Randy Green's Blog, page 496
November 27, 2011
What's the difference?
Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, (Jesus) explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures [Luke 24:27].
"All the Scriptures" teach about Jesus in some capacity, whether about His Person or about His ministry. This is infinitely so when it comes to the various offerings in the Law of Moses. For our purposes today we will limit our discussion to the sin offering and the guilt offering.
The question at hand, then, is what's the difference between sin and guilt? Since these were two different offerings, a difference must needs exist to mandate two different offerings. In seeking an answer, we mustn't forget Jesus' words quoted at the start of this post. These two offerings, as well as all the offerings, were picture stories to teach aspects of Jesus' Person and/or ministry.
Over the centuries many varying attempts have been made to define this difference. For instance, some folks thought the sin offering was directed toward God, while the guilt offering was directed toward man. But a cursory reading of Scripture reveals that some of the sins which required the guilt offering had to do solely with God. Man had no part in the matter.
Several other theories also exist. This issue is a deep one, requiring much thought and prayer for an answer. I believe I have the correct understanding, and I share it in detail in my book on Leviticus. A full vetting of the various theories, as well as a presentation of my explanation, requires considerable space.
This post is not the place to copy a large portion of my book! To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesLeviticus
"All the Scriptures" teach about Jesus in some capacity, whether about His Person or about His ministry. This is infinitely so when it comes to the various offerings in the Law of Moses. For our purposes today we will limit our discussion to the sin offering and the guilt offering.
The question at hand, then, is what's the difference between sin and guilt? Since these were two different offerings, a difference must needs exist to mandate two different offerings. In seeking an answer, we mustn't forget Jesus' words quoted at the start of this post. These two offerings, as well as all the offerings, were picture stories to teach aspects of Jesus' Person and/or ministry.
Over the centuries many varying attempts have been made to define this difference. For instance, some folks thought the sin offering was directed toward God, while the guilt offering was directed toward man. But a cursory reading of Scripture reveals that some of the sins which required the guilt offering had to do solely with God. Man had no part in the matter.
Several other theories also exist. This issue is a deep one, requiring much thought and prayer for an answer. I believe I have the correct understanding, and I share it in detail in my book on Leviticus. A full vetting of the various theories, as well as a presentation of my explanation, requires considerable space.
This post is not the place to copy a large portion of my book! To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesLeviticus
November 26, 2011
God vs. the Lord God
If you open your Bible to Genesis chapter 1, you will see the Divine Being identified by the word God. In fact this word is employed through Genesis 2:3. Beginning at v.4 of chapter 2, the Divine Being is identified as the Lord God. We are to garner a goodly amount of theological instruction from this, dear friends.
From Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 the subject matter is the creation of the heavens and the earth. Beginning with Genesis 2:4 the subject matter switches to the earth, to mankind's rule over it as the Divine Being's steward, and to man's personal relationship with the Lord.
Ergo, when the word God is used to identify the Divine Being, the emphasis is on His being high and mighty, far above His creation, the Creator Who is unapproachable and fearsome. When the identifier is the Lord God, His personal relationship with man is the focus, His being close to us, approachable and desirable to converse with. The concept behind the words Lord God also apply to the one word Lord.
In theology textbooks the concept of God as being far removed from man is expressed by the word transcendence. The concept of the Lord God as being close and intimate with man, as being in covenantal relationship with him, goes by the word immanence. But don't confuse this word with the word imminence, which means "at any moment".
If you will meditate on these concepts a bit, they will aid you immensely in understanding Scripture. The concepts are applicable throughout the Old Testament. In the New Testament the Lord God receives the identifier Jesus Christ. So be sure to save this RAM info to your gray matter hard disk and use it liberally!
For additional reading consult eBook = Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. paperback and hardcover = Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes: An Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians: Volume 1: Genesis
For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
From Genesis 1:1 through 2:3 the subject matter is the creation of the heavens and the earth. Beginning with Genesis 2:4 the subject matter switches to the earth, to mankind's rule over it as the Divine Being's steward, and to man's personal relationship with the Lord.
