Jesus Shall Reign Where’er The Sun

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun 
Doth his successive journeys run; 
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, 
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. 

To Him shall endless prayer be made, 
And praises throng to crown His head; 
His Name like sweet perfume shall rise 
With every morning sacrifice. 

Blessings abound where’er He reigns: 
The prisoner leaps to loose his chains, 
The weary find eternal rest, 
And all the sons of want are blest. 

Let every creature rise and bring 
Peculiar honours to the King; 
Angels, descend with songs again 
And, earth, repeat the loud Amen.

—Isaac Watts (1674-1748)

Bowing In The Kingdom

By Paul Alberts

Recently, when I was thinking of the Lord Jesus Christ and the “kingdom,” the first Bible passage that came to my mind was about the Lord Jesus’ entering Jerusalem prior to His death – commonly celebrated today as “Palm Sunday.” The crowds welcomed Him “shouting, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David; Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest!’” (Mt. 21:9 NASB). Just days later we see the same crowds crying out for the Lord to be crucified, showing hatred rather than love and proving that their public recognition of Him as their King (seen in their expression “Son of David”) had no real meaning in their hearts.

This presents a challenge for all of us who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as we consider the kingdom of God and its significance today. Do we truly live as those who are in God’s kingdom, bowing as loyal and faithful subjects with hearts filled with adoration?

The kingdom is presented in several different ways in Scripture. The two most frequent expressions are “kingdom of God” and “kingdom of heaven.” The Concise Bible Dictionary tells us that “in many respects the two expressions are identical, but the ‘kingdom of heaven’ occurs in the gospel of Matthew only, and stands in contrast to the Messiah on earth. It refers to the rule of that which God has set in heaven, and commenced when Christ went to heaven. It may be illustrated by the lights which God set in the heavens to give light and to rule the earth. The ‘kingdom of God’ is more connected with the moral state established in man.”

“Moral,” we are reminded, is concerned with what is right – the behaviors and beliefs related to what is and is not acceptable according to God’s Word. In other words, the awesome aspects of the kingdom of God are directly connected with what we view as being right and how we behave. They become very practical.

May we take note of the lessons that God gives to us in this month’s articles so we may act and think rightly, bringing honor and glory to our God and King! Let us bow before Him in every way.

Magazine February 2015

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Emphasis: Fully Committed? -Paul Alberts
Worship: The Burnt Offering -Clarence E. Stuart
Feature: Sold Out For Christ -Timothy P. Hadley
Feature: The Committed Servant -Alan H. Crosby
Feature: Give Me This Mountain -Warren Henderson
Feature: I Surrender All -Martin Girard
Issues: Gods Remedy For Our Problems -Jacob Redekop
Serving: The Witness Of A Little Girl -Hank Blok
Discover: Discover Questions -Alan Groth
Series: Divine Titles And Their Significance -A. J. Pollock
Overview: 1 Chronicles -Leslie M. Grant
YouAsked: Did Paul sin by not obeying the Holy Spirit? -Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.
GoodNews: Let Go Of The Twig! -Raymond K. Campbell
Full Magazine PDF: Magazine PDF

Let Go Of The Twig!

By Raymond K. Campbell

During a gospel revival in Scotland, a certain lady became concerned about her salvation. Several of her friends had been saved, and feeling some anxiety herself, she went to a preacher and told him she was unhappy. He replied that he was glad to hear it!

Astonished and somewhat offended, she told the minister what efforts she had made to obtain salvation; how she had read and prayed, but still seemed as far from peace with God as ever. He then told her that it was not by anything that she could do, but by what Christ had done long ago and finished on the cross, that she was to be saved.

This all seemed mysterious to her, so she visited her friend who had recently been converted. She asked her what she had done to obtain the wonderful peace with God of which she spoke.

“Done? I have done nothing! It is by what Christ has done that I have obtained peace with God,” her friend replied.

“That is just what the minister told me, but I cannot understand it,” the lady answered. Then she went home very distressed.

