II SAMUEL 12;1-20
BELIEVERS REAP IN THIS LIFE, WHAT THEY SOW--Galatians 6;7-9--'' Be not deceived
God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap; for he that
soweth to his flesh shall of the fleash reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well
doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not.''
V. 7--''Be not deceived''--DON'T BE LED ASTRAY.
''God is not mocked''--The Word ''mocked'' means to turn your nose up at one. This is
done toward God, but never without punishment.
Men think to evade God's laws, but they cannot. Man reaps the very thing he sows, not
something different.
V. 8--''REAP CORRUPTION''--in the context, reap physical and moral decay.
Nature writes in One's body, The Penalty of Sin.
V. 9--''LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING''= Let's not keep on giving in to Evil,
while doing the good.
''REAP IN DUE SEASON''--If we are not exhausted, as a result of giving in to Evil.''
Now, although believers confess their sins, they must experience Governmental
Forgiveness.
NOW GET THIS TRUTH; BELIEVERS WHO ARE NOT PRACTICALLY HOLY, BRING REPROACH ON
JESUS CHRIST.
I PETER 1;14-16-[TURN]. HEBREWS 12;14-[TURN]. 2 CORINTHIANS 6;14-7;1--[TURN].
Believers, Who are not practically holy, give occasion for the enemies of the Lord to
BLASPHEME.
King David,a child of God, grieviously sinned against the Lord. He confessed his
sins, and the Lord put it away--2 Samuel 12;13--[Turn].
But, in spite of the fact, that he confessed, and was forgiven, and was promised that
he wouldn't die for his sin, David caused the enemies of The Lord to blaspheme--
2 Samuel 12;14--''Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast fiven occasion to the
enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely
die.''
Those who know the Lord, when they sin, furnish God's enemies, matter for reproach
and blasphemy--Romans 2;24--''For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles,
through you, as it is written.''
God, therefore, will vindicate His Honor, by showing His displeasure against sins--
Consequently, David experienced Governmental Forgiveness. The sword never departed
from his house--2 Samuel 12;10--[Turn].
Now, David's fall had serious consequences, but it was not fatal. He fell, but he
was not utterly cast down--Psalm 37;24--'' Though he fall, he shall not be utterly
cast down; for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.''
Proverbs 24;16--''For a just man falleth 7 times and riseth up again, but the wicked
shall fall into mischief.''
YOU MAY FALL ALL OVER THE ROCK, BUT NEVER OFF IT. Christians may fail, but do not
become apostate.
Let's notice the steps that preceded David's downfall, which occurred AFTER the
end of the Year--
2 SAMUEL 11;1--''And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when
kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joabm and his servants with him, and all
Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and beseiged Rabbath. But David
tarried still at Jerusalem.''
[Now, I want to say, that at the end of one's days, it is just as important to redeem
the time, because the days are evil. Christians should continually take inventory of
their lives].
The events preceding David's Fall are recorded in II Samuel 11.
[1] He failed to endure the difficult life of a soldier.
[2] He indulged in a life of ease--Idleness gives great advantage to The Tempter.
[3] He allowed his eyes to wander. He saw a woman washing herself from ceremonial
pollution, according to The Law.
David took seven steps in his sinful indulgence;
NUMBER ONE-He committed The Sin of Adultery-2 Samuel 11;1-5--[Turn]. He saw, lusted,
and took.
This sin included also, that of ROBBERY, and murder of character.
Under The Jewish Law it was A Capital Offence. King David, and his subject, Uriah,
were on the same level, as far as God's Law is concerned.
LEVITICUS 20;10-[TURN].
The same law governs every citizen of a country, governs its rulers.
NUMBER TWO-David attempted deception, to prevent his crime from being known--[6-11].
NUMBER THREE-He made Uriah drunk.
NUMBER FOUR-David manifested ingratitude and injustice toward Uriah, by plotting his
death.
NUMBER FIVE-David manifested his meanness and treachery against Uriah.
NUMBER SIX-David involved Joab in his unjust act, to cover his own crime.
NUMBER 7-David had Uriah murdered.
We learn from David's sin, that not one sin stands alone--JAMES 1;14-15-''But every
man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust
hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth
death.''
The little pitted speck rots inwardly, slowly spoiling the fruit of useful character.
The little foxes spoil the vines [SS. 2;15].
One sin is followed by a greater sin, unless it is recognized and confessed.
The consequences of David's sin are recorded in 2 Samuel 12. To awaken David, to
a sense of his wickedness, the Lord did not send enemies, to lay his country waste,
nor terrors, to take hold of him.
Instead He sent, one of His most faithful servants, the prophet, Nathan.
Now, get this truth; ALTHOUGH God allows His people to fall into sin, He won't let
them stay in it.
Now God's message to David, didn't cause him to become enraged at Nathan. He became
indignant toward the guity man, portrayed in Nathan's parable.
Now, notice, here, that a person may be indignant at another's failures, but amazing
tender, TOWARD HIS OWN...[''Hit'em Lord-have mercy on me''-Jonah-Grace is not a
monopoly.
Nathan used David's own tongue, as a lance, to rip--and heal his heart. David was
horrified, when he was convicted by Nathan's parable, and application to him, and he
confessed--''I have sinned against the LORD [2 SAMUEL 12;13]. Unlike Adam he did not
shift the blame.
Now get this truth; WHEN A CHRISTIAN'S SINS OF DISOBEDIENCE, NEGLECT, COMPLACENCY,
ETC, ARE POINTED OUT BY GOD'S MESSENGER, HE SHOULDN'T BECOME ANGRY AT THE MESSENGER,
OR TRY TO SHIFT THE BLAME. Instead, he should follow David's example of confession.
Next, we see that THE PRINCIPLE of evil, that resided in David, EXISTS IN EVERY
BORN AGAIN PERSON... He is bent on sinning--HOSEA 11;7--''And my people are bent to
backsliding from me; though they called them to the most High, none at all would
exalt him.''
No one harbors impurities in his thoughts, WITHOUT REVEALING THEM, sooner or later,
in his life.
It has been well said--''You sow a thought, and reap a desire; you sow a desire, and
you reap an action; you sow an action, you reap a character; you sow a character, and
you reap a destiny.''
Now although David's deceit was huge, real honesty [the fruit of God's grace],
remained in him, during that self-deceiving time.
David revealed hatred for the rich man, Nathan described; then Nathan said, ''THOU
ART THE MAN;; [2 SAMUEL 12;7].
Although David confessed his sins and was forgiven, still he experienced Governmental
Forgiveness. The remainder of his life had perpetual sorrow.
Many professing believers DO as they please, and then, rush to the Lord, begging
forgiveness. They may ignore the truth, that they must suffer the consequences of
their sin,but they shall reap what they have sown.
Since believers reap in this life, what they sow, they are taught to guard against
backsliding. They should watch for temptations, and withstand them.
They are also taught to be cheritable toward fallen fellow-believers, although not
at the expense of justice.
moreover they must not use David's fall, as an excuse for sin, presuming they will
receive a similar restoration. To acknowledge David's sin is one thing; to excuse
it, another.
The Lord reveals the sins of His people, not for us to imitate them, but to warn us.
Instances in Jacob's life emphasize Governmental Forgiveness. He deceived his
father, Isaac [GENESIS 27]. Later he was deceived by his uncle [GENESIS 29] and by
his own sons [GENESIS 37].
Jacob cheated his brother and was cheated by his uncle. He was everlastingly forgiven
and restorastively forgiven; and govermentally forgiven.
The bitterest result of fleshly sowing is what one reaps in his own family. Nathan's
parable was literally fulfilled in David's life. He suffered severe Governmental
forgiveness. He had taken Uriah's wife, to be his own wife. Nathan accused him of
taking a poor man's only lamb [2 SAMUEL 12;4].
David pronounced his own judgment, when he said that the guilty man must ''restore
the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity''
[12;6].
Now, just as Nathan said, the sword never departed from David's family [Verse 10].
HE REAPED FOURFOLD.
TO SUMMARIZE; God everlastingly forgives a person at regeneration. He
restoratively forgives when the believer confesses his sins. In this life He
governmentally forgives.
All of this is to conform us to Christ's image.
We are left on earth so that we can be made by the Spirit to be like Jesus.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
GOD'S GOVERNMENTAL FORGIVENESS
DANIEL 1;1-21-[TURN].
Governmental Forgiveness is based on unchangeable Divine Principles.
Every child of God should seriously consider the subject of Governmental Forgiveness.
You see, a sin is not necessarily done with, even when it is confessed, and the
Confessor is forgiven.
One, who has been everlastingly forgiven may sin, and be restoratively forgiven; yet
every Christian must reap, in this life, what he sows--Galatians 6;7-8-[Turn].
Also, the scars last until physical death, or The Rapture...[Comment].
While God delays exercising His power [pSALM 50;21], He chastens His children, who
have been restored from backsliding.
Now, no time can be as solemn, as The Living Present. Divine Principles must be
maintained, because they are unchangeable.
Christians, whether young or old, should maintain The High Principles of God's Word.
Like Daniel, regardless of the social, monetary, or personal cost, they should not
lower them.
Israel's history proves that, God judges christians, IN THIS LIFE, for the sins
they commit.
Several judgments are mentioned, in connection with Israel's History;
1. Servitude
2. Captivity
3. Desolations
Because of The National Sins of Israel, Judah was brought under 70 years of
servitude to Babylon--Daniel 1;1--[Turn].
Israel continued to rebel under servitude. Therefore, God sent more severe
punishment. He brought them into captivity. Israel remained rebellious in captivity,
and The Lord sent desolations upon them.
Daniel's Prophecy reveals God's Governmental Forgiveness of ISRAEL, while they were
in The Babylonian Captivity.
NOW, It is significant, that the name ''Daniel'' comes from 2 Hebrew words; ''DAN,''
which means to judge, and ''EL,'' which refers to God. Hence, his name means, ''God
Judging.'' God always judges the lives of His Own.
There are six basic divisions in Daniel's Prophecy.
[1] Heathen customs are judged [Chapter 1].
[2] Heathen philosophy is judged [Chapter 2].
[3] Heathen pride is judged [Chapters 3-4].
[4] Heathen impiety is judged [Chapter 5].
[5] Heathen persecutors are judged [Chapter 6].
[6] Heathen nations are judged [Chapters 7-12].
The four captive young men [1;6] were ''children in whom was no blemish, but well-
favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding
science''[1;4].
The king desiring to benefit from everything, saw great potential in these young men.
The young men were offered a 3 year course in The School of the Heathen at the king's
expense [1;5].
The Babylonians sought to persuade them to surrender their convictions and
principles.
There is a difference between a prejudice and a conviction. Prejudice means to
prejudge. A conviction is something you will die for, than to give it up.
The world, today, uses the same tactics, seeking Christians to relinquish their
convictions and priniciples.
They will say, ''A little bit won't hurt.'' ''It will not hurt to go to the shore for
one Sunday.''
Now, the names of the young men were changed, at the request of the King.
Daniel 1;7--''Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names; for he gave unto Daniel
the name of Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;and to Mishael, of Meshach,
and to Azariah, of Abednego.''
Daniel 5;12 [Read]. He hoped that changing their names would convince them, to
forget their allegiance to God. [Their Hebrew names associated them with JEHOVAH GOD]
The prince of the eunuchs, at the king's command, changed their names; but he could
not change their character.
[You may hurt my reputation, but cannot hurt my character, developed by the Holy
Spirit's filling the bvelever.
Character is what you are, when you are all ALONE.]
Now, although the Hebrew Children were subjected to the dictates of the heathen king,
they remained committed to Divine Principles.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; DIVINELY APPOINTED PERSONS WILL REFUSE ANY APPOINTMENT BY MEN,
WHO IGNORE GOD'S APPOINTMENT.
Biblical Principles have little influence on One, who is not IS NOT COMMITTED to
them.
To A Christian, truly following the Lord, however, the customs around him may change;
but his commitment to Biblical Principles cannot; he will be separated unto the Lord
from the world.
Daniel refused to defile himself--Daniel 1;8--''But Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the
wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself.''
Daniel was willing to be tested--V. 12--''Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten
days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.''
The prince of the eunuchs feared that the physical condition of the Hebrew youths
would deteriorate because of their decision, not to eat the king's appointed menu.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; UNSAVED PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING OF THE SUSTENANCE OF GOD.
The children of God have mmeat to eat, that the world knows NOTHING ABOUT.
The world can't understand WHY you read the Bible, go to Church, whenever the doors
are opened.
NEXT;We see Daniel chose a simple life. You see, the less complicated A
Christian's life IS, THE EASIER, IT IS, tO LIVE CLOSE TO THE LORD.
Today, too often, well-intentioned men, caught up in a Religious society, advocate
complicated programs, instead of living simple lives, with the goal of honoring the
Lord.
Service is no substitute for FELLOWSHIP.
NEXT; We see Daniel did not falter under temptation. He could not prevent his
name change, but he purposed in his heart, not TO DEFILE HIMSELF by compromise.
Spiritual Courage enabled Daniel to properly call the king's program, Defilement.
Now, that which is not of God, DOES DEFILE....
WRONG teaching defiles Christians. They must turn from it, to that which honors the
Lord.
Daniel was 16-17 years old, when he was captured; His youth did not hinder his
conviction and willingness to stand for the Lord.
The same grace, that enabled Daniel to remain true to Divine Principles, enables
saved children, young people, and adultts, to do the same, today.