Ergo, when the word God is used to identify the Divine Being, the emphasis is on His being high and mighty, far above His creation, the Creator Who is unapproachable and fearsome. When the identifier is the Lord God, His personal relationship with man is the focus, His being close to us, approachable and desirable to converse with. The concept behind the words Lord God also apply to the one word Lord.
In theology textbooks the concept of God as being far removed from man is expressed by the word transcendence. The concept of the Lord God as being close and intimate with man, as being in covenantal relationship with him, goes by the word immanence. But don't confuse this word with the word imminence, which means "at any moment".
If you will meditate on these concepts a bit, they will aid you immensely in understanding Scripture. The concepts are applicable throughout the Old Testament. In the New Testament the Lord God receives the identifier Jesus Christ. So be sure to save this RAM info to your gray matter hard disk and use it liberally!
For additional reading consult eBook = Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. paperback and hardcover = Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes: An Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians: Volume 1: Genesis
For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
The Kogae Tree
The Lord God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed. Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil [Genesis 2:8-9].
We take from those two verses a contrast between three categories of trees. FIrst there was "every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food". Such trees, indeed, would be suitable in a "garden". Am I not right?
The second and third categories of trees were not just planted in the garden: they were "in the midst of the garden". The centrality of these two trees to man's environment meant they took center stage in the life of Adam and Eve.
Okay. Then what were the two trees around which the life of man and woman revolved? There was the "tree of life", and there was the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". For brevity's sake I created an acronym for that last named tree. I call it the kogae tree, i.e., Knowledge Of Good And Evil tree.
Hmm. Just what is a kogae tree anyway? One clue we have for deciphering it is the contrast it has with the life tree. The life tree, if we employ the definitions of the two words, would be a tree which bestows life to those who eat its fruit. It wouldn't seem to be much of a stretch, then, to suggest the kogae tree bestowed death to those who ate its fruit.
Why did death result from eating the fruit of the kogae tree? Well, it's like this. The Hebrew word for "knowledge" in the phrase "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" doesn't simply mean "information". The Hebrew word refers to experiential knowledge, knowledge we obtain by experiencing something.
The knowledge gained by eating the fruit of the kogae tree was to experience the reality of good and evil. The Lord God forbade man to eat the fruit of this tree. By eating it man disobeyed the Word of God. This is known as sin. The wages of sin is death, so man died when he ate the fruit of this tree.
This helps us more fully define why man received life, when he ate the fruit of the life tree. The Lord decreed that, by eating of its fruit, life would be imparted to man. Obedience to the Word of God resulted in man's receiving life.
Do you see from this why the life tree and the kogae tree were placed by the Lord God in the midst of the garden? Man's condition, whether to live or to die, whether to be alive or to be dead, revolves around whether he obeys the Word of God or disobeys it.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord [Joshua 24:15]. This can only be done on the basis of having life, and life can only result from obeying the Word of God.
We take from those two verses a contrast between three categories of trees. FIrst there was "every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food". Such trees, indeed, would be suitable in a "garden". Am I not right?
The second and third categories of trees were not just planted in the garden: they were "in the midst of the garden". The centrality of these two trees to man's environment meant they took center stage in the life of Adam and Eve.
Okay. Then what were the two trees around which the life of man and woman revolved? There was the "tree of life", and there was the "tree of the knowledge of good and evil". For brevity's sake I created an acronym for that last named tree. I call it the kogae tree, i.e., Knowledge Of Good And Evil tree.
Hmm. Just what is a kogae tree anyway? One clue we have for deciphering it is the contrast it has with the life tree. The life tree, if we employ the definitions of the two words, would be a tree which bestows life to those who eat its fruit. It wouldn't seem to be much of a stretch, then, to suggest the kogae tree bestowed death to those who ate its fruit.
