Tag: Gospel

2 Corinthians 3:7-11More Glorious Than Glory

2 Corinthians 3:7-11 (KJV)
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

The topics Paul contrast here is the ministry of the Old Testament law to the New Testament work of the Holy Spirit in saving souls. There is no argument on Paul’s part that the Mosiac Law is glorious. That history of the Jews:

  • God’s work among them, the
  • Calling of them out of the world through Abraham and of
  • Delivering to the world His Word through them

is indeed glorious. There are no arguments that circumvent that.

But Paul presents another work of the Holy Spirit. Christ was conceived of the Holy Ghost and led by the Spirit into the wilderness. When Christ had finished His work He sent the Holy Spirit to come alongside and indwell the believers. He reproves the world of Sin righteousness and judgment. He regenerates the repentant who place faith in Christ and He seals the believer until the day of redemption. Paul in no way dismisses the glory of the Old Testament ministry, he only seeks to reveal the glory of the New Testament ministry, a glory, which he insists out glories the glory of the former.

I am reminded of the appearance of the glorified Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and again on the Damascus road when Paul was saved. The Bible describes His glory as brighter than the noonday sun. No one can deny the brightness of the sun. Who would want to? But the Bible insists that Christ’s glory out glories the sun.

In much the same manner the New Testament ministry out glories that of the Old Testament.

To my readers:
I would love to hear from you. Leave comments below.

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

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2 Corinthians 3:7-11 More Glorious Than Glory

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free.

Romans 5:10 Reconciliation and Salvation

Romans 5:10 (KJV)
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Every aspect of the Gospel has some key and vital component toward our new birth:

Christ’s life
Fulfilled the righteousness of the law. Jesus obeyed the whole law without offending in even one point.

Christ’s death and burial
Fulfilled the penalty of death sentenced upon sin. He took upon Himself, as only the God/man could do, all of our sins. When He died and was buried He received the wages for all sin.

Christ’s resurrection
Completed the transaction. When Christ arose it was as if God stamped in the heavens, “Paid in full.”

Our text speaks of two parts of the gospel and says that reconciliation with God was accomplished through Christ’s death. Final and complete salvation was accomplished through His life (after death).

To my readers:
I would love to hear from you. Leave comments below.

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others

Romans 5:10 Reconciliation and Salvation

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free. Email me for a free one month VIP membership

John 3:12 (KJV) How Can He Believe?

John 3:12 (KJV)
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?

It is possible to divide John 3:1-21 at the line of verse twelve. Everything Jesus taught previous to this verse would then be classified “earthly things” and everything after would be “heavenly”. Notice then what are:

Earthly things

The subject of teaching is the new birth. It is the one earthly thing that provides entrance to the heavenly. The style of teaching is through earthly parables:

  • Wind
  • Trees (the sound of the wind through it?)
  • Physical birth

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

If a man will not accept Christ’s message of salvation it is impossible for him to understand anything else He teaches.

Heavenly things

The subject changes to the elements of the Gospel:

  • God with us
  • The death burial and resurrection
  • The heart of God for sinners
  • The ultimate condemnation of rejecters

A man must be born again. If he rejects that basic doctrine he will never understand the doctrines underlying it.

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others

John 3:12 (KJV) How Can He Believe?

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free. Email me for a free one month VIP membership.

Matthew 25:44 (KJV) Everyone Answers God

Matthew 25:44 (KJV)
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

These kingdom of heaven parables give evidence that even those who have ignored denied resisted and even fought the Lord and His people will “also answer” the Lord.

There is no getting away from God. It is impossible to hide from Him. All men will stand in his presence. I do not believe it will all happen at the same time; there is a judgment seat of Christ for the believers and a great white throne judgment for the lost but all will come before the Lord.

Will you stand before Him amazed at His grace you have received or aghast at the judgment you face?

To my reader:
Are you saved? God’s Word gives a promise to all who, realizing their sin, call upon the Lord for salvation. Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” I would love to hear from you. Leave comments below.

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

Matthew 25:44 (KJV) Everyone Answers God

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free. Email me for a free one month VIP membership.

 

The difference is up to you and the time to decide is right now.

