December 31st - Year End Thoughts

Here are my year end thoughts.

"I commend you to God and to the word of His GRACE, which is able to build you up and to GIVE you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified." (Acts 20:32)

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, that is superior to every frame of mind, shall guard your hearts and your apprehensions in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross. Once you were alienated from God the Father and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." (Colossians 1:19-22)

"Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Trust in God and His Son Jesus to  have a Happy New Year! 

December 30th - Fuel for the Fire

“…be filled with the knowledge of His will…” (Colossians 1:10)

Many years ago I began to examine my doctrinal positions. In doing so I had to face squarely a question that I had avoided. That question was - Is it really God’s WILL to separate Himself from unbelievers, keeping them alive eternally to punish and torment them in hell? 

When the people of Israel begin to burn their children in the fire as an offering to Baal Jeremiah was told by God...

"They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal - something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind." (Jeremiah 19:5)

When the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to punish those who had refused to worship him, he had them thrown into a furnace of fire...

“But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire.” (Daniel 3:6) 

When two of the disciples of Jesus wanted to reign down fire from heaven and destroy the Samaritans Jesus told them…

"You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." (Luke 9:56)

I am now certain that the doctrine of eternal conscience torment is not of God - it is a false teaching.

Paul told Timothy...

"...instruct certain men not to teach false doctrines or devote themselves to myths..." (1 Timothy 1:3-4)

This is a quote from one of the Saints of the Catholic church from the middle ages...

"The blessed in the kingdom of heaven will see the punishments of the damned, in order that their bliss be more delightful for them." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

And the following is a quote from two sermons of Jonathan Edwards, a Protestant preacher whose sermons are still delivered by misguided Christians in our modern era.

“The sight of hell's torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. . .Can the believing father in Heaven be happy with his unbelieving children in Hell. . . I tell you, yea!"

We are warned by Paul to avoid such insane teachers...

"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

The Apostle Paul told Timothy what to teach…

"...this is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…" (1 Timothy 1:15)

"God our Savior wills all humans to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who have Himself a ransom for ALL..." (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

"...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and  TEACH these things.” (1 Timothy 4:10)

Paul warned Timothy two thousand years ago that... 

"...the Spirit explicitly says that in subsequent eras some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

The plan of God is to reconcile all to Himself through the blood of His Son Jesus. It is the demonstration of His love, grace and mercy.

"God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

"For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone." (Romans 11:320

“...through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross" (Colossians 1:20)

"...that God may be All in All.”  (1 Corinthians 15:28)

Every teacher will give account to God of what they taught about Him, and their false teaching will fuel the fire.

"For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the day will bring it to light.  It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved - even though only as one escaping through the flames." (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

December 29th - All Justified by Faith

"Being, then, justified by faith, we may be having peace toward God..." (Romans 5:1)

Faith means we assume and are convicted that we will become justified (righteous) even though we are not currently seeing that in ourselves. But God sees us that way so we can have peace toward Him.

"Now faith is an assumption of what is being expected, a conviction concerning matters which are not being observed." (Hebrews 11:1)

We do nothing to acquire faith, it is a gift to us by God that allows us to hear and believe the message of truth, the good news of our salvation. 

"...we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His willt...it is by grace you are saved, through faith, and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works..." (Ephesians 1:11-2:10)

"...unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I WILL NOT believe...Eight days later...Jesus came and stood among them...Jesus said to Thomas...stop doubting and believe. Thomas replied, My Lord and my God." (John 20:25-28)

The majority of people are like Thomas, they must SEE to believe. It is not their fault, that is just God's plan for them. Nevertheless...

"...in Christ all will be made alive...the last enemy to be abolished is death...so that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

December 28th - Crude Matter or Luminous Being?

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter" - Yoda

As I get older, I anticipate more frequently the change that is coming to this "crude matter" of flesh and blood.

"Thus also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is roused in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor; it is roused in glory. It is sown in infirmity; it is roused in power. It is sown a soulish body; it is roused a spiritual body." (1 Corinthians 15:42-48)

We all have corruptible bodies of flesh and blood which eventually wear out. But when the final trump has sounded, all of us will become "luminous beings" - changed into an immortal image of Christ in a new "glorious body".

