J.A. Matteson
Few occasions more prominently contrast the sovereign activity of the Spirit than familial relationships where certain members have received transformative grace while others remain in darkness; "for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three" (Luke 12:52). Evidence of the authenticity of the Spirit's work in the soul is a resolute commitment to the Christ who calls at the expense of being accepted by members who reject the gospel. Marginalization from the family ethos and estrangement accompany disciples; it is their lot as they are perpetually challenged to deny their foolishness and denounce Christ to once again gain full acceptance into the family fold. But this they will not and cannot do, for His seed remains in them, and they would willingly die a thousand deaths than deny the Savior of their soul who raised them from spiritual death. And so it is with a heavy heart they stand fast as sentinels of grace and light before members in darkness, continually interceding on their behalf that the light of the gospel might pierce through the darkness and they be saved.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Monday, October 29, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
By Grace
J. A. Matteson
Every religious system on earth seeks so merit a righteous standing before its deity(s) through an appeasement of good works. Christianity is unique in this regard, ascribing an imputed righteousness to the transgressor, not on the basis of works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who God put forth as a propitiation for sin. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed...." (Rom. 3:21). The righteousness to which the apostle speaks is not that by which God is righteous, but that righteousness He freely makes available to us who don't have it. The person who thinks they can keep the law fail to grasp its demands. For keeping the law in deed precedes from the heart and the heart of fallen sinners is opposed to the law. The thoughts and intent proceeding from the heart of sinners self-validate the laws indictment that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Helpless and hopeless are transgressors of the law who's will is in bondage to sin and death. But praise be to God who by grace raises the dead and brings into existence that which did not exist; namely, faith.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Every religious system on earth seeks so merit a righteous standing before its deity(s) through an appeasement of good works. Christianity is unique in this regard, ascribing an imputed righteousness to the transgressor, not on the basis of works, but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ who God put forth as a propitiation for sin. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed...." (Rom. 3:21). The righteousness to which the apostle speaks is not that by which God is righteous, but that righteousness He freely makes available to us who don't have it. The person who thinks they can keep the law fail to grasp its demands. For keeping the law in deed precedes from the heart and the heart of fallen sinners is opposed to the law. The thoughts and intent proceeding from the heart of sinners self-validate the laws indictment that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Helpless and hopeless are transgressors of the law who's will is in bondage to sin and death. But praise be to God who by grace raises the dead and brings into existence that which did not exist; namely, faith.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Faithful Ambassadors
J.A. Matteson
Faithful ambassadors neither add to nor subtract from the message entrusted to them. Ambassadors of state often put their necks on the line when recipients of the message are hostile to it. Ambassadors often suffer the brunt of rejection on behalf of the sovereign they represent. "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10). Pluralism and secularism are not friendly toward ambassadors of Jesus Christ. For ambassadors deliver a message of propositional truth, a divine ultimatum of an impending day of judgment for sin. The message of Christ's ambassadors is both dire and hopeful. It is unconcerned with bolstering self esteem; rather, it obliterates it. It is not mindful of political correctness; to the contrary, its fidelity to truth is antithetical to the whims of cultural acceptance. Indeed, the foreign origin of the cross is so repugnant to sinners that its acceptance is soley dependant upon grace. Blessed are those who believe the gospel, for they are the true children of Abraham according to the promise, displaying the righteousness of God, that imputed by faith. Therefore, let the ambassadors of Christ deliver the pure message of the cross without alteration. For it is His message, empowered by the Spirit that saves, and it is not dependant on the eloquence of the messenger. To the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Faithful ambassadors neither add to nor subtract from the message entrusted to them. Ambassadors of state often put their necks on the line when recipients of the message are hostile to it. Ambassadors often suffer the brunt of rejection on behalf of the sovereign they represent. "As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord" (James 5:10). Pluralism and secularism are not friendly toward ambassadors of Jesus Christ. For ambassadors deliver a message of propositional truth, a divine ultimatum of an impending day of judgment for sin. The message of Christ's ambassadors is both dire and hopeful. It is unconcerned with bolstering self esteem; rather, it obliterates it. It is not mindful of political correctness; to the contrary, its fidelity to truth is antithetical to the whims of cultural acceptance. Indeed, the foreign origin of the cross is so repugnant to sinners that its acceptance is soley dependant upon grace. Blessed are those who believe the gospel, for they are the true children of Abraham according to the promise, displaying the righteousness of God, that imputed by faith. Therefore, let the ambassadors of Christ deliver the pure message of the cross without alteration. For it is His message, empowered by the Spirit that saves, and it is not dependant on the eloquence of the messenger. To the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Saturday, September 1, 2012
All Power and Authority
J.A. Matteson
A notable hush filled the sanctuary of heaven as the elders paused in anticipation of the One worthy to open the book closed up with seven seals. "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing'" (Rev. 5:12). Enduring His humiliation on the cross the Son of God is exalted to supremacy. The Lamb that was slain in meekness is coronated with power and might. The Lamb who was received up into heaven will soon return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah to vanquish His foes. All power and authority is given to the Son who will reign in righteousness and shatter with a rod of iron His opposition. All of the energy of the nuclear weapons of men, multiplied tens of millions of times, are as a scant whimper in comparison to one word spoken by the Lamb in judgment. Make straight a highway for our God. Let us lift up our hearts for the reception of the Lamb, for the day of His appearing is near.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