Shutting herself in her room, she fell on her knees, resolving that she would not rise till she found rest and peace. After some time in agony she fell asleep. While sleeping, she dreamed that she was falling over a frightful precipice, but caught hold of a single twig which overhung the abyss beneath.

She clung to this twig, crying aloud for help. Then a voice from below, which she knew to be the voice of Jesus, told her to let go of the twig and He would receive and save her. “Lord, save me!” she cried; but the voice again answered, “Let go of the twig.” She did not dare to let go of the twig, but continued crying, “Lord, save me!”

At last, the One below, whose voice she heard but whom she did not see, said in the most tender and solemn tones, “I cannot save you, unless you let go of the twig!” In desperation she let go and fell into the arms of Jesus; and the joy of finding herself there awoke her.

The lesson forcibly impressed on her God’s way of salvation. She saw that Jesus was worthy of all her trust and it was by holding to the twig that she kept herself away from Christ! So she let go of all her self-efforts and found Jesus all sufficient. Now she enjoyed that wonderful peace with God which is only through the Lord Jesus Christ.

What about you? Are you at peace with God? Do you know your sins are all forgiven? Are you resting in the arms of Jesus and in His finished work on Calvary’s cross? If you are not trusting and resting totally in Christ for salvation, and ceasing to cling to any merits or efforts of your own, you will never enjoy peace with God and never reach heaven.

Listen to the heavenly voice that calls to you, “There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isa. 45:21-22 NKJV). 

Christ is a complete Savior and the only Savior. If you want to be saved you must let go of every other hope and let yourself fall into His powerful, saving arms. If you are striving, trying and clinging, you are not trusting in His ability to save you and bring you safely to heaven.

Christ did not come to help save sinners. No, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Tim. 1:15). “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). He must do all the work. Therefore, dear reader – as a guilty, helpless, perishing sinner – you must surrender yourself to Christ and let Him save you! We can tell you more.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Ti. 3:5). “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Did Paul sin by not obeying the Holy Spirit?

QUESTION:In Acts 21, Agabus was led of the Holy Spirit to warn Paul about the danger in Jerusalem, but Paul went anyway. Did Paul sin by not obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit?

Answered by Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

ANSWER: It is important to examine God’s Word carefully to see what He is saying on its sacred pages and what He is not saying. Looking back a few chapters we find in Acts 16:6 that Paul and the brothers with him “were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word in Asia” (NKJV). Verse 7 adds: “They tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.” These verses show plainly and simply that on this trip Paul and his companions followed the directions of the Holy Spirit and did not go where He forbade or did not permit them to go to preach the Word. Are we to think that they later were less subject to His leading?

In Acts 20 and 21 we find Paul toward the end of his next trip heading to Jerusalem. He and the brothers with him were carrying the love gift sent by the assemblies in Macedonia and Achaia for needy saints in Jerusalem. In various Scriptures we read of his love for his fellow Jewish countrymen and his great desire to see them saved. In fact, in Romans 9:3-4 he goes so far as to say, “I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites.” How he desired their salvation!

Again and again on this journey the Holy Spirit warned Paul what lay before him in Jerusalem. “Now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me, but none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,” he told the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20:22-24). The Holy Spirit was not forbidding him to go, but was warning him of the consequences his going would entail. Paul went on, not deterred by that which lay before him.

At Caesarea in the house of Philip the evangelist, Paul received his final warning (Acts 21:1-14). The prophet Agabus came down from Jerusalem and “took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, ‘Thus says the Holy Spirit, “So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.”’” Notice, this was no prohibition. But, it was a very vivid demonstration of what would happen to Paul if he persisted in going on to Jerusalem.

Both the brothers traveling with him and those at Caesarea “pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul was not to be dissuaded. Realizing what he was being warned about, he answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” The brothers then accepted his decision, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” Notice again: There is no mention of any prohibition or of any disobedience on the part of Paul. Nor do we find any negative comments or reproaches addressed to Paul, nor is anything said in subsequent chapters that would indicate that Paul had sinned. He had made his decision and he was willing to suffer the consequences.