"Lo! a secret to you am I telling!...we all shall be changed, in an instant, in the twinkle of an eye, at the last trump." (1 Corinthians 15:50-51)

"Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21)

We are not luminous yet, just crude matter - but a glorious transformation is our destiny!

December 27th - Back to the Basics

As each new year comes upon me, I remember the basics in my thoughts and meditations about God and our Lord Jesus Christ. I remind myself of the good news of God that I “accepted” concerning Jesus His Son.

“Now I am making known to you, brethren, the good news which I brought to you...I gave to you what I accepted, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He was resurrected the third day according to the scriptures.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

When I focus on the grace of the “good news” I have peace with God and a hope for the world in which we live. I start each new year remembering the good news that I accepted as a child, the "indescribable" and wonderful free gift of His Son who will deliver me and my family from death by resurrecting us to immortal life. I then make a New Year’s resolution to live another year in appreciation for His unmerited favor, and resolve to do the best I can to treat those I encounter during the new year with a measure of the grace given me.

“For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity... thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 9:15)

December 26th - We Do Not Get to Vote on Who God Saves

"Out of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things" (Romans 11:36)

"...in accordance with the riches of God’s GRACE He made known to us the mystery of His will... to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ…according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will." (Ephesians 1:7-11).

God knew from the beginning that Jesus will save humanity from their sins and bring unity to all things. 
I suppose that is why we are instructed to pray for ALL humanity, not just the people we like.

"I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all humanity, for kings and all those being in a superior station, that we may be leading a mild and quiet life in all devoutness and gravity, for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Saviour, God, Who wills that all humanity be saved and come into a realization of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and humanity, a Man, Christ Jesus, Who is giving Himself a correspondent ransom for ALL." (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

I do not get to vote on who gets saved - and neither do you! Yet, it is my sincere belief that when the plan of God is consummated, all creation will have been saved out of death to enter the New Heaven and New Earth,

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

December 25th - Merry Christmas!

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the holy spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. ”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”)."(Matthew 1:20.23)

As I look upon the baby Jesus in celebration of His birth I cannot help but say with John...

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

 We are all sinners in Adam by Birth...

"...through one human sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all humanity...through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all..." (Romans 5:12)

Yet by the Grace of God we become Saints through the one act of righteousness of this baby - our Lord!

"...even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all humanity....so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.." (Romans 5:12-21)

"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all humanity...and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners..." (Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 1:14-15)

Merry Christmas Humanity - Sinners by Birth, Saints by Grace!

And He is coming back again - soon!

December 24th - Behold the Lamb

"Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) 

William Blake once said… “When I tell the truth, it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those that do.”

Jesus once said... "when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”

Those statements pretty well sum up why I continue to post my thoughts on the Scripture. It is only by the grace of God anyone discovers truth in this age. Nevertheless, those who encounter the truth then have faith that it is glorious for humanity:

"God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10) 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

"Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the good news I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand...Of first importance is that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:1, 3-4)

“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)

“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19) 

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)

“God our Savior…wills that ALL people be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)

 "...there is one God, and one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)

“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL humanity.” (1 Tim. 4:10)

And what are we to do with the good news? Have enough faith to tell our family about it.

 "Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

The truth does not limit the victory of the "Lamb of God" to those who have faith. However, faith in the Lamb of God whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow enables us to say with the Samaritans…

"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (John 4:42)

Merry Christmas Eve!

December 23rd - Merry Christmas Israel!

"For a Boy, He is born to us; a Son, He is given to us, and the Chieftainship shall come to be on His shoulder, and one shall call His name Marvelous; Counsel to the master shall He bring, unto the Chief, well-being. To the increase of the Chieftainship and to the well-being there will be no end; on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to brace it with right judgment and with justice, henceforth and in the future eon, the zeal of Yahweh of hosts, it shall achieve this."  (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Although Israel does not celebrate the birth of Jesus as their Messiah and Savior, nevertheless, He is the Messiah and He will establish the throne of David on this Earth when He returns. 

His earthly parents were Miriam and Joseph, both descendants of King David.

"Joseph, son of David, you may not be afraid to accept Miriam, your wife, for that which is being generated in her is of holy spirit. Now she shall be bringing forth a Son, and you shall be calling His name Jesus, for He shall be saving His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

The Hebrew word translated Jesus is "Yahshua" and means "Yahweh, salvation." His birth was announced by Angel to a few Jewish shepherds watching over their flocks outside Bethlehem, the city of David.

