When Darkness Covers the Deep

Posted on October 2, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“And the earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).

Darkness (Def): (Heb): Choshek from Chashak: Without light, hidden; figuratively misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

Deep (Def): (Heb): Tehowm from Huwm: Abyss with a surging mass of water, sea, or subterranean water supply

The Psalmist was well aware of those times when “darkness covers the deep”. Those times, when:

“My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, ‘Where is your God’?” (Psalm 42:3).

When Darkness Covers the Deep. When everything around us is “without form and void”. When there is no light; when misery and destruction are everywhere; when sorrow, death and wickedness surround us; when people say, ‘Where is your God’? Can we still find hope, then? The Psalmist did when he remembered and poured out his soul unto his God (cf. Psalm 42:4).

“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterspouts; all your waves and your billows are gone over me. Yet, the Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night my song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life” (Psalm 42:7-8).

When darkness covered the face of the deep,

“The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be Light’! and there was Light” (Genesis 1:2b-3).

The Apostle experienced this command of the Lord when he was covered in darkness, making “havoc of the church, entering into every house and hailing men and women committed them to prison” (Acts 8:3).

“And Saul breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the High Priest and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues that if he found any of The Way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus and suddenly there shown round about him a Light from Heaven” (Acts 9:1-3)

When God says, “Let there be Light”! there shall be light; and the darkness that covers the deep shall be done away. The darkness shall flee away as with the dawning of a new day; as with the rising of the sun over the horizon giving of its light to all.

As the Apostle expressed it in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians:

“For God who commanded the Light to shine out of the darkness has shined in our hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6).

Think for a minute of this glorious command, when,

“You He has made alive when you were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath even as others” (Ephesians 2:1-3).

But the command came, didn’t it? We heard it by the word of the Gospel. We heard it and came to an understanding that:

“God is rich in mercy for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, He made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved)” (Ephesians 2:4).

As the Apostle wrote:

“In whom you also trusted, after you heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

The same Holy Spirit who hovered over the deep, hovered over our hearts and after we came out of the darkness and into the Light, we were hermetically sealed, sanctified, made righteous and holy by the grace of our God.

When darkness covers the deep. Deep calls unto deep and the Spirit of God “searches the deep things of God” (cf. I Corinthians 2:10), and shines forth the Light of Christ to every heart giving us the hope of salvation and of the glory that is to come.

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When Forbearance Runs Out

Posted on September 25, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; and sent Timothy, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the Gospel of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith” (I Thessalonians 3:1-2).

Forbear (Def): (Gr.): Stego from Stege: To cover over as a roof with silence, endure patiently, suffer

Patience is a virtue and love “bears (stego) all things” (I Corinthians 13:7); but as the Apostle experienced in Athens there came the moment when “we could no longer forbear”, we could no longer endure in silence, we could no longer suffer the situation. The moment came when forbearance ran out.

The Apostle Paul and his partners in ministry, Silas and Timothy waited patiently for the opportunity to return to Thessalonica to visit the churches there, “but Satan hindered us” (I Thessalonians 2:18b). How Satan hindered them is unknown, but hinder he did, during which time the Apostle and his team waited in silence and endured patiently the delays until forbearance ran out and they sent Timothy to the churches to see how they were faring amid the persecutions that they were presently enduring.

Timothy was sent to encourage the saints in Thessalonica in their faith:

“That no man should be moved by these afflictions, for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto” (I Thessalonians 3:3).

The Apostle had forewarned them concerning the persecutions to come:

“For verily when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, and you know” (I Thessalonians 3:4).

It was for this concern, the steadfast faith of the saints during times of sufferings, that compelled the Apostle into action.

“For this cause when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain” (I Thessalonians 3:5).

The situation was resolved with the return of Timothy to Athens to report the good news that the faith of the saints in Thessalonica was strong, along with their love for the Apostle and the ministry, “desiring greatly to see them, just as the Apostle was to see them” (I Thessalonians 3:6b).

Brethren, how is it with your concerns? Are you waiting in patient silence for some sign of movement in that to which you have an earnest desire? Are things at a standstill and your forbearance about to run out? If so, prayerfully act in the Spirit of the Lord, and by His wisdom and direction, send forth His word and message to those under your care to inquire and seek the answer to your particular situation, as the Apostle did in our Scripture text above. There is a proper time to take action when you can “no longer forbear”, i.e., when forbearance runs out.