Plans Paul had made and shared with the Roman saints in Romans 15:22-33 to visit them and then go on to Spain after his visit in Jerusalem did not materialize as he had planned. He had asked for their prayers in view of the dangers before him and that his service in Jerusalem might be acceptable to the saints. Coming to Rome as a prisoner on appeal to the emperor may have seemed like a far cry from coming “in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ,” as he had wished. To what extent the saints at Rome got to enjoy this we do not know. But God’s saints down through the ages have benefited greatly for several of the choicest epistles in the New Testament stem from Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. For these we thank God.

Long before these events the Lord had told Paul, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me … Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:17-21). The Lord of the harvest knows where and why He assigns to every one of His servants his own particular place and work. It is always best to submit to His will when we know it. But who are we to call this honored apostle’s pressing on to Jerusalem in love for his people when warned of the consequences that would ensue from this, sin?

There are many things we do not understand, but we can agree fully with Paul who wrote that “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

1 Chronicles

“O Lord, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things.”

—1 Chronicles 17:19 NKJV

By Leslie M. Grant

This book summarizes God’s ways of grace toward Israel in reference mainly to the reign of David, the man after God’s own heart. The two books of Chronicles are therefore similar to Deuteronomy, for they are a review from the standpoint of God’s grace. Saul’s reign is not mentioned, but only his sad end in battle. Saul is typical of man in the flesh, who can receive or exemplify nothing of the grace of God. David, however, is a type of Christ, in whom that grace is preciously manifested. Also, no mention is made of David’s 71/2 year reign in Hebron over Judah alone, but only of his reigning over all Israel; for the grace of God embraces all of His people, not merely a part.

The glaring moral evils that affected the house of David are silently dropped from the record here. David’s grievous sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, the sin of David’s son Amnon, and the proud rebellion of Absalom are not mentioned. On the other hand, much is said of David’s preparation and great provision of materials for Solomon to build the temple. This, too, was for the display of the glory and grace of God.

David’s history then is seen here, not as a biography of the man or even officially as king, but as typical of Christ. Thus, those events are dwelt on that show him most strikingly in this character.

This column is taken from the book: “The Bible, Its 66 Books In Brief.” 
It is available for purchase from Believers Bookshelf USA.

Divine Titles and their Significance

Part Four: We continue this month by considering several more divine titles of the Old Testament.

By A. J. Pollack

Jah: Contraction Of Jehovah
This is a contraction of Jehovah, occurring 43 times in the Old Testament and always translated “LORD” in most translations. With 5 exceptions, these all occur in the Psalms, the first being Psalm 77:11. The last is in Psalm 150:6, twice repeating this sacred name in the psalm’s closing verse, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD [Jah]. Praise the LORD [Jah].”

Adon: Lord, Master 
This name as referring to God occurs first in Exodus 23:17 and is the singular of Adonai. It occurs 300 times in the Old Testament under the names “lord” or “master.” It refers far more often to earthly masters, kings, rulers and great men than to God. It is easily seen by the context whether the name applies to God or to an earthly master.

Eloah: God, An Object For Worship 
This name for God is the singular of Elohim and means “God, the Object of worship.” Its first occurrence is found in Deuteronomy 32:15, “But Jeshurun [a poetical name for the children of Israel] grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, you grew thick, you are obese! Then he forsook God [Eloah] who made him, and scornfully esteemed the Rock of his salvation.”

This name occurs over 50 times in the Old Testament, 41 times in Job. Seeing that Job gives us the story of the conflict between God and Job, it is understandable that this name for God should find a large place there. Job not only learned himself in the presence of God but he was likewise blessed in the true knowledge of God, from which flows the only true happiness.

