LOVE AND THE LAW OF GOD - by Bishop Ogles

 O HOW love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97)

 

GREAT peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. (Psalm 119:165)

 

FOR brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. (Galatians 5:13-14)

 

            At the slightest mention of the Law of God, many begin to back away as if offended that such Law still exists. Whatever would convince any God-fearing Christian to believe that God’s Law has been annulled or done away. Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Law for us and even saved us under the terms of the Law of God for He satisfied the demands of the Law that the wages of sin is death. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; therefore, we were condemned under the Law. But Christ paid that death penalty vicariously on the cross for us. Only our Lord was qualified to satisfy that debt since all others were under the penalty of sin. 

 

            Perhaps it would be wise to ask, What is Law? at the outset of our discussion:

 

Law, in its most general and comprehensive sense, signifies a rule of action; and is applied indiscriminately to all kinds of action, whether animate or inanimate, rational or irrational. Thus, we say the laws of motion, of gravitation, of optics, or mechanics, as well as the laws of nature and of nations. And it is a rule of action which is prescribed by some superior, and which the inferior is bound to obey.

                                  Sir William Blackstone  (10 July 1723 – 14 February 1780) 

 

            The Laws of the Kingdom apply to all within the Kingdom whether citizens or strangers. The stranger comes and goes, but the citizen abides in the Kingdom. As Christians, we belong to the Kingdom of Heaven and our conduct must comport with the Law of the King. The stranger who disobeys will be deported without where the fires of Hell are kept ready. 

 

            How is the Law of God an instrument of Love in its full expression? Mr. Blackstone, in the definition above of Law, did not express the PURPOSE of Law since it is generally commonly understood. The purpose of Law is to protect, maintain order, allow civil discourse and commerce, and provide for the general welfare of a people or nation. Can you imagine a nation with no laws? Impossible, for there could exist no nation without laws defining boundaries, allegiances, and some framework for society to function. Otherwise, it is simply a mob of savages doing as they please without moral or legal restraint. 

 

            God gave Adam only one Law in Eden, and He gave him a choice of two trees at the center of the Garden. And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. . . . And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:8, 9 & 16) Observe the great freedom Adam had in the days before his fall! There was only one Law to be observed – do not eat of the One Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He could eat of every other tree (including the Tree of Life symbolizing the pre-Incarnate Christ). But Adam chose the very tree he was commanded of the Lord not to eat. When the dog bites, we must shorten the leash! Adam died from the moment he tasted the forbidden fruit. Those who are in the fallen state of Adam are all dead in trespasses and sin. (see Eph 2)Disobedience of the one Law laid down at Eden resulted in all the hurt and misery of our world today. That Law was given in love to Adam, but the love of Adam for God was not sufficient to command obedience. 

 

            God found it necessary to expand the Law to cover every area of life. Man was incapable of the degree of obedience motivated by love and kindness, so the Law was written on Tables of Stone to compel obedience. God knew man would be unable to obey His Law in spotless compliance expected by a Holy God. It was to teach our primitive fathers to obey God first, And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deut 6:5), and to love others as themselves, . . . . thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:18 It was these two summaries of the Law pertaining to our duty to God and our duty to others which our Lord stipulated in the Summary of the Law:  Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40)

 

I have heard the great error preached Jesus was issuing a new Commandment to replace the Ten! How wrong and ignorant to read the counsel of our Lord in such wise. Jesus was simply revealing the Law of Love in bringing the two Tables of the Law together in summary. The first Table of the Ten Commandments informs us of our duty to God; the second Table informs of our duty to others. It expresses the only means whereby we can be obedient to God and observe our responsibilities to others – that means is defined in one word only – LOVE! 

 

There are two dimensions of the Law of God – the Letter of it, and the Spirit of it.  NO matter how diligently we strive to obey every Commandment, without LOVE, we have failed miserably. It is only when our Love is combined with our obedient desire can we be obedient to the Commandments of God. Love is the Spirit that enables us!