GOD OVERRULED, AND BROUGHT DANIEL INTO FAVOR, WITH THOSE IN POWER.
Although people may despise Christians for standing for Divine Principles, they must
admit that those believers, have something that they don't have.
Daniel separated himself, and God gave him Wisdom. His wisdom excelled THE
Astrologers, Soothsayers, and Magicians.
Psalm 99;97-104--[read]--He had a clear understanding.
You see, the humble, separated Christian can know more than the wisest men of the
world.
John 7;17--''IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, HEV SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE, WHETHER IT
BE OF GOD, OR WHETHER I SPEAK OF MYSELF.''
It is a lack of obedience to God's Will, that prevents one from discerning, whether a
thing is of God, or not.
THE MORE OBEDIENT, A CHRISTIAN IS, TO WHAT HE KNOWS, THE MORE GOD REVEALS TO HIM.
When you are faithful in little things, then God will lead you on, to bigger things.
When you obey the light God has given you, He will then give more light.
But if you disobey God's Word, God won't show you more of it.
DISOBEDIENCE CLOSES THE bible, makes prayer a drudgery, makes Church dull, quenches
the Holy Spirit, and leads to CHASTISEMENT.
--END--
Governmental Forgiveness is based on unchangeable Divine Principles.
Every child of God should seriously consider the subject of Governmental Forgiveness.
You see, a sin is not necessarily done with, even when it is confessed, and the
Confessor is forgiven.
One, who has been everlastingly forgiven may sin, and be restoratively forgiven; yet
every Christian must reap, in this life, what he sows--Galatians 6;7-8-[Turn].
Also, the scars last until physical death, or The Rapture...[Comment].
While God delays exercising His power [pSALM 50;21], He chastens His children, who
have been restored from backsliding.
Now, no time can be as solemn, as The Living Present. Divine Principles must be
maintained, because they are unchangeable.
Christians, whether young or old, should maintain The High Principles of God's Word.
Like Daniel, regardless of the social, monetary, or personal cost, they should not
lower them.
Israel's history proves that, God judges christians, IN THIS LIFE, for the sins
they commit.
Several judgments are mentioned, in connection with Israel's History;
1. Servitude
2. Captivity
3. Desolations
Because of The National Sins of Israel, Judah was brought under 70 years of
servitude to Babylon--Daniel 1;1--[Turn].
Israel continued to rebel under servitude. Therefore, God sent more severe
punishment. He brought them into captivity. Israel remained rebellious in captivity,
and The Lord sent desolations upon them.
Daniel's Prophecy reveals God's Governmental Forgiveness of ISRAEL, while they were
in The Babylonian Captivity.
NOW, It is significant, that the name ''Daniel'' comes from 2 Hebrew words; ''DAN,''
which means to judge, and ''EL,'' which refers to God. Hence, his name means, ''God
Judging.'' God always judges the lives of His Own.
There are six basic divisions in Daniel's Prophecy.
[1] Heathen customs are judged [Chapter 1].
[2] Heathen philosophy is judged [Chapter 2].
[3] Heathen pride is judged [Chapters 3-4].
[4] Heathen impiety is judged [Chapter 5].
[5] Heathen persecutors are judged [Chapter 6].
[6] Heathen nations are judged [Chapters 7-12].
The four captive young men [1;6] were ''children in whom was no blemish, but well-
favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding
science''[1;4].
The king desiring to benefit from everything, saw great potential in these young men.
The young men were offered a 3 year course in The School of the Heathen at the king's
expense [1;5].
The Babylonians sought to persuade them to surrender their convictions and
principles.
There is a difference between a prejudice and a conviction. Prejudice means to
prejudge. A conviction is something you will die for, than to give it up.
The world, today, uses the same tactics, seeking Christians to relinquish their
convictions and priniciples.
They will say, ''A little bit won't hurt.'' ''It will not hurt to go to the shore for
one Sunday.''
Now, the names of the young men were changed, at the request of the King.
Daniel 1;7--''Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names; for he gave unto Daniel
the name of Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;and to Mishael, of Meshach,
and to Azariah, of Abednego.''
Daniel 5;12 [Read]. He hoped that changing their names would convince them, to
forget their allegiance to God. [Their Hebrew names associated them with JEHOVAH GOD]
The prince of the eunuchs, at the king's command, changed their names; but he could
not change their character.
[You may hurt my reputation, but cannot hurt my character, developed by the Holy
Spirit's filling the bvelever.
Character is what you are, when you are all ALONE.]
Now, although the Hebrew Children were subjected to the dictates of the heathen king,
they remained committed to Divine Principles.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; DIVINELY APPOINTED PERSONS WILL REFUSE ANY APPOINTMENT BY MEN,
WHO IGNORE GOD'S APPOINTMENT.
Biblical Principles have little influence on One, who is not IS NOT COMMITTED to
them.
To A Christian, truly following the Lord, however, the customs around him may change;
but his commitment to Biblical Principles cannot; he will be separated unto the Lord
from the world.
Daniel refused to defile himself--Daniel 1;8--''But Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the
wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself.''
Daniel was willing to be tested--V. 12--''Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten
days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.''
The prince of the eunuchs feared that the physical condition of the Hebrew youths
would deteriorate because of their decision, not to eat the king's appointed menu.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; UNSAVED PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING OF THE SUSTENANCE OF GOD.
The children of God have mmeat to eat, that the world knows NOTHING ABOUT.
The world can't understand WHY you read the Bible, go to Church, whenever the doors
are opened.
NEXT;We see Daniel chose a simple life. You see, the less complicated A
Christian's life IS, THE EASIER, IT IS, tO LIVE CLOSE TO THE LORD.
Today, too often, well-intentioned men, caught up in a Religious society, advocate
complicated programs, instead of living simple lives, with the goal of honoring the
Lord.
Service is no substitute for FELLOWSHIP.
NEXT; We see Daniel did not falter under temptation. He could not prevent his
name change, but he purposed in his heart, not TO DEFILE HIMSELF by compromise.
Spiritual Courage enabled Daniel to properly call the king's program, Defilement.
Now, that which is not of God, DOES DEFILE....
WRONG teaching defiles Christians. They must turn from it, to that which honors the
Lord.
Daniel was 16-17 years old, when he was captured; His youth did not hinder his
conviction and willingness to stand for the Lord.
The same grace, that enabled Daniel to remain true to Divine Principles, enables
saved children, young people, and adultts, to do the same, today.
GOD OVERRULED, AND BROUGHT DANIEL INTO FAVOR, WITH THOSE IN POWER.
Although people may despise Christians for standing for Divine Principles, they must
admit that those believers, have something that they don't have.
Daniel separated himself, and God gave him Wisdom. His wisdom excelled THE
Astrologers, Soothsayers, and Magicians.
Psalm 99;97-104--[read]--He had a clear understanding.
You see, the humble, separated Christian can know more than the wisest men of the
world.
John 7;17--''IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, HEV SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE, WHETHER IT
BE OF GOD, OR WHETHER I SPEAK OF MYSELF.''
It is a lack of obedience to God's Will, that prevents one from discerning, whether a
thing is of God, or not.
THE MORE OBEDIENT, A CHRISTIAN IS, TO WHAT HE KNOWS, THE MORE GOD REVEALS TO HIM.
When you are faithful in little things, then God will lead you on, to bigger things.
When you obey the light God has given you, He will then give more light.
But if you disobey God's Word, God won't show you more of it.
DISOBEDIENCE CLOSES THE bible, makes prayer a drudgery, makes Church dull, quenches
the Holy Spirit, and leads to CHASTISEMENT.
--END--
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
FRUITFULNESS PRODUCED THROUGH RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
HOSEA, chapter 14, Verses 1-9 contains God's loving appeal to His Wife, Israel,
to return to His heart and blessing.
He asks for sacrifices from their lips--WORDS OF CONFESSION--and not, the sacrifices
of animals.
He promises to heal their backslidings [V. 4] and restore them to His favor.
Israel will be a fruitful nation in The Millennium.
PERSONAL MESSAGE
Backsliders may return to The Lord, experience His Forgiveness, and be restored to
usefulness.
Claim v.4 for yourself, and experience the healing of your backsliding, and the
blessing of sins FORGIVEN.
Our Lesson, Today, is ''FRUITFULNESS PRODUCED THROUGH RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS.''
Revived Believers have spiritual beauty, and strength of character. They become
fruitful, as they grow, as the vine, because they discipline their lives.
The Lord enables them to produce fruit, for all fruit is from the Lord--
I Corinthians 15;10--''But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which
was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labour more abundantly than they all; yet
not I, but the grace of God which was in me.''
No person produces fruit apart from Him. John 15;1-[Read].
As we have said, The Book of Hosea was written to correct Israel's backsliding,
yet, a message for God's people of all time is contained therein.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; CHRISTIANS DO NOT SUDDENLY FALL. . . Backslders begin to slide
SLOWLY--EFFORTLESSLY, NATURALLY. It may even be A PLEASANT SENSATION.
When the pace begins to acclerate, joy will give way to alarm.
Hosea was the prophet in ISRAEL'S ZERO HOUR,and his message was to sinning
believers. He understood the true meaning of Israel's sin--It was Spiritual Adultery
and Whoredom.
Now, get this truth; THOSE SEEKING SATISFACTION THROUGH UNLAWFUL PRACTICES, OR
RELATION, ARE GUILTY OF SPRIRITUAL ADULTERY OR WHOREDOM.
Christians are warned against such sin;
James 4;4--''Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the
world is enmity with God/ whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.''
Things of The World are passing away--I Corinthians 7;31-''And they that love this
world, as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away.''
Christians, who court The World, are guilty of Spiritual Adultery.
Now, Listen; No transgression is so heinous, as that of those, who are DISLOYAL
TO KNOWN TRUTH. . . They sin against light and love.
FORGIVENESS MUST NOT BE VIEWED ONLY IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE.
Three of God's Attributes are predominant in Hosea's prophecy;
[1] God is Holy; Therefore Israel's sin was intolerable [Verses 1-7].
God's holiness, not His love, is first in order. It is when one sees his sin in
the light of GOD'S HOLINESS, THAT HE SEES ITS SERIOUSNESS.
[2] God is Just; Therefore Israel was punished [Vss 8-10].
[3] God is Love; Therefore Israel was restored [Vss. 11-14].
Christians are comforted with the knowledge, that God forgives His Own in love.
Hosea 14;1-3-[Turn]. These 3 verses introduce the chapter.
Througtout The Old Testament, the words, ''turn,'' or ''return'' signify
Repentance. Hosea exhorted Israel To Repent.
The Necessity for Repentance indicates that one has sinned. That is humbling.
God made provision for the sins of His Own, that is encouraging.
Conclusively, the word ''RETURN'' both encourages and humbles Christians.
Here, in verses 1-3, to encourage His people to repent [turn] God put words into
their mouths, to teach them, what to say. THEY ARE;
1. PETITIONING WORDS--Verse2
a. Ask to be acquitted from guilt.
b. Ask to be accepted as Righteous in God's sight.
2. PROMISING WORDS--Verse 2 [Not to move God, but to move themselves].
2 things are to promise and vow
a. Thanksgiving
b. Love
3. PLEADING WORDS--Verse 3
Mercy, living above sin
The following important concepts, appear in The Introduction to Hosea 14;
[1] An awful fact is stated-''Thou hast fallen.'' The children of Israel had fallen,
by their own iniquity.
They were believers, but they had backslidden, from a higher to a lower state.
Christians do not remain on a single plateau. They are either progressing, or
regressing. Their desire should be continual progress.
Regression in Christians is not grievous. Their fall is not attributed to
circumstances, although their circumstances may reveal their inward desires,
which cause them to lust.
[2] Israel was affectionatelly ''exhorted to return'' to The Lord.
[3] They were given ''Instructive Direction''.
Our opportunity dictates the degree of our responsibility.
Israel was admonished to be sincere in confession and prayer.
''The calves of our lips,'' refers to the sacrifice of lips, and that includes
Faithfulness and Praise.
Israel was warbed againist placing confidence in the creature. . .
V.3--
Neither circumstances nor individuals, can deliver anyone.
When God alter's one's heart to repentance, He, Alone, removes carnal confidence.
Repentant persons recognize God's All-Sufficiency to satisfy their desires. They
find their mercy and satisfaction in Him.
Three primary thoughts appear in Hosea 14;4-9--
[1] God restores backsliders [V.4].
[2] The Dew of Heaven symbolizes the method, God uses, to restore backsliders [V. 5].
[3] God's restoration of backsliders is effective [verses 6-9].
1. God restores backsliders--''I will heal...I will love... I will be ''
[Verses 4-5].
A backslidden person and an apostate person differ in that, there is no hope for the
apostates. They have heard the truth, but turn from their knowledge of truth.
Born-again persons may backslide, but their backsliding is NOT FATAL.
God's people are strongly inclined, to backslide, but the Lord loves them freely.
That love IS NOT INCITED by man-it is impelled by God, Alone,
gOD GRANTS REPENTANCE. He alone enables an Awakened Sinner to repent.
2. Dew symbolizes God's method of restoration--V. 5-''I will be as The Dew.''
The dew comes silently, when the winds are hushed, and the night is still.
It has a reviving effect on vegetation.
It represents The Spirit's WORK OF RESTORING BELIEVERS; ZECHARIAH 4;6-[TURN].