Why did death result from eating the fruit of the kogae tree? Well, it's like this. The Hebrew word for "knowledge" in the phrase "tree of the knowledge of good and evil" doesn't simply mean "information". The Hebrew word refers to experiential knowledge, knowledge we obtain by experiencing something.
The knowledge gained by eating the fruit of the kogae tree was to experience the reality of good and evil. The Lord God forbade man to eat the fruit of this tree. By eating it man disobeyed the Word of God. This is known as sin. The wages of sin is death, so man died when he ate the fruit of this tree.
This helps us more fully define why man received life, when he ate the fruit of the life tree. The Lord decreed that, by eating of its fruit, life would be imparted to man. Obedience to the Word of God resulted in man's receiving life.
Do you see from this why the life tree and the kogae tree were placed by the Lord God in the midst of the garden? Man's condition, whether to live or to die, whether to be alive or to be dead, revolves around whether he obeys the Word of God or disobeys it.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord [Joshua 24:15]. This can only be done on the basis of having life, and life can only result from obeying the Word of God.
November 25, 2011
Death warmed over
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins...Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh…But God…made us alive together with Christ [Ephesians 2:1-5].
Examine those excerpts from vv.1-5, if you will. Note the three classes of people listed. They are delineated by three different sentences.
The Hebrew Christian Paul the Apostle wrote to the Christians in the city of Ephesus. They were predominantly Gentiles, i.e., non-Jews. He distinguished them from the Jews by employing the word "you". YOU guys were dead in sins!
In the next sentence the Hebrew Paul identified the Jews as also being in like condition of death because of sins. He left off the "you" word and inserted the "us" word. We Jews were likewise dead in our sins, living for the lusts of our flesh.
Both those classes of people were once upon a time born dead to God, born with a sin nature which inclined them to live according to what seemed right in their own eyes. Each person perforce made his/her determinations of right and wrong on the basis of what seemed beneficial to self.
The third class of persons is identified in the third sentence, viz., "But God". Needless to say, but God was not born dead in sins! Truth be told, God wasn't born at all! God is eternal, and He is without sin and is the definition of holy.
So what did Paul teach the Ephesian Christians about God? Well, he taught them that while they were in sin, while they were at war with God—and the Jews too, which incorporates every last person ever on earth as being dead in sins—but God made some people "alive together with Christ".
The "some people" refers to Christians, to those who accept God's offer of salvation in Christ. Such persons are not only "born" in sin: they are also born again in Christ. Since Christ is without sin, those who are in Him are also without sin. The old life of sin has passed away. Behold, all things have become new. Being without sin, we Christians no longer have to pay the penalty of death for our sins. Christ paid the penalty for us on the cross.
We learn from this that some folks are born once and die twice. They are born dead to God and they die again at God's judgment because they refused God's deliverance in His Son Jesus Christ. Other folks are born twice (born again) and die once. They also were born dead to God, but they don't die again at God's judgment because they are in Christ and Christ in their stead.
The Bible uses the words "second death" to depict those who die twice. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Revelation 20:14-15].
You see, every person is born dead to God. Some folks receive God's new life through Jesus, and some folks reject Jesus and remain dead to God. When they enter eternity and stand before Him for judgment, their destination is the "second death".
This is not a pleasant topic, and it is not one we should take delight in. But it is the truth, so we should want to warn people of what awaits them on the other side of the curtain. To do so is not to be "judgmental". It is to share the Word of God, which He commands us to do. Nor is it to be callous and hateful to people. Rather, it is to share the love of God given us in Christ Jesus.
Let's be faithful to what the Lord calls us to do. Before we can do so, we must first be born again. Look intently into the mirror of God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to give you discernment concerning these things.
Examine those excerpts from vv.1-5, if you will. Note the three classes of people listed. They are delineated by three different sentences.
The Hebrew Christian Paul the Apostle wrote to the Christians in the city of Ephesus. They were predominantly Gentiles, i.e., non-Jews. He distinguished them from the Jews by employing the word "you". YOU guys were dead in sins!