 

God can in no wise brook sin in His midst; therefore, we must stand guiltless before God on the last day. How can we do so when all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death? It is by means of the IMPUTED righteousness of Christ that declares us righteous – not our righteousness but His in satisfying the terms of the Law. 

 

In effect, our Lord gave only ONE new Commandment. It is altogether appropriate that we read that new Commandment in the Gospel of the Beloved Disciple, John 13: 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:34-35) Ahh, so, this is also a Law of God and one which we MUST obey personally for without love, we nothing. But it is LOVE itself that enables us to keep all of the other Ten Commandments of God. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (LOVE), it profiteth me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

 

We see our nation becoming more and more distant from God in its secular pursuits. It has forgotten the Love of God and her heart has grown cold. It matters not what leader we send to represent us if our own hearts are devoid of Love and Truth. Read below my favorite quote on the Law which I have shared many times in my writings – many times because it is profoundly true!

 

            “Power and law are not synonymous. In truth, they are frequently in opposition and irreconcilable. There is God's Law from which all Equitable laws of man emerge and by which men must live if they are not to die in oppression, chaos and despair. Divorced from God's eternal and immutable Law, established before the founding of the suns, man's power is evil no matter the noble words with which it is employed or the motives urged when enforcing it. 

 

            “Men of good will, mindful therefore of the Law laid down by God, will oppose governments whose rule is by men, and if they wish to survive as a nation they will destroy the government which attempts to adjudicate by the whim of venal judges.”       

Marcus Tullius Cicero, 106-43 BC

 

 

 The Whole Law Must be Kept by the Whole Man During His Whole Life. (Pasche, F.E.)

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8.

Many men lead outwardly harmless and moral lives, but they neglect and despise God’s Word; their soul is full of the lust of the world. On the other hand, the creed of some is blameless while their life is offensive. But that is not as it should be; our faith and life should both be right. A man should not outwardly seem to be a temple of God and inwardly, and therefore in reality, a den of the devil.

God heartily hates a partial service. Hear the complaint of the Savior: “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.”

Judging from the outward appearance of many people, one should think they were perfect; but on closer inspection one finds that they harbor and cherish a darling sin which they will not give up. If, for instance, you do not curse, cheat, and live a life of sexual impurity, if, however, you fail to worship God, despise the preaching of the Gospel, neglect the reading of your Bible, and do not do your share toward preparing ministers, sending out mis­ sionaries, you are a trespasser of the Law of God. If you offend in one point, you are guilty of all. If one string of a musical instru­ ment is out of tune, the whole music is spoiled. Remember that the whole Law is to be kept by the whole man and during his whole life!

We must not put on our religion on Sunday and then put it off until the next Sunday. True, business is business, but that does not mean that you should break God’s commandments. Obey them every day of the week and have Him in your daily labor as silent, but powerful partner. Likewise, do not put off serving God until you have reached old age. That is the height of folly; for it is a fact that by far the most people die young. Therefore, “remem­ ber now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Do not give the devil the flower of youth and to God the leaves of decayed old age. No, during your whole life delight in the Lord; He shall give thee the desire of thy heart.

Prayer.

O Thou merciful God and Father, though ofttimes, from weakness of the flesh or perversity of mind, I have forsaken Thee, ignored Thy commandments, and by many gross sins transgressed against Thee in heaven more than seventy times seven every day and also against my neighbor on earth, Thou didst not enter into judgment with me, nor didst Thou visit me with sudden, well- deserved punishment. O God the Holy Spirit, how shamefully have I spent my life, how sadly have I faltered, yea, committed grievous sins times without number! But Thou hast sought me, the lost sheep, so often and hast led me back to the right path; Thou hast sanctified, comforted, governed, and kept me in my calling. I humbly thank Thee for Thy unmerited grace, and I be­ seech Thee to bestow this same grace upon me in the future, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

 Daily Readings in Life of Christ - J.R. Miller (1890)

February 21. The Spirit like a Dove

"And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him." Mark 1:10

Even Christ with all His divine power needed the anointing of the Holy Spirit to set Him apart for His life-work, and to make Him ready for it. How much more do we, His disciples, need the same anointing before we are truly set apart for work and qualified for it.

