Faith of Abraham Pt 3.

 Abraham, you know who he is if you're a student of God's word. 

In order- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph-- then we jump to a time after the memory of Joseph had been forgotten and yet his descendants lived on and we are brought to Moses.

(Exo 1:7  And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.)

We know Moses as the one who delivered the Israelites from Egypt and received the Royal Law from the hand of God, the Ten Commandments.  Yet, we have to realize right now, if never before, that those Ten Commandments existed BEFORE Moses! Yes, I said they existed BEFORE MOSES!

Abraham knew these laws of GOD! ADAM knew these laws! Yes, I said ADAM knew the Ten Commandments! Mankind was created to KNOW the Moral Law of God! These laws were WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS! Sin produced a shroud upon our hearts. Satan's shroud seeks to keep us from recognizing the laws of God written on our hearts. From Adam to you and to all after you, the law of God is there, written on your heart by God at creation from the moment you were conceived. Because Satan's shroud seeks to obliterate God's moral law from our hearts, God had to give mankind the moral law written in stone, by His own finger. The shroud of Satan was embraced by so many because mankind's bent towards self-serving, not God serving, not the serving of others. Still today mankind has Satan's shroud covering their hearts, to the point they have discarded the moral law on so many levels. Many have accepted the moral law, only to pick it apart choosing the parts they desire to believe and live, while doing away with other parts entirely. Satan uses this sort of deception so perfectly on mankind that the majority of those who choose this way truly believe they are serving the Lord. The whole royal law of God, the full Ten Commandments in their entirety are written on our hearts and the shroud of Satan can only be removed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to reveal them there. Jesus WILL remove that shroud, but only if we let Him! Don't let Satan mislead you into thinking those Ten Commandments did not exist before Moses, and that they don't exist today, they are fully binding from everlasting to everlasting. They are the essence of our God! The law of LOVE in its purity. God is love. 

 

May the Lord bless and keep us in HIM now and forever! All through Jesus Christ our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever! Amen!!!!!!!

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'CHAPTER IV. STEPS OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

Continued…

Abraham kept the law of God, even all his commandments. After speaking of the fact that all nations were to be blessed in him, Paul adds:--

"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ." Gal. 3:13, 14.

In this scripture we notice these points: 

1. Christ does not redeem us from the law, but from its CURSE; and the curse falls only on the transgressor. Therefore all who have an interest in the redemption of Christ, are amenable to the law of God, and are transgressors of the law. Christ came to call sinners to repentance. 

2. This redemption is in order that the Gentiles, or all nations, may receive the blessing of Abraham. And this again proves that the curse of the law rests on the Gentiles. Some affirm that the Jews alone are amenable to the law, which is utterly absurd. All men are sinners; all have gone astray; when the law speaks, every mouth is stopped, and all the world stand guilty before God. Rom. 3:9-19.

Rom 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 

Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 

Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 

Rom 3:13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 

Rom 3:14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 

Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood: 

Rom 3:16  Destruction and misery are in their ways: 

Rom 3:17  And the way of peace have they not known: 

Rom 3:18  There is no fear of God before their eyes. 

Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 

And we learn further in the scripture quoted, that they who are under the curse of the law, that is, who are transgressors of the law, cannot receive the blessing of Abraham. He received the blessing solely by faith, and no one can receive the same blessing except by faith. 

Christ alone can redeem any from the curse, and therefore faith in Christ alone can constitute us children of Abraham, and heirs of his blessing.

The same law that Abraham kept, was afterward declared to Israel at Sinai. 

The covenant with Abraham embraced these two main points, namely:

1. The promise of the land to him and to his seed. 

2. The promise was given to him because he kept the commandments of God. 

In other words, the promises were conditional, the condition being the law of God. This we also find stated in the sacred record, as follows:--

"Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac; and hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance." 1 Chron. 16:15-18.

In these verses the foundations of the Abrahamic covenant are presented in brief. First, the condition; the law which he commanded to a thousand generations. Were this intended to mark a definite period, but a small part of it is yet expired; but it is probably indefinite, merely expressive of a vast or unlimited period. Secondly, the promise of the land, the lot of their inheritance. The law, the word commanded, is essentially distinct from the promise of the land. One is based upon the other. There is in the whole Bible but one "covenant commanded," which the Lord calls his covenant, defined as follows:--

"And the Lord spake unto you out of the midst of the fire; ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone." Deut. 4:12, 13. 

But here comes the objection, almost constantly persisted in, that this law was given to the Jews, and therefore we have no concern in it. But we have already seen that the word commanded to Abraham and Isaac was confirmed to Israel for a law, even an everlasting covenant. And the Scriptures give us complete, and of course the correct, views of the relation of those things

committed to the Jews. 

This law was indeed given to the Jews, and so were the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, new as well as old (Jer. 31:31-34), and the service of God, and the promises. Rom. 9:4. For of a truth, "salvation is of the Jews." John 4:22. This was the advantage accorded to Israel, "that unto them were committed the oracles of God." Rom. 3:2. And the apostle further shows that their unfaithfulness and unbelief could not make void or of no effect that which was committed to them, for otherwise, how shall God judge the world? For he shows that it is when the law speaks that every mouth is stopped, and all the world stands condemned before God. Rom. 3:3-19. God had aforetime given the "lively oracles" (see Acts 7:38) by which he will bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. Eccl. 12:13, 14. Let

us not slight those sacred oracles because they were committed to Israel, for Christ himself was of Israel according to the flesh. Rom. 9:5; 1:3; Acts 2:30.

Rom 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 

Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh

Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne

But the things that were given to the Jews were not for them alone, neither were they original with or to the Jews. The new covenant was given to the Jews, and we must receive it through them; but it was given to Abraham long before their time. Gal. 3:17. 

Gal 3:17  And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

Christ came of the Jews; but he was promised to the fathers, to Abraham, and to Adam from the beginning. 

Paul says that the service of God was given to the Jews; but it was given to many others before their day. The law was given to the Jews; but every item of it was given to the patriarchs--yes, to all the world, before it was given to the Jews. As before said, man's moral nature was given in his creation, and the moral law is but the complement, the necessary accompaniment, of his moral nature. Therefore the law was planted in the nature of man, and revealed to the head and representative of the race in the beginning. And thus Paul says, that the nations who had not the written law given to them as it was given to Israel, might yet do by nature the things contained in the law, because they had "the work of the law written in their hearts." Rom. 2:14, 15. 

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

In this same chapter the apostle shows that the secrets of men shall be judged by the same law of which he was speaking; the law in which the Jews rested, and in knowing which they knew the

will of God. Rom. 2:17-23.

Rom 2:17  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, 

Rom 2:18  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 

Rom 2:19  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, 

Rom 2:20  An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. 

Rom 2:21  Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 

Rom 2:22  Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 

Rom 2:23  Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

Of course we make a distinction between the moral and ceremonial law. To deny this distinction because the Scriptures do not use these terms, is not an argument; it partakes more of the nature of a cavil. The word probation is not in the Bible; shall we therefore deny the existence of the fact? The terms moral, morality, moral obligation, moral character, and moral agency, are not in the Bible; but who would argue from this that we do not correctly use these terms? There is a wide distinction between moral and ceremonial or positive law. Moral law is fundamental or primary; positive law is secondary; having no force nor meaning without the primary. Take the law for the offering of sin-offerings: When an offering was brought to the priest it indicated that sin had been committed. If sin had never entered into the world, no sin-offerings would have been required. The offering was made necessary in order to forgiveness. So the relation is easily traced to its foundation. The offering indicated that sin had been committed; and the existence of sin indicated the pre-existence of the law; for sin is the transgression of the law, and where no law is there is no transgression--no sin. Hence the law of sin offerings was given because another law, of another nature, had been violated. If that other law had never been violated, no sin-offerings would ever have been offered. The same principle is recognized at the present time, for those offerings were types of gospel facts. If sin had never entered into the world, there would have been no gospel; the gospel has the pre-existing law for its basis. Take away the law, and the gospel would be a nullity. It would be an offer of pardon without conviction. Thus it is easy to see that antinomianism is as absurd as it is unscriptural. Look at the sermon of Peter on that Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus. His message to those who were convicted of sin-was this: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." Acts. 2:38. 

To be continued…

The Faith of Abraham Pt 2

Right and Wrong.

As the whole of humanity a vast majority have a strong moral compass. Even so, there are those whose moral compass is seemingly missing, or very skewed. Do not believe for a single moment that one person with a God guided moral compass will lose out on eternity. Not one person of innocence by youth, feebleness, ignorance, or otherwise will be counted guilty in God's eyes. On the other hand all those guilty by lacking youth, feebleness, true ignorance or otherwise, will not be a part of eternity if they lack a God guided moral compass. Those who purposefully encourage and indulge their faulty moral compass (or lack thereof) will have no advocate in judgment, having chosen to reject their only hope of salvation. 

Right and Wrong.

Many throughout history from its beginning have kept their moral compass fine tuned without any knowledge of religion, these obey by the heart.

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

God is just, though Satan would have mankind believe otherwise. Satan glories in the millions of mankind he's been able to deceive. Jesus weeps over the loss of them all.  With proper mental faculties capable of discerning between good and evil, each person is accountable for their choices. Because of our extreme frailties towards evil because our senses have been perverted to the extreme so that self, and self-appeasement in any and all ways possible is supreme. Our God has offered us Redemption through Forgiveness should we seek to be forgiven, acknowledging our awful sinful ways, and asking to be forgiven, NOT excusing a single sin. After the very first sin- God told mankind that there was still hope in the form of a Savior to come. This Savior would ultimately destroy all evil, Satan and all that he has wrought from the moment of his first sin. 

