Whatever Is Not from Faith Is Sin — Really?

This letter of rebuke, reproof and instruction, is in response to the deception that was brought before Salem church's believers on the date of 10/30/2015 @ 7:30. 2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.The topic was the presentation of a candidate to become Salem's new senior pastor. The select committee although sincere, greatly mislead the congregation as it allied itself with the candidate's sin.  Let me explain, and preference, that I speak as a husband, father, and signed member of Salem Church. Also, an ordained minister with the Christian National Church of Missionaries. I faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ for 38 years, and now have the distinct honor to serve our men and women in uniform, at the Brooklyn VA, those who serve and sacrifice for the love of God and country.

Let me however speak as a husband and father, to the issue I believe was placed on my heart last not as the revealing of the sin of deception. We were told as a congregation  not to share with anyone about the candidate being in NYC, and specifically his purpose for being with us. His desire to become Senior Pastor of Salem. Here in lies the deception, we were asked to partake of the secrecy of avoiding the believers who this candidate is presently Pastor, in order for them not to know he was seeking Senior Pastor ship at Salem . Remember, I started this statement coming from the point of view as a father and husband.

So here is my question to the candidate , committee and Salem believers. Would  Jesus ask a man to withhold his intentions of leaving the flock he has been called too, by not sharing with them in faith, those intentions ? Would Jesus ask another flock from a distant land(Salem) to join in such secrecy and lack of faith? I think not! Would a man spend a weekend away, and not tell his family where he was going, and the intentions of the trip, only to have a plan to leave for another lover? What do I tell my daughter, son and wife ? There is only one answer, that they are being deceived by the secrecy of self ambition.   Philippians 2:3-4

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 

The proof of which, is the spiritual damage to a congregation, which has been left out of the equation. They can not pray for their Pastor, give counsel or express emotions over the prospect of leaving. No, they will be told on the following Sunday, we are leaving and use God as the testimony of their departure. I heard in support of this sin, that we should be thankful that God did not allow Salem a long trial of waiting for a new Pastor. This approach avoids an important principal of holy scripture;    

 

Hebrews 10:36

 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

The fact that we were asked to be silent, is clear evidence of the violation of the above verse, again, does a man come home, and drop on his wife and children and say; this past weekend I found another lover and I am leaving you, and joining her ? This is a sin of omission to the faithful flock of the this candidate, and the open door for Salem believers to enter at their own peril .


John 10:27  Jesus said;
 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. Last night we were asked to follow a man's selfish and hidden ambition. This is not the voice of our Savior.  2 Tim 2; "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

The Following is a well balanced scriptural approach to my rebuke, reproof and instruction to a church I sincerely love in Christ(Salem). It is my humble request, that if the Holy Spirit confirms this message as truth in your heart, that you will send it to as many believers as the Lord leads. If it does not then delete the message plain and simple. My hands and heart is now clean before the Lord.

 
Jude 23
 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. 



People from the time of John Chrysostom (347–407) have tried to limit the meaning of Paul’s words in Romans 14:23, “Whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Chrysostom cautions, “Now all these things have been spoken by Paul of the subject in hand, not of everything.”
Leon Morris follows this limitation and says,

Whatever be the truth of actions done before one becomes a believer, Paul is not discussing them here. His concern is with the believer who sometimes does things that are not motivated by faith. (The Epistle to the Romans, 493)

But Lenski says, No!

Is this to be restricted to the Christian alone and to the matter of the adiaphora alone, namely to faith in this domain? No; it covers this domain only because it is a part of one that is much larger. (The Interpretation of St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, 854)

What do you think?
Here’s the context to help you get oriented (Romans 14:21–23):

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Augustine in his Lectures on the Gospel according to St. John cites Romans 14:23 as a universal statement covering all human conditions:

Not that you may say, “Before I believed I was already doing good works, and therefore was I chosen.” For what good work can be prior to faith, when the apostle says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin”? (Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 8, 353).

Thomas Schreiner sides with Augustine and points out that Paul easily could have made a more limited point by stopping with the first part of verse 23 (“But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith”). Point made. End of argument. But no. Now he adds the unqualified maxim, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin” (Romans, 739).

