Was the Writer of Daniel David’s Son?

Well, some say that Daniel, also known as Chiliab, was the second son of David, King of Israel, with Abigail, apparently, David’s third wife. (1 Chronicles 3:1; 2 Samuel 3:3).  Now, it is true that he had a son named Daniel.  And, unlike the other of David’s three elder sons, Amnon, Absalom, and Adonijah who were important characters in 2 Samuel, Daniel is only named in the list of David’s sons and no further mention is made to him.  Now, though being the second son, Daniel was not a contender for the throne of Israel, even after the death of the first-born Amnon, the third-born Absalom and fourth-born Adonijah.  The throne eventually passed to his younger half brother, Solomon.

But, as to this Daniel being the writer of Daniel, there are some things to keep in mind: First, by 1020 BC, David is already deceased.  But, Babylon surrounded and captured Israel in 606 BC.  That is 414 year gap between David and Daniel.  Second, David reigned over all Israel, but by the time we come to Daniel, the nation had been split to Judah and Israel after the death of Solomon around 922 BC.  Third, Zedekiah was the king at the time Daniel was taken to captivity (2 Chron. 36:10), while Jeremiah was preaching (Jer. 27:1).  So, I do not believe the writer of Daniel to be the son of David.

Now, I will say that Daniel seems to have descended from one of the highest families in Judah.  Possibly of the royal line (Isa 39:5-7).  Also, notice Dan 1:3, 7, “And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes . . . Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.”  So, he was carried into Babylon, along with 3 other Hebrew youths, in the 3rd of Jehoiakim’s reign, about 606-605 BC (Dan 1:1) Jehoiakim’s reigned from 608-597 BC

Now, something else about Daniel, he was probably 15-18 years old when he was carried into captivity (lived at least 85-90, maybe older).  He and other Hebrew youths were put into the service of the royal court of Babylon.  He was given the Chaldean name of Belteshazzar (meaning Bel’s prince or protector).  He was given a thorough education and what especially instructed in speaking and writing the Chaldean language (Dan 1:4).  So, while Daniel was a great man, probable of royal decent, but not the son of David.  Maybe a descendent from him.  But, that is unknown.

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Pace of Play: Swing Tips for Golf and Life

Coaching my daughter’s High School girl’s golf team is for me rewarding and tiresome at the same time. I love the experiences and mentoring but a two-hour match can sometimes turn into a four-hour nightmare. One of the things we talk about is “pace of play.” After your shot you move quickly to your ball and prepare for the next shot. We play “ready golf,” where we are more concerned with pace of play than whose “out” or furthest away from the hole.

Last year in a match my daughters opponent asked if it was okay for her to “sit down” off the side of the green for a while and rest. My daughter said, “I guess so” and moved on to the next hole. Some players will take four or five practice swings before every shot. They chat and (as the other coach I work with often jokes) become “facebook friends” during the round.

The opposite extreme is also a problem though. Some players will rush through the round so quickly that they do not play to their fullest potential. They take no practice swings from awkward lies, they have no pre-shot routine, they rush putts, and they don’t slow down enough to think about what they need to be doing. We don’t have to finish in record time, but we don’t need to be out here all day either.

After practice this morning, and going over some of these things with the team, it dawned on me that the spiritual life of many Christians is approached in similar fashion to these two extremes. There are those who sit around or spend so much time taking “practice swings” that they never get anything accomplished. Yet there are also those who rush through this Christian life so fast that they cannot possible be as effective as they could be for the Lord.

Here are some “swing tips:”

  1. To be successful in golf and in the Christian life we need to have a positive mindset. This is where prayer comes it. It is in the time we spend with God in prayer that we pour out our hearts and find the strength and encouragement to press on. Pray often and pray with others. “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
  2. You need to develop a good pre-shot routine to be consistent! For the Christian this is accomplished through regularly scheduled times of personal devotion and Bible study. There are many Christians who are “pulling the trigger” prematurely! Paul says this very thing when he speaks of the Hebrews who “…have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2).
  3. Make a swing! Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go” (Matthew 22:9; 28:19). At some point we have to move from the practice tee to the coarse and when we have made adequate preparation we need to execute with purpose.
  4. Once we have taken our shot we need to move on. Sure, we are going to swing and miss, we are going to slice it into the woods, and we are going to hook it into a hazard. We are going to make mistakes and we are going to get frustrated but we must keep pressing on (Philippians 3:14). On occasion we are going to stripe one right down the middle and its okay to celebrate but still realize we have to go hit it again.
  5. Head back to the range and keep practicing. Times of collective Bible study, personal devotion and both public and private worship are essential to being able to take our game to the course. As are times of fellowship and benevolent activities. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

There is only so much time we have in this game of life. And as Christians we need to understand the urgency we face in bringing others to Christ. “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).   Let’s all keep the pace of play. There is a great reward waiting for those who do! Be faithful.

