The Joyful Heart by Jim Hughes: 2012

Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Gospel Of Grace

What does the Bible teach about the Gospel of Grace; are there other Gospels?

Acts 15:10-12

(KJV)

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke [The Law was considerd to be a yoke of bondage (JPH)] upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Romans 8:14-16

(KJV)

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that we are to be under bondage again to fear God!

Galatians 1:3-10

(KJV)

3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

(AMP)

6 I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly [a]turning renegade and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.

7 Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [b]with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].

8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!

9 As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)! 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

— * Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament

a. Galatians 1:6 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.

b. Galatians 1:7 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament.

Galatians 3:20-27

(KJV)

20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Hebrews 8:7-13

(KJV)

7 If that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of

Israel

and with the house of

Judah

9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of

Israel

after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

— *Barnes’ (Word Pictures in the New Testament)

If that first covenant had been faultless - It is implied here that God had said that that covenant was not perfect or faultless. The meaning is not that that first covenant made under Moses had any real faults - or inculcated what was wrong, but that it did not contain the ample provision for the pardon of sin and the salvation of the soul which was desirable. It was merely “preparatory” to the gospel. Then should no place have been sought for the second - There could not have been - inasmuch as in that case it would have been impossible to have bettered it, and any change would have been only for the worse.

[It’s not that the first covenant was faultless, it was perfectly conceived to be a schoolmaster. But it wasn’t blameless—it couldn’t bring salvation of the soul—(JPH)]

— Blue Letter Bible

(KJV) Verse 7—Strong's Greek translation for faultless G273 – amemptos

1) blameless, deserving no censure, free from fault or defect

Authorized Version (KJV) Translation Count for G273 — Total: 5

blameless 3: Luke 1:3; Phl 2:15; Phl 3:6;

unblameable 1: 1Th 3:13

faultless 1:Hbr 8:7

Hebrews 8:6-13

(MSG)

But Jesus’ priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he’s working from a far better plan. If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn’t have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,

Heads up! The days are coming

when I’ll set up a new plan

for dealing with

Israel

and

Judah

I’ll throw out the old plan

I set up with their ancestors

when I led them by the hand out of

Egypt

They didn’t keep their part of the bargain,

so I looked away and let it go.

This new plan I’m making with

Israel

isn’t going to be written on paper,

isn’t going to be chiseled in stone;

This time I’m writing out the plan in them,

carving it on the lining of their hearts.

I’ll be their God,

they’ll be my people.

They won’t go to school to learn about me,

or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons.

They’ll all get to know me firsthand,

the little and the big, the small and the great.

They’ll get to know me by being kindly forgiven,

with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.

By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.

— Jim

One argument against the Gospel of Grace is, “What if I sin? Don’t I need to repent and do some kind of good deed to get back in God’s favor and be in right standing with Him?”

Jesus paid for all of our past, present and future sins on the cross. We will always be in fellowship with God the Father forever thru the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross! That would be like saying, “I have to help dear old God out because His Son’s sacrifice didn’t pay for my sin I committed just now.; I have to do some kind of sacrifice myself.”

Another argument against the Gospel of Grace is, “What about those who have so seared their conscience that they have thrown away their salvation? 1 Timothy 4:2. Their consciences are seared and they cannot hear from God any longer, they are not aware of sin.”

I say, “Stop it! Stop looking for loop-holes in the Gospel of Grace!”

The Bible says that these hypocrites (imposters-they never were believers) are branded, like Cain was after murdering his brother Abel. Cain forever had his sin before his mind, he was incapable of forgetting his sin. He will be tormented in Hell for his sin. He was not a saint, neither are these imposters.

—Thayer's (New Testament Greek-English Lexicon)

1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

καυτηριάζω kauteriazo {kow-tay-ree-ad'-zo}

1) to mark by branding, to brand, branded with their own consciences

1a) whose souls are branded with the marks of sin

1b) who carry about with them the perpetual consciousness of sin

2) seared

3) in a medical sense, to cauterise, remover by cautery

— *Robertson’s (Word Pictures in the New Testament)

Branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron (kekaustēriasmenōn tēn idian suneidēsin). Accusative case suneidēsin retained with the perfect passive participle of kaustēriazō, a rare verb only here and once in Strabo. Branded with the mark of Satan (2Ti_2:26) as Paul was with the marks of Christ (Gal_6:17). Agreeing in case with pseudologōn.

To repeat, those under the old Mosaic Covenant (The Ten Commandments) had no way of keeping the Law. So God instituted sacrifices to cover their sins. They had to do something—they had to obey the Law.

But under the new Covenant God does it all! as we read earlier in Hebrews 8,

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Plus I repeat, Acts 15:10

We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved.

