Blessed Assurance

To children of God, one of the great blessings from God is the assurance of the safety of our souls. Fanny J. Crosby wrote the following words to the old, familiar hymn:

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his Spirit, washed in His blood.

In fact, some Christians fail to understand this wonderful blessing as the word of God teaches. Such individuals believe that we go through life without really knowing whether we are in a saved condition or not. Fear and worry haunt them continually, but this should not be when we correctly understand this wonderful blessing.

Of all the books of the Bible, there is probably no greater book on the subject of assurance to the Christian than the book of First John. In this first inspired letter from the beloved apostle, we have no less than five reasons how we, as Christians, can have blessed assurance of our salvation.

First, we can have blessed assurance of our salvation when we walk in the light (1:7-10). Note the emphasis in the preposition “if” (John uses it four times in this passage to begin each statement). Therefore, by stating the condition, he gives the promised results. Consequently, the point is quite clear—as long as we are meeting the conditions, we can possess our blessed assurance of gaining the aforementioned promises. One might ask, “How do we know if we are walking in the light?” The entire book explains this, and this passage begins to clarify itself—if we are walking closely to the precepts of our Savior, recognizing our transgressions along the way and confessing them each and every time, then we are walking in the light.

Second, we can have blessed assurance of our salvation when we keep His commandments (2:3-5). Again, we can have full assurance as long as we are keeping the commandments. John stated, “…we do know that we know him” when we meet the declared conditions. This assured knowledge provides peace for the condition of our souls.

Third, we can have blessed assurance of our salvation when we love our brethren (2:9-11). Once more, here is another condition of blessed assurance—we can know the safety of our salvation if we truly love our brethren.

Fourth, we can have blessed assurance of our salvation when we do not commit willful sin (3:6-10). This difficult passage for some simply assures us that a true Christian is one who understands the will of God in his life and does not even desire to commit sin. While all will sin accidentally, there is a great distinction between this and one who commits willful sin.

Finally, we can have blessed assurance of our salvation when we believe on Jesus (5:10-13). In the closing words of this book, we find the most beautiful words of assurance for every Christian: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” (5:13). If anyone doubts that one may know in full assurance the safety of our salvation, these words prove such blessed assurance exists.

As Christians, may we all quit riding the roller coaster ride of doubt and seek to possess the calm, soothing, peaceful and enjoyable journey of blessed assurance.

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Bride Name

My Faithful Bride; My Family Name

When we were young, our moms would write our names on such items as belonged to us before shipping us off to school or summer camp. This showed ownership. When we got older and purchased cars and homes, our names appeared on the titles and deeds, thus denoting exactly who had paid the often hefty prices necessary to purchase them. And when we men got married, our wives took our last names as a sign of honor, respect, and to denote who they now “belonged” to (in the biblical sense of course).

As a husband myself, I can only try to imagine how I would have felt, if after many years of our covenant relationship my wife one day suddenly decided to change her name to that of a former – or even worse yet, newfound – suitor. I can only try to imagine how devastated I would have been if she all of the sudden decided to honor and glorify some other man, by changing and taking His name instead of mine, thereby giving and bringing to him, the honor, respect, and submission – let alone the implied suggestion of a deeper intimate relationship – due her rightful husband! Tell me husbands, how would you feel in such a situation?

Jesus Christ is the King of kings and the Lord of lords (Rev. 19:5-16); the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last (Rev. 22:13); the Builder/Founder, Purchaser, Owner, and “Husband” of His church or saved group of people (Matt. 16:18-19; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16; Eph. 5:22-32). As such, He is supposed to have absolute and complete pre-eminence in everything – especially when it comes to His bride which is His church (Eph. 1:15-23; Phil. 2:5-11; Col. 1:15-18; etc) “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

So then, my question: In light of all of the above, how can anyone who considers themselves to be a Christian, even consider attending or becoming part of a church which calls itself by or honors the names/teachings of such mere men as Martin Luther or the Baptist for example, or a method, day, community, or event, more than the Christ, by wearing (and thus honoring) their/that, or any name above His (1 Cor. 1:10-13)? While the question may seem hard, the answer really is incredibly simple… After all, His church both was, and is, built upon such reverence for, recognition of, and submission to, Him and Him alone (Matt. 16:13-18; Acts 2:36-41) as His bride.

My question? In light of all that, how can anyone who professes to honor and follow Him as Lord consider worshipping with a group which honors the names/teachings of mere men such as Martin Luther or the Baptist, or a method, day, or event, more than the Christ, by wearing, and thus reverencing, celebrating, and honoring that name above His (1 Cor. 1:10-13).

