The Light, Life, and Kingdom

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace, Theology
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

I was thinking the other day of the Light that is in the world. This reference is found in John 1:4-5. This is not a lengthy explanation but hopefully a concise explanation. It reads, “In Him was life (Zoe: This word is used of the one who gives life, a life pertaining to the kingdom of Yahweh and ultimately the glorified life.), and the life (Zoe) was the Light (Phos: This word speaks of the presence of the divine Glory. This Light gives illumination, spiritual sight, truth.) of men. The Light (Phos) shines in the darkness (Skotia: This word speaks of spiritual blindness.) and the darkness did not comprehend it. Let’s look at Luke 17:21.

Jesus was standing in front of the Pharisees and explaining to them that the Kingdom was in their midst and that the “Kingdom” was not coming with signs. When our Lord came, He came humbly on a donkey as King! Mark 11:1-11, a King with a heavenly kingdom! Another example is when He speaks to Martha about Lazarus being resurrected John 11:25-27, she didn’t understand, she didn’t see that Jesus is the resurrection. If you read the story He acted in this way for their good so that they would believe.

Jesus is referenced in these short examples as THE KINGDOM, THE LIGHT, THE LIFE and THE RESURRECTION, of course there is the other referencing Him as THE WAY John 14:6! The Pharisees were in darkness. The Pharisees couldn’t see the Light, they were incapable to see Him as the Kingdom in their midst. They expected this King to come like an earthly king dressed in array but Jesus came as a humble servant.

The descriptions afor mentioned are of the person Jesus The King, The Way, Truth, and The Life!

Election and You

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

The doctrine of election is no easy truth to swallow, it can be a very uneasy truth. It is a truth that tells us that Yahweh determined on whom He bestowed His grace of election Romans 8:29. He acts independently, He acts definitively, according to His nature and for His good pleasure and glory! Isaiah 40:14-13, Philippians 2:13

There are those who mistakenly believe that Yahweh acts and responds on foreknowledge. If you think about that for bit you should realize that if this were the case then, He would be basing His actions on the will of man and not based on His Sovereign will. When we read The Gospel of John it says Yahweh acts by His own will and not the will of man. John 1:12 – 1:13

Election is revealed in all of scripture. The nation of Israel was not the only recipient in Scripture of God’s electing choice. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is called Christ, “My Chosen One” (Luke 9:35). The church is a community of those who were chosen, or “elect” (Ephesians 1:4).

The doctrine of election conflicts with the dictates of the carnal mind. It is repugnant to the sentiments of the unregenerate heart. And like the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and the miraculous birth of our Savior, the truth of election, because it has been revealed by God, must be embraced with simple and unquestioning faith. (John Macarthur).

Yes, He decides and determined of every man’s destiny, and the controller of every detail in each individual’s life. Whether it is a vessel unto honor or a vassal unto dishonor Romans 9:18-22.

I’ll close with this, on this side of eternity we will not wholly comprehend this truth, but we likewise shouldn’t disregard this truth. It is a loving God who ordained to save at all a remnant. My hope and prayer are, you are drawn and called by name and elected unto salvation. John 6:44

Lazarus Come Forth!

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace

The true story of Lazarus, the friend of Jesus. John 11:1-44

Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus, it was obvious what a great love He had for them but His responses and actions may have appeared contrary to those around him. In the opening He is told that Lazarus was sick, what did He do? He stayed an additional 2 days!

THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

If we had been told that one of our beloved friends were sick we’d probably leave immediately, right!? Jesus did the opposite and for good reason. He said it was for His glory, did they understand this? He paid no attention to the possible danger of returning to Judea, the disciples thought Lazarus was just naturally asleep but He told them their friend Lazarus was dead and that He was glad He waited and did this so they would believe!

When Martha heard that Jesus arrived, she ran out to meet him, four days had already passed! Four days had passed and there was definitely a stench, with Jesus that didn’t matter. She didn’t get it when He said Lazarus would rise immediately, He is the resurrection, Martha didn’t understand this as an immediate resurrection! Mary and Martha complained that He didn’t come on time, Jesus was deeply moved by them as well as the others because of their lack of belief.

When He finally got to the tomb, He called Lazarus by name specifically and Lazarus was “drawn” out, he was still bound hands and feet, and face covered! Once in front of Him he told those around him to unbind him so that he can go!

I love this example of how dead we are without Jesus and how it takes a call by name to be made alive and drawn out! Jesus even shows how we are used to participate in the removal of bindings, in a sense, a discipling of the one made alive so he can walk. All people are just as dead as Lazarus until called by Jesus! When called we are drawn out, remember Lazarus was bound and didn’t come out on his own effort or power!

When you are called you are called by name, to be made alive, it’s all Jesus, there is no resisting, only receiving! Praise Jesus for His calling us, making us alive for His glory!

His Eternal Decree and What That Means

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: aseity
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

What I’m about to share with you is something that is not easily understood, nor should it be spoken of as if we can understand it exhaustively . This decree of God is actually one decree with many facets, it was a decree that was in agreement within the inter trinitarian Godhead. It was decreed outside of time and actualized in time to the glory of God. Our God is sovereign over all things, not just some things but all things! There is not one thing that is outside of His control and of His knowing it before it’s coming into being.

No molecule is rogue, all things are ultimately under His control. Many question God’s holiness because of the existence of evil, yet even evil’s existence is by God’s permissive will, evil is subject to Him. No one can say that God decreed Himself into being because He has always been, He is the only unbegotten, He is the decreer. This is in infinite truth, a truth alien to earthly time as we know it.

We are most familiar with His permissive will, things that happen by secondary causes, causes that do not violate His holiness. Even His permitting of evil or sin does NOT violate His will because it is not the same as being the primary cause of sin or evil. The permitter of sin is not the causer of sin.

Mankind is still responsible for their actions and God is still Holy, without violation to His holiness and good. We may not fully understand this, but we must trust all that the word of God reveals regarding His attributes.

How Are We Declared Righteous?

Published on by Slave Of Righteousness Category: Faith, Grace
THE DOCTRINES OF GRACE

Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
Galatians 3:6

Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6

When the discussion arises as to how is one declared righteous, there really is only one correct and final answer, and the answer will always rest and be within the Holy scriptures themselves. Opinions do not matter only proper hermeneutics (Knowledge dealing with interpreting scripture). Biblically speaking there are doctrines throughout the Holy scriptures that are written in “plain text” easily understood and others with proper exegesis (critical explanation or interpretation of a text) can we then conclude with the truth in a particular doctrine.

On To The Declaration!

It is declared that it was counted as righteousness to Abram because he “believed”, it wasn’t merely an acknowledgment it was an established verified confirmed belief! This is a gift given by the Creator of the universe. It comes from Him and given to us! This righteousness is not our righteousness it is the righteousness that comes from God (Philippians 3:9) and is echoed again in Galatians 3:6 that Abraham had a personal trust and reliance belief, not merely a “Oh, I believe it” believability, a credence belief, it was a tangible genuine belief.

Do We Seek God?

The Holy scriptures state that mankind does not seek Him Psalms 14:2-3 “The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.” It is also written in Romans 3:10-12. We can read 1 Corinthians 2:14 where it says the natural man cannot accept or understand the things of God without the Spirit of God! So in short, The Spirit who is God needs to be in the person to have the ability to examine the word of God rightly.

Faith

It is through faith that one is declared righteous. The initial act of God drawing you to the Son is necessary John 6:44. Amen.