Universal Support for a Specific Point

It’s true, of course, as Morris says, that Paul is not discussing the actions of unbelievers in Romans 14. But that’s not a compelling argument. We regularly support specific points with general points.
For example, we might say, “The long hands of the grandfather’s clocks in this shop sweep 360 degrees every hour. For the long hands of all clocks that have circular faces sweep 360 degrees every hour.” Nobody would think us reasonable if we said, “From these two sentences all we can learn is that the only clocks whose long hands sweep 360 degrees each hour are the grandfather’s clocks in this shop, because those are the ones we are talking about.” No. We brought in a universal point to support the specific one.
That's what Paul has done. “Whatever is not from faith is sin” is a universal point. There are numerous supports for this outside Romans 14:23. For example:

1. Paul’s point in Romans 4:20 is that faith glorifies God: “Abraham grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.” The reason faithless acts are sin is that they don’t glorify God as trustworthy.
2. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul said, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” But you can’t glorify God if you are dishonoring him by not trusting him. So where there is no faith, 1 Corinthians 10:31 is being disobeyed in every action (no matter how neutral in itself).
3. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Therefore, where there is no faith, all acts displease God.

When Virtue Is Sin

This is why Augustine said that even the virtues of unbelievers are sin. An example might make this radical indictment of faithless human “goodness” clearer.
Suppose you’re the father of a teenage son. You remind him to wash the car before he uses it to take his friends to the basketball game tonight. He had earlier agreed to do that.
He gets angry and says he doesn’t want to. You gently but firmly remind him of his promise, and say that’s what you expect. He resists. You say, “Well, if you are going to use the car tonight, that’s what you agreed to do.” He storms out of the room angry. Later you see him washing the car.
But he is not doing it out of love for you or out of a Christ-honoring desire to obey Scripture. He wants to go to the game with his friends. That is what compels his “obedience.” I put “obedience” in quotes because it is only external. His heart is wrong. This is what I mean when I say that all human “virtue” is depraved if it is not from a heart of love to the heavenly Father — even if the behavior conforms to biblical norms.

Primarily unto God

The terrible condition of man’s heart will never be recognized by people who assess it only in relation to other people. Your son will drive his friends to the ballgame. That is a “kindness.” They will receive it as a “benefit.” So the evil of our actions can never be measured merely by the good or the harm they do to other humans.
Romans 14:23 makes plain that our depravity is a condition in relation to God primarily, and only secondarily in relation to man. This is the great awakening that needs to happen for people to see the extent of their sin and the greatness of the Savior.

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Recent posts from John Piper:

Guidelines for choosing the right Pastor-Teacher and the right local assembly.

 

 PHI 4:1 which says "Therefore, my beloved brethren [members of the Royal family of God] whom I desire to see or be with,"

We are now ready for the next phrase in which Paul says "my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved."
The phrase "my joy and crown" is another unusual phrase to use, since we are to derive our joy from God.  However, there is a legitimate application of joy that comes from other believers.  Here in the Greek is the personal pronoun "mou" (my) followed by noun "chara" and is translated correctly as "my source of happiness."
The word "chara" is used represent everything we want that is legitimate, that we are entitled to and everything that growing in grace provides; that is happiness! 

PHI 4:1 "Therefore, my beloved brethren [members of the Royal family of God] whom I desire to see or be with, my source of happiness"
It's an inspiring thought to realize that fellow-believers could be a source, not "the source" but a source of someone's happiness.  When brethren or, in the Church-age, members of the Royal family of God dwell together in unity, it is at that place of unity that the Lord commands happiness' forever.  Because when we gather together, we are gathering together not for fellowship but to hear the word of God, HEB 10:25. 
The word of God is the basis for our unity and where real oneness comes from, not from fellowship.  When a local assembly has one mind, one goal, and one purpose, then true oneness can exist and true fellowship results.

What should our goals and purposes be?

Evangelize and teach the Gospel correctly to the unbeliever and to prepare the believer to communicate the Gospel correctly.

Communicate the Pre-designed Plan of God and Bible doctrine to the believer.

Raise up evangelists and pastors and missionaries and send them out throughout the world.

The point is that you never have fellowship as the basis of unity, you have fellowship as a result of what true biblical unity produces.  It is difficult to explain how people make you truly happy.  Consider the context of our main passage in Phi 4:1 here, to the apostle Paul, a communicator of Bible doctrine, those who are positive toward doctrine are a source of happiness.  It is not the attendance or number in the pew.  Nor is it having more people in a congregation than someone else has, but rather, it is having serious students of the Word of God.  Anyone who is positive toward Bible doctrine becomes a source of happiness and encouragement to the one who communicates Bible doctrine.  These are the ones who stick with it and gut it out and don't quit and don't let distractions get in the way.

In PHI 4:1 the apostle Paul is in no man's land between supergrace and ultra supergrace, and the thing that makes him happy is positive volition, especially the positive volition of the Philippians.  When a right pastor has gone to supergrace and then on to ultra supergrace, nothing makes him happier than to have his congregation follow.  This is done by consistent and persistent intake of Bible doctrine.  Our Lord began His ministry with this principle when He said to Peter and Andrew, Mat 4:19-20; "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they immediately left the nets, and followed Him."

