tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43118507723975388872024-03-29T00:00:32.920-05:00Theologue Concise Theology for Every BelieverUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger473125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-7451501119164941432024-03-29T00:00:00.019-05:002024-03-29T00:00:00.148-05:00One Sacrifice for Sins<div style="text-align: justify;"><div><i>"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God" </i>(Hebrews 10:12). A sacrifice is one who dies in the place of others. There is one and only one covenant sacrifice for our sins. Jesus Christ was crucified to take away all our sins (1 John 1:7).</div><div><br /></div><div>In Bible days, when men entered into covenant, they made promises to each other sworn with an oath. Then, they sacrificed an animal. It was a blood covenant. The animal was cut in half. The men walked between the two halves. Symbolically they were saying, if I keep not my promises, may I be slain as this animal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christ was crucified as the sacrifice of the everlasting covenant. He was the covenant sacrifice at the cross. When Jesus died, the veil of the Temple was torn in half, from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51). The glory of God departed from the Temple. The old covenant was finished. The new covenant had come (Hebrews 10:9). The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ proved it. We enter the everlasting covenant by faith in the Gospel of Christ.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Old Testament sacrifices were offered again and again, year after year (Hebrews 10:11). They pointed toward the one and only sacrifice that takes away sin. They pointed to Christ crucified as the one sacrifice forever. When Jesus was crucified, he said, "It is finished"(John 19:30). The old covenant sacrifices were finished. The new and everlasting covenant sacrifice is forever!</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-80366531420020351712024-03-28T00:00:00.041-05:002024-03-28T00:00:00.244-05:00If You Fear God<div style="text-align: justify;">Godly fear is the highest reverence for God. To the contrary, tormenting fear is not from God. It is never good, and always evil. It doesn't come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). Yet, Godly fear motivates us with faith in God. Noah is an illustration. <i>"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark" </i>(Hebrews 11:7).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, </i><i>that I will not turn away from doing them good, </i><i>but I will put My fear in their hearts, </i><i>so that they will not depart from Me" </i>(Jeremiah 32:40).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you fear God, you are in the everlasting covenant of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah prophesied the everlasting covenant. It is confirmation to you as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:20-21). It means God is working in you what pleases Him. He puts His fear in your heart.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you fear God, you have eternal salvation in Christ. Fearing God is designed for your good and gives you assurance that you will not depart from Him. Godly fear is evidence that God is at work in you. God says, "<i>I will put My fear in their hearts, </i><i>so that they will not depart from Me" </i>(Jeremiah 32:40).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you do not fear God, you are lost without a saving relationship with Lord. <i>"There is no fear of God before their eyes" </i>(Romans 3:18). Thank God for putting His fear in your heart. That means you are a believer in Christ our Lord, according to the everlasting covenant.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-48075076826536804622024-03-27T00:00:00.017-05:002024-03-27T00:00:00.160-05:00Be Justified In Christ<div style="text-align: justify;">Justification is a legal term. In court, one accused of a crime is either condemned or justified. Based upon the righteousness of Christ, sinners are justified before God. His sinless life and substitutionary death on the cross for sinners is the basis for our justification. Sinners are justified <i>through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus </i><span>(Romans 3:24).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Be justified by faith in Christ. </span><i>Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ </i><span>(Romans 5:1). Faith is trust and confidence, relying upon Christ alone. By faith in Christ, sinners are justified with God.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Be justified through grace in Christ. Faith receives the grace of God in Christ. Faith is the evidence that the believer is justified before God. It is the assurance of faith. </span><i>Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed </i><span>(Romans 4:16).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Be justified in Christ unto righteousness. The only way a sinner can become righteous before God is by faith in Christ alone. Righteousness is the gift of God to us. </span><i>But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness </i><span>(Romans 4:5).</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-30069188796622031802024-03-26T00:00:00.120-05:002024-03-26T00:00:00.239-05:00Destruction of the Wicked<p style="text-align: justify;">In Revelation 19:17-21, the Battle of Armageddon ends with the destruction of the wicked. The beast, known as the Antichrist, and the false prophet are cast into the lake of fire. John sees the vision of all the armies who war against God and the true Christ totally and completely defeated. The birds of prey come to feast on the flesh of their dead bodies.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The destruction of the wicked makes way for the Millennium (Rev. 20:4-6). God's Kingdom comes upon earth in all of its fullness. For centuries God's people have prayed, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Now our King, the Lord Jesus Christ will rule with a rod of iron (Rev. 19:15). His will shall be done.