HOLY IS HIS NAME ROSS SMITH

September 22, 2015September 22, 2015 Ross Smith

HOLY IS HIS NAME, AN INTRODUCTION TO:-

“THE REVERENT FEAR AND WORSHIP OF THE LORD” ROSS SMITH 14092014

PART 1 REVERENT AND WORSHIPFUL FEAR

My attention for many months now has been drawn to the subject of “Wisdom” with its demands and consequences and I have spent some time in the study of “The Factor of Eight” or “spiritual fatness” wherein we have looked at the attributes of wisdom so that we begin to understand the characteristics we will be afforded when we “Ask for Wisdom”. (or God’s ETHOS) But there is a key!!!

KEYS = OPPORTUNITIES

This new awareness of what Wisdom was comprised of was cause for some excitement due to the fact that all the components are attainable (see JAMES 3:17 for the characteristics of wisdom … comments mine) albeit at some significant cost. Also, the progress of our accumulation of Wisdom could be measured by the “pricks and goads” that impinged on our daily activity and how we responded.

And so it was with some inquisitive inward urging, initiated I imagine by ambition and determination to reach the goal that Father was setting before us, I was anxious as to how long it would take me to embrace the “Ethos” or that character of God cloaked as “Wisdom”.

It was then I came upon these two verses in Psalm 111 which began to clarify the cause of delay in my qualifying to have a life of contrast (Ephesians 5:11) which would “expose reprove and convict”, and I realised with some great degree of embarrassment that my “knowledge” about “Wisdom” was lacking some “Understanding”.

This then is the complete opposite of:-

2 Timothy 3:9 But they will not get very far, for their rash folly will become obvious to everybody, as was that of those [magicians mentioned].

We have been exposed to the truth of God’s word for an extended period of the necessity for “The Reverential and Worshipful Fear of the Lord”. The attainment or development of this personality trait, which is to intensify into a lifestyle, contains a key that I now need to understand. (I have appended some numbers for clarity sake)

Psalm 111:9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His (3) covenant to be forever; (1)HOLY IS (2)HIS NAME, (4) inspiring awe, (5)reverence, and godly fear.

Let us save this next verse for use later on when we have grasped the intention of verse 9.

Psalm 111:10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM AND SKILL (skill as “intelligence … comments mine … see study “Knowledge and Understanding”) [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and (6)MEANING have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. THEIR PRAISE (or ”RECOGNITION”, this constitutes an imperative … comments mine) of Him endures forever. (Notice that praise precedes petitions …. Comments mine)

Verse 9 contains several important issues,

(1) HOLY (2) HIS NAME (3) HIS COVENANT (4) INSPIRATION (5) RESULT (6) CONSEQUENCES

So: – Is His name “HOLY” ) The answer lies in understanding HOLY

Is He called “HOLY?” )

Here is the KEY that I have overlooked for some reason, maybe because now is the time to evidence the truth of the matter and not just accumulate the knowledge. Firstly let us look at the conditions under which we are afforded that “awe, reverence, and godly fear”, and begin to understand the importance of these 2 verses, because in verse 10 we have the sequel.

Before I proceed I would like to nominate what I see as the “ORDER OF PROGRESSION” that seems to me to be Father’s pattern

Firstly, to grasp AT LEAST SOME CONCEPT of His “Inconceivable Greatness” which spontaneously leads to “Unlimited Expectation” or Faith

Then, Holy is His Name, same as #1 Psalm 111:9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; holy is His name, inspiring awe, reverence, and godly fear.

This will INSPIRE “Awe and Reverential fear” (see #2 above)

This Awe and reverential fear is “The Beginning of Wisdom” or Gods “Ethos” or Character. Psalm 111:10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom and skill [the preceding and the first essential, THE PREREQUISITE and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

The procurement of Wisdom proceeds to Knowledge and Understanding (called “insight”)

Proverbs 4:11 I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness. (This is another form of “righteousness” or “in right manner”)

The combination of all these steps will bring us into that state of “HOLINESS”, which in reflection is in fact #1, and “without which no one shall see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14) (This “INSIGHT” is actually a developing awareness of “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”)

In this state, the state of “Unlimited Expectation”, we will think like God thinks and act like God acts, with the added bonus for those who require it “You shall ask what you will and it shall be done”. John 15:7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] (aware of His inconceivable greatness … comments mine) and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, (this is in essence “contemplation or meditation … comments mine) ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. (because we will know His will by His indwelling character or ethos or wisdom)

Recently it was drawn to our attention:-

2Corinthians 4:6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light FOR THE ILLUMINATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MAJESTY AND GLORY OF GOD (or as I now begin to understand it as His “Inconceivable Greatness”)

Verse 7 concludes:-

That the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power (or in terms I understand, “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”) may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. (It is known as “a life of contrast” as in EPHESIANS 5:11)

Recapping firstly, we have understood that “Holiness” was in fact “Wholeheartedness”, and that is correct, but that principle or description is now inadequate due to added “knowledge”, but now we understand that this HOLINESS has to be EVIDENCED, and that evidence will be in “Awe and Reverential Fear”.. The encouragement of the Lord over recent months has been that He requires us to seek Him “WITH OUR WHOLE HEART”, and I am sure we have accepted the challenge but neglected the task, because we don’t really understand or realise what “HOLY” means and how fundamental it is to our development.

An Encyclopedia tries to clarify “HOLY”:-

HOLY, from ‘intact, complete’, not only undamaged, but invulnerable, untouchable, but also completely good, ethical and morally perfect. The roots of the term reach to the Roman cult, where it means “taken away from common usage”, used for higher purpose (sacer, sanctus), partly in the Old Testament, where the term (kadosch), spoken of God, means his difference from anything terrestrial, his incomparableness and loftiness, and means “belonging to God” (INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS … comment mine)

When it says “He has commanded His covenant”, (PSALM 119:9) what is He referring to? Well the covenant of circumcision has been overturned, and also that covenant at Sinai which Moses brought down from the mountain, neither of which were forever; but He is referring to the covenant of grace made with Christ, and which carries the stamp of eternity; it is everlasting, sure, and can never be removed; its blessings and promises are forever, it will never be revoked. This covenant has been established through “HOLY IS HIS NAME” or as we know Him “JESUS” (or our “salvation”)

How fortunate are we to live under that covenant, where atonement was made once and redemption continues daily, in fact new every morning, (Lamentations 3:22-23) but carries with it the responsibility to recognise the Holiness of the One Who accomplished this access for us, and now clearly lays out the route that will lead us into that elevated and rarefied atmosphere where God or Wisdom dwells.

Psalm 25:14 ……… “SHOW them His covenant”……. (This is not just “tell” them about it, we get to see the real thing)

Two things are obvious,

(a) How important HIS NAME is and

(b)How important that we know how HOLY is His name (Combined they equal His Sovereignty, His “Inconceivable Greatness)

“Holy is His Name.” This is a Judaistic expression and “His Name” was different to that which we understand. To the Jews “God” was a unique spiritual absolute Being. To us today, God exists in relations, “our Father”, “His children”, “My people”, et cetera. So where the Jews respected his name out of superstition, we respect Him out of love.

A lack of love suggests a lack of “Reverence”, or “Recognition”, and irreverence leads to disobedience, as the Word says, “If you love Me keep My commandments”. (John 14:15) (See study “Consequences of Irreverence”)

Psalm 112:1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be ENVIED) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights GREATLY in His commandments. (How similar is this to Psalm 111:10?)

Isaiah 66:5 Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word:

You will recall a statement that went like this “PETITIONS DO NOT HAVE WINGS OF THEIR OWN, THEY ARE CARRIED TO GOD ON PINIONS OF PRAISE”.

This is what I find interesting from the above PSALM, and what confirms the “progression”. The “PRAISE” IS SPONTANEOUS because of our RECOGNITION OF “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”, and then follows “the man who fears, reveres and worships”. We will never truly worship until we begin to grasp His Inconceivable Greatness (“I/G”)

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God (1)REQUIRE (not ask, but REQUIRE .. comments mine) of you but [REVERENTLY] TO (2)FEAR the Lord your God, [that is] to (3)walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with ALL your (4)[MIND and] (5)HEART and with your ENTIRE BEING, (This is “Wholeheartedness or Holiness ….. and then we will have “MEANING” as in Psalm 111:10)

Here are the numbers to relate to above:-

(1) Require (2)Thought processes (3)Attitudes (4)Behaviour (5)That is, our lives, our “entire being” (which will “expose, reprove and convict”)

So we need to define “Holy”, both because HE IS HOLY but He REQUIRES of us that we be holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. ((Can I be so bold as to suggest that we have only known this in theory, but now it has to become reality?)

No beating around the bush here, Peter gets right in our face! What does this entail, how do I comply with this injunction?

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, ISRAEL, WHAT DOES THE LORD YOUR GOD REQUIRE OF YOU but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with YOUR ENTIRE BEING,

Micah 6:8 HE HAS SHOWED YOU, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord REQUIRE OF YOU but to do justly, and to love kindness and mercy, and to humble yourself and walk humbly with your God? (or begin to understand his “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS)

There is another important key here, and that is “To humble yourself and walk humbly”. This action will lead us into that place of qualification specified in JAMES 4:10 below.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

If we begin to understand the “ENORMITY” of our God, we will almost certainly shrivel in anything that is of self, BUT THIS IS A REQUIREMENT if we are to occupy the plan He has ordained for us.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, (how else would we feel in His presence, even that one most eloquent with a pen, the Psalmist, a man who had an incredible concept of God, wrote “Psalm 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; I am the scorn of men, and despised by the people.” .. comments mine) and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives SIGNIFICANT]. (relate that to “HAVE MEANING” as in PSALM 111:10)

IT IS FROM “NOTHING” TO SOMETHING”, IT IS FROM “GLORY TO GLORY”, IT IS “FROM DEATH TO LIFE”, IT IS “FROM PAUPER TO PRINCE”, IT IS “FROM SLAVE TO SON”, FROM “WRETCHEDNESS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS”, “FROM INFANCY TO INTIMACY”.

HUMILITY is not an intrinsic quality … our level of humility is in proportion to our knowledge, or concept, of God. NOTHING IS MORE POWERFUL ABOUT HUMILITY THAN THE INCREASED FREEDOM TO WORSHIP, something we need to practice here if we want to do it “there”. The angels spend all day worshiping because they are totally aware of Gods Greatness.

External observances can be enforced, but Awe, Reverence and Godly Fear cannot be forced, it has to be spontaneous, springing out of recognition of His “Inconceivable Greatness”. (Refer to Philippians 3:3) (no confidence in the flesh)

How can we worship without recognition, and how can we obtain recognition without contemplation?

Ephesians 4:23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],

It is interesting to note that “HOLINESS” does not have characteristics of bacteria or a virus, you can’t pass it on to someone just because you were with them, it is nothing like EBOLA. Let me show you:-

Haggai 2:12-13 If one carries in the skirt of his garment flesh that is holy [because it has been offered in sacrifice to God], and with his skirt or the flaps of his garment he touches bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any kind of food, does what he touches become holy [dedicated to God’s service exclusively]? And the priests answered, NO! [HOLINESS IS NOT INFECTIOUS.] Then said Haggai, If one who is [ceremonially] unclean because he has come in contact with a dead body should touch any of these articles of food, shall it be [ceremonially] unclean? And the priests answered, It shall be unclean. [UNHOLINESS IS INFECTIOUS.]

NOTE, HOLINESS is a very personal thing, you can’t “catch it” or “transmit it”, but “UNHOLINESS” is highly contagious)

Here is a very simple test of how “HOLY” or sterile we are, for if we have not been immunised against infection by our holiness, then the very people we associate with can and will pass on their “Spiritual Ebola”. Why do I use the example of Ebola and how does it relate spiritually? I cite a medial reference:-

“Ebola spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids OF INFECTED PEOPLE, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids.” (You can even catch it or become infected if you engage with their environment, even just the surface!!!!) Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks. Raising awareness of risk factors for Ebola infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission. (How interesting that “community engagement” or “fellowship” is so important, together with all that infers, “awareness, protective measures” to prevent “UNHOLY INFECTION”)

1 Corinthians 15:33 (AMP) Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (CEV) Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ISV) Stop being deceived: “Wicked friends lead to evil ends.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 (LITV) Do not be led astray; bad companionships ruin good habits.

Hebrews 12:14 Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and HOLINESS WITHOUT WHICH no one will [ever] see the Lord. (No room for compromise)

A WARNING, BECAUSE UNHOLINESS IS INFECTIOUS, CHECK WHO YOU ARE LISTENING TO …. DON’T SIT IN THE SAME PLACE AS THE SCORNFUL (PSALM 1:1)

Those who are expecting to be saved, WITHOUT HOLINESS, are destined to certain disappointment. This Scripture imposes further strict conditions, in that we need to cause Holiness in others.

Ceremonially By official actions

Ministerially By teaching and exhortation

Individually By example

1 Peter 1:15 But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy IN ALL YOUR CONDUCT AND MANNER OF LIVING. (Or as a mirrored reflection of His nature, and by avoiding contaminating influences … comments mine)

John 17:17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Or vaccinate them by your HOLY WORD, make them impervious to infection)

WITHOUT CONCENTRATED STUDY WE RISK MISSING THE TRUTH.

The word “Sanctified” proposes separation as being the fact, not just a profession. Sanctified or separated or saints, are basically all the same thing and simply means “dying to self”. The original Greek puts it like this:-

Hagiasmos hag-ee-as-mos’

From G37; properly purification, that is, (the state) purity; concretely (by Hebraism) a purifier: – holiness, sanctification.

When people refuse or neglect to study the Word of God then this imposes a great restriction on their ability to attain to Holiness, and inhibits the Lord from implementing the first part of this verse, because he would not be able to separate them for Himself. The only way Father can “make us holy” is “by the truth”. (Hebrews 2:11, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 13:12 – BBE VERSION)

The Old Testament specified the procedures for those who would assume Ministry or serve in the Temple, and the consequences of failure.