When Forbearance Runs Out act in the Spirit of God; then give God the glory for all He is doing in the lives of those who He has entrusted to your care. It is a joy to serve the Lord and to be a faithful minister of Christ. Whether pastor, parent, teacher, caregiver, mentor, counselor or guardian, serve the Lord with joy in all He has given you to do.

“For what thanks can we render to God again for you for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God” (I Thessalonians 3:9).

In the end if you find your patient endurance and silent waiting more than you can endure, when your forbearance runs out, send by the Spirit of the Lord your faith to the recipient of your love and let God cover you as a roof and see what great things the Lord can do.

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The Longing Heart

Posted on September 20, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“For I long to see you that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end you may be established” (Romans 1:11).

Long (Def): (Gr.): Epipotheo from Epi and Potheo: To yearn, to dote upon, earnestly desire, intensely crave

There was an earnest desire in the heart of the Apostle to travel to Rome to share in the rich fellowship with the saints at the already established church there, in order, as he shares in his Epistle, to “impart some spiritual gift to the end you may be established” in your faith.

The longing of the Apostle to go to the Church at Rome was a long standing one as he noted:

“Now I would not have you ignorant, Brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was hindered hitherto, that I might have some fruit among you also even as among other Gentiles” (Romans 1:13).

The Longing Heart is a heart that with intense and earnest desire seeks to see, enjoy the presence, and fellowship with another. This longing heart seeks by prayer and intercession to find a way in the Lord for a pathway to be opened for the opportunity to be joined once again, or for the first time with someone, or with others with whom they have become joined in faith, love, and the joy of the Lord. This heart is precious in the sight of the Lord who Himself longs to be with His people.

In his Epistle to the Philippians the Apostle expresses his earnest desire for them, writing:

“Therefore, my Brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown; stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1).

To the Church at Thessalonica the Apostle writes:

“But now Timothy has come from you to us and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that you have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly (epipotheo) to see us, as we also to see you” (I Thessalonians 3:6).

As an Apostle, Paul was intensely connected to the saints and Brethren in the churches he helped establish, in Phillipi, Corinth, Thessalonica, Ephesus, Colossae, and others. His Epistles express his deep longing for them as his travels required him to be away from them for long periods of time, along with his years of imprisonment in Caesarea and Rome. In his Epistle to the Philippians Paul writes:

“For God is my record how greatly I long after (epipotheo) you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:8).

The Longing Heart is filled with intense feelings and emotions, even heaviness of spirit, that produce intercessions and prayers with strong crying and tears for those upon whom the heart has been set. The Apostle gives us an example of one of his fellow laborers, Epaphroditus, in his Epistle to the Philippians:

“I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my Brother, and companion in labor and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my needs. For he longed after you all and was full of heaviness because you had heard he was sick. For indeed he was sick, but God had mercy upon him. . .” (Philippians 2:26-27a).

The Apostle was especially mindful and caring for his fellow laborers in the Lord. One of his closest companions was Timothy to whom he wrote in his Second Epistle:

“To Timothy, my dearly beloved son, grace, mercy and peace from God, the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with a pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers, night and day; greatly desiring (epipotheo) to see you being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy” (II Timothy 1:1-4).

In addition to our deep desire to fellowship with our Brethren, there is also a desire, a longing in the heart of the saints for our heavenly home, as the Apostle describes:

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring (epipotheo) to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (II Corinthians 5:1-2).

The Apostle Peter in his First Epistle also encourages us to earnestly desire (epipotheo) the Word of God:

“As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby. If so be, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Peter 2:2-3).

Whether fellowship with our Brethren, whether our new home in heaven, or whether the Word of God, let us yearn for, earnestly desire, dare I say crave? the things of God, those heavenly and spiritual things, “those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1b). The longing heart would have it so. Always and forever.

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The God of Peace

Posted on September 15, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:33).