The pastor-teacher, like the apostle Paul, has a different source of happiness than anyone else.  His happiness must be related to believers who respond to his doctrinal teaching.  All other forms of happiness must be secondary to this particular category.  While the Philippian believers are the source of Paul's happiness in time they are also the source of Paul's decorations and rewards for eternity, so he adds the words "my crown."  In the Greek it is the conjunction "kai" and the noun "stephanos."  The word "stephanos" is not a crown; rather a wreath given as the highest decoration in the Roman army.  The apostle Paul is going to receive a special wreath of glory at the Judgement Seat of Christ because he has led so many of them to supergrace and onto ultra supergrace.  In PHI 4:1 "my source of happiness" refers to blessings in time, my "crown" refers to blessings in the eternal state.  This was a great relationship between Paul and the believers in Philippi. 

A question that is often asked by believers today is  "What are some of the factors to consider when choosing a local assembly?"  This decision really begins with choosing a pastor-teacher.  A decision that is just as important as choosing a person to marry.  One has to do with your domestic relationship, the other with your eternal welfare.  Unfortunately, the method that many people follow in choosing a local assembly often has little to do with what the Word of God has to say about the subject.

How does a person choose a local assembly? 

First of all, the Word of God has always been and must always be our norm and standard for decision making.

Our decisions must be made upon the basis of the word of God not the basis of convenience.  In MAT 12:42 "The Queen of the South [the Queen of Sheba] shall rise up with this generation at the judgment and shall condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom [the doctrine] from Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here."

Her life and her actions are used to illustrate what positive volition will do to know God.  Notice that He said "something" greater not someone greater, although He is!  He was referring to something in reference to the teaching of grace and truth replacing the Law or reality superseding the ritual.  The same thing is true about pastors in this generation, because the demand for Bible teaching pastors diminishes in time of apostasy. 

So, this passage teaches two very important principles;

1.  The importance of Bible doctrine and the price to pay for it, MAT 12:42.

2. The worthlessness of self-reformation in MAT 12:43-45.

Never choose a local church because of what it can give.

The Laodicean church could give many things, including luxuries and comforts.  In REV 3:17, the Laodicean church was rich and wealthy and had need of nothing.  This type of church may communicate ear-tickling messages or capture you by its atmospheric environment.  But that is the wrong basis.

Never choose a church because your friends go there.

Personality appreciation should not be the reason for choosing a local church.  

Never choose a church because family has been attending for years. 

Tradition should never be a motivating factor, nor should sentimentality affect the choice.  There's usually one leader in the family that others follow and choose family over dedication and devotion to the word of God.

Never choose a church because it offers a good youth program for the children.  

It is vitally important to test everything we believe by the Word of God.  The Bible says in MAT 4:4  "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God."

The Word of God reveals the mind of Christ and it teaches us how to choose a local assembly and there are crucial questions that must be answered:

1.  Does the local church stay true to all the central doctrines of the Christian faith?  

2.  Does the church believe in the historical faith passed down by the apostles given to us through our forefathers?

3.  Do they accept the inherent, infallible teaching of the Word of God?

4.  Do they believe that all Scripture is God-breathed?

5.  Does the church believe 2TI 3:16-17?  "All Scripture is [theopneustos] God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Our Lord said JOH 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life."

Does the church believe that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation? 

2PE 1:20-21 "But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

God warns that we must examine prophets carefully, and "if they speak not according to the word, it is because there is no light in them," ISA 8:20.  There are many movements in Christianity today that are adding to the word of God.  Ignoring PRO 30:5-6, "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar."

It is important to find out exactly where the church stands in its presentation of the character and nature of God.

Beware that they do not over-emphasize certain attributes of God and ignore the balance.  Some over-emphasize the Love of God and do away with His Justice.  Some over-emphasize the Justice and Righteousness of God and do away with His Forgiveness and Love.  Some over-emphasize the Sovereignty of God and do away with His Justice and the free will of man.  It should always be Christ and the objective Word of God as the emphasis.  The Word of God has always been and must always be our norm and standard for decision making.

It is an important consideration to observe whether the Pastor equips himself with preparation before God in study; 2Ti 2:15, COL 1:10, PHI 1:9-10,20-21, EPH 3:16-19.

In 2TI 2:15, he is told to study to present himself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.  In COL 1:10, he is commanded to increase in the knowledge of God.  In PHI 1:9-10, he is told to learn how to operate in "virtue-love and to excel to the maximum more and more by means of metabolized doctrine resulting in all spiritual discernment," 
Christ should be at home in his heart or right lobe by means of doctrine.  He may be a nice individual, educated in seminary, having a doctor's degree, but not prepared to communicate doctrine.