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Armageddon ends abruptly, when the King of Kings speaks the word. Those opposing armies become immediately lifeless. In apocalyptic imagery, John saw the sword come out of His mouth. <i>"And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat upon the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh" </i>(Rev. 19:21).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The destruction of the wicked comes by the word of Jesus our Lord. His word is with absolute authority and power. Those who have enmity against God and His Son meet certain and sure defeat. The Lord God omnipotent reigns. His kingdom rules over all. <i>"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" </i>(Hebrews 4:12).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-36544953166465645372024-03-25T00:00:00.043-05:002024-03-25T17:22:24.931-05:00Understand Free Will<p style="text-align: justify;">Jonathan Edwards understood that free will from a biblical standpoint must be distinguished between natural ability and spiritual ability. All people have free will as far as natural ability is concerned. That is to say, God has given all of us the ability of choice in the natural world. Yet, the natural man without Jesus Christ is in bondage to sin and unbelief as far as spiritual ability is concerned.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Edwards understanding of free will was consistent with Scripture, and the teaching of the apostle Paul. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:12-14). He is spiritually dead in sin and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1). His mind is unable to discern and believe what the Holy Spirit teaches (John 3:10-12).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Only when we are born of the Spirit, through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, are we able to understand and truly believe what Scripture teaches. The natural man cannot receive the things of the Spirit of God. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">At new birth, the Holy Spirit becomes our teacher through Holy Scripture, guiding us into all truth. And, that truth is found in the one who is the truth, Jesus our Lord (John 14:6). "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-64969451908153885132024-03-24T00:00:00.007-05:002024-03-26T21:27:05.923-05:00For Whom Christ Died<div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">Greek scholar A.T. Robertson commented on Hebrews 2:9,</span><i style="text-align: left;"> "that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone."</i><span style="text-align: left;"> He wrote: "This phrase is purpose, not result. The author interprets and applies the language of the Psalm to Jesus and puts Christ's death '<i>instead of every man</i>,' as the motive of the Cross. His death was in behalf of everyone, and was sufficient for all, efficient for some" (A.T. Robertson, </span><em style="text-align: left;">Word Pictures in the New Testament, </em><span style="text-align: left;">Concise Edition, 2000) 560. </span></div><div align="justify"><br /><span style="text-align: left;">The gospel offers an atonement that is sufficient in value for all sinners. The invitation of the gospel is offered to all, because the atonement of Christ is sufficient for all. In a word, the atonement is unlimited in the value and worth of sufficiency. That's what A.T. Robertson meant when he wrote that it is "sufficient for all."</span><br /><br />The atonement is sufficient in its scope, but it is also efficient in its application. It is applied only to those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 16:30-31). For this reason, A.T. Robertson could write that the atonement of Christ is both "sufficient for all, efficient for some."<br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: left;">The atonement of Christ is sufficient in value for everyone. The gospel is offered freely to all. However, the saving power of the atonement is applied only to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, Dr. Robertson concludes that it is "efficient for some."</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-38379944551043887272024-03-23T00:00:00.027-05:002024-03-26T21:26:45.212-05:00The Effectual Call<p style="text-align: justify;">F. F. Bruce wrote that "effectual calling which is the work of God's Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, he doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel."</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Bruce recognized that there is a general call that goes out to all. However, he focused upon those who respond to the gospel of Christ in the effectual call. The convincing work of the Holy Spirit makes the difference in those who embrace Jesus Christ our Lord.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The Holy Spirit uses the gospel to effectually call us to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit's work to convince people to embrace Christ. Jesus said, <i>"And when he has come, he will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in me" </i>(John 16:8-9).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Dr. Bruce noted from Scripture that we are called to belong to Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6); called to be saints (Romans 1:7), because of his call (Romans 9:11). The Holy Spirit effectually calls us to Christ.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The reason that the general call is not effectual has to do with the refusal of people in sin, and not with God. Dr. Bruce explained "that the gates of God's mercy stand wide open for their entrance, that his free pardon is assured in Christ to all who claim it by faith."