APRIL 2, 2024

 “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isa. 45:22)

Men and women of every nation, race, kindred, and tongue throughout history have been looking in vain to their various idols in search of the answer to their soul’s great need. They have looked to their philosophies, theories, false religions, organizations, etc., but in vain do they search out the devices of human wisdom and invention. We are all creatures of God, and as His offspring, we must look to the God of all families of the earth for that which He alone can provide. The great void that is felt by all men universally can only be filled by obeying the voice in our text. God says to all, regardless of nationality, culture, skin color, or class, “Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth.”Unless persuaded otherwise, all men everywhere will instinctively do a horizontal, rather than a vertical search. They will look all around, and even within, but not until the Lord calls out, “Look unto Me!” will they think to look up. They are like the man in Mr. Interpreter’s house, whose eyes were fixed on the ground around him where he was raking together straw and dust, and who would not look up to him who was offering him a celestial crown. Look up! Look up! This is the command.

How happy we ought to be that God’s command to look and live is proclaimed to all nations of the earth. Through the preaching of the Gospel God is calling out in every language known to man, “Look unto me, and be ye saved!” Today, whoever you are, wherever you are “if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart.” The Divine instruction could not be simpler, nor could it require less effort:“Look.” The result could not be more glorious: “Be ye saved.” If you were to ask some religious folks how to be saved, they would need a week to tell you all you must do. But the Holy Spirit uses only one word of four letters: “LOOK!”

The instruction is simple for sure, but what means this word “look” in reference to God? It includes many things; as for instance, it admits the reality of His person. The invisible God becomes as real as that which you see with your eyes. To look unto God is to acknowledge Him as a Divine Person who sees you and knows your need. It is to address yourself to Him in prayer with confidence that from Him alone can salvation come, and to regard Him as the only possible Savior. “There is none else,” says our great God and Savior. Jonah confessed that “Salvation is of the Lord,” (Jonah 3:9) and the Lord’s Apostle concurs: “For neither is there salvation in any other.” (Acts 4:12a) The “look” which God invites anticipates that He will grant the blessing asked for. Once more, it is not a glance, but rather a steady continuous look. This is the look of faith, and there is but one object unto which it looks, and that, with a fixed gaze, for “there is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12b)

God, who says to lost sinners “Look unto Me,” also provides us with every incentive to do so. First, of all, He (God) commands us to look. This means that we (even sinners that we are) may look to God, and what’s more, we can rest assured that what He demands of us He will enable us to do. Second, we are encouraged to look unto God because of the sure and wonderful promise He makes. “Look unto me, and be ye saved!” He will never go back on His Word. Notice a third powerful motivation for taking heed to the appeal is that He declares His Godhead. “For I am God.” All things are possible to Him. The sinner’s condition is desperate, but God’s mercy is equal to our salvation. We were all dead in sins, children of disobedience, and were by nature children of wrath, “But God, who is rich in mercy… even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ.” In the latter part of Verse 21 just before our text, God describes Himself as being “a just God and a Saviour.” This is His very character! He is both just and a justifier of sinners.

Finally, that which makes this invitation so encouraging is the length and breadth of it. “All the ends of the earth.” Each seeking soul may be sure that the invitation is for him. None are excluded, except those who exclude themselves. The text is in the present tense: “Look unto me.” The promise is in the same present tense: “and be ye saved.” In the moment that one looks the effect is immediate. The present time is yours, no other time is yours to use. “Today is the day of salvation; now is the accepted time.” Why should you not at once be saved? Just obey this one command, LOOK! LOOK!

MARCH 28, 2024

 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

True Christian believers must forsake their former corrupt ways and be renewed to pursue righteousness and true holiness. When one grows out of his clothes as a kid, he can no longer wear clothes that don’t fit; he must get new clothes and rid himself of the old ones. This is a similar thought to what Paul is saying in this passage. Growing children can’t keep wearing old clothes; similarly, those who claim to know Christ can’t persist in their old ways. Of course, perfect holiness is something mortal men can’t realistically obtain, but we’re encouraged by Peter, “…as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:15-16)

Paul calls believers to strive towards a more Christ-like life consciously. Paul speaks elsewhere regarding the “old man.” “Old man” refers to the old way of life practiced by Christians before their conversion. A believer is not to be associated with the same sinful practices he or she lived for before knowing Christ.

