The Carpenter's Chapel (4)

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Charles.

It was sad that the Jews were looking from salvation from the Romans - instead of sin.

Today - many people are looking for salvation from poverty and physical disease - instead of sin.

 

[Jim1999]

Wrong conceptions has led many a man astray. The Jews and early disciples looked for a physical Messiah who would deliver them physically from their enemies. We often do the same to-day.

We have been liberated by the King. There is a huge difference between liberation and freedom from sin. The liberation is now in sanctifying graces, and our freedom will come with entire sanctification as we are changed and these earthly bodies are transformed into His likeness.

In the interim, we are to be soldiers, every alert and ever advancing in purity, holiness and vigilance in service of His Majesty.

Thanks Charles, God bless,

Jim

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Monday, 21 June, 2004

Faithful recounting of his encounter with Wanton continues:

Faith. You cannot think (but that you know something) what a flattering tongue she hath; she laid at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of content.

Chr. Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.

Faith. You know what I mean, all carnal and fleshly content.

Chr. Thank God you have escaped her: the abhorred of the Lord shall fall into her ditch (Proverbs 22v14).

Faith. Nay, I know not whether I did wholly escape her, or not.

Chr. Why, I trow you did not consent to her desires?

Faith. No, not to defile myself; for I remembered an old writing that I had seen, which saith, "Her steps take hold on hell" (Proverbs 5v5). So I shut mine eyes, because I would not be bewitched with her looks (Job 31v1); then she railed on me, and I went my way.

What a simple solution in dealing with Wanton when she stretches our her claws. Faithful says that Wanton used her flattering tongue to try and ensnare him. We can read the kind of words that she would have used in Proverbs 7.

Notice also Faithful’s wise words to Christian – “I know not whether I did wholly escape her to not.” Faithful knew that in this life Wanton was always liable to try to snatch him into her clutches again. “Let him that thinketh he stand, take heed lest he fall.”

Finally, Faithful gives clear outline of how to deal with Wanton’s temptation.

1. He remembered the Word of God
2. He shut his eyes (Job 31v1 – I made a covenant with mine eyes, why then should I think upon a maid)
3. He got away

Although Faithful is dealing with a specific sin of sexual temptation here, the principles he lays down fit any temptation. How wonderful it would be if we did the same. Choose to remember of what God says (this of course implies that we are studying the Word of God), choose to close our eyes to the temptation, and finally, choose to flee the sin. We really have no excuse for giving in to temptation. As the Patch the Pirate song says, “Put on your running shoes, mate!”

 

[Jim1999]

Indeed, trainers is what we need to avoid the very appearance of evil.

Thank you, Roger,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Roger for that encouraging word.

Dan

 

[Jim1999]

Tuesday, June 22, 2004

2 Corinthians 1: 1-7

"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort." Vs 3

The word "comfort" appears some six times in the King James translation, in verses 3-7. The Greek word translated as "comfort" appears some ten times in the same passage of scripture. As I started to read, I could not get past this word. "...The God of all comfort..." It is hard for us to perceive the trinitarian concept of God, but here we get some idea of how it works.
One theologian explains it in the work of our Lord Jesus as Mediator. Philip Hughes, an Episcopalian vicar and professor at Westminster Seminary, says, "In view of the deity of the Son, how is it possible to speak of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ? The answer to this problem is to be found in the mediatorial office of Christ."

As Mediator, God humbled Himself, took on the flesh of man. As Mediator He is the Lord Jesus Christ. We always have the Lord Jesus going between God and man. Jesus is our Mediator in the sense that He suffered for us, and He takes our suffering on a daily basis. What a comfort this is to us. And Paul often speaks of this blessing which is ours in our Lord Jesus Christ. He took our suffering in salvation on the cross, and He suffers with us in our daily lives. The Greek word for comfort is in the sense that Jesus stands beside us in suffering so as to encourage us under severe testing. We are never alone.

If Jesus shares our suffering, is not our suffering to benefit others? We better understand others when we share suffering, and experience the comfort afforded by God. So, in suffering, we can best equate with others as they suffer.Just as God comforts us, so we can comfort others.

In suffering we learn. It becomes the great teacher. This learning we pass along, so that the whole body grows in grace and in truth.

Let the Father comfort and console us. Let the Holy Spirit strengthen and guide us, and Let the Son be the advocate before the Father in our behalf in times of temptation.

