In Christ

Watchman Nee (from Studying the Bible, A Living Sacrifice)

In studying God’s Word, we will see that the New Testament only uses terms such as “in the Lord,” “in Christ,” “in Christ Jesus,” never does it say “in Jesus” or “in Jesus Christ.” This is what we call the discovery of fact. We should try to remember all instances where these terms are employed. Then we should compare them with the terms that are not used. Why in a certain place is the phrase “in Christ” used but not “in Jesus”? Why does it say “in Christ Jesus” but not “in Jesus Christ”? Why does the Bible never once use the term “in Jesus Christ”? As we analyze and compare the Word, we can expect God to give us light that we may see.

We now are shown that “Jesus” is the earthly name of our Lord. “Jesus Christ” means this Jesus will one day be Christ. “Christ” is the name given to Him after His resurrection and anointing by God. “Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified” (Acts 2:36). Hence it is His name of resurrection. Then in Romans we find “Christ Jesus,” which means the Christ of today is the Jesus of yesterday. Christ Jesus has become His name now. The term “Jesus Christ” is quite different from that of “Christ Jesus.” Christ is formerly Jesus, and Jesus later will be Christ. We can only be in Christ but never in Jesus. We can be in the Lord or in Christ Jesus, but not in Jesus Christ.

When our Lord lived on earth, we could not be in Him. For if we were, we would share His cross and the work of redemption. No, He alone is God’s only begotten Son; we have no part in it. His birth in Bethlehem is something we cannot share. Then why is it we can be in Christ? “But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus” (1 Cor. 1:30). It does not say in Jesus, but in Christ Jesus. For we are actively united with Him in His resurrection after He died and was raised from among the dead. There God has made Him Christ; and there by His Spirit God has joined us to Him. 

The Abrahamic Vision

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad (John 8:56)

Jesus made it clear that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22), therefore we cannot be disconnected from our spiritual Hebraic ancestry in particular relation to the Covenant the Lord made with Abraham (Gen 12). The same gospel preached to Abraham (Gal 3:8) is still the same gospel we receive to leave the world (1 John 2:16) and to enter into His inheritance (Heb 4:3), as Jesus is the same from beginning of eternity to the end of eternity as though here is a beginning and end (Rev 22:10). Neither the Lord nor His message of salvation changed, so why do we need to alter or modify the gospel to suit today’s world?

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psa 118:24)

Abraham saw and rejoiced, so we likewise need to see with our spiritual eyes the same Messianic Message our spiritual forefather saw, the glory of Him full of grace and truth (John 1:14). The ‘grace’ part we can quickly appreciate, but the ‘truth’ is where we need to grapple. Truth brings us to light (John 3:21) and in that light we have greater revelation (Psa 43:3). In the light everything is exposed, denying the light reaps condemnation (John 3:19). Truth is hard and confrontational to our character, morality, and all that can summed up as ‘self’; taken correctly in the light is our deliverance and in that light is Christ Himself (John 9:5). Eyes require light to see, if we are willing to see as our spiritual father saw we too will rejoice. There is a rejoicing that perpetuates because Jesus is the only cornerstone of our existence (Psa 118:22-24).

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me (John 15:4)

The Abrahamic vision has to be constant in both the mountain top experiences and the valley of everyday living. Keep our eyes focused (Heb 12:2) by abiding in Christ and draw from His life, the pleasure of the Father (Mark 1:11). If we are baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom 6:3), than the boundary conditions of our lives is just that. Our thoughts, speech, doing and being have to found in Christ. Reckon that our past is concluded (Rom 6:11); hence we are able to ‘put off’ (Col 3:8) and begin to bear fruit (Gal 5:22). A life that is not submitted to the Spirit of God (Rom 8:1) cannot bear fruit of the Spirit and yielding to the flesh will yield its deadly fruit (Rom 6:16, 22).



If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. (Psa 137:5)

Only we will honestly know if there if true joy reside hidden from man’s eyes. If not then check if we are attached to the root that bears the branch (Rom 11:18), ‘for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee’ (Rom 11:21). Is there fruit of the imputation of righteousness? God is still the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. There is a continuance of the covenant, but have we aligned ourselves to the same which Abraham received or is there another god of our lives. The Hebraic life is one that is looking for the conclusion of the age whilst living as strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Heb 11:13), with 'next year in Jerusalem' uttered from our lips with great expectancy unto the second coming of our Messiah (1 Thess 4:16-18).

Be Holy

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1Pet 1:16)

The definition of ‘Holy’ have been sadly misconstrued by many and often considered a joke or individuals labeled as a ‘do-gooder’ or a character which is an impossibility to attain. Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines a ‘do-gooder’ as ‘an earnest usually impractical and often naive and ineffectual humanitarian or reformer’. Perhaps the ‘holier than thou’ braggarts have tarnished the true essence of what God considers as holy; or is it because there are those who are indeed truly holy living unforced natural lives at a high level of morality that by itself served to condemn those who loved darkness more than light (Heb 11:7, John 3:19).

Peter says to ‘be holy’ not ‘do holy’. Nor is holy an accolade achieved by any amount of good that one can do. Holiness is not a performance neither is it a standard that is derived from human thinking or experience. Holy is God for He is holy (1 Pet 1:15) and He graciously offers this favor to fallen mankind. ‘The grace of God in calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness’ – Matthew Henry. ‘He which hath called you is holy’ is the only explanation why we who are called must reflect as He is.