"And the messenger said to them, "Fear not, for lo! I am bringing you good news of great joy which will be for the entire people, for today was brought forth to you a Savior, Who is Christ, the Lord, in the city of David. And this is the sign to you: you will be finding a Babe, swaddled and lying in a manger. And suddenly with the messenger there came to be a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,"Glory to God among the Highest! And on earth peace, among men, delight!" (Luke 2:10-14)

For 2,000 years millions of people among the nations of the world have believed Jesus is the Messiah and Savior of the world. However, most Israelites today do not think He is their Messiah. Nevertheless, God will eliminate this sin as well as all others when Jesus returns to rescue them.

"For I am not willing for you to be ignorant of this secret, brethren, lest you may be passing for prudent among yourselves, that callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering. And thus all Israel shall be saved, according as it is written, arriving out of Zion shall be the Rescuer. He will be turning away irreverence from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them whenever I should be eliminating their sins." (Romans 11:25-27)

Merry Christmas Israel!

December 22nd - Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

“He’s making a list and checking it twice, he’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice...you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is comin’ to town.” (John Haven Coots and Haven Gillespie)

I love the songs and the whole story of Santa Claus, and I love watching kids relate to him and write letters assuring him they have been good. I have no problem with that fairy tale and did my best to keep my Grandkids from finding out who he really is, or isn’t, for as long as possible.

However, sometimes I wonder if our ideas about God come more from fairy tales than the Bible. If you’re good you will be blessed and go to heaven, but if you’re bad…look out because Jesus is coming back to town. At least with good old Saint Nick, bad children only get a lump of coal and a Ho Ho Ho, while the children of the angry God of old Saint Religion get eternal torment in the fires of hell - Ho Ho Horrible!

God's children all sin except for His first born Son Jesus. He chastens His children in this life ending in death, and will correct all flaws in the next. His gracious gift to them after death will be salvation and immortal perfection followed by the unmerited “free gift of eternal life”…

"…He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men..." (Luke 6:35)

"...your Father is merciful..." (Luke 6:36)

"...for God has locked up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL..." (Romans 11:32)

"...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23)

"...who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:21)

The Son of the real Santa is coming to town soon!

"...who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."(Isaiah 9:6)

So, enjoy the fun of Santa Claus with the kids, but take some time to tell them about the real Santa, the God Who revealed Himself in the baby Jesus, the Son of God who grew up to become the Savior of the world. 

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

December 21st - I Have Redeemed You

“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." (Isaiah 44:22)

Too often religious people will not entertain new thoughts for fear they may accept it as true. The salvation of all is one of those thoughts. But if we trust God then we should not fear entertaining new thoughts - and we might learn the truth of the Scripture and reject the dogma of men. 

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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.” (John 14:1-3)

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and humanity, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all..." (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

December 20th - Flesh and Blood is Out

“Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)

ALL people who have ever lived are “flesh and blood” in this age, and there is “none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). None of us inherit the Kingdom of God in our body of “flesh and blood”.

“The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…the spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual…and just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man." 

(1 Corinthians15:42-49)

This "perishable" body must be raised with an "imperishable" immortal body.  Only then will there not be murderers, thieves, etc. That new body will be completely without sin, a “spiritual body” not made of flesh and blood.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21)

If the Scripture is true, all sinners are treated by God with Grace (unmerited favor). And all human bodies will be "transformed" from sinful flesh and blood bodies into a "spiritual body" of sinless "glory".

"For God has consigned everyone to disobedience so that He may have mercy on everyone. O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has first given to God, that God should repay him?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen." (Romans 11:32-36)

December 19th - Some Bad News and Some Good News

Some bad news…

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23)

“They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good…there is none righteous, not even one.”  (Psalm 53:1 and Romans 3:10)

"The wages of sin is death..." (Romans 6:23a)

"…the dead know not anything …" (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

"… there is no work, or device, or knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

"The dead praise not the LORD…" (Psalm 115:17).

"In death there is no remembrance of You: In the grave who shall give You thanks?" (Psalm 6:4-5).

