Stand In Awe and Sin Not

Dear class,

The readings today are taken from Psalms 4-6 and Acts 9:22-43.

In Psalm 4, the writer gives a couple of pointers to motivate us against sin.
1) Shaming God (v.2a)
As serious as it sounds, it remains a God approved fact that when we sin, we have put God's name, His Glory, His love for us to shame. Paul has even stronger words as we read in Hebrews
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:26-29)
v.29 should be a sobering reminder to all! WE are indeed held to a higher standard, "having tasted the good Word of God"  and "made partakers of the Holy Ghost" (Heb 6:5,6).
Bro Patrick Swayne gave a stinging reminder to us all last Sunday when he mentioned of our decision making - Would Christ approve? Or will we give shame or glory to God?
Important questions that we need to constantly ask ourselves, to the point where we don't even need to! And only because it has become "2nd nature" or rather indeed, Christ-nature.

2) Love vanity, seek after leasing (v.2b)
The word "leasing" basically means "falsehood". Vanity we can understand, which basically refers to things of the world. We are all familiar with 1Jn 2:15-17. Putting our priorities back on the old self is an outright denial of the grace and power of God! But falsehood? You mean we prefer lies? Oh yes! As the old adage goes - truth hurts! Far more people would rather have others tickling their ears, nevermind the ultimate consequence. Paul warned Timothy of such who would "after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2Ti 4:3,4)
Beware brethren! Adopt a contrite and humble heart, less we be so caught up and high minded that we seek after praise from men rather than God!

3) Stand in awe (v.4a)
Never ceased to be amazed by the greatness and grace of God. Never take for granted our blessings from God! Yes! All should stand in awe of our God Almighty (Psa 33:8) and realise just how privileged we are, with a God ever providing for us and yes even His only Begotten, to redeem us from sin. When we cease to be struck by that wonder, we put ourselves on the slippery road to complacency and indifference, which ultimately leads to death.

4) Commune with your own heart (v.4b)
In short, PRAY! "with your own heart" here does not mean speaking to ourselves but rather using our hearts -  the heartfelt, sincere plea to our Father in heaven.
Probably all advice to healthy relationships point to healthy communication. The same can be said of our spiritual relationship. Prayer is our communication to God! Enough cannot be said of this precious privilege of us as children of God. (1Thess 5:17). As Lioyd Sanderson so eloquently penned:
The Father speaketh in His word, He talks no other way!
And to converse with Him, our Lord, We must take time to pray!
Pray in the morning, pray at the noontime,
Pray in the evening, pray anytime.
Pray when you're happy, pray when in sorrow,
Pray when you're tempted, pray all the time.


The Lord help us all to do all we can to stay in His good pleasure and help one another along, that we may lay hold to that crown of righteousness.

in Him
Paul


But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. ~ 2John 9-11

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~ 3John 4

Salvation Belongeth Unto The Lord

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Psalms 1-3 and Act 9:1-21

Psalm 2 contains the Messianic prophecy that bro Patrick Swayne mentioned in Wed night class last week (the series of which you are missing a lot if you are not already attending!).

The super script of Psalm 3 mentions that this was penned when David was running away from his own son Absalom. A consequence of his sins resulting from the Bathsheba incident (c.f. 2Sa 12:11,12; 2Sa 15:14 ff).

Among other things, we note that we have a choice over our actions. We just can't choose the consequences! It is obvious that David repented after the incident, but he still had to pay for his actions. In spite of his trials, observe how he has remained faithful and every trusting in God.

Often, we take for granted the blessings of God that we fail to acknowledge the source! Even now as you read this, many things had to happen, starting with being able to get off from bed! (c.f. Psa 3:5) There are just so many things that God has put in place just so we can survive that have become so common place, we seem to let them fade into the background. Just recently, a couple of brethren commented on how much we appreciate the blue skies and rain as a result of a particularly serious haze.