How then are we to ‘be holy’? Firstly, heed the call to come out of the world for there is nothing good in the world (1 John 2:15-17), to be saved from sin, not save in sin. It is a change of position, state or being. From one kingdom to another Kingdom (Col 1:13-15), from one ruler to another Ruler therefore it boils down to our decision to be set apart to live in under another realm of authority where He will lead us on that pathway (Psa 23:3, Isa 35:8). Holy is separation not just an end.

Those who are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28) have received an invitation to death (Rom 6:3).  Not death in hopelessness but death unto resurrection to the Greatest Life (Rom 6:8) in which the total pleasing of the Almighty God is showered (Matt 3:17).

The Holy God has given the clarion invitation to be holy, are we willing to be holy as He is? Or do we still very much love our current position, perhaps to the extent disbelieving that it is beyond His divine capability to make us holy as He is. His invitation is for those who will be the expression of His Holiness in the dark and dying world with the intent to bring hope not condemnation. The hardest part to be set apart and holy is reckoning death of self and the unflinching desire to live Christ life.

He Will

Claudius L. Chilton

"`He will.' It may not be today,

That God Himself shall wipe our tears away,

Nor, hope deferred, may it be yet tomorrow

He'll take away our cup of earthly sorrow;

But, precious promise, He has said He will,

If we but trust Him fully--and be still.

"We, too, as He, may fall, and die unknown;

And e'en the place we fell be all unshown,

But eyes omniscient will mark the spot

Till empires perish and the world's forgot.

Then they who bore the yoke and drank the cup

In fadeless glory shall the Lord raise up.

God's word is ever good; His will is best:--

The yoke, the heart all broken--and then rest."

Holiness in Honoring Parents

………. Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father,……: I am the LORD your God.(Lev 19:2-3)

We see the failure of this commandment in practice within today’s society, especially with the invention of the Old Folks or Retirement Homes. A visit to these places will reveal the despair of elderly parents who are placed there to be cared for ‘professionally’ but not in love. Parents who once had the strength and energy in their youth to sacrifice and love in bringing up children have been deserted and left in their sunset years amongst strangers and not family. Albeit there are ‘bad’ parents, but there is no perfect parent save our Father in Heaven. Hence there is no excuse to forfeit our responsibility to our parents who were or are responsible for our upbringing.

The covenant (Exo 19:5) gave us the first or prime commandment with promise (Eph 6:2) for wellness and long life. A commandment that is not in relation to little children only but as well as to adults; in the Moral Laws or Ten Commandments this is first in relating to others besides God (Exo 20:1-7). ‘It includes inward reverence and esteem, outward expressions of respect, obedience to the lawful commands of parents, care and endeavour to please them and make them easy, and to avoid every thing that may offend and grieve them, and incur their displeasure’ (Matthew Henry). True honoring of parents involves praise from the lips and reverence from the heart (Mark 7:6). There must be a connection or agreement between words uttered and from the heart (Luke 6:45).

The declaration of this commandment is given without any explanation except that our God is Holy and this is one of the ways we practically practice holiness or separation unto the Father (Matt 5:48). Families that honor parents are considered holy, this is a revelation of a truth that some have lost today even in the church. Breakdown in families, result in breakdown of churches. The seriousness of this commandment is not an Old Testament principle (Exo 21:15, 17) but our Lord Himself reminded of its importance (Matt 15:4). Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature when under subjection of His parents although He knew His divine destiny (Luke Luke 2:41-49).

Have some been overcome by being un-well in mind, body and spirit? Perhaps it’s a sickness unto chastisement (1 Cor 11:30) for dishonoring of parents in speech and in heart. Have lives been lived out in abundance (John 10:10) or there is lack of contentment (1 Tim 6:6, Phil 4:11). Examine ourselves if we have not obeyed this critical commandment with God’s promise.

The New Covenant

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, …..This cup is the new testament in my blood….(1Cor 11:23-25)

The New Testament or Covenant is a revelation from God which is the Covenant of Grace sealed by blood of Christ. The New Covenant has been misconstrued leading to the teaching of nullifying the Law, devalue of the grace of God and denying the need for holiness. Our revelation of God as well as His truths are very much dependent on the condition of our heart (Psa 18:26) as one can also take the Text out of context. The obedience and the keeping of the Covenant are in reference to the Ten Commandments or the Moral Law of God (Heb 8:9, Exo 19:5) for God’s people is redeemed to obey. We understand that the Law was not given to be redeemed but after redemption, in other words we are saved in order to obey. Hence our salvation is never of works but entirely of faith (Eph 2:8. 9) and clearly stated that ‘it is the gift of God’. There were ceremonial and social laws in addition to the Moral Law but only the Ten Commandments were stored in Ark of the Covenant, indicating the importance as the Ark is the representation of the Presence of the moral God. Doing away with the Moral Law is to do away with the moral character of God. If we who are called to be conformed to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29), Who Himself is the fulfillment, establisher and embodiment of the Law (Matt 5:17), are immoral in nature than there is a grievous contradiction. ‘Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God’ (2 Cor 7:1).