Some good news…

"I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more…" (Jeremiah 31:34)

"As in Adam all die, even so, in Christ, all shall be made alive"  (1 Corinthians 15:22)

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone." (Titus 2:11)

"...the free gift of God is eternal life..." (Romans 6:23b)

“…the dead will be raised imperishable…then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54)

"...by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God…."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

“...there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.."(1 Timothy 2:5) 

"...we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe. COMMAND AND TEACH THESE THINGS." (1 Timothy 4:10-11)

December 18th - Two Good News Messages

Paul writes…

"…I have been entrusted with the gospel (good news) of the Uncircumcision, according as Peter of the Circumcision (for He Who operates in Peter for the apostleship of the Circumcision operates in me also for the nations.)" (Galatians 2:7-8 CLNT)

There is much good news in the Bible. But there are two good news messages that need to be distinguished. One concerns the promises made to Israel, termed the circumcision, and the other concerns the good news for all nations, termed the uncircumcision.  Both are focused and centered on Jesus, but are different good news messages.

Good News for Israel, the "Circumcision": The good news for them was "entrusted" by Jesus to the Apostle Peter.  It tells Israel what it must do to take part in the future kingdom of Israel which is to come to this Earth and will last 1,000 years. They were instructed to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah. 

"Thenceforth begins Jesus to be heralding and saying, "Repent! for near is the kingdom of the heavens!" (Matthew 4:17)

"Now Peter is averring to them, Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the pardon of your sins, and you shall be obtaining the gratuity of the holy spirit."  (Acts 2:38)

During the thousand years ISRAEL will be a "royal priesthood" and they will be "reigning" with Christ over this present Earth.

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a procured people"(1 Peter 2:9)

"The Lord God shall be illuminating them. And they shall be reigning..." (Revelation 22:5)

Israel shows their faith in God by being obedient to the works of the law. Their faith and works "confirm" their "calling and choice".

”James...to the twelve tribes in the dispersion…faith, if it should not have works, is dead by itself."  (James 2:1,17)

"Wherefore, rather, brethren, endeavor through ideal acts to confirm your calling and choice; for, doing these things you should under no circumstances be tripping at any time. For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eonian Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 2:10-11)

The Jewish followers of Jesus the Messiah were commissioned to make disciples of Jesus among all the nations where the Israelites had been scattered, and teach them to observe what Jesus the Messiah had commanded them.

"Going then, disciple all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to be keeping all, whatever I direct you." (Mathew 28:19-20)

Sadly, at the close of the Acts period, only a few Israelites had become believers in the Messiah Jesus. For 2,000 years most Jews have became callous to the good news about Jesus. Today there is only a "remnant" of the "circumcision" who believe Jesus is the Messiah and they are generally referred to as Messianic Jews. 

So is God through with Israel? No

"I am saying, then, Does not God thrust away His people? May it not be coming to that!...in the current era also, there has come to be a remnant according to the choice of grace" ..."callousness, in part, on Israel has come, until the complement of the nations may be entering. And thus all Israel shall be saved." (Romans 11:1-5;11:25)

Jesus will return to fulfill the promises to Israel and set up the Millennial Kingdom of Israel on this Earth, but the exact time was not revealed directly to Peter and the other disciples.

"Lord, art Thou at this time restoring the Kingdom to Israel? Yet He said to them, Not yours is it to know times or eras which the Father placed in His own jurisdiction...Jesus Who is being taken up from you into heaven shall come thus, in the manner in which you gaze at Him going into heaven." (Acts 1:6-7, 11)

Good News for the Uncircumcision:  This good news of the grace of God was entrusted to the Apostle Paul and I summarize it as follows:

1. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, was entombed, and raised from the dead on the third day after His death. It tells us that the blood of Jesus atoned for all sins and God is now at peace with humanity, and is not counting their sins against them. This good news is referred to as the grace of God. It was entrusted to Paul to preach to all humanity, not just the Jews. 

"Now I am making known to you, brethren, the evangel which I bring to you...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was entombed, and that He has been roused the third day...God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4;2 Corinthians 5:19 CLNT)

2. This good news tells believers that they were chosen by God to become "body" of Christ. Humans are "placed" in the "body" of Christ as God the Father "wills". 

"...He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world..."for we are members of His body"(Ephesians 1:4; 5:30)

"God placed the members, each one of them, in the body according as He wills."  (1 Corinthians 12:18) 

3. This good news for all people was kept a secret until revealed to the Apostle Paul. 

"I should be perfecting my career and the dispensation which I got from the Lord Jesus, to certify the evangel of the grace of God.... through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavens...the secret which has been concealed from the eons and from the generations, yet now was made manifest to His saints..." (Colossians 1:20,26) 

"For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity."(Titus 2:11)

"God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love...vivifies us together in Christ (in grace you are saved)...in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this not out of you; it is God's approach present, not of works..." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

4.  The church is to proclaim this "grace" during the ages.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who blesses us with every spiritual blessing among the celestials, in Christ, according as He chooses us in Him before the disruption of the world...in love designating us beforehand for the place of a son for Him through Christ Jesus; in accord with the delight of His will, for the laud of the glory of His grace, which graces us in the Beloved…"  (Ephesians 1:3-6) 

"...suffer evil with the evangel in accord with the power of God, Who saves us and calls us with a holy calling, NOT in accord with our acts, but in accord with His own purpose and the grace which is GIVEN to us in Christ Jesus BEFORE times eonian.” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

5.  All believes will reign with Christ during the thousand year kingdom of Israel on the Earth and among the celestial regions of heaven.

"For the Lord Himself will be descending from heaven with a shout of command...and the dead in Christ shall be rising first, thereupon we, the living who are surviving, shall at the same time be snatched away together with Him in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

December 17th - Tell People of he Grace of God

"But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the gospel of the wonderful grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

Paul looked at his career as one from the Lord Jesus to "telling others the gospel of the wonderful grace of God." 

I think if I do not tell my family of the grace of God my life will not amount to much.

"Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. He has given each one of us grace through the generosity of Christ." (Ephesians 4:2-7)

December 16th - Let Use Reason Together

"Come now, and let us reason (decide the matter) together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)

God has decided that our sins were to be cleansed. Jesus did that with His own blood. Jesus is the light shinning in a dark world.

"...if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

To be honest, I only dimly see the beauty, wisdom, and glory of God in this world most of the time. And it is not in the words of men, it is in the sunrise and the sunset ...

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” (Psalm 1:1-4)

The beauty of creation allows me to make the decision (reason) that although the sins of the world are  "as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" because those words come from the God who created everything and declares the end from the beginning. 

"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish. I summon a bird of prey from the east, a man for My purpose from a far-off land. Truly I have spoken, and truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, and I will surely do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11)

Sometimes the reasonable decision is to do is nothing, just trust God until His plan is accomplished.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Be in awe of the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. Honor the LORD from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD or loathe His rebuke, for whom the LORD loves He disciplines, as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:5-12)

December 15th - Prolepsis

Prolepsis is a figure of speech in which a future act or promise is represented as if presently existing or accomplished. It is used often in Scripture.

"For the love of Christ is constraining us, judging this, that, if One died for the sake of all, consequently all died. And He died for the sake of all that those who are living should by no means still be living to themselves, but to the One dying and being roused for their sakes." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

"For you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God. Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory." (Colossians 3:3-4)

That Christ Jesus died for the sake of all is a historical fact, however, the phrase "consequently all died" is prolepsis, a figure of speech in which humanity is considered to have died when Jesus "died for the sake of all". The result is that our "life" after death is now "hid together with Christ in God".

"So that, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: the primitive passed by. Lo! there has come new! Yet all is of God, Who conciliates us to Himself through Christ, and is giving us the dispensation of the conciliation, how that God was in Christ, conciliating the world to Himself, not reckoning their offenses to them, and placing in us the word of the conciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

That humanity will have "life" after death is a future event so certain that it is spoken of as if this world has passed by "become new" - again, proleptically speaking. Thistruth it gives us peace with God, and we want to share this "word of conciliation" with the world as the "ambassadors" of Christ. 

"For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be made alive...For Christ, then, are we ambassadors, as of God entreating through us. We are beseeching for Christ's sake, "Be conciliated to God!" For the One not knowing sin, He makes to be a sin offering for our sakes that we may be becoming God's righteousness in Him." (1 Corinthians 15:22; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

God is at peace with humanity and wants people to be at peace with Him - not be terrified about what He might do to us after death. God is not angry with humanity for its sin because the blood of Christ His Son was shed "for our sakes".