Lord, help us each one to garner these truths that we may be better people in your sight. We live not for ourselves, but for You.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Jim!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

What a joy it would be to come to realisation that suffering is our great teacher.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Wednesday, 23rd June, 2004

As Christian and Faithful chat we learn of another enemy

Faith. When I came to the foot of the hill called "Difficulty, "I met with a very aged man, who asked me what I was, and whither bound? I told him that I was a pilgrim going to the Celestial City: then said the old man, Thou lookest like an honest fellow; wilt thou be content to dwell with me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked him his name, and where he dwelt? He said his name was Adam the first; and that he dwelt in the town of Deceit (Ephesians 4v22). I asked him then, What was his work? and what the wages that he would give? He told me that his work was many delights; and his wages, that I should be his heir at last. I further asked him, what house he kept, and what other servants he had? So he told me that his house was maintained with all the dainties in the world; and that his servants were those of his own begetting. Then I asked how many children he had? He said that he had but three daughters, --the lust of the flesh; the lust of the eyes; and the pride of life ( 1 John 2v16); and that I should marry them all, if I would. Then I asked how long time he would have me live with him? And he told me, as long as he lived himself.

Chr. Well, and what conclusion came the old man and you to at last?

Faith. Why, at first I found myself somewhat inclinable to go with the man, for I thought he spake very fair; but, looking in his forehead as I talked with him, I saw there written, "Put off the old man with his deeds."

Chr. And how then?

Faith. Then it came burning hot into my mind, whatever he said, and however he flattered, when he got me home to his house he would sell me for a slave. So I bid him forbear to talk; for I would not come near the door of his house. Then he reviled me, and told me that he would send such a one after me, that should make my way bitter to my soul. So I turned to go away from him; but just as I turned myself to go thence, I felt him take hold of my flesh, and give me such a deadly twitch back, that I thought he had pulled part of me after himself: this made me cry, "O wretched man!" (Romans 7v24) So I went on my way up the hill.

He we encounter the one whom I think contends for our greatest enemy. When we were saved “the old man was crucified with Him [Christ].” Yet, too often we still drag that dead wait around and are so attached that we let that dead man make decisions for us. The old man , Adam the 1st seems to have so much to offer. His three alluring daughters, Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride of Life, are so tempting at times.

How was Faithful delivered from the allure of Adam the 1st? By the Word of God. When Paul wrote to the – “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossian 3v9) Here Faithful was reminded of the importance of doing the same things.

How many Christians spend their whole lives carrying around the old, dead man? As Faithful noted when we allow Adam the 1st to have a part in our lives he will always enslave us. The dead man is not totally dead though, when we try to leave him behind he will always reach out and try to get us back. Indeed we must realise the truth of “O wretched man that I am.”

There is hope though. What shall deliver me from this body of death? “I thank God through Jesus Christ!” Our problem comes when we try to defeat the old man in our own flesh, for that is his dwelling place. In these times, when Adam the 1st is crying out we must choose to “yield our members as instruments of righteousness” through Christ’ power.

To what are you yielding yourself today?

 

[Jim1999]

If we don't give it all at the cross, then we are destined to bear our own burdens. When we pray at the cross and walk away still burdened, then we haven't prayed at all.

Cheers, and thank you, Roger,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

As the song writer says:

"Keep your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face.
Things of this earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His glory and grace.

Thank you Roger!

 

[Watchman]

Jim, Roger, thank you for your good posts.

 

[Jim1999]

Thursday, June 24, 2004

2 Corinthians 2:14

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."

We all know about the trials and troubles Paul endured as he travelled in the Lord's name. The times he was jailed and faced death. The times he was perhaps beaten, and faced death. And his eventual imprisonment in which he did face death.
Yet, Paul says, "Thanks be unto God." Paul never forgot and never forgets to give thanks to God. We try to teach our children to be polite. We try to teach them this word "thanks". In their active lives and minds, they often forget this little word. I am sure the do not intend to forget it, but they do. It would be easy for Paul to forget from time to time, especially when stones are flying and his head hurts. Now Paul says, "Thanks be unto God..." Why does Paul say thanks? He quickly responds, "which always causeth us to triumph in Christ..." There is nothing short of total victory in Christ.

