"A Wonderful Analogy: The Two Creations"

2nd.Corinthians 4:1-11 "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the WORD of GOD deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of GOD. But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of CHRIST, WHO is the image of GOD, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but CHRIST JESUS the LORD; and ourselves your servants for JESUS' sake. For GOD, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of GOD, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD JESUS, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for JESUS's sake, that the life also of JESUS might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."

     "For GOD, WHO commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST" (v.6). Paul, in this verse, draws a beautiful analogy comparing our new creation in CHRIST (2nd.Corinthians 5:17 pictured above) to GOD's creation of our world. Both we and the world originally existed in darkness. As for the Earth, "darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Genesis 1:2). As for us, our former condition was one of darkness. As for us, our former condition was one of darkness (Ephesians 5:8), "having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GOD" (Ephesians 4:18). On the first day of the creation of the world GOD gave the command, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), and out of the darkness came a brilliant light. In the new creation, GOD has shined spiritual light in the hearts of believers where formerly there was only darkness. May we never cease to show forth the praises and the excellencies of the ONE WHO has called us "out of darkness into HIS marvelous light" (1st.Peter2:9).

     John Darby aptly stated that the LORD "has shone in our hearts for the shining forth of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in [the] face of [JESUS] CHRIST." This signifies that we are to shine forth this light to others: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16). In the physical realm, the sun is the light of our world today; spiritually speaking, the SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the LIGHT of the World, making it possible for us to walk in the light as HE is in the light (John 8:12 pictured above; 1st.John 1:7). Let there be light as we shine forth the glorious light of the LORD to those who desperately need to know HIM ! GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

 

"Confident of This Very Thing"

 

Philippians 1:3-7 "I thank my GOD upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the Gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST: even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace."

     The believer has many things about which he can be "always confident" (2nd.Corinthians 5:6 pictured at top of post). Yesterday's text emphasized the LORD's promised provision for the replacement of our earthly body with a heavenly, perfect, eternal body (2nd.Corinthians 5:1-8). Today, our text speaks to the wonderful truth that every believer can be absolutely certain of eternal salvation. The simple reason for this is that the LORD never starts a work HE cannot or will not finish: "HE which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of JESUS CHRIST" (v.6 pictured below). Paul could pray with certainty that the fellowship he so enjoyed with the Philippian believers at a distance would continue under GOD's hand of blessing (vv.3-5); he was completely confident that CHRIST would keep them secure in HIM to the very end -- until that day when they would be glorified at HIS appearing.

     Our eternal salvation depends entirely upon GOD's work, not our own. Galatians 3:1-3, pictured above, refutes the erroneous belief that one is saved by grace but kept saved by works -- this produces fear rather than confidence. And, without certainty in the continuing work of the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT "until the day of JESUS CHRIST" (V.6), every incident of human failure gives Satan an opportunity to fill that person with doubt as to his redemption. This apprehension and unease that the Devil delights to impress upon us is a terrible enemy of the soul. The confidence that the LORD wants all of HIS children to have concerning the eternal security of their salvation does not beget indolence or carelessness, but rather it produces fidelity to the WORD of GOD as well as gratefulness to the SAVIOR for the fact that HIS keeping power is as great as HIS saving power. MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation