Holy - me?!

It would appear that a number of those who receive these weekly posts, did not receive the one sent out last week. The post was rejected by about 20 Inboxes! The message, received by me, was "The response from the remote server was: 554 Message rejected on 2021/08/01 22:58:50 BST, policy (3.2.1.1) ID (60CA88F70810F1FD) - Your message looks like SPAM or has been reported as SPAM

As that post was the most important of the little series of three, I would encourage all to check it out on the blog (link below!). The reason for the "spam" message may have been that I included a couple of graphics. Anyway, I believe (but am open to correction!) that if you have my e-mail address in your "Contacts", then no message will be considered to be 'spam' unless you deliberately so designate it. Hope that helps!

Having dealt, in the previous three posts, with sin, I want to move on to something else. You may recall that sin has its consequences. You may be surprised to discover that salvation also has its consequences! Those consequences are summed up in a big, theological word: "sanctification". As with so many great words of the Christian faith, that word is dealt with, more fully, in my first book "Great Words of the Faith". The Kindle version is less than the cost of a couple of cups of coffee in an average café (or one cup if you use the more exotic establishments!), and ALL royalties are sent directly to Release International, in support of the persecuted church.

So what is "sanctification"? Well, to the disciple of Jesus - one who has recognised the reality of his/her sinful state; has understood the results of that sinful state; and has accepted the remedy provided by Father God through the Son; the word refers to the process of becoming increasingly more like Jesus. It has to do with holiness. However, holiness is a word that is often misunderstood! There are many who seem to think that it refers to "perfection"! After all, they would point out, does not Father God, Himself, say "... you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."? (Lev 11:45). Yes, He does! But the word "holy" (qadosh, in Hebrew) does not actually mean "perfect", although Father God is, of course, total perfection. The word means to be separate - and is used, e.g., of the vessels in the Temple that were the best possible - but were "holy" because they were separated from common use.

So, to be holy is, in common language, to be different. The disciple of Jesus should be different - in a very positive way - from those who are not His disciples! I have often been told by people who claimed to be disciples of Jesus that if they acted in a certain manner, that was in line with God's Word, they would "stick out like a sore thumb"! My response was usually along the lines of "That's what you're supposed to do!" Would that more of us were like sore thumbs!

Sanctification, as I point out in the book, begins at conversion. "It begins as soon as I give control of my life to Jesus; as soon as I open my heart’s door to Him; as soon as I acknowledge my own sinfulness, and my total inability to deal with it; and accept His free offer of full salvation." Sanctification follows on from justification. However, while justification is an instant act, sanctification is a process. Just as physical growth begins, in one sense, at birth; so spiritual growth – which is what sanctification is – begins at rebirth.  I have a long way to go; I will make many mistakes; I will fall down again and again.  But I will have started!

Of course, even with the help of God the Holy Spirit, the process of sanctification is not easy! The simple reason for that is that when the enemy - the devil - realises that we are being serious about our new life in Jesus, he doesn't just leave us alone. Rather, he attacks with increasing ferocity! Peter writes: "Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion , seeking some one to devour." (I Peter 5:8). We must expect to take blows: discouragement, repeated falls, temptations. It's a daily struggle for all who want to walk in the Spirit - but this struggle is, in itself, proof that God has done something in us!

However, although not easy, sanctification is possible because God has made us a place of habitation of the Spirit, and John reminds us that "... He who is in you (God the Holy Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world. (the devil)" (I John 4:4). Sanctification is possible because God has made us new creatures, saints, so that we can enter into his pre-prepared works. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:10). 

It is also worth noting that sanctification is not an option! Indeed, the very idea that it even could be is a nonsense! Listen to Paul, again. Having shared on the grace of Almighty God, that deals with my sin, and yours, he continues: "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Rom 6:1-2). Being saved/born again/regenerated while still wanting to live in sin, is incompatible! Indeed, wanting to live in sin, is to be a slave to sin, while our salvation makes us dead to sin, i.e. we no longer wish to be controlled by it! 

The relevant chapter in my book ends like this:

« "Sanctification – the process of being made like Jesus:

Who are sanctified?  Only true believers – disciples of Jesus - because sanctification begins at conversion.

How are believers sanctified?  Through the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit, as the process continues in Christian living.

When are believers fully sanctified?  Only after physical death, as their growing more and more like Jesus is completed in glory; as they become like Him; seeing Him as He is.

To the best of my knowledge, the little printed plaque that is on my study wall is a Brian Ross ‘original’ (the words, not the sentiment!).  It reads, quite simply: “In this life I shall never be sinless but, by God’s grace, I may sin less!” »  And that is sanctification. It's amazing what a bit of separation can do! 