The Lord (Adon) Of All The Earth 
This title of God, consisting of six words, sets forth His wide dominion. It only occurs three times in the Old Testament – in Joshua 3:11,13 and Zechariah 6:5. The verses in Joshua bring before us the striking scene of the ark (typical of Christ in resurrection) being carried over the Jordan River by the priests, thus preparing the way for the Israelites to pass over to take possession of the land of Canaan. How cheering to them that the Lord of All the Earth should give them a possession where they could live – prophetic of the time when the Son of Man shall take possession of the whole earth and “The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

The portion in Zechariah brings before us the fact that the Lord of All the Earth has agencies everywhere, ready to carry out His will in relation to mankind. We read, “These are four spirits of heaven, who go out from their station before the Lord of all the earth” (Zech. 6:5).

The vision here teaches that behind all man’s apparent arranging and planning, God is directing earthly affairs for His own wise purposes and glory in the government of this world. In these four spirits is seen prophetically the rise and fall of the four great world-empires, first indicated in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image made of gold, silver, brass and iron – the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Grecian and Roman empires. We await the revival of this last empire in these closing days [which we undoubtedly are seeing being formed in the current European Union].

Elah: An Object Of Worship 
This name for God occurs 89 times and, with one exception (Jer. 11:11), is found only in Ezra and Daniel. The name means “an object of worship.” Occasionally it is applied to man-made gods, but otherwise to the only One to whom the word rightly belongs. In Ezra it occurs 43 times and always in connection with the building of the temple in the time of Zerubbabel and Joshua, and the verses that follow. While building the temple, surrounded by cruel and fanatical foes and with little strength of their own, we can understand how they turned to God again and again during their difficulties. 

Elah occurs 45 times in Daniel. In that book it is strikingly connected with the expression, the God of Heaven, which occurs 5 times. How naturally Daniel and his companions would turn to the God of Heaven when in a land of idols and captive in a strange country. What a resource is God to His people in all similar times and circumstances! GT

Related thoughts shared by Walter Scott
(adapted from The Bible Handbook)
God: Eloah
Israel, as a nation, was placed in the midst of an idolatrous world as a testimony against the gross idolatry and corruption of those not believing in God. It was also a witness to the unity of Jehovah – to Him who is alone and one in power, wisdom and goodness; in contrast to the numerous gods and deities of the world. An integral [necessary, basic] part of all divine testimony since the days of Abram is that “our God is one Lord” (Mk. 12:29; 1 Tim. 2:5 KJV). Thus where the idolatry of Jew or Gentile with their many gods and lords is in question, Eloah is generally used as being the name and expression of the only living and true God, the object of all testimony and worship.
To the unbelieving and idolatrous people, God sent a message in their own language that their gods (elohim) shall certainly perish from the earth and from under heaven (Jer. 10:11). This threat will be executed in the day of Jehovah’s anger, as Isaiah 2:18 solemnly tells us: “The idols He shall utterly abolish.”

Lord Of All The Earth
In taking possession of “all the earth,” of which Canaan was an example of what is to come and Joshua a type of the Lord in the taking of the inheritance, God selected this easily understood and fitting title. Under it the people crossed the Jordan and undertook the conquest of the land. When, however, the highly favored people would dare to connect God’s blessed name and presence with their evil and idolatry, God could but leave the earth, no longer having a home or throne in it. Thus, Ezekiel witnesses the glory (the divine majesty and divine presence) slowly moving away from Jerusalem and going toward its native home (Ezek. 1-11). To have remained in the defiled temple (Ezek. 8) or sanctioned [shown approval for] the iniquity of the throne would have been to lower His character, deny Himself and tarnish His glory as God. Governmental power, therefore, passed over from Jerusalem to Babylon, and from that important moment we date “the times of the Gentiles” (Lk. 21:24; Dan. 2). God could not sanction iniquity by His presence – although governmentally He might bless the power conferred upon the Gentiles – so long as His people were held in captivity by these powers and the cities of Judah laid waste. Hence, when the cause of Israel is again taken up the title will be re-asserted (Rev. 11:4, compare with Zechariah 4 and 6:5).

