Blog Archives - WELCOME TO THE JOY OF TROY

December 28, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        VINDICATING GOD

        "And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them; and the nations will know that I am the Lord, says the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes." Eze. 36:23, R.S.V.

    God is wanting to vindicate Himself through us before the world. We will never vindicate God, but the evidence is that God will vindicate Himself through us. How is this going to happen? There's only one way. In the sanctuary, where Jesus ministers today, we find the method. There is the altar of burnt offering, reminding us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross that makes it possible for us even to enter the sanctuary. Inside, there is the table of shewbread, which represents Jesus, the Bread of Life, the Word of God. There's the altar of incense, which has to do with the righteousness of Christ and the prayers of the saints. On the other side are the golden candlesticks, with oil and light: the Holy Spirit and Christian witness. The methodology of relationship with Christ--Bible study, prayer, Christian witness, and righteousness of Christ and the Holy Spirit--is found in the sanctuary. And in the Most Holy Place are found the Ten Commandments, which through the presence and power of Jesus can still be kept.

    "Perfectionism" is not a safe topic. But perfection is a Bible teaching. We cannot reach a goal that we are not aware of. Perhaps that's one reason why we are told about it. We don't have to spend a lot of time dwelling on what we must be, but we can spend some useful, thankful hours dwelling on what we can be. There's a big difference between saying, "You have to reach this goal by the time probation closes," and saying, "God is going to lead His people to victory." There's a big difference between saying, "I must," and saying, "He can."

    When we do away with basing assurance on our level of perfection, let's not do away with perfection itself. At the very end, obedience or disobedience is the primary question to be decided (The Desire of Ages, p. 763). Our assurance is based on our continuing acceptance of what Jesus did at the cross, and when that is settled, we can accept perfection and obedience and victory with joy. Jesus is our High Priest, and He brings not only forgiveness from sin but power as well, for those who are tempted.

December 27, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        PERFECT OBEDIENCE POSSIBLE

        Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5.

    There ought to be a solution somewhere to the dilemma concerning obedience, and victory, and perfection, and the other questions being discussed in the church today. Even the theologians don't agree on Paul. Theologians and church historians don't agree on Luther. Greek scholars disagree on the Greek. And the people who use the Spirit of Prophecy statements at random, one here and one there, come up with opposite conclusions. But since "no other light ever has shone or ever will shine so clearly upon fallen man as that which emanated from the teaching and example of Jesus" (The Desire of Ages, p. 220), let us turn to the teachings of Jesus to find out whether He had anything to say about these issues. If you study carefully the four Gospels, along with the inspired commentary of the life of Christ, in context, you will find simple answers to some of the current questions. Here are a few excerpts taken from Scripture and the inspired commentary on the point of victory and overcoming:

        Not even by a thought did Jesus yield to temptation--so it may be with us. Jesus had no advantage over us in overcoming. There are no commandments which
        cannot be obeyed by all. We can obey as Jesus did. Jesus' mission was to bring us back to obedience. The law can be perfectly obeyed by every child of Adam,
        through grace. You must be perfect. Perfect righteousness we can attain; God will accomplish this for us. Jesus' life in you will produce the same as in Him.
        Satan is the one who tells us we cannot remedy our defects. Those who have no relationship with Christ do not believe in power to overcome. The object of the
        Christian life is the reproduction of Christ's character. The character of Christ is to be perfectly reproduced in His people.

    There are far too many of these statements to be ignored. You cannot dodge these premises and still face the truth that has long been truth in our church. While it is true that Jesus was God, and divine as well as human; and that we are only human, we can still do as Jesus did through His power. We will never be as Jesus was. But this has nothing to do with the fact that power is available, through the Holy Spirit, to live as He lived.

December 26, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        THE HONOR OF GOD

        That the righteousness oft he law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom. 8:4.

    Why should the possibility of overcoming and victory frighten us? Why should we be nervous about the idea that God wants to prove that He is right, through His people? The word vindication has been used in this connection. Some question whether or not anything we can do will vindicate God. But the real issue here is, "Is God right or is He not right? Is God true or is He false? Is He able to do what He says or not?" This is the devil's challenge.