Right and Wrong.

To live in a world where there is only right, this is what mankind was created for, not for the tortured existence that sin has introduced us to. Sin lovers, sin excusers, sin promoters, on some level know that sin is wrong- no matter how much they've deluded themselves into making sin seem right, not wrong. There is within them a flicker of comprehension that they snuff out when they are called to choose right over wrong.  Many millions are convinced that sinfulness is good and their right to indulge sin is just that- their right.  Those who comprehend the sinfulness of sin, know differently, they are permitted to understand sin's evilness. We are tortured human beings, so incredibly tortured. Sadness, heartache, pain, engulf us over and over during our lives. And ALL of this torture stems from a single being- Satan. We are allowed to know right and wrong, we are allowed to know the authors of both. We choose which to follow.

Right and Wrong.

We were created, given a likeness of God with the power of choice, a mind of higher comprehension. We know compared to the creatures surrounding us we were created on a different level of existence. Deliberate, not instinctual malice is a trait of mankind, not creature kind. An animal may hurt other animals, but there is no malice involved just an instinctual impulse they act upon. We know right from wrong, they do not. With our God likeness, we have intelligence, to deny this does not make it less truthful.

Right and Wrong.

Ultimately a day will come when everything is made undeniable for all. This is the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Choosing to follow your God driven moral compass allows for salvation. Choosing not to follow your God driving moral compass allows for no chance whatsoever for salvation. Choosing not to believe, gives you no chance for hope. A choice to serve self and have some faint notion of superior thinking because you don't allow for a belief in God is to condemn yourself purposefully allowing for no hope at all for eternity- all because of a deliberate wrong choice. 

God help us all through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!

CHAPTER IV. STEPS OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM Pt 2

Continued…

'Moreover, it is plainly stated that "to obey is better that sacrifice." 1 Sam. 15:22. And Jesus said they call him Lord in vain, and their faith in him is vain, who do not the will of his Father,--if they work iniquity, or, literally, lawlessness. Matt. 7:21-23. 

((Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.))

Eternal life will be given to them who patiently continue in well doing. Rom. 2:7. 

((Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: )) 

The same apostle who taught that we are justified by faith without works, in regard to past sins, also commanded us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Phil. 2:12. 

((Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling))

Another apostle said to the brethren: "Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit." 1 Peter 1:22. This is what is meant by being sanctified through the truth. John 17:17. 

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

And all this fully justifies that expression of James--"Faith without works is dead." James 2:20. And yet, without faith it is not possible to please God (Heb. 11:6), for of ourselves we can do nothing. John 15:5. The grace of God through Christ is necessary in order that we may work to divine acceptance; and love to God is also necessary that our work may be acceptable Christian service as a "work of faith." 1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11. 

1Th 1:3  Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father

2Th 1:11  Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power

And genuine Christian faith is a "faith which worketh by love." Gal. 5:6. And such a faith as this was the faith of Abraham. Of the relation of his faith Paul thus speaks:-

"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; and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised." Rom. 4:11, 12.

This is a very weighty text, fruitful of important considerations.

1. Circumcision was a sign or seal of righteousness. How different this statement from that of the multitude of theologians who assert that it was given as a means to keep the Jews a separate people from the Gentiles. It could not mark a line of separation between the children of Israel and the Ishmaelites and the descendants of Esau. And Paul declares that it was no sign at all to the

unfaithful and disobedient. It was only a separating line between the righteous and the unrighteous. To Abraham it was a sign of the righteousness that he already possessed through faith. "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17), or transgression of the law of God; "for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Abraham had the righteousness of faith, but faith works by love, and love is the fulfilling of the law.

And this shows why the circumcision of the unbelieving Jews was of no value. Being given as a sign of righteousness, the sign signified nothing, if the righteousness were wanting. John says that righteousness is obedience, or the opposite of sin, and therefore Paul thus testifies:--

"For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Rom. 2:25. 

That is, if you keep the law, or maintain the righteousness of which it was the sign, then it is profitable--it has a true meaning. But if you work iniquity, and have not the righteousness required in the law, then your sign becomes no sign; it signifies nothing, for everything is lacking which it was intended to signify. 

2. He became the father of all them that believe, whether circumcised or uncircumcised, who walk in the steps of the faith of Abraham. 