</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-80533861225372641652024-03-22T00:00:00.060-05:002024-03-26T21:25:58.786-05:00Salvation by Grace<div style="text-align: justify;"><div>Salvation by grace is God's unmerited favor. There is no way we can merit nor earn the favor of God. It comes to us only as the gift of God. Faith in Jesus Christ saves us by the grace of God. Don't fall for the idea that you can somehow be good enough to merit God's favor. Grace is not for good people. Grace is for sinners, and that includes all of us (Romans 3:23).<span></span></div><div><br />Salvation by grace is from the law of sin and death. It is by grace through faith we are saved (Ephesians 2:8-9). God works in and through us to do his will by grace. The Spirit of grace works in your heart, which is your mind, will, and emotions. God's grace gives us the ability and desire to do God's will (Philippians 2:13).<br /><div><br /></div></div>Salvation by grace is not in vain. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (<span style="text-align: center;">First Corinthians 15:10). Every believer should say," by the grace of God, I am what I am."</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Salvation by grace is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace reveals God to us and in us. It's not what we do for God (Romans 11:6). Grace is what God has done for us in Christ. All that we are, or ever hope to be, is by the grace of God.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-12267072075578756492024-03-21T00:00:00.041-05:002024-03-26T21:20:17.222-05:00How Faith Is Sure<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>"Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant" </i>(Hebrews 7:22). A surety is a guarantee. Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant. Jesus is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. He works in us what is pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:20-21). Faith is sure in Christ as our surety.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Faith is sure through promises guaranteed in Christ. The New Covenant makes four promises to every believer, guaranteed through Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13). These promises are: (1) God will put His laws in your mind; (2) God will be your God and we are His people; (3) We will all know the LORD; (4) God will forgive your sins and remember them no more.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Faith is sure through promises guaranteed in the gospel of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He died for our sins. He is risen from the dead for our justification. We are children of God by faith in the Lord Jesus (Galatians 3:26). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Faith is sure through Jesus our Mediator of the New Covenant. He prays for believers that God the Father will "keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15). This is the present day ministry of Jesus, as every believer's High Priest (Hebrews 7:20-25). Jesus shall return to glorify all who believe in him (1 John 3:2). That's the New Covenant guaranteed in the Lord Jesus Christ.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-17851352117255693852024-03-20T00:00:00.059-05:002024-03-26T21:33:58.232-05:00New Creation In Christ <div style="text-align: justify;"><div>John MacArthur wrote "The unbelieving heart must be made alive, transformed, cleansed, and renewed (Ephesians 2:4). And it is the Holy Spirit who regenerates sinners, such that those who were formerly miserable wretches are reborn as new creations in Christ."</div><div><br /></div><div>MacArthur further stated, "To see a spiritually dead sinner made alive in Christ Jesus by the power of the Spirit is to witness an actual miracle of God." He concluded, "The same Source of explosive power that brought the world into existence out of nothing is today at work in the hearts and lives of the redeemed."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Spirit of God who moved in creation, now moves in new creation of our hearts. Every time a sinner is truly born again, that is regeneration. If anyone is in Christ, he has become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). God's Spirit regenerates our hearts, which is the mind, will and emotions (Romans 12:2). It's through the Word of the Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians. 1:5).</div><div><br /></div><div>The Word and Spirit brings forth new creation in Christ. The word of the gospel is about the Word who became flesh, even Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The power of the Holy Spirit, who inspired the written word of God, moves in our new creation through the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16).</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-35057432786276616462024-03-19T00:00:00.026-05:002024-03-21T21:08:12.850-05:00God Is Good to All<p style="text-align: justify;"><i>The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made </i>(Psalm 145:9). Many theologians refer to this as common grace. That's not because grace is common, but it is common to all mankind. The line is drawn between common grace and saving grace. Common grace restrains evil, gives people time to repent, provides fruitful seasons and food, and many other benefits that are common to all mankind.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Bruce Demarest wrote, "In sum, God's common grace facilitates that sustains and enhances life on a fallen planet." This planet is morally fallen with the sin of all mankind. While judgment is coming, until then God's common grace sustains the world in which we live.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">God shows common grace even to those who reject God's goodness and compassion. They falsely believe there is no God who will judge them. To others, the goodness of God leads them to repentance. <i>Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? </i>(Romans 2:4).</p><p style="text-align: justify;">God is temporally the Savior of all mankind in common grace. <i>God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe</i> (1 Timothy 4:10). However, the time of God's common grace will end for those who reject his saving grace in Christ. To the contrary, saving grace in Christ Jesus our Lord is everlasting.