Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 6:3-13.
 
“3 giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, 4 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, 5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, 6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, 7 in the word of truth, in the power of God;  by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, 8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; 9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live;  as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.
 
11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.  12 You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.   13 Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.”  2 Corinthians 6:3-13.
 
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“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak;  I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.”  1 Corinthians 9:22

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God;  just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.”  1 Corinthians 10:31-33.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.
 
“1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 for He says,   
 
“AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU,
AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.”   
 
Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—”  2 Corinthians 6:1-2.
 

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We read God’s word that God is a “very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), but we want to wait, not quite trusting God nor that He is helping us now.  Today’s Scripture teaches us that we can trust God and that now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME” to act upon that trust.  Today is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”. 

We may have heard a great sermon yesterday.  But instead of acting upon that sermon, we try to excuse  ourselves:  “I will think about it.”  And, Monday’s cares and concerns make the sermon recede in our minds until we forget about it.

Remember the Parable of the Sower.  Are we going to let the Word of God just lie there on the road next to us, or are we going to pick it up, embrace it, and act upon it?  Are we going to let the Word of God just sit there on “our back burner”, or are we going to “cook with it”?   

“Now the parable is this:  the seed is the word of God.  Those beside the road are those who have heard;  then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.  Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy;  and these have no firm root;  they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.  The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.  But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.”  Luke 8:11-15. 

“Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—” 

Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 9:59-62.  “And He said to another, “Follow Me.”  But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”  But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead;  but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”  Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord;  but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”  But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

“Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION”—”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
 
“18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us;  we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.  21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”  2 Corinthians 5:18-21.
 
———————————–
 

“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.  Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.  And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”   Romans 5:6-11.

Romans 5:6-11 pounds the table on man’s lack of meritorious contribution in reconciliation:  “while we were still helpless“, “while we were yet sinners“, and “while we were enemies“.  Romans 5:6-11 pounds the table on God doing it all in reconciliation:  “we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son” and “we shall be saved by His life” and “we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”  

The distinctive mark of Reformed Doctrine is not that we just try harder to reform our doctrine to the Bible.  The Baptists and many other denominations study the Bible as much and try as hard as they can to form their doctrine based on the Bible.  Rather, the distinctive mark of Reformed Doctrine is its emphasis on the sovereign and unilateral actions of God in salvation.  Reformed preachers and teachers see the sovereign and unilateral actions of God in salvation throughout Scripture and preach and teach it.  Reconciliation illustrates this distinctive mark of Reformed Doctrine.        

Although Reformed preachers and teachers may not necessarily agree with everything that is written and posted at the well-known web site:  http://www.monergism.com , the Reformed founders and contributors at the web site do a service to their readers in emphasizing monergism which is their term for the sovereign and unilateral action of God in salvation.  Here is a link to their description of it – Click here: What Is Monergism? (Monergism)  (There is also a link to the home page of the monergism web site in my “Links” in the right column.)

In conclusion, “… we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”   Romans 5:11.  Praise God for His sovereign and unilateral action in reconciliation!

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 6, 2012

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 5:16-17.
 
“16 Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.
 
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:16-17.
 
———————————-
 
“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.  And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”  Galatians 6:14-16. 
 
“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 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 2:19-21.
 
“for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.
 
“Everyone who is called by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”  Isaiah 43:7
 
“6 “You have heard;  look at all this.
And you, will you not declare it?
I proclaim to you new things from this time,
Even hidden things which you have not known.
7 “They are created now and not long ago;
And before today you have not heard them,
So that you will not say, ‘Behold, I knew them
.’”  Isaiah 48:6-7. 
 
“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.”  Ephesians 4:24
Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 5:11-15.
 
“11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God;  and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.  12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart.  13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God;  if we are of sound mind, it is for you.  14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died;  15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”  2 Corinthians 5:11-15.
 
————————————-
 
Christ’s death procures benefits for us that makes us live for God.  Here is what The Canons of Dordt state about the death of Christ.  “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.”
 
“For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself;  for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.  For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”  Romans 14:7-9. 
 
In conclusion, The Heidelberg Catechism sums it up so well. 
 
“Question 1.  What is thy only comfort in life and death?
 
Answer.  That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil;  and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.”
Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 4, 2012

Good Courage

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 5:6-10.
 
“6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.  9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.  10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”  2 Corinthians 5:6-10.
 
———————————
 
We have “good courage”, because we “walk by faith”.  Verses 6 and 7.  “16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us.  God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment;  because as He is, so also are we in this world.  18 There is no fear in love;  but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us.”  1 John 4:16-19. 
 
We do the things pleasing to God, because God first loved us, and His love abides in us:  “as He is, so also are we in this world”.  1 John 4:16-19. 
 
We do not fear, because God’s perfect love within us casts out fear.  1 John 4:18.
 
We “may have confidence in the day of judgment”, “because as He is, so also are we in this world” and God’s perfect love within us casts out fear.  1 John 4:17-18.  Therefore, we have “good courage”.
Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 3, 2012

The Redemption of the Body: We Trust God and Wait Eagerly for It.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 5:1-5.
 
