Sermon Bite 05/11/08

THE CHURCH WITH A COMPROMISING PROBLEM

 

Revelation 2:12-17

Pergamum was a city of compromise. There were many temples of worship there. From emperor worship, there was also Dionysus, Esculapius (the healing serpent god), and Zeus. These were worshipped as well as others. It was legal to worship anything you please as long as you bowed first to worship the Roman emperor. I you did not bow to the emperor, then, you most likely would die.

I. JESUS REVEALS HIMSELF AS THE ONE WHOSE SPEECH IS AS A TWO-EDGED SWORD (1:16; 2:12).

• He is in fact the living Word of God.

“For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even o the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

• The Church of Pergamum needed the Word of God.
• When there is error in the Church the true Word of God is needed for correction

II. THE CHURCH STILL HELD TO THE NAME OF JESUS AND HAD STRONG FAITH (v. 13).

• Jesus’s commendation was that they had held fast to My name, and have not denied the faith.
• The lived in the midst of the power of darkness - the seat of Satan

1. Pergamum was the place of devout emperor worship.

2. It was the place where the largest altar to Zeus could be seen.

3. The worship of Eskulapius (the healing serpent god) was worshipped in Pergamum.

• Antipas (v. 13) was a martyr among them, and notice Jesus commendation of this one faithful man, who denied not his faith.

III. THE CHURCH ALLOWED THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM TO EXIST THERE (vv. 14-15)

• The doctrine of compromising the truth and join it with the truth.

1. The joining of godly and ungodly together - for the sake of peace.

“Ye adulterer 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 an enemy of God.” James 4:4.

2. Being unable to curse God’s people [Israel in the wilderness] Balaam taught them to compromise.

“Behold these caused the children of Israel, throught he consel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD,, in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.” Numbers 31:16 (Read Numbers 25, and 31).

• They were also allowing the doctrine of Nicolaitans, the same doctrine which the Ephesian Church hated (1:6).

1. This city was a place of a plurality of religious pracitce.

2. Pergamum tolerated this doctrine and others within the Church.

3. This seems very much like the doctrine of Acts 29, and the emerging church movement of today.

There are two views of this doctrine: First, there are some who hold that the Nicolitanes were a group of church leaders who got together and decided to exalt the leadership of the church to Priesthood, and rule over the people: Secondly, is the belief that this group believed that God was more concerned with just the soul of any individual, the body was evil anyway, so just live as you please. My summation is that I have no problem with them being together. The first will produce the other. The two doctrines fit “hand in glove” with the other.

IV. JESUS RECOMMENDS REPENTANCE, LEST HE COME WITH THE SWORD IN JUDGMENT (v.16).

• Their repentance as the Church of Pergamum would be to rid the Church of the false teachers and their teaching.

1. It is sad to say, but far too many times there is a patriarchy or matriarchy within a local congregation; they may have family members who are teaching, and it be false teaching; and these are sometimes difficult to be rid of.

2. It still must be done if the Church is to be the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• There must be a house cleaning
• When there is no repentance.

1. Jesus will come and judge suddenly/quickly.

2. Jesus will fight against the false ones with the “Sword of His mouth”.

3. The one’s who are teaching falsely will find themselves standing in sharp contrast to the Word and will be judged by it.

• These are most generally people who have no faith in the verbal inspiration of God’s Word - only that the Bible “might contain the Word of God”

You might hear some of them say something like, “…there is no hope for those kind of people” speaking of a perverse, or cruel act some people have committed. They have no faith in the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The power of the Gospel changes any sinner into a Saint in God’s sight, by His declaration.

V. JESUS CALLS FOR THOSE TO HAVE AN EAR TO HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES (v. 17)

• It is a message to every individual within the churches.
• Overcomers promised “hidden manna” and a “white stone” with a new name written in the stone.

1. They overcome the doctrine of Balaam by standing against it without compromise.

2. They also oppose the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes by standing true to the teachings of God’s Word

3. They oppose all false teachings by interpreting Scripture with Scripture, and not by the times or the seasons of men’s understanding, people’s moods or “higher criticism”.

• To partake of Jesus in eternity is the ‘hidden manna’ the overcomer’s will receive; Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” John 6:32-33 (KJV).
• In Olympic games or the games of the day, a white stone was given the winner, and this his pass to the winners celebration following the games.

