THE APOSTLE PAUL: HIS “COURSE” AND OURS
2Ti 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. Now my understanding concerning it primarily has to do with 1.) The number of unique issues that God was accomplishing through Paul as “the apostle of the Gentiles” that he is; and 2.) It has to do with the example and pattern for us that God has made out the apostle Paul. In view of these two things, Paul’s “course” wouldn’t be finished until these things were fully accomplished in him....
Read MoreMATTHEW 25:1-25: THE PARABLE OF THE 10 VIRGINS
Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. First of all I understand that in God’s program with Israel being justified unto eternal life and having entrance into the kingdom when it is established are not the exact same thing. One would have to be justified in God’s sight to have entrance into the kingdom, but just because an Israelite, for example, is so justified does not guarantee him immediate entrance into the kingdom. Rather, immediate entrance into the kingdom...
Read MorePOSSESSING THE “MUTUAL FAITH” OF PAUL
Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. The Apostle Paul and God the Father’s desire is that all saints will become established in “all wisdom and understanding” of the Father’s will, and as Paul points out in verse 12; that not only will the saints be “established”...
Read MoreHOW DO WE TEACH THE SAINTS AS A FATHER?
1Co 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 1Co 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 1Co 4:16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. 1Co 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. I understand your question, and I think it is a natural one in view, as you say, that we were not ones who looked forward to the time with anticipation when we would receive the adoption of sons. However I do not see that as a stumbling block, or impediment of any...
Read MoreDANIEL 3:25-28 “THE FORM OF THE FOURTH IS LIKE THE SON OF GOD”
Dan 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up? Dan 3:15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Dan 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. Dan 3:17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning...
Read MoreARE YOU BEING PLACED UNDER “TUTORS AND GOVERNORS”?
Gal 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; Gal 4:2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Gal 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, Gal 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Gal 4:7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. Are you being placed under the “tutors” and...
Read MoreJAMES 2:26: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD ALSO
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. To understand James 2:26 one must understand and appreciate the perfect justice and gracious mercy of God our Father and what He calls “the law of faith,” and that how He has graciously dealt with all mankind whether Jew or Gentile by the same way He has always dealt with His creation, by faith and faith alone, without any works at all for salvation from the debt and penalty from their sins and justification unto eternal life. But the proper...
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