Exodus 29:37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it [set it apart for God]; and the altar shall be most holy; whoever or whatever touches the altar must be holy (set apart for God’s service).

THE STORY OF UZZAH in 2 Samuel 6 identifies the consequences of not sticking to the rules, it ruined David’s parade and finished Uzzah’s day!!!

So I ask myself the question, Can I be holy and act normally? The conclusion reached readily is that I AM CURRENTLY ACTING ABNORMALLY because I was created in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:27)

SO TO ACT “NORMALLY” IS TO BE HOLY!!!!

Old Testament often carried a different emphasis on the term “Holy” for it required abstinence from certain foods, recognition of special days, regulations regarding washing and bathing, demands for sacrifice, and the list goes on. But the “NEW COVENANT” has a completely different emphasis on “Holy”.

Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God REQUIRE of you but [reverently] to FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being,

And so as we proceed we know that “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord” is an ABSOLUTE REQUIREMENT and that it is the “beginning of Wisdom”, but now the additional clarity from PSALM 111:9 says that we can have this characteristic, which will lead to wisdom, if we understand and apply “HOLY”, because it “inspires awe, reverence, and godly fear.”

Psalm 111:10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord (This is the “KEY” that unlocks the door to Wisdom) is THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM AND SKILL [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever. (See study “Purposeful Prayer”)

This verse in Psalm 111 sets the ground rules for our procuring “WISDOM”, I say “procuring” because we are adjured to ASK FOR IT. But there is a previous step which is “THE REVERENT FEAR AND WORSHIP”, and see how fundamental it is —- “the preceding, first essential, prerequisite, alphabet,” in other words it is saying that “fear and worship” spells it out – the alphabet, the A to Z of our character (ethos or Wisdom) and our success (skill)

So now we need to delve into what is “HOLY”, how do I become “HOLY”, what can I expect if I am “HOLY”, in fact enough area to study to keep us busy for some time. And why is it so important to understand it, because PSALM 111 says “It INSPIRES (I will return to this word later, but in the meantime it is beneficial to remember it and also “SELAH”) awe, reverence and Godly fear” So first the Hebrew meaning:-

H6198 (from H6942); sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary: – holy (One), saint.

H6942 A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): – appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

Now this only leaves me as wise as I was before I looked at the Hebrew, so I need to get insight into what it means for me today. Despite biblical admonitions for holiness, the vast majority of those who claim Christianity as their faith have little or no concept of what it means.

What we have is a body of Christians who attend church and read the Bible, but do not understand the concept or significance of holiness, don’t personally desire to be holy, and therefore do little, if anything, to pursue it… To align our hearts with the notion of being holy, we must move away from a ‘cheap grace’ theology, the hypocritical hope, and replace people’s self-absorption with an acute focus on God and His ways, and most importantly “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”.

The New Testament Greek for holy is “hagios” and Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance translates “hagios” into the English words “sacred, blameless and consecrated”. Does this now require that we have a good hard look at ourselves:-

(1) To step back from the “profane”,

(2) To behave in such a way that no justified censure can be issued against us, and

(3) Lastly to be unambiguously, tirelessly, unswervingly, consistently, remarkably, and “WHOLEHEARTEDLY” set apart for God.

Can we do this I ask, I have to work, I have to look after “whatever”, my time is so incredibly consumed in the demands placed upon me, just how can I be “SET APART FOR GOD”?

Let us return to the premise established at the outset,

Psalm 111:9 He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant to be forever; HOLY IS HIS NAME, INSPIRING AWE, REVERENCE, AND GODLY FEAR.

Psalm 111:10 The reverent fear and worship of the Lord is THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM AND SKILL [the preceding and the first essential, the prerequisite and the alphabet]; a good understanding, wisdom, and meaning have all those who do [the will of the Lord]. Their praise of Him endures forever.

So the basis OR THE “KEY” I need to embrace with all my heart is to DEVELOP HOLINESS and that requires of me that I live in perpetual awareness and consciousness of Him and His presence, HIS “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS” at all times. To do this I have to adopt any and every method that will keep me aware and alert to His nature versus my nature, and make the necessary adjustments right there and then. I NEED TO CONTEMPLATE GOD AT ALL TIMES. We cannot wait for these “habits” to develop, we have to create the environment, the “mechanics”, the checks and balances that will support our determination to attain to that lofty height which constitutes “THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM” and then be meticulous in acceptance and reflection of His character.

HOW HOLY IS HOLY?

Isaiah 6:3 And one (Seraphim) cried to another and said, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!

Ezekiel 1:5 And out of the midst of it came the likeness of four living creatures [or cherubim]. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man,

Revelation 4:8 And the four living creatures, (I assume that this is the same “creature referred to in Ezekiel as a Cherubim as above) individually having six wings, were full of eyes all over and within [underneath their wings]; and day and night they never stop saying, HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is the Lord God Almighty (Omnipotent), Who was and Who is and Who is to come.

The only attribute of God that is mentioned three times is apparently His predominant attribute, that of being “HOLY”. He is not just holy, but He is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. In Jewish liturgy, when something is incredibly important, it is mentioned twice. Jesus does this when He says something twice like “verily, verily” but this is also signifies great intimacy when He repeats someone’s name twice like Moses, Moses; Abraham, Abraham; Saul, Saul…but when something is mentioned three times in a row, it is off the charts in importance and this is why of all the attributes of God, He is HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. That is the greatest emphasis that can be put on anything or anyone in Scripture and this is telling us that this is the most important thing about God. God is holy, holy, holy. This is the only attribute of God that is mentioned in the Scriptures three times!

PART 2 “HIS NAME”

But now let us reflect on the second component of this requirement, that is “HIS NAME” This is an area that requires a special insight and we all need to be able to study this assiduously so that we can experience the result, that is, having the “awe, reverence, and godly fear” and the evidences that follow.

We will see the “Name’s” significance in that it was:

Given by the Father.

Borne by the Son

Revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:9-10 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, That in (at) the NAME OF JESUS every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I am inclined to parallel two terms together here, for I am having difficulty segregating one from the other, and those two terms are: _

“HIS NAME” and “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”. Just because I cannot define “HIS NAME” in measureable terms I find it appropriate to look for another description that although still immeasurable, conjours up or stimulates a propensity to “CONTEMPLATE GOD”, or to ponder the facts that the Word establishes to confirm His “INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS”. If I grasp this, then I will be filled with “awe, reverence, and godly fear” and be inspired by HOLY IS HIS NAME as PSALM 119:9 states and be well positioned to evidence “WISDOM”, or the ethos of God.

There is a difference between “HIS NAME” and “HE SHALL BE CALLED”. One defines Who He is and the other defines His Character. You will recall in:-

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and HIS NAME SHALL BE CALLED Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.

These “attributes” are not “HIS NAME” as such, they are HIS TITLE. And his name shall be called – That is, his attributes shall be such as to make all these applications appropriate descriptions of his power and work. To be called, and to be, in the Hebrew, often mean the same thing.

NOTE…. Psalm 25:14 The secret [of the sweet, satisfying COMPANIONSHIP] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, (the result of understanding HOLY IS HIS NAME IN PSALM 119; 9 … comments mine) and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.

Part of this “companionship” is due to the fact that God now calls us “HIS FRIENDS”, and as such He wants to expose us to His intimate discussions with The Father.

John 15:15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.]

This is a similar exposure of Father’s heart and mind as declared to Moses in:-

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!

Isaiah 11:2-3 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord– And shall make Him of quick understanding, and His delight shall be in the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord. And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears;

It is important to note the enormous emphasis placed on “HIS NAME” throughout Scripture. It is clearly defined that to be “saved” one must call on “His Name”, and therefore “His name” is the basis, the foundation, the initiation of Holiness.

Acts 2:21 And it shall be that whoever shall call upon THE NAME OF THE LORD [INVOKING, ADORING, AND WORSHIPING the Lord–Christ] shall be saved. (I think I can safely replace the above expression with “reverence and fear” which requires acknowledgement of JESUS CHRIST’S NAME… comments mine)

IN A NUTSHELL, RECOGNISING HIS NAME AND WHAT HE IS!

Romans 10:13 For everyone who calls upon THE NAME OF THE LORD [invoking Him as Lord] (Both recognition and understanding required … comments mine) will be saved.

You cannot say “No Lord”, because if we say “no”, He is no longer Lord!!!

HIS NAME is not only what we call upon but were called by.

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church (assembly) of God which is in Corinth, to those consecrated and purified and made holy in CHRIST JESUS, (the recognition and acceptance of HIS NAME … comments mine) [who are] selected and CALLED to be saints (God’s people), together with all those who in any place call upon and give honor to THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BOTH THEIR LORD AND OURS:

If now we revert to Old Testament examples and look at Exodus 3:13–14, we see that Moses asked a very pertinent question, “What do I tell them your name is?” This was important because the Israelites had to be sure that whoever it was that Moses was taking orders from could be identified. They were questioning Moses empowerment.

So important was this moment, for God said in Exodus 3 verse 15 “This is the name I am to be remembered to ALL GENERATIONS. So the “I AM WITH MOSES” is the same as “I AM IN THE MIDST”. The New Testament reinforces this sentiment by stating: –

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). We can correlate here that which was said to Moses that His name would be relevant to “ALL GENERATIONS”

Exodus 3:14 is effusive in the description of God, describing him as: –

Eternal )
Uncaused )
Unconditioned )
Independent )
Self-sufficient )

Exodus 3:15 “And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE;” I think the Amplified Version amplifies the meaning so beautifully so as to leave us in no doubt, and speaks in “absolutes”. If there is still any confusion the Apostle John clarifies it succinctly in: –

Revelation 1:4 John to the seven assemblies (churches) that are in Asia: May grace (God’s unmerited favor) be granted to you and spiritual peace (the peace of Christ’s kingdom) FROM HIM WHO IS AND WHO WAS AND WHO IS TO COME, and from the seven Spirits [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] before His throne,

Verse 8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all). (Whichever expression you choose, He comes out supreme no matter where we are, or where we place Him on the scale, and this recognition will evidence itself in our total reverence for God)

Whatever opinions are adopted as to the correct form of the name and other grammatical and philological questions, there is no doubt that it mainly REVEALS GOD AS SELF-EXISTENT AND UNCHANGEABLE IN THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST.

Philippians 2:9-11 Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (for some this recognition and acknowledgement, the “bowing and confessing” may come too late!!!)

The name of God is holy because God is holy. He has chosen a people to bear His name and has promised to make them holy for the glory of His name. Through this, testimony will be born to all the nations of God’s person and attributes.

“THE NAME” is a presence and a power of the “reality” of that which is named, and that “THE NAME” somehow reveals the very being and substance and presence and action of the “reality”.

Isaiah 47:4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is HIS NAME, the Holy One of Israel. (KJV)

“As for our redeemer”, the One and Only Jesus Christ in New Testament terms

“He is the Lord of hosts”, that is He has all the creatures at his command, and therefore has all power both in heaven and in earth.”

“He is the Holy One of Israel”, a God in covenant with us, who has his residence among us, and will faithfully perform all the promises he has made to us

How all-encompassing is this expression of the Prophet Isaiah.

Holiness is a promise that is based, not on the merit of fallen man, not on the sincere intentions of Christians, but on the holiness of God Himself. God will make His people holy for His name’s sake. In so doing, HIS NAME WILL BE HONORED AMONG THE NATIONS and the testimony of His righteous acts will be born before all.

Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, MY NAME WILL BE GREAT AMONG THE NATIONS, and in every place incense is going to be offered to My name, and a grain offering that is pure; for My name will be great among the nations,’ says the Lord of hosts.

He is conceived in the “BEGINNINGLESS PAST” and extends to “THE VANISHING POINT”. So the Jews respected His name out of superstition, whereas we respect Him out of love.

NEW CHRISTIANS LESSON #2 “THE CORRECTION” ROSS SMITH

September 15, 2015September 15, 2015 Ross Smith

THE CORRECTION

We have studied along the details of THE CRASH and found that man fell from his position of trust and relationship with God and the noise and effects of that crash are still being felt and heard today.

But thank God there was a remedy. Father God had provided THE CORRECTION of this sad state of man, and His provision is complete and awesome in its effect, for through THE CORRECTION mankind can be restored into relationship with God, and through communion with Him again enjoys the elevated position of sons.

There is an important principle established in the Word of God, and that is:-

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).

In the Garden of Eden, when man was still pure, he had the freedom of choice, to follow God’s instructions or to ignore them. As we know, he went the wrong way and ushered in spiritual death.

1John 5:19 We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one.

Herein lies the difference. Whereas God created only one class of man, now there are two. We know how the class of those under the power of the evil one occurred, but now we will explore how we were recovered from that state.

Man was utterly incapable of correcting THE CRASH and so there had to be one who was superior and greater than Satan, for the best of humanity at that time had sealed the fate of the entire human race, and consequently if there was to be a change it would have to be brought about by dramatic means.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive.

NO MERE MAN COULD REDEEM HUMANITY

We need firstly to understand the term REDEEM.

The simplest meaning is to regain possession by paying a price. A second meaning is to set free or ransom. The dictionary recognises a third and most important meaning and that is to rescue from sin and its penalties.

So REDEMPTION or THE CORRECTION demands more than God merely forgiving us our sins, for although God should forgive the sin of Adam and all other men, MAN’S REDEMPTION WOULD NOT BE TOUCHED. The power and authority of sin over the life of a man would still remain. It would be necessary for man to be continually granted forgiveness for his sins, but without any correction to his state.

Let us see what the situation was like.

Hebrews 10:1 FOR SINCE the Law has merely a rude outline (foreshadowing) of the good things to come–instead of fully expressing those things–it can never by offering the same sacrifices continually year after year make perfect those who approach [its altars].

Hebrews 10:2 For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin.

Hebrews 10:3 But [as it is] these sacrifices annually bring a fresh remembrance of sins [to be atoned for],

All these sacrifices did was to atone (make amends, expiate, make up for) for the sin, but they could not remove the sin. The relationship between God and man was still broken and forgiveness alone could not restore that relationship. THERE HAD TO BE MORE.

