Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 15, 2019

“You are the salt of the earth” – “You are the light of the world” – “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body”

God places us in Christ’s body (the one true invisible church) and positions us with gifts and roles to cause us to grow and help others grow.  

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13.

“But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.”  1 Corinthians 12:18.

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  …

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;  until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”  Ephesians 4:4-7 and 11-13.

God is well-pleased in Christ, and God is well-pleased that we are in Christ.

Here are a few Scriptures about our being in Christ and our blessings resulting therefrom.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,”  Ephesians 1:3.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:7-8.

“…  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,”  Ephesians 1:10-11.

“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10.

Too often, we only view ourselves in one church or another church.  But, God views us “in Christ”.  According to God’s will, some stay in one church just about their whole life.  But, also according to God’s will, God moves others around to different churches.  God places us in the body of Christ (the one true invisible church) exactly were He wants to do so.  The Holy Spirit guides us into all the truth.  We are used by God as salt and light which penetrates and enlightens and preserves and gives the flavor and light of Christ.

Salt is liberally sprinkled here and there in order to penetrate and preserve and give flavor.

“You are the salt of the earth;  but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”  Matthew 5:13.

We also do not put light under the basket, but on a lampstand, so the light may go far and wide and penetrate darkness.

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;  nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 14, 2019

“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”

Today’s devotion comes from John 8:12-20.

“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world;  he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself;  Your testimony is not true.”  Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going;  but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.  You judge according to the flesh;  I am not judging anyone.  But even if I do judge, My judgment is true;  for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me.  Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is true.  I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.”  So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?”  Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father;  if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.”  These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple;  and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.”  John 8:12-20.

—————–

“But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John;  for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.

And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me.  You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form.  You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent.

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.  I do not receive glory from men;  but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.  I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me;  if another comes in his own name, you will receive him.  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?”  John 5:36-44.

“18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN;
MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL-PLEASED;
I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM,
AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
19 “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT;
NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
20 “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF,
AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT OUT OUT,
UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY.
21 “AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.”  Matthew 12:18-21.

“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water;  and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”  Matthew 3:16-17.

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased;  listen to Him!”  Matthew 17:5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 13, 2019

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 8:1-11.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, they *said to Him (Jesus), “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.  Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women;  what then do You say?”  They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him.  But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground.  But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”  Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.  When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.  Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they?  Did no one condemn you?”  She said, “No one, Lord.”  And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either.  Go.  From now on sin no more.”]”  John 8:3-11.

——————

Other doctrine teaches that God does His part for salvation and we do our part.  

For example, other doctrine teaches that verse 11 in today’s Scripture means that Jesus does His part in not condemning us and we do our part in sinning no more.  

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that God does all that is needed for salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of God’s “Unconditional Election” through God’s “Limited Atonement” through God’s “Irresistible Grace” to the end of God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt. 

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”  John 3:17.

Notice that the foregoing John 3:17 verse does not end God’s part in salvation by the first part:  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world”.

There is a second part which continues God’s work in salvation:  “that the world might be saved through Him.”

When Jesus commanded the woman to sin no more, He did not leave the woman alone so that whether or not she sinned any more was dependent on her own willpower.

Rather, when Jesus commanded the woman to sin more, the command (“sin no more”) came with power and spirit as part of God’s work to accomplish that she did not sin any more:  “for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction;  just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.”  1 Thessalonians 1:5.

“It is the Spirit who gives life;  the flesh profits nothing;  the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”  John 6:63.

Consider what the Canons of Dordt states.

Article 3.  By reason of these remains of indwelling sin, and the temptations of sin and of the world, those who are converted could not persevere in a state of grace, if left to their own strength.  But God is faithful, who having conferred grace, mercifully confirms, and powerfully preserves them herein, even to the end.  FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints.

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.  To Him be dominion forever and ever.  Amen.”  1 Peter 5:10.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 12, 2019

“So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 7:40-53.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Some of the people therefore, when they heard these words, were saying, “This certainly is the Prophet.”  Others were saying, “This is the Christ.”  Still others were saying, “Surely the Christ is not going to come from Galilee, is He?  Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?”  So a division occurred in the crowd because of Him.  Some of them wanted to seize Him, but no one laid hands on Him.”  John 7:40-44.

——————-

“Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.”  But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?”  And there was a division among them.”  John 9:16.

“Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth?  I tell you, no, but rather division;  for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three.  They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”  Luke 12:51-53.

Other doctrine (which desires and therefore thinks that God loves everybody, Christ died for everyone, and that everyone is equal before God with basic goodness, wisdom, and will) is perplexed by such division.

But, Reformed Doctrine (which summarizes Scripture that God only loves His chosen people, Christ died for only His chosen people, and that only those elect are saved) joyfully receives such division as salvation.   