A contract is written between two parties with regard to what they plan to do. A contract is self- serving, whereas covenant is relational and values the interests of the other person. Therefore a covenant is a positive not a negative; to us it is God who will ensure that whatever He does is for the interest of His redeemed people for His Name’s sake However, this is not being taken presumptuously that we should take it as our right, but rather it is based on His grace and mercy because God is the executor and ensure the completion of the covenant

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: (Jer 31:31)

The first Covenant was marriage broken by idolatry therefore a New Covenant is required ‘because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord’ (Heb 8:9) and the initiator of the new is God ‘in days to come’. It was at the Last Supper that Jesus instituted the New Covenant (Luke 22:20). The New Covenant is clearly spelt out as He will put His law in our inward parts, and write it in our hearts; and will be our God, and they shall be His people (Jer 31:33). The first Covenant was written by the Finger of God on tablets of stone and now it’s on heart of flesh (Eze 26:36). Obedience is then from the heart not exerted from the external, it is an obedience motivated by love not obligation (Matt 22:37); we are a ‘people shall be willing in the day of thy power’ (Psa 110:3). ‘He works in them a disposition to obedience, a conformity of thought and affection to the rules of the divine law, as that of the copy to the original’ (Matthew Henry). In this disposition of obedience, is a relationship with the All-Sufficient God becomes an engaging reality. We are not alone in obeying God’s statutes (Eze 36:27) but the Holy Spirit, Who is the Promise of the Father will be our helper (Acts 1:4) that we walk not forced but by an internal principle.

Stemmed out of that New Covenant is the richest of the knowledge of Christ that we attain unto ‘the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ’ (Eph 4:13) and ‘as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us’ (Psa 103:12). What a blessing it is to live without any guilt or condemnation hanging over our heads, where God’s grace and mercy flows like a river without obstruction.

The sum of this New Covenant of Grace is that we shall be His People and He will be our God (Eze 36:28) in that we were firstly chosen and loved by Him, not we of Him. This is the capstone of our faith in Christ, not merely saved from hell but to manifest the life of the Son of God.

Suffering

For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. (Php 1:23-24)

Here is the apostle from the point of his salvation was told that he would be shown ‘how great things he must suffer for’ Christ’s name sake (Acts 6:16). He suffered the loss of all human accolades and experiences that he may win Christ (Phil 3:8). He didn’t suffer for wrong but suffered for righteousness sake (1 Pet 3:14). His suffering came from external sources (2 Cor 11:23-27) as well as from the deep care for the churches (2 Cor 11: 28). Yet with great revelation was the thorn of humility (2 Cor 12:7). What does this kind of extremity of suffering amount to? In the midst of suffering one will ask if there is anything to gain from it.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. (Psa 119:71)

Suffering comes in forms of affliction, tribulation, trials, troubles and the like. All these words are all too familiar in both New and Old Covenants. In suffering lack and hunger Paul learned the secret of the Christ’s strengthening and true contentment. The learning of lowliness of heart came upon Paul because He was yoked to Jesus (Matt 11:29) with that learning the secret of rest unto the soul. Without suffering we can continue to be restless with regard to self and when the reality of hardship hits us we will fall apart. But in walking in a yoked relationship with the Author and Finisher of our faith, though we fall, we will not be utterly cast down (Psa 37:24).

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psa 34:6)

Suffering leads us to prayer and from the stature of humility in prayer we will find God’s grace and mercy that endures forever. ‘Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray’ (Jam 5:13), be prayed over by spiritual authority (Jam 5:12) and know the power of the prayer of faith (Jam 5:15). Thus having spiritual authority is an important basic principle of covering and meekness to walk under that covering. Let us not walk in accordance to what is right in our own shortsightedness (Jdg 21:25).

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered (Heb 5:8)

The disciples who are no greater than their Master will not escape ‘the fellowship of His sufferings’ (Phil 3:10) because in that process of conforming into His death, there is a conformance to His image of Son-ship. Our deep assurance is that even suffering cannot separate us from the love of God (Rom 8:35) and as sons of God we are His dearly beloved. ‘And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’ (Rom 8:28).

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Mat 6:34)

Suffering is inevitable in our fallen world. If we view suffering as negative we can end up in bitterness towards God and miss His full blessings for sons He wants to bring unto glory (Heb 2:10). However, if we respond to our God in child-like faith, He Who knows the number of hairs on our heads in suffering we find ourselves drawn closer in love, prayer and Christ-likeness.

Devotion

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. (Luke 2:25)

Devout men and women are those who pay serious attention to the Lord with transparent and sincere hearts that wishes for the best and glory of the God Whom they worship or serve. Sometimes devotion to service, ministry and even prayer could supersede our true devoutness and God is very clear that nothing comes before Him (Exo 20:3). In other words the things that are outcome of our devotion to God have taken priority tainting the divine oneness in Christ.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. (Act 8:2)

Devout men and women are bold individuals and yet have an exchanged ‘heart of flesh’ (Eze 36:26) to grieve things which the Christ would grieve over (Psa 78:40). Bold men and women do not become devout, but the devout become bold for God. The Lord will give the devout His heart and put His Spirit upon them (1 Cor 6:19), even their bodies transformed to vessels of His glory.

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. (Act 10:2)

The devout to God give generously and are remembered in Heaven for that. Their alms are not done in pride (Matt 6:3) for men to see but become memorials before God. They have learned to hear and respond to the cry of the poor (Pro 21:13). The poor will always be amongst us to test where our heart and treasure is, material blessings are not meant to be hoarded but the devout see themselves as channels of blessings and experience the true blessings thereof (Acts 20:35).