    One main reason why people are edgy and frightened about the idea of overcoming is that they still have the idea that their eternal destiny is based on their behavior. This, then, leads them to a great lack of assurance. But if we really believe that our eternal destiny is settled as we continue to accept Christ's sacrifice at the cross, then we don't have to get nervous at all about the possibility of overcoming. We can rejoice at the thought! It is only the legalist, who is still trying in some way to save himself, who gets nervous when he hears about what God intends to do through His people in terms of overcoming and victory.

    We are told that "the very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people."--The Desire of Ages, p. 671. This is part of the issue in the great judgment of God.

    "The law requires righteousness--a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God." Now notice what immediately follows: "More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of Him which believeth in Jesus.' Rom. 3:26."--Ibid., p. 762. (Italics supplied.)

December 25, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        THE ACCUSER CAST DOWN

        And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Rev. 12:10.

    Satan's charge that God could not be just and at the same time forgive sinners was answered at the cross. Another charge that the enemy leveled against God was that even if sinners could be forgiven, God's law could not be kept. He accused God of making a law that was impossible to obey. In Christ's Object Lessons, page 314, this charge is specifically stated: "Satan...claimed that it was impossible for man to obey God's commandments." Let's not forget who it is who makes this claim. This is Satan's claim, this is his charge. And anyone else who claims that it is impossible for man to obey God's commandments is simply echoing Satan's original charge. It is true that in our own strength we are not able to obey. "But Christ came in the form of humanity, and by His perfect obedience He proved that humanity and divinity combined can obey every one of God's precepts....When a soul receives Christ, he receives power to live the life of Christ."--Ibid.

    Since Calvary, Satan's charge that mankind cannot obey God's commandments has become a major issue in the judgment of God. This issue wasn't completely answered by Jesus' life; it is a charge that has to be answered by God's people as well. And right here is a problem area in the popular Christian world. It has always been much the same. If people hear about the finished work of Christ and how our salvation is certain because of the cross, they will say "Amen" and "Parise the Lord." But when they hear about God's power to overcome sins, about victory and obedience, they get strangely quiet.

    Many people are frightened about the possibility of overcoming. For some reason there seems to be a fear that grips people concerning victory and obedience. It is becoming an unpopular topic even within our church, and this trend ought to say something to us. It ought to say something to people who have a special mission, a mission that goes beyond that of Luther or the Reformers. We have a unique contribution to make to the religious world, and obedience through faith is a significant part of it. We still have a part to play in honoring God's name before the world.

December 24, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        GOD ON TRIAL

        Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Rev. 14:7.

    God has been accused before the universe. God is on trial. God is up for judgment. It is the hour of His judgment that is come. While it is true that there is a pre-Advent judgment of people, which involves an examination of the heavenly records and a revelation concerning the name written in God's book, there is something more. In addition to this, the hour of God's judgment has come; and there is a close relationship between the judgment of God and the judgment of His people.

    In this heavenly court scene, where God is on trial, there is a prosecuting attorney. Revelation 12 talks about him. He is the dragon, that old serpent called the devil, and he has many accusations. One of his great accusations is that God is not love. Since the beginning of time he has worked to convince people that God is not love. Another of his charges is that God cannot forgive the sinner. While it is true that God cannot forgive sin, God can forgive sinners because of the cross.

    The devil knew of God's justice, that His whole government was just. He knew that if God went against His own character of justice, His government would fall. What he did not understand was the love of God, which had conceived of a plan, before the foundation of the earth, making provision to forgive sinners and still maintain justice.

    Satan thought he had God in a corner. Either sinners wouldn't be forgiven, and man would perish; or else sinners would be forgiven, God's government would go down, and Satan and his angels would gain control of the universe. But a cross on a lonely hill forever settled this issue. When Jesus cried, "It is finished," the devil knew that his doom was sealed. He knew that he was finished, and that all that remained for him was to get as many as possible to suffer and perish with him.

    The cross of Christ settled forever the accusations against God's mercy versus His justice. God was proved to be a God of love, and when men are led to behold the cross, they will see that God has been judged, and that He has been vindicated.

December 23, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        SAINTS DON'T CLAIM PERFECTION

        Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1:15.