REDEMPTION HAS TO BE MORE THAN FORGIVENESS.

THE CORRECTION has to include the giving of a new nature, and the only source of a nature suitable to make such a correction, was the nature of God. WE HAVE TO BE DELIVERED FROM THE AUTHORITY OF SATAN.

Colossians 1:13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

What man needed in CORRECTION was to have LIFE, for now he had death. Before that could happen God had to make it legally possible for us to be free from the nature of Satan.

We use the term salvation to describe what THE CORRECTION is all about.

It means:-

Saved from the power of Satan
Saved from the power of the flesh
Saved from the power of sin

SALVATION – The state of being saved from sin and its consequences.

There are other words or expressions that are used to describe THE CORRECTION, and so that we do not become confused we will look at these also.

REGENERATION

Being invested with new and higher spiritual nature
Having more vigorous life breathed into you.
Passing from death to life.

NEW BIRTH

This comes from John 3v3 which says

John 3:3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.

Every person needs the provisions of THE CORRECTION, but there are some who feel that they do not need to accept these provisions. These are the ones who feel they already live a good life. They don’t do anything really wrong, no bad habits etc etc. But the Bible doesn’t give any excuse even to people who seem to be good.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 64:6 For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favour, hurrying us toward destruction].

HOW DO WE BECOME CONVINCED OF OUR NEED OF CHRIST?

We ask questions that the Bible has to answer.

1 Is there anyone who has not sinned?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.

1John 1:8 If we say we have no sin [refusing to admit that we are sinners], we delude and lead ourselves astray, and the Truth [which the Gospel presents] is not in us [does not dwell in our hearts].

The only person that never sinned was Jesus and this is the reason He could pay the price for us.

2 Aren’t good people an exception?

Romans 3:23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honour and glory which God bestows and receives.

Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

Luke 18:19 Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? No one is [essentially and perfectly morally] good–except God only.

3 What about people who always seem to do good?

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all.

Have you ever seen how sheep follow each other?

4 If we are sinners how do we know God really loves us?

Romans 5:8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

John 15:13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

Fortunately we have received THE CORRECTION.

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through His blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offenses (shortcomings and trespasses), in accordance with the riches and the generosity of His gracious favour,

1Peter 1:18 You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,

1Peter 1:19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

Gold is the only material that does not degenerate. It is valuable because of its beauty, softness, resistance to chemicals and density.

It is ductile, malleable, castable and does not tarnish, and yet all this value is incomparable with the value of God’s price for us.

How did God show His love for us?

John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Now THE CORRECTION can only take place on this basis. Man’s need can only be met by his receiving eternal life, that is, the nature of God.

We have seen that God cannot impart His nature and give the privilege of sonship until he can do so on a legal basis, not on the basis of the law of the Bible, but on the basis of ownership. God must have the right to declare that a man, who was spiritually dead and a child of Satan, is now righteous and a son of God.

Romans 3:26 It was to demonstrate and prove at the present time (in the now season) that He Himself is righteous and that He justifies and accepts as righteous him who has [true] faith in Jesus.

God saw that three problems existed.

He could not just overlook sin, for He had to be righteous in His dealings, therefore the penalty for transgressions had to be paid.

Secondly, God must act towards Satan on the grounds of absolute justice to redeem man from Satan’s authority in a completely legal manner, so that Satan could not have any objections.

Thirdly, He must not only be just to man and to Satan, but He must also act in accordance with His own righteousness. Righteousness is the foundation of His throne and that standard has to be maintained, which means that God has to reserve the right to judge the human race and to compel them to pay the penalty for sin if they reject the provision for CORRECTION and THAT PENALTY WAS HELL.

We know that hell wasn’t prepared for man, but for the devil and his angels.

Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Be gone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!

God’s provision will free man from the penalty of going to hell, but if he refuses it, and persists in his union with Satan, then he must share the same fate.

We need to identify the requirements for someone to act as REDEEMER

1 He has to be a man but he cannot be born just like other men, for the seed of man has been corrupted by sin.

2 He must be able to stand before God just like Adam stood in his purity and righteousness and he must have the same dominion and authority.

3 He must be able to walk the earth just as a man, perfectly pleasing to the Father on one hand, but facing the temptations of Satan again just like Adam and Eve did, BUT HE MUST NOT SUCCUMB.

4 Then he has to act as man’s substitute, that is, all man’s sin, spiritual death and its implications must be carried by this man.

5 Then Satan’s judgement must also fall on him. He must meet the demands of justice and in order to do this he must go to hell, and take the authority of death and hell away from Satan.

Revelation 1:18 And the Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades (the realm of the dead).

6 Not only must he be free from satanic dominion in his walk on earth, but he must be greater than Satan, and after he has paid the penalty must be able to conquer Satan and take away from him his lordship and legal dominion over man.

7 He must conquer death, bring life and immortality to the human race that has been decimated by THE CRASH.

So the person fulfilling these requirements has to be a special person.

It could not be an angel, for an angel did not have the authority that could meet the demands of justice. It could not be just a man, because no man could fulfil the requirements of justice for a redeemer because of a man’s subjection to Satan.

Only God is greater than Satan and so to provide redemption for man, or THE CORRECTION, God had to become a man, united with man, and only through incarnation, that is, the spirit of God had to be contained or incarcerated in a human body.

It had to be like this so that a man could walk this earth meeting God’s requirements for righteousness, he had to be able to pay the price necessary to buy back or redeem humanity, and thirdly, He had to be able to conquer Satan.

WHAT HAPPENED WAS THIS.

God said to Jesus

You have to go to earth and take on a human body.

Then I am going to give You the responsibility of carrying the nature of man, the sin nature, so that You can be identified with humanity.

Then You will come under judgment and all the demands of justice for what man has done and will do, will be poured out on You and You will have to suffer for it.

Then when You have paid the price demanded by justice, which will require that You die for humanity, I will bring You back to life and show You as absolutely righteous, and then Your righteousness will be given to every man that will accept it.

Because of one man, Adam, sin was brought into the world, therefore if there is one man without sin, he will then be qualified, on a legal basis, to pay the price so that all other men can be made free from guilt if they accept and confess that this man is their Lord.

Romans 5:12 Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.

So for man’s need of eternal life to be restored to him, he first had to be made righteous, and the only way he could be made righteous was by the INCARNATION.

There is still one problem however that is leftover from THE CRASH. Before the crash, Adam was able to walk in the Garden of Eden with God, and talk with Him, but that was no longer possible.

We see today in all the religions of the world where men look for someone to go to God for them, to talk to God for them, because what Adam did cut off our union with God, and so that’s why there are witch doctors and medicine men and gurus etc etc etc.

Ephesians 4v18 Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. They are alienated, estranged, self-banished from the life of God – with no share in it. This is because of the ignorance, the want of knowledge and perception, the wilful blindness – that is deep seated in them, due to their hardness of heart, to the insensitiveness of their moral nature.

2 Corinthians 4:4 For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

In Romans 3v9-18 Paul spells out the fourteen (14) charges against the human race in its state of spiritual death. Man had forfeited every claim he had on God, including the opportunity to talk to Him.

Romans 3:9 Well then, are we [Jews] superior and better off than they? No, not at all. We have already charged that all men, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), are under sin [held down by and subject to its power and control].¹

Romans 3:10 As it is written, None is righteous, just and truthful and upright and conscientious, no, not one.²

Romans 3:11 No one understands³ [no one intelligently discerns or comprehends]; no one seeks out God.⁴

Romans 3:12 All have turned aside;⁵ together they have gone wrong and have become unprofitable and worthless; no one does right, not even one!⁶

Romans 3:13 Their throat is a yawning grave;⁷ they use their tongues to deceive⁸ (to mislead and to deal treacherously). The venom of asps is beneath their lips.⁹

Romans 3:14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.¹⁰

Romans 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood.¹¹

Romans 3:16 Destruction [as it dashes them to pieces] and misery mark their ways.¹²

Romans 3:17 And they have no experience of the way of peace¹³ [they know nothing about peace, for a peaceful way they do not even recognize].

Romans 3:18 There is no [reverential] fear of God before their eyes.¹⁴

Ephesians 2:12 [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God.

So man now, even though he has received the righteousness of God, he still needs someone to represent him before God and to approach God on his behalf. He still needs a MEDIATOR.

It is dangerous to try and approach God in other than the appointed way. There are examples recorded:

1 Aaron’s sons

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, and put incense on it, and offered strange and unholy fire before the Lord, as He had not commanded them.

Leviticus 10:2 And there came forth fire from before the Lord and killed them, and they died before the Lord.

Leviticus 10:3 Then Moses said to Aaron, This is what the Lord meant when He said, I [and My will, not their own] will be acknowledged as hallowed by those who come near Me, and before all the people I will be honoured. And Aaron said nothing.

2 Korah and his followers

Numbers 16:1 Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men,

Numbers 16:2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the Israelites, 250 princes or leaders of the congregation called to the assembly, men well known and of distinction.

Numbers 16:3 And they gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, [Enough of you!] You take too much upon yourselves, seeing that all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you lift yourselves up above the assembly of the Lord?

Numbers 16:4 And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face.

Numbers 16:5 And he said to Korah and all his company, In the morning the Lord will show who are His and who is holy, and will cause him to come near to Him; him whom He has chosen will He cause to come near to Him.

Numbers 16:6 Do this: Take censers, Korah and all your company,

Numbers 16:7 And put fire in them and put incense upon them before the Lord tomorrow; and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be holy. You take too much upon yourselves, you sons of Levi.

Numbers 16:8 And Moses said to Korah, Hear, I pray you, you sons of Levi:

Numbers 16:9 Does it seem but a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,

Numbers 16:10 And that He has brought you near to Him, and all your brethren the sons of Levi with you? Would you seek the priesthood also?

Numbers 16:11 Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the Lord. And Aaron, what is he that you murmur against him?

Numbers 16:12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and they said, We will not come up.

Numbers 16:13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness, but you must also make yourself a prince over us?

Numbers 16:14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land that flows with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you bore out the eyes of these men? We will not come up!

Numbers 16:15 And Moses was very angry and said to the Lord, Do not respect their offering! I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.

Numbers 16:16 And Moses said to Korah, You and all your company be before the Lord tomorrow, you and they and Aaron.

Numbers 16:17 And let every man take his censer and put incense upon it and bring before the Lord every man his censer, 250 censers; you also and Aaron, each his censer.

Numbers 16:18 So they took every man his censer, and they put fire in them and laid incense upon it, and they stood at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting with Moses and Aaron.

Numbers 16:19 Then Korah assembled all the congregation against Moses and Aaron before the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation.

Numbers 16:20 And the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,

Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Numbers 16:22 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin and will You be angry with all the congregation?

Numbers 16:23 And the Lord said to Moses,

Numbers 16:24 Say to the congregation, Get away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

Numbers 16:25 Then Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.

Numbers 16:26 And he said to the congregation, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins.

Numbers 16:27 So they got away from around the tents of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood in the door of their tents with their wives, and their sons, and their little ones.

Numbers 16:28 And Moses said, By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I do not act of my own accord:

Numbers 16:29 If these men die the common death of all men or if [only] what happens to everyone happens to them, then the Lord has not sent me.

Numbers 16:30 But if the Lord causes a new thing [to happen], and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up, with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol (the place of the dead), then you shall understand that these men have provoked (spurned, despised) the Lord!

Numbers 16:31 As soon as he stopped speaking, the ground under the offenders split apart

Numbers 16:32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households and [Korah and] all [his] men and all their possessions.

Numbers 16:33 They and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol (the place of the dead); and the earth closed upon them, and they perished from among the assembly.

Numbers 16:34 And all Israel who were round about them fled at their cry, for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

Numbers 16:35 And fire came forth from the Lord and devoured the 250 men who offered the incense.

Numbers 16:36 And the Lord said to Moses,

Numbers 16:37 Speak to Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning and scatter the fire at a distance. For the censers are hallowed–

Numbers 16:38 The censers of these men who have sinned against themselves and at the cost of their own lives. Let the censers be made into hammered plates for a covering of the altar [of burnt offering], for they were used in offering before the Lord and therefore they are sacred. They shall be a sign [of warning] to the Israelites.

Numbers 16:39 Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers with which the Levites who were burned had offered incense, and they were hammered into broad sheets for a covering of the [brazen] altar [of burnt offering],

Numbers 16:40 To be a memorial [a warning forever] to the Israelites, so that no outsider, that is, no one not of the descendants of Aaron, should come near to offer incense before the Lord, lest he become as Korah and as his company, as the Lord said to Eleazar through Moses.

Numbers 16:41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the Israelites murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, You have killed the people of the Lord.

Numbers 16:42 When the congregation was gathered against Moses and Aaron, they looked at the Tent of Meeting, and behold, the cloud covered it and they saw the Lord’s glory.

Numbers 16:43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 16:44 And the Lord said to Moses,

Numbers 16:45 Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment. And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces.

Numbers 16:46 And Moses said to Aaron, Take a censer and put fire in it from off the altar and lay incense on it, and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them. For there is wrath gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun!

Numbers 16:47 So Aaron took the burning censer as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and behold, the plague was begun among the people; and he put on the incense and made atonement for the people.

Numbers 16:48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed.

Numbers 16:49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the matter of Korah.

Numbers 16:50 And Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the Tent of Meeting, since the plague was stayed.

3 The men of Beth-Shemesh who looked in the ark and 50,000 died.

1 Samuel 6:19 And the Lord slew some of the men of Beth-shemesh because they had looked into the ark of the Lord; He slew seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had made a great slaughter among them.

So God made Jesus our MEDIATOR, one who could and would represent us before the Father, and Who has given us the use of His name to identify that we have accepted His authority over us and as a consequence we are able to approach God again.

But there were conditions established for us to comply with that we might have God’s redemption.

The object of the INCARNATION was THE CORRECTION, or that man might be given the right to become a child of God.

John 1:12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name–[Isa. 56:5.]

Man can only become a child of God by receiving the nature of God.

John 10v10 I have come that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance, to the full, till it overflows.

And man can only receive eternal life after he had a been redeemed from Satan’s authority.