''Dew'' in Hosea 6;4 is contrasted with the dew in Hosea 14;5. Hosea 6;4; 14;6-
[Turn].
In 6;;4 dew shows that man's goodness soon passes; in 14;6 shows restoration by the
Holy Spirit refreshes.
Dew symbolizes The Spirits Restoration of sinning believers. It is Heaven-born, and
it descends silently. So The Holy Spirit works silently in the hearts of His people,
giving them, strength and conviction, to do God's Will.
The Nature of Dew is to soften and moisten. Only the Holy Spirit can soften
calloused hearts. He causes confession, restoration, cleanliness, and fruit bearing.
Dew falls after the sun has withdrawn its shining. The Lord told His disciples, that
it was expedient, that He go away. It was after He had ascended to the Father, from
the Earth, that The Holy Spirit came.
Dew is supplied daily, and the Holy Spirit gives daily strength, to meet a
Christian's Need.
The Joy of Restoration recalls first deliverance. The soul is brought to a fresh
starting point, and becomes a fragrant garden.
3. God's Restoration of backsliders is effective--[Verses 5-6]-- They grow as a lily.
Lilies grow in unseemly places, where their beauty is outstanding. Sometimes, they
spring up, in the midst of The Storm.
In same way, restored believers radiate the beauty of Christianity.
Dew causes lilies to grow; The HOLY SPIRIT produces spiritual strength in restored
believers.
Beauty alone is insufficient; Restored backsliders need strength. God promises
restored believers THE Strength of Lebanon. The Cedar of Lebanon, with its roots and
spreading branches symbolizes this kind of strength.
One, who has been restored to fellowship, not only manifests beauty, but he also has
spiritual strength of Character.
The branches of the restored one spreads as the fruitful branches of The Olive Tree.
The aroma of restored is as Lebanon, denoting the frangrance of a fruitful life.
Restored ones grow as the vine.
God restoratively forgives sinners, because Jesus is their advocate. He reveals that
His character is light, by HIS RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS.
Individuals must confess their sins to God, to receive His Forgiveness. Not until
then, can they bring forth fruit, to glorify the LORD.
--END--
to return to His heart and blessing.
He asks for sacrifices from their lips--WORDS OF CONFESSION--and not, the sacrifices
of animals.
He promises to heal their backslidings [V. 4] and restore them to His favor.
Israel will be a fruitful nation in The Millennium.
PERSONAL MESSAGE
Backsliders may return to The Lord, experience His Forgiveness, and be restored to
usefulness.
Claim v.4 for yourself, and experience the healing of your backsliding, and the
blessing of sins FORGIVEN.
Our Lesson, Today, is ''FRUITFULNESS PRODUCED THROUGH RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS.''
Revived Believers have spiritual beauty, and strength of character. They become
fruitful, as they grow, as the vine, because they discipline their lives.
The Lord enables them to produce fruit, for all fruit is from the Lord--
I Corinthians 15;10--''But by the grace of God I am what I am; and his grace which
was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labour more abundantly than they all; yet
not I, but the grace of God which was in me.''
No person produces fruit apart from Him. John 15;1-[Read].
As we have said, The Book of Hosea was written to correct Israel's backsliding,
yet, a message for God's people of all time is contained therein.
NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; CHRISTIANS DO NOT SUDDENLY FALL. . . Backslders begin to slide
SLOWLY--EFFORTLESSLY, NATURALLY. It may even be A PLEASANT SENSATION.
When the pace begins to acclerate, joy will give way to alarm.
Hosea was the prophet in ISRAEL'S ZERO HOUR,and his message was to sinning
believers. He understood the true meaning of Israel's sin--It was Spiritual Adultery
and Whoredom.
Now, get this truth; THOSE SEEKING SATISFACTION THROUGH UNLAWFUL PRACTICES, OR
RELATION, ARE GUILTY OF SPRIRITUAL ADULTERY OR WHOREDOM.
Christians are warned against such sin;
James 4;4--''Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the
world is enmity with God/ whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.''
Things of The World are passing away--I Corinthians 7;31-''And they that love this
world, as not abusing it, for the fashion of this world passeth away.''
Christians, who court The World, are guilty of Spiritual Adultery.
Now, Listen; No transgression is so heinous, as that of those, who are DISLOYAL
TO KNOWN TRUTH. . . They sin against light and love.
FORGIVENESS MUST NOT BE VIEWED ONLY IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S LOVE.
Three of God's Attributes are predominant in Hosea's prophecy;
[1] God is Holy; Therefore Israel's sin was intolerable [Verses 1-7].
God's holiness, not His love, is first in order. It is when one sees his sin in
the light of GOD'S HOLINESS, THAT HE SEES ITS SERIOUSNESS.
[2] God is Just; Therefore Israel was punished [Vss 8-10].
[3] God is Love; Therefore Israel was restored [Vss. 11-14].
Christians are comforted with the knowledge, that God forgives His Own in love.
Hosea 14;1-3-[Turn]. These 3 verses introduce the chapter.
Througtout The Old Testament, the words, ''turn,'' or ''return'' signify
Repentance. Hosea exhorted Israel To Repent.
The Necessity for Repentance indicates that one has sinned. That is humbling.
God made provision for the sins of His Own, that is encouraging.
Conclusively, the word ''RETURN'' both encourages and humbles Christians.
Here, in verses 1-3, to encourage His people to repent [turn] God put words into
their mouths, to teach them, what to say. THEY ARE;
1. PETITIONING WORDS--Verse2
a. Ask to be acquitted from guilt.
b. Ask to be accepted as Righteous in God's sight.
2. PROMISING WORDS--Verse 2 [Not to move God, but to move themselves].
2 things are to promise and vow
a. Thanksgiving
b. Love
3. PLEADING WORDS--Verse 3
Mercy, living above sin
The following important concepts, appear in The Introduction to Hosea 14;
[1] An awful fact is stated-''Thou hast fallen.'' The children of Israel had fallen,
by their own iniquity.
They were believers, but they had backslidden, from a higher to a lower state.
Christians do not remain on a single plateau. They are either progressing, or
regressing. Their desire should be continual progress.
Regression in Christians is not grievous. Their fall is not attributed to
circumstances, although their circumstances may reveal their inward desires,
which cause them to lust.
[2] Israel was affectionatelly ''exhorted to return'' to The Lord.
[3] They were given ''Instructive Direction''.
Our opportunity dictates the degree of our responsibility.
Israel was admonished to be sincere in confession and prayer.
''The calves of our lips,'' refers to the sacrifice of lips, and that includes
Faithfulness and Praise.
Israel was warbed againist placing confidence in the creature. . .
V.3--
Neither circumstances nor individuals, can deliver anyone.
When God alter's one's heart to repentance, He, Alone, removes carnal confidence.
Repentant persons recognize God's All-Sufficiency to satisfy their desires. They
find their mercy and satisfaction in Him.
Three primary thoughts appear in Hosea 14;4-9--
[1] God restores backsliders [V.4].
[2] The Dew of Heaven symbolizes the method, God uses, to restore backsliders [V. 5].
[3] God's restoration of backsliders is effective [verses 6-9].
1. God restores backsliders--''I will heal...I will love... I will be ''
[Verses 4-5].
A backslidden person and an apostate person differ in that, there is no hope for the
apostates. They have heard the truth, but turn from their knowledge of truth.
Born-again persons may backslide, but their backsliding is NOT FATAL.
God's people are strongly inclined, to backslide, but the Lord loves them freely.
That love IS NOT INCITED by man-it is impelled by God, Alone,
gOD GRANTS REPENTANCE. He alone enables an Awakened Sinner to repent.
2. Dew symbolizes God's method of restoration--V. 5-''I will be as The Dew.''
The dew comes silently, when the winds are hushed, and the night is still.
It has a reviving effect on vegetation.
It represents The Spirit's WORK OF RESTORING BELIEVERS; ZECHARIAH 4;6-[TURN].
''Dew'' in Hosea 6;4 is contrasted with the dew in Hosea 14;5. Hosea 6;4; 14;6-
[Turn].
In 6;;4 dew shows that man's goodness soon passes; in 14;6 shows restoration by the
Holy Spirit refreshes.
Dew symbolizes The Spirits Restoration of sinning believers. It is Heaven-born, and
it descends silently. So The Holy Spirit works silently in the hearts of His people,
giving them, strength and conviction, to do God's Will.
The Nature of Dew is to soften and moisten. Only the Holy Spirit can soften
calloused hearts. He causes confession, restoration, cleanliness, and fruit bearing.
Dew falls after the sun has withdrawn its shining. The Lord told His disciples, that
it was expedient, that He go away. It was after He had ascended to the Father, from
the Earth, that The Holy Spirit came.
Dew is supplied daily, and the Holy Spirit gives daily strength, to meet a
Christian's Need.
The Joy of Restoration recalls first deliverance. The soul is brought to a fresh
starting point, and becomes a fragrant garden.
3. God's Restoration of backsliders is effective--[Verses 5-6]-- They grow as a lily.
Lilies grow in unseemly places, where their beauty is outstanding. Sometimes, they
spring up, in the midst of The Storm.
In same way, restored believers radiate the beauty of Christianity.
Dew causes lilies to grow; The HOLY SPIRIT produces spiritual strength in restored
believers.
Beauty alone is insufficient; Restored backsliders need strength. God promises
restored believers THE Strength of Lebanon. The Cedar of Lebanon, with its roots and
spreading branches symbolizes this kind of strength.
One, who has been restored to fellowship, not only manifests beauty, but he also has
spiritual strength of Character.
The branches of the restored one spreads as the fruitful branches of The Olive Tree.
The aroma of restored is as Lebanon, denoting the frangrance of a fruitful life.
Restored ones grow as the vine.
God restoratively forgives sinners, because Jesus is their advocate. He reveals that
His character is light, by HIS RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS.
Individuals must confess their sins to God, to receive His Forgiveness. Not until
then, can they bring forth fruit, to glorify the LORD.
--END--
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
CONFESSION INCLUDED IN RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
CONFESSION INCLUDED IN RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
PSALM 32;1-11
GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ALL FORGIVENESS--He, Alone, can forgive sin. Even The Lost
Religionists of Jesus' Day knew this--Luke 3;18-26-[Turn].
Sinners have profaned His Name, abused His Patience, violated His Laws, and
stained His Glory. Nevertheless, He forgives them, of their sin.
NOW, LISTEN, TO THIS; Because of Everlasting Forgiveness, sins committed by believers
are hidden, from the eyes of The Father. The Blood of Jesus Christ covers all sins-
Past, Present, and Future. How many of your sins were in The Future, when He died/
ALL OF THEM. . .
ALTHOUGH A Believer's sins are hidden from The Father, they must be duly confessed
and cleansed.
The JUSTIFIED PERSON RETAINS HIS SIN NATURE; THEREFORE, HE REQUIRES CONTINUAL
SANCTIFICATION. Sinning Christians lose the joy of their Salvation.
Everlastingly forgiven persons alone, experience joy. [Joy cannot be restored, to
those, who have never experienced it]. The restoration of one, who through sin, had
lost the joy of His SALVATION, is recorded in PSALMS 32 and 51.
JACOB WAS ALSO RESTORED TO THE FELLOWSHIP, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED AT Bethel-
GENESIS 31;3-''And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers,and
to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.''
GENESIS 35;1--15-[READ]
''ARISE GO TO BETHEL''--Place of Revelation, or, of closeness to God. It may stand
for; Time of Conviction; Time of Conversion; Time of Consecration; The Call to a life
of faith.
''WHEN THOU FLEDDEST''--You were scared before, and I took care of you, and I can do
it again.
The saints at Ephesus, Who had left their first love, were exhorted to return--
Revelation 2;1-5--[Turn].
The introduction to Psalm 32, as found in Verses 1 and 2, describes The Joy,
experienced by a forgiven sinner.
David recognized the radical nature of sin [VV. 3-7], and The Lord answered his
confession of sin [VV. 8-9].
The Psalm concludes with a testimony of God's Redeeming Grace in VV. 10-11.
Psalm 32;1-11--[TURN].
The Psalm is introduced with an expression of overflowing joy because of forgiven
sins.
The Writer rejoiced over forgiven acts of sin.
In Psalm 51, he rejoiced over the forgiven nature of sin.
Erroneous concepts of forgiveness result from ignorance of that distinction.
The LORD pronounced David Blessed, because he had been Everlastingly forgiven. That
Forgiveness was based on The Everlasting Covenant, that God the Father had made with
His Son, and on Christ's finished work on The Cross.
Regenerated persons are blessed, because they are in a better state, than Adam was,
before he fell. We don't bemoan Adam's fall, but rejoice that we are trophies of
God's grace.
Future blessings are also promised [REVELATION 21-22].
One, whose transgressions are forgiven, is blessed. This one word doesn't adequately
convey the meaning Here. It is called ''transgression,'' ''sin,'' and ''iniquity''--
PSALM 32;1-3-[read].
1. Transgression is rebellion against rightful authority.
2. Sin is missing the mark.
3. Iniquity is moral crookedness.
Three expressions for PARDON are also given; ''FORGIVEN,'' ''COVERED,'' ''NOT
IMPUTED'' [VV. 1-2].
1. Forgiveness signifies taken away. . .comment-leviticus 16;1-10; 18-22-[read]
2. Covered indicates that sins are hidden from God's Face.
3. ''No imputation'' means the debt has been canceled; it is not reckoned to the
sinner's account.