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, (Act 22:12)

Not only the devout have good testimonies, but also be those whom God will strategically use even to launch men and women into their God led callings. What a great privilege to be part and parcel of God’s plan and purposes! Don’t be devout men and women of things, be devout men and women of God, He will give His heart and Spirit to do in accordance to all that He authored in us and will personally ensure its completion. Don’t be devoted to causes, no matter how spiritual they are, but be devoted to Jesus so we don’t end up glorying in causes but in Christ.

Prayer that God Respond to

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psa 118:29)

We must be careful that our prayers do not transform from supplications to demands unawares. The latter is a petition founded on rights or dependent on self’s merit (Luke 18:11, 12), subtly it can come to trap. The truth is our stature in prayer is on the grounds of God’s mercy whereby our prayers are received from the highest heavens (Luke 18:14) and therein our justification before the Holy God. Jesus will in the end refuse the majority that seeks justification according to their deeds before Him (Matt 7:22).

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

(Psa 18:26)

The Lord reveals Himself according to our inward character. If we approach God in prayer with a life that demonstrates mercy (Matt 5:7), He responds accordingly. Demanding in prayer comes with a high estimate of self and pride concluding in self-justification without any form of thankfulness. Who is it that justifies, but it is God alone (Rom 8:30-33). There is nothing that we can accomplish drawn from the well of self initiative that can cause heavens to bow down to attend to our prayers.

Our disposition of poverty in spirit (Matt 5:3) is the basis in which the Kingdom of God will be given. Hence standing in the place of God’s mercy we ask and we will surely receive and that comes with abundance of joy (John 16:24).

The Mark of the Beast - Oswald Chambers

Video by Brother Rich

More videos for your edification at http://www.youtube.com/user/stack45ny

Those Who Abide and to Dwell

‘…who shall abide…who shall dwell…’ (Psa 15:2)

Interesting the Psalmist does not direct this question to men nor himself but to God; it is a sincere man who enquires of the Lord who is it that He approves. We cannot be presumptuous about our standing in the Christ but truly desire to be a man or woman after His own heart. Dwelling and abiding is beyond the superficiality of just being recipients of blessing. With or without blessing we are to continue in that place of relationship. With or without the ‘fuzzy’ feeling and goose bumps of spiritual highs we are still in the place of abiding and dwelling. Having a spiritual stature that is steadfast and mature (Matt 5:48) beyond weighing of the mind and emotional sensing.

…..Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. (Exo 33:12)

Do we have a personal relationship where there is a knowing by name? It is as though ‘we find grace in God's sight, if we find grace in our hearts’ (Matthew Henry), a something inside of us unidentified by man but God knows exist. So as He is merciful to those who show mercy (Matt 5:7). A knowing that is rooted in the spiritual realm (Acts 4:13) undetected by men that demons know exist. In the normalcy of our earthly life, without any great achievements or accolades there is a thriving one-ness with Christ. Such a abiding and dwelling of I in Christ and He is in me! This is the place where Jesus High Priestly prayer is answered (John 17:21).

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (Php 3:18)

God is spirit (John 4:24) hence our new life is not of the will of man (John 1:13) which the cross serves to put away all that is not born of the spirit. The grace of God that operates beyond the boundary of the natural brings forth eternal life. Minding or setting our whole being on earthly graces has destruction as its end (Phil 3:20). There is an abiding and dwelling where exists a constant tension between being with Him forever and serving Him on earth (Php 1:23). The tension is no longer about sin and righteousness nor about heaven and earth. Even in that tension there is an abiding and dwelling having a true understanding in prayer of ‘Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth’ (Luke11:2).

Baptism unto Newness of Life

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)

Baptism is not just a public declaration but one of great spiritual significance to the redeemed. If we are to truly understand its significance we will understand that we are brought into a reality of newness of life that denies sin its power and brings us into a deep relationship with the One who save us. With which through Christ we know the ‘power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death’ that we ‘might attain unto the resurrection of the dead'. (Phil 3:10, 11). Hence the Apostle reminds us that the knowledge of our Lord is not just His saving power which guarantees us a place in heaven. Accepting and believing on the finish work of Christ on the cross spells death to the ‘I’ (Gal 2:20) that the even the current life spent on earth is given to Another and living for His pleasure.

That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: ….. (Josh 3:16)

The ‘crossing’ of the Jordan was necessary as did the crossing of the Red Sea with regard to our salvation. The stopping of the overflowing river (Josh 3:15) of the River (Jor) of Judgment (Dan) was important and it tells us that only God can save us. The Ark that went ahead is liken unto the Lamb of God slain from (before) the foundation of world, it was an act of God that went beyond the boundaries of time showing us the power of redemption even up to Adam (Josh 3:16). Hence we cannot say that the redemptive power of God does not avail for our past, it has it's forgiving power no matter how vile our actions were.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matt 16:24)

The blood of the Lamb of God cleanses us from all our sins (Rev 1:5), but the body of sin still thrives. The blood of Jesus deals with our sins and the cross which Jesus deals with the self, the body of sin. Newness of life in Christ is not about the betterment of our current life, but ‘all things are become new’ (2 Cor 5:17). Note that it concerns all things, not some things. The cross is the ‘according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself’ (Phil 3:21). Where the first Adam failed to subdue all things in accordance to God’s commandment (Gen 1:28), the last Adam was able to perform to the uttermost. The newness of life Paul lives is that everything in the world that he lived in is pale in comparison (Gal 6:14) with the glorious hope of eternity in Christ. Hence the abundant life (John 10:10) is one that the subduing power of Christ powerfully manifested in me such that I live in such a freedom and ‘I will not be brought under the power of any’ (1 Cor 6:12) because of the supreme ruling authority of God over our lives. He reigns over me now and I am looking forward to reigning WITH Him (Rev 20:6)

Grace and Faith

by Bill Gothard

http://billgothard.com/bill/teaching/grace/

Two years ago I wrote a paper on the topic of grace. The questions that it raised confirmed to me that grace cannot be explained apart from faith. The two are linked together in Scripture, and the one activates the other. Both are gifts of God. God’s grace gives us the desire and power to do His will. Related to this is God’s mercy, which withholds the just punishment when we fail to act upon grace. The following points summarize and expand what I have been teaching in the Basic Seminar for more than 40 years.

