by HARVEYOPP | Sep 30, 2014 | Scott Henry
“This is the will of the Father who sent Me that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day” (John 6:39).
In the days of Noah there was ONLY one place of safety when the flood came and it was the Ark. In the same way, there is ONLY one place of salvation from the storm of God’s furious wrath against sin, and that place of safety is the person and work of Jesus Christ. As Noah and his family were completely saved from the flood through the Ark … in the same manner … there is full salvation for every sinner who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ. “He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus is our hiding place and refuge from the guilt and consequences of our sins, and Jesus promises spiritual rest (Matthew 11:28) and eternal reconciliation with God to all who come to Him by faith (2 Cor. 5:20). As it is written, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). His name is Jesus, which means Jehovah is salvation, and He was sent to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus said in John 6:39: “This is the will of the Father who sent Me that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” God’s Word promises that if you come to Christ you will never be cast out because you were given to Christ by the Father. And the will of the Father is that all whom He gave to Christ should be saved and raised up on the last day. Therefore, it is impossible for Christ to lose any for whom He died since He always does the will of His Father. As Jesus said in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” And again in John 17:12: “While I was with them, I kept them in thy name which thou hast given me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.”
Have you come to Christ? Are you trusting Him ALONE for redemption from the guilt and consequences of your sin? If so, then rest confident in the promise of Jesus when He said, “This is the will of the Father who sent Me that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day” (John 6:39).
by HARVEYOPP | Sep 26, 2014 | Scott Henry
“Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age…” (Galatians 1:3-4).
“Grace and peace” are two of the most precious words in the Christian’s vocabulary, and these two words logically flow from the Gospel. Grace is something that changes our relationship with God. Grace moves us out of the sphere of darkness, death, rebellion and curse, and into the realm of light, life, righteousness and blessing. We read in Ephesians 1:7: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Grace sums up everything that makes it possible to be in a saving relationship with God. And true grace and peace can only come from God since grace implies that all men are dead in trespasses and sins, and nothing can possibly make us acceptable to a holy God except His mercy, which comes only by way of grace through the cross of Jesus Christ. And it’s important that we understand that grace is not a substance, but a person. God’s grace, mercy, love, goodness, and favor towards His elect people is, in fact, the person and work of Jesus Christ.
God’s grace is the only reason any man is saved from the guilt, penalty, and consequences of sin. Because God is gracious, loving, and merciful, He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to take upon Himself the nature of man and “give himself for our sins.” Jesus was well pleased to obey His Father by laying down His life in order to redeem sinners and “deliver them from this present evil age.” And this Gospel is something fallen, unregenerate men stumble over and consider foolishness. “But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness…” (1 Cor. 1:23). Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul teaches in our text that Jesus Christ gave himself to save sinners from the penalty and dominion of sin.
Have you received the grace of God? Has Christ translated you out of the sphere of darkness into the sphere of His marvelous light? If so, your words and works will be very different from the unbelieving world around you. You will think differently and consequently you will live differently since out of the heart are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). When your heart is cleansed your life will follow. Jesus said when the inside of the cup and dish is clean then the outside will become clean also (Matthew 23:26). So I say once again, has the grace of God transformed your soul? If so, it must be reflected in your life so that God might be glorified in and through redeemed sinners! Praise God today for His wondrous grace in Christ Jesus!
by HARVEYOPP | Sep 16, 2014 | Scott Henry
“IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION: OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS ARE BECOME NEW” (2 CORINTHIANS 5:17).