We face problems in our lives, and we moan and groan, and fret about how we can get out of the stew. Often it is a stew of our own concoction. Pauls says, "Thanks be unto God." Perhaps we should fall to our knees and beg forgiveness that we do not often enough give thanks unto God. When we face adversity, Give thanks unto God. This is the first faze of worship. We pause to give thanks. We adore the God of our salvation, the God of our deliverance because He always causeth us to triumph in Christ. There is no such thing as defeat for the Lord's army. We may retreat from time to time, regather the troops, and advance again in Christ, dressed in the full armour, engage the enemy, even ourselves, give thanks unto God and claim the victory.

What does Paul go on to say? "and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
Word studies are often the most profitable venture in bible studies. This word "savour" is interesting. There are three definitions offered in a modern dictionary. (1) a characteristic taste; (2) a quality; (3) a characteristic smell.

God makes clear the sweet smell, the sweet taste of victory in Christ. I can't speak for others, but for me this drives the mind and heart into activity so that I may not be found wanting at the time of His appearing. Idleness is the great captor of the soul. In all things we are already the victors and all we need do is claim the victory.

Lord, help us to realize that we are not waiting for victory, but we need only to lay claim.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I love that verse Jim, thank you! We are already part of the great Triumph parade!

 

[Dan Todd]

Thank you Jim!

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

Friday, 25th June, 2004

As Faithful continues his story he first recounts his encounter with Moses, who symbolised the law. We are going to movepast that meeting to his encounter with one named Shame.

Chr. Met you with nothing else in that valley?

Faith. Yes, I met with SHAME; but of all the men that I met with in my pilgrimage, he, I think, bears the wrong name. The other would be said Nay, after a little argumentation, and somewhat else; but this boldfaced SHAME would never have done.

Chr. What did he say to you?

Faith. What! why he objected against religion itself! He said it was a pitiful, low, sneaking business for a man to mind religion; he said that a tender conscience was an unmanly thing; and that for a man to watch over his words and ways, so as to tie up himself from that blustering liberty that the brave spirits of the times accustom themselves unto, would make him the ridicule of the times. He objected also, that but few of the mighty, rich, or wise, were ever of my opinion (1Corinthians 1v26); nor any of them neither, before they were persuaded to be fools (1Corinthians 3v18 Philippians 3v7,8), and to be of a voluntary fondness to venture the loss of all for nobody else knows what. He moreover objected the base and low estate and condition of those that were chiefly the pilgrims of the times in which they lived; also their ignorant and want of understanding in all natural science (John 7v48). Yea, he did hold me to it at that rate also, about a great many more things than here I relate: as, that it was a shame to sit whining and mourning under a sermon, and a shame to come sighing and groaning home; that it was a shame to ask my neighbour forgiveness for petty faults, or to make restitution where I had taken from any. He said also, that religion made a man grow strange to the great, because of a few vices (which he called by finer names); and made him own and respect the base, because of the same religious fraternity. And is not this, said he, a shame?

For today we are only going to look at Shame’s appeal. Next time we will see Faithful’s response.

Shame’s appeal makes sense to carnal man. What sense is there in having a tender conscience, watching your words, deprive oneself from the “liberty” of the world,. It makes no human sense that God does not use the rich, wise, and noble. Who wants to sit “whining and mourning under a sermon? Who wants to give up the things they are fond of?

All of these are questions which the world throws up today. Before we look at Faithful’s answer on Tuesday, ask yourself, “How do I respond to those kind of question?” These are tough, real life questions – are you ready “to give an answer always..?”

 

[Watchman]

Thank you Jim and Roger for these devotionals.
"Shame's appeal makes sense to carnal man."
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
(Proverbs 14:12)

 

[following-Him]

Thank you Roger.

I pray that in my daily walk I will always have an answer to give, for such are the blessings from Him that I cannot deny them.

God Bless

Sheila

 

[Jim1999]

Yesterday, I listened to a retired minister from Kingston. He served in the most liberal church in Canada. Exactly what has been reported here by Roger was his message. What a sorry lot! What do they have to offer the people? The universal god who embraces all no matter what.

Little do they realize how they make a mockery of the cross of Christ, when we are instructed to have a reason for the hope that is in us.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Dan Todd]

As I have aged - some of my sharp edges have been smoothed over - but Christ's blood is the one sharp edge that will never be dulled!