The Gospel of Grace is this:

All we have to do is BELIEVE the Good News (the English translation of the Greek word Gospel.) That thru Christ’s sacrifice, God’s eternal mercy turns our being unrighteous into being in right standing with God and we are forever forgiven of all sins; and the sin nature has been dealt a death blow at Calvary! We are no longer slaves of sin but servants of God and our fruit is unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22)

That’s it, or as the acronym says, KISS—Keep It Simple Saints! Just BELIEVE, Be a Believer!

References:

Thayer's (New Testament Greek-English Lexicon) Based on Grimm's Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti, tr., rev. and enl. by Joseph Henry Thayer; Published by New York American Book Co. in 1889. Retrieved from http://lexiconcordance.com/

*Barnes' Notes on the New Testament (Barnes) by Albert Barnes Published in Philadelphia, August 25th, 1832

*Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament; Published in 1886 by Marvin R. Vincent

*Word Pictures in the New Testament; by (AT) Archibald Thomas Robertson; Published 1n 1930 by Broadman Press in Nashville, Tenn.

King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of

England

Monday, June 18, 2012

New Critters

1 Corinthians 2:14

(AMP)

The natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

(Geisler)

It's not that we are so dead to perceive the truth, we're just so separated from God that we are unwilling to receive the truth.

John 3:3

(AMP)

Unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God.

Genesis 2:17

(AMP)

Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

Adam and Eve died at the exact moment they ate the forbidden fruit. But their death was spiritual, their spirit man died. This means they were spiritually separated from God now; but they were still able to see and talk with God, even in this new fallen state.

Genesis 3:9-10

(AMP)

The Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you? Adam said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Now fallen man was banished from freely accessing God, banished from God’s presence. That’s why Jesus we must be born again, regenerated into a new creation, start over again from scratch.

2 Corinthians 5:17

(JPH)

If anyone is in Christ they are new critters! Aliens, a whole new species from another planet, Heaven!

Now the new critters can welcome and accept into their heart the things of God!

Ezekiel 36:26

(AMP)

A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

So how does this regeneration happen?

Romans 10:17

(AMP)

So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself).

Ephesians 2:8

(AMP)

For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([a]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God;

Ephesians 16:30-31

(MSG)

The jailer asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?" They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live—and everyone in your house included!"

That is how to live like we were originally meant to live with God! So, how are we saved—born again—and regenerated and become children of God? We are to receive and welcome Jesus!

John 1:10-13

(AMP)

He came into the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him [did not know Him]. He came to that which belonged to Him [to His own—His domain, creation, things, world], and they who were His own did not receive Him and did not welcome Him.

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— 13 Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]

References:

Norman Geisler - Why I Am Not A 5 Point Calvinist, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNm54hlfhcw

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

In One Accord

Sometimes I find it’s just time to be still and listen to the gold that others have dug up!

Philippians 2:1-4

(AMP)

1 By whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,

2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.

3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].

4 Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.

Barnes' Notes on the New Testament - Analysis of Philippians 2:1-2:

Verse 1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ. This, with what is said in the remainder of the verse, is designed as a motive for what he exhorts them to in Philippians 2:2 -that they would be of the same mind, and would thus fulfill his joy. To urge them to this, he appeals to the tender considerations which religion furnished—and begins by a reference to the consolation which there was in Christ.

The meaning here may be this: "I am now persecuted and afflicted. In my trials it will give me the highest joy to learn that you act as become Christians. You also are persecuted and afflicted, Philippians 1:28-30; and, in these circumstances, I entreat that the highest consolation may be sought; and by all that is tender and sacred in the Christian religion, I conjure you so to live as not to dishonor the gospel.

So live as to bring down the highest consolation which can be obtained-the consolation which Christ alone can impart." We are not to suppose that Paul doubted whether there was any consolation in Christ, but the form of expression here is one that is designed to urge upon them the duty of seeking the highest possible. The consolation in Christ is that which Christ furnishes or imparts.

Paul regarded Christ as the source of all comfort, and earnestly prays that they might so live that he and they might avail themselves in the fullest sense of that unspeakable enjoyment. The idea is, that Christians ought at all times, and especially in affliction, so to act as to secure the highest possible happiness which their Saviour can impart to them. Such an object is worth their highest effort; and if God sees it needful, in order to that, that they should endure much affliction, still it is gain. Religious consolation is always worth all which it costs to secure it.

If any comfort of love. If there be any comfort in the exercise of tender affection. That there is, no one can doubt. Our happiness is almost all centered in love. It is when we love a parent, a wife, a child, a sister, a neighbor, that we have the highest earthly enjoyment. It is in the love of God, of Christ, of Christians, of the souls of men, that the redeemed find their highest happiness.

Hatred is a passion full of misery; love an emotion full of joy.

