"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again... And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified... You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship." - Acts 20:24-25, 32, 34-38 ESV
Paul is sure that God's grace is able to give us two things. It is able to build us up and it is able to give us a joint inheritance. Now and Later are covered.
Paul knew He wasn't coming back but He also knew that the words He had spoken to these people had been about Christ. The Gospel of Grace had been given. He had explained thoroughly about Jesus in the Hebrew scriptures and about the cross. He had explained the free gift of salvation dozens of ways. He wasn't like other teachers that demanded tribute. He wasn't securing a following for himself for security or financial gain so that if he came back this way as he traveled some scholarly teaching circuit he would have connections in this city. He wasn't networking. He was loving God and working with his hands as he labored in the word.
There may be people who are only in your life for a short season. I feel that way on Saturdays when we talk to people about life, death, Heaven and Hell. I may never see them again but in a moment I (we) can give them something eternal. We don't offer a momentary smile like an entertainer does... smiles are great but they are like flowers that fade. We offer a Savior who saves and sticks closer than a brother long after we leave the scene.
Are people just in our lives so we can get something from them or is it an opportunity to give something eternal away?
Grace is able to build up. Grace is able to give an 'inheritance among all those who are sanctified' and that is precious beyond imagining.
--
Showing posts with label Inheritance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inheritance. Show all posts
Friday, August 4, 2017
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Grace In 1 Peter Chapter 3
I was looking at this verse this morning...
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:" - 1 Peter 3:8 KJV
At face value it sounds in English like the writer is telling us to be something or do something. Here is a newer translation...
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - 1 Peter 3:8 ESV
But in truth it is hard verse to translate if you look at the Greek is says something like... 'In the end or lastly... unity, compassion, brotherly love, a capacity to be in a good mood because of a good stomach, kindness in a simple way... for all'
These aren't things we do. They are results of living in what has been done.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV
We have an inheritance and we are sealed with the Spirit of God.
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV
We are heirs with a credit line based on that future inheritance. We can draw on peace. We can live like rich people. Jesus is the real thing.
"Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:" - 1 Peter 3:8 KJV
At face value it sounds in English like the writer is telling us to be something or do something. Here is a newer translation...
"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." - 1 Peter 3:8 ESV
But in truth it is hard verse to translate if you look at the Greek is says something like... 'In the end or lastly... unity, compassion, brotherly love, a capacity to be in a good mood because of a good stomach, kindness in a simple way... for all'
These aren't things we do. They are results of living in what has been done.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." - 1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV
We have an inheritance and we are sealed with the Spirit of God.
"And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." - 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV
We are heirs with a credit line based on that future inheritance. We can draw on peace. We can live like rich people. Jesus is the real thing.
--
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Given Fully
Spurgeon's evening devotional was touching today. He spoke about the precious nature of Christ's sacrifice. It made me think about the concept of a last will and testament. Here is a great group of verses:
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive." Hebrews 9:11-17 ESV
Death isn't something we like to think about. Theory is one thing but reality is another. Someone making a will is thinking ahead about loved ones. They want to reach beyond the grave and give to people or causes what they have acquired in life. It is a declaration that is meant to survive death... a last statement or commentary on what their priorities were and what direction their thoughts and decisions were pointed in.
Some things can't be communicated or passed on until after death. On one hand it is a sad thing. On the other it is a beautiful practical thing. If objects, cars, houses, monies, etc... were passed on before death there would be a sense of shared ownership. After death the inheritance fully belongs to the one specified in the will.
Jesus healed people. Many people. He speaks in Luke 8:46 of virtue 'leaving' or 'going out of Him'. The Greek word is Exerchomai (Strong's G1831) and it is the same word used when Jesus cast the legion demons out of a man in Luke 8:46. Virtue left Christ and they were healed and even brought back to life but there were some things that needed more than that. It could not be partial in any way.
Christ needed to die in order to give us a full inheritance. He needed to die and leave the planet so the Spirit that He was given without measure could be given to us.
In a sense... His death made it a full grace transfer. It is not a partial gift... it is a full transfer of assets. We own Christ's life. We possess Christ's righteousness. It is ours because it is given to us. It was not something we could own while He was alive. He owned it in life now it is given to us.
Resurrection has broken the boundary of death. Now the same inheritance can be given to many.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" Ephesians 1:16-20 ESV
It is a solemn weighty thing to receive a gift like that. I want to treasure what I have been given and plant it like seed everywhere I go so others can have it also.
"But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive." Hebrews 9:11-17 ESV
Death isn't something we like to think about. Theory is one thing but reality is another. Someone making a will is thinking ahead about loved ones. They want to reach beyond the grave and give to people or causes what they have acquired in life. It is a declaration that is meant to survive death... a last statement or commentary on what their priorities were and what direction their thoughts and decisions were pointed in.
Some things can't be communicated or passed on until after death. On one hand it is a sad thing. On the other it is a beautiful practical thing. If objects, cars, houses, monies, etc... were passed on before death there would be a sense of shared ownership. After death the inheritance fully belongs to the one specified in the will.