Grace is the desire and the power that God gives us to do His will.

Grace is free and unmerited.

There is nothing we can do to earn or merit the grace of God. It is the free gift of God to us, apart from any works or effort that we can achieve. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9).

Grace is given to every person.

Everyone in the world is given sufficient grace to respond to the light of conscience and of the Gospel. This point is emphasized in Titus 2:11–12. “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.”

Grace is interrelated with faith.

It is not possible to define grace without at the same time referring to faith because the two are so intricately entwined, as stated in Ephesians 2:8–9. “For by grace are ye saved through faith.” (See also I Timothy 1:13–14, Romans 5:2). Both grace and faith are gifts of God.

Grace is expressed in action.

Both grace and faith are expressed in God-directed action. Paul emphasized this in II Corinthians 8:1–2, when he explained how the grace of God that was bestowed on the churches in Macedonia resulted in their generosity. Then he challenged the Corinthians,“God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).

Grace is given progressively.

We have access to all of God’s grace; however, it is given to us as we have need of it and as we have responded to previous grace. Therefore, Peter urged the believers to “grow in grace” (II Peter 3:18) and prayed that grace would be multiplied unto them (see II Peter 1:2). Paul was assured that God’s grace was sufficient for the trials that he was enduring(see II Corinthians 12:9). As we respond to the grace God gives us, He gives more grace. Therefore, different believers will have different measures of grace.

Grace can be resisted.

Since grace is given to every person, but not every person is acting upon it to carry out the will of God, it is obvious that we can resist the work of God’s grace in us. Scripture warns of this possibility in Hebrews 12:15. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

Grace is given to the humble.

One of the strongest ways to resist the grace of God is to have pride. Thus, Scripture states, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Peter also emphasized the importance of humility in order to receive God’s grace. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).

Grace requires good stewardship.

Peter stated that we are to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (see I Peter 4:10). Grace is singular in this passage; however, there are different applications of grace. For every need, there is grace. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”(Romans 5:20). Different applications of grace would also include various spiritual gifts that are given to each believer. “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…” (Romans 12:6).

Grace is the power to overcome trials.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1–5).

Grace Can Be Abused

Since grace is given to overcome sin, some might wrongly conclude that by sinning more, we receive more grace. Such a conclusion is condemned by Paul. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1–2).

There are also those who view grace as freedom to do what they want rather than power to do what they ought. This view turns God’s grace into a license to sin and is condemned in Scripture.

A further abuse of grace is dividing it into two parts. One for salvation, and the other for Christian living. There is no such division in Scripture. One Bible scholar noted, “It is a great irony that the people who cultivate a two-stage Christianity do so in the name of grace but in effect nullify grace. They say there is a faith stage necessary for getting to heaven, and then an obedient stage not necessary for getting to heaven (but perhaps for getting better rewards there)… Underlying this mistake is a misunderstanding of grace. Grace is not simply leniency when we have sinned. Grace is the enabling gift of God to overcome sin. Grace is power, not just pardon” (Pleasures of God, John Piper, p. 244+).

Stability in Sorrow

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. (Psa 52:8)

One of our greatest sorrows is the disappointment and pain of betrayal, especially from least expected people. These experiences cut deepest in our hearts, the true test of our carnality is not merely with regard to the things of the world but more so in relationship issues that result in resentment (1 Cor 3:3). Retaliation takes place if we are not rooted and grounded in love (Eph 3:17) where our Christian abundant life can be shallow and ebb away (Matt 13:6) in the face of relationship challenges. The carnality that exists in churches result in the heart wrenching break-up and division because of strong opinions, pride and self preservation among other relationship issues between brethren. Ministry is no longer viewed as the Lord’s but for man, hence it is man that gets hurt. There is a void of goodness and pleasantness of brethren dwelling in oneness (Psa 133:1). But how do we keep the unity in the bond of love when faced with betrayal?

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. (Psa 37:23-24)

Olive trees are robust in nature and able to withstand drought, disease and even fire. The secret is in the roots which are able to regenerate even if the above ground portion is destroyed. Some olive trees have been known to abide for centuries. The Christian’s strong root is the trust or reckless confidence beyond human eyes and understanding for it is the strength in the spirit of a man (Prov 18:14) ‘rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith’ (Col 2:7). Trusting in God’s mercy is an eternal experience not just for the now; this brings a revelation ‘for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off’ (Prov 23:18)

The green of the olive tree speaks of Christian maturity that is a flourishing life ‘that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper’ (Psa 1:3). Even in the sorrow of betrayal there can bursting forth of praise and realization of God’s goodness (Psa 52:9) because there is utmost confidence as sons and daughters of God to return love for hatred, blessing for cursing, good for evil with the ability to pray for the other’s good.