Does the Pastor Teacher preach the whole counsel of God?

Paul said ACT 20:27 "For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."

Does he preach the Word in season and out of season, 2TI 4:2?

Does he reprove, rebuke, exhort with divine, delegated, legitimate authority, 2TI 4:2?
Does he communicate doctrine with authority?
Does he let his statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; MAT 5:37.  He should not be wavering in his communication of doctrine nor fearful of the congregation's reaction?  Does his message lose its sting because he's a coward in the sense that he is not willing to declare the whole counsel of God?

It is important to understand that your capacity for the details of life will not go beyond the measure of doctrine that is imparted to you categorically.  A believer cannot reach maturity if they are not given mature instructions.  The Pastor cannot live beyond the content of what he thinks and cannot think beyond the content of what he has received.  He cannot receive if he is never in a position to hear the Word of God ROM 10:17 "For faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."

The same is true for each believer.  A church member that doesn't go to the right church may hear false teaching but they are responsible for all that God has appointed them to hear.  God will require accountability for what you are suppose to hear, ignorance is of no excuse.  If they don't make a choice toward categorical doctrine, although the church is prepared to present the right premise to them, they will never escape the responsibility by claiming that they are ignorant, 1CO 10:1 "For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,"

Many will lose their reward at the Bema Seat, because they haven't chosen the right pastor-teacher and the right local assembly, simply because they did not care.

The music ministry is an important aspect to consider. 

Many singers and singing groups should not be singing in church services because they are not even taught properly.  Many are more involved with entertaining than imparting the word of life to the congregation.  Christians should love the Finished Work, and the Word of God.  A worship service should center on teaching the Word.  The songs and the song service should be songs that minister and glorify The Lord Jesus Christ and the plan of God the Father and not have what MAT 6:7 calls meaningless repetition.

Another aspect to consider in choosing a pastor-teacher and a local assembly is what is the structure of the local church government?

 Delegated authority is obviously needed; portions of the body need to be utilized, mobilized and organized.  Deacons should be given delegated authority. This is wise leadership, but this authority is delegated from one pastor-teacher.  There is one pastor-teacher who is responsible to Jesus Christ and for any particular assembly; Eph 4.11-16, Tit 1:5,7.  The Pastor-teacher is to be the chief administrator as well as the communicator of Bible doctrine, the head of the table of organization.  In addition to the pastor-teacher, the right church government is made up of deacons who function according to 1Ti 3:8-13, ACT 6:1-6, PHI 1:1.

The local church should have categorical doctrine, but it should also dogmatically believe that Christ has finished the work of redemption forever, JOH 19:30.

A ministry that doesn't understand the nature of God and His workings of grace cannot express impersonal unconditional love to its members.  The work of salvation is by grace alone, grace plus nothing, ROM 11:6, we receive grace for salvation, Eph 2:8-9, and we receive grace for growing in 2PE 3:18.  When a church adds works to grace its people inevitably become involved in other systems that are not from God such as legalism, status symbols, and religious works, all of which will characterize the ministry.

Another principle that is relevant in choosing a local assembly involves the practical application of the whole counsel of God.

When choosing a local assembly, be on the alert!  Learn to detect false teaching by applying the Word of God to every aspect of life within the Church.  The most fundamental belief in Christianity is the unlimited atonement and eternal security.  We are eternally secure as believers in Christ's Finished Work on the cross.  Yet many churches deny the principle of the unlimited atonement and eternal security, and by doing so directly attack the nature of God.  Make it a point to find out if the church believes in eternal security.   If it does not, it cannot reveal God's character, and it a result, it will destroy your capacity to think and live with God.  Eternal security must be understood from the standpoint of practical application and daily operation of truth.  Anyone who does not believe in eternal security will inevitably put other people under bondage.  Does the church produce an atmosphere where people know that God loves them in adversity, tribulation, persecution, as well as when they sin?  Does the church teach the Word of God in a loving atmosphere so that everyone experiences that God loves each individual with the same kind of love?  God loves every individual with an unlimited divine capacity.  His love never changes, for God is love, 1JO 4:8.

Do the church members love each other with unconditional love?

Do the members who belong to God's royal family love one another with God's unconditional love or are they petty, indifferent, judgmental, resentful and reactionary?  While they practice this beautiful love of God, does the ministry also take a stand against sin, and unrighteousness?  Do they live by the conviction that Christians are ministers of grace and love? 

Does the ministry teach that faith is the only way to please God?