In the language of the following Canons of Dordt and Scripture, such division rescues us out of “the one common misery” and “this present evil age” and “domain of darkness” of “sin and destruction”.  God has called us “out of darkness into His marvelous light” and “separated” us out of all peoples to be “A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION”.

Article 7.  Election is the unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, he hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of his own will, chosen, from the whole human race, which had fallen through their own fault, from their primitive state of rectitude, into sin and destruction, a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ, whom he from eternity appointed the Mediator and Head of the elect, and the foundation of Salvation.

This elect number, though by nature neither better nor more deserving than the others, but with them involved in one common misery, God hath decreed to give to Christ, to be saved by him, and effectually to call and draw them to his communion by his Word and Spirit, to bestow upon them true faith, justification and sanctification; and having powerfully preserved them in the fellowship of his Son, finally, to glorify them for the demonstration of his mercy, and for the praise of his glorious grace … FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt. 

“For You have separated them from all the peoples of the earth as Your inheritance, as You spoke through Moses Your servant, when You brought our fathers forth from Egypt, O Lord God.”  1 Kings 8:53.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forevermore.  Amen.”   Galatians 1:3-5.

“For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”  Colossians 1:13-14.

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;  for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD;  you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”  1 Peter 2:9-10.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 11, 2019

“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

Today’s devotion comes from John 7:37-39.

“Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”  But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive;  for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”  John 7:37-39.

—————-

“13 O LORD, the hope of Israel,
All who forsake You will be put to shame.
Those who turn away on earth will be written down,
Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD.
14 Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
Save me and I will be saved,
For You are my praise.”  Jeremiah 17:13-14.

“I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land.  Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.’”  Ezekiel 37:4.

“Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”  John 4:10.

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did:  sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”  Romans 8:2-4.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  Romans 8:11.

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  …  But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;  but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.  But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:5-6 and 15-18.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  …”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“…  but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”  John 4:14.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 10, 2019

“I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 7:25-36.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7&version=NASB

“So some of the people of Jerusalem were saying, “Is this not the man whom they are seeking to kill?  Look, He is speaking publicly, and they are saying nothing to Him.  The rulers do not really know that this is the Christ, do they?  However, we know where this man is from;  but whenever the Christ may come, no one knows where He is from.”  Then Jesus cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know Me and know where I am from;  and I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.  I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.”  John 7:25-29.

—————

We can trust Jesus, because Jesus knows God.  Jesus is from God His Father Who sent Him.  Jesus can and has explained God His Father.  

“No one has seen God at any time;  the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”  John 1:18.

“Not that anyone has seen the Father, except the One who is from God;  He has seen the Father.”  John 6:46.

“Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life;  no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  John 14:6.

Therefore, because Jesus is the Son of God, it is more believable that God the Father only blesses us in His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth.  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:3-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 9, 2019

“Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Today’s devotion is from John 7:19-24.

“Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law?  Why do you seek to kill Me?”  The crowd answered, “You have a demon!  Who seeks to kill You?”  Jesus answered them, “I did one deed, and you all marvel.  For this reason Moses has given you circumcision (not because it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a man.  If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made an entire man well on the Sabbath?  Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”  John 7:19-24.

——————-

“For the Law was given through Moses;  grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.”  John 1:17.

The Pharisees loved using the Law to appear righteous.  But, they were “full of hypocrisy and lawlessness”.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.  So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  Matthew 23:27-28.

Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath.  He and His disciples plucked grain on the Sabbath.  He made friends with tax collectors and sinners.  But, Jesus was perfect and “without sin”.  

Jesus said:  “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’  Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”  Matthew 11:19.

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”  Hebrews 4:15.

The Pharisees were satisfied with appearing righteous:  “If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath so that the Law of Moses will not be broken”.

But, Jesus was satisfied with making others righteous.  

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One (Christ) the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:9.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14.

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”  Ephesians 5:25-27.

The Pharisees lay law upon law on the people:  “For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear, while you yourselves will not even touch the burdens with one of your fingers.”  Luke 11:46.  See also Matthew 23:4.

In contrast, Jesus gave us rest and His Spirit.  Jesus said:  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart;  and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.  For My yoke is easy, and My load is light”.  Matthew 11:28-29.

Christ tied up the heavy loads of the law and laid them on His own shoulders and gave us His Spirit as a yoke:  “in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit”.  Romans 8:4.

“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba!  Father!”  Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son;  and if a son, then an heir through God.”  Galatians 4:4-7.

“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,”  Philippians 3:8-9.

“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.  For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.  But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.”  Romans 7:4-6.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 7, 2019

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 7:10-18.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+7&version=NASB

I quote only the following verse.

“He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory;  but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”  John 7:18.

————————-

Other doctrine seeks its own glory, boasting of its own goodness, its own wisdom, its own will, and its own works.