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-20500065424562184542024-03-18T00:00:00.045-05:002024-03-26T21:19:33.664-05:00God's Covenant Word<div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">God's cocenant word is made with an oath that cannot be broken. In ancient times, covenant vows were sealed in the death of a sacrificial animal. </span><span style="text-align: left;">God's everlasting covenant is sealed in the blood of His Son (Hebrews 13:20-21). God's covenant word in the Bible is for every believer in Christ.</span></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify" style="text-align: justify;"><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">God's covenant word is forever. Our faith in God, the forgiveness of our sins, our eternal destiny, and God's work in our lives are all forever. </span><i style="text-align: left;">Forever O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven </i><span style="text-align: left;">(Psalm 119:89). God's covenant word is based upon an oath forever.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">God's covenant word is guaranteed. His oath of covenant promises are for every believer in Christ. Jesus is our surety or guarantee to the covenant promises that cannot be broken (Hebrews 7:22). The Bible declares God's word is forever settled in heaven. That's God's covenant word to every believer. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">God's covenant word is for every believer in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). We read the covenant promises in the Bible, which are forever the same. God has sworn with a covenant oath, and will not repent. He will not change His mind. </span><i style="text-align: left;">God, who cannot lie, promised before time began </i><span style="text-align: left;">(Titus 1:2). That's God's covenant word for every believer in Christ.</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-21637467602961453112024-03-17T00:00:00.004-05:002024-03-18T16:44:28.515-05:00Debate Over Election<div style="text-align: justify;">Election is the doctrine that God chose His people in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-6). Serious students of Scripture cannot deny that this doctrine is taught in the Bible. The debate arises over how and why God chose His people. This debate over election has continued for centuries. Consider three views on election. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Conditional election</i> teaches the view that God chose certain people to salvation, because He foresaw they would believe in Christ (Acts 16:30-31). The condition for salvation, according to the Bible, is believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Therefore, if salvation is conditional, then election must be conditional. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Unconditional election</i> teaches that God did not choose any person to salvation in Christ based upon foresight of what they would do (Romans 9:11). God chose the elect to salvation according to whom he foreknew (Romans 8:29-30). Others are left in their choice of rebellion to be justly condemned according to God's justice, based upon their personal sins (Romans 9:22).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Corporate election</i> teaches that the primary election is of Christ. He is the Elect One, chosen to redeem us (Isaiah 42:1). The elect are all who are in the Elect One, Jesus Christ our Lord. The apostle Paul spoke of those "who also were in Christ before me" (Romans 16:7). All who come to faith in Christ are baptized by the Holy Spirit into Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-13960535149467031052024-03-16T00:00:00.025-05:002024-03-16T00:00:00.263-05:00How We Please God<div align="justify"><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">There is only one way that we can please God, and that's by faith. When we have faith in God and His Son, be assured that God is working in us what is well-pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, <i>"the author and finisher of our faith"</i> (Hebrews 12:2). "</span><i style="text-align: left;">But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him" </i><span style="text-align: left;">(Hebrews 11:6).</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">We please God, because He is the one who gives us faith. It is by the grace of God that we are enabled to live by faith. </span><i style="text-align: left;">"For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God"</i><span style="text-align: left;">(Ephesians 2:8). It's all of grace as the gift of God.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">We please God by faith that abides in us, as a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). The gift of faith is from God the Father, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. It is anchored to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and was raised from the dead. The Spirit of grace enables us to believe the gospel of Christ.</span></div></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="text-align: left;">The gift of faith is not just mental assent nor human effort. It is a result of the Holy Spirit bringing us to a point of confidence, assurance, and trust in the living Christ. It's faith that the world didn't give us, and the world can't take it away. Faith pleases God, the very gift of faith that He works in us. </span><i style="text-align: left;">"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" </i><span style="text-align: left;">(Philippians 2:13). When we please God, it's because God is working in us.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-51973939038965209682024-03-15T00:00:00.004-05:002024-03-15T00:00:00.255-05:00The Gospel In Psalms<div style="text-align: justify;">The apostles in the New Testament preached Christ from prophecy in the Old Testament Scripture, and that includes the book of Psalms. Before the New Testament was completed, they preached the gospel of Christ according to the Scripture, which meant the Old Testament Scripture (1 Cor. 15:1-4).