A Minute With The Bible Aired during September, 1999
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall
obtain mercy"(Matthew 5:7). It is not easy to extend mercy tosomeone
who has hurt you. However, the Lord points out that we receive his
mercy on the basis of showing mercy to others. It is not hard to show
mercy to one's family, friends, neighbors, companions, etc.; it is
much more difficult to show mercy to those who are not in one's
social class. Jesus made no distinction between those who were the
elite and those who were downtrodden. To the wealthy and powerful, he
would forgive their sins and teach them to sin no more and treat
others fairly. To the poor and beggarly, he would supply their needs
and encourage them to live righteously. To the sinful and despised,
he would extend his mercy and encourage them to sin no more. His
example is the example for us. Let each of learn the lesson of
mercy--for we must if we claim God's mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God"(Matthew 5:8).
The pure in heart are those who follow the will of Jesus Christ. They
have believed in the Son of God, turned from their sins, confessed
Christ before men, been baptized for the remission of sins, and
follow faithfully the commands of Christ. They are pure because the
blood of Christ has cleansed them. They continue to live in a manner
that avoids the sins of the world and practice the righteousness of
the gospel. They are the lights in the community; the salt of the
earth; the proper example for young people; the encouragement to
others; the dedicated souls who assist the needy and care for the
fatherless; the ones who speak the truth and avoid profanity; whose
righteous lives point toward the cross of Christ and point others to
the route to heaven; who will not let the world detract from their
goal, because they want to see God.
"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called sons of
God"(Matthew 5:9). The world seeks for peace. Too often, it is sought
with violence rather than meekness. A true peacemaker will use the
methods taught by Jesus Christ to obtain real and lasting peace.
Through obedience to the gospel, one obtains peace with God. Through
practicing the commands of Christ, one obtains peace with those of
like mind. Through the example set to those of the world, one can
observe the happiness and satisfaction of those who have peace with
God, peace with others, and peace with self. Each person needs to be
a peacemaker. While there are many plans for peace offered in the
world, the only perfect peace can be found in Jesus Christ and His
kingdom. If you would have the peace that passes all understanding,
we urge you to study the New Testament and find the peace that God
offers each of us.
"For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in
Christ Jesus"(Romans 3:23-24). Man could do nothing to save himself.
It took the sending of God's Son into this sin-cursed world to make a
way of salvation. This is the grace of God: the willingness to make
provisions for men to be saved. Redemption is offered as a result of
Jesus' death on the cross. He freely(willingly) accepts those who
will claim the offer. It is up to each individual to accept that
grace through belief and obedience to the will of Jesus Christ. There
is no other way to obtain justification. We are not saved by grace
alone any more than we are saved by faith alone. We are saved by
claiming that grace through obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ
and continuing faithful to his commands as many scriptures of the New
Testament point out.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was
bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly
than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me"(I
Corinthians 15:10). No man could better understand what it means to
accept the grace of God than the apostle Paul. He had been a
persecutor of the Lord's people; he had been loyal to the law of
Moses--but he was not acceptable to God after the day of Pentecost.
All of the works he would perform under the Law of Moses would be
worthless. His zeal led him to mistreat and imprison disciples of
Christ, even standing by when one is slain. Paul was so thankful that
he had been forgiven that he spent his life in daily service to God,
reminding others of the forgiveness he obtained. That forgiveness is
available to all through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
"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 become rich"(II Corinthians 8:9). Jesus Christ did not have to
leave heaven's glory and come to this sin-cursed world, but he did.
He did not have to walk among men and experience the sufferings of
men, but he did. The Lord did not have to suffer and die one of the
cruelest of deaths; but he did. What Christ did was for all of
humanity, from the first person, Adam, to the latest birth. He died
for every race, for every man and for every woman. The grace of God
is not limited to a few chosen individuals, but is offered to every
single person. The sad part is that only a few will take advantage of
that grace by obeying the Lord. My friend, have you claimed that
grace offered through the gospel?
"I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in
the grace of Christ unto a different gospel" (Galatians 1:6). Even
the early Christians were plagued with those who would reject the
teachings of the New Testament. They created another gospel which
would be different from the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not only does
Paul say it is a "different gospel," but in verse 7, he accused those
going beyond the truth of the gospel of perverting Christ's gospel.
Further, Paul stated that even if an angel should preach something
different, that angel is to be accursed. The purity of the gospel is
maintained by preaching the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When
man preaches something different from the revealed truth of the New
Testament, he is perverting the grace of Christ. Paul would also
point out one does not teach for the favor of men , but must teach
only the pure gospel under the grace of Christ .
