"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." — II Thess. 2:13-17
Welcome to 2007! What kind of a year will it be? No one can answer that question, because we "know not what shall be on the morrow [James 4:14]." However, if we cannot know what a day, or a year, will bring, anyone who knows the scriptures and takes them seriously can know what the trend is. This little epistle, and this chapter, for example, give clear indication that the trend is downward, from a moral and spiritual perspective. The world is not getting "better and better," nor will it, until the King returns!
The unregenerate world is full of groundless confidence in the future, placing its hopes in science and technology, the economy, education, government etc., fully persuaded of the inevitable perfectability of man. Scripture leaves no room whatever for such false optimism. "But evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived [II Tim. 3:13]." This morose trend will continue, as this epistle declares, until it eventuates in a man who will be worshiped as God, otherwise known as the antichrist. 2007, whatever it may bring on the surface of human society, or for specific individuals within this society, will be but one more thread in the fabric of human corruption and ultimate divine judgment. In the process, "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all may be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness [II Thess. 2:11-12]."
Within the commwealth of the deluded there is a unique segment not caught up in the prevailing trend. Paul calls them "brethren beloved of the Lord." These comprise the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are distinguished by three things. First, they are "chosen [of God] to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Elsewhere Paul writes, "…He hath chosen us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world," that is, before time began. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will [Eph. 1:4-5]."This is in perfect agreement with the affirmation of the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you… [John 15:16]."
Second, the true church is called of God, by the gospel; that is by the message of salvation embedded in the scriptures. God has one device for persuading men and drawing them to Himself, and that is the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is not "powerpoint," but the power of His Spirit persuading sinners of their lost condition and God's gracious provision in the death of His Son. It is not the atmosphere of great cathedrals or theatres that are passed off as churches, but witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus that God employs to bring His elect out of the delusion of this present evil world and into the Kingdom of His dear Son.
Third, the true church is confirmed by God, and "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time [I Pet. 1:5]." Thus Paul prays, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father… stablish you in every good word and work." Biblical Christianity is not a do-it-yourself enterprise, but entirely dependent upon the grace and power of God.
Chosen by God, called of God, confirmed by God; these are the people apart, who can maintain their spiritual and moral equilibrium in a world that is spiraling downward at a fearsome rate. Notwithstanding these divine initiatives which assure our stability and perseverance, we are admonished to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the task. "Hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle." In other words, stick to the Word of God, and avoid the "fads," as one brother put it, that are drawing many in the visible church away from solid ground. This is extremely simple, but vital. As a new year dawns, let us reaffirm our confidence in and our committment to the word of God "which (alone) is able to make [us] wise unto salvation… given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [II Tim. 3:15-17]." And let us take fresh confidence in the God Who having "begun a good work in [us] will peform it until the day of Jesus Christ [Phil. 1:6]."
For HIS praise,
"Pastor" Frasier
Welcome to 2007! What kind of a year will it be? No one can answer that question, because we "know not what shall be on the morrow [James 4:14]." However, if we cannot know what a day, or a year, will bring, anyone who knows the scriptures and takes them seriously can know what the trend is. This little epistle, and this chapter, for example, give clear indication that the trend is downward, from a moral and spiritual perspective. The world is not getting "better and better," nor will it, until the King returns!
The unregenerate world is full of groundless confidence in the future, placing its hopes in science and technology, the economy, education, government etc., fully persuaded of the inevitable perfectability of man. Scripture leaves no room whatever for such false optimism. "But evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived [II Tim. 3:13]." This morose trend will continue, as this epistle declares, until it eventuates in a man who will be worshiped as God, otherwise known as the antichrist. 2007, whatever it may bring on the surface of human society, or for specific individuals within this society, will be but one more thread in the fabric of human corruption and ultimate divine judgment. In the process, "God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all may be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness [II Thess. 2:11-12]."
Within the commwealth of the deluded there is a unique segment not caught up in the prevailing trend. Paul calls them "brethren beloved of the Lord." These comprise the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they are distinguished by three things. First, they are "chosen [of God] to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." Elsewhere Paul writes, "…He hath chosen us in [Christ] before the foundation of the world," that is, before time began. "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will [Eph. 1:4-5]."This is in perfect agreement with the affirmation of the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you… [John 15:16]."
Second, the true church is called of God, by the gospel; that is by the message of salvation embedded in the scriptures. God has one device for persuading men and drawing them to Himself, and that is the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is not "powerpoint," but the power of His Spirit persuading sinners of their lost condition and God's gracious provision in the death of His Son. It is not the atmosphere of great cathedrals or theatres that are passed off as churches, but witness of the Truth as it is in Jesus that God employs to bring His elect out of the delusion of this present evil world and into the Kingdom of His dear Son.
Third, the true church is confirmed by God, and "kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time [I Pet. 1:5]." Thus Paul prays, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God, even our Father… stablish you in every good word and work." Biblical Christianity is not a do-it-yourself enterprise, but entirely dependent upon the grace and power of God.
Chosen by God, called of God, confirmed by God; these are the people apart, who can maintain their spiritual and moral equilibrium in a world that is spiraling downward at a fearsome rate. Notwithstanding these divine initiatives which assure our stability and perseverance, we are admonished to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the task. "Hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word or our epistle." In other words, stick to the Word of God, and avoid the "fads," as one brother put it, that are drawing many in the visible church away from solid ground. This is extremely simple, but vital. As a new year dawns, let us reaffirm our confidence in and our committment to the word of God "which (alone) is able to make [us] wise unto salvation… given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works [II Tim. 3:15-17]." And let us take fresh confidence in the God Who having "begun a good work in [us] will peform it until the day of Jesus Christ [Phil. 1:6]."
For HIS praise,
"Pastor" Frasier
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