As prior verses indicated, unbelievers not only submit to sin, they seem eager to go deeper and further into sin. This not only prevents a relationship with God, it’s damaging to their lives and physical bodies. Sin is deceptive, making us think what’s harmful is best for us. The word for “corrupt” here carries the idea of rotting or being defiled. Such things are ruined and useless, with no value to themselves or others. In contrast, believers are called to serve others as valuable servants of Christ.

These themes are often repeated in the New Testament by Paul and others. Believers are instructed to let no corrupting talk leave their mouths. False teachers are described as corrupt. Believers are said to have escaped the corruption of the world, and believers are called to walk in a manner worthy of God’s calling: to be salt and light that attracts others to glorify God.

Paul identifies how Christians can separate themselves from the sin and deception of their former life in Vs. 23. This transformation is only possible through Christ: for those who have come to know Him as Savior and when a person commits his mind and heart to it. Paul often speaks of the importance of being “renewed,” particularly in one’s thinking. This is a powerful and ongoing aspect of our relationship with Christ.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The believer is called to live by the Spirit by focusing his mind on what is godly.

Believers are to put off the old man. Prior verses have explained this as the deceptive, corrupting influence of sin, which marks a life of unbelief. Making this change is impossible without Christ, and God requires Christians to be renewed in their thinking. The new man is the life that grows to become more like Christ, created after the likeness of God.

Two aspects are noted to explain how the new man is created as a reflection of the Creator. First, Paul mentions the concept of “true righteousness.” In short, the Lord is righteous and leads His followers to seek to do what is right. Second, we’re created like God in “holiness.” Believers are to control their bodies in holiness and honor, which means being set apart, clean, and distinct from what surrounds them. Believers are to live holy lives as followers of Christ.

MARCH 26, 2024

 “The people were astonished at his doctrine.” (Matthew 7:28)

“The people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority…” (Mark 1:22)

“And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.” (Luke 4:32)

The three Scripture texts above contain very similar statements made by the three Synoptic Evangelists as they each describe the utter amazement with which the people heard the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ. Mark and Luke were apparently giving their separate accounts of the same event, where Jesus commanded an unclean spirit to come out of a man, and the unclean spirit obeyed. The people were all amazed, saying “What new doctrine is this? For with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” (Mark 1:27) “What word is this! For with authority and power He commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.” (Luke 4:36) Matthew’s observation of the people’s amazement was, however, on a different occasion, just after the Lord had delivered His wonderful Sermon on the Mount. Notice, “And it came to pass when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine, for He taught them as one having authority.” (Matt. 7:28, 29)

Why do you suppose that Jesus’ words had this effect on His hearers, that they should be struck with such awe when He spoke? He spoke with such authority that none could question His doctrine. He spoke with so great power that every person felt the force of it. Once, a band of officers was commissioned by the chief priest and Pharisees to apprehend our Lord. It just so happened that it was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles when our Lord stood and cried, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink, he that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:37, 38) We have only these few of the powerful words of that proclamation, but the officers who were sent to arrest him apparently found themselves spellbound. When they reported back to the authorities empty-handed, an account for their failures was demanded. “Why have ye not brought Him?” To this the officers simply answered, “Never man spake like this man.”

Truth is powerful, and Jesus spoke truth. He is Truth Incarnate. To lie would be for Him a thing impossible. “I am the truth,” He declared. (John 14:6) He is truth, and He is of the truth. He spoke of His own things. He said to the unbelieving Jews, “Ye are of your father the devil…when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44) Jesus spoke truth because He spoke of His own things.