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When Spouses Hinder

What to Do When Spouses Hinder

Several weeks ago, I wrote an article detailing the supportive intention of the marital relationship (as opposed to spouses hindering one another). I have since received a request from a kind sister-in-Christ to follow that article up with one discussing what spouses should do when their mates are hindrances and not helpers, and I am happy to oblige. Sadly, many members of the church of our Lord have mates who either are not Christians or are not faithful to their Savior. What should spouses do when their mates are hindrances?

I believe the apostle Peter may offer some insight and assistance. In his first epistle, Peter speaks much of submission and subjection. He alludes to this in the first chapter by referring to us as “obedient children” (1:14), but he directs this theme more prominently in the next chapter: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…” (2:13), and continues with the exhortation to servants being in subjection to their masters (2:18), even if they should suffer wrongfully (2:19-20). After he illustrates this prominent principle with the example of Jesus Christ (2:20-25), he continues, “In like manner, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, even if any obey not the word, they may without the word be gained by the behavior of their wives” (3:1 ASV). Please ignore the chapter break—when he begins with the expression, “In like manner,” he is linking the previous thoughts from chapter 2 with his current thoughts in First Peter 3. Thus, under consideration are wives (spouses) who are married to husbands (spouses) who are not Christians. Due to this fact, there likely will be some form of persecution or hindrance in living the Christian life, as this is the context of the discussion.

First, Peter strongly urges Christian wives to be cognizant of their manner of living (3:1). The term “behavior” (“conversation” in the KJV) is one of the key terms of Peter in this first letter, and he states that a Christian woman who conducts herself with the right way of living may even be successful in converting her husband “without the word.” In other words, she is letting her light shine in the way she treats him (with subjection, as all wives are to do with their husbands—Eph. 5:22-24) and in her daily behavior. Christian spouses will never be successful in converting their mates if they do not model Christianity in the first place. Rather, they will come across as hypocrites (cf. Matt. 23:3-4), and will likely only exasperate the hindering situation.

Second, when spouses hinder, then faithful Christian wives need to concentrate on displaying both chastity and fear (3:2), which simply reinforces the former point. Chastity refers to the concept of purity or holiness (cf. 1:15-16), and fear references the submission or subjection that wives are to display to their husbands, even using the relationship between Sarah and Abraham as a biblical example (3:5-6). In other words, not only should faithful Christian spouses live the right type of daily life before their hindering mates, but they are to concentrate especially on their particular role within the marriage relationship—wives are to submit to their husbands, and husbands (should they be the faithful Christian in this incident) should focus on loving their wives, even though they pmay be hindering their faith (cf. Eph. 5:25-33). When Christian mates display their respective roles as Christ desires within the relationship, then it will help the hindering mate to respond appropriately.

Third, when spouses hinder, then faithful mates should never make it about themselves (3:3-4). Speaking to those wives, Peter admonishes them never to live in such a way where the focus is on them (inherent within the restrain they should have in their adorning). We ought to remember this always, especially by those who are in such circumstances. How easy it is for one spouse to develop the “Woe is me!” complex, and begin to crave attention and focus. As a matter of fact, whenever there is any tension in any marriage relationship, the devil will tempt the other mate to think, “He (or she) is not living right and treating me badly,” and then the focus turns to self rather than the one who is sick. No Christian ought to live in such a way where they crave focus and attention—“Look at me!”—but rather to live where the focus and attention is always on God!

From the apostle Peter, here are some thoughts that may help when one Christian may be married to a spouse that is hindering and not helping the relationship. Live right every day, be sure that you are fulfilling your respective role in the relationship and never make the situation about self. In this way, we may see more unbelieving or unfaithful mates draw closer to Jesus Christ!

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The Congregation’s Treasury

BIBLICALY SANCTIONED: Paul instructed the Corinthian church (i.e. collectively), “to lay by in store on the first day of the week.” (1 Cor 16:2).

