Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 6, 2012

By faith, we “lay aside the old self” and “put on the new self”.

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 4:17-24.
 
“So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;  and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
 
But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:17-24.
 
—————————-
 
We “lay aside the old self”, and we “put on the new self”.  How do we “lay aside the old self” and “put on the new self”?
 
First, here is how we don’t do it.  We don’t just try harder.  We don’t perfect ourselves by the flesh.  “Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”  Galatians 3:3.  We don’t go running back to the Law for help to lay aside the old self and put on the new self.  “But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin?  May it never be!  For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor.  For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.  I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”  Galatians 2:17-21.
 
Rather, here is how we “lay aside the old self” and “put on the new self”.  We seek to “be renewed in the spirit” of our mind.  By faith, we remember and trust what God has done for us.  “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.’  Galatians 5:24.  “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?  Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  Galatians 3:5-6.  “For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.”  Galatians 5:5
 
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
                             
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.  For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.  But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.  Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.”  Colossians 3:1-11.
                              
“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.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4.
                                            

In summary, by faith, we “lay aside the old self”, and we “put on the new self” through “knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”.  “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.”  It is a faith, but it is not a blind faith.  It is a faith based on “knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”.  It is a faith continually “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith …”  Hebrews 12:2.  

“BUT MY RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH; AND IF HE SHRINKS BACK, MY SOUL HAS NO PLEASURE IN HIM.”  Hebrews 10:38

“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13

“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.

Comments Off on By faith, we “lay aside the old self” and “put on the new self”.

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 5, 2012

Christ and His true Church

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 4:7-16.
 
“7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
 
8 Therefore it says,
“WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH,
HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES,
AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.”
                                      

9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, so that He might fill all things.)

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

13 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.

14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;

15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,

16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.  Ephesians 4:7-16.

—————————-

Christ is in control.  Christ is the head of His body, His church.  Christ builds up His body by giving gifts “for the equipping of the saints for the work of service”.  From Christ, His whole body is fitted together and held together.  From Christ, His whole body grows “for the building up of itself in love”.  Today’s Scripture has God’s sovereignty written all over it.

In the true Church, we find these gifts of Christ.  In the true Church, we find apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors. and teachers.  In the true Church, we find fellow saints with whom we are fitted together and held together.  In the true Church, we are equipped for service.  In the true church, we all attain to the unity of the faith.  In the true Church, we all gain the knowledge of Christ to become mature, fully developed to the “measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ”. In the true Church, we are harbored and protected from being “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine”.  In the true Church, we all grow “for the building up of itself in love”.  Today’s Scripture also has the importance of the true Church written all over it.

Through understanding these two points, God’s sovereignty and the importance of the true Church in mind, we can also better understand Article 28 of the Reformed Belgic Confession.

Article 28:  That every one is bound to join himself to the true Church.

We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and that out of it there is no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw himself, to live in a separate state from it;  but that all men are in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it;  maintaining the unity of the Church;  submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof;  bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ;  and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them.  And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the word of God, to separate themselves from all those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this congregation, wheresoever God hath established it, even though the magistrates and edicts of princes were against it, yea, though they should suffer death or any other corporal punishment.  Therefore all those, who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God.

So, what is “the true Church”?  Here is part of Article 29 of the Reformed Belgic Confession.   

Article 29:  Of the marks of the true Church, and wherein she differs from the false Church.

We believe, that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church.  But we speak not here of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it;  but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects, who call themselves the Church.  The marks, by which the true Church is known, are these:  if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein;  if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ;  if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin:  in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.  Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself. …”

Comments Off on Christ and His true Church

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 4, 2012

The Unity of the Spirit

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 4:1-6.
 
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  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.”  Ephesians 4:1-6. 
 
————————-
 
Above all, the Spirit causes the unity.  Although we are called to humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance, and love, it is the Spirit that causes the unity.  We are called to “preserve” it, not create it. 
 
“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.”  This is all God’s work, all the Lord’s doing. 
 
So, there is hope!      
 
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;  bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone;  just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.  Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;  and be thankful.  Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:12-17.
 
And, these things that we do to “preserve” the unity (which are humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance, love, compassion, kindness, and peace) are all 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.
 
“Are you so foolish?  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”  Galatians 3:3.
 
“But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.  But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”  Galatians 5:15-16.
 
Likewise, in today’s Scripture, we are called to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called”.  In other words, we were begun by the Spirit, we were called to “walk by the Spirit”, we bear the desired fruit by the Spirit, and we are called by today’s Scripture to continue that “walk” in the same manner, realizing the oneness of all that the Spirit has done.  In summary, it is “the unity of the Spirit”.