1. For the Christian we have “a white stone” in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

2. It is given to all who have finished the race and run for the glory of Jesus Christ.

-Tim A. Blankenship

 For further reading by this author you may go to The Cutting Edges

Walking With God Today 05/09/08

“See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”  James 3:5b-6  (NKJV).

Verse five is the first use of the word “tongue” in these verses.  James has made it clear though,  that is what he is speaking of.  He first uses the gift of teaching, and calling all who would consider being teachers to think hard about this.  It does require the use of the tongue.

We are all familiar with what forest fires can do.  Several years ago I worked as a volunteer fireman for our local volunteer fire department, which mostly dealt with grass fires and some forest fires.  In Southwest Missouri forest fires are mostly in forest of oak trees and other hardwoods, and they are not as prone to burst into a blazing furnace like places which are mostly pines.  Dry leaves on the ground, and dry brush.  Keeping the fire from the pastures, and homes is an accomplishment.  Once any forest catches fire, though, it still takes work, many men and women who can work around smoke and very hot flames, protecting themselves and one another to get the fire stopped.

James likens the tongue to a fire.  That is a very good picture.  It ravages the hearts and lives of people.  Have you ever listened to children calling one another names.  They belittle one another, badger one another, provoke one another, which sometimes leads to a fight, bruising, bleeding, and if not brought to a halt, can lead to murder, even in those adults who have not learned to control their tongue, or emotions.

There was a little children’s ditty that went something like this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones; but names will never hurt me.”  It sounds good on the surface, but is it the truth?  Not at all.  Calling others bad and evil names may not hurt physically, but it can scar them emotionally for life.  Anyone who believes tham name calling has never hurt them is probably very hard hearted, and calloused. 

One of the ways the tongue is like a fire is by being a gossip.  You may say, “Well, I don’t tell anything on other people unless its the truth.”  Let me ask you this:  If it is the truth does it need told?  Will it help the one you are telling the gossip on, or hurt them and help you?  All gossip is done for hurting the one you are talking about.  I like what Thumper the young rabbit on the Disney cartoon “Bambi” says that his father said, “If you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say nothin’ at all”.  I call that “Thumperology”, and it is pretty good “Bibleolgy” as well. 

I asked in the last study, “How many people have been murdered by the tongue?”  I don’t remember if I answered that, but the answer is probably every one who has ever lived has been murdered by someone’s tongue.  I hope you understand what I mean by that.  Someone has spoken in such vile ways that they have spoken you and I dead.  I have done the same - to my shame.

Talebearing, or it might better be called “troublemaking” setting one friend against another is done with the tongue.  When you tell one friend what another said in the confidence of your friendship about another, and you go and tell what was said, that is Talebearing.  It may not be a tale or a lie, but it causes problems, a fire if you will.  If that friend is smart, the one who told you, and the one you told, they will not trust you with confidential matters again. 

“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with  one who flatters with his lips.”  Proverbs 20:19

“Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, the strife ceases.”  Proverbs 26:20

The Lord willing there will be more on these verses in our next study.

Walk With God Today.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 05/08/08

“Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.”  James 3:3-5 (NKJV).

More on the tongue.  Have you ever realized how much the Bible deals with the tongue?  It is a powerful little item attached to our bodies.  It is also the hardest one to control.  That is why James wrote, “If a man can control his tongue he would be able to control his whole body” [my paraphrase] (v. 2).  There is a lot of people who are out of control in our society today.  It starts with the tongue.

Recent words, revealed to the world, which a certain pastor of a presidential candidate spoke from the pulpit of his church many years ago sparked much debate, and really opened a large “can of worms” for the candidate.  Words are powerful, therefore we would be blessed to learn to control that small thing in our mouths which is so powerful.

The Scriptures tell us that there is the power of life and death in the tongue.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21.  If you will also remember the words Jesus spoke concerning the mouth, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks…”.  How many times have we murdered someone with out tongue?  You may laugh at that, but we slay the individual we despise by our harsh and evil words.  There may not be any actual blood shed, but we assassinate their character, their reputations with out words.  For every living individual or anyone who has ever lived, other than Jesus Christ, I would say there have been as many murders as there are people, by word assassination.  Jesus Christ was eventually led to the cross by those who hated Him, and it all began with words from evil tongues.