DEFINITION:  Concerning these words, “lay” and “store” – W.E. Vine in Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says, regarding both words – that they refer to a common treasury. Concerning this instruction, Albert Barnes says of the phrase – “lay by in store” in 1 Corinthians 16:2 – “They were to lay it by, and put into the common treasury, that there might be no trouble collecting when he should come. Alternatively, it may, perhaps, mean that they were individually to treasure it up, having designated in their own mind the sum that they could give, and have in readiness when he should come. This was evidently to be done not on one Sunday only, but was to be done on EACH Lord’s Day until he should come.” (From Barnes’ Notes)

SCRIPTURAL USES OF THE CONGREGATION’S TREASURY:

Editor’s Note: There is a great difference in the use of the Lord’s Treasury today by religious organizations; The many and sundry uses are to my personal understanding contrary to the teaching of the New Testament on the matter. It is my honest contention that there are only three legitimate (i.e. Scriptural uses) of the treasury.

1.         BENEVOLENCE: God’s Written Word is clear on this point as we see in the church at Jerusalem, the needs of the poor were cared for from the congregations treasury by an appointed group (i.e. possibly the first deacons) – cf., Acts 6:1-8. Again in Acts 11:28-30 we read of the congregation in Antioch sending relief to the church in Judea.

2.         EVANGELISM: The New Testament church consistently involved itself in the instructions given by the Lord to the apostles. The early church set the pattern for us in congregational evangelism as they took the gospel to the entire world of their day, Today we must also do as much in the area of local and world evangelism as the congregation is able to do. We note also that the early congregations supported those that spent their lives in teaching the gospel. Paul wrote that the laborer was worthy of his hire, cf., 1 Timothy 5:18. Paul also instructed churches to support those that sowed spiritual things among them (i.e. teachers/preachers) cf.,

1 Corinthians 9:6-14, “6 Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth, or saith he it assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, (to thresh) in hope of partaking. If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? If others partake of (this) right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat (of) the things of the temple, (and) they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel.” ASV

It is also shown that the church at Philippi sent again and again to Paul’s needs while he was involved in preaching the gospel; cf., Philippians 4:14-18, “14 Howbeit ye did well that ye had fellowship with my affliction. And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things (that came) from you, and odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.” ASV

Since this work is to be performed to the extent of each congregation’s ability; this method is binding on each autonomous congregation today.

3.         EDIFICATION: The Written Word requires of each congregation that it come together at appointed times for worship and edification. An upper room was utilized at Troas, cf., Acts 20:6-9, “6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days. 7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. 9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.” ASV

The apostle Paul apparently rented a place while he was in Rome where he preached the gospel for two years, cf. Acts 28:30-31, “30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.” ASV

Since the assembly of the church is appointed by Scripture, whatever is needed to expedite the assembly is authorized. Some brethren meet in a home, some in a rented building, some in a building constructed by funds from the church treasury. It is also true that song books, Bibles, class material, etc. – whether purchased from brethren or compiled by the elders or the preacher of the congregation, may be purchased from the congregation’s treasury.

SOME UNAUTHORIZED USES OF THE CHURCHES TREASURY:

Funds from the treasury ought not be used for entertaining the membership or others.

The church treasury should not be used to provide banqueting facilities for the membership – there are many other ways and places for such matters.

The congregation’s treasury should not be used to support entities that are not part of the churches mission.

The congregations treasury ought to be used for Biblically authorized causes only – Col 3:15-17, “15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms (and) hymns (and) spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, (do) all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” ASV

CONSIDER THIS: In this brief study, I have attempted to show that each congregation has the responsibility to the extent of its ability to perform it assigned Divine Mission:

1.         Edification

2.         Benevolence

3.         Evangelism

Ephesians 4:10-12, “10 He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some (to be) apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:” ASV

DIVINE PATTERN FOR RAISING FUNDS FOR THE TREASURY:

Many of our religious neighbors resort to any means to raise money to carry on their work program. The only method that God authorizes in the New Testament for raising funds to carry on the work that HE has assigned each congregation is through free-will contributions into a common treasury on the first day of each week, cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. 2 Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.” ASV

Any method other that that stated in 1 Cor 16:1-2 is unauthorized by God; the duty of each Christian in the church is therefore responsible as a collective body to build the congregation’s treasury with their weekly contributions so that the work may be done.

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God’s Justice, Mercy & Grace

“Gracious is Jehovah, and righteous; Yea, our God is merciful. Jehovah preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he saved me.” (Psalm 116:5-6)

If we are to truly understand and appreciate the concept of God’s grace, there are two other related concepts that we must also understand. God’s Justice (judgment) and God’s Mercy. Just as we cannot truly appreciate the sunlight, until we have experienced total darkness, we cannot appreciate God’s grace, without knowing of His Absolute Righteous Justice and Judgment.