Peace (Def): (Gr.): Eirene from Eiro: To join and set at one again, rest, quietness, prosperity

There is a quietness of heart we find when we abide in the Life of the God of Peace. This quietness of heart is not based on outward circumstances, or what is commonly described as “conditions on the ground” as in a storm, natural disaster, battlefield or situations we face in our daily lives every day. The quietness of heart is found in being joined in One Spirit with the Nature of the God of Peace. Abiding in the God of Peace is an abiding in a higher realm, a heavenly place in the Son.

The God of Peace has a Son, the Prince of Peace (cf. Isaiah 9:6), who gives us His peace as we abide in Him:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me” (John 14:1).

“Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).

The quietness of heart is an untroubled heart that rests securely in the God of Peace. This untroubled heart comes to us from the peace of God as a gift. A gift given to the Just, those justified by faith, who have been joined in one Spirit with the Son (cf. I Corinthians 6:17):

“Therefore, being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

The God of Peace. For the believer, knowing the God of Peace is a joyous state of being in which we are filled with peace, hope, love and the joy of the Lord:

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

As we read the Epistles, we find a clear message from the Apostles regarding their faith in the God of Peace:

“Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 1:3; II Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2).

It is as we live out our walk of faith that we learn Christ more and more and follow the example given to us by the Apostles:

“Those things which you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of Peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).

As we abide in the God of Peace there is a control in us that governs, that rules and takes charge over our hearts continually. As we submit to the control of the Spirit of Grace and Peace we find the peace of God in every situation, as the Apostle notes:

“Let the peace of God rule in your hearts to which also you are called in one body, and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

The government of God working in us also does a sanctifying work in us that causes us to live in victory over temptations, our emotions, the feelings that we have in our trials, tribulations and experiences from opposing forces that war against us on the battlefield of life. The Apostle experienced these things continually and from his experience he could write to the Church at Thessalonica:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Thessalonians 5:23).

The Apostle Peter wrote in his Second Epistle:

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and Jesus our Lord” (II Peter 1:2).

The Apostle John wrote in his Second Epistle:

“Grace be with you, mercy and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in Truth and Love” (II John 1:3).

Beloved, we have been given a precious gift: peace, from the God of Peace. Abide in Him. Rest in Him, Prosper in Him, even as we have been joined to Him by grace in His eternal love.

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Fear Has Torment

Posted on September 9, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18).

Torment (Def): (Gr.): Kolasis from Kolazo: Infliction from punishment, Chastisement

There is a torment in those who constantly live in fear. This unpleasant and often painful state of being is the result of conscious or subliminal anxiety at the thought of being punished for their sins or feelings of unworthiness before God or one superior to them in natural order or rank.

Jesus tells us in Matthew’s Gospel of the servant who was given one talent, who went and buried it in the ground. His stated reason for such action was explained in the parable of the Kingdom, thusly:

“Lord, I knew Thee that You are a hard man, reaping where You have not sown and gathering where You have not strawed. I was afraid and went and hid Your talent in the earth. Look, there You have what is Yours” (Matthew 25:24-25).

The servant’s fear tormented him to such an extent, he reasoned at least I will not lose anything by burying the talent in the ground and will return it to the Lord upon His return. This reasoning is not based on faith, not based in love, not based in hope of a good return as was the case with the other two servants who each doubled that which they were given. Instead, this servant’s fear and the torment he carried in his heart and mind prevented him from taking any productive action for His Lord.

Living in fear brings torment, stagnation, listlessness, idleness, slackness and is a waste of the valuable time which is due the Lord in service to Him in His Kingdom. Such fear subjects us to the chastisement of the Lord when the day of reckoning comes to give an account of our stewardship over the talents that were graciously given to us from our Master.

There is no wonder the Lord reacted as He did to the slothful servant:

“You wicked and slothful servant, you knew that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed. You should, therefore, have put my money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I would have received Mine own with interest (Matthew 25:26-27).

There is a remedy for fear for being afraid of the Lord, and the subsequent torment associated with it. That remedy is found in our relationship with the Lord, a relationship of love, as stated by the Apostle John in his First Epistle:

“We have come to know and to believe the love that God has to us. God is love, and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God dwells in him. Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. . .” (I John 4:16-18a).

Friend, how is your relationship with God? Are you living in fear and condemnation? Are you afraid you will be found out in the Day of Judgment? Are you experiencing the torment, that unpleasant and painful emotion, from your anxiety of not being right with God? Find your remedy in the loving arms of Jesus. Repent of your sin, confess your sin before the Lord. Come to the Cross of Calvary and find forgiveness in the Blood of the Lamb.