Jesus healed people. Many people. He speaks in Luke 8:46 of virtue 'leaving' or 'going out of Him'. The Greek word is Exerchomai (Strong's G1831) and it is the same word used when Jesus cast the legion demons out of a man in Luke 8:46. Virtue left Christ and they were healed and even brought back to life but there were some things that needed more than that. It could not be partial in any way.
Christ needed to die in order to give us a full inheritance. He needed to die and leave the planet so the Spirit that He was given without measure could be given to us.
In a sense... His death made it a full grace transfer. It is not a partial gift... it is a full transfer of assets. We own Christ's life. We possess Christ's righteousness. It is ours because it is given to us. It was not something we could own while He was alive. He owned it in life now it is given to us.
Resurrection has broken the boundary of death. Now the same inheritance can be given to many.
"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places" Ephesians 1:16-20 ESV
It is a solemn weighty thing to receive a gift like that. I want to treasure what I have been given and plant it like seed everywhere I go so others can have it also.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
We Have a Redeemer
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" - Job 19:25 KJV
"Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you." - Proverbs 23:10-11 ESV
'Jesus, the Redeemer, is altogether ours and ours forever. All the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, priest for us, and prophet for us. Whenever we read a new title of the Redeemer, let us appropriate him as ours under that name as much as under any other. The shepherd’s staff, the father’s rod, the captain’s sword, the priest’s mitre, the prince’s sceptre, the prophet’s mantle, all are ours. Jesus hath no dignity which he will not employ for our exaltation, and no prerogative which he will not exercise for our defence. His fulness of Godhead is our unfailing, inexhaustible treasure-house.' - Charles H Spurgeon
We have a redeemer.
Yes.
A redeemer must have strength. This person must have will and ability to step in and buy back what is lost... to defend the property lines of inheritance.
"And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field. In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property. And if you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another. You shall pay your neighbor according to the number of years after the jubilee, and he shall sell to you according to the number of years for crops." - Leviticus 25:10-15 ESV
No land could be lost or sold forever in Israel. The inheritance was fixed. God gave the land to families in tribes and though men had freedom to let it change hands they didn't have the liberty to let it stay that way. God commanded a return of all belongings for each generation.
As you can imagine... if that was truly going to happen someone strong would need to enforce this policy. Among men it was rarely enforced. God however enforces this policy. His children can not sell their birthright. Not forever at least.
As redeemed ones we have a Heavenly heritage. Whatever is truly ours can not be sold or taken for long. The Gospel belongs to mankind as an offer from God to anyone who wants it. Christ is the entrance into a strong tower of defense.
We see outside our door multitudes who need a defender. Children who need someone who will stand in the gap for them or they will be swallowed up by a system that will lock them up and throw away the key.
The world is a place where anything can be bought or sold. Heaven is a place where gifts are given and once entrusted those gifts have a redeemer that defends them.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10 KJV
"Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless, for their Redeemer is strong; he will plead their cause against you." - Proverbs 23:10-11 ESV
'Jesus, the Redeemer, is altogether ours and ours forever. All the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, priest for us, and prophet for us. Whenever we read a new title of the Redeemer, let us appropriate him as ours under that name as much as under any other. The shepherd’s staff, the father’s rod, the captain’s sword, the priest’s mitre, the prince’s sceptre, the prophet’s mantle, all are ours. Jesus hath no dignity which he will not employ for our exaltation, and no prerogative which he will not exercise for our defence. His fulness of Godhead is our unfailing, inexhaustible treasure-house.' - Charles H Spurgeon
We have a redeemer.
Yes.
A redeemer must have strength. This person must have will and ability to step in and buy back what is lost... to defend the property lines of inheritance.
"And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of itself nor gather the grapes from the undressed vines. For it is a jubilee. It shall be holy to you. You may eat the produce of the field. In this year of jubilee each of you shall return to his property. And if you make a sale to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another. You shall pay your neighbor according to the number of years after the jubilee, and he shall sell to you according to the number of years for crops." - Leviticus 25:10-15 ESV
No land could be lost or sold forever in Israel. The inheritance was fixed. God gave the land to families in tribes and though men had freedom to let it change hands they didn't have the liberty to let it stay that way. God commanded a return of all belongings for each generation.
As you can imagine... if that was truly going to happen someone strong would need to enforce this policy. Among men it was rarely enforced. God however enforces this policy. His children can not sell their birthright. Not forever at least.
As redeemed ones we have a Heavenly heritage. Whatever is truly ours can not be sold or taken for long. The Gospel belongs to mankind as an offer from God to anyone who wants it. Christ is the entrance into a strong tower of defense.
We see outside our door multitudes who need a defender. Children who need someone who will stand in the gap for them or they will be swallowed up by a system that will lock them up and throw away the key.
The world is a place where anything can be bought or sold. Heaven is a place where gifts are given and once entrusted those gifts have a redeemer that defends them.
"Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." - Matthew 6:10 KJV
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