So what about your friends and neighbors? They really need to be lovingly asked the questions… “What name does the group they affiliate/worship with wear, honor, and promote over and above Christ’s?”  “Does that really make good sense to them?” Because here’s the scariest part of all – at least for me: If one can’t truthfully, scripturally, and in good conscience answer that question both here and now, how will they ever answer to God for it? Or better yet, to the Christ Himself? How will they ever stand before God and Christ and tell Them that Their name wasn’t good enough? That some sinner’s man-made name was worth glorifying and honoring more than His was to them? Think about that… and if that thought bothers them, as it surely should and once certainly did me, then it provides a perfect opportunity for you, fellow saint, to invite them to come and check out what – or better yet, WHO – the church of CHRIST is all about this coming Sunday!!!

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Evil Rulers

God Sees, God Knows and God Will React to Evil Rulers

The psalmist looked at the corruption of those who governed the land of Israel, and his heart was in great distress. The future looked so dismal and the psalmist’s only hope was to be found in God. Take a moment to read Psalm 94 and see if you do not share in this prayer to God to do something about the evil actions of those who rule.

Power corrupts society when evil men become powerful. Those who ruled were proud (verse 1); they were insolent and were not hesitant to show it in what they said (v. 4). The people were oppressed, and widows, orphans and strangers were often their victims (v. 6). They were workers of iniquity whose goal was to promote themselves (v. 4).

Power corrupts, but it does not matter to evil men. Their response when confronted about their actions was to say, “The Lord does not see,” and even if He does, He does not understand (v. 7). Sin often binds mankind so completely that we forget these most fundamental truths.

Power corrupts men, but God sees it all. The psalmist reminded the leaders of his day how senseless and foolish they had become. Do they not understand that God created the human ear? How could anyone say He does not hear what they are saying (v. 9)? Do they not understand the He who has the power to create the human eye sees all they are doing (v. 9)! God Almighty knows them. He knows their thoughts. He is just and will never cast off the righteous (vs. 8-14).

Power corrupts, but God some day will bring the wicked to justice. In the interim, the souls of the saints are agonized. The righteous author of this amazing psalm felt his own faith being tried and beginning to waver. He knew that unless the Lord did something he would find himself silenced, with his feet almost slipping away from God (vs. 17-18). God had been his defense in past times so he turned to God for His help (v. 22-23). He knew that in the midst of his anxiety the Comforter would bring delight to his troubled soul (v. 19).

Power corrupts, but it has no fellowship with God. Evil has within it the seeds of its own destruction. There is no way that the “throne of iniquity,” which seems often to prevail, has fellowship with God (v. 20). Our holy God cannot sit idly by, seeing evil apparently triumphing, and do nothing. Such would violate His nature.

The psalm closes with words to help us all when we see the evil deeds of those who rule us. “The Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge. He has brought on them their own iniquity and shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord shall cut them off” (vs. 22-23). When evil prevails, trust God. It is still always right to do right!

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Lessons From “The QuiltMaker’s Gift”

Lessons From “The QuiltMaker’s Gift”

We have in our collection at home a storybook called The QuiltMaker’s Gift by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken. (Orchard Books; New York, NY; © 2000).

The story begins by introducing the QuiltMaker, a mysterious old woman who lives in a cabin in the mountains. She is a quilter of consummate talent and spends all of her days making quilts and then at night she goes down into the villages and gives her quilts to the poor and to the needy. The act of giving brings her much joy.

Another character is introduced after the QuiltMaker – a greedy King. The King was one who was never happy, never smiled and never thought of anyone but himself. He liked nothing better than to receive presents – so he commanded each person in the Kingdom to give him a gift twice a year. In this way, he collected many wonderful and beautiful things – but they never could satisfy him. One day he found out about the QuiltMaker and realized that she had never given him a gift. Therefore, he went to her and demanded she give him a quilt. She refused – saying that she only gave them to those who were in need and that if the King would give away all of the presents he had received, when they were all gone, she would make him a quilt. She told him that every time he would give away a gift that she would add a new piece to his quilt.

After several more attempts to force her to give him a quilt, the King finally relented and promised to give away his many presents. He went home began to give away his many presents. With each gift he gave he began to feel happy – the more he gave, the happier he became. He decided to give away everything that he owned not just to those in his Kingdom but he went into the entire world giving away all his precious gifts. Each time he gave one away a messenger would tell the QuiltMaker and she would add a new piece to his quilt.

