Sanctuary

 Sanctuary…

The Heavenly Sanctuary existed before the earthly sanctuary. We know this because God's word tells us the earthly was patterned after the heavenly.

The sanctuary in the future we are told… is God and Jesus Christ. 

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 

So here we have a preexisting sanctuary in heaven, a sanctuary on earth modeled after the heavenly, and then ultimately the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) are the temple. 

To comprehend the need of a heavenly sanctuary is to know it's existence had to come into being for a purpose. The purpose… mankind's salvation. 

The history of the sanctuary- 

Heavenly.

Earthly.

Christ.

God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son.

Let's look briefly at mention of the sanctuary after Christ.

Heb 8:1  Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 

Heb 8:2  A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 

Heb 8:3  For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 

Heb 8:4  For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: 

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. 

Heb 8:6  But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. 

Heb 8:7  For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 

Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 

Heb 8:9  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 

Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 

Heb 8:11  And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 

Heb 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 

Heb 8:13  In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. 

Heb 9:1  Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. 

Heb 9:2  For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. 

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 

Heb 9:4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 

Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 

Heb 9:6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 

Heb 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 

Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 

Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 

Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 

Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for 

us. 

Heb 9:13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 

Heb 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 

Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 

Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 

Heb 9:18  Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 

Heb 9:19  For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 

Heb 9:20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 

Heb 9:21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 

Heb 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 

Heb 9:24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 

Heb 9:25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 

Heb 9:26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 

Heb 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

More on this tomorrow by the grace of God. 

Until I Went Into the Sanctuary...

 

We often fall far short of having a clean heart. We ask God to create a clean heart in us because we know the dark, dirty depths we are living in, sinking in, struggling as if stuck in a mucky miry pit of the thickest quicksand. We beg God to keep our heads above the suffocating filth as only He can. In Psalms 73 we read that God is good to those who have clean hearts… then we read in the next moment of one struggling, of one whose feet are almost gone, whose steps slipped.  We can comprehend this all too well. We live in a world where evil reigns, that fact really isn't debatable.  Evil prospers. One who would walk with the Lord knows the rewards promised to them are eternal rewards, not temporal ones. As long as we live with our hearts outside of the sanctuary, we are can't fully comprehend our world, and our place in it.  When we go into the sanctuary we know the end of all evil is to come, the end of all temporal life will be over. To go into the sanctuary is to realize fully the difference between the temporal and the eternal. To go into the sanctuary is to draw as near to God as we can ever be. Ultimately we know this..

Rev 21:22  And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it

Truth.  The sanctuary exists at all to reunite man and God. It is only in comprehending that we unite with God, with Christ, in the sanctuary that we comprehend that all without the sanctuary do not. 

By the grace of God may we go into the sanctuary and find comprehension all through the Holy Spirit.

Psa 73:1  A Psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. 

Psa 73:2  But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. 

Psa 73:3  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 

Psa 73:4  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. 

Psa 73:5  They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. 

Psa 73:6  Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. 

Psa 73:7  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. 

Psa 73:8  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. 

Psa 73:9  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. 

Psa 73:10  Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. 

Psa 73:11  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? 

Psa 73:12  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. 

Psa 73:13  Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. 

Psa 73:14  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. 

Psa 73:15  If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. 

Psa 73:16  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; 

Psa 73:17  Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. 

Psa 73:18  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. 

Psa 73:19  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. 

Psa 73:20  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 

Psa 73:21  Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins. 

Psa 73:22  So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 

Psa 73:23  Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. 

Psa 73:24  Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. 

Psa 73:25  Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 

Psa 73:26  My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. 

Psa 73:27  For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: thou hast destroyed all them that go a whoring from thee. 

Psa 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

The Gift of Life

 Blessed. 

(Excerpt continued)

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

"Reconciled by His Death." 

God is not our enemy, but we are or have been enemies to him. Therefore he does not need to be reconciled to us, but we need reconciliation to him. And he himself, in the kindness of his heart,  makes the reconciliation. We "are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph. 2:13. 

How so? Because it was sin that separated us from him, and made us enemies; and "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Being cleansed from sin, we must necessarily be reconciled to God.

The Gift of Life.