We control horses with bridles, which is placed over the horses’ head and ears, with reins, which can be used by pulling the rein to the left to go left, or to the right to go right, unless the horse is trained to neckreign.  Either way the horse is brought under the control of the rider.  Ships, of the day James wrote were all driven by the wind, and controled by a small rudder.  The large ocean liners of our day, cruise ships, warships, freighters, and such are all controled by a small rudder in comparison with their size.  The pilot, or captain of these ships can turn them where he wills out on the open sea.  We have mastered the control of many different animals, but yet we cannot control the tongue.

How can so small an item of the human body cause so much pain and torment to others, and to ourselves?  Because of the evil of the human heart.  I don’t imagine that there is a single individual living anywhere who is not prone to boasting.  Boasting takes a tongue.  We sit with friends around a table, or in chairs in a circle just talking away listening to one story after another.  Each one spouting of their exploits, what they have done.  The next one must match it or exceed it, and thus the story goes on of the vile and bile of the tongue.

Our only hope for our tongues is to be redeemed through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and submit our whole beings, body, soul and spirit to the Lord Jesus Christ.  The redeemed tongue will make every effort to speak the truth in love, and glorify the Lord Jesus.

Walk With God Today.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 05/07/08

“For we all stumble in many things.  If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”  James 3:2 (NKJV).

Do you know anyone who is perfect and able to control their tongue in every situation?  Neither do I.  Friends can be getting along just fine, cutting up with each other, never meaning to hurt the other, and suddenly the wrong thing is said, and one gets angry; they have been offended, and hurt to the quick.  The one who said it never intended to hurt, but it happens.  Oh, how we need to learn to guard our tongues.

Previously James wrote “Let not many of you become teachers…” the reason for that being that it requires the use of the tongue.  There are many warning in Scripture concerning the tongue.  Words we speak show the content and even intents of our hearts.  Let’s hear what Jesus said,

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  Matthew 12:34b

Jesus spoke those words to the chagrin of the Pharisees, concerning the fruits of their hearts.  Jesus went on and said,

“But I say to you that for every idle word men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:36-37 (NKJV).

So then, teaching is a ministry which no one should enter into lightly.  Every word you speak is being heard; whether it is in ministry or on the street as you speak with a stranger, asking for directions.

We are all stumblers.  We even fall from time to time, but when we are trusting the Lord Jesus, He aids us, and helps back to our feet, strengthens us and sends us on our mission for His name’s sake.  When James uses the word “Perfect” here he may indeed be speaking of true perfection.

The study note for this word from the MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE, “perfect man. ‘Perfect’ may refer to true perfection, in which case James is saying that, hypothetically, if a human being were able to perfectly control his tongue, he would be a perfect man.  But, of course, no one is actually immune from sinning with his tongue.  More likely, ‘perfect’ is describing those who are spiritually mature and thus able to control their tongues.” p. 1930. 

Even the mature Christian, however, may slip and use the tongue in error.  If a man or woman can control their tongue without blurting out every little thing which enters their mind, then, they are indeed able to control other things about their lives too.  Only Jesus Christ in us can cause us to desire to make better use of our tongues.

Use your tongue to glorify the Lord Jesus, the Father, the cross, His Word and His will for our lives.  Teach Jesus Christ, and let His Word be the abundance of your heart.  When He is the abundance of your heart that is what will come from your mouth.  “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Walk With God Today.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 05/06/08

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”  James 3:1 (NKJV).

James has been dealing with the matter of having a faith that works.  Not a faith based on works.  The base of the Christian faith is the works of Jesus Christ, and His gift to us.  The faith that works is the faith that will bring glory to our Lord Jesus, and the Father.  That faith will carry over into all of life, and it seems almost needed that James begins by dealing with the tongue.

Is this word on the tongue ever needed.  It seems that people are just blurting out the very first thing that pops into their thoughts, and without any thinking, or chewing on the matter.  If there is ever a place that is seen to be true it is on the internet, and on blogs in particular.  It seems even more so on blogs articles which are written by professing Christians.  Let’s be clear about something now: writing, such as the weblog is also the exploits of the tongue.  It is also a place of teaching.  Which brings us to the verse for the day.