Nebuchadnezzer lauded the God of Heaven but not the Lord of All the Earth – that title only being taken up when Israel’s place of supremacy in the earth and amongst the nations is being made good. The central part of Revelation is God’s assertion of His right and title to the earth; the consequence being days of wrath and terror upon man – especially upon apostate Judaism and Christendom. These judgments will inspire such fear in the wicked that they will haste to give glory to the “God of heaven” (Rev. 11:13). But that is not the title expressive of the character of these awful days and times. Men will cheerfully own God’s title to heaven, His right to dwell and govern there, for, after all, that keeps God and man at a distance. However, when He announces His settled purpose to again take up this earth, to wrest it from the power and grasp of Satan, men will sternly refuse to own the title “God of the earth.” So the storm of divine judgment will roll on: the seals broken, the trumpets blown and the vials poured out. The thick black clouds will break and burst until the guilty world is thoroughly swept by the broom of destruction. Then the song from heaven will break upon a joyous and redeemed creation: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

This, then, is a title which God asserted at the conquest of Canaan and will establish by power in judgment after the day of grace is closed, introducing the setting up of His kingdom on earth.

God Of Heaven
We have about 20 instances of this interesting title in the Scriptures. It is only found twice in the New Testament (in Revelation), but it occurs eight times in the book of Ezra. The book of Ezra details the religious state of the returned remnant from Babylon. God most graciously permitted a considerable number of His people to return to the city and land of Immanuel, but they did so under Gentile permission and protection. When returned they got blessing from God, but not the presence of God. In the five post-captivity books – Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi – the remnant is not once termed “My people,” except in distinct reference to the future. In earlier times this was the favorite expression of the prophets and was found abundantly in their books. But now after the captivity, although all the rituals may have been practiced, the presence of GOD – of Jehovah – was absent. The glory was departed from Israel. Their temple – beautiful and glorious – had no ark, no golden mercy seat, no golden cherubim and no Urim and Thummin. Where was the cloud of glory, the well-known symbol of Jehovah’s majesty and presence? It had vacated its place and retired into heaven. But it will yet return and occupy the magnificent millennial temple, filling it with glory (Ezek. 43). Those sunny days and times are not far distant.

Thus we account for the frequency of this title in the book of Ezra. God was indeed caring for and watching over the remnant of His people, but He did so secretly and providentially. The glory had left the house, hence the appropriateness of the title “God of Heaven.” God acts in and from heaven, not on earth, yet He directs and controls all for the blessing of His own. When He begins to act publicly on behalf of Israel, He will do so under His Joshua-title, “Lord of All the Earth.”

The point now for faith to recognize is that God is acting and directing. What a comfort in the presence of evil and evil men: “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10). The book of Esther, in which the name of God does not once occur, shows the secret acts of God, exercised through the Persian monarchy. There we see that His people are watched over and protected by God Himself.

The expression “kingdom of heaven,” which occurs only in the gospel of Matthew, about 30 times, has its root in Daniel 6. It is an important phrase in connection with the title “God of Heaven.” This divine, and to us exceedingly important title, covers all the period of time from the scattering of Judah by the first imperial power until God again takes up the cause of the Jew.

Look for the continuation of this Series next month.

The Witness Of A Little Girl

“Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the Lord had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel.” —2 Kings 5:1-4 KJV

By Hank Blok

We do not know how old this “little maid” was. We do not even know her name. But that’s not of any real importance! What little we do know is of greater significance. The Scriptures tell us that: 

  • She was a little Israelite girl;
  • This little one was a captive in a foreign land;
  • Away from home she served a Gentile lady;
  • Her mistress’s husband had an incurable disease; 
  • She had a great concern for the man with his illness; and 
  • She did what she could to get her mistress’s husband to the help he needed.

This is what 2 Kings 5:3 simply records: “And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him [Naaman] of his leprosy*.”

What a wonderful statement; one full of grace on many levels. It would suggest that the little girl was most likely brought up by her parents, grandparents or other godly guardians to know the true and living God. Children do not forget the things that are indelibly inscribed on their hearts during those formative years. Of course we know that some may not always follow the teachings introduced to them in their youth. Yet, there is no doubt that they will never lose all of the influence passed on in those early years. 