In the next sentence the Hebrew Paul identified the Jews as also being in like condition of death because of sins. He left off the "you" word and inserted the "us" word. We Jews were likewise dead in our sins, living for the lusts of our flesh.
Both those classes of people were once upon a time born dead to God, born with a sin nature which inclined them to live according to what seemed right in their own eyes. Each person perforce made his/her determinations of right and wrong on the basis of what seemed beneficial to self.
The third class of persons is identified in the third sentence, viz., "But God". Needless to say, but God was not born dead in sins! Truth be told, God wasn't born at all! God is eternal, and He is without sin and is the definition of holy.
So what did Paul teach the Ephesian Christians about God? Well, he taught them that while they were in sin, while they were at war with God—and the Jews too, which incorporates every last person ever on earth as being dead in sins—but God made some people "alive together with Christ".
The "some people" refers to Christians, to those who accept God's offer of salvation in Christ. Such persons are not only "born" in sin: they are also born again in Christ. Since Christ is without sin, those who are in Him are also without sin. The old life of sin has passed away. Behold, all things have become new. Being without sin, we Christians no longer have to pay the penalty of death for our sins. Christ paid the penalty for us on the cross.
We learn from this that some folks are born once and die twice. They are born dead to God and they die again at God's judgment because they refused God's deliverance in His Son Jesus Christ. Other folks are born twice (born again) and die once. They also were born dead to God, but they don't die again at God's judgment because they are in Christ and Christ in their stead.
The Bible uses the words "second death" to depict those who die twice. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire [Revelation 20:14-15].
You see, every person is born dead to God. Some folks receive God's new life through Jesus, and some folks reject Jesus and remain dead to God. When they enter eternity and stand before Him for judgment, their destination is the "second death".
This is not a pleasant topic, and it is not one we should take delight in. But it is the truth, so we should want to warn people of what awaits them on the other side of the curtain. To do so is not to be "judgmental". It is to share the Word of God, which He commands us to do. Nor is it to be callous and hateful to people. Rather, it is to share the love of God given us in Christ Jesus.
Let's be faithful to what the Lord calls us to do. Before we can do so, we must first be born again. Look intently into the mirror of God's Word and allow the Holy Spirit to give you discernment concerning these things.
November 23, 2011
MachoMan vs. GodMan
You may say in your heart, "My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth." But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth [Deuteronomy 8:17-18].
The first sentence of that quotation (v.17) expresses the words of the natural man, the person who was born a sinner. Such a one is egocentric, which means his life and world revolve around himself. He is a self-made man, you see. Nobody ever gave him anything. He worked hard all his life to get to where he is at.
The second sentence of the quotation (v.18) reveals the spiritual man, the person who was reborn a saint. Such a one is christocentric, which means his life and world revolve around Christ. He is a remade man. Whatever he achieves is God's blessing to him, not his own goodness or strength.
The way to understand Christ and what He wants with us individually can only come via the Bible. And we need the Holy Spirit to teach it to us personally. This scenario is known as quiet time alone with the Lord. It should be the Christian's standard daily exercise regimen. Spiritual maturity is not possible without it.
This Thanksgiving let's thank the Lord Jesus, the GodMan, for all the blessings He's given us. Let us not take the glory to ourselves by claiming to be Mr. MachoMan.
The first sentence of that quotation (v.17) expresses the words of the natural man, the person who was born a sinner. Such a one is egocentric, which means his life and world revolve around himself. He is a self-made man, you see. Nobody ever gave him anything. He worked hard all his life to get to where he is at.
The second sentence of the quotation (v.18) reveals the spiritual man, the person who was reborn a saint. Such a one is christocentric, which means his life and world revolve around Christ. He is a remade man. Whatever he achieves is God's blessing to him, not his own goodness or strength.
The way to understand Christ and what He wants with us individually can only come via the Bible. And we need the Holy Spirit to teach it to us personally. This scenario is known as quiet time alone with the Lord. It should be the Christian's standard daily exercise regimen. Spiritual maturity is not possible without it.