Comments Off on The Unity of the Spirit

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 3, 2012

Marvelous! To God be the glory!!

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 3:20-21.
 
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21.
 
——————————-
 
Paul spoke these words from his own personal experience and conviction.  “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,”  Ephesians 3:8.  It was amazing to Paul that God would choose him (Paul) for this work:  “For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;”  Galatians 1:13.  “But the Lord said to him (Ananias), “Go, for he (Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;”  Acts 9:15
 
There is hope for us too!  Paul’s personal experience and conviction provide an example and encouragement for us:    “Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.  Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”  1 Timothy 1:16-17. 
 
We might think, and it is true:  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13  But, today’s Scripture contains more than just an “I can do” thought.  Today’s Scripture is primarily a “He can do” thought. 
 
Like God did for Paul, God can also do for us “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us”.  Like Paul, we are God’s “chosen instrument” for His work that He has prepared us to do.  “… just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.”  1 Corinthians 2:9
 
This is the work of God, and it is marvelous.  “This is the LORD’S doing;  It is marvelous in our eyes.”  Psalm 118:23  “And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty;  Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!”  Revelation 15:3   Marvelous is defined as “causing wonder: ASTONISHING:  MIRACULOUS:  SUPERNATURAL”.  Click here: Marvelous – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary 
 
In conclusion, Paul considered it marvelous that God would choose him (“the very least of all saints”) and that God would accomplish all that He did through him (Paul).  Let us too consider it marvelous that God would choose us for those “good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them”  Ephesians 2:10 (“far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think“) and that God is at work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13.  Our response to this marvelous work of God within us is to glorify God as Paul did at the end of today’s Scripture:  “to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”

Comments Off on Marvelous! To God be the glory!!

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 2, 2012

The Love of Christ

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 3:14-19.
 
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;  and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:14-19.
 
———————————–
 
The central part of today’s Scripture is the prayer that we may know the love of Christ.  Paul prays that we “being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge”. 
 
So, let us consider that love of Christ and “what is the breadth and length and height and depth”.  Is Christ’s love a love that stretches to everyone:  broad (everyone is covered)?  Or, is Christ’s love a love that extends only to His church, God’s elect?
 
Arminians claim that Christ loves everyone, but they will admit that love is not a saving effective love, because that love will allow the loved ones to go to hell unless they themselves generate enough wisdom, “free-will”, and endurance not only to choose Christ for themselves but also to persevere to the end, so as to not fall from grace.  This love is broad but thin. 
 
On the other hand, consistent with Scripture, Calvinists (proponents of Reformed Doctrine) claim that Christ only loves God’s elect, His church.  Although this love is less broad (maybe even narrow), it is unfathomable in its depth.  Christ does absolutely everything to obtain the salvation of every one of God’s elect, every one of His church.  
 
Throughout Scripture, Christ love is compared with the love of a husband for his wife:  including but not limited to the Book of the Song of Solomon, many of Jesus’ parables about the bridegroom and the bride in the Gospels (the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), the Book of Ephesians, and the Book of Revelation.  Here is a  keyword search of bride to help begin the search – Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: bride      
 
“Husbands, love your wives, just as 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.
 
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”  Revelation 21:2
 
Is a husband’s love, a love for everyone?  Will a husband do everything for everybody?
 
Christ’s love is a peculiar love, a special love just for His church.  Just as a husband should not love and give himself up for all women, but only his own wife, Christ only loved His bride, His church, and gave Himself up only for His bride, His church, not for everyone in the world. 
 
In Christ’s intercessory prayer in John 17:9, we see Christ praying for only those whom God gave Him, not for the world:  “I ask on their behalf;  I do not ask on behalf of the world, but of those whom Thou hast given Me;  for they are Thine;”
 
Although we will never be able to completely fathom the depth of Christ love for His church, the Reformed Doctrine Canons of Dordt helps us understand more of the depth of Christ’s love for God’s elect, His church.  The following Article 8 describes God’s will and purpose for His elect and what Christ did for them.  The following Article 9 then describes this love of Christ as “a bridegroom for his bride”.
                                              

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.

Comments Off on The Love of Christ

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | April 1, 2012

The Unfathomable Riches of Christ and Confident Access to God

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 3:1-13.
 
“1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
 
2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you;
 
3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.
 
4 By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
 
5 which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
 
6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
 
7 of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.
 
8 To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ,
 
9 and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;
 
10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
 
11 This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
 
12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.
 
13 Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.”  Ephesians 3:1-13.
 