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Prophecy reveals the gospel of Christ in the Psalms. We see Christ dying and rising again. We see Christ coming the second time and reigning over all. Verses in the Psalms are quoted in the New Testament. Psalms revealed Christ in prophecy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />The Psalms prophesied Christ suffering death at the cross (Psalm 22). Psalms also declared the resurrection of Christ (Psalm 16:8-11). That is the gospel of Jesus Christ foretold in the Psalms.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The book of Psalms prophesied the present day priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, as our Intercessor with God the Father (Psalm 110). Psalms also prophesied the second coming of Christ (Psalm 2).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The apostle Peter preached Christ and the resurrection on the Day of Pentecost from the book of Psalms (Psalm 16:8-11; Acts 2:25-28). That means the first gospel sermon in the Christian church was on Christ from prophecy in Psalms.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-58211245275838862492024-03-14T00:00:00.017-05:002024-03-14T00:00:00.267-05:00How God Chose Us<div style="text-align: justify;">God chose us in Christ alone. He foreknew us as justified and glorified in Christ. God foreknew our salvation as done. In Romans 8:28-30, God's purpose in salvation is a <i>prolepsis</i> (i.e., to see before). God foreknew all who shall be in Christ (1 Peter 1:2).<br /><br />God chose us through the gospel of Christ. That includes everyone who repents and believes the gospel (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 16:31). Only those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved. As believers, we experience the gospel in power with assurance. That was the Holy Spirit working in our hearts (Romans 1:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:5).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God chose us unto faith in Christ. We are justified through the death of Jesus Christ for our sins. Justification is by faith in the power of his resurrection. Justification means all our sins are taken away through the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). The righteousness of Christ is accounted to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). God declares us justified by faith in Christ. <i>"It is God who justifies" </i>(Romans 8:33).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God chose us to be glorified into the image or likeness of Christ. Glorification is salvation complete. <i>"We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is" </i>(1 John 3:2). What is future for us as believers in Christ is now in the foreknowledge of God. Therefore, God foreknew us as glorified in the very image and likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28-30).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-68833226538169631272024-03-13T00:00:00.030-05:002024-03-21T21:11:15.019-05:00Experience God<div style="text-align: justify;">The Bible was not written simply to give you academic information about God. It was written that we may experience God today in a personal way. The Bible is our guide to experience God. The Bible is like a menu in a restaurant. <i>"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good" </i>(Psalm 34:8). To taste and see is to experience God.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experience God through Christ in prayer. The Bible teaches you how to pray. It's important to understand that prayer is a personal conversation with God. It's more than speaking words from memory. Opening your heart to God is true prayer. Prayer is not a monologue. It's a dialogue with God. Talk and listen with your heart (Hebrews 3:15).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experience God through worship (John 4:24). Understand that worship is our personal response to God's love and goodness in Christ. Worship God daily with your songs of praise and prayers of thanksgiving. Surrender your body, will, and emotions to God through worship (Romans 12:1-2).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Experience God with others in public worship, family prayer, and small groups. Hearing testimonies of how others have experienced God is helpful. Be encouraged in your faith. Trust God to work in your life, that you may experience Him daily. Know that God is working in you for your good and His glory, <i>"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure" </i>(Philippians 2:13).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-53615301710720572552024-03-12T00:00:00.196-05:002024-03-12T00:00:00.140-05:00Wrath of Almighty God<p style="text-align: justify;">What happens at the second coming of Christ? <i>"He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" </i>(Rev. 19:14-16). Jesus our Lord revealed the love of God at His first coming. He reveals the wrath of God at His second coming. Those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ receive the love of God. Those who reject God's Son in unbelief and rebellion receive the wrath of God.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">The winepress is a symbol of the wrath of God Almighty. God will totally crush all those who live in rebellion against Him. Their defeat is swift and complete. In Bible days a winepress would be found at a vineyard. Grapes were harvested and thrown into the trough. They were crushed as the grape juice flowed into another trough. That symbol pictures the total defeat of God's enemies.