This Thanksgiving let's thank the Lord Jesus, the GodMan, for all the blessings He's given us. Let us not take the glory to ourselves by claiming to be Mr. MachoMan.
Turkey or jerky?
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift [2 Corinthians 9:15].
Seems a fitting thought in the Thanksgiving season, does it not? God's "gift" is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He GAVE. Something "given" is a "gift".
This gift is "indescribable". It cannot be described. It cannot be put into words suitable to depict it. While we were still sinners—that is, while we hated God, shook our fist at him in rage, and bellicosely blurted anathemas at Him, saying, "We won't have this man Jesus to reign over us!"—while we were content to be like that, God gave His only Son to die as a sin offering in our stead. Yes, indescribable.
"Thanks be to God". It was God Who did this, so our thanksgiving belongs to Him. Yes, thanks should ring out for His indescribable gift of Jesus the Son of God.
So then why am I not feeling particularly thankful at this time? Go figure. Perhaps I had too much turkey...or was that too much beef jerky? Turkey. Now that is soft and edible, and usually quite tasty. It should evoke thanksgiving from us.
I can't speak for you, but beef jerky? Now that is another matter altogether! Can you imagine sitting around the family table for Thanksgiving, the full course meal spread out in decorative fashion, and there in the center is the turkey? Scratch that, it's not turkey at all. It's beef jerky!
Didn't think so. I can't imagine that either. Turkey is appreciated on Thanksgiving by most folks, but beef jerky only appeals to a select bunch. And no one wants it on Thanksgiving in place of the turkey! Maybe that's it. Maybe, just maybe, I've been indulging myself with beef jerky. Think I better switch to the turkey because Thanksgiving is not for crab apple faints: it's for cranberry saints.
Lord, You are worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. Forgive me, please, and fill my heart with Your joy. I want to be filled with thanksgiving for You on Thanksgiving Day and always. Amen.
Seems a fitting thought in the Thanksgiving season, does it not? God's "gift" is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that He GAVE. Something "given" is a "gift".
This gift is "indescribable". It cannot be described. It cannot be put into words suitable to depict it. While we were still sinners—that is, while we hated God, shook our fist at him in rage, and bellicosely blurted anathemas at Him, saying, "We won't have this man Jesus to reign over us!"—while we were content to be like that, God gave His only Son to die as a sin offering in our stead. Yes, indescribable.
"Thanks be to God". It was God Who did this, so our thanksgiving belongs to Him. Yes, thanks should ring out for His indescribable gift of Jesus the Son of God.
So then why am I not feeling particularly thankful at this time? Go figure. Perhaps I had too much turkey...or was that too much beef jerky? Turkey. Now that is soft and edible, and usually quite tasty. It should evoke thanksgiving from us.
I can't speak for you, but beef jerky? Now that is another matter altogether! Can you imagine sitting around the family table for Thanksgiving, the full course meal spread out in decorative fashion, and there in the center is the turkey? Scratch that, it's not turkey at all. It's beef jerky!
Didn't think so. I can't imagine that either. Turkey is appreciated on Thanksgiving by most folks, but beef jerky only appeals to a select bunch. And no one wants it on Thanksgiving in place of the turkey! Maybe that's it. Maybe, just maybe, I've been indulging myself with beef jerky. Think I better switch to the turkey because Thanksgiving is not for crab apple faints: it's for cranberry saints.
Lord, You are worthy of all praise and thanksgiving. Forgive me, please, and fill my heart with Your joy. I want to be filled with thanksgiving for You on Thanksgiving Day and always. Amen.
November 22, 2011
Romans 15:13
A benediction for all of us:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
November 21, 2011
Now that is glorious!
We've spent the last two posts vetting the theological concepts of justification and sanctification. The concept of justification occurs throughout the New Testament.
For example, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus [ Romans 3:26]. God can justify the sinner and still be just because the Son of God, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind for all of time. His death on the cross served that purpose. The wages of sin is death [Rom.6:23]. Jesus had no sin because He is God. Ergo, His death wasn't for His own sins but for everyone else's. Consequently God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus as their personal substitute sin offering.