Believers are blessed with assurance, that the sins they commit after REGENERATION,
will not be imputed to their accounts.
Repentance and Confession of sin are fruits of CHRIST'S ADVOCACY.
The Lord Jesus Christ righteously settled the sin question, on the cross;
consequently, He righteously pleads for believers, on the throne.
Past, present, and future sins of believers were judged in the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ.
Believers without guile [hypocrisy] are blessed. Sincerity and Hypocrisy are
incompatible.
Guile is manifested, by refusing to seriously consider one's self before God. Such
individuals excuse themselves, for not confessing their sin.
Frivolous amusement and religious ceremonies are often adopted, in order to relieve
the labor of reflection.
A Forgiven Individual, on the other hand, openly confesses his sin, and makes no
excuse for it. He desires impartial treatment. He studies God's Word, and implements
what he has learned, by following practical holiness.
David recognized the radical nature of sin, felt the burden and sorrow thereof,
and confessed it. He recognized that, ALL SIN is against The Lord.
He looked retrospectively, from his restored fellowship, to his forgiven backsliding-
Psalm 32;3-4--''When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the
day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into
the drought of summer. Selah.''
During his silence--failure to confess his sins-- he suffered God's Chastening.
Now failure to confess sin, may result from thoughtlessness, pride, or
procrastination--''I'll get right with The Lord later.'' The ROAD OF BYE and BYE
leads to the town of Never.
Sin is never diminished by deferred confession. But, it is AGGRAVATED-- It not only
is WRONG, It is NOT WORTHWHILE. . .
David's State after his great transgression is reflected in PSALM 51;1-13-READ. His
decline was marked by various complications, which not only aggravated his personal
guilt, but directly affected the lives of others.
David paid four-fold-HIS CHILD DIED, HIS SON RAPED HIS HALF-SISTER, HIS SON KILLED
HIS HALF-BROTHER, AND HIS BELOVED SON WAS KILLED.
Now, A Christian's sin is the most heinous of all iniquiities. An unsaved
individual may be guilty of all kinds of sin, but, it is a Christian's sin, that
brings reproach upon the One,Who has everlastingly forgiven him.
If you let sin come into the local church, and it be known in the community, the
whole church loses respect and reputation in the area.
David's sin resulted in the loss of four [4] things;
[1.] He lost his peace, and prayed for forgiveness--V I--''Have mercy upon me, O God;
according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.''
His pleading for forgiveness began with requesting mercy, BEFORE mentioning his Sin.
He did not plead past purity, pious parentage, public position, or accomplishments
for the Lord.
[2]He lost his purity, and prayed for cleansing-- V. 2--''Wash me thoroughly from
mine iniquity; and cleanse me from my sin.''
His plea was for personal cleansing-wash me-not for cleansing of garments. Hypocrites
are satisfied with garment cleansing. But sincere Christians desire internal
cleansing.
[3.] He lost the joy of his Salvation, and pleaded for restoration [VV. 4-12].
Many become sick from sin, but David was sick ''of'' sin ''as'' sin. He made full
confession.
None, but truly born-again individuals, will fully confess before The All-Seeing eYE
OF GOD.
[4.] HE LOST HIS POWER--EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVICE, AND PRAYED FOR ITS RENEWAL-[VV.
13-19].
FIVE Great Themes dominate Psalm 51;
[1]SIN-MAN'S SIN IS REGARDED IN 2 WAYS; It is a polluted recoord, that must be wiped
out; it is a polluted robe, that must be cleansed.
[2] RESPONSIBILITY--David did not blame heredity, environment, society, instinct, or
circumstances for his sin. David acknowledged his own guilt.
Now, get this truth; those who seek to excuse sin, know nothing of God's Grace.
[3]REPENTANCE--The Old Testament Saints could understand from prophecy, that a
fountain is opened for cleansing--
Zechariah 13;1--''In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin, and for uncleanness.''
All the Saved, since the death of the testator, know THERE IS A FOUNTAIN, FILLED
WITH BLOOD, DRAWN FROM IMMANUEL'S VEINS, THAT CLEANSES FROM ALL SIN--
I John 1;7-- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.''
[4] FORGIVENESS--Consciousness of sin leads the believer to that fountain, filled
with Blood.
[5] TESTIMONY--Forgiveness and cleansing lead to a life of witnessing for The Lord.
A REDEEMED PERSON CANNOT REFRAIN FROM DAILY WITNESSING.
Before he confessed his sins, David's bones waxed old-Psalm 32;3--''When I kept
silence,my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.''
His physical strength diminished.
The Sapping of a person's spiritual state affects his physical well-being,
I Corinthians 11;30-[Turn].
A individual, suffering from foreign matter in the eye, may not enjoy his eyesight,
any more that One, who is blind. Nevertheless, no one would conclude he lost hi
eyesight.
Removal of the foreign matter is often painful. Similarly, removal of that which is
foreign to Spirituality is very painful, to the offending Christian.
God's Chastening Head was heavy upon David--V. 4--''For day and night thy hand was
heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.''
Scientists affirm that the atmosphere weighs on all solid objects, a certain amount
of pressure per square inch. However they are not crushed.
Likewise, A Christian is protected through God's Chastening--Psalm 89;3-4-[Read].
Here, we have The Davidic Covenant.
1. Verses 3-4--The covenant made with David and in him David's Lord and Son. Made for
his seed; made for himself--''his throne''.
2. The COVENANT CONFIRMED BY DECREE--''I HAVE MADE''; BY PROMISE-''I WILL
ESTABLISH''; BY OATH-''I HAVE SWORN.''
David repented and confessed his sin-Psalm 32;5-7-[Turn]. His confession was 3-fold;
[1] He acknowledged his sin. [2] He uncovered his sin. [3] He confessed his sin.
The Psalmist's grateful testimony after his restoration is recorded in Psalm 32;5-7-
[READ].
The Lord answered David's confession with instruction [V.8] and warning [V. 9].
CHRISTIANS CANNOT BE INSTRUCTED AND BLESSED, UNTIL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE, UNCOVER, AND
CONFESS THEIR SINS--Jeremiah 31;18-19-[TURN].
Instruction follows genuine confession of sin. Truth must be learned through this
kind of personal eexperience.
The ability to quote Scripture is insufficient. Abstract truth alone. Truth separated
from practical consideration, or application, profits no one.
God's people must be instructed-indoctrinated.
People may be theoretically indoctrinated, and give mental and vocal assent to
doctrine. However, only when doctrine is received into a believer's heart, can he
exhibit its molding influence.
Confession, forgiveness, and restoration enablle Christians to effectually serve The
Lord.
When DAVID WAS RESTORED TO THE JOY OF HIS SALVATION, HE BECAME A FAITHFUL WITNESS
FOR THE LORD.--Psalm 51;12-13-[Turn].
PSALM 32;1-11
GOD IS THE AUTHOR OF ALL FORGIVENESS--He, Alone, can forgive sin. Even The Lost
Religionists of Jesus' Day knew this--Luke 3;18-26-[Turn].
Sinners have profaned His Name, abused His Patience, violated His Laws, and
stained His Glory. Nevertheless, He forgives them, of their sin.
NOW, LISTEN, TO THIS; Because of Everlasting Forgiveness, sins committed by believers
are hidden, from the eyes of The Father. The Blood of Jesus Christ covers all sins-
Past, Present, and Future. How many of your sins were in The Future, when He died/
ALL OF THEM. . .
ALTHOUGH A Believer's sins are hidden from The Father, they must be duly confessed
and cleansed.
The JUSTIFIED PERSON RETAINS HIS SIN NATURE; THEREFORE, HE REQUIRES CONTINUAL
SANCTIFICATION. Sinning Christians lose the joy of their Salvation.
Everlastingly forgiven persons alone, experience joy. [Joy cannot be restored, to
those, who have never experienced it]. The restoration of one, who through sin, had
lost the joy of His SALVATION, is recorded in PSALMS 32 and 51.
JACOB WAS ALSO RESTORED TO THE FELLOWSHIP, HE HAD PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED AT Bethel-
GENESIS 31;3-''And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers,and
to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee.''
GENESIS 35;1--15-[READ]
''ARISE GO TO BETHEL''--Place of Revelation, or, of closeness to God. It may stand
for; Time of Conviction; Time of Conversion; Time of Consecration; The Call to a life
of faith.
''WHEN THOU FLEDDEST''--You were scared before, and I took care of you, and I can do
it again.
The saints at Ephesus, Who had left their first love, were exhorted to return--
Revelation 2;1-5--[Turn].
The introduction to Psalm 32, as found in Verses 1 and 2, describes The Joy,
experienced by a forgiven sinner.
David recognized the radical nature of sin [VV. 3-7], and The Lord answered his
confession of sin [VV. 8-9].
The Psalm concludes with a testimony of God's Redeeming Grace in VV. 10-11.
Psalm 32;1-11--[TURN].
The Psalm is introduced with an expression of overflowing joy because of forgiven
sins.
The Writer rejoiced over forgiven acts of sin.
In Psalm 51, he rejoiced over the forgiven nature of sin.
Erroneous concepts of forgiveness result from ignorance of that distinction.
The LORD pronounced David Blessed, because he had been Everlastingly forgiven. That
Forgiveness was based on The Everlasting Covenant, that God the Father had made with
His Son, and on Christ's finished work on The Cross.
Regenerated persons are blessed, because they are in a better state, than Adam was,
before he fell. We don't bemoan Adam's fall, but rejoice that we are trophies of
God's grace.
Future blessings are also promised [REVELATION 21-22].
One, whose transgressions are forgiven, is blessed. This one word doesn't adequately
convey the meaning Here. It is called ''transgression,'' ''sin,'' and ''iniquity''--
PSALM 32;1-3-[read].
1. Transgression is rebellion against rightful authority.
2. Sin is missing the mark.
3. Iniquity is moral crookedness.
Three expressions for PARDON are also given; ''FORGIVEN,'' ''COVERED,'' ''NOT
IMPUTED'' [VV. 1-2].
1. Forgiveness signifies taken away. . .comment-leviticus 16;1-10; 18-22-[read]
2. Covered indicates that sins are hidden from God's Face.
3. ''No imputation'' means the debt has been canceled; it is not reckoned to the
sinner's account.
Believers are blessed with assurance, that the sins they commit after REGENERATION,
will not be imputed to their accounts.
Repentance and Confession of sin are fruits of CHRIST'S ADVOCACY.
The Lord Jesus Christ righteously settled the sin question, on the cross;
consequently, He righteously pleads for believers, on the throne.
Past, present, and future sins of believers were judged in the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ.
Believers without guile [hypocrisy] are blessed. Sincerity and Hypocrisy are
incompatible.
Guile is manifested, by refusing to seriously consider one's self before God. Such
individuals excuse themselves, for not confessing their sin.
Frivolous amusement and religious ceremonies are often adopted, in order to relieve
the labor of reflection.
A Forgiven Individual, on the other hand, openly confesses his sin, and makes no
excuse for it. He desires impartial treatment. He studies God's Word, and implements
what he has learned, by following practical holiness.
David recognized the radical nature of sin, felt the burden and sorrow thereof,
and confessed it. He recognized that, ALL SIN is against The Lord.
He looked retrospectively, from his restored fellowship, to his forgiven backsliding-
Psalm 32;3-4--''When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the
day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into
the drought of summer. Selah.''
During his silence--failure to confess his sins-- he suffered God's Chastening.
Now failure to confess sin, may result from thoughtlessness, pride, or
procrastination--''I'll get right with The Lord later.'' The ROAD OF BYE and BYE
leads to the town of Never.
Sin is never diminished by deferred confession. But, it is AGGRAVATED-- It not only
is WRONG, It is NOT WORTHWHILE. . .
David's State after his great transgression is reflected in PSALM 51;1-13-READ. His
decline was marked by various complications, which not only aggravated his personal
guilt, but directly affected the lives of others.
David paid four-fold-HIS CHILD DIED, HIS SON RAPED HIS HALF-SISTER, HIS SON KILLED
HIS HALF-BROTHER, AND HIS BELOVED SON WAS KILLED.
Now, A Christian's sin is the most heinous of all iniquiities. An unsaved
individual may be guilty of all kinds of sin, but, it is a Christian's sin, that
brings reproach upon the One,Who has everlastingly forgiven him.
If you let sin come into the local church, and it be known in the community, the
whole church loses respect and reputation in the area.
David's sin resulted in the loss of four [4] things;
[1.] He lost his peace, and prayed for forgiveness--V I--''Have mercy upon me, O God;
according to thy loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.''
His pleading for forgiveness began with requesting mercy, BEFORE mentioning his Sin.
He did not plead past purity, pious parentage, public position, or accomplishments
for the Lord.
[2]He lost his purity, and prayed for cleansing-- V. 2--''Wash me thoroughly from
mine iniquity; and cleanse me from my sin.''
His plea was for personal cleansing-wash me-not for cleansing of garments. Hypocrites
are satisfied with garment cleansing. But sincere Christians desire internal
cleansing.
[3.] He lost the joy of his Salvation, and pleaded for restoration [VV. 4-12].
Many become sick from sin, but David was sick ''of'' sin ''as'' sin. He made full
confession.
None, but truly born-again individuals, will fully confess before The All-Seeing eYE
OF GOD.
[4.] HE LOST HIS POWER--EFFECTIVENESS IN SERVICE, AND PRAYED FOR ITS RENEWAL-[VV.
13-19].