This statement demands careful consideration. Circumcision was given as the sign of righteousness. This righteousness was by faith. But in this, nothing avails but a "faith that worketh by love," and "this is the love of God that we keep his commandments;" and "love is the fulfilling of the law. From all this we are led to the unavoidable conclusion that the steps of the faith of Abraham consisted in obedience to the law of God; and these are the steps which we must follow to be his children indeed. And we are not left to merely draw conclusions, for on this point we have the most explicit testimony. 

Concerning the promises, the Lord said to Isaac:--

"Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and I will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swear unto Abraham thy father; . . . because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Gen. 26:3-5.

We have shown that God's purposes toward man, both providential and gracious, were revealed from the beginning, and these purposes he has never changed. When man sinned and fell, then and there the Creator announced the plan of salvation which has been declared from that day to this; it has never been set aside--nor has other ever been devised. The promises made to Adam were fully explained to Abraham, as their fulfillment was to come through his seed, and these are the foundation and substance of the gospel for all ages. And it is equally reasonable, equally true, equally clearly shown in the Scriptures, that the law of God, the great moral rule of right, was also

revealed in the beginning, and has been repeated from age to age, and has come down the same through all dispensations. It would be strange indeed if it were not so. Man's moral nature was conferred in his creation, and all his moral relations are a necessity of his nature. They have been neither augmented nor diminished since his creation. And the moral law is necessary in order to the development of character according to man's nature and relations. Where there is no law, says the scripture, there is no transgression; and it is equally true that where there is no law there is no obedience. Therefore without law there can be no character developed, either good or bad. If God had given man no law, he might just as well have made him an unreasoning creature, for he could have formed no more character than the brutes.

Noah was righteous before God, while the wickedness of the people was great, and the thoughts of their hearts were only evil. Gen. 6:5; 7:1. Lot also was righteous, while the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners exceedingly. Gen. 13:13. Of course Noah and Lot did righteousness, while the people around them transgressed the law of God; for they were sinners, and sin is the transgression of the law, and "sin is not imputed where there is no law." Rom. 5:13. But their sins were imputed to them. Peter says that the righteous soul of Lot was vexed with the "unlawful deeds" of the men of Sodom. 2 Peter 2:6-8. 

2Pe 2:6  And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 

2Pe 2:7  And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 

2Pe 2:8  (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 

To be continued…

Continue In Well Doing- Patiently.

 Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life

Well doing- doing right-choosing God first, choosing others next, choosing self last. We must patiently continue in this because to do otherwise is to give up on right over wrong. We must patiently continue following God and His way over our own.  Any glory and honor we will find in our ultimate immortality, eternal life. We choose no glory or honor now, just as our Savior chose no glory or honor when He ministered upon earth in the flesh of humanity. No glory and honor now… in the smallest matters to the largest… no glory and honor now. Yet how often we do seek to have glory and honor come our way with the constant praising of our good deeds tiny as they may be. We seek this, we want this, we crave gratitude as our right for doing what we should be doing without any praise at all, and surely without any honor. We crave desperately to be praised, and feel affronted when we go without praise for even the smallest action we may do for another. Our need for constant affirmation of being and doing good things has been perverted, right along with our arrogance. Some need praise, some need no praise because they have the false belief that they are infallibly wonderful all on their own. They shrug off compliments as being beneath them, they give honor and glory to themselves in great quantities. Two extremes, and so many of us seem to live between the two to some degree. Where we are supposed to live is surrendered. We are supposed to live desiring only honor and glory for God! No honor or glory for ourselves- not in any manner, whether in longing for or believing we have all the glory and honor already. God HELP us to live in continuing patience in well doing- that well doing being God's will. Let all glory and honor be given to eternity with the One deserving of all glory and honor, our LORD Jesus Christ!  Please, all through the love of our LORD now and forever, through His mercy and grace, His forgiveness! Amen!

The Faith of Abraham Pt. 1

 After Adam sinned he still lived over 900 years. During those 900 years of Adam's life you can be sure that the Creation truth was taught. God as Creator was known. The fact that man forfeited a life with God for a life with the father of lies, Satan, was known. The truth was told to all successive generations. God as a reality was known. The flood took place 1600 some years after creation. During that time, again, you can know for a fact that the knowledge of God was known. We like to imagine that man was left Godless after they sinned and that's why man became so bad they needed to be destroyed by a flood, that's not the truth. God has never left mankind. The truth is God told man that there was a redemption plan BEFORE they were banned from the Garden of Eden, they had the hope of a future redemption before they left God's presence! You can be sure this was shared intimately with all successive generations. And then after the flood you know the truth of Noah was spoken and shared along with Creation's truth, and Man's Fall truth, and the Promised Redemption truth. These truths were not lost sight of, not at all. Mankind KNEW the truth, and just like you and I, all of mankind has to decide what they'll do with the truth that is available for all to know.  We know most of all mankind chose to disregard the truth and the result was almost complete annihilation, they KNEW the truth and chose to ignore it in favor of their self-serving lusts. After the Flood mankind's descent into self-serving didn't take long. Still today mankind's self-serving reigns supreme. God help us all! We know the TRUTH just as Adam knew the truth, as Noah knew the truth, as Abraham knew the truth… we know the TRUTH. May our faith be that of Abraham, may our faith be helped by our Savior! All through His amazing love! All in His name, the name Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior! Amen!