 "The life of the flesh is in the blood." "For it is the life of all flesh." Lev. 17:11, 14. In that Christ shed his blood for us, he gave his life for us. But inasmuch as the blood is applied to us, to cleanse us from all sin, he gives his life to us. In the death of Christ therefore, if we are crucified with him, we receive his life as a substitute for our sinful life, which he takes upon himself. Our sins are remitted through faith in his blood, not as an arbitrary act, but because by faith we exchange lives with him, and the life which we get in exchange has no sin. Our sinful life is swallowed up in his boundless life, because he has life so abundantly that he can die because of our transgressions, and still live again to give life to us.

"Saved by His Life." Christ did not go through the pangs of death for nothing, nor did he give his life to us for the purpose of taking it away again. When he gives us his life, he designs that we shall keep it forever. How do we get it? By faith. How do we keep it? By the same faith. "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord,  so walk ye in him." Col. 2:6. His life can never end, but we may lose it by unbelief.

Let it be remembered that we have not this life in ourselves, but "this life is in his Son." "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:11, 12. We keep the everlasting life by keeping Christ. Now it is a very simple proposition that if we have been reconciled to God by the death of Christ,  if his life has been given to us for the remission of our sins, then we shall much more be saved by that life since he has risen from the dead.

People sometimes say that they can believe that God forgives their sins, but they find it difficult to believe that he can keep them from sin. Well, if there is any difference, the latter is the easier of the two; for the forgiveness of sins requires the death of Christ, while the saving from sins requires only his continued life.

By What Life Are We Saved? By the life of Christ, and he has but one. He is "the same yesterday, and to-day,  and forever." Heb. 13:8. It is by his present life that we are saved, that is, by his life in us from day to day. But the life which he now lives is the very same life that he lived in Judea eighteen hundred years ago. He took again the same life that he laid down. Think what was in the life of Christ, as we have the record in the New Testament, and we shall know what ought to be in our lives now. If we allow him to dwell in us, he will live just as he did then. If there is something in our lives that was not then in his, we may be sure that he is not living it in us now.

Christ Died For The Ungodly.

 (Excerpt)

Romans 5:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 and patience, experience; and experience, hope; 5 and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

"The Love of God." The reason why hope makes not ashamed is that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Note that it does not say love for God, but the love of God. 

What is the love of God?  "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." 1 John 5:3. The Holy Spirit, then, puts into our hearts obedience to the law of God; and it is that which gives us boldness in the day of judgment, and at all other times. 

It is sin that makes men afraid. When sin is taken away, then fear is gone. 

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are bold as a lion." Prov. 28:1.

"Christ Died for the Ungodly." 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." 1 Tim. 1:15.

"This man receiveth sinners." Luke 15:2.

Strange that people will allow a sense of their sinfulness to keep them away from the Lord, when Christ came for the one purpose of receiving and saving them. He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him (Heb. 6:25); and he says that those who come to him he will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

"Without Strength." It was when we were yet without strength, that Christ died for the ungodly. Of course;  because he died for the purpose that we might be strengthened with might by the Spirit. If he waited for us to gain some strength before giving himself for us, then we should be lost. When were we without strength? Just now; and even now Jesus Christ is set forth evidently crucified among us. Gal. 3:1. "Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength." Isa. 45:24.

Righteous vs. Good. "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die." Our English translation does not indicate the difference between the two words used here. The righteous man is the just man, the man who is careful to give every one his due. The good man is the benevolent man, the one who has done us many favors, and who does for us more than we could justly claim. Now, no matter how just a man may be, his integrity of character would scarcely lead one to die for him. Yet it is possible that for a man of great kindness some would even dare to die.

The Greatest Love. 

That is the highest measure of love among men. One may lay down his life for his friends,  "but God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners," and therefore enemies, "Christ died for us."

 "For the love of God is broader

 Than the measure of man's mind;

 And the heart of the Eternal

 Is most wonderfully kind."

Christian experience or Christian profession

Faith Must Abound

 Glory in tribulations…

Are you considered sadistic if you glory in tribulation? No. You are not seeking tribulation, getting joy from tribulation. The glorying in tribulations is the comprehension that the revelation of faith is made apparent. Being able to give glory to God in all circumstances…  

Yes, Jesus cried out asking the Father why he was forsaken, and He agonized over the path to the cross wanting not to drink of the cup that only he could drink-- these are truths. Would we call that glorying in tribulation? To have reactions to tribulation is expected, to not be joyful for impending tribulation understandable. Choosing to holdfast to the faith in God after that is where we glory. Accepting God is in control when our entire life seems out of control that is glory in tribulation. Faith as we suffer, faith as we endure this is patience. No, we do not want tribulation, but tribulation abounds, and because it abounds we need faith.

(Excerpt) 

Romans 5:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience

Tribulation Worketh Patience. 

What is patience? It is endurance of suffering.

The root of the word "patience" means suffering. We see this in the fact that one who is ill is called "a patient." That is, he is a sufferer.

People often excuse their petulance by saying that they have so much to endure. They think that they would be patient if they did not have to suffer so much. No, they would not be. There can be no patience where there is no suffering. Trouble does not destroy patience, but develops it. When trouble seems to destroy one's patience, it is simply showing the fact that the person had no patience.

When Does It Work? The statement is that tribulation worketh patience. Yet there are many who become more and more irritable the more trouble they have. It does not work patience with them. Why not? Simply because they are not in the condition that the apostle is describing.

It is only those who are justified by faith that tribulation works patience.

Nothing but faith in God can keep one perfectly patient under all circumstances.

Will it Always Work? Yes, invariably. "Well," says one, "I am sure that anybody would be impatient if he had as much to trouble him as I have."

Question: Would Christ become impatient if he had the things to endure that you have? Did he not have as much to endure, and more? You must admit that he did. Was he impatient? "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth." Isa. 53:7. Then if he were in your place, he would be patient. Why, then, do you not let him be in your place?

Peace that depends on feeling will depart

 (Excerpt)

Romans 5:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

What Is peace? Most people have the idea that it is a sort of ecstatic feeling. They think that peace with God means an indescribable heavenly feeling; and so they always look for that imaginary feeling as evidence that they are accepted with God.

But peace with God means the same thing that it means with men: it means simply the absence of war.

As sinners we are enemies of God. He is not our enemy, but we are his enemies. He is not fighting against us, but we are fighting against him. How then may we have peace with him? Simply by ceasing to fight, and laying down our arms. We may have peace whenever we are ready to stop fighting.

"Peace with God." 

Note that when we have peace with God we are not simply at peace with him, but we have his peace. This peace has been left on the earth for men; for the Lord has said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you." John 14:27. He has given it to us. It is ours, therefore, already. It has always been ours. The only trouble has been that we have not believed it. As soon as we believe the words of Christ, then we have in very deed the peace which he has given. And it is peace with God, because we find the peace in Christ, and Christ dwells in the bosom of the Father. John 1:18.

Joh 1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Peace and Righteousness.

"Great peace have they which love thy law." Ps. 119:165. "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18. Righteousness is peace, because our warfare against God was our sins that we cherished.

God's life is righteousness, and he is the God of peace. 

Since the enmity is the carnal mind and its wicked works, peace must be the opposite, namely, righteousness. So it is simply the statement of an obvious fact, that being justified by faith we have peace with God. The righteousness that we have by faith carries peace with it. The two things can not be separated.

Peace and Feeling. 

The question is asked, "Can one have peace with God and not have a feeling of peace?"  What says the Scripture? "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God." What brings the peace? The faith.  But faith is not feeling. 

If it were necessarily the case that there must be a certain feeling with peace, then if we did not have that feeling we should know that we were not justified; and then justification would be a matter of feeling, and not of faith. The verses which follow show us that we may have peace in tribulation as well as when everything goes smoothly.

Glory in Tribulations. This does not mean that we are to seek for martyrdom, as some in the early centuries did.  But it means, as it says, that in the midst of tribulations our peace and joy continue the same. This must necessarily be the case with peace that comes by faith. Peace that depends on feeling will depart as soon as we begin to feel tribulation. But nothing can make any difference with the peace that comes by faith. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33.

Not A Myth.

 Righteousness by faith is not a myth…

It is so easy to believe we need to gain righteousness by our actions. Being good enough, our believed to be righteous actions earning us the title of being righteous. Yet no matter how righteous our actions, they cannot make us righteous- worthy in the eyes of God. There is only one worthy, only one righteous…  Jesus Christ. Our believing in the righteousness that only Christ possesses is recognizing the God we serve as being our all in all. Our existence now, and our future existence is completely dependent upon God. The longsuffering of our God alone allows us to live. We truly live by the grace of God. Faith - believing.

 (Excerpt)

Articles on Romans

by E. J. Waggoner

Chapter 5

--------------------------------------------------

 The fourth chapter has taken up the case of Abraham as an illustration of righteousness by faith. The faith which was imputed to him, faith in the death and resurrection of Christ, will bring us the same righteousness, and make us heirs with him of the same promise. But the fourth chapter is really a parenthetical illustration, so that the fifth begins where the third closes:

Romans 5:

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 2 by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 and patience, experience; and experience, hope; 5 and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Faith Works Real Righteousness. The first verse of the fifth chapter begins with "therefore." The word indicates that what follows is a natural conclusion of what goes before. What has gone before? The story of what Abraham gained by faith. He gained righteousness by faith, but it was by faith in the promise that he should have a son. That son was the child of faith. But the same faith that resulted in the birth of Isaac, also brought righteousness to Abraham. And the same will also be imputed to us, if we have the same faith. Therefore, we are taught that the righteousness of faith is as real as was the son that was born to Abraham through faith.  Righteousness by faith is not a myth.

Righteousness and the Resurrection.

 

Christ - Anchor of Our Souls

 Christ is our refuge - Anchor of our souls

An anchor holds something in place that might otherwise without the anchor give way. Ships at sea anchoring down to stay safe during a storm are saved from being wrecked upon the shores. Having an anchor for our souls keeps us safe during the many storms of life. Christ is our anchor, it is Christ we rely upon for safety. We WILL be storm tossed there is no way around that. We live in a chaotic world. Satan would have us wrecked on his rocky shores, our spiritual lives battered and bruised endlessly. Satan wants us caught up in deep dark despair without hope, without any anchor to keep us safe. We must hold fast to the truth that our anchor is strong enough to withstand any Satan storm that exists. Our ANCHOR is the STRENGTH, not us! The strongest of ships can be destroyed in a storm should its anchors give way. Our Anchor will never give way, unless we release the Anchor from us. We must forever have an anchor in Christ! All by His grace and mercy! Christ is our Hope forever!

(Excerpt -  EJ Waggoner Article On Romans 4)

The Oath of God.

It may seem to some a little far-fetched to say that the oath by which Jesus was made priest is the surety of the promise to Abraham. But a little consideration will enable any one to see that it can be no other way. In the sixth chapter *13-20 of Hebrews we read:

"When God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying,  Surely blessing I will bless thee. . . . God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us;  which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek."

It's All For Our Sakes. 

Why did God confirm his promise to Abraham by an oath? That we might have a strong consolation.

It was not for Abraham's sake, because Abraham believed fully without the oath. His faith was shown to be perfect before the oath was given. It was altogether for our sakes.

When does that oath give us strong consolation? When we flee for refuge to Christ as priest in the most holy place. 

Within the vail he ministers as high priest; and it is the oath of God that gives us courage to believe that his priesthood will save us. Then our consolation comes from Christ's priesthood, and so from the oath which made him priest.

Therefore the oath of God to Abraham was identical with the oath that made Christ high priest. 

This shows most plainly that the promise of God to Abraham is as wide as the gospel of Christ. 

And so our text, speaking of the righteousness that was imputed to Abraham, says, "Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead."

Ro. 4. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Jesus Is the Surety

 The Great Joy of Believing the Promise

Romans 4:16-25

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

17 (as it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations), before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 

18 Who against hope believed in hope,  that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb; 20 he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 and being fully persuaded, that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.

Sure to All. 

Since the inheritance is through the righteousness of faith, it is equally sure to all the seed, and equally within the reach of all. Faith gives all an equal chance, because faith is just as easy for one person as for another. God has dealt to every man a measure of faith, and to all the same measure, for the measure of grace is the measure of faith, and "unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."  Eph. 4:7. Christ is given without reserve to every man. Heb. 2:9. Therefore, as the same measure of faith and grace is given to all men, all have an equal opportunity to gain the inheritance.

Jesus Is the Surety.

Faith makes the promise sure to all the seed, because it has Christ alone for its object, and he is the surety of the promises of God. 2 Cor. 1:20. We read also of the oath of God, by which Jesus was made high priest, that "by so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament," or covenant. Heb. 7:22. Now Jesus was not given for a certain class, but for all without distinction. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.  Jesus by the grace of God tasted death for every man. Heb. 2:9. He says, "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. Christ dwells in the heart by faith. Eph. 3:17. Therefore, since Christ is the surety of the promise, it must be sure to every one who believes.

According to What Promise?

 

The Promise and the Resurrection.

 

In Christ- Everything. In Christ- Righteousness.

 (Excerpt)

Everything in Christ. 

Speaking of Christ, the apostle says, "All the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Cor. 1:20. There is no promise of God to any man [aside from in Christ].

AMEN!

*

The Inheritance and the Heirs 

Romans 4:13-15

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law,  but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect; 15 because the law worketh wrath; for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Where Is the Promise? 

A very natural inquiry upon reading the thirteenth verse would be, Where is there any promise that Abraham and his seed should be heirs of the world? Many think that no such promise is contained in the Old Testament. But there can be no doubt about the matter, for the apostle says that there was such a promise. If we have not found it, it is because we have read the Old Testament too superficially, or with minds biased by preconceived opinions. If we consider the connection, we shall have no difficulty in locating the promise.

Of what is the apostle speaking in this connection? Of an inheritance through the righteousness of faith, and also of the fact that circumcision was given to Abraham as a seal of this righteousness which he had by faith,  and therefore as the seal of the inheritance which was to come thereby.

Where in the Old Testament do we find the account of the giving of circumcision, and of a promise in connection therewith? In the seventeenth chapter of Genesis. Then that must be the place for us to look for the promise that Abraham should be the heir of the world. Let us turn and read:

"And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. . . . And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." Gen. 17:7-11.

The reader will at once say: "Yes; it is plain enough that there is a promise here; but what we are looking for is the promise that Abraham and his seed should inherit the earth; and I do not see that here. All that I can see is a promise that they should inherit the land of Canaan."

But it is certain from the connection in Romans that we are on the right track, and we shall soon see that this is indeed the promise that Abraham and his seed should be heirs of the world. We must study the details of this promise. And first let us note the fact that the inheritance promised is an everlasting inheritance.

Abraham himself is to have it for an everlasting possession. But the only way in which both Abraham and his seed may have everlasting possession of an inheritance is by having everlasting life. Therefore we see that in this promise to Abraham we have the assurance of everlasting life in which to enjoy the possession.

This will appear still more clearly when we consider that the inheritance is an inheritance of righteousness: "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." Rom. 4:13. That is just what we have in the promise recorded in the seventeenth of Genesis. For that covenant was sealed by circumcision (see verse 11), and circumcision was the seal of righteousness by faith. See Romans 4:11

Rom 4:11  And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also

The Gospel Was Preached to Abraham.

 

Turn Me From My Iniquities.

 

The Work Is To Believe.

 Too many believe their good enough status causes their justification in the sight of God. They consider themselves godly, God-fearing people and as such they are superior to all the ungodly, non-God-fearing people who make no claims to belong to God. Yet the truth of the matter is only the ungodly are justified by God. Yes, you read that right. Everyone has to realize, and have a deep-seated comprehension of the fact they have absolutely NO righteousness of their own at all and none of their claims will give them righteousness. They could be perfect God-fearing people in all their actions but unless they realize their perfection is filthiness, stained by the sin that caused ALL their righteousness to be like filthy rags, it means nothing. God alone justifies the ungodly and our believing that God does this, that Christ is our righteousness will make it so.  Truly the ungodly are justified by God, because we can be nothing but ungodly without God's righteousness. 

We are told…

Joh_6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The work is to BELIEVE on Christ and His righteousness!

(Excerpt)

Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly,  his faith is counted for righteousness

Justifying the Ungodly. 

God justifies the ungodly. No others need justification. 

But mark that he does not justify ungodliness. 

That would be to call evil good, and to deny himself. But he justifies or makes righteous the ungodly, and that is just what they need. He justifies the believing sinner by making him a new man in Christ Jesus, and this he can do and still be just. To make a new man in righteousness is perfectly in harmony with his own character as Creator.

Working Not. "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." 

Bear in mind that justification is the subject under consideration. When the apostle speaks of not working, it is evident that he means not working in order to be justified. A man is not made just by works,  but the just man works yet always by faith. "The just shall live by faith."

Rom_1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

 It is faith that makes him continue to live justly. The reality of the works of faith is made more prominent in the latter part of this chapter.

I Choose the Righteousness of My Creator.

 Recognizing God as the Creator.

Do you recognize God as your Creator?  

If you don't, does that mean you believe it's pure chance that you exist, that we all exist? Even those who believe in the big bang have to continue on back further than the bang that created us to what created the bang? You could keep going back and back until you are in a corner of nothingness, with nothing, because ultimately there had be something that started something.  We cannot take nothing and create something from nothing- it's impossible, completely and utterly impossible. And the big bang takes something to make something, not nothing creating something.  The absurdity of it all is so obvious, yet Satan has blinded the minds of many people, a lot of whom consider themselves of superior intelligence. 

Hope or no hope.

Belief in God or no belief in God.

I know I exist now in this moment and I know that I can cease to exist in the next moment. I can either choose to believe that if I cease to exist in the next moment that there will be another moment when I will again exist or I can believe that is it, no more existence whatsoever.

If I choose to believe this current existence of mine is all there is of life, truly hope is non-existent. There is so much unfairness in the existence of so many, exponentially more unfairness than what would be considered fair- that to believe this is how it is supposed to be- is truly horrific. 

Hope.

Hope tells me that if I believe in the evidence of the unseen that there is so much more to my existence than what is happening with me right now, and happening to all of us. The teeny tiny portion of people who live a life seemingly problem free… wait, there  is no such teeny tiny portion of people. All, without any exception, have problems in their lives. What might be considered a problem to someone wealthy might not be considered a problem to a poor person, someone considered physically beautiful might have a lot of problems that someone not beautiful in that way would have and vice versa. Problems big or small, significant to the person experiencing them, make up our lives. We live in a constant state of potential problems. This existence isn't what was intended. 

We have a Creator. A righteous Creator who has given us hope. In that hope is the knowledge that our existence in this problematic filled life is temporary towards an ultimate existence in perfection. That perfection is our uniting completely with our Creator. After having made the choice to separate from Him, we make the choice to join with Him. We recognize the wrong choice and because our Creator loves us, we are forgiven for making that wrong choice and allowed to accept that our Creator has made a way to make that wrong choice right again. 

We have HOPE. We live with that HOPE.

We choose to live with HOPE or no hope, that choice is ours to make.

I choose HOPE! I choose the righteousness of my Creator!

(Excerpt)

'Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 

Debt and Grace. 

"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt." It is necessary to keep in mind what the apostle is writing about. The subject is the means by which a man is justified. 

To him that works for justification, the reward of righteousness is not a gift of grace, but the payment of a debt. That is, it would be so if there were any righteousness by works. In that case, the man would come to the Lord and demand of him his due.

But no man can put the Lord under obligation to him. 

"Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?" Rom. 11:35. If any one could do something for the Lord for which the Lord would be under obligation to him, then all things would not be from him.

That is to say, the idea of justification by works is opposed to the fact that God is the Creator of all things.

And, conversely, the recognition of God as Creator is the acknowledgment that righteousness comes from him alone.'

Perfection of Faith.

 

Glorying In God.

 

Faith Enthrones God In the Heart.

(Excerpt) 

Ro.331 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law

Making Void the Law. 

Making void the law does not mean abolishing it. There is no question as to the perpetuity of the law. It is so plainly eternal that the apostle Paul never wastes space in arguing about it. The only question is as to how its claim may be satisfied.

The Saviour said that the Jews made the commandment of God of none effect through their tradition. So far as they were concerned, they made it void. No man could by any action or lack of action abolish or in any way affect the law of God. But anybody may by his unbelief obliterate it from his own heart. 

The question then is, Do we by faith make the law of God of none effect? 

Or,  more plainly still, Does faith lead to the transgression of the law? The answer is, "Not by any means."

Establishing the Law. 