There is rich suggestion also in the form in which the Spirit descended. A great many tender thoughts cluster around the dove. It was the dove that the very poor were permitted to bring to the altar as an offering, as a substitute for a more costly animal. The appearance of the dove was one of the harbingers or prophecies of coming spring. The dove was always remembered by the Jews in connection with the abatement of the waters of the deluge, when it returned to the ark bearing the olive-leaf; and it has become among all Christian nations, as well as the olive-branch, an emblem of peace. The dove was also referred to by Christ as a symbol of gentleness and harmlessness. 

All these associations made the dove a most fitting emblematic form for the Holy Spirit to assume when descending upon Jesus. For Jesus came to be a sacrifice for all, even the poorest. He came as the spring comes, bringing life to a dead world. He came bringing a message of peace from Heaven to everyone who will open to Him. And He is like the dove in gentleness and harmlessness.

It is this same Holy Dove that must descend upon us if the kingdom of Heaven is truly to begin in our hearts. Until the Holy Spirit has been given to us and received by us — there is no life in our souls and no power in us for work. But this divine anointing is promised to all who truly consecrate themselves to Christ and believe on Him. No vision of cloven heavens and descending dove appears to human eyes — but above every scene of holy devotement to Christ — this blessed reality hangs.

v

How long should a sermon be?

A churchman once asked Spurgeon how long it would take to prepare a two hour sermon. He responded, “three hours.” So, how long for a one hour sermon, Spurgeon said, “two days”  and a twenty minute sermon? Three days, but if a three hour sermon, I can do that right now. The art of saying the most in the least time is a sign of a knowledgeable minister.

REMEMBER THY CREATOR

 

CAST YOUR ANCHOR INTO THE ROCK OF AGES

“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.” Hebrews 6:18-19

 

         “The tide is coming in,” announced an old sailor to his little brother. “How do you know that?” asked the little brother. “Why,” the older replied, “it is the simplest thing in the world. Look at the boats that are anchored there and see which way they face; anchored craft always face the oncoming tide.” The anchored soul faces the tide, too. If you know what it is to have your anchor gripping that which is within the veil, you’ll not be a man afraid to look the world in the face.

         When the anchor has been cast into good ground, the heavier the strain on it the deeper and firmer grows its hold. To the trusting soul temptations, instead of driving away from the Savior, only fix affections firmer on the Rock of Ages.

         Cast in your anchor while the sea is calm; you will need it to lean on when the last billows pound your ship. The Gospel provisions are equal to the emergencies of the voyage of life.

DORAN'S MINISTERS MANUEL 1927

 Contentment Makes Truly Happy (Pasche, F.E.)

"And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."1 Tim. 6:8.

God’ s apostle commands: “ Let your conversation be without covetousness and be content with such things as ye have.” A man is content when he is satisfied with what God has apportioned to him, whether it be much or little, and when he is not continually craving things which God has not given him. Such contentment makes one truly happy. For such contented people cheerfully per­ form the labors and duties of the station and calling in which God has placed them and, without perplexing their minds, leave it to God to give the increase. They do not harass their minds with things of the past, which cannot be recalled or altered, or with things of the future, of which they know nothing, but, attending to the labors of the day, they leave past and future in the hand of God.

People who live so contented can nevertheless not enjoy per­ fect happiness, because in this vale of tears they remain surrounded by evils, but they live comparatively happy because they put up with evils and make the best of things that are not just as they would like to have them. Such contentment is indeed great gain.

How can a man acquire such contentment? It does not dwell in man by nature, neither can he acquire it by his own energy; God must give it; it is His gift, and of Him we must ask it. But if we are to ask God for this gift, we must first be able to lift up our eyes to Him with cheerfulness and confidence. We must know that o u t sins are forgiven. No man on earth can have a truly contented and quiet heart unless he knows that he has forgiveness of all his sins, that God has become his gracious and loving Father, and that he shall not be brought into the judgment of condemna­ tion. No man can possess the gift of true contentment unless he is a Christian; but the Christian does possess it. And that is great gain. He can say: “ The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

Prayer.

O beneficent Father, let us not forget that all things we receive come from Thee and are Thine. For this very reason do Thou grant that we may never be dissatisfied with what Thou givest. We pray Thee to ward off from us whatever might render our live­ lihood difficult. Let each one be content and satisfied with his lot, that both rich and poor may recognize Thy power and may praise Thee. Grant that the rich do not place their trust in their wealth, that the poor enjoy the little they have in good health, and that we all may delight in Thy goodness. Amen.

DAILY READINGS IN LIFE OF CHRIST - J.R. Miller

February 20. The Shadow of the Cross

"Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him."  Matthew 3:15

One meaning of Christ's words here is that, as man in the place of sinful men, He must take upon Him all the conditions of humanity. He had no sins of His own to confess — and yet He came to John as other men came. He did this because He was in the place of sinners. A little later John pointed to Him and said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." So we see Jesus coming to be baptized, because "all we like sheep have gone astray, and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." This baptism with water, however, was but the merest shadow of what the bearing of our sins cost Him.

In Holman Hunt's picture, "The Shadow of the Cross," Jesus is represented at thirteen, standing in the carpenter's shop at the close of the day. He stretches out His arms and the setting sun casts His shadow in the form of a cross on the opposite wall. The artist's thought is that across the soul of the gentle youth thus early fell indeed, the shadow of the cross. No doubt the thought is true. Especially here, however, as Jesus entered His public ministry, did not this shadow fall upon Him.

This baptism by John was but the emblem of the other baptism. This was only with water, and was but symbolic. He had another baptism to be baptized with the baptism of sorrow, of death, and of curse, when He "redeemed us from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us." We ought never to forget, as we enjoy the blessings of redemption, what it cost our Lord to procure them for us. He endured His unfathomable baptism of sorrow, pain and death — that we might receive the blessings of peace and joy. He tasted death for us — that we might have deathless life!

 

 The Blue Ensign

"Remember now thy Creator . . ." Ecclesiastes 12:1

            The name, Titanic, conjures up magical memories of by-gone days of grandeur and almost miraculous feats of Naval Science and Engineering. The RMS Titanic, the largest ocean-going vessel to ever sail the high seas, was the embodiment of the national pride of the British Empire and of the prestigious White Star Line.

            The Titanic was even given the privilege of flying the Blue Ensign, a blue flag with Union Jack affixed in the upper left field. This grand vessel was touted by her Captain, E.J. Smith, as being “unsinkable.” As a matter of fact, when asked by a news reporter if the Titanic could be sunk, the good Captain responded, “Sir, God, Himself, could not sink the Titanic.” These proved vain and prideful words, for the Master of the Seas presided over the sinking of this glorious idol of the British Empire only four days after these words were spoken. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:19.

            On that fateful night of April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on her starboard bow. Within 2 hours and forty minutes, this vessel sank hard by the bow and slipped beneath the icy cold waters of the North Atlantic as the band played, and the company sang, “Nearer, my God, to Thee.”

            There were many whose lives, though flamboyant, were unremarkable prior to the sinking; however, most of these same souls exhibited rare courage and chivalry in the moments preceding their tragic ending. Many gave up their own life jackets to women and children, some refused to board a life raft so long as there were women and children who required accommodation, and then there was the ship’s band (accustomed to playing at fancy balls), at the moment of crisis, now selflessly playing the funeral dirge for hundreds of perishing souls.

            I have always been fascinated by man’s utter disregard for God and His creatures until the moment in which calamity strikes. Why not live each day as if it were the sinking of our souls? Why not turn to the Master of the Seas and Land, and of all the glittering galaxies of Heaven, while the time is abundant to the purpose?

            The Titanic carried to her Ocean grave, the souls of 1522 men. She went to that Ocean grave with her Blue Ensign neatly tucked away in one of her many compartments. Shall we likewise perish with our life’s ensign neatly folded and tucked away in a bay compartment? or shall we fly our colors gladly as we muster for the daily Battle of Life? Why not?

Jerry L. Ogles
Bishop
Anglican Orthodox Church

 

 

 Lying or Deceiving by God’s Name - F.E. Pasche

 "Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues and say, He saith."  Jer. 23:31.

What is meant by lying or deceiving by God’s name ? It means to adorn false doctrine or ungodly life with the Word and name of God. Who is mean enough to do that ? Who is bold enough to venture it? Must he not fear to be found to fight against God? Yet this same thing is done daily by the thousands of false prophets who deny the true faith, preaching their own erroneous specula­ tions, as well as by the millions who live in sin, but would be accounted saints. God surely does not like such as use their

tongues to violate His Word. He says through the prophet Jeremiah that He is against such prophets. They preach false doctrine and yet declare, “He saith.” They deny the true faith and yet seek to gain credence for doing so. They tear down the Word of God, and yet they use the name of God as a veneer to cover their wicked words. They garble Scripture to suit their own purpose, and yet they render themselves attractive and commend­

able to many by twisting Scripture into a seeming agreement with their views.

Is this not the same vile method which their lying master, the devil, employed when he tempted Christ? To this day he is an adept in breeding mischief by false doctrine. Are there not false prophets almost everywhere, perverting and distorting the holy Word of God and yet claiming, “Thus saith the Lord” ? Is there not a bewildering number of sects, each of them deviating from God’s plain Word in some point and yet telling people that they are teaching the pure and unadulterated truth? Remember that you must strictly adhere to the divine Word; then you will not be deceived by them.

However, lying and deceiving by God’s name is done not only by false prophets; it is a very common sin. Every display of piety, all show of holiness, of such as live in sin, who thus adorn their ungodly life with the Word and name of God, is condemned in the Second Commandment.

Prayer.

0 my dear Savior, how much hast Thou endured, what hast Thou suffered for me to redeem such a worm as I am! Accept my thanks, 0 Lord, for all Thy suffering and draw me unto Thee that I may cling to Thee in life and in death, live for Thee alone, and despise and hate sin in every shape and form. 0 Lord, Thou hast said: “This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth and honoreth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me.” Let me beware of such hypocrisy and be Thine forever. Amen.

Desperate Faith

 Daily Readings in Life of Christ - J. Ogles

Desperate Faith

            Like the story of this dear woman, the salvation stories of great Christians are intriguing. One such story is that of the great and beloved minister and biblical commentator, Matthew Henry. In the early days of the founding of our country, Matthew Henry's Commentary was almost as commonplace in the households of America as the Holy Bible. Born to a Anglican minister of the Gospel at Broad Oak Manor in Wales in 1662, Matthew was an exceptional biblical scholar even at the age of three years and, according to Bickerton's Life of Henry, he could read the Bible with distinctness and observation at that early age. At age nine, he could read Latin and Greek, and was fluent in French. Though he heard his father's sermons each week, his first abiding convictions in religion came with a sermon his father preached on Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Though his commentaries cover the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelations, it was this single verse by which he was drawn to repentance and conviction. Here is an excerpt of his commentary on this text:

Those who are thoroughly convinced of their misery and danger by sin, would spare no cost to obtain the remission of it. But as they cannot make satisfaction for sin, so God cannot take any satisfaction in them, otherwise than as expressing love and duty to him. The good work wrought in every true penitent, is a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart, and sorrow for sin. It is a heart that is tender, and pliable to God's word. Oh that there were such a heart in every one of us! God is graciously pleased to accept this; it is instead of all burnt-offering and sacrifice. The broken heart is acceptable to God only through Jesus Christ; there is no true repentance without faith in him. Men despise that which is broken, but God will not. He will not overlook it, he will not refuse or reject it; though it makes God no satisfaction for the wrong done to him by sin. Those who have been in spiritual troubles, know how to pity and pray for others afflicted in like manner. David was afraid lest his sin should bring judgements upon the city and kingdom. No personal fears or troubles of conscience can make the soul, which has received grace, careless about the interests of the church of God. And let this be the continued joy of all the redeemed, that they have redemption through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace. — Matthew Henry Concise

