Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 8, 2019

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 3:1-8.

“Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;  this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher;  for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus *said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old?  He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?”  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;  so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  John 3:1-8.

—————–

Other doctrine teaches that the will of man determines who will be saved.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that the will of God determines who will be saved:  “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:13.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Verse 3.

Other doctrine teaches that you can see when one is born again, because it occurs through a visible action of man’s will such as the action of man to walk up in response to a public altar call.

But, Reformed Doctrine teaches that you cannot see when one is born again, because it occurs through God’s invisible action of giving His Spirit to His elect, regenerating them, causing them to be born of the Spirit.

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;  so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”  Verse 8.

Reformed Doctrine labels it “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  Here is what the Canons of Dordt states about it in the section “THIRD AND FOURTH HEADS OF DOCTRINE Of the Corruption of Man, His Conversion to God, and the Manner Thereof”.

Article 11.  But when God accomplishes his good pleasure in the elect, or works in them true conversion, he not only causes the gospel to be externally preached to them, and powerfully illumines their minds by his Holy Spirit, that they may rightly understand and discern the things of the Spirit of God;  but by the efficacy of the same regenerating Spirit, pervades the inmost recesses of the man;  he opens the closed, and softens the hardened heart, and circumcises that which was uncircumcised, infuses new qualities into the will, which though heretofore dead, he quickens;  from being evil, disobedient and refractory, he renders it good, obedient, and pliable;  actuates and strengthens it, that like a good tree, it may bring forth the fruits of good actions.

Article 12.  And this is the regeneration so highly celebrated in Scripture, and denominated a new creation:  a resurrection from the dead, a making alive, which God works in us without our aid.  But this is in no wise effected merely by the external preaching of the gospel, by moral suasion, or such a mode of operation, that after God has performed his part, it still remains in the power of man to be regenerated or not, to be converted, or to continue unconverted;  but it is evidently a supernatural work, most powerful, and at the same time most delightful, astonishing, mysterious, and ineffable;  not inferior in efficacy to creation, or the resurrection from the dead, as the Scripture inspired by the author of this work declares;  so that all in whose heart God works in this marvelous manner, are certainly, infallibly, and effectually regenerated, and do actually believe.  –  Whereupon the will thus renewed, is not only actuated and influenced by God, but in consequence of this influence, becomes itself active.  Wherefore also, man is himself rightly said to believe and repent, by virtue of that grace received.

Article 13.  The manner of this operation cannot be fully comprehended by believers in this life.  Notwithstanding which, they rest satisfied with knowing and experiencing, that by this grace of God they are enabled to believe with the heart, and love their Savior.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1 Peter 1:1-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 7, 2019

“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, … for He Himself knew what was in man.” – “Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 2:23-25.

“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing.  But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,  and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”  John 2:23-25.

—————–

“Do not trust in princes,
In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.”  Psalm 146:3.

There are those who sincerely believe in Christ, but they want to dictate and micro-manage the mission of others.  

Jesus’ disciple Peter was an example.  Peter believed in Christ, but there was a time when Peter wanted to dictate and micro-manage the mission of Jesus.

“From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.  Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord!  This shall never happen to You.”  But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to Me;  for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”  Matthew 16:21-23.

In other words, there are many good things that we can do, and other Christians often try to make us do the good that they want according to their own interests and agenda.  But, we only have time for the best, and we need to focus on the best and do what we have been uniquely gifted by God and prepared by God and guided by God to do.

There are also those family members and close friends who appear to believe in Christ and who appear to believe in us, but they sincerely do neither.

“He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.”  John 1:11.

“Is not this the carpenter’s son?  Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?  And His sisters, are they not all with us?  Where then did this man get all these things?”  And they took offense at Him.  But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”  And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”  Matthew 13:55-58.

“For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him.  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 6:64-66.

And, there are also others who really do not believe in Christ and they simply want to lead us astray or do just secular things. 

Generally, Jesus understood the heart of man and did not entrust Himself to man.

“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men,  and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”  Verses 24-25.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else
And is desperately sick;
Who can understand it?”  Jeremiah 17:9.

Reformed Doctrine label it “Total Depravity”. 

We should trust God, not man.

“8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD
Than to trust in princes.”  Psalm 118:8-9.

“5 Thus says the LORD,
“Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind
And makes flesh his strength,
And whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 “For he will be like a bush in the desert
And will not see when prosperity comes,
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness,
A land of salt without inhabitant.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD
And whose trust is the LORD.
8 “For he will be like a tree planted by the water,
That extends its roots by a stream
And will not fear when the heat comes;
But its leaves will be green,
And it will not be anxious in a year of drought
Nor cease to yield fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:5-8.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 6, 2019

“… Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her” – “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 2:12-25.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.  And He found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen;  and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;  and to those who were selling the doves He said, “Take these things away;  stop making My Father’s house a place of business.”  His disciples remembered that it was written, “ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.”  The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?”  Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”  The Jews then said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”  But He was speaking of the temple of His body.  So when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this;  and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had spoken.”  John 2:13-22.

——————-

“ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME.” points to the zeal that Christ has for us, the church, the body of Christ, the temple of God. 