After many  years of gift giving, the King had become a wondrous and joyful man to be around. He loved nothing more than to give all his precious time and gifts to those in need. And when the time came that he gave away his last present, the QuiltMaker finished his quilt which was a masterpiece – so beautiful that birds would sing when they saw it and butterflies circled around it. When she was finished with the quilt, the QuiltMaker went in search of the King. When she found him, his clothes were torn and soiled and he had given away all that he had.  Then because he had made himself poor and now was in need – she gave him the quilt that she had made. The King replied that he was not poor, that in fact, he was the riches man he knew because of all the joy he had given and received in the giving away of his gifts.

Several wonderful parallels can be drawn from this delightful tale about the joy of giving:

The QuiltMaker’s labor of love reflects the blessings that come from above. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

The initial attitude of the King reminds us of the Rich Fool. “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.” ‘ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

The King’s unhappiness despite his over-abundance of material possessions, reflects the life of King Solomon and his discovery that there is “no profit under the sun.”(Ecclesiastes 2:11). Like the King in “The QuiltMaker’s Gift” Solomon had everything he wanted or desired, but in the end he found no happiness in things material. Solomon found happiness in serving God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). The QuiltMaker’s King found happiness in giving.

Like the Rich Young Ruler of Matthew 19:16-22, this ruler was ruled by his possessions. Both asked for something they greatly desired. The Rich Young Ruler asked for eternal life and the QuiltMaker’s King asked for a beautiful quilt. Both were told to give away their possessions. The Rich Young Ruler went away sorrowful, but the QuiltMaker’s King went away and did as he was told. The Rich Young Ruler’s soul remained bound to his possessions and he felt extreme sorrow at the thought of giving away his precious things, but the QuiltMaker’s King found true joy and happiness through his giving and in the end he received the treasure he desired most.

In reading the story we see demonstrated once again that materialism cannot satisfy the soul. We see illustrated the Truth that Jesus spoke when He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  (Acts 20:35).

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

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Don’t Let the Sun Go Down

Don’t Let the Sun Go Down

Everyone’s concept of the perfect day is different. My perfect day would likely involve a whole lot of fish, hiking, sports, good food, a campfire, and board games. The surroundings would be a few select friends, the ocean, and the mountains. It would be warm enough not to need a sweater, but cool enough to be completely comfortable! That is the kind of day which should not end. Let the sun just sit on the horizon and never go down. The truth of the matter is the sun does go down each day. It will continue doing so until God puts an end to it by replacing it with something better.

Elton John sings a song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”. It is a song about being rejected, having a relationship end. The proper understanding of the phrase “Don’t let the sun go down” is presented. It is a time in which there is an ending of an emotion, activity, relationship, process, etc. The sun must go down on certain things and life is one of them (James 4:14). However, such is not the case with all things. According to Isaiah 40:8, “The word of our God stands forever”. There are certain things which are ordained to end and others which are not; yet these do not cover all possible options. Man has control over certain aspects of his life and whether or not the sun goes down on them. Below six such items are mentioned.

Don’t let the sun go down on your growth
Every person born is given life and time. The times vary, but they are indeed a possession of man. He determines what he will do with the time. To think someone would just sit and let the time pass without expanding their knowledge about their God and the world around them is unfathomable. However, many people come really close to doing so. They sit and practically vegetate waiting for the day of their death. The apostle Peter encouraged the Christians to “Grow in the grace and knowledge” of Christ (2 Peter 3:18), something through which he said “all things pertaining to life and godliness” were known (2 Peter 1:3). The answers to a great number of man’s “why’s” cannot be discovered except through growth. Truly knowing yourself cannot be achieved except through growth. Knowledge of one’s own life and surroundings will point the individual to grow in knowledge of God (Romans 1:18-20). To refuse to grow is to go against one’s own conscience thereby darkening the heart. Most importantly, the knowledge of Christ allows us to grow in respect to our salvation (I Peter 2:2) and it enables to mature and be like Christ (Ephesians 4:15). Such a process does not come overnight, not is it achieved by doing nothing. Growth is a never ending action which the sun should never be allowed to go down upon.