A notable hush filled the sanctuary of heaven as the elders paused in anticipation of the One worthy to open the book closed up with seven seals. "Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing'" (Rev. 5:12). Enduring His humiliation on the cross the Son of God is exalted to supremacy. The Lamb that was slain in meekness is coronated with power and might. The Lamb who was received up into heaven will soon return as the Lion of the tribe of Judah to vanquish His foes. All power and authority is given to the Son who will reign in righteousness and shatter with a rod of iron His opposition. All of the energy of the nuclear weapons of men, multiplied tens of millions of times, are as a scant whimper in comparison to one word spoken by the Lamb in judgment. Make straight a highway for our God. Let us lift up our hearts for the reception of the Lamb, for the day of His appearing is near.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Seek Him and His Will
J.A. Matteson
Beware of trusting in the gifts rather than the Giver of gifts, it is a snare and only leads to despair. Commonly a repressed people place their hope and trust in he who appears able to rescue them from their plight. This is folly and chasing the wind. For the LORD alone exalts one man and debases another according to the good pleasure of His will. "I will say to the LORD, 'my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!'" (Ps. 91:2). Delight in the gifts of God, but hope in the LORD only. Be glad in the pleasing providential developments of the LORD, but grant to Him His sovereign place to work things according to His purposes. With diligence and skill perform your task with all your might, but place the fruit of your labor at the foot of the cross as an offering pleasing to the LORD, and find in Him satisfaction and rest. The LORD performs His redemptive purposes, seek Him and His will in all things and He will give rest for your soul.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Beware of trusting in the gifts rather than the Giver of gifts, it is a snare and only leads to despair. Commonly a repressed people place their hope and trust in he who appears able to rescue them from their plight. This is folly and chasing the wind. For the LORD alone exalts one man and debases another according to the good pleasure of His will. "I will say to the LORD, 'my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust!'" (Ps. 91:2). Delight in the gifts of God, but hope in the LORD only. Be glad in the pleasing providential developments of the LORD, but grant to Him His sovereign place to work things according to His purposes. With diligence and skill perform your task with all your might, but place the fruit of your labor at the foot of the cross as an offering pleasing to the LORD, and find in Him satisfaction and rest. The LORD performs His redemptive purposes, seek Him and His will in all things and He will give rest for your soul.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Sunday, August 26, 2012
The Internal Evidence
J.A. Matteson
Two men listen to the same sermon. The preacher's appeal to repent and believe in Christ is heard by one man who gives mental assent to the message, agreeing with its premise, but he fails to entrust himself to Christ alone to save him, and continues in vain to attempt to merit God's forgiveness through good works. The other man also gives mental assent to the message, but this man also surrenders any hope of eternal salvation to Christ alone, entrusting his fate to Him, "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified" (Rom. 2:13). And what does the Law demand? Listen to the apostle evangelize his antagonist, "'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved....'" (Acts 16:30-31). As Habakkuk observed, "But the righteous will live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). The writer to the Hebrews noted, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). What can we say to these things? That the assurance of the hope offered to sinners of eternal life through the vicarious death of Christ is the internal evidence of the grace of God, witnessed externally by the world in a life that daily lives by faith. And this is the gift of God. To the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Two men listen to the same sermon. The preacher's appeal to repent and believe in Christ is heard by one man who gives mental assent to the message, agreeing with its premise, but he fails to entrust himself to Christ alone to save him, and continues in vain to attempt to merit God's forgiveness through good works. The other man also gives mental assent to the message, but this man also surrenders any hope of eternal salvation to Christ alone, entrusting his fate to Him, "for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified" (Rom. 2:13). And what does the Law demand? Listen to the apostle evangelize his antagonist, "'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved....'" (Acts 16:30-31). As Habakkuk observed, "But the righteous will live by his faith" (Hab. 2:4). The writer to the Hebrews noted, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). What can we say to these things? That the assurance of the hope offered to sinners of eternal life through the vicarious death of Christ is the internal evidence of the grace of God, witnessed externally by the world in a life that daily lives by faith. And this is the gift of God. To the praise of His glory.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Friday, August 24, 2012
The Central Question
J.A. Matteson
Central to all spiritual discussions is a biblical litmus test among participants. "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (1 Jn. 4:6). Apostolic teaching delineating the Person and work of Jesus Christ is inspired by the Holy Spirit. He who has the Spirit accepts the inspired teachings of the apostles as authoritative. He who does not have the Spirit rejects them for the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit nor can he understand them for they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). The eternal Word became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ. He who denies the incarnation of the eternal Word rejects the apostolic teaching. He who rejects the apostles rejects the Son who sent them and the Father who sent His Son. The central question to be asked in spiritual discourse is "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" the answer to that question reveals whether the person to whom you are conversing with has the Holy Spirit, for no one can confess Jesus is Lord accept by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). By this we know the children of God.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
Central to all spiritual discussions is a biblical litmus test among participants. "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error" (1 Jn. 4:6). Apostolic teaching delineating the Person and work of Jesus Christ is inspired by the Holy Spirit. He who has the Spirit accepts the inspired teachings of the apostles as authoritative. He who does not have the Spirit rejects them for the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit nor can he understand them for they are spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14). The eternal Word became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ. He who denies the incarnation of the eternal Word rejects the apostolic teaching. He who rejects the apostles rejects the Son who sent them and the Father who sent His Son. The central question to be asked in spiritual discourse is "Who do you say Jesus Christ is?" the answer to that question reveals whether the person to whom you are conversing with has the Holy Spirit, for no one can confess Jesus is Lord accept by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:3). By this we know the children of God.
Copyright (c) 2012 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isa. 40:8).
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