When Jesus began his earthly ministry he was introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb that takes away the sins of the world. Significantly the first people to be told of Jesus birth were shepherds who were watching over their lambs. Since he was also the Son of God, his Father’s messengers were the first to herald the news.
The celebration of this event we call Christmas.
Merry Christmas
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” (Ps 95:2 AV)
Years ago I recognized that I must maintain an attitude of thankfulness to keep a proper perspective and enjoy the blessings of God. It is so easy to lose our focus in a world filled with sin and violence the we fail to recognize God gracious hand at work. James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” When I pause and consider the many blessings I have received from God, then I am filled with thanksgiving and praise to our gracious Lord and Savior.
From the wisdom of the Scripture our forefathers recognized the importance of setting aside a time every year in which we as individuals, family, and as a Nation lift our voices in thanksgiving to God. When we focus on our blessing and where they have come from our hearts are filled with gratitude. Thankful people become gracious people. Gracious people are a blessing to all those around them.
I realize that we live in a world and a culture that seems to be increasingly focusing on what they don’t have rather than what they do have. Let us not be distracted by those many voices out there that would have us sink into despair. Rather let us lift our eyes heavenward and recognize the abundant blessings that God has granted unto us. Let us fill not only our minds and hearts, but also our voices with praise and thanksgiving toward God. Let us lead our families, communities, and nation in focusing on all that we do have. Let us use this holiday time to set the focus for the entire year on the gracious blessing that come from above.
May all come to know the grace for salvation that is granted to us from our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ.
Bob Gunderson
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, [and] into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, [and] bless his name.” (Ps 100:4 AV)
The last few months have been filled with one devastating news report after another. Hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, and violence have rocked our nation. The news of Americans struggling for basic survival and heroic actions to rescue their neighbors has temporarily trumped the ongoing ideological battle for America’s soul. The battle to remove God from our culture continues beneath the unfolding scenes that reveal how much we need God.
But God in His mercy continues to hear and answer the prayer of His people who remain faithful to him in this faithless generation. God has remembered America and is patiently pleading through His prophets that as a nation America would again turn back to God. When we look at the widespread devastation in areas of our nation and consider the low death toll we should be struck with amazement and heartfelt thanksgiving to God. Only the hand of God could have spared us greater causalities.
Many are still looking to government as if more laws or more indebtedness could rescue us. God alone holds the keys to renewing God’s blessing on this nation. Rejection of God’s Law outlined in the Ten Commandments has placed the entire nation in jeopardy. Returning to that law would restore the walls of safety that have preserved this nation in the past. God remains faithful and His Word true. God’s desire is that our nation would repent and turn from their wicked ways, so that He could again bless us. May once again mercy triumph over justice.
Bob
Grace If We Sin
“1 ¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world. 3 ¶ And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1Jo 2:1-6 AV)
God is faithful and by His Grace He continues to extend hand to save and to heal that which is lost. Those who have experience God’s Grace for salvation now become recipients of God’s grace (favor) in many different areas of their lives. As our Heavenly Father he bestows upon us the special love a father has for His children. As His children we are required to keep His commandments. These commandment are intended to keep us safe from the enemy of our souls. When we sin we expose ourselves and others to danger.
The Apostle John words from God were for this purpose, to protect us from the dangers of sin and the lies of the enemy. One of the Church’s purposes is to provide support for those who were born of God, and a sanctuary from the World around us. When the Church drifts from the purity of the Word of God, revival is needed. We have address how God’s grace has kept the Church alive through revival. But churches are made up of individuals. It is on this level that drift begins and it is on this level that revivals begin.
It is God’s intention that we maintain the proper relationship with Him as His children. That means that if we do sin, then it need to be tended to as soon as we become aware of it. When we are born again we are cleansed from all unrighteousness, we are forgiven of all our sins. Even though we start out as little children, God grace provides means to keep us living forgiven. Failure to teach this to new believers has resulted in much hurt and anguish. If unchecked it will result in the final state of the individual to being worse that when they first believed. John said: “I write to you so you will not sin.”