Colossians 1:13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Colossians 1:14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.

LOOK AT WHAT HE DID

Isaiah 53:4 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].

Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all.

Colossians 2:15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO?

What happens when we are born again and become a Christian?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

IN CHRIST – this is called interpenetration and we have other examples of this:

Satan in Judas

Luke 22:3 But [then] Satan entered into Judas, called Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve [apostles].

Christ in you

Colossians 1:27 To whom God was pleased to make known how great for the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ within and among you, the Hope of [realizing the] glory.

But for us to become a Christian there are six basic requirements.

1 I WAS CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Romans 6:6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.

2 I DIED WITH CHRIST

Romans 6:5 For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].

Romans 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,

3 I WAS BURIED WITH CHRIST

Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with Him by the baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious [power] of the Father, so we too might [habitually] live and behave in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12 [Thus you were circumcised when] you were buried with Him in [your] baptism, in which you were also raised with Him [to a new life] through [your] faith in the working of God [as displayed] when He raised Him up from the dead.

Baptism is a type of our burial with Christ, Although Jesus’ body was in the tomb, His spirit was in hell, for He had to go there and pay the penalty for man. The penalty was not His but ours because He had been made one with man, and in the mind of God it was as if you and I were in the place of torment, bearing the judgement we deserved.

On this basis, the man who receives THE CORRECTION, the redemptive work of Christ, need not to go to hell but goes free, while the man who refuses Christ’s redemption on his behalf, must go to hell.

4 I WAS MADE ALIVE WITH CHRIST

Colossians 2:13 And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions,

Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favour and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation).

When Father raised Jesus from the dead He said in:-

Hebrews 1:5 For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son?

Jesus was the firstborn from the dead. He was the first man to be born out of spiritual death into eternal life. He was the first man that ever took dominion over death.

Romans 6:9 Because we know that Christ (the Anointed One), being once raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him.

Romans 6:10 For by the death He died, He died to sin [ending His relation to it] once for all; and the life that He lives, He is living to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him].

But now it has to incorporate us.

Rom 8:29 For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

The many brethren were legally identified with Him in His birth out of death into life, but He was the very first one to experience it – the first born. In being made alive with Christ, we were CONFORMED TO HIS IMAGE.

CONFORM means to make exactly alike.

When He was made sin for us, He was made like us in our image of spiritual death.

When He was made alive, we were made alive with Him.

With Him, we are CONFORMED to the image of the FIRSTBORN.

That is why we are joint heirs with Him.

We were legally born out of death into life with Him.

Romans 6:11 Even so consider yourselves also dead to sin and your relation to it broken, but alive to God [living in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.

We are to reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God in as much reality as Christ is dead unto sin and alive unto God.

A man, vitally receiving this life of God, is actually born out of death and into life when he personally accepts Christ as his Saviour.

1 Corinthians 15:22 For just as [because of their union of nature] in Adam all people die, so also [by virtue of their union of nature] shall all in Christ be made alive.

At new birth, a man passes from the authority of Satan into the Lordship of Christ.

Colossians 1:13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

What Jesus did, was not done for Himself, but for us. So complete was the work of Jesus, and so available to us is the result, that the word puts it like this:

Ephesians 1:19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength,

Ephesians 1:20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],

Ephesians 1:21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.

Ephesians 1:22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],

Ephesians 1:23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

5 I WAS RAISED WITH CHRIST

Ephesians 2:6 And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

We know that we do not fight with flesh and blood but our fight is with powers of spiritual darkness

Ephesians 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

But Jesus, through His redemptive work, disarmed these forces and made them look stupid.

Colossians 2:15 [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross].

Hebrews 2:14 Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death–that is, the devil–

So when I accept the provisions of THE CORRECTION, I am aligned with Christ in victory and so I am also triumphant over Satan, because Jesus is greater than Satan, and I have been raised with Christ, therefore, with Christ in me, I am also greater than Satan.

6 I AM SEATED WITH CHRIST

One of the most astounding results of Christ’s work was His total conquest of all authority, thereby taking to Himself all authority.

Matthew 28:18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

With this authority there has to be a throne, a seat of power, a place of recognition.

Because God the Father sent Jesus to carry out this work, it is now reasonable to expect that He should return to the Father, but when He did, it was with all the respect and honour that could be afforded a man who had achieved the ultimate result. Father provided a place beside Him on His heavenly throne.

Psalm 110:1 The Lord (God) says to my Lord (the Messiah), Sit at My right hand, until I make Your adversaries Your footstool.

Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him, You have stated [the fact]. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky.

Colossians 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Now remember in Ephesians 1:20 that it says

Ephesians 1:20 ….God… He raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places],

Ephesians 1:22 AND HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS UNDER HIS FEET…

When everything is under your feet, then your body is above it. If we read on in Ephesians 1:22-23, we see that when everything was put under His feet it was under His body, THE CHURCH, and now He is awaiting the church to attain that same authority He procured through His resurrection. It means He wants sin, sickness, sorrow all to be under His feet for us to legally possess what is ours.

But not only is Jesus recognised as sovereign. When we accept THE CORRECTION, we should also be seen as rulers.

Romans 5:17 For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favour) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

HOW WILL PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE CORRECTION?

1 There will be a change in our habits.

Ephesians 4:28 Let the thief steal no more, but rather let him be industrious, making an honest living with his own hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

2 There will be a change in our communications

Luke 6:45 The upright (honourable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honourable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.

3 There will be a change in our desires

Psalm 122:1 I WAS glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord!

THE RESULT of the CORRECTION will not only affect the old things in our lives, but will give us a new nature and new desires.

THE PURPOSE IS

A A life to be lived in abundance

John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

B A nature to be developed

Ephesians 4:13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

C Power to be used

1Thessalonians 1:5 For our [preaching of the] glad tidings (the Gospel) came to you not only in word, but also in [its own inherent] power and in the Holy Spirit and with great conviction and absolute certainty [on our part]. You know what kind of men we proved [ourselves] to be among you for your good.

THE EFFECTS ARE

Justification

Romans 5:1 THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

Regeneration

Assurance

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].

Romans 8:1 THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

Adoption

Galatians 4:7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.

Sanctification

1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,

1 Corinthians 6:20 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honour God and bring glory to Him in your body.

1 Corinthians 7:22 For he who as a slave was summoned in [to union with] the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, just so he who was free when he was called is a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).

1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].

REJECTION OF THE CORRECTION IS FATAL.

Romans 6:23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 2:1 Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away.

Hebrews 2:2 For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty,

Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? For it was declared at first by the Lord [Himself], and it was confirmed to us and proved to be real and genuine by those who personally heard [Him speak].

HOW CAN I BE SURE THAT I HAVE THE CORRECTION?

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].

WHY CAN’T I GET TO HEAVEN BY GOOD WORKS?

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favour) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

Ephesians 2:9 Not because of works [not the fulfilment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

We see that salvation is a gift. You cannot earn salvation but through sin we EARN wages as we can see in:

Romans 6:23 For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God).

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Titus 3:7 [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favour, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope.

Many modern and ancient religions do not understand this fact and try to earn their way to heaven. We see this happening with:-

The Krishnas

Islamic martyrs

Pilgrims to Mecca

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Penance carried out by some Christian religions

Romans 1:17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.

God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel on the grounds of faith as the absolute condition of salvation. It is only effective to those who believe.

WHY DOESN’T GOD ALLOW SOME OF OUR WORKS HELP TO PAY FOR OUR REDEMPTION?

Firstly, the only works that God accepts are the works of obedience.

James 2:17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).

If we were able to work for our salvation we would also be likely to try and claim some of the glory.

Ephesians 2:9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]

1 Corinthians 1:31 So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.

Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skilful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches;

Jeremiah 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.

There would be many people who would be saved today if they could work for it. They would sacrifice. They would work around the clock, but they are not willing simply to humble themselves and accept God’s gift. It is just too simple.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE THAT THE UNBELIEVER DIDN’T?

A RECEIVED HIM

The word POWER is EXOUSIA and it means freedom of action or right to act. We have to proceed from salvation to sonship.

B CONFESSED HIM

Romans 10:9 Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

We are always ready to accept Him, but we are much more reticent to speak out for Him. It is this which helps to make us different and to confirm our faith.

WHAT IS THE RESULT OF THE CORRECTION?

A Delivers us from the authority of Satan

Colossians 1:13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

B Delivers us from the fear of death

Hebrews 2:15 And also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.

C Restores our privilege of walking with Him

1 John 2:6 Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

D Gives us access to the tree of life again

John 11:26 And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?

E We have forgiveness

Act 26:18 To open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may thus receive forgiveness and release from their sins and a place and portion among those who are consecrated and purified by faith in Me.

F We have redemption

G We have everlasting life

John 5:24 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the person whose ears are open to My words [who listens to My message] and believes and trusts in and clings to and relies on Him Who sent Me has (possesses now) eternal life. And he does not come into judgment [does not incur sentence of judgment, will not come under condemnation], but he has already passed over out of death into life.

H We can have sonship

Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

I We become His Body on earth

Ephesians 2:21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].

J We become His agents

Ephesians 3:10 [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

HOW CAN I FULFIL THE TASK GIVEN ME BECAUSE OF THE CORRECTION?

Philippians 2:13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

We do this by works of obedience, living out the reality of Christ in our lives, not just enjoying our privilege, but demonstrating it.

2 Corinthians 3:1 Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or we do not, like some [false teachers], need written credentials or letters of recommendation to you or from you, [do we]?

2 Corinthians 3:2 [No] you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody.

2 Corinthians 3:3 You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with [the] Spirit of [the] living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

FREEDOM FROM AGITATING PASSIONS AND MORAL CONFLICTS ROSS SMITH

September 8, 2015March 15, 2021 Ross Smith

LIBERATION FROM AGITATING PASSIONS AND MORAL CONFLICTS ROSS SMITH 27062014

ALL REFERENCES FROM AMPLIFIED VERSION UNLESS NOTED

Our point of reference for this study is found in:-

James 3:18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) (it means that the conformity is both internal, viz “thought” and external, viz “deed” …. Comments mine) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in (in the soil of .. comments mine) peace by those who work for and make peace (are “peaceable”, also “making peace” is a simile for “break up your fallow ground …. See study on “Factor of Eight” part 2) [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, (there would be no “weeds”!!!) with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind FREE FROM FEARS AND AGITATING PASSIONS AND MORAL CONFLICTS]. (good soil free from the cares of the world as in the parable of the sower)

AGITATING PASSIONS can be one of the most disruptive mechanisms we can encounter. They can be multi-faceted but seldom are they multi-tasking, because there is an “obsessive-compulsive” component involved.

They can be “habits, hobbies, husbands, (never wives!!!), hair, health, harping, help, history, home, and house, hospitality, him, her, humility, humour,

I want to insert a chart here from “KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING because it has relevance later.

WISDOM = The ethics of God

KNOWLEDGE = The will of God

UNDERSTANDING = The work of God and this is why we need ethics in the workplace!!!

INTELLIGENCE = The blessing of God

My initial study was limited to the aspect of “AGITATING PASSIONS” as I felt we didn’t need to go further as we are not generally troubled with “MORAL CONFLICTS, but as I proceeded I was acutely aware that this is a key aspect of this subject. But then I am reminded of:-

Galatians 6:10 So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [MORALLY] to all people [not only being useful or profitable (doing “things”) to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. (the “ethics” …. I am yet to study what is the difference between “useful and profitable” and “spiritual good and advantage”.)

The FRUIT referred to here is that same fruit referred to in 2 Corinthians 9:10 and Philippians 1:11. One is “increasing” the other is “abounding”, we cannot abound if we do not increase. And if we are not increasing then dare I suggest we are going backward.

2 Corinthians 9:10 And [God] Who provides seed for the sower (this would be “organic” seed, not “GM”) and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [WHICH MANIFESTS ITSELF in active goodness,(gentle) kindness,(easily entreated) and charity].(mercy. These are some of the “ethics” that compromise “The Wisdom from Above”)

Bunyan wrote, “If my life is fruitless it doesn’t matter who praises me, if my life this fruitful it doesn’t matter who criticises me”.

I think there is a medical term for “AGITATING PASSIONS” and that is “OCD”. This condition is many-faceted in its expression however it is accompanied by “intrusive thoughts that cause disorder”, “unwanted thoughts”, “uncontrollable compulsions, difficult or impossible to resist”. And whilst it is not necessary that we suffer from OCD it is interesting that sometimes our behaviour would seem to indicate otherwise. For example, when you have a shower do you do it exactly the same way every time, or do you change hands or arms, etc?.

When we looked at “The Hierarchy of Holiness” we saw that one of the conditions or “qualities” required was Self Control. In this situation, however, where there is OCD (as an Agitating Passion), self-control may not be adequate as the medical profession indicates that there is sometimes a biological reason for this state. This is despite the word saying in: –

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives (or the medical profession … comments mine) do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Now if He has LEFT His peace with us, then it must be me who moves away from that provision, and that is why the rider is attached to this verse, STOP ALLOWING YOURSELVES —– DO NOT PERMIT YOURSELVES and so this is where the “self-control” of 2 Peter 1 becomes applicable. When we come to Christ these “fears and agitating passions” were dealt with, but we then pick up where we left off, like a dog returning to its vomit.

We do however HAVE TO LEARN NOT TO REACT to outside stimulation, and by that I mean agitation initiated within us by events without or within, or by the behaviour of other people or events who/which evidence their agitating passions, with a consequential effect on us. It is called “PROVOCATION”.

PROVOCATION is a circumstance that has existed from antiquity. We see in:

1 Samuel 1:6 [This embarrassed and grieved Hannah] and her RIVAL PROVOKED her greatly to vex her, because the Lord had left her childless.

Have you noticed that if we are challenged or we challenge someone about “agitating passions” there is always a “because” follows!!

Romans 1:20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification], (there will be no “becauses” when we stand before the Lord … comments mine)

God has given to all men such means of knowledge as is to eliminate any excuse, so we can have no pretence of ignorance.

