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Positive Words Newsletter#71/ 13th January 2004
----- http://www.peterwade.com/ -----
Freely Given by God
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the
Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have
been freely given to us by God" (I Corinthians 2:12)
This powerful verse has had an influence over my life for nearly
half a century. I memorised it as a young man and it was time
well spent. Let's look at it closer.
"We have received... the Spirit which comes from God." This is
written to believers, and it says "we have received". So it would
be a waste of time to beg, plead, fast and pray for something I
already have. Get settled in this principle and you will be way
ahead of the majority of Christians. When God says you have
received something, then you have it! You don't need to feel it,
see it, or want any more evidence than God gives in His Word. You
have it! The only question is what to do with what you have!
"That we might know..." Ah, so that is why God has given me
His spirit. "A present experimental knowledge, to our unspeakable
comfort" (JFB). "That we might fully understand and appreciate"
(Barnes). It is easily possible, else God would not have said it,
and knowing should lead to humbleness and obedience. God said
it, I believe it, that settles it!
"That have been freely given..." It is all of grace and not of
works. "Nothing but grace and grace plus nothing" as one teacher
expresses it. "The things" are really wrapped up in one "thing",
"conferred on us as a matter of grace or favor" -- the
unspeakable gift (II Corinthians 9:15) of His Son, and wrapped up
in Him all the "blessings of redemption -- the pardon of sin,
justification, sanctification, the divine favor and protection,
and... eternal life -- these things we Know; they are not matters
of conjecture, but are surely and certainly confirmed to us by
the Holy Spirit. It is possible for all Christians to know and be
fully assured of the truth of those things, and of their
interest in them" (Barnes).
Let's first read the books of the Bible addressed to us, and
expand our awareness of all that God has freely given to us. When
we know, then we can express and enjoy them. -- Peter Wade.
Insights From Every Chapter Of The Bible
G. Campbell Morgan was a well-known preacher and writer of over
60 books from the first half of the 20th century. In each issue
of this newsletter he gives a comment from one verse in every
chapter of the Bible. We continue with Paul's Roman letter.
"It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of
God that hath mercy" (Romans 9:16).
This does not mean that we are not to will, that we are not to
run. Neither does it mean that we enter into the blessings of
salvation apart from willing, apart from running. We must will to
do, and we must run well, allowing nothing to hinder. It does
most clearly mean that no willing on our part, no running of our
own, can procure for us the salvation we need, or enable us to
enter into the blessings it provides. It means more than that. Of
ourselves we shall have no will for salvation, and shall make no
effort toward it.
Everything of human salvation begins in God. His will is to
have mercy. His work enables Him to do so. It is only as that
will is made known to man, that he wills to receive the mercy. It
is only as that work operates within man, that he is able to work
out his salvation. Our wills must be exercised, our running must
be positive; but we enter into salvation, and shall at last reach
the crowning at the goal, only because of the everlasting mercy
of God. There is neither merit nor cause for glorying in our
choice or our effort. If God had not willed our saving, neither
should we. If God did not work within us, we should work nothing
out. Even if, of our service, we can ever say we laboured
abundantly, we shall have to add: Yet not we, but the grace of
God which was with us.
On our web site right now!
A new look to start a new year. Enjoy!
I have chosen 192 statements by the apostle Paul, and these
appear at random at the top right-hand corner of all pages on the
site except articles and newsletters. These are either my
favorite verses (such as the one I commented on above) or are
significant verses we need to think about (NKJV).
A new series is now airing on inChristRadio.net -- "The
Hallelujah Principle". Over eight session I share the how, why
and when of praising God. And there's new announcements from
our good friend Bruce Britton.
New articles now online are "Christ Our Mind" by T. Austin-
Sparks, on Philippians chapter two; "Ephesians: The Wealth
Revealed" by Ruth Paxson, completing Ephesians chapter one; and
"Paul's Christian Church" by Warren Litzman, on the difference
between the Jerusalem church and Paul's revelation of the nature
of the church. Enjoy!
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(c)
2004 Peter Wade
http://www.peterwade.com
http://www.inChristRadio.net
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