 

All these questions are vital to understand and need to be answered.  Another important question relevant to choosing a local church is does the local church practice the importance of being members of the body of Christ, 1CO 12:12-14.  Believers must understand the positional truth of the Body so that they will be in union with our head, Jesus Christ.  Do the believers in the church lay down their lives to bare one another's burden fulfilling the law of love, GAL 6:2, 1JO 3:14.  Do they practice divine order in church discipline?  Do they practice accepting an accusation only when there are two or three witnesses, DEU 19:15?   Do they totally forgive and forget? What happens if the person repents?  Divine forgiveness always forgives and forgets, MAT 6:12, EPH 4:32, COL 3:13.

Consider the principle of the vision and the goals of the local assembly.  

Do they have a vision in word only or in power of application?  Does that local ministry seek God's kingdom first, MAT 6:33, or do they seek to build luxurious edifices with diverse programs?  Are they after people for themselves or are they after people for God?  Do they use people or do they love people?

These points on how to choose a local church are provided in order to make a mature choice before God.  Just as the wrong choice for a partner produces an unhappy marriage, the wrong choice for a church may produce a limited, ignorant or an unhappy Christian life.  There will never be a "perfect church" because we are all sinners, but we must learn to repent and recover when we fail.  All churches have defects, all have flaws in some areas. But the local church, which is growing in these areas, striving to return to the right point of reference, the infallible Word of God, is a local church on the right path.

The local church must point to a daily cross, it is doesn't, it is the wrong church.  A local church isn't perfect, but it better start out with the Finished Work message and keep on that road.  The congregation should never idolize the pastor-teacher, nor put him before the Lord.  At the same time, they should realize that he has been gifted by the Lord to help further that church in its spiritual growth.  The Word of God that he preaches needs to be received as the Word of God.

Our prayer is that the Holy Spirit will lead those seeking the right local church into "all truth" and that He will guide them to the right decision.

"No Boasting Here!"

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

" A Living Sacrifice "



Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Romans 12:1 NIV

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, etc."—Matthew 6:9.

HIS prayer begins where all true prayer must commence, with the spirit of adoption, "Our Father." There is no acceptable prayer until we can say, "I will arise, and go unto my Father." This child-like spirit soon perceives the grandeur of the Father "in heaven," and ascends to devout adoration, "Hallowed be Thy name." The child lisping, "Abba, Father," grows into the cherub crying, "Holy, Holy, Holy." There is but a step from rapturous worship to the glowing missionary spirit, which is a sure outgrowth of filial love and reverent adoration—"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Next follows the heartfelt expression of dependence upon God—"Give us this day our daily bread." Being further illuminated by the Spirit, he discovers that he is not only dependent, but sinful, hence he entreats for mercy, "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors:" and being pardoned, having the righteousness of Christ imputed, and knowing his acceptance with God, he humbly supplicates for holy perseverance, "Lead us not into temptation." The man who is really forgiven, is anxious not to offend again; the possession of justification leads to an anxious desire for sanctification. "Forgive us our debts," that is justification; "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," that is sanctification in its negative and positive forms. As the result of all this, there follows a triumphant ascription of praise, "Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen." We rejoice that our King reigns in providence and shall reign in grace, from the river even to the ends of the earth, and of His dominion there shall be no end. Thus from a sense of adoption, up to fellowship with our reigning Lord, this short model of prayer conducts the soul. Lord, teach us thus to pray.

Maintain the Difference

And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be. (Exodus8:23)

Pharaoh has a people, and the Lord has a people. These may dwell together and seem to fare alike, but there is a division between them, and the Lord will make it apparent. Not forever shall one event happen alike to all, but there shall be great difference between the men of the world and the people of Jehovah's choice.  This may happen in the time of judgments, when the Lord becomes the sanctuary of His saints. It is very conspicuous in the conversion of believers when their sin is put away, while unbelievers remain under condemnation. From that moment they become a distinct race, come under a new discipline, and enjoy new blessings. Their homes, henceforth, are free from the grievous swarms of evils which defile and torment the Egyptians. They are kept from the pollution of lust, the bite of care, the corruption of falsehood, and the cruel torment of hatred, which devour many families.

Rest assured, tried believer, that though you have your troubles you are saved from swarms of worse ones, which infest the homes and hearts of the servants of the world's prince. The Lord has put a division; see to it that you keep up the division in Spirit, aim, character, and company

1 Peter 1:24-25


"Grass And Flowers"


 For,

“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,

 

     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.

"I have chosen you out of the world."—John 15:19.

ERE is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan's wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King's table will hurt none of His courtiers.  Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits. "His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay."