James 4:17 So any person who knows what is right to do but does not do it, to him it is sin.

Peninnah, triumphant in her fruitfulness, yet she is Hannah’s adversary, because, in spite of her barrenness, she has the larger portion of the husband’s love; Hannah is so sorely vexed at the taunts of her rival, that she weeps from sheer vexation, in vain Elkanah tries to give her comfort.

Psalms 106:33 For they provoked[Moses’] spirit, so that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips.

Hannah Provoked outwardly

Moses Provoked inwardly

Now Moses was regarded as the meekest man on earth and yet the Israelites were so “provocative” that they even caused Moses to sin, a classic example of “AGITATING PASSIONS” in other people that affect us. When we take into consideration the characteristic of WISDOM we see that they are intended to prevent this from occurring. Not that Moses did not have good cause to be angry, and it was not his words that got him into trouble so much as his actions, and he paid dearly for it, even though it was initiated by others. I would suggest that even submerging the Agitating Passions within us when we are provoked is almost as bad as expressing it. Remember, God looks at the heart, or in other words “Our attitude”.

It is OVERCOMING not just OVERLOOKING

Hebrews 3:10-11 And so I (The Lord) was provoked (displeased and sorely grieved) with that generation, and said, They always err and are led astray in their hearts, (attitudes or motives, refer “Factor of Eight” #1, re “PURE MOTIVES”) and they have not perceived or recognized My ways and become progressively better (“transformed” and on the way to being “conformed” … comments mine) and more experimentally and intimately acquainted with them.

Is this not the challenge that the Lord has been bringing to us over many months now …. “to become better acquainted with Him”. Notice from Hebrews 3 that it is not enough to know about it, it has to be tried out, and I find the word “experimentally” really comforting and is quite different from the word “expertly”.

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).

True liberty is living as we should, not as we please!

Even the Apostle Paul understood the vagaries that overtake us and was aware of the conflicts or “AGITATING PASSIONS” that interfere when he wrote in:-

Romans 7:22-23 For I endorse and delight in the Law of God in my (inmost self) [with my new nature]. But I discern in my bodily members [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh] (outmost self…. The bit that causes the problems … comments mine) a different law (rule of action) at war against the law of my mind (my reason) and making me a prisoner to the law of sin that dwells in my bodily organs [in the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh].

I think ISAIAH had some insight into this problem as well, but he also had the remedy, and we find in this verse the essence of “LIBERATION”, and note the all-encompassing nature of his anointing.

Isaiah 61:1-3 THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD GOD IS UPON ME, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, TO PROCLAIM LIBERTY to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, (those lacking spiritual intelligence …. Comments mine) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion–to give them an ornament (this is the external whereas 1 Peter 3:4 refers to the “inward adorning” so it is both inward and outward that we evidence God at work in us … comments mine) (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—(or a spirit weighed down with agitating passions … comments mine) that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

This is the defining quality of a person who will recognise Father God in all His majestic intervention if we will just submit to the “Anointing” and get away from the “Agitating”. We do that by implementing the opening comments in verse 1 and we would do well to recall a similar thrust from Isaiah 58. The fact that there were “ifs” and “thens” nominated in Isaiah 58, there is no such provision in Isaiah 61, they are all “Thens” when the Spirit of the Lord is upon us.

1 Peter 1:2 Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts].

1 Peter 5:14 Salute one another with a kiss of love [the symbol of mutual affection]. To all of you that are in Christ Jesus (the Messiah), may there be peace (every kind of peace and blessing, especially peace with God, and freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts). Amen (so be it).

Isaiah 26:3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination (internal) and its character (external)] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

Just as it has been thoroughly enunciated in the past couple of weeks that the responsibility of preparing the soil of our heart is ours, so here in Isaiah 26 there is energy required to “commit, lean, hope” which can only come from within us.

Note the extent, (“perfect”) but also note the conditions “Constant peace”. Agitating passions would seem to have a repetitive nature, they recur at the most inconvenient times and are designed to cause the greatest havoc. Note that this is the opposite of what we can expect if we adopt the recommendations made by Isaiah, conditions which are pre-requisite if we are to qualify as His children. Isaiah is strident in suggesting it is not enough just to be inclined in our mind, but requires the essence of our mind to be stayed on God. Surely in this condition, we would be free from Agitating Passions, and that’s what the word declares.

2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) (this is where the “character” aspect becomes relevant …. We are able to refute those thoughts that are contrary to a Christlike nature) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. (or “Agitating Passions” Notice how puerile the items causing the controversies … comments mine)

Knowing is not enough, we must apply

Willing is not enough, we must do

It is interesting to note that most “Agitating Passions” are based on objects, items, or subjects that add very little to our spiritual growth, in fact, they inhibit spiritual growth. After we expose or are exposed to an “Agitating Passion” no doubt you have found that it takes some time to regather your thoughts and emotions to the point where you feel confident enough to reach out to the Lord.

Those passions are deceitful. They lead us astray, they plunge us into ruin. All the passions and pleasures of the world are illusive. They promise more than they perform, and they leave their deluded votaries (another name for people who are filled with enthusiasm for some hobby or fixation. I have used this word here because of its wide-ranging relevance to our study, you may need to look it up in a thesaurus) to disappointment and to tears.

Ephesians 4:23 And be constantly renewed (do we understand that this means not “daily” but “continually) in the spirit of your mind (not just in its “inclination” but also in its “character”) [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (a quiet mind but an active spirit! … comments mine)

Here we have that same constancy as referred to in Isaiah 26:3 and again reflects the opposite of that intermittent and repetitive nature found in “Agitating Passions”. The references to taking control of our mind so that it does not wander onto inappropriate debate are numerous, such as 1 Peter 1:13, 2 Timothy 2:23, and in particular 2 Timothy 2:14 – 16 which reads as follows: –

2 Timothy 2:14 -16 REMIND [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord TO AVOID petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets and undermines the faith of the hearers. Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), (do you remember that “tribulation works patience” and similarly “wisdom” is accumulated as “actual and costly experience” .. Proverbs 5:1) a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analysing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (this constitutes “Knowledge and Understanding” … comments mine)

2Timothy 2:16 But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. (or further Agitating Passions)

An interesting commentary on what Agitating Passions does to us!

FATHER IS MORE INTERESTED IN MY FRUITS THEM IN MY FUMING

MORAL CONFLICTS

As I mentioned previously I had not intended to address this particular aspect of James 3:17 as I considered that this particular statement related to improper relationships, taking drugs, stealing cars, etc.

And this is the reason why I inserted that small chart at the beginning of the study and as you will note I consider that “WISDOM” is equivalent to “GOD’s ETHICS God’s ethics comprise the characteristics of James 3:17, and if we can embrace the enormity of that and demonstrate the qualities then we can be fairly sure we are free from “MORAL CONFLICTS”.

This of course will raise questions in many people’s minds as to the definition of “ETHICS”. There are various definitions bandied around such as: –

The principles that govern a person’s behaviour, or the conducting of an activity

The rules of conduct recognised in respect to a particular class of human actions, or a particular group, culture etc.

A set of principles of right conduct

A basic concept of fundamental principles of decent human conduct. It includes studies of universal values such as the essential equality of all men and women, human or natural rights, obedience to the law of the land, concern for health and safety, and also care for the natural environment.

You will notice that in almost every definition that the concerns are all on a horizontal level, in almost every case identifying conduct as the basic component but nowhere mentioning the qualities has set out in James 3:17, which if analysed and implemented would fulfil the requirements of all the dictionary definitions.

Let me quickly table these qualities to refresh our minds of what “WISDOM FROM ABOVE” consists of, and see that the application of these 8 virtues will direct and control our ethics and as a consequence relieve us of “MORAL CONFLICTS”.

Pure

Peaceable

Gentle

Accommodating

Full of mercy

Good fruit

Impartial

Not hypocritical

James has extended the principle of how we should live, what we should believe, and how we think about God’s ways in relation to humanity. It is a paraphrase of: –

Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) (in simplification, “God’s Ethics … comments mine), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.

The behaviour of the church at large has deteriorated in that the purity of instruction, the clarity of direction, and the urgency of implementation has become harmless and therefore the theology has been modified to suit the masses. The attitude of the church is as putrefaction because it has caught an infection from the world, that is, “if it feels good it’s okay”. Some things may look right but God says they are wrong.

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

This I would suggest is a system called “SITUATIONAL ETHICS” which is a system of ethics by which acts are judged within their contexts instead of by categorical principles or “bending the rules to suit”. This is a complete contradiction to the instructions of Scripture, which is God-breathed and therefore the unchangeable, applicable and attainable.

“MORAL CONFLICTS” is not the avoidance of improper relationships, or taking of drugs, or stealing cars, et cetera. “Wisdom” is in fact God’s ethics. God’s ethics comprise characteristics of James 317, and if we can embrace the enormity of that, plus demonstrate qualities then we can be fairly sure we are free from “Moral Conflicts”.

If ever there was an incentive to seek “The Wisdom from Above” it should be in this context of the “FREEDOM from MORAL CONFLICTS”.

COMPASSIONS ROSS SMITH

September 8, 2015September 8, 2015 Ross Smith

COMPASSIONS ROSS SMITH 22092014

You may recall that sometime ago I was impressed with the expression of the Psalmist when he said:-

Psalm 145:2 Every day [WITH ITS NEW REASONS] will I bless You [affectionately and gratefully praise You]; yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever.

It was to my dismay that I would confront each day and find it difficult to identify the “NEW REASONS” on a daily basis, I had plenty to thank the Lord for but they seemed to me to be “recurring reasons”, not new reasons.

But with some enlightenment I now understand why the Psalmist was so effusive, for he obviously understood the intentions of Lamentations 3:21 – 23, it suddenly dawned on me that poor old Jeremiah, the weeping Prophet, had clearly identified an area of my daily life that gave me adequate, no, prolific reasons for me to “bless and gratefully praise.

Lamentations 3:21-23 But this I RECALL (or worth remembering) and therefore have I hope and expectation: It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] COMPASSIONS fail not. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. SELAH

The key word I would like to explore today is “COMPASSIONS”, so that we begin to appreciate the extent of God’s love for us, and conversely, how we reflect that characteristic to those roundabout us.

My preamble on the explanation of “COMPASSIONS” may seem rather protracted but it is an attribute that we need not only to be acquainted with but also equipped with. As a consequence I need to differentiate between those sensations or emotions which are often described as “compassion” but do not contain any energy to meet with the circumstance, so that we understand how richly we are blessed and how highly we are regarded by the Lord, and can begin to evidence the virtue.

From H7355; COMPASSION (in the plural); by extension the womb (as cherishing the foetus); by implication a maiden: – bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love, (great, tender) mercy, pity, womb.

From G1656; MERCY (as in James 3:17…. Full of mercy) Of uncertain affinity; compassion (human or divine, especially active) : – (+ tender) mercy.

When we feel “compassion” is it really compassion or some other sensation, such as commiseration, sympathy, empathy, pity, regret. God’s compassion is different to ours because we may “feel compassionate” but do not do anything about it so consequently, it is not compassion but some other sensation. In contrast, God’s compassions “they fail not”, whereas our compassion often lacks legs.

Do we realise the potency of the virtue of “COMPASSION” or how frequently it is referred to in the Word. The first thing we should note is that “COMPASSION” is not “CHARITY”, although there is a place for charity in our compassion. Nor is it just “empathy” because sometimes we have been there and done that and so think we understand the individual’s situation. Nor is it pity, pity often implies a feeling of sorrow that inclines one to help or maybe show mercy: But we need to explore the word “compassion” a little more closely because I think we sometimes “feel sorry” or sympathise with somebody but lack “COMPASSION”.

WE GIVE CHARITY BECAUSE WE CAN, WE SHOW COMPASSION BECAUSE WE WANT TO.

We must also avoid the misconception that “COMPASSION” is in any way judicial, even though this social norm may experience some degree of “mercy” depending upon the circumstances and the judiciary. The opposite of this can be found in the behaviour of those Islamic terrorists who seem to be totally devoid of any sense of morals or ethics, they are merciless and unfeeling. Refer to 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “fierce men”.

COMPASSION and MERCY are basically synonymous and involve behavioural mechanisms different to those areas of sympathy, empathy, pity, and is different again to “FORGIVENESS”, but we must not overlook forgiveness.

“FORGIVENESS” involves a change of “feeling” towards the transgressor. “MERCY” or “COMPASSION” involves an “ACT” towards the transgressor, to relieve the transgressor of some or all of what would be their just deserts, or penalties.

Only a victim of a wrongdoing is in a position to “forgive” the wrongdoer. Conversely only a decision maker with authority to impose on the wrongdoer the consequences of their misdemeanor, is in a position to be merciful. “FORGIVENESS” is neither necessary nor sufficient for mercy.

“FORGIVENESS” has an extensive remedial effect on our relationship to the Lord, for if we don’t forgive then we are not forgiven. But then He takes it further, He shows mercy, or eliminates the consequences, otherwise we would be consumed.

Matthew 6:15 BUT IF YOU do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER forgive you your trespasses.

Whilst on that thought, some folk are already “consumed” by their unforgiveness, jealousy, obstinacy, et cetera et cetera, they can’t get past it, it is their passion, and it is destructive. COMPASSION from Latin, means “co-suffering”, the COM part means “with” whilst the passion part comes from “patient” or the one who suffers.

Malachi3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

Isaiah 33:2 O Lord, be gracious to us; we have waited [expectantly] (or “I recall” as per Lamentations)) for You. Be the arm [of Your servants–their strength and defence] EVERY MORNING, our salvation in the time of trouble.

The intention of Lamentations 3:22 is that every morning we start with a clean slate. Not only are we forgiven as far as the Lord is concerned, but our previous misdemeanors have been for gotten and we commence the day with fresh opportunity to exalt the Lord, to demonstrate our commitment, to fulfil his purpose, to grow in Grace, to exhibit wisdom, to produce fruit, and develop a life of such contrast as to “expose reprove and convict”. We must REPENT of our failures to REVEL in our forgiveness.