———————————-
 
We know that the kingdom of God is now open to the Gentiles.  We know that along with the Jews “the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel”.  What was a mystery to Gentiles at this time when Paul wrote this letter to the Ephesians, and more than a thousand years previously, is no longer a mystery to us today.  We may take it for granted.  We may consider it trite.  Today’s Scripture may roll over our minds like water off a duck’s bath.
 
But, we may not sufficiently know or trust “the unfathomable riches of Christ”.  We may not sufficiently approach God with a spirit of “boldness and confident access through faith” in Christ.
 
Regarding the “unfathomable riches of Christ”, Paul later wrote:  “For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:2-3.    
 
We are reminded of what we recently read about God’s great love and power toward us to show us “the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”.  “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.
 
Regarding “boldness and confident access” to God through faith in Christ, we are God’s children.  “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”  Romans 8:15.
                                    
“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 4:16
 
“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.  For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4.

Comments Off on The Unfathomable Riches of Christ and Confident Access to God

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 30, 2012

God’s Household of both Jews and Gentiles

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 2:17-22.
 
“AND HE (Christ) CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY (Gentiles), AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR (Jews);  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 2:17-22.
 
—————————
 
What a dramatic contrast between the two images!  In yesterday’s immediately preceding Scripture, we read about the Law as “the barrier of the dividing wall” between the Jews and the Gentiles.  Ephesians 2:14-15.  In today’s Scripture, we read about “God’s household” of both Jews and Gentiles, “being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit”.  Verses 19 and 22. 
 
We, Gentiles, “are no longer strangers and aliens, but … are fellow citizens with the saints (Jews), and are of God’s household”.  Verse 19.  “AND HE (Christ) CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY (Gentiles), AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR (Jews);  for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.”  Verses 17 and 18.       
 
Christ Jesus Himself is “the corner stone” of this “holy temple in the Lord” which is “a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”  Verses 20-22.  Christ is “a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God” upon which we, Gentiles, in addition to the Jews, “are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  For this is contained in Scripture:  “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”   1 Peter 2:4-6.
 
“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.
 
This is the work of God.  “This is the LORD’S doing;  It is marvelous in our eyes.”  Psalm 118:23  “And they *sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty;  Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!”  Revelation 15:3

Comments Off on God’s Household of both Jews and Gentiles

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 29, 2012

Reconciliation: “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law”

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 2:11-16.
 
“11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—
 
12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
 
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
 
14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
 
15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
 
16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.”  Ephesians 2:11-16.
 
———————–
 
The Law was “the barrier of the dividing wall” which kept separate the Jews from the Gentiles.  The Jews had God, promises, and hope.  The Gentiles were without God, without promises, and without hope.
 
Today’s Scripture twice refers to “the enmity”.  “Enmity” is defined as “mutual hatred or ill-will“.  Click here: Enmity – Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary  In verse 15, it specifically defines “the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances”.  In verse 16, it generally refers to the cross “having put to death the enmity.”
 
The Jews’ identified themselves by the Law, but even they fell far short of fulfilling it.  “But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?  You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?  You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?  You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?  For “THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU,” just as it is written.”  Romans 2:17-24. 
 
But, the Gentiles (a/k/a Greeks) were also under sin, under the Law, and accountable to God.   “What then?  Are we (Jews) better than they (Gentiles)?  Not at all;  for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin;  as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; 
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; 
ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.”  Romans 3:9-12.
“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;  because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight;  for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”  Romans 3:19-20.
                                

The Law condemned both groups (Jews and Gentiles) and resulted in spiritual death to both groups (Jews and Gentiles).  “But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind;  for apart from the Law sin is dead.  I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died;  and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me;  for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.”  Romans 7:8-11.

So then, there are two senses in which the Law is the enmity.  There is the enmity between Jews and Gentiles caused by the Law’s separation of the two groups.  There is also the enmity between God and both groups caused by the Law’s condemnation of both groups and the result of the Law in spiritual death for both groups.

But, thanks be to Christ, there are two senses of reconciliation.  First, there is the reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles.  “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,”  Verses 13-14.  Second, there is the reconciliation of both groups to God.  Christ died on the cross to “reconcile them both in one body to God”.  Verse 16. 

“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.  …  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 and 6.

In summary, we recently finished the Book of Galatians, and we know Paul pounded the table throughout the Book of Galatians that we should consider ourselves dead to the Law.  And now, in Ephesians, we read today’s Scripture which identified the enmity as the Law and which described the Law’s separation of the Jews and the Gentiles with the Jews having God, promises, and hope, and with the Gentiles having no God, no promises, and no hope.  Christ, “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law” reconciled us to each other (Jews and Gentiles) and reconciled all of us to God.