'CHAPTER IV. STEPS OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM

"And Abram believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness." Gen. 15:6.

At first glance it might be thought one of the simplest things imaginable to believe the Lord; indeed, it might seem to be a proposition too monstrous to be entertained for a moment, that any people would not believe God. Nevertheless it is true that firm, unwavering belief in the word of God is very rare in the world.

Ever since Satan instilled a spirit of distrust into the heart of the mother of our race, and led her to question the righteousness of God in defining her duties and her privileges, the human family have constantly manifested that same distrust, have ever developed that same spirit of rebellion against the word and appointments of God. And so deeply is this spirit inwoven into our natures that, while we stand astonished at the fact of this rebelliousness in the race, we ourselves live in the very atmosphere of rebellion, and our hearts are moved and our lives are fashioned by distrust.

When we consider the words of the apostle, that he that believeth not the record that God hath given, hath made him a liar (1 John 5:10), it looks every way just that God should require faith on the part of his creatures. And it seems strange that the self same ones who question the propriety of God's exacting faith in his word, consider it a grievous offense, worthy of all condemnation, for any to charge them with being liars. As if their names and their reputation were more worthy of respect than the name and word of the Most High! But it is suggested that the Creator is so high, so exalted in his majesty and power, that we may well consider it unworthy of him, beneath his dignity, to exact belief and worship of feeble mortals. But his majesty and power, his exalted position as Governor and Judge of all, are the considerations that make it necessary that his creatures should have faith in him, and should worship him. The more exalted the Governor, the more extensive his government, the greater injury is done to the peace and welfare of his citizens if his authority is denied. 

When men refuse to worship God, it is because they desire either to exalt themselves in rebellion, or to transfer their allegiance to some object utterly unworthy of their esteem. 

Whatever may be the motive, its tendency is to anarchy--to the destruction of order and the rights of the people. All that God requires to the maintaining of his own honor and authority is for the

security of justice and the welfare of his creatures. 

There was a time when all the people of the earth had the knowledge of God. From the creation to the flood was one thousand six hundred and fifty-five years;  of this period Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years, and until one hundred and twenty-six years before the birth of Noah. During this time lived Enoch--one of the most godly men that ever dwelt upon the earth, which shows that there were sincere and faithful worshipers of God in that age. Noah lived three hundred and fifty years after the flood, and Shem, his son, lived until Abraham was about one hundred and fifty years old; or, till about seventy-five years after Abraham was called into the land of Canaan. These things show how easily was the knowledge of God, and of the fact of creation, preserved for several thousands of years. Besides this knowledge being transmitted from a father unto his sons' sons, unto many generations, God was continually revealing himself unto his servants by visions, by dreams, by the visits of angels, etc. 

The flood did not come, and the Lord did not confound the language of the people, because of their ignorance. They did not sin ignorantly. These calamities befell them because, as Paul said, "They did not like to retain God in their knowledge," and, "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful." Rom. 1:28, 21.

While almost the whole world were turning away from God, Abraham stood as a bright example, a very pattern of faith, reverently listening to every word that God spoke to him. In this respect he has scarcely been equaled in any age. 

But faith is far more than mere consent; more than the easy acceptance of the statement of a fact. It is taking the word of God as an obedient and affectionate child takes the word of a loving father. It is the hearty acquiescence in the word of God, in every action and feeling. Such was the faith of Abraham. It was active and efficient in its operation. "Faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect." James 2:22.

While it is a truth clearly revealed that the blood of Christ cleanses from all unrighteousness, and it alone can cleanse from sin, it must also be true that we are justified by faith alone "for the remission of sins that are past." Rom. 3:24-28. Over past sins our future actions can have no influence. But not so in the formation of Christian character; not so in reference to our final salvation. Faith in the blood of Christ removes sin, and saves from its curse; obedience to the moral rule of right prevents sin. Inasmuch as Jesus came to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21), he came to put away sin (Heb. 9:26), it is evident that prevention as well as cure is incorporated into the gospel plan of salvation.'

To be continued…

They WITH Us. From Eden to Eden Pt 6

 Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, Samuel, prophets…

Heb 11:39,40 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

They without us.

They did not receive the promise then.  They will receive the promise, along with us. We will all have a good report through faith, all who receive the promise to come, when our Savior returns for His people. All at once, all at the same time- they WITH us WILL be made perfect, whole in Christ Jesus, this is a promise!