Psalm 86:5 For You, O Lord, are good, and ready TO FORGIVE [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and YOU ARE ABUNDANT IN MERCY AND LOVING-KINDNESS (or “compassion”, same thing) to all those who call upon You.

Notice this verse in the Psalms covers all bases, firstly that the Lord is always ready to forgive, completely and totally, but then goes further to provide us with “MERCY”, if we call on Him.

Several things from these few verses:-

His compassions are “New every morning”
His compassions they fail not
He does not change
We are not consumed
We need to have Him in mind at all times.

Let us briefly explore these benefits: –

1. One thing that I was greatly comforted in was the thought that even though “they are new every morning”, THEY LAST ALL DAY!!! It is important to note however that today’s mercies/compassions are for today and not for tomorrow, hopefully by tomorrow the Lord’s task will not be so onerous due to the fact that I have come to understand how favoured I am, and have taken steps to comply with my understanding of the requirement. (Viz … Get wisdom)

2. Secondly, they are PLURAL, not just singular, they are “COMPASSIONS”. Why do they need to be plural? Obviously because my indiscretions are plural, and so Father has covered all bases to present me with a fresh start. I need to be able to afford the same degree of accommodation when I feel violated

3. How grateful I am that He does not change, for everything round about me is in a state of flux, reliability in any dimension is a rare commodity, but here we have unflinching commitment. Even in Old Testament He was regarded as changeless.

Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

4. Note the repetition in Malachi, (A) He is changeless, (B) we are not consumed. We can be consumed either by a self deserved calamity or alternatively by a self serving ambition/passion.

5. It is necessary as Jeremiah stated “But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation”, it is necessary for us to follow the recommendations of Scripture such as” in all my ways acknowledge him” and similarly in Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord continually before me”. It is this awareness of both His character and His compassion that will develop “Christ likeness” in our nature.

2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father (He is the procreator) of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God (He is the maintainer) [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),

Mercy springs from Grace and is pardoning, purifying and supporting. Mercy is an extension of Grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 Grace is sufficient.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY!

How succinctly has Matthew summed up this whole principle in one short verse, spelling out how envious our position is, regardless of what is taking place roundabout us, and secondly inciting us to be merciful or compassionate view to God’s benevolence towards us.

It may be worth reverting to second Peter 1:5 – 7 whereby exercising our faith develops virtue, and one virtue worth developing is “COMPASSION”.

NEW CHRISTIAN LESSON #1 “THE CRASH”

September 7, 2015September 7, 2015 Ross Smith

#1 THE CRASH

THE CRASH or THE FALL OF MAN

Everything must have a beginning, except God, but our study will start at our beginning, that is creation.

WHERE DID CREATION BEGIN?

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God….

Beginning means that which is first, the source or origin and as such relates to time.

Before creation there was no time.

The Hebrew word for God is ELOHIM and it is plural for God.

EL meaning The strong God

ELOHIM meaning the Creator

And so we must ask

DID JESUS BEGIN IN THE MANGER OR WAS HE PRESENT AT CREATION?

John 8v58 Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born I AM.

Abraham was a creature

Jesus was the creator

JESUS AS GOD CREATED ALL THINGS

Ephesians 3:9 Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

Colossians 1:17 And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).

Not only is He the agent of creation, but also its preservation.

Hebrews 1:2 [But] in the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].

Revelation 1:8 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord God, He Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty (the Ruler of all).

Revelation 1:4 John to the seven assemblies (churches) that are in Asia: May grace (God’s unmerited favour) be granted to you and spiritual peace (the peace of Christ’s kingdom) from Him Who is and Who was and Who is to come, and from the seven Spirits [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] before His throne,

TO BELIEVE IN GOD AND TO BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTED BEFORE THE BEGINNING IS A FACT THAT WE MUST TAKE BY FAITH.

Electricity we accept by faith

Doctor’s prescription we take by faith

EVERY PROMISE THAT GOD GIVES MUST BE TAKEN ON THE BASIS OF FAITH WHETHER IT IS

Salvation

Healing

The Gift of the Spirit

Jesus’ return

Even when we pray we must have faith that He hears

1John 5:14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.

WHAT IS FAITH?

It is important that we recognise what FAITH is for without that recognition, we will not e able to proceed past the point of seeing that we need God, but be unable to accept Him.

SO WHAT IS FAITH?

We all have some ideas on this matter, but we need to back it up with Scripture.

Hebrews 11:1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

Romans 14:23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

The Amplified Bible gives us another good description of FAITH in

Colossians 1:4 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God’s consecrated ones),

HOW DO WE GET FAITH?

Obviously FAITH is not something you can buy, but there are several ways of getting and increasing your FAITH.

God gives us some FAITH

Romans 12:3 For by the grace (unmerited favour of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

If we listen closely to God’s Word we get FAITH

Romans 10:17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

Our faith is strengthened when we are able to pray with the Holy Spirit

Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

WHAT WAS THE CRASH THAT TOOK PLACE THEN?

Man fell from his state of innocence and the noise of that crash has resounded down through the ages even until today.

Let me try to explain in a short description.

The earth and the universe were pronounced by God to be good when He finished His creative work. Again and again we see the Bible says that God saw that His work was good.

Genesis 1:10 God called the dry land Earth, and the accumulated waters He called Seas. And God saw that this was good (fitting, admirable) and He approved it.

Genesis 1:12 The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed according to their own kinds and trees bearing fruit in which was their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it.

Genesis 1:18 To rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it.

Genesis 1:21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (suitable, admirable) and He approved it.

Genesis 1:25 And God made the [wild] beasts of the earth according to their kinds, and domestic animals according to their kinds, and everything that creeps upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it.

God’s intention was that it should remain beautiful, ordered and complete. In the beginning the world lacked some of the things that are common place now. There was no death, no sorrow, no tears. It was truly a paradise that would have met the highest expectations of any utopian, existing without any blemish for God’s glory and for man’s good. God and man walked together in unbroken fellowship with nothing between them to impair that relationship, and there was nothing God did or would do to alter that relationship. If a change occurred it would come about by something that man did, not God.

Into this paradise came Satan, the devil and sin. Clearly sin and Satan existed first outside the world and we know that Satan sinned and fell and that a multitude of angels fell with him.

And so we need to determine from Scripture, where did Satan originate?

Isaiah 14:12 How have you fallen from heaven, O light-bringer and daystar, son of the morning! How you have been cut down to the ground, you who weakened and laid low the nations [O blasphemous, satanic king of Babylon!]

Isaiah 14:13 And you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit upon the mount of assembly in the uttermost north.

Isaiah 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

Isaiah 14:15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol (Hades), to the innermost recesses of the pit (the region of the dead).

Luke 10:18 And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.

NOTE: There is an important point to note here and that is that some translations for ISAIAH 14v12 use the name Lucifer; however the original word was light bringer or day star. We need to be aware that the word Lucifer is not an accurate translation for the title of Satan.

WHAT WAS SATAN BEFORE HE CRASHED?

The best description we have of Satan is that spoken by the prophet EZEKIEL and although EZEKIEL is prophesying against the king of Tyre it is describing the person of Satan evidencing himself through this ruler.

Ezekiel 28:14 You were the anointed cherub that covers with overshadowing [wings], and I set you so. You were upon the holy mountain of God; you walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire [like the paved work of gleaming sapphire stone upon which the God of Israel walked on Mount Sinai].

Ezekiel 28:15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until iniquity and guilt were found in you.

Although Scripture tells us very little about how Satan fell, it does tell us a great deal about what he became when he fell, what this did to the universe, and what he gets up to in the world today.

The Bible says that the devil was evil right from the beginning.

1John 3:8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) FROM THE BEGINNING. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done].

Now this does not mean that the devil was made evil when God created him, but he became evil from the very moment of his proud rebellion against God.

John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.

The devil’s attitude therefore does not stem from his creation but from his desire to be as God when he was not permitted to usurp this position.

THE DEVIL HAS THREE MAIN AREAS THAT HE WORKS ON….

Morally his work is enticement to sin

Physically the infliction of disease

Intellectually seduction into error

Jesus came to correct all the work that the devil does, and we will explore this in THE CORRECTION, but we must not side with the devil in any way or we put ourselves OFFSIDE with God.

WHAT CAUSED SATAN TO SIN?

Originally, he was created as an angel of light, that is, before the world came into being. He was the fairest of all creatures to whom the highest station was given and above whom no one stood except God Himself.

Ezekiel 28:12 Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, Thus says the Lord God: You are the full measure and pattern of exactness [giving the finishing touch to all that constitutes completeness], full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

Isaiah 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.

Jude 1:6 And angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place — these He has reserved in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness until the judgment and doom of the great day.

2 Peter 2:4 For God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom.

Pride seems to have been at the heart of Satan’s transgression. He wanted to be like the most high God. He sought to wrest control of the universe, including the earth, from God.

POWER CORRUPTS whether it is:-

An overpowering beauty which captivates

An authority to which men capitulate

A personality with which men co-operate

1Peter 1:16 For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

Isaiah 42:8 I am the Lord; that is My name! And My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to graven images.

WHAT DID GOD DO WITH SATAN AND THE ANGELS WHICH FOLLOWED HIM?

It is suggested that there were three archangels in heaven. Michael, the archangel of the Father, Gabriel, the archangel of the Son, and Satan whose title is obscure but was supposedly the archangel of the Holy Spirit, and that there was one third of the angels under the control of each archangel. When Satan fell he took one third of the angels with him.

2 Peter 2:4 For God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom.

Luke 10:18 And He said to them, I saw Satan falling like a lightning [flash] from heaven.

The devil’s influence has affected every aspect of the world.

1 We see it in the pride and rebellion of angels.

2 Peter 2:4 For God did not [even] spare angels that sinned, but cast them into hell, delivering them to be kept there in pits of gloom till the judgment and their doom.

2 We see it in the disobedience and apathy of man.

2 Peter 2:5 And He spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven other persons, when He brought a flood upon the world of ungodly [people].

3 We see the sensuality of Sodom and Gomorrah

2 Peter 2:6 And He condemned to ruin and extinction the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, reducing them to ashes [and thus] set them forth as an example to those who would be ungodly;

FROM WHAT THEN DID MAN CRASH?

Man fell from the innocent state that God created him in.

Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves apronlike girdles.

Prior to Satan beguiling Eve, both Adam and Eve had no experience of sadness, sickness, sin, conflict, or anything that is unpleasant, but when they disobeyed God’s instructions, THEY CRASHED from that beautiful condition and they were no longer INNOCENT.

HELL WAS NOT INTENDED FOR MAN.

Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those at His left hand, Begone from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels!

SATAN DOESN’T SHOW UP IN HIS REAL CHARACTER, THAT IS WHY HE DECEIVES SO MANY.

He appeared to Eve as a beautiful serpent and the Bible says he will come to us posing as someone else.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And it is no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light;

2 Corinthians 11:15 So it is not surprising if his servants also masquerade as ministers of righteousness. [But] their end will correspond with their deeds.

The greatest weapon that Satan has is his ability to tell lies, and that is how he deceived Eve. The Bible says that he does it in other ways also.

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.

We must ensure that we do not be deceived and only play at being Christians, for that is also a trick that the devil has used as a result of the crash. A hypocrite is a goat in sheep’s clothing.

WHAT IS THE DEVIL’S TRUE NATURE?

John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.

All of Satan’s work in the world is now as a result of the crash.

SO WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT IT?

2 Corinthians 2:10 If you forgive anyone anything, I too forgive that one; and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence [and with the approval] of Christ (the Messiah),

2 Corinthians 2:11 To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

1 Peter 5:8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

James 4:7 So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

James 4:8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

So often we do not know how to deal with the effects of the crash and the devil has a great time confusing us, and we have the answer to this in the word of God.

Luke 4:4 And Jesus replied to him, IT IS WRITTEN, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone but by every word and expression of God.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus replied to him, Get behind Me, Satan! IT IS WRITTEN, You shall do homage to and worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.

Luke 4:12 And Jesus replied to him, [THE SCRIPTURE] SAYS, You shall not tempt (try, test exceedingly) the Lord your God.

Notice that Jesus had a good understanding of the Bible, and that is why we have to read the Word consistently and conscientiously so that the devil cannot distort the Bible and cause us to err.

ARE WE NATURALLY SINFUL?

Men do not become sinners, but we are sinners; Men do not become lost, but are already lost; they do not come under the bondage of Satan but are already under the bondage to him by birth. As sons of the devil all mean are on their way to destruction because this is what Satan has achieved for all men. That is, until they accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Romans 3:23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honour and glory which God bestows and receives.

Some people like to think that just because they don’t break the law of the land that they are “Christian” but the Bible gives us precise directions in this matter. Others say that they believe that there is a God, but that still does not take them out of the clutches of Satan.

Ephesians 2:3 Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behaviour governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.

Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in [a state of] iniquity; my mother was sinful who conceived me [and I too am sinful].

This is not how God intended us to be but the CRASH put an end to God’s original intentions and it is only by His provision that we can get back to it.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO SATAN AND THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM?

Revelation 20:10 Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false prophet were; AND THEY (the devil and those who follow him) WILL BE TORMENTED DAY AND NIGHT FOREVER AND EVER (THROUGH THE AGES OF THE AGES).

Revelation 20:15 And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.

Normally we would expect fire to burn up whatever the fuel that was being used and then the fire would go out, but that is not the case with the fire that God produces, the fire that is also in hell.

Moses and the burning bush

Exodus 3:2 The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed.

The three Hebrew children

Daniel 3:19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury and his facial expression was changed [to antagonism] against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Therefore he commanded that the furnace should be heated seven times hotter than it was usually heated.

Daniel 3:20 And he commanded the strongest men in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:21 Then these [three] men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics or undergarments, their turbans, and their other clothing, and they were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent and the furnace exceedingly hot, the flame and sparks from the fire killed those men who handled Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Daniel 3:23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the burning fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king [saw and] was astounded, and he jumped up and said to his counsellors, Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered, True, O king.

Daniel 3:25 He answered, Behold, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the form of the fourth is like a son of the gods!

Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the midst of the fire.