Being rooted in Christ requires an uprooting of carnality and replaced with Godly spiritual roots. Then we will experience the joy of His salvation knowing that He was betrayed for us and forgiveness and love flowed freely and lovingly from the cross. The church, with this character of Christ we can freely and loving say ‘Father, forgive them…’ (Luke 23:34) in the midst of brutal betrayal.

Am I A Well Spring of Life?

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God….. (Psa 46:4)

From a single river many streams stem and the end result in far reaching blessing of joy with plenteous supply (Psa 36:8). It is joy unto strength (Neh 8:10), fruitfulness (Psa 1:3) and life (Psa 16:11). What a glorious privilege for the sons and daughters of God to be channels of His blessings. The blessings of God is not meant to be kept but ‘he that watereth shall be watered also himself’ (Prov 11:25). Our spiritual patriarch, Abraham’s call was to be blessed, whose name to be made great by God and to be a blessing that transcend family, borders, nations and even time (Gen 12:2). To bless others is indeed a calling, have you thought about it? It is the bearing the fragrance of the Gospel of Christ which is beyond the advantages of most. Our poured out life is the message of hope and God’s saving grace from eternal doom. With this perspective I am contended to be a meek and humble channel of life, where it is no longer a concern if the conduit gets the glory and honor but the Source Himself does.

……but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

What or rather Who is the source of our drinking? That which is of the mind will reach the mind and what is of the flesh can only reach the flesh. But what is of the Spirit is eternal (John 3:6). How much heritage of the mind and flesh can be passed down? Have we been so focus on the material without factoring in its depreciating value? Or have we become shallow in our Christian outlook (Matt 13:22).

……. I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. (1Cor 1:12)

Even our best convictions need to be laid down; all that flows in the vein of blessing cannot be derived from human conclusion, preaching, teaching and ideals (Heb 8:10, 16). How much of our convictions are from the mind of Christ alone (1 Cor 2:16)? All crutches and dependencies of human pass down must even be reduced and submitted to One. Others serve as an example and never the source in themselves (Phil 3:17).

To be a life-line of God’s blessing of life we have to die to everything else in order to fully abide in the Word of Life Himself (John 15:5). The life of the faith of the Son of God, even our faith has to be from Christ; not self concocted but by faith we receive His faith (Phil 3:9, Heb 11:6), thus ‘…..a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven’ (John 3:27).

Let us drink from only One Source…. Christ our all in all. ‘For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen’ (Rom 11:36).

Basis for Loving Our Enemy


….. and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:45)


Our human response to one who offended us is usually based on fair and unfair, which means retaliation based on our human judgment and emotions… on how wrongly we have been treated. Our judgment is also one way; it applies to the other and not to me but nary a thought that we may not live up to our own judgment (Matt 7:2).


God looks at the issue of just and unjust, not on fair and unfair. The latter is to get what one deserves, go strictly to the rule without any deviation. Justice is guided by truth, meaning that what is due must be awarded as long as someone pays for it. We know that Christ paid the price on our behalf for our offenses however this truth is often clouded by human emotions; hence the issue of fair and unfair inevitably steps in.


How can I love my enemy? Firstly I have to ask myself if I know that I am justified. Faith and been made just are closely aligned (Rom 1:7, Gal 3:11 and Heb 10:38) which means that I cannot claim to be a follower of Christ if I consider the one who offended me a hated enemy because for the same reason Christ love and died for me (Rom 5:10). What offense can be greater than being rejected and murdered by your own (John 1:11)?


This truth is nothing profound if we do not let our emotions get in the way of God’s love. The reward is too great to refuse, ‘That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven…’ Matt 5:45).

The End of True Testing


Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. (Psa 105:18-19)


Testing serves to establish or to validate the authenticity of our true inner nature (Duet 8:2) and the Lord will again and again use the pain of it to try us but never beyond what we are able (1 Cor 10:13). The only way of escape is the narrow orifice of His way and will. Hence we glory in tribulation because it is the vehicle whereby the purposes of God lead us to the place of the generous pouring forth of His Love in our hearts (Rom 5:1-5). We may question that this is a rather strange way to experience the wholeness of God’s love toward us, but this seemingly cruel method that our God again and again employ to bring about the reality of death unto resurrection, mortification unto vivification, bringing to us His love through the cross. He will use people and circumstance as instruments but His ultimate Word will be the plumb line; we will be tested for what we believe and preach (Heb 4:12) for His Word will bring division of the soulish and the spiritual. The Lord’s Word will try our will to obey in the given situation of trial.


The cost of disobedience is to come short of God’s initial intent of a glorious church (Rom 3:23). The cost of discipleship is the cross that puts to death self, death of self is not total loss but there is a transaction of a lesser life to the glorious Life of the Son of God.


But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house… Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him. (Gen 40:14, 23)


We should not avert testing, if we do this will short circuit His plan in our lives. He may allow us to be forgotten by man, loosing any human respect, to be humbled to the point of being unrecognized. We may wonder if anyone still remembers us in our dungeon of despair. He will. It is at the end of ourselves that God intervenes and graduates us to present the Life of God to others. The discipline of God upon Joseph built a man of strong Godly character worthy to wear the hat of power and authority to give life when all of man’s abilities and capabilities fail (Gen 47:15). Unless bread in the hands of the Master is blessed and broken (Matt 14:19) through suffering, there cannot bear life giving significance. Are we willing to be laid in iron, not by man, by our God to be a life giver? God will only give what is worthy in His hands.

