Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 23, 2018

“God has joined together” husband and wife “so they are no longer two, but one flesh.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 10:1-12.

“Getting up, He *went from there to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan;  crowds *gathered around Him again, and, according to His custom, He once more began to teach them.

Some Pharisees came up to Jesus, testing Him, and began to question Him whether it was lawful for a man to divorce a wife.  And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”  They said, “Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE AND SEND her AWAY.”  But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.  But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.  FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME FLESH;  so they are no longer two, but one flesh.  What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

In the house the disciples began questioning Him about this again.  And He *said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;  and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”  Mark 10:1-12.

———————

“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “and him who covers his garment with wrong,” says the Lord of hosts.  “So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously.”  Malachi 2:16.

“YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.”  Exodus 20:14.  “And He *said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her;  and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery.”  Verses 11-12.

Of course, these commandments are “holy and righteous and good” (see Romans 7:12), but if we cannot obey “YOU SHALL NOT COVET”, because “… sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind” (see Romans 7:7-8), then why do we think we can obey “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY.”?!

Nevertheless, other doctrine still focuses on man and what man should do to avoid adultery and divorce.

But, Reformed Doctrine focuses on God and what God has done to avoid adultery and divorce.

Reformed Doctrine looks at today’s Scripture and focuses on how “God has joined together” husband and wife “so they are no longer two, but one flesh.” and thinks first of all more generally of how God has joined us to Christ as the general solution of how we live righteously.

“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.

Consider that the very example of the reasoning for this general solution concerns the specific problem of adultery and how it can be avoided.

“For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living;  but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.  So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress;  but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.”  Romans 7:2-3.

Reformed Doctrine also looks at other benefits, that are more specific benefits, of God’s work:  “God has joined together” husband and wife “so they are no longer two, but one flesh.”

First, “… husbands … love their own wives as their own bodies.  He who loves his own wife loves himself;  for no one ever hated his own flesh,”  Ephesians 5:28-29.

Second, the children of a husband and wife remind them of the blessedness of their union.  And, what loving parent would want to take away the parent of their child through divorce?!

Third, God made the wife to be “a helper suitable” to her husband.  “Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone;  I will make him a helper suitable for him.  …  The LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man.  The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones,
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife;  and they shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:18 and 20-24.

“11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.”  Proverbs 31:11-12.

Fourth, God made the wife to desire her husband, such that she is content to stay at home.  “… Yet your desire will be for your husband, And he will rule over you.”  Genesis 3:16.

“3 Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
Within your house,
Your children like olive plants
Around your table.
4 Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed
Who fears the LORD.”  Psalm 128:3-4.

Fifth, God made the husband to desire his wife.

“19 As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love.
20 For why should you, my son, be exhilarated with an adulteress
And embrace the bosom of a foreigner?”  Proverbs 5:19-20.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 21, 2018

“You are the salt of the earth”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:49-50.

“For everyone will be salted with fire.  Salt is good;  but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again?  Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”  Mark 9:49-50.

—————-

First, today’s Scripture states:  “For everyone will be salted with fire.”  In regards to being salted with fire, we will experience temporary fiery ordeals for our testing.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”  1 Peter 4:12-13.

Second, today’s Scripture states and questions:  “Salt is good;  but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again?”

We see churches lose its saltiness and become tasteless by trying to be like every other church.  We see churches try to hide or obscure their distinctive and unusual beliefs.  We see churches post outdoor signs that identify it as a community church or other non-descriptive words that do not include their denomination.  We see churches bury their beliefs deep in their website or state their beliefs so generally that they could belong to just about any church.  We see churches emphasize its social missions, social activities, youth and children ministries on the Home page of their web site and front cover of their magazines, rather than show “up front” and clearly the distinctive beliefs that they preach and teach.

But, Reformed Doctrine heeds the call to be salty, distinctive and different from other doctrine and other people, particularly in its doctrine of salvation summarized by “TULIP” which emphasizes God’s “Unconditional Election” of people to salvation.  Election also known as predestination is offensive to most people, but Reformed Doctrine embraces it calling it “the fountain of every saving good;  from which proceed faith, holiness, and the other gifts of salvation, and finally eternal life itself”.  Article 9 of FIRST HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of Divine Predestination of Canons of Dordt. 