God is love. Dwell in love and find your release from fear and the torment it brings. The writer to the Hebrews gives us this blessed hope:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

No more bondage. No more fear. No more torment. Perfect love has casts it out and set us free.

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Well Done!

Posted on September 4, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“His Lord said unto him, ‘Well done!’ you good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

It was the Apostle who said in his First Epistle to the Corinthians: “Moreover, it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2).

Faithful (Def): (Gr.): Pistos from Peitho: Trustworthy, Trustful, True

Being faithful begins with God as the Apostle writes:

“God is faithful by whom you were called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9).

Having begun in God faithfulness finds its home in us by God through the Holy Spirit. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit birthed in us and manifested from us to others and to the Lord.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (pistis), meekness, temperance, against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Well Done! It was to the good, faithful and productive servants of the Lord who were given talents, one five and the other two, who produced an additional five and an additional two, who were praised by the Lord and rewarded with appointments, assignments, ordinations and designated positions of authority in the Kingdom, and invited to “enter into the joy of your Lord”.

Jesus rejoiced over and praised these faithful ones who brought glory and honor to their Lord and Master upon His return to them. The Scripture says there was a reckoning between the servants and their Lord (cf. Matthew 25:19). This reckoning serves as an illustration to us of the accountability we all have to our Lord. There is no time allowed for idleness, slackness, fear, or leaving our talents buried in the ground (cf. Matthew 25:24-25). There is no reward for that. Not only so there will be a strong rebuke and a relinquishment of even that little which we were given (cf. Matthew 25:28).

The Apostle wrote numerous Epistles and addressed them to:

“The saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:1b).

“To the saints and faithful Brethren in Christ Jesus who are at Colosse” (Colossians 1:2a).

“To Timothy: I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, Who has enabled me, and counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry” (I Timothy 1:2a, 12).

It was the Apostle Peter who in his First Epistle wrote:

“Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator” (I Peter 4:19).

Well Done! There is a further encouragement in the Epistles to be faithful in well doing knowing there is a reward from the Lord and an invitation to enter into His joy and Kingdom:

“To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life” (Romans 2:7).

“And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9; cf. II Thessalonians 3:13).

“For it is better if the will of God be so that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing” (I Peter 3:17).

Brethren, let us be encouraged. Let us take heart from the Scriptures and receive the grace of God that comes to us by them. God is faithful and is, indeed a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (cf. Hebrews 11:6).

Keep serving. Keep faith with your calling. Be trustworthy. Be true to your Lord. Be a good and faithful servant and serve your Lord with gladness of heart until you, too, hear those blessed words, “Well Done”!

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All Things Under His Feet

Posted on August 31, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“For He has put all things under His feet. But when He says, ‘All things are put under Him,’ it is manifest that He is excepted which did put all things under Him. And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him that God may be all in all” (I Corinthians 15:27-28).

Subdued (Def): (Gr): Hupotasso from Hupo (under) and Tasso (arrange in order): To subordinate, Be under obedience, Make subject, Be in subjection

There are Scriptural phrases that have special meaning to the believer and give us a metaphorical picture of the reality, or truth being expressed. The phrase, “under His feet” is one such example. It simply means all things are put under the ultimate power and authority of Christ. The Psalmist declared:

“You made Him to have dominion over the works of Your hands, You have put all things under His feet” (Psalm 8:6).

The words of the Psalmist were manifested and fulfilled by our Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate, Emmanuel, Son of God/Son of Man in His glorious resurrection from the dead, it being as the Apostle described:

“But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive” (I Corinthians 15:20-22).

The ultimate triumph of Christ is over the power of the Devil in this evil age, as the writer to the Hebrews explains:

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is the devil” (Hebrews 2:14).

Death then is the last enemy to be put under the feet of Christ, but we have such a hope as the Apostle expressed in his Epistle to the Philippians:

“Who shall change our vile body, that it might be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue (hupotasso) all things unto Himself” (Philippians 3:21).