Had she met the prophet Elisha? We cannot tell. She certainly must have known enough about him to suggest that he could help. While she may not have been able to give Naaman’s wife the instructions for the healing of his disease, she could at least provide a reference to someone who could help. Similarly, our children may not adequately know how to lead a person to Christ. Therefore, it would be good that each child be encouraged to refer others to a parent, stronger Christian or evangelist who is able to explain the way of salvation. In actuality, this is what a lot of children do when they bring their friends, their parents and others to a Sunday school or daily vacation Bible school! Many parents can probably testify that their kids were the greatest little evangelists as young children.

It is so special that the Lord Jesus could say, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” And it is ever so personally touching that He would take them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and bless them (Mk. 10:14-16). Just as wonderfully, He can touch their lives to make them usable for His blessed purposes of bringing others to Himself.

END NOTE: 
* In the Bible, the illness of leprosy portrays sin and it’s end result – death.

God’s Remedy For Our Problems

Reflections In 2 Corinthians 2:14–7:1

By Jacob Redekop

Introduction
We are well aware that there are many problems facing the Lord’s people today. New difficulties arise before old ones are cleared away. Being firmly persuaded that the Word of God furnishes the answers to help in every situation, I asked myself these questions: How is it that God’s people can be so divided on so many issues? Would not obedience to God’s Word and dependence upon the Lord unite us together? I found the answer in Paul’s epistles to the Corinthians. The Corinthian saints were divided because they were occupied with the wrong man (1 Cor. 1:11-12). They were powerless to cope with the problems until they had learned what Isaiah 2:22 (KJV) states: “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for what account is to be made of him?” In 2 Corinthians we are given God’s answer – the solution.

Reflections 
The two epistles of Paul to the Corinthians are “wilderness” epistles. The saints are viewed as having been set apart from this world by a divine call (1 Cor. 1:2). This world, which to the eye of faith has become a wilderness, furnishes nothing to sustain that faith. The Christian passing through this world has the responsibility to live in complete dependence and obedience to the Lord. Failure to do so is the root cause of all the break-ups and break-downs in the family as well as in the assembly (church) testimony.

God allows this time of testing in the wilderness in order that we might learn what is in our hearts. But what is of much greater value is to learn what is in the heart of God, and that is Christ. Then, as we learn this, we turn away from ourselves to find in Christ the answer to every need. 

The Root Cause Of Problems 
In reflecting on this portion of Scripture in Corinthians we must bear in mind the great object the apostle had before him. He longed to see the Corinthian saints lifted out of their low spiritual condition as he had described it in 1 Corinthians 3:1, “And I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal.” Their carnal [self-centered] condition had led to worldliness and moral laxity, which further opened the door to assembly disorder and doctrinal error. It left them with little spiritual discernment and no spiritual strength to cope with their problems. This is much of what we are facing today.

This condition, exposed in the first epistle, is addressed in the second epistle to show God’s way of transforming us into the moral likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are two aspects of this truth. Objectively, or in an absolute sense, God has purposed this transformation for us in Christ. Subjectively, or in a personal way that applies to each believer, this change is accomplished in us by the Spirit, who works out God’s purposes for us. As that transformation is accomplished, problems are solved in a God-honoring way. Self is set aside, in all its varied forms. In its place Christ is seen in all His moral beauty.

It is not the intent of this article to be occupied with difficulties and problems, but to see God’s remedy for them. That does not mean that we try to avoid or escape the problems, for we cannot run away from them. Rather, we see God’s provision to meet every need – and that provision is in Christ.