“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.

“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.

Third, today’s Scripture exhorts us to “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” 

We have salt in ourselves by “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.”  Titus 1:9.

Although we are salty, different from other doctrine and distinctive, and ready and able to “exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict”, we must also be at peace with one another in the sense that we can not be arrogant nor abrasive.  We cannot think that we came to an understanding of Reformed Doctrine by our own wisdom, will, or goodness.

“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.

“… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith;  take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:11-12.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 20, 2018

“the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:42-48.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.  If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off;  it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell,  [where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]  If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off;  it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.]  If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out;  it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.”  Mark 9:42-48.

——————-

As horrific as it is to think about cutting off a part of the body, if it was necessary and helpful to avoid the much more horrific hell, it would be worth it.

But, the problem is that we cannot get rid of sin that “easily”.

Other doctrine believes that we just need more wisdom to know the Law and more will to obey the Law, all of which other doctrine believes is within us.

But, Reformed Doctrine rightly understands Scripture that sin does not just affect a few parts of the body, but sin affects all the members of the body including the heart deep within us, and that sin does not just affect or injure us, we are dead in sin.  Reformed Doctrine labels this natural condition of man “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

Reformed Doctrine rightly understands Scripture that we we need to be made alive, we need a new heart and a new spirit, and we need all of our body of flesh to be cut off, so to speak.  And, only God can do all of that.

Our hope is not based on the Law.  Our hope is based on Christ alone.

Our hope is not based on us cutting off a part of the body causing us to stumble.  Our hope is based on Christ cutting off “the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ” as stated in the following Scripture.

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  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 2:9-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 19, 2018

“For he who is not against us is for us.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:38-41.

“John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.”  But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.  For he who is not against us is for us.  For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward.”  Mark 9:38-41.

——————–

How do we reconcile today’s Scripture (“For he who is not against us is for us.”  Verse 40.) with the following Scripture?

“He who is not with Me is against Me;  and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”  Matthew 12:30.

Matthew 12:30 refers to the sharp distinction between God’s elect and the non-elect that we see in other Scriptures (for examples, John 15:18-25, Matthew 7:15-20, and 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Today’s Scripture addresses the concerns that the disciples had, and we may have, that others do not “hang with us” nor do the same things in the same way that we do.  Also, remember the context of today’s Scripture is the immediate preceding Scripture (Matthew 9:33-37) in which Jesus addressed the discussion of the disciples with one another which of them was the greatest.  Neither the disciples then nor us today should feel superior toward others nor feel that we do not need others.

Christ is sovereign.  Christ is the Head of His church.  Christ will build His church.

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.  This I command you, that you love one another.”  John 15:16-17.

As one example, Christ brought in the Gentiles with the Jews “… both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.  And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.  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 2:16-22.

As another example, we have different gifts and functions in the church and cannot say to one another “I have no need of you”.

“For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.  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.

For the body is not one member, but many.  If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body.  If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be?  If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be?  But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.  If they were all one member, where would the body be?  But now there are many members, but one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”;  or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;  and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, whereas our more presentable members have no need of it.  But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it;  if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.  And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues.  All are not apostles, are they?  All are not prophets, are they?  All are not teachers, are they?  All are not workers of miracles, are they?  All do not have gifts of healings, do they?  All do not speak with tongues, do they?  All do not interpret, do they?  But earnestly desire the greater gifts.”  1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 18, 2018

“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:30-37.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“They came to Capernaum;  and when He was in the house, He began to question them, “What were you discussing on the way?”  But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.  Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”  Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me;  and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”  Mark 9:33-37.

——————-

It is difficult enough to merely understand how one can be first by being “last of all and servant of all.”  The world considers it foolishness at once and gives it no further thought.  Even Christians may rush through this Scripture onto the next one without giving it due thought.

But, it is even more difficult to want and be “last of all and servant of all.”  “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh;  for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”  Galatians 5:17.