By this consideration, Paul appeals to them, and the motive here is drawn from all the joy which mutual love and sympathy are fitted to produce in the soul. Paul would have that love exercised in the highest degree, and would have them enjoy all the happiness which its mutual exercise could furnish.

If any fellowship of the Spirit. The word "fellowship" κοινωνια—(koinōnia )means that which is common to two or more; that of which they partake together. Ephesians 3:9; Philippians 1:5. The idea here is, that among Christians there was a participation in the influences of the Holy Ghost; that they shared, in some degree, the feelings, views, and joys of the sacred Spirit himself; and that this was a privilege of the highest order. By this fact, Paul now exhorts them to unity, love, and zeal-so to live that they might partake, in the highest degree, of the consolations of the Spirit.

If any bowels and mercies. If there is any affectionate bond by which you are united to me, and any regard for my sorrows, and any desire to fill up my joys, so live as to impart to me, your spiritual father and friend, the consolation which I seek.

Verse 2. Fulfil ye my joy. Fill up my joy so that nothing shall be wanting to complete it. This, he says, would be done by their union, zeal, and humility. Comp. John 3:29.

That ye be likeminded. Gr., That ye think the same thing. 2 Corinthians 13:11. Perfect unity of sentiment, opinion, and plan would be desirable, if it could be attained. It may be, so far as to prevent discord, schism, contention, and strife in the church, and so that Christians may be harmonious in promoting the same great work-the salvation of souls.

Having the same love. Love to the same objects, and the same love one for another. Though their opinions might differ on some points, yet they might be united in love. 1 Corinthians 1:10.

Being of one accord, σύμψυχοι—(sympsychos) of one soul; having your souls joined together. The word used here does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means a union of soul; or an acting together as if but one soul actuated them.

Of one mind. Gr., Thinking the same thing. The apostle here uses a great variety of expressions to denote the same thing. The object which he aimed at was union of heart, of feeling, of plan, of purpose. He wished them to avoid all divisions and strifes; and to show the power of religion by being united in the common cause. Probably there is no single thing so much insisted on in the New Testament as the importance of harmony among Christians.

Now, there is almost nothing so little known; but if it prevailed, the world would soon be converted to God. John 17:21 or John 17:21.

References:

Amplified Bible (AMP)—Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation; Retrieved from http://www.biblegateway.com/ BibleGateway.com © Copyright 1995-2010 Gospel Communications International

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Love Covers A Multitude Of Sins

1 Peter 4:8

(KJV)

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

v7-11 (in Context - MSG)

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully.

Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Hebrews 10:24-25

(AMP)

24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,

25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

(MSG)

So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Jude 1:20-25

(AMP)

20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [[d]make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit;

21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring you] unto life eternal.

22 And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt.

23 [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality.

24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--

25 To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory (splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).

Jude 1:17-23

(CPV)

17 But you-all, my dear, dear people, constantly bear in mind the things you were told previously by those sent out by our Lord Jesus Christ. They told you, "When time runs out there will be men who make a joke of their religion and follow their own insolent desires." These are the segregationists-kooks without a conscience. But you, my loved ones, deepen your commitment to your most sacred way of life. With spirit-filled prayer keep yourselves in God’s love. Always be eager for the kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ which leads into spiritual life.

22 You must deal gently with some people who are wavering but others you are to save by actually snatching them from the fire. Still others you must handle with gloves, as much as you may dislike their clothing messed up by their own filth.

James 5:13-20

(AMP)

13 Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God].

14 Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.

15 And the prayer of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest [hot-to-boiling] (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] [– like a dynamo, a nuclear power plant, as it where, able to generate and make tremendous power available].

17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. [I Kings 17:1.]

18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. [I Kings 18:42-45.]

19 [My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God],

20 Let the [latter] one be sure that whoever turns a sinner from his evil course will save [that one's] soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins [[a]procure the pardon of the many sins committed by the convert].

(MSG)

Prayer to Be Reckoned With

13-15 Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.

16-18 Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

19-20 My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

(CPV)

13 If any one of you is suffering abuse, let him pray. If any one is happy, let him sing. If one of you is sick, let him send for the church leaders, and let them pray for him and wait on him in the name of the Lord. Faithful devotion will restore the sick man, and the Lord will make well. And if he has done some sin, this too shall be forgiven him.

16 Be honest with one another about your sins, and pray for each other that you might get the victory over them, for the petition of a truly good man is powerfully effective. Elijah, for instance, was a human being just like us, and he earnestly prayed that it might not rain, and not a drop fell for three-and-a-half years. Then he prayed again and it poured, and things began to grow again.

19 My brothers, if one of you should stray from the truth, and another guides him back, you may be sure that he who guides an erring one away from his false course, will literally save his life and shield him from a lot of sins.

References:

**King James Version (KJV)—Public Domain/ 1604, King James I of

England