And mostly importantly, salvation, even that of our souls, is from God and God alone. This simple yet powerful statement once again drives home the fact that men is helpless to the fact of his spiritual condition, without the help of God. This is not to say we cannot do anything to lay hold onto salvation, but that we of ourselves cannot create the conditions and the plan of our salvation (c.f. Eph 2:8,9; Eph 1:3-5). It is God who has purposed from the foundation of the world, the wonderful, glorious plan of salvation, found only in Christ Jesus, through His Church (1Pe 1:18-20; Eph 3:10,11; 5:23).

Let us not be deceived by the diverse doctrines of man (Eph 4:14) but recognize and hold fast the one sure and true way, only which we can lay hold unto eternal life (Heb 10:23; 1Ti 6:12)

In Him

Paul

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. ~ 2John 9-11
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. ~ 3John 4

Types From the Old Testament

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Deut 16-18 and Acts 4:23-37.

The passage in Deuteronomy includes the famous prophecy of the arrival of Jesus Christ (Deu 18:15,18). Besides this, let us examine some types in the Old Testament as we see in these passages.

The word "type" is a technical term originally derived from the printing industry. "type" refers to the block with raised letters/figures that is impressed upon a print media to produce the desired copies, which is called the "anti-type". Thus the "type" itself is intelligible but must to transferred to a media for the meaning to come across.

The Greek word is "tupos" and "antitupos" for type and antitype respectively. The bible makes it clear that the Old Testament, at least in part, reveals a series of "types" or examples for us to follow, which is often translated into the antitypes in the New Testament. Paul wrote in 1Co 10:6,11 - "Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted." "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."
And again in Rom 15:4 "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."

Thus it is abundantly clear that, there is a specific purpose for the Old Testament and the old Law, even though we, of the Christian dispensation is no longer accountable to it.

1) Passover
Much can be said of this, if we were to examine the details, but suffice to say, in broad terms the allusion and antitype to us in Christ. Christ is our passover (1Co 5:7). He was the Lamb that was sacrificed, whose blood is smeared that we might receive the hope of salvation, as so did the Israelites on that fateful night in Egypt when the angel of death took away the first born. Notice the setting during the Jewish passover - God chooses the place; they were to eat the lamb and unleavened bread in haste - the account in Exodus tells us they were to be fully clothed and ready to move (Ex 12:11).
God and only God is able to provide the true solution to man's needs. There can be no other sacrifice but of Christ, wherewith man can be justified (1Jn 2:2). This world is not where we linger and truly dwell. We are but pilgrims to a heavenly abode. Wherefore the need for full preparation and haste. Are we prepared to live and die in Christ, as Paul mentioned in Phi 1:21? Where is our sense of urgency when it comes to preparing for that world to come? Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, how are we living to give glory to Him? Or do we still lust after the fleshpots of spiritual "Egypt" as did the Israelites?

2) Sacrifice
In Deut 17:1, we read of the requirements of the sacrifices offered by the people. "Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God." We are reminded by Paul that WE are indeed to be a "living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1). Hence, whatever that we offer in our spiritual service to God has to be our best. And notice the qualification is not just the quality per se but also the heart behind it. Truly, as David penned, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psa 51:17) Where's our heart in our service to God? In attendance, in bible study, in good works? Or are we even faithfully engaging in such activities??

3) Priests
The Levites had no inheritance from the land! But "the Lord is their inheritance" (Deut 18:2). Peter describes the Christian as a "holy priesthood" (1Pe 2:5,9). The antitype of the Levitical priesthood. Truly, we are "joint-heirs with Christ"! (Rom 8:17). With that ultimately heavenly inheritance that God has promised to His faithful. Wherefore, we shall spare no effort in making sure we stay eligible to lay claim to that right!

The Lord help us all learn of the examples before us and exercise all diligence to make our calling and election sure! (2Pe 1:10)

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. ~ 1 John 3:4