Thou shalt call his name Jesus

Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Mat 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

JHWE the savior: John Wesley writes in his notes: Mat 1:21 Jesus - That is, a Savior. It is the same name with Joshua (who was a type of him) which properly signifies, The Lord, Salvation. His people - Israel. And all the Israel of God.

Luk 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Luk 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Here are two functions. To some He is a stumbling block in the way over which they fall and to some He is a Rock in the way on which one leans and is raised up. Some fall on the Rock and are broken and restored, others bash their heads against the Rock and become fools. Whoever falls at his feet is raised up: whoever refuses to fall at His feet is brought low never to rise. Sinners are cleansed, fools made wise and what is lost is found.

Luk 2:38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

Anna also prophesied:

Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Here lies the problem. It is not that people don’t want to confess that name or bear that name; in fact the popular proponents of that name love to be seen in their robes and to be esteemed by the world. This name is, however in enmity with the world as the world cannot accept Him as the sole savior that will save them from their sins for then they would have to separate themselves from the world. According to the Scriptures, this name is not one of many, it is the only one that can save us. He is the sole high priest, Lord and king. As Christians we are to bear that name, proclaim that name, have the faith of that name and live that name.

Christ was God manifest in the flesh. In Him divinity and humanity were united. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He lived in this world a perfect life, revealing the character to which, through divine grace, man may attain. In His life He left an example that every true Christian must follow. No falsehood ever fell from His lips. Never did He do a dishonest act. He stood forth in unsullied purity and goodness, revealing what man must be before he can enter the holy city. {ST, April 26, 1905 par. 3}

1Ti 3:16 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.

"The sower soweth the word." Christ came to sow the world with truth. Ever since the Fall of man, Satan has been sowing the seeds of error. It was by a lie that he first gained control over men, and thus he still works to overthrow God's kingdom in the earth and to bring men under his power. A sower from a higher world, Christ came to sow the seeds of truth. He who had stood in the councils of God, who had dwelt in the innermost sanctuary of the Eternal, could bring to men the pure principles of truth. Ever since the Fall of man, Christ had been the Revealer of truth to the world. By Him the incorruptible seed, "the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever," is communicated to men (1 Peter 1:23). In that first promise spoken to our fallen race in Eden, Christ was sowing the gospel seed. But it is to His personal ministry among men, and to the work which He thus established, that the parable of the sower especially applies. {LHU 69.4}

It is the world that needs a savior, not angels or unfallen beings.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The world: that includes me, that places me on a level with all the saints of God who needed salvation as much as did the vilest sinners. This gift is as much for me as for anyone else who was born in this world. Therefore:

1Co 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1Co 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

As fallen beings we cannot stand in the presence of God and live. If we are to survive, we need something more than our own righteousness or even the righteousness which is from the law. We need the righteousness of Christ which stands on the right side of the Father which the devil cannot refute or topple and which the righteous judgments of God can not condemn. Me they can topple and blow away like a feather but if I point to the right hand of the father where Christ sits, who adorns me with His righteousness, then they will have to leave me unassailed.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. Joh 11:26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

He conquered Satan in the long fast of the wilderness, and when he came to him as an angel of light, offering the dominion of the world in exchange for his worship; he made sacrifices that will never be required of man, as man can never attain to his exalted character. His whole earthly life was a demonstration of perfect submission to his Father's will. The course of Christ and that of Satan present the complete contrast of the life of an obedient with that of a disloyal son. {3SP 77.2}

All may now obtain holy hearts, but it is not correct to claim in this life to have holy flesh. The apostle Paul declares, "I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18). To those who have tried so hard to obtain by faith so-called holy flesh, I would say, You cannot obtain it. Not a soul of you has holy flesh now. No human being on the earth has holy flesh. It is an impossibility. {2SM 32.1}

The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification of body, soul, and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with God. Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great changes can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws of God and bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul.

Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves wholly to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that we are not dealing with impossibilities. We may claim sanctification. We may enjoy the favor of God. We are not to be anxious about what Christ and God think of us, but about what God thinks of Christ, our Substitute. Ye are accepted in the Beloved. The Lord shows, to the repenting, believing one, that Christ accepts the surrender of the soul, to be molded and fashioned after His own likeness. {2SM 32.3}

Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus the light of the world

Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psa 119:106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Light and obedience go hand in hand. Likewise disobedience and darkness go hand in hand

Joh 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Joh 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Joh 8:14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Joh 8:15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. Joh 8:16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. Joh 8:17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

Joh 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Joh 8:19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. Joh 8:20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

Martin Luther comments on this verse: “It is frightening when He goes away because He takes with Him eternal life and salvation and everything that God wants to give His own and leaves behind death, the devil, sin and unhappiness. One sees this in the Jews. In the Turks He is also gone. In Popery also.” (Martin Luther, Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s. 75.)

Joh 8:21 Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

He will not force you or coerce you, reject Him and He will leave you:

Joh 8:22 Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. Joh 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. Joh 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Joh 8:25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning.

I said λαλεω laleo lal-eh'-oA prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, that is, utter words: - preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare G3004.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. Joh 1:5 And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness apprehended it not.

Joh 8:25 Da sprachen sie zu ihm: Wer bist du? [Und] Jesus sprach zu ihnen: Durchaus das, was ich auch zu euch rede. (Elberfelder)Joh 8:25 Da sagten sie zu ihm: Wer bist du? Und Jesus sprach zu ihnen: Erstens das, was ich euch eben sage! (Schlachter)Joh 8:25 Da sprachen sie zu ihm: Wer bist du denn? Und Jesus sprach zu ihnen: Erstlich der, der ich mit euch rede. (Luther)

Martin Luther comments that they wanted to know who He was and not what He had to say. He, however, wants them to hear what He has to say and then they would know who He is. The Word must be the beginning then knowledge would follow. If we refuse to listen then we will never know because it has been determined that God wants to be unseen, unrecognized and incomprehensible other than through His Word alone. It is therefore for naught to undertake anything to achieve salvation other than by His Word. He will not do it, He does not want it and He wants it no other way. Therefore let His book, through which He speaks to you, be recommended to you because He did not write it for nothing so that it should lie there as though He were speaking to mice or to the flies on the pulpit. One must read it, think it, speak it and be moved by it being convinced that that it is He Himself, not angels nor other created beings, that speaks to us therein. (Martin Luther, Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s. 289.

Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. Joh 8:27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Joh 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. Joh 8:30 As he spake these words, many believed on him. Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. Joh 8:35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. Joh 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Free from the bondage of sin

They wanted temporal relief and not freedom from the bondage of sin.

Joh 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. Joh 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Joh 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Joh 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Joh 8:43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. Joh 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Joh 8:46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? Joh 8:47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Only the sinless One can save from sin

Joh 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Joh 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. Joh 8:50 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Joh 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Joh 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Committing the sin against the Holy Spirit

Joh 8:52 …. 'If anyone keeps My word he shall never taste death.'

This is the medicine that is prescribed by the great physician. For many this medicine is too bitter to swallow. Think about how much we are willing to spend to prolong life for a brief period of time but to spend this price to receive life eternal is scoffed at.

Joh 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Joh 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Joh 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Joh 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Joh 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

How do I keep His word when my character is bent and distorted and Satan tugs at my sleeve? Firstly God leads and secondly He corrects as a father corrects his son. Also, I must submit to this chastening in order to produce fruits of righteousness.

2Co 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Joh 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.

God permits us to come into straight places so that we can learn by experience that He is able to save to the uttermost. That we can learn that one little word of His is stronger than the gates of Hades, that our extremities are His enabling, that our weakness is our strength that our righteousness is filthy rags that our hope is in nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness. In fact to believe in Him is the fulfillment of the first tablet of the Law and thus a commandment.

1Jn 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.

Rejection of the Law is rejection of the Son. Rejection of the Son is rejection of the Father. The world receives neither. History repeats itself and they cry for the release of Barabbas.

