Radio Broadcast: Sunday morning at 10:30 am on Mix 107.7 FM
Birthdays: Melissa Riggins – May 22nd
THE CONDUCT OF A CHILD OF GOD
Religion usually lays heavy burdens upon men, encumbering them with laws to obey in order to live what they call “the Christian life,” but Paul declared that his rule for proper conduct was not complicated or burdensome. He told the Corinthians that he lived with a clear conscience “...in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation (daily walk, conduct) in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward” (2 Co 1:12). “Simplicity” means singleness of heart. The apostle endeavored to live each day with a heart-mindfulness only of the person and work of Christ and that kept everything else in its rightful place. His daily life consisted of living upon the Savior which is the correct example of the Christian walk; it is the rule of conduct for a child of God. What is “godly sincerity?” It is to live with an unsullied and pure motive which is the glory of the Lord in all things, and he who has that motivation will, consequently, treat those around him in a proper way. Notice that Paul makes certain it is understood that he could only live this way “by the grace of God.” It was not by self-power or “fleshly wisdom,” for everything that is of the flesh is opposed to right behavior. “That which is born of the flesh is flesh” (John 3:6). It is only “by the grace of God” that we can walk daily with the eyes of the soul focused on the Son of God. Christ is our Life and Salvation; He is “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jer 23:6) Whose sacrifice satisfied divine justice and put away our sins. He governs the world to fulfill the eternal purpose of God. Since the sovereign Savior orders all our steps, let us live our lives “in simplicity,” following one rule of conduct each day: “looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the faith” (Heb 12:2). –
--- Pastor Jim Byrd
JUSTIFICATION AND CHRIST'S RESURRECTION
"Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:25) The manifold blessings flowing from the resurrection and ascension are not to be overlooked, but nowhere does Scripture teach justification by these. The one passage sometimes quoted to prove this declares the opposite (Romans 4:25), for the words truly translated run thus: "He was delivered because we had sinned, and raised again because of our justification." It was because the justifying work was finished that resurrection was possible. Had it not been so, He must have remained under the power of the grave. But the cross had completed the justification of the church. He was raised from the dead. Death could no longer have dominion over Him. The work was finished, the debt was paid, and the Surety went forth free. He rose not in order to justify us, but because we were justified. In raising Him from the dead, God the Father cleared Him from the imputed guilt which had nailed Him to the cross and borne Him down to the tomb. That resurrection in which we are one with Him does not justify us, but proclaims that we were justified - justified by His blood and death.
--- Horatius Bonar
“BOUGHT WITH A PRICE” 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:23
For centuries theologians and preachers have mocked the preaching of what they have called a “mercantile redemption.” They have denied the need of Christ’s death being a payment, a satisfaction to God’s justice or a propitiation for our sins. They deny this because they deny the true condition of all men apart from the grace of God in Christ. If men are in such a state that it requires the death of God as the price of our salvation, then what an awful, poverty-stricken state we must be in. Helpless and hopeless without the Redeemer, unable to save ourselves and totally dependent on the free and sovereign grace of God. No, the only gospel, the only salvation in the Bible is described by the words given by the Holy Spirit as just that. His words speak of and require this “payment.” The word “redemption” itself meaning, “to buy back by the payment of a price.” Who requires this payment for sin? A holy God. Who pays this price? Christ the Redeemer. What is the price He pays? Himself! His holy, sinless life. His blood. As a matter of fact, the sacrifice of Himself is called a “ransom” which means “the price paid in redemption.” This is what the Redeemer Himself declares: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:28) Christ gave His life a “ransom” to redeem, not all, but “many.” As we read in John 10:11 & 15, the Shepherd “gives” and “lays down” His life “for the sheep.” Christ paid a particular price for a particular people, purchasing the church with His own blood! “..By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.” (Heb. 9:12) Boaz went down to the city gate as the kinsman redeemer for the purpose of redeeming Ruth and he did it. Hosea went down to the slave market to redeem Gomer. He paid the price and redeemed her. Christ as the Surety (another such word) of His people had long been responsible for the full debt of their sin and when He hung on the cross, suffering and dying in the fulfillment of that suretyship, cried, “It is finished.” How was this debt of sin finished? Not by setting it aside but by paying it! Christ paid the sin debt of all who believe on Him. This is why the Spirit of God brings them to believe on Him. Justice requires it now because it is paid, they now must be set free! “Paid in full” is what the gospel of Christ announces to His people. The wages of sin is death and it is Christ that died. Christ died for our sins, and in Him has been given to us righteousness. Before God, our debit column is empty and our credit column is full.
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