CHAPTER III. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

1. The Token. (Circumcision- flesh/heart)

2. The Seed. 

Continuing from yesterday-

3. The Land. 

While the truth concerning the other two points, the seal (token) and the seed, are quite readily, or even generally admitted, it is quite as generally supposed that the gift of the land was a promise of temporary benefit, and that it was fulfilled to the literal descendants of Abraham, the twelve tribes of Israel. On this point it will be necessary to present several considerations, which clearly show that the promise remains to be fulfilled.

1. According to the argument in Hebrews, chapters 3 and 4, the land of Canaan bore the same relation to the true rest that remains to the people of God, that Moses and Joshua bore to Christ. As Christ was the prophet like unto Moses, Deut. 18:15; as he is the true leader of the Israel of God, to cause them to inherit the promise, as Joshua did in type; so the land of Canaan, temporarily possessed by the tribes of Israel, was but a type of the everlasting inheritance

promised to Abraham and to his seed.

2. The promise of the land was not merely to the twelve tribes of Israel; it was to Abraham and his seed. We have seen that the seed to whom the promise was made is Christ; and it is a fact clearly set down in the Bible, that neither Abraham nor his seed, Christ, ever inherited the land that was promised to them. And therefore, if they do not inherit this land in the future, the words of Jehovah will be broken--a thing that cannot be contemplated for a moment. Of this Stephen spoke in his sermon: of Abraham he said that the Lord "gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on; yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child." Acts 7:5. So also it is written in Heb. 11:9: "By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise." 

So entirely was it true that he inherited no part of the land that was promised to him, that the only part of the land to which Abraham ever laid any manner of claim, was a cave and field in Hebron, which he bought from the Canaanites for a place to bury his dead. But this promise stands on record, as the unfailing word of Jehovah.

As with Abraham, so with his seed; Christ spent all his earthly life in the land of promise, yet himself declared that while the foxes had holes, and the birds of the air had nests, the Son of man had not where to lay his head. It is a fact, that after the time of his youthful subjection to his parents, he had no home. The coming of night found him at the homes of his friends in various parts of the country, or in the desert, or in the mountain, or over on the trackless sea. But on earth there was no place to which he could go and say he was at home. Yet he was the seed to whom the promise of the land was made, and the promise still stands in the Scriptures of truth.

Again, as we, believers in Christ, are the seed of Abraham, to be blessed with faithful Abraham, so says Paul, we are heirs according to the promise. Gal. 3:29. It is not a vain thing to be heirs of Abraham; he had a valuable inheritance by promise to bequeath to his children. Have the saints inherited the promise? No; they have not been superior in privileges to Abraham and to Christ. Jesus said to his disciples: "In the world ye shall have tribulation." John 16:22. And Peter said

to his brethren, that they were strangers and pilgrims. 1 Pet. 2:11. And such they must be if they are partakers in this world with Abraham, the father of the faithful, and with the Lord Jesus Christ their example.

3. Another fact, proving that the possession of the land of Canaan was only typical of the true inheritance, is that Abraham is declared to be the heir of the world. Rom.4:13. He and his sons, heirs with him of the same promise, "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." Heb. 11:17. Go where they would, they found themselves homeless; they had no inheritance here, but "died in faith, not having received the promises."

4. And as with Abraham, so with all his seed; they are all heirs of the world. Said Jesus, "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. To inherit is to possess by heirship. The meek can inherit the earth only as being Abraham's seed, and heirs with him of the promise of the land--the earth. Jesus quoted this promise from Ps. 37:11, which contains a double promise, namely: "The meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Go to Hebrews 11, and learn whether this has been the lot of the meek in the present world. Ask the martyrs if in this world they delighted themselves in the abundance of peace. Ask them that have lived godly in Christ Jesus whether they have inherited the earth with abundance of peace, or whether they had to suffer persecution. 2 Tim. 3:12. Tell us if Jesus did not speak the truth when he said that his followers should have tribulation in the world. But yet the promise stands, that the meek shall inherit the earth. Admit that the time is coming when Abraham, and Christ, and those who are his by faith, shall have a peaceful inheritance of the earth, and the Scriptures are clear, harmonious, and beautiful. And thus, and only thus, can the promises of God be verified.

5. Another and most decisive fact is, that the inheritance is to be redeemed. Circumcision was given to Abraham as a token, or assurance of the faithfulness of God to fulfill his promise. And thus Paul says of the true circumcision, the seal of the covenant: "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest [assurance] of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." Eph. 1:13, 14. 

Here are recognized, (1) our inheritance; (2) that it has been purchased; (3) that it remains to be redeemed; and (4) that we have the earnest of the Spirit to assure us that we shall certainly

possess that inheritance. 

But from what is it to be redeemed? If our inheritance is just what the Scriptures say it is, namely, the earth, then the question is easily answered. It is to be redeemed from the curse which Satan was instrumental in bringing upon it. But if it is claimed that it is something else, or somewhere else, then we cannot conceive how the question can be answered. And this leads us to notice,--

6. That the misapprehension on this subject arises largely from the error of losing sight of the identity of the work of the seed of the woman, and that of the seed of Abraham; from overlooking the harmony and the unity of the divine plan for the recovery of that which was lost in the fall. "The seed," of Gen. 3:15, is identical with "the seed," of Gen. 12:7. Christ is the one individual referred to in both promises. It is Abraham's seed that shall bruise the head of the serpent; and the seed of the woman shall possess the land. What is said in either case applies also to the other. Now it is written that the Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8. In order effectually to thwart the designs of the enemy of all righteousness, Christ must reverse every condition, and restore every loss, which resulted from the introduction of sin into Eden. By Satan's deception Adam was robbed of his innocency, by reason of which he transmitted tendencies to his posterity, and brought them under the influence of sinful surroundings. He brought a curse upon his dominion, so that the lovely earth which God pronounced very good, over the creation of which the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy (Job. 38:4-7), was caused to bring forth thorns and thistles and poisonous weeds; and the animals which were made subject to man, have become wild and ferocious, and even man is the enemy of his fellow-man. The earth itself groans beneath the weight of its corruption and its curse, and the angels of Heaven weep over the triumphs of the enemy, temporary though they are. Shall Satan's triumph be forever? If so, then Christ died in vain; then were the promises made in vain.

Let us behold at a glance what was lost, and what must be done for its recovery.

Adam Lost He Left Us The Seed Must

1. His innocence. 1. Sinful. 1. Take away our Sin.

2. His Dominion. 2. Homeless. 2. Restore the Dominion.

3. His Life. 3. Dying. 3. Give us Life.

If there should be a failure in any of these points, then the failure would be complete, for just so far would Satan remain triumphant. But who could entertain the idea that God would suffer his purpose in creating the world to be forever frustrated by Satan? The angel said that Jesus should save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21); and this, to the glory of his grace he is now accomplishing. And he has promised also to give unto his people eternal life (John 10:28); and this promise we all believe will be fulfilled. And he also said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Matt. 5:5. When all this is accomplished, then all the works of the devil will be destroyed. All that Adam lost will be restored by the seed of the woman; the children of Abraham shall inherit the promise; the inheritance shall be redeemed--that is, the earth shall be made new; the counsel of God shall stand; his purpose will be fulfilled; not a word of the Most High shall fail.

7. This is strongly confirmed by the following impressive fact. All admit that Christ bore the curse for man on the cross; "for it is written, cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Gal. 3:13. But it is not so well considered that there was a peculiar significance in his being crowned with thorns by the soldiers. They put a purple robe upon him; and a reed in his hand, thus signifying that he was a king. They also crowned him, but with thorns--the emblem of the curse put upon the earth. The curse was brought by the wile of Satan. And as they smote him with the reed, and drove the thorns into his brow, and the blood ran down his face, that blood drawn by the thorns, the curse of the earth, was the surety of the earth's redemption. God made the world to be inhabited; he gave it to the children of men; and his purpose will not fail, for the children of men shall inherit and possess it forever, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace, when God shall make all things new. Rev. 21:1-5.

From Eden to Eden-A Historic and Prophetic Study. 

By J. H. Waggoner. 1890

From Eden to Eden Pt 5

 

CHAPTER III. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

1. The Token. (Circumcision- flesh/heart)

Continued from yesterday…

2. The Seed. 

First we will notice Paul's application of that term.

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as  of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ." Gal. 3:16.  ((Now to Abraham and (CHRIST) his seed…))

Some have said that the conclusion of the apostle is far-fetched, not truly in accordance with the letter of the promise. But we think not so. Whatever may be thought of the method of his argument, of his peculiar use of the grammatical number of the term, the conclusion itself is so evident that it scarcely calls for any argument. For a moment consider the similar expression in Gen. 3:15. It is here said that the seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent; and no one stops for a moment to argue that this promise was not said "of many;" all perceive at once that it must be considered as spoken "of one, which is Christ." And likewise when it was said to David, "I will raise up thy seed after thee, which shall be of thy sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne forever" (1 Chron. 17:11, 12), it is well understood that his seed to whom his throne shall be established forever, is Christ. Compare Luke 1:32, 33. ((Luk 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  Luk 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.))

In the promise to both Adam and David, the circumstances imperatively demand that the term "seed" be referred to Christ, and not to their posterity in general. And so also in the case of Abraham. It is just as unreasonable to apply this word here to any but Christ, as in the other cases. 