Luk 23:18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:

So it was and so it still is. The pearl of great price was not recognized for what it was because it did not suit their version of salvation and thus they rejected it.

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Mat 19:28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in

the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mat 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.

If they treated Him thus, they will treat the true followers of Christ thus. True Christianity is a cross. The cause is faith in Christ and in His Word and this cause alone is of value and from the Devils perspective, worthy of persecution. Of course the manner of dealing with the persecution must be of the similitude of Christ with all longsuffering and humility. Their crime is they want Christ and Christ alone to the exclusion of all others. Syncretism is not a worthy compromise to them. They are kings and priests of the Most High not (as Martin Luther said) because they wear crowns and scepters and are dressed in fine silks and purple, but because they have passed from death to life, shame to them is honor, the Devil to them a straw man, their sin is exchanged for righteousness, their misfortune is their fortune and their poverty their riches. Nothing can separate them from the love of God.

Mat 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

Isn’t it strange that the world should hate the one who came to save it, that they should be offended at the one who made the blind to see, who raised the dead and healed the sick. Martin Luther asked the question: “If someone considers such a savior a devil, what kind of God must they then have?” Many are so learned, that they cannot accept the simple stories of the Bible. No matter how simple some of these stories may appear, they are the power of God. In this book you will find the swaddling clothes, but it is Christ who is wrapped in them, and angels sing His praises.

1Pe 4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

1Pe 4:2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Php 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Martin Luther said that to pick up the cross is the same as voluntarily picking up the wrath of the devil, the world, the flesh, sin, and death and carrying it on our shoulders. Only acknowledge righteousness by faith and the cross will follow automatically. Hypocrites will not acknowledge the first part so they not only refuse to pick up the cross but they themselves become persecutors and murderers of the pious who carry the cross.

Martin Luther struggled to reconcile Paul and James with regard to the tension between works and grace calling the epistle of James the epistle of Straw. Isn’t it interesting that James, the brother of Jesus, the one who grew up with Him, should emphasize the law and works whilst Paul, who was a Pharisee blameless with regard to the law, should preach grace?

If we are not prepared to suffer the fate of Christians, which is to suffer for righteousness sake, then we are not Christians. Compromise with sin is not sufferance but the avoidance thereof. Being pious does not save one (there are pious people in all religions). Being a “good person” or a philanthropist does not save one for:

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

To be saved means to be transformed:

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Co 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

2Co 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

2Co 5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

In this walk no one has arrived; it is a battle and a march. It is not holiness but striving towards holiness, it is not spiritual health but a striving towards spiritual health and it is not being but becoming. Legalism, on the other hand claims attainment and is a denial of the cross which is the death knell to legalism and the crowning of grace. Presumption claims victory over sin which is Christ’s prerogative alone. I can only overcome in Him. Whoever does not have the love of Christ in his heart will succumb to this world and to the powers controlling it. Paul sums it up succinctly:

Php 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Php 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Php 3:15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Php 3:16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

1Co 1:29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made

unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

It is not I who am holy; it is He who is holy. It is not I who stand

firm as a rock; it is He who stands firm as a rock. Presumption say’s “once saved always saved”.

Eze 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Martin Luther comments on this text: “A ‘works saint’ (Werksheiliger) will, on the grounds that he is presumptuous and relies on his piousness, not be saved thereby. And David and the thief on the cross need not despair on the grounds of sin as though they should be lost because of them; rather one should stay on the right middle road and take heed not to fall into sin. For although God has promised grace and forgiveness of sin, he has not promised that if you fall you will necessarily return, just as Saul and Judas did not return. It is not within our power to take hold of grace. Therefore one must fear God who is the enemy of both presumption and despair.” Christlicher Wegweiser fuer jeden Tag, s. 240.

By faith we become one with Christ the power of redemption and eternal life. I receive His life and righteousness in exchange for my sin and death.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Where is the repentant Christians sin? It is laid on Christ. No longer need he plague himself with confessed sins and strive to rid himself of the stain for they have been blotted out, the slate has been wiped clean. He must rest and no longer dig in the dunghill of his past for the Lord has done a new thing. More than that, He has bound him to himself.

