Gems worth pondering
August 9
"And without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." (1 Timothy 3:16)
Sandu Sundar Singh was one who had an experience similar to that of Paul. When this great Hindu saint was visiting England a modernistic professor asked him to explain what there was in Christianity that he could not find in his Hindu religion that cause him to change his faith. He answered simply, "IT WAS CHRIST!" The professor wasn't satisfied. "What teaching or doctrine is there in Christianity distinct from that of your former faith," he asked again. The Hindu saint replied, "It wasn't a teaching or a doctrine. It was THE LIVING CHRIST!" Still the professor objected, "Perhaps I haven't made my meaning clear. What is there in the philosophy of Christianity different from the philosophy of Hinduism which caused you to embrace Christianity?" "IT WAS CHRIST!" was still his answer. Not just a creed, or a doctrine, or a philosophy, but a TRANSFORMING CHRIST - crucified, risen, ascended, interceding, and coming again! Christ, divinely revealed to our hearts by the Holy Ghost - Christ in us the hope of glory! (MOUNTAIN TRAILWAYS FOR YOUTH)
"And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and my God."
(John 20:28)
N.J. Hiebert - 3791
August 10
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
(1 John 4:8)
When I say, "God is love," what do I mean by it? Why this, that God sent His only-begotten Son that we might have life in Him. We still carry about the old nature; but, blessed be God, many a time as Satan has caught me, he has never destroyed me; there is the propitiation, - I am inside, sheltered by the blood, and forgiven. (GLEANINGS of G.V. WIGRAM)
N.J. Hiebert - 3792
August 11
"God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."
(Acts 2:36)
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that that Jesus Christ is Lord."
(Philippians 2:10.11)
THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION: SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE
Jesus spoke to Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus road saying, "I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest" (Acts 9:5). Saul replied, "What shall I do, Lord?" (Acts 22:10). Addressing Jesus as Lord at the moment of his conversion, Saul recognized His authority and manifested his own surrender, his submission to Him as Lord and Master, and his willingness to obey and serve Him.
Surrender of one's self to Christ as Saviour, and submission and obedience to Him is the very essence of Christianity - the name Christian means one who has become a follower and disciple of Christ. Therefore obedience and submission to Christ are definite things which accompany salvation and should be found in all who say they are Christians.
Have you ever thought that we are to accept Christ as our Lord, not just as our Saviour from sin and judgment? The One whom we have accepted as Saviour is also the One to whom God has given the place of Lord over all. Something is wrong if we take Christ as our Saviour to get all the benefits of His work on the cross for us and then fail to submit to Him as our Lord and Master in devoted obedience.
To accept Jesus as as Lord means to acknowledge His rights and authority over me, to surrender my will to Him, and to endeavor to please and serve Him. This is evident from the Lord's words, "Why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things that I say?" (Luke 6:46). He expects us to do what He desires and His desires are plainly expressed in the Bible. (R.K. CAMPBELL)
N.J. Hiebert - 3793