Sins of Ignorance

And it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance. (Numbers 15:25)

Because of our ignorance we are not fully aware of our sins of ignorance. Yet we may be sure they are many, in the form both of commission and omission. We may be doing in all sincerity, as a service to God, that which He has never commanded and can never accept.  The Lord knows these sins of ignorance every one. This may well alarm us, since in justice He will require these trespasses at our hand; but on the other hand, faith spies comfort in this fact, for the Lord will see to it that stains unseen by us shall yet be washed away. He sees the sin that He may cease to see it by casting it behind His back.  Our great comfort is that Jesus, the true priest, has made atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel. That atonement secures the pardon of unknown sins. His precious blood cleanses us from all sin. Whether our eyes have seen it and wept over it or not, God has seen it, Christ has atoned for it, the Spirit bears witness to the pardon of it, and so we have a threefold peace.

O my Father, I praise Thy divine knowledge, which not only perceives my iniquities but provides an atonement which delivers me from the guilt of them, even before I know that I am guilty.

"It is a faithful saying."—2 Timothy 2:11.

AUL has four of these "faithful sayings." The first occurs in 1 Timothy 1:15, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." The next is in 1 Timothy 4:6, "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation." The third is in 2 Timothy 2:12, "It is a faithful saying—If we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him"; and the fourth is in Titus 3:3, "This is a faithful saying, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works." We may trace a connection between these faithful sayings. The first one lays the foundation of our eternal salvation in the free grace of God, as shown to us in the mission of the great Redeemer. The next affirms the double blessedness which we obtain through this salvation—the blessings of the upper and nether springs—of time and of eternity. The third shows one of the duties to which the chosen people are called; we are ordained to suffer for Christ with the promise that "if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him." The last sets forth the active form of Christian service, bidding us diligently to maintain good works. Thus we have the root of salvation in free grace; next, the privileges of that salvation in the life which now is, and in that which is to come; and we have also the two great branches of suffering with Christ and serving with Christ, loaded with the fruits of the Spirit. Treasure up these faithful sayings. Let them be the guides of our life, our comfort, and our instruction. The apostle of the Gentiles proved them to be faithful, they are faithful still, not one word shall fall to the ground; they are worthy of all acceptation, let us accept them now, and prove their faithfulness. Let these four faithful sayings be written on the four corners of My house.

His Service, Face, Name

His servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their forehead. (Revelation 22:3-4)

Three choice blessings will be ours in the gloryland."His servants shall serve him." No other lords shall oppress us, no other service shall distress us. We shall serve Jesus always, perfectly, without weariness, and without error. This is heaven to a saint: in all things to serve the Lord Christ and to be owned by Him as His servant is our soul's high ambition for eternity.  "And they shall see his face." This makes the service delightful: indeed, it is the present reward of service. We shall know our Lord, for we shall see Him as He is. To see the face of Jesus is the utmost favor that the most faithful servant of the Lord can ask. What more could Moses ask than-"Let me see thy face?"  "And his name shall be in their foreheads." They gaze upon their Lord till His name is photographed upon their brows. They are acknowledged by Him, and they acknowledge Him. The secret mark of inward grace develops into the public sign-manual of confessed relationship.

O Lord, give us these three things in their beginnings here that we may possess them in their fullness in Thine own abode of bliss!

"Called To Be Free"

 

 

"The Great Conflict"                 Galatians 5

 

 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.


¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

"Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house."—Haggai 1:9.

HURLISH souls stint their contributions to the ministry and missionary operations, and call such saving good economy; little do they dream that they are thus impoverishing themselves. Their excuse is that they must care for their own families, and they forget that to neglect the house of God is the sure way to bring ruin upon their own houses. Our God has a method in providence by which He can succeed our endeavours beyond our expectation, or can defeat our plans to our confusion and dismay; by a turn of His hand He can steer our vessel in a profitable channel, or run it aground in poverty and bankruptcy. It is the teaching of Scripture that the Lord enriches the liberal and leaves the miserly to find out that withholding tendeth to poverty. In a very wide sphere of observation, I have noticed that the most generous Christians of my acquaintance have been always the most happy, and almost invariably the most prosperous. I have seen the liberal giver rise to wealth of which he never dreamed; and I have as often seen the mean, ungenerous churl descend to poverty by the very parsimony by which he thought to rise. Men trust good stewards with larger and larger sums, and so it frequently is with the Lord; He gives by cartloads to those who give by bushels. Where wealth is not bestowed the Lord makes the little much by the contentment which the sanctified heart feels in a portion of which the tithe has been dedicated to the Lord. Selfishness looks first at home, but godliness seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, yet in the long run selfishness is loss, and godliness is great gain. It needs faith to act towards our God with an open hand, but surely He deserves it of us; and all that we can do is a very poor acknowledgment of our amazing indebtedness to His goodness.