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.(Matthew 9:20-22)

One of the greatest barriers to faith in Christ is in knowing WHO Christ is. Many today consider Him in the same sense as a genie who grants our every wish, or as a good teacher of ethics and morals; but how many in the modern churches truly know Jesus to be Lord and Savior in more than a mere vocally expressed sense? He is our Lord and King. He is our Savior and Redeemer…and He is God! This last part seems to be the hanging point for many pseudo-religionists. Jesus is literally God the son and acts with the same power and authority of the Father – for both are One with the Holy Ghost!

Jesus has just been conversing with the followers of John the Baptist and reveals to them that He is the promised Bridegroom of the Church whom they seek, but unknowingly: “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matt 9:15) It is unlikely that these disciples understood the meaning Jesus spoke to them until much later. He had, on this same occasion, forgiven the man stricken with the palsy of his sins, and sealed the miracle of forgiveness with His second miracle of physical healing.  We now take up the text:

20 “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.” We are told more detail of this woman in the Gospel of St. Mark: “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” (Mark 5:25-27) Clearly, this woman, too, had only one hope of healing and that hope was Christ! She wasted away all of her savings on physicians, but grew only worse. Now she will come to the Great Physician who is able to heal body AND soul! How often do we, friends, struggle helplessly with our problems until they grow to immense proportion. Then we run to Christ for our solution! The woman had great difficulty approaching Jesus for the press of the crowd so close to Him on all sides. There were many who rubbed shoulders with Jesus that day, but only ONE who touched Him with faith. Just claiming the name of Christian does not avail to make us Christian unless we have the faith to match our convictions. 21 “For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” It is the touch of faith that heals and not the material garment itself.  22 “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Here again, St Mark adds touching details that Matthew omits: “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:29-30) Jesus felt healing power being transferred to another. His question, “Who touched me?” is profound, for Christ KNEW who touched Him. So many in the crowd had touched Jesus in the bustle of the street, but none with the faith of this poor woman. We may call on Christ in vain if our faith is dead, but if our faith is real – even if small – the touch will bear fruit. Jesus gave comfort, not only to the body, but to the soul of the woman by telling her that her faith had made her whole – whole in every sense of the word. Not just whole in body, but whole in soul as well for Christ does not work half-way miracles. “And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

            What are the most prominent points that we must take from this miracle of healing?

1.     IMPORTANCE OF PREACHING: The woman had, at least, HEARD of Jesus. Unless we hear first, we cannot come by faith to Christ. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) The woman had heard the report and, though she may not have known Christ deeply, she hung onto that faint hope which just the hearing made available to her.

2.     RECOGNIZE OUR DIRE NEED: The woman had a serious health problem but, greater still, is that deadly disease that afflicts every child born of woman – SIN! She recognized her need, and she recognized that the need could be satisfied in Christ! The Woman had spent all of her savings on doctors who had not helped her in the least. The world cannot satisfy our want, but Jesus can. She had only ONE hope left – the Lord Jesus Christ. So do we if we only will admit it.

3.     DREW NEAR TO THE SOURCE OF OUR HEALING AND SALVATION: The woman, though frail and suffering, dragged her diseased body to Christ. She did not come proudly or arrogantly, but fell in behind the crowd seeking to draw near enough as to only touch the hem of His garment. Those nearest to Jesus almost prevented her from approaching, but she allowed no impediment to her coming to Christ. We, too, must have that persistence once we know our need, and the source of its satisfaction in Christ. We cannot worship Jesus from a distance – we must TOUCH His heart with our own hearts.  We must communicate our need in prayer whether by act or word.