Sanctification also fills the pages of the New Testament. By way of example, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure [Philippians 2:12-13]. God lives in the saved person, the born again person, the person who has been justified by faith in Christ Jesus.
The Christian has God's new life already in him/her. Our job is to mature spiritually so that we learn how to allow God control over our life. Instead of living in the power of our old life according to what we think, we live in the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God . This maturing process is known as sanctification, and it lasts throughout our time here on earth. The old life remains inside the Christian and he/she has to choose to submit to it or else heed the Holy Spirit.
The third stage of salvation occurs when Christians are raptured, that point of time when the Lord Jesus calls us to meet Him in the clouds. At that time God's kids will be clothed in their new resurrection bodies, and this is their state through all eternity. This resurrection body is like that of the resurrected Christ. He is totally without sin, and so will we be thenceforth. No longer will temptation find a home in us. We will nevermore commit sin.
An example of glorification in the New Testament is in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Behold, I tell you a )mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
In Scripture the number "3" often typifies the superlative degree. For instance, we drive a car, someone else drives a better car, and then there is the best car. "Car" is the base degree, "better car" is the comparative degree, and "best car" is the superlative degree. Consider that there is the thrice holy God, and He is holy, holy, holy. This is Scripture typology to mean that God is the MOST HOLY GOD, the holiest God. No one can compare with Him.
By the same token man's salvation is comprised of three stages: the past or perfect tense stage, the continuous present tense stage, and the future tense stage. Biblical typology reads this as meaning that our salvation is the most complete in every way. Nothing can be added to it. It is lacking in nary a thing. Praise the Lord!Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book I: Chapters 1-16, Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book II: Chapters 17-34, Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesNumbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesExodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book II: Chapters 17-34: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book I: Chapters 1-16: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesHeavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes: An Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians: Volume 1: GenesisGenesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes
For example, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus [ Romans 3:26]. God can justify the sinner and still be just because the Son of God, Jesus Christ, paid the penalty for the sins of all mankind for all of time. His death on the cross served that purpose. The wages of sin is death [Rom.6:23]. Jesus had no sin because He is God. Ergo, His death wasn't for His own sins but for everyone else's. Consequently God is both just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus as their personal substitute sin offering.
Sanctification also fills the pages of the New Testament. By way of example, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure [Philippians 2:12-13]. God lives in the saved person, the born again person, the person who has been justified by faith in Christ Jesus.
The Christian has God's new life already in him/her. Our job is to mature spiritually so that we learn how to allow God control over our life. Instead of living in the power of our old life according to what we think, we live in the power of the Holy Spirit according to the Word of God . This maturing process is known as sanctification, and it lasts throughout our time here on earth. The old life remains inside the Christian and he/she has to choose to submit to it or else heed the Holy Spirit.
The third stage of salvation occurs when Christians are raptured, that point of time when the Lord Jesus calls us to meet Him in the clouds. At that time God's kids will be clothed in their new resurrection bodies, and this is their state through all eternity. This resurrection body is like that of the resurrected Christ. He is totally without sin, and so will we be thenceforth. No longer will temptation find a home in us. We will nevermore commit sin.
An example of glorification in the New Testament is in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Behold, I tell you a )mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
In Scripture the number "3" often typifies the superlative degree. For instance, we drive a car, someone else drives a better car, and then there is the best car. "Car" is the base degree, "better car" is the comparative degree, and "best car" is the superlative degree. Consider that there is the thrice holy God, and He is holy, holy, holy. This is Scripture typology to mean that God is the MOST HOLY GOD, the holiest God. No one can compare with Him.
By the same token man's salvation is comprised of three stages: the past or perfect tense stage, the continuous present tense stage, and the future tense stage. Biblical typology reads this as meaning that our salvation is the most complete in every way. Nothing can be added to it. It is lacking in nary a thing. Praise the Lord!Leviticus: Volume 3 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book I: Chapters 1-16, Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book II: Chapters 17-34, Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesNumbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesExodus: Volume 2 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book II: Chapters 17-34: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesDeuteronomy Book I: Chapters 1-16: Volume 5 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly ShoesHeavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes: An Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians: Volume 1: GenesisGenesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes
November 19, 2011
Like being sanctified...
I remember a popular song back in the day with the lyrics, "like being sanctified". No, that song hasn't a thing to do with this post. So if you want to discuss the song, go to your mp3s!
Imagine a person who commits a crime and is hauled before the judge to stand trial. The evidence against him is inconclusive so the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and thunders, "Not guilty!" The man has just been justified. Trouble is, he IS guilty of the crime. In fact his life is filled with guilt for breaking the law.
This is where sanctification enters the picture. The guilty person has been freed from guilt for his crime. Double jeopardy prevents him from being retried for it. However, he does have a penchant for committing crimes. Will he return to his life of crime, or will he turn over a new leaf?
The word sanctification is a theology textbook word for turning over a new leaf. A saint is a sinner who has been justified. He/she has accepted the Lord's provision of forgiveness for sins, based upon the death on the cross of Jesus Christ for man's sins and his resurrection out of death. This acceptance was achieved by grace through faith. This means that the Bible stated this to be true, and he/she accepted in both the head and the heart that the Bible is true and acted accordingly.
The word sanctification refers to the continual present tense of a person's life, the day-to-day actions of a person in rejecting the old life of living for self and instead substitute the new life of living for Jesus. This is NOT a life of doing what seems good in our own estimation. It IS a life of faith, of feeding on the Bible daily in quiet time alone with the Lord to learn what He wants us to do, and then doing it.
Justification is a once-for-all act where we accept God's offer of forgiveness for sins by accepting the Lord Jesus' death on the cross as our substitute death, and receiving His new resurrection life in its place. Sanctification is our day-to-day action of refusing to live the old life of doing what seems right in our own eyes and living for self, but instead living according to what the Bible teaches us to do. This can only be done by quiet time alone with the Lord Jesus daily, in prayer and meditation on the Bible.
Justification is a one time, once-for-all act, with consequences which continue through the present time. In Grammar this is known as the perfect tense. Sanctification, contrariwise, is a present tense affair. It continues day in and day out throughout our lifetime.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure [Philippians 2:12-13]. God already worked His salvation in us. That is justification. Our job as those who are born again and therefore kids in God's family is to live like it, to work out what God has already worked in us. This is sanctification.
Imagine a person who commits a crime and is hauled before the judge to stand trial. The evidence against him is inconclusive so the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and thunders, "Not guilty!" The man has just been justified. Trouble is, he IS guilty of the crime. In fact his life is filled with guilt for breaking the law.
This is where sanctification enters the picture. The guilty person has been freed from guilt for his crime. Double jeopardy prevents him from being retried for it. However, he does have a penchant for committing crimes. Will he return to his life of crime, or will he turn over a new leaf?
The word sanctification is a theology textbook word for turning over a new leaf. A saint is a sinner who has been justified. He/she has accepted the Lord's provision of forgiveness for sins, based upon the death on the cross of Jesus Christ for man's sins and his resurrection out of death. This acceptance was achieved by grace through faith. This means that the Bible stated this to be true, and he/she accepted in both the head and the heart that the Bible is true and acted accordingly.
The word sanctification refers to the continual present tense of a person's life, the day-to-day actions of a person in rejecting the old life of living for self and instead substitute the new life of living for Jesus. This is NOT a life of doing what seems good in our own estimation. It IS a life of faith, of feeding on the Bible daily in quiet time alone with the Lord to learn what He wants us to do, and then doing it.
Justification is a once-for-all act where we accept God's offer of forgiveness for sins by accepting the Lord Jesus' death on the cross as our substitute death, and receiving His new resurrection life in its place. Sanctification is our day-to-day action of refusing to live the old life of doing what seems right in our own eyes and living for self, but instead living according to what the Bible teaches us to do. This can only be done by quiet time alone with the Lord Jesus daily, in prayer and meditation on the Bible.