But we are met with the objection that all the faithful are called Abraham's seed; that he is the father of all them that believe. True, but this gives the term one remove from its first, or first supposed, meaning. Granted that it was for many generations mostly supposed to refer to Abraham's natural descendants only, and that it referred to all of them.

Now it is readily seen that outward circumcision could not serve the purpose for which the seal was given; for, while it was said, "In Isaac shall thy seed be called," Ishmael and his posterity were circumcised, as well as Isaac and his children. The sons of Ishmael made the same boast, that they had Abraham to their father. And Esau, as well as Jacob, descended from Isaac.

The decisive fact on this point is this: Though all true believers are the children of Abraham, they are such ONLY through Christ. "If ye are Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3:29. If ye are not Christ's, then ye are not Abraham's seed--ye are not heirs. Christ is the true seed to whom the promises were made; he is the only one that can confer heirship; the only one who can constitute us the seed of Abraham. Being so constituted, we are "heirs of God," but only as being "joint heirs with Christ."

Rom. 8:17. We are not natural heirs; we are heirs by adoption. Verse 15. We are brought nigh unto God by the blood of Christ. Eph. 2:13, 16. 

The promises to Abraham belong truly to Christ; he is the heir, and we, being united to him, are Abraham's seed and heirs of God. 

This point is quite beyond dispute. 

From Eden to Eden-A Historic and Prophetic Study.  Part 3

By J. H. Waggoner. 1890

From Eden to Eden Pt 4

From Eden to Eden-A Historic and Prophetic Study.  Part 3

By J. H. Waggoner. 1890

CHAPTER III. THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT

In Genesis 17 we find the promises which God made to the fathers taking the specific form of a covenant, of which circumcision was given as the seal. It was the token or sign whereby his children were to be distinguished from other people as a holy nation. "And the uncircumcised manchild whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant." Gen. 17:14.

Now we have before us the three terms that cover the entire field of the covenant with Abraham; namely, the Land, the Seed, and the Token. We must trace these to their extent or full meaning in order to come to a complete understanding of the covenant. For the benefit of those who have never considered them as having any positive relation to each other in the gospel, we shall take them up in reverse order, examining first those which are to some extent accepted by all Christians.

1. The Token. 

The Lord said to Abraham, "And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you." Gen. 17:11. 

It is generally supposed that the great majority of the people of Israel understood the token of the covenant, circumcision, only in its most literal sense. But that may well be doubted. According to Heb. 4:1, 2, (Heb 4:1  Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. Heb 4:2  For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.) they who fell in the wilderness of Arabia had the gospel preached to them, though there are many who fail to discover wherein they could have understood the gospel. It is clearly revealed that they were taught the spiritual nature of the covenant with Abraham, and the real intent of circumcision. Thus it was said in Deut. 10:16: "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked." And again in chapter 30:6, Moses said to them: "And the Lord thy God will circumcise thy 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." And many years after this, the same was spoken by the prophet: "Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem." Jer. 4:4.

These scriptures show that the true intent of the ordinance was revealed to Israel; and no doubt all the faithful, devoted ones among them, all who searched to know the ways of God, well understood the subject, even as they saw the sacrifice of the Messiah in the daily offerings upon their altars; just as we see the body and blood of the Saviour in the Lord's supper. No one can doubt that Abraham understood the true nature of the covenant then made, and we are informed that he received circumcision as a seal of righteousness. But in process of time, as traditions supplanted the word of God, and the fear of God was taught by the precept of men, Isa. 29:13, it is likely that they largely lost sight of the spirituality of the covenant, and regarded circumcision only in its outward sense.

The covenant that God made with Abraham has never been disannulled. It is the covenant of salvation from the effects of the fall. And, therefore, it is the plan for carrying out the promise made to Adam, that the seed of the woman should bruise the head of the serpent. He who does not see this relation of the Abrahamic covenant to the original promise of Gen. 3:15, reads it amiss. 

The token of that covenant remains, the true circumcision according to what God revealed to the children of Israel. The external has passed entirely away, as Paul said to the Romans: "Neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; . . . circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter." Rom. 2:28, 29. In Rom. 4:11, circumcision is called both a sign and a seal. Therefore in Eph. 1:13, the apostle says: "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." Also in Eph. 4:30, he said: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." And as it was said to Abraham, the uncircumcised shall be cut off from among his people, even so now. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Rom. 8:9. He has not the true token or seal of the covenant; he shall be cut off. An outward seal was given only to the males, but that distinction is put away with the passing away of the external. The true seal is applied to all, for "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Gal. 3:28. That this part of the covenant with Abraham remains, in the sense in which it was spoken of by Moses and Jeremiah, no one denies. And the same may be said of the next point.

To be continued…