Month: July 2020

In the Middle Ages, as the lord of a manor lay critically ill, he asked a servant, “What do I have to do to go to Heaven?”

The servant replied, “Go to the pigsty, get on your knees in the mire and muck and pray, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!”

The lord said, “I couldn’t possibly do that.”

The servant went away.

When the lord’s sickness became worse, he sent for the servant again and asked, “What did you say that I would have to do to go to Heaven?”

The servant said, “Sire, you will have to go to the pigsty, get on , your knees and pray, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner!”‘

“Well,” said the lord, “if that is what I have to do, I am ready to do it!”

The old servant smiled and said, “Sire, you don’t really have to go, but you have to be willing to go!”

Psalm 10:4 says, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thought.”

Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28).

Are you willing to come to Jesus to be saved?

If you are, please contact us at All the Counsel of God Ministry (allthecounselofgod@gmail.com)

The blood is important because “… the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1 :7). It is through the blood that we have redemption, “…for thou…hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Through the blood we have “…propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).

Through the blood we have forgiveness from sin, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).

Through the blood we have peace with God, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross … ” (Colossians 1 :20).

Through the blood we have nearness to God, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2: 13).

Through the blood of Christ we are sanctified, “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13: 12).

Through the blood we have cleansing from sin as we walk in the light as He is in the light, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1 :7).

Through the blood of Christ we shall have victory over Satan in the last and final conflict, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Revelation 12: 11 ).

There is no salvation without the blood of Jesus. Beware of any religion without the blood! There may be solemn services, but without the blood there is no life. There may be splendid ceremonies, beautiful music, scholarly preachers, but without the blood of Jesus there is no life.

There are various features of the work of the Holy Spirit of which it is interesting and important to distinguish. We know that He is the active Agent of all God’s work. Thus, in connection with creation, we read that, “… the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1 :2). So, too, in God’s providential care and the administration of order upon the earth, no doubt, the Spirit is the Agent. But in speaking of that work which is connected with salvation, it is important to distinguish between what is common to all time and what is limited to the present dispensation.

1. NEW BIRTH. ” … Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

Water is a type in Scripture of the Word of God, the instrumentality used by the Holy Spirit. In the same connection, our blessed Lord declares, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh … ” (John 3:6) or, as we read elsewhere, ” … they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8). Thus, if one is ever saved, irrespective of what dispensation he may have lived in, new birth has necessarily taken place. One would be without the faculty of enjoying God – he could not endure His presence – unless he had a nature imparted by the Holy Spirit in new birth, capable of such a relationship. As birth brings one into the natural family, so new birth, by the Holy Spirit, brings one into the family of God, of which the saints in all ages and dispensations are members, by faith in the Word.

2. SEALING AND EARNEST. “…In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession … ” (Ephesians 1: 13-14).

This is a distinctive truth for the present dispensation alone. We never read of Old Testament saints being sealed with the Holy Spirit, for the simple reason that the Holy Spirit was not given until Jesus was glorified (John 7). The gift of the Spirit was bestowed at Pentecost, and, ever since, believers have received this divine sealing. Its meaning is very plain. A seal is a mark of ownership with which no one can interfere. No one dare disturb that which is marked as belonging to God. What a wondrous mark this is! A present, living, divine Being, the Holy Spirit! Each one who has believed, no matter how feebly, or how little his apprehension, has received this seal of the living God. It is a great mistake to confine this to those who have made special attainment in knowledge, or even have a full and distinct apprehension of all that the Gospel means. If there has been faith to touch ” … the border of His garment … ” (Luke 8:44), a single look of faith at Christ, God seals the soul; not according to its measure of apprehension, which would be incomplete in any of us, but according to His knowledge of the value of Christ and His work.

Closely connected with sealing is ” … the earnest of the Spirit … ” (2 Corinthians 1 :22). The “earnest” means a pledge and a foretaste. As the “sealing” is upon the ground of the finished work of Christ, so the “earnest” looks forward to the coming inheritance. It is thus a pledge that those who are marked as belonging to God shall be brought into the full fruition of redemption in glory; and during all this time the believer has the Spirit abiding in him, according to our Lord’s promise in John.

3. THE BAPTISM OF THE SPIRIT. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body … ” (1 Corinthians 12: 13).

When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He took up His abode not only in the individual believer, but formed that assembly of God which is the body of Christ upon earth. He links each believer with Christ and unites them as members one of another, each in his appointed place in that body upon earth. The moment one believes, he is united to Christ and united to that one body which is the only true church, composed of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

4. THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).

The Spirit, who has put us into the body of Christ, endows each one of us with the special functions appropriate to our individual membership. As the body emphasizes the unity of the church of Christ, so the gifts declare the variety of individual activities in that body, ” … all members have not the same office” (Romans 12:4). As each member of the body has its own special function, so every single believer in the body of Christ has a function which none else can perform and which, if neglected by him, affects the entire body. The Spirit has qualified each one of us for just the work that is our privilege to perform. All that is needed is an ungrieved Spirit and abiding communion, and we will, by the very nature of our gift, make use of it.