Comments Off on Reconciliation: “by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 28, 2012

“For we are His workmanship”

Today’s devotion is Ephesians 2:10.
 
“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.
 
——————————————-
 
Our faith that we will do good works is not based on our own sense of duty to do good works.  Our faith that we will do good works is not based on our own ability to do good works.  Our faith that we will do good works is not based on our own desire or passion to do good works.  Our faith that we will do good works is not based on our own willpower to do good works.  Our faith that we will do good works is not even based on our own gratitude for all that God has done for us. 
 
Our faith that we will do good works is based on the solid foundation that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Verse 10. 
 
Now, we certainly should feel a sense of duty, be grateful, be willful, be passionate, and be able to do good works.  We should seek those emotions and abilities, and God may indeed exhort us and use those emotions and abilities.  But, our faith is not ultimately in ourselves and what we should do.  Our faith is ultimately in God and what He has done for us and what He will do for us.
                               

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:17

“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  
 
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord.  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.  But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;  to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”  1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
 
We do note what the Heidelberg Catechism states. 
 
In regards to the doctrine that our good works are not part of our righteousness before God, and that our reward is not based on our merit for doing good works, but rather our reward is based on grace, the following Question and Answer 64 refers to “fruits of thankfulness”.  But, the footnote (d) supporting Scriptures do not mention thankfulness or gratitude.
 
Question 64.  But doth not this doctrine make men careless and profane?
 
Answer.  By no means:  for it is impossible that those, who are implanted into Christ by a true faith, should not bring forth fruits of [d]thankfulness.
 
 
—————————————-
 
In regards to our duty to do good works, the following Question and Answer 86 of the Heidelberg Catechism refers to “our gratitude to God for His blessings”.  But, the footnote (a) supporting Scriptures does not mention thankfulness or gratitude.
                             

Question 86.  Since then we are delivered from our misery, merely of grace, through Christ, without any merit of ours, why must we still do good works?

Answer.  Because Christ, having redeemed and delivered us by his blood, also renews us by his Holy Spirit, after his own image; that so we may testify, by the whole of our conduct, our gratitude [a] to God for his blessings, and that he may be [b] praised by us;  also, that every one may be [c] assured in himself of his faith, by the fruits thereof; and that, by our godly conversation, others may be [d] gained to Christ.

[a]: 1Cor. 6:19,20; Rom. 6:13; Rom. 12:1,2; 1Pet. 2:5,9,10

———————————————-

In regards to the definition of good works, the following Question and Answer 91 of the Heidelberg Catechism refers to good works as “Only those which proceed from a true faith”.  The footnote (e) supporting Scriptures states:  “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  Romans 4:23. 
 
Question 91.  But what are good works?
 
Answer.  Only those which proceed from a true [e] faith, are performed according to the [f] law of God, and to his [g] glory;  and not such as are [h] founded on our imaginations, or the institutions of men.
 
 
———————————————————-
 
In conclusion, true faith in God will produce the good works, including but not limited to faith in today’s Scripture:  “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” and that God will work in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Comments Off on “For we are His workmanship”

Posted in Uncategorized

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | March 27, 2012

The Greatest Love Story

Today’s devotion comes from Ephesians 2:4-9.
 
“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.
 
———————
 
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.  For one will hardly die for a righteous man;  though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:6-8.
 
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
 
After we have considered the sin and death of our “Total Depravity”, we all the more appreciate the love and life that God has freely given to us. 
 
This is awesome love.  How could a perfectly thrice Holy God love sinful dead corpses? 
 
This is love that is not motivated by what the other party can give in exchange.  “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.”  Verses 8-9.
 
This love, all though freely given, cost the Giver His most precious “possession”.  “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.   
 
This is the original model for love.  “Husbands, love your wives, just as 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.
 
This is heroic love, and there is only one Hero.
 
“16 And He saw that there was no man,
And was astonished that there was no one to intercede;
Then His own arm brought salvation to Him,
And His righteousness upheld Him.
17 He put on righteousness like a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing
And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle.
18 According to their deeds, so He will repay,
Wrath to His adversaries, recompense to His enemies;
To the coastlands He will make recompense.
19 So they will fear the name of the LORD from the west
And His glory from the rising of the sun,
For He will come like a rushing stream
Which the wind of the LORD drives.
20 “A Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the LORD.”  Isaiah 59:16-20.
 
This is Almighty love with power to raise the dead to life.  “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,”.  Verses 4-6.
 
This is eternal love:  “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Verse 7.

Comments Off on The Greatest Love Story

Posted in Uncategorized

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories