WRSR
Wisdom
Righteousness
Sanctification
Redemption
All of these good things we need. We need wisdom to know God. We need righteousness or right-standing before God. We need sanctification or separation unto God. And we need redemption to belong to God.
Now the question is: How do we obtain these necessary things? The answer very simply is this: We have them in Christ. "But of him (God) are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." (I Corinthians 1:30)
Christ Jesus has been made unto us wisdom -- He came to show us the Father. Christ Jesus has been made unto us Righteousness -- He our Saviour is able to present us faultless before God's presence. Christ Jesus has been made unto us Sanctification -- He died to rend in twain the separating curtain between us and God and through suffering to bring us to God. Christ Jesus has been made unto us Redemption -- for we are bought with a price, we are not our own, we belong to God.
The worldling tries to get these things by his own efforts, by-passing Christ. He tries by his own wisdom to know God; but "the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God." He tries to establish his own righteousness before God; only to find that his "righteousness is as filthy rags" in God's sight. He tries by do's and don't's to be sanctified unto God; and he hears God say, "Your iniquities have separated between you and your God." He tries by works to be redeemed; but is told, "Ye know that ye (are) not redeemed with corruptible things."
Man left to himself, his own resources, has never any hope of obtaining any of these things which are only obtainable through the Lord Jesus Christ. HE is Wisdom; HE is Righteousness; HE is Sanctification; He is Redemption. If we are in Christ," then we are in Him "who of God is made unto us wisdom . . . righteousness . . . sanctification . . . redemption." What HE is, God considers us to be, who are in Him. And no self-effort will obtain them.
We are not redeemed with corruptible things, "but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." We are not sanctified through our own offerings, but "are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." We have not righteousness in ourselves, for "the righteousness of God . . . is manifested . . . even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe . . . His righteousness; that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." We have not wisdom, in ourselves, for it is Christ the Crucified who is both "the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
Christ is made unto us all these things, that we might enjoy all these things in Him. And the ultimate purpose of it all, in the mind of God, was "That, according as it is written, He that glorieth (boasteth), let him glory (or boast) in the LORD." (I Corinthians 1:31).
Amen!
Sincerely yours & HIS
Art Gordon, Editor
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The first in a series on
HIS CLOTHES
"SWADDLING CLOTHES"
VERY OFTEN what a person is and what he does are easily discernable by what he wears. Who cannot recognize the policeman, the nurse, the soldier, the butler, the baker, or even the miner and the farmer, the rich man and the poor man? We can identify them by their clothing.
As the clothes of a person often symbolize his profession and tell us something of his personality, so the clothes of Jesus symbolize His person and work. Who He was and what He did are illustrated by what He wore. From the cradle to the grave, and even beyond, Christ wore clothes which speak to us of His mission to earth.
This month we consider the first of several types of clothing Jesus wore. In Luke's Gospel we read, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger . . . " (2:7). The story is familiar.
Think of it! Almighty God -- wrapped in swaddling clothes! This is the way babies in that day were clothed. They would compare to our diapers today. But here was the eternally-existent One, He who through eternity past was clothed with glory and majesty, now condescending to be wrapped as any other baby on earth, with just plain, ordinary swaddling clothes.
Could not the great God of the universe have chosen better fare for His entrance into earth's scene? Certainly the choice was His. Could He not have chosen Rome, the center of the world at that time, as His birthplace, and a royal palace as His home, and a proud princess as His mother, and heads of state as His astonished admirers; and a royal wardrobe? But God chooses not as man. He chose the tiny village of Bethlehem as His birthplace, and a modest maiden for His mother who was married to a poor carpenter, and a cowshed for His early home, and lowly shepherds to worship Him; and swaddling clothes. Indeed He chose a low and humble door to enter the human race.
So we read of Him, He "made himself of no reputation . . . and was made in the likeness of men." "And the Word was made flesh." "The Life was manifested." Swaddling clothes represent Christ's condescension. And why did He come? For you and me; that He might be in a position to save us from our sins and their awful consequences. "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
"Christ died for our sins." " . . . Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep (live or die), we should live together with him." "For Christ . . . suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust (He for us), that he might bring us to God." And to accomplish this He had first to be wrapped in swaddling clothes. Simeon, the elderly prophet in Jerusalem at the time, to whom it had been revealed by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ, took the swaddled infant in his arms, and blessed God, and said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." May you likewise see Him as such.
