The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

Wednesday, 7th July, 2004

Bunyan must have felt like a Talkative-like spirit was a major problem in the Pilgrims progress through the Christian life for he continues on still.

The scripture selection which Christian is discussing is quite long. It is the account of the seed and the sower with reference to several other parables. In each of these accounts the proof of salvation is fruit and those who have never produced fruit are judged.

We are only going to look at one verse for an example today. Matthew 13v23 – “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

Look at the test of whether the seed fell on good ground or not. The good ground, which bear fruit a hundred, sixty, and thirty fold is that soul who:
Hears the word of God
Understands the word of God
Bear fruit

Salvation is easy but true belief will always bring forth good fruit. As Christian puts it the question will not be “Did you believe?” but were you a “doer, or a talker only.” James letter makes it clear, where there are no works the faith is dead.

Talk is cheap. The question is not, “How is your talk?” but “How is your walk?”

 

Good lesson Roger!

Thank you!

 

Great devotionals gentlemen, thank you.

 

Jim - you are about 20 years my senior - but I find myself (at my tender age) agreeing with you heartily.

Christ must be lifted up - as He said - "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me."

Thank you for that cogent reminder!

 

Amen - that wonderful question "What think ye of Christ?"

 

Friday, 9th July, 2004

Bunyan makes a couple of great points here. I especially enjoyed his use of the Law about “chewing the cud” and “parting the hoof.” Great talking about the Word of God, if it does not lead to dividing one’s self from sin, is a waste and indeed leaves the “speaker of great things” unclean. How often today are there men who speak great flowing words, yet carry on in their sin. Sadly, there are preachers in our pulpits who know just how to say the right things, but whose lives do not reflect what they say.

Secondly is the point from 1 Corinthians about the “sounding brass and tinkling cymbal.” We have mentioned before that “words without action” are dead and that is true. We see here as well that according to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians “words without love” are empty and useless. Love must be the motivating factor in our actions and in our words. If it is not the love of Christ which constrains us, then are words are as empty as those of Talkative.

Two things about Talkative to challenge us today. 1) Does our “chewing the cud” about God’s Word result in a “dividing of the hoof?” Does it lead us to separate ourselves from sin? Or is it only empty words? 2) Are our words always motivated by love? Are our words designed to show love for others, or to make us look good? God’s standard is clear. How are we measuring up to that standard?

 

Thank you Roger - important words and concepts to ponder!

 

Thank you Roger; some good points to, well,
chew on.

 

Saturday July 10, 2004

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses it's flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men." (Matthew 5:13)

Salt has three useful characteristics that are like those that the believer exhibits here upon the earth. First, it acts as a preservative. Our efforts and testimony should act to slow the decay of the world around us. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

Secondly, salt has medicinal advantages. It can reduce the risk of infection and thus hasten healing. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." Believers can have an impact on those around us by exhorting to godliness and restraining evil. We can help restore one that has fallen into Satan's traps. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

Thirdly, it improves bland foods that might otherwise be distasteful, making it palatable. Job 6:6 asks the rhetorical question: "Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?"
Now you may be wondering how a Christian resembles salt in this way. When the sin of society has become so repugnant that divine judgment is being contemplated, there is a consideration for the number of righteous in the land. Recollect how Abraham interceded for Sodom and discovered that if only ten righteous persons lived there, the city would have been spared. Let's make sure we are indeed being spiritual salt to a needy world around us.

Considering the subject here, and what is expected to happen in the coming week, I felt I would comment further on it. In the coming week, the U.S. Senate is expected to take up the proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Both sides are predicting that the amendment will fail. Folks, what applies to a man, "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," applies to any group, organization, and yes, country. It is a sad day indeed we are seeing that we have gone down this far. I know, this is not a debate forum, I am speaking for genuine concern for this nation.

 

Thank you Charles for those words - alarming as they are.

We need to be praying for our countries!

 

Good points Charles - this are perilous days for thenations of the world.

 

Sunday July 11,2004

"In whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:21)

This verse is at the heart of Paul's beautiful exposition of the growth, one by one, of the great body of believers who will eventually comprise "the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23)
Here the figure of a great building is used, "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:20).

Upon this strong foundation the building is erected, with each stone being selected and prepared by God for its own specific place in the beautiful edifice. The stones, of course, are individual believers. These "lively stones, are built up a spiritual house" (1Peter 2:5), and like the beautiful temple of Solomon, where "the glory of he Lord filled the house" (2Chronicles 7:1), these "also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:22)

Each stone must be exquisitely chiseled and polished, so that all will be "fitly framed together" when placed in the building. The stones may well be of various sizes, shapes and hues in order to display the architectural pattern and message planned and designed by the divine builder, but each is necessary for the integrity of the building. Some may be large stones, highly visible and ornate; others may be small and scarcely noticed, but all are essential, and must be "fitly framed together, so that the finished structure indeed can serve appropriately as "an holy temple of the Lord."

Every true Christian is a stone for the spiritual temple, now being cut and carefully dimensioned for a specific role, then polished and adorned for that precise location in the heavenly building (or ministry in the work of God) where he or she can best serve God (Revelation 22:3) in the eternal ages to come.

 

We don't often like the chiseling and polishing duting the process though, do we?

 

Thank you Charles - for those thoughts!

 

Thank you Charles. If only we could see and understand the purpose of all the chiselling and polishing. I look back and see how I have changed, (no, not boasting - just fact) and other people say I have changed too.

Lord, change me and mould me to be the person you want me to be, for your glory. Amen.

 

Thank you Jim - for that reminder!