To sum up what is taught in these scriptures: God has provided a means to deal with sin if it does occur. Jesus is pleading our case and grace can keep us clean. But there is a part that we play. Forgiveness does not come automatic for us. We must repent and acknowledge our sin and then we will receive grace.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1Jo 1:7 AV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1Jo 1:9 AV)
There is a prevalent attitude in the among those who claim to be believers, that we are destined to continue to sin even though we have been saved. This is a defeatist attitude that ignores the teachings of the Scripture. Paul deals extensively in the Book of Romans about the freedom from the bondage to sin that is available to those who walk according to the Spirit.
“16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, whom that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (Ro 6:16-18 AV)
That is why John does not say, “when we sin”, but “if we sin”. If we sin and If we confess our sins, God is faithful to not only forgive our sins but to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This frees us to present ourselves as servants of righteousness and live righteously. This is the marvelous grace that is given to the children of the Most High.
Grace Continues Through Revival
The history that I am most familiar with is that of God’s working in America, the place of my birth. Much of the colonization of this country was rooted in a faith in God and the grace that has come through Jesus. Even so our short history has been accented by declines and revivals. But for the grace of God and the revivals that have swept through this country, I wonder where would this World be today without their influence. For revivals have checked our downward decay, allowing us to avoid a potential death spiral. The most memorable revivals took place in 1710-1750, 1780-1810, 1830-1840, 1857-1861, and the 1904 Pentecostal Revival.
I was born in the early 50’s at the end of the World War II revival 1935-1950. This is where history and experience begin to blend for me. I grew up in a very conservative, Pentecostal, Christian family, and accepted Christ as my savior at very early age. This is the perspective I viewed life from. My awareness of the steady decline of my American culture came abruptly in my high school years. The turmoil of the 60’s had finally boiled over into my small town. The turmoil and unrest could no longer be ignored. It seemed like all the youth of the country had rebelled. Those things that had been unacceptable now became blatantly displayed.
But there was something else growing at the same time. The unrest and uncertainty of the time spawned a search for the truth. True to His Word, those who were honestly seeking began to find Him. What later became known as the Jesus Movement spread across this country. Those sincere seekers began experiencing God. Revivals were sparked across this country and many other countries. Churches began to experience phenomenal growth. The effects of revival and Church growth continued into the 80’s before beginning to diminish.
It happens often, as with the “Jesus Movement”, that God’s grace reveals itself in powerful ways in the midst of despair and turmoil. God stirs up His Church that has a tendency to drift into a period of apathy and mediocrity. The fact that the Church so often needs revival should shame and humble us. When we look into God’s Word and recognize our fallen state our response should be to cry out to the Lord for mercy. When men have done this, God has responded by graciously sending revival. Without God’s grace to restore the Church to the solid foundation of Jesus Christ, where would we be today?
Revivals and Moves of God are always happening where men are willing to repent. God is faithful and His grace is available to those who are willing to receive it. But the nation of my birth, that once held up His Name has now rejected God and appears to be entering into a death spiral from which there may be no recovery. It has now been over 40 years since a revival has affected the nation as a whole. During this time the enemy has done an effective job of educating our population through public education and the media. Meanwhile the Church has done a very poor job of education, even our own people, in teaching the truths of the Scripture.
Revivals have kept the Church in America alive. The influence of God’s Church has preserved our nation until now. But we are now facing a crisis, for the Church has lost its influence in America. We are in desperate need of a national revival. We are losing our nation, which has become morally bankrupt.
“3 ¶ Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:3-4 AV)
The enemy of our souls is ever present seeking to invade and pervert that which God has made. He often works through men, those who fall under his influence. Early in Church history we are given this warning, that they would creep in among us while we are unaware. One of the things that should command our attention is that ungodly men will seek to turn or twist the grace of God into something that it is not. If we would follow Church history as recorded in our history books, we would see the devastating effect that these people and ideas have had on the Church. At times the organized Church became corrupt, idolatrous, tyrannical, and downright evil.
But by the grace of God the true Church remained alive, even if at times it seemed to go underground. God has kept His Church alive though a series of revivals throughout history. There have always been men willing to follow the instructions found in these verses in Jude. Men who earnestly contended for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Through the power of the Holy Spirit God has kept alive and pure, both His Word and His Church throughout all of history until our present day.
Church history is recorded for us like the history of the Israelites, but only though the period of the spread of Christianity during the Apostle Paul’s lifetime. The History we have recorded after this time is often open to interpretation. What does become obvious though is the tremendous effect that God’s Word has had on the World. Those who have been faithful, to that faith that was once delivered to the saints, have been the salt and the light of this World. Their influence has preserved and kept in check those forces that seek to destroy all that God has made that was at one time good, often times against great odds.
17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Joh 1:14-17 AV)
With the coming of Jesus we received the Word of God in the form of a man. He was the revelation of God to us. He told his disciples, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” He said that He did not come to destroy the Law, but He had come to fulfill the Law.
“23 And he turned him unto [his] disciples, and said privately, Blessed [are] the eyes which see the things that ye see: 24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard [them].” (Lu 10:23-24 AV)
“10 ¶ Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace [that should come] unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1Pe 1:10-12 AV)
Grace came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill the Law. Jesus fulfill those portions of the Law for us that we could not fulfill. This having been done on our behalf made it possible that the righteousness of the Law could be fulfilled in us. For now having been cleansed from all unrighteousness His Spirit could not only dwell with us but also in us. Grace and Truth have indeed come unto us.
Jesus is central in all of history. Our calendar testifies of this fact, as does all of history. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He revealed to us truth and grace. Jesus is the revelation of God, a glimpse into the very heart of God, His plan, His purpose, and His love intended for us. He revealed the righteous of God in human form. The Word was made alive and lived with us. To fully expound upon the extent and effect of Jesus life on earth cannot be stated in a few sentences. The Apostle John ended the gospel with these words: “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (Joh 21:25 AV)
After Jesus ascent into Heaven, God’s outpouring of His grace came through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. In the power of the Spirit the assembly of believers was raised up to bring the message of God grace to every people in every place. So powerful was this message that the whole world came to be effected by it. Where ever this message of grace was received the peace of God prevailed bringing order out of the chaos.
To this day the Grace of God abounds. Salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ continues to transform lives. The message of grace empowered by the Holy Spirit continues to impact the World around us. The Spirit of truth continues to give life to those who by faith receive this grace of God.
“12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Joh 1:12-13 AV)
“12 Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Ro 7:12-13 AV)
The Children of Israel received the law from God through Moses at Mount Sinai. Having been separated from the corruption of this world they experienced in Egypt, they were introduced to the righteousness of God. The Law was to govern them and in so doing distinguish them from all the peoples of the earth. But it was also much more than this. The Law was to be their schoolmaster revealing the very character of their Creator. The Law was to teach them of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Law was to prepare them for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven, in which righteousness reigns.
A Note: I pause here to remind us that often when we speak of law we are talking about those ordinances and statutes that are in place to protect us from violating law. The actual law cannot be violate without severe consequences. For example: We have signals to regulate traffic, because no more than one vehicle can occupy the same space at the same time. The actual laws aren’t negotiable. What is true in the physical is also true in the spiritual. The Laws that govern all of creation have consequences if they are violated. Those laws also reflect the character of the Creator. Sin is the violation of God’s Law and the consequence is death. The laws of God will never change. But often when we speak of law we include the works of the law and some of the ritualistic practices we see in the Old Testament. The purpose of these works are accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The fulfillment of these works satisfy the requirements of the law, and as we will see in our study, continue to fulfill the purpose of the works of the Law.
In addition to the laws and ordinances, there are what we call the works of the Law. They would include the details, order, and symbolism in the construction of the meeting place, first the tabernacle and then the temple in Jerusalem. Also included are the details and symbolism relating to the priesthood. Then there are the washings and the many sacrifices that were offered for sins and cleansing.
The purpose of the works of the Law was to show the need for redemption from our bondage to sin. The blood sacrifices were made as an atonement or covering for sin. Each one of these things was a daily reminder of our sinfulness and tendency to violate the law of God.
“3 But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4 For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” (Heb 10:3-4 AV)
The Law and the works of the Law revealed sin, righteousness, and judgment. As we are taught in the Book of Hebrews, these things were but a shadow of things to come. There was before them the continual reminder of sin and the need for a Savior.
But in time this reminder of sin was covered with an attitude of pride and arrogance. The humility and thanksgiving that accompanied the giving of the Law were replaced by their pride and arrogance. Israel’s privilege in receiving the oracles of God came with the responsibility that they were to be a light to the World and a revelation of God’s grace. Those who remained humble were indeed a reflection of that light and have come down to us as the hero’s of the faith.
But many became elevated in their own minds. They elaborated on their fulfillment of the works of the law as if their efforts were justifying them before God. In doing so they became blind to the righteousness of God that was revealed in the Law, or its reminder of their continuing sinfulness. Faith and obedience were replaced by their confidence in their works and self-righteousness.
Two things resulted from their blindness. They were unrepentant, presuming that they were righteous, resulting in a lack of gratitude and love for God. They in turn did not love their neighbor. By not acknowledging God’s mercy toward them, they extended no mercy toward their neighbor. The essence of the Law and the Prophets was lost on them because of their pride.
When Jesus addressed the matter, he got right to the heart of it. What is the greatest commandment? To Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the second commandment is also like this, that you would love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commands hang all the Law and the Prophets. In other words all that God has been trying to teach you through the Law and the Prophets is how to live these commandments. The problem was that in spite of the knowledge of the Law, people still ended coming up short.
When Jesus broke the Law out, it revealed to the religious people of His day how much they themselves were in need of the grace of God. The savior that they were looking for was a man who would save them from the sins of their neighbor. They considered themselves righteous through the works of the law, but it was the Law that exposed their need for a savior who would save them from their sins. Outwardly religious people learn to put on a good show. Man looks on the outward expression, but God looks on the heart. Jesus exposed that inner heart condition. Jesus said, If you look on a woman to lust, then you have already committed adultery in your heart.
The Law which exposed their sinfulness and was intended to be a schoolmaster pointing them to the truth was turned on its ear. It was instead used to mask their true heart condition and elevate themselves in the eyes of their neighbor. In their self-righteousness they were so blinded that they could not recognize grace and truth when it stood right in front of them.
Understanding Grace For Salvation
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7 AV)
Salvation is just the beginning, for God’s plan for man is that we might live forever with Him. The favor of God that He has extended toward us seems to have no bounds. But for us to really understand what this grace is we must first understand where we are without it. To understand this we have to go back all the way to the beginning when sin first entered. We are the offspring of sinners and all of us have inherited a sin nature. History has shown time and again, that left to ourselves we will self-destruct. But God has throughout history sought to find men who would respond to the grace of God and preserve a remnant of people that would seek righteousness. He has not left us alone.
“14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15 ¶ John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (Joh 1:14-17 AV)
We cannot understand the exceeding riches of His grace without an understanding of the Law. Jesus said that He did not come to condemn the World, for the World was already condemned. Jesus said that all of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments, that we love God and love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul in addressing this issue in Romans, says that all have sinned and come short. The purpose of the Law was not to save us, but to reveal the exceeding sinfulness of sin and reveal our transgression against Heaven.
The purpose of the Law was to be our schoolmaster. To teach us righteousness and reveal our sinfulness in the eyes of Heaven. The Law taught a continual need for atonement for a people in bondage to sin and sinful desires. The Law illuminated that which men would prefer to keep hidden. The Law revealed righteousness and the consequences of unrighteousness. It revealed the judgment and justice of a holy God. The purpose of the Law was not to condemn, but to reveal the condemnation under which mankind lived. The purpose of the Law was to bring man to a place of repentance.
The Law did not come to Israel unaccompanied. It was accompanied with promise, hope for the future, and security for those who would put their trust in the God of Heaven. That hope for the grace that was to come was illustrated in a very real and physical way through the sacrifice and shedding of blood of innocent animals. The Law was also accompanied by the gracious Word of the Lord that came through his faithful servants, the prophets. That Word set the focus on the grace that was to come through the Messiah. Salvation was and always will be a matter of faith. It is the plan of God to accomplish that which we cannot. It is a plan to take an unrighteous people and make them righteous and acceptable in the sight of a holy and righteous God.