Daniel 3:27 And the satraps, the deputies, the governors, and the king’s counsellors gathered around together and saw these men–that the fire had no power upon their bodies, nor was the hair of their head singed; neither were their garments scorched or changed in colour or condition, nor had even the smell of smoke clung to them.

Daniel 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who believed in, trusted in, and relied on Him! And they set aside the king’s command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.

Daniel 3:29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, and language that speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be cut in pieces and their houses be made a dunghill, for there is no other God who can deliver in this way!

Daniel 3:30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

Lazarus and the rich man in Hades

Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man who [habitually] clothed himself in purple and fine linen and revelled and feasted and made merry in splendour every day.

Luke 16:20 And at his gate there was [carelessly] dropped down and left a certain utterly destitute man named Lazarus, [reduced to begging alms and] covered with [ulcerated] sores.

Luke 16:21 He [eagerly] desired to be satisfied with what fell from the rich man’s table; moreover, the dogs even came and licked his sores.

Luke 16:22 And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.

Luke 16:23 And in Hades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.

Luke 16:24 And he cried out and said, Father Abraham, have pity and mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.

Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime fully received [what is due you in] comforts and delights, and Lazarus in like manner the discomforts and distresses; but now he is comforted here and you are in anguish.

Luke 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who want to pass from this [place] to you may not be able, and no one may pass from there to us.

Luke 16:27 And [the man] said, Then, father, I beseech you to send him to my father’s house –

Luke 16:28 For I have five brothers – so that he may give [solemn] testimony and warn them, lest they too come into this place of torment.

Luke 16:29 But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear and listen to them.

Luke 16:30 But he answered, No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent (change their minds for the better and heartily amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins).

Luke 16:31 He said to him, If they do not hear and listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded and convinced and believe [even] if someone should rise from the dead.

WHAT THEN WAS THE QUESTION THAT SATAN USED TO TRICK EVE?

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden?

When we begin to question God we will fall into temptation.

DOUBT BRINGS DENIAL

DENIAL BRINGS SCEPTISISM

SCEPTISISM BRINGS ATHEISM

The devil wants us to question God, for that is the first step for us allowing him to tell us lies about God and His Word.

Romans 9:20 But who are you, a mere man, to criticize and contradict and answer back to God? Will what is formed say to him that formed it, Why have you made me thus?

WHAT WAS IT THAT SATAN SAID THAT MADE ADAM AND EVE FOLLOW HIM?

Genesis 3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, AND YOU WILL BE LIKE GOD, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity.

You see, Satan’s nature was still the same as when he fell, and now he wants to use the same error with us.

WE MUST HAVE GODLY DESIRES, NOT DESIRES TO BE GOD.

Satan was proud and arrogant, and this is what separates men from God even today, but the Bible gives us instructions on how we should be.

Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.]

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God’s power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

There are many other Scriptures which show us the proper attitude. Please read and write them out in full.

James 4:6 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church) – [giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)–[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favour, blessing) to the humble.

1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

Galatians 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me to glory [in anything or anyone] except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) through Whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!

THE RESULTS OF THE CRASH

A DISOBEDIENCE

Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

Adam and Eve didn’t know the meaning of the word DEATH. It had never occurred in their sphere and dimension and although it was two-fold in its meaning, the significance of it was a mystery. Firstly, death was spiritual, and they probably would understand that isolation from God was spiritual death for they were very spirit conscious then.

Secondly, there was natural death, both brought about by disobedience.

B A PENALTY FOR MOTHERS

Genesis 3:16 To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your grief and your suffering in pregnancy and the pangs of childbearing; with spasms of distress you will bring forth children. Yet your desire and craving will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.

C A PENALTY FOR MEN

Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.

D A PENALTY FOR ANIMALS

Genesis 3:21 For Adam also and for his wife the Lord God made long coats (tunics) of skins and clothed them.

It was through the shedding of an animal’s blood that God made a covering for man. More importantly, it was the shedding of Jesus’ blood that made, not a complete covering for man, but a complete cleansing. He didn’t just cover up the mistakes and faults like the animal skins did, but Jesus cleanses us of our faults.

Before Jesus, this penalty on animals continued.

Leviticus 17:11 For the life (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life [which it represents].

WHY WAS IT SO NECESSARY THAT THE ANIMALS HAD TO DIE?

Hebrews 9:22 [In fact] under the Law almost everything is purified by means of blood, and without the shedding of blood there is neither release from sin and its guilt nor the remission of the due and merited punishment for sins.

What other areas do you know that have resulted from the crash?

Lying

Stealing

Cheating

Sickness

Weeds

Wars

Growing old

Conflict of any nature – all conflict originates in the realms of spiritual darkness

Rebellion against God’s order – insubordination

oOo

BE STILL AND KNOW ROSS SMITH

September 1, 2015November 13, 2016 Ross Smith

BE STILL …… AND KNOW ROSS SMITH 170815

Psalm 46:10 (AMP) Let be (or “Let it drop” .. see Mark 11:25 … comments mine) and BE STILL, and KNOW (recognize and understand) that I AM GOD. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 (CEV) Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” (or “get your act together” … comments mine)

FOUR WORDS —— POWERFUL RESULT

How glibly does this Scripture fall from our lips and dribble down our chin without any conscious recognition of the potency and the potential contained in this verse.

“I WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO UNDERSTAND THIS KEY I HAVE GIVEN YOU, BUT MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND”

Using the Amplified version and just using the first seven words, but with our concentration on just four words, there is a significant key to our spiritual success.

PART 1. Be still “AND” PART 2. Know

= SIT = STUDY

I AM GOD I AM GO

IN QUIETNESS “AND” CONFIDENCE Isa 30:15

PERFECT PEACE MIND IS STAYED Isa 26:3

PERFECT PEACE UNDERSTANDING Phil 4;7

GENTLE AND PEACEFUL SPIRIT VERY PRECIOUS 1 PETER 3;4

PART 1. “Be still” means to sit, to be quiet, to be at peace, a gentle and quiet spirit, all within the confines of what our day brings.

PART 2. “KNOW” – how do we know? We study, and what does that give us, it gives us confidence, it enables us to have our mind stayed on God, it provides us with understanding, and that gentle spirit is very precious in the sight of God.

(Some Grammar!!!) Joining part one and part two together is a little conjunction “AND”, which makes the two parts inter-dependent. A conjunction is the super glue that holds words, phrases and clauses (both dependent and independent) together. It is like saying “I will if you will”. This AND is a little conjunction with a great responsibility.

It follows then that as we ARE to “BE STILL” then we HAVE to “KNOW” And so we have an “inescapable instruction”. James 4:17 says “if we know what is right and don’t do it, it is sin”.

Without those restricted spaces of stillness there can never be those expanses of knowing!

This “Stillness” is not to be indolence, or ambivalence, not apathy, not indifference, not careless or indifferent, but a stillness that originates in recognition and submission to that which the Lord requires of a people who would be bold enough to address Him as “MY FATHER”, IT IS CALLED “OBEDIENCE” —— BE STILL!!!!

A classic example of this is when Jesus spoke to the waves on the Sea of Galilee, He did not have to say “I AM GOD”, the waves already knew that, He just had to remind them to “BE STILL”. This stillness I believe would have seen the Sea like glass, not one trace of a fidget!!! Nature responds to God spontaneously because it knows He is the Sovereign Creator and that it only exists because of His greatness.

Be still and know This is an ordinance!!

“STILLNESS” is not an activity that can be exhibited as a pursuit that would be obvious to observers that we are proponents, because the WORK is internal, but the RESULT will surely be obvious. It is a “pacific spirit” that is to be studiously cultivated. It requires time!!!!

Now I know that immediately I have put some on the defensive, we don’t have enough time now, let alone find more time to just “sit”, their motto, “got to keep movin!”. The world we live in promotes frenetic activity, the 38 hour week went out with elastic sided boots, now most people are working longer hours than ever before, there is a great concentration on “work life balance” and to most this is meaningless, just a “worthless thought”. Often there is lots of activity with little action!!

It is worth considering 1^st Peter 3:4 which refers to (in ISV) “the imperishable (in other words, “It doesn’t wear out” .. comments mine) quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, The original word (G2272) includes a translation as “properly keeping one’s seat (sedentary) that is, (by implication) still (undisturbed, undisturbing): – peaceable, quite. It is in this state of mind and condition of spirit that will enable the clarity of Fathers instructions to be clearly discerned.” To be “imperishable” means that it never wears out, it will last forever. A gentle and quiet spirit can be “imperishable “and is greatly valued in God’s sight.

To “sit quietly” can be simply an intellectual thing, to “be quiet or still” is a spiritual thing. Some religious orders take “A Vow of Silence”, but that is not what the Word is saying, for “Even a fool if he holds his tongue is considered wise” (Proverbs 17:28)

When Joshua conquered Jericho you will recall that for several days the Israelites had to walk around the walls of the city in absolute quietness, 3 million of them. What would have happened if the people had not “OBEYED”?

Joshua 6:10 But Joshua commanded the people, You shall not shout or let your voice be heard, nor shall any word proceed out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout!

I pondered how quiet was the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant rested with the poles in their place, and even in the tumult of 3 million people tramping to the promised land. The poles carried God’s presence 1000 metres ahead of the throng, the quietness only tinged by a faint murmur confirming that the multitude followed. I wondered did the Levite’s and priests chatter as they walked or were they so filled with “reverential fear “that they carefully regarded the matter with which they were tasked as too important to chatter. The Ark was carried by the sons of Kotha, of whom there were supposedly four, and so as a matter of interest I include the following.

Numbers 7:9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because they were assigned the care of the sanctuary and the holy things which had to be carried on their shoulders. (there were four sons)

2 Samuel 15:29 Zadok, therefore, and Abiathar carried the ark of God back to Jerusalem and they stayed there. (just two!!!)

1 Chronicles 15:11-15 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, (2 off) and for the Levites–Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab, (6 off) And said to them, You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. For because you bore it not [as God directed] at the first, the Lord our God broke forth upon us–because we did not seek Him in the way He ordained. (That is to “Be Still” … comments mine) So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. The Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses commanded by the word of the Lord. (here there are six Levites and two priests)

So how do we implement “Part 1”?

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (KJV) AND (this conjunction joined “Love” with the next instruction .. comments mine) THAT YE STUDY TO BE QUIET, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Remember I said before that to be still and quiet does not absolve us from all we have to do, as the above verse clearly defines.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (AMP) TO MAKE IT YOUR AMBITION AND DEFINITELY ENDEAVOR TO LIVE QUIETLY AND PEACEFULLY, to mind your own affairs,

and to work with your hands, as we charged you, (The Amplified Version makes the instruction even more strenuous … comments mine)

Note that this verse does not excuse us from our daily tasks, it is to be that tranquil state in the midst of “working with our hands”, or in this day and generation probably would have included “working with your head”, but requires application and energy. How do we be quiet in the midst of what we do all day? I came to the conclusion, IF IT COULDN’T BE DONE IT WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SAID.

There is nothing some people dread so much as being quiet. I am probably guilty of this offence, when I study I like noise in the background, I frequently listen to my radio during the night, but the “noise” is always one I can turn off at will, and I can then begin to concentrate in the stillness, but it is a potential interference to my “being still”.

There are some people who never will be still: you cannot hold them still, they are full of suggestions for other people to carry out, never seem to stop speaking, they migrate from one task to another, and they leave distraction in their wake. They try your temper, they fray one’s nerves; they shatter one’s fragile peace. To such people it would be the severest task to obey the scriptural instruction, “That ye study to be quiet”—and yet no one in the wide world has more need to do so than they. A “quiet spirit” cannot be secured without much self-denying effort; but it is a jewel worth all the trouble and all the sacrifice

Many people suppose that noise indicates strength; that the loud bombastic man is the strong one; that we are doing the most when we make the most noise and bluster and show. But this is not true.

The serene nature of our God is displayed in all of life, it is the quiet forces that have the greatest effect. The sun shines all day—yet what immeasurable warmth it affords, and what power for blessing and good! Gravity is a silent force, with no machinery, no noisy engines—and yet it holds all the stars and worlds in perfect orbit with its invisible chains! The dew condenses silently at night while we sleep—and yet it touches every plant and leaf and flower with new life and beauty. How ubiquitous is its dispersion, every blade of grass, every leaf, every flower and tree benefits.

1 Kings 19:11-12 And He said, (to Elijah, and in a very stern voice I believe … comments mine)) Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. (This was a reproof, like Father saying “Go and stand in the naughty corner” because Elijah had vacated his “place” … comments mine) And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [A SOUND OF GENTLE STILLNESS AND] A STILL, SMALL VOICE.

These atmospheric and physical evidences were just God’s apparatus to alert Elijah that humility was required. These circumstances, viz, Wind/Earthquake/Fire was caused by God but was not the communication of God. It is not the display that is important it is the direction of the STILL SMALL VOICE. If we hear the STILL SMALL VOICE we will recognise the EVIDENCE. (Acronym, “SSV” …. For STILL SMALL VOICE)

The preface to this verse is verse 9 where God says to Elijah, “What are you doing here”? We have the capability to understand, obey, and transgress the Divine will, is the Lord asking us “Why are you not still, why don’t you know, why are you not in the place prepared for you”?

The question God put, “What are you doing here, Elijah” is a reproof. It concerns us often to ask whether we are in our place, and fulfilling our duty. Am I where I should be? Where God calls me, where my business lies, and where I may be useful, or am I afraid of the “Jezebels” like Elijah? This is contained in the “KNOWING”.

John 14:1 DO NOT LET your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.

The agitation we so frequently encounter is “self imposed’ due to our disobedience, we ignore the injunctions of scripture that clearly prescribe that we should live in peace and quiet, a peace and quiet that is supernatural, and impervious to the happenings round about us which creates concern when we let it.

John 21:22 Jesus said to him, (Peter) If I want him to stay (survive, live) until I come, what is that to you? [WHAT CONCERN IS IT OF YOURS?] You follow Me! (or put simply “BE OBEDIENT” .. comments mine)

Here Peter is enquiring into matters that related to another disciple, a very good mate, brilliant Apostle, and faithful servant. But despite all these attributes, Jesus said, “Keep your nose out of it”. If we “LET OURSELVES” be agitated etc., are we usurping God’s rule over our lives?