FIVE Great Themes dominate Psalm 51;
[1]SIN-MAN'S SIN IS REGARDED IN 2 WAYS; It is a polluted recoord, that must be wiped
out; it is a polluted robe, that must be cleansed.
[2] RESPONSIBILITY--David did not blame heredity, environment, society, instinct, or
circumstances for his sin. David acknowledged his own guilt.
Now, get this truth; those who seek to excuse sin, know nothing of God's Grace.
[3]REPENTANCE--The Old Testament Saints could understand from prophecy, that a
fountain is opened for cleansing--
Zechariah 13;1--''In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin, and for uncleanness.''
All the Saved, since the death of the testator, know THERE IS A FOUNTAIN, FILLED
WITH BLOOD, DRAWN FROM IMMANUEL'S VEINS, THAT CLEANSES FROM ALL SIN--
I John 1;7-- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.''
[4] FORGIVENESS--Consciousness of sin leads the believer to that fountain, filled
with Blood.
[5] TESTIMONY--Forgiveness and cleansing lead to a life of witnessing for The Lord.
A REDEEMED PERSON CANNOT REFRAIN FROM DAILY WITNESSING.
Before he confessed his sins, David's bones waxed old-Psalm 32;3--''When I kept
silence,my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.''
His physical strength diminished.
The Sapping of a person's spiritual state affects his physical well-being,
I Corinthians 11;30-[Turn].
A individual, suffering from foreign matter in the eye, may not enjoy his eyesight,
any more that One, who is blind. Nevertheless, no one would conclude he lost hi
eyesight.
Removal of the foreign matter is often painful. Similarly, removal of that which is
foreign to Spirituality is very painful, to the offending Christian.
God's Chastening Head was heavy upon David--V. 4--''For day and night thy hand was
heavy upon me; my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.''
Scientists affirm that the atmosphere weighs on all solid objects, a certain amount
of pressure per square inch. However they are not crushed.
Likewise, A Christian is protected through God's Chastening--Psalm 89;3-4-[Read].
Here, we have The Davidic Covenant.
1. Verses 3-4--The covenant made with David and in him David's Lord and Son. Made for
his seed; made for himself--''his throne''.
2. The COVENANT CONFIRMED BY DECREE--''I HAVE MADE''; BY PROMISE-''I WILL
ESTABLISH''; BY OATH-''I HAVE SWORN.''
David repented and confessed his sin-Psalm 32;5-7-[Turn]. His confession was 3-fold;
[1] He acknowledged his sin. [2] He uncovered his sin. [3] He confessed his sin.
The Psalmist's grateful testimony after his restoration is recorded in Psalm 32;5-7-
[READ].
The Lord answered David's confession with instruction [V.8] and warning [V. 9].
CHRISTIANS CANNOT BE INSTRUCTED AND BLESSED, UNTIL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE, UNCOVER, AND
CONFESS THEIR SINS--Jeremiah 31;18-19-[TURN].
Instruction follows genuine confession of sin. Truth must be learned through this
kind of personal eexperience.
The ability to quote Scripture is insufficient. Abstract truth alone. Truth separated
from practical consideration, or application, profits no one.
God's people must be instructed-indoctrinated.
People may be theoretically indoctrinated, and give mental and vocal assent to
doctrine. However, only when doctrine is received into a believer's heart, can he
exhibit its molding influence.
Confession, forgiveness, and restoration enablle Christians to effectually serve The
Lord.
When DAVID WAS RESTORED TO THE JOY OF HIS SALVATION, HE BECAME A FAITHFUL WITNESS
FOR THE LORD.--Psalm 51;12-13-[Turn].
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
GOD'S CHARACTER IS SEEN IN RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS--PART 2
Now, I want you, to get this truth; At the root of almost every church problem
is UNCONFESSED, SECRET SIN.
Confession at the private altar is sufficient to receive forgiveness and
cleansing for sin,known only to God, and an individual soul; but Forgiveness of
Plubic Sin necessitates confession One to Another.
You see, TRUE WORSHIP IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER,
UNTIL THEY HAVE RIGHTED THE WRONG. .. MATTHEW 5;23-24-[TURN].
Forgiveness is costly. GOD FORGIVES A REPENTANT SINNER BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOUR'S
SACRIFICE.
In the same way, it costs the forgiving heart to forgive Another's Transgression.
But, It is worth the price, for Forgiven Ones have forgiving spirits.
Flesh does not easily yield, but Christians ARE NOT DEBTORS TO THE FLESH-They crucify
the flesh--I CORINTHIANS 9;27-[TURN].
With one exception,, sins committed before salvation, should never be related,
because they were washed away, in Christ's blood.
I CORINTHIANS 9;27-''But I buffet my body''--Paul did not, like The Gnostics,
consider his flesh and soul, to be sinful, or evil.
''BUFFET'' is a word, used in Boxing, The boxers used boxing gloves, gave telling
blows. Paul did not want his body, to be his Master,he found good, as the outcome of
self-discipline.
''AND BRING IT UNTO SUBJECTION,'' or bondage. We have, Here, The Metaphor of The
Victor, leading the vanquished, as captives and slaves.
''LEST BY ANY MEANS, AFTER THAT I PREACHED TO OTHERS.'' ''PREACHED''= TO HERALD.'' A
Herald, at the games, announced the rules of the game, and called out the
competitors. So PAUL, IS BOTH A HERALD, AND A COMPETITOR.
''I SHOULD BE DISAPPROVED,'' or rejected. ''Adokimos'' word used by a Potter, who
puts a vessel on the shhelf, that has failed to pass the water test. Here, it is used
in a moral sense, by Paul--It means, not standing the test. Paul means rejected for
the prize [reward], not from entrance into the race.He will fail to win, if he breaks
the rules of the game.
What is the prize before Paul/ It is the reward of which he spoke in verse 18-hois
glorying of preaching A FREE GOSPEL.
Now, LISTEN, to continue publically confessing sins, committed BEFORE
JUSTIFICATION, is very insulting and injurious, to the Finished Work of Christ. He
everlastingly forgave the elect sinner of them. To reiterate those sins, calls
attention to One's Self.
PRESENT-DAY EVANGELISM capitalizes on repeated confessions, from former Dope
Addicts, Prise Fighters, Convicts, and so on.
Now, Get this truth; Dragging hearers through the mire, IS NOT NECESSARY, to
regenerate and convert sinners. The experience of others, convert no one. God alone,
converts.
LUKE 19;1-10
VERSE 1-''And Jesus entered, and passed through Jericho-''was passing through
Jericho''--Jesus was inside The Roman Jericho, with the procession.
VERSE 2-''And, behold, there was a man named Zaachaeus, which was the cheif among the
publicans, and he was rich.'' ''Cheif Publican.'' Jericho was an important trading
center for balsam, and Zaachaeus was the head of tax collections, in this region, a
sort of commissioner of taxes, with other publicans, serving under him.
3. He was seeking to see WHO Jesus was--
VERSE 3-''And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and could not for the press,
because he was of little stature.'' He had heard MUCH about Jesus, and wanted to see
which one of the crowd was Jesus.
''for the press''-he was short, and the crowd was thick, and close.
VERSE 4-''And he ran before, ans cloimbed up into a sycomore tree to see him, for he
was to pass that way.'''--The tree was an wide-open one, with low branches, so he
could easily climb up it.
VERSE 5-''And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him,
Zachaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.'' In the
Effectual Call, God always calls the elect sinner by name. Has He called Yours/
''make haste, and come down,''=''come down in a hurry.''
VERSE 6-''And he made haste, and came down and received him joyfully,'' Luke uses the
same idiom. ''JOYFULLY''=Rejoicing. When God calls the elect sinner to Himself, it
causes him to REJOICE. . .
VERSE 7-[TURN]. Jesus was the hero of this crowd from Galilee, on their way to The
Passover. He shocked their sensibilities, and those of the JERICHO citizens, by
inviting Himself to be the guest of this Chief Publican, and notorious sinner, who
had robbed nearly all, in the city, by exorbitant taxes.
VERSE 8-[READ]. ''STOOD''-Jesus and Zacchaeus came to the house of Zacchaeus, and
were about to enter, when the crowd's murmur, became such a roar, that Zacchaeus
turned around and faced the crowd.
IF I have wrongfully exacted of any man''-A most significant admission and
confession. His own conscience was at work.
He may have heard audible murmurs from the crowd. HE HAD EXACTED MONEY WRONGFULLY,
AS THEY ALL KNEW.
''I RETURN FOUR-FOLD''=''I offer to do it, here and now, on this very spot.'' This
was The Mosaic Law-EXODUS 22;1-[TURN]; NUMBERS 5;6-8-[TURN].
Restitution is a good proof of a change of heart and conduct--Zacchaeus made
reparation to those,he had wronged, in his lost condition.
Paul related sins he committed BEFORE HIS CONVERSION, for the same reason. The
historical account was given by Luke in Acts 9. Paul repeated it to The HEBREWS in
Acts 22, in relation to GOD'S SOVEREIGNITY [GALATIANS 1;13-17], to show its
separateness from all human merit [PHILIPPIANS 3], and as a pattern for Timothy
[I TIMOTHY 1;12-17].
If A Christian says he has not sinned, he makes God a liar; and God's Word is
not in him [I JOHN 1;10].
SIN IS PRESENT IN EVERY SAINT, AND IN ORDER TO RETAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, IT MUST
BE CONFESSED.
Correction for sinning is part of Christ's Advocacy--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
Christians are children of light--EPHESIANS 5;8-9--''For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.''
VERSE 8--''BUT NOW LIGHT''--Jesus called His disciples,The lIGHT OF THE WORLD--
MATTHEW 5;14--''Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid.''
VERSE 9--GALATIANS 5;22-23-[TURN].
As The Light of The WORLD, Christians must reflect God's Light, and separate
Righteousness from Evil--EPHESIANS 5;11--''And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.''
''HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP'' = ''HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH.''
''REPROVE'' = Convict by turning on the light in darkness.''
The Ministry of Light does not terminate in believers. Light was wrought in them, by
The Holy Spirit, that His mission in the world, should be accomplished through them.
They work out The Salvation, God wrought in them--PHILIPPIANS 2;12-13-''Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.''
VERSE 12-''not as in my presence only, but much more.'' They are not to render eye
service only,when Paul is there, but much more, when he is away.
''WORK OUT''--We are to work out that which God has put within us.
''WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING''-not slavish terror, but a serious caution. A serious and
trembling anxiety to do right.
PAUL HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH A COLD AND DEAD ORTHODOXY, OR FORMALISM, THAT KNOWS
NOTHING OF STRUGGLE AND GROWTH. He exhorts as if he were A Armenian, in addressing
men. He denies as if he were a Calvinist, in addressing God, and feels no
inconsistency in the 2 attitudes. He proclaims boldly both Divine Sovereignty and
Human Agency.
VERSE 13-READ ''WHICH WORKETH IN YOU''-God is the energy and energizer of The
Universe.
''BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO''-God does it all. But has put us to work also, and our
part is essential, though secondary, to GOD'S PART.
''FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE''-God's Will is behind it all.
We are Light,and light reflects its source. Every sunbeam calls attention, to
the mighty source of energy, from which it springs. A Believer, who reflects light,
calls attention, not to hiumself. but to God-matthew 5;16--''lET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MAN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN
HEAVEN.''
Transformers break down electrical voltage, making it safe for human use. The
LIGHT OF GOD could not be looked upon, until it was ''stepped down.'' No One ever
beheld God's essential glory. HE VEILED his glory-''stepped down'' when Christ took
on human flesh.Then men beheld His Moral Glory-John 1;14-[Turn]. That Light is made
to shine through the recipients of GOD'S GRACE.
By its nature, light opposes darkness. They CANNOT make a truce. One, who
constantly pursues darkness, without reproving it, is naturally dark. But Christians
are not in darkness, though they temporarily walk in it, causing a loss of
fellowship which can be restored by walking in the light, confessing sins, and
relying on Christ's ADVOCACY.
is UNCONFESSED, SECRET SIN.
Confession at the private altar is sufficient to receive forgiveness and
cleansing for sin,known only to God, and an individual soul; but Forgiveness of
Plubic Sin necessitates confession One to Another.
You see, TRUE WORSHIP IS IMPOSSIBLE, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST ONE ANOTHER,
UNTIL THEY HAVE RIGHTED THE WRONG. .. MATTHEW 5;23-24-[TURN].
Forgiveness is costly. GOD FORGIVES A REPENTANT SINNER BECAUSE OF THE SAVIOUR'S
SACRIFICE.
In the same way, it costs the forgiving heart to forgive Another's Transgression.
But, It is worth the price, for Forgiven Ones have forgiving spirits.
Flesh does not easily yield, but Christians ARE NOT DEBTORS TO THE FLESH-They crucify
the flesh--I CORINTHIANS 9;27-[TURN].
With one exception,, sins committed before salvation, should never be related,
because they were washed away, in Christ's blood.
I CORINTHIANS 9;27-''But I buffet my body''--Paul did not, like The Gnostics,
consider his flesh and soul, to be sinful, or evil.
''BUFFET'' is a word, used in Boxing, The boxers used boxing gloves, gave telling
blows. Paul did not want his body, to be his Master,he found good, as the outcome of
self-discipline.
''AND BRING IT UNTO SUBJECTION,'' or bondage. We have, Here, The Metaphor of The
Victor, leading the vanquished, as captives and slaves.