“1  For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
 
2  For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven,
 
3  inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked.
 
4  For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life.
 
5  Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”  2 Corinthians 5:1-5.
 
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Scripture describes this groaning of our temporary frail mortal bodies which wait for the eternal imperishable immortal bodies that God promises to giove us, and how the Spirit is given to us a pledge by God that He will indeed clothe us with eternal imperishable immortal bodies.
 
“And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”  Romans 8:23.  
 
“For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.”  1 Corinthians 15:53.  
 
“In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”  Ephesians 1:13-14.  
 
Why do we need to wait and groan for the redemption of our body, for the eternal imperishable immortal body?
 
“For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope;  for who hopes for what he already sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.”  Romans 8:24-25. 
 
How can we trust God?
 
“Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.”  Verse 5.  God is the One Who gave us these our temporary frail mortal bodies.  God is the One Who promised us that He will clothe us with eternal imperishable immortal bodies.  God is the One Who gave us His Spirit as a pledge.  Verse 5.  God is the One Who gave us His Spirit Who is also a “Helper” to help us with all the help we need.  John 14:16-27.  God is the One Who will give us the eternal imperishable immortal bodies.  God is the One Who has prepared us for everything!   
 
God is also the One Who gives us all the other grace that we need while we wait.  “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.  Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake;  for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 9:9-10. 
 
And so, we trust God and eagerly await for the redemption of the body by which God will clothe us with eternal imperishable immortal bodies.
Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 2, 2012

Have Faith. Endure the Light Suffering. Seek Eternal Glory.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 4:13-18.
 
“13 But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak, 14 knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.  15 For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
                                    
16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  2 Corinthians 4:13-18.
                                                
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Today’s Scripture speaks about the importance of faith.  Through faith, we speak out of what we believe.  Through faith, we endure the body dynamics of decaying bodies.  Through faith, we “look” at the eternal things not seen.   

Like Verse 17 encourages our faith about the eternal weight of glory in comparison to the momentary, light affliction that we experience, Romans 8:18 states:  “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with theglory that is to be revealed to us.” 

“For by it (faith) the men of old gained approval.”  Hebrews 11:2.  They endured the sufferings, because they had their eyes fixed on the eternal things.  “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;  for He has prepared a city for them.”  Hebrews 11:13-16.  God gives eternal life, through His grace:  “to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, …”  Romans 2:7.

Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | January 1, 2012

Body Dynamics: Power of God and Life of Jesus in Earthen Vessels

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.
 
“7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;  8 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;  perplexed, but not despairing;  9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;  10 always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  11 For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.  12 So death works in us, but life in you.”  2 Corinthians 4:7-12.
 
——————————————
 
“10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The LORD favors those who fear Him,
Those who wait for His lovingkindness.”  Psalm 147:10-11. 
 
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;  but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.  But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”  1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
 
“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”  2 Corinthians 12:9
 
We may not like it.  We may “rage against age”.  But, these are the body dynamics.  Our bodies are “earthen vessels”, “so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves”, and in clear contrast, “so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh“. 
 
But, there is hope!
 
God gives us grace to deal with whatever weakness we experience:  “we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;  persecuted, but not forsaken;  struck down, but not destroyed”.  Verses 8 and 9.
 
And, God gives us further grace through the peace and joy that He gives us.  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:7   “Great is my confidence in you;  great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort;  I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.”  2 Corinthians 7:4  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”  Galatians 5:22
Posted by: Bill Hornbeck | December 29, 2011

The Gift of Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.
 
“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
 
For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  2 Corinthians 4:3-6. 
 
——————————
 
“We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, appropriates him, and seeks nothing more besides him.  For it must needs follow, either that all things, which are requisite to our salvation, are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith, have complete salvation in him.  Therefore, for any to assert, that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides him, would be too gross a blasphemy:  for hence it would follow, that Christ was but half a Savior.  Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works.  However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean, that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness.  But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all his merits and so many holy works which he has done for us, and in our stead, is our Righteousness.  And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with him in all his benefits, which, when become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.”  Article 22:  Of Faith in Jesus Christ in The Belgic Confession.
 
In short, we must be given this “upright faith” by God.  It is a gift of God.  God shines in our heart “to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”  Verse 6. 
 
For those who do not receive this gift, this light within their hearts to believe, “our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”  Verses 3 and 4. 
 
Jesus said:  “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”  John 6:44.  “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.”  John 6:65.
 
Notice the absolute need for enlightenment by God in the following verses: or else we remain “in our bondage”, we remain in “the pit”, and we “sleep the sleep of death”.  There is no “self enlightenment”.     
 
Ezra 9:8
“But now for a brief moment grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us an escaped remnant and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and grant us a little reviving in our bondage.”
 
Job 33:30
“To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life.”
 
Psalm 13:3
“Consider and answer me, O LORD my God;  Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,”
 
But, praise God! 
 
“27 The LORD is God, and He has given us light;
Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar.
28 You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”  Psalm 118:27-29.

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