What is the Biblical definition of a Christian? Is it someone who has been baptized? Is it someone who has taken the Lord’s Supper? Is it someone who has their name written in a church membership role? The answer to these questions is emphatically NO! A Christian participates in all these things, but these are not the definition of a Christian. Undoubtedly, there will be numerous people in Hell who have done all these things. (Read the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25) A Christian is a person who has been brought into a spiritual, saving union with Jesus Christ.; and because of this union there’s a change not only in the sinner’s status before God, but there’s also a change of the sinner’s nature. If any man be in Christ then an inward change has occurred, which necessarily produces new outward actions. The passing from old to new is in the perfect tense in the Greek, which means a past action with continuing results, and the action is God working in us. Philippians 2:13: “…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Moment by moment, the Lord is conforming His redeemed people into the image of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). In other words, this radical change is not temporary, but permanent, unchangeable, and progressive. The Gospel that was once foolishness is now seen as precious and beautiful. Our old focus and love was upon the ways of this world … the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life … but now those things are passed away and the Christian, as a new creature in Christ, has a new love for things that please the Lord. The new creature has a new mind (thinking), new will (desires), and new affections (emotions). He is now being transformed by the renewing of his mind by the Word and Spirit of God (Rom. 12:2).
2 Corinthians 5:15 says “…that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” The old that is passed away is that life centered in our sinful pride, which seeks to please ourselves. The new has come … we now live unto God and look out for the interests of others. And the old is continually passing away and the new is continually coming throughout this pilgrim’s journey. That’s the definition of a Christian. He’s a new creature in Christ, he believes God’s promises in God’s Word, and he bows his neck to the yoke of Jesus Christ. A Christian is one who trusts that Jesus is his forgiveness, righteousness, and reconciliation before God. Are you a Christian? Are you a new creation in Him? Do you trust Christ as your Priest? Do you trust that He has atoned for all your sins? Do you hear His Word as your Prophet? Is it manifest in the way you live? Do you obey Christ as your King? Do you think biblically? Do you love, serve, and forgive other believers? Do you confess and repent of your sins? Is your life different from the ways of this fallen, rebellious, God-hating world?
“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Is this a living and growing reality in your life? Are old ways of living, thinking, and speaking passing away, and all things becoming new? If so, then you are eternally blessed in Christ! The Holy Spirit has regenerated your soul, created faith in your heart, and has made you a new creation in Christ. Give God the praise and glorify Him by faithfully living the new life in Christ. But if this is not a reality in your life – if you still think, speak, and live like the ungodly culture then your only hope is to RUN to JESUS! Call upon Him! Flee to Him! Seek refuge in Him! “For there is salvation in none other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Look to Christ today and be saved from the wrath of God against your sins!
by HARVEYOPP | Sep 9, 2014 | Scott Henry
“Love thinks no evil…” 1 Corinthians 13:5
Too often what we think comes out in our words and actions. We often think our thoughts are harmless, but in actuality our thoughts have power over what we do. This is especially true in our relationship to others. One characteristic of love is a pure mind as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:5: “love thinks no evil.” While you may never slander or speak ill of someone you love, your thoughts could tell a completely different story. However, true love not only speaks well of others, but it also thinks kindly of them as well.
Imagine if every thought you had was spoken the minute you thought it. Imagine if thoughts were no longer private, but everyone around you could hear what you were thinking; how would your thoughts change? Would people you say you love hear that you find them annoying, self-centered, or irritating? Many times we think things we would never speak, but we must realize the danger of our thought life because our thoughts will eventually become our words. Proverbs 23:7: “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-20: “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…”
Our thoughts are considered private, known only to us, but the truth of the matter is that God knows and hears everything we think. 1 Chronicles 28:9: “…for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.” Psalm 94:11: “The LORD knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.” Isaiah 66:18: “For I know their works and their thoughts.” Matthew 9:4: “But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” 1 Corinthians 3:20: “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”
Scripture clearly teaches that God knows our every thought, and He takes our thoughts very seriously. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28: “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Therefore, guarding our thoughts and not thinking evil of others should be as important to us as what we say or do. This is why Solomon wrote in Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
What are your thoughts concerning those you call your friends? Do you find yourself, on many occasions, degrading them in your mind? Our text is clear … “love thinks no evil” (1 Corinthians 13:5). Take some time at this moment to ask God’s forgiveness for your sinful thinking, and ask Him to help you think of others in the same manner you would speak of them. As Jesus said in Luke 6:31: “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”
by HARVEYOPP | Sep 5, 2014 | Scott Henry
“FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN” (PHILIPPIANS 1:21)
How could the Apostle Paul write the words in our text, “and to die is gain”? Paul could say that death was gain because he could also say, “For to me to live is Christ.” What about you? Is your confession: “For to me to live is Christ”? Are you truly trusting in Jesus Christ alone for the salvation of your soul? Has He redeemed you? Have you heard His words in your soul: “Your sins are forgiven” – “I give you eternal life” – “You shall never perish!” If so, then you’re one who can also say, “and to die is gain.” This is the wonderful testimony of every believer. Death is gain!! It’s not loss or destruction, but death is a benefit to the believer. Death is to the believer’s advantage. Paul says in our text, “to die is GAIN.” And the reason the Apostle Paul says death is gain for the believer is found in Philippians 1:23: “For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Paul said he desired to depart, that is to die, in order to be with Christ, which is far better!! And this is the certainty of every believer … that even though we know we must die yet death is not a loss but a gain because we go to be with Christ, the Lover of our soul.