That which has been said in regard to making void the law of God will apply here also.  That is, no action of man can make the law anything different from what it actually is. It is the foundation of the throne of God, and as such it will ever abide, in spite of demons and men.

But it is left for us to say whether or not we will have it obliterated from our hearts, or have it established there.

If we choose to have it established in our hearts, we have only to accept Christ by faith. Faith brings Christ to dwell in the heart. Eph. 3:17.

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love

The law of God is in the heart of Christ (Ps. 40:8), 

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 

…so that the faith which brings Christ into the heart establishes the law there. And since the law of God is the establishment of his throne, the faith which brings the law into the heart, enthrones God there. And thus it is that God works in men "both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

 Php_2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

I Acknowledge God.

 May the LORD direct my heart…into the LOVE of GOD, and into the PATIENT WAITING for CHRIST.

I need the LORD to DIRECT MY HEART. Why? Because I cannot direct my own heart.

2Th 3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 

May GOD incline my heart to HIM- to WALK in ALL HIS WAYS.

I need GOD to incline my heart. Why? Because I cannot incline my own heart.

1Ki 8:58  That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. 

O LORD GOD…prepare my HEART unto THEE.

I need the LORD GOD to prepare my heart. Why? Because I cannot prepare my own heart.

1Ch 29:18  O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee

Direct my ways to keep THY statues.

I need God to DIRECT my way to keep HIS statutes. Why? Because I cannot direct my own ways.

Psa 119:5  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! 

I cannot incline or prepare my own heart, I cannot direct my own path towards God. Why? Because it's not IN me to do so. I NEED GOD to incline and prepare my heart and direct my path and ways. I NEED GOD to do this for me. I need to believe God will do all this for me. God knows it is not in me to do any of this for myself, try that I may, wish that I may. To think I can do for myself is a HUGE obstacle in my spiritual life. To berate myself when I fail is another HUGE obstacle in my spiritual life. Satan will throw up anything he can to block our path, our spiritual life. Satan will hold up a mirror in front of us constantly so we can only see ourselves and our failings. Satan wants us to believe that we must incline and prepare our hearts to God, that we must direct our paths. What we have to do is ACKNOWLEDGE GOD. 

In all our ways ACKNOWLEDGE GOD.  

What's it mean to acknowledge someone? If I acknowledge you, I'm recognizing your existence, your being and I'm giving you my attention in that acknowledgement. 

When I acknowledge GOD, I'm recognizing HIM, I'm giving HIM my attention. I'm saying GOD exists to me! I BELIEVE GOD IS MY GOD and I WANT HIM TO BE GOD OVER MY LIFE! I WANT GOD TO RULE OVER ME AND ALL I DO!  

When I acknowledge God in this way I must then TRUST that God will incline and prepare my heart and direct all my ways, because in ALL my ways I am acknowledging HIM, recognizing that HE exists in all my life, not just in bits and pieces.

Psa 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. 

Pro 3:6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 

Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

Jas 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren. 

Jas 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 

Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 

Deu 30:6  And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 

Jer 31:33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 

Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

Deuteronomy 30:6

will circumcise: Deu_10:16; Jer_4:4, Jer_9:26, Jer_32:39; Eze_11:19-20, Eze_36:26-27; Joh_3:3-7; Rom_2:28-29, Rom_11:26; 2Co_5:17; Col_2:11

to love the Lord: Deu_6:5; Exo_20:6; Mat_22:37; Rom_8:28; 1Co_8:3; Jas_1:12, Jas_2:5; 1Jn_4:7; 1Jn_4:16-19, 1Jn_5:3-4

Deu 10:16  Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. 

Jer 4:4  Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. 

Jer 32:39  And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: 

Eze 11:19  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 

Eze 11:20  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 

Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 

Joh 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 

Joh 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 

Joh 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 

Joh 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 

Joh 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 

Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. 

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Alive in Christ

Col 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 

Col 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 

Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 

Col 2:9  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 

Col 2:10  And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 

Col 2:11  In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 

Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

Col 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

Deu 6:5  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 

Exo 20:6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 

Mat 22:37  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 

Jas 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 

Jas 2:5  Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 

1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

1Jn 4:16  And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 

1Jn 4:17  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. 

1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us. 

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.