5. THE ANOINTING OF THE SPIRIT. “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you … ” (1 John 2:27).

This is partly what is suggested by the anointing. It was the mark of induction into office in the Old Testament, whether priestly, kingly, or prophetic; but apart from its official significance, it was typical of the bestowal of power, enabling for the right fulfilment of official duties. Thus, in the anointing of the Spirit, we have no mere official designation of our position in the body of Christ, but rather that endowment of power which enables us for every true activity. This includes instruction in the Word of God and the power of testimony and indeed of the entire life.

6. THE FILLING WITH THE SPIRIT. “…but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5: 18).

This is in contrast with the mere stimulus of human energy, however given. We have the Spirit dwelling in us, but, alas, we may not be filled with the Spirit. Mind and heart may be occupied by other thoughts, so that practically the Spirit has not control in every department of the life. This is intensely practical. If one is to be used of God, if the anointing which we have received is to be practically manifested, it must be in a Spirit-filled life, the opposite of which is the allowance of anything which would grieve the Holy Spirit of God.

7. THE LONGINGS OF THE SPIRIT. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come … ” (Revelation 22: 17).

The blessed Spirit of God has come to glorify Christ. This is His one object in whatever form His activity may appear. Therefore, He forms in the heart of the Lord’s people the longing for His coming again. This has precedence over everything else. No attainment, growth in grace, service, nor Gospel testimony can usurp the mastering desire which the Spirit produces, when unhindered in the hearts of the saints, for the coming of the Lord Jesus. In proportion as He fills the heart and life, the cry will be, ” … Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). May this be true of us all!

In Isaiah 48: 18 are the striking words, “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river…”

Now, one great feature of a river is that it never stops, it always goes on and on until it empties itself into the mighty ocean. It is even so in the Christian life, it must be a constant going on, going forward, going over (or through). When the river comes against any hindrance along its course, it either rises above it or goes around it.

Go on … go on … is the only motto for the child of God.

Have you on the Lord believed? Still there’s more to follow; Of His grace have you received? Still there’s more to follow.

GO FORWARD

The children of Israel found themselves in a seemingly impossible situation with the Red Sea in front, the armies of Pharaoh behind, and no means of escape on either side, so they gave way to murmuring and complaint. But God is always the God of the impossible, and His word to Moses was, ” … Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward” (Exodus 14:15).

Whenever God says, ” … go forward”, He intends us to go through- any and every obstacle- with Him. He always goes before His people.

GO OVER

This time God’s command was to Joshua. God’s set purpose for His people was not only to bring them out of Egypt, but also Canaan, so now He commands His servant Joshua, ” … arise, go over this Jordan … ” (Joshua 1:2).

Note the precious promises which accompanied this command. ” … as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1 :5); and ” … for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1 :9). So they went through with God.

GO ON

Here, it is the apostle Paul who speaks, “…let us go on unto perfection … ” (Hebrews 6:1). There was no standing still in the life of this Christian warrior. Writing to the Philippians, he says, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 12). Then follow the significant words, ” … forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3: 13-14 ).

Paul’s great ambition was ” … that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3 :8), and for this it meant a continual “going on.”

The Apostle John says, ” … it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

So then, let our motto ever be, “Go Forward- Go Over- Go On” with God.

A retired minister doing hospital work, says, “The chaplains try to combat the seven enemies of the sickroom – pain, anxiety, hostility, guilt feelings, boredom, despair, and loneliness.”

How wonderfully the Saviour, by His presence, power, and grace, can meet each of these problems.

As to “pain” or any other thorn in the flesh, Christ has said, ” … My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

As to “anxiety,” Jesus said, ” … Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26).

As to “hostility,” “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44). Impossible with men, but possible with God!

As to “guilt feelings,” it is strange that conscience and plain old conviction for sin should be reckoned an “enemy.” If there is one thing a Gospel minister, a true minister, longs to see today, it is conviction of sin. But since psychology reckons a sense of sin as only a “guilt feeling,” then conviction, good old Bible conviction, must be fought off as a foe.

As it is the work of the Holy Spirit to ” … reprove the world of sin … ” (John 16:8), is He then to be resisted in His work of conviction? Must the Holy Spirit then be treated as an “enemy” of the sickroom? Once the convicted person has confessed and forsaken his sin, then there is the all-sufficient remedy, ” … the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1 :7). Thereafter, thank God, “guilt feelings” need to be no more.

As to “boredom,” God’s mercies ” … are new every morning … ” (Lamentations 3:23). Those who meditate day and night in God’s Word are only “bored” with blessing and joy. Blessed boredom!

As to “despair,” the man without Christ may well despair, being without God, without Christ, and without hope. There is no use saying, ” … Peace, peace … ” to despairing souls, ” … when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11); and “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked” (Isaiah 57:21). The only foundation for peace is the blood of Christ, ” … having made peace through the blood of his cross … ” (Colossians 1 :20).

As to “loneliness” – how lonely is the godless man! If even Christians need to be visited in their affliction, how forsaken and lonely must be the lost! But to all Christian persons comes the sweet promise, ” … I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13 :5).

Whether the enemies of the sickroom be “seven” or “seventy times seven,” Christ can overcome them all!