''LEST BY ANY MEANS, AFTER THAT I PREACHED TO OTHERS.'' ''PREACHED''= TO HERALD.'' A
Herald, at the games, announced the rules of the game, and called out the
competitors. So PAUL, IS BOTH A HERALD, AND A COMPETITOR.
''I SHOULD BE DISAPPROVED,'' or rejected. ''Adokimos'' word used by a Potter, who
puts a vessel on the shhelf, that has failed to pass the water test. Here, it is used
in a moral sense, by Paul--It means, not standing the test. Paul means rejected for
the prize [reward], not from entrance into the race.He will fail to win, if he breaks
the rules of the game.
What is the prize before Paul/ It is the reward of which he spoke in verse 18-hois
glorying of preaching A FREE GOSPEL.
Now, LISTEN, to continue publically confessing sins, committed BEFORE
JUSTIFICATION, is very insulting and injurious, to the Finished Work of Christ. He
everlastingly forgave the elect sinner of them. To reiterate those sins, calls
attention to One's Self.
PRESENT-DAY EVANGELISM capitalizes on repeated confessions, from former Dope
Addicts, Prise Fighters, Convicts, and so on.
Now, Get this truth; Dragging hearers through the mire, IS NOT NECESSARY, to
regenerate and convert sinners. The experience of others, convert no one. God alone,
converts.
LUKE 19;1-10
VERSE 1-''And Jesus entered, and passed through Jericho-''was passing through
Jericho''--Jesus was inside The Roman Jericho, with the procession.
VERSE 2-''And, behold, there was a man named Zaachaeus, which was the cheif among the
publicans, and he was rich.'' ''Cheif Publican.'' Jericho was an important trading
center for balsam, and Zaachaeus was the head of tax collections, in this region, a
sort of commissioner of taxes, with other publicans, serving under him.
3. He was seeking to see WHO Jesus was--
VERSE 3-''And he sought to see Jesus, who he was, and could not for the press,
because he was of little stature.'' He had heard MUCH about Jesus, and wanted to see
which one of the crowd was Jesus.
''for the press''-he was short, and the crowd was thick, and close.
VERSE 4-''And he ran before, ans cloimbed up into a sycomore tree to see him, for he
was to pass that way.'''--The tree was an wide-open one, with low branches, so he
could easily climb up it.
VERSE 5-''And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said unto him,
Zachaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.'' In the
Effectual Call, God always calls the elect sinner by name. Has He called Yours/
''make haste, and come down,''=''come down in a hurry.''
VERSE 6-''And he made haste, and came down and received him joyfully,'' Luke uses the
same idiom. ''JOYFULLY''=Rejoicing. When God calls the elect sinner to Himself, it
causes him to REJOICE. . .
VERSE 7-[TURN]. Jesus was the hero of this crowd from Galilee, on their way to The
Passover. He shocked their sensibilities, and those of the JERICHO citizens, by
inviting Himself to be the guest of this Chief Publican, and notorious sinner, who
had robbed nearly all, in the city, by exorbitant taxes.
VERSE 8-[READ]. ''STOOD''-Jesus and Zacchaeus came to the house of Zacchaeus, and
were about to enter, when the crowd's murmur, became such a roar, that Zacchaeus
turned around and faced the crowd.
IF I have wrongfully exacted of any man''-A most significant admission and
confession. His own conscience was at work.
He may have heard audible murmurs from the crowd. HE HAD EXACTED MONEY WRONGFULLY,
AS THEY ALL KNEW.
''I RETURN FOUR-FOLD''=''I offer to do it, here and now, on this very spot.'' This
was The Mosaic Law-EXODUS 22;1-[TURN]; NUMBERS 5;6-8-[TURN].
Restitution is a good proof of a change of heart and conduct--Zacchaeus made
reparation to those,he had wronged, in his lost condition.
Paul related sins he committed BEFORE HIS CONVERSION, for the same reason. The
historical account was given by Luke in Acts 9. Paul repeated it to The HEBREWS in
Acts 22, in relation to GOD'S SOVEREIGNITY [GALATIANS 1;13-17], to show its
separateness from all human merit [PHILIPPIANS 3], and as a pattern for Timothy
[I TIMOTHY 1;12-17].
If A Christian says he has not sinned, he makes God a liar; and God's Word is
not in him [I JOHN 1;10].
SIN IS PRESENT IN EVERY SAINT, AND IN ORDER TO RETAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, IT MUST
BE CONFESSED.
Correction for sinning is part of Christ's Advocacy--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
Christians are children of light--EPHESIANS 5;8-9--''For ye were sometimes darkness,
but now are ye light in the Lord, walk as children of light. For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.''
VERSE 8--''BUT NOW LIGHT''--Jesus called His disciples,The lIGHT OF THE WORLD--
MATTHEW 5;14--''Ye are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid.''
VERSE 9--GALATIANS 5;22-23-[TURN].
As The Light of The WORLD, Christians must reflect God's Light, and separate
Righteousness from Evil--EPHESIANS 5;11--''And have no fellowship with the unfruitful
works of darkness, but rather reprove them.''
''HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP'' = ''HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH.''
''REPROVE'' = Convict by turning on the light in darkness.''
The Ministry of Light does not terminate in believers. Light was wrought in them, by
The Holy Spirit, that His mission in the world, should be accomplished through them.
They work out The Salvation, God wrought in them--PHILIPPIANS 2;12-13-''Wherefore,
my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more
in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God
which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.''
VERSE 12-''not as in my presence only, but much more.'' They are not to render eye
service only,when Paul is there, but much more, when he is away.
''WORK OUT''--We are to work out that which God has put within us.
''WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING''-not slavish terror, but a serious caution. A serious and
trembling anxiety to do right.
PAUL HAS NO SYMPATHY WITH A COLD AND DEAD ORTHODOXY, OR FORMALISM, THAT KNOWS
NOTHING OF STRUGGLE AND GROWTH. He exhorts as if he were A Armenian, in addressing
men. He denies as if he were a Calvinist, in addressing God, and feels no
inconsistency in the 2 attitudes. He proclaims boldly both Divine Sovereignty and
Human Agency.
VERSE 13-READ ''WHICH WORKETH IN YOU''-God is the energy and energizer of The
Universe.
''BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO''-God does it all. But has put us to work also, and our
part is essential, though secondary, to GOD'S PART.
''FOR HIS GOOD PLEASURE''-God's Will is behind it all.
We are Light,and light reflects its source. Every sunbeam calls attention, to
the mighty source of energy, from which it springs. A Believer, who reflects light,
calls attention, not to hiumself. but to God-matthew 5;16--''lET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE
BEFORE MAN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN
HEAVEN.''
Transformers break down electrical voltage, making it safe for human use. The
LIGHT OF GOD could not be looked upon, until it was ''stepped down.'' No One ever
beheld God's essential glory. HE VEILED his glory-''stepped down'' when Christ took
on human flesh.Then men beheld His Moral Glory-John 1;14-[Turn]. That Light is made
to shine through the recipients of GOD'S GRACE.
By its nature, light opposes darkness. They CANNOT make a truce. One, who
constantly pursues darkness, without reproving it, is naturally dark. But Christians
are not in darkness, though they temporarily walk in it, causing a loss of
fellowship which can be restored by walking in the light, confessing sins, and
relying on Christ's ADVOCACY.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
GOD'S CHARACTER IS REVEALED BY RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
First John declares that God is Light, Love, and Life.
There are 2 facets of God's Revelation in I John. THE JOY OF GOD IS LOVE, AND THE
JUDGMENT OF GOD IS LIGHT. Judgment and Joy ARE NOT CONTRADICTORY.
In I John 1;5-2;2, JOHN EMPHASIZED THREE MAJOR TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHT;
[1] Light depicts GOD'S CHARACTER.
[2] God's light shines into the hearts of His elect, to regenerate them.
[3] God's light revealls sin, in the lives of Christians--
We notice, first of all,
1. LIGHT DEPICTS GOD'S CHARACTER--I JOHN 1;5-[TURN].
Now, notice, JOHN DID NOT SAY, that He is ''A'' Light, or, ''THE'' Light, but that,
He ''IS'' Light.
The Lord is THE SOURCE of all light. In Him, there is ABSOLUTE Light, Absolute light
makes known to men, God's Being and Nature.
God is light without darkness. Hence, John positively and negatively described God's
Character.
Light is self-manifested. Men see by means of light, but THEY DO NOT SEE LIGHT,
ITSELF. God, too, is invisible.
Light is transparent. Transparency describes the purity of God's Character.
Light is unchanging. God is immutable. JESUS CHRIST REMAINS THE SAME [HEBREWS 13;8].
He is God, and changes not--[MALACHI 3;6].
There is no variableness, or, shadow of turning, with Him-JAMES 1;17-''Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
Light is active, and irresistible, and shines in darkness. Darkness is incapable of
overcoming it, and is forced to retreat.
Light is pure. It is incapable of adulteration, and allows no admixture. The Lord
Jesus Christ, The Light of The World, walked among men, He came into contact
with all kinds of filth. He talked with an adulterous woman, and cleansed her of her
sins. He also cleansed the leper.
Nevertheless, as the sun shines on a dunghill without contamination, so CHRIST
REMAINED IMPECCABLE.
''God is Light''--A Light Ray is composed of three separate rays--actinic,
luminiferous, calorific.
An Actinic ray is neither seen, nor felt-type of God the Father.
Lumniferous rays are both seen and felt-type of God the Son-I JOHN 1;1-[TURN].
Calorific ray is felt, but not seen-type of God the Holy Spirit.
LIGHT HAS ALL THE PRIMARY COLORS IN IT--BUT BECAUSE OF REFRACTION AND REFLECTION,
ONLY ONE COLOR IS SEEN AT A TIME. White and black are all the colors. White=all
color is relected. bLACK=ALL COLOR ABSORBED.
Colors represent characteristics or essence of God. The Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit all have same essence-omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, veracity,
love, absolute righteousness, immutability, eternal life, justice--not all seen at
the same time.
II. GOD'S LIGHT SHINES INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS ELECT TO REGENERATE THEM.
Light is irresistible. The Holy Spirit causes God's Light to shine, or to
illuminate His Own.
In God's Light, they see light--
PSALM 36;9-''For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see
light.''
2 CORINTHIANS 4;6-''For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.''
''GOD WHO COMMANDED''=''God who said''-paraphrase of Genesis 1;3-[Turn].
''HATH SHINED''-like a lamp, in the heart-MATTHEW 5;15-[Turn]. Miners carry a lamp on
their forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts, lit by the Spirit of GOD.
''TO GIVE THE LIGHT''-for illumination.
''IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST''-The Christian, who looks on Jesus' face, as Moses
looked on The Glory of God, will be able to give The Illumination of The Glory of
GOD-2 CORINTHIANS 2;10-[Turn].
III. GOD''S LIGHT REVEALS SIN, IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS
The Light, that shone into their hearts, to regenerate them, continues to shine, to
reveal sins, in their lives.
THREE FAULTS OF BELIEVERS, AND THE PROVISIONS FOR THEM ARE EXPLAINED IN IJOHN 1;6-
2;2. Each begins with the phrase ''IF WE SAY'' [1;6, 8, 10].
[1] If a believer says, he has fellowship with the Lord, but walks in darkness, HE
LIES, AND DOES NOT THE TRUTH-[V. 6].
Cleansing for the 1st thought is Walking in the Light [v. 7].
[2] If a believer says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and the truth is not in
him [v. 8].
Cleansing for the fault RESULTS FROM The confession of sin-[v. 9].
[3] If A Christian says HE HAS NOT SINNED, He makes God a liar, and GOD'S WORD IS NOT
IN HIM [V. 10].
Cleansing for the 3rd fault is JESUS' ADVOCACY--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
I JOHN 1;6 tells us, that if A Christian sins, he does not fellowship with the Lord,
but walks in the darkness, and LIES, and does not the truth.
Holiness and Wisdom is LIGHT, but Wickedness and Folly is DARKNESS.
Truth is LIGHT, but Error is DARKNESS.
Now get this truth--EVERY PRIVILEGED RELATIONSHIP CARRIES CORRESPONDING
RESPONSIBILITY.
Wherever The Holy Spirit functions, one must deal with the problem of Sin.
One, who claims, to have fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness, LIES.
Now, ignorance of TRUTH EXCUSES NO ONE. Consequently, Children of Light, who live
contrary to truth, walk in Spiritual Darkness. Christians, filled with earthly
aspirations, experince a diminishing interest in God's Word. Their concern about
spiritual things wanes, and they backslide.
A Person, who talks about the truth, without walking in it, shows he is walking in
darkness. The corrective for walking in darkness is to be sanctified, and cleansed
by Jesus' blood--I JOHN 1;7-[turn].
He, who knows truth, and continually walks in it, follows the path, that grows
brighter--PROVERBS 4;18-But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
If a Christian says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and The Truth is not in
him [I JOHN 1;8]. the one claiming present sinlessness because of personal salvation,
deceives himself, if he incorrectly reports his state.
The Old Sin Nature REMAINS in every truly regenerate person. And unless a saint,
walks in The Light,the old nature will ne manifested.
Christians, with unconfessed sins flee, seeking shelter from Scriptural Light-
John 3;20-21--[TURN]. Christians are cleansed fron their sins, when they confess
them to God-I JOHN 1;9.
Restorative Forgiveness is CONDITIONAL...
Now unconfessed sins do not remove Salvation, because Everlasting Forgiveness is
UNCONDITIONAL... It does however, require God's Chastening.