    The purpose for perfection, whatever perfection God has in mind for His children, is to bring honor and glory to Him. Those who obey God bring rewards for His suffering (Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 89). Those who obey God, and who by His grace understand perfection of character, bring honor to Christ (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 102). Those who obey God bring honor to Christ, because the honor of God is involved in the perfection of the character of His people (The Desire of Ages, p. 671). "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father" (Matt. 5:16).

    Perfection is not the basis of our salvation. Jesus' death on the cross, accepted on our behalf, is the basis of our salvation. But obedience and Christian perfection bring glory to Him. However, perfection is never apart from God; therefore, we don't bring honor to Him, He brings honor to Himself through us. If it's Christ dwelling within, then He's doing it. Are we going to exonerate God by our holy lives? No--God wants to exonerate Himself by whatever we allow Him to do in our lives.

    But we must always remember that the religion of Christ includes more than forgiveness. It includes setting us free from the power of sin here and now. This doesn't mean we will no longer be sinners. Even the apostle Paul admitted that he was the chief of sinners. He wasn't saying that he was sinning all the time. We will join him in that acknowledgment.

    Anyone who claims to be perfect or sinless is simply advertising the fact that he's not. We can never claim perfection, because the closer we come to Jesus, the more faulty we will appear in our own eyes. The apostle Paul proved it. "The nearer we come to Jesus and the more clearly we discern the purity of His character, the more clearly we shall discern the exceeding sinfulness of sin and the less we shall feel like exalting ourselves. Those whom heaven recognizes as holy ones are the last to parade their own goodness."--Christ's Object Lessons, p. 160. But although we cannot claim to be perfect, yet as we keep our eyes fixed upon Christ, we can be perfect at every stage of growth.

December 22, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        WHAT ABOUT PERFECTION?

        Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt. 5:48.

    There is a vast difference between the legitimate study of the subject of perfection and becoming involved in perfectionism. A person who is into perfectionism is one who becomes preoccupied with perfection. He thinks of little else. He focuses his attention primarily on the subject of perfection, and everybody else's as well. The perfectionist is the one who insists that the sinful nature gets eradicated before Jesus comes, that not only can we overcome but we can become sinless in ourselves. I would like to disclaim any kind of identity with perfectionism--but the doctrine of perfection is a good Bible doctrine, a good Bible teaching, which Jesus Himself taught.

    In our text for today it says, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." There are those who would like to say that the word perfect in the Bible means nothing more than mature. And it's true that the original word includes the idea of maturity. But the word mature is a stronger word than perfect. It carries with it the idea of ultimate perfection. Jesus allowed for growth in the Christian life. This is clear in Mark 4:28: "First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." A blade can be a perfect blade, and an ear can be a perfect ear. But the full corn in the ear is not only perfect but mature as well. So we are told that at every stage of development we may be perfect (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 65). You can have a perfect baby, one that gurgles and coos. You can have a perfect 1-year-old, who chatters and jabbers. But if a person is still gurgling and cooing and jabbering at age 20, we get nervous!

    I'm thankful for the concept of perfection given by Jesus, aren't you? It may be very likely that some of us are still in the stages of growth! But we can still be perfect for the stage that we're in.

    Let's not make excuses while we are growing in Christ. Let's not make excuses for sinning, or assume that because we have not yet achieved perfect maturity that it is not possible--that we will continue to fall and fail indefinitely. Perfection--perfect maturity--is God's goal for each of us.

December 21, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        SANCTIFICATION BY JUSTIFICATION

        And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. Luke 7:42, 43.

    What is the purpose of studying the Bible, of praying, and of the relationship of a daily devotional life with God? It is for the purpose of studying God's great grace, His forgiveness, His love, and what He did for us at the cross. It is by studying and contemplating His mighty love, and His acceptance of us, that sanctification takes place. Because the more you're forgiven, the more you love; and the more you love, the more you will obey (John 14:15). It is meaningful to discover that sanctification comes by justification.

    In John 8:11, when the woman was dragged to Jesus, Jesus said to her, I don't condemn you. There is no one today who is condemned by Jesus. Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. It's only when we understand this that we can go and sin no more. One is the result of the other. We don't go and sin no more by trying hard not to sin. That's a dead-end street. The only way we can ever hope to go and sin no more is by discovering, and continually being reminded day by day, that God doesn't condemn us. It is good news again today that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

    In order to understand sanctification correctly, we must be clear on the subject of justification. If we don't have it clear in our minds that we are accepted before God when we accept what Jesus did for us at the cross, then we will become confused. We will think that our obedience is the basis for our acceptance, and we will get discouraged when we find we're not doing that well in overcoming. But we can stand uncondemned today in God's presence as we accept what Jesus has done for us. We will always need the covering of His blood.