Yes, the Christian’s death is absence from his body; but then, immediately, there is presence with the Lord. The Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 42, reads as follows: “Since, then, Christ died for us, why must we also die? Our death is not a satisfaction for our sin, but only a dying to sin and an entering into eternal life.” That’s why we read in Revelation 14:13: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. Yes, says the Spirit that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” And again in Psalm 116:15: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” Where do loved ones go who die trusting in Christ? They go to be with Jesus, which is FAR better than this present existence.
This refutes the false teaching of soul-sleep, annihilation of the soul, or purgatory. Paul knew when he died he wouldn’t go to sleep, but would immediately be in the presence of Christ. It’s true that Scripture describes the death of a Christian as being similar to sleep (1 Thess. 4:13). But that speaks of our body, which must remain in the grave until the great day of the resurrection when our souls will once again be united with our bodies. But at death the believer’s soul is immediately transported to Heaven to be with Christ; this is the teaching of Scripture! The thief on the cross cried out, “Lord, remember me when You come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him in Luke 23:43: “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” Luke 20:37-38: “But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.’” Jesus also told His disciples in John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” You see, in death Christ takes the believer to the Father’s house of many mansions. That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8: “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” And so we read in our text: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This must be the confident confession of every believer! Is this your confession?
by HARVEYOPP | Sep 2, 2014 | Scott Henry
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3).
The measure of our trust in the Lord is determined by how well we know the Lord. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1:12: “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” Paul knew Christ was trustworthy and he willingly entrusted everything to Him! Do you know that the Lord can be trusted implicitly? Do you trust Him with your whole life?
The goal of every believer is to know Christ in a greater measure, to let the word of Christ dwell in him richly (Col. 3), and to think Christ’s thoughts after Him (2 Cor. 10). This is the only way we will ever trust in the Lord. To “Trust in the Lord” is a call to know the Lord, and to know the Lord means to be in saving relationship with Him. To know Him is to be in union with Him; Adam knew his wife Eve and she conceived and bore a son. The idea of “knowing” in Scripture is not just “knowing about” someone, but being joined and united to that person. That’s why Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8-10: “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…”
The only way we can know the Lord in this manner is by true faith in the promises of God found in the Word of God, the Bible. By true faith we are united to Christ as members of His body (1 Corinthians 12). By true faith we know that He is the eternal Lord who is faithful to a thousand generations of those who love him (Exodus 20). By faith we know He is the great I AM (Ex. 3) … He is Jehovah Jireh, God our Provider (Psalm 23), the One who is and who was and who is to come (Rev. 1).
How well do you know Him? How much time do you spend growing in the knowledge of Christ? When we meet someone we like we enjoy spending time getting to know them. Well, how much time do you spend getting to know God through His Word? If you don’t spend time in His Word then you don’t know God as your Savior, for to know Him is to love Him, and your love is expressed by desiring to spend time with Him. Do you know Him? Take some time this week and read Job chapters 38-42 and get to know, in a greater measure, the sovereign and almighty God in whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).
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