Here is the contrast to the “Do not let”:-

Colossians 3:15 And LET THE PEACE (or “ALLOW” … comments mine) (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, IN THAT PEACEFUL STATE] TO WHICH AS [MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S] ONE BODY YOU WERE ALSO CALLED [TO LIVE]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Note. We are called to live in this tranquil state, not just visit, or sometimes encounter it, but to live it!

Often it would appear that we are not good at either instruction, either the “Do Not Let” or the “Let The Peace”. Does this suggest I am “self-absorbed”?

He has said very clearly:-

BE STILL = POSITION (or in our place) = OBEDIENCE = FAITH

KNOW = PROCESS (or the evidence) = CONFIDENCE = PERFORMANCE

Exodus 14:13 Moses told the people, Fear not; STAND STILL (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.

Isaiah 30:7 For the Egyptians (symbolised as the “horses and chariots” that we employ as our refuge instead of the Lord … comments mine) shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, their strength is to sit still.

Isaiah 41:1 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment.

The “Be Still” and “Know” shows that there are two sides to our life in Christ.

(A) Contemplate God (B) Develop his ethos

(A) Listen for His instruction (B) Apply the instruction

(A) Hear (B) Do

We cannot succeed with just one side of the experience. Have we stopped to identify our “Horses and Chariots”, those things we tend to depend upon, what do we do when we need an explanation, or need strength to endure, or need consolation for our situation.

The great question is DO WE WANT TO BE BETTER AQUAINTED WITH GOD?

If I want to get “BETTER” when I am sick, I go to the doctor, he gives me a prescription. I can either take it and recover, or I can ignore it and suffer. The “THE STILL” is the prescription and the “KNOW” is the recovery

oOo

KNOWING GOD

There are distinct advantages of “KNOWING GOD”, not just knowing about Him, but truly knowing Him. One of those advantages is that we will begin to comprehend “HIS INCONCEIVABLE GREATNESS” Knowing God is not so much gained by effort, but by REST

But there is another benefit prescribed in:-

Daniel 11:32 And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, BUT THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD SHALL PROVE THEMSELVES STRONG AND SHALL STAND FIRM AND DO EXPLOITS [FOR GOD].

You have to spend time with someone to get to “know them”. You can know “about them” by hearsay, or rumour, by name or reputation but you can only get to know them as you relate to them.

I can know about Hong Kong from books and be enthralled, but after I have visited my interest morphs to captivation. I can be told honey is sweet, but it is only as I taste it, I know. When we know God by hearsay we then have to use our imagination, but when we know God by experience then we know him in Truth/Reality/Experience.

Romans 1:19-20 For that which is known ABOUT God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God [Himself] has shown it to them. For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification]

ACQUAINTANCE versus EXPERIENCE

Acquaintance knows the Life of Christ, whereas, experience knows the Christ of life. Similarly we can look for His coming but neglect His presence. When you know someone they are “PREDICTABLE”.

John 17:3 AND THIS IS ETERNAL LIFE: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.

When we “KNOW” our God we will know that we are on the right path, and then we will not see the obstacles as hindrances in the way, nothing will be difficult when we have that determination that springs from “knowing”, we will readily accept “I have a plan for your life” as stated in Jeremiah 29:11.

But how do we “KNOW” that “HE IS GOD”? The Israelites saw the manifestation of His greatness, but did they accept it?

Psalm 95:9 When your fathers tried My patience and tested Me, proved Me, and saw My work [of judgment].

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] (or “KNOW … comments mine) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

There was a TV comedy some time ago, “FATHER KNOWS BEST”, a parody of what is prescribed in Romans 12:2

If we would know our God we must consist in Humility. We cannot know God simply through the intellect, but by His character instilled and distilled in us. Just as the dew distils when everything is quiet, no breeze, not even a soft zephyr, so our “KNOWING” distills in the “BE STILL”.

The demonstrative component then begins to emerge from the somnolence and the cocoon of “QUIET” and becomes strength, exploits or courage”. These do not embrace blind folly, which cannot see danger, but most often is manifest in preserving others. To “KNOW HIM”, just to solve our own personal problems, is not in God’s purpose, it is just an added advantage, if we want the Lord for what we can get out of it then no courage is involved, NO EXPLOITS

Philippians 3:10 [FOR MY DETERMINED PURPOSE IS] THAT I MAY KNOW HIM [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.

If we are “determined” we will implement the instruction.

Daniel 11:32 And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and DO EXPLOITS [FOR GOD].

A moving example of this, that is “DOING EXPLOITS”, was in the actions of Corporal Ben Smith. I will read to you part of his citation

“(Corporal Smith) identified the opportunity to exploit some cover provided by a small structure. As he approached the structure, Roberts-Smith identified an insurgent grenadier in the throes of engaging his patrol. Roberts-Smith engaged the insurgent at point-blank range resulting in the death of the insurgent. With the members of his patrol still pinned down by the three enemy machine gun positions, he exposed his own position in order to draw fire away from his patrol, which enabled them to bring fire to bear against the enemy. His actions enabled his Patrol Commander to throw a grenade and silence one of the machine guns. Seizing the advantage, and demonstrating extreme devotion to duty and the most conspicuous gallantry, Roberts-Smith, with a total disregard for his own safety, stormed the enemy position killing the two remaining machine gunners.

His act of valour enabled his patrol to break into the enemy position and to lift the weight of fire from the remainder of the troop who had been pinned down by the machine gun fire. On seizing the fortified gun position, Corporal Roberts-Smith then took the initiative again and continued to assault enemy positions in depth during which he and another patrol member engaged and killed further enemy. HIS ACTS OF SELFLESS VALOUR directly enabled his troop to go on and clear the village of Tizak of Taliban.

So we can measure COURAGE by LOVE, and perfect love casts out fear. Conversely, selfishness is often accompanied by FEAR, a fear of losing in any arena. Moses was in a dilemma when he met with God on the mountain because he knew that the Israelites, despite their experiences, really only knew about God and so he needed proof of who God was to be able to convince Israel.

Ephesians 1:17-19 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can KNOW AND UNDERSTAND the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as DEMONSTRATED in the working of His mighty strength, (A spiritual “Ben Smith” type of demonstration … comments mine)

The “STRONG AND DO EXPLOITS” aspect of Daniel 11:32, or the “POWER” imparted to us is the difference between “Knowledge” and “Knowing”, between “Profession” and “Possession”.

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!

Moses could relate this detail to the Israelites with conviction because he knew the “I AM”.

To know God is to know His will, this knowledge prepares us for exploits. An exploit is described as “An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one”. To do exploits requires confidence in our ability to represent our God. To do exploits is to evidence extraordinary service during ordinary service.

There are numerous examples of this sort of behaviour in Scripture, such as David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lion’s den, Shadrack, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace, Sampson and the Philistine’s, Stephen the martyr, the list is extensive and its legitimacy is due to the fact that these men “Knew Their God”. But even more rewarding is the fact that Father has us in His sights.

John 10:27 The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; AND I KNOW THEM, and they follow Me. (or paraphrased, “they are OBEDIENT”, and the same requirement in “Be still and Know” … comments mine)

Psalm 139:1-4 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. O LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. YOU KNOW my down sitting and my uprising; YOU UNDERSTAND my thought afar off. YOU SIFT AND SEARCH out my path and my lying down, and YOU ARE ACQUAINTED with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, YOU KNOW IT ALTOGETHER. (Should this not inspire absolute confidence, eliminate fear, and dispose of our “Horses and Chariots” … comments mine)

1 John 2:3 And this is how we may discern [DAILY, BY EXPERIENCE] THAT WE ARE COMING TO KNOW HIM [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).

Each evening it is convenient to reflect on how I was able to implement some, not all, of the lessons afforded me, and each little success help me to “Discern that I am coming to “KNOW”.

LET IT DROP ROSS SMITH

September 1, 2015September 1, 2015 Ross Smith

LET IT DROP ROSS SMITH 21022015

Mark 11:25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and LET IT DROP (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and LET THEM DROP. See also LUKE 6:37

We have been familiar with the conditions that surround The Lord’s Table for as long as we can remember, but that does not prevent us from engaging in behaviour that is contrary to the directions of scripture.

Let me remind us of what obligations we have around The Table.

1 Corinthians 11:29-33 For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body, eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself. That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death. For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], (recall MARK 11:26) we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined and chastened, so that we may not [finally] be condemned [to eternal punishment along] with the world. So then, my brothers, when you gather together to eat [the Lord’s Supper], WAIT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

There is significant importance in these five verses which is so often overlooked or misinterpreted, and so we need to tie Paul’s instruction together so that it carries the proper intent.

You will see initially that he recommends that we need to recognise Christ’s body, now many have suggested that this refers to the emblems representing Christ’s death. But by regarding the further instruction in verse 33 we see that Paul is concerned about the “ONENESS” that constitutes Christ’s body “THE CHURCH”.

Romans 12:4-5 For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another].

I am sure we afford the same degree of respect to each member/organ of our physical body, if one part hurts then that hurt affects the performance of the whole. It is no different to the spiritual body, as shown in:-

1Corinthians 12:26 And if one member suffers, all the parts [share] the suffering; if one member is honored, all the members [share in] the enjoyment of it.

And so we have the principle well established that the “BODY”, as described by non-other than the Apostle Paul, constitutes the church.

So often we take communion for the benefits it provides for us, and ignore the effect it has on others. Our forgiveness is firmly tethered to our forgiving, and others health depends upon our partaking “worthily”, not “worthy”. It is a table of remembrance, not of what we want or need, but what He has done, and what we must imitate.

Christ’s body was broken so that the “body” of His church should not be broken, not subject to divisions and factions and hypocrisy, or sickness, depression, loneliness etc. The march of the church down through the ages has been ridiculed because of the inability to evidence the unity, the oneness, the singularity and all that Christ represents to us.

And so the exclamation of the Apostle Mark comes acutely into focus, he uses the term “LET IT DROP”, today we are more crude and say “get over it”, but I think it is more important that we “conquer it” in and by the manner the Word nominates. For if conceived wrongs are not forgotten then they have never been forgiven. And if we have trouble forgetting there is also a scriptural remedy for this, found in:-

Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the firstborn MANASSEH [making to forget], For God, said he, has made me forget all my toil and hardship and all my father’s house.

Continuing, how pervasive is the instruction given by Mark, do I just ignore any further offence or am I obligated to go through the same procedure again, because sometimes we encounter folk who have a habit of making our lives miserable. “So last time he did it, I let it drop, next time I am going to drop him”, that is the attitude we so often adopt, even though it may be unspoken, but that person might just be the perfect “goad” to needle us until we are truly able to forgive and truly able to forget.

Matthew 18:21-22 Then Peter came up to Him and said, Lord, how many times may my brother sin against me and I forgive him and let it go? [As many as] up to seven times? Jesus answered him, I tell you, not up to seven times, but seventy times seven! (For those like me who are poor at maths, this is 490 times according to my trusty calculator)

Matthew 5:23-24 So if when you are offering your gift at the altar you there remember that your brother has any [grievance] against you, Leave your gift at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come back and present your gift. (in other words, we must “let it drop” and the only way to do it is prescribed here by Matthew. And just as important is the fact that it is not us who have the “grievance”, but it is us who have to fix it. PLEASE NOTE, IT IS NOT THE OTHER PERSON THAT HAS TO RECTIFY THE MATTER, BUT ME, AND IT DOESN’T MATTER HOW THEY RESPOND)

Jesus puts a condition on answering our prayers. He is saying in paraphrase, “I would love for you to come and talk with Me, have fellowship with Me, but how can you freely talk with Me when you are not talking with your brother or sister. Until you forgive that person, I can’t forgive you and therefore there is a block in our communication and I can’t bless you like I want to.”

Psalm 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me;

There is an important aspect of what the Psalmist says here, the sin is not one in which we have engaged but it is one which we harbour. Consider what is implied in regarding iniquity in the heart. The words do not point to open, profane and scandalous sinners. But there are many who maintain a pious character before men, who, before God, will be found wanting indeed. They are deceiving themselves, and say they have peace when they really have none.

Psalm 133:1 BEHOLD, HOW good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

We can look at this verse from two perspectives, FIRSTLY the Psalmist is identifying the principle that it is proper and God glorifying that there be “Unity” amongst Gods people, a truth reiterated regularly throughout scripture.

Then SECONDLY, it is a very privileged place in which to live when there is no schism or faction or abrasiveness in relationship, particularly when it comes to a family including church family.

Mutual respect is foundational but proper behaviour is constructive.

This can only become a reality when we allow God’s Word to rule our nature, where we do not demand our way or push our opinion. But this pattern also springs out of a scriptural principle, one which it seems we so often ignore and as a consequence the “good and lovely” from Psalm 133:1 only exists as a theory. So what does it take?

1Corinthians 13:5 (LOVE) It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

So we need to ask ourselves the question, if people outside can observe us within the 4 walls of our home will they see 1 Corinthians 13 in action

James 4:1 WHAT LEADS TO STRIFE (discord and feuds) (How often do we stop and ask ourselves that question?) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members? (Refer to study “Key to Humility”)

2Timothy 2:23 But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. (IN OTHER WORDS “LET IT DROP”. Also refer to study “Worthless Thoughts”)

Philippians 2:3-5 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]

CONGENIAL COHABITATION IS CONSTRUCTIVE

Ross Smith

HOME BIBLE STUDY

Month: September 2015

HOLY IS HIS NAME ROSS SMITH

NEW CHRISTIANS LESSON #2 “THE CORRECTION” ROSS SMITH

FREEDOM FROM AGITATING PASSIONS AND MORAL CONFLICTS ROSS SMITH

COMPASSIONS ROSS SMITH

NEW CHRISTIAN LESSON #1 “THE CRASH”

BE STILL AND KNOW ROSS SMITH

LET IT DROP ROSS SMITH

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