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

All the world’s riches, pomp and glory, and all the worlds’ wisdom on one heap would be as dung compared to Christ the author and finisher of our faith and our salvation. We may truly boast in Him and in this case with pride not humility.

Jer 9:24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

2Co 4:5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake.

This is our mission and although it sounds easy enough it is the most difficult thing to do since it requires self denial and perseverance in the face of great opposition. Self must be buried in Christ for all eternity, a price too high for most. On the surface it smacks of slavery and it is slavery to righteousness but without it universal happiness is compromised for all eternity. If, however Christ’s will becomes our will, then it is no longer slavery but brotherhood because His will has become our will. Total trust is taking God at His word. He created us, he knows our frame and our needs but he does not require blind obedience untempered by reason, He invites us to come and see by experience that Lord is good.

Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

He is the God man, the creator, the redeemer. He did not leave us orphans but made Himself of non effect for our sakes and demonstrated His love for us that while we yet sinners He died for us.

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the

excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

All our wisdom is foolishness and all our righteousness filthy rags so if we glory let us glory in the Lord. Therefore, if you want to be strong and stand against the wily attacks of the Arch Deceiver, then:

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Mar 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

Faith is a mighty mover and faith in Christ the mover of mountains. Only through this mighty faith can the world be overcome. Therefore faith in Christ is mightier than the world, principalities and powers. Nothing, not even the gates of hell can overcome it, indeed, they tremble.

Joh 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Our prayers are not answered because of any righteousness in and of ourselves, but prayer must be based on the promises of God from where its power is derived. We cannot weary Him with our prayers, He is our friend.

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

There is also a condition to prayer being answered. We need to listen to Him and stay with the Word for He is the Word and the Word testifies of Him. Our evidence is the Word for the Spirit apart from the Word is a deceptive Spirit as the Spirit is manifest in the Word.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

If you seek righteousness then seek it in Christ for apart from Him there is no righteousness.

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Martin Luther said that the world will hate you anyway so what difference does it make if you are dead to the world. Let the world rant and rave while the Christian sails on.

If you fall stand up in Him.

1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Gal 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

The Devil is a master at making large sins small and insignificant and small sins great so that they crush us to death, but we have an advocate and therefore we should not dwell on sin but forsake them and carry on. As Christians we need not be crushed nor need we despair but we walk by faith. Of course the devil will whisper in our ears that we are not good enough – away with such thoughts, they are not the issue, the issue is, is Christ good enough. Is there then nothing that I need do? Yes there is - Confession and repentance – these are the conditions that we need to meet.

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Heb 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Not by any power inherent in us are we justified or sanctified but in Him we cry “Abba Father”

Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. "With His stripes we are healed." {DA 25.2}

Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

We may be cheerful. God does not want any sour faces on this ground; the Lord does not want anyone in gloom and sadness; He wants you to lift up your countenance to Him, and let Him just pour upon it the brightness of the light of the Sun of Righteousness. --Manuscript 42, 1894. {Ev 488.1}

This grace in no way signifies a grace that is cheap; it comes at a price – it cost the life of the Son of God. Moreover, it requires of us the crucifixion of the old man of sin and the surrender of all that we are..

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. His word is truth and light. We ignore or disbelieve His Word at

our own peril. The Word is inexhaustible, Its height and breadth and depth no one can fathom. It brings life and yet it is marginalized or ignored and gathers dust on shelves.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Here we find peace. Not as the world gives but peace even in the midst of turmoil:

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

This is not a peace that leaves the world in peace and slumber – this kind of peace the world seeks – no this is a peace that brings a sword but can itself not be broken because it finds a shelter under heavenly wings. Not the ranting of the world, Satan or the flesh can rob the Christian of this peace if he is rooted in Christ.

Oh that we:

Eph 3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Zec 2:8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

It is His will that I be saved. Only my choice can prevent it.

Joh 17:24 "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

Rom 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.