Why are some so eager to be teachers?  In the verse above James actually warns us, “Let not many of you become teachers…”.  The word for teacher here has to do with the term “master” which is found in the New Testament, and has to do with a person who has an official teaching position, or preaching.  There are several who should probably leave the matter of teaching and preaching to the ones who have been called by God to do so. 

The individual who has no control of their tongue should probably leave the teaching to others.  The individual who has no control over their tongue probably has not much control over the rest of their lives either.  When we begin calling other people names, and attacking the person, whether we like them or not is not the godly, or Christian thing to do.  If we are going to expose false teachings, and false teachers, we can do so without attacking the individual.  The teaching is what is to be exposed, and prayer for the individual who is leading others astray; and the ones whom he/she is leading astray.

Teaching has a great responsibility with it.  As teachers we will give a greater account to God.  What we say with our tongue or write with our fingers will be checked by the Word and Spirit of God.  The Lord, our Savior knows even the motive for our words.  He knows when they are spoken in love, or with the venom of a poisonous serpent.

If you are a teacher or preacher of God’s Word, then be cautious in what you say concerning others, and how you say it.  Also, be sure you have a calling from God to be teaching.  If you have no love for the Word of God and His truth, in the study and application of it, then you have not been called to teach.  If it does not grieve your heart when you realize that you have erred in a matter of the Word, then, you have not been called to teach or preach.  God’s Word and His people are precious.  Let’s treat both with love and respect.

Walk With God Today.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 05/05/08

“Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?  For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  James 2:25-26 (NKJV)

Remember James is most likely addressing a problem with some people who are saying, even teaching, that which is being taught in some circles today, and what has been called, “Easy Believism”.  It is a “belief” that just simply calling out the name of Jesus will save you from your sins; that you don’t need to take Him as your Lord, just believe in Him as your Savior, and you are saved.  That was a problem among James’ readers and it is a problem which needs addressed today as well.

The genuine saving faith first acknowledges Jesus as Lord, that is the reason for the submission to Him, in realizing His power to save.  He is the only One who can save; the only One who gives a changed life, and makes a difference in your life; therefore, it takes submission to Him.  It is all His work.  He is the One who gives regeneration to have us even acknowledge Him.  He is the One who gives grace, and gives the dead man life to even believe in Him.  When we are raised to life through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ we will produce works which glorify His name.

Who is Rahab?  You will find her in Joshua 2.  As James mentions her he says that she was a harlot, which is also what she is called in Joshua.  She is, however, recognized for her faith.  Let’s get one thing clear; she is no longer a harlot when she comes to her faith.  Why does God give her recognition in His Word?  I believe it is to show us that He has His salvation is for all who will believe.  It does not matter what your past, or present situation in life.  Jesus Christ will change you into His own image.  Rahab lived on the wall which surrounded the city of Jericho.

It would seem that for the many months and years the Israelites had wandered in the desert there were great stories which went through the peoples of the lands near and far.  Rahab has received faith from God that these are His people, and when the two spies from Israel come in, she takes them and provides them a place to hide from the king of Jericho, who has heard they are in the city.  Yes!  Rahab lies to protect them, however, God is not rewarding her for her lying, but for her faith.  It is a frivolous thing to think that God would reward her lying, for He hates lying and deception.  He knows her faith, and rewards that.

When Rahab protects the spies she is rewarded with the lives of her family.  When she helps the spies escape she is left with the cord which she had used to help them over the wall, as her only means of identification when the defeat of Jericho is imminent.  The Israelites will see the cord and know that she and all who are with her are to be delivered from death.  This cord serves as a picture of faith throughout all of Scripture, and has been called the “Scarlet Cord of Redemption”.

Rahab believed God, and her belief worked to the saving of her household (Joshua 6:22-25).  Knowing that judgment from God was coming quickly she did not spare to get her family to her home, the only place of safety from the judgment.  Rahab later became the wife of Salmon, and is in the lineage of king David, and King Jesus.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…” Titus 3:5

Walk With God Today.

-Tim A. Blankenship

Sermon Bite 05/04/08

THE CHURCH OF A DIFFERENT SAVOR

Revelation 2:8-11

If we look at this dispensationally; In the Church Age Smyrna represents the churches of the second and third centuries A.D.. That era was a time of great persecution for the Christian faith, and many was tried and died standing firm.

Smyrna was located 35-50 miles north of Ephesus. It too was a port city.