But, Reformed Doctrine seek God’s glory, boasting in God for providing all that is needed for salvation from beginning to end:  from the beginning of God’s “Unconditional Election” through God’s “Limited Atonement” through God’s “Irresistible Grace” to the end of God’s “Preservation of the Saints”, the “U”, “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt.

Other doctrine portrays the god of its desire as primarily a reactor who is bound to man’s alleged free-will and primarily reacts to what man does;  this god of other doctrine is a pitiful character who knocks on the door of our hearts and then just waits and wrings his hands hoping that man will exercise his free-will and choose him but who realizes that most of those whom he loves and for whom Christ died will reject him.

But, Reformed Doctrine presents the God of Scripture Who is the Great and Triumphant Initiator, the Sovereign God Who is the Victorious Warrior Who saves every one of His elect who are the only ones whom God loved and the only ones for whom Christ died.

“The LORD your God is in your midst,
A victorious warrior.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  Zephaniah 3:17.

“Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;  but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth;  for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”  Jeremiah 9:23-24.

“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.”  So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”  Romans 9:15-16.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:30-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 6, 2019

“the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 7:1-9.

“After these things Jesus was walking in Galilee, for He was unwilling to walk in Judea because the Jews were seeking to kill Him.  Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was near.  Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing.  For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly.  If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.”  For not even His brothers were believing in Him.  So Jesus *said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.  The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.  Go up to the feast yourselves;  I do not go up to this feast because My time has not yet fully come.”  Having said these things to them, He stayed in Galilee.”  John 7:1-9.

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It is amazing to read in today’s Scripture:  “For not even His brothers were believing in Him.”  Verse 5.

And, we remember Jesus’ words in the prior chapter:   “And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.”  As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.”  John 6:65-66.

Like many of Jesus’ disciples, Jesus’ brothers saw many of Jesus’ miracles and heard Jesus’ teaching and otherwise observed Jesus Who was “full of grace and truth” and “the Light of the world” and in Whom was life and the fullness of God.  See John 1:4, John 1:16, John 8:12, and Colossians 1:19.  But, they still did not believe Jesus.

Other doctrine is much more popular which teaches the goodness, wisdom, and free-will of man.  But, such other doctrine does not explain why so many of Jesus’ other disciples and even Jesus’ brothers did not believe Jesus considering all these advantages that they had.

But, Reformed Doctrine’s teaching of man’s “Total Depravity” does explain it. 

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.
13 “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE,
WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,”
“THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”;
14 “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS”;
15 “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD,
16 DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS,
17 AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.”
18 “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.”  Romans 3:10-18.

“… you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.

Reformed Doctrine is not popular, because it teaches that man’s deeds are evil.

“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil.”  Verse 7.

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.  For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.”  John 3:19-20.

Reformed Doctrine understands and teaches that man’s only chance for salvation is that it has been granted to him by God the Father summarized by God’s “Unconditional Election”.

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;  not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”  Ephesians 2:4-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | June 5, 2019

“Did I Myself not choose you …?”

Today’s devotion comes from John 6:67-71.

“So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?”  Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.  We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.”  Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?”  Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him.”  John 6:67-71.

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Other doctrine focuses on man and man’s alleged free-will choice of Christ and gives man at least some credit and glory.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God as the cause of why we believe and gives God all the credit for our faith and all the glory. 

Jesus reminds us that we believe in Him, because we were chosen by God.  Notice that in response to Peter’s confession of faith, Jesus does not praise Peter, but rather Jesus states:  “Did I Myself not choose you …?”

In a similar Scripture in which Peter likewise made a confession of faith, Jesus likewise credited God for Peter’s faith.  “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 16:16-17.

Consider the following from the Canons of Dordt.

Article 9.  This election was not founded upon foreseen faith, and the obedience of faith, holiness, or any other good quality of disposition in man, as the pre-requisite, cause or condition on which it depended;  but men are chosen to faith and to the obedience of faith, holiness, etc., therefore election is the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself, as its fruits and effects, according to that of the apostle:  “He hath chosen us (not because we were) but that we should be holy, and without blame, before him in love,”  Ephesians 1:4.  FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination.

Article 14.  Faith is therefore to be considered as the gift of God, not on account of its being offered by God to man, to be accepted or rejected at his pleasure;  but because it is in reality conferred, breathed, and infused into him;  or even because God bestows the power or ability to believe, and then expects that man should by the exercise of his own free will, consent to the terms of that salvation, and actually believe in Christ; but because he who works in man both to will and to do, and indeed all things in all, produces both the will to believe, and the act of believing also.  THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.  …”  Ephesians 1:3-4.

“For who regards you as superior?  What do you have that you did not receive?  And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?”  1 Corinthians 4:7.

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

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