This then is the glorious victory we have in Christ Jesus against all enemies for as it is written:

“We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Under His Feet. Christ has triumphed over death for us and is seated at the right hand of the Father from which He reigns and exercises all rule and authority over all things:

“For He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Corinthians 15:25-26).

The writer to the Hebrews shows us the struggle of faith we, as saints, currently encounter. Though the battles rage we can triumph continuously as we keep our eyes on Jesus. He writes:

“You have put all things in subjection (hupotasso) under His feet. For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:8-9).

Our Glorious Victory. Do not despair. Do not lose your confidence. We have been given the victory.

“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality; then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:53-57).

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Under the Power of None

Posted on August 24, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (I Corinthians 6:12).

Lawful (Def): (Gr.): Exesti: That which is right or should be.

Expedient (Def): (Gr.): Sumphero: To bear together for advantage; Bring together for good

Power (Def): (Gr.): Exousiazo: To control or exercise authority upon; To bring under the power of

The Apostle, in this passage from his First Epistle to the Corinthians, expounds upon a fundamental way to live in the Spirit of Grace. This former Pharisee has found a new freedom, apart from the Law of Moses, especially considering his new ministry, not to the Hebrews but as Apostle to the Gentiles. The liberty expounded here is a liberty found only in the heart and mind of those who live by the perfect Law of Liberty (cf. James 1:25; 2:12).

There is an essential, underlying principle at work here: by what, or by whom are you being controlled? The Apostle says declaratively, “I will not be brought under the power (authority) of any”. All things may be lawful, right and good; but even so, I will not be dominated, controlled, or brought under the power thereof. He will be brought under the power of none.

We have to ask ourselves, “What controls us?” To what are we habitually doing that has power over us? Are we suffering from an addiction? Can we stop it? Drop it? Quit doing or saying it? Can we leave it alone? Can we stop going there? Can we stop seeing it? Consuming it?

All things are lawful, but are they expedient? Do those things hold together or bring together for an advantage or good? If not, it is best to leave them for they do not edify us or bring us closer to Jesus.

All things are lawful, but do they control us, or exercise dominion over us? Do they confine us to their power?

There is One who has been given dominion, authority and power over us, and that is the Lord Jesus (cf. Matthew 28:18). We live by His Life in us. We submit ourselves to His control by His Spirit. Living under the power of Christ is not bondage, but true freedom, indeed. For “If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

There is much discussion among believers and the clergy regarding matters of Law and Grace. The Scripture says:

“Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).

Not under the Law makes way for the statement, “All things are lawful unto me”. One so carnally inclined might take this statement to believe we have now been given license to do whatsoever we please, without judgement, or conviction of sin. To guard against such perversion of the truth, the Apostle brings us to a higher level of living in the Grace of God by giving us the additional requisites, is it expedient? are you under its control?

There is One Good, that is God (cf. Luke 18:19). There is One Who controls, that is the Holy Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:18).

There is a lesson we might learn from Creation found in the Apostle’s Epistle to the Romans:

“For the creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him who has subjected the same in hope. Because the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21).

The Creation was made subject to corruption but has been given hope for deliverance through the Redemption wrought in Christ Jesus, not only for mankind, but for the entirety of Creation itself (cf. Romans 8:23). Therefore, we see that power, that authority of corruption over the Creation shall be removed, just as it has been removed by faith over the believer in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle understood his position in Christ as a free man, a liberated man, a Redeemed man and, therefore, could write to the Galatians:

“Brethren, you have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

Walk in liberty. Live free. All things are lawful to you, but by the love of Christ, do that which is expedient and live under the power of none, but Him who loves you and gave His life for you. To that there should be a resounding, Amen!

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The Pure in Heart

Posted on August 17, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Pure (Def): (Gr.): Katharos: Clean, Clear, Transparent

The Scripture tells us the heart of man is “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). Yet, Christ declares blessings on “the pure in heart for they shall see God”. There is a giant leap from one to the other, isn’t there? Is it really possible to transform the deceitfully wicked heart to a pure, clean and transparent one? Only by the miracle of the new birth.

In his Epistle to Timothy the Apostle declared:

“Now the end of the Commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of sincere faith” (I Timothy 1:5).

Walking in the love of God from a pure heart, a clean conscience and sincere faith fulfills the Commandment. This is a blessed state in which to live, indeed. The grace of God truly is amazing to accomplish such a wonder. It is as the Apostle declared:

“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:24-25a).