BEFORE anyone will break with sin, he MUST DESIRE to be rid of it-PROVERBS 28;13-
''He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy.''
When one accustoms himself to sinning, he becomes unaware of it.
The Book of JOB instructs us, how to abhor sin in ourselves, and to repent.
The proclamation of doctrine reaches the hearts of sinning Christians, and causes
them, to repent.
[to be continued].
There are 2 facets of God's Revelation in I John. THE JOY OF GOD IS LOVE, AND THE
JUDGMENT OF GOD IS LIGHT. Judgment and Joy ARE NOT CONTRADICTORY.
In I John 1;5-2;2, JOHN EMPHASIZED THREE MAJOR TRUTHS ABOUT LIGHT;
[1] Light depicts GOD'S CHARACTER.
[2] God's light shines into the hearts of His elect, to regenerate them.
[3] God's light revealls sin, in the lives of Christians--
We notice, first of all,
1. LIGHT DEPICTS GOD'S CHARACTER--I JOHN 1;5-[TURN].
Now, notice, JOHN DID NOT SAY, that He is ''A'' Light, or, ''THE'' Light, but that,
He ''IS'' Light.
The Lord is THE SOURCE of all light. In Him, there is ABSOLUTE Light, Absolute light
makes known to men, God's Being and Nature.
God is light without darkness. Hence, John positively and negatively described God's
Character.
Light is self-manifested. Men see by means of light, but THEY DO NOT SEE LIGHT,
ITSELF. God, too, is invisible.
Light is transparent. Transparency describes the purity of God's Character.
Light is unchanging. God is immutable. JESUS CHRIST REMAINS THE SAME [HEBREWS 13;8].
He is God, and changes not--[MALACHI 3;6].
There is no variableness, or, shadow of turning, with Him-JAMES 1;17-''Every good
gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of Lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.''
Light is active, and irresistible, and shines in darkness. Darkness is incapable of
overcoming it, and is forced to retreat.
Light is pure. It is incapable of adulteration, and allows no admixture. The Lord
Jesus Christ, The Light of The World, walked among men, He came into contact
with all kinds of filth. He talked with an adulterous woman, and cleansed her of her
sins. He also cleansed the leper.
Nevertheless, as the sun shines on a dunghill without contamination, so CHRIST
REMAINED IMPECCABLE.
''God is Light''--A Light Ray is composed of three separate rays--actinic,
luminiferous, calorific.
An Actinic ray is neither seen, nor felt-type of God the Father.
Lumniferous rays are both seen and felt-type of God the Son-I JOHN 1;1-[TURN].
Calorific ray is felt, but not seen-type of God the Holy Spirit.
LIGHT HAS ALL THE PRIMARY COLORS IN IT--BUT BECAUSE OF REFRACTION AND REFLECTION,
ONLY ONE COLOR IS SEEN AT A TIME. White and black are all the colors. White=all
color is relected. bLACK=ALL COLOR ABSORBED.
Colors represent characteristics or essence of God. The Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit all have same essence-omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, veracity,
love, absolute righteousness, immutability, eternal life, justice--not all seen at
the same time.
II. GOD'S LIGHT SHINES INTO THE HEARTS OF HIS ELECT TO REGENERATE THEM.
Light is irresistible. The Holy Spirit causes God's Light to shine, or to
illuminate His Own.
In God's Light, they see light--
PSALM 36;9-''For with thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see
light.''
2 CORINTHIANS 4;6-''For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath
shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.''
''GOD WHO COMMANDED''=''God who said''-paraphrase of Genesis 1;3-[Turn].
''HATH SHINED''-like a lamp, in the heart-MATTHEW 5;15-[Turn]. Miners carry a lamp on
their forehead, Christians carry one in their hearts, lit by the Spirit of GOD.
''TO GIVE THE LIGHT''-for illumination.
''IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST''-The Christian, who looks on Jesus' face, as Moses
looked on The Glory of God, will be able to give The Illumination of The Glory of
GOD-2 CORINTHIANS 2;10-[Turn].
III. GOD''S LIGHT REVEALS SIN, IN THE LIVES OF BELIEVERS
The Light, that shone into their hearts, to regenerate them, continues to shine, to
reveal sins, in their lives.
THREE FAULTS OF BELIEVERS, AND THE PROVISIONS FOR THEM ARE EXPLAINED IN IJOHN 1;6-
2;2. Each begins with the phrase ''IF WE SAY'' [1;6, 8, 10].
[1] If a believer says, he has fellowship with the Lord, but walks in darkness, HE
LIES, AND DOES NOT THE TRUTH-[V. 6].
Cleansing for the 1st thought is Walking in the Light [v. 7].
[2] If a believer says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and the truth is not in
him [v. 8].
Cleansing for the fault RESULTS FROM The confession of sin-[v. 9].
[3] If A Christian says HE HAS NOT SINNED, He makes God a liar, and GOD'S WORD IS NOT
IN HIM [V. 10].
Cleansing for the 3rd fault is JESUS' ADVOCACY--I JOHN 2;1-2-[TURN].
I JOHN 1;6 tells us, that if A Christian sins, he does not fellowship with the Lord,
but walks in the darkness, and LIES, and does not the truth.
Holiness and Wisdom is LIGHT, but Wickedness and Folly is DARKNESS.
Truth is LIGHT, but Error is DARKNESS.
Now get this truth--EVERY PRIVILEGED RELATIONSHIP CARRIES CORRESPONDING
RESPONSIBILITY.
Wherever The Holy Spirit functions, one must deal with the problem of Sin.
One, who claims, to have fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness, LIES.
Now, ignorance of TRUTH EXCUSES NO ONE. Consequently, Children of Light, who live
contrary to truth, walk in Spiritual Darkness. Christians, filled with earthly
aspirations, experince a diminishing interest in God's Word. Their concern about
spiritual things wanes, and they backslide.
A Person, who talks about the truth, without walking in it, shows he is walking in
darkness. The corrective for walking in darkness is to be sanctified, and cleansed
by Jesus' blood--I JOHN 1;7-[turn].
He, who knows truth, and continually walks in it, follows the path, that grows
brighter--PROVERBS 4;18-But the path of the just is as the shining light, that
shineth more and more unto the perfect day.''
If a Christian says, he has no sin, he deceives himself, and The Truth is not in
him [I JOHN 1;8]. the one claiming present sinlessness because of personal salvation,
deceives himself, if he incorrectly reports his state.
The Old Sin Nature REMAINS in every truly regenerate person. And unless a saint,
walks in The Light,the old nature will ne manifested.
Christians, with unconfessed sins flee, seeking shelter from Scriptural Light-
John 3;20-21--[TURN]. Christians are cleansed fron their sins, when they confess
them to God-I JOHN 1;9.
Restorative Forgiveness is CONDITIONAL...
Now unconfessed sins do not remove Salvation, because Everlasting Forgiveness is
UNCONDITIONAL... It does however, require God's Chastening.
BEFORE anyone will break with sin, he MUST DESIRE to be rid of it-PROVERBS 28;13-
''He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh
them shall have mercy.''
When one accustoms himself to sinning, he becomes unaware of it.
The Book of JOB instructs us, how to abhor sin in ourselves, and to repent.
The proclamation of doctrine reaches the hearts of sinning Christians, and causes
them, to repent.
[to be continued].
Thursday, January 15, 2009
ADVOCACY REQUIRED FOR RESTORATIVE FORGIVENESS
I JOHN 1;1-2;2--Now I want you to get this truth; THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS ADVOCATE, NOT FOR SIN, BUT FOR ''SINNERS, SAVED BY GRACE.''[Technically, GOD CANNOT FORGIVE SINS].
John wrote I John, to assure believers, of their position in Christ, and God's Provision for them.The problems, John dealt with, were not only with Sin's Penalty, but with The Fellowship, in The Family of God. The Solution is in Him,Who was from The Beginning.
John declared The Eternity of Christ in His Gospel--JOHN 1;1--''In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.''
''in the beginning''--Here, John carries our thoughts beyond The Beginning of Creation, in Time to Eternity. There is no argument Here, to prove God's Existence any more than in Genesis. It is simply assumed.
''was''-John 3 times uses the imperfect tense of EIMI=TO BE, Which conveys no idea of origin for God, or, for The Word [Logos], but simply CONTINUOUS Existence.
In VERSE 14, DIFFERENT WORD FOR ''WAS''=BECAME, used for The Beginning of TheIncarnation of The Logos.
Distinction sharpely made in 8;58--''Before Abraham came, I Am''.
''The Word'' [ho logos]. Logos=To speak, to express an opinion. The word ''logos'' is used for Reason, as well as, for Speech.
Term logos is applied to Christ only in John 1;3, 14; Revelation 19;13, and I JOHN 1;1--''concerning The Word of Life''.
The Pre-existence of Christ was taught by Paul--2 Corinthians 8;9--''For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.''
Philippians 2;6--''Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.''
COLOSSIANS 1;17--''And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.''
HEBREWS 1;2--''Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.''
Christ's Pre-existence is also taught in JOHN 17;5--[TURN].
The Pre-existent Christ [Logos] became flesh--John 1;14.
''WITH GOD''--Though existing eternally with God, The LOGOS was in perfect fellowship with God. It was on a plane of EQUALITY and INTIMACY, Face to face with each other.
''AND THE WORD WAS GOD''--Personal fellowship, on an Equality, each necessary to the other.
In I JOHN, he emphasized that Christ was FROM THE BEGINNING [1;1]. I JOHN asserts the manifestation of Christ, IN TIME. John heard, saw, looked upon,and HANDLED The Son of God. THAT WAS POSSIBLE ONLY IN TIME, NOT IN ETERNITY.
Hence, he proclaimed that, The Eternal Son of God was BEFORE The Beginning, and He was, then manifested in Time, for His Elect. In Time, He came, died, rose, and became Advocate.
The Word of Life is Eternal, Historical, Personal, and Social. Eternal Life existed BEFORE The Beginning of Time.
Jesus Christ was BEFORE The Heavens and Earth were created, and HE WAS MANIFESTED in Time. This Life was also Historical.
Christ was heard with physical ears, and seen with physical eyes. The Apostles ACTUALLY beheld Him.
Christians today, meditate upon Him; The Apostles handled Him. Christians enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.
WE SEE 3 MANIFESTATIONS, OR 3 APPEARANCES OF CHRIST IN HEBREWS 9;23-28;
HE WAS MANIFESTED IN THE ''PAST'' ON EARTH, FOR THE SALVATION OF THE ELECT.
HE IS MANIFESTED IN THE ''PRESENT'' IN HEAVEN, FOR THEIR SANCTIFICATION.
HE SHALL BE MANIFESTED IN THE ''FUTURE'' FOR THEIR GLORIFICATION.
The sin problem in I John is ''SANCTIFICATION'' rather than ''JUSTIFICATION.''
Christ's death dealt with The ''JUDICIAL'' aspect of Sin. His life deals with The ''PRACTICAL'' aspect of Sin--[Resurrection life--ROMANS 5;17--[TURN].
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES The Advocacy of JESUS CHRIST. This life was manifested; consequently, The ELECT, who have been brought to The
Knowledge of Their Salvation, manifest that life, which flows through them.
A TRUE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST, HAS BEEN ENABLED BY GOD-GIVEN FAITH, TO SEE CHRIST.He then shows that Jesus Christ is his life.
God is Light, for The Believer's Walk--I JOHN I;5--''This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you,that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.''
''MESSAGE'' = An Announcemebt, A DISCLOSURE-JOHN 4;25-[TURN].
''GOD IS LIGHT,'' precisely as The Logos is Light-JOHN 1;4-9--[TURN].
What Jesus claimed to be--JOHN 8;12-[TURN].
Jesus Christ offered Himself ONCE, to put away Sin. HE WILL NEVER OFFER HIMSELF AGAIN.
Christ lives as The Advocate for The Believer, NOT The Unbeliever. He is Intercessor for Believer.
Now, in an earthly court, the identity of a lawyer, is of no consequence. BUT, THAT IS NOT TRUE in Heaven's Court. The Lord Jesus Christ is THE SAINTS' LAWYER,PLEADING HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, BEFORE THE HOLY, RIGHTEOUS FATHER. Christ has a vital interest in HIS OWN CLIENTS. He became their Surety, shedding His blood for their Redemption. After their reconciliation by His blood, HE REPRESENTS THEM BEFORE THE FATHER.
No man has a place in God's court. He is already guilty before God--
ECCLESIASTES 7;20-''For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.'' His case is lost.
Christ's Advocacy manifests the believer's failure, and His security. All believers
sin. To do so is to walk in spiritual darkness.
The word ''darkness'' is used in 7 different ways in The Bible.
In JOHN 1;6, it doesn't refer to a NATURAL Darkness, but a
failure, to walk according to THE TRUTH.
A BELIEVER DOES NOT HABITUALLY PURSUE A COURSE OF DARKNESS.
However, he does walk in darkness when he backslides.
Sinless perfection in this life IS IMPOSSIBLE, for the old sin
nature has not yet been eradicated. [Jesus=my sinless perfection
at the Father's Right Hand].
Next, we see that an essential characteristic of An
Advocate is, that he MUST BE The Uncompromising Friend of The
Government. Jesus Christ is such a friend to God's Holy Law
[Government].
Human lawyers may yield to pressure, money, or some other human
persuasion. Contrarily, The Christian's Advocate yields not one
iota. He never falters, fails, or changes.