Reformation.

Having commented, in the previous post, on the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Abortion Act in the UK Parliament, and the almost nine million deaths that have resulted from it, I want to comment, in this post, on a 500th anniversary - that of the nailing, by the German monk Martin Luther, of his "99 Theses" to the door of the church building at Wittenberg. It was that event that started what is known to historians as the Reformation (although there were a number of folk who had raised serious doubts about some of the teaching of the Church of Rome, prior to Luther. By the way, I deliberately use that term as "Roman Catholic" is, in fact, an oxymoron!).

Many are the books that have been written about the Reformation - both its history and its theology - so all that I wish to do is to look, briefly, at what are known as the "Five Solas". These are five basic doctrines/principles that sum up the difference between the Church of Rome and what the Reformers saw as the truth of the written Word of God. Undergirding these five solas is the phrase: ecclesia semper reformanda est, which means”the church is always to be reformed.” The very authority of the written Word of God is the subject of the first Sola:

1. Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone).

Rome did not deny the authority of the Scriptures but, like others, they added to them! In their case, they taught the authority of the church (of Rome); its traditions; its councils; its pope. The Reformers disagreed! They claimed, and taught, that all Christian practice and doctrine should be based on the clear teaching of the Bible.

Of course, God Himself has established certain authorities: the state (Rom.13:1ff); elders in the church (I Tim.5:17; I Pet.5:5); parents (Eph.6:1); but Scripture alone is truly ultimate. If any of these other authorities depart from Biblical teaching, they are to be rejected.

The Scriptures are the inspired, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient Word of God. When the Bible speaks, God’s people should hear, heed, and obey the Word by His grace. Not only this - the Bible proclaims the Truth of the other solas, namely that salvation is by grace alone through faith in Christ. Man has not been saved for his own purposes but for God’s purpose and glory. Also, from beginning to end, the Biblical record points towards the Lord Jesus. So, the second of the Solas concerned 

2. Solus Christus (Christ alone).

The issue that started Luther on his journey of discovery concerned the sale of "indulgences". Put simply, this practice stated that one could obtain forgiveness of sin by making a cash donation to the church, for which one received a piece of paper stating that the donor's soul was ready to be admitted to heaven! The practice was started by Leo X in order to raise funds to rebuild St Peter's Basilica in Rome. Failure to purchase indulgences meant that one had to pay for one's sins in purgatory - the unBiblical Roman concept of a "limbo" in which the dead may finish atoning for their sins.

Luther was passionately opposed to this practice, and he and the Reformers taught the Biblical truth that salvation is through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, on the cross - and that alone! As far as I know, the sale of "indulgences" within the Roman church no longer takes place. However, there is still great store put on the intercessions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and of the so-called 'saints' (every true believer is, in New Testament terms, a "saint" - just read the NT letters!). However Mary, though honoured among women, cannot help in the area of salvation. In fact, she herself had to be saved by the finished work of Christ in His perfect life and vicarious death. This is why she could say that she rejoiced in “God my Saviour” (Luke 1:47). What is true of Mary is also true of all the so-called 'saints' of the Church of Rome. There is no treasure chest of merit in heaven out of which the church can draw saving merit. Nor do we need a priest to intercede for us. Indeed, through Peter, God the Holy Spirit states clearly that all disciples of Jesus "... are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, ..." (I Peter 2:9; emphasis added). Salvation is through Christ alone Who is Himself “... the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6; note the definite article as emphasised).  Charles Spurgeon said, “I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.”

The third of the Sola principles is

3. Sola Gratia (Grace alone).

Sinful man can never - absolutely never - be reconciled to Almighty God by his own efforts. I cannot earn His fellowship; I cannot buy His fellowship; I do not deserve His fellowship. All that I - and you! - deserve is His judgement and wrath. The only reason that I may be the recipient of His great salvation (Heb.2:3) is by His grace - His unmerited favour and blessing. This is often defined using the word as an acronym: God's Riches At Christ's Expense. In Jesus, Almighty God paid the penalty for my sin and so satisfied both His justice and His love. As Paul states, in his letter to the believers in Ephesus: "... by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (3:8-9). What a wonderful gift it is - and it is yours if only you will open yourself to Him (Who already knows you through and through!) and, in repentance and faith, accept it. And that faith is the subject of a fourth Sola:

4. Sola Fide (Faith alone).

The Reformers rightly taught that all of our Christian life is by grace from beginning to end. Not only is the gift of Christ a gift from God, but the very faith required to lay hold of that gift is itself a gift. One of the great themes of Reformation theology was "justification by faith", and not by any declaration of the church (of Rome), or through penance, indulgences, or any other means. Justification is the declaration, by Father God, that we are treated as sinless in His sight because of the atoning sacrifice of the Son, at Calvary. In the English language, it is sometimes explained as God treating me "just as if I'd" never sinned - even although I have sinned; do sin; and will continue to sin while in this mortal body that I inhabit.. Of course, filled out correctly, the doctrine should be: "Justification is the act of God by which He declares sinners to be righteous because of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone." The final Sola is

5. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone).