Smyrna means “Myrrh”. Myrrh was used for embalming the dead, and the crushing process unleashed its best fragrance. In the crushing of the church under persecution has been its purest and best seen evidence of power. Myrrh was also used in the burial of Jesus. It could be seen too, that at the death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the power of God unleashed, and all sins debt was paid.

Jesus reveals Himself as the Eternal One, “I am the first and the last, which became dead, and I am alive.”

 

I. THE IDENTITY OF JESUS IN SMYRNA (v. 8).

• Jesus died and was embalmed/prepared for burial with myrrh.
• Jesus identifies Himself as the Eternal One [Alpha and Omega, first and last] (1:17).

1. He also identifies Himself as the One “which was dead, and is alive”.

2. “Myrrh” does not seem like a promising name for a city.

• Since this church was greatly persecuted Jesus identifies Himself as the One who “was dead, and is alive”.

II. SMYRNA’S COMMENDATION (v. 9).

• Smyrna was a greatly persecuted church.

1. This was probably one of the seats of Roman emperor worship.

2. These Christians refused to bow to the emperor, and because of this they could lose their homes, businesses, jobs, and their lives.

3. They refused to bow to government oppression.

In John Walvoord’s “THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” he writes, speaking of Polycarp, “When asked by his heathen judges to recant his Christian faith, he replied, ‘Four score and six years have I served the Lord, and He never wronged me: How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior?”. Polycarp seems to characterize the whole church at Smyrna.

• Notice what the world and Jesus says of the church at Smyrna:

1. By the world she is derelict, poor, and out of date.

2. Jesus says, she is rich and faithful

• They struggle against hypocrisy with those who say that they, are Jews and are not.

1. The false Jews show a hatred for God and His Son, most likely, by their false teaching and worship.

2. Jesus calls those in hypocrisy “the synagogue of Satan”.

” For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:28-29 (KJV)

III. JESUS GIVES THEM ENCOURAGEING WORDS (v. 10).

• “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer…” His words of “Fear not”.

1. Those ten days have been said to be the suffering under the rules of ten different rulers through the years ahead:

They are as follows; from Nero in 64-68 AD., through Diocletian of 303-313 AD.. Nero 64-68 AD., Domitian95-96 AD., Trajan 104-117 AD., Marcus Aurelius 161-180 AD. (According to some this is when Polycarp was martyred), Severus 200-211 AD., Maximinius 235-237 AD., Decius 250-253 AD., Valerian 257-260 AD., Aurelian 270-275 AD., and Diocletian 303-313 AD..

2. A time period of about 250 years.

• Jesus tells them, and us, “Be faithful unto death”.

1. Their faith was strong, and would be strengthened by the letter from their Lord.

2. During the 250 years of persecution many believers died for their faith.

His words to His Church today, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12).

• There is no word of condemnation, and yet they suffer.

IV. OVERCOMING THE SECOND DEATH (v. 11).

• All overcome the second death, by being born of God, ie., being born again.
• The “second death” is total and eternal separation from God.
• Avoided only through faith in Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection.

“Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Rev 20:6; “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Rev 20:14; and then “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev 21:8 (KJV)

• Jesus calls for the Church and each individual to hear the Spirit speak.

1. The believer who trust Jesus Christ will overcome, and have no part in the “second death”

2. The “second death” is for the fearful and unbelieving…, the abominable…

-Tim A. Blankenship
EDIT: For further reading on this passage and topic, by this author, you may go to The Resurrected One

Walking With God Today 05/02/08

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the Scripture was  fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted  to him for righteousness.’  And he was called the friend of God.  You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.””  James 2:21-24 (NKJV).

As you can see I included the 24th verse to continue this study.

When we study the Scriptures, including the writings of Paul and James we must see the overall view of God’s Word.  Paul writes that we are saved “by grace, through faith”, and some would have James saying something completely opposite to Paul.  We must remember that James was confronting a different issue than Paul was.  There were, most likely, many of the Hebrews whom James was addressing believing that since they had the “Liberty” in Christ Jesus, then, they were free to live as they so pleased.  There must have been an antinomian spirit among some of those who had professed Jesus as their Savior.