Godly Heritage


As a husband and father, it is my responsibility to bring the Truth to my family for it carries the divine power to sanctify (John 17:17) us in our journey in God's predestined plan unto blamelessness (Eph 1:4).


I am very blessed to have a daughter that loves the Word of Truth and going to the next level of maturity to meditate hence en-grafting His Word. My daughter's meditative blog: http://littledisciples.blogspot.com/


I am also blessed to have a son who because of his desire to know true wisdom has taken initiative to memorize Prov 1 and 2.


......and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. (Jam 1:21)


Parents, let us be encouraged that we have a significant role in our building up a Godly Heritage (for He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... the God of Israel, His people).


Start in small steps as a family. 
- Memorize and meditate on 1 or a few verses weekly
- Talk about the Word. Discuss about what it means to us and to the children (Duet 6:7) instead of gossiping about others and the government
- Read the 5 Psalms and the Proverbs together. (Read the chapter according to the date. For the Psalms add 30 to each chapter and so forth. Reserve Psalm 119 and Prov 31 for the 31st of the month)
- Center family time around the Bible, prayer and worship. Remove the television and other distractions
- Enthrone the LORD GOD over our families
- Confess sins and disappointments to each other
- Pray for the sick, needy, pastors, leaders of our nation and lastly for ourselves (1 Tim 2:2) and not complain
- Express true gratefulness to each other and to our God (1 Thess 5:18)


Being the head of the family has it's challenges, but in meekness and humility, seek the Lord and in our weakness, His strength will be manifested (2 Cor 12:9).

The Songs of Ascents


By God's grace, my wife has been able to put music to the Songs of Ascents. Hope that you are blessed. You can get details from http://www.m-csn.com/esthermui.htm

Our Resolve to Apprehend


Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (Php 3:12)


As we encounter failures, depression, frustration, lack of victory in our Christian life there can arise the danger of excuses that attaining to the stature of which God our Father has ordained (Eph 1: 4, 5) is not for me but for other 'spiritual giants'. And with that we may give up following after, pursuing with vigor as Paul did and we start to stagnate or worst still end up back sliding. The tendency is to let go of that which we were first apprehended of Christ and start to cling on to another thing is doesn’t bear any resemblance to His life, the Abundance of Life He promised.


By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. (Heb 11:8)


Christ has apprehended us, but do we do our part of apprehending? Are we ready to allow ourselves to be taken custody under the authority of Christ? People generally dislike being out of control, being ‘in-control’ is where we find our own footing. Having Christ master over us is something most of us will strife against because it will rock our boat and there could be times He will even command us to get out of that boat of comfort and safety to walk on water to step into His unknown. To step out into Christ’s unknown is called ‘faith’. Faith brings into reality the promises of God and more so of Himself but with the prerequisite of letting go and clinging to His Word. Nothing else but His Word, for it comes with the responding to our hearing (Rom 10:17). Are we satisfied with just His Word or still looking for tangibles as crutches (John 20:29), for if we have the understanding that He magnified His Word above His name (Psa 138:2) His Word becomes the breath and energy of faith.


Have we been apprehended of Christ Jesus? If so have we resolved to apprehend with following after, pursuing vigor that sets us on the journey of conforming to Christ our Perfection..... ‘may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless’ (2 Pet 3:14). Is there a greater mastering of Christ over more and more areas of our life with lesser self-influence (John 3:30) even if it means understanding to the fullest of knowing Him... and the fellowship of His sufferings being made conformable unto His death (Php 3:10).

Victory in the Place of Authority


…… and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon. (Jdg 7:20)


Christ looks at the church as His body, in oneness both in joy and in suffering. Jesus prayed that we would be one as He is one with the Father, because this is the reason for the world that they may believe that the Father has send the Son (John 17:21). In that sending of Jesus is the testimony of the Father’s love (John 3:16) for the world which cannot save itself. Beyond saving us is that ‘God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh’ (Rom 8:3). This is the victorious Christian life that Christ has conquered sin (the ‘factory’ of sins) for us and the church glorious (Heb 2:10), no longer bond (Rom 6:16). There is a freedom from as subjects under the authority of sin to the Divine Authority of Christ.


If Gideon’s army merely cried out ‘the sword of the Lord’ and no further, they could not have realized their victory over their enemy who enslaved them. As with soldiers (2 Tim 2:3, 4), our victory can only be realized under authority. Paul and the other apostles had never taught rebellion to the oppressive Roman Empire but to be subject, giving thanks in prayer for the authorities (1 Tim 2:1,2). God has been sovereign to ordain even our government and employers regardless of they being hard taskmasters or not (1 Pet 2:13, 14, 18). Family order and spiritual authority also play important roles for our protection. It is easy to consider ourselves subject to the authority of Christ, but are we willing to come under authority that we may not view as ‘spiritual’. Followers of the Way do not distinguish the spiritual and the natural. Oswald Chambers said that the test of our spirituality is not at the mountain top experiences, but down at the valley of testing.


God has laid out His divine order, are we willing to submit to both natural and spiritual authority? Or are we rebellious and our prayers, words and actions carry elements of witchcraft (1 Sam 15:23). Passing the test of the Divine order in the natural life is also the proof of submission in the spiritual; hence there is our cognizance of total victory in glorious Christian life.