The bottom line is that the Triune God receives the glory and honour for my salvation. Paul wrote to the early disciples in Rome: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?' 'Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?' For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory for ever. Amen." (11:33-36; emphasis added). The Psalmist had the same aim in mind when he wrote: "Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to Thy name give glory, for the sake of Thy steadfast love and Thy faithfulness!" (Ps.115:1; emphasis added). This Sola emphasises the the glory of God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - as the goal of true life. As the compilers of the Shorter Catechism were later to put it, in the Q & A form of the catechism: "What is the chief end (i.e. prime purpose) of man?" "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." (emphasis added).

These five teachings were at the heart of the Reformation. Would that they were at the heart of the church, worldwide, today! As I look around, I see so much of the church that, rather than being a prophetic voice to the nations, is no more than a subservient reflection of the social norms that, sadly, are so much at odds with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, the Christ! T.F.Torrance wrote: “The world likes a complacent, reasonable religion, and so is always ready to revere some pale Galilean image of Jesus, some meagre anaemic Messiah, and to give Him a moderate rational homage. . . . The truth is that we have often committed adultery with alien ideologies, confounded the Gospel with the religions of nature, and imbibed the wine of pagan doctrines and false principles and deceitful practices. We have sought to bend the will of God to serve the ends of man, to alter the Gospel and shape the Church to conform to the fashions of the times. We have yielded to pride and to the lust for power. We have been intimidated by the might of the beast through society, or the crowd, or the state, and betrayed, again and again, the cause of our Saviour.” (The Apocalypse Today; James Clarke & Co Ltd; 1961; p.155). His words show, sadly, how far the church has departed from those early Reformation principles.

Let those of us who seek to see the Name of Jesus honoured and exalted pray that, in these last days, the Lord will move, by the Spirit, in cleansing and purifying power throughout the church in the UK, and elsewhere, removing all that would seek to dilute, denigrate, diminish, deny, and even destroy, the true Gospel message, and revive His true people that there might be, in these end times, a mighty ingathering of precious souls to the Kingdom of God - and all to His glory.

Footnote! To the best of my knowledge, there is no "set in stone" order to the Five Solas. However, the order in which I have given them above is not, I realise, the most common. I use it because I find it to be more "consecutively accurate"! By this I mean that it is the Scriptures that tell me of the Christ, and the grace of God that I may receive by faith, and all to His glory.

Some of the words and concepts used here are dealt with, more fully, in my first two books (vol.3 currently being proofread - available, DV, early in the New Year). Please see the links at the top of the page.

Abraham - the father of the faithful!

Paul's words, in Gal 3:7 - "... it is men of faith who are the sons of Abraham." - are among those that have given rise to Abraham being described as in the heading to this post.  But, having recently completed reading about Abraham in my personal devotions, I found myself thinking on Abraham's own faith.  What kind of example has he left to disciples of Jesus today?

Well, the first thing we may note about Abraham is that he was saved through faith.  Paul, this time writing to the believers in Rome, makes the point: "What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.' Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." (Rom 4:1-5).  Abraham could not have been saved by the keeping of the Law - because that Law had not yet been given.  He could not have been saved by the ritual of circumcision, because God declared him to be righteous before he was circumcised (see Rom.4:9-12).  He was, like everyone else who is saved, saved through faith - faith in the Living God. (see also Heb.11).

But he was not only saved through faith, he also lived by faith.  Wherever he went, we read, he pitched his tent and built an altar to El Shaddai.  He let people know that he was a pilgrim and a stranger - even in the land that God had covenanted to give to his descendants.  His willingness to sacrifice Isaac, the son of promise, proved his trust in God - "He considered that God was able to raise men even from the dead; hence, figuratively speaking, he did receive him [Isaac] back." (Heb 11:19).  His works did not save him, but they proved that his faith was genuine.

Saved through faith; living by faith; and Abraham walked in faith.  Of course, he had lapses - some of them serious - but his general manner of life was one of faith.  "Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. ... So Abram went, as the LORD had told him;" (Gen.12:1,4).  That great eleventh chapter of Hebrews has more to say about Abraham than about any other of the individuals who are named there!

So what has all of that to do with you and me, so many millennia later?  Well, if we have no interest in the things of God - absolutely nothing!  However if, like me, you claim to be a disciple of the Lord, Jesus the Christ, descended, after the flesh, from this same Abraham, then his life must be a challenge to you, as it is to me. 

I must remember that my salvation is only by the grace of Almighty God to which I, too, must respond through faith.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph. 2:8-9).  I am not saved by my "good works" - and any service that I do render is only because I am "... His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works , which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10). I must learn to walk by faith - and that means walking in obedience. It means, as the hymn-writer put it, "Standing on the promises".  A friend of many years ago would often state that "God said it; I believe it; that's it; period!"  That's not a bad way in which to live!

I've been challenged, afresh, by the life of Abraham.  Perhaps you will be, as well!

Ongoing work!

The ferry has just left Dover but, with the wonders of modern technology, a wi-fi connection is available!  We spent last night with our good friends Ruth and Harry.  It was good to catch up with their news.  Then as we sat in the lane at the Dover Ferry Terminal, my wife noticed that the vehicle in front, in the adjacent lane, had a "fish and cross" symbol on the back.  Well, those who know me will not be surprised to learn that I got out, went over and, when the occupants returned, introduced myself.  They are a delightful family, en route to Hungary (the wife hails from that part of the world), to visit grandparents - and show off the latest addition to the family!  Their little boy, Daniel, has the most beautiful smile one could ever hope to see.

Shortly, it was time to board.  We were directed to the appropriate spot,and made our way up to the passenger decks.  That was when I realised that the ferry was (is!) crawling with workmen!  However, these workmen are not on holiday.  They are repairing/refurbishing/upgrading the ferry - and doing so even as we sail across the English Channel!  It's a work in progress!

I'm thinking of a friend of some years back.  That was one of her favourite sayings.  When she spoke about her Christian life, she would always make the point that: "I'm a work in progress".

Of course, it's true for every disciple of Jesus.  Each one of us is a "work in progress".  Sanctification - the ongoing process of becoming like Jesus - is not completed until we leave our mortal bodies and slip "through the veil" into His nearer Presence.   Oh, as I mentioned some posts back, I am seen, from an eternal perspective, as if I am already fully sanctified.  But that is because I am justified - treated, not as one who is sinless, but just as if I'd never sinned.  Father God looks on me - and on you, if you are truly "in Christ" - not as I am, but as He is making me to be.  I'm an ongoing work for the Kingdom!

I trust that the workmen on board the ferry will be doing an excellent job.  I know that, in spite of the poor material with which He has to work, God the Holy Spirit is doing an excellent job on me, so that He may "... present [me] without blemish before the presence of his glory with rejoicing," (Jude 24).  Hallelujah!

I really am perfect!

Many who read these posts will understand; some may think it is the statement of a truly crazy person; but I enjoy reading the Bible.  I haven't kept a count of the number of times I have read the complete text and, of course, there are certain books, and passages, that I have read many more times than others; but one of the things that I love - and that many others have discovered for themselves - is the way in which I may be reading a passage for the umpteenth time when, quite suddenly, I notice something that I have never noticed before.

That was my experience during my personal devotions earlier in the week.  The plan I am currently following directed me to the New Testament book of the Letter to Jewish disciples of Jesus (aka the letter to the Hebrews).  I was reading in what we refer to as Ch.10 and the first 18 verses.  It was as I read v.10 that I stopped, and read it again: "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Did you notice what I had never noticed before?  It's the tense that the inspired writer uses - "... we have been sanctified ..."!  Now, in my book (you have downloaded it, haven't you?! https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EG6TJW if you haven't!), I have a chapter on Sanctification.  It's a very important word within the Christian faith.  But I explain that it is an ongoing process.  It is the process by which the disciple of Jesus is made increasingly more like Him.  And it's a process, I explain, that is only completed when we leave these sinful, mortal bodies, and go to be with Him.

Those words in the Letter to the Hebrews show that, from the perspective of eternity (there's a useful chapter on that subject, as well!) I am already viewed as being sanctified!  In v.14, the writer goes on to say that "... by a single offering He [Jesus] has perfected for all time those who are sanctified."  Wow!  That is amazing!

So, in spite of what others may see; in spite of what I know to be true about my own life; in the eyes of Father God, I am perfect.  He sees me, covered with the righteousness of Jesus; and I am justified, in Him.  Hallelujah!

(By the way, there are chapters on righteousness and justification in my book, as well!) :-)

Light at the end of the tunnel!