Matthew 11:4 (KJV) Go, Show Again

Matthew 11:4 (KJV)
Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:

This passage is rich with benefit for the believer. The character of Christ, the nature of man, and the importance of John the Baptist are all here. There is also a hint at the sort of ministry the Christian has toward those around them.

When John had doubts Jesus’ response was “Go and shew John again…” Go, show and again.

Go
The Christian is to be active. Evangelism, discipleship, encouragement and edification ought not be passive events in the Christian life. We should be busy about this business.

Shew
Jesus told them to show John again the things which ye do hear and see. You don’t have to make up something you don’t know; just show them what you have heard and seen in your faith.

Again
This may be the hardest part for us. We feel like everyone has already heard and we don’t have anything new and earthshaking to tell them. Perhaps we have already told them personally all that we know.

Jesus said “Go, show him again.”

 

To my reader:
Every Christian can witness to the unsaved, encourage the doubters and minister to growing believers. Just go and show them again what you have been hearing and seeing, as you walk with the Lord. I would love to hear from you. Leave comments below.

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2006.

Matthew 11:4 (KJV) Go, Show Again

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program has three levels of participation, the first being completely free. Email me for a free one month VIP membership.

Revelation 10:7 (KJV) The Finished Mystery

Revelation 10:7 (KJV)
But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

The fact that this is a mystery speaks to its challenges of interpretation. While there are a number of things the New Testament styles as a “mystery” I believe they may all be summed up in the Gospel of Christ.

The Old Testament promised a Messiah and gave prophecies regarding His:

  • Person
  • Character and
  • End

But these things were mysteries to the Jews, so much so that they missed the Messiah when He stood right in front of them.

  • The coming of Christ as a lamb
  • The judgment of Christ in the place of sinners
  • The church of Christ composed of Jews and Gentiles

These were all mysteries in the Old Testament that were revealed in the New Testament and find their fulfillment and finish in the end of the Tribulation.

 

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2007.

Revelation 10:7 (KJV) The Finished Mystery

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program is free to you. E-mail me for a free one month VIP upgrade.

1 John 5:1 (KJV) Jesus Christ, the Fulcrum

1 John 5:1 (KJV)
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

 

The contest of the spiritual world revolves around Jesus Christ.

  • His person
  • His presence and
  • His passion

are become the fulcrum over which faith becomes a broken religion or an elevating devotion. Here is the dividing line between those who say they love God and those whom God says love Him. If you love God you will in turn love the one who is begotten of Him; Jesus Christ.

 

By using the concept of the begotten here, the Apostle points us to the incarnation. This is that breaking point for so many religions

  • The Catholics venerate Mary almost more than Christ
  • The Mormons and JW’s make Christ less than God with us
  • The Muslims reject that Christ was more than a great prophet
  • The eastern religions are ignorant of Christ
  • The atheists deny Christ
  • The worldly ignore Christ

To love God is to love Christ. To love Christ is to not merely believe in His existence but to embrace His every teaching.

 

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2007.

1 John 5:1 (KJV) Jesus Christ, the Fulcrum

Please consider helping our church’s teen department by signing up for cash back shopping at Bible Baptist Church Fundraiser. This program is free to you. E-mail me for a free one month VIP upgrade.

Dead Christians

Colossians 3:3 KJV

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

 

What a startling statement!

 

God warned Adam and Eve that the day they ate the fruit they were forbidden to eat that they would surely die.

 

  • The man who is not saved is dead and trespasses and sins[1]
  • The wages of sin is death[2]
  • Sin when it is finished bringeth forth death[3]
  • Death and hell are cast into the Lake of Fire[4]

 

And the Christian is – according to Paul – dead.

 

Death, in this sense then, is a mark of faith. It is a finished work. Through of the death of Jesus Christ, and His resurrection that followed, we who are believers have tasted the judgment of death and await only the resurrection to eternal life.

[1] Ephesians 2:1
[2] Romans 6:23
[3] James 1:15
[4] Revelation 20:14

 

For this and more than 3000 earlier Daily Visits with God visit Marvin McKenzie’s blogger page. There you will find daily visits going back to 2007.

Mark of faith