Another fundamental property of an advocate is that, HE MUST BE THE UNDEVIATING FRIEND OF THE DISHONORED LAW. Jesus Christ
fulfilled EVERY LETTER OF THE LAW. He, Alone, is qualified for Advocacy for Christians.
Human lawyers seek ways of ignoring broken law, or, of misreprepresenting the contents
of the law.
Christ honors The Law. To dishonor it, would be to dishonor Himself, because it is
HIS LAW.
Then, A Qualifier for Advocacy must be inherently Righteous. Jesus Christ, The
Son of God, is clear of complicity in ANY of the crimes of the sinner.
Next, One who is equipped for Advocacy, must be The Compassionate Friend of the
sinner. Jesus Christ proves that, HE POSSESSES that Attribute. He died for The
Believer, became his Surety, and intercedes on his behalf, all of which manifests His
Compassion for the sinner.
Next we see that, A Suitable Advocate willingly volunteers gratuitous service.
Jesus Christ HAS ALREADY PAID The Price on Calvary,and He charges the believer
NOTHING for His service.
Then, We see that A GOOD PLEA IS VITAL FOR ADVOCACY. The believer's Advocate
pleads HIS OWN CHARACTER, WHICH IS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jesus Christ loved The Elect, and voluntarily took an interest in them. The Just One
proved His interest, by becoming The Substitute for unjust ones.
Christ, The Anointed One,has the authority, to plead the believer's case. Jesus
Christ,The Righteous, demonstrates His plea.
Now, CHRIST'S ADVOCACY SUPPOSES FOUR THINGS;
[1] There is an offender. Christians offend everyday.
[2] There is An Accuser. SATAN SEEKS TO PREVENT CHRISTIANS from performing The Will of
God; and when they fail, he accuses them before God.
[3] There is A Judge. God is The Righteous Judge.
[4] There is A Defense. Jesus Christ is The Defender, Christ's Advocacy delares that
believers are sorry creatures. ONLY GOD'S GRACE, WITHIN THEM, IS WORTHY.
Christ's Advocacy is required to keep believers CLEAN. God has well provided
for them; blood to wash, priest to intercede, and advocate to plead.
Now, We see that, NO NEW SACRIFICE is made by The Advocate--Jesus Christ does
not offer Himself for sin. He does not die for sin, and the salvation of no one is
obtained. Saved ones are kept safe through advocacy. He sanctifies them in that office.
As Saviour, He obtained eternal redemption for the elect. As Advocate, He maintains
their right thereto.
Now, Christ's Priesthood differs from His Advocacy--
PRIEST ADVOCATE
He sits. He stands pleading.
He is Merciful and Faithful He is Faithful and Just.
Represents infirm saints before He is there, to help.
The Father.
Gives frace to restrain saints represents sinning believers
Saints approach Him boldly Approach with humility, confessing
sins.
Ever lives to intercede Pleads His death on cross
Goes before saints. comes after saints.
Advocates, among men, frequently deny allegations, brought against clients;
Christ admits those brought against His clients.
Then,advocates before men, if they admit the charge, seek to justify it.
CHRIST PLEADS NO EXCUSE FOR BELIEVERS. They are guilty, but HE PLEADS HIS OWN MERIT.
NEXT, Lawyers among men, undertake their work NOT FROM love or justice, or Humanity, but for personal consideration.
But Christ has in mind The Glory of God. He is concerned for glorifying God's Justice.
Then we see that, many lawyers are concerned with personal achievement.
Advovates among men seek to influence minds of Adjudicators. Christ DOES NOT influence
The Father-He knows all. . . Christ influences His clients.
Then, lawyers among men at times relinquish their briefs to protect self-respect and reputation. Christ is NEVER TAKEN BY SURPRISE. He knows all about His clients. Therefore His Briefs are NEVER RELINQUISHED.
John wrote I John, to assure believers, of their position in Christ, and God's Provision for them.The problems, John dealt with, were not only with Sin's Penalty, but with The Fellowship, in The Family of God. The Solution is in Him,Who was from The Beginning.
John declared The Eternity of Christ in His Gospel--JOHN 1;1--''In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.''
''in the beginning''--Here, John carries our thoughts beyond The Beginning of Creation, in Time to Eternity. There is no argument Here, to prove God's Existence any more than in Genesis. It is simply assumed.
''was''-John 3 times uses the imperfect tense of EIMI=TO BE, Which conveys no idea of origin for God, or, for The Word [Logos], but simply CONTINUOUS Existence.
In VERSE 14, DIFFERENT WORD FOR ''WAS''=BECAME, used for The Beginning of TheIncarnation of The Logos.
Distinction sharpely made in 8;58--''Before Abraham came, I Am''.
''The Word'' [ho logos]. Logos=To speak, to express an opinion. The word ''logos'' is used for Reason, as well as, for Speech.
Term logos is applied to Christ only in John 1;3, 14; Revelation 19;13, and I JOHN 1;1--''concerning The Word of Life''.
The Pre-existence of Christ was taught by Paul--2 Corinthians 8;9--''For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.''
Philippians 2;6--''Who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God.''
COLOSSIANS 1;17--''And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.''
HEBREWS 1;2--''Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.''
Christ's Pre-existence is also taught in JOHN 17;5--[TURN].
The Pre-existent Christ [Logos] became flesh--John 1;14.
''WITH GOD''--Though existing eternally with God, The LOGOS was in perfect fellowship with God. It was on a plane of EQUALITY and INTIMACY, Face to face with each other.
''AND THE WORD WAS GOD''--Personal fellowship, on an Equality, each necessary to the other.
In I JOHN, he emphasized that Christ was FROM THE BEGINNING [1;1]. I JOHN asserts the manifestation of Christ, IN TIME. John heard, saw, looked upon,and HANDLED The Son of God. THAT WAS POSSIBLE ONLY IN TIME, NOT IN ETERNITY.
Hence, he proclaimed that, The Eternal Son of God was BEFORE The Beginning, and He was, then manifested in Time, for His Elect. In Time, He came, died, rose, and became Advocate.
The Word of Life is Eternal, Historical, Personal, and Social. Eternal Life existed BEFORE The Beginning of Time.
Jesus Christ was BEFORE The Heavens and Earth were created, and HE WAS MANIFESTED in Time. This Life was also Historical.
Christ was heard with physical ears, and seen with physical eyes. The Apostles ACTUALLY beheld Him.
Christians today, meditate upon Him; The Apostles handled Him. Christians enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.
WE SEE 3 MANIFESTATIONS, OR 3 APPEARANCES OF CHRIST IN HEBREWS 9;23-28;
HE WAS MANIFESTED IN THE ''PAST'' ON EARTH, FOR THE SALVATION OF THE ELECT.
HE IS MANIFESTED IN THE ''PRESENT'' IN HEAVEN, FOR THEIR SANCTIFICATION.
HE SHALL BE MANIFESTED IN THE ''FUTURE'' FOR THEIR GLORIFICATION.
The sin problem in I John is ''SANCTIFICATION'' rather than ''JUSTIFICATION.''
Christ's death dealt with The ''JUDICIAL'' aspect of Sin. His life deals with The ''PRACTICAL'' aspect of Sin--[Resurrection life--ROMANS 5;17--[TURN].
SANCTIFICATION INVOLVES The Advocacy of JESUS CHRIST. This life was manifested; consequently, The ELECT, who have been brought to The
Knowledge of Their Salvation, manifest that life, which flows through them.
A TRUE WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST, HAS BEEN ENABLED BY GOD-GIVEN FAITH, TO SEE CHRIST.He then shows that Jesus Christ is his life.
God is Light, for The Believer's Walk--I JOHN I;5--''This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you,that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.''
''MESSAGE'' = An Announcemebt, A DISCLOSURE-JOHN 4;25-[TURN].
''GOD IS LIGHT,'' precisely as The Logos is Light-JOHN 1;4-9--[TURN].
What Jesus claimed to be--JOHN 8;12-[TURN].
Jesus Christ offered Himself ONCE, to put away Sin. HE WILL NEVER OFFER HIMSELF AGAIN.
Christ lives as The Advocate for The Believer, NOT The Unbeliever. He is Intercessor for Believer.
Now, in an earthly court, the identity of a lawyer, is of no consequence. BUT, THAT IS NOT TRUE in Heaven's Court. The Lord Jesus Christ is THE SAINTS' LAWYER,PLEADING HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, BEFORE THE HOLY, RIGHTEOUS FATHER. Christ has a vital interest in HIS OWN CLIENTS. He became their Surety, shedding His blood for their Redemption. After their reconciliation by His blood, HE REPRESENTS THEM BEFORE THE FATHER.
No man has a place in God's court. He is already guilty before God--
ECCLESIASTES 7;20-''For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good and sinneth not.'' His case is lost.
Christ's Advocacy manifests the believer's failure, and His security. All believers
sin. To do so is to walk in spiritual darkness.
The word ''darkness'' is used in 7 different ways in The Bible.
In JOHN 1;6, it doesn't refer to a NATURAL Darkness, but a
failure, to walk according to THE TRUTH.
A BELIEVER DOES NOT HABITUALLY PURSUE A COURSE OF DARKNESS.
However, he does walk in darkness when he backslides.
Sinless perfection in this life IS IMPOSSIBLE, for the old sin
nature has not yet been eradicated. [Jesus=my sinless perfection
at the Father's Right Hand].
Next, we see that an essential characteristic of An
Advocate is, that he MUST BE The Uncompromising Friend of The
Government. Jesus Christ is such a friend to God's Holy Law
[Government].
Human lawyers may yield to pressure, money, or some other human
persuasion. Contrarily, The Christian's Advocate yields not one
iota. He never falters, fails, or changes.
Another fundamental property of an advocate is that, HE MUST BE THE UNDEVIATING FRIEND OF THE DISHONORED LAW. Jesus Christ
fulfilled EVERY LETTER OF THE LAW. He, Alone, is qualified for Advocacy for Christians.
Human lawyers seek ways of ignoring broken law, or, of misreprepresenting the contents
of the law.
Christ honors The Law. To dishonor it, would be to dishonor Himself, because it is
HIS LAW.
Then, A Qualifier for Advocacy must be inherently Righteous. Jesus Christ, The
Son of God, is clear of complicity in ANY of the crimes of the sinner.
Next, One who is equipped for Advocacy, must be The Compassionate Friend of the
sinner. Jesus Christ proves that, HE POSSESSES that Attribute. He died for The
Believer, became his Surety, and intercedes on his behalf, all of which manifests His
Compassion for the sinner.
Next we see that, A Suitable Advocate willingly volunteers gratuitous service.
Jesus Christ HAS ALREADY PAID The Price on Calvary,and He charges the believer
NOTHING for His service.
Then, We see that A GOOD PLEA IS VITAL FOR ADVOCACY. The believer's Advocate
pleads HIS OWN CHARACTER, WHICH IS RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jesus Christ loved The Elect, and voluntarily took an interest in them. The Just One
proved His interest, by becoming The Substitute for unjust ones.
Christ, The Anointed One,has the authority, to plead the believer's case. Jesus
Christ,The Righteous, demonstrates His plea.
Now, CHRIST'S ADVOCACY SUPPOSES FOUR THINGS;
[1] There is an offender. Christians offend everyday.
[2] There is An Accuser. SATAN SEEKS TO PREVENT CHRISTIANS from performing The Will of
God; and when they fail, he accuses them before God.
[3] There is A Judge. God is The Righteous Judge.
[4] There is A Defense. Jesus Christ is The Defender, Christ's Advocacy delares that
believers are sorry creatures. ONLY GOD'S GRACE, WITHIN THEM, IS WORTHY.
Christ's Advocacy is required to keep believers CLEAN. God has well provided
for them; blood to wash, priest to intercede, and advocate to plead.
Now, We see that, NO NEW SACRIFICE is made by The Advocate--Jesus Christ does
not offer Himself for sin. He does not die for sin, and the salvation of no one is
obtained. Saved ones are kept safe through advocacy. He sanctifies them in that office.
As Saviour, He obtained eternal redemption for the elect. As Advocate, He maintains
their right thereto.
Now, Christ's Priesthood differs from His Advocacy--
PRIEST ADVOCATE
He sits. He stands pleading.
He is Merciful and Faithful He is Faithful and Just.
Represents infirm saints before He is there, to help.
The Father.
Gives frace to restrain saints represents sinning believers
Saints approach Him boldly Approach with humility, confessing
sins.
Ever lives to intercede Pleads His death on cross
Goes before saints. comes after saints.
Advocates, among men, frequently deny allegations, brought against clients;
Christ admits those brought against His clients.
Then,advocates before men, if they admit the charge, seek to justify it.
CHRIST PLEADS NO EXCUSE FOR BELIEVERS. They are guilty, but HE PLEADS HIS OWN MERIT.
NEXT, Lawyers among men, undertake their work NOT FROM love or justice, or Humanity, but for personal consideration.
But Christ has in mind The Glory of God. He is concerned for glorifying God's Justice.
Then we see that, many lawyers are concerned with personal achievement.
Advovates among men seek to influence minds of Adjudicators. Christ DOES NOT influence
The Father-He knows all. . . Christ influences His clients.
Then, lawyers among men at times relinquish their briefs to protect self-respect and reputation. Christ is NEVER TAKEN BY SURPRISE. He knows all about His clients. Therefore His Briefs are NEVER RELINQUISHED.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