    Although obedience is not a condition of acceptance with God, it is a condition for salvation. When we come, and continue to come, to Him, He is enabled to work in us to fulfill the conditions necessary for salvation, and He has promised that He is able to finish the work He has started in our lives (Phil. 1:6).

December 20, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        BRINGING GLORY TO GOD

        Let you light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matt. 5:16.

    For the person who has given up on himself, there is then the privilege of accepting Christ's righteousness. There are two aspects to the righteousness of Christ--first, Christ's righteousness for us, and second, the righteousness of Christ in us. There are people who have given up and accepted Christ's righteousness for them who have not given up and accepted Christ's righteousness in them. It is possible to give up on one but not the other, and in that case you have the most subtle form of holding on to the old problem of salvation by works. Even though I believe the cross and the finished work of Christ is enough to save me, if I haven't given up on trying to change my life, trying to manufacture genuine obedience on my own steam, trying to force myself to victory, then I am still a victim of salvation by works on that level. Accepting of His righteousness on both fronts is a tremendous privilege that we cannot dodge or miss in the great theme of salvation by faith in Christ alone.

    The object on the Christian life is the reproduction of the character of Christ in His followers. The object of the Christian life is fruit-bearing, for God's glory. (See Christ's Object Lessons, p. 67). Is the object of the Christian life to reproduce His character so that we can be saved? No. It is so there can be honor and glory brought to God. In Matthew 5:16 Jesus made it clear that the fruits of righteousness are for glorifying God. John 15:8, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit." John 17:10, Christ is glorified in us. Our works, our sanctification, our obedience, our victories, are not for saving us in heaven, they are for bringing glory to God. But if a person is interested only in getting to heaven, and not interested in bringing glory to God, then we might seriously question whether salvation in heaven can be expected by that person.

    In Christ's Object Lessons, page 384, we are told that sanctification is Christ in the life. What is the purpose of having Christ in the life? It is to bring honor and glory to God, as others see Christ in us. There is still bigger business than the certainty of our own salvation, and that bigger business is bringing glory to God, as we share His love with others.

December 19, 2018

1/7/2019

Focus on Jesus                        LORD, SAVE US!

        And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Matt. 8:26.

    The essence of Jesus' teaching was self-surrender (The Desire of Ages, p. 523). Until he has given up on himself, no one understands how obedience and victory can be spontaneous. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why we can have so much trouble with the question of whether obedience is natural or deliberate. The person who insists on deliberate obedience, on forcing himself to obey, is the one who hasn't surrendered himself yet. But the one who has given up on himself and realizes that he can't do it is the one who begins to experience natural and spontaneous obedience. And if self-surrender was the substance of Christ's teachings, then this places obedience by faith rather high on the priority list.

    When the disciples were sinking out on the sea, they didn't say, "God, help us." They said, "Lord, save us!" A person who looks toward Heaven and says, "God, I need some help" may be admitting something about his lack of surrender. If I say to you, "I wish you'd come over and help me mow my lawn," and you, being in a friendly sort of mood, say, "Yes, I'll come over," what do you expect? Do you expect me to say, "There's the lawn, here's the mower, and I'll be out back in the hammock"? What do we mean by the word help? We mean we'll do it together. You'll do part, I'll do part. In fact, the word help usually indicates that the person to be helped does most of the work, and the one "helping" just adds a little extra.

    When a person is going down in the water for the last time, he doesn't say, "God, help me." He says, "God, save me!" What does that mean? It means, "God, You're going to have to do it all." Peter, when he was sinking, said, "Lord, save me."

    In Matthew 13:45, 46, Jesus talked about the pearl of great price. He said that you have to sell everything you have in order to get the pearl. In Luke 14:33 He said that we can't be His disciples unless we have given up on everything--it will cost everything we have. And all through the Gospels, Jesus speaks of the cross--our cross--which is death for us. We must die, we must give up on ourselves, before we can understand what sanctification and obedience and victory is all about.