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ONE HAPPY FAMILY
They Stand Short, But They Sit Proud And Tall
That's the success story of the Casey family, Bruce, Nathalie, and their five-year-old son, Timothy.
Bruce, now 40 years old, was born without arms and with his right leg shorter than the other. His parents insisted on treating him no differently than the other children and many is the time he couldn't sit down after a sound spanking.
Nathalie, 38, was born normal, but the bone cartilage in her arms and legs hardened too fast, thus restricting their growth. Her body is normal in size; this is called dwarfism. As Nathalie says, "I stand short, but sit tall." A midget is a person whose small size is more uniform throughout the entire body.
Nathalie and Bruce were married February 16, 1957. Ten years before they had noticed each other while going to public schools and later were introduced during a party given by a club of physically handicapped people.
Their son Tim was born completely normal in every respect and is now five years old.
Bruce had a good job as bookkeeper with an above average salary, where he is responsible for the records and payroll of 52 people. "Sure I do things differently," says Bruce, "but the job gets done and it's done right."
Nathalie drives her husband to work each day, then returns home to a busy schedule of housekeeping, church, and community activities.
Three Suggestions
We asked Nathalie and Bruce what suggestions they might offer that could prove helpful to others. Their eyes sparkled with happiness as they thought a minute, and we knew that they should know -- it worked for them.
"First -- have faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Otherwise, being human, you can get despondent, but He will take care of you. Have faith in Him. Maybe it won't be the way you want it, but it will be the way He wants it.
"Second -- you have to do daily things yourself; He will guide you, but you have to do it.
"Third -- be practical, let people help you when it's necessary."
(Reprinted with permission. Copyright 1963, ACCENT On Living, Inc. Bloomington, IL).
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The work of redemption being ended, Jesus returns on high. Does He ascend disconnected from His members? Can the Head live apart? No. In Him they enter in and take their seats before the throne of God. It is not written without meaning or without truth, "He hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Every seat has been prepared from everlasting ages: and in the view of God no seat is vacant.
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You desire sanctification. You pant to be conformed to the image of Christ. This is well; for it is an eternal law of God, that without holiness no man shall see His face. But holiness can be learned only at the altar of "Christ . . . sacrificed." It is a sight of the dying Jesus which kills lust. It is the shadow of the cross which causes evil to wither. A lover of iniquity cannot dwell on this hallowed ground.
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There is a testimony of delight which Jesus seeks. He is repaid when grateful hearts throw wide their portals to receive Him, and when welcoming praise extols His saving name.
* * *
Christ, the heavenly Bridegroom, holds back no good gift from His earthly bride, the Church. His wisdom is hers to guide. His power is hers to uphold. His love is as the sun to cheer. His faithfulness and truth are her shield and buckler. His Spirit is poured down in unfailing measure to teach, to solace and to bless her. His righteousness is hers, to be her spotless robe. His heavens are hers, to be her home. His throne is hers, to be her seat. His glory is hers, to be her crown. His eternity is hers, that she may joy for ever.
-- Things Concerning Himself
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The first in a series on
HIS NAMES
"JEHOVAH-SHALOM"
Well, they did it again. Israel disobeyed and "did evil in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years."
What a time they had! The Midianites were atrocious captors. They so oppressed Israel that they were compelled to make their living quarters in mountain caves and forts.
They ruined the produce of the land till nothing edible nor any livestock remained. They came in hordes to ravish and destroy. The Israelites found themselves impoverished.
And they "cried unto the Lord." And as always, the Lord heard and had compassion on them. He sent a prophet to remind them of His past goodness to them, and how He had commanded them to remain true to Him, but how they had disobeyed and rebelled.
After the prophet, He sent a deliverer in the person of one named Gideon, a "mighty man of valour" in Israel. "And the Lord looked upon him, and said Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?"
To Gideon's doubts and hesitancy the Lord answered: "Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man." Gideon was awe-struck when he finally got the full import of this commission, and when he realized to whom he had been speaking.
"And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not . . . "
"Then Gideon built an alter there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom . . . " Jehovah-shalom means "the Lord our Peace."
The significance of this altar unto "the Lord our peace" was that Gideon built it, not after the battle and victory, but before the battle ever took place. Anything but peace prevailed when Gideon erected this testimonial. His act displayed his faith. No peace at hand, no peace in sight, but he knew Jehovah-shalom was near and he believed that peace would be the inevitable outcome. And he dared, by the altar, to declare so publicly.
Gideon's faith was well founded as subsequent events proved. With a mere handful of men who were determined to go all the way with the Lord, and in the strength of the Lord, Gideon triumphed over the enemy, and peace was restored to Israel.
As the writer of the book of Judges looks back over the history of Israel and as he records this momentous event, he exclaims of Gideon's alter that "unto this day it is yet" standing. Gideon built it looking ahead to a time of peace. His faith was rewarded. Years later the altar still stood as a memorial to the fact that his God was indeed "the Lord our peace."
Our God is the same today. Oh, it is true, "there is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked." But of His own it is declared: "The Lord will bless his people with peace." The Lord Jesus, before returning to the Father by way of the cross and resurrection, spoke these reassuring words to His own: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you . . . Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Sounds strangely like His words to Gideon. Yes, and as He proved Himself to Gideon, so will He prove Himself to us. He is the "Lord our peace." Let us erect the "altar" of faith unto Him.
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." "Thou (Lord) wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
But, you say, I cannot see the victory. That's just the point, Gideon believed that God was as good as His word, and his altar was erected BEFORE he saw the victory. So must we believe in God. It is "by faith we have peace with God." Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace . . . Because he trusteth in thee."
"HE is our peace." May we never forget it. "We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." "The peace of God . . . shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." May our faith be well-founded on HIM who is our peace, "the Prince of Peace: Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah-shalom!
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"Forgetting those things which are behind . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high (upward) calling of God in Christ Jesus." -- Philippians 3:13b, 14
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THE MAN OF MANY NAMES
From the beginning to the end of the Bible it is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ, the Son of God. Our Lord is so lovely, so superlatively beautiful, so infinitely perfect, in all His virtues, attributes and graces, that they cannot be expressed in human language.
The Holy Spirit, in framing in human language the excellency of Christ Jesus, ransacks every realm of creation for figures and types and illustrations of His loveliness. For this reason hundreds upon hundreds of names are applied to the Saviour, each one a descriptive title, each one serving as a window through which to behold new and different views of His infinitely many-sided loveliness and beauty.
And so He is called by the Spirit in the Bible, the Second Man, the Last Adam, the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Only Begotten of the Father, the First-born from the Dead.
He is called the King of Kings, the Captain of our Salvation, and the Head of the Church, the Messiah of Israel, the King of the Jews. His name is called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
He is the Lamb of God and the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is the Chief Cornerstone, the Rock of Ages, the Head of the Corner, and the Foundation Stone.
He is the Sun of Righteousness, the Bright and the Morning Star, the Beginning of the Creation of God. He is the Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley, the Tree of Life.
He is called the Prophet, Priest and King, the Angel of the Lord and the Angel of the Covenant, the Bread of Life, the Good, the Great and the Chief Shepherd, the Door, the Water of Life, the Word of God, and where shall we stop, for we might go on and on and on,
for --
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the First, the Last, the Beginning and the End, yea, He is Altogether Lovely.
-- M.R. DeHaan
(Things Concerning Himself).
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GUEST SERMON
A NEW YEAR
Romans 8
No. 20
THE UNCERTAINTIES AND CERTAINTIES
Rev. C. H. Irwin, M.A.
ROMANS 8:35-39
St. Paul was no narrow dogmatist. He was a man of profound sympathy and charity even for those from whom he differed. Yet there are some strong assertions in his writings. He did not think it dogmatism to be firmly persuaded and convinced of certain things.
It is no dogmatism to assert that the sun is shining, when its warm bright rays are flashing down upon us and around us. It is no dogmatism to assert the existence of frost, when the earth grows hard beneath its grasp, and we feel its icy breath upon our faces and in our throats. With all the uncertainties and unrealities of life, there is such a thing as certainty and truth.
To St. Paul the love of Christ was such a certainty. He had felt it, not as the frost, but as the warm sunshine in his heart. He had yielded himself to its influence, till it became to him what the steam is to the steam-engine, till he could say, "The love of Christ constraineth me;" or again, "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
There are few finer or more complete pictures of that love and its power, than this eighth chapter of Romans presents to us. Here St. Paul shows us the Christian, under the influence of that love, gaining the victory over sin and temptation, glorying in tribulation, receiving the Spirit of adoption, standing fearlessly before the judgment-seat in the irresistible conviction that he is a child of God, shielded and strengthened by the love of Christ; and, as he gazes from point to point, from time to eternity, and sees the Christian secure and safe at every point, his conviction, his rapture, increase in intensity till they carry him away in that grand outburst:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? . . . For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here are the uncertainties and the certainties of life contrasted.
I. THE UNCERTAINTIES OF A NEW YEAR.
1. The New Year May be a Time of Prosperity.
If it is God's will to give us worldly prosperity and wealth, let us pray for grace and wisdom to use them aright. Prosperity has its dangers. It comes in as a separating barrier between the soul and God. Our Saviour, in one of His parables, speaks of the deceitfulness of riches, and tells us that, along with the cares of this world, it is like thorns that choke the good seed of Divine truth, so that it becomes unfruitful. Let not riches "separate us from the love of Christ."
2. The New Year May be a Time of Trial.
St. Paul felt convinced that no trials could separate him from that wondrous love. "Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . . . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." No trial, or the prospect of it, brings dismay or terror to the apostle's heart.
Conquerors! Yes, and more than conquerors of our trials! We do more than vanquish them. We turn them, or rather the love of Christ turns them for us, into our friends. So Paul found it in his experience. So did many a child of God.
Martin Luther was sent to prison in the Wartburg, apparently a heavy blow to himself and his friends, and the cause of the Reformation. But the love of Christ was stronger than the castle walls. They could not keep Christ out. Luther was more than conqueror. He not only endured his imprisonment, but while he was a prisoner he translated the Scriptures into that great German version of his, and wrote besides some of his great commentaries.
The walls of Bedford Jail could not separate John Bunyan from the love of Christ, and during his imprisonment for conscience's sake he wrote that matchless allegory, "The Pilgrim's Progress."
Samuel Rutherford, a prisoner in Aberdeen Castle, wrote the beautiful 'Letters' of which Richard Baxter said that, after the Bible, such a book the world never saw.
All of these were more than conquerors through Him that loved them.
Whatever trials we may meet with, there is the great certainty of the love of Christ. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" "If God be for us, who can be against us?" We may lose our earthly friends, but Jesus remains -- the Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
3. The New Year May be to Some of Us a Year of Death.
Philip Henry, father of Matthew Henry the commentator, used frequently to pray this prayer, "Fit us to leave or to be left." Whatever uncertainty we may feel about the earthly lot that is in store for us, whether our days may be many or few, let us make sure that we are clinging to the cross of Jesus, and then we have a safety and a security which no trials can ever shake.
II. THE CERTAINTIES OF A NEW YEAR
While there is much that is uncertain about each new year, there is much also that we may with confidence expect.
1. The New Year Will be a Time of Opportunities.
This is as certain as that the sun will shine, and the seasons come, and the ocean ebb and flow. Every day will bring to each of us its opportunities.
Opportunities save souls. John Williams, a careless young man, was persuaded by a friend to go one sabbath evening to a place of worship, and there he heard a sermon on the words, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" That opportunity, availed of, saved his soul and led him to decide for Christ, and he became the famous missionary and martyr of Erromanga. Had he refused that invitation, rejected that opportunity, a similar opportunity might never have returned.
Opportunities test character. Some one has said that "opportunities are importunities." Every opportunity makes an appeal to us. It appeals to us to avail ourselves of it, to show what side we are on, to make our choice for time and eternity.
Abraham had his opportunity when the call came to him to leave his father's house, and he used it well. It showed him to be a man of faith, a man who would do God's bidding at any cost. Joseph, Joshua, Daniel -- each of these had his opportunity, and well he used it.
Herod had his opportunity, and seemed to be impressed by the preaching of John the Baptist, for "he did many things, and heard him gladly;" but when the critical and testing opportunity came of making his choice, of choosing good rather than evil, he lost it. So it was with Felix and Agrippa.
But let our life be dominated by the constraining influence of the love of Christ, and then the opportunities which the passing hours are sure to bring will only show more and more clearly that we are on the Lord's side.
2. The New Year Will be a Time of Duties.
It is well to begin the year with a high sense of our obligations and responsibilities. Duties are a certainty which every day brings with it. There are the duties of daily prayer and daily thanksgiving to God; the duties of parents to their children, of employers to their employees, of all Christians to those who are around them. Here, again, let every duty be discharged in the spirit of love to Christ, and there will be no uncertainty about our faithfulness. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"
(From The Pulpit Commentary. Published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI.)
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