4.     HAVE THE FAITH TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT CHRIST CAN SUPPLY OUR NEED: “For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” We do not come to Christ with reservations. There are no if’s involved in faith except the IF expressed by the woman – “If” I can draw so near Him as to touch only His hem, I shall be healed.

5.     NO ONE APPROACHES JESUS IN FAITH WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE: “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. The one in greatest need and want among the crowd was the one whose TOUCH Jesus felt. She came in faith out of her need. Should we all not recognize our own depravity and need in coming to Christ rather than simply walking in His Presence for the benefit of our pride?

6.     IT IS THE WILL OF JESUS TO HEAL US OF OUR DISEASE OF SIN AND ALL OTHERS: There is no delay in granting forgiveness to those who call upon Him with earnest heart. It is the influence of sin that brings sickness and disease upon the world – even among those who are otherwise innocent such as babes and little children.  But if we have no faith in Jesus, He will not heal us. He is our healing medicine. If we do not take Him inot our hearts, how can the medicine have its desired effect? “And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

 

 

 Using Witchcraft and Spiritism  -  F.E. Pasche

"There shall not be found among you a witch or a charmer or a consulter with familiar spirits." Deut. 18:10-11.

Using witchcraft means to “use God’s name or Word without His command and to promise to perform supernatural things, such as conjuring, fortune-telling, consulting the dead, and similar satanic arts.” Witchcraft, or “curious arts,” as it is also called in the Scriptures, therefore is a heathenish art, practised by those who cannot or will not pray to God as their dear Father. No, they resort to secret arts and the power of darkness when natural means do not accomplish what they desire. The world is full of witch­ craft. It is practised, or at least resorted to, even by many of those who call themselves Christians. But using witchcraft in any form is employing the devil’s help, and this is a sin against God and, if done under cover of His sacred name, is taking that name in vain to adorn the sin of doing the devil service.

Christians, true children of God, who have renounced the devil and all his works, withdraw from such iniquity. They know that “all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.”

When King Saul had fallen away from the living God, he stole to the witch of Endor. And in our enlightened age men and women still throng about mediums, clairvoyants, and fortune­ tellers. Spiritism is rampant in our modern large cities. Spiritism is a special branch of witchcraft. It objects to this name, however, and presents itself to the public as modern science and full-fledged truth, yea, as religion and a religious society; and it has millions of members. Spiritism claims to be able to associate with the spirits of the dead. Spiritists contend that departed spirits can speak to the living, help them in many ways, and teach them higher knowledge. But the truth is, that whatever we cannot find out by searching the Scriptures and by natural means is not for us to know, and we should not try to ascertain it, least of all by con­ sulting the devil, our arch-enemy.

Prayer.

O Father of all mercies, defend Thy Church against all the gates of hell, against all the raging and raving of Satan, and let it stand firm and immovable upon the foundation rock on which it is built. Look down from heaven and behold and visit Thy vine and vineyard which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch which Thou madest strong for Thyself, that it may send out its boughs and that its branches may become large; hedge it round about with Thy shield. Be Thou the Defense of Thy sheep that no man may pluck us out of Thy hand. Amen.

Three Baptisms –

DAILY READINGS of Biblical Truth - by J. Ogles

Three Baptisms – 

    

T

HEN cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.     (Matt 3:13-17)

 

            From the primitive age of Creation, the Lord has directed the sure and certain progression of His redemptive plan of salvation. Having known His elect from before the foundation of the world, there can be no annulment of that plan. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 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)

 

            At the early dawn of life in the Garden eastward at Eden, man was created in the image of God, but just as a shadow resembles the frame of its object, man was weak and frail to obey the only commandment God had given him. Instead of partaking of the Tree of Life (representing the Lord Jesus Christ), he partook of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil of which God had commanded him not to partake. Once sin entered the heart of man, it grew and took possession there. The first man born of woman, Cain, was a murderer – the second man born of woman, Abel, was a prophet of God. That division of good and evil prevails to this day among the sons and daughters of men. Those who are under the redemptive blood of Christ are righteous by virtue of the imputed righteousness of Christ – not by their own works. By the first man, Adam, came sin and death; by the second man, Jesus Christ, came life eternal.

