Jesus had been with His disciples for three years. In His last talk with them before His arrest and crucifixion, He was telling them that He was about to leave them and return to His Father from whence He came:
By Your Words You Are Condemned
July 4, 2017
Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
If “I” (the personality man; old man; natural man) am “dead,” it cannot speak. If the Christ (my true identity) is living me, then when I speak the word “I” it is the Christ speaking and what it says can refer only to that Christ, not to the “old man” that is dead. If I say “I am sick,” I am saying that the Christ is sick because a dead man cannot be sick.
Walking in the Light
It is Sunday morning. I awaken at 5:00, thinking about getting ready for church. I am not at peace. I don’t wish to go to church feeling as I do; but it’s Sunday morning, and going to church is what I do on Sunday morning. My friends will expect me to be there and think that something is wrong if I’m not.
Assuring Our Hearts Before Him
This is the second in a series of studies on the book of 1John. I would like you to read From the Beginning before reading this one.
A Sound Mind
May 20, 2017
Paul tells us that
2Timothy 1:7 . . . God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We therefore know that if our minds are not “sound,” it is not God’s will. There is also the implication that fear could be at the root of any lack of power, love or soundness of mind that we might experience.
Take No Care
A couple nights ago I was having difficulty sleeping. I found that my mind was occupied with thoughts about some things that were quite serious, such as family relationships, and other things quite trivial (what to cook; what to buy at the grocery; what to wear, etc.). I attempted to get quiet inside and listen, but wasn’t very successful. I was finally able to doze off for a few minutes and, upon awakening, was able to hear.
What Is Prayer?
This weekend we visited some dear Christian friends and attended church with them. Of course we had many discussions about spiritual matters since our spiritual journeys are what is most important to all of us. The subject of prayer kept recurring, both in our private discussions and during the church service when prayer requests were taken and prayed for. The implication of most of the statements made were that the more often we pray, the more people who are praying and the more serious we are about praying (e. g. fasting and intensity) is what determines whether or not our prayers are answered.
Freed from the Conscience
I think very few people really have an accurate understanding of the conscience. We have been taught in orthodox Christianity that it is the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin—telling us what we ought or ought not to be doing. It is that which tells us what we are doing wrong and causes us to feel condemned. It never tells us that we are doing something right; it just makes us feel guilty for the wrong that we do. Yet we have been taught to look upon the conscience as a good thing and to be careful not to “sear” it by violating it.
What Is the Word of God?
The writer of the book of Hebrews says concerning the Word of God:
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick [living and active], and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
What is the Word of God that is so powerful? Is it the Bible?
The New Creature
Because I was an English major in college, immersing myself in British history and literature, I’ve become something of an “Anglophile.” Living in England for two years (a fantasy of mine that came true) only enhanced my fascination with all things British. I’ve recently been re-watching “Downton Abbey,” “binge watching” really. The story began to occupy my thoughts and even my dream life. I awakened during the pre-dawn hours this morning feeling very anxious and unsettled. So I came into the living room and began to quieten myself inside to listen to the Holy Spirit—not exactly an easy skill to master but, arguably, the most valuable one; for inside is where God dwells (see “Where Is God?”) and therefore where we find answers, solutions and direction.