Giving of Life


If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God….. (1 Pet 4:11)


Have we ever considered that even our speech carries the authority, power and ambassadorship (2 Cor 5:20) in the representation of God? Representing the Almighty to the world shrouded with darkness without form and void of His love, blessing, coverage and Lordship. Out of that same darkness we who have been called out of the condition deficient of the Light of God have the authority to proclaim life as did God speaking ‘Let there be light: and there was light’ (Gen 1:3).


With this reasoning we have to jealously guard our mouths, but more so deal with the true condition of our hearts which out of it springs forth the issues of life (Prov 4:23). Our speaking betrays the cleanness and purity of our hearts (Matt 12:34). Do we speak our mind or does our speech derive from the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16)? Our tongue is either a pure spring of life or spewing the stench of death, discouragement, pride, condemnation etc, where both speaker and hearer can get defiled.


The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psa 19:1-2)


If our speech were to be weight by the Lord, how much of it bears any eternal significance? Only the Word of God will outlast heaven and earth (Matt 24:35), think about the heritage as sons of God to be vessels to carry His Word to bring light to darkness, life to situations of death. Have we been sons of encouragement or agents of discouragement?

Our Anticipation


He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
(Rev 22:20)


The Bible ends with a cry for the quickening of the Lord’s coming. Our forefathers in the faith lived with great anticipation as though Jesus will be coming in their generation, not with any other reason save in response to Christ’s promise that He will indeed come quickly. Paul’s prayer is that God preserves us unto His Coming not unto when our pilgrimage of earth ends (1 Thess 5:23), meaning there is a glorious anticipation for us in witnessing ‘the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory’ (Matt 24:30). James asks us to be patient with an established heart for the coming of the Lord is drawing nigh (Jam 5:8).


And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. (Heb 11:15)


The Patriarchs saw with revelation of a greater inheritance beyond the temporal by embracing the eternal thus living an antithetical life of being strangers and pilgrims (Heb 11:13). Abraham the tent dweller saw beyond the temporal and physical for a city with foundations built by God (Heb 11:10), his life was lived in tents but desiring the eternal with permanent and unshakable foundations. God looks at such precious lives unashamed to be called their God (Heb 11:16). Do we live with the same perspective as our spiritual forefathers? Has the reality of God penetrated, intruded into our lives, turning it upside down, victoriously over sin and self; and we being conformed to the image of His Beloved Son? Perhaps the answer is in our anticipation.


The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer (Prov 30:25)


What differs between the ten virgins, five with and five without oil (Matt 25:1-13)? It is wisdom versus foolishness; where the former live in the state of preparedness. The Book of Proverbs teaches wisdom to avoid certain people and terrible circumstances (setting apart), and it teaches us preparedness in anticipation for the future. Our future hope in which we are to comfort each other is in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 4:18) not for a better future on earth. May we have revelation as the Patriarchs did and share the same anticipation as the early apostles, for He comes in the night hour least expected where the unprepared will be caught unawares.

Eradication of Self Effort


Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Php 3:6)


There have been times when we can think that God calls us to service, but Saul found out that man’s best effort is not God’s requirement. We can also fall into a trap where we think that serving God is a sign of our holiness. On the contrary we have to reckon and come to conclude that the bottom line to those things we love and doing the Lord’s work as counted as loss. Not for loss and into ‘nothing-ness’ but a divine transaction to replace the things that we value so much and have become an integral part of us with the satisfaction of Christ alone. Paul says loss for Christ (Php 3:7), not just one thing to another but to a greater in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a leaving of one state to another (1 Pet 2:9 and John 3:30) to becoming a son with inheritance, we can’t maintain our current state and hope to have Christ formed in our lives (Gal 4:19).


With this we have to understand the truth of ‘holiness’. Watchman Nee explains holiness as not the eradication of sin but set-apart, wholly belonging to Another. Leaving our old master to yield to the One Master (Matt 6:24) where often the old master concerns self, not just the devil. Jesus has dealt the death blow to the devil on the cross two thousand years ago; however the cross of discipleship deals with the master 'self'. The test of being set apart is at the times of loss whether it be loved ones (even our own children), money, possessions and time. Do we possess or are we possessed by them? If we possess as stewards than giving up doesn't end with any bitterness but demonstrated with thankfulness that we have been blessed and now it’s time to have others blessed. Loosing children is very hard as I have witnessed a loss of an 8 year old cousin to my uncle and aunt. But if the 8 years is seen as a blessing of 8 years of joy that the Lord has graciously given then bitterness won’t set in. Set apart lives live in true gratefulness that God is sovereign over all.


We can’t be super-spiritual to say that there is no pain in loss. Paul’s loss was very real for he had to leave everything that he lived for, believed in, born into and even dreams for the future... his past life was the sum total of 'him'. The Saul was the self that Paul painfully left behind. That is why he could say ‘for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus’ (Gal 6:17). The marks are left there as the scars of crucifixion for ourselves and also for others so that we can make the same Christ like invitation ‘Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing’ (John 20:27).


How often we ask Jesus ‘What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?’ (John 6:28). The Lord’s reply to us is ‘that ye believe on him whom he hath sent’ (John 6:29). Our setting apart for God is not that we called to missions, preaching, or whatever good works but child-like, unwavering believing Him. Our setting apart is His Lordship over us, when He does give us assignments it will done in His name and His grace, without an ounce of self effort.