Change Is Possible 
The apostle Paul himself had been in extremely stressful situations as expressed in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 and 4:8-9, “Pressed out of measure, above strength … despaired even of life … troubled on every side … persecuted … cast down.” In spite of these outward dangers, Paul did not faint nor become discouraged. Instead, he saw himself identified in testimony with a victorious Christ (2:14-15). By his conduct and preaching, a sweet fragrance of Christ rose up to God. Paul, who called himself the chief of sinners, was now the greatest vessel God had raised up for the shining forth of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (4:6). Only God could bring about such a change in the life of any person. What God did in Paul He is also doing in each one of us who have believed. God, by His Spirit, is writing Christ upon our hearts (3:3). The law could not do that. It could only tell man what he ought to do – what was expected of him, but it could not change him (Rom. 8:3-4). 

The Christian has received new life (Christ) and a new nature that delights in what is of God. The Holy Spirit now dwells in the believer and occupies us with Christ, where He is in the very presence of God. As I am occupied with the Man Christ Jesus where He is now, a transformation will take place in me, a moral change, making me more and more like Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).

One Great Hindrance 
The greatest hindrance to the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer is self. Good self or bad self is still self. Self-esteem, self-worth, self-image and self-love are at best an occupation with the wrong man – the very man whom God has set aside and condemned in the death of Christ. God is not attempting to improve man in the flesh: “Old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

The question might now be asked, “How does this teaching help solve problems?” First of all, we have to admit that “in me [that is, in my flesh] dwelleth no good thing” (Rom. 7:18). The problems which cause us so much trouble in our individual lives, in our families and in the assemblies find their source in our flesh. If we do not learn from God’s Word that the flesh profits nothing, then God teaches us by our own failures. How sad it is if we have to learn it that way. Yet, what is even sadder is that we have grieved the Holy Spirit; every failure or sin necessitated those unfathomable sufferings of Christ on the cross. But as I learn how wretched the flesh is in me, I turn the eye of faith away from self and find in Christ an Object of supreme delight – that One in whom God finds eternal joy and satisfaction!

It Begins In Me 
After experiencing how wretched the flesh is in me (not in my brother or sister), I must accept the teaching God has given in many portions of Scripture. He is teaching us to look away from self to Christ and, in so doing, we take on His moral features. These include obedience and dependence upon God, and patience, meekness, self-control as well as many other qualities as seen in Galatians 5:22-23. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit working out practically in the life of each believer. In 2 Corinthians 4:7 Paul explains that our bodies, which he calls “earthen vessels,” contain this treasure – which is Christ dwelling in the believer. As the vessel is broken up, the light that is within shines out.

In 2 Corinthians 5:10 the apostle Paul reminds us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Then everything we have done in our lifetime will be manifested in the light of His holy presence. Our motives, our self-seeking, even if they were mixed in with our service for the Lord, will all be made known.

What was done in secret or in public, at the workplace or at home, in private counseling or in public preaching, all will be laid bare. How searching this is! But remember, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, the sinful nature in which we sinned is no longer in us. We will then be with and like Christ; and we will rejoice that our old selfish, sinful nature is once and forever done away. Only what was of Christ will remain forever. If we, like Paul, would live our lives in the light of that Day of Judgment, what a difference it would make.

Christ Really Is The Remedy 
It is far easier to sing, “Nothing but Christ as on we tread,” than it is to live it. To live it means that it will govern my manner of behavior, what I wear, how I spend my money, where I take my vacation, how I speak to my wife or husband and my attitude towards my children. It will affect relationships in the home, at the workplace and in the world. You can be sure it will also introduce an atmosphere in the assembly that is Christ-honoring, showing forth indeed the mind of Christ. Having the mind of Christ equips us to face all dangers and difficulties and enables us to make the right spiritual decisions. Then the question is never asked, “What’s wrong with this or that?” Instead, the question will be, “What is pleasing to Christ?” “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13).

Paul concludes our subject in 2 Corinthians 7:1 by giving a word of encouragement: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved.” If we allow God to work in our lives to put aside self and to fix our eyes on the Lord, then we will experience the deep peace and joy of fellowship with the Father. Then all the suffering or sorrow that we pass through here will be worth it. Faith looks beyond the present and evaluates everything in the light of eternity (4:17-18). May Christ be reflected in greater measure in my life – and in yours.