God is Just

“For I will proclaim the name of Jehovah: Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). “For I will proclaim the name of Jehovah: Ascribe ye greatness unto our God. The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.” (Psalm 89:14). What is Justice? Webster’s definition of justice, “The maintenance or administration of what is just (“the state of being in conformity with what is morally upright or good – righteousness”) especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments” Simple Definition – a person gets the recompense they deserve. Guilty of a crime – “do the time.” When one is convicted of capital murder, the judge sentences him to death and he is executed. Justice is served.

What is God’s Justice? An example of the exercise of God’s Justice is found in Nehemiah 9:33-35,

“Howbeit thou art just in all that is come upon us; for thou hast dealt truly, but we have done wickedly; neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works.”

What does God’s Justice demand? “For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). Under the Old Testament, the price of sin was death. However, because God is merciful, a substitutionary sacrifice was allowed. “And according to the law, I may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and apart from shedding of blood there is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22). Who is under this condemnation? Everyone. “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” (Ecclesiastes 7:20). “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12) “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). Why then, are we not struck dead the moment that we commit sin? Because…

God is Merciful

“Jehovah thy God is a merciful God; he will not fail thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” (Deuteronomy 4:32). “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children…” (Psalm 103:17). What is mercy? Webster’s Dictionary, “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power; lenient or compassionate treatment.” Simple Definition – a person does not get the recompense he deserves. One is convicted of capital murder, the judge sentences him to death but the governor grants clemency and the sentence is reduced to life in prison. What is God’s Mercy? An example is found in Matthew 18:23-27,

“Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt…”

God’s mercy, in general, is demonstrated first in His creation of all things. (Genesis 1:27-3). And by His providence toward all mankind, “For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”(Matthew 5:4-5) and His long-suffering, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance…” (2 Peter 3:9).

God’s mercy toward this believer is further and more abundantly demonstrated in the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on the cross, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot…” (1 Peter 1:18-19). God’s Justice demands the death of the sinner but God’s mercy allowed for the atonement sacrifice of Jesus to take our place – Romans 5:6-10,

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life…”

God’s mercy toward mankind transcends the simple granting of clemency. We can never truly know the depths of God’s love, but perhaps we can understand just how deep it truly is, as we study about…

God’s Grace

What is Grace? Webster’s defines it as, “Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another; as a grant made as an act of grace.” Simple Definition – a person receives that which is undeserved. One is convicted of capital murder, justly deserves death, the judge sentences him to death, but the governor pardons him and the prisoner goes free. What is God’s Grace? Unearned, unmerited favor and good will of God extended to all men who will accept the gift. (The terms grace and salvation are inseparable in the New Testament). “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9). God’s grace is clearly seen in Ephesians 2:1-6,

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”

Grace comes from God through Jesus Christ. God manifested His grace in the gift of Christ. “That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7). “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;” (1 Corinthians 1:4).

God’s grace is what makes salvation possible. “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” (Acts 15:11) “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” (Romans 3:24) “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…”(Titus 2:11).

How are we saved by grace? By a plan that can be taught. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” (Titus 2:11-12). By the blood of Jesus. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Ephesians 1:7). His blood that was shed for all. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man”(Hebrews 2:9).

However, not all will be saved. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). Hence, man must do something to reach the blood.

We are saved by grace through faith, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith saves when faith obeys. By faith, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down, but not until the people obeyed. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30).

Salvation is “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesiasn 2:9). Man cannot save himself by his own works, but he must work according to God’s plan to be saved. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12). “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only…. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”(James 2:24, 26).

Noah was saved by grace, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” (Genesis 6:8). Noah was also saved by faith, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear…” (Hebrews 11:7a). Noah was saved by grace, faith and by obedience. “Noah …prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith…” (Hebrews 11:7b).

This is the way God’s grace saves today. A good illustration that has often been used to describe the Biblical view of God’s grace goes like this, “Imagine that a car dealer sends you a flier in the mail that reads, ‘Our free gift to you – A New Car! You must be a licensed driver over the age of 18 and come to the dealership on Monday, March 26, 2007 before 9:00 a.m. to claim your free car.’ There is something that you must do in order to receive your free car – you must drive to the dealership on the morning of March 25th before 9:00 a.m.! It’s still a free car, even though I had to do something to claim it!”

God’s grace is extended to all. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…”(Titus 2:11). Yes, the grace that bringeth salvation is the free gift of God, but we still have to do something to claim that free gift – we must reach out for it. He’s holding it out to us, desperately wanting us to receive it from Him. He wants us to reach out to Him and take the gift He has offered.

We receive that most precious of all gifts when we obey His Son Jesus the Christ. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”(Hebrews 5:9) When we believe the gospel. “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:29); confess Christ, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33); Repent of our sins, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”(Acts 3:19); and are baptized into Christ, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27).

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