It helps us take the first step of at least trying to understand Jesus’ statement by considering Jesus’ example:  “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:26.

And, it helps us to take the second step of wanting to be “last of all and servant of all.” by realizing the reward of doing so.  “Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me;  and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me.”  Verse 37.

But, we need more than just understanding the rewards of being “last of all and servant of all.”  We need God’s Spirit which produces the fruit of the Spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;  against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23.

“… through love serve one another.”  Galatians 5:13.

But, this is not our human love which is really only self-centered and self-interested.

We need God’s love;  “the fruit of the Spirit is love”, and through this love, “serve one another.”

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 17, 2018

“All things are possible to him who believes.” – “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:9-29.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+9&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them.  Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him.  And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?”  And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;  and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out.  I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.”  And He *answered them and *said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I put up with you?  Bring him to Me!”  They brought the boy to Him.  When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.  And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”  And he said, “From childhood.  It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.  But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”  And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’  All things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe;  help my unbelief.”  When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.”  After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out;  and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!”  But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him;  and he got up.  When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?”  And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”  Mark 9:14-29.

————————–

In today’s Scripture, we will meditate on Jesus’ statement:  “All things are possible to him who believes.” and the father’s statement:  “I do believe;  help my unbelief.”

First, regarding “All things are possible to him who believes.”, this is not a faith that we create or generate or “drum up” by our own ability;  it is a faith that we receive from Christ and that faith is His instrument for His purpose.

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:  Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”  2 Peter 1:1-3.

“I can do all things through Him (Christ) who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13.

“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.

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.

Second, regarding “I do believe;  help my unbelief.”, God understands our weaknesses and can and does sympathize with our weaknesses, and God helps our weaknesses.

“A bruised reed He will not break
And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish;
He will faithfully bring forth justice.”  Isaiah 42:3.

“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness;  for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;  and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:26-27.

“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.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 16, 2018

“This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 9:1-8.

“And Jesus was saying to them, “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Six days later, Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John, and *brought them up on a high mountain by themselves.  And He was transfigured before them;  and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.  Elijah appeared to them along with Moses;  and they were talking with Jesus.  Peter *said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here;  let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  For he did not know what to answer;  for they became terrified.  Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”  All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone.”  Mark 9:1-8.

——————

We point to Jesus and His works and His words, and then we disappear.

Some like to talk.

We listen to God.

“This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!”

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

Q. 30.  Do such then believe in Jesus the only Savior, who seek their salvation and welfare of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else?

A.  They do not;  for though they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus the only deliverer and Savior;  for one of these two things must be true, either that Jesus is not a complete Savior, or that they who by a true faith receive this Savior must find all things in Him necessary to their salvation.  Heidelberg Catechism.

“All things have been handed over to Me by My Father;  and no one knows the Son except the Father;  nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.”  Matthew 11:27.

“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.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  He is also head of the body, the church;  and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.  For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;  through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”  Colossians 1:13-20.

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;  and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;  having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  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 2:9-15.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 14, 2018

“not My will, but Yours be done” – for our life but also for the gospel.

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 8:34-38.

“And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.  For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?  For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”  Mark 8:34-38.

—————–

At the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus considered all of the suffering that He would experience which would conclude with the loss of His life, and He began to pray “saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me;  yet not My will, but Yours be done.”  Luke 22:42.

Jesus literally lost His life.  “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.”  Acts 2:24.

We may not literally lose our life, but we will lose our will being done for our life, and instead, God’s Will for our life will be done.  We may not be rich and famous as we may have hoped.  We may be a missionary or a minister.  Or, we may also be a farmer, the salt of the earth, who is also an elder of a church in a small farming community.  We may be a Christian school teacher.  Or, we may also be a “stay at home” mother in obscurity taking care of her husband and children.  But, for Christ’s sake, God will save our life and use our life to accomplish the purpose of Christ and kingdom of Christ.

But, there is also the aspect of losing our life for “gospel’s sake”.