The cleansing of the temple by Jesus points to the cleansing of the church, the body of Christ, the temple of God.

“… 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.

“…  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.”  2 Corinthians 6:16.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Ephesians 2:19-22.

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,”  Revelation 21:2-3.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 5, 2019

“according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 2:1-11.

“On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; and both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.  When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us?  My hour has not yet come.”  His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  Now there were six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification, containing twenty or thirty gallons each.  Jesus *said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.”  So they filled them up to the brim.  And He *said to them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”  So they took it to him.  When the headwaiter tasted the water which had become wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter *called the bridegroom, and *said to him, “Every man serves the good wine first, and when the people have drunk freely, then he serves the poorer wine; but you have kept the good wine until now.”  This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.”  John 2:1-11.

—————–

Jesus manifested the lavishness of His grace.

It would have been good enough if Jesus made a little wine or just enough to meet the need.  But, Jesus made about 150 gallons of wine.

It would have been good enough if Jesus made wine that was similar quality to what was provided to the guests before.  But, Jesus made good wine, better that what was provided to the guests at the beginning of the wedding reception.

“…  My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, …”  Psalm 23:5-6.

“… according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.  …”  Ephesians 1:7-8.

“The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain;

A banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow,
And refined, aged wine.”  Isaiah 25:6.

Jesus also manifested the truth of the superiority of His grace over the Law.

The Law would hold the bridegroom accountable for not providing enough wine.

“Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;”  Romans 3:19.

“However, the Law is not of faith;  on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM.”  Galatians 3:12.

“When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus *said to Him, “They have no wine.”  And Jesus made the following statement to show that the Law did not require Him to do anything:  “Woman, what does that have to do with us?  My hour has not yet come.”

But, Jesus’ mother had faith in Jesus.  “His mother *said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”  And, Jesus provided lavish grace.

“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 8:3-4.

Moreover, Jesus could have used secular, earthly, customary containers of water like pitchers.  But, Jesus used six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification which represented the Law in order to manifest the truth of the superiority of His grace over the Law.  

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;  and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.  When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”  Colossians 2:13-15.

Thus, in this sense, Jesus used six stone waterpots set there for the Jewish custom of purification which represented the Law in order to make a public display of them, showing His grace triumphed over the Law. 

“… mercy triumphs over judgment.”  James 2:13.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 3, 2019

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:43-51.

“The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He *found Philip.  And Jesus *said to him, “Follow Me.”  Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter.  Philip *found Nathanael and *said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”  Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”  Philip *said to him, “Come and see.”  Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and *said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”  Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”  Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God;  You are the King of Israel.”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe?  You will see greater things than these.”  And He *said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”  John 1:43-51.

——————–

We tend to be unbelieving and to be continually seeking more and better signs before we believe.

“Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”  But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign;  and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet;”  Matthew 12:38-39.

But, Nathaniel, when presented with a “minor” sign from Jesus that could have been explained away and doubted by Nathaniel, believed and confessed Jesus.  “Nathanael *said to Him, “How do You know me?”  Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”  Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God;  You are the King of Israel.”  Verses 48-49.

The lesson from Nathaniel (and also from Abraham) is that we should not waver in unbelief nor seek more and better signs before we believe, but rather we should believe what sign and the the promises of God in Scripture that God does give us.

“yet, with respect to the promise of God, he (Abraham) did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.  THEREFORE IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Romans 5:20-22.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 2, 2019

“my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:35-42.

“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”  The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.  And Jesus turned and saw them following, and *said to them, “What do you seek?”  They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?”  He *said to them, “Come, and you will see.”  So they came and saw where He was staying;  and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.  One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ).  He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John;  you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).”  John 1:35-42.

——————

Consider that there were not lengthy, flowery, nor persuasive words that were used that made disciples.

Each (“Behold, the Lamb of God!”, “What do you seek?”, “Come, and you will see.”, and “We have found the Messiah”) was five words or less.  Each was a simple and short declaration or question or invitation.

Other doctrine is based on man’s wisdom, man’s alleged free-will, and man’s works, and it needs such lengthy, flowery, or persuasive words to make disciples.  

But, Reformed Doctrine is based on God’s wisdom, God’s will, and God’s work, and it needs none of that lengthy, flowery, nor persuasive words to make disciples.  

“And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.  For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.  I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.”  1 Corinthians 2:1-5.

We see that Paul’s message and preaching was simply “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”.

Reformed Doctrine teaches what was accomplished by “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” in “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt.

“Article 8.  For this was the sovereign counsel, and most gracious will and purpose of God the Father, that the quickening and saving efficacy of the most precious death of his Son should extend to all the elect, for bestowing upon them alone the gift of justifying faith, thereby to bring them infallibly to salvation:  that is, it was the will of God, that Christ by the blood of the cross, whereby he confirmed the new covenant, should effectually redeem out of every people, tribe, nation, and language, all those, and those only, who were from eternity chosen to salvation, and given to him by the Father;  that he should confer upon them faith, which together with all the other saving gifts of the Holy Spirit, he purchased for them by his death; should purge them from all sin, both original and actual, whether committed before or after believing;  and having faithfully preserved them even to the end, should at last bring them free from every spot and blemish to the enjoyment of glory in his own presence forever.  SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation …”  Romans 1:16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | May 1, 2019

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” – “this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.” – “this is the Son of God.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:19-34.  Here is a link to this Scripture –  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.  They asked him, and said to him, “Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”  John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.  It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”  These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is He on behalf of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’  I did not recognize Him, but so that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water.”  John testified saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him.  I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’  I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”  John 1:24-34.