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the second coming, the Son of God Almighty reveals divine omnipotence on earth. He strikes the nations with the sword of His word. He rules with a rod of iron. Those symbols reveal that Jesus our Lord has all power in heaven and on earth. Jesus has the words on His robe, "King of Kings and Lord of Lords." </p><p style="text-align: justify;">At the second coming, Jesus comes with the armies of heaven. That includes the redeemed of the Lord, as well as holy angels. Those who are redeemed wear clean white robes. That symbolizes the righteousness of the saints. Jesus has taken away all our sins and given us His righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). The redeemed of the Lord witness His victory over all the enemies.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-55932288990440049762024-03-11T00:00:00.066-05:002024-03-11T00:00:00.175-05:00The Trinity of Salvation<div style="text-align: justify;">The Bible clearly reveals the Trinity of God in our salvation. There is election by the Father, redemption by the Son, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit. The three eternal Persons of the Holy Trinity work in perfect harmony from the beginning to the completion of our salvation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Water baptism reveals the Holy Trinity of our salvation. Jesus commanded believers to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). Praise be to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as our salvation. God is the Trinity of our salvation as believers, to the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God the Father chose to save sinners by grace through faith in his Son Jesus. God the Son came to reveal the fullness of God's grace (John 1:14). That grace was fully revealed at the cross of Jesus. His substitutionary death guarantees the complete salvation for all who believe the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). His glorious resurrection is every believer's justification. Jesus completely saves!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God the Holy Spirit is also known as the Spirit of grace, applying our salvation to every believer's heart. The Holy Spirit seals every believer as the guarantee of our complete salvation unto glorification in the day Christ returns (Ephesians 1:13-14).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-57443029219631038632024-03-10T00:00:00.061-06:002024-03-10T00:00:00.388-06:00When We Trust God<div style="text-align: justify;">When we trust God, we are not leaning on our own understanding. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"(Proverbs 3:5). We cannot understand all the ways of God. Trusting God is confidently believing in His ability to help us and direct us.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we trust God, then we can say, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust" (Psalm 91:2). No one can force us to trust God. On the other hand, no one can stop us from trusting God. If our hearts are changed by the grace of God, we will trust in the LORD.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />All relationships are built upon trust. Our relationship with God is trusting Him. God is trustworthy. As a son who will trust his father, so God invites us to trust Him as our Father in heaven. If an earthly father can be trustworthy, our Father in heaven is infinitely much more. We trust God as our Father in heaven.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When we trust God, we stand firm upon His word. The Bible gives us the written promises of God. We can trust the promises of God, because He is the Promise-Keeper. His word of promise is our sure foundation. We trust God through every situation of life. We trust God with absolute confidence in His word of promise.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-89623459596548589432024-03-09T00:00:00.000-06:002024-03-09T00:00:00.254-06:00How God Loves Us<div style="text-align: justify;">God loves all nations, and that includes you. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). That includes every nation, all races, and every ethnic group (Revelation 5:9). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God loves sinners, and that includes all of us (Romans 3:23). He proves it. God sent His Son to die for sinners like you and me (Romans 5:8). He died for our sins at the cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Look at God's love in Christ crucified. This is the greatest love story the world has ever known. Yes, God the Father's love for sinners is forever proven.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God loves us personally. His love is experienced in our hearts (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit makes God's love real to us. Upon confessing Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit does something beyond our ability to completely understand. He pours out the Father's love into our hearts. Our lives are changed by love divine. That's God's love for us in Christ.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">God loves us as believers in Christ. As a believer in Jesus Christ, nothing can separate us from the infinite love of God. That includes trouble, persecution, suffering, and even death. God loves us now and forever. Everlasting life in Christ is God the Father's everlasting love (Romans 8:37-38).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-35488805624131474142024-03-08T00:00:00.017-06:002024-03-26T21:11:12.739-05:00If Jesus Is Your Lord<div style="text-align: justify;">"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved"<span> (Romans 10:9). Is Jesus your Lord? If so, you believe that Jesus is risen indeed. Therefore, you will confess Jesus is Lord.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jesus risen from the dead is the singular most important doctrine in the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:17). The salvation of every believer rests upon the resurrection of Christ. It's the miracle you must believe to be saved. Confessing Jesus as Lord is the earliest confession of the Christian faith. It focuses upon the resurrection of Jesus as our confession of faith.