Don’t let the sun go down on your love
With growth, comes love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Love can be manifested properly through devotion for God, others, and self. How can man not love God? He has so generously provided all that we have. He allows us the exhilaration of feeling sand between our toes and to hear the first cry of our newborn children. For those who desire to be his, he provides all that is needed (Matthew 6:33). He even sent his son to earth so all who choose to do so can have eternal life (John 3:16). Love for God should consume man (Matthew 22:37). By the example of Christ’s life, He demonstrated his love for others. It is a love which man is commanded to have (Ephesians 5:25, Matthew 5:44). The characteristic love of a Christian’s life (Galatians 5:22-23) is what enables others to see their love for God (I John 5:2). It allows mankind to know whether or not a person is indeed a Christian (John 13:35). If the sun goes down on the love in a Christian’s life, he is no longer a faithful Christian. A man who loves himself, who cares about his own salvation, cannot put aside love in his life. Love is the essence of being like Christ for God is love (I John 4:8).

Don’t let the sun go down on your service
The saying goes, “It is better to give than to receive”. This describes service. Service blesses the recipient and lifts the server’s heart if done in truth. Man was created to glorify God with good works (Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 5:16). Such deeds are service to the Father in heaven. When we do well, we please Him and fulfill our purpose (Genesis 4:7). True satisfaction can result from serving God through serving others. The knowledge someone is better off or happier through your hand is an intangible gift enabled by God. However, there is a great temptation and encouragement from the world to focus on self rather than others. There are so many different ways we can serve ourselves. Helping others logically seems to take time away from pleasing oneself. Therefore, man is prone to stray from serving others. Yet, accomplished by the logic of man, a life focused on self only result in tragedy not satisfaction. The issue of serving self is a drug which we can never get enough. Only serving self does not please God, it does not help others, and it does not prepare us for eternal blessing (Galatians 6:9). Stay strong and do not let the sun go down on your service.

Don’t let the sun go down on your sobriety
The Christian must always be alert, able to make clear decisions with wisdom (2 Timothy 4:5). When a man fails to be accurately aware of himself, he puts himself in danger (2 Corinthians 13:5). A warrior evaluates his armor and skills because he knows his life is on the line (I Peter 5:8). He looks for weak spots, vulnerabilities. He does not go into battle distracted, but with a clear mind. The Christian is always on the battle ground. The land mines of temptation are set everywhere. Snares and pitfalls are at every turn. There are no safe houses. The church has been infiltrated in many locations and in many ways. Study (2 Timothy 2:15), diligence (2 Peter 3:14), and self control (I Corinthians 9:25) are a necessity. God provides an escape for the traps that arise (I Corinthians 10:13), but they are only recognizable to those who endure in sobriety and do not let it end.

Don’t let the sun go down on your anger
Ephesians 4:26 is a verse which is interpreted in opposition to its text by many individuals. Specifically, the verse tells the Christian to be angry. It then tells the Christian to not let the sun go down on his anger. As in this entire discussion about not letting the sun go down on anything, we are talking about not letting it end. The text of the Ephesians 4 is talking about the Christian walk and staying away from sin. Sin is to be hated. As God, man is to be angry with sin. However, man is not to sin. Sinful anger is destructive (Exodus 5-14), jealous (Genesis 4:8), selfish (Jonah 4:9-11), unkind (I Kings 19:2), and ugly (Acts 7:54-60). One should be angry about sin because it destroys lives. It destroys souls. It keeps man from his eternal home and causes him to forsake the loving God who created him. The sun should never set upon man’s anger toward sin.

Don’t let the sun go down on your hope
Peter and Paul encouraged the Christians to keep hope in the return of Christ in I Peter 1:13 and Titus 2:11-15. If we did not have hope in the return of Christ, what would we have? What would a world without hope look like (I Thessalonians 4:13)? Sorrow, grief, and pain would abound. If it weren’t for the hope in Christ, the fall into pure evil would be drastically accelerated. Hope is what caused Paul to stand before governors and kings. Hope is what brought James to be put to death by the sword at Herod’s command. Hope is what enabled Christian after Christian to look to God as they fell at the hands of Roman persecution. Man is saved by hope (Romans 8:24). He looks to the examples of God’s gracious and faithful hand upon past generations to validate his hope (Romans 15:4). It is through the New Testament Gospel of Christ the world has hope of heaven and seeing the crown of his brothers and sisters standing with him (I Thessalonians 2:19). A man who trusts in God has the hope of resurrection (I Corinthians 15) and eternal life (Titus 1:2, 3:7). Such a hope must not end (Hebrews 6:11).

The sun must not go down on growth, love, service, sobriety, anger, and hope. Man has a duty to engage this choice. These are essential to the heart of Christianity. Christ stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father, but through me.” Where there is light, the Son has not gone away. He is coming back to take his sheep home. All the characteristics of those striving to be like Christ are alive and well with him. It is there we shall walk in the light for eternity.

Revelation 21:23 – And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

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