The Apostle Peter wrote in his First Epistle:

“Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently” (I Peter 1:22).

Loving from a pure heart is loving from a clean, clear and transparent heart wherein there is no deceit, no self-interest, no lust for possession, no evil desire, no uncleanness. It is a pure love that is honorable, decent, respectful of others with their good in mind.

The contrast between the deceitful, carnal heart and the divine heart, the pure heart that is formed out of the divine nature of Christ, is astounding. The contrast is as darkness and light, night and day, evil and good.

The promise of Christ is that the pure in heart shall see God. The writer to the Hebrews touches on this in the passage:

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22).

The “pure water” is the word of God as the Apostle wrote to the Ephesians:

“That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).

And as Christ so spoke to His Apostles:

“Now you are clean (Katharos) through the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3).

To the Apostle John it was revealed:

“He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).

Oh, how blessed, indeed, it is to be cleansed, sanctified and purified by the working of the Holy Spirit in the New Birth wherein our hearts are made pure, and we can enter into the presence of Christ at His Holy Throne of Grace to find more grace to help through every trial, heartache, pain and suffering as we serve Him in this dispensation on earth until that glorious day when we shall behold Him in glory, when we shall, indeed, see God.

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The Gospel of the Kingdom

Posted on August 11, 2023 by AntiochCMI

“This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come” (Matthew 24:14).

Gospel (Def): (Gr.): Euaggelion from Euaggelizo: To announce good news; to bring a good message

Kingdom (Def): (Gr.): Basileia from Basileus: The foundation of power, a sovereign, royalty, rule or realm

We are familiar with the oft spoken, “the Gospel” (cf. I Peter 1:25). The Gospel is associated in many different ways, such as, “Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (II Thessalonians 1:18); “Gospel of the Grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6); “Gospel of Salvation” (Ephesians 1:13); “Gospel of Peace” (Romans 10:15; 6:15) and other similar expressions of the “Euaggelion” Good News.

These expressions of the Gospel of the, “Grace of Christ, Salvation, Peace, Lord Jesus, are encompassed within the overarching rule or realm of the Kingdom of God. Grace, salvation and peace are attributes of life within the Kingdom; and therewith Christ makes His declaration that the “Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations”.

The Gospel of the Kingdom was the Gospel Christ preached as He “went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness, and all manner of disease among the people” (Matthew 4:23; cf. 9:35). The Gospel of the Kingdom is a Gospel announcing the good news, the message of a new foundation of power in the earth, a new rule, a new reign, a new sovereign of royal authority in the heavenly realm of the Spirit of God.

Indeed, as the Apostle declared: “For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). Therefore, the Apostle preached the Gospel of the Kingdom by proclaiming the Lord of the Realm, the King over the Kingdom, Jesus Christ (Acts 28:23,30).

The Gospel of the Kingdom signifies the fulfillment of a dispensation, a designated time given for man, and the beginning of a new dispensation, a new age, a new era under the reign of the Spirit, as the Scriptures declare:

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, saying, ‘The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the Gospel'” (Mark 1:14-15).

What Gospel? The Gospel of the Kingdom. It is this Gospel that was preached by Christ, this Gospel that was given to the Apostles and was preached throughout the known world, and this Gospel that will be preached “in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come”. Given the technologies existing today to take the Gospel of the Kingdom to the ends of the earth, thus fulfilling Christ’s condition for the end to come, it is imperative that we repent, and prepare for the coming of the end.

Are you ready? Are you prepared for the end? Does that thought frighten you or excite you to shout, even so, come Lord Jesus! Maranatha! Given the fact the Gospel of the Kingdom has been preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, there should be an even greater urgency in the Body of Christ to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom in this generation. There will be a final generation, for the Lord has said the end shall come. Is the generation being born right now the final one? Will your son or daughter see the coming of the Lord? Will they witness the end? The time to prepare them is today.

The foundation of power has been laid. The reign of King Jesus has begun. The Holy Spirit has been given, has been poured out upon all flesh. The words of the prophet are fulfilled:

“I saw in the night visions and behold One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and come to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a Kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and His Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

The Gospel of the Kingdom.

“But you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

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