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>If you are willing to confess Jesus is Lord, then the Holy Spirit convinced you (John 16:7-11). The Holy Spirit illumines your mind and brings you to repentance, a change of mind, concerning the resurrection of Christ. Then and only then, you will truly confess that Jesus is Lord, because you know the truth personally. </span><i>"No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit" </i><span>(1 Corinthians 12:3).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>Believing the gospel and confessing from your heart that Jesus is Lord means you are saved. The word </span><i>saved </i><span>means to be delivered from the condemnation and judgment of your sins. Also, it means to be delivered from the wages of sin which is death (Romans 6:23). To be saved is to receive eternal life through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. If Jesus is your Lord, your are saved.</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-7950885860156839302024-03-07T00:00:00.019-06:002024-03-26T21:10:25.518-05:00How Christ Is In You<div style="text-align: justify;">The Christian life is Christ in you (Colossians 1:27). The Spirit of Christ, also known as the Holy Spirit, indwells every believer (Romans 8:9). Upon believing the gospel of Christ, you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, <i style="text-align: justify;">"having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" </i><span style="text-align: justify;">(Ephesians 1:13). The Holy Spirit is in you with the abiding gifts of faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>The Spirit of Christ abides in you with the gift of faith. It is the faith of Jesus Christ. </span><i>"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" </i><span>(Hebrews 12:2). The Holy Spirit abides in every Christian with the gift of faith. It is faith from Christ and faith in Christ. Faith is trust, confidence, and reliance upon Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span>The Spirit of Christ abides in you with the gift of hope. It is your hope in Christ. The Holy Spirit brings hope in Christ. It is the hope of glory, which means the hope of the believer's glorification. Everything you are, or hope to be, is in Christ. We are </span><i>"looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" </i><span>(Titus 2:13).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Spirit of Christ abides in you with the gift of love. It is the Father's love for us in Christ and our love for Christ. Love is a gift of the Holy Spirit and the greatest evidence of Christ in you. Without the love of Christ, there is no real and true Christian life. Christ in you is the love of the Holy Spirit in your heart (Romans 5:5).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-87462985973570185652024-03-06T00:00:00.035-06:002024-03-06T00:00:00.146-06:00Why All Are Not Saved<div align="justify"><div>"<em>For this is good and acceptable to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" </em>(1<span style="text-align: center;"> Timothy 2:3-4). God desires all to be saved</span> from death, judgment, and everlasting punishment. God sent His Son into the world to make the one and only sacrifice which is sufficient to save all (John 12:32; 1 John 2:2). Then, why are all not saved?</div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">Not all will come to "the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus said, "I am the truth" (John 14:6). The Spirit of truth uses the word of truth to bring us to the one who is the truth (John 16:13; 17:17). God will not save anyone who rejects the truth. Those who reject the truth, believe the lie. They perish, "because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10).</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">Not all will trust in Christ. None who sincerely trust in Christ will be turned away (John 6:37). No one who believes in Him will be disappointed (Romans 10:11). God's call to salvation is for all nations, Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16; Acts 1:8). The gospel of Christ is freely offered to all.</span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="text-align: left;">Not all will repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31; 17:30). This speaks of our responsibility. Those who refuse to repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ are responsible for their own just condemnation (Luke 13:3, 5). All who repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:36; Acts 2:37-39).</span></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4311850772397538887.post-35588767069916303452024-03-05T00:00:00.046-06:002024-03-26T21:43:19.200-05:00What God Knows Now<div style="text-align: justify;"><div>"God is not limited by time. With him there is no present, past and future, but one eternal now. He knows all things from the beginning." (J. Clyde Turner, <em>These Things We Believe</em>). </div><div><br /></div><div>God knows now all that is past, present, and future. What God knows now about the future is revealed in Bible prophecy. Our knowledge is limited. The knowledge of God is unlimited.</div><div><br /></div><div>God knows now everything simultaneously. Our knowledge is limited by time and space. God is omniscient knowing the end from the beginning (Acts 15:18). We know in part and only in part. God knows all things now.</div><br />God knows now the names and exact number of all who shall be saved. They are now justified and glorified in Christ as far as the knowledge of God. The apostle Paul wrote of God's foreknowledge in terms of <i>prolepsis, </i>knowing the future now as already accomplished (Romans 8:29-30). Yet, God's command is for all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />God knows now everyone who shall be in Christ. That includes all who will repent and believe the gospel (Acts 2:38; 13:48; Ephesians 1:4, 13). God turns none away who will repent and believe on our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31). Yet, God knows now all who shall be saved in Christ (1 Peter 1:2). </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com