Because of Us

For the elect's sake those days be shortened. (Matthew 24:22)

For the sake of His elect the Lord withholds many judgments and shortens others. In great tribulations the fire would devour all were it not that out of regard to His elect the Lord damps the flame. Thus, while He saves His elect for the sake of Jesus, He also preserves the race for the sake of His chosen.What an honor is thus put upon saints! How diligently they ought to use their influence with their Lord! He will hear their prayers for sinners and bless their efforts for their salvation. He blesses believers that they may be a blessing to those who are in unbelief. Many a sinner lives because of the prayers of a mother, or wife, or daughter to whom the Lord has respect.Have we used aright the singular power with which the Lord entrusts us? Do we pray for our country, for other lands, and for the age? Do we, in times of war, famine, pestilence, stand out as intercessors, pleading that the days may be shortened? Do we lament before God the outbursts of infidelity, error, and licentiousness? Do we beseech our Lord Jesus to shorten the reign of sin by hastening His own glorious appearing? Let us get to our knees and never rest till Christ appeareth.

<sup>Galatians 6:14


"Never Boast"</sup>


 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

"For the truths sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever."—2 John 2.

NCE let the truth of God obtain an entrance into the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it. We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house—this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe.

Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as He opens, applies, and seals the Lord's Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation.

What a thousand mercies are wrapt up in the assurance that the truth will be with us for ever; will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory; this is Christian privilege, without it our faith were little worth. Some truths we outgrow and leave behind, for they are but rudiments and lessons for beginners, but we cannot thus deal with Divine truth, for though it is sweet food for babes, it is in the highest sense strong meat for men.


The truth that we are sinners is painfully with us to humble and make us watchful; the more blessed truth that whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be saved, abides with us as our hope and joy. Experience, so far from loosening our hold of the doctrines of grace, has knit us to them more and more firmly; our grounds and motives for believing are now more strong, more numerous than ever, and we have reason to expect that it will be so till in death we clasp the Saviour in our arms.


Wherever this abiding love of truth can be discovered, we are bound to exercise our love. No narrow circle can contain our gracious sympathies, wide as the election of grace must be our communion of heart.


Much of error may be mingled with truth received, let us war with the error but still love the brother for the measure of truth which we see in Him; above all let us love and spread the truth ourselves.

God First, Then Extras

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

See how the Bible opens: "In the beginning God." Let your life open in the same way. Seek with your whole soul, first and foremost, the kingdom of God, as the place of your citizenship, and His righteousness as the character of your life.  As for the rest, it will come from the Lord Himself without your being anxious concerning it. All that is needful for this life and godliness "shall be added unto you."

What a promise this is! Food, raiment, home, and so forth, God undertakes to add to you while you seek Him. You mind His business, and He will mind yours. If you want paper and string, you get them given in when you buy more important goods; and just so all that we need of earthly things we shall have thrown in with the kingdom. He who is an heir of salvation shall not die of starvation; and he who clothes his soul with the righteousness of God cannot be left of the Lord with a naked body.

 Away with carking care. Set all your mind upon seeking the Lord. Covetousness is poverty, and anxiety is misery: trust in God is an estate, and likeness of God is a heavenly inheritance. Lord, I seek Thee; be found of me.

"The trees of the Lord are full of sap."—Psalm 104:16.

ITHOUT sap the tree cannot flourish or even exist. Vitality is essential to a Christian. There must be life—a vital principle infused into us by God the Holy Ghost, or we cannot be trees of the Lord.



The mere name of being a Christian is but a dead thing, we must be filled with the spirit of divine life. This life is mysterious. We do not understand the circulation of the sap, by what force it rises, and by what power it descends again. So the life within us is a sacred mystery.


Regeneration is wrought by the Holy Ghost entering into man and becoming man's life; and this divine life in a believer afterwards feeds upon the flesh and blood of Christ and is thus sustained by divine food, but whence it cometh and whither it goeth who shall explain to us? What a secret thing the sap is!



The roots go searching through the soil with their little spongioles, but we cannot see them suck out the various gases, or transmute the mineral into the vegetable; this work is done down in the dark.


Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him; this is the secret of the Lord. The radix of the Christian life is as secret as the life itself. How permanently active is the sap in the cedar! In the Christian the divine life is always full of energy—not always in fruit-bearing, but in inward operations.


The believer's graces, are not every one of them in constant motion? but his life never ceases to palpitate within. He is not always working for God, but his heart is always living upon Him. As the sap manifests itself in producing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy Christian, his grace is externally manifested in his walk and conversation.