 

The First Baptism – Global

            As the heart of man grew more and more evil, GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  (Gen 6:5)  God determined to destroy the old world through the baptism of the Global Deluge – the first baptism was that of all of Creation during which God saved eight souls of Noah’s family to repopulate the new creation. This global baptism was the First Baptism. It was global. But God winnows down the grain in His redemptive plan separating the chaff from the grain continually. As the baptizer said: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.  (Matt 3:11-12)

 

The Second Baptism – National

            The Lord God chose from the generations of man a nation to set apart as an example of His personal favor and protection – Israel. These He would baptize as a peculiar people set aside as His chosen as an example to all others. But the favor was national and not individual. By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.  (Heb 11:29) The same Almighty Hand of God that saved the Children of Israel in this second baptism is the same that destroyed the mighty army of Pharaoh. The seal that sets true Israel apart from all nations is the trust in that promise of a Redeemer made to Abraham, and not the racial aspect of the physical bloodline. That seal remains today. 

 

The Third Baptism – Individual

            13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  (Matt 3:13-17) The fulness of the Triune God was present at this further culmination of God’s redemptive plan: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This baptism of the Son of God set the Lord’s standard for us all to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in the individual and covenantal baptism of faith of which His baptism was the example.

 Swearing by God’s Name (Pasche, F.E.)

"Let your communication be, Tea, yea; Hay, nay; for what­ soever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:37.

The Lord says in the Third Book of Moses: “Ye shall not swear by My name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God.” From these words we see that swearing is forbidden.

Does that mean that all swearing is forbidden? No, that is not the meaning of that passage. It certainly is not wrong to call upon God. If it is an important case and the glory of God and the wel­ fare of our neighbor render it necessary, it cannot be wrong thus to call upon God. We have a direct command to swear thus. In the last book of Moses, Deut. 6,13, we read: “Thou shalt fear the Lord, thy God, and serve Him, and shalt swear by His name.” If we swear to the truth of a statement of ours before the proper authori­ ties, let it be done to the glory of God and to the welfare of our fellow-men.

The question, then, arises: What manner of swearing is for­ bidden? The answer is: All false, blasphemous, frivolous swear­ ing and all oaths in uncertain things. False swearing, or perjury, invokes the vengeance of God. When one swears to do an evil deed,

it is a blasphemous oath. It is frivolous swearing when the im­ portance of an oath is not considered, or when an oath is unneces­ sary. It is frivolous and thoughtless if people frequently say, “ God knows,” “By God,” or call upon the dear name of Jesus in vain. This is swearing, calling upon God as witness to the truth of our statement.

Let us watch our tongue and ever be on our guard. Parents should never allow their children to use such expressions, and they should be very careful not to give them a bad example. Also this is frivolous and therefore forbidden swearing, when one utters an oath in uncertain things. No one should swear to anything of which he is not absolutely certain. No one should swear to do something the nature of which he does not as yet know, or to keep secret things which he will not know until some time in the future. The grave nature of such an oath may be seen from the case of King Herod. Let us always bear in mind the sacredness of an oath, considering the greatness of God’s name.

Prayer.

O Thou just and gracious God and Father, I humbly and sorrowfully confess that I have not only been conceived and born in sin, but that I have also frequently transgressed Thy holy Ten Commandments in thought, word, and deed, thereby fully deserv­ ing both temporal and eternal punishment. But since Thy beloved Son, my dear Savior Jesus Christ, has fully atoned for all my sins, original and actual, by fulfilling the commandments which I have transgressed and by shedding His holy, precious blood, I pray Thee to be gracious unto me for His sake. And give me new strength to amend my life. Let me not swear lightly, but simply say yes or no when I mean that, and no more, lest I take Thy holy name in vain. Amen.