“But we know that the law [is] good, if a man use it lawfully;” (1Ti 1:8 AV)
“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, … ” (1Ti 1:9 AV)
We know the Law is good, if it is used correctly. Some people love the Law, but others despise it. What makes the difference between these two opposite attitudes? God would have the Law bring us to the foot of the cross. The cross is where mercy and grace intersect with law and justice. But if the Law is used incorrectly, or unlawfully, contrary to God’s intended purpose, then it often has the opposite effect and becomes despised and rejected.
History has shown how men can manipulate the law and use it as a tool. Sometimes it is used as a tool to control other people. Sometimes it is used as a tool to elevate themselves, making themselves to look good and others bad. But an understanding of the Law can take that tool out of the hands of others and lay the responsibility squarely on each of our individual shoulders. When the Law is used correctly it clearly reveals our choice. We will either seek righteousness or we will rebel against righteousness.
Without the Law we cannot fully understand Grace. The Law exposed our desperate need for grace. The Law revealed the holiness of God. Grace made it possible to embrace the Law, to love it, to fully appreciate the righteousness it represents.
“1 ¶ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight [is] in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” (Ps 1:1-3 AV)
Grace Through Faith
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9 AV)
Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. But faith for that grace goes all the way back to Genesis. We receive that grace through faith. Hebrews chapter 11 gives us the legacy of that faith and hope, that was keep alive by the Word of God. This chapter is the record of men that through faith lived with hope in the promise of God for a savior. They were able to endure all things because of their confidence in the promises of God and the hope that was set before them. That Grace and truth that came through Jesus was extended to them also as it is to us.
The exhortation to us then is that we look to Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. Those mentioned in Hebrews 11 trusted in the hope of the promise to come. We then are to do likewise and put our faith in the promise that has come. We can then have confidence that the grace of God through Jesus Christ is able to save us. Grace for salvation can only be acquired through faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
“Therefore [it is] of faith, that [it might be] by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,” (Ro 4:16 AV)
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 AV)
God in His mercy has by grace provided salvation from sin and the eternal consequences of that sin. But it is only by faith that we can be recipients of this grace. Faith is our trust and confidence in God and His provision of grace that comes through Jesus. Faith is more than just belief. Saving faith (trust) requires belief, obedience, and faithfulness. Faith for salvation is a commitment, placing ourselves fully under the Lordship of Jesus Christ our Savior. There is no other way into this grace, it is accessed by faith.
There is no greater example of faith than that which we see in Abraham. It is said that he believed God, or put his trust in God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. He is to this day considered to be the father of the faithful. Abraham’s faith was seen in his obedience to God, as is ours. Through faith he was recipient of the grace of God. I want to emphasize that Abraham’s belief and faith in God was not just mental accent, but was verified by his obedience to the Word of the Lord.
It was the test of Abraham’s faith that reveled that he did indeed have faith in God. It was in the hills of Moriah, in the place that God had chosen, that we see the depth of Abraham’s faith in God. God told Abraham to sacrifice his son that he loved as a burnt offering to the Lord. Abraham’s obedience reveled his faith, but it also reveled God’s provision of grace. Not only did God provide for Abraham’s sacrifice, but also we are given an example of the provision of grace that would be to all men. Jesus became that provision for our sacrifice. He became God’s grace toward us for salvation.
Jesus declared to us that, “Whosoever believe on me will not perish, but have everlasting life. Belief in Jesus will be accounted to us for righteousness unto life. This sounds simple, and it is. But we need to remember that belief in God and his provision for eternal life through Jesus Christ is not just an expression in words or mental accent to its truthfulness. The truthfulness of Abraham’s faith was reveled through the test. God, who looks on the heart, knows the truthfulness of our confession of faith. We will know the truthfulness of our confession of faith as life tests us. God through His grace not only provided a sacrifice for sin, but also through grace makes provision for us to pass the test. That provision is realized as we simple step out in faith and follow Him.