He was also truthful in His manner. This is exactly why there was such authority in His words. It was not possible for Him to lie, and neither was it possible for Him to speak truth in a doubtful manner. Truth can be spoken without the force of conviction, in which case, it will be diminished in its authority. Jesus spoke as the Oracle of God out of the fullness of His heart. There was nothing of insincerity or fraudulence about Him to cause doubt in His hearers. There was an obvious difference easily detected by the people between Jesus’ words, and the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. Matthew notes how the people were impressed with the fact that “He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” With Christ, there was no quibbling over matters of no importance, or reciting opinions of the rabbis, or proclaiming the traditions of the elders.

So different were Christ’s words, and so searching, that the people were enquiring, “What doctrine is this?” “What Word is this?” Jesus said to the gathered multitudes in John 6:63, “The words that I speak to you, they are SPIRIT and they are LIFE.”

Let us also speak with the same bold confidence the words that He spoke. We cannot speak AS this man spake, but we can speak WHAT this man spake. Christ is the Living Word. From Him we have the Written Word; this is what folks need to hear. “The Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword.” (Heb. 4:12) Let us rely upon the power of the unadulterated Word, and not upon our abilities, techniques, programs, intellects, or any other arm of flesh.

MARCH 21, 2024

 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.”

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me…” (II Timothy 4:6, 7, 8a)

To be saved and know it is a great source of comfort to a believer. Many who profess faith in Christ are never quite able to attain such assurance of hope. The reason why some never find this rest is that they think salvation somehow depends upon them – either that their good works play a part, or upon their ability to “hold on.” They never can know if they have done enough, or if their faith is strong enough, or enduring enough. It is not the strength of one’s faith that decides the matter, but rather, the strength of our mighty Savior. Neither is salvation in any part, “by works of righteousness which we have done.” (Tit. 3:5)

It is sometimes the case that true believers lack assurance of salvation. I am quite certain that almost every believer has experienced doubts at times. Nevertheless, true assurance is a sweet, sweet blessing, which comes not from recalling a decision or experience in the past, but rather by presently examining the fruits of grace in our life. This is the tried-and-true method prescribed by the Apostle Peter by which to make our calling and election sure. (II Pet. 1:5-10)

To be able to sing from the heart “Blessed assurance Jesus is mine” is blessed upon any occasion, but in the Scripture text that heads this article the Apostle Paul is expressing this calm assurance when the hour of his death was at hand, and the great Day of Judgment was in view. We detect no panic in his voice; all is calmness as he looks downward to the grave, backward to his own ministry, and forward to his soon appearance before the judgment bar. It will do us good to draw near to the Apostle’s side and hear his words as he is now ready to leave this world. Happy is that soul who can look where Paul was looking and speak as he spoke.

He looks downward to the grave, and he does it without fear. Hear him as he speaks: “I am ready to be offered.” He likens himself to an animal that is brought to the place of sacrifice and bound with cords to the horns of the altar. The last ceremonies have been performed. It only remains to receive the death blow. Then he says, “The time of my departure is at hand.” He’s like a ship that is about to unmoor and put to sea. All on board is ready. It only remains to be unfastened and he shall set sail to begin the voyage.

These are remarkable words for a child of Adam like ourselves to utter when facing the “last enemy.”Death is a solemn thing. The grave is a chilling place and we cannot pretend that it has no terrors. Yet, here is a mortal man who is standing upon the brink and is not afraid.

As the Apostle also looks backward in review of a full life of faithfulness, we see one reason why he could face death and the grave without fear. He could say truly, “I have fought a good fight.” As a good soldier, he had fought that good fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil, from which so many shrink and draw back. He did not grow weary in the race, but could also say, “I have finished my course.” His was a difficult course, but he reached the goal with honor, as one deserving of the crown. He had been a faithful steward of the Gospel which his Lord had entrusted to Him: “I have kept the faith.”

This faithful servant could therefore look forward to the day of reckoning with confidence that his blessed Lord would award him with the crown that he had been striving to win. “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day.” Paul had long had “a desire to depart, and to be with Christ,” but he knew that his course was not yet run. (Phil. 1:23) But now he feels no such restraints. He has successfully completed his course. He now calmly, and even eagerly, awaits his departure which is at hand.