—————-

Most importantly, we notice the testimony and confession of John the Baptist as to Who Jesus is. 

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

“this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.”

“this is the Son of God.”

But, we also notice the humility of John the Baptist.

“After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”

“the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

These points should cause us to consider that when we preach or teach, do we testify and confess Who Jesus is and what He has done?

Or, do we testify and confess who we are and what we have done?

Despite Jesus stating that no one was greater than John (Luke 7:28), John the Baptist understood:  “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3:30.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 30, 2019

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

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:14-18.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’”  For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.  For the Law was given through Moses;  grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.  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 1:14-18.

——————–

“Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet none of you carries out the Law?  …”  John 7:19.

“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 8:3-4.

“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.

“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.

“Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.”  Acts 13:38-39.

“For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.”  Romans 10:3-5.

“But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was, how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?  For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.”  2 Corinthians 3:7-9.

“Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech, and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.  But their minds were hardened;  for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.  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 3:12-18.

“For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, while it is said,

“TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE,
DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS, AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME.”

For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?  And with whom was He angry for forty years?  Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?  And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient?  So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief.”  Hebrews 3:14-19.

“You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law;  you have fallen from grace.  For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:4-5.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 29, 2019

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:4-12.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

…

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.  He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”  John 1:4-5 and 9-12.

—————

Without an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, there would seem to be inconsistent statements in today’s Scripture.

One may have trouble reconciling that Christ was “the Light of men” with “the darkness did not comprehend it”.

One may have trouble reconciling “There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.” with “the world did not know Him”.

One may have trouble reconciling “those who were His own did not receive Him” with “But as many as received Him”.

One may have trouble reconciling there were “those who believe in His name” with “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

But, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand man’s natural condition to be “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  We are “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1-5.    None of us is righteous, none understands, none of us seeks God, and none does good.  Romans 3:10-18.  We are hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We are in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

Thus, we understand through “Total Depravity” that “the darkness did not comprehend it” and “the world did not know Him” and “those who were His own did not receive Him”.

And, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand God’s “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP”.  Because of man’s natural condition of “Total Depravity”, there is nothing in us that motivates God to choose us for salvation.  God’s election of those He chooses to save is unconditional, namely that there is no condition supplied by man whether it be works or will that motivates God to elect certain individuals for salvation.  “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.

Thus, we understand through “Unconditional Election” that God saves those “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.”

And, with an understanding of Reformed Doctrine, we understand God’s “Irresistible Grace”, the “I” of “TULIP”.  God irresistibly draws His elect to Jesus.  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”  John 6:37.  “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day.”  John 6:39.

Thus, we understand through “Irresistible Grace”, that for all of God’s elect and for only God’s elect, God “enlightens every man” and God causes them to “believe in His name” and God “gave the right to become children of God”.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 28, 2019

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – “it is these that testify about Me” – “You have words of eternal life.”

Today’s devotion comes from John 1:1-3.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”  John 1:1-3.

——————–

In today’s devotion, we meditate on the use of a metaphor, “the Word”, to describe Jesus.

But first, we acknowledge that today’s Scripture establishes the divine nature of Jesus Christ.  Consider the following summary provided by The Belgic Confession.

“Article 10:  That Jesus Christ is true and eternal God.

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only begotten Son of God, begotten from eternity, not made nor created (for then he should be a creature), but co-essential and co-eternal with the Father, the express image of his person, and the brightness of his glory, equal unto him in all things.  He is the Son of God, not only from the time that he assumed our nature, but from all eternity, as these testimonies, when compared together, teach us.  …”  The Belgic Confession. 

The use of a metaphor, “the Word”, to describe Jesus reminds us that we need the perfect, complete, and eternal Word of God to describe Him.  It also reminds us of the danger of even partially basing our understanding of Jesus Christ on paintings, statues, and other representations of Jesus made by human artists.

Most importantly, such representations of Jesus made by human artists are forbidden by Scripture (the Ten Commandments).

“‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.  You shall not worship them or serve them;  for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.”  Deuteronomy 5:8-10.

Such representations of Jesus made by sinful man give us a defective, partial, and sinful image of Jesus Christ and tempt us to trust those representations instead of solely trusting the Word of God to describe Jesus.

Consider some of what Scripture states about the Word of God describing Jesus.  

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life;  it is these that testify about Me;”  John 5:39.

“Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”  Luke 24:44.

“but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;  and that believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:31.

And, not only do we need the perfect, complete, and eternal Word of God to describe Jesus Christ, Jesus Himself has the words of eternal life. 

“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God;  for He gives the Spirit without measure.”  John 3:34.

“Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have words of eternal life.”  John 6:68.

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