Yesterday, my good friend Jean (John!) drove me to Audincourt to check out the situation with regard to my car. If I have understood correctly (and that is always an important 'if'!) then Opel have given the go-ahead to have damage to the crank-case attended to, under warranty. :-) Unfortunately, it would appear that there might be further damage discovered - that will require further clearance from Opel before it may be repaired free of charge! However, it's all a move in the right direction, and I am rejoicing in that!

I can understand the situation. I recall the days when, as a young chef, I would offer to do some cleaning in my mum's kitchen. She loved it! As soon as I had attended to one part, I realised that it made another part look grubby. So I cleaned it as well. Before I knew it, my mum had a kitchen that was gleaming and fresh.

The Christian life is a bit like that as well. When I first recognised my own sinfulness, I came to the Saviour for cleansing. However, no sooner had He cleansed me of the sins that were, even to me, so obvious, than He showed me some others of which I had hardly been aware! Like my mum's kitchen, the clean bit showed up the dirt of the rest; like my car (potentially!), one repair may show up further damage.

Of course, no analogy is, itself, anywhere near to perfect. And there are aspects of the Christian life that don't fit the above analogies at all. I could have that kitchen sparkling; my car will, eventually, be as good as new. Life, sadly, isn't as straightforward as that!

Sanctification is an important concept for the true disciple of Jesus. It's a reminder that, while as soon as I make that conscious decision to follow Him I am justified (i.e. Father God looks upon me, "just-as-if-I'd" never sinned), I will never be perfect while I inhabit this sinful body. Only when I reach my heavenly home - either through physical death, or because the Lord has returned and taken His faithful people to the great marriage-supper of the Lamb - will I be like Him, and see Him, as He truly is. (cf. I John 3:2). Only then at the end of this tunnel of human life, with all of its constraints and restrictions, will I truly see Him Who dwells "in light, inaccesible, hid from our eyes". (Walter C. Smith). Only then will I "... understand fully, even as I have been fully understood." (I Cor 13:12; RSV).

"Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" (Rev.22:20)

It's been a hard week, so far! Physically hard, that is. Yesterday, I took delivery of a total of nine tons (imperial!) of assorted garden landscaping materials - whin dust; red chips; decorative chips; and decorative bark - in order to bring one stage closer the end of the 10-year plan for the back garden, that was commenced almost 16 years ago!!! :-)

The problem is the the delivery lorry could only operate from the road, and that meant that I have been transporting barrowload after barrowload from the front to the back. Of course, before doing that, I had a lot of digging to do in preparation - the foundations are the most important part of any building! (see Matt.7:24-27). I have also been transferring decorative slabs from the area outside the back door, to the new 'patio' area at the very back of the garden.

Doubtless, when the job is completed, it will all have proved to be very worthwhile, and my wee wife will have a delightfully secluded area in which to enjoy the summer sun (before we head off to France to increase our chances of seeing it!). But without the hard work, nothing worthwhile would be achieved.

I suspect that this idea was in the mind of Paul when, writing to the young church in the Roman colonial city of Philippi, he exhorts: "Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." (Phil 2:12). The life of the one who has placed his/her trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation, is "... hidden with Christ, In God." (Col.3:2). But that does not mean that, having been saved and justified, I may just sit back and await my call to glory!

Jesus, Himself, made that clear in the parable of the 'talents' (Matt.25: 14-30). the man who accepted the bag of silver from his master - and did nothing with it - ended up being thrown out into "... outer darkness ...". There was a time when I firmly believed in the 'doctrine' of "once saved, always saved". However, the older I get, and the more I get to know the Word of God, the less certain I am that the situation is as simple as that. Perhaps some who claim to have been saved have confused religious activity with divine grace! Jesus' words as recorded in Matt.7:21-23 would certainly seem to support such a teaching!

So, what am I saying? Basically that, once we have been saved - by grace, through faith, as a gift from God. Not as a reward for some good things that we may have done (Eph.2:8-9) - we are saved eternally. But that we must not forget the next few words in Epesians 2 - "For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (v.10; my emphasis). A passage such as I Cor.3:11-15 is also highly relevant. My good works (that, in reality, are no more than 'filthy rags' - see Isaiah 64:6) do not save me but, having been saved, I must follow the example of my Saviour, and seek always to do the Father's will.

On that glorious Eternal Day when I stand in front of my Lord, I want to be able to do so with the confidence that He is going to utter those wonderful words, "Well done, My good and faithful (not successful!!) servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!" (Matt 25:21). And if that means trundling barrow-loads of whin dust, then I will still say "Glory to His Name.!