"Ye are severed from Christ, ye who would be justified by the law; ye
are fallen away from grace"(Galatians 5:4). It is unfortunate that
some will teach that one cannot "fall from grace(once saved always
saved)." In the message to the churches in Galatia, Paul does say
that one can fall. If those disciples sought to be justified by the
Law of Moses, they would reject the grace of Christ, that is, the
gospel of Christ. When people seek to be justified by the
commandments of men today, they are not in the grace of Christ. When
in "vain they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of
men"(Matthew 15:9), they reject his grace. Jesus Christ gave us the
New Testament in which his commandments are delivered. Those who
would receive the grace Jesus brought through his death will respect
and follow his will throughout life. Grace extends to those who obey;
not to those who rebel.
"And I also say unto thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I
will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
against it"(Matthew 16:18). The promise of Christ to build his church
is stated in this passage. What he promised, he intended to
accomplish. This is the first use of the word 'church." It is used 77
times in the New Testament(KJ). Literally, the word means the "called
out." Those who are part of the Lord's church have been called out of
the world by obedience to the gospel of Christ. The church belongs to
Christ, not to men. No man is responsible for the existence of the
church and it is not built upon any man, not even the apostle Peter.
It is built upon the truth that was expressed by Peter, that Jesus is
the Son of God. Make sure that your faith is built upon this
foundation of truth; any other foundation will crumble in the day of
judgment.
"And the Lord added to the church day by day those that were
saved"(Acts 2:47). The church of Christ was established on the day of
Pentecost, AD 33, in the city of Jerusalem. It began when Peter and
the apostles preached the first gospel sermons. People heard the
truth, obeyed the truth, and were added to the church of Christ. The
same obedience that adds one to the Lord's church saves one. The
people of whom Luke is writing had heard the word of God, they
repented of their sins, confessed Christ before men, and were
baptized for the remission of sins. At that point, they became a part
of the church for which Christ shed his blood. Each person who
follows the pattern of the New Testament since that day is added to
the church by the Lord. As they walk "in the light" each day, they
will live righteous lives, obeying the commands of Christ and meeting
with the saints. This is the teaching of the New Testament.
"And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard
these things"(Acts 5:11). Saints of the early church were very
liberal in contributing of their goods to support the work of
Christ's church. However, not all of those who claimed to be
disciples were honest in their giving. One couple, Ananias and
Sapphira, lied about what they gave to the Lord. When confronted
about their deception, both of them died as a consequence for their
lying(hence, the fear that came upon the church). It is obvious that
there were those among the first century Christians who did not live
up to the standards of Christ. It is not surprising that we find such
in the Twentieth Century. After one obeys the gospel and is added to
the church, the Bible teaches one is to remain faithful(Revelation
2:10). Initial obedience makes one a Christian; continued obedience
keeps one a Christian.
"And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to
be head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness
of him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:22-23). Christ is the
head of his church. He is the builder and the truth that he is the
Christ is the foundation. No man can take his place. Peter did not
and no man can today. No group of men can assume that position. Only
Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, can be the head of the church. It is
through his will that we learn the conditions of following him. It is
only through his will that we learn about the structure and worship
of his church. Jesus exercises complete and ultimate authority over
his church. If one desires to know what the church that Jesus built
is like, only his will, the New Testament reveals such. In this
sacred book, he outlines all that we can know about the church for
which he died.
"For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ also is the head
of the church, being himself the saviour of the body"(Ephesians
5:23). Paul is using an illustration that the people were familiar
with to gain an understanding of spiritual matters. The apostle
points out that Christ, not some man or group of men, is the head of
the church. Further, he is said to be the "saviour of the body." The
body is the church(Ephesians 1:22-23). Jesus purchased the church
with "his own blood"(Acts 20:28). Contact with that blood and
claiming Jesus as one's savior takes place when one is added to the
church(Acts 2:47) through obedience to the gospel(Romans 1:16). Many
do not want to accept the truth that one must be a part of the Lord's
church in order to be saved. Do you think that Christ would shed his
blood to purchase a worthless institution?
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your father which is in heaven"(Matthew 5:16). This
statement by Jesus Christ was made when he presented "the sermon on
the mount." Jesus is pointing out that by others seeing one's "good
works," God will be glorified. There are many who would criticize the
idea of works, yet the Son of God himself is saying this is the way
to give due honor to the Lord. Of course, he is not speaking of just
any works. They must be works that are commanded by God as set forth
in the New Testament. It is certainly true that the works of men,
that is, those which men invent will not save one. Acceptability to
Jehovah comes through completion of the works that we find in the New
Testament. Such works are not decided by any man, or group of men.
The word of God is the standard by which works that save are
identified.
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by
thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many
mighty works?"(Matthew 7:22). The standards of men are not the
standards of God. What men may call "mighty works" are not the same
as those we read in God's revealed word, the New Testament. A host of
people are fooled into believing that works which satisfy them, or
satisfy the public, must be the works of God. How disappointed will
they be in the day of judgment. Christ has just told those who were
listening to the sermon on the mount that one is pleasing to Jehovah
"who doeth the will of my Father in heaven"(Matthew 7:21). The
standard by which good works are decided is the will of God. While
many works are appealing to men, only the works that are the result
of following the will of Jesus Christ are acceptable for salvation.
"And he did not many mighty works there because of their
unbelief"(Matthew 13:58). Jesus proved that he was the Son of God and
that he spoke truth by the miracles he performed. There was no doubt
about any miracle; the evidence existed. From the restoration of
limbs for the crippled, to the healing of a blind man, to raising the
dead: Jesus gave the evidence that he was the Son of God. When he was
rejected by those who knew his family and friends, Jesus would point
out that a "prophet is not without honor save in his own country."
They had been astonished at the Lord's teaching and said, "Whence
hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works"(Matthew 25:54).
But they just could not consent in their heart that someone whose
family they knew could possess such power. They saw the works; yet
rejected him. Do you accept the divine record of those works and
believe what He said?
Jesus said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit o Moses' seat; all
things therefore whatsoever they bid you, these do and observe: but
do not ye after their works; for they said, and do not"(Matthew
23:3-4). There are many religious teachers whose teachings do not
match their works. The leaders of Jesus' day would bind requirements
on others that they would not perform themselves. Such hypocrisy was
exposed by God's Son because he knew not only the works of men--he
knew their hearts. The heavy burdens demanded by the "clergy" of
Jesus' day upon their "laity" would not even be touched "with their
finger." In truth, these had no right to demand more of a person than
God demands. They had no right to advocate less than God demands.
Their responsibility was to teach the works that God commanded and
set an example by following those commands. So it is today for all of
mankind.
"For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels; and then shall he render unto every man according to his
deeds(works)"(Matthew 16:27). The Bible clearly teaches that each of
us will answer for what we do upon this earth. Jesus is trying to
help those he was teaching understand this great principle. When men
say that "works" have nothing to do with salvation, one of two things
is evident: They do not know about this passage--or--they do not
believe what Christ said. We speak of the works that are commanded in
the New Testament for all who would seek to be saved. One does
perform works upon obedience to the Gospel. One does continue to
perform good works after becoming a Christian. Did you know that even
"belief" is a work? Jesus himself said, "This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent"(John 6:29). Belief, along
with all other works, saves one from sin.
"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, So is good news from a far
country"(Proverbs 25:25). Everyone that I know likes to hear good
news. It gladdens the heart, soothes the mind, and inspires the
spirit of a person. It will be received with enthusiasm and refreshes
the climate. The writer compared it to waters to a thirsty soul. The
quenching of one's physical thirst is of great help to a person. The
quenching of one's spiritual thirst is also refreshing for the
spiritual part of man. Solomon speaks of "good news from a far
country." If you have longed to hear from someone in a distant land
or one you have not heard from for a long time, you can appreciate
the wise man's statement. The Lord has sent the good news of his
death, burial and resurrection. The gospel(which means good news)
reveals not only what Christ did for us, but informs us as to what we
can do for him. The gospel will refresh the soul; guide one in the
paths to everlasting waters; and comfort one with a home in heaven.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to the whole creation(every creature-KJ)"(Mark 16:15). The
word gospel means glad tidings or good news. Jesus brought the good
news to the apostles of how he would offer salvation to mankind .
They walked and talked with the Lord as he revealed his plan. He
would inspire them to be able to reveal all of the truth through His
New Testament. The apostles and disciples were charged with taking
these good news to every person, whether Jew or Gentile. The whole
world was the field or sowing the seed of the kingdom. Every person,
no matter his state or rank in society, would be given an opportunity
through the good news to learn of that Savior and His will. In the
first century, disciples of Christ carried the truth of God's word to
the civilized world. Since that time, those who believe in Jesus'
command have preached the truth in every generation since. Today, the
good news is still proclaimed by faithful Christians throughout the
world.
"And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said
unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice
among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the
gospel, and believe"(Acts 15:7). The good news(the gospel) was for
all of mankind. When the apostle Peter preached to Cornelius and his
household, their response to the good news was obedience. This became
further evidence that God had accepted the Gentiles and offered them
the hope of the gospel. It is still difficult for some to imagine
that every race of humanity must be offered the good news(the
gospel). Prejudice against any group of people is wrong. The
Christian realizes that God does not care about one's social status,
one's financial status, or one's educational status. The Lord wants
all to respond to the gospel of His Son. The good news is that Jesus
died on the cross for every single person in every generation. This
glad message is for all who will accept the truth.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel; for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to
the Greek"(Romans 1:16). The apostle Paul had been preaching the good
news of the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. He had been
teaching people that when they submit to the gospel, they can be
saved. After all, if one believes the Lord, that person will obey the
commands of the Lord. Those commands are contained in the gospel. If
one only believes, but does not follow the commands in the gospel,
that belief is of no value when it comes to salvation. Why, James
said that even the demons believe in James 2:19. The ones to whom
Paul is writing are being encouraged to put their confidence, not in
the Law of Moses, but in the gospel of Christ. He would point out
that "the righteous shall live by faith"(Romans 1:17). The good news
for each of us is that we can obey the instructions of Christ by
faith and please the God that made us.