Justification is a one time, once-for-all act, with consequences which continue through the present time. In Grammar this is known as the perfect tense. Sanctification, contrariwise, is a present tense affair. It continues day in and day out throughout our lifetime.
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure [Philippians 2:12-13]. God already worked His salvation in us. That is justification. Our job as those who are born again and therefore kids in God's family is to live like it, to work out what God has already worked in us. This is sanctification.
November 18, 2011
Justified. What's that?
There's this TV show about U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens of Kentucky. The name of the show is Justified. No, the TV show has nothing to do with the topic of this post, so go back to your widescreen if that's what you're looking for.
Consider another TV show which is more appropriate for our topic, viz., Perry Mason. I know, it's a bit dated and some of you young whippersnappers might not have a clue. But it IS more apposite for our subject than the other TV show is.
Picture in your mind's eye this imaginary courtroom. The defendant is accused of killing his wife. His defense attorney is none other than the famous Perry Mason himself. Mason's P.I. sniffs around the crime scene a while and does his stuff elsewhere, coming up with a goodly number of clues. Perry Mason does his stuff and figures out who the real culprit is.
At the conclusion of the trial the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and roars in thunderous pronouncement, "NOT GUILTY!" Guess what? The defendant has just been justified. The word justification is a legal term which means "not guilty". It is really that simple, no matter how many paragraphs and chapters some theology textbooks use up in explaining it.
In Scripture we are taught by Judge Jesus that the absolute ONLY way to be justified is by grace through faith. The word grace refers to what God did all on His lonesome, and He freely bestows it on any person who will accept it by faith. The word faith has reference to what God teaches in the Bible. When we believe the Word of God in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we have Biblical faith.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father, that there is salvation—in our case justification—in on one but Jesus Christ. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection out of death is the basis for man's "not guilty" verdict regarding sin. When we believe the Bible regarding this matter, believe it in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we are justified. All our sins become judged on the cross circa 30 A.D., and we are thenceforth "not guilty" regarding them.
Isn't God marvelous? Isn't He awesome? I'd much rather depend on Him for salvation than on myself. Me get to heaven? Not a chance! But me "in Christ" get to heaven? Without a doubt.
Consider another TV show which is more appropriate for our topic, viz., Perry Mason. I know, it's a bit dated and some of you young whippersnappers might not have a clue. But it IS more apposite for our subject than the other TV show is.
Picture in your mind's eye this imaginary courtroom. The defendant is accused of killing his wife. His defense attorney is none other than the famous Perry Mason himself. Mason's P.I. sniffs around the crime scene a while and does his stuff elsewhere, coming up with a goodly number of clues. Perry Mason does his stuff and figures out who the real culprit is.
At the conclusion of the trial the judge pounds his gavel on the judge's bench and roars in thunderous pronouncement, "NOT GUILTY!" Guess what? The defendant has just been justified. The word justification is a legal term which means "not guilty". It is really that simple, no matter how many paragraphs and chapters some theology textbooks use up in explaining it.
In Scripture we are taught by Judge Jesus that the absolute ONLY way to be justified is by grace through faith. The word grace refers to what God did all on His lonesome, and He freely bestows it on any person who will accept it by faith. The word faith has reference to what God teaches in the Bible. When we believe the Word of God in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we have Biblical faith.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father, that there is salvation—in our case justification—in on one but Jesus Christ. Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection out of death is the basis for man's "not guilty" verdict regarding sin. When we believe the Bible regarding this matter, believe it in our heart and confess it with our mouth, then we are justified. All our sins become judged on the cross circa 30 A.D., and we are thenceforth "not guilty" regarding them.
Isn't God marvelous? Isn't He awesome? I'd much rather depend on Him for salvation than on myself. Me get to heaven? Not a chance! But me "in Christ" get to heaven? Without a doubt.