"God is commending this love of His to us, seeing that, while we are still sinners, Christ died for our sakes." ..."and through Him to reconcile all to Him (making peace through the blood of His cross), through Him, whether those on the earth or those in the heavins." (Romans 5:8; Colossians 1:20)

Humanity is saved, justified and reconciled to God proleptically speaking. Yet it will be manifested in the a future age.

"Not that I already obtained, or am already perfected. Yet I am pursuing, if I may be grasping also that for which I was grasped also by Christ Jesus. Brethren, not as yet am I reckoning myself to have grasped, yet one thing -- forgetting, indeed, those things which are behind, yet stretching out to those in front -- toward the goal am I pursuing for the prize of God's calling above in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

I can speak of my salvation  and justification as if it has already occurred because the very Word of God says so. And that is good enough for me and I am at peace with God - not perfect, just at peace.

December 14th - The Word of His Grace

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

What does “word” mean? The Greek for “word” is “logo” and simply means that which is communicated to humanity. And what is that? 

His GRACE…the unmerited favor to "those who are sanctified".

And who are the "sanctified"?  The human beings who believe the truth God has communicated to us - "the word of His grace"…

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate Myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.” (John 17:17-18)

Christ Jesus came to save the world. He consecrated Himself for that purpose and will succeed.

"John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

“He has appeared once FOR ALL at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:22-26)

What are the details of “the word of Hs grace"? To me, it is as follows:

First  - Humanity will all be SAVED out of death because of His grace.

“For by grace you have been saved...” (Ephesians 2:8)

Second - Humanity will all be JUSTIFIED (declared righteous) because of His grace.

“…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:7)

Third - Humanity will all be RECONCILED to God because of His grace.

“…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)

So what part does FAITH have? The Greek word for faith means to BELIEVE. So biblical FAITH is simply believing what God says. Humans find JOY and PEACE in this present evil age by believing what God says - the “Word of His Grace". 

There will come a day when everyone will come forth from the grave and believe, as Jesus told us…

“…for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is JUST, because I do not seek My own will, but the WILL of Him who sent Me.” (John 5:28-30)

Those who hear and believe the “word of His Grace” before they die will be immediately changed at His return from mortal to immortal. 

Those who did not hear and believe the “word of His Grace” in this life will have to wait one thousand years to be raised to life. Yet, they will all hear and believe at that time. They will be condemned to die the second death. That second death will be abolished, and they too will be made alive and become immortals so that God is "All in all".

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:17)

"The last enemy that will be abolished is death...so that God may be All in all." (1 Corinthians 15:26-28)

"For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:53-57)

"...it is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all humanity, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things.…” (1 Timothy 4:8-10)

For those of us who believe the "word of His grace" now, we will reign with Christ during the next age, which is called the Millennium.  For all others - see you in about a thousand years.

"They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)" (Revelation 20:4-5)

December 13th - There is a Purpose for the Ages

“In accord with the purpose of the ages, which He makes in Christ Jesus, our Lord." (Ephesians 3:11)

“Purpose” means that God has a plan concerning the outcome of creation. The ages were made by and for Jesus the Son of God, and they are unfolding according to the plan of God. 

"God, having spoken long ago to our fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the ages." (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The free will of humanity will not deter the purpose of God. God is the God of certainty and not of chance, and He made up His mind what He wanted to do and then created the ages to work out His plan.

At the close of the ages God will be "All in all" of His creation. He will be All in all of His creation.

"For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive...When He has done this, then the Son Himself will be made subject to Him who put everything under Him, so that God may be All in all."     (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)

In our troubled world I am glad God has a plan to save the world, and that His plan cannot be altered by the free will of mankind. That gives me "peace" in a world whose free will decisions are regularly bad and often changed.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

Again, the purpose of the ages is for God to become All in all His creation. He becomes so by saving everyone and transforming them into the image of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

"For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." (Romans 8:29)

"He worked in Christ, having raised Him out from the dead, and having set Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, above every principality and authority and power and dominion, and every name being named, not only in this age, but also in the one coming. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the complement of the One completing the All in all." (Ephesians 1:20-23)