Other doctrine tries to save its life by claiming that its own alleged free-will is the determining factor as who will be saved.  Other doctrine vainly tries to save the pride of man and cries out:  “My will, not Your will, be done!”

But, Reformed Doctrine loses its pride and its grip on alleged free-will in humble admission of its “Total Depravity” and in humble submission to the sovereignty of God as the determining factor as who will be saved.  Reformed Doctrine cries out:  “Thy will, not my will, be done!”

Reformed Doctrine is often ridiculed, but it is in conformity to the Scriptures and is in recognition and submission to “Unconditional Election”, the Will of God as to who will be saved, which is the “U” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.

For Reformed Doctrine, there is only one gospel as more fully summarized in the Canons of Dordt, and it is based on God’s Will, God’s “Unconditional Election”.  It may be difficult to find a church that faithfully preaches and teaches it, and as we search for it, we may lose favor with churches and denominations and Christian family and friends, and in that sense lose our life for the gospel’s sake, but that is the only gospel that we seek and that is the only gospel that will save us.

“Article 15.  …  Satan abhors it;  the world ridicules it;  the ignorant and hypocrite abuse, and heretics oppose it;  but the spouse of Christ hath always most tenderly loved and constantly defended it, as an inestimable treasure;  and God, against whom neither counsel nor strength can prevail, will dispose her to continue this conduct to the end.  Now, to this one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, forever. AMEN.  FIFTH HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Perseverance of the Saints of Canons of Dordt.

“… not My will, but Yours be done.”  Luke 22:42.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 13, 2018

God’s interests: “In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 8:27-33.

“Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi;  and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?”  They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist;  and others say Elijah;  but others, one of the prophets.”  And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.”  And He warned them to tell no one about Him.

And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.  And He was stating the matter plainly.  And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.  But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, “Get behind Me, Satan;  for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”  Mark 8:27-33.

———————-

Man’s interests for Jesus would likely be to set up Jesus as some earthly king who would do what they want such as to protect them and bestow favors of their choice on them.

But, God’s interests was to redeem His elect through the death of Christ.  “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”  Verse 31.

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.

Article 9.  This purpose proceeding from everlasting love towards the elect, has from the beginning of the world to this day been powerfully accomplished, and will henceforward still continue to be accomplished, notwithstanding all the ineffectual opposition of the gates of hell, so that the elect in due time may be gathered together into one, and that there never may be wanting a church composed of believers, the foundation of which is laid in the blood of Christ, which may steadfastly love, and faithfully serve him as their Savior, who as a bridegroom for his bride, laid down his life for them upon the cross, and which may celebrate his praises here and through all eternity.   SECOND HEAD OF DOCTRINE Of the Death of Christ, and the Redemption of Men Thereby of Canons of Dordt.

“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”  Ephesians 1:3-9.

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Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | September 12, 2018

“Pour out your heart before Him” – “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”

Today’s devotion comes from Mark 8:22-26.

“And they *came to Bethsaida.  And they *brought a blind man to Jesus and *implored Him to touch him.  Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”  And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.”  Then again He laid His hands on his eyes;  and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly.  And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”   Mark 8:22-26.

———

Jesus did not need two attempts to heal the blind man.

“‘Ah Lord GOD!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You,” Jeremiah 32:17.

Jesus did not need to ask the blind man:  “Do you see anything?”

“Even before there is a word on my tongue,
Behold, O LORD, You know it all.”  Psalm 139:4.

Jesus did the healing in two attempts and asked that question for the benefit of the blind man and to teach us a lesson today.

The blind man could have been satisfied with seeing something.  The blind man could have simply and truthfully answered:  “Yes.”  Note that Jesus did not ask him about the quality of his new vision, but simply asked him:  “Do you see anything?”

The blind man went beyond thus just answering Jesus question by a simple “Yes” to fully disclose exactly what He saw (and needed – more healing):  “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.”

“Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us.  Selah.”  Psalm 62:8.

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,
The God who is our salvation. Selah.”  Psalm 68:19.

“Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will bear you!
I have done it, and I will carry you;
And I will bear you and I will deliver you.”  Isaiah 46:4.

“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:7.

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