If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about Jesus. If you notice his actions you will see that he has been with Jesus. He has so much sap within, that it must fill his conduct and conversation with life.

Godly Stability

And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall: and they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 15:20)

Stability in the fear and faith of God will make a man like a wall of brass, which no one can batter down or break. Only the Lord can make such; but we need such men in the church, and in the world, but specially in the pulpit.  Against uncompromising men of truth this age of shams will fight tooth and nail. Nothing seems to offend Satan and his seed like decision. They attack holy firmness even as the Assyrians besieged fenced cities. The joy is that they cannot prevail against those whom God has made strong in His strength.  Carried about with every wind of doctrine, others only need to be blown upon and away they go; but those who love the doctrines of grace, because they possess the grace of the doctrines, stand like rocks in the midst of raging seas.

Whence this stability? "I am with thee, saith the Lord": that is the true answer. Jehovah will save and deliver faithful souls from all the assaults of the adversary. Hosts are against us, but the Lord of hosts is with us. We dare not budge an inch; for the Lord Himself holds us in our place, and there we will abide forever.

"Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?"—Luke 24:38.

HY sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?" The Lord cares for all things, and the meanest creatures share in His universal providence, but His particular providence is over His saints. "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him." "Precious shall their blood be in His sight." "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to His purpose." Let the fact that, while He is the Saviour of all men, He is specially the Saviour of them that believe, cheer and comfort you. You are His peculiar care; His regal treasure which He guards as the apple of His eye; His vineyard over which He watches day and night. "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." Let the thought of His special love to you be a spiritual pain-killer, a dear quietus to your woe: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." God says that as much to you as to any saint of old. "Fear not, I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." We lose much consolation by the habit of reading His promises for the whole church, instead of taking them directly home to ourselves. Believer, grasp the divine word with a personal, appropriating faith. Think that you hear Jesus say, "I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not." Think you see Him walking on the waters of thy trouble, for He is there, and He is saying, "Fear not, it is I; be not afraid." Oh, those sweet words of Christ!



May the Holy Ghost make you feel them as spoken to you; forget others for awhile—accept the voice of Jesus as addressed to you, and say, "Jesus whispers consolation; I cannot refuse it; I will sit under His shadow with great delight."

"The love of Christ constraineth us."—2 Corinthians 5:14.

OW much owest thou unto my Lord? Has He ever done anything for thee? Has He forgiven thy sins? Has He covered thee with a robe of righteousness? Has He set thy feet upon a rock? Has He established thy goings? Has He prepared heaven for thee? Has He prepared thee for heaven? Has He written thy name in His book of life? Has He given thee countless blessings? Has He laid up for thee a store of mercies, which eye hath not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of His love. Give not a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to His poor or to His work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Who will accept a love so weak that it does not actuate you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. "For Christ's sake" be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you: "for Christ's sake" be this the divine rapture, the heavenly afflatus to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labour. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honour Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardour never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine loadstone draw us heavenward towards itself.

God's Multiplication Table

A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time. (Isaiah 60:22)

Works for the Lord often begin on a small scale, and they are none the worse for this. Feebleness educates faith, brings God near, and wins glory for His name. Prize promises of increase! Mustard seed is the smallest among seeds, and yet it becomes a treelike plant, with branches which lodge the birds of heaven. We may begin with one, and that "a little one," and yet it will "become a thousand." The Lord is great at the multiplication table. How often did He say to His lone servant, "I will multiply thee!" Trust in the Lord, ye ones and twos; for He will be in the midst of you if you are gathered in His name."A small one." What can be more despicable in the eyes of those who count heads and weigh forces! Yet this is the nucleus of a great nation. Only one star shines out at first in the evening, but soon the sky is crowded with countless lights.Nor need we think the prospect of increase to be remote, for the promise is, "I Jehovah will hasten it in his time." There will be no premature haste, like that which we see at excited meetings; it will be all in due time, but yet there will be no delay. When the Lord hastens, His speed is glorious.

"Of Course Love And Forgiveness"

Ephesian 3

Living as Children of Light

 

31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another ...

 

As I have loved you, so you must love one another. New Living Translation So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you.

‎John 13:35

My precious brothers, blood washed and saved by the grace of God, through the death and resurrection of His Son, your Savior. "Of course love and forgiveness," but not at the price of the absence of reproof, rebuke and instruction. If these noble characters are allowed to be interpreted   as gossip and a word of pride only, then the believer loses the very tool of instruction, that God Himself uses to shape and direct your character in Him. 


Proverbs 27:6

 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Tim 3:17 "So that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."


Tim 3:16
 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.