Most do not hold these
songs up to the scrutiny of sound doctrine.
Satan would have us only consider songs written by famous rock groups
to be on this list due to the filth and content
contained in them. Although they appear to be
obvious choices, they must be avoided. Man does not need
Satan's help in this regard for he is depraved in his
own way. Blaming the devil for man's sin was already
done in the garden beloved. But in all fairness; listen to the
words friends. I have heard outstanding rock & roll songs
and country songs that have factual, spiritual life
lessons in them. Just like "religion" many
are led to believe that since anything is labeled
Christian (including music choices) it must be good.
It is my prayer that you will read this article with an
open mind while yielding to the Holy Spirit as a good Berean searching the scriptures to see if those
things be so"!
"PASS ME NOT" -
Words: Fanny Crosby, 1868; first appeared in
Songs of Devotion, by Howard Doane (New York: 1870).
Music: W. Howard Doane, 1870 (MIDI,
score).
Pass me not, O gentle
Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
(Refrain)
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.
(Refrain)
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.
(Refrain)
Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?
(Refrain)
Written by Fanny Crosby in 1868 the hymn "Pass Me Not"
is not the official song of NASCAR as my wife
suggested when I told her about what I was doing.
Instead this revered classic was inspired by a verse in
Genesis 18:3.
As I read the first stanza of this hymn I must decide
from what side of salvation I am to read this from. If
as an unbeliever I am asking God to hear my humble cry
while He is busy in His work for others I am implying
that God is limited in His ability to save to the
uttermost. In addition, by using Genesis 18:3 as a
launching pad for this song I am mixing doctrine in
regards to how God dealt with man in the past (such as
with Abraham) with how He is dealing with man today
through the riches of His grace through Jesus Christ!
Beloved, is it really necessary to "kneel in contrition"
in order to find sweet relief? The Adversary's biggest
advantage over the Body of Christ today is getting them
to focus on unimaginable limits to our salvation! Satan
rejoices when believers beg God for forgiveness again
and again rather than trusting in Christ's all
sufficient cross work through simple faith. Notice how
each "refrain" is reinforced to get into
the minds of listeners to ask God not to "pass me by".
This message clouds what Paul calls "the simplicity that
is in Christ"!
3 But
I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that
cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not
preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have
not received, or another gospel, which ye have not
accepted, ye might well bear with him. -
2 Corinthians 11:3,4
If you think I am being over critical then let's ask
ourselves this question; Is a clear presentation to the
gospel of grace being presented in this hymn (if it is
indeed for an unbeliever)? I think what bothers me most
about this particular hymn is the confusion that it
causes for someone who has thought of themselves as a
believer. Friends, life is full of heartache,
disappoint, death and doubt...I will not argue that.
But, none of those facts should cause us to doubt our
unchanging, magnified, glorified justified position in
Christ Jesus! From we know that Romans 8 tells us:
For I
am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -
Romans 8:38,39
"Satan rejoices when believers beg God for forgiveness
again and again rather than trusting in Christ's all
sufficient, all inclusive, up-front, cross work through
simple faith."
It has been my experience that many teachers re-state
again and again the salvation message almost challenging
believers as to whether or not they are
really saved. In similar fashion I feel as if the hymn
above is prompting believers to question thier
salvation. Nowhere in Paul's epistles do we ever
see the apostle questioning someone salvation based on
their conduct due to sin. he may challenge their
understanding of grace, but never do we see him question
their salvation or get them to think along those lines.
ALL FOR US
by
Cornelius R. Stam
Have you ever thought
how much God has done “for us” in Christ?
-
In Romans 8:32 we
read that to save us from sin, God “spared not His own Son,
but delivered Him up FOR US all”.
-
In Titus 2:14 we are
told that Christ “gave Himself FOR US, that He might redeem
us from all iniquity…
-
In Romans 5:8 the
Apostle declares that “while we were yet sinners, Christ
died FOR US”.
-
Galatians 3:13 says
that Christ was “made a curse FOR US”.
Hebrews
9:12 states that “He entered…into the holy place [the presence
of the Father], having obtained eternal redemption FOR US”. And
if we trust Him for this “eternal redemption” we may read
further in Hebrews 9:24 that “Christ is not entered into the
holy places made with hands…but into heaven itself, now to
appear in the presence
of God FOR US”. Romans 8:34 asks who can condemn the believer in
Christ, since HE [the Lord Jesus Christ] is now “at the right
hand of God” and “maketh intercession FOR US”.
Hebrews 6:20 declares that our Lord entered the Father's
presence “FOR US” as our “Forerunner”. Hebrews 10:19,20
therefore encourages believers to come to God in prayer: “Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to ENTER into the holiest by the
blood of Jesus...a new and living way, which He hath consecrated
FOR US…”.
Just
think how much God has done FOR US in Christ! He delivered His
beloved Son to death FOR US, Christ gave Himself FOR US, died
FOR US, became a curse FOR US, intercedes FOR US, entered heaven
FOR US as a Forerunner, and consecrated “a new and living way”
into God's presence FOR US, so that we may “come boldly unto the
throne of grace” to “obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need” (Heb.4:16). “If God be FOR US, who can be against
us” (Rom.8:31)?
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been revoked".
Joe
knew that this could be a major problem in that he would not be able
to get his work completed without access to area XYZ! However, after
further review of the e-mail, the man quickly discovered that he was
not the intended recipient but instead "copied" or "cc'd" as a
reference only! As it turns out, a collogue of his was the man who lost
his access! Joe, as the superintendent of area XYZ, simply needed to
be aware of this. For a brief moment, Joe confused his TO
mail with his CC mail. Not understanding that distinction for
those brief seconds after reading the message caused severe anxiety for
Joe until he realized the message was indeed TO someone else!
In a much similar example, when
we
read the bible, identifying our TO
mail is very important lest
we make the same fundamental mistake as the person above. Without
understanding the distinction between our "to" mail and our
"cc" or our "reference only" mail, believers inadvertently
"read themselves" into areas of the bible that God did not intend.
The result when this happens: confusion!
(see
