We often read in the Bible of how people were “ troubled?’ at the appearance of angels. Was this because the angels were holy and in their presence mcm was conscious of his sinfulness? Undoubtedly. And the very fact that the appearances were supernatural also greatly troubled those to whom the holy angels appeared. However, when we get to Heaven, the sight of all the myriads of angels and of the archangels will not trouble us, for Heaven will be “home.” Home is the place where there is no em barrassment and no strangeness. One of the most beautiful descriptions of Heaven is found in the word “home.” We shall not be troubled there. We shall rejoice to look upon the sinless Son of God, unafraid in His presence, because we are washed in His precious blood. When we pray for the restoration of a dear one’s health, should we add, “ Thy will be done” ? I have been told that, to do this, shows a lack of faith, and that we are to claim healing. In matters like bodily healing, we should be submissive to the will of God; in fact, we should always glory in the will of God, whatever that will should bring. Sometimes it is contrary to the will of God that we should be healed, as in the case of Paul. In Second Corinthians, 12:7-10 he tells us that, lest he should “ be exalted above measure,” become proud because of the revelation given unto him from God, he was given a “ thorn in the flesh,” to keep him humble. Bible students generally agree that this “ thorn in the flesh” was very poor eye sight. Paul prayed thrice that it might be removed; but God said, rather, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Is it right for a Christian to carry life insurance? Does it show a lack of faith to do so? To carry life insurance is but to make a business investment, in order to provide for one’s family in the event of death. And Paul wrote, saying, “ If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel” (1 Tim. 5 :8). The life insurance companies do a legitimate business, in compliance with the law; and it is entirely legal, business-like, and Christian to take ad vantage of this means of fulfilling one’s obligation to his own. If any Christian feels otherwise about the matter, then let him follow the dictates of his own con science; but to us there seems nothing contrary to Christian principles in such a business matter. How would you show one who believes in baptismal regeneration the error of his teaching? By pointing out the dozens of refer ences in the Bible that tell us plainly how to be saved—by faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some of Page Six
Why did the Lord Jesus Christ ad dress His mother as “woman” as in John 2:1/.? Was this not a title of disrespect? Not at all. When Jesus was on the cross, He addressed her in the same way: “When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!” (John 19:26). It is thought by some that in those days the word was almost equal to our word “ lady.” It was a title of respect; for when one woman went to Jesus, exer cising great faith, and He wished to com mend her, He said, “ 0 woman, great is thy faith” (Matt. 15:28). There is, however, no evidence that the Lord Jesus ever used the title “mother" when speaking to Mary after He entered upon His public ministry. A new rela tionship had been established the moment He stepped out of His home life at Naz areth, and began His ministry. (Compare Matt. 12:46-50). From that time on, it was His supernatural parentage that He emphasized—that He was the only begot ten Son of the Father in Heaven. I have a very kind letter from a Roman Catholie who asks, “Does not the angel’s statement to Mary in Luke 1 :£S , ‘Blessed art thou among women’ justify us in ex alting the mother of our Lord?” In saying, “ Blessed art thou among women,” the angel said no more than had been said of many other women in the Bible. It is written in Judges 5:24 concerning “Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite” that she should be “ blessed above women,” whereas it is said of Mary, “blessed art thou among women.” There is, therefore, more reason for exalting Jael than Mary, according to the mean ing of the term. The same word “ blessed” is used 41 times in the New Testament, and often in the Old Testament. For example, we read: “ Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psa. 32:1). “ Blessed is he that considereth the poor” (Psa. 41:1). Dozens of similar verses might be quoted. The word “ blessed” simply means “happy.” Mary was “happy” in being chosen as the mother of her Saviour, and she naturally rejoiced in the thought that all genera tions would call her happy. Mary herself denied the doctrine of the immaculate conception when she said in Luke 1:47, “ My spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” The name “ Saviour” implies sin, as seen in the angel’s words to Joseph: “ Thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Again, Mary exults in the mercy of God: “His mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50). From the context it is evi dent that she includes herself among the recipients of this mercy. Mercy implies sin. Where there is no sin, there is no need of mercy. Mary was a good woman, but she did not claim to be sinless. T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
these are: John 1:29; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Acts 16:31. There are hundreds of pas sages which definitely state that faith in the Lamb of God, and faith in Him alone, saves the soul. The thief on the cross had no time to be baptized; yet the Lord Jesus promised that he would go with Him to paradise. Of course, we should obey the Lord’s command by being baptized. But this ordinance is a testimony before men, an gels, and demons, that we are trusting the blood of Christ; it is not essential to salvation. It follows salvation. Therefore, to claim that it is essential to salvation, is to limit the efficacy of Calvary’s cross. How can there be degrees of reward for saints in Heaven? Would that not be a source of envy and strife? The Bible teaches that there are de grees of reward in Heaven. (See First Corinthians 3:11-15.) The Bible also teaches that there will be no envy in Heaven. Nothing shall enter there that would defile. We do not have to harmo nize these things. However, even with our finite minds, we can readily see that just as some have a greater spiritual understanding— shall I say capacity for the things of God?—just as some let Christ take their whole lives now on earth, even so will their capacity for the enjoyment of Heaven be greater. The little child who loves the Lord is as happy as can be; but surely the older we grow and the more we have fellowship with Christ, the greater our love for Him. I like to think of our rewards in Heav en as something that shall be “to the praise of his glory,” something that will mean even greater service for Christ throughout all eternity, rather than think of rewards as something for our own glory. I like to think of the crowns await ing the Christian in this light—all to show forth the praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His mar velous light. To me, this settles all such questions as the one you ask. Again, our Lord’s words in Luke 12:48 should cause us to think seriously of our responsibility in giving out the gospel: “ Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.”
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