It is a growing trend among professing Christians in our day.  We are “Free” we are told, and so that means we are not required to obey any of the laws, or take any matters of holiness into our consideration.  We can just live, “Eat, drink and be merry” some would say.  However, the grace that truly saves has delivered us from the bondage of sin.  When we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have the laws of God written in our hearts.  The heart and life of the believer who has been truly born again has the desire to live for Christ; not in sin.

James writes of the faith that works, and the works of our faith; not a works which produces faith.  Faith is itself  the gift of God.  As Abraham grew in his faith; his love for God, and trust in him grew to the point that God trusted him with the life of the son He had promised Abraham.  He would trust the LORD to the point of believing that God was able to resurrect Isaac following his sacrifice, in order to carry out and fulfill His promises -

“ By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.   Heb 11:17-19 (KJV)

The faith which James writes, and which he was teaching the Christians from the Hebrew culture and religion was warning of a so called faith which has no merit with God.  There are those today who may have gone down an aisle in a church meeting, and said some words that sounded good,but they did not meet God, and begin a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ.

True faith in Jesus produces works that show forth the change that only Jesus Christ can give, and the works which follow show forth the glory of Jesus and the Father.

Walk With God Today.

-by Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 05/01/08

“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the Scripture was  fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted  to him for righteousness.’  And he was called the friend of God.”  James 2:21-23 (NKJV).

It is in Genesis 15:6 where we are told “and he [Abram at that time] believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.”  This clearly shows that Abram had done nothing for this declaration by God.  It was grace.  Even James tells us of the goodness of the gifts of God (1:17-18), and certainly grace is one of those gifts - the greatest gift of all.

What is the meaning of the word “Justified”? and What is the meaning of “Righteousness”?  If we look at the Genesis text we see that God declared Abram righteous, and this was many years before Isaac was born.  Abraham’s faith had clearly been seen in his leaving his homeland, his family, his friends from Ur of the Chaldees in the beginning.  It had been seen in his building of the altars in worship to the One true and living God.  None of those things made him right with YaHWeH [Jehovah].  No one becomes righteous by their deeds which they have done, and that means even Abraham.  He was declared righteous by God, and really that is what it is to be “Justified”. 

Justification is the act of God paying the sin debt for the unrighteous, and putting on the unrighteous the righteousness of God.  It is the act of God imputing to Himself the sins of the sinner, and imputing to the sinner the righteousness of God.  It could be seen in this way:  Let us say that you are financially bankrupt, and debts are overflowing, your checking account is barren, you have no savings or investments, and it seems as though you have no way out.  You are weighed down by the guilt of it all.  One day you receive a phone call from a friend who has no money problems, in fact he has millions in the bank, and millions in investments; and he says to you, “I am willing to take all your debts, your bank account, and make them my own - I am willing to pay off your debt”, and you say, “Wow!  That would be great.”, and then,  he goes even one further, “I am going to give you my inheritance”, he says.  Now that is not likely to happen in the world of finance, but it has happened in the realm of our God.

Jesus left the realms of glory, becoming flesh, and he paid the debt of sin that was yours and mine on the cross of calvary.  There he took the wrath of God that belonged to us.  There He was forsaken by His Father, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).  When we yield our lives to Him God the Father declares us righteous and just.  We have received the righteousness of His own Son Jesus Christ.  He made this possible by His death, and made it eternal, and forever binding by His resurrection from the dead.

The faith that saves is also the faith that works.  Abraham was declared righteous by God, and that righteous faith was seen in that he offered up his only son believing that God would raise Isaac from the dead (Hebrews 11:17-19).  Those of us who have been justified by God’s decree are grateful, thankful, and rejoicing in such a wonderful gift.  Who can help doing  things, works for His glory who has received such a marvelous gift.

The Lord willing there will be further comment in tomorrow’s study.

Walk With God Today.

-by Tim A. Blankenship

Walking With God Today 04/30/08

“But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”  James 2:20 (NKJV).

James, our brother, has just told us of the faith of the demons of hell.  Yes!  They have faith.  They are more orthodox in doctrine than the most orthodox people.  They know the power and wrath of God, afterall they have experienced it first hand when He cast them from heaven.  That is why James says, “Even the demons believe–and tremble!”  Do you tremble before Him my friend?

Faith that does not submit to the power and